Chapter 3: Return of the Ex

Nine days until the Wedding

It's Thursday night and Gwen has prepared a small bowl of popcorn and a glass of red wine. She's packed everything her trip to the Hampton's for her little sister's wedding. With everything taken care of she finally has sometime to herself. Sometime to relax and watch her favorite tv show. Getting cozy on the couch she turns on her tv and the announcer's voice can be heard.

"Coming up next ABC's Scandal." The tv announces, soon the shutter of multiple camera flashes can be heard as the show begins.

Suddenly her cell phone rings, pausing the DVR she answers the call patiently. Swiping the phone without bothering to look at whose calling she answers the phone.

"Hello."

"Hey Gwennie." Her sister Freya replies.

"Hey Frey, what's going on?"

"Well, there are is someone else we need to add to the guest list."

"Okay well any last-minute guest I'm sure we can accommodate them, just give their names to Mithian, she's handling the guest list."

"Oh well um you see I uh already did that."

"Oh so what's wrong?"

"Well this guest I thought you should know about in personally."

"Um okay." Gwen is nervous now. "Who is it?"

"It's Lance."

Gwen doesn't speak. She can't she couldn't possibly form words even if her throat hadn't instantly dried up. Lance was coming to the wedding but he declined his reservation month's ago. Why was this happening.

"Gwennie? Gwen?"

"Yeah I'm here Frey."

"Gwen please belive me Merlin and I tried everything we could to keep Lance his parents are really closes friends with Merlin's. There was nothing we could do, Lance suddenly rescheduled everything last minute and contacted Merlin's folks that he would be coming to the wedding with a plus one."

A date Lance had a date. It was bad enough that she would have to see him again. But to see him with someone else probably a girlfriend would be unbearable.

"Oh I see." I all Gwen can say.

"He's married Gwen, the plus one is his wife."

Gwen remains silent processing the situation. Not only did she have to face Lance again but it seems that after their painful and sudden break-up he had moved on with his life quite easily. Gwen wasn't sure what hurt most that fact that she hadn't moved on completely or that Lance had.

"Are you okay Gwen?"

"Um. Yeah It's fine. I'm fine."

"Oh well, there's something else." She pauses not sure about her sister state.

I'm not sure how much bad news I can take tonight. Gwen thinks nervously. "WHAT! What's going on?"

"Well it's George, Merlin's cousin."

"What happened?"

"He's okay but he's been in an accident. Snowboarding he broke both his legs."

"Oh my God! Are you sure he's okay."

"Oh yeah he's fine but in his state he won't be able to fulfill his duties as Merlin's best man.

"Oh crap he was the best man. Do you and Merlin have anyone else who could replace him?"

"No we couldn't think of anyone who wasn't already part of the wedding."

"Oh that's too bad."

"Well with Lance turning out to make the wedding it was such short notice.."

"Freya don't say it. Please don't tell me Lance is the best man now."

Freya remains silent, she has just unloaded a huge amount of drama on her sister all at once. " Hey Gwen Merlin's parents made Lance the best man. You'll only have to be around each for a little while."

Gwen still has not said anything. How bad could this night get. One Lance is coming back. Two Lance is coming to the wedding with his wife. Three Lance is now the best man who means that he and Gwen will be spending a bit of time to together.

"Gwen. Gwen are you sure you're okay?" Freya asks interrupting Gwen's thoughts.

"Sure I'm just a little shocked that's all. I'm fine."

"Gwen I can come over if you need me."

"Hey I'm your big sister. I'm supposed to be taking care of you." She laughs but she doesn't mean it, and Freya laughs with her.

"Okay if you're sure. I'll see you in a few days okay."Freya says glumly.

"Okay and don't worry about me I'm fine really. You're getting married to a great guy be happy."

"Alright sis I love you."

"Love you back Frey, bye."

"Bye Gwen."

The call disconnects and Gwen is temporarily stunned. Lance was coming back into her life, she wasn't ready. Worst of all he had apparently moved on, as if their relationship was just dust in the wind. See stared at the tv screen but the images didn't register. At that moment she had her own problems she would record Scandal and watch it when her own life was less dramatic. Her mind wandered back to Lance and the night their relationship went to hell.


