Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!
Dedicated to Ashleigh Brunt!
Sleep tight & sweet dreams Angel
Sunrise : 28th June 1988 – Sunset 16th September 2005
HOCKEYGIRL90 : Thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
B : Thanks, glad you're enjoying it. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
CAKEEATER : Enjoy your holiday! I know, my chapters seem to be getting longer lol. You'll just have to keep reading to find out where I go from here won't you lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
Chapter 10
I held my breath, as slowly and gently, Adam took the ring from his best man's hand. "Connie, I give you this ring as a sign of our vows. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed". He repeated after the Vicar, as he placed the ring on my finger. Even now, 2 years after his proposal, I could remember everything about that evening…
I'd been dating Adam now just under 2 and half years. 2 and half years I wouldn't trade for anything in the whole world. With just over a year left in college, we were talking more and more about what our future plans were. Of course Adam had high hopes of being pulled into the whole NHL bubble. When he had first told me, I was so happy for him, his dreams were coming true, plus I knew if he wasn't playing hockey, he'd be miserable, and extremely hard to live with, or so I told him. I, on the other hand, had taken an interest in psychology and was well under way into becoming a psychiatrist or perhaps a social worker, though the latter was my preferred option.
Although Adam panicked a lot, about if he was signed to the NHL, he could end up, the other side of the country. I think it scared him more than he let on. I had told him on many occasion, that no matter where he got signed, I'd follow, even if it meant me, having to get a job in a supermarket, though I knew if I continued doing as well in school as I was doing, then finding a job shouldn't be too hard no matter where I live.
Julie and Charlie had recently celebrated their 2 year anniversary, and I took pleasure in reminding Julie of the conversation we'd had about marriage, when we'd been shopping for the dress, I'd wore on mine and Adam's first anniversary. She just shrugged and blushed, whilst admitting that I was right.
It was kind of nice though, having someone in a long term relationship to talk to. We often had girly nights in or out. If we stayed in, we bought a couple of cans of beer and chatted about the guys, and watched DVD's. However if we went out, the guys would be the furthest thing from our minds.
On our girly nights, Gemma, Adam's sister in law often joined us. She'd only been living in Minnesota a few months, since both she and Steven had studied in Boston, and stayed out there, after finishing school 3 years ago and hadn't really made many new friends yet, since she was still on maternity leave and wouldn't be able to get another job for a few more months. Gemma was great, and she definitely knew how to party. We often ended up staying over at her and Steven's house, after a night out.
Gemma along with Julie, were like the sisters I'd never had. Immediately on meeting each other, Julie and Gemma had hit it off, just like I had, when I'd first met both of them. Though Gemma was a good 4 years our senior, you'd never think it, especially when we were drunk, and sleeping on the front lawn of her house, because we couldn't be bothered to walk any further. But the guys never let us forget it.
"Oh hey, yeah, she is, hang on". Averman tossed me the cordless from his chair across the room. "It's Adam". He mouthed, in the process.
"Hey baby". I spoke into the phone.
"Hey you". He responded. "Listen, I can't talk for long, I'm in the middle of something"…
"Ok"… I butted in.
"I'm just ringing to tell you I love you, and that I'll be at yours a little earlier tomorrow". He told me.
"Ok, and I love you too". I found it slightly odd he was ringing for the sole purpose to let me know he was arriving early the following day.
"Kay, bye". And as quick as that, the phone went dead.
I was puzzled. There was definitely something not right. Ok, he does ring often just for a chat, nothing important, I suppose for the same reason I ring him, just so we can hear each others voice. But that last call was odd. I mean he knew I was going to be in all afternoon tomorrow anyway, since the last class I had was meant for early afternoon, but had been cancelled. Eventually, I put all my attention back onto the film I'd previously been watching with Averman, forgetting all about the phone call.
