I don't own Four Brothers. I own Lauren, Shane and Evan.
CHAPTER FIVE: NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
Lauren laughed, covering her face with one hand. "Jack, stop taking pictures of me."
"No can do Razz. Days this important need to be documented since minute one," he replied, snapping another picture of her.
"The pictures are usually taken by a pro, AFTER the blushing bride has showered and, ya know, PUT ON CLOTHES," she said, pulling her blankets over her head.
"Covering your head won't help. Plus I can still see your gorgeous hair," he taunted.
Lauren flung the blankets from her toned body. "My hair is detestable. It's nothing like I wanted it."
He perched on the edge of the bed and rubbed her arm. "Laur, you're gorgeous. Beautiful, sexy, hot, insatiable…I could go on, but I'm bound to run out of adjectives sooner or later."
"Why do you want to marry me?" she asked, placing her hand on his thigh.
"Is this a trick question or a serious one?" he asked.
"A serious one Mercer, so answer it," she said, giving him a playful squeeze.
"Well there are a million answers to that question. Do you want them all?" he inquired.
"Top five," she replied, sitting up and wrapping her arms around his waist.
He took a deep breath. "Five reasons why, counting down. Number five would have to be your style."
"My style?" she asked, wrinkling her nose.
"Yeah. No matter what you do, you look spout together," he explained. "Number-"
"Put together? You make me sound old."
"No, I make you sound good. Lauren you had brain surgery four months ago. All your hair was shaved off but you made it look good. Like Sinead O'Connor," he said.
"I love you Jack. But never compare me to Sinead O'Connor again," she stated. "Reason four?"
"Oh that's easy. Your sense of humour. Who else could deal with my brothers and me, the way you can?" he asked.
"True story," she sighed, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Next?"
"You're pushy," he smirked. "Alright. The third is your eyes. They're beautiful and they always tell me what kind of mood you're in."
"Fair enough because your eyes are one of the reason I fell for you," she stated.
Her breath on his neck sent shivers racing down the length of his spine. "The second reason is…well I love you of course. Everything about you makes me smile."
Lauren turned him to face her. "What's reason number one?"
"You're my rock. In high school, you wouldn't let me quit. I can tell you anything Lauren. You know my deepest, darkest secrets and when you look at me, there's still love in your eyes," he explained. "That's why I want to marry you. There's no one else in the world for me."
She blinked tears from her eyes. "I can't wait to marry you today Jack. I can't wait to officially be a Mercer."
"Well, then I will officially leave you to get ready. But I gave cameras to everyone and told them to take a million pictures. So don't think you got away. Is Shane coming to get you?" he asked, kissing her warm forehead.
"Yeah half an hour ago," Lauren replied, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
"I'm glad Ma and Jerry could come. At least one of my brothers should be here," Jack grumbled.
"Bobby and Angel love you Jack. They're just…busy."
"They always are. But I have Ma and Jerry. And in approximately eight hours, I will have you. Forever and always."
Lauren smiled. "Forever and always. Now buzz off. Go do guy stuff with Jerry and Evan."
Jack blew her a kiss as he left the room. Once he left, Lauren stood and slowly padded toward the closet. Pulling open the doors and stepping inside, she let out a tired sight and clutched her stomach. She leaned against the wall as she waited for her dizzy spell to pass. After fifteen minutes of waiting and wardrobe deliberation, she settled on her oldest pair of jeans, which were starting to feel tight around her waist, holes and all and one of Jack's old t-shirts. A quick trip to the bathroom to check that her extensions were still in place and Lauren emerged from the bedroom. Jack was waiting in the hall, digital camera at the ready. He attacked her again with flashes.
"Jack!" she cried, covering her face with her arms. "Enough with the pictures!"
"Never!" he shouted, chasing her down the hall, clicking away with the camera.
She laughed and ran into the living room. She dove onto the couch and buried her face under the many pillows. Jack pounced on her, attacking her with his fingers. As he tickled her, the camera long forgotten, neither noticed when Shane and Evan entered the apartment, camcorder in hand. They glanced at each other, barley able to contain their smiles. Jack grew tired of tickling his future wife and leaned down to kiss her instead. As their kiss deepened, Evan cleared his throat.
"Save it for the honeymoon Romeo," he teased.
Jack hopped off the couch, a blush tingeing his tanned face. "You guys are early."
"Actually Jack-O, we're about forty-five minutes late," Shane stated, pointing the camera at the embarrassed groom to be. "Say something to the camera."
"Why the fuck are you video taping us?" Lauren demanded.
"Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but movies tell the whole story. And they're so much more fun," Shane replied. "Plus it gives the kids something to watch."
Jack wrinkled his nose. "Not exactly the greatest introduction."
"Yeah I know I wouldn't want to see my parents on top of each other on their wedding day," Evan agreed.
Lauren rolled her eyes and chuckled. "As much as I do enjoy this constant monitoring and surveillance, Shane, turn that fucking camera off."
"Come on now. Let's keep it PG for the little Jaurens," Shane laughed.
"Jaurens?" Jack asked, eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Jack and Lauren mixed together honey," Lauren whispered, clutching his hand tight in hers.
"Oh. Little versions of us. Kind of like Bennifer, only cooler. Right?" he inquired.
Shane laughed. "Yeah, like that. Only cooler."
Evan patted his girlfriend on the head. "As much as I'd love to listen to your playful banter, Jack and I need to go to a last minute fitting. Come on dude. Time to go put the final touches on your big day."
Jack turned, placing a kiss on Lauren's full lips. "See you at the alter babe," he whispered.
"Love you Jackie Poo," she whispered back.
---
She stood behind the large wooden doors, awaiting the sound of her entrance, breathing in long, deep breaths. Jerry stood beside her; waiting to give her away and watching the tulip bouquet shake in her hands. He smiled and placed a hand on her bare shoulder. Lauren turned to face him. Her anxiety was apparent in her eyes. It deepened the colour to a rich emerald with a twinkle of excitement for what lay ahead. He knew because he recognized it from his wife's eyes. Her eyes began to glaze over with tears, but she blinked them back. Before anyone could catch her, she wiped the brim of her eyes and sniffled.
"I can't believe he's doing it," she whispered.
"I can," Jerry stated. "He loves you. Always has."
Lauren took another deep breath as the music began. "Can I tell you something in confidence Jer?"
"You know you can Lauren," he replied as they slowly moved down the long aisle.
She waited, pausing to steady her breathing. "I'm three months pregnant Jerry."