This is my version of the movie "Out At The Wedding," which is directed by Lee Friedlander and is written by Paula Goldberg. If you haven't seen it, go rent it! It really is a great movie!
Southern Comfort With A Twist
By Debwood-1999
Chapter One
"Eve, will you marry me?" Matt Hardy asked as he slipped a ring on his girlfriend's finger.
Eve Torres gasped in happy shock and brought a hand to her mouth.
"So, is that a yes?"
Eve nodded and smiled. "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!" she shouted, standing up from the table at the fancy restaurant Matt had taken her to. Her boyfriend stood up and threw his arms around her. Once the excitement died down, Matt and his new fiancee went back to their seats.
"Matt, we're so happy that you want us to be part of your birthday dinner," smiled Mrs. Torres, who was seated across from the happy couple. "And my husband and I are happier still that you love our daughter and want to be part of our family."
Mr. Torres, seated next to his wife, raised his wine glass. "Cheers! To Matt and Eve, and to a long, happy future together." Everyone clinked their glasses together in agreement. He smiled at his wife. "I thought you said there wasn't anyone good enough for our little girl." He paused. "Seriously, Matt. The day Eve brought you home, well...we all fell in love with you. And we know we'll never be able to replace your family, but we're all blessed that we'll be able to call your our son."
Matt's smile was genuine. "Thanks, that means so much to me..." He glanced across the crowded restaurant and spotted a familiar dark haired figure. "Hey, Phil's here! How weird and connected is that?" Eve's family waved in a friendly greeting. "He wouldn't show up unless there it was really important. Will you excuse me?"
Matt discretely made his way over to his friend and took him aside. "Philly, what are you doing? I said meet at my apartment at 8:30."
Phil Brooks shook his head. "Matty, it's 9:20. When you didn't show up at your apartment, Anna and I got worried and came over here. Let's go."
"What about my luggage?"
"It's in the cab. Let's book."
"It's a little awkward, Phil. Change of plans. Eve's photo shoot's been rescheduled. Her flight doesn't leave until Saturday. So I told her that you and Anna had a big birthday surprise for me, and that I have to leave with you guys tonight." Matt paused. "So, you've met Eve's parents already, right?"
"Anna and I already have. Let's say our goodbyes and gracefully make our way towards the exit-"
"Oh, wait!" Matt smiled. "I asked Eve to marry me."
"Well, congratulations!"
"Thanks!" Matt and Phil headed back towards the table. "Oh, and here's the clincher. Mom and Dad Torres, they think my family's dead."
~~~SCWAT~~~
"Anna, I thought you, Matt and Phil would like these for your flight," Mr. Torres said outside the restaurant a few minutes later.
Anna Hollenbeck, a tiny blonde slip of a woman who was Phil's roommate and his and Matt's best friend, graciously accepted the offered paper bag. "Well, thank you, Mr. Torres," she said, as she climbed back into the taxi. "I think we'll definitely enjoy these."
A few feet away, Matt and Eve were sharing a goodbye kiss. "I feel so weird leaving you, Eve."
"Matt, it's okay. I wish we were going together, but I like Phil and Anna. You're in good hands. We'll just go away together on our honeymoon?"
"I think that can be arranged."
"Uh, Houston? We have a problem!" Phil caught Matt's attention. "Quarter to ten," he announced, as he hopped into the waiting cab next to his roommate. "We have to get a move on."
"Sorry, Eve. Phil's being persistent." Sighing, Matt climbed into the cab.
"Wait!" Eve caught her fiance's attention. "Where's Anna and Phil taking you?"
"Don't know," Matt said, shrugging his shoulders. "It's a surprise."
Eve cocked an eyebrow. "Then how do you know you're running late."
"He's always late," Anna chimed in, preventing an awkward moment and earning her a dirty look from Matt.
"True that," laughed Eve. "Love you, Matt."
Matt smiled. "Love you back," he answered her, as he closed the cab door and it pulled out into traffic.
~~~SCWAT~~~
Anna opened the huge paper sack and shook her head. "Uh,why did Eve's dad give me a bag full of Latin pastries?"
"Eve's dad owns a bakery," Matt pointed out. "They're probably day-olds."
Phil chuckled. "Eat up, Anna. Looking at you, you definitely need them more than us."
"Ha, ha." Anna took a bite out of an empanada. "Hmmm. Strawberry."
"Yeah, it's great when he drops by to visit," Matt said. "There's always something for breakfast."
"Matt, there's enough pastries in here for everyone within a 12-block area." Anna paused, and then put on an accent that made her sound like she'd been born hock-deep in hominy grits. "Maybe we can save some for your daddy when you get off the plane in North Carolina."
"Anna, don't start."
"You know Matty, Eve's not dumb." Phil reached in the bag and pulled out what looked like a big cookie with jam in the middle. "it's hard for us to believe you kept this up for three months. You've got quite the gift, Matt. You're the Diva of Deception-"
"Philly, Matt's a guy," Anna cut in. "He can't be a diva."
"Okay. Duke of Deception. The Sultan of Subterfuge. The Baron of Bull-"
"Phil, stop!" Matt huffed. "I'm not deceiving anyone. Eve misunderstood me, and I just...well, I never corrected her."
"Matty," Anna reached in for another empanada. "Eve thinks your entire family's dead. That's not a misunderstanding. That's mass murder."
"Genocide," added Phil, nibbling on the cookie.
"I get it! I know it's sucky." Matt pulled a big, pink monstrosity out of the paper sack. "But you know my family. It's this big, scary guess-who's-coming-to-dinner type type thing. I didn't think it would be a big deal, but I didn't expect to fall in love and pop the question in three months." Matt sighed and took a huge bite out of the pastry. After chewing and swallowing, he wondered, "What am I gonna do?"
"Well, this may be your least favorite option," sighed Phil. "But it may be the best one. We tell her the truth."
"Yeah. I'm gonna tell her the truth. When we all get back, I'll tell everyone the truth." Matt took another bite. "I just...I just don't want to make Jeff's wedding about me."
Anna cocked an eyebrow. "Why? He managed to make your birthday last year all about him. And don't tell me it was the only date available. He did it on purpose, and you know it."
"You just don't like him."
"I do like Jeff," Anna shot back. "Just in small doses."
Phil snorted. "To be honest, Matty, you don't like him."
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I know I'm taking some creative liberties with Eve's family, so bear with me and suspend your disbelief. I know Matt and Eve may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there's gonna twists and turns galore in this fic. After all, why do you think I called it Southern Comfort With A Twist?
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