Chapter 3

MarleyPOV

"So, as you see Mike is an early riser but Rachel needs more sleep. I'd give her about another hour, hour and a half to wake up before you try to. If they become too much to handle just put in a movie… They normally agree on Finding Nemo, but you never know, compromising is the best way to deal with them. If you get too overwhelmed, call my mom and she'll be right over." Ryder tells Stephen as MK sits on the couch with Mike, watching cartoons.

"Okay, I think we'll be okay. They're pretty chill kids; they always behave when we've been around them."

"Well, you never know what can happen." I say from my spot by the door. If we don't leave soon, it will make Rachel and me late for dress shopping. "Ryder, come on… we've got to go."

"Okay, just keep us updated… Let me know when my mom gets here. Okay?" Ryder says, more worried than I am.

"Ryder. They'll be fine. Let's go." I say, my patience running thin.

"Okay, okay. Let's go." He says, walking over to the door and grabbing my hand before pulling me out of the door.

"Okay, so let's start with a color scheme… You said purple, right?" Rachel asks, directing her question to Ryder.

"Yes. Definitely purple, because we have to use peonies." Ryder tells her, nodding and giving my hand a squeeze.

"Why peonies?" Rachel asks, cocking her head in curiosity.

"They are Marley's favorite flowers." Ryder says, and I smile as he remembers those little things even after all these years.

"Marley? Is that agreed on?"

"Absolutely. It's perfect." I agree with Ryder.

"Alright, that was simple… what's next? Ah, wedding party?" Rachel looks at her notebook and then taps it as though she'd discovered where treasure was hidden on a map.

"Ummm… I actually haven't really thought about it. Have you?" Ryder asks me.

"Not at all… it completely slipped my mind, honestly." I say laughing at our forgetfulness.

"Okay, well you too talk that over and let everyone know because it's just killing them." Rachel tells us once again moving to her notebook. "Now Marley, I have a really important question… and it's kind of a hard topic. Have you put any thought into who you'd want to- you know, walk you down the aisle?"

"I have kind of been thinking about it… you know, since Andy and I only had a court house wedding." I look over to see Ryder's reaction to this. Andy and I- well more Andy, decided we only wanted the marriage license not the wedding. So that's what we had, of course mom was there, and so were Andy's parents but that was it. "You know, mom was always my first choice, and then there was-" I stop short at the happy but grief stricken look on Rachel's face.

"Finn would have been so honored, Marls… He loved you guys a lot, you know. I know he didn't seem to want you to get married, but he just didn't want any more broken hearts." She tells us, grabbing one of each of our hands.

"Stars… how about Rachel and Mike?" Ryder asks after a moment of silence.

"Ryder, why would Mike and I- oh, you mean the littles… That would be so perfect!" Rachel exclaims once her confusion has passed.

"It would be beautiful… I think it would be great." I tell them, laughing as Rachel bounces in her seat a little as she check off something on her list.

"Ry, didn't you say your mom was supposed to have the littles?" Rachel asks as she looks behind us. As she does, the bell at the front door jingles, announcing someone's arrival.

"Yeah, she was supposed to after Mary Kate and Stephen. Why?" I ask, interrupting.

"Then why are Stephen and Mary Kate here with them?"

"Hey, Ms. Rose… We're sorry to interrupt, but Ry's mom never showed. I called her and told her she needed to come soon cause Coach called me in for practice and MK has to be home earlier than planned and she said she'd come get the kids in twenty minutes… that was an hour ago."

"I told you this was going to happen! I knew it Ryder! But you told me it would all be fine!" I tell him, furious. I told him this was a bad idea.

"Calm down, baby… let me go call my mom and see what's up, okay?" Ryder assures me then kisses my forehead before walking off.

"We're really sorry for interrupting and we know you have your dress appointment, but we tried calling you guys and you didn't-"Mary Kate started rambling- nervous rambling, she tends to do that sometimes.

"You guys did the right thing. My phone is in the car charging and Ryder had turned his off. Thank you for being so responsible. It's okay that you interrupted we were almost done anyway and Ryder can take the kids home so I can go dress shopping." I assure the babbling teenager as Ryder returns to the table, picking up Rachel and putting her on his lap.

"Mom is on her way. I told her not to bother though." He says with a serious look of anger on his face.

"Ryder… I told you not to let this happen." I tell him shaking my head. "I told you not to let this wedding ruin your family."

"Marley… She promised me that she'd be responsible again, that she'd do what she said she would."

"RyRy…" I groan, glaring at Stephen as they laugh quietly. MK elbows him quiet. "You promised me though…"

"I know, I know I did. She can't do things like this though, she's an adult and these are kids."

"Hey! We wouldn't have just left the two kids home alone." Stephen jumps into the conversation.

"I know, Stephen but she is supposed to set an example." I tell him, patting his shoulder.

"Marls, do you still want to do dress shopping?" Rachel asks me.

"We can look after the kids a little longer if you want us to." Mary Kate suggests.

"Yes." Says Ryder before I can answer. Mary Kate shoves him slightly and shakes her head as Rachel looks at me.

"How about next weekend? All I want to do after this afternoon is cuddle on the couch with the kids and a movie." I tell her, kicking Ryder under the table as he tries to interrupt.

"That's perfect, that way Kitty will be back in town from her cousin's wedding and Emma will be free too."

"That's great, I can't wait." I tell her, lying through my teeth as Ryder and I pack up and grab the kids before saying goodbye to Rachel and leaving.

"Okay, bridal party? Who do you want to be your best man?" I ask Ryder, sitting on the counter as he begins dinner.

"Well, that depends on who you want to be your Maid of Honor… because if they can't stand each other…" He says, dragging his index finger across his neck to indicate what may happen.

"I was thinking Kitty, but then I realized that as much as I love her and even though I'm completely over everything that happened in high school, I don't want any ridiculous drama. Mercedes would be a logical choice… so would Santana, but I'm not sure." I tell him, thinking hard about all the girls in Glee.

"I thought about Jake, but then I hesitated because of-"

"Ry, if you're going to say anything about any feelings between Jake and me, you're insane." I interrupt him.

"I know, I know. Any ideas of which girls you want in the bridal party?"

"Definitely Tina, Rachel, Santana, Brittney and… why don't we just do the whole club? Wouldn't that make it easier?" I suggest. Ryder continues cutting vegetables while thinking.

"That still doesn't answer the question about Maid of Honor and Best Man, babe." He says turning down the stove and turning to face me.

"Why is this so hard!?" I groan. Ryder laughs at my struggle.

"Just pick the one who has gotten you through the most. I'll do the same." He says, squeezing my hand slightly.

"That would probably be Rachel, but I don't want to put so much stress on her…" I decide.

"Ask her… it'll keep her busy. I'm thinking of asking Sam."

"Okay, I will. Sam's a great choice since he's helped us through all the crazy stuff in our lives."

"Well, hopefully he's up for many more crazy years to come."