Page 8 of How is This My Life? (Shorts)

Elise’s POV

Hopefully, it shouldn’t be too crazy.

They were getting married outside in the back of the cabin we were staying in, then we were hiking to the next cabin for the reception, where everyone was going to be waiting.

It was just going to be the five of us, mine and Denise’s boss, and one of Adrian’s military buddies who had the power to marry someone.

Which, I thought, was pretty cool that his friend could marry people, legally.

Adrian had been on the phone with him for at least five days, working on things that needed to be included in the ceremony.

We also hired two photographers and videographers.

Since their families weren’t coming and they could keep it smaller, they decided to splurge on the things that mattered to them, such as the DJ, food, and ways to memorialize the day.

They also made sure that a DJ and dance floor could be brought in, so we weren’t dancing in heels in the grass.

We came down two days early to start setting things up for the big day and to make sure that things were delivered and set up on time.

And, since there were no other reservations before ours, we were able to get into the giant cabin early to decorate, which made everything way less stressful.

Thankfully, we wouldn’t have to try to get ourselves ready and set everything up the day of.

Denise looked beautiful, simply stunning in her wedding dress with her hair all pinned up and simple makeup on.

It was a fall wedding, what she had always wanted, with a little chill in the air.

She ordered us cute sweaters in autumn colors to wear over our dresses.

I was in a burnt orange dress with a sage green sweater, while Tennley was in a wine-red dress, matching socks and tights, and a burnt orange sweater with a red and orange floral headband.

We all had flower crowns with some of the most beautiful autumn flowers.

Mine matched Tennley’s, and Denise’s was white to match the fact that she was the bride today.

She had always been gorgeous, but today she was glowing.

She looked ethereal, like something from a fairytale.

She looked like a fairy princess. Her dress was gorgeous, an A-line dress with loose, long sleeves, the whole bodice made of lace.

It had a plunging neckline that stopped midway to her navel with an open back.

I started tearing up looking at my best friend. She looked amazing.

Aaron was totally going to cry.

We had our cowgirl boots on under our dresses because we were not trying to fall on our asses in the mud.

I had the cute shoes packed in the duffle for the reception, so we were covered.

It also had changes of clothes for all of us girls in it.

I was planning on staying in my dress, though. I was feeling quite pretty in it.

“Ready?” I asked, checking at the time. It was already three-thirty in the afternoon, and we needed to get to the giant cabin before it got too dark, which, for the middle of November, was quickly approaching.

Turning on the little Bluetooth speaker I brought with us, I connected my phone and listened as the music drifted softly out of the back door.

I peeked out the curtains hanging over the sliding door to see our boss, both a friend and a mother figure, and the guys, waiting for all of us.

The guys both looked nervous, like they were waiting for women they loved to appear at any given moment.

I could have been wrong about that assumption for both of them.

But I knew it was true for Aaron. He had been waiting for this moment for years, and still loved Denise as much as he did on day one.

While…Adrian…well, we had gotten closer over the few weeks.

He helped all the time with Tennley, saying he didn’t mind and wanted to help.

I wouldn’t say we were in love, but I couldn’t deny I had a crush on him.

If I were honest with myself, the man had stolen my breath the first time I met him.

He was handsome. Like, coach-for-the-Washington-Commanders-handsome.

And, if you know, you know; you know what I mean, ladies?

His dark hair had grown out a little since leaving the military.

He was tall, almost as tall as Aaron, and the muscles and tattoos he had bulging out of his shirts?

The thigh muscles straining and testing the fabric of those jeans? ! Those things should be illegal.

The first morning after he slept in my guest room?

! Lord help me! I came downstairs in a ratty old t-shirt and panties, my hair in a messy bun that had clearly been slept in as it plastered itself to the side of my head.

I was still rubbing my eyes, getting the crusties out so I could see the coffee maker to start it, forgetting someone else temporarily lived with me.

He came out of his room, asking if I was making coffee in just a pair of grey sweats that hung so low on his hips it looked like they were holding on to the edge of a cliff, just barely hanging on, staying where they were, oh so precariously placed.

The lack of a shirt showed off every inch of muscled torso, bulging arms, and perfect Greek statue carved perfection.

It was unfair.

So insanely unfair.

The washboard abs. The tattoos on his sides, arms, chest, and back. Because, my God. I didn’t know if I was drooling in my sleep or if that was because he was that freaking…sexy.

And he still was, standing there in a suit and bowtie in the middle of the backyard surrounded by the woods, right next to Aaron who was in a white and black tuxedo, looking like damn James Bond.

I smiled, knowing Denise would have her mind blown by him in a few minutes.

Opening the door when I heard ‘L-O-V-E’ by Nat King Cole start playing, I made my way out into the backyard that overlooked a river and more forest. I looked up at the guys and saw Adrian’s eyes trained on me, and Tennley as we walked up together.