Five Years Ago

Covered in sweat from a long run on the jogger's trail, Gwen returns to the apartment she shares with her boyfriend Lance. Opening the door Gwen goes to the kitchen opening the fridge to get a cool drink of water. She looks around her boyfriend's apartment it was messy as usual but since moving in with Lance she had helped him keep it somewhat cleaner. Gwen and Lance had been dating for about two years and he had insisted on her moving into his place about a year ago.

Their relationship had progressed slowly starting with them talking for about a year before he actually asked her out. They first date was very awkward and she could tell that he was very nervous. They watched a movie and had dinner afterward. They didn't really talk much during dinner he mostly just started at her. It kinda creeped her out at first but as they began to become more comfortable around each other she just took it as one of his ways. She had introduced Lance to her sister and brother, both seemed to like him. So after about a year of dating her mother wanted to meet Lance.

Her mother and Lance hit it off instantly. They had many things in common they even exchanged numbers. There were often a few times that Gwen would enter a room and Lance would be on the phone in a deep conversation with her mother. Which sometimes unnerved her but at least they get along. Her mother was happy with her choice of boyfriend for once, no criticism. And when they moved in together she could swear her mother was already planning the wedding.

Gwen smiles thinking about how perfect her life is. She has just started a great job, she has a wonderful boyfriend, well an okay boyfriend, he can be a arrogant jerk sometimes, often forgetting her birthday and practically any event that is important to her, but he's okay most of the time, her life was great she couldn't ask for anything more. She walked to the bathroom and undressed placing her dirty clothes in the hamper she hops in the shower and washes her hair. The warm water and steam feels amazing on her skin, she lather up and rinse away all traces of sticky sweat, as she dries off.

Today was their second anniversary and she hadn't heard from him all day not even a call or or text during his lunch break. Was it too much to ask for a considerate boyfriend? Maybe she was too picky. Perhaps she excepted too much. She didn't to be treated like a queen, just a man who actually acted like he cared about someone other than himself. Her entire family adored Lance especially her mother, maybe that was reason enough to stay together.

After dry her hair she wrapped a towel around her head and went to the bedroom to find a comfy pair of leggings, a slim tank top with a cute off the shoulder crop top layer over it. Digging into the bottom of her draw she finds her favorite pair of warm fuzzy shea butter infused socks and she slips them on her feet. She removes the towel from her head once most of the water has been dried out and heads to the kitchen in search of a bite to eat. She settles on the sofa for a small bowl of fresh blueberries and strawberries.

Once her bowl is empty she gets up and preparing to take her bowl back to the kitchen to wash it out. The sound of her cell phone ringing distracts her. The phone rings twice and she picks up the phone to see Lance's name on the screen. Smiling she answers the phone.

"Hi."

"Hey."

"Listen tonight I'm taking you out for dinner, someplace special so dress up."

"Um okay."

"I 'll have to meet you there I won't be finished here until 7:30."

"Alright. Where are we going?"

"I've already set up reservations for us at Pierre's at 8."

"Oh. Fancy eating at Pierre's."

"Well it's a big night for us Gwen, I have something I have to ask you and I want it to be perfect."

Gwen can hardly contain her excitement, what in the world is he up to?

"Okay I'll see you there at 8, I love you." Gwen says.

"You too." Lance responds and he hangs up the phone.

Maybe he hasn't forgotten about their anniversary. Maybe he really does care. She thinks then she is suddenly nervous. Dinner at a nice restaurant was he, no would he, propose to her tonight on the day of their second anniversary? It is possible that she is completely over analyzing this. She definitely needed a second opinion.

Picking up her phone she dials her best friend Morgana, the phone rings only once before Morgana picks up.

"Hey girlie." Morgana answers the phone.

"Hey Morgs, listen I need your help."

"Sure anything, what's up?"

"Lance just called me. He's taking me out for dinner tonight at Pierre's."

"Oh fancy." Morgana says laughing.

"I know it's just that today is our two month anniversary and he said he had something he wanted to ask me."

"OH MY GOD!"

"You think?"

"Oh he's proposing he's proposing!"

"That's what I thought but.."

"But nothing tonight is the night I'm sure."

"Well maybe." Gwen says uncertain.

"What are you going to say?"

