Wedding Bells

Chapter 2

A Year Later

“How far is it to the Eiffel tower?” I found myself dancing in the silk nightgown that covered my skin. The soft material tugging against all of my curves. Carter turned to look at me, his eyes hungry for my body as he took in everything.

“Are you sure that’s what you want to do today,” He bit his lower lip as he lays on the bed. I shake my head turning towards the bathroom to get changed, but before I could leave the room I turn back to look at him. His chest exposed, his hair a mess from sleep the night before. This sun was cascading through the window dancing across his skin like sweet warm kisses. It was everything I could do to hold myself back.

“You know you have to wait,” He groans as soon as I say it. Carter wasn’t good at waiting and he didn’t like being told he had to. He didn't know it was killing me just as much.

“Babe, do you want to just get married today then? I mean Paris has courthouses as well,” Carter was pleading his voice drifting through the room. I slowly closed the bathroom door, the bathroom lights nearly blinding as they shine down onto my skin.

My stomach was circling, the butterflies threatening to get out. Carter and I had been in Paris for a few days and every time anything happened, he would suggest we just go get married. The wedding was coming up. We only had a couple of weeks until we were married.

I turned on the shower, stripping the little pink nightgown. Hopping into the shower and allowing the warm water to rush over me. Leaning back letting the water rush over my hair I was startled when the door to the bathroom begin to creek open.

“What are you doing?” I nearly shouted, the fear still coursing through my veins as I watched the light from the bedroom mix with the bathroom lights.

“I had to pee,” He muttered, I could see his hands run to his hair as Carter lifts the toilet seat.

“You seriously couldn’t have waited until I was out of the shower?” I nearly shouted, a little confused on what the hell he was doing.

“Nope, running water,” He muttered flushing the toilet as he left the bathroom.

“Carter!” I shouted the best I could over the running water. I wasn't sure he would be able to hear me but it was worth a shot. A few second later his head pops around the corner of the bathroom door. “Gross, you didn’t even wash your hands,” I harassed him. Pumping some of the shampoo into my hair.

"Nope, sorry," He muttered before closing the bathroom door. I shook my head, an overwhelming sense of love filling my bones. He was disgusting but for some reason it didn't scare me away. It didn't freak me out. I just wanted to hug him, kiss him, and spend every last second with him. The water rushes over my face as I wash the shampoo out of my hair and quickly finish the rest of my morning routine.

"Are you finally ready?" Carter questions as he lays on the now made bed. His hair was groomed, meaning he sent a brush through it a few time. He was dressed in a black tee shirt and a pair of dark jeans. I shook my head trying to apply yet another layer of mascara.

"Almost, don't rush me," I mumbled flicking the brush over my eyelashes. He groaned yet again before picking his phone up off the counter.

"Hurry up," Rolling over he begins scrolling through is news feed on facebook to find something interesting to distract him.

"Okay fine I'm done," I turned around. The flowy dress hugging my curves as I spun. He smiles jumping up from the bed, walking over to me he wraps his arms around my waist pulling me close to him.

"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," He moans as he bends down to kiss me, our lips dancing together as he pulls me even closer, picking me up as I wrap my legs around his waist. The kiss growing even more passionate as he walks me over to the bed and slowly he sets me down on the sheets, our bodies tangled together.

"Nope," I muttered. Pulling away from him.

"What?" He questioned, his eyes still hazed over from  my kiss.

"You've got to wait," I muttered. Unwrapping my body from his as I gathered my things. "Now let's go sight seeing," I pull on a pair of black shades and I chuckle to myself. Carter groaned wiping his hands across his face as he jumps from the bed.

"Fine, yeah yeah Paris here we come, Paris there we go," He gripes, placing his shoes on his feet. I’d be lying if I said I felt bad for Carter. All he had to do was wait till we were married. If he’d stop teasing himself it wouldn’t  be so hard for him.

Carter took my hand and we leave the hotel room and head for the elevator. Our trip took a through a few of the surrounding countries and it would be coming to a close. We’d built so many great memories the last week and a half, taking some time to get away before the start of Hell Week. I shook my head at the thought of having to spend so much time away from Carter.

It had taken us three months to fall back into our old habits of teasing each other and being completely comfortable with each other. Getting Andrew out of the picture completely had made all of the difference. Carter was finally able to relax. He had proposed to me when he showed me his new home. Instead of renting Carter was trying to prove to me that he was serious about staying here. He’d gotten approved and had purchased a new home two months later. The house was beautiful and not too far from his parents or the shop.

