A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. The holidays are a killer!
Corinne: Thank you for always having my back & kicking me in the ass when I need it. xx
o~O~o
Chapter 28
May 31, 2014
o~O~o
Luke adjusted his tie as he stood in front of the highly polished glass door of the guest house that morning. He'd spent the past few weeks by Beca's side. He was there for all the good days and the bad, for all the appointments, the dress fittings, the trips to the florist and numerous cake tastings. He had even been there when Beca called him at three in the morning, crying because Jesse was acting distant, weird and she was really worried that he was getting cold feet. Luke wanted to kick Jesse's ass but ultimately decided to calm Beca down first before he encouraged her to speak to Jesse about her fears and what was going on. Hours later, she called back to say that she'd talked to Jesse and that he promised her that he was fine. She admitted that she still wasn't really sure but Luke swallowed before reassuring her that Jesse probably just had a case of the jitters and to enjoy the time leading up to the wedding. Despite choking on his own assurances, he seemed to have found the words necessary to calm Beca down.
Luke had been Beca's right hand man while she prepared for the wedding and she knew she couldn't have gotten through all those weeks without his constant, unwavering support. Most guys would have made up a laundry list of excuses why he couldn't help out, but not Luke. Helping Beca was a something Luke didn't mind doing, because they got to spend time helping her plan the most important day of her life.
As important as everything else was, Luke had one job left to do.
When he was certain that he looked presentable, he knocked and waited patiently for Jesse to answer the door. He was amazed to see Jesse was still wearing his sweats when he should have been dressed for the wedding especially since he was getting married in less than two hours. Luke took a deep breath, gritted his teeth and smiled the warmest smile he could manage.
"Hey Luke… what's up?" Jesse said, slightly shocked by the surprise visit from his arch nemesis. He held out his hand for Luke to shake which Luke took reluctantly.
"Good afternoon. May I please have a word with you?" Luke asked.
"Sure, come in." Jesse said opening the door wide enough for Luke to walk through, pushing a trash bag with his foot to make room. "Is everything ok?"
"Yes." Luke said, and cleared his throat. "I want to have a quick word before the wedding."
"Ok… have a seat." Jesse said, motioning towards the couch.
Luke nodded, mumbling under his breath as he heading towards the sofa. He unbuttoned his jacket, smoothed down his tie and he sat down, careful not to crease his suit before the festivities started. "Look, I'm not going to mince words, bugger about, dance around the issue, flog a dead horse or pretend there isn't an elephant in the room so just hear me out."
"Sure but you were quite long winded so…" Jesse tried to joke but stopped when he saw the look on Luke's face and quickly cleared his throat. "... what can I do for you?"
"You can listen because what I have to say is bloody important." Luke told him in response to his obviously stupid question, maintaining fixed eye contact the whole time. "As Beca's best and oldest friend, I feel it is my duty to stand up for her when she is unable to do so for herself. For some, frankly unfathomable reason, she loves you with everything she has and while I cannot fully comprehend what she sees in you, I have to trust that she is making the decision with her heart... and her head... when she becomes your wife in a couple of hours time. I believe it is necessary to tell you that if you dare fuck this up, you will have to answer to me and trust me, I will not play nice."
Jesse nodded knowing full well that Luke wasn't kidding. If he hurt Beca in any way, he was a dead man.
"This last year has been extremely difficult for her, well for both of you and losing Bodhi almost killed her and, quite frankly, I am not sure she'll survive anymore of your shit. When you hurt her and you hurt me." Luke continued. "If necessary, I will go all British on your arse. And if you think her mother is scary, you should know that I have connections and there is nothing that the Queen's Royal Guard would not do for me or my family. It is no secret that you and I are not friends but for Beca's sake, we need to get along. Please do not give me any cause to call on the Corgis."
Luke waited for some kind of response from Jesse but all he got was a blank stare, there wasn't even a hint of recognition that Luke was lying through his teeth about having connections to the Queen. Even when faced with the facts, Jesse couldn't manage to defend himself and sat looking at Luke, wishing that he had the guts to tell him to get out. He was only feeling that way because he knew what Luke was saying was actually true. Luke shouldn't have expected anything different from Jesse, he was the definition of a coward.
"I am not sure if any of what I am saying is penetrating your thick skull or not but just know that Anne and Will can and will make your life a living hell." Luke continued. "If you fuck this up, I will personally kick your hoofwanking bungle prick arse clear into the next century. Have I made myself crystal clear?"
Jesse gulped but managed to nod a couple of times while wondering what in the hell a hoofwanking bungle prick was. In truth, he was a little intimidated by Beca's best friend and he knew he probably had guilt written all over his face. Luke's size alone was pretty scary, but his dedication to his best friend was even scarier. The dude worked out very faithfully at least twice a day and while Jesse wasn't a lightweight, he didn't stand a chance in hell against Luke. "I don't plan on fucking anything up."
Luke chuckled humorlessly. "You really are as dumb as you look."
"What do you mean?" Jesse asked, beyond confused.
"No one plans to fuck up, but when we do, we do not plan on getting caught." Luke warned, standing up from the couch. "You had better not ever let me catch you having your cake and eating it too. If I do, I will fuck you up. Beca means the world to me and I would move Heaven and Earth for her. I would do anything for her, even if it means going to jail for killing your lying, cheating, scheming, no good, gold digging arse."
