I don't even know if anyone is still wanting to read this lol but here's the next chapter, again I do not own anything.


Chapter 12

The month had flown by, Catherine was so busy planning the wedding with Patty, she hadn't had time to think about much else. Annabelle was busy doing the same, but with the girls, to Catherine's surprise the clothes they had chosen were perfect. She had contacted Joan, Leonard's wife, letting her know about the wedding and that she would be home to get the dress. She said they would talk more about the wedding when she got there. Catherine sat at the table, coffee in hand, it was early, no one in the house was up. It was a week before the wedding, she was nervous, and couldn't sleep. Seemed she'd been having a lot of problems sleeping the last month, when her and Jamie were in Bloomington, she didn't sleep at all, maybe it had to do with the wedding and missing her family. Leonard and Joan were going to be there in a few days. Catherine's mind went back to the conversation with Joan

"Joan" Catherine paused "I have a big favor to ask, Leonard, well actually I guess it'd be for both of you"

"go ahead dear" Joan said

"well" Catherine cleared her throat "do you think Leonard would walk me down the aisle?" Catherine asked nervously "we decided since I was wearing the dress that I would be the one to walk, but if he won't do it, I can just have Nate, Annabelle's dad do it, I'm sure that would be ok" she went on rambling

"Catherine" Joan cut her off, reaching her hand to touch Catherine's "I'm sure Leonard would love to walk you down the aisle, you know you are like a daughter to us, and since your parents" she paused "well, we feel as if you are ours"

"thank you, Joan," Catherine couldn't help but let the flood gates open

"is everything ok"

"yes" Catherine lied, she knew Joan could see right through it so she took a deep breath "actually no" she said looking up at the woman who was her mother's best friend "I've been having a lot of trouble with all this, I mean, it's been over 15 years you'd think I'd be over it"

"you will never be over it, dear, you were young when they died" Joan said

"I know but" Catherine was cut off "no buts, I've been around long enough to know time doesn't heal everything it just makes it easier to deal with. You're hurting right now because you're planning what is one of the most important days of your life, marrying the love of your life, and I know your mom and dad are both proud as hell of you. Not only for your accomplishments in your career, but in coming out"

"my career" Catherine laughed "that's a joke"

"we all do things for love, and yours happen to be giving up everything you've ever known" Catherine met her eyes "do you regret it?"

"no, not at all, for Annabelle I'd do it all over again"

"that's what I was hoping you'd say" Joan smiled "now, how about we get your dress, don't you have a plane to catch?"

"we're here until Wednesday" Catherine said

"we? Is Annabelle here with you?"

"no, her friend Jamie, from school, went out to LA with us, she is now dating Belle's friend Collins, who you'll meet at the wedding, she is also going to be attending college here this year" she found herself rambling again.

"oh that's awesome" Joan smiled, she knew exactly what was going on.

Catherine was brought out of her thoughts when Patty came into the kitchen "oh Catherine, I didn't expect anyone to be awake"

"sorry" Catherine said raising her cup to her mouth, Patty smiled "so I have to run a few errands for the wedding did you want to come with?"

"I would love to, just let me get cleaned up" Catherine said getting up from her chair, taking her cup to the sink, rinsing it out and leaving it there

"you have time" Patty smiled "I need to wake up a bit first" she winked

"sounds good" Catherine smiled back at her soon to be mother in law and left the room

Annabelle was awoken by the sound of Catherine closing the dresser drawer "what are you doing?" she mumbled in her half awaken state

"your mom and I are running some errands, go back to sleep"

"oh ok" she said reaching for Catherine's pillow, rolling over on it

"love you too" Catherine laughed

"you have fun with your new bestie, I need more sleep"

"she's not my bestie but I will" Catherine said making her way to the bed giving Annabelle a kiss "try not to sleep all day"

"I won't, Collins is coming over around 11 we got some stuff to do"

"I'm already here" they heard from the other side of the door

"well there you go" Catherine smiled as she went to open the door "she's all yours, I'll see you later"

"ok, I love you"

"I love you too" Catherine said smiling at Collins as she passed.

"where's she going?"

"somewhere with my mom"

"isn't it weird they are so close?"

"I thought it was at first, but now I think it's kind of cool, neither one of them have any real friends, I mean sure mom has work friends, but she doesn't have anyone like I have you, and the same for Catherine"

"well as long as you're ok with it" Collins smiled

"I am" Annabelle smiled back "is Jamie still sleeping?"

