So, I'm still celebrating finals being over (and my first summer off in two years). Yesterday I updated the Chino-verse, and now it's Vegas.
Ok, so as I mentioned before, I was having a slight dilemma with this chapter, because my OCD says that I have to follow the trend and make each chapter a day, so I couldn't split up the wedding and reception, since they take place on the same day. Make sense? Good. So anyway, I hope I've covered everything adequately.
Also, I really want to thank everyone! Whether you're a reviewer or a lurker, I love you anyway, cause Vegas now has over 150 reviews and 10,000 hits! You guys rock my friggen world.
Enjoy!
"He'd better not do anything stupid," Summer rages, tugging at the neckline of her dress. "If he does, I might actually kill him…"
"Summer," I get up and go over to my friend – my best friend, my first friend in the world – and put my hands on her shoulders. "What is going on with you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she shakes me off, moving over to the mirror and playing with her hair.
"Stop avoiding me, Summer," I huff, because I'm so done with her attitude. "Seth has been nothing but perfect since he got back from Vegas, and yes, they did get arrested, and he lost some money, but it's not like he doesn't have more, and the owner of that house isn't even pressing charges. And the strippers? They're men, Summer, you've got to get over that. He's done everything for you for ten years, so tell me what's really going on."
"Nothing," she slams her hairbrush down on the vanity, whipping around so fast a couple of her hairpins fall out. "Nothing is wrong with Seth. He's just perfect, ok?"
"Then what's wrong? Why are you acting like such a bitch?" I can't believe I just said that. Yes, she's been acting like one, but bitch is such a harsh word…
"Because my dad's not coming to my wedding!"
There's a horrified silence as she realizes what she said, and I have a million and one thoughts rushing through my head."But he likes Seth…" I protest, because this doesn't make sense. Even if Dr. Roberts disagreed with her choice, he'd still want to be there for his daughter…
"He got called away to some mandatory conference in Tahoe," she whispers. "He said he was sorry…"
"Summer, how long have you known?" She shrugs.
"A couple days? It was right after we came back from picking the guys up in Vegas…"
And suddenly it all makes sense. Summer and her father are incredibly close – or were, before he moved to Seattle. I know she was looking forward to seeing him, because she hasn't since Chrismukkah. She misses him, even if she won't admit it. So yes, it suddenly makes sense why she kept trying to call off the wedding; because she wants him there.
"Oh, Summer," I move forward to hug her, and she starts to sniffle, and in the back of my mind, I hope she's not going to cry cause then we'll have to fix her makeup. Speaking of… "ok, no crying," I command, backing away and looking at her resolutely. "Now, the minute you get a chance to talk to him, you're going to explain this to Seth, because he's been kind of a wreck lately."
"She's gonna run away."
"She's not gonna run away," I sigh, even if I'm not so sure I'm right. I don't know what the hell's going on with Summer, but I wouldn't put it past her to do something drastic right now.
"Don't say that," he mutters, pacing. "I've seen Runaway Bride more times than I'd like to admit, so don't tell me won't run. She hates me. Oh Moses, she hates me. It's taken her ten years, but she's finally realized she could do better. Ryan, I'm gonna lose her. I can't lose her. What am I supposed to do without her? She's…"
"Seth, shut the fuck up." He stops his pacing, mouth snapping shut and he looks absolutely stricken. I sigh, because now I'll have to make this better. "Stop worrying. Because she's not going to run, and even if she does, you can't do anything about it now. So shut up, put your tie on, get your ass out there and wait for your bride."
He nods resolutely, grabbing his tie and heading towards the door. Then he stops and turns back to me. "But what if…"
"Go."
"Summer."
She turns in her chair to look at me – makeup back in place, hair perfectly arranged. It's almost time to go, but I have one last thing to do.
"I know you pride yourself on not being traditional, but I am. So I got you something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue." She smiles at me, and I pull out the little purse I have holding it all. "First is your garter, because every bride needs one. It's blue, and it's new." She laughs a little, holding out her hand for the thing. She slips it over her foot and pulls it up to her thigh, and I just know Seth'll freak when he sees it.
"Quite efficient," she nods and I giggle. Then I settle down, because the old and the borrowed are a little more serious. I reach into the purse and take out a little box. When I open it, her eyes go wide and she gasps.
"When you told me you were engaged, I went to Seattle…" she reaches her hand out towards the box, eyes totally fixated on the earrings inside. "Your dad told me they belonged to your mom… He wants you to have them, and I thought you could wear them as your something old."