Jesse threw his hands up. "Luke, I don't know where this is coming from-"
"-And you do not need to know. What you do need to know is that I will be watching you. One toe over the fucking line and your arse is mine. I do not trust you one little bit but I will not ruin Beca's life over my reservations. I hope like hell that you prove me wrong because this is the one and only time that I would love to be wrong. Now for the love of God man, hurry up and get ready. You look bad and smell worse than a baboon's ass. Grow a pair and quit acting like a wanker."
Luke didn't wait for a response, he just walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Jesse was left standing there not knowing whether to scratch his watch or wind his ass. Did Luke already know what he had done with Pepper? Was Luke having him followed? Should he call the wedding off? It was only too late once he and Beca had said 'I do'.
While he would happily admit that he was scared shitless of Will, Anne and Luke, did he want to let them win or would he rather prove them all wrong? Jesse pondered the idea of fleeing to Mexico. He knew he had enough cash in his wallet to get to get there but was walking or in this case running away really the answer? Alone with his thoughts his eyes swept across the room in an effort to focus on something as thousands of thoughts were running through his mind.
Walking away would hurt Beca but Luke would help her pick up the pieces and in time, she would fall in love again. Could he do that to her? He'd already done so much to her that she knew absolutely nothing about. He did love Beca but was it enough? He'd never fallen out of love with her, even when he was homeless and angry at her and the world, he still loved her.
Jesse was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear Casey walk up behind him, completely forgetting his brother was in the guest house with him getting ready.
Casey entered the room, carefully making sure the coast was clear before he came out of the bedroom and looked cautiously towards the door. "You ok bro?"
"Dude… did you hear what just happened?" Jesse asked, still shocked about what happened. "Did you hear what that asshole said to me?"
Casey's eyes got as big as dinner plates. "I think everyone within a ten mile radius heard that. Is Luke really Bruce Banner in disguise? Dude has some real anger issues. You might want to-"
"-Can it Casey! I don't have the time or patience for your jokes right now."
"No need to act like a toddler in a tiara." Casey said jokingly in an attempt to lighten the mood but all was lost on Jesse as he paced the floor like a caged animal. "I'm on your side, remember? I'm just saying that the dude is huge and he's angry that you got the girl. His girl, his best friend. I'm not sure I'd fuck with him."
Jesse was getting ready to respond to Casey when he received a text message. Thinking it was from Beca, he excitedly pulled his phone from his pocket, grateful for the distraction from what had just taken place.
"Dude… what are you doing?" Casey spoke quietly a couple of minutes later. He had watched Jesse exchange a few messages with someone but Casey knew it wasn't Beca who was messaging him. The look on Jesse's face clearly showed this was something new and exciting, rather than the look of familiarity from the woman he was about to wed. Casey was beyond pissed off. Like his brother, he'd had a rough start in life but on the day of his wedding, he shouldn't have been messing around with another woman.
"What do you mean?" Jesse asked, finally looking up from his phone.
"You're getting married in a few minutes and you're standing here texting that hooker." Casey said bluntly.
"What hooker? What are you talking about?" Jesse asked, slipping his phone back into his pants pocket. "And what's it to you anyway?"
"You need to end it. What you're doing isn't right." Casey told him sternly.
"I have no idea what you-"
"-Jesse." Casey sighed. "You may think that by sneaking out into the backyard at three in the morning, no one is going to hear you but dude, you might want to check who else is awake before you fiddle the flesh flute."
"What the-"
"-Yeah bro. I thought hood rats jumped the fence so I got up to see what was going on. I heard you liquidating the inventory while you were talking on the phone to someone that definitely wasn't Beca. At first, I thought you'd called one of those phone sex hotlines, but then this morning, I came out to get a drink and saw your phone on the counter with a picture of Pepper in quite a compromising position."
"You went through my phone?" Jesse asked, paling quickly.
"No brother, I didn't. But I've been around the block with you enough to know you. It didn't take long to figure out what you were up to."
"What I do is none of your bus-"
"-You're stringing both of them along. It's going to jump up and bite you in the ass one of these days. And that ain't gonna be pretty for anyone… least of all you."
Jesse sighed as flopped on the couch and sank into the cushions. He looked up at his brother, knowing he was right but he also knew that he couldn't help himself. "It isn't as easy as that. I'm addicted to her and fuck if she's not feeding into the addiction... probably on purpose."
"All the more reason to break it off."
"I can't help it. I need Pepper as much as I need Beca."
"You're an asshole!" Casey yelled. "An absolute fuck up! What has Pepper got over Beca? Shit dude, Beca is beyond the perfect woman for you."
"Except for..."
"Except for what?"
"Nothing."
"Is this about Bodhi? Are you seriously blaming her for losing your boy?"
Jesse sighed so hard, Casey felt his brothers breath on his face. "No, I guess not."
"Don't be a fucktard. Get your shit together, right now... because you are about to make a commitment to a girl who truly loves you. And yeah, like that British bulldog, I don't know what the hell Beca is doing with you but she's beyond cool and you need to-"
"-She knows how to make me tick. She pushes all of my buttons."
"Beca does?"
"No... Pepper. She's intoxicating."
"Well then, you need to break it off with Beca-"
"-I can't! I won't!"
"You have to!"
"When did you become Mr. Holier-Than-Thou?"
"I never said I was-"
"-Well you're sure as hell acting like it!"