"no she's in the shower"

"and you're not helping her?"

"your parents are home"

"so Catherine and I do it"

"Anna, you and Catherine are getting married, me and Jamie haven't even been dating that long"

"long enough for you to move across the country for her"

"shh, I haven't told her yet" Collins whispered

"haven't told me what?" Jamie asked appearing in the doorway, making her way into the room, plopping down on the bed with the other two girls

"um" Collins looked at Annabelle "you might as well tell her" Annabelle smiled

"tell me what?" Jamie asked again

"that I, um, I got accept at Bloomington, so I'm going back with you"

"really?" Jamie asked "how long have you known?"

"since the end of June, when I decided"

"and no one told me" Jamie said looking at Annabelle

"not my place to tell you" Annabelle smiled

"are you mad?"

"I'm a little irritated you didn't tell me, but how could I be mad? We won't be leaving each other in a few weeks"

"guh a few weeks, I gotta start packing" Collins said

"for now, how about you two go find something to do so I can shower, I'll meet you downstairs when I'm done, oh and I don't think my parents are here, so no having sex on the couch" Annabelle laughed

"ok" they said in unison as they got up and left the room.

"you know what the best part about this wedding is?" Collins asked, they were in the car driving back from picking up the rings

"what?" Annabelle asked from the back seat, they had taken Collins' car

"I get to get it on with the maid of honor" Collins winked making eye contact with Annabelle in the mirror

"dork" she said hitting her shoulder "I thought you were going to say me and Catherine getting married but ok"

"well I get to hook up with the best man so" Jamie laughed "so you're really coming back with us?" she asked looking at collins.

"yes, which reminds me, I have to go home and start packing" she said making eye contact with Annabelle in the mirror again

"why we aren't leaving for a couple more weeks"

"yes, but I know the next week is going to be busy, with wedding stuff, and I'd rather have it done"

"can I come with?" Jamie asked shyly

"of course, let's drop off Mrs. Stark, and we'll head to my house"

"ha-ha, you're funny" Annabelle said faking a laugh

"what?" Collins asked trying not to laugh

"Mrs. Stark?"

"are you not taking her last name?"

"we actually haven't talked about it yet" Annabelle said sitting back in the seat, now she had something new to think about.

"I'd hyphenate it" Jamie said

"huh?" Annabelle said barely hearing her

"if it was me, I'd hyphenate your last names, I mean it wouldn't be too long"

"hmm" Annabelle let out "there is an idea"

"yup just an idea" Jamie smiled looking out the window as Collins pulled into the driveway to the house

"you two have fun" Annabelle said getting out

"we will" Jamie said winking at Collins

"yeah, see ya later" Annabelle said shutting the door, clinching the bag with the rings in it. Still shaking her head as she opened the front door, she smiled when she heard Catherine's voice coming from the kitchen. As if in a trance her body headed that way. "hi baby" Catherine said with a smile once Annabelle was in view

"hi" Annabelle said softly, making her way to the table

"you want some coffee?" her mother asked

"um, no I'm good" she said, setting the bag on the table and sitting down in the chair next to Catherine, she leaned over giving Annabelle a soft kiss on her cheek.

"those the rings?" Patty asked

"yes" Annabelle nodded, handing her mother the bag, who took it and pulled out the two little boxes inside. Opening them, she gasped "my god they are beautiful, Anna you did a good job picking them out"

Catherine cleared her throat "it was actually me who picked them out"

"well then Catherine they are gorgeous" Patty smiled

"thank you" Catherine said pushing her chair back so she could stand, reaching for her coffee cup "do you need a refresher?"

"yes please" Patty smiled

"hey Cat?" Annabelle said

"yes Belle" Catherine said sitting in her chair

"we haven't talked about the last name thing"

"oh, you're right" Catherine said taking a drink of her coffee "what are you thinking?"

"well" Annabelle said looking up at her mother, who smiled and said "you do what you two think is best" Annabelle smiled at her and said "Jamie thinks we should hyphenate"

"hyphenate them huh?" Catherine said looking at Patty who shrugged

"or whatever you want to do"

"I guess I haven't given much thought to it" Catherine said "Catherine Tillman" she said out loud

"Annabelle Stark" Annabelle said

"they both sound good to me" Patty smiled

"there are my girls" Annabelle's dad said making his way into the kitchen "I feel like I've been away forever" he smiled making his way to Patty kissing her on the cheek, in a gesture Catherine knew too well, smiling when she realized Annabelle had gotten it from him. She couldn't help but smile, in the short time they had been here this summer, she'd come to see just what she was in for, Annabelle had traits from both her parents.

