Forgive and Let Go (Completed)

The engagement (5 years ago)

I stood there completely speechless with tears running down my face. I wasn't sad. I was just shocked. Do I want to marry Will? I think back to all of the times where I couldn't do anything but daydream about getting married. Now that I have a man kneeling in front of me I can't even speak.

"Olivia?" He was waiting patiently for my answer.

Finally, I was able to form the words that I had wanted to say, "Yes! Yes, I will marry you."

Will stood up taking the ring out of the box and sliding it onto my ring finger. I held my hand up admiring the ring before throwing my arms around Will's neck to pull him down to me. I smashed my lips into his. He was laughing throughout the kiss.

"I thought for a minute there that you were going to tell me no." He said as he pulled back from me.

"I would be stupid to tell you no. You have been amazing to me."

"That's the only reason you said yes?" Becca teased as we made our way over to her and Nick.

"No, I love him. He is the best thing that could have happened to me."

"Ok, so before we start eating I have something I need to tell you." Becca looked at me still smiling.

"You're pregnant?!" I throw out.

"Oh no! Why would you think that?" Becca scowled at me.

"You're just so happy and glowing. That was just my guess. Ok, tell me."

"So before Will called us yesterday, Nick took me out for lunch. He proposed to me. So, I am engaged too!" She excitedly jumped up and down. She pulls her ring out of her pocket and puts her ring on her finger.

"What!!!??!! Why didn't you just leave your ring on?" I asked

"I didn't want you to notice until Will got to propose to you."

"We can have our engagement party together like we always planned!" I said excitedly.

"Oh boy." "Here they go" Both Will and Nick said at the same time.

"Let's go eat," I say grabbing Will's hand. He brings my hand up to his mouth and kisses it.

The four of us sit down on the huge-sized blanket that Will brought with us. Will leaned back into a rock so that I could sit in between his legs and lean back against him.

I glance up just as Becca is taking a picture. She has been taking pictures all night. I couldn't wait to see them and announce to the world that I would be becoming Olivia Jackson Kuttler one day soon. My parents, especially my mom, would be excited. She has been waiting for this day to come.

I pulled my phone out and pulled up my camera.

"Let me hold your hand for a minute" I grab Will's left hand with my left hand.

I intertwine out fingers with my hand being on top and took a picture, showing off my gorgeous ring.

"I'm glad you're happy baby," Will says.

I lean back into him again and look up at him.

"You know, I'm really glad I met you and we got to know each other. I'm thankful for you every day."

He leans down to me and kisses me. "I'm thankful for you too baby."

***

Four days later, Becca and I have our engagement party all planned out. We haven't been able to talk face to face but we have been talking every day on the phone to get all of the details sorted out. The guys think that we're crazy as hell. But they made us this way when they asked us to marry them.

"Can I please have your attention for a little while?" Will asked grabbing me by the waist as I go to walk by him for the millionth time.

"You do have my attention. I'm just trying to get last-minute things put together for Saturday."

"You and Becca threw this party together pretty quickly."

"Well, we wanted to get it planned and done while I knew that you and I would be off of work. You know how crazy our schedule is."

"That's true. Did you at least invite my parents and brothers?"

My eyes widened and I threw my hand over my mouth, "Oh no, I knew I forgot something ..." I began laughing. "Really babe, I would never forget your awesome parents and hot brothers." I wrap my arms around his torso laying my head on his chest.

"Har Har.. You're so funny." He hugs me kissing the top of my head in the process.

"I still can't believe we will be married this time next year," I tell him still wrapped in his arms.

"I'm ready for you to have my last name."

Pulling away from him I look up at him. "We could always just go elope. No one would have to know."

"You would not be happy with that, baby. I want you to be able to enjoy the whole nine yards of this wedding. I'm looking forward to it"

"You're right. Wanna go get naked and get in the hot tub? Maybe watch a movie?"

"That sounds amazing. Especially the getting naked part." He leans down kissing me before backing away and darting towards the backyard. 

***

It's the day of our engagement party. We invited about 150 people in total. At least 100 people have shown up.

Becca and Nick arrived last night. They spent the night with us since we decided on having the party here at our home. When they arrived Becca pulled me to the side letting me know that JP would be coming along with his daughter. Nick had to invite his best friend, which I completely understood, I just wasn't looking forward to seeing him. My parents, of course, couldn't make it as usual. Ever since I moved in with Will, they have been pretty distant. My mom seemed excited about me getting married but when she told me they couldn't be here, it made me second guess how she was actually feeling about it all.

"People will start arriving any minute." Will comes into our bedroom where I am sitting in front of the mirror looking at my reflection.

My long black hair is wavy today falling just below my shoulders. I am wearing a white lace dress that falls just above my knees with a nude color pair of wedges.

"Are you ok?" Will asks me sitting on the edge of our bed.

I stand up and walk towards him sitting down beside him.

"I'm just kind of upset that my parents won't be here. I just don't understand why they aren't coming."

Will throws his arm around my shoulders pulling me into him.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sure they have a good reason for why they aren't here."

"I guess so. I'll be ok. Let's go downstairs and join Becca and Nick."

Right time we get downstairs the doorbell rings.

"I'll get it," I say walking to the door.

When I open the door, the one person I wasn't looking forward to seeing was standing there.

"Hey, Liv." JP smiles at me. With a gorgeous 3-year-old holding his hand.