Casey ran his fingers through his hair. "I know you don't believe me but when I met Amber something changed. She makes me a better person. She makes me want to do the right thing. Amber is a good person and most importantly, she sees the best in me."
"Oh so because you've me-"
"-Listen, do what you want but if you're going to continue to fuck the floozy, then you can't marry Beca and I won't stand by and watch you fuck this up."
"I'll do what I damn well please!" Jesse blurted out, more through fear of losing Pepper than of losing Beca.
"Fine! But I'm not going to be any part of it and I'm not going to allow my daughter to be ruined or influenced by the likes of you!"
"What's wrong with you? We used to be thick as thieves."
"Even thieves need to retire Jesse."
"And you're not going to let me be a part of Willow's life?"
"Willow needs her uncle to be smart and strong and above all else… honest!"
"But I am those things!"
"I used to think so. I used to think the world of you." Casey said shaking his head. "Willow should be able to look up to you."
"She's a month old. I can't really ruin her right now… can I?"
"Jesse… she won't be a month old forever. And one day, you'll have to explain to her that you walked out on the perfect girl, her aunt, on your wedding day because you couldn't keep your dick in your pants. You need to stop being so selfish and cruel. It's not always about you!"
"Wow!" Jesse said with a shitty smirk on his face as he clapped. "Bravo!"
"Do you think I enjoy saying these things to you? You're my brother and I love you but you need help."
"I don't need help!"
"Really?! You have an addiction to drugs and alcohol and you just admitted you're addicted to this Pepper chick… or Chloe… or whatever her fucking name is! Do you even know what her real name is? This is just one more thing to add to your ever growing list of addictions."
"I'm fine!"
"No! You're not! And I damn well wish I could make you see what you have. You have the world at your fingertips and you're throwing it all away."
"You think I don't see?"
"I really do wonder sometimes." Casey said shaking his head. "That woman would lay her life down for you. The love she has for you oozes from her pores. She has gone above and beyond for you. She has believed in you when no one else did and this is the thanks she gets?!"
"What makes you think that she hasn't been thanked?" Jesse asked.
"Oh for fucks sake Jesse! This isn't about sex or cooking or walking the damn dogs or putting the fucking seat down after you take a piss!" Casey yelled. "This is about you being a lying, cheating, no good son of a bitch! If it wasn't your wedding day, I'd punch you in your fucking face!"
"Don't hold back… tell it like it is."
"Why do you always insist on taking the hard road?"
"Why do you assume that I see two roads?"
"Whatever." Casey said throwing his hands in the air. "I can't keep going down this road with you."
"Can't or won't?"
"Won't… You're on your own."
"So that's it huh? You're just going to leave me when I need you most?" Jesse asked. "You're just like Bambi!"
"Don't you dare bring Mom into this!"
"Well… what do you expect? You're leaving me, just like she did."
"Because I can't sit by and watch as you ruin your life… again. Beca is the best damn thing that has ever happened to you and yet, no matter how hard she's tried, even she can't keep you off the express train to Fucksville. Do her a favor and give her the greatest gift imaginable... walk away from her before it's too late. Give her a real chance at happiness… with someone who's going to love and appreciate her." Casey told him as he picked up his backpack and made his way toward the door. "Good luck… I'm out."
"Case… don't go!" Jesse pleaded as Casey slammed the door, the echo resounding around the room like a gunshot. "Well… fuck! Now what?"
Jesse had never felt more alone or more vulnerable than he did in that moment. Sure, he and Casey had falling outs before but what made this one the worst of all was that he had to admit that Casey was right. Even worse than that, Casey had had the balls enough to call him out on it.
He and Beca were supposed to say their 'I do's' in a little over an hour and he had managed to piss off not only Beca's best friend but his own brother as well… and all in one fell swoop. That was a trick that only Jesse Swanson could pull off in such spectacular fashion.
He picked up the phone to text the one person he knew would make him feel better.
And it wasn't Beca.
o~O~o
The atmosphere in the main house was electric and the buzz of excitement that had started not long after the sun rose had escalated into a frenzy of deliveries, caterers, florists and people moving about the house to prepare for the big event. The sound of instructions and the excited noises from the puppies was nothing in comparison to Anne's voice rising above everyone else. She was clearly in charge and let everyone know it. Nothing was going to distract her from giving Beca the perfect day.
Nothing.
Anne had given Silvana the day off, explaining that she was a treasured member of the family and that they wanted her to enjoy the wedding with them. Silvana couldn't help herself, the urge to follow everyone around cleaning as she went was too great and she only just stopped short of dusting one of the delivery men before she realized what she was doing.
Beca smiled as she gazed out of her bedroom window and into the backyard. The day couldn't have been more beautiful. There wasn't a cloud in the sky on the mild May day in Los Angeles. A crisp late Spring breeze hung in the air, ruffling the leaves on the trees and moving the warm air around the sunny atmosphere. She watched as everyone scurried around the backyard like little worker ants for her big day.
The yard was full of orchids and calla lilies and the light, delicate fragrance had everyone sniffing the air around them. Twinkle lights had been hung in the trees and the chairs and tables had been covered in white linens and decorated with bunches of purple orchids… everything looked amazing. The florist had used ladders to delicately drape orchids from the trees to soften the hard edges, creating the romantic and intimate atmosphere Beca desired, yet still allowed for the structured look that Anne craved. Everything was coming together nicely.
