Emilia's POV

Surprisingly, Ashton was unnaturally calm last night. He was exhausted that's for sure, and he had every reason to be. Babysitting your child and then giving her up isn't an easy or pleasant task. But I loved watching him interact with Reina. The smile on his face was beautiful and he looked at her with such adoration and love. It was like he saw his whole world sitting in front of him. And yet, he tore himself away for her sake.

I have the upmost respect and sympathy for someone who would be willing to do that. I just wish it didn't have to be him.

Before Ashton and I went to sleep last night, Natalie texted me with the time and location of the bachelorette party. At first I didn't care, but now that I've had time to sleep on it, I'm not too thrilled to know that we'll be going to a casino. It's mostly because 1) I've never been to one, and 2) the idea of gambling and losing my money with only luck on my side isn't appealing.

I'm not quite sure what to expect tonight. I made the decision to go to the party with little thought. I'm not even sure what I should say to Natalie. I barely know her personally, and yet I'm about to go spend what's supposed to be an important and memorable night for a bride with her. Now as I finish getting ready before Natalie comes to pick me and Julia up from the hotel, I'm kicking myself for not taking the time to consider my options before I accepted her invitation.

"I swear all this makeup is making me break out," I mumble to myself, resisting the urge to poke at the concealed blemishes that are starting to peek through the surface of my skin. I take one last glance in the mirror and tug at the hem of my dress, silently wishing it were a touch longer. However, the hidden pockets make up for the short length.

Ashton and the boys left to Nathan's bachelor party a few minutes ago. They practically drug Ashton out from our room and cheered as they parted down the hallway until the closing of the elevator doors silenced them. He left with a smile on his face and I only hope it remains while he's out.

When I receive Natalie's arrival text, I slip on my shoes and fetch Julia from her room before we head down to the lobby.

Standing by the revolving entrance doors, Natalie bounces on her feet and waves to us with something in her hands. A white sash with the word "BRIDE" written across it hangs over her shoulder, accentuating the rhinestone-encrusted and pink-feathered plastic tiara on her head.

"I'm sorry that I'm a little late," Natalie says, once we're within distance. "There was a ton of construction on the way over here."

"Don't worry about it," Julia says with a dismissive wave. "It actually worked in our favor and gave us a little more time to get ready."

"I'm so glad you two are coming," Natalie says, and then reveals the small objects in her hands. She holds out two miniature tiaras that match her large one. "I brought these for you two. I can't have all the fun wearing this getup now can I?"

Yes, yes you can.

I politely nod and take the tiara from the palm of her hand. Julia helps center mine on my head and practically digs the comb into my scalp to make it stay in place. I do the same to her but with a much gentler hand.

We follow Natalie out of the hotel and to a short limousine, which she says Elijah paid for to keep us safe, knowing that we'll most likely be drinking tonight. I highly appreciate his concern and generosity, but I can do without the fancy schmancy car. However, it's nice to experience such a luxury.

There are only two other girls in the car when we slide in. Both are wearing the same matching tiaras as Julia and I, and I don't feel as ridiculous wearing it now. One of the girls appears to be around the same age as us, while the other isn't that much older but she definitely has a mature vibe to her.

"My other bridesmaids aren't able to come tonight," Natalie informs, slamming the car door shut behind her. "They're my cousins and they're underage, so it'll just be us five." She turns to look over her shoulder and tells the driver the location of the casino before sliding back into conversation. "Colleen," Natalie calls, and the curvy girl wearing a tight bun on her head greets us with a short wave. "This is Emilia—Ashton's new girlfriend, and this is her friend, Julia."

She looks shocked for a second, widening her eyes and slacking her jaw ever so slightly. "When Nat told me you were coming I was pretty damn shocked," Colleen says as she shakes my hand. "Now I'm in even more shock and slightly disappointed because you're really cute but taken."

I blink several times, unsure how to take her compliment, before smiling. I'm flattered to say the least, but this is my first time a girl has said something like this to me. It's nice and refreshing to receive these sorts of compliments from the same gender.

