Tristan was familiar to her, there for her at every turn she made throughout college and postgraduate. He was holding her hand when her grandfather died, bringing her flowers at her graduations. But, that didn't always mean familiarity was a good thing. Derrick was the dangerous option, the one with a crazy job (or two), the one with a past she shared a part in, who hadn't been there for her since high school, and grew up so much that he became unfamiliar to her.
He became unfamiliar in the best way possible, though. He became a stronger person, someone with real goals and ambition, someone who actually tasted defeat and worked his ass off to avoid it again. He was wiser, more intelligent, more aware of the world around him versus the world underneath his high school cleats. He became honorable, caring, protective, ambitious, he had everything any girl would want. Any girl would be lucky to have him, and crazier to give him up. Does that make me crazy? Massie thought to herself.
The Block Estate had never looked more beautiful, more serene in Massie's entire existence. The dark wooden staircase and all of the modern furniture was polished to a perfect shine, the marbled floors were sparkling and the air felt fresh. There was a faint smell of jasmine and peony drifting throughout the estate, inside and outdoors as well.
The white french double doors that led outside to the back of the estate were covered with soft white flowy curtains, a white carpet lining the way down to where the wedding planning staff set up the altar. Due to the time change, their plans to be married at one of the most beautiful hotels in the state were cancelled, and the mansion was converted overnight into a wedding pavilion.
The carpet brought the guests past the expansive and beautifully blue pool that was to the left of the backyard, and had white and blush colored peonies floating on the surface alongside a peony-filled version of the Block family crest which circled the surface of the pool. Down the carpet further were a set of over a hundred white chairs, all draped with white and blush flowers and divided by the carpet.
There was a white and gold marble altar with intrinsic etching, where the priest was standing in preparation as the guests began to arrive. Behind the altar was a cascading white three tier fountain with soft white flowers floating in the water, harp players to the left and right of it.
The reception would be held in another area of the estate, further behind the fountain where they had their green grassy lawns and flower beds. There, two extremely long tables draped in white and blush sat with gold chairs on either side. Massie envisioned the two tables being a symbol of the two families becoming one, that was before she knew what a monster she was bearing her soul to.
As guests began to arrive, they were greeted by waitstaff in clean white button downs with small peonies tucked in their front pockets, handing out glasses of dom perignon on golden platters before escorting each guest to their assigned seats. There were three journalists attending, hand picked by Kendra herself who set up a full spread of coverage for the wedding in US Weekly, People Magazine, and the up and coming Beat of Westchester magazine.
Massie, upstairs watching it all unfold from her bedroom window, eventually tore her gaze away and dramatically threw the curtains back to close her window to the rest of the world. Her makeup was flawlessly applied - a touch of red lipstick on a full face of foundation, sweet light blush with a bold black eyeliner and a pair of false eyelashes. Jakkob styled her hair in a low, loose bun with a few waves sticking out to frame her face.
Her hair was in a bun so that people could appreciate her gown, which was handmade two months ago in Paris by Berta. Massie picked a cream colored backless a-line silhouette, with hand sewn lace and satin covering her body and the neckline coming just off of her shoulders. The lace carried throughout the entire gown, pooling at the train at her feet, and the scar she carried from Tristan on her back was covered in high quality makeup and blended so it was invisible to the naked eye.
Kristen, Alicia, Dylan, and Kuh-laire were all gathered on her navy fainting couch in her bedroom, watching as Massie paced back and forth. Their gowns were a sage green silk, strapless with a slit up the left leg to show their matching blush jimmy choo pumps. Each girl wore their hair a different way - Dylan wore hers in shiny ringlets, Kristen opted for a waterfall braid down her back, Claire wore hers loose in waves and Alicia had a half up half down style.
The girls all looked beautiful, and Massie was stunning in her gown, but it still felt like something terribly wrong was happening. She knew it was true, but wanted to pretend for a minute longer that she wasn't marrying Tristan the way he became, but the Tristan she dated in the past. The Tristan before his father and mother divorced and remarried, the boy who adored her at Oxford and would help with her coursework when she was overloaded. The boy before the drugs, anger issues and deep seated resentment for women in power. The boy who he was, not the man he turned into.
"You know, this is your last few moments being single." Claire started, which caused Kristen to roll her eyes the second the words came out.
"Do you think that's what she wants to hear?"
"I mean…"
"You've become a terrible consoler, Claire." Kristen shook her head then stopped, touching her hair to make sure she didn't shake it out of place.
"I'm just saying, if she wants a little time by herself, we can do that."
"I don't." Massie stated matter-of-factly, looking over her bridesmaids and matron of honor and nodding her head. "I've been putting this nightmare off for so long mentally. I'm ready to finish this."
"You mean you're ready to get married? Pledge your life to someone else, their entire being becoming your concern, you absorbing all their problems?"
"Yes, Dylan. Unfortunately, those are the cards being dealt. I refuse to fold."