Jesse mentioned that he wouldn't have any family at the wedding and felt like it was going to be a 'lopsided event'. Hearing him say that broke Beca's heart. She wanted to share the day with her loved ones but didn't want her side to be full while Jesse's side was mostly empty. It was extremely important to her that Jesse felt loved and important, after all… it was his day too. She made it her mission to find a creative surprise that would make Jesse's guests feel just as comfortable as her own.
As Beca watched the wedding coordinator place a sign near the end aisle that said, "Choose a seat not a side", she smiled so big that her face hurt. She was trying to do everything that she knew Jesse would like and most of the things that he hadn't thought that he wanted. She wanted him to feel the love of her family as they exchanged their vows and she was happy to go the extra mile for him.
While she had insisted on a small intimate gathering, Anne had imagined something much bigger. Neither of them had gotten their way but had agreed to meet in the middle, each bending just enough to please the other. One evening, in a quiet moment alone, Will had reminded Anne that it was Beca's day and she needed to be the one to make all the final decisions. Anne hated hearing it but knew that Will was right.
o~O~o
Beca gritted her teeth over the number of people fussing around her. In truth, while she was extremely excited about the day, but, in that moment, she just wanted a glass of wine and a long, hot bath. She was craving some peace and quiet to contemplate what the day had in store, instead she was listening to her mother asking, what she felt, were stupid questions about thigh highs, bras and panties.
However, Beca did understand why her Mom was asking about the bridesmaids dresses. Amy had been dropping hints for weeks that she was going to go commando for the wedding. Apparently, it was time to 'air out' her 'lady garden' and her pretty new dress offered the opportunity to do just that. Anne, of course, was appalled at the very thought of it all and Beca had almost broken her teeth in an attempt not to laugh at the look on her mother's face.
After hearing that Beca donated the dress she purchased in Las Vegas to an organization that helps underprivileged teenagers find prom dresses and in an attempt to get off Beca's shit list, Aubrey offered to go with her to shop for a new wedding dress. Hearing Beca say that she was happy to just 'buy a dress off the rack', caused Aubrey to get the dry heaves. Beca couldn't help but giggle at Aubrey's expense but eventually agreed to hit the streets of LA in search of a new dress. After trying on several dresses, Beca finally decided on was very sexy and daring. It was a fitted, mermaid style dress with a sheer, strapless, lace corset style bodice that had a neckline. It was what Amy dubbed a 'rocker chic' dress that made 'Beca's tits and ass look like a million bucks'.
To Beca's surprise, while out shopping, Amy and Aubrey amazingly had agreed on a short, flowy, strapless bridesmaids dresses with flowing cascades which created a soft romantic silhouette on both girls. Beca was shocked, being such different body shapes, the dress fit and flattered them and even accentuated their unique features. She noted, with humor, that the dress did cover Amy's lower half and unless she grabbed her ankles, none of what she had for breakfast would be on display. The color of the dresses was called wisteria, which was a gorgeous shade of purple, and complimented the girls skin tones nicely, not that it mattered, but it definitely helped. The last thing Beca needed was bridesmaids that looked like that awful shade of green everyone gets when they're just about to puke.
And for Aubrey that was quite important.
Aubrey had been acting quite strange in the weeks leading up to the wedding but Beca was so preoccupied with the preparations that she barely had time to notice. It was only when Anne called at a quarter to eleven one night that Beca finally stopped fussing over the color samples for the linens she had laid out in front of her and concentrated on what her mother said.
"Run off she did." Anne had wheezed down the phone stopping Beca in her tracks. She had agreed with everything her mother was saying when she realized that she had not listened to a word her mother was saying.
"Mom, you sound like Yoda. What's happened?"
"Aubrey. That's what happened. Aunt Gail's beside herself."
"Ok, rewind. It's late and-"
"-and you haven't been listening to a word I've said, have you?" Anne had quizzed Beca.
"Nope." Beca had to try not to smirk at her mom's question.
"I said… Aubrey ran off with Ben."
"Where?" Beca had asked, her mind working out who could take Aubrey's place as bridesmaid. She had thought that Pepper was about the same size as Aubrey and might step in. Beca didn't know Pepper all that well, but Jesse seemed to have developed a nice friendship with her which pleased Beca. He needed friends.
"Some skanky place in Tennessee. When she got home-"
"-Oh, she's home. So what's the drama?"
"The drama..." Anne had breathed out heartily and Beca had just known Anne was flaring her nostrils as she spoke. "... was that she got married in a barn. A barn! In the backwoods of Tennessee."
"Aubrey got married?! Wait, what?" Beca had suddenly found the conversation quite interesting.
"Yes." Anne had sighed.
"That's so exciting!" Beca had exclaimed.
"You aren't the slightest bit concerned that we weren't invited?"
"Not really but that's clearly a problem for you!"
"They. Were. Married." Anne had paused for dramatic effect. "... oh, poor Gail... they were married by a half naked hillbilly, in dirty overalls! Oh my God Beca! The guy..." Anne had gulped again and Beca did all she could not to bust out laughing. "... makes moonshine for a living."
"Mom, if they are happy then-"
"-Are you not upset about missing the wedding?" Anne had barked.
"I can't exactly miss something that I didn't know happened."
"But Aubrey is your only cousin!" Anne shrieked.
"Mom, you sound like a corgi, calm down a bit. No, I would love to have been there to see Aubrey and Ben tie the knot but if they wanted to escape the crazy wedding planning, I'm down with that."
