Wedding Bells

Chapter 12

My heart stopped. My mind frozen. My mother infected with cancer. Her body taken over by her own cells trying to kill her. I felt better knowing everyone was here. Carter tapped my shoulder, his hand resting on my skin. I turn to look at him, he smiles before leaning down to whisper in my ear.

"Hey can we talk real quick?" I nod my head following him into the hallway for a moment. My mother was sleeping and so was Clara and David. We were about halfway through the eleventh hour of us waiting, sitting, listening.

"What do you need?" I question him, holding his hand. I was finally able to take a deep breath of air. The atmosphere in the room has been heavy since we found out about the cancer and the treatment we were going to have to undergo to take care of it.

"I'm going to have to sneak away for a little bit," Carter was still whispering, he was looking around as if he was hiding something. I shook my head, craning my neck to look up at him. What did he mean he needed to leave for a little bit. What in the world would he need to do? We were supposed to be halfway to ireland right now, there is no way he had previous plans he needed to tend to.

"Where?" I felt myself getting a little accusatory, but I wasn't sure why. He could possibly be heading home to shower and change his clothes. Maybe he was running to grab food for everyone. There were plenty of very normal things he could be doing.

"I'll just be back later, don't worry about it okay, I love you so much, I will be back in a few hours. Text me if you need me to bring anything," I shook my head one more time not really in the mood to fight him at the moment. I took a deep breath before leaning up and giving him a quick kiss. I would have to figure out later what he was up to.

"I love you too," I muttered before heading back into the room, waving at Carter as he walks down the hallway. Trying to brush the thoughts out of my mind I enter the room once more. My mother seems to have woken up in the few seconds I was gone, but Clara and David were still asleep.

"How are you mom?" I ask rushing to the side of the bed to hold her hand. She grabs my hand holding it close to her chest.

"I'm just fine, knowing I have you guys here with me," She smiled, and it felt like a real smile, one that was wide enough to cross the ocean. I wish I could take the cancer away from her though. So she wouldn't have to go through the treatment at all.

*Carter's POV*

My foot bounces against the ground as I sit in the office chair just waiting for my name to be called. I had a suit jacket with some nice jeans on, and a tie wrapped around my neck. The sweat was beading up on the back of my neck.

We were going to be able to make it financially if I didn't get this second job. I couldn't possibly allow Erin to pay for any more items. Her checks should just be going to savings, or towards the house payment. Not these lavish trips and everything, but I just couldn't keep up with her lifestyle.

My heart was racing, my mind fiddling with the thought of Erin, and how mad she would be if she knew where I was right now. I felt horrible leaving her in the hospital with her mother by herself. Technically she wasn't by herself, but I still felt like I was supposed to be there.

I tried to shake my hands, anything to distract my mind so I could get rid of my nerves. I needed to nail this interview so I could start working mornings. I was lucky to work my job from California remotely but I would eventually need to find something here that I could do. Something that paid just a little bit more.

"Carter Summers?" A voice echoes through the office, and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed at my slight jump. I'd been so caught up in my thoughts I didn't even notice the person enter the room.

She was a shorter woman, dressed in a pantsuit as if she was ready to take over the entire world. She walked with such confidence that I almost wanted to copy her just to see if I could make myself look a little better. I didn't catch her name and as she turned to continue speaking to me I realized I hadn't heard a thing she had said.

I froze, my legs switching to autopilot. There was no way I was going to be able to catch up on all the info missed and I defiantly didn't want to ask her to repeat herself. She nodded her head a few times really getting into the words she was speaking. I shook my head trying my best to finally focus up. Cursing myself for allowing myself to be so damn distracted.

"And this hallway is where the break room is, any questions?" I stuttered more a moment shaking my head before looking down at my feet. I would pay for not listening in the future and I was sure of it. "Alright then, well Mr. Stetson is ready to speak with you so if you just want to head down to his office, knock three times on his door, he is ready to meet you," She paused for a moment as if she could sense my discomfort.