The following morning, I was 15 minutes late getting up, and the mad rush to be ready on time to leave for school was on. By some miracle, by the time Averman, Goldberg and Russ were ready, so was I. Though on my way out of the house, Russ kindly reminded me, that it was my turn to do the grocery shopping. Normally whenever it was my turn, I'd wait until the weekend, when Adam would either take me, or lend me his car, but since I knew we were out of everything, and there was nothing for dinner that night, I knew I'd have to go that night. Averman kindly offered me his car, so long as I picked the 3 of them up after hockey practice.
At lunchtime, I met up with Averman and the guys, retrieving Averman's car keys in the process. As usual he gave me the age old warning about driving safe, and looking after his car. Anyone who could hear the conversation, but not see us, would assume he was my father, the way he went on. But I suppose that's what happens when you've been close friends for 99 of your life.
By the time I got into the car, there was plenty of traffic on the roads. Mainly due to people heading home from work, or out to lunch. So of course, I got caught in a few traffic jams, never really going any faster than 25 mph. Not that I was complaining, as when the traffic was at a stand still, I could gaze around me, glancing into shop windows, noticing which of them had sales on.
Eventually I got within 2 blocks from the grocery store, and was the first inline at the traffic lights. A jewelry store stood on my right hand side, and something or rather someone happened to catch my eye. I leant a little over the passenger seat, squinting through the gleam of the sun, to get a better look. There was a guy stood outside, a young woman dressed in a white blouse and black skirt beside him. He was pointing to something in the display window. Maybe it was something about the way he stood, or the clothes he was wearing, hell it could have been the slight brown tuft of brown hair that stuck out from under his baseball cap that also looked familiar , but he seemed incredibly familiar to me. Suddenly he turned to face the young woman nodding his head, a big smile crossing his features. On him turning, it all clicked into place. It was Charlie.
I sat watching him, what would Charlie being doing outside a jewelry store in the middle of the day. Then again what would Charlie being doing outside a jewelry store in the middle of the day, in Minnesota. I soon came bounding back to Earth, when a group of honking horns sounded in my ear. They were all honking at me, because the lights had changed. Slightly flustered, I slipped the car into 1st and set off. I still couldn't get what I had just seen off my mind, and before I knew it, I had made the decision to go and try to find out what he'd bought.
I've never been grocery shopping as fast in my life. I just threw allsorts into the cart, half of my mind on the things we actually needed and the other half, never leaving the sight of Charlie at the store. After rushing around the store, and paying for the items, I headed back to the car, threw each and every bag in the trunk, and set off speed walking toward the jewelry store. Now I don't know why, I was rushing like I was, I suppose I was just desperate to find out.
Anyway, when I got to the store, I went in and glanced around for the same woman. She was at that moment, serving someone else, so as hard as I found it, I waited patiently behind the customer she was serving. Whilst I was waiting, a young man came up and asked if he could help, I politely told him no, but saw the confusion on his face, as to why I didn't want serving by him.
"How may I help you"? She finally asked.
"Um". I stepped up to the counter. "Um, about an hour ago, I saw you outside the shop, serving a young man". I told her. She stared straight back at me. "About 6ft, wearing worn blue jeans, navy and white shirt, red baseball cap". I ticked each and every feature off in my mind.
"Yes". She finally responded.
"Well, you couldn't tell me what he was buying could you"? I asked.
"I'm sorry, but it is against our policy to share information about our customers". She replied evenly.
"You're not sharing valuable information out though are you. I only want to know what kind of jewelry he was purchasing".
"I'm sorry"… She began again.
"Listen Missy, I'm his best friend, all I would like to know is what he was buying. I don't need to know his bank details, or how much whatever it was, cost". I stood trying to stare her down, but she only stared back. "Instead of asking how you can help, maybe you ought to ask how you can be a pain in the ass". I told her, before leaving the shop.