"Well Gail is-"
"-Yes, I guess she is upset but it's Aubrey's choice. It's her day, and she did it her way. There's something to be said about the simplicity of eloping."
"Is that a small dig at my wedding planning Rebeca?"
"No mother, it's not. Although I agree, Bree running off to get married in the hills of Tennessee isn't exactly was I imagined her doing but I'm just happy she's back for my wedding. I haven't seen her in a few weeks so-"
"-Of course, her dress will have to be altered."
"Why?" Beca had questioned. "Did the moonshine make her grow a third arm or something?"
"No!" Anne had shrilled. "Ben planted his seed in Aubrey's lady garden."
"Wait… she's pregnant?" Beca's eyes had widened and her pulse had quickened.
"Um..." Anne suddenly wished that she'd kept her mouth shut. "... yes, she is... expecting so the shotgun wedding was planned and executed before they told the family about the new additions."
"That's crazy! I'm so happy for her. I wish she'd told me herself and... wait, you said additions."
"I did. She's having twins in four months."
"Four months… Fuck."
"Rebeca!"
"Don't 'Rebeca' me. This is the one time I can say that word and get away with it." Beca said with a smirk. "By the way, Aubrey is still gonna rock her dress."
"You're still going to have her stand as your maid of honor? Even with a baby bump."
"I think she's gonna be beautiful."
"Beca, very occasionally, you surprise me."
"Yeah, well… sometimes, I surprise myself!"
Making Aubrey wear a hideous shade of puke green while pregnant with twins would have been justified though and for a fleeting moment, Beca had thought about changing the color scheme. Beca was hurt that Aubrey secretly ran off and married Ben but only because she would have wanted to be there but knowing how crazy her Aunt was, she knew Aubrey had done the right thing.
When they had met for the final dress fitting, Beca had hugged her cousin tightly to her and had appropriately patted her belly and congratulated both her and Ben. Aubrey had tried explaining that because Beca had just lost Bodhi she didn't think it was the time or place to mention her shotgun wedding or the babies. Beca argued that she could have used something to be happy about and that she wished Aubrey had just been honest with her. They'd both cried as Beca asked to see the ultrasound pictures, which prompted Aubrey to ask her to be the Godmother. To Aubrey's surprise, Beca actually squealed with excitement and said that she would organize the baby shower as soon as she and Jesse got back from their honeymoon.
The two cousins bonded during their day out. Aubrey had filled Beca in about the 'backwoods wedding' that had, in fact, taken place in a small wood frame church in the tiny Tennessee town where Ben's grandfather lived. They both agreed that having Gail and Anne continue to believe it was in front of a semi dressed hillbilly was far too funny to correct and decided to continue to let them think that for as long as they could.
o~O~o
Will, ever the dutiful husband and father, had been given several things to do throughout the day, the most important of which was to keep an eye on Anne's mother, Betty. Seventy nine year old Elizabeth 'Betty' White Abernathy was quite a spry character and was well known for keeping everyone on their toes at all times. She was always up to something. In fact, Anne had been called to the senior center several times with regard to her mother's antics and behavior. So… yes, Betty was most definitely something else.
Betty lived with Anne and Will but went to Belmont Village Senior Center three times a week to "help the old people play bingo". That was her story and "with God as her witness", she was sticking to it. To hear the nurses tell it though, Betty was the lead instigator in high speed wheelchair races down the hallways and in the courtyard. She had even staged a coup when the meatloaf served at lunch one day was too dry and was "hard as a hockey puck".
It quickly became apparent that the fire alarm would 'accidentally' get pulled only on the days that Betty was at the center. Each call was followed by a visit from the local fire department. Betty, ever the spirited senior, was always up front and center when the fire trucks arrived because she wanted "to check out the hunks".
Thanks to Beca, her MawMaw Betty was the proud owner of a shiny new iPhone which she successfully learned to use in record time. What the nurses didn't know was that Betty used her iPhone to hijack the new aerobics instructors music and play Beca's mixes, which meant that instead of peaceful, easy listening music and some gentle stretches, the room was filled with a loud mashup of David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida. The instructor, who didn't understand what had happened, instead took the seniors through a brisk workout, which resulted in hospitalization for one and confining three others to their rooms for several days.
Betty wasn't all bad though, she definitely had good attributes about her as well.
Even at her age, Betty was an amazing dancer. Years of lessons, allowed her the ability to assist the dance instructor in teaching the residents to ballroom dance. Once a month, the center would play host to dance for the residents, which also lead to a dance competition held every June.
One Saturday afternoon, Betty showed up at the center with Luke, her 'adopted grandson'. The ladies swooned over Luke. They couldn't believe how handsome he was and thoroughly enjoyed pinching his cheeks and rubbing his rock hard abs. After pulling Luke away from the ladies, Betty explained that they were there to throw an English tea party in honor of the country's patron saints birthday. Luke enjoyed helping Betty lay out sandwiches, cakes and ginger beer for her friends.
If anyone from the center was sick, Betty always sent a card and she also never forgot a birthday. She would bring homemade soup to the sick and cookies, cakes or brownies to share with everyone to celebrate birthdays.
So, while Will loved his mother in law, he was less than crazy about the idea of keeping her out of trouble on Beca's wedding day. The woman had a mind of her own and even though she was up in age, her mind was like a brand new shiny steel trap.