"Alright, if you say so." Dylan muttered, before jumping at the random knock on Massie's bedroom door.
"Come in." Massie responded, watching as her father stepped into the room quietly and carefully.
"Are you ready, dear?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Massie responded, as all the girls stood and waited.
They followed Massie out of her bedroom, Alicia turning to look into the room one last time and wiping a small tear. All their good memories, all their good times would be lost. Massie was already changing, and after this wedding was final, she'd never be the same again. Alicia cried for the loss of her best friend, whether Massie knew it or not.
Tristan stood at the altar, wearing a charcoal grey suit and matching pants. He had on a white button down, with his initials stitched into the pocket of his suit jacket and a lone peony tucked inside. His dark brown hair was freshly trimmed, and every inch of facial hair was shaved from his sharp jawline. From an outsider's perspective, he looked like a fine looking young man who was excited to start the next chapter of his life.
The guests were gathered, watching anxiously as each girl made her way down the aisle with their partner. Alicia and Josh were first, all the groomsmen wearing light grey suit jackets and matching pants with white shirts underneath and a silk sage tie matching the girls gowns. Dylan and Chris followed, Dylan making sure to get a good picture with Us Weekly's photographer before continuing their walk down to the altar.
Kristen and Kemp walked arm in arm, although Kristen still hated Kemp, she knew at the end of the day he was the only person she'd ever let back in. He knew her secrets, he knew her language, he knew how her body moved and loved her laugh. And Kristen, well, she knew the inner Kemp no one else did.
Claire and Cam walked down hand in hand, stopping to wave at Claire's parents sitting in the guest chairs before splitting to walk to either side they belonged to. Claire wasn't let in on much of the backstory between Massie and Tristan, all she knew was that Tristan was abusive and Massie was helpless. She couldn't think of another time where her alpha was helpless. Although their relationship changed with time and individual growth, she still felt pity for Massie. Whether they were really good friends anymore or not, no one should go through a marriage this way.
The guests sitting round the altar were all of Westchester's elite, including the parents of the girls and boys surrounding Tristan. Derrick's father and mother were next to Josh's, Kemp's, Chris' and Cam's. The girl's parents sat in the row in front of them, Alicia's mother crying and Len rubbing her back. His eyebrows were furrowed together, and his forehead revealed more worry lines than ever before. Dylan's mom was there with her latest boy toy, a thirty five year old Swedish model, while Kristen's parents looked on in amazement at how much this event must've cost.
Soon enough, the flower girls that were Josh's nieces came strutting down the carpet in fluffy blush colored organza gowns like it was a runway, throwing soft flower petals in pinks and whites to the guests and totally misunderstanding their role. But, it got the guests to laugh, and that was all Massie wanted. She wanted the guests to at least be happy and enjoy, even if she couldn't.
Once the music began to play, her father faced her on the inner side of the double doors, reaching for her face and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I'm sorry. I'll never stop apologizing. But, I love you dearly. Just know I kept my promise."
"What promise?"
Before William could respond, the double doors were opened to the guest and Massie's arm was soon linked through her father's. The walk down the aisle felt like it lasted a year and almost no time, at the same time. As William gave Massie to Tristan, fixing Massie's mini veil, she felt her freedom escaping her and all the air leaving her lungs.
"I do." Tristan grinned happily, kissing Massie's hand as the ring bearer was being walked to the aisle. Bean was wearing a little doggy tuxedo, with a small pillow attached to his back where the wedding bands sat glistening in the August sunshine.
"I do." Massie whispered, her vision blurring slightly before blinking away any of her tears. Her face remained stoic, frozen in time.
"If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Massie held her breath, waiting for someone to say something. She looked out to the guests who were all teary and happy and so blissfully unaware, and almost choked after realizing no one would speak.
"Well, in that cas-"
The priest was interrupted by the sound of footsteps running down the aisle. All of the guests turned their heads, watching in confusion as a boy with slightly messy dirty blonde hair came sprinting down.
"Actually, I have a problem here." Derrick responded.
He was soon standing in front of the altar, in front of Massie and Tristan and all of their closest friends. He was standing in front of his parents, Massie's parents, everyone elite in Westchester and the outside communities. Derrick was standing in front of business partners, benefactors, all to bear his soul to this woman.
Massie let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in. Alicia breathed out a sigh of relief, while Dylan smiled proudly. Kristen and Claire were equally as confused, watching as Tristan's face grew red and smile fell to a confused expression.
The guests all gasped, while Tristan's parents stood up immediately. Kendra and William jumped out of their seats as well, and security began to move towards Derrick until William waved them off.
"And what exactly is your problem?" Tristan snarked, his eyes full of anger and frustration.
He felt embarrassed, his cheeks bright red and his fists sweating. His mother would never let him live this down. Tristan was deeply confused, but so angry it didn't matter. He glared as Derrick approached the couple, moving to come closer to Derrick until Josh took hold of Tristan's shoulders and pulled him back.
"My problem, Montgomery, is that we are in New York."