"what are we discussing?" Nate said as he joined them at the table

"last names" Patty said "they can't decide what they want to do"

"why change anything?" he smiled "I mean, Catherine you've already established yourself as Stark, and well Annie, you're just getting started but" Annabelle looked at Catherine, her dad had a point that Catherine had already established herself as Stark. "why don't we go with Stark?" she said

"if that's what you want" Catherine smiled inside she was doing a victory dance. She didn't want to say it, but she was hoping they could keep her last name.

"I think it is" Annabelle smiled

"ok" Catherine smiled

"well now that, that is settled" Nate said "how is everything else going?"

"good" Patty smiled "I think we are almost finished, all that's left to do now is wait"

"good, I got back just in time" he laughed

"did you get your clothes?" Annabelle asked

"I did, and I have to say I love the shorts, very roomy"

"good" Annabelle smiled at Catherine "anyway, I'm going to take these to the bedroom" she said reaching for the bag with the ring boxes in them

"be sure not to lose them" Patty said knowing her daughter all too well

"I'm sure she won't lose them" Catherine smiled as she got up following Annabelle

"so" Catherine said sitting down on the bed

"so" Annabelle smiled, making her way over to her

"we haven't seen much of each other the past few days"

"no, we haven't" Annabelle said reaching down to pull Catherine up

"I um, I kind of miss you"

"just kind of" Annabelle asked pushing some hair out of Catherine's face, she took a moment to think, then nodded with a smile "yeah just kind of"

"hmm" Annabelle said looking away, but Catherine reached up, cupping her face with both hands making Annabelle look directly into her pools of brown and whispered "I love you"

"I love you too" Annabelle said softly, as their lips met. Pulling back Catherine asked, "where's Jamie?"

"she and Collins went to her house to start packing"

"start packing we don't leave for another 3 weeks"

"I know" Annabelle said letting Catherine go and sitting on the bed "Collins said with the wedding and stuff she wouldn't have much time, so she thought she'd better get started"

"hmm" Catherine hummed

"I think they just wanted to be alone"

"that's probably it" Catherine smiled as she pushed Annabelle back on the bed climbing on top of her. They were in a heavy make out session when Annabelle's phone went off. "mm" Annabelle said moving so she could pull it out of her pocket "oh shit" she said after seeing who it was

"what?"

"it's Kristen"

"there's a name I haven't heard in awhile"

"I know, I feel bad" Annabelle said reading the text

"what's it say?"

"that she's sorry she hasn't contacted me, but she'll be sure to make it to the wedding"

"that's good" Catherine smiled as Annabelle typed out a quick response and tossed her phone on the nightstand. "so what are we doing tonight?"

"my hope is to do nothing" Annabelle smiled "maybe lounge around and watch a movie"

"in other words, cuddle time" Catherine giggled

"if that's ok with you, my wife" Annabelle said looking in those pools of brown. Catherine leaned in kissing Annabelle, and yet again they were interrupted while in the middle of a heated make out session with Annabelle's phone going off. "oh my god" Annabelle said not hiding the irritation, as she pulled away from Catherine and reached for her phone. "this time it's my mom"

"oh"

"she wants us to have dinner with them tonight"

"ok, sounds good to me"

"alright" Annabelle tapped out a reply then tossed her phone back on the stand as it went off again. She reached for it "6 sound ok?"

"sounds amazing" Catherine said as she watched Annabelle type then toss her phone down again "now" Annabelle said going back to Catherine "where were we?"

"right about here" Catherine said rolling them over, so she was on top.

The week went by quick the next thing the Catherine knew she was getting a phone call from Joan. "hello" she said smiling into the phone

"we just got to the hotel" Joan said, Catherine could hear the smile in her voice

"I'm glad you made it safe" Catherine said in almost a whisper, given her experience with loved ones on flights

"we did, Leonard slept the whole way"

"I did not" Catherine heard in the background. She couldn't help but laugh, "did you get the alterations done for you dress? Joan asked trying to sound like her mother

"I did" Catherine smiled, hearing a noise seeing Annabelle walking into the room "hey" Annabelle whispered, "who you talking to?"

"Joan, they just got to the hotel"

"oh, did they want directions to the house?" Annabelle asked

"I'm not sure" Catherine said "did you guys want directions to the house?"