After checking on his mother in law, who for some unknown reason was in the kitchen happily singing and making brownies, Will went in search of his wife. He had a nagging feeling that there was something else he was supposed to be doing.
He found Anne sitting on the morning porch, enjoying a cup of tea and watching as the caterers laid the linens on the tables. Everything was starting to take shape and for the first time Anne could see Beca's vision for the day.
Will stood quietly behind Anne, rubbing her shoulders. As she took a deep breath, he could feel her relax.
"How's Mom?" She asked, reaching for her mug.
"She's good… keeping busy by making cookies and brownies for the girls."
"And driving Silvana crazy I'm sure."
Will chuckled. "How'd you guess?"
"We are talking about my mother… remember?"
Will sat down next to Anne and reached over to take her hand in his own. He knew Anne was nervous about the day and remembered that she'd mentioned several times in their nearly thirty years together that his touch was calming.
The two sat quietly as they watched everything take shape. Anne had to admit that Beca was right, her backyard was the perfect spot for the wedding. While she would have preferred to have the wedding at Lobo Castle, the views from Beca's backyard were spectacular and with the sunset the background, the pictures would be fantastic.
"Will, is Beca doing the right thing? You know... marrying Jesse?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure."
"She could do so much better." Anne told him. "Hell, she's got a ticket-"
"-Anne, it's her wedding day and she's happy."
"I know she is but I'd give her 2 bottles of whiskey and a flashlight if she'd leave him."
"That's a nice thought but I don't see that happening."
"There's got to be a nice young man out there somewhere."
"Well honey, as we've already discussed, Chris Hemsworth is taken and Jared Leto, while he has great hair, is just plain weird." Will told her.
"Matt Bomer?" Anne said hopefully.
"Gay."
"Ben Affleck?"
"Married, soon to be divorced, three kids… cheated on his wife with the nanny."
"Chris Pine?"
"He as born to be charming, not sincere." Will said, with a wink.
"George Clooney?"
"Up in the Air."
"Jeremy Jordan?"
"I don't know where he's been for The Last Five Years."
"John Krasinkski?" Anne asked, wracking her brains for good looking men.
"To put it bluntly, he's married too."
"Harry Styles?"
"That boy's only going in One Direction."
"Joseph Gordon-Levitt?"
"You got a 50/50 chance of getting him on the hook."
"Jake Gyllenhaal?" Anne continued to pull names off of the list of men that Beca liked.
"No, absolutely not! He broke his back on a mountain."
"Justin Beaver?"
"I think you mean Beiber… and NO! He's Canadian and has more tattoos than Beca!" Will said playfully.
"Ian Somerhalder?"
"He got Lost on an island somewhere." Will told her. "Babe, you really need to get out more."
"Jake Johnson?"
"He's got a Wilde Drinking Buddy."
"Ryan Reynolds?"
"He hears Voices."
"John Francis Daley?"
"He's got Bones about him."
"Jamie Dornan?"
"Uhh… he spanked Dakota Johnson too hard and she left."
"Zac Efron?"
"He's already got a date for the wedding."
"Sam Rockwell?"
"He ain't no Mr. Right."
"Chase Crawford?"
"Bitch please… his brother-in-law plays for the Dallas Cowboys!" Will chuckled. "Darlin', I think it's time you lower the bar a little."
"Ok, maybe I do need to lower the bar… a little, but did Beca have to lower it that much?" Anne asked, pointing toward Jesse. "If stupid could fly, that boy would be a damn jet!"
"Annie, stop being such a judgy bitch."
"I just want her to have what we have-"
"-and she will… one day." Will said as he kissed Anne's cheek. "Aren't you supposed to be helping our girl get dressed?"
"Yes, I am but Amy's up there."
"Soooo…"
"Soooo… it's supposed to be me and Beca in the room. Not me, Beca, Amy and Amy's camel toe."
"Please tell me she's not wearing spandex again?"
Anne laughed. "Oh yes! The girl looked like Violet Beauregarde when she walked in."
"Violet Beauregarde? Who's that?"
"The girl that turned blue and blew up in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
Will shuddered. "Shit! That was a visual I didn't need."
Anne laughed as she gave him a sideways glance. "Yeah well, you don't have to be in there with the hot mess express."
"Try not to be so serious. Go… have some fun with Beca before the festivities start."
Shaking her head, Anne stood up and hugged Will before they walked into the house hand in hand. As Anne's made her way toward the stairs she stopped and looked up to the Heavens. "Sweet Jesus keep me close to the cross because being in that room with Amy will make me lose what little religion I have left in my body."
"Hey babe…"
"Yeah…" Anne answered as she turned to face Will.
"Talk to Jesse when you get a minute. It might make you feel better." Will told her.
Anne smiled. "I think I will. Thanks honey."
o~O~o
An hour later, Anne had finally talked herself into speaking with Jesse. If her daughter loved him enough to marry him, then she needed to trust her judgment and extend an olive branch to Jesse.
Jesse heard someone knock on the door then walk into the guest house without waiting for him to answer. Thinking that Casey had a change of heart and decided to come back, he was about to call out to him when he heard a female voice. "Jesse… are you in here?" Anne called out as she poured herself a glass of water.
