AN: Thanks to xXLysXxNoodlesXx, xxMissCutiexxm, princess cutie, and IheartORANGE for the reviews! I worked extra hours last night finishing up the first part of a two part "tear three" for you guys. It's a BIG update, and when I mean "big", I mean about 3,700 words! (What can I say, I love to write. If you read my bio, you'll see what I mean.) The setting for this is about four months after Lilly and Oliver's graduation from college. Although is is a little long, it has a good reason to be. Both Oliver and Lilly's side of the story are expressed. I hope this will satsify your late-night Loliver loving and continue to R/R.
Lilly and Oliver's relationship gained great strength for what already seemed unbreakable as they hit their college years. They had both planed on attending the same college before they even finished high school. Neither of them ever wanted to be apart from each other, friendship or in love. Of course, they had secretly hoped for love in the back of their minds before their wish came true.
The college Oliver and Lilly chose to attend was the University of Southern California. It was here that the two would obtain their degrees in fields that were closely related. Oliver selected Business as major along with the technical department of Broadcast Journalism as a minor. Some were surprised at his choices, but he was better with math and logic reasoning than people thought. Lilly went to study Journalism and Public Relations. With these choices, Lilly could do several different jobs. She rather enjoyed writing, and had hopes of being a columnist for a magazine.
College, for many, is a time of wild parties and freedom. However, that was not the case for this couple. Both of them wanted a stable, prosperous future, so they tried their hardest to concentrate on their work. This doesn't mean they lived their life as if there were in a prison cell. There were parties and plenty of good times, they just knew how to handle the situations.
The four years Lilly and Oliver spent together at USC held such great memories, but their final few days were the best. Graduation was being held in mid May. Oliver didn't have to worry about loosing Lilly like he did earlier. He purposed to her the night before (May 16th) in the way Lilly had always dreamed. It was another perfect night, which would hopefully lead them to a perfect life together.
Plans for the wedding started immediately following graduation. Almost every girl has had their wedding planned out in their heads every since they were little, and Lilly wasn't an exception. Though her ideas were a bit different than Oliver expected, he was going to do anything his fiancé wanted. Any sacrifice he was to make would be a small price to pay for everything Lilly had done for him over the years.
The date was set for Saturday, September 23rd, 2014 at four pm at their local church. Just getting to that point, however, was going to drive these two love birds up a tree.
Oliver was sound asleep on the couch at Jackson's apartment. He went to subconsciously lie on his side when he rolled right off the couch, hitting the floor hard.
"Ah! What the!?...Ow!" He screamed from the floor.
"You're finally up!" Jackson announced, walking in the living room from being upstairs. "It's about time!"
"Well aren't you little miss happy sunshine today." Oliver grunted at him as he picked himself up from the floor. "And couldn't you have at least warned me your couch is as comfortable as a bed of rocks!?"
"Cheer up, Oken!" Jackson said. "You won't be sleeping on my couch ever again. By the end of the today you'll be a married man. You'll have a big soft bed to sleep in. Of course, if you tick of Lilly, you'll probably be stuck on a lumpy couch like mine."
Oliver smiled. " For Lilly, I'll do anything."
"You say that now," Jackson replied, patting Oliver on the back. "but trust me, things will change."
"It's funny how you give all this advice and tell all these stories when you're a single man and have been for about a year now." Oliver brought up a good point.
"Hey, I'm doing you the favor here!" Jackson explained. He started walking into the kitchen while ranting. "You're my little sister's best friend. She told me she was taking Lilly in, and that Lilly didn't want you home alone before the wedding so I offered to house you. You can sue me in for back pain when you're eighty, but right now, just be glad I'm such a nice guy."
"I'll be sure to do that." Oliver joked.
"Want some breakfast?" He asked, holding up a box of frozen waffles.
"Frozen waffles?" Oliver questioned."You're an engineer and you still eat those things?"
"I'm a single man in a Malibu apartment. Things are pricey, my raise hasn't kicked in at work, and dang it, Oliver, I like waffles!"
"Oh...ok?" Oliver raised his eye brow and slowly backed up away from Jackson. "I'll just, uh, have some Ramen."
"Ramen for breakfast!?" Jackson questioned.
"You went to college. You know how it is." Oliver said. "I lived of that and frozen pizza for four years."
"Eat a Poptart." Jackson tossed a box to Oliver. "We got to get cleaned up soon."
"Are you going down to the church early to help set up?" He asked, pushing the toaster down.
"I could help if you need me." Jackson told him.
"Well someone has to help me set up the technical stuff." Oliver replied. "It's not a lot of work, but it will go much faster if you help."
