Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

Oceanside Ceremony

LENA POV

"Did the flowers come? Are they set up okay? Does everything look okay? Is the food okay? Have you seen Stef? How's my hair?" I ramble as I am running around the room frantically for our big day was finally here. The day had come where Stef and I would get married, not legally but in our hearts and that is all that mattered to us and our family. Even though I was excited, I was a bundle of nerves! I was beside myself and I just didn't know how to calm down and relax.

"Oh my word! Mama, you need to chill the fuck out!!!" Julius says as he is fixing the tie on his tux. "You are just a hot blubbering mess of anxiety!! You need a pot brownie?" He laughs as I raise my eyebrow. "Nevermind, nevermind, you might start spouting off and we can't have that EVERRRR again. Lord knows what you'll shout out!" He waves his hand rather dramatically as I roll my eyes.

"Wellll, I just want to make sure everything is okay! You didn't answer me! Is Stef okay? Julius, did she bail? Oh my god! She bailed! Shit!"

"Honey girl, you need to chill! Now look at me and take a deep breath," he places both of his hands on my bare shoulders as I try to breathe, the halter cream wedding dress suddenly feeling as if it's ten sizes too small as my breathing is labored.

"She didn't bail, Queen Mocha! Jesus Jimminy! You look like you've swallowed a barrel full of ghosts! Snap out of it!" He shakes me a little making me come to my senses as Tess walks over in her pale blue bridesmaid dress.

"Oh my god! Lena! You look like...an angel!" She smiles as she grabs my hand, and I blush.

We had been working on our friendship over the past few months, very hard, and true to her word, she'd continued to have minimal contact with Stef. My only wish is that eventually things can be normal between us, and Stef can have her friend back. Truthfully, at times I felt really horrible about this. I did and I wasn't even sure if it was right of me. Was it? Was I an asshole? Was I selfish? Stef kept telling me I wasn't and that I needed to relax and focus on myself and feelings for once.

"Angela did my hair. So you can thank her," I laugh nervously as she smiles wider.

"Well, it's beautiful. It really is." She reaches up to carefully run her fingers over my curls which are swooped to the side. I had a nice comb in my hair with tiny pearls and baby roses, and I knew that this was how Stef loved my hair the most.

"Thanks, Tess and so are you. You look really nice. Are the girls, okay? Corey? Oh god! Corey! I forgot to give him the rings!" I frantically begin rummaging through my dresser drawer as Tess follows close behind.

"They are fine!"

"Goodness, Tessy, will you tell her to RELAXXXXXX! Jesus! I will go check on your other half. Please calm this woman!" He flings his hands up in the air as I take a seat on the bed and Tess sits beside me.

"You really are beautiful Lena. You really are, and you and Stef deserve this. I'm so happy for both of you, and I'm so happy you guys moved back."

"Thank you, Tess." I say smiling at her as I grab her hand and squeeze it. She squeezes my hand back as she leans in and kisses my cheek.

"Now, relax. I already gave the rings to Corey. You have enough to worry about, sister. Plus, you know that Jerry and I are staying with them tonight still, right? You know that you need to just breathe and focus on you and Stef."

I smile softly as I look over at her. "Yes, Tess. I really am thankful for you. You know this, right? I want you to know I love you so much. I can't imagine this life without you in it." Tears spring to my eyes as she reaches out and wipes them away.