Author note :
Here comes the 11th chapter.
As some of you have already seen, I put a preview of the sequel a few days ago, so I hope you'll enjoy both this Chapter and the prview.
Chapter 11 : just spit it out
Chad's POV :
She came down the stairs and came next to me to wait for Caydee to join us. "OK, I'm ready, we can go now." Caydee said running down the stairs.
Twenty minutes later we had reached our destination. My parents and Caydee got out of the car first and got into restaurant. Sonny though, took all her time. "Are you OK ?" I asked her.
"Yes, just a little nervous." She said blushing a little, which made her even more beautiful than she already was.
"Why are you nervous ? You don't have to, I'm sure they'll love you, everybody does." I tried to reassure her. I didn't know Andrew's family though, so even if my family would surely be nice to her, I couldn't tell for his family. She didn't relax. "Sonny, look at it this way, for the major part of them, they won't even talk to you, just a few of my aunts will probably ask you questions but I'll stay with you, and you probably won't see them for quite a long time, even if you see them again. So why do you care if they don't like you ?" She blushed again.
"I wasn't talking about the guests not liking me, but thanks for trying."
I immediately understood what she was talking about. She was afraid of what happen between us during our 'date'. I would have loved to reassure her and tell her I liked her too, but then she would have known I was eavesdropping and be mad at me. "Come on lets go inside, the sooner we introduce you, the sooner we can have fun." I said and took her by the hand to lead her inside.
It gave me the weirdest sensation ever, like sparks that ran through my hand, but it was a good weird. When we got in the restaurant most of the guest were already here, and both my grandmother and my aunt Nancy came our way. "Damn Caydee for being right." I muttered. Sonny heard me and gave me a questioning look.
I turned her around so that my back was facing my family. "See the two women walking our way ?" I asked her. Sonny looked over my shoulder and nodded. "Well that's my grandmother and one of my aunts. When I said we were friends in that interview, Caydee said that everyone would have questions, well by everyone she meant them."
I saw a flash of panic in Sonny's eyes when she checked where they were. "Don't worry, I'll stay with you, I swear." I told her squeezing her hand.
"Look how cute they are together, Nancy." My grandmother said as they neared us. "Aren't they the cutest couple ever ?"
"Hi grandma." I said giving her an awkward hug since Sonny wouldn't let go of my hand. "Aunt Nancy."
"Aren't you going to introduce us ?" She asked giving a warm smile to Sonny. I could feel her grip on my hand lessen as her stress lowered.
"Hi my name is Sonny Munroe." She said and shook hand with the both of them.
"Chad, I thought the two of you were just friends." My aunt said and Sonny's grip tightened once again. "You should have told us you were an item."
"We're just on a date." I told them when I spotted one of my cousins waving at me. "Come on Sonny, I want you to meet someone." I said and started to walk away, but my grandmother stopped me.
"You go ahead Chad, we would like to learn more about Sonny. She has the entire evening to meet the others." Normally I would have argued that they had the entire evening to learn more about Sonny, but I knew I would loose the argument.
"Will you be fine by yourself with them ?" I whispered in her ear. She nodded but I could see that she wasn't sure. "I'll be back so fast you won't even notice I left, OK." I said and kissed her on the cheek. She blushed heavily. It would do the trick and keep her mind off of my grandmother's and Nancy's questions.
"Hey Chad, who's that beautiful lady of yours." Josh, my cousin, asked me when I joined him.
"Hey, don't even think about trying anything on her, she's my date." I told him with a smile but on the inside I was dead serious. Josh was the one that had stolen my first crush, and I wasn't planning on repeating the story.
I kept an eye on Sonny while talking to some of my family members, ans I was relieved to see her laughing along with Nancy.
"Chad, Where's Sonny ?" Caydee asked me. She looked over to where I was looking, and saw Sonny with Nancy and our grandmother. "They shooed you away, uh ?" She asked me when she turned my way.
"Yeah, pretty much." I said without looking away from Sonny. "She seems okay though."
"Well, okay or not, go get her, I want you to meet Andrew's parents." Even if I didn't like him, Andrew just gave me the perfect opportunity to take Sonny away from Nancy and my grandmother.