Jesse took a deep breath and pulled his undershirt on. "I'm here." He said as he walked into the kitchen to find Anne looking around at the mess in the room. After the other discussions he'd already had that day, he was extremely defensive and couldn't imagine that this one was going to go any better than the last two but he smiled at his future mother in law.
"Do you have a minute? Can we talk?" Anne asked politely.
Jesse didn't mean to but he rolled his eyes. It was something he had picked up from Beca and he knew Anne hated it with a fiery passion. "Sure… what did I do now?" He asked as he kissed Anne's cheek.
Anne looked confused. "Who said you did anything?"
"Everyone else has chewed my ass today, why not you?"
"I didn't come here to chew you out." Anne admitted. "I just wanted to talk."
Jesse shook his head, his mood already rock solid and extremely dark. "Look… I'm marrying Beca today and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Whoa! That isn't what I came out here to talk with you about but since you've gone right off the defensive deep end, I'll just say what I've always thought." Anne said narrowing her eyes at Jesse. She paused for dramatic effect, there was no holding back. "You'll never, ever be good enough for her."
"Really?" Jesse asked. "Is that how you've always felt?"
"Yes… she deserves so much better than you."
"So, I guess that means Luke… right?"
"I never said that but yes, Luke is a fine young man and I do approve of him."
"Nothing I do will ever be good enough as far as you're concerned, will it?"
"You're probably right about that but this little attitude you have right now isn't helping matters at all." She told him. "You don't have a pot to piss in nor a window to throw it out of, so why did you ask Beca to marry you?"
"What's that got to do with the price of rice in China?"
"Everything."
"You really want to know why?"
"I asked you… didn't I?"
"I want to marry Beca because we make each other happy but you're just never going to let that happen… are you? I actually happen to love your daughter with every fiber of my being. She's my reason to keep on the straight and narrow, my port in a storm. Without her I'd-"
"-and it helps that she's got money."
"Seriously? That's what you think this is about?" Jesse asked before turning his back on Anne and looking out the window into all the activities currently going on in the backyard. He sighed as a couple of scenarios ran through his mind. "My God… I can't believe that I'm going to say this…" Jesse paused. "...you win Anne."
"What do you mean?" Anne bristled.
"I'll call the wedding off!" Jesse said, angrily stomping towards the door, throwing it open and storming out. He cast his head over his shoulder and left Anne with one last sentence. "If all of you had just backed off and left us alone, we would've been perfectly happy. All of you think you know what Beca wants but has anyone... ANYONE ever asked her what she wants? No! Because you think you all know best. Well, congratulations, I'm outta here." He yelled.
Turning, he picked up the pace as he started toward the house, almost running over Will.
"Jesse?" Will called out. He'd heard the raised voices and had come to see what was going on. Seeing Anne's face, Will walked into the guest house and closed the door. "What was that about?"
"I came in here to talk to him and right away he got all defensive with me."
"How so?"
"He said something about everyone chewing him out today."
"I think he's just really caught up in the emotion of the day."
Anne and Will stood quietly for several minutes before she finally admitted what her true feelings were. "I just want Beca to be happy and I don't think she'll ever truly be happy with Jesse. She'll constantly be worried about him falling off the wagon." Anne told him as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"But that's her cross to bear." Will said simply. "My mother didn't want me to marry you, remember"?
"That's different."
"How so? You had big hair, short skirts, enormous platforms and the word 'fuck' was every other word out of your mouth."
"True, but I wasn't an addict."
"You're right but you also didn't have the rough start that Jesse had."
"I just want Beca to be happy."
Will sat next to her, putting his hand on her knee. "What makes you think that she isn't happy?"
Anne looked away, trying to think of something, anything that she could say but words failed her. She kept thinking back over the last year and a half of Beca's life and how much had changed in that time. "I look at her and see that she's happy, she tells me she's content and that Jesse is 'the one' but my heart hurts knowing that it's not forever."
Will had to admit, Anne was right. Jesse wasn't Beca's always and forever. He wasn't the person she was going to spend the rest of her days with but they had to allow her to make her own mistakes. He pulled Anne close to him and she laid her head on his shoulder.
"What are we going to do?" Anne asked.
"I'll go and find him, convince him to go through with the wedding despite all that has happened and all that has been said. Then we'll wish them well. We'll welcome him into our home and treat him like a son. And when the fairytale ends, we'll pick up the pieces."
"Let me talk to Jesse."
"Are you sure?" Will asked.
Anne nodded but Will could see her conviction didn't reach her eyes.
o~O~o
When Jesse stormed away from Anne, he ran around to the front of the house and stood in the driveway. His breathing was ragged and his heart was thumping in his chest. He was beyond pissed but as the conversation replayed in his mind, he began to realize that perhaps Anne was right. He wasn't good enough for Beca and despite the fact that he did love her, he couldn't be everything she needed and deserved. He also realized that what Casey had said was true. He was doing something beyond despicable to Beca and it was time to do what was right. It was time to let her go.
He walked through the house, stomped up the stairs and straight to the bedroom that he shared with Beca. He was about to burst through the door but stopped short of walking in. "Beca!" He called as he banged on the door.
Jesse could hear Beca shuffling to the door as fast as her dress would allow. "What are you doing up here?" She called through the door and waited a moment for him to answer before she whispered. "Jesse, are you ok?"
"Open the door."
"No! It's bad luck for you to see me before the wedding."
"Bec… I said, open the door."