Her shaking a bouquet of leaves, letting them fall and cover the aisle the guys had raked this morning, in one hand, my hand in the other.

He looked like a man who had just been blown away.

He mouthed the word ‘ beautiful’ to me, and I blushed.

I knew he was just being polite, but I couldn’t help the blush.

A man who looked like he did, shirtless, called me and my little girl beautiful .

Once Tennley and I were standing on the left side of the altar, ‘Speechless’ by Dan + Shay was playing through the air.

This was their song, which Aaron dedicated to Denise the first time he heard it.

I took a deep breath as the chorus started and looked at Aaron, as I knew my bestie had just started walking down the aisle towards us.

His jaw dropped, his eyes misted over, and I was doing everything I could not to cry right alongside him.

Tears lined my eyes as I watched Adrian put his hand on Aaron’s shoulder as the tears fell from his eyes, completely overcome with emotion, but shining so brightly with love, pride, joy, and the look that said he was lucky and he knew it.

This man had nothing but love, respect, and admiration for my best friend.

I wanted that someday. That kind of beautiful love that never dimmed, never died, and lasted a lifetime.

She took her time getting to us, making sure that every bit of the song played for them.

I looked back at Denise, still walking down the aisle, crying, looking at Aaron like he was the only one she saw.

He probably was. She was smiling so hard it looked like it hurt, blushing like a fool.

If she weren’t already pregnant, it’d probably happen tonight.

For the briefest of moments, I remember my wedding day I had planned out in my mind.

I remember how I had almost every detail planned.

A different wedding for each season, just in case.

I feel the sadness penetrate me for just a moment.

Just until Adrian’s friend started speaking.

Our boss, Emily, stood close after walking down the aisle.

The ceremony was short and sweet, and each said their vows they had specially prepared for each other.

I was a mess by the end of it. Tennley was just babbling away as they kissed, sealing their union forever.

We clapped and cheered for them before we all walked just a few hundred feet away to where the giant cabin was, where the reception was being held.

I called the DJ on our walk over, as Adrian took Tennley from me, so I didn’t have to juggle both the phone and my girl.

As soon as we came into view, I heard him fade the music out and start his introductions.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience this evening, as the couple had a private ceremony with family only. Please get on your feet as we welcome the bridal party. Maid of Honor, Elise Adams, with flower girl Tennley Adams!” There was polite applause, “Best man, Adrian Walker! And now, please give a warm welcome, for the new Mister and Missus Aaron and Denise Jones!” The applause and cheers were overwhelming, both for Aaron and Denise as well as for Tennley, who’d never been around this many people before.

I went to stand right next to her while Adrian held her, leaning his head down and telling her with his deep baritone voice that it was alright, that she was safe, that I was here, and cooed the same things to her.

After a few minutes, she started to calm down, and I couldn’t help but feel calm as well.

She had a new person she was comfortable with.

The reception was wonderful, though at times, it did feel like someone was watching me.

I couldn’t pinpoint any one person when I would look around.

After dinner, we dance. Tennley and I danced together until her little legs got too tired.

Then Adrian and Aaron danced with her. Soon, Tenn’s eyelids were starting to droop, and she looked like she was ready to fall over and sleep.

I decided to run inside the big cabin where our duffle of stuff was, and take Tennley inside to change her into her jammies and get ready to head back to the smaller cabin the three of us were staying in tonight.

The happy couple would be staying in the master suite here.

As I rounded the corner to the larger bathroom on the first floor, I was grabbed roughly on the arm and pulled into a hallway off to the side. I couldn’t tell from the back of his head, in the dim lighting, who had hold of my arm, as the man pulled me down the hallway.

“Let go!” I said, firmly, not knowing how he had such a tight hold of my arm.

The man just kept pulling us along as I tried to use my feet to stop us, but I just glided along on the hardwood, unable to stop or get traction with my flats on.

I couldn’t reach my phone in my sweater pocket with Tennley in my arm, the man's strong grip on the other one, and with how loud the music still was right out back for the reception, I was doubtful anyone would hear if I started screaming.

The only thing that would do would be to frighten Tenn and piss off the man who seemed to grip tighter as he pulled us along, toward the end of the hall.

I pulled Tennley as close to my chest as I could as she began to fuss, wrapping her arms and legs around me. My poor girl was exhausted.

“Please let me go. My daughter is exhausted. I just want to get her to sleep. Who are you?” I tried to stay calm, appealing to the humanity of this person. Hoping seeing a little girl upset would make him let us go.

“I won’t tell anyone. I promise. Please just let us go,” I tried again when he stayed silent. Once he’d pulled us to the far end of the hall, he turned.

“Why are you dancing with another man and letting my daughter dance with him too? Who the fuck do you think you are?!”

Oh no. The chill that ran down my spine was one of fear. Great fear.

Trevor.

How was this my life?