"I'll do whatever you ask me to." Jackson said. "It's your and Lilly's special day."
"I miss her." Oliver said with a sigh, as the toaster popped up.
"Call her." Jackson suggested. "I'm sure she's up by now. She and Miley are probably running around freaking out."
"Girls." Oliver said with a small laugh. "How typical."
"Yeah well we'll see how you hold up there, big boy." Jackson replied. "I'm going to head in the shower."
Oliver waited for Jackson to go upstairs before he reached in his pocket for his cell phone to call Lilly. The phone rang several times. It almost went to voicemail before it was picked up by someone other than Oliver's future wife.
"Oliver!? What are you doing!?"
"M-Miley?" Oliver was confused. "W-where's Lilly?"
"In the shower...but you're really not supposed to know that."
"What do you mean?"
"You know its bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding!"
"I know and I'm not. I just called to talk to her."
"You can't have any communication with each other for twenty-four hours before!"
"That's the dumbest rule I ever heard!"
"Call if what you want, it's a staple of all weddings. You know Lilly would want you to obi by it."
"I know. She has her heart set on the perfect wedding. All I want is to make her happy."
"You always have, and you won't fail now."
"Do you think, um, you could tell her something from me?...Or-or is that against this 'rule' thing?"
"Hmm, I don't think it is, so sure."
"Just, um, tell her I miss her...a lot. That I can't wait to see her."
"She feels the same about you. She was more worried about sending you to Jackson's."
"I survived...although my back will suffer."
"Oh, hey, Oliver. Lilly's getting out so I got to go, ok?"
"Wait...Miley?"
"Yeah?"
"Jackson and I are heading over to the church pretty soon. We need to make sure everything is set up and stuff...you're..you're still going to do that song that I asked you to, right?"
"Of course! You and Lilly are my two best friends in the world. I'd do anything for you guys."
"Thanks Miley. I'll see you soon."
"Bye Oliver."
"Bye."
"I still say that's a stupid rule." Oliver said to himself, putting his phone back in his pocket. "All I wanted to do was hear her voice." He sighed and headed upstairs to see if Jackson was done; for he needed to shower, too. Although her physical presence was missing, Oliver felt Lilly there in his mind and in his heart.
"Hey Miley? Who was that on the phone?" Lilly asked, walking into Miley bedroom from her shower.
"Oh, no one." Miley replied coolly, but then mumbled the real answer "Just Oliver."
"It was Oliver!?" Lilly exclaimed. She grabbed the phone from Miley and flipped it open. "I should ca-" Just as she was about to dial, Lilly frowned and closed her phone. "No, bad Lilly! You can't talk to Oliver!" She tossed the phone on Miley's bed. It just nearly missed hitting her best friend. "But I sure wish I could!"
"He does, too." Miley said. "He was bummed that I wouldn't let him talk to you."
"It's for the best." Lilly said, drying her hair off with a towel. "Did he say anything, though? About me?"
"He told me to say that he misses you, and that he can't wait to see you." Miley replied.
"I miss him, too." Lilly pouted. This whole twenty-four hour apart thing is brutal!"
"But the reward isn't." Miley reminded. "You get to spend the rest of you life together."
"I don't know whether to feel excited or nervous now!" Lilly replied.
"Both." Miley replied with a smile. "Now dry your hair so I can fix it up. We don't have much time before we have to be at the church."
By the time both Oliver and Jackson were ready to leave, it was already in the afternoon. They didn't have a too long of a drive to the church from Jackson's place, but they still arrived a littler later than they would have liked. There was still work to be done before the ceremony.
"Hey. My dad's here." Jackson said, spotting Mr. Stewart getting out of his car.
"That's an extra set of hands." Oliver replied, stepping out.
"Hey dad!" Jackson called his father over to him and Oliver.
"Hi son." Robbie Ray replied. He walked over to Oliver and patted his back. "And how are we hanging in there, buddy? Nervous?"
"Not really." Oliver replied. "Although, now that you said something I'll probably get that way."
"There's nothing to be nervous about!" Mr. Stewart assured him. "You've found the right girl in Lilly. You two will be happy together for the rest of yours lives."
"I hope so." Oliver slightly turned red. He couldn't help it. The slightest mention of Lilly gave Oliver that warm, fuzzy feeling, and he just had to react that way every time.
"So how come you're here so early, dad?" Jackson asked.
"Well I got a call from Miley saying that her and Lilly are running a little behind schedule, and she wanted to make sure you had things ready for a song she's supposed to do?"
"Oh good." Oliver said. "I'll definitely need your help. I'm still a beginner with all this guitar setting up stuff."