"Taylor," she whispers, and I hear the tears in her voice. Oh God, I hope she doesn't cry, cause then I'll cry, and we'll both keep crying, and I'm not sure we have enough time before the wedding to fix everything. So I decide to continue on, because the something borrowed is even worse.
"And yesterday I talked to Julie." She looks up at me, taking her eyes off her mother's earrings for the first time. I take a deep breath and reach into the purse, drawing out the necklace inside. "You gave this to her, at her non-wedding to Bullit." I hear a low sob break from her, and I swallow thickly. "I know you'd want her to be with you if she were still alive…" She opens the locket, and really breaks down. "Summer, don't cry," I protest, but it's too late, because I feel the familiar sting of tears welling up.
"Thank you," she grabs me up in a hug that takes my breath away, and we stand there, hugging and crying until we hear the door open.
"Hey," Kaitlin's voice is low, and I hold out my hand to her. She pretends to look annoyed, but moves forward and Summer and I pull her into the hug. She knows all about the locket – I'd discussed it with her two days ago when I'd first thought of the idea. I didn't want to upset Kaitlin, because she may have been Summer's best friend, but she was Kaitlin's sister, and I wanted her approval. Kaitlin pulls away first. "Everyone's waiting, so you need to get fixed up, and get out there now."
I think I may have actually stopped breathing when Taylor comes out, looking just absolutely stunning with her hair half back, half falling over her otherwise bare shoulders, and I can still see that thin metal chain around her neck that holds my ring under her dress. She makes it up the aisle and gives me a smile. Then everyone stands up, and Summer starts down. She's gorgeous with her dark hair tumbling all around her, and she moves slowly in her huge dress. Seth stops looking nervous and he can't take his eyes off her, but from the way he's standing I can tell he's still tense. Summer smiles slightly, then sticks her tongue out at him, and I can actually see him relax. His shoulders drop slightly –like the weight of the world is finally off them - and he grins back at his bride as she reaches him, rolling his eyes like he'd never been worried at all.
The actual service goes by in a blur, and I stumble over my part to hand Seth the ring – Taylor handled it with much better grace. Then it's over, and the rabbi pronounces them married, and everyone starts clapping. I look at my brother – and my sister-in-law – and I smile. Then my eyes go to Taylor, and she's giving me this look, and it's like I can read her mind.
We're next.
The thought makes my heart stop, and I swallow nervously, flicking my eyes back to the newlyweds, because I don't think I can look at her any longer without giving everything away. The only problem with that plan is that I have to walk her down the aisle after Seth and Summer, and I feel her squeeze my arm. But I keep my eyes straight ahead, and I hear her giggle. She knows.
He's so adorable.
He keeps avoiding looking at me, keeping his eyes firmly on Seth's back as we follow the happy couple down the aisle. Behind me I hear Kaitlin mutter something to Seth's other groomsman – Anna Stern. The girl actually looks really cute in her tux, and she doesn't seem to mind the fact that she's acting a boy's part. She just got in this morning from Rhode Island, where she still lives after graduating from Brown.
We get inside the house, and Ryan takes me aside for a second – we only have a few minutes before we need to do the bouquet thing and head to the limo to get to the hotel where the reception will be. Apparently the Cohen's house was big enough to seat all these people for a wedding, but not big enough to have caterers, a DJ, tables, and a dance floor. He pulls me into the kitchen, and I open my mouth to tell him I need to go back outside and get ready for when Summer throws the bouquet.
Instead of letting me talk, he slides one hand around my waist, the other going to the back of my head, and he presses his lips to mine. I feel my muscles go all weak, and I'm supposed to be doing something… right?
He pulls away, and my heart skips quite a few beats at how dark his eyes are. The hand tangled in my hair slides down my back and joins the other on my waist. "You're coming home with me tonight," he murmurs, letting his hands run up and down my sides. "Summer will be with Seth, so you can't use that excuse."
"But Ryan," I breathe, "I should stay here tonight and help the Cohens clean up. I mean, it's my duty as Maid of Honor…"
"Sandy and Kirsten will be fine on their own. You're coming home with me, and there's no way you're getting out of it."
"Well, if I have no choice…"
"Nope."
"Townsend! Atwood! Where are you?" Ryan groans, stepping away from me with a sigh as Summer comes into the room. "Ok, ew. I think you two need chaperones."
