As a reminder, Never Enough has been cut and you guys will not (I repeat, will not need a song queued up for this chapter. Enjoy your read and please leave a review at the end (that would really help guys *heart sign*)
When cruising down the streets of New Mexico in a black Mercedes Benz, with the soft hand of his stunning fiancee resting on his leg, one would think that Chad Danforth was the happiest man in the world. Well...he should have been the happiest man in the world. He hadn't a clue why he felt so uneasy. However, deep down, he did know why. He also knew who was responsible.
"You can go." He recalled her brown eyes as she smiled up at him. Those damned brown eyes.
He should want for her to be happy. After all, he was getting married. It was only right for Taylor to move on and find someone of her own who would make her happy just as much as Shaylah made him happy. She deserved that much.
So...why did he feel so-
"Honey? Were you listening to me?" Chad heard Shaylah ask. Her head was slightly tilted as blue doe-like eyes blinked at him.
"I'm sorry babe. No, I wasn't listening." He admitted apologetically.
"You seem out of it today...did planning stress you out?" She asked, concern etched into her soft voice.
He chuckled quietly and took her hand. "I guess you could say that. Never mind that, though. This is our time."
Shaylah smiled and gave his hand a light squeeze in response. "Okay...if you say so." She looked out the window at the night sky, littered with sparkling stars. "I'm surprised you remember the way to my parents' place." She turned to look at him with a teasing smirk.
"Well, yeah. I had to ask for your hand in marriage. It was one of the longest drives of my life." He laughed softly.
"Thanks for taking it." She smiled at him lovingly before moving the gaze to her engagement ring and giving a blissful sigh. "I can't wait to start our lives together…" Chad smiled to himself.
"Oh! About what I was asking you about," Shaylah began. "Do you have your stuff packed to move in yet?"
Now, Chad tensed.
"Um...not exactly." He cleared his throat. "There's still a lot of stuff to be put away."
Shaylah raised an eyebrow. "Still?" A nod. "Would you like for me to come over and help you with it?"
"No, there's a lot of stuff, honey. I wouldn't want to bother you with it." He muttered.
"How much stuff?" Shaylah blinked.
"...All the stuff." Chad mumbled. Shaylah stared straight ahead before putting her head in her hand.
"Chad…" She began to stress her feelings.
About a month ago, Chad had finally caved to Shaylah's wish for their relationship:
To move in together.
There was no reason why he should have been opposed to her request. They loved each other, they had been together for years, and they were getting married. Why wouldn't he be okay with it? Still, for whatever reason, Chad had hesitated for months. Deep down, he knew why he hesitated. Though he hated to admit it…
"Chad, you promised." Shaylah said sadly.
"I know, I know…" Chad sighed.
"No, I don't think you do." Shaylah shook her head. "I've asked this before but...do you want to wait until after the wedding? Is that it?"
"No, of course not. I don't see how it would matter. We're getting married." Chad scoffed.
"Then what is it?" Shaylah asked. "Do you...do you not-"
"Please don't finish that. You know it's not true." Chad said quietly.
Right?
"I can't help it." Her eyes teared up.
"Honey…" Chad began.
"We're here." Shaylah stated the obvious as she pulled down the sun visor, lifted the mirror's cover, and checked to see if she looked presentable. Chad looked at her sadly before driving through the gate that led to her parent's estate. When he turned the car off and helped Shaylah out of the car, she quietly looped her arm through his. He kissed her forehead as a form of apology. She rang the doorbell.
When the door was answered, it was answered by none other than Emily Turner, Shaylah's mother.
"Darlings!" She chirped, giving both of them a hug.
"Hi mom!" Shaylah laughed. "How are you?"
"Good, good!" Emily smiled and nodded. "Chad, you're getting handsomer by the day."
"Thank you, Emily, that's kind of you to say." He smiled.
"Come in, come in!" She waved them inside, already in route to the dining area. Chad closed the door behind them and followed Mrs. Turner's path. "We're just in here." Emily smiled, motioning to the dinner table that was set up for four people. Julius Turner, Shaylah's father sat at the table, texting someone. Probably a business partner of some sort.
"Well, if it isn't the proud owner of The Viridian." Shaylah teased her father with a playful smirk.
Julius looked up and smiled. "If it isn't my favorite manager of The Viridian, Bernalillo branch." Shaylah giggled at her father's words as he continued to greet them. "Hey you two! Glad you could make it!" He smiled, rising to give both of them hugs.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Chad grinned at his future in laws.
"Alright! Now that everyone's here, let's eat!" Emily smiled. Everyone cheered in agreement.
-Dinner-
"So, Shaylah…" Emily began as she cut her food. "How are things coming along honey?"
Shaylah swallowed a bite of her food before answering her mother, "It's going good! We established our budget today, we have our wedding party picked out, started the guest list, and the photographers and caterers are already set up! HEA is an absolute miracle." Shaylah smiled.
"Excellent, sweetheart." Julius smiled.
"We're supposed to start looking at venues at our next appointment, and choose an official date, but we had a disagreement this morning." She smiled back at him.
Emily stopped eating and frowned. "What kind of disagreement?"
"Just about what kind of wedding we want." Shaylah sighed, picking at her food. "Apparently, Chaddy doesn't want a big wedding. He never did."
Chad fought every urge to roll his eyes. 'Here we go' he thought.
"Shaylah, I didn't say that I 'never did'. Also, should we really be discussing this? Right now?" Chad asked her bluntly.
"I don't know, honey. I just wanted to see if my dear parents, who have been married for over twenty-three years," She motioned to Emily and Julius, who smiled at each other. "Had any input on the subject. Maybe they went through the same problem."