"Okay thank you," I mumbled fiddling with the ground for just a moment trying to guess which direction I should head in. After committing myself to going straight, further into the office I was stopped. Her hand held my arm as she pulled me back.

"Sir, he is actually that way, if you don't remember from the tour, he is right next to the water fountain at the end of the second hallway," She smiled reassuringly and it just made things worse. I dropped my foot on the ground, mumbling a quick thank you before heading in the right direction.

In my head as I walk down the hallway I slightly mock her, making up my own tour as I go. A few steps towards the door and eventually I was met with the second hallway. Once I was able to see the water fountain I knew I must be heading in the right direction. Thankfully the girl hadn't led me astray once she knew I hadn't heard a word she said.

My resume was tightly gripped in my hands, and I had to keep reminding myself to not wrinkle it. My neck was getting hot again, waiting to find the right door. I needed to get this job, or at least a job here within the next week and I really didn't like the whole interview process. The sooner I could get done with this the better.

I approach a large wood door with a small window in the middle of it. I did as the girl had told me, knocking three times, waiting for a response. One came quickly after the second knock and I placed my hand on the handle before pushing the door open.

"Carter right?" The man sitting behind the desk stood up, placed his hand out for me to shake before taking his seat once again. He motioned for me to take my seat so I did, setting the resume lightly on the hard oak wood desk before sliding it across the table to him. He picked it up and tossed it to the side, shaking his head, "We don't hire around here like that,"

"I'm sorry," I muttered not realizing that places were trying to break the mold for how to hire. I felt like a child sitting at that large desk and immediately I wanted to turn around and run away from here.

"Also don't apologize," Mr. Stetson's voice seemed louder now, more scary... like a parental figure that was furious at them for lying or sneaking out. I could feel my chances of getting this job slip right through my fingers, so I started thinking of the other places I could interview at. I needed something soon, as least I think I did.

"Carter, head up, let's start this interview," I did as I was told, nodding my head while clearing my throat.

"I'm ready sir,"

"Okay, first question is, What do you consider your weaknesses?" His eyes were beady as he stares down at me, making me feel like a child once more. His question immediately out of the gate was one of the interview questions I always seemed to struggle with, but here we were, and I needed this so I had to come up with something quick.

"I'm a free spirit at times, I like to travel, like to see the world but I'm working on settling down, to prepare myself for what real life will bring." I felt horrible about that answer, Immediately wanting to take it back after I said it.

I should have talked about how I was always overachieving to the point that it sometimes could hurt me. Or that I was committed so much to certain things that I could make the wrong choice. Hell I could have even said I was just plain bad at public speaking, but here I was saying all the wrong things and doing nothing right.

"Um, alright," He muttered before looking down at the very own paper in his hands. "Where do you see yourself next week?" I was confused by the questions, don't they always ask about the next five years. Wanting to see the long term dreams and aspirations. My head was tumbling.

"Working here, and enjoying time with my new wife." I smiled, at least that was one answer I could feel confident about. Plus bringing Erin into the deal made things seem less scary. Like I was more capable to tackle this head on.

"I see, so you are newly married?" He places his hands together, leaning back in his chair as if he was trying to see the full picture.

"Yes, actually yesterday was our wedding," I felt the nerves and excitement build up in my chest. Talking about the wedding brought back all the feelings, but it didn't really seem like what we were supposed to be talking about in our interview.

"Then what are you doing here? Did you overspend on the wedding and now you need to make up for it?" His tone was so aggressive and nothing I said was good or right.

"Actually, no her mother paid for the wedding for us, this is simply because I want another job. We are not in any financial trouble. My wife actually owns the bridal shop here on this block Little White Dress Bridal," He shook his head leaning forward in the chair placing his hands on the desk.

"Who is the job interview for, you or her," I stuttered on my breath, nearly gasping at how up front he was being. I wanted to hit myself on the head, I knew my answers were dumb. I knew I was failing this, so it might as well be better for the both of us if I just got up and walked away.

"Me sir," I tried my best to hold my breath. Waiting for the next attack to fly across the counter. Yet it never seemed to come.