When I got outside, I turned to face the shop. I realized even without her help, I could still figure out what he was buying. When I saw Charlie he was stood on the right hand side of the entrance, looking at the 2nd display window. I stepped that way, seeing a selection of rings. The upper display case had wedding rings in, the lower had diamond rings. But what would Charlie want with a diamond ring.
"Oh my God, he's going to propose". I declared loudly to no-one.
I was shocked to say the least. Proposing was the last thing I imagined Charlie to do. Not that there was anything wrong with Julie, but Charlie was like the classic male, he'd have needed serious hints from Julie or other friends, before he'd even think about proposals, engagements and weddings. I wandered back to the car, feeling light headed and dazed at the new information I'd just found.
By now you're probably thinking I wasn't happy for them, I am, I truly am. But I was more shocked. I mean for one Charlie being Charlie would normally have asked me for advice, Julie had even mentioned to me a few months before, that she wasn't ready yet, to settle down and do the whole soccer mom thing, and finally Charlie normally told Adam and the guys just about anything, of which then Adam would tell me unless Charlie had told him in utmost secrecy.
I can't remember driving home, or putting away the groceries. In fact the only thing I could remember was staring blankly at the phone, trying to decide whether I should ring Julie and warn her, or ring Charlie and tell him I saw him. The worst part about it, was I knew, I really knew it was none of my business, but my mind was in over drive, and driving me insane.
My thoughts consumed me that much, I almost forgot to pick the guys up. Luckily I remembered at the last minute, climbing to my feet, and rushing back out to the car. Whilst I was driving, my thoughts did waver slightly, but not nearly enough to allow me to totally ignore them.
"What's up home girl". Averman asked, as he almost crawled into the back seat.
I turned to Russ and Goldberg for an explanation, as to why one of my best friends, had suddenly turned into a white gangster.
"Don't worry 'bout him, he got thrown into the boards one too many times". Russ was the one who explained. I simply nodded.
"By the sound of it, I'd say so has she". Goldberg commented after 5 minutes of silence.
"Huh! What sorry"? I finally came back to Earth, in time to realize Goldberg was talking about me.
"What's up? You're quiet"! Goldberg stated.
"Oh, um nothing. I've just got a head ache coming on". I excused my behavior.
There was no way I could tell them what was really going on. Knowing them, they'd try their hardest to keep it to themselves, but eventually they'd let something slip. The less people that knew, the better, as far as I was concerned. I was mixed myself, whether or not to let Charlie know I'd seen him, at least then I could get some of what I was hiding off my chest. If I carried on like this, Adam at the very least would pick up on something, Charlie and Averman would be the most likely to pick up on something too.
"You sure it's just a head ache"? Russ asked, when we finally pulled into the driveway of the house. It was then I became aware I had been sat, staring into space, rather than killing the engine and getting out.
"Yeah. I think I'm gonna go have a lay down though". I answered, getting out, and heading up to my room.
Even then, I didn't lay down, I paced the floor. What was I meant to do? Julie had mentioned she wasn't ready, but if Charlie proposed would she say yes or no. If she said no, I knew Charlie would be heart broken. So wouldn't the best thing to do, be to call Charlie and explain to him, what I saw and what Julie had told me, a few months before. But then there was a little voice in my head that kept singing 'Not your business, not your business', hence confusing me all the more.
I finally did decide to lay down, and without realizing, fell into a light sleep, but funnily enough, even then, I couldn't forget. I dreamt that it was Charlie and Julie's wedding day. I was in the bridal suite with Julie, adjusting her veil as she looked at her appearance in the mirror. Suddenly she started crying, and I asked her what was wrong. She twisted in her seat, before telling me, that she wasn't ready to marry Charlie, but had only accepted his proposal because she knew one day she did want to marry him, and didn't want to hurt his feelings.
I awoke with a start, to find Adam sat on the bed beside me. On hearing me wake, he turned to look at me, before leaning toward me and planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"You feeling any better"? He asked.