I walked her way, and when she saw me coming, her smile widened. "Excuse me ladies, but I have to steal Sonny, for a little while." I said and took Sonny's hand. Once we were out of earshot, I turned to face her. "Are you okay ? I know they can be quite annoying sometimes."
"Yeah, they were really nice actually." Sonny said. "So why did you have to steal me for ?" She asked.
"Caydee wants us to meet Andrew's parents. And I kinda felt bad about abandoning you with them for so long, when I said I'd stay with you." I admitted.
"Chad ! Sonny ! Come here." My mother called us. When we neared their little gathering I saw Andrew's parents.
Sonny squeezed my hand, and reminded me with a look to smile and look happy for Caydee. "Mr and Mrs Morrow, this is my little brother Chad and his … friend Sonny." She said unsure of what she should say. I shook hands with them.
"Nice to meet you." I said politely.
"Now that everyone knows everyone, we can start eating everyone !" My mother yelled and everyone went to their seats. Sonny was sitting beside me and Caydee was on my other side.
After the meal Sonny excused herself and went to the restroom. Caydee punch me on the shoulder. "OW! What was that for ?" I asked Caydee under my breath, so that no one could hear.
"For being an idiot." Caydee said and punched me again. "What the hell are you waiting for to tell her you like her ? Why haven't you told her yet ?" She said still punching me.
"OK Caydee, first : stop punching me." She stopped. "Thanks." I said rubbing my arm. "And second : I can't tell her like that. I'm waiting for the right time, and it's not now."
"Well, it better be the right time quickly or I'll be the one telling her." She threatened. Like she would do this to me. "Chad I'm kidding, unlike you I want my family to be happy." What is that supposed to mean ?
"Caydee, I'm happy for you, it's just that I'd rather you marry someone else." I told her and then noticed Sonny coming back from the restroom. "Now, let's stop talking about that, she's coming back."
"So, what did I miss ?" Sonny asked me when she sat back on her chair.
"Nothing." I told her, and saw Caydee giving me a look clearly saying 'Do it now !' I had to get Sonny away from her before she decided she should tell her how I felt about her. There were people dancing in the next room. I got up and held out my hand for Sonny to take. "Can I have this dance ?"
She immediately took my hand and got up. "Yes, you can". Once in the ballroom, a new song started, slow dance, that was great. I took Sonny's hand in mine and put the other one on her back, while she put hers on my shoulder, and we started dancing.
The strands in you eyes that color them wonderful
stop me and steal my breath
and emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
never revealing their depth.
Tell me that we belong together,
dress it up with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above.
Dancing with Sonny was the most mesmerizing thing I'd ever experienced, I could hardly take my eyes of hers.
I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide.
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.
I saw Caydee slow dancing with Andrew next to us, probably in an attempt to hear us. Caydee was really serious about telling Sonny, so I had to tell her tonight.
And rain falls angry on the tin roof
as we lie awake in my bed.
You're my survival, you're my living proof.
My love is alive – not dead.
Tell me that we belong together
dress it up with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips,
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above.
At this point of the song, Sonny had nestled her head against my neck and we were holding each other closer, much, much, closer than when the song had begun. I could see Caydee giving me a desperate look each time she saw us.
I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide.
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.
"Sonny ?" I asked nervously. She looked up at me expectantly. It was impossible, I couldn't tell her that I liked her, if it wasn't more, but I couldn't say 'never mind' neither. "I think I forgot to tell you, you look gorgeous tonight." It had nothing to do with what I had wanted to say in the first place, but it was the truth. She smiled and nestled her head against my neck again.
And I've dropped out, I've burned up, I've fought my way back from the dead.
I've turned in, turned on, remembered the things that you said.
Caydee was really mad now, and I could see that it took all of Andrew's strength to keep her from coming our way.
I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide.
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your …
I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide.
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.
Caydee had gave up fighting with Andrew and kept on mouthing 'Just spit it out!' over and over again. I knew for a fact that the song was coming to an end, and that I had to keep Sonny from Caydee until I'd told her how I felt about her.
The greatest fan of your life.
… greatest fan of your life.
The song ended and we broke apart, and Caydee walked our way. I took Sonny's hand and led her to the back yard. "Chad, where are you taking me ?" She asked.
"I just want to show you something." I told her looking over my shoulder to see if Caydee was following us.
