better man // c.h.

one- the introduction

"Millicent!" My sister calls from upstairs.

"What is it, Viv?" I yell back. 

"Where did you say the table settings are again?" She asks as she comes trekking down the stairs.

"They're in my car from when I went and picked them up yesterday." I answered. 

"Okay. When are the flowers going to be delivered to the venue this afternoon?" she asks, sounding quite stressed.

My older sister, Vivianne, is getting married tomorrow to the coolest guy on the planet, Ashton. I just so happen to be her wedding planner which is a literal dream come true. 

Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being a wedding planner. I've loved weddings as long as I can remember. I think Four Weddings and Say Yes to the Dress are what started all, and it just grew from there.

Now I'm fresh out of college with a communications degree, and I've been planning my sister's wedding for over a year now. 

I sigh and stand up from my spot at the kitchen table where all of my wedding files are sprawled out everywhere. I take her hand in mind in effort to comfort her.

"Viv, you've got to chill the hell out. I have everything taken care of. The flowers will be delivered at 3 which gives us plenty of time to place them all before the rehearsal dinner starts at 6." 

She sighs and takes a seat at the table, placing her head in her hands, "I'm sorry. I trust you 100%, but you know I just have all these thoughts running through my head about what could go wrong. It's driving me fucking nuts."

I sit next to her. "It's going to be absolutely perfect. All that matters is that you and Ash are gonna walk out of that building tomorrow joined together as one and looking hella good while doing it!" I smile. My words cause a small grin to form across her face.

"Yeah, you're right." She nods.

The front door opens, and the house fills with the sound of my mom's warm voice.

"Thank you so much, Ashton, for helping me go grab all of these sweet treats for the rehearsal dinner tonight." 

"It was no problem, Kim. I have to help out somehow, and I always enjoy spending time with my future mother-in-law." Ashton responds with a cheeky grin on his face as he and my mom make their way into kitchen, tons of boxes of sweets in tow. 

"You are just so sweet. I'm so glad Vivianne has decided to keep you forever," my mother giggles. The rest of us chuckle at her little joke. Ash gives my sister a peck and reaches down to give me a hug.

My mom was definitely right about Ashton. He is incredibly sweet. He's the brother I never had. He and Viv have been together for 4 years, and he's been there for me and my family no matter what we needed. He is just someone I've been able to rely on through some of the toughest years of my life. I don't think any of us remember what life was like without him. 

Plus, growing up without a father, it's nice to have a male figure in your life who actually cares about you.

"Are you ladies ready for this rehearsal dinner tonight?" The grin still hasn't left his face.

"Hell yeah. Speaking of, we all need to start getting ready. We've got an hour and half until we need to head over and start decorating!" I stand up and jump up and down, showing my excitement. Everybody laughs. And with that, we all head off to prepare for this crazy evening that's ahead of us. 

I shower and blow dry my hair before putting on the rehearsal dinner dress Viv picked out for me at the mall. It's beautiful sage color knee length dress. Vivianne loves the color green, and this dress just so happens to match the same shade of green she chose for her wedding.