Chapter Sixteen
1003 Words
S H A Y
Don't ever tell me that you've been broken. Just don't. Your girlfriend or boyfriend went away? Nothing. He or she cheated on you? Please. Consider yourself lucky.
Because nothing hurts more than standing by yourself at the love of your life's wedding.
Yes. Today is the day Sasha becomes Mrs. Sheaffer. What happened the night I tried to get her back? Well, I saw her and Hudson kissing on our couch. Apparently he beat me to her again.
I approached the steps of our house and took a deep breath with a huge smile. I'm going to get her back today. Yes, today. I couldn't wait any longer. I clutched the orchids in my sweaty hand and I brushed my hair using my shaking fingers. I was nervous. But I'm super excited.
My wife will be ours again.
But I spoke too soon. Because as soon as I opened the door, I saw her kissing Hudson. She didn't even hear me come in. She was probably too caught up. So I just shoved the orchids in a bush and drove as far as I could to clear my head.
"Hey, Shan. She's kinda waiting for you." Lucy nudged me.
"I don't want to." I whispered.
"She needs closure. You're the only one who could give it to her." She replied.
"You don't know how hard it is." I almost sobbed.
Benzo noticed me whimper and she gave me a one-armed hug. She lifted my chin up so I could look at her clearly. "Hey, it's okay. Just think of this, you can find another hot girl and not be tied down to one. It's gonna be okay."
"Why are you guys even here? I thought you didn't want to see her?" I whispered.
Troian patted my cheek. "Yes, but we wanted to see you. I don't even know why you're here."
"I wanted to see her." I choked. "How pretty she is. How she'll be walking down the aisle."
They all gave me a hug and they comforted me for a while.
"Ms. Mitchell? The bride wants you inside." An organizer said.
"Can someone else do it?" Benzo glared at him.
"Sorry, ma'am. Specific orders."
"Let it go, guys. I want this." I affirmed.
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked.
I huffed. "Yes."
***
"Mom." Avery said in acknowledgement.
Ashley and him were helping put little flowers on Sasha's gown. She had this beautiful crown with different kinds and colors of flowers. Her hair was in a braid and it fell down on her right shoulder. If things were a little better, I would've kissed her right now. But I had no choice but to stare at her as our kids fixed her dress.
"Hey, bud." I whispered. I looked at Sasha and said, "You look really beautiful. More than ever." Tears were welling up in my eyes as I saw her eyes flicker to me.
"Ash, Aves, can you go get me the bouquet? I think your Mamu has it." She asked.
Ashley and Avery made a solemn nod and my eyes fell to the floor when she stood up from her stool and wiped my stray tears.
"Don't cry. Please." Sasha sobbed.
But I only shook my head as the tears kept gushing out.
"You know what to say Shay. Get me out. Get us out!" She shouted-cried.
Of course I knew what she wanted me to tell her. She wanted me to tell her that I wanted her and I wanted her back. But I just couldn't get my mouth to say it. "I-I, uh...I..."
Then I was cut off by the door opening and the man from earlier peeked through the gap.
"We're starting, Ms. Pieterse." He said. "You're needed at the altar."
"Just a minute." Sasha replied, not even looking up at him. Her eyes were still intently at mine.
"We don't have a minute, ma'am. We'll start now." He commanded.
Cerulean blue eyes pierced my soul as I looked deeply at it. She was so mesmerizing. "Shay..." She pleaded.
"Mommy! Here are your flowers!" I heard Ashley shout from the hallway.
"Ma'am." The man said impatiently.
I looked down on the floor. She sadly let go of my hand and walked out of the room, taking my heart with her.
***
"Friends and family, we are here to witness the union of our own Hudson and Sasha as they..." The priest started off.
I wasn't really listening as he blabbed about love and the happiness it brings. I was too focused on every single person in the church and their expressions. The girls were all wearing frowns and scowls as they looked at Hudson. Susan, Sasha's mom, was still shaking her head in disapproval like she did since she arrived. Ashley was staring at her mom solemnly and I could've sworn she had a tear in her eye. Hudson was wearing an obnoxious grin that only kids have when they receive a big fat parcel of a gift check for the toy store. He made me a little queasy.
But Sasha and Avery faces meant the world to me. Avery, who looked a lot like Sasha with my skin and hair, wore the exact same pleading expression his mother wore. And somehow, I knew they were both pleading for me to do something.
I tried moving and objecting, but my butt stopped me. Like it was saying that doing what I think is right is wrong. That is until Avery started sobbing quietly.
"Hey, bud. What's wrong?" I asked in a whisper.
He shook his head.
"Avery what's-"
"I want her to be my Mommy." He cried.
"Aves, she's still your mom. Nothing's gonna change." I assured.
"You also said that when you and Mommy broke up." He whispered. "Do something, Mom." He pleaded just like how Sasha did earlier.
And that was when my body felt in auto-pilot. I stood up from my chair and with all my might, shouted the word, "Stop!"
- Writer
