Something Great (Sequel to Something Borrowed)

Chapter 36: A Date With Destiny

A/N: Hi guys!! Here's the update I promised! Sorry it took so long! I have two more weeks until my big test. I'll be doing major studying this week so I might not be able to update until it is over. I really miss updating frequently. Well, I hope you guys like that chapter and if I don't get to write another chapter before Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it!! I love you guys!!

“Do we have to go Auntie Erin??” Sailor asked me as I zipped up the rest of her clothes in her duffle bag. It was the girls weekend to go with Michael and I was going to drop them off. Brooke had a busy afternoon and was unable to prepare the girls so she asked me to do it. I didn’t mind at all. It had been forever since I’d spent time with my nieces and in a way, being around them made me feel like a mom again. Ever since Harry left I haven’t felt like much of a mother. I was so used to having him around  that it almost felt as if I didn’t even have a child with him being gone and all. Next week would make a whole year since he’s been away in London with Leif and my wedding was the week after that. I hadn’t heard from Harry in a week and I was sure he wasn’t going to be in attendance at the wedding. I wasn’t sure if he was still mad at me or not and wasn’t sure if he’d be coming back  home either. The thought of it deeply saddened me but I couldn’t stress over it too much. I still had a few last things to get in order before the day of the wedding. There was the bridal shower, the rehearsal dinner and a  double check of the guest list that needed to be done. I really had to focus. In two weeks I would be walking down the aisle. It all felt so surreal.

“Don’t you want to spend time with your daddy?” I asked. Sailor shook her curly head. “No. I want to stay with you!” She exclaimed.  I smiled. I’d missed my nieces so much in these nine months. I found myself tearing up a bit a Sailor’s sweetness .“I wish you could stay with me too but I think your dad would like to see you.” I replied. “I just hope Eva’s not there.” Emma declared as she walked into the room, her bag tucked under her arm.  I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve met Eva?” I asked. The ten year-old  groaned. “She’s coco for cocco-puffs, Auntie Erin!!” She exclaimed. I giggled. “Yeah, and she ‘s loud too. I don’t get why Daddy needs a girlfriend anyway.” Rowan spoke as she sat her bag down on the floor next to Emma’s. I almost found myself joining in on the girls gossip but I caught myself. Eva really liked me and she went out of her way to help me find my dream wedding dress. It wouldn’t be right. But it still didn’t take away from the fact that she was a pain in the neck. I still don’t get what Michael sees in her.

“Eva’s not that bad, really.” I lied. “That’s a fib Auntie Erin and you know it!” Sailor exclaimed sassily. If there’s one thing I learned about being a mother is that children are honest and they know when you’re lying .“I just wish Mom and Daddy would get back together again.” Rowan declared sadly. I felt for them. I too was once a little girl from a broken home who wished  desperately  that my parents would get back together  when it was obvious that they hated each other. Brooke and Michael were through. Mike had caused too much damage but you can’t blame the poor children for dreaming.

I sighed. I didn’t know what to tell them. “Are you girls all ready?” I asked. Emma sighed. “Yeah, as ready as we’ll ever be.” She replied. “C’mon girls, chin up.” I spoke trying to lighten the mood. My nieces just sighed as the grabbed their bags and followed me out the door. Poor girls they really were going through it. In two weeks I would be married and my life would be taking a total 360. Things would be looking up for me but I hoped they look up for everyone. Mother, Brooke and her girls, Harry and even Michael.

 

Michael

“Erin came in the shop last week , Papi!! I helped her pick out the most beautiful dress!!! She’s going to look absolutely gorgeous!!” Eva exclaimed as she chatted away on the other line. I sighed as I placed the pan of fish sticks in the oven. I wanted to get a head start on dinner before the girls arrived for the weekend but Eva wouldn’t shut up long enough for me to concentrate on anything. I’d been meaning to break up with soon but I can never get in a word edge wise. I’ve got two weeks to win Erin back( I’d been counting the days on my calendar) and when I do, Eva’s going straight to the curve.

“Oh that’s great.” I replied hoping to sound genuinely happy. I couldn’t be. How can I be happy when the woman I love is getting married to another man? But I will change that. Just watch.

There was a silence on the other line and I was hoping that maybe Eva had gotten tiered of talking but that was short lived. She suddenly squealed loudly, causing me to wince.  “You’re going to the wedding right?” She asked. “Yeah, why?” I asked. “I can be your date!!! And then we can invite Jake and Erin to our wedding when we get married!!” Eva exclaimed. I cringed. Marriage?!?! Who in the hell said anything about marriage??This woman is out of her mind. This conversation is officially over.

“Listen Eva, the girls are coming over and I really need to get started on dinner. I’ll talk to you later.” I replied quickly. Eva sighed. “Alright Papi! Send the girls my love!! Talk to you later Michael!!!!!” She exclaimed loudly. “Alright bye.” I replied quickly hanging up the phone before she could say anything more. What a pain in the ass. I’ve got to get rid of her. And soon. Just as I’d finished getting the last of the food that I was planning to cook there was a knock on my apartment door. That could be none other than Brooke with our daughters. I tossed the dish towel over my shoulder and went to go answer the door. When I opened it was surprised to see Erin there with the girls instead of Brooke.

“Hi Daddy!!” The girls exclaimed although they didn’t seem too excited. “Hi Princesses.” I replied. “Hey Erin.” I greeted her. She looked especially beautiful today. I felt a nervousness in my stomach upon seeing her. I’d felt the same way whenever I saw her or was around her back when we were in high school. Erin could still do that to me.

She smiled her beautiful smile. “Hey Michael. You were expecting Brooke, huh?” She asked. “Yeah.” I replied. “ She’s a bit tied up at the moment so she asked me to step in for her.” Erin replied as the girls began walking in my apartment and heading into their room. I smiled. That just like her. Always going out of her way to help others. There was a silence between us. “Hey is that fish sticks you’re cooking?” Erin suddenly asked. “Uh, yeah. Would you like to stay for dinner?” I asked. She shook her head. “No, the smell of fish is actually kind of sickening. I’ve got to get going anyways. Jake and I have dinner with his parents tonight.” Erin replied. Why does she always have to bring up that dick?!?

I nodded. “I see.”  She’s still stuck on that bastard and I only have two weeks to get her stuck on me. I just have to woo her. I suddenly got an idea. “Hey, Erin. Remember that bachelor party you threw for me?” I asked my mind flashing back to that moment. Erin smiled. “Yeah, I remember. Gosh that was so long ago.” She replied. “What if I did something like that for you. You know, sort of gave you a bachelorette party but jut you and me?” I’d woo her then. It was my last and only chance. She was silent for a moment. A concentrated look on her face that indicated she was thinking. Please, Please say yes. After what seemed like forever she finally spoke. “I think I’d like that Michael. It could be fun. When should we do it?” Erin asked. Yes! She said yes! On the inside I was dancing like an idiot but on the outside I had to keep my cool. “How about next Saturday?” I questioned casually. She smiled. “Okay. It’s a date.” Erin replied. I grinned.  “So, I’ll be seeing you?” I asked. She nodded. “Yeah, I’ve really gotta get going. I’ll talk to you soon Michael. Bye Girls!” She called to her nieces. She gave me one last wave before walking away. I smiled to myself.

Well, looks like my plan will finally work.