Chapter 13: "I Do"

A/N:  I know it's been forever and a day since I last updated.  Sorry I didn't get around to it sooner.  Uh…I know what I said would happen in this chapter, but it's been five months.  I've changed my mind.

Oh, and if this chapter seems a little rushed, I'm sorry, I've just been working on this story for so long, I'd kind of like to finish it soon.

This Chapter is in Mark's PoV

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I Do

I got a letter today
An invitation
And the writing looked like you
Hello how are you and by the way
Please RSVP I do

I opened up the mail today and there was a square, pale purple envelope tucked in with the bill for Maddy's twins Chilton tuition and an invitation to the Van Ligmore's annual holiday party.  The envelope had Maddy's name on it, but I didn't see that at the time.  All I saw was the return address.  Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf DuGray.

When I was thirteen I thought it was hilarious that Tristin's father's name was the same as that of a red nosed reindeer.  That was, until I met the man.  Rudolf DuGray translated to fear when you were a friend of Tristin's.  Even an aquaintance of Tristin's.  Even if you had once passed Tristin in the halls.  I never knew why.

It was not my fear of Rudolf Dugray that had me standing in Maddy's front hall staring at a purple envelope for a good twenty minutes.  No, it was my fear of what I knew was inside the envelope.  An invitation.  An invitation to Tristin and Rory's wedding.


I thought of writing sad words of how it used to be
But I didn't want to bring you down, no
I guess the bells will ring pretty well there without me
Don't worry 'bout me baby I'll wear the thorny crown
I will play the clown

When I finally got up the courage to open the envelope, a piece of paper fluttered out along with the expensive invitation.  Dear Mark, it read, I don't know if you'll be mad at me for sending Maddy an invitation.  I know I probably have no right, and that I should have cut off all of my ties with her when I cut off all my ties with you, but she has been a true friend to me since tenth grade, and I don't want our friendship to die.  You are invited to the wedding as well, if you want to come.  Love always, Rory.

I read the letter over and over.  Fold it up, unfold it, fold it again and so on.  I don't know what to do.


If you think that I don't love you, you're just wrong
And that don't matter now anyway
I couldn't bear to see you up there with a white dress on
Here's my vow to you
I'll stay away

I still love Rory, deep down inside.  Who couldn't love a girl who, when eight months pregnant, would still spend three hours of her day fighting her step-father for coffee.  Who couldn't love a girl who, three year old in tow, jumped up and down on a trampoline for five hours to win tickets to a Paul McCartney concert, just because her mother wanted to go for her birthday?

There's a part of my heart that will always Always ALWAYS love Rory. 


I remember when in a lover's whisper you said
No other man would ever share your bed
Well we both know that's not been so
And I wish I'd never let you go now
You found a better man instead

The night I decided to leave was the worst night of my life.  I'd been watching our relationship crumble at my feet every day since Tristin re-entered our lives, and I finally decided I'd had enough, that I had to hold onto the tiny speck of life we had left if I wanted to have a real life.

The truth is, it's harder to leave Coral than it is Rory.

I was once forced to endure an all night-chick flick-endless torture movie fest.  "10 things I hate about you," "Clueless," "She's all that," and the like.  I remember a line from "Clueless," for only God knows what reason.

"You divorce wives not children," or something to that effect.

I wish it was true.


I wish you health and wealth and a white house on a hill and I
I hope you raise a family
Little boy and a little girl, a little more joy in this little old world
Well, that'd be enough for me

I'm lucky, though.  I can see Coral whenever I want.  All I need do is turn on the television and pop in a DVD.  Her face lights up the screen and I know that that's the little girl who I helped raise.  The little girl who has only ever called me "daddy."  The little girl who once confessed to having eaten all the peanut butter in the jar with a spoon her grandmother gave her.

The thing is, though, it's not the same.  It's not the same as sitting down across from her at the breakfast table every morning for 17 years.  It's not the same as fighting over whether or not a tube top is appropriate school attire.  It's especially not the same when I know that the man who fathered her is likely to be an active part of her life.


If you think that I don't love you, you're just wrong
And that don't matter now anyway
I couldn't bear to see you up there with a white dress on
Here's my vow to you
I'll stay away

But I know Tristin has every right to be a part of her life.  So he did something stupid 10 years ago.  Everyone deserves a second chance, right.

I've spent three hours thinking about Rory. Thinking about Tristin.  Thinking about Coral.  Thinking about the wedding.  That's when I decide not to go.  Let them be happy.  I won't stand in their way.  They're a real family.  A family by blood.  And I know Tristin loves Rory.  I know Rory loves Tristin.  I know that deep down a large part of Coral loves Tristin, too, even though it may take her a while to find it.  And I know that I have to move on.


Time rolls on
And dreams they die
And I've thrown out the pictures I had of you and I
And if you're ever wondering if love can be true
Well, think of me and remember darling like I, like I do

Ole friendships fade away, love falls apart
And you've not spent a single day outside my heart
But, there's just one more dream that I have left for you
I hope you're smiling when he turns around and says I do. . .
I do
I do
I do
I do

I just hope they're happy.

I JUST hope they're happy.

I just HOPE they're happy.

I just hope THEY'RE happy.

I just hope they're HAPPY.

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A/N: and there you have it.  Chapter 13.

P.S.  Remember my goal?  100 review?  I'm at 92.  *click*