CHAPTER 15
"What are you doing?" He asked as he hugged her.
"I don't know. I don't know. I mean, I thought I, I mean, I do. I love him. But I just couldn't do it. I don't know why. I wanted to more than anything in the whole world. I just-" Jody stopped and took a deep breath. She began to cry and Charlie hugged her tighter.
Charlie had watched Jody stand up at the front of the church, holding Cooper's hands. They looked so much in love, but when I came Jody's turn to say the vowels, she stuttered. She began to say it, but then she turned her head and looked at everyone sitting in the pews. Charlie could see al the doubt in her eyes. Then, she just ran.
Jody had felt like Julia Roberts in "Runaway Bride", but she didn't care. She couldn't tell if anyone was running after her, so she just kept running. After about 10 minutes she tripped over the front of her long, white dress. She was in the middle of a field, but she had no idea where. She couldn't see anyone around, so she just sat there, trying to catch her breath.
After a minute or so, she could se someone running over to her. She couldn't see who it was. The person slowed down once they saw she was ok. As they neared, Jody saw who it was. Charlie. Good ol' Charlie Brown. Or, actually Sims, but who cares. He was slowly approaching her. He sat down next to her.
After Charlie let go, he looked into Jody's eyes. "What are you doing?" He asked again.
Jody buried her head into Charlie's chest and began to sob. Charlie stroked her silky hair and kissed the top of her head. Jody pulled back and whipped her eyes. She looked into Charlie's eyes and took a deep breath. She couldn't go back to Cooper, but she couldn't go back to Charlie now either.
"Where's Cooper?"
"He got lost trying to catch up to you. You run pretty fast, did you know that? Were you like on the track team or something?"
Jody looked at Charlie and smiled. "No. So, he came after me and got lost? Then how did you find me?"
"You left and I followed you, then Cooper. He was too behind to find you, but I could pretty much see where you were going."
Jody nodded and pulled out of Charlie's warm embrace. "Look, Charlie. I know you're…… you and all, but I can't be with you. Not right now anyway. Maybe, some time, in a long time, we can get together, but not now."
Charlie sighed and nodded. "But, can I at least be here as a friend for you? Now?"
Jody bit her lip. "I dunno. I mean, I guess. Just don't be all…… um……"
"Me?" Charlie offered.
Jody smiled. "Yeah."
Charlie nodded. "I can do that."
Jody raised her eyebrows. "Can you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I know how you still love me and everything."
Charlie stood up. "What? What are you talking about? Do you see me trying to get you back? I said I wanted to be your friend! How in hell does that mean I love you?"
Jody stood up. "Charlie! Stop lying to yourself!"
Charlie glared at Jody. He kissed her quickly and softly before turning and running off.
Jody watched him leave and then sat down. She waited for almost 3 hours before someone found her. By then she had stopped crying and was half-asleep.
Cooper stood in front of her and she looked up at him. He looked down at her. His happy eyes from earlier were gone and had been replaced by the saddest eyes she had ever seen. He sat down and kissed her softly.
"What happened?" He asked.
Jody thought about it for a minute. She thought of Cooper and Charlie and even Adam. She looked into Cooper's sad eyes. "I don't know. But I know I've never regretted anything more than this. I love you. I'm sorry."
Cooper felt a warm tear roll down his face. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried. He hadn't even cried when he and Kathleen had broken up. Jody lifted her hand and whipped it away gracefully.
"Then why?"
"I don't know. But I know I love you. I know I still want to marry you."
"Why?"
"Cooper! Because I love you!"
"I love you too!"
"So now what?" Jody asked.
"Vegas wedding?" Cooper offered.
Jody blinked. "Vegas wedding?" She said, almost in disgust.
"Or not. We could have a private wedding."
"Private wedding." Jody thought out loud. "Hey! Is anyone still at the church?"
"I'm not sure."
"You wanna go check?" Jody asked, smiling.
"Sure." Cooper said. He stood up and held out his hand. Jody took it and stood up. They ran back to the church.
Only Jody's parents, Cooper's parents, Charlie, and the minister were there. They were sitting on the steps leading into the church. When they saw Jody and Cooper coming, they all stood up. Cooper realized he was practically still crying. He swiftly ran his hand over his face and grabbed Jody's hand. They walked slowly over to everyone.
"What happened?" Mrs. Sawyer asked.
"Can we still get married?" Cooper asked the minister.
He scrunched up his face and shrugged. "Uh, sure."
"Great." Cooper said. He ran past everyone and into the church, Jody following him.
Everyone else looked at each other and shrugged and smiled. They went inside and sat down in the front row. Charlie sunk into the seat and tried to become invisible.
The service was pretty quick.
"I do." Cooper said.
Jody smiled at Cooper- again- as the minister turned to her- again. He asked the question- again- and waited.
Jody smiled. "I do."
"……………… You may kiss the bride." The minister said.
Cooper smiled and leaned down slightly to kiss Jody. She kissed back and then pulled back. They turned and smiled at everyone. They all hugged and then walked to the back of the church.
They went to Jody's parents' house to celebrate. Charlie tagged behind, suddenly depressed. Jody ignored his unusual behavior and spent the whole time wrapped in Cooper's arms.
Her parents played some music and they danced. Jody danced one song each with her dad, Cooper's dad, and Charlie. Cooper also danced one song with Jody's mom and his mom. He hated to have anyone but Jody wrapped in his arms, but he survived-haha.
Jody and Cooper left for Paris later that night and returned a week later.
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If you think that this story could have more, say so, or e-mail me! Because I can add more! I can make Jody and Charlie get together! Or I could make……! Oh! Never mind! I have an idea! Part 2 up soon! I have lots of ideas! Come back!