"Time for the bouquet?" I make my voice cheerful, ignoring her comment about the fact that Ryan and I can't keep our hands off each other. She rolls her eyes and nods, fisting the skirt of her dress in both hands and lifting it up so she can walk easier before heading outside. "Ok, let's go," I sigh, ignoring Ryan's broody face. He grumbles something – I think I vaguely hear the words sex with my fiancée in there – but I ignore that too.
"I'm hot," Seth mutters, pulling at his tie like a little kid. Of course it's hot, we all feel it, but he's the only one whining like a little bitch about it. I fold my arms and look over at the collection of women standing behind Summer.
Taylor and Kaitlin are in front, and they actually look like they're arguing. Kaitlin takes out her phone, waving it menacingly, and Taylor looks over at me quickly before turning back to Kaitlin and nodding. Summer turns her back on the girls and flings flowers over her head. And I'm actually a little surprised, because Taylor makes no move to get it – she's quite competitive, and I can't imagine her just standing there while Kaitlin grabs the bouquet out of the air. In fact, I think Taylor may have actually held some other girl back so Kaitlin could catch it…
"Thank Moses," Seth grumbles, moving forward and practically hauling Summer off towards the limo.
"What was that about?" I walk over a little more sedately and ask my girlfriend. Fiancée. She shrugs and Kaitlin snickers.
"Maybe I just felt like I didn't need to catch the bouquet."
That shuts me up, because way to be really obvious. Especially around Kaitlin, who's actually incredibly smart, and she doesn't miss Taylor's comment and the way I tense up. She quirks an eyebrow, and I clear my throat. "The limo's waiting."
My feet are absolutely killing me.
I really should've brought an extra pair of shoes – flats, preferably – because these heels are murdering my feet. They are pretty, though…
But they're also preventing me from dancing with my fiancée, who's currently attempting to spin Kaitlin around. Which is actually pretty damn amusing, because he's not exactly the best dancer ever, and she's laughing, ducking clumsily under his arm.
He notices me watching and flashes me a grin, and I love him so much. It makes my heart squeeze painfully, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do with all this… emotion that's making it hard for me to breathe.
"Kirsten." Thank God, something to distract me from the fact that Ryan is gorgeous and amazing and smart and funny and loyal and mine. "How does it feel to have a daughter?" Then I shake my head, because how stupid am I? "You know what I mean."
Kirsten laughs, glancing over to where Sophie and Matthew are arguing over who was better in the wedding. "It actually doesn't feel any different," she shrugs. "Summer's been part of this family for nearly a decade. The only difference is the ring on her finger and the name change." I nod, because that makes sense. Even for me, this whole wedding seems almost… pointless, because Seth and Summer have – at least in my mind – always been married. "How are you?"
I frown at her, because she said that like I shouldn't be ok. "Well, my feet kind of hurt, but I'm fine, otherwise…"
"Right," Kirsten smiles down at her glass of sparkling cider. "Ryan told me it was supposed to be a secret."
What?
What??
"What?"
She looks back up at me with a secretive smile. "He also told me I wasn't supposed to tell you I know."
"Know what…" I ask hesitantly, just in case she just suspects something, and is trying to trick me into talking.
"Know that soon you'll be the one not making me feel any different, because you've always been part of the family."
Now, I know that sentence should make me want to cry, because it's what I always wanted. A family. But instead, all I can feel is annoyance. "We agreed not to tell anyone, the bastard." I glare at him as best I can, but he doesn't see me, too caught up in trying not to step on Summer's dress as they dance. To his left Seth and Anna are dancing, and they make a ridiculous looking pair, because they're both in tuxedos, and to his right, Sandy and Kaitlin are attempting some type of waltz. Next to me, Kirsten laughs again, shaking her head at her son, and I know she's thinking the same thing I am. Ryan never talks, but the one time he can't tell anyone something, he lets it slip?
She turns to me, suddenly serious. "If you need to talk, I'm here. I know how excited Summer was when Seth proposed, and it must be killing you to be silent."
I don't answer for a while, because I'm thinking hard about the next words out of my mouth. How do I tell Kirsten what I'm feeling without it turning into an epic poem?
"I just want to tell everyone," I explain, "because I'm so… happy." She seems to get the entire novel's worth of information packed into my happy, because she smiles and nods again.
"So is he."
"Wanna dance?" I interrupt her conversation with Kirsten, and the two women look at me – Kirsten with that pride, and Taylor with… huh… she looks a little angry. Why?
