Hey guys! I'm sorry I meant to put this up last week, but college is no joke lol. Anyways, this is the chapter where the soundtrack link I gave you the other day comes into play. So now, enter that pretty little link and begin our musical journey! The Song? One of Us from Mamma Mia 2 of course! Two important notes:
This song has a few light scene changes. It's almost like a music video but I wanted the transitions to be smooth. To help you out, I can tell you that it goes from a company hallway, to the freeway, to a church, and into a wedding service and reception. I think I did pretty well, saying when it will switch, but I'm going to leave the cues from my personal rough draft (asterisk (*) ) to help you 3 also remember, * this little beauty means start the song ^^ Ily Sixers 3
2.) I was so thrilled to see that you guys actually went onto the playlist to view it. I smiled, so big you guys have no idea. To Guest Rockpapersissors, you are incredible. Thanks for your review! It actually inspired me to submit this earlier xD Enjoy!
Three-day-weekends were Taylor's favorite part of the week. Well, technically they weren't three day weekends when it wasn't a holiday. She still had to go to work, just not in an office setting. The wedding of one of her clients, Summer Thompson, was today. All her other appointments would be redirected to what Gabriella labeled 'The Drawing Rooms'; several rooms on the other side of her floor. The inside of the drawing rooms were see-through and filled with couples, whiteboards and dream boards. If clients had to come in for planning with an absent planner, they had the drawing rooms. HEA policy was to help the bride and groom as much as possible. The rooms made planning look way less stressful with their relaxing vibes. One of those very rooms, was where her not-so-favorite bride and groom would be for the day.
Taylor sighed and allowed her eyes to drift over to Troy's checklist on her back wall. After a light nod, she turned back to her full-length mirror that resided against her office door and put on her orange and rose earrings. They were a lovely geometric pattern which suited her flowing coral dress. After checking her earrings, Taylor placed a matching coral hibiscus flower accessory on top of her curled hair. There, all done. With observant brown eyes she scanned her outfit, searching for flaws. Luckily, she didn't find any. With that confirmation, she sauntered over to her desk and picked up her purse and made her way out the door.
How Taylor loved themed weddings. It truly brought out the creative side of her. From the venue to the dress, something about the whole thing was beautiful to her. The beach-themed one she had given Summer (no pun intended) was no exception. Today was going to be- aaaaand she nearly lost her focus because someone had decided to turn the corner when she did. Chad, of course.
"Oh! Chad, I'm sorry I didn't see you there." Taylor said, having almost bumped into him.
"No no, if one of us should be sorry it's me." He replied. "I know Shay and I aren't due for another hour."
"That's true." She nodded. "However, you guys are just going to the drawing room." She pointed to one of the many rooms. It was one of the first, and it had a lovely sign with the name 'Danforth' on it in smooth, white cursive. Amelia's penmanship was truly perfect.
"I know. Actually, I came to get some of Shaylah's magazines. The ones where she actually has relevant clippings." He pulled an inside joke; an inside joke that Taylor just had to giggle at (luckily). She turned around and walked a few steps back to her office with him.
"Thank God for that, huh?" She smiled softly, her contagious laughter lightening the mood. "Go ahead, they're right on my desk. Right-hand corner." She said, opening her door. Chad smiled warmly and went in to grab his future wife's dream wedding.
He picked up the magazines, turned around, and sighed. His mind was clouded with something he should have done earlier, something he still had to do. "Hey um...can we talk right quick?"
Taylor tensed up a bit. That couldn't be a good sign… "Um...y-yeah sure. What is it?"
"About...about the other day I-" He began.
She practically snorted at that. "What, that? I'm fine."
"But you weren't fine, Taylor." Chad said, coming up to her so they weren't talking across the room. "I know you, McKessie…" She looked away at that statement. He tilted his head to find her eyes again. "I know you, Taylor." He repeated softly. She looked back up, and he knew she was trying to guard herself. "Your eyes were...Tay you were on the brink of tears. She shouldn't have said any of that to you and I am so sorry. I know this situation is awkward enough."