Sonny's POV :
Chad was pulling me to the back of the restaurant like a maniac, and kept checking if anyone was following us every five seconds. We finally got outside and Chad relaxed immediately. "You wanted to show me the back yard ?" I asked a little disappointed, what was so special about a this back yard ?
"Actually, I wanted to keep Caydee from you." He said, looking at his shoes.
"Why ?" I asked, I didn't see why he didn't want Caydee to talk to me.
"Well, the thing is I have something to tell you, and she said that if I didn't tell you she would, and I want to be the one to tell you." He said nervous. What was wrong with him, he kept on acting weird at totally random times.
"Is it a good thing or a bad thing you have to tell me ?" I asked, trying to guess what it could be. Sure I was hoping he might tell me he liked me, but it might be something else and I didn't want to get my hopes up.
"A very good thing, I know you'll be happy to know it. It's just that I want to tell you at the right time and every time I chickened out." It couldn't be what I thought it was, could it ?
"Well tell me now." I said with a smile and he smiled back at me and took both of my hands in his. Just when he opened his mouth to talk, I started to shiver. He let go of my hands and took his jacket off and gave it to me.
"Here, put this on, you need it more than I do." I took it but didn't put it on. "Sonny, I already got you sick this month. If you go back to your place sick, your mother is going to kill me." I put the jacket on and it smelled like his cologne.
"Now, what did you have to tell me ?" I asked.
"Well, I … I kinda." He started and stopped. "Let's just get this over with." He said talking to himself. "It's stupid, I know what you'll say and I'm still afraid to tell you really like you." What did he just say ?
"You what ?" I asked shocked.
"Did I just say that out loud ?" He asked embarrassed. Nothing would come out of my mouth so I just nodded. He took my hands in his again. "Now it's said, but it wasn't supposed to happen like that." He looked at me in the eyes, and I got lost in his. "I really like you Sonny, more than a friend, even a best friend should."
I couldn't speak, Chad Dylan Cooper liked me back. He kept looking at me, waiting for me react.
"Sonny, are OK ?" He said starting to get worried. "Sonny, I know you like me back, no need to freak out." He what ?!
"You knew ?!" I asked in total disbelief.
"I heard you tell Tawni Monday, and Caydee told me too Friday." He admitted. On an everyday basis I would have slapped him and yelled, but today it was different. I couldn't even be mad at him. Instead I hugged him. "You're not mad at me ?" He asked.
"Not today, I'm too happy to be mad at you." I said and nestled my head against his chest.
"Thank god, you told her." Caydee said from the doorway. "I thought I would have to tell her."
"Caydee, why did you tell Chad I liked him when I told you to keep it a secret ?" I asked pulling away from Chad's embrace and walking her way. "You know I could be really mad at you ?" She nodded and Chad laughed quietly. "But I'm not." I told her with a smile.
"Caydee, could you leave us alone for a little while please." Chad asked his sister.
"Oh." She said after a little while. " I see. I'll leave you two alone." She said and closed the door.
"Sonny, now that you know I like you too, I have to ask you something." I said silent and waited for him to talk again. "Sonny, would you be my girlfriend ?"
I stayed quiet, just looking at his face. As more seconds ticked by, Chad's smile faded. "Yes." I said with a smile. Chad frowned. "Oh come on, I had to get you back for eavesdropping on me."
"You did this to punish me, uh ?" Chad asked, a smile coming back to his mouth. "I don't think I can forgive you for that."
"Oh, Really ?" I asked standing on my tiptoes "You can't forgive me ?"
"I might reconsider this." He said leaning my way. The space between us decreased while we both leaned toward the other. Our lips finally met, but our kiss got interrupted.
"Oh, sorry." Mrs Cooper said when she saw us. I blushed, but she didn't seem surprised by the situation. "Sorry to interrupt, but it's time to go inside, your dad is about to make his toast." She said.
Chad took my hand and we went back inside. When we reached our seats, Chad's father got up and everyone stopped talking.
