Anthony's Return

Chapter 10

"I want to have another baby with you." Nick says. I stare into his eyes. Another baby? Everything rushes through my mind. He stares at me desperately.

"Nick.." I trail off unsure on how to answer.

"Sweetheart, I know I should have waited to mention this until after the wedding but I just wanted to let you know my mind set and my plans with you. I see us as a family thats going to grow a lot bigger." He blabbers quickly. I shake my head.

"We legit just fought." I say. "So much just happened. It's overwhelming."

"I understand that you'll need time to think about when and planning wise-" He begins

"Nick it isn't the best time now. We are stressed. The weddings coming soon. When things calm down, we can talk about it more." I say. Pain runs across his face. "Please."

"Of course." He says. He places a light kiss on my forehead before getting up.

~*~*~*~*~

I greet my fiancé under the wedding arch. All eyes are on Nick and I. The crowd formed in front of us is mixed with smiles and happy tears. I aimlessly search for Jared knowing he isn't here. It hurts that I don't have my best friend. Gia picks her nose as she sits on Franny's (Nicks Mother) lap. The priest rambles on with the usual wedding preach. I turn my attention back to my almost husband.

'I love you' He mouths.

'I love you more.' I reply. I stare into Nick's eyes smiling. He smiles, too. His palms are also pretty clammy. The priest clears his throat and turns his page in his book.

"If there are any objections..." He says. "Speak now or forever hold your pea-"

"I object!"

I turn my head quickly. Jared stands in front of us.

"Jared?" I whine. No. This can't be happening!

"Gabs. I love you. Please. Don't do this." He pleads.

"Jay" I trail off.

"Jared, I swear if you don't leave, you will regret waking up today." Nick threatens stepping forward.

~*~*~*~*~

I jolt awake. Darkness surrounds me. I grab my phone. 3:35am. I let out a breath.

"You okay, honey?" Nick mumbles groggily. I hear him shift.

"Yeah." I whisper. "Just a dream." I feel him draw me against him. I sigh feeling uneasy. He kisses my cheek and buries his face into my neck as he squeezes me closer. "Nick I have to talk to him." His head lifts immediately. He moves and turns the lamp on. I flinch at the brightness.

"Do you hear yourself right now?" He asks. "He tried to frame me as an abuser! If that got out, do you know how bad that would have been for the company? For me? Christ, I could have been sitting in jail!" I hang my head low. "Gabriella, I know he was your friend, but what he did is ridiculous."

"It is!" I agree. "And you're right, but he was basically my only friend! I've known him for so long. If you were in my shoes, you would see how difficult it is loosing your best friend. Years invested into the friendship"

"You can get through it. Without him. Fuck him." He says. "It's similar to people in long relationships or marriages that break it off. They manage."

"They break it off. They fall out of love. We didn't agree to break the friendship. I was mad an made him leave." I cry. He groans. "I just need to talk to him and work it out. I wont be okay until I talk to him." He closes his eyes for a few seconds.

"Fine. We can talk to him in the morning. If he even comes in." He says.

"We? I mean me." I say. He shakes his head.

"No. Both of us." He says. "He owes me a very big explanation. He is lucky I don't fire him, but I can't over our own affairs."

"I know." I say. "Fine, but when your turn is up, you can't but in to his and mine."

"You're almost my wife. I'm going to stick up for you and make sure people treat you with the respect you deserve. I'll open my mouth so he knows whos boss." He growls.

"You aren't going to make this easy are you?" I ask.

"Of course not. Now, go back to sleep." He says. The light flickers off leaving me in my thoughts.

~*~*~*~*~

My stomach turns as I realize it is time. I get up and walk towards Nicks office. I hear him slam the phone. I open the door and enter. He looks up at me quickly before rubbing his temples.

"He's on his way." He says. I nod and take a seat. "Let's just get this over with."

"Just please stay calm. I know you're pissed, but we are at the office." I remind. He throws his hands up defensively. "I mean it." There's a light knock on the door.

"Come in." Nick grunts. I roll my eyes. I nervously twittle my thumbs and I listen to Jared enter. He comes and sits by me. I make quick eye contact then look at Nick. "Jared, you probably can tell why I called you into my office."

"Is this the right place to do this?" He asks.

"Yes." Nick says sharply. "Why the fuck would you do something like that?" Jared is silent. "Like I get that you 'love' her but that was seriously fucked up dude. Do you know how bad and out of hands things could have gotten?"

"I wasn't thinking clear. I thought it was a good idea at the time. I just can't explain how sorry," He looks at me. "I am. I really am. I have no clue what came over me. " I glance at Nick.

"You're lucky I can't fire you over this." Nick growls. "If it weren't for Gabriella telling me not to, I would -"

"No threats!" I remind.

"I swear " Nick trails off. He shakes his head. "And getting Cruz to come here."

"I admit, that was pretty low of me." Jared agrees.

"All of it was." I say. "Do you know how much this hurts? Things will never be the same again! I feel So sick, so shocked that you stooped that low."

"I'm so so sorry, Gabs." He whimpers. I almost feel bad for him. I tune myself out of Nicks rant. This really sucks. I should never consider letting people like this even talk to me again. I just can't throw all of them years away. I can't. Things will never be the same but it takes time to heal. Nick is going to kill me. Jared is seriously worth this. Everyone deserves a second chance.

"I think I'm going to give you a second chance." I interrupt. "I can't just throw away our friendship."

"Gabriella." They both say, Nick shocked, Jared thankful.

"This won't ever be the same, it will take me some time to look at you without thinking of this." I say. "But we all deserve a second chance. Just please, don't let me regret this."

"I won't I promise." Jared says. Nick shoots daggers.

"You're still invited to the wedding, if you wish to come." I say. "I kind of think I need you there." I give him a small half smile. He nods.

"Why are you too nice?" Nick grumbles.

"Because, she is herself and she actually cares." Jared answers

~*~*~*~

A/N

Sorry for a shitty short chapter, but what are your thoughts? If your best friend did that, would you ever forgive them?

I could never let my best friend go. Unless it was terrible like killing someone or something bad.

ANyway thanks for reading <3