I'm sorry it's been so long, I have honestly forgot about this story. I'm trying to get back into it for finish, I have a few chapters wrote and will post it as I go through it. I do not own anything.. Thanks for reading.


Chapter 11

"hi mom" Annabelle smiled into the phone

"Anna honey, is everything ok"

"yes, everything is fine" Annabelle said taking a deep breath "um Catherine and I went up to the cabin"

"ok thanks for letting me know, I'll make sure to pass the info on to your dad"

"well Jamie is still there, I don't know what Collins had planned, so I'm not sure if she'll be at the house or not" Annabelle said rambling on she was putting off the real reason she called.

"ok" Patty said "Anna are you sure everything is ok?" she asked again

"well, mom, there's a reason I called, I could have just text you that"

"what is it"

"Catherine and I want to get married before we head back to Bloomington" Annabelle said holding the phone away from her ear so she wouldn't go deaf when her mother started yelling

"ok when are you thinking?" Patty asked Annabelle could hear the smile in her voice

"we aren't sure yet, sometime next month I would assume" Annabelle said looking behind her as she heard the screen door shut, seeing Catherine standing there.

"ok well I'll be back on Monday to get ready for the party on the fourth, you'll be there for that right?"

"yes mom, we are just here for a couple days to get some time alone"

"ok honey, you two talk it out and let me know when you decide, and we'll talk more when we get back"

"ok thanks mom"

"anytime, I love you"

"I love you too mom, see you soon"

Annabelle hit the end button on her phone, slid it into her pocket, and looked up at Catherine "how did that go?"

"um" Annabelle said letting a smile grace her face "she asked when" Catherine moved closer "I said sometime next month I would assume"

"yes" Catherine smiled

"she'll be back on Monday, so we need to make sure we are too"

"that's still a few days away" Catherine replied in a voice Annabelle knew too well, she couldn't help but smile as Catherine took her in her arms, getting lost in those pools of brown, that always made her lose her train of thought. Annabelle reached up running her fingers through Catherine's hair, her ring getting caught on a snarl. "maybe I should get a haircut"

"no, don't" Annabelle protested as she freed her hand "I love it long"

"ok" Catherine smiled, Annabelle placed a kiss on her lips, pulled back and whispered, "what do you say we go for a walk?"

"ok" she smiled; Annabelle reached for her hand as they headed for a trail that would take them deep into the woods. "we shouldn't go too far; I don't have a flashlight and it's going to get dark soon"

"ok" Catherine said, she was loving this alone time with Annabelle, even though they had only been gone from the house for a few hours, she felt at total peace, and all her worries from earlier eased.

"hey" Annabelle said into the phone

"hey yourself" Collins replied "you sound better did the alone time help?"

"yes, I think it did" Annabelle said looking over at Catherine, who was driving "what are you guys doing?"

"just relaxing by the pool, Jamie said it's a little weird being here without you, but I made myself at home"

"that's good, hey um, I need to talk to you both about something, are you going to be around for a bit?"

"only thing I had planned was to go grab some food, otherwise we were going to hang out here"

"ok, um, is my dad there?"

"um" Collins pulled the phone away from her ear "is Nate here?"

"I don't think so" Annabelle heard Jamie say in the background "I don't think he is"

"ok, we should be back in a few hours, we can all grab food then" Annabelle said looking at Catherine who smiled and nodded

"alright bestie see you then"

"bye" Annabelle shook her head as she hit the end button "they are at the house, no plans on leaving"

"ok" Catherine smiled relaxing into the driver's seat "I just stay on this road"

"yes, until you see a sign for the 405, then we want to take the second exit, but it's still a ways away yet"

"alright" she smiled reaching for Annabelle's hand.

"hello" Annabelle called through the house, as they came in

"probably out by the pool" Catherine said heading to the stairs to go drop off the bags she was carrying

"probably" Annabelle shrugged, following Catherine up the stairs. Just outside of the guest room, which Jamie was staying in they heard moaning, causing Annabelle to giggle "I guess we don't need to ask how their weekend went"

"shut it" Catherine hit her with a bag and pushed her into their room.

"well" Annabelle smiled shutting the door behind her, making sure not to be heard she had a feeling both Jamie and Collins would be embarrassed.

Catherine shook her head setting the bags on the bed "let's get unpacked and I'll get the laundry started"

"can't that wait?" Annabelle whined

"no" Catherine said ignoring her "we get it done now we won't have to do it later" she added unzipping the bag

"fine" Annabelle sighed, reaching for a bag, unzipping it and tossing the dirty clothes in the hamper, having to pick what she just tossed up off the floor as the hamper was already overflowing "hmm"

"and that my dear is why we don't put stuff off" Catherine said stepping around her picking up the mess "grab what fell and follow me" Annabelle thought about protesting, but knew it would get her nowhere with Catherine. Instead, she let a smile grace her face, knowing Catherine completed her in everyway possible. Lost in her thoughts she followed Catherine to the laundry room, as she busied herself with starting the washer and separating the clothes.