"Don't mind her," Natalie tells me. "Ever since her last girlfriend, she's been feeling a little down because she seems to believe that every person she's dates runs away from her. Now she thinks she's never going to get married."

"I like to call it the bridesmaid's blues," Colleen says. "Is that a thing already? If not I'm totally trade marking it."

The other woman, poised and with a striking resemblance to Natalie, leans forward. "Emilia, it's good to finally meet you. I'm Myra--Luke's sister-in-law. But you might know me better as this girl's sister," she says, patting Natalie's shoulder. "Luke told me about you and Ashton when he came over to our house. And Julia, you're dating Calum, correct?"

"That's right," Julia says with a hint of pride. I wonder if Calum is that proud when people ask about Julia. "Did Luke tell you about us too?"

"No. But I've known Calum for quite some time and you seem like the person who can handle that crazy boy."

"He is quite a lot to handle," Julia jokes, but given the hesitation in her laugh and personally witnessing her put Calum in his place when necessary, there's no joke about it.

"You won't have to worry about him, though," Myra assures. "My hubby has everything under control. He and Luke planned a good time for the guys tonight, so they shouldn't get out of hand, not even Calum."

I internally cringe at her use of the word "hubby." Mom used to call Dad that when I was younger and I hated it as much back then as I do now. Maybe I'm being too judgmental. Might as well let lovers be lovers, because I'm more than sure Ashton and I can be as sickening as that nickname.

Julia and I sit awkwardly in our seats during the drive. We feel so out of place, mainly because we're riding in a car with my boyfriend's cheating, lying ex-fiancée, but the over joyous laughter from the bride and bridesmaids as they comment on the list of normal and x-rated items that we need to gather for a scavenger hunt while we're out adds to the uneasiness.

It's a relief to get out of the car when we reach the casino. Colleen and Natalie were singing off key to whatever was on the radio while Myra only bobbed her head to the beat, and I'm more than sure the driver rolled up the window separating the front and back seats to escape the noise.

Neon lights from inside the casino gleam through the large window panels surrounding the entire building. The exterior is just as bright and colorful and practically an art show in itself. Yet, the only thing I can think about is how expensive the electricity bill is.

We go inside and find our way into the main gaming room. A light haze of smoke looms over the room, the stench of cigarettes burning my nostrils. Dozens of poker and roulette tables are lined in perfect parallel lines across the floor. There are several crowds around a couple of tables, the bystanders keeping a close eye on the dealer, but most of the tables are either vacant or have only a few people seated. At the far back of the room, slot machines are sounding off in constant chaos, and people chat and cheer of their wins and losses. The majority sitting at the slots are old folks, but there are several younger gamblers within the bunch.

A man carrying a tray of drinks greets us and congratulates Natalie. He hands us each a complimentary cocktail before wishing us a lucky night.

"Before we start throwing our hard-earned money down the drain—" Myra starts, pulling us into a huddle (last I checked this was a bachelorette party, not a football game), "—let's raise a toast to Natalie. Little Sister, you're going to embark on a new journey after tomorrow and you're going to be scared sometimes, but don't you worry because there's alcohol—the cause and effect of so much in this world. Tonight is the night we treat ourselves and learn to have some fun because we're probably going to wish we didn't in the morning. Here's to the bride-to-be!"

Colleen lets out a celebratory "wooo" before practically downing her drink in seconds, followed by Myra and Natalie. I bring the glass to my lips, but I don't tilt it up.

Julia leans in towards me. "Let loose," she says, nudging my arm. "You deserve some time to relax after everything. Not to mention we're technically still on spring break and that automatically calls for at least one drink during a night out in town." She holds out her glass, patiently waiting for me to raise mine.

I didn't realize how uptight I've been. It's all for good reason, but I feel like I'm aging faster than I should. The massive amount of concealer that I had to use under my eyes is proof enough. I smile and click my glass against hers before taking a long sip on the drink. It's sweet and tastes just like iced tea. Julia used to warn me about drinks that tasted like they didn't have any alcohol in them when we first started drinking legally. She said that they'll hit you the fastest because they have the most alcohol but you wouldn't even know it. Given my now half-full glass, I think it's safe to say that this drink may be the start to a good night.