"It is." She nodded. "And I'm trying. I'm not trying my best, I must admit, but I'm trying. This is my job."
He nodded. "Just...don't rush please." She was trying to hide a scowl. "I know it's my wedding, but it's still, a wedding. You take months with your clients, don't try to get me out in one. Please…"
She sighed. "Fine. I'll try harder. Just...try not to get super cozy? In front of me? It just reminds me of the past. Gets awkward."
He nodded. "Got it. I'll try to tone things down." He held out a hand. She raised a brow, looked at the offending palm, then moved her incredulous gaze to him. "Come on~." He drawled playfully. She tried her best to hide a smirk (she failed), and shook his hand.
"Yay~!" He teased. She laughed softly, cheeks red. Perhaps she could be less petty. Perhaps.
It was then, when the cloud of guilt was lifted, that he noticed Taylor's outfit. Her hair was down in curls, and she had a flower pinned in it. A coral, flowy dress to match it hugged her figure. He looked Taylor over with a quirky smile.
"Where are you going?" Chad questioned.
"Oh!" She looked down. "I have a client's wedding today...it's um...island themed."
Chad nodded. "Well you look nice." He said softly, his small smile matching his tone. Something seemed...a little off about it. As if something was tugging at his spirit.
"Thank you…" Taylor smiled back, just the same. Though, neither of them wanted to know why.
"Well...go on then." He said. "Go make a happily ever after…"
She smiled and nodded, walking away. As soon as she was out of view, his smile, slowly but surely fell.*When Taylor was sure she was far enough down the hall to be out of Chad's sight, hers did too. She sighed softly, leaning against the wall of the hallway and closing her eyes. When she looked at her watch she started on her way to the wedding.
"They pass me by, all of those great romances." She sang, looking at all the photos of the company's past weddings. "It's as if you're robbing me, of my rightful chances." She scoffed at the idea.
"My picture clear," She glanced at the long wall of company photos from previous weddings. "Everything seemed so easy~." She continued on her way downstairs "And so I dealt you the blow, one of us had to go." She shrugged softly, before glancing back at the stairwell she had left "Now it's different, I want you to know…"
*Freeway*
"One of us is crying, one of us is lying, In her lonely bed…" Taylor sang softly as she drove down the highway. "Staring at the ceiling…" Her eyes caught a billboard that was being put up. Big mistake. The side that was flat was Chad. "Wishing she was somewhere else instead~"
*Chad/HEA Office*
Chad sang to himself softly as he placed clippings all around the edges of the drawing room's long table. "One of us is lonely, one of us is only, waiting for a call…" He looked at his phone for an update from Shaylah. Nothing. "Sorry for himself, feeling stupid, feeling small. Wishing he had never left at all…" He sighed, sitting in his chair and looking at his finished work.
*Church, pre-wedding*
Taylor walked down a line of bridesmaids and groomsmen, checking for small flaws. "I saw myself as a concealed attraction." She sang, adjusting the bowtie of a groomsman before kneeling down and smiling at Summer's adorable ring-bearer. "I felt you kept me away…" He smiled brightly and giggled as she straightened his shirt collar. "from the heat and the action." She lightly tapped his nose before standing up to move on.
She then sighed, feeling melancholic once again. "Just like a child, stubborn and misconceiving~" Taylor began to walk down the steps and into the church aisle. "That's how I started the show, one of us had to go." She placed her hand on one of the chairs, slid into its row, and turned around to look at the altar. "Now I've changed and I want you to know…"
*Wedding, Church is now full, all stand for the bride*
"One of us is crying, one of us is lying, in her lonely bed…" Summer looked positively perfect as she walked down the aisle in her flowing ivory wedding dress. Her long chiffon dress had lace flowers decorating her torso and a split on her right leg that gave a peak off her tan legs as she gracefully made her way to her future husband, who was beaming happily.