With the washing machine finally working its magic, they made their way to the kitchen "I need a drink" Annabelle said going to the wine cabinet pulling out a bottle and two glasses

"what are you doing?" Catherine asked confused

"I'm having a glass of wine" she said pouring herself a glass "did you want one?"

"yeah" Catherine cleared her throat "yes" she said moving to sit on a stool, after Annabelle poured her glass, she joined her on the other stool. Picking up her glass "here's to us" she said clinking it against Catherine's, who smiled "to us" she took a drink

"yuck, now I know why I don't drink" Annabelle said making a face. Wine was never her choice of alcoholic beverage. Catherine couldn't help but laugh knowing they were drinking some expensive wine. She saw Annabelle head to the sink to dump it out "hey don't dump it, I'll drink it"

"oh, ok" Annabelle said putting the glass next to Catherine's, then going to the fridge grabbing a coke and taking her place on the stool next to Catherine's "I guess there's a reason I don't drink"

"it's alright" Catherine smiled, Annabelle leaned over kissing her cheek, then laid her head on Catherine's shoulder, when they heard voices enter the kitchen

"oh you're home"

"yes" Annabelle said looking at her friend "we've been back for about an hour" she said looking at Catherine, who nodded

"oh" Collins said Annabelle could see the blush start to form on both Collins and Jamie's face

"glad to see you were bored over the weekend" Annabelle smiled

"no, no boredom" Jamie said shyly

Catherine cleared her throat "do either of you want some wine?"

"no, I'm not a fan of it" Collins said "but I would love a coke"

"help yourself, you know where the fridge is" Annabelle smiled as she stood and went out to the patio which over looked the pool. Catherine stood following Annabelle's lead. It wasn't very long when four of the six chairs at the table were occupied

"so" Collins said setting her can on the table "what did you hear?"

"where's my dad?" Annabelle said changing the subject

"I'm not sure, he said that he was going to be gone until tomorrow" Jamie said

"ah" Annabelle smiled knowing that was why her friends were having sex in the middle of the day. She herself didn't care if her parents were home or not, she never had when she brought girls home. Shaking her head getting the memory out she looked at Catherine "I guess we'll have to wait to talk to him until mom gets home"
"I'm sure she has already told him"

"you're probably right" Annabelle smiled

Collins looked at Jamie with confusion written all over her face then said "talk to him about what?"

Annabelle looked at Catherine who smiled and said "put the girl out of her misery"

"yeah put me out of my misery"

"well, do you want to wear a dress or a tux?"

"huh?" Collins asked confused

"just what I said. Do you want to wear a tux or a dress" Annabelle asked again

"I'm confused"

"oh my god" Jamie said standing up

"calm down" Annabelle said "and sit down" she laughed

"what's going on?" Collins asked still confused

"they're getting married soon" Jamie squealed

"calm down" Annabelle said, looking at Catherine who was holding back her laugh

"oh" Collins said sitting back in her chair

"3, 2, 1" Annabelle laughed

"oh, oh my god" Collins said "a tux for sure"

"alright we'll go tomorrow" Annabelle winked

"and what about you?" Catherine asked looking at Jamie

"what about me?" Jamie asked confused

"do you want to wear a dress or a tux" she smiled "you already know what I'm wearing" she gasped as if she just realized she had sent her dress back to Bloomington "I have to call Leonard and have him send my dress"

"you're inviting him to the wedding right?" Annabelle asked sitting back in her chair

"well yes of course"

"just have him bring it then"

"I love you" Catherine leaned over kissing her "but I'll need to have some alterations done, as I'm sure I've gained a little weight"

"ok, then call him"

"why don't we fly home for a weekend to get it" Jamie suggested

"hmm" Catherine said looking at Annabelle

"I'm not ready to go back yet" Annabelle protested

"that's alright Jamie and I can go, besides I'm sure she's missing her parents" Catherine said Annabelle looked at Collins and sighed "if you two think you could live without us for a few days"

"if I have to I guess I could" Collins smiled leaning over kissing Jamie's cheek

"how about you" Catherine asked looking Annabelle in the eye

"what you trust me here all alone?"

"you won't be alone, you have Collins" Jamie smiled

"I'll keep her out of trouble Catherine" Collins winked

"alright then" Catherine smiled "I guess you and I are going home this weekend"

"you can't this weekend, mom's party"

"oh right" Catherine looked at Jamie "we'll talk later, for now, what should we do about dinner?"