We observe a few poker and blackjack games and dabble in a game of roulette, obtaining a few items from the scavenger hunt list in the process (a drawing of a rhino from a stranger, an unopened flavored condom that fell out from a woman's clutch, and a man's tie), before we inevitably separate to difference parts of the gaming room.

I stay with Julia while she plays slots and laugh every time she curses the machine for not giving her more money. She lets me play one game for her but after I win less than five dollars she doesn't let me play anymore.

"I have to be cautious, Em," she says, her eyes never wavering from the scrolling images. "Calum gave me a money limit so I have to use what I have wisely."

"So sitting on your ass and pressing a button is using it wisely?" I say and drink what's left in my glass. "How much money do you have left?"

"About fifty," she says.

"And how much did you have to start off with?"

"One-fifty."

"How did you blow off a hundred dollars already?"

"By losing and then winning and winning and winning," she says with a grin. "You should try it. It's fun." Casinos really bring out the greed in people.

"At least go play a different game before you spend all your money," I say.

Julia finally peels her eyes away from the game and groans. "Fine, Mom." She ends her game and grabs the ticket with her winnings on it and shoves it into her purse for safe keeping. "But before that, I need you to get me another drink while I go pee."

"You know there's this thing called subtlety; you should try it one day."

"I would, but you're my best friend and I love you like a sister and that means inescapable blunt conversations between us," she says before planting a kiss on my cheek. "Wait for me at the bar. I won't be long."

I wait until Julia disappears into the women's bathroom before heading into the bar and ordering us drinks. I sit at an empty table nearest to and overlooking the gaming floor and pull out my phone while I wait for my tipsy friend to return. I keep my head low and ignore the few lingering stares from intoxicated men in the bar and begin typing a text to Ashton.

"How's it going over there?" I send.

"It's okay," he replies quickly, as if he's been waiting for me to text him. "The guys are watching a football game so it's not completely boring."

"The American kind or the soccer kind of football?" I ask.

"The soccer kind."

I didn't know he liked sports. This is honestly the first time I've ever heard him show an interest in it.

"It helps that Jack bought good beer too." Another message quickly follows. "I won't drink too much."

"You don't have to restrict yourself for my sake," I send.

"We have a wedding to attend tomorrow. I think it's in my best interest to not drink too much lol same goes for you."

He has a point. However, even if we did get unintentionally hammered, the wedding isn't until tomorrow evening so we'd have plenty of time to rid ourselves of a hangover.

"Are you having a good time?" his next message reads.

I look up from my phone and study the room, noting all the games that I could play but choose not to. I'm enjoying myself but maybe I'd enjoy myself more if I immersed myself in the gambling experience instead of watching from afar. I don't have time to respond to Ashton's text before I see Natalie pull away from one of the poker tables.

Spotting me, she smiles and ambles over towards me. "I take it that's Ash you're texting?" she says, sitting down in the chair next to me.

"Um, yeah," I say, stuffing my phone into my dress pocket. "I was just checking up on him, to see how the bachelor party was going."

"I'm sure he and the other boys are doing fine," she says. "You should get up and go have some fun. I'd hate for you to spend all your time sitting here."

"I'm not the best gambler," I say. The closest I've gotten to gambling was using Cheetos as poker chips in a game against my Mom. My first draw was a royal flush and I won the game. She accused me of cheating but it was just sheer dumb luck.

"I'm not so hot at it either, but there's just something thrilling about testing your luck. Come on, it'll be fun." She drags me by the arm out onto the gaming floor towards an empty blackjack table with a dealer who perks up at the sight of new players. Thankfully I didn't spill my drink as she drug me over here, but I can't say the same to Julia's that is still on the table in the bar.