"I don't know we've never really talked about marriage. I care for Lance, I love him,and my family loves him, so yeah I would say yes if he asked me."

"Well then what are you worried about?"

"I'm not worried."

"Liar."

"Okay maybe a bit."

"I'm sure everything will be fine, just relax."

"Alright I will try."

"And call me afterwards I don't care what time it is. I better get all the details tonight."

"Okay bossy."

"Good luck tonight Gwen."

"Thanks Morgana I'll talk to you later."

"Okay later girl, bye."

"Bye."


Dinner at Pierre's

Gwen arrived at the restaurant at 7:45 and was promptly escorted to the table Lance had reserved for them. Lance was seated at the table in a nice pair of slacks and a dark blue blazer. The server pulled out a chair for Gwen and Lance stood up when she approached the table. Lance admired Gwen's body, she always looked great in anything she put on but tonight dressed in a burgundy sleeveless halter dress her skin practically glowed. She sat down and Lance say down after her taking a large gulp of water, she could tell he was nervous.

"Hi Gwen you look amazing."

"Thanks Lance you look nice too." She says with a smile.

He returns the smile and begins tapping his fingers on the table nervously. Gwen doesn't want him nervous so she tries to ease the conversation for him.

"How was your day?"

He looks up thankful for the distraction. He talks about his day. Then he asks her about her day also. After a few minutes of small talk he seem visibly relaxed now.

"You ready to order?" He asks.

"Sure."

She looks at the menu and orders a Caesar salad and a small pasta Lance orders a steak medium rare. Their food is brought to the table by a pretty blond girl. Who leans in a little too close to Lance Gwen doesn't say anything. Lance is a handsome guy and women are often throwing themselves at him often. What ticks her off is that Lance is staring off after this girl with Gwen right there.

"What was that?"

"What?" He asks ungluing his eye from the waitress ass.

"Never mind."

They experience several minutes of awkward silence and Gwen once again tries to steer the conversation back to somewhere pleasant.

"How was work?"

Lance smiles. "Well it's funny that you bring that up. That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh what about?" Gwen asks slightly disappointed.

"Well I got a promotion today! They've offered me a job in Japan. with a home and a guaranteed seven digit salary each year.

"Wow. Japan that's really... um great."

"I know I told them we'd fly out next week."

"You told them what?"

"Well I told them about us I wasn't going to leave my girlfriend behind."

Gwen is fuming. If she could blow steam out of her ears like the cartoons she would have.

"How could you make such a life altering decision without discussing this with me?"

"What's the problem?"

"Wow you really don't get it. For someone so technology savvy you really are an idiot!"

"I thought you would be happy for me!"

"That's the point exactly! You did this for you, not for us!"

"Gwen I really don't see why you are so upset. For me, for us what's the difference."

"We are a couple, we should have talked about this first, did you have to make a choice today?"

"Well no but I didn't want the opportunity to pass me... Uh I mean us by."

"Nice try."

"What?"

"I need a moment."

"I don't know why your pissed off. It's not like your job is that important."

"What? Oh so now your insulting my career over yours."

"Gwen wait I didn't mean it like that."

"This dinner is over Lance!"

Gwen gets up from the table and doesn't even look back at Lance she she leaves the restaurant. He runs his hands through his hair clearly frustrated with himself and Gwen. How in the world did this conversation go wrong so quickly.

"Your dinner didn't go so well did it?"

Lance looks up and he is face to face with that cute blond waitress. " Understatement of the year."

"Sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop I could help but hear the conversation got pretty heated."

"That's okay."

"But if a handsome guy like you wanted to move me across the world I'd drop everything in a minute."

"Really?"

"Yeah she doesn't know what she's missing out on."

"I'm Lance."

"I'm Vivian, can I get you a drink?"

"Sure."


Gwen picks up her phone and dials Morgana while driving. Wiping tears from her eyes she tries to clear her throat. Why am I crying? I don't know If I am sad or angry, well maybe a bit of both.

"Hey Gwen or should I say soon to be Mrs. Mendez?"

"No it's just Gwen I need to talk can I come over?"

"Oh of course girl."