When I finally glanced up from staring at my feet, Mr Stetson was too busy writing on a piece of paper to even notice I was still there. This is your chance Carter, get up and rush out of here before you have to finish this horrible interview.

I could feel my muscles tighten as they prepared for my escape, but soon Mr. Stetson was looking at me once more.

"So you're telling me you allowed for your Mother-in-law to pay for the wedding, when you are the man of the household?" Well when you say it like that it makes you feel horrible. Like a man that was just using you for the money. I didn't do that to Erin, and that was not my intention. Unfortunately my parents aren't in a place where they could have and hers is. We were fully willing to pay for it ourselves, but that just wasn't the case.

"Absolutely not," I paused for a moment, trying to figure out how to really put this to not make myself look bad anymore, "Her father passed away when she was only eighteen, weddings were their whole world. Her mother has never been more excited about anything ever, and she wanted to pay for it. We were going to pay for it, considering my parents don't currently have the means to take care of a wedding." I felt somewhat accomplished, spitting all that info at him in a concise manner. But he didn't seem to like it as much.

"So are you just leaving your parents to struggle? Allowing them to live on their own and not enjoy the lap of luxury that you have? So wealthy that you were able to pay for your own wedding, but yet here you are the day after asking for a job from me, what is it you need then? Money or passion?" I shook my head, somehow he had pulled the rug from under my feet. Leaving me just as confused as I was before.

"You are right, I don't have to sit and listen to this, I don't need this job and I don't know why I ever wanted it. I'm going to go home and spend the time with my loving wife, and her mother, since she is in the hospital," I wanted to smack myself again for adding the last part, this guy did not need to know about Evelyn's position.

Suddenly the guilt washed over me once again and I realized I shouldn't be here in the first place. We were struggling, but my overactive brain figures we would. We had weeks, and we could lean on each other. I just wanted to do it all by myself. So I stood up, pushed the chair back before walking towards the door.

"Thank you for your time Mr. Stetson," I paused for a moment before opening the door and leaving the office. Trying my best to shake it off I decided to head down to the little Diner on the end of the street. I'd pick everyone up some food that they would actually like. Plus it would give me some time to think about what had just happened.

Even though it was such a negative experience, I still feel like I learned a lot about myself, and what was truly important to me. That was Erin, and her mother, and my family, and friends. I shouldn't have left in the first place to do that interview.

I need to be more open and honest with Erin, she deserves that.

The food didn't take too long to grab and I counted to make sure I had something for everyone, including Evelyn. I didn't want to show back up empty handed so I stopped by the house once more and got Erin some clothes that she could change into, since I was sure she didn't want to be in her sweats and messed up tee shirt anymore. I felt like I was rushing against the clock to get back to my girl. Like I had wasted too much time without here.

The same feeling I got that night in California when I saw her for the first time in years. Hoping she noticed me, but at the same time wanting to just avoid her as I too was getting engaged.

I couldn't help but smile and shake my head as I thought back to that mess Erin and I had managed to find ourselves in. Both of us engaged to other people but so in love with each other that we just had to be together. I felt horrible telling Kylie what had happened, but she didn't seem as mad about it herself. Reminding me what it was like to be in a relationship that mattered more to myself than it did to the person I was in it with.

We were here not and happier than ever, and it only took a little over a year for us to get this all figured out. Sure there were still bumps in the road, but nothing we wouldn't be able to get over if we didn't try. I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth as I walked into the hospital, maybe it was from the food, since people usually don't consider hospitals to be the coziest of places, but it was there.

I made my way up to the third floor, to room 201 as I juggle all the items. Erin was in the hallway when I arrived, she was grabbing another drink for her mother but when she turned to look at me, the smile growing on her face, I realized I was the luckiest man in the world. I realized I was holding my breath, because I felt guilty. I should have been here to comfort my wife any way I could have. Even if it was just me sleeping in the corner and she could turn to look at me.

I closed the distance between us, still holding the food tightly to my chest, but that wasn't going to stop me from kissing Erin Rose.

She was a fire.

She was love itself.

She was beautiful.