Natalie forces me to sit at the table with her before handing the dealer a twenty dollar note, and he exchanges the value in chips. I've never gambled while playing blackjack before so I give the dealer the same amount.

"So is this your first bachelorette party?" Natalie asks, placing two chips on the table, and I copy her actions.

"Yeah, I've never had the opportunity to go to one," I say. Although it's not so much the opportunity so much as not befriending anyone who is getting married.

Her eyes widen, as if it's the most unbelievable thing she's heard all evening. "Really? Not even a wedding?"

"I'm not much of a social person."

"Wow, I guess I'm so used to it because everyone around my age has been getting engaged or married and I've attended several weddings. It has sort of become the norm for me."

I guess we are at the age where everyone is wanting to or considering settling down. Seems as though people want to get married at such a young age nowadays. Why has it become a standard to get married before you're twenty-five? What ever happened to putting yourself and your career first?

"How do you like your bachelorette party so far?" I ask in attempt to avoid awkward silence. I'd say my small talk skills are improving a little.

"I love it!" Natalie says. "I won some money, but I lost it after I played a game of poker with Myra. Let's just say I don't know how to place bets very well. Or play poker."

"As long as you're having fun," I say, smiling and stirring the leftover ice from my drink. When did I finish this?

"You don't have to keep pretending to be nice to me, Emilia," Natalie says, tapping her unused chips against the table. "Ashton told you everything about me, I know it. And I know there has to be things you don't like about me. Hell, there are things even I don't like about me."

It's not a matter of pretending. I genuinely like Natalie despite all that she's done. I've been told she didn't appear to be remorseful about her actions with Ashton, but I beg to differ. Apology is written all over her face in bold. I've seen nothing but remorse from her since we've been here.

"You're a bitch," I blurt out anyway. The dealer shifts in place and I wouldn't doubt he's uncomfortable now, but he continues to deal cards anyway. "I don't throw that word out often but that's the only way I can describe you. Cheating on Ashton, inviting him to the wedding, hiding Reina; those are bitchy things to do."

"Keep going," Natalie says, sitting on the edge of her seat, almost pumped that I'm lashing out on her.

I'm taken aback for a second before I continue. "I've always wanted to hate you for what you did. When Ashton first told me about you, I was disgusted. And that feeling grew as you continued to hurt him. I may not have been around long in his life, but I've seen what you did to him. You don't realize how much damage you've done. You shattered him. I don't understand how someone can do that to someone they once loved."

"I honestly don't know either," she says, her voice dry. "I never stopped loving Ashton even after I got together with Nathan. I know what I did to him. I made huge mistakes and I regret never telling him about Reina. But I also know that he's not as shattered as you say he is. I don't see a completely broken person when I look at Ashton and that's because of you."

I'm distracted by the two cocktail glasses that another worker graciously compliments us with again as he passes by. I'm already slightly inebriated, one more won't kill me. I exchange my empty glass with the full one and bring it to my lips.

"I envy you and Ashton," Natalie says, drinking from her glass. "Don't get me wrong, I love Nathan, but the few times I've seen you and Ashton together, I see what I lost. Hold onto him. Someone like Ash is hard to come by in the ruthless world. Promise me you won't let him go."

How can I let go of someone who has flipped my world around in the best way possible? I want to hold onto him tightly and only let him go when he tells me so.

"I promise," I finally say.

The dealer lays out his final card and he reaches a total of eighteen, beating Natalie. However, my cards have a total of twenty and I win this round. I'm handed more chips for my win and we start another round, placing larger bets.

"I've apologized to Ashton for what I've done and whether or not he's going to forgive me...well, that's up to him," Natalie says. "But I want to apologize to you as well, Emilia."

"What for?"

"For unintentionally dragging you into this," she says. "Before I received Ashton's RSVPs, I had no idea he was with someone. I didn't know officially until I called him a couple months ago. I know I must have caused some sort of negative impact on your relationship with him, and I feel terrible if I did. I may not know you that well but I know when someone is deserving and underserving of pain. Neither you nor Ashton deserved what I did. I can only hope that one day both of you will accept my apology and live your lives happily together."