Mr Cooper looked at Caydee and Andrew with a smile and turn to the guests. "Two month ago, Caydee came to us with one of the most frightening news a child could tell their parents." Mr Cooper said, and everyone looked at him in disbelief. He couldn't say he was against this wedding in his toast ! "At least, it was frightening to me, my little girl told me she was getting married, and I could tell by the look in her eyes that she had never been so happy in her life. So as much as it broke my heart to let my baby go, I had to be happy for her because that's what made her happy." He continued while some of the guests were already crying. "And the Andrew came along and we learn to know each other, and I can tell you Caydee, that you made the right choice by saying yes to this man." Caydee had tears rolling down her eyes. Mr Cooper turned to Andrew. " you better take good care of my little girl, Andrew." Everyone laughed and clapped.
Caydee went by her dad and gave her a hug. "Thank you dad, I love you."
"You're welcome sweetie, love you too."
Caydee talked next. "Well Andrew and I would like to thank you all for coming here tonight on a so short notice." She turned to Chad with a small smile "and we hope to see you all at the wedding."
Even if Caydee looked very happy, I could see in her eyes that she was a little sad, and the sadness was even more obvious when she had looked at Chad. "Chad, would you do something for me ?" I asked him.
"Anything for you Sonny. What do you want me to do ?" He asked me back with a smile. Being his girlfriend might become handy earlier than expected.
"First you have to promise me you'll do it." I pressed. There's absolutely no way he's going to get away with it. He had to apologize to his sister. I could tell he was happy for her, and I was absolutely positive that he didn't even tried to know Andrew.
"I promise, I'll do anything you want." He said solemnly.
"Apologize to Caydee for being a jerk and try to get to know Andrew before you say you're really against this wedding." I said looking at him in the eyes. "I know you don't want to, but I also know that you really want her to be happy. So please do it."
"Sonny you'll be the death of me. It's unbelievable, you already got me wrapped around your finger." He said with a sight. He kissed me on the cheek and got up, his glass in one of his hands. "Excuse me everyone, it won't take very long." Caydee looked a little anxious, but relaxed when she saw me smiling. "Well, as some of you know, I'm Caydee's little brother, and although I've never been very in favor of this weeding, I'd like to apologize to you Caydee, and to you too Andrew." He said gesturing to them. "I'm really happy you found each other, Andrew has the strength to deal with Caydee and believe me there's not many people that can. So I'm sorry and I was wrong before. I hope you'll be happy together." He sat back and looked at me. "Are you happy ?"
"Very happy. Thank you, Chad." I said and pressed my lips to his.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much Chad." Caydee said, making us break apart, and hugged her brother tightly. "And I'm almost sure you have something to do with it, so thank you too Sonny." She said hugging me too.
"See, it wasn't that hard to do, was it ?" I told him once Caydee was gone.
"I only did it to make her happy." He said, and I faked a shocked expression. "and you too, of course. If it was only for me, I would have only said it at the wedding."
"You're such a jerk sometimes." I said hitting him playfully on the arm.
"Still, you fell for the jerk, didn't you ?"
"I did." I admitted. No need to deny it now, he already knows. "But I like you best when you're all nice and everything. And should I remind you, you still have to spend some time with Andrew."
He looked at me with puppy eyes. "Sonny please, don't make me do this. I'll end up hating him more than I do now." I couldn't hear or say anything anymore, I was completely lost in his sparkly blue eyes. "Were you getting lost in my eyes ?" Chad asked, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to him. "I told you you would get lost in my eyes." He whispered in my ear.
"It was four months ago, it doesn't count !" I protested.
"Of course it counts, and you fell for me too. So I was right and you were wrong." He said with a big smile.
"No, I was right, I only fell in love with you like a week ago." Fell in love ? Where did that came from ? "So you're the one that was wrong." Apparently he hadn't heard , or he choose to ignore the fact that I had practically told him I loved him. Either way, it was fine with me, I couldn't say if it was love yet.
"No way Sonny, Chad Dylan Cooper is always right."
"Alright love birds, enough flirting for tonight." Mr Cooper said and winked at his son. "We're going home." It's only then that I realized that all the guests had left. Gosh, I didn't even saw them go.
author note :
So there's only a few chapters left for this story to be complete and I have a one week break next week so hopefully this story should be finished in 2 weeks or so.
I don't know if I should start the sequel now because I'll be leaving for Libano the 12th of May, and won't be back for almost two months.
I don't want you to wonder what's going to happen next for so long.
So to sort this out, if you want me to start LA made me just after this one, just say it in your reviews. (It works the other way too.)