Beca cracked the door and reached for Jesse's hand. They couldn't see each other but just feeling her hand in his calmed him instantly. "What's wrong? Are you nervous?"
"Beca, I need-"
"-Jesse, I need to talk to you." Anne announced as she reached the top of the stairs.
"Beca, can I come in… please?" Jesse begged.
Before Beca could respond, Anne begin talking. "Jesse, we need to talk. It's really important." Anne told him. "Please come downstairs with me."
"Mom, just give him a minute." Beca called from the other side of the door. "Babe, what's wrong?"
Jesse turned to look at Anne and suddenly felt torn. He needed to speak with Beca but knew that he needed to give Anne the chance to clear the air especially since he was pretty sure that he'd jumped to conclusions just a few minutes earlier.
"Please…" Anne pleaded.
"Jesse, what's wrong?" Beca asked again tugging on his hand.
"Bec, I'll be right back. I love you." He told her as he kissed her hand.
"I love you too." She said before closing the door.
o~O~o
Jesse followed Anne downstairs to the guest room. Closing the door behind them, Jesse turned to face Anne. "What do you want Anne?" Jesse asked a little more forcefully than he should have.
Anne took a deep breath before speaking. "I don't want you to walk out on Beca or call the wedding off."
"You don't?" Jesse asked, looking surprised.
"No, I don't."
"What about all that stuff you just said?"
"After you left, I thought about what I said-"
"-So, am I supposed to believe that you've had some sort of epiphany in the last..." Jesse looked at his watch. "... seven minutes. You said I wasn't good enough and that I never would be."
"Jesse, it's never been about you."
"Then please, by all means enlighten me because I'm not understanding what's happening here."
"I've always been so afraid of losing her. To anyone. I had such high hopes that she'd marry a doctor or a lawyer, just like any mother would. I forget that she's like me, very headstrong and independent, someone who knows their own mind and is far more capable than the world gives them credit for. She's my only child and-"
"-This is my chance for a real family Anne." Jesse told her. "And if I'm totally honest with you, I'm scared to death of ruining it."
"Jesse, I'm begging you… please don't blow this opportunity. You've never needed my blessing or my approval. Beca has loved you from the start and she'll love you to the end. A strong woman will stop trying when she feels unwanted, she won't beg or plead, she'll just walk away. The truth is, even when the two of you broke up, Beca never truly walked away from you. She was always with you." Anne confessed as she looked him in the eyes. She saw something in Jesse that she hadn't seen before and was unsure exactly what it meant. "I promise that I'll get out of your way and let the two of you be happy."
"Damnit Anne! That's not what I want. I want you to be involved in our life. We're going to need your guidance and support not only with our marriage but when we decide to add to our family. And when we are blessed with children, we will decide what's best-"
"-Well, you know… Will and I have raised an amazing daughter and my advic-"
"-Will be requested when and if it is needed, not before."
Looking defeated, Anne agreed. "Ok. Will you name one of your babies after me?"
"We can do that." Jesse smiled, with a small wink. "And about the holidays…"
Anne gasped. "Am I not invited?"
"You're always welcome here. Promise me that you'll be here for every holiday, birthday, school play, piano recital, and soccer game in our kid's lives. I want you to love them, and spoil them and teach them all the things that Beca and I can't. I want you there, Anne. You and Will."
"I can do that." Anne said. Jesse held out his arms in a friendly, non threatening way that Anne recognized as a plea to be hugged and she stepped forward eagerly. As she embraced Jesse, she whispered, "Please take care of my girl Jesse, she's all I've got."
"I promise to always take care of her. You have my word." Jesse said, wrapping his arms around his future mother in law. Maybe being a part of Beca's family wasn't going to be so bad after all.
"Now... we don't have time to be standing around chit chatting." Anne said, straightening up and brushing her clothes gently. "We have a wedding to attend and you are quite clearly not dressed for the occasion. Where is your best man?"
"He had to... we had a fight... and he left."
"You finish getting ready. I'll call Casey." Anne said, giving Jesse a gentle shove towards the bedroom door.
"He won't come back and what about-"
"-Let me have your phone and I'll sort it out."
"But-"
"-No buts. Now scoot."
"Yes ma'am." Jesse said, pausing with his hand on the doorknob as he dug around in his pocket for his phone. "And Anne..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you.
"You're welcome." Anne said, taking the phone in Jesse's hand. "Now, hurry along."
As soon as Jesse left the room, Anne sat on the couch. She was fighting back the tears that threatened to fall as she didn't want to ruin her makeup before the ceremony even started. Sighing heavily, she looked down at the phone in her hand, sliding her thumb gently over the home screen. Unlocking the phone she saw Jesse had a message.
Anne wasn't sure whether to tell Jesse that his friend was running late for the wedding but she needed to make things right with his brother first. Scrolling through Jesse's contacts, she was surprised at just how empty his list was. Feeling a pang of guilt, she found Casey's number and pressed the call button. He answered after two rings.
"Jesse, don't fu-"
"-Casey? This is Anne… Rebeca's mother."
"Oh... hi Mrs Mitchell. I'm sorry, I thought... wait, why are you calling from Jesse's phone?"
"Jesse is just getting dressed and I hoped I could have a moment of your time to see if I could persuade you to come back for the wedding."
"I'm listening." Casey said.
A/N: So... What do you think happens next? Will Casey return for the wedding or will he rat his brother out once and for all? Please don't forget to read and review. I love hearing from all of you.