I never thought Natalie would apologize to me in particular only because she didn't directly hurt me in any way. She may have indirectly been a hindrance in mine and Ashton's relationship, but it wasn't intentional. She's under no obligation to apologize, but I respect her for trying to make amends.

It's funny, though. She makes it sound like Ashton and I are getting married or something. I've barely gotten over leaving some of my clothes at his place. Living "happily" together seems like another step that I can't even fathom. If we were to get engaged or something, I'd at least want to move in together beforehand to see if I can handle being around him 24/7 without being annoyed to death. I really shouldn't be thinking of marriage. I'd like to graduate college before I make any life changing decisions. Sorry, Ashton, I love you but my education comes first.

"I like you, Emilia," Natalie continues. "That may be hard to believe seeing that I'm Ashton's ex, but it's true. I'm not jealous or angry of you being here. I'm not seeking out a catfight or anything. I just want to get to know the girl who made Ashton smile again."

I lift my gaze from my cards and look to Natalie. While she sits there with a warm smile and thankful eyes, I'm speechless. How did this turn to me? I called her a bitch and she compliments me in return? I'm still angry with her decisions and forgiveness isn't in the foreseeable future as of now, but she's human and I can't treat her as anything less.

I smile bashfully and glance down to the engagement ring on her finger. The three square diamonds on the platinum band reflect beautifully, even underneath the dim fluorescent lighting. She hasn't spoken much of her wedding and I feel like Ashton and I are the reason for that. I know there's a lot going on, but this is still her moment.

"Are you excited to get married tomorrow?" I ask, and then tell the dealer to draw me another card, only to frown at the outcome.

Her flushed cheeks rise along with her lips. "Very," she says, winning this round of blackjack. "We've been waiting a while for this day, and in less than twenty-four hours I'll be with the one person who has accepted all my faults and wrong choices in life. It's weird to think I won't be considered single after the ceremony. I'll be officially off the market." She smiles to herself, and I don't think it's because she just won quite a bit of money. "Mine and Nathan's love story definitely isn't one to tell our child or future children, but if you cut out all my mistakes there's still a happy ending."

I place down another bet. "I think that's for the reader to decide," I say. "But I do wish you luck in your future with Nathan. You deserve to be happy just as much as the rest of us."

"There you are," Julia says, gripping my shoulder and sighing. "I've been looking all over for you. Did you get my drink?"

I laugh and hand her the remainder of mine, and she happily finishes it off. "Glad to see you have your priorities in check," I say, fumbling over my words slightly.

Natalie and I finish one more game before Colleen and Myra meet back up with us and take us back to the bar where they order us a round of shots. My body feels like it's moving faster than the world around me when I turn or take a step, and I lean against Julia every time I laugh after she tells me she called Calum while in the bathroom to increase her money limit. She's such a good friend; supporting me both emotionally and physically.

After the bartender finishes our order, I want to object and tell the girls that I'm at my limit or that I would prefer a glass of water, but the moment the shot glass is handed to me I shoot it.

"You think the guys are having as much fun as us?" Julia asks, wiping tequila from the corner of her lips.

"I hope so," I say before gasping loudly and pulling my phone from my pocket. "That reminds me..."

Julia hovers over my shoulder, practically dropping all her weight on me, as I concentrate intently on not pressing the wrong letters as I type a late-reply to Ashton. I glance up to Natalie and nod acceptingly, earning a grateful smile from her, before pressing send.

"I'm honestly having a really food time."

______

A/N: It's been a while, guys. I know it has been a little over a month since I've updated but college doesn't really give me a break. I'm not entirely happy with this chapter because it doesn't flow well and it's been a while since I've written fiction. I'm on spring break right now so I'm going to try to get another chapter up this week. Hopefully, I can get back in the groove of things. Just know that updates will be less frequent because of school.

Thank you all for reading and sticking around! Love you!! –Rebecca xoxoxoxoxo