When he took me into the backyard he had it decorated will beautiful lights and the family was there, his and mine. I had been so surprised I didn’t even notice he had dropped to one knee, the words on the tips of his lips before I started screaming yes.

I remembered his shoulders dropping as I shouted in joy, his family chuckling as he looked around awkwardly. He’d stood up, placed the ring on my finger and then turned to him family to tell them that it was easy, he didn’t even had to ask. I can remember the color rushing to my face as I realized I’d jumped the gun, and hadn’t given him the time he deserved to make his speech.

Carter leaned into me, kissing me forehead as another couple entered the elevator with us. They were beaming with happiness covering each other with kisses as they ignored Carter and I. We looked up at each other chuckling as quietly as possible.

“Sorry, it’s our honeymoon,” The woman finally muttered, her voice so soft and full of love. The smile covered her face as if it would never fade away. I couldn’t help but beam with her, the love echoing through the entire elevator until it stopped on the final floor.

“We wish you the best of luck with your marriage,” Carter smiled, holding the door open for me as the couple rushed out of the elevator.

“Soon, that will be us,” He whispered as I walked past, placing his hand on the crook of my back. A wave of emotion shoots through my body. I couldn’t believe this was my life. I had never dreamt of marrying my best friend, but now that it was happening, it’s all I ever wanted.

The color rushes to my face as we walk past the front desk and onto the streets of Paris. The Eiffel tower was far, and it would take us only a half an hour to walk to it.

Carter and I begin strolling down the sidewalk. He pulled his phone out of his pocket as he tried to pull up directions. I swiped it away taking it out of his hand as I placed it in my purse.

“We can find it ourselves. We don’t need to streamline the process, let’s explore,” I paused for a moment before looking at the skyline of all the building. “Plus it’s right there,” I pointed in the distance to where the tower was easily visible over everything else.

“Okay you are right,” He muttered. His strides were larger than mine, dragging me through the shops faster than I wanted to. When Carter was on a mission to get somewhere that was where he went. He never stopped to smell the roses.

We gathered a few trinkets, mostly smaller items that would fit in our carry on so when we flew home it wasn’t too big of a hassle. Spending the week with Carter and not having a cell phone was the greatest thing we had ever done.

We didn’t want to pay the extra money to make both of our  phones international for the trip. Carter’s phone was just for emergencies.

The shops were filled with people, hugging, kissing and falling even further in love with each other. I rolled my eyes looking up at the man that I was falling even deeper in love with everyday. Only two weeks until we were married. We would just have to make it through Hell Week and then it would be a week of love for Carter and I.

Having him at the shop had made things better. There wasn’t so much pressure on me to sell dresses, or to get the organization done, Carter was always there to do whatever I didn’t have time for. On the days he wasn’t there Clara was my right hand woman, she’d take care of all the tasks that I couldn’t get to while selling her butt off to all the beautiful brides.

David had moved to New York as well, staying in his very own apartment for now. Usually when I’d come home, both of them would be in the apartment or neither of them would be. Since he’d come to New York Clara had been so focused on getting everything done at work as quickly as possible so she could leave.

We both had found love in the sunny state. Leaving a part of ourselves there. We had joked about moving back, opening up another shop there as well and running both of them. Switching back and forth between the shops as needed. Trading places, and enjoying the best of both coasts.

That was ridiculous though.

“This place is beautiful,” I found myself mouthing, not realizing I had said it out loud. Carter squeezes me holding me closer to him.

“Not like you,” He muttered looking at the sky. The pretty blue hues blended with the white fluffy clouds. The browns of the city painting a beautiful picture.

“Do you want to get something to eat before we get there?” I question, looking at a small little shop that looked like it was serving food. Carter nodded as we bee line across the road and into the little bistro like shop.

A warm aroma of food swept over us as we entered. The smell of pasta, and seafood wrapping up in a warm inviting sweater.

“Welcome,” The lady behind the counter muttered, grabbing a couple of menus turning on her heel to lead us to a table on the back patio. I turned to look at Carter shrugging at the not so warm welcome we had received. He smiles in return leaning down to whisper in my ear.

“She probably doesn’t speak much english and it’s not like it isn’t obvious that we are tourists,” He muttered pulling away as we tried to keep up with the woman. She placed the menus on the table before walking away.