"Actually, we didn't." Julius muttered. "We both wanted a countryside wedding."
"Small in venue, but big in presentation." Emily grinned at her husband. "We have an album?"
"Sure mom, I'd love to take a look at that." Shaylah replied to her mother, though smiling at Chad as she spoke. Chad shot her a look that said 'are you serious right now?'. Shaylah just responded with a bat of her eyelashes. Emily went to retrieve her wedding album.
"An album would be an excellent idea, now that I think about it. What do you think, baby? Or would a bunch of photographers make it a big flashy circus show?" Shaylah asked.
"I never said I didn't want photographers, I said I wanted it to be intimate." Chad narrowed his eyes.
"I don't see what isn't intimate about it! It's a wedding!" Shaylah replied, her smile fading.
"I knew you were upset about this." Chad laughed mirthlessly.
Julius coughed before standing up from his chair. "I think I'm going to help Emily look for the album. Lord knows where that old thing is buried. You two lovebirds keep talking, I'll be back."
When Julius left, Chad continued talking, "Again, not saying that I don't want a wedding album, of course I do, but did you hear what he said? Buried. No matter what they did for presentation, what mattered most was the wedding. The actual event. So forgive me if I want the main focus to be on us."
"It is going to be on us!" This time, it was Shaylah's turn to give a mirthless laugh.
"Of course it is! It's just also going to be on everything but us. You're going to be focused on every little unnecessary detail, and completely ignore what's going on around you." Chad replied.
"What- Why are you so against this?" Shaylah gave an exasperated groan.
"Because I know what 'big' is to you. I want something toned down. Is that too much to ask for?" Chad exclaimed.
"It kind of is Chad, considering it's my special day." Shaylah glared.
"Our special day!" Chad glared back.
"You're right, Chad. It is our special day. So we should probably figure out what the hell we're trying to do before our next appointment. Which, may I remind you, is tomorrow." She shot.
"We're not wasting your parents' time with this." He shot back.
"Oh, right. We're at their house. But you know what Chad, maybe we can take care of this at our house. Or at least that's what it's supposed to be. You seem to be opposed to that too!" She crossed her arms.
"You know what, Shay? Fine. Maybe we should spend tonight figuring out what we want." Chad caved.
"Good. So it's settled then. Right after we leave here, we're having a night in." Shaylah responded cooly. "And not a fun one."
"Perfect. I'll bring the Red Bull." Chad replied sharply.
"I found it!" Emily announced as she and Julius entered the room, wedding album in hand.
"Awesome." Chad and Shaylah said in unison with fake smiles on their faces.
-Thursday-
"Hey you two…" Taylor greeted the two as they entered her office the next morning. "Did you decide on what kind of wedding you want?"
"As a matter of fact, Taylor, we did!" Shaylah chirped. Chad looked...out of it. Where was she getting all of this energy? "We're proceeding as planned."
"Without, the twelve white horses pulling the bride's carriage, the bridal parade down the street, and all the little songbirds flitting around the venue as the wedding proceeds, as well as any other details like the former." Chad added, shooting his fiancee a look.
"We decided on just four horses." Shaylah kept smiling.
"That sounds reasonable. It could still work? I'm sure you'll look beautiful regardless." Taylor offered.
"I guess." Shaylah sighed.
Suddenly, Taylor's phone chimed. She picked it up to see a text from Dylan.
From: Dylan
How is everything coming along? Have they killed each other yet?
"Sorry you two, just one second." Taylor responded, trying to hide the smile begging to appear on her lips.
To: Dylan
Tensions are high and the smiles are fake. Lol, pray for me.
Chad sat up and folded his hands in his lap. "Does it have to do with the wedding venue?"
"Mhm." Taylor replied absentmindedly. She was going to put her phone down, but Dylan replied immediately.
From: Dylan
Praying. *prayer hands emoji* Are you excited for our date tonight?
Taylor smiled at that text. Chad noticed.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Mhm. It'll only be a second." Taylor cleared her throat. And just so she wasn't lying, she sent an extra text.
To: Dylan
Absolutely! Have to get back to work now. See you at 7!
To: Melissa from Medieval Escapes
Hi there Melissa! It's Taylor again. Are we still on for that little field trip in about an hour?
From: Melissa from Medieval Escapes
Absolutely! We can even fit you in a half hour earlier! Come on by!
From: Dylan
Okay, good luck!
"Hm. I see." Chad continued. "You're smiling a lot. Is this about your date tonight?"
"Mhm." Taylor said, not paying attention.
"You should probably stop thinking about your date tonight." Chad said. Look who was awake.
Taylor winced gently. "Just so you know, I was texting Melissa from Medieval Escapes. We're going on a field trip today." She replied, showing him her texts.
"Ooh fun!" Shaylah grinned.
Chad looked at her phone. "Dylan just answered your text." He said casually.
"He did?" Taylor pulled her phone back.
"No." Chad replied bluntly. Taylor tried so hard not to glare at him. Shaylah laughed at the interaction.
"Let's get going." Taylor sighed, picking up her coat. "We'll take one of the company cars. We have that location as well as a few others to visit before we come back and decide. I have an appointment at 7, so the earlier the better." Shaylah squealed and followed Taylor out.
"Goodie." Chad rolled his eyes before closing Taylor's office door and following her and his future bride downstairs.
Please leave a review, it would warm my heart. Also, I will be releasing deleted songs and scenes in a separate story. Keep an eye out for that. I'll be sure to give readers a heads up. Have an awesome day everyone.
Sincerely,
PC.