"my mom said something about dinner, but I don't remember what she said" Annabelle laughed

"what was that?" Joan asked

"she said her mom said something about dinner tonight, but she doesn't remember what"

"oh" Joan said "hold on I'll ask him" Catherine could hear the eye roll in the way Joan said him. The phone went silent outside of some muffled talk "you still there?"

"yes" Catherine smiled, talking to Joan on the phone it often made her wonder what her mother would be like

"he says to give us the address, this car we have has a nice navigation system, if he can figure out how to use it" she went on

"ok" Catherine said looking at Annabelle mouthing she needed the address to the house, Annabelle quickly grabbed a pen and wrote it down as Catherine rattled it off "ok honey, we'll see you soon"

"ok" Catherine smiled, in the background she heard Leonard "if we aren't there in a couple hours send the police, we might have gotten shot"

"we won't get shot" Joan laughed

"no, you're pretty safe around here" Catherine said "I'll see you soon" she added hanging up the phone. The hotel wasn't far from the house, Catherine made sure of it when she booked it for them. Patty and Nate offered for them to stay at the house, but Leonard wouldn't have it, saying there was already too many people here, and he could splurge this once, for his girl. Made Catherine smile, having him call her his girl. She didn't realize she was standing there smiling like an idiot until Annabelle said something to make her snap out of it. "what? Sorry I was"

"it's ok" Annabelle laughed

"they are on the way" Catherine said turning around

"good, I can't wait for mom and dad to meet them"

"I know" she smiled "come on let's go downstairs"

"I'll get it" Catherine said hearing the doorbell" she stood up and went to the door knowing it was Leonard and Joan, pulling the door open she couldn't help but smile, moving back so they could enter, once inside Joan reached out pulling Catherine in for a hug. Catherine had all she could do to hold back the tears, as she let go and Leonard pulled her in whispering "you look good" in her ear she smiled her thank you, and said "come on in, Annabelle's parents can't wait to meet you"

"we are excited to meet them too" Leonard smiled looking around the house Catherine could tell he was in awe, the same way Catherine was back in December when they were there for Christmas. She led them into the living room where everyone was sitting around talking. Clearing her throat to get their attention "this is Joan and Leonard" she smiled going around the room "that's Nate and Patty, Annabelle's parents, and this is Jamie, who you may know Leonard, she's from Bloomington and Belle's best friend Michelle"

"everyone calls me Collins" Collins piped in, she hated to be called by her first name. Joan and Leonard smiled their hello.

"why don't we take this out to the patio, it's too nice to be trapped inside" Patty said looking at Nate, who nodded in agreement, standing up "right this way" he said showing them through the kitchen and out to the patio.

"are you sure they aren't your parents?" Collins asked once they were out of the room

"I'm sure" Catherine smiled

"you look a lot like Leonard" Collins smiled

"you know what, I've never noticed it before, but you do" Annabelle said

"stop" Catherine said she could feel a blush starting "come on let's go join them"

"So Annabelle" Joan said "I don't know much about you, I've only met you that once"

"what is it you'd like to know" Annabelle asked smiling

"she's good" Leonard smiled sitting back in his chair

"what is your major" Joan asked, everyone laughed and looked at Catherine, "what?" she asked

"oh, psychology" Joan laughed

"yes" Annabelle said

"Jamie was it?" Joan said turning her attention to Jamie

"honey, you know Jamie, her parents own the shop we take the car to"

"oh" Joan let out a laugh "you're that Jamie?"

"yes mam" Jamie smiled

"well why are you out here?"

"she and I were dormmates" Annabelle said "and when I mentioned I was coming home for the summer she asked if she could tag along, and well" Annabelle looked at Collins, who put her arm around Jamie and said "then she met me"

"you two are together?" Joan asked "well that's obvious" she laughed

"yes we are"

"Collins is coming back to Bloomington with us, she got accepted to the college"

"Michelle Collins" Leonard said "seems that name came up on a list I was sent the other day, what's your major?"

