A Couple of More Doses of Realism Part II
Later that afternoon Schuyler gets off from work and heads over to Crimson Lights to pick up some of her favorite sweets before heading home. As she goes into the coffee house, she sees a familiar face.
"Fen!" She says excitedly seeing him seated at a table in the coffee house.
He smiles at her. "Hi, Schuyler." He says greeting her.
She goes over to his table to talk to him. "How are you doing?" She asks smiling. "I missed you at the club today." She teases him. "I wondered where my favorite customer was."
Fen laughs. "I was getting some things ready for my wedding." He informs her. "That's right around the corner."
Schuyler feels her heart drop when he says that. She tries to brush off that feeling. "Uh... how that is going?"
"Pretty well." Fen nods. "I've got my tuxedo and my groomsmen suits picked out. My brother Scott will be showing up in a couple of days. The caterer has been lined up for the event and things are coming together well."
"Un-huh." Schuyler nods. "Well that's sound uh... nice."
"Yeah, I'm happy with the way that things are coming together. I am excited for this wedding." Fen then looks down at his phone to see if Ana had texted him back yet. He had texted her about possibly meeting up with him today so they could touch base about their wedding in person. He also had wanted to just spend some time with her. He hadn't really gotten a chance to do that in several days and he was missing her. She was still pretty busy with work at Hamilton-Winters and handling wedding preparations on her end. He was hoping to spend some time with her today, and have dinner together. He had texted her hours ago earlier in the day and hadn't heard from her yet.
Fen looks back up from his phone and back up at Schuyler. "I finally get to marry the woman that I love and get to spend some quality time with her."
"Where is she now?" Schuyler asks curiously. "At work again?"
"Probably. And she's also been handling some more wedding preparations…." Fen speculates.
Schuyler raises her eyebrows. "You don't have a runaway bride situation on your hands, do you?" She jokes.
Fen smiles and shakes his head. "No. Nothing like that. She has just had her hands full lately…" He informs Schuyler.
"And leaving you alone yet again." She finds herself saying bluntly.
"I'm alright." Fen says looking down at his phone again and rubbing his face. He still hadn't received a text from Ana.
"Okay…. Well, I just got off from work and stopped by this place to get some of favorite sweets. Have you tried the butterscotch sticky pecan buns that they have started serving here?"
Fen shakes his head. "No, I haven't."
"Well, they are to die for, I'm going to pick me up a couple to take home and a few other goodies as well. I can get you one if you want." She offers smiling. She looks at his table.
"I see you have a drink there." She observes. "But have you eaten yet?" She asks.
"I haven't actually." Fen admits honestly. "I was going to wait and see if Ana would text me back so we can have dinner somewhere in a little while."
"Un-huh." Schuyler nods. "Well, while you're waiting on her, to contact you from wherever she is…, I can pick you up one of those buns..."
"Oh, you don't have to do that…" Fen says.
"I want to, it can give you something sweet to nibble on in the meantime." Schuyler winks at him and goes up to the counter to place her order. The cashier tells her that a new set of buns are still in the oven and will be out in a few minutes. Schuyler nods and agrees to wait for them. While she's near the counter waiting for her order, Nate and Phyllis come in together. They go up to the counter and place an order as well.
Fen continues to sit down at his table waiting for Ana. He looks at his phone another time and then he hears a familiar voice.
"Fen…" Ana says looking at him and smiling.
"Ana." He says happily. He grins when he sees her.
"Hey, babe… It's feels like I haven't seen you in forever…" She says sighing.
"Yeah, that's what it feels like…" Fen replies. "I sent you a text earlier today."
"Oh…" Ana gives him an apologetic look. "My phone died, and I needed to charge it up. I've been so busy today and the past several days at work. And doing stuff for the wedding. You know my mom and dad are showing up in a couple of days."
Fen nods. "I know. I'll be happy to see them."
Ana smiles. "Me too, and Scott should be here shortly soon, right?"
Fen nods. "He will be arriving in a couple of days as well." He confirms to her.
"Good." Ana says.
"So, you didn't get my text but are you off from work, now?" Fen asks. "Do you want to have some dinner? We can have it here or go somewhere else."
"I actually was just going to pick up some coffee and a snack and then head over to Summer's. We still have to handle some last-minute details for regarding the wedding, including stuff regarding the bridesmaids and me…"
"Oh." Fen says a bit disappointed. "I was hoping we could spend some time together tonight and also touch base some more on the wedding."