"...and?" Tristan laughed at Derrick's stupidity, making the guests laugh as well.
Derrick stood there, letting everyone get a few laughs out before making his reply. He was no stranger to the art of dramatic effect, and knew it would work better if the guests were paying attention. Specifically, the three journalists taking pictures and feverishly writing in their notebooks.
"And, unfortunately for you Tristan, New York State doesn't condone bigamy."
"Meaning?"
"I understand that you need things spelled out for you, Tristan, so allow me to provide you with an easier-to-understand example." Derrick snarked, reaching into the pocket of his suit jacket and pulling out a marriage certificate.
Derrick was wearing a black suit and pant combination, with a black button down underneath. His soccer number '23' was stitched in gold on the pocket of the blazer, and he wore no tie but a blush pocket square crept out giving a subtle pop of color.
"This," he began to explain as he held the paper up for the guests to see, then Tristan and Massie, "is a marriage certificate. Massie Block is married, Tristan, legally married and wed. And since New York doesn't allow bigamy or polygamy, I think that means you're technically…...in my spot."
He finished, and before he could say another word, Tristan launched himself on top of Derrick pushing him to the ground and throwing punches. Derrick dodged his attempts except for one that landed right at Derrick's nose, before Josh and Kemp managed to pull Tristan off of him. The guests were screaming, meanwhile the girls beside Massie were yelling and cheering for Derrick to "beat Tristan's ass" and Tristan's parents were threatening the priest and Derrick's parents with lawsuits.
William approached as Josh and Kemp were holding Tristan by his arms, and took the piece of paper out of Derrick's fist to examine it with the priest. Slowly, they both nodded their heads as Massie threw her hands over her mouth, dropping Alicia's hands she was holding out of nervousness.
"I'm sorry Tristan, but laws are laws." William spoke, making direct eye contact with his daughter's now ex-fiance and shrugging his shoulders. "Nothing we can do here, I'm afraid."
"LEN!" Tristan yelled, and Len Rivera came running over to examine it as well, despite the fact that he was the one who had Massie sign it in the first place. He had given her it a day or so before, but Massie was so overwhelmed and upset that she probably didn't bother to even read what it was.
Len dramatically pulled his glasses out and read the paper over three times before nodding in agreement. "It appears this is true. It's a legal document, notarized and filed in the Clerk's Office. I'm sorry, Tristan, but Massie's a married woman now."
Tristan began to scream and yell profanities, thrashing against Kemp and Josh's bodies as the security guards grabbed hold of him and walked him back towards the house. His parents followed, confused and shocked as much as the guests standing there were. They were resigned to the fact that they were outsiders here, and any more of a fight they threw would only land them on the front cover of the tabloids.
William cleared his throat before asking the priest for the microphone, tapping it once to make sure the fight didn't break it, before speaking.
"Well, it seems like there won't be much of a wedding today." William said with a small chuckle.
"No," Derrick began before turning to Massie who was still standing at the altar with her hands over her mouth, too stunned to speak. "But, since everyone is here, I thought now might be a good time for this?"
He stepped up to the altar, Josh and Kemp backing away to where their assigned spots were as the girls fell back into place as well. The guests all took their seats again, this time curiously watching and whispering to each other. Derrick faced Massie, reaching and taking both of her hands off of her face and into his own. He could feel them trembling, her eyes welling up with what looked like happy tears and a smile finally breaking through her parted lips. Slowly, he slipped off the pear shaped diamond engagement ring she was wearing on her left hand, handing it to Josh behind him before beginning to kneel down. Derrick began digging through his inside jacket pocket, pulling out a small red box covered in velvet.
"Massie," he started, even though she was already crying and nodding her head. "Massie, we've had a bit of a ride together. From children to now, so much has happened between us, but there's also been a lot we've missed out on, and I don't want that to keep happening. I know we're technically already married, and that's pretty cool, but I never got the opportunity to give you what you always dreamed of, and that needed to change." He spoke softly but clearly, and all of the women in attendance began crying and cheering, fawning over him.
"I know our relationship was...turbulent, to say the least, but you're the constant I've had my entire life. You can totally say no, which would be really awkward to explain to the clerk in the marriage part, but like...you know, you can. I don't want you doing anything you aren't fully wanting to do, not anymore. But," He popped open the box, removing a shining five carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring set on a thin platinum band with two baguette diamonds on either side, "it'd make the happiest man in the world if you'd marry me, again."
"Yes!" She cried out, her hands shaking as he slid the diamond on her finger. Unlike the ring Tristan gave her, this one felt warm and light despite it being a bigger diamond and a heavier cut. It felt like a weight was off of her hand, off her shoulders, off of her life. She couldn't stop the tears as they began to fall, grabbing his hands as he stood back up and pressing their lips together. "I love you, Derrington." She whispered to him as the groupings of people around them cheered, took pictures, clapped and congratulated.
"I love you, Block. I guess I should call you Harrington now, huh?"