"I don't really want to go anywhere"

"right me either" Jamie said looking at Collins she had a blush forming

"alright" Catherine said standing up "I'll go find something"

"lets just order something, you're tired from the drive"

"it's fine Belle, just do me a favor and go change the laundry"

"change the laundry?" Annabelle whined

"you do know how to do that don't you?" Catherine laughed

"yes, I just don't want to"

"come on I'll go with you" Collins said standing up

"and I'll help you with dinner" Jamie smiled following Catherine, Annabelle started to protest, but decided against it when Catherine gave her a look that told her she better not. She stood and nodded for Collins to follow her to the laundry room.

Later that night the four of them were watching a movie in the living room, Annabelle was practically laying on top of Catherine, a look around the room had Jamie the same with Collins. Feeling Annabelle's heartbeat, Catherine couldn't help but smile. She was getting married, although they hadn't planned a date yet, but it was going to be soon. And the two other people in the room had become family, and this house, this house had become her home. Annabelle's parents, although closer in age to her had become like her parents, along with the rest of Annabelle's family. Catherine started to think about her parents. She felt a tear slip down her cheek, it must have landed on Annabelle's arm, Catherine heard a whispered "hey, are you ok?"

"yes, sorry Belle, go back to sleep" she said

"you're crying" Annabelle whispered reaching up wiping the tear away. Catherine looked at her giving her a sad smile "come on let's go to bed" Annabelle added moving so she could get up. Reaching for Catherine's hand to help her up. Once in their bed, Annabelle wrapped herself around Catherine's body, she felt Catherine sigh "baby what's wrong?"

"nothing Belle, go back to sleep" Catherine repeated her words from earlier

"no Cat, what's wrong?" she asked sitting up, Catherine sighed, reached up moving some hair out of Annabelle's face. "I was just thinking about my parents" she whispered

"I'm sorry" Annabelle didn't know what else to say, as she wrapped her arms around Catherine

"and the wedding"

"are you changing your mind?"

"no, no I'm not changing my mind, I want to marry you" she said "I just wish" she stopped knowing if she said anymore the tears would start falling again.

"hey" Annabelle said "it's ok"

"I know Belle, like I said go back to sleep, I'll be fine"

"but I need to know you're ok, if I know you're sad I won't be able to sleep"

"Annabelle" she said using her full name "I'm fine, go to sleep"

"alright, well I love you"

"I love you too" Catherine whispered, letting out a sigh as she closed her eyes, hoping sleep would come.

The sun shined through the window right in Catherine's eyes, waking her up, a look at the clock told her she had only gotten an hour of sleep. Letting out a long sigh, she decided to untangle herself from Annabelle and get up, maybe some coffee would help. Making her way to the kitchen, she set to work filling the coffee pot. Once it was gurgling, she felt the need to use the bathroom, when she returned to the kitchen, she made herself a cup of coffee, spotting Annabelle's cigarettes on the counter she swiped them up and headed outside, with coffee in hand. Setting her cup down on the table, it was too hot to drink, and she thought she'd let it cool down a bit before trying, she'd rather not burn her tongue, she sat down, opening the pack of cigarettes, pulling one out, sighing before lighting it. She took a long puff then coughed "yeah this is why I don't smoke" she said to herself putting it out. Shaking her head, she sat back in her chair, looking up at the sky. Lost in her thoughts she jumped when she heard the door open. "oh Catherine, I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you" Patty smiled

"um" Catherine smiled "it's ok"

"are you the only one awake?"

"I do believe so" Catherine said looking into the house

"good, it gives me a chance to talk to you" Patty smiled setting her cup down on the table

"oh, um" Catherine said clearing her throat

"don't worry" Patty smiled reaching up to touch Catherine's hand, Catherine smiled and relaxed "have you decided on when?"

"when?" Catherine asked confused

"for the wedding?" Patty laughed

"oh" Catherine forced a laughed, she didn't understand why but Patty still made her a little nervous "no, we haven't"

"ok" she smiled, a smile that reminded Catherine of Annabelle, she pulled her hand back "well" she sat back in her chair "all Anna has told me is that you want to do it before going back to Bloomington for the year"

"yes" Catherine smiled realizing her lack of sleep was getting the better of her

"ok" she smiled again

"I'm sorry Patty, I didn't sleep very well last night, and this coffee isn't working its magic quite yet"

"it's ok" Patty smiled "we'll stick with easy questions"

"good" Catherine let out the breath she wasn't aware she was holding

"you haven't decided on when, but how about where?"