At first I was dumbstruck, I wasn't ill. But then I realized that Russ or Goldberg had probably informed him, that I'd gone to lay down due to having a head ache. They'd probably even told him about my staring into space when I pulled up outside.
"Yeah". I slowly sat up, feeling a head ache coming on for real. "Or maybe not". I rubbed my head.
"You sure it's only a head ache, and you're not coming down with anything"? He asked me, concern immediately entering his voice.
"Yeah, I'm probably just tired, I'll be fine after I've had a couple of aspirins". I began to get up.
"I must be some sort of mind reader". He laughed, as he pointed to a glass of water and two aspirins sat on my bedside table.
Luckily, the rest of the evening went fast, and neither Julie or Charlie came around. Which as horrible as it may sound I was very grateful, as I don't think I could have coped with seeing them both, and knowing exactly what was going on. The following say, Charlie rang Adam, and told him, that he and Julie were coming over in the afternoon. On hearing this, I felt panic, and spent the remainder of the morning trying to come with an excuse as where I could go, to get of seeing either of them.
At just the right time, my Mom rang, asking if there was any chance over the weekend, I could pop over, as she and my Dad were wanting to plan their silver wedding anniversary party that was due in about 4 months, a little early if you ask me, but hey it was an excuse. I immediately agreed to go over, telling the guys to apologize to the others for my absence.
Well I spent the afternoon, helping to decide on which invitation design was the best, and everything else you can possibly decide. Henry, my older brother had to leave about 4.30pm, to go and pick his girlfriend up from the airport, after she'd been to visit her parents.
At about half past 5, my parents were getting agitated with each other, and I could feel a full blown row coming on, so offered to take my younger brother Mike out for some dinner then to the pictures, so at least he wouldn't be in the way if a row did erupt between my parents. I rang Adam to explain, then whipped me and Mike out of the house as fast as possible.
I spent the rest of my evening, eating a MacDonald's happy meal, and watching the 'incredibles'. Not my idea of a great evening, but I knew that Mike appreciated it, since I'm sure he put up with plenty from my parents. When I looked at him, I felt an uncontrollable guilt wash over me, he was 10, far too young to be having to hear my parents shout obscenities at each other, or being the middle man, trying to make them see reason.
I dropped him off at about 10pm, glad to see that both my parents had calmed down, and were back to their usual selves. After having a quick conversation with them, I headed back home, thankfully to find everyone had gone home. After noticing the guys were watching a action film, I headed upstairs for a shower and bed. By the time I'd gotten out of the shower, Adam had also come to bed. He asked me about what had happened this afternoon with my parents, and I knew once I'd mentioned my parents getting agitated, he understood fully, why I'd taken Mike out.
The following day, I managed to stay away from Charlie and Julie, though I felt incredibly guilty that I hadn't seen Julie since last weekend. I knew though, that if I saw her, I'd end up telling her everything, and even now, I didn't know whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing.
Over the following week, I drove myself mad, trying to decide whether or not to just say something. By Wednesday, I couldn't take anymore of my 'should I? Shouldn't I?' and finally decided I needed to see Charlie. That night, I called him, hoping Julie wasn't on there, but then even if she was, I could just excuse myself by saying I was trying to get in touch with her or Adam for a chat. Luckily, he was studying, with Adam, but Adam had popped out to get some pizza for the two of them.
"Ok, don't tell Adam. But can we meet up tomorrow. I've got something really important on my mind". I told him.
"Um, yeah sure. I'll skip my afternoon classes". He agreed, though there was curiosity in his voice. "I'll meet you at the Starbucks, since I know you haven't got a car". He suggested.
"Thanks, but please don't tell Adam or Julie". I told him. He promised, and then we said goodbye.
After just that small conversation I felt a bit better. I told neither Goldberg, Russ or Averman about meeting up with Charlie the following day, but I knew I'd need a reason for me missing out on my last class. But by the end of the evening, I'd thought of one and told them.