"I think we may have forgot to mention Leonard is one of the deans at the college" Catherine smiled

"ah" Collins smiled "psychology"

Annabelle looked around the table, everyone was enjoying themselves including her parents. They took a liking to Joan and Leonard offering them again to stay at the house "why should you waste the money on a hotel when we have plenty of room here" Nate said

"we wouldn't want to impose" Leonard replied

"you wouldn't be" Patty chimed in "we'd love to have you, besides, I'm sure Catherine will need help with some wedding stuff" she said looking at Catherine who spoke up "yes, I do need some help with my dress"

"I thought you said you had all the alterations done?" Joan said

"I did, but I need you to make sure it looks good on me"

"oh I'm sure it looks fine" Joan said "you always look beautiful in whatever you wear"

"yeah she does" Annabelle said kissing her cheek

"just stay here please" Catherine said deciding to plead with them "I could really use some family time"

"well" Joan said looking at Leonard who sighed "I guess we could, I have a feeling we'll be here most the trip anyway"

"exactly" Patty smiled "it's settled, I'll make up the other guest room"

"I'll do it mom" Annabelle said standing up

"I'll help" Catherine said standing up to follow Annabelle

"no, you stay and visit, Collins and Jamie will help me" she smiled as she nodded for them to follow her.

"yes, we will" Collins said standing up along with Jamie both following Annabelle into the house.

"ok" Catherine sighed sitting back down, watching the girls disappear into the house "so" she cleared her throat "you guys stay at the hotel tonight then tomorrow come here"

"Anna will have everything done" Patty smiled

"as long as we aren't imposing" Joan said again

"I guarantee you aren't" Patty smiled "now" she looked at Catherine "what should we do about dinner?"

"you know what sounds good?" Catherine said, she loved how comfortable she was feeling around Annabelle's parents

"what's that?" Patty asked

"steaks, now I happen to know Leonard is amazing on the grill" she smiled winking at Leonard

"I'm not sure we have any, thawed at least" Patty said thinking

"I'll run and grab some" Nate said standing up "Leonard would you care to join me?"

"oh um" he looked at Joan who nodded then at Catherine who smiled and nodded "sure" he stood up following Nate into the house.

"why are we doing this?" Collins asked as she fluffed the pillow on the bed of the other guest room

"because I wanted to leave them to talk" Annabelle said

"I get it" Jamie smiled "although it's weird having professor Haacht here, I never imagined I'd be hanging out with a professor" Annabelle stopped what she was doing, looking at Jamie, as Jamie started to giggle "oh right Catherine"

"yeah Catherine"

"in my eyes Catherine is Catherine not Professor Stark" Jamie said "you know, she's your future wife"

"my wife" Annabelle said sitting on the bed "I'm getting married" she said almost in a whisper

"yes, you are" Collins said, realizing what was happening. Annabelle had finally realized her life was about to change. Annabelle looked at Collins, not saying anything just making eye contact. "are you having second thoughts?"

"no, not at all" Annabelle said "I just" she took a deep breath "how did we get here?" she let out a laugh

"we got on a plane" Jamie smiled knowing it wasn't what Annabelle meant but she thought she'd lighten the mood a little. Annabelle looked at her, and laughed "yeah a plane, Catherine hates flying"

"she told me about it when we went home, I learned a lot that weekend"

"yeah" Annabelle said "anyway" she looked around the room "I think we are done here"

"Annabelle" Collins said using her full name "do you maybe want to talk? I mean you seem to be"

"to be what?" Annabelle asked

"I don't know, freaking out?"

"yeah I can see it" Jamie said

"I'm not freaking out" Annabelle smiled "I just can't believe after everything with Simone, and how I used to be" she sighed "why would Catherine want to be with me?"

"because you're amazing, Anna, I knew that the moment I saw you, at that table in the dining room, that's why I went and sat by you"

"and Cat chased you away"

"that she did" Collins laughed

"and later that night with Prissy"

"oh my god Prissy" Collins said in a sad tone "I miss that smelly thing"

"I don't" Annabelle laughed

"what's Prissy?" Jamie asked confused

"I was out walking through the woods one day, I came upon a baby porcupine, laying in the dirt, I ran back to the school and got Miss Bradley"

"Simone" Annabelle said to clarify

"well back then she was Miss Bradley" Collins laughed "anyway she helped me get her back to the dorm, and fixed a little cage for her and let me keep it as a pet"

"I remember how Cat explained it to me, Miss Bradley let you keep her because you didn't have any other friends" Annabelle rolled her eyes, then looked at her friend "you've come a long ways since I first met you"

"all thanks to you" Collins smiled

"I didn't do anything"

"you did" Collins smiled "but I'll save that for my speech"

"oh shit, we have to make a speech don't we" Jamie said looking at Collins

"part of being the maid of honor" Collins laughed reaching out to pull Jamie in, placing a kiss on her lips

"alright I'm out, you two, um, just don't do it in here" Annabelle laughed as she left the room

"we're coming" Collins laughed, as they quickly left the room.