"oh I know this one" Catherine laughed sitting straighter in her chair "we both agreed we would like a small wedding on the beach, and a big party after"

"now we're getting somewhere" Patty smiled "hold that thought" she stood up and went into the house, coming back a moment later with a pile of, what looked to Catherine to be notebooks, but turned out to be her appointment books. "alright" she said sitting down flipping open a book "alright, do you know when you are heading back?"

"well" Catherine said running her hand through her long blonde hair "school starts the end of August sometime, you'd think I'd know the date but I don't" she let out a small laugh

"alright" Patty said flipping through her book "how about" she said stopping seeing an opening in her schedule for the first weekend in August, she smiled "how about this?" she said turning the book around.

"that, um, that looks good" Catherine said not taking her eyes off the dates

"alright, so now we have the date set" Patty smiled "now" she looked up at Catherine who was still clearly nervous "are you ever not going to be nervous around me?" she asked in a soft tone

"I hope someday"

"me too" she smiled, Catherine let out a long sigh "I'm sorry Patty, it just, sometimes it feels, weird, I mean, you and I are closer in age than Annabelle and I, and I guess I just"

"I get it" she smiled "but you know Nate and I totally accept the fact that you are older, and perfect for our daughter"

"thanks" Catherine said reaching for her cup of coffee which had now gone cold, taking a drink and making a face, cold coffee wasn't something she fancied.

"you need a refresher?" Patty asked seeing the look on Catherine's face

"yes, excuse me" she smiled excusing herself, giving her time to compose herself. In the kitchen she felt herself finally relax. She didn't understand why after all this time having a conversation with Patty still made her nervous. Startled out of her thoughts when she felt someone wrap their arms around her, jumping until she realized it was Annabelle, who placed a kiss on her cheek and whispered "good morning"

"mm" Catherine hummed leaning into her "good morning"

"oh good there's coffee" she said letting go of Catherine reaching for a cup, then looking around for her cigarettes

"they're on the table outside"

"ok, why?"

"I had one"

"you had one?" Annabelle asked confused

"yeah" Catherine nodded "or I tried, I'm not a smoker" she laughed

"ok" Annabelle said kissing her cheek then heading towards the door "oh, hi mom, you are home"

"yeah I just got home, not too long ago"

"what's going on here?" Annabelle asked seeing the books laid out on the table

"we were um" Catherine said stuttering

"planning your wedding" Patty smiled "now how's this sound for a date?" she began going over what her and Catherine were discussing.

"ok" Annabelle smiled "that all sounds amazing" she looked at Catherine who was sitting there in a blank stare "are you ok?"

"yeah" she cleared her throat "yes, I'm fine, I just didn't sleep very well"

"I thought I felt you toss and turn all night"

"kind of hard to toss and turn when someone's wrapped around me"

"yeah sorry" Annabelle said looking down

"anyway" Patty said, "I'll get on these plans, Anna can you make yourself available to help me with a few things for the party this weekend?"

"yes, mom whatever you need, Collins and I were going to go look at tuxes today, but other than that I can be all yours"

"I can help" Catherine said trying to make herself feel useful

"after a nap" Patty smiled, as she nodded towards the house "you look like you need one"

"that would probably be a smart idea"

"you go do that I'm gonna wake Jamie up, and have her come with, she said she wanted to wear one too right?" Annabelle asked

"I think so" Catherine said, as she stood up making her way to the house, and back to the bedroom, where she crawled back into the bed that Annabelle hadn't bothered to make. Waking up when she heard Annabelle come in, she turned toward the sound seeing Annabelle head to the closet to put something in. "hey" Catherine whispered

"oh hey, sorry I didn't mean to wake you"

"what time is it?"

"um" Annabelle said looking at the clock "noon"

"shit, I didn't mean to sleep the day away" Catherine said sitting up "are you just getting back?"

"yup" she smiled going over to the bed, placing a kiss on Catherine's forehead then sitting down "we decided on something different than tuxes"

"oh?" Catherine asked

"yeah, Collins and I figured since we were getting married on the beach why not go for matching cargo shorts and a button-down shirt and tie"

"sounds cheaper" Catherine said trying to stretch but Annabelle was in her way.

"it was" she smiled "I paid for Jamie's"

"I was going to" Annabelle cut her off "in a sense you did" she leaned in kissing her "mom has lunch about ready, then we were going to go to the beach, you up for it?"

"yes" Catherine said "I just need a shower"

"well go take one, I'll meet you downstairs"

"oh you don't want to join me" Catherine asked disappointed

"as much as I would love to" she looked around the room "you know what fuck it" she stood up reached out her hand "come on let's shower" Catherine smiled taking her hand letting Annabelle lead her to the bathroom.