"Staring at the ceiling…" Taylor smiled as Summer and her husband (Michael) exchanged vows and rings. Everything was going perfectly. That is, except for Taylor. She had something else on her mind.. "Wishing she was somewhere else instead…" Summer Thompson kissed Michael, officially becoming Summer Barnett. It was finished, and now they could go to the fun luau reception outside!
*Middle of reception, everyone dancing/chatting and grabbing food*
"One of us is lonely, one of us is only-" Taylor sang as she lined up with everyone who helped make the wedding a hit, posing with the wedding cake Zeke and Peyton had made. It was time for yet another company picture. "Waiting for a call…" After the camera flashed, everyone went back to chatting and having a great time. Taylor wasn't really feeling it….
"Sorry for herself, feeling stupid, feeling small…wishing she had never left at all" Her eyes caught a brick arch that separated a wall nearby, leading to a small pathway. Taylor knew there was a quiet area at the end with a lovely fountain. That sounded like a good idea.
"Never left at all…" Taylor sang softly as she walked off and away from the crowd, down the path.
"Staring at the ceiling….wishing she was somewhere else instead…"
She stood by one of the garden fountains and closed her eyes, taking in the calm sound of the rushing water and attempting to get her thoughts in order. Before she could however, Taylor failed to notice the sound of footsteps halt in their tracks. She didn't fail to notice-
"Taylor?" She heard, her eyes flying open. "Taylor McKessie?"
His voice.
She turned around, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the young, mixed, brown eyed, curly and raven haired being that was "Dylan Black." She giggled, not believing her eyes.
His eyes lit up, knowing he had the right person. He laughed as well and opened his arms to give her a hug. "Taylor, it's been forever!" He smiled.
"I can't believe you're here!" She smiled back when they let go. "What are you doing in Albuquerque?"
"The bride is an old classmate." He explained. "And friend, of course. I'd ask what you're doing an Albuquerque but I know it's your second hometown. So I'll ask you this, " He said as they began naturally walking down the path again. "What are you doing at the wedding of Summer Thompson-Barnett?"
"I was...kind of the planner." She shrugged.
"Whoa now." He laughed. "You were 'kind of' the planner, or you were the one responsible for this fantastic event?"
She blushed. "I wouldn't say fantastic…"
"It is. Trust me. Weddings are sweet, but they can get a little boring with the same traditions. The black, the white, the old music, a ballroom venue. You actually managed to give her something unique and keep it traditional. And I don't have sand in my shoes." He joked, motioning his head to the ocean they had a view of. The chapel resided on a hill near the beach and The reception was just outside of the small chapel a few steps away, on a slightly separated platform overlooking the beach.
"Anyone could do that, Dyl." She said with a playful eye roll.
"But I've never seen anyone make a wedding this much fun." He smiled. She smiled back, thanking him. "So, planning huh? Why not law anymore?"
"Oh, my best friend Gabriella moved back home after school and started this big wedding company called The Happily Ever Afters. It seemed like a wonderful idea, I'd never seen it before, and I did get my degree so I figured, why not?"
"Wait, Gabriella runs the best wedding planning company in the state?" Dylan laughed. "That's amazing! I heard about it as soon as I got here. You guys basically killed all the competition!"
"She's very proud." Taylor smiled gently. "And I'm proud too." He nodded with a smile. "So how long are you staying?"
"Well…" Dylan hummed. "As of right now? I'd say...forever." Her eyes widened in surprise at that. "I got an offer to open a law office up here. I'm taking it over from an old mentor."
"Dylan, that's great!" Taylor laughed. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks!" He grinned. "Thanks to my best study partner...I kept up with your tactics." He said softly. "Speed flashcards are rewarding. After a while." he joked.
"See~?" She sang playfully, causing him to laugh.
"Taylor?" They heard someone call. Summer. She smiled, making her look even more radiant in her wedding dress. "Oh! You found Dylan!" She did a small cheer. "I didn't know you two knew each other?" She guessed, judging by their closeness and laughter.
"Yeah! She went to our college in New York for her last three years. Transfer student." He smiled, piquing Summer's interest enough to start a conversation. Taylor smiled back but it was weaker than his.
