French Toast

Frosted Flakes [8]

After my drunken mischievous stunt in the champagne room the night of my bachelorette party things between Reese and I cooled off. We were friendly. We joked around, we smiled, we laughed...there were even a couple embraces, but there weren't any lap dances, sleeping in the same bed, longing looks or flirtation. I did my best to view her as a mere friend who was about to become my sister-in-law and I think I did a pretty good job except for my dreams. Those I had no control over and to my chagrin Reese visited me within them multiple times throughout the following week.

These dreams for the most part were of the basic 'let's get nekkid' variety, but the one my subconscious conjured the night before the wedding was quite different. With summer quickly approaching the weather has been warm and the skies a near cloudless blue, yet in that dream world rain fell from a dark night sky in buckets. The doorbell ringing, I immediately answered to discover Reese standing on the welcome mat, saturated clothes clinging to her body. Although her face glistened from the rain somehow I was able to distinguish her tears from those drops.

I encouraged her to enter, but she refused and began to speak. She told me that she was unable to keep her mouth shut any longer. She told me that marrying Liam was wrong because didn't I realize I was made for her and she for me? She told me she loved me and wanted us to share a lifetime together. If I felt the same way all I had to do was say so right there. Don't be afraid, she said. Just grant me full access to what's in your heart.

My lips parted for speech yet even the tiniest word wasn't forthcoming as it occurred to me that at some point during Reese's short speech my throat had become constricted. It felt as though an invisible hand were choking me. Unfortunately, she mistook my silence for a refusal, nodded and said she understood although those hazel eyes told a completely different story.

Stepping forward, lips chilled from the abrupt change in temperature brushed my cheek and Reese turned to leave. My mouth moved yet I still couldn't speak so I tried stepping forward to find my feet glued to the floor. I could only miserably stand there and watch as the stormy night swallowed her whole, my heart shattering into a million jagged pieces.

Awakening in a cold sweat, I looked toward the other side of the bed gladdened Liam and I had decided to spend the eve before our wedding apart. With him at his mother's house, I burst into tears at some point crying myself back to a fortunately dreamless sleep.

It's Saturday--my wedding day. The day I was to become Mrs. Liam Rydell. Colby Rydell. It had a nice ring to it, didn't it? Ivy having just helped me with my makeup, I examine my reflection through the vanity mirror in front of me, soon nodding. From Colby Pfeiffer to Colby Rydell. I nod again. Yes, it has a very nice ring. Reese also would have been a Rydell, but as a teenager she changed it to her mother's surname. Langston. A fine last name.

I sigh. Why am I thinking about Reese and her last name? Today is about Liam and I sharing and sealing our love and commitment to one another in front of our family and friends. I'm marrying Liam and I'm over the moon happy about that. He is one of the most wonderful, caring, thoughtful and warm men I have ever known. Anyone would be blessed to have him as their partner in life. I love Liam.

My throat begins to feel tight reminding me of that final dream and it occurs to me that I could greatly use a bit of fresh air. Fully dressed and makeup and hair done, I glance toward a clock noting that we're making good time. Therefore, I could afford to head outside for that much needed oxygen. Promising everyone within the dressing room I would be back shortly, I head out in my cream colored dress. I manage to get about six feet beyond the dressing room's entrance when Ivy calls out to me.

"Yes?"

Door shut behind her, she approaches with a soft smile, eyes sweeping over me. "Damn, you look beautiful, cookie. If I weren't so obnoxiously straight I'd toss you over my shoulder and book it out of here like my ass is on fire."