Title: Everything You Thought You Knew

Author: Sara and Lizzie

Disclaimer: Meg is God. We borrowed it, don't sue.

Rating: Pg-13, with a possible change.

Summary: Several years after Jesse disappeared, Suze is living in San Francisco, finally leading the normal life she dreamed of when she was a teenager. Until she returns to Carmel for a Fourth of July weekend that changes her life again.

Author's Note: The next few chapters are all about the day of Suze and Alex's rehearsal dinner. Pay attention to the times so you know what's going on.

"We're burning bridges down." -Mae

Day of the Rehearsal Dinner.

8: 13 AM.

I woke up on the morning of the rehearsal dinner with a feeling. A feeling that today was not going to be a good one.

I've always had an accelerated sense of danger, and foreboding, and I had that now. I could feel it. I swung my feet over the edge of my bed, and as they landed on the floor, prepared for a crash and burn.

Not exactly what every bride dreams of for the night of her rehersal dinner, but then again, this is my life we're talking about. It's weird to think that I could be getting into a loving marriage in a perfectly normal fashion, but no. I had to be the Mediator who fell in love with the ghost who came back to life.

I knew what I had to do, what I wanted to do. But for some reason, I just couldn't do it. Everything I wanted was staring me in the face. Let's face facts. I didn't love Alex. I thought I had but I didn't.

I loved Jesse. In every possible way.

But I just didn't know if I could do it.

10:43 AM

I related this feeling to Father Dominic when he stopped by to "discuss the rehearsal".

"Susannah, you look troubled. This should be a happy day."

"Oh give it up, Father D. I know you and Paul have spent countless time talking about me. You're as filled in as I am."

"That's true."

"So tell me what to do."

"I'm afraid I can't."

"You're a priest. Virtue. Commitment. Lack of adultery."

"Susannah, chose Jesse, and you will hurt Alex, and break your commitment, but chose Alex and you will be condemning yourself. All your life you'll wish for Jesse and what could have been."

"So I'm choosing between the lesser of the two evils."

"No, that's a sin. You're choosing between love and duty. Many women in history have made this choice Susannah."

"Yea, usually followed by death. I bet Helen wouldn't have left Greece if she'd know Paris would die." I muttered.

Father Dominic just smiled. "I think that love would have prevailed. Besides I highly doubt that Alex is going to sail 1000 ships to Carmel and come after Jesse."

"So you think I should pick Jesse, then?"

"Only you can make this choice Susannah."

I looked out the window at the increasing amount of gray clouds in the sky. "It's going to be one hell of a night."