"What song's Miles doing?" Jackson asked. "One in a Million?"
"No, but I bet you that's what Lilly is expecting to hear." Oliver answered. "I'm not saying what it is."
"Miley didn't tell me everything, but she talked a little about it." Mr. Stewart informed. "It's beautiful from what I heard."
"It is." Oliver replied. "I hope Lilly likes it."
"She'll never know if we don't get set up." Jackson said. "Lets get this done now. We won't have much time."
The three men made their way into the church. They saw that it had been decorated to Lilly's exact instructions. Oliver thought everything looked wonderful and hoped Lilly would, too.
"When's Father Muir getting here?" Jackson asked Oliver.
"I thought he already would be." Oliver replied.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." Father Muir had appeared from the back of the church.
"Hello Father." The three said in unison.
"Oliver Oken." Father Muir put his hand on Oliver's shoulder. "I remember when you and Lilly were just little things. How you two use to sit together at every service in the same spot. You both came to youth group regularly and did a lot of good things for this church and the community here. Now, you're all grown up, and this is exactly how I had always pictured the two of you."
"Thank-you, Father." Oliver smiled. "There were some pleasant memories here."
"And I hope many more will be made." He replied. "Including one very special one today."
"That's why we're here so early." Oliver explained. "We're here to set up."
"Please, go do whatever needs to be done." Father answered. "If there's anything I can do, just ask."
"We're allowed to use the gazebo out back for pictures, right?" Oliver asked.
"Of course." He replied. "It's such a nice day out. The weather is perfect. You're pictures should turn out great. I'll be in my office if you need me."
Father Muir left and Jackson, Mr. Stewart, and Oliver moved some things around in order for Miley to have her space to perform. It wasn't anything big or spectacular. It was just a small place where there was an outlet for an amp for Miley's acoustic guitar. There was a sound booth in the back that had the traditional wedding march on a CD, but Oliver wanted a particular song to be play during the actual ceremony.
"All done." Mr. Stewart said.
"That didn't take too long." Jackson added.
"Nah, it's only- yikes, two o'clock!" Oliver had glanced at his cell phone for the time and started to panic. "I know Lilly and Miley will be here soon...and I'm not even ready yet!"
"The nerves are kicking in." Mr. Stewart said, jabbing Jackson.
"Oliver, you have plenty of time." Jackson assured him. "It's just a tuxedo. Imagine what Lilly has to go through in order to be ready."
"Can't...imagine...Lilly...bad..luck." Oliver was slightly starting to go crazy and both Robbie Ray and Jackson noticed it.
"Why don't you step out back for some fresh air for a little while before things get really hectic around here?" Mr. Stewart offered.
"That's a good idea." Oliver replied. "I just...I need some thinking time."
"You do what you need to do, son." Mr. Stewart said. "And if you want to talk, I'm here. I've been here, done that. If anything's bugging you just let me know."
"I've got a half hour until I have to be dressed." Oliver said sounded concerned.
"I'll come get you when it's time for that." Jackson said. "Just don't go skipping town on us. That would not go well."
"I'd never leave." Oliver said. "I'll just...I'll be in the gazebo." With that, Oliver walked out the back door.
"He's only a little shaken up." Jackson said to his dad.
"I think he's handling it quite well." Robbie Ray replied. "Just be ready to catch him if he breaks for it over the hill."
"Or passes out during the ceremony." Jackson added with a laugh. "I can see him doing that, you know."
"Maybe they should get married wearing their old skateboard helmets...just in case." Mr. Stewart replied.
"Miley! Hurry up!" Lilly called out. "You're going to make me late for my own wedding!"
"Lilly, you have two hours!" Miley shouted back. She was upstairs getting her maid of honor dress. "I'll be down in a second. Just relax!"
"That's easy for you to say!" Lilly replied. "It's not your wedding day!"
"Everything will be fine." Miley said, walking down the stairs. "I called my dad, and he's there with Jackson and Oliver right now."
"Oliver's already there!?" Lilly asked, shocked. "He beat me!? How unlike him!"
"He's freaking out just like you." Miley explained. "My dad said he told him to take a breather."
"I don't want him upset!" Lilly said.
"He's not." Miley replied. "It's nerves. Now go get in the car if you're in such a rush. Is your dress already in there?"
"In the trunk." Lilly said. "Give me yours."
Miley handed her dress to Lilly and the two left Miley's house for the church.
Miley pulled in to the space next to her brother's car once they arrived. She shut the car off and opened her door.
"Wait!" Lilly stopped her. "Call...call Jackson and tell him we're here. So I don't see Oliver..."