"Sure," she agrees with a smile that's just a little too polite, but I decide not to ask. If she has a problem, I have no doubt she'll let me know about it. She's never been one for keeping secrets. I walk her out to the dance floor and slide one arm around her waist, the other catching her hand, and we dance. She looks surprised that I'm not stepping on her feet, and I can't help but smile smugly. I knew going with Seth to his wedding dance lessons was a good idea. She shakes her head at me with a smile, and she must've guessed, because she's very perceptive. We settle into dancing, silently, and the look of annoyance disappears from her face. Eventually she leans her head against my shoulder.
I'm not sure what's going on with me, because one half of me is completely relaxed and happy, because I have a girl I love – that loves me – in my arms, and we're engaged. The other half of me is restless, because I have a girl I love – that loves me – in my arms, and we're engaged. Sound confusing? It's not really, because the relaxed and happy part of me is my head. The restless part of me is my body, because she's so fucking gorgeous, and I want nothing more than to take her upstairs and christen Seth and Summer's bridal suite before they do.
It's actually really tempting.
I don't really care that he told Kirsten. It is nice to have someone that knows, especially someone who won't go spreading it around or making a big deal out of it. Plus, I can't really be mad at him when he learned to dance for me. I mean, Seth complained for months about having to take that class, until Summer'd been ready to murder him. So I think Ryan can be let off the hook for the little engagement slipup, because Ryan Atwood had taken dance lessons - voluntarily - just to make me happy.
I let out a little contented sigh, because he's so warm, one heavy arm wrapped around my waist and holding me tight to him, and I've never felt safer in my whole life. Surrounded by the people I love, with the man I love holding me possessively? This is happiness. I sigh again, and I feel him stiffen a little. I wonder what's wrong with him now, but he's started to rub his thumb against the small of my back in little circles. I recognize this move…
"Do you think we can get out of here?" he brings his lips close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. The implication alone is enough to make me melt. But we shouldn't leave, because even the bride and groom haven't left, so we should stay. But then he presses his hips into me, ever so slightly, and I feel him, already half hard, and God, I've been waiting for this for two days. I lift my head off his shoulder and glance around the room surreptitiously before nodding slightly.
I'm only vaguely aware of Taylor's voice, telling me to slow down. It's like tunnel vision, and all I'm focused on is the Jeep, and getting Taylor in there and back to our apartment where I can finally fuck her. Maybe I should've just rented a room at the hotel…
I finally reach the Jeep and let go of her wrist, reaching into my pocket for the keys. "Ryan, hold on," she breathes, resting one hand against the car and bending over slightly to catch her breath. I turn to her, running my eyes over her flushed face, her rapidly rising and falling chest, and there's no way I'm making it home. She lets out a surprised squeak as I haul her around the Jeep, so that we're blocked from view from the hotel. I shove her roughly up against the door, crushing my mouth to hers and pushing my tongue past her lips without any finesse whatsoever.
Actually, there's no finesse in any of my movements, but I can tell she doesn't care from the way she's mewling, arching her body and grabbing at me. And there's definitely no finesse when I pull up her skirt, bunching the fabric at her waist and pushing her panties down to her ankles. She lets her head drop back against the car door as I pull up her leg, snaking my hand between our bodies to pull my belt off and open my slacks. I'm so fucking hard, it's actually painful that I'm not in her, and she makes it worse when her own hand joins mine, gripping my cock firmly, and fuck, I can't wait any longer. I take about three seconds to align myself before pushing into her with a groan, and she's so fucking hot; hot, wet, tight.
She lets out a whimper, and I watch her throat convulse as she swallows, head tilted back, eyes closed. "Finally," she whispers, and I can only nod in agreement. I keep one hand firmly gripping her thigh, keeping it trapped against my waist, and my other hand grabs her hip. I hold on tightly and start to thrust into her. "Oh God," she moans shakily, hands running up my arms to grip my shoulders, grinding her hips into me with those precise movements she's so fucking good at.
"Baby," I grunt, sliding my hand from her waist to press my thumb to her clit, "look at me." She lets out a sharp cry before tilting her head down and I lean forward to kiss her, sloppily, because apparently I've lost all coordination. Her hands link behind my neck, and I try to slow my erratic thrusting, because this is the first time we've had sex since we got engaged, and up against the door of my Jeep isn't exactly the romantic night I'd had planned. Not that she seems to mind, from the way she's moaning and digging her nails into my neck, but still. I wish I could be better for her. I wish I could control myself long enough to at least make it inside the Jeep before my urge to fuck her takes over. I wish I could control the boy from Chino that's still inside me after all these years, but I can't. And right now, he's taking over, urging me on, telling me to make her fucking scream my name. Because she's mine.