The next afternoon, I made my way to the Starbucks, and found a table, in view of the door, so I could see when Charlie walked in. 5 minutes later, he did, and immediately spotted me. As he got closer, I stood and gave him a quick hug, as he kissed my cheek.
"So is everything ok"? He asked, his eyes were full of worry.
"Yeah, I'm fine". I answered, trying to decide where to start.
"So what's up"? He asked, after we'd both ordered a drink from the waitress.
"I saw you last Friday". I admitted.
"How can you, I didn't come to yours last Friday". He looked confused.
"I know you didn't, but I saw you"!
"Oh God, you didn't". It suddenly clicked. "You… You haven't said anything have you"?
"No. Trust me I agonized over whether to or not. One of the main reasons I didn't spend time with you over the weekend, was because I wasn't sure whether I would be able to stop myself mentioning it to Julie".
"Julie"? He looked at me questioningly.
"Yeah. Why were you planning on asking someone else to marry you"? I joked.
"Oh Julie, right, I'm with ya". He chuckled nervously.
"Look, the reason why I asked you to come, was not just to tell you that I knew, but about Julie. We were talking a few months ago, and we happened to start talking about the future. She wants to marry you one day Charlie, but she isn't ready just yet to settle down and stuff. I'm telling you this, because I don't want you to ask her, and her turn you down or anything". I said as fast as I could.
"Oh I know we're not ready to get married or anything yet". He told me confidently.
"Then why the ring"?
"Oh, well it was months and months ago, I was buying my mom a new watch for her birthday, and just noticed this ring, I knew that when I was ready, I wanted to give her that ring. Then a few weeks ago, we walked passed the shop again, and just basically window shopped, she noticed the exact same ring, and I knew then, that I needed that ring. It's at my Mom's ready for when I'm ready to use it".
"Oh". I was dumbstruck. I'd made a huge mistake. "I'm sorry, I jumped to conclusions".
"No, it's ok. To be honest, I've been dying to tell you, but I dunno, I just couldn't".
After that, everything was settled. I felt so much better, no longer worrying. Charlie dropped me back off at home, and headed back to college before Julie noticed he'd been gone, as she'd only question him until he finally gave in. I watched him drive away, satisfied that I'd made the right decision by confronting him.
The rest of the week went by, stress free, and I actually looked forward to spending the weekend with Adam, since so little of my attention had been paid to him last weekend. Before I knew it, it was Friday evening. Adam had rung earlier on to remind me it was Steven's birthday, and that his parents were having us all over for dinner. I spent the evening chatting away with Gemma and Adam's Mom, as well as having many photo's taken by Adam's Gran.
By the time we got home, it was late, and we immediately fell to sleep, once our heads had touched the pillow. It was amazing how much a family get together could take it out of you. Thankfully, it was the weekend, and there was nothing forcing us to get up the following morning.
As expected, I didn't wake up while late the next morning. Blurry eyed, and still half asleep, I wandered into the bathroom, where I stood in front of the mirror. I ran the warm tap, before throwing small handfuls of water on my face. As I was wiping my face dry with a towel, I noticed a slight shimmering in the mirror. I looked closer, and that's when I noticed the small diamond ring sat on my third finger, of my left hand. I let out a little yelp, before turning and dashing back into my room, expecting to find Adam still fast asleep. He wasn't in the bed at all. I wandered further in, half expecting him to be hiding down the side of the bed.
"Will you marry me"? I heard, those 4 words a froze.
Slowly, oh God so slowly I turned around to find Adam down on one knee, just in front of me. One look at the sincerity in his face, and I knew exactly what my answer would be. Now no matter how you practice your answer, it always comes out completely different. I always imagined me to almost scream my answer, or maybe just kiss him and hope that made my answer clear.
"Yes". I almost whispered, staring at him, before he jumped to his feet, and picked me up in his arms and spinning me around, then kissing me.
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