Chapter Four
1680 Words
Philip and I sat in the cafeteria, talking about everything that had happened that led up to him and my best mate getting married.
"It was a spur of the moment thing, honestly. It's been about two months. We were watching a movie and I had a few drinks and we were just talking about the movie when I blurted out that I wanted to marry her." He tells me, looking away and smiling small.
I lean forward, resting my chin on my palm as I watch him.
"She just looked at me like I was crazy and then I realized what I had said and I was about to take it back but Ii knew that what I said was a sober thought; that I actually wanted to marry her. And so I told her that I was serious, professed my love and that we'd have a big wedding one day but that I wanted her right then. Right then, at that moment, I wanted her to be mine forever. She just kissed me and said "okay". The next morning we got dressed up and went to the courthouse."
"Did you tell anyone?" I ask.
Philip shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders as he looks back to me. "Not really. I didn't want to tell Will until we were both ready to let people know. And I figured Bri would've told you the second it happened or the night I told her that I wanted to get married."
It was my turn to shrug my shoulders. "I don't really blame her. It did shock me a bit when you just told me but if she wasn't ready to tell me or anyone then who am I to push the subject? It's a decision that the two of you have to make if you want your marriage to be public."
My friend smiles at me and reaches over the table, grabbing my hands gently in his and looking me in the eye.
"I think you need to talk to William. Sit him down and tell him how you feel about this. Have you talked to anyone else about your fears of this?" Philip asks. I nod, letting out a shaky breath. "Yes! I talked with his own mother! She said I have nothing to worry about and that everyone struggles with this and by William and I not being married won't push shame on anyone. And I told him this in the car before we went to your place and he didn't really react to it, just to the fact that Anne complimented me and actually gave me a hug."
Philip dropped my hands and his eyes widened. "Wait, she actually embraced you?!"
I roll my eyes and throw my hands up before dropping them to my lap. "Is that so shocking to people?"
"Yes!" Philip exclaims, "it's very shocking. Do you not know her?"
"Of course I kn-" I was cut off by Philip's phone ringing and he pulls it out of his pocket, his eyes widening even more and his mouth dropping as he sees the number.
"It's Bri's doctor."
"Answer it!"
Philip swallows and answers his phone, holding it up to his ear. "This is Philip."
The conversation was inaudible but Philip's eyes began to well up with tears and stood up quickly, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet. "I'm on the way," he says quickly before hanging up and putting his phone away.
"What's going on? Is Bri okay?" I ask, confused.
"Bri's completely dilated and ready to push. I'm about to be a dad." Philip hugs me tightly and then we both run to the nearest elevator.
Once we are on the labor and delivery floor, Philip kisses my cheek and books it for his wife's room. I smile as he leaves and walks over to the waiting room where I find William asleep on the couch, his head tilted back against the wall, and his mouth open.
I swear he can fall asleep anywhere.
I make my way over to him and gently stroke his cheek, kissing his forehead. "William? Baby, wake up." I whisper.
William opens his eyes and looks at me, then sits up quickly and wraps his arms around me, burying his face into my stomach. "Oh Rhett, I'm so sorry. I said stupid things and I wasn't thinking. I love you so, so much and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize what we have. You told me about what you and my mother had talked about and I wasn't paying attention. I know how much this all means to you and I need to be more understanding and accep-"
"Agreed."
"I don't care if we have this baby right now, on this floor. I just want us to be happy and together. No matter what happens, you're going to be an amazing mother and Bri and Philip are going to be great too. I don't know what came over me and I'm so, so sorry."
William stands up and cups my face in his hands, looking me in the eyes. "How can you even stand me?" he asks quietly.
I shrug, smirking. "I don't know. Love makes us do some weird shit."
We both laugh and I lean up, kissing William softly. "And I'm sorry too. I think I'm just extremely overly emotional right now with everything going on and I took it out on you and I shouldn't have."
"No way, everything you said was true. I think we just need to focus on what we both really want when it comes to our marriage and our family." William says, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
I nod, resting my head against his chest. He rubs my back and I feel him kiss my head.
"Where'd Philip go?" he asks.
I wrap my arms around his waist and smile. "The doctor called. Bri's having the baby right now. Hopefully, everything goes okay and we can see her soon."
William nods and we finally sit down on the small couch, both of us leaning against each other as we wait.
It was almost two hours later before Philip came out, his face red and eyes puffy from crying. He hugged William and I and then led us inside the room.
Bri was lying on the bed, her hair was up in a very messy bun and some hair was stuck to her sweaty and tear-stained face. She was holding her baby that was wrapped in a soft pink swaddle. Bri looks up at us when we walk in and she smiles, tears forming in her eyes again as she lets out a soft laugh.
I immediately rush over and kiss her cheek, giving her an awkward hug. "I'm so glad you're both okay."
Bri smiles and glances over at Philip who comes and stands on the other side of his wife, gently squeezing her leg.
"Rhett, William...we'd like to introduce you to your Goddaughter, Maggie-Jane."
My jaw drops and William and I both are at a loss of words. My own eyes begin to well up with fresh tears as I look down at my best friend and her daughter. "Bri, I don't know what to say.."
"Don't say anything. You've been like a sister to me for years, Rhett. There is absolutely no way that you aren't going to be one of the most important people in our daughter's life. And William, " she says, looking over to him, "I feel the same way about you. And I'm not taking no for an answer so that's that."
We all let out a laugh and I look between Philip and Bri. "M-May I hold her?"
Bri nods and gently hands me the small human. As I hold Maggie-Jane in my arms, I smile down at her. She has a head full of dark hair that she gets from her mother and a pasty complexion that she gets from her father. I brush my finger against her cheek softly and I gasp in awe as she wraps her small hands around my finger.
William stands behind me and kisses my cheek, reaching around to gently caress Maggie-Jane as I did. "She is so precious." He says.
Philip smiles and gently moves into the bed with Bri, moving her hair out of her face and whispering to her as she leans into him and lets out soft cries.
I guess Maggie-Jane sensed her mother crying and began to cry as well. I carefully handed the baby to Bri and watched as she began rocking her baby. "She's probably hungry again," she says.
I smile to her and reach out, holding her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "'We'll get out of your hair, let you guys have some time. I love you so, so much."
"I love you too. We'll call soon, okay? But let Philip know when you guys make it home, okay?" she asks.
William nods and Philip gets up and walks us out of the room. As soon as the door is shut, Philip hugs William and I. "Thank you guys for being here, it truly means a lot."
"Of course, mate. You're family." William says, patting his friends back.
Philip nods and we say our final goodbye's before leaving.
On the way to the car, William puts his arm around my shoulders and it's silent the entire walk.
William opens my door for me and helps me get in and then jogs around to the right side and gets in. He buckles up and starts the car and turns to say something to me when I lean forward, smashing my lips against his in a deep kiss.
William was shocked at first but soon melts into the kiss and cups the back of my head in his hand. He bites my bottom lip gently and tugs at it, making me moan softly and grip his thigh. He pulls back and rests his forehead against mine as we both catch our breaths.
"I love you, William," I whisper. William smiles and pecks my lips. "I love you more. Now let's get home and finish this."
- Writer
