NOT MY BABY

Chapter 1 - the runaway bride

It was my big day, and no matter how much it meant to her best friends, she knew they'd never quite fully understand what she was going through.

I was marrying Freddie Benson. His mother didn't want me to marry him, but then again, when were mother-in-laws ever respectful of their daughters to be? At least, that's what my older brother kept on saying. Because my mom had died when I was five years old, I couldn't remember much. However, the stories that Spencer always told, were good ones.

Wendy, was to be my maid-of-honor because we'd become close friends through the years. Although the girl was quite a loud-mouth, I had come to respect Wendy's way of gossip and being a know-it-all. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing. As well as Wendy, I had made friends with Freddie's cousin, Annabelle. Annabelle was gorgeous, but not all that smart. However, she made a great best friend.

I hadn't heard from Sam in a long time and had lost all contact. Perhaps, I thought, it was for the best. I was marrying Sam's ex-fiance. Yeah, they were going to get married. But, on her wedding day, instead of showing up like a respectable bride would, she ran away instead.

After that, I'd seen her once. In fact, it was that same night.

That same night... (after the wedding)

"Cupcake, I can't marry him. You should though. It's always been you." Sam's voice whispered through the phone.

"How could you even do this, Sam? This is low, even for you!" Carly shrieked.

Carly heard a chuckle outside her door. She stormed over and opened it harshly, and in fell Sam Puckett. She got up and brushed her tattered wedding dress down carefully. The girl looked over at her best friend and shrugged helplessly.

"Oh Sam," sighed Carly, and pulled the blonde into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry, Carly. I- Tell Freddie that I'm leaving Seattle, and won't be back for a little while."

"You tell him!" the brunette yelled, and pushed her best friend away from her embrace. "Sam, you can't run from things like this! Freddie is probably killing himself right now all because you couldn't face up to it like an adult!"

"What am I meant to say, huh? That I can't marry him because he's clearing still in love with you?" Sam shouted, throwing her hands in the air.

"Why did he want to marry YOU then?"

The two girls faced each other, breathing heavily and red-faced. Carly stepped forward and frowned at her best friend. Sam stepped backwards towards the door and shook her head, ready to run at any given moment.

"I can't do this," she whispered. "I'm sorry Carly."

Sam turned her back to Carly and bolted out of the open door, and out of the life she had once lived and loved so much. Carly stared after her.

"It's almost time, Carly!" Wendy screeched, fussing over some flowers that had just arrived.

I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled weakly. I'd give anything for my real best friend to be here right now, bossing Wendy and Annabelle around, and taking charge of making sure everything was perfect for my special day.

But, of course, she wasn't here.

"I made cupcakes for everyone!" Annabelle cried, happily.

"Cupcakes for breakfast?" Wendy questioned, quirking an eye-brow. "Now I've heard everything."

Annabelle blushed a little and placed the plate of decorative cupcakes on the table next to all my makeup and hair dressing supplies. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that the girl was trying to impress Wendy.

Nah. Must be the wedding jitters that people talk about. It's making me see things that aren't there.

"These are delicious, Annabelle," I said, taking a bite out of one cupcake.

"Thanks, Carls," she gushed and looked expectantly at the red-head who had picked up a brush and was expecting it closely.

"Yeah," said Wendy, starting to brush my hair softly.

I noticed Annabelle's smile widen just a bit more as she skipped into the other room to go an inspect the bridesmaid dresses. Probably to snap some pictures as well. The girl LOVED taking photos, and she was a natural too! Some of the photos she took of our trip to the Caribbean last month were breathtaking.

Wendy was concentrating on my hair a little too much.

"Hey Wendy," I whispered, getting her attention. She looked up and caught my eye in the mirror.

"What? No! Carly, it's not like that..." she denied and her cheeks went a bit pink.

"You have to admit," I whisper. "Annabelle is adorable, right?"

"Ye- Maybe! Carls, I'm not saying I do, but-"

"What are you girls whispering about?" Annabelle asked, flouncing into the room and perching on the stool next to where I was sitting.

"Uhhh," stammered Wendy.

"A ... surprise party." I blurted out suddenly.

Both Annabelle and Wendy looked at me like I was crazy. But I laughed and nodded my head quickly. The two young women exchanged glances and then joined in with my laughing. Thank goodness I didn't have to explain anything further, for now. Maybe they'll shake it off as pre-wedding nerves.

However, before Annabelle interrupted... Wendy was about to say something, I could tell.

"Wow, that's really cool, Wendy! You could be like a hairdresser or something," gushed Annabelle.

I hide my grin as the red-head shrugged it off as if it was no big deal but secretly was thrilled by the compliment. Perhaps the whole love/hate relationship ran deeper than it originally meant to. I thought about when Sam and Freddie had always fought about every little insignificant thing. No wonder they loved each other and no wonder Sam was afraid to marry the guy.

No wonder I was marrying that same guy, today. Not freaking out. Much.

My hair was done, and so was my make-up. Wendy had done an amazing job putting it all up on top of my head. I felt like a princess.

"You look like a princess," sighed Annabelle, clasping her hands together, sweetly.

Wendy cleared her throat and pulled me to one side, as Annabelle danced and twirled around like a little girl. Funny, she was the same age as Wendy and me.

"Carls," she whispered. "You should go put your dress on. The veil will be here any moment."

"You kind of need to help me," I replied.

It was a two-person job to put on the massive white gown. At least Wendy knew what to do. As we figured it all out, I continued to fish for answers to the whole Annabelle crush thing.

"It's not a crush," hissed Wendy.

"She likes you though," I whispered back. "I can totally see that like turning into ... well... love."

"Carly, you're crazy."

"Am I?"

Wendy sighed and sat down on the bed, while I smoothed down the dress slightly. The girl looked at me and smiled.

"This is your day, missy. There's no way I'm taking away anything from that."

"The veil is here!" Annabelle called out from the living room. "Oh my gosh, it's beautiful!"

I exchange a look with Wendy and we both go and see what all the fuss is about, only to find Annabelle holding the most gorgeous veil you could ever see in your life.

This is it.