Gwen arrives at Morgana's apartment in a few minutes. She knocks on the door and Morgana instantly opens the door letting her inside the apartment. Once inside Morgana tells Gwen to have and seat and she returns with drinks for both. Gwen recounts her dinner with Lance and she is interrupted a few times with the sounds of Morgana's growing anger.

"Do you think I overreacted?"

"Honestly I don't know I would have been pissed but perhaps you both need to calm down and talk it this out?"

"Yeah maybe. I'll try to call him." Gwen takes her phone out and calls Lance it rings several times and goes voicemail.

"He's not answering?" Morgana questions.

"No maybe he has it on silent."

They continue to talk and Gwen feels herself becoming calmer after talking to Morgana for about two hours. She has tried to call Lance three more times but each time it goes to voicemail. Feeling more level-headed she decides to go home and get things sorted out with Lance.

"If you need back up call me!" Morgana tells her as she leaves the apartment.

"Thanks girl but I'm sure that won't be necessary." She says laughing.

The drive home is nerve wrecking Gwen is calmer but what are she and Lance going to do now, If he still decides to go overseas how could they possibly make that work? Would she go with him? What about her career, her family and friends?


As she pulls into the parking lot of their apartment Gwen sees Lance's car parked in his usual spot. Climbing the stairs to their door she hears loud music blasting from the speaker system in their apartment. It's very loud surely their neighbors would be complaining soon. The loud music covers any sound of the door opening and closing she calls out for Lance but he doesn't answer surely he can't be sleep with all this noise. Walking back to their bedroom she finds Lance in bed but he's not alone. The flirt blond from the restaurant is naked and straddling him in their bed.

Gwen unplug the stereo.

"Oh my god!"

"Gwen!" Lance shouts jumping out of bed so suddenly that the naked blond flies off the bed.

"What the fuck?"

"Gwen it's not what it looks like,nothing happened, please believe me." He stands up walking over to her.

"Really because it looks like you are screwing some other woman in our bed. And your not even wearing a condom you selfish bastard!"

The blond rises off the floor and peeks over the side of the bed she at least has the decency to try and cover herself.

"You were working at the restaurant tonight!" Gwen exclaims charging at the semi naked woman who runs and hides in the bathroom.

"Gwen please it was a mistake. I'm sorry."

"Well which one was it? Nothing happened or you're sorry?"

"Gwen... I... um"

"Your a goddamn liar that's what you are! And to think I was coming home to apologize to you because I thought maybe I overreacted but now I really see who you are just a selfish arrogant bastard."

"Gwen please."

"We're done Lance, I'm not putting up with your shit anymore!"

"Gwen please wait."

Gwen grabs a few items of clothing from her dresser, stuffs them into an overnight bag and walks out the bedroom and grabbing her cell phone charger and a light jacket she heads out the front door.

"Gwen don't go please." Lance calls slipping on a pair of sweatpants.

"Why? You ruined everything Lance tonight was our two-year anniversary and you didn't even remember, but you never remember do you?"

Lance remained silent.

"After all this time together I thought maybe you could be better, boy was I wrong. You said tonight was going to be special."

"What tonight was special we could have moved overseas together. Start a life together, we still could."

"A life together as what exactly?"

"I was going to propose eventually. Wait is that what this is all about? Because I didn't ask you to marry me?"

"No it's not about that Lance. Yes I was expecting a proposal but I wouldn't been disappointed without one. This is about you time and time again thinking of only yourself, and I won't live like this anymore."

"Fine I'll give you a proposal. Will you marry me?"

"Are you fucking kidding me? Worst proposal of all time! Good bye Lance. You'll be leaving in a week I'll be back in two to sell all our stuff and move out of the apartment, I can't stay here."

And with that Gwen walks down to her car puts her bags in the back seat and prepares to get in the car. You know those amazing break up songs Bust your windows by Jazmine Sullivan, Before he cheats by Carrie Underwood all these songs flash through her mind as she thought of the various way she could deal some damage to his car, but in the end she decided he wasn't even worth it. Cranking up her car she drove away never looking back as tears begin to fill her eyes.


Present Day

Gwen picks up her cell phone and dials Morgana she get her voicemail so she decides to leave a message.

"Hey Morgs it Gwen, call me when you get this message I need a date for the wedding."

With two days til she leaves town, how on earth would she find a suitable date for her sister's wedding?