"I'm sorry babe I still have quite a bit of stuff to finalize for the wedding, and work has kind of put that on hold." Ana explains to him. "I really was just going to grab something really quick and head out… But we can definitely talk later, I can call you and we can touch base." Ana looks at him. "And I promise you I will make some time for you this week, to touch base on everything." She makes a gesture with her hands. "And I can call you tonight…"
"When your phone is charged up…" Fen adds.
She nods. "When my phone is charged up. We will talk about things tonight. And we can get together with some of our family when they show up." She smiles. "You can have dinner with my parents, they would love that."
"Okay…" Fen agrees. "I'll just have to suffer without you for a little longer." He jokes.
Ana laughs. "I don't want you to suffer… it's just…"
Fen nods understanding. "I get it, things are going full speed for you right now…"
She turns her head to the side and looks at him smiling. "But things will slow down soon, and we will get more time to spend together. Especially on our honeymoon." She gives a him teasing look. "You can have me to yourself then…"
Fen smiles. "I am looking forward to that."
"Yeah… me too." Ana then looks at her watch. "Okay, I'm supposed to be meeting up with Summer shortly." She sighs. "I guess, I better go get my coffee and snack. And I will talk to you later."
Fen nods and then looks down for a moment thinking. "Okay, but I can ask you for a favor first?"
Ana gives him a curious look. "What's that?"
"Can I have a kiss?"
Ana smiles. "Oh, Fen. Of course. You don't have to ask for that…"
Fen smiles and jumps up. He moves closer to her and puts his arms around her waist. She wraps her arms around him, and they share a long kiss. A feeling of happiness washes over Ana during it as she enjoys being in Fen's arms again.
While this is happening Phyllis and Nate are still sitting at the counter waiting on their order. Phyllis notices Fen and Ana kissing.
"Aw the two lovebirds over there…" She says looking at them for a moment, and then looks at Nate and smiles.
"You know that could be you… that is if you actually put some effort into your love life." She tells him.
"Not this again, Phyllis…" Nate shakes his head.
"What, I'm just telling the truth." Phyllis states bluntly. She shakes her head.
"I mean I took you to Society a few nights ago, and I felt like you weren't putting yourself out there as much as you could have…" Phyllis touches her face thinking. Nate sighs and looks behind the counter to watch the server making his and Phyllis's drinks.
During this time the sticky buns had come out of the oven and the cashier had put Schulyer's order together for her. Schuyler paid for it and she gathered her things, happy at the thought of giving one of the treats to Fen. She turns around to take his bun to him, when she sees Ana and him kissing. Her heart sinks when she sees that, and she becomes upset. She shakes her head and looks down at the bun she had bought for him. She rolls her eyes and decides to leave the restaurant. She walks past them briskly.
After she's leaving the building, Fen and Ana end their kiss.
"Oh…" Ana sighs happily after their kiss ends. "I miss that." She laughs.
"I do too." Fen says lightly squeezing her waist.
Ana caresses his face with her hand. "I really am sorry babe; I know I haven't been around much lately."
"It's okay… I understand…"
"And like I said we will get plenty of time to spend together when things calm down a little at work, and after we're married." Ana puts her arms around his neck and smiles. "And of course, on our honeymoon." She kisses him again.
"And I'm looking forward to all of that." Fen remarks.
"Good." Ana lightly drums her fingers on his chest. "Because it's going to be great, I promise."
Fen nods. They talk for a little more and then he bids her good-bye while she goes up to the counter to place her order. Fen watches her for a moment and smiles. He sees Nate and Phyllis sitting at the counter and he acknowledges them with a nod and smile. He also notices that Schuyler wasn't at the counter and wondered if she had decided to leave for some reason. He figured she had and looks down at his phone and sees a text from Scott. He sits at his table for a bit longer and talks to his brother via text.
At the counter Ana places her order, and then looks at Nate and Phyllis.
"How are you two doing?" She asks them.
"Doing good, Doing good." Nate tells her smiling.
"I'm doing fine, thanks for asking." Phyllis says smiling at her. They chat for a little and then Ana brings up the wedding.
"I really appreciate all of the help that Summer has given me for this wedding." Ana tells Phyllis gratefully. "She has been an awesome friend and wedding planner to me."
"She's happy to do it. She's having a blast helping you." Phyllis tells her with a smile. They talk for a little more and then Ana looks at Nate.
"Remember Nate you can bring someone as your plus one." She says smiling at him. "You RSVP'd but haven't mentioned bringing a date. You can bring anyone you want…"
"Well, I may just go to that event solo…" Nate informs her.
Ana shrugs. "Okay, but you really can bring anyone you want." Her order is then ready, and she bids Nate and Phyllis good-bye. She also says good-bye to Fen again on her way out.
"So, you really are going to attend Ana's wedding alone…?" Phyllis probes.