I give up trying to be romantic and adjust my grip on her thigh, pulling her tighter against me as I start to fuck her hard. And she keeps making these noises – little gasping moans that make the muscles in my stomach tense up and little bolts of lust shoot through me.
"Fuck!" Her eyes widen and I watch her mouth form the word, and it sets off my blinding orgasm – hers is already in progress, hence the outburst. There's a sharp pain in my neck as her nails dig in deep, but I'm barely aware of it, because my mind is focused completely on the way her body feels arched against mine, the way she's clenching around me, the sounds she's making, the overwhelming satisfaction of making her come.
I come down slowly, vaguely aware that she's lowering her leg from my waist, muttering apologies. I'm feeling light – whether from the loss of her weight or from the orgasm – but I start to grin. "Why are you sorry?"
She shrugs, pushing her skirt down. "I don't like cursing," she bites her lip and looks up at me, smiling guiltily. I can't help but laugh, because she's kind of insane. She has absolutely no problem cursing when she's begging me to fuck her, but somehow yelling the word when she orgasms is bad? Maybe because in the first scenario, she's using the word as a verb, in a sentence, and in the second it's more of a vulgar outburst?
Or maybe I'm reading way too much into this.
But somehow her aversion to cursing makes my guilt come back with a vengeance, because she deserves so much more than dirty Jeep sex. I should make this… better? Yeah, better. I need to make this just a little more romantic - shut up that Chino voice - even if she insists she doesn't need it.
"I love you," I whisper, and she looks at me, a little startled. I'm not a big talker, especially not right after sex, so I guess I'm confusing her a bit. Also because I don't say 'I love you' that often. "You know that, right?" She bites her lip and nods, and I feel better. I mean, I'm sure she knows I love her, but there's always that guilt that I don't say it enough.
"I love you, too," she smiles, bending down slightly to pull up her panties, which reminds me I'm still half naked, so I do the same with my pants. There's still a small bit of guilt in me, and I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the whole sex-against-a-Jeep-door thing, not the whole I-love-you thing.
"Sorry," I apologize back, waving my hands vaguely at the Jeep. "You know… for not being able to wait…" I trail off as she laughs, which should be a good sign, but kinda makes me embarrassed, because I realize I sound like an impatient teenager – unable to wait until I get home to get laid.
"Oh, Ryan," she shakes her head at me, still smiling, and I make a small noise of protest, because I'm not a child, thank you very much. This, of course, makes her laugh harder, so I scowl at her, pulling the passenger side door open and bundling her in. She's still grinning when I get around the other side and get in the driver's seat. I know I'm brooding, but I can't help it, cause I'm kind of embarrassed about the whole thing. We drive in silence. She watches the scenery fly by out her window, smiling, while I stare fixedly at the road.
He's so adorable when he pouts, when he gets all uncomfortable and defensive. I want to tell him he's acting like a child, but I don't, cause if I do, he'll just end up protesting more, and I don't feel like listening to him tell me just how grown up he is. He seems to feel bad about fucking me up against the Jeep, and I think he's reverting back into insecure Ryan – the guy who thinks I want some big romantic gesture from him. Right now I'm sure he's cursing himself for our first post-engagement sex being out in public, instead of in our bed, surrounded by roses or something cliché like that.
The only thing that stops me from talking is the fact that I'm actually tired of talking. Well, not in general, but I'm sick of talking about this. If he doesn't get it by now - that I want whatever he has to give me - then screw it. It's like the proposal. I think his proposal was the most romantic thing I've ever been witness to, because it had been real. It had been us.
You know what else is us?
Screwing against the side of a Jeep in the middle of a hotel parking lot.
Maybe he'll never get it. Maybe he'll always just assume I want some grand gesture, something 'special'. I guess it doesn't matter, because even if he does think that, it doesn't seem to stop him from being him, so I guess it's not that big of a deal.
Plus, guilty Ryan is fun. Speaking of…
"So, I talked to Kirsten…"
Oh… only one more chapter to go. I'm quite upset about it, cause – as I've said before – I LOVE writing this story. Probably more than any other multi-chapter (although I feel traitorous for saying that. Chino-verse, cover your ears.)
Anyway, review!