Flashback
She couldn't believe it. It was her first day at her new university, back in her home state, she was dominating her classmates already when answering questions...and yet she ended it all by breaking down. Now Taylor McKessie sat next to a vending machine, pretending to read as her class shuffled out. She was actually crying. Luckily, no one seemed to notice and it looked as if the classroom had finally emptied out. Taylor let her book close, and she moved to put her notes in her backpack. As she unzipped her bag's zipper, she felt the pain in her heart once again and let out an unexpected sob, causing her to bury her face in her knees.
"Hey...you okay?" She heard a voice say.
She sniffled and looked up to see a boy looking down at her with concern. "Oh goodness, please go away. I appreciate what you're trying to do- I think- but this is already embarrassing. So please, go." She put her head back down. Why did his footsteps sound closer?
He plopped down beside her. "Nope. Sorry, I don't think I can do that." He grunted as he made himself comfortable. "A strong, smart woman like you, breaking down after a good class day? Where she literally showed up the rest of her class on her first day? Something's up. Is it an assignment? Did you find out you got a bad grade in something before you came?" He asked.
Taylor nearly snorted at the question. "I don't really have trouble in school," she said. "It's kind of stupid…"
"Doubt it." He smiled kindly. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I don't mind."
"It's...love." Taylor said before slightly cringing at herself. Her acquaintance blinked twice. "Told you." Taylor mumbled.
"Hey! No you didn't!" He laughed. "That's not stupid at all. Love can be the worst. I just...it's the last thing I expected." He held out his hand. "Dylan Black by the way."
She shook it. "Taylor McKessie. And I don't know why it matters. The love thing I mean." Taylor grumbled. "I should be over it."
"Well...was it a crush or a significant other?" Dylan asked.
"The latter. High school sweetheart." She answered. He whistled. "I broke off our five-year relationship before coming here. Four years of dating...almost one year of engagement."
His eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, that's awful. I am so sorry. Did it have to do with you coming here?"
Taylor looked into his eyes after wiping hers. "No...I left after." she said.
Dylan blinked again. "Well...I'm not one to pry and I'm assuming you're not ready to share." she nodded. "Well, I was impressed today. You're really smart. We have a study group in the library on Wednesdays at 6? So if you're ever in the mood to take the same fiery passion I saw in there, and use it to help us understand the content- or to just hang out-"
"I'll be there." Taylor laughed softly. "I'd like a study group. Dylan...was it?" she asked.
He smiled. "Yeah...Dylan Black. I'll see you Wednesday, Taylor McKessie."
End Flashback
"That's crazy!" Summer laughed. "Aw Tay, I wish I'd met you sooner. Dylan, she's the absolute best. You're so lucky."
"I know. Without her, I probably would have failed my Criminal Litigation course." He smirked.
She laughed. "You always used to moan and groan about that. Anyways, I'm going to return to Mr. Barnett." Summer smiled an adorable newlywed smile. "It's time for us to go. I'll let you two catch up. Bye! Oh and thank you so much, Taylor, for everything!"
"Bye!" They chorused and waved. Taylor smiled proudly.
"She looks so beautiful…" She whispered. "I'm so happy she loved it…"
"Aw come on, why wouldn't she?" Dylan smiled. "It's perfect." Taylor smiled at him gratefully. His watch beeped for a moment, causing him to look at it and frown slightly. "I have to leave and help set up for tomorrow. Introduce myself, meet with people...etc. It's my first day." He sighed. "Anyway…" his phone began to ring. "Oh boy, that's my cue." he laughed. "It was nice seeing you!" He waved, moving to answer his phone.
"Bye Dylan!" Taylor responded with a wave.
She'd done it. Summer was happily married, the guests were enjoying their cake and waving goodbye to the couple as they sailed off for their honeymoon, and Taylor…
Taylor had just run into her most recent ex-boyfriend.
Dylan Alexander Black.
Thank you so much for reading! Did you like it? There's more to come, so stay tuned and don't forget to review!