"Yeah, I don't know of anyone I want to take."
Phyllis crosses her arms and gives him a look. "Well, you could have found someone if you hadn't shrunk at Society, when all of those beautiful women were interested in you."
Nate lets out a laugh. "Shrunk? I didn't shrink. I mingled with the ladies…"
Phyllis snorts. "Mingle was the only thing you did…"
"What else was I supposed to do; I'm not going to throw myself at them." Nate says defiantly. He then smiles at the server as she hands him his drink. He takes a sip of it.
"You don't have to throw yourself at them, but you were kind of giving half an effort with the women there." She lightly taps his shoulder. "And I know some of them were definitely into you. I saw the looks they were giving you, but you didn't seem that interested for some reason…" She looks at him curiously.
"And I wonder why that is…"
Nate shrugs. "It was a long day at work." He remarks to her. He looks down at his drink.
"Un-huh… Yeah, I don't buy that story exactly. What happened?" She asks. "You seemed much more…. I don't know upbeat about dancing at Society, when we talked about it. But when we went there, you didn't seem interested much into trying to find someone to date… And I wonder why?" She looks him over. "Did something happen Nate?"
Nate sighs and makes a face. "I mean… it's just…." He thinks for a moment and falls quiet.
"Something did happen. What is it? Tell me…"
He shrugs his shoulders. "It's just prior to us going dancing that night I overheard Elena talking about the wedding…"
"Okay... and…"
"I think she said she was bringing a date to it…"
Phyllis sits back a little. "Oh…" She replies understanding. "And that bummed you out, to the point, you couldn't really put yourself out there for other women?" She inquires.
"I just wasn't in the mood after hearing that."
Phyllis sighs. "Well, Nate you and Elena… well things didn't work out for you two like that. It makes sense that one or both of you would eventually move on from that…"
Nate nods. "Yeah, but it just, hearing she had a date bugged me, I guess." He shakes his head and takes another sip of his drink. "I know I shouldn't feel like that, but…"
Phyllis pats his arm. "But you loved her. I get it. I've been there." A thoughtful look then comes across her face and she sits up. "But that should be all the more reason, why you should try and move on and find you a woman who is truly right for you." She encourages him. "It's why you don't half step it when you go out and women show interest in you."
Nate laughs. "Well, I didn't mean to half-step it…"
"But you did." Phyllis reminds him. "And now it's time for you to stop doing that and really make an effort by putting yourself out there…." She says. "For starters you should be taking your own date to this wedding. You heard Ana, she said you can bring anyone you want to it…"
Nate shakes his head. "Who am I going to get to go to the wedding with me on such a short notice? It's right around the corner."
"Well, we can hit Society again or go to another club… We can find you someone." She offers.
Nate shakes his head. "Nah, I think I will just go solo, like I told Ana. We can resume our search for my dream lady, after the wedding…" He jokes.
"But you might be extra vulnerable if you see Elena with a new guy and you have no one…"
"I'll try my best to tone down the vulnerability at the wedding." Nate says sarcastically.
"Un-huh… Are you sure there is no one that you want to take?" Phyllis probes.
Nate shrugs. "No…" A thought then hits him. "Hey… you know if you want you can come to the wedding with me…" He suggests.
Phyllis eyes widen a little. "Me?"
"Yeah, you… Like you said Ana says I can invite anyone I want. And you're the mother of her matron of honor. You're a good fit as my date…"
Phyllis smiles. "Well, thanks Nate, but don't you want to go with someone else?"
He shrugs again. "There is nobody else right now." He admits honestly. He looks at her. "So, you want to go?" He asks. "Or I do have to risk the chance of being extra vulnerable without a date, in front of Elena." He makes a gesture with his hand. "And whatever man she chooses to show up with." He looks at Phyllis and smiles. They share a look and then they both laugh.
"Well, I don't want you to be left hanging like that." She says smiling.
"Then agree to be my date and be my life jacket." He suggests. He gives her a look. "Don't let me drown in my own vulnerability." He laughs again.
Phyllis thinks for a moment. "Okay, you know what... yeah. I can do that. I can be your date, for this event." She agrees.
"Cool." He nods. "The wedding sounds like it's going to be fun."
"Summer's been working really hard on it… and if there is anything my daughter is, she's definitely fun..." Phyllis confirms to him.
She lightly taps the counter with her hand. "Okay, it's settled. We will go to the wedding together. And once it's over we will resume our search to find you the best woman for you…"
"Whatever you say…" Nate replies. They look at each other and smile again. They spend a bit more time at Crimson Lights enjoying their drinks and each other's company.