VINDICTIVE

Episode 11

“Enjoy your meal everyone and we hope to see you there. Especially for the reception to which everyone is invited!” Liam led me off stage as the last round of cheering began to die. With very little effort, he slipped me through a door behind the stage. Now alone in a small white room, decorated like a dressing room he kissed me on the cheek.

“Sorry about calling you out like that princess, I just want everyone to understand how amazing you are.”

Stepping back, he took a good look at my dress and make up. “And you did it, you did the make up just for me? It's very spooky, edgy. Right up to the line without crossing it. I love it.” His gushing derailed my thoughts.

Those hazel eyes drew me in as he tilted my head up, his thumb resting teasingly on my lower lip.

“I love you” he hummed. In those words and those eyes I see everything ive ever wanted. “I love you to”

I smiled, happily.

Quickly he brushed back his hair and straightened his tie in the mirror. “Well Juliet, shall we have our last dinner as fiancés?” He teased. Looping my arm around his I nodded. “Yes Romeo, I believe we shall.”

Together we sat at their most luxurious table. Silky seats on gorgeous dark wood. The table itself is decorated with a golden glitter pumpkin, white elegant branches, everything is delicately on the halloween theme, but with taste. Liam took a sip of his drink before placing his hand on mine, stroking gently.

“I missed you”

Embarrassed at my mouthful off food, I swallowed. “Love you to honey. I still cant believe this is all happening. Its crazy.” He only shrugged. “Its not so crazy when your as in love as I am” he teased. Kissing the back of my hand. He's being much more affectionate than usual, of course I could chalk that up to our wedding being in less than an hour but its starting to make me a bit self conscious and I guess he can tell. “Jules you ok?” He asked, concern across his face.

Eagerly I nodded. “Yea I'm fine.”

“You sure? You have that look”

Unable to meet his eye I pretended to continue to eat.

“What look? Theres no look” Liams brow furrowed.,

“Darling, we have not been together as long as other people but I've known you long enough to know when you're upset, is there something I can do? Something I can fix? I want you to be happy Jules, anything you want.”

In silence my fork poked at my food. He waited patiently. When what felt like forever later I put my utensils down, clicking loudly on the plate.

“You don't.. think we're rushing this, do you?”

The look on his face scared me. Never have I seen someone look so scared. “Jules..” His voice and hand shook as he took my hand, kissing it repeatedly.

“Princess, what's brought this on? Is it the theme? The dress? Did you not like the girls?” My mind froze more and more with each quest as he became increasingly more desperate. “I-I'm so sorry, This was the only cruise I could book last second. I'm just so in love with you, all I want is to marry you as soon as possible. I've wanted to marry you from the moment we met jules. You’re absolutely everything to me.

Don't you love me?”

His hands grasped mine as if for life, holding them over his heart. I can feel his heart beat beneath my fingertips. Those deep dark eyes burned into me. I never should have asked, he's so hurt. I don't want to hurt him. I just..

Without another thought I kissed him. “You know I do.”

He smiled as I pulled back, that twinkle starting to relight. “This is just all moving so fast I just… can't believe it's really happening. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything” He leaned back in his chair. Now much more relaxed.

“Well if that's all it was then no you really shouldn't”

he chuckled. “You had me really worried there”

For the next while I picked at my food, people one by one came to our table with congratulations and well wishes. And one by one we thanked them as the time ticked down. Soon it was time to begin the ceremony.

Tables began to empty as people headed to the ballroom. A soft tapping on my shoulder made me jump from my thoughts as I turned around.

It's the girls. My assigned bridesmaids.

“We have to get ready,” Laura whispered. I nodded. Giving Liam a chaste kiss on his cheek before leaving with them. Amber fell in line beside me as we walked.

“Hey listen, I.. I'm really sorry about before. You had every right to walk out. It's just sometimes I say things without really thinking and-“ Raising my hand I cut her off, not in the mood to talk to anyone.

“It's fine, I'm not upset, let's just do this ok?”

Nervously, she slowed down, now walking more behind me with the others.

I can do this. I love him.

Turning a corner we entered a large room, to the right were giant doors leading out to the ballroom and the top of the aisle. Running over I curiously peeked through the doors, hoping to see the room fully decorated but all I could make out was blobs of red and white so at least he kept with my favorite colours.

With a sigh I turned from the door, coming face to face with Jenny with a bouquet of roses in her hand. “Here”

Offering her a smile I took them, smelling them.

“They’re beautiful” I hummed. Strolling over I sat in a chair to wait. The girls all checked their hair and appearances one last time when the door we entered opened with a click. A small woman dressed in all black poked her head in. “We're all ready” she chimed happily. For a few moments simply forgot to breathe.