Miley stepped out side to call Jackson. While she was on the phone, she went to the trunk and got out the garment bags that held both her and Lilly's dresses.
"The coast is clear." Miley told Lilly. "Oliver's in one of the back rooms getting dressed."
"Oh good." Lilly replied, getting out of the car. "There's no chance he'll see me then."
The girls got their dresses and a few bags of hair and make-up supplies and headed for their own special changing room.
"I've got to use the bathroom, Lilly." Miley said once they got to the room. "Can I leave you for three minutes without having to worry you'll faint or something?"
"Pssh! Faint? Me?" Lilly replied. "I'll be fine!"
"Just looking out for ya." Miley said. "I'll be back."
She closed the door and walked about three steps down the hall before she heard Lilly call her back.
"I changed my mind! Miley! Get in here! I'm..I'm sca-" Lilly didn't want to use the word 'scared', because she really wasn't. "Oh, just hurry back!"
Miley smiled. "Poor Oliver's got his hands full." She thought.
It was quarter to four, and the guests were here. This was just an extremely small, immediate family function. Of course, Lilly and Oliver both saw the Stewarts as family. That's how they two wanted it to be.
Oliver was locked one room and Lilly was locked in on down the hall. Last minute spaz moments were occurring in both places.
"Ok, this is it." Oliver spoke out loud to himself as he fiddled with his tie repeatedly. "This is the day you've been hoping and praying for all your life; you and Lilly are getting married. You've got to make this the best day of her life. You've got to keep your cool and not do anything stupid."
"Oliver?" Jackson was knocking at his door. "It's show time."
"I-I- uh, I..." Oliver stuttered a bit. He ran his hands through his hair and checked everything one last time before he opened the door. "I'm...I'm ready."
Jackson and Oliver walked into the church. They took their places next to Father Muir and Miley. (She could have been escorted down with Jackson, but she didn't want to take any spot light away from Lilly.) There were only two other people present; Oliver mom and Lilly's mom. Although the two of them thought it was a little odd that Lilly and Oliver wanted to keep this event closed off to everyone else in their families, they respected their children's idea.
"Mom's already getting watery-eye." Oliver thought. "I wonder how many packs of tissues she'll go through...and if she would spare one..."
"Lilly will be walking in here in any minute." Miley whispered to Jackson. She motioned with her head from Jackson to check on Oliver. He turned to Oliver and spoke quietly through the side of his mouth. "You ready?"
"Just don't let me fall and get hurt when I faint." Oliver replied back in the same manner.
"When?" Jackson raised his eyebrow.
"If...I mean...no. Just..." Oliver had to keep his thoughts off of what could go wrong and put the focus on Lilly. "Thanks for being my best man."
Jackson just nodded in response, because the music had started to play from the system in the back, meaning Lilly was on her way.
"This is it." Lilly was franticly playing with her dress and her hair in her room. "The big day. This is what you've been dreaming of nearly all your life; you are Oliver are getting married. I hope nothing goes wrong. I hope...I hope Oliver's ok."
There was a knock at her door: "Lilly? Lilly, it's time to go."
Lilly opened the door and saw Mr. Stewart standing there. She smiled at him. "I'm ready."
"You know, when you first told me that you wanted me to be the one to walk you down the aisle, I was a little concerned." Robbie Ray told Lilly as they made their way down the hall to the church doors. "It's really a father's job, and I'm not your dad."
"After what happened with between my parents, and how much he hurt me physically and emotionally, Oliver and I both decided we didn't want him anywhere near here. It would just ruin the mood for my mom and me."
"And I understand that." He replied.
"Besides, you know you've always been a dad to me, Mr. Stewart." Lilly told him giving him a little hug. "I wouldn't have anyone else do this for me other than you."
"Thank-you, darling." Mr. Stewart replied, hugging Lilly back. "Like I said at your high school graduation. You and Oliver are like my other kids. I'm very grateful to do this for you."
Lilly and Mr. Robbie Ray had arrived at the doors. He stuck his head in the door way to signal that they were ready.
"Ready?" He asked Lilly.
Lilly nodded back in response and smiled. The two linked arms and started to step inside.
"Here we go." Lilly and Oliver thought to themselves. They each too a deep breath and anxiously awaited each other's arrival.
If you're reading this, you've made it through a huge update and live to tell about. Once again , I apologize for the length, but I think it will all come together. I now have the task of writting their wedding, which I started. I'll amdit it: this will be my first "real" wedding chapter I've ever written. (Most of the time, I just imply weddings without actually going into much deatial.) Keep tht in mind when you read the thrid tear. It will probably be up tomorrow night. Thanks again to everyone. Keeping readin and I'll keep writting!
-drummer8907