“That was weird,” I muttered to myself, not really caring if Carter heard me or not.

The bistro was tucked in the trees, overlooking a beautiful bridge reaching across the water. It was calming listening to the birds chirping as children ran around with loaves of bread throwing it onto the sidewalk. Carter smiled reaching across the table to grab my hand. I turn to look at him pulling my eyes away from the scenes around us.

"You seem really happy," He beams, holding my hand tightly in his as his fingers fiddle with my rings. I nod. There wasn't a thing I would change about all of this.

"I am," I muttered. Holding hands with my best friend had sent sparks flying through my skin. Trapping me in my thoughts of love and happiness. I was in a state of bliss and it seemed like nothing could bring me back down.

"I love you so much Erin," Carter whispered, his voice soft as it dances through the air, mixing with the laughter that was in the air. The sun was shining, the birds singing, everything was exactly as it should be.

"I love you too," I respond. The waitress heading to our table interrupting our sweet moment. Slightly annoyed I pull my menu open and quickly search over it for something.

The waitress took our order, and rushed away just as quickly as the first. I shook my head, the blur of an image still lingering in my mind.

"What are you interested in doing for the rest of the trip?" Carter asked, his hand still grasping mine. I shrugged my shoulders. We were leaving Paris tomorrow morning, tonight being our last night to really see the city.

I wasn't really ready to leave. My heart was stuck in the city of love. Heading back to the shop was going to be hectic as Hell Week was the most stressful time of the year.

"I want to see everything we can tonight," I smile, and the waitress brings out food out and places it on the table in front of us.

"Like what though?" Carter mumbles after thanking the waitress. I shrug my shoulders looking around at all the sights.

"I have no clue, I just want to see everything, but I just want to be with you," I muttered.

The next week we were going to be busy, so busy we would barely be able to see each other. The thought of being away from him even though he would always be right there drove me crazy. The thought of his hands not being on me, the entire day, because we both would be so busy helping brides into dresses, and selling as much as we could. It was time to get rid of the old dresses and bring in some new ones. That was our excuse to head to Paris, a trip to find new dresses for the shop before we sold everything.

I shook my head chuckling at the thought of us sneaking away. We were supposed to be working, how horrible of us to just ignore our duties like that. I wondered if Clara would tease us for our little adventures. If she would be frustrated that while we were exploring Paris, she was busy organizing and pulling the dresses that were to be sold at the sale.

I winced slightly thinking about the mess that was going to be next week. This trip was my final vacation before I had to deal with anything hectic.

“Are you ready for Hell Week?” I question, still waiting for our food to arrive.

“Hell no,” Carter chuckled, obviously amused by his own comment. I rolled my eyes fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth. The children continued to yell as they chased yet another seagull away.

“Why not? Are you scared it will be harder than when we were practically kids?” Carter used to help with Hell Week before he got too busy with his college classes. I remember the days like they were yesterday. He would come help me pull the dresses while my father was still alive. My father always appreciated the extra help especially around this time of year. I couldn’t believe it had been so long since my father had passed away and soon I’ll be walking down the aisle without him.

“I guess yeah, it wasn’t fun years ago and I’m sure it’s only gotten worse,” Carter smiles as the lady sets down our food and he begins to dig in. I watch him carefully taking in every feature. The man was beautiful. The way his jaw came to a smooth rounded edge, his cheekbones defined, and his green eyes brighter than any I had ever seen before.

“It definitely hasn’t gotten better,” I tried my best to hide the despair in my voice. I didn’t want to ruin the rest of our trip worrying too much about work.

“What do you think your father would think of us now?” Carter questions, thinking of his question very carefully. The question confused me for a moment. Thinking about what my father would have thought of the two of us getting married.

“I’m not sure, doesn’t it feel like we have been married for years?” I grabbed my glass of water quickly pulling it to my lips and swallowing a few large gulps of the warm liquid. Carter nodded his head.

“I’d like to think he was smiling down on us, super excited about the fact that you are going to marry your high school best friend.” Carter’s hand reaches across the table to hold mine, his fingers grazing the edge of my skin sending lightning bolts through my body. It amazed me that he was able to do that with such a simple touch of our bodies. Andrew was never able to shake me like this.

“He loved you very much,” I whisper not realizing I had said it so quietly.

“Not as much as he loved you,” Carter grazing my hand, leaning across the table he bends forward and plants a quick kiss on my lips. “About as much as I love you,”