Always For Keeps ( For Keeps part 2)

Twenty three. Luke

I leave the small area and head out to where the reception will be. Cooper and Cam are chatting by the dance floor.
"How's our girl." Cooper asks.
"Good. Really good actually. She says she is feeling much better today." I wink at him.
"Oh. That's really good." He says adjusting his tie.
"So do you two really think this will work?" Cam asks .
"Why not." I shrug.
"I like you both, so please don't kill each other."
He laughs.
"I have to go talk to Brett. Are you two staying here?" I ask as I head for the door.
"We will be out soon. Well I will. Paisley promised Cam a quickie in her dress." Cooper smirks.
"Have you seen them in their dresses? Fucking hot." Cam laughs.
"I can't wait to see." I smile and head outside.

Guests are starting to arrive as I spot Brett with one of Kare's brothers, Ian. He's running his hands through his hair.
"What's up man?" I ask as I approach.
"Their singer just called and cancelled. I got ahold of a DJ, they will be here at seven." Ian says.
"Kare is going to freak. She wanted the effect of dancing to our first song as it was sang, not played. She's pregnant and hormonal." Brett shakes his head as a light bulb goes off in mind.
"Scarlett." I say and they both look at me. "Oh come on, you both heard her sing that song the other night. Plus, having her best friend singing will mean more in twenty years."
"That's true. Will you go talk to them?" Brett asks.
"Of course. I'll be right back." I say before heading back into the building.

The guys are nowhere to be found so I knock on a door, in case Paisley and Cam are getting hot and heavy.
"Who is it?" Kare asks.
"It's Luke." I say and she opens the door. She is in her dress and she looks incredible. I can't wait until until Brett sees her. "Wow Kare. You look great!"
"Thanks Luke." She smiles and twirls. The dress has thin straps that glitter in the light. It poofs out at the waist and it looks like there are sparkling beads woven throughout the lace. "What's wrong." She asks as her face falls.
"We have a problem, but it's easily fixable. Is Scarlett in there?"
"Scar!" Kare yells.
"What's up?" She asks coming to the door with Cooper.
"Hey Luke. Everything okay?" Scarlett asks and opens the door wider so I can come in. Kare sits carefully down on a small couch.
"I knew something would go wrong." She says sadly.
"The singer is sick, but Ian found a DJ on short notice. Brett was worried because he knows you want your song sang, but we found a better singer." I smile.
"Who?" She asks and Cooper and I both look at Scarlett.
"Me?" She squeaks.
"You're the best singer here." Cooper smiles.
"In twenty years, it's going to matter more to Kare and Brett that you sang their song for them." I say giving her the same speech I gave to Brett.
"Oh please Scarlett!" Kare hugs her tightly.
"Okay. Yeah, I can do this." She says as she loses some color in her face.
"Scarlett, you've modeled panties." I tease.
"And you recently went to a club opening in a white shirt without a bra and had a water fight." Cooper smirks.
"Fuck. It's not fair when you two team up on me." She smiles.
"Now I'm picturing them teaming up on you..." Kare grins.
"All of you are horrible." She laughs. "I'll sing. Okay?"
"I love you so much!" Kare kisses her cheeks.
"Ugh I love you, too." Scarlett smiles.

Cooper heads out with me this time. Cam walks out of the bathroom and fixes his tie.
"Gentleman." He smirks.
We both smile as Paisley comes out straightening her dress.
"Oh." She blushes. "Hey."
"Hi."
"Hey." We both say.
"How's my hair?" She smiles.
"Not bad actually." I say.
"Haha. See you guys out there." She kisses Cam before returning to the small room.
The three of us head outside. Cam and Cooper grab two seats together and sit. I head to the alter and stand next to Brett.
"Everything is good." I reassure him.
"Oh good. Thanks Luke." He pats my shoulder.
Some family of the couples come say their hellos as we wait.
Soon, little Hope stands at the end of the aisle and clears her throat.
"My mommy looks like a princess." She giggles and I nudge Brett's shoulder.
Brett's sisters and Mel walk down, followed by Paisley. She blows Cam a kiss and he smiles.
When Scarlett comes into view, I momentarily can't breathe. The purple dress hugs every curve. Her curls bounce lightly as she steps. She winks at Cooper then looks at me, she smiles as she flushes and I know it's because I'm looking at her like the very first time I saw her. She gets to her spot and mouths I Love You to me. I mouth it back right as the music begins playing.
When Kare comes into view, Brett cries. She smiles as a few tears escape down her cheeks. Her father places her hands in Brett's before taking his seat and wiping his own tears.
As they say their vows, Paisley and Scarlett freely cry.
When Brett and Kare kiss, everyone cheers and claps. I grab Scarlett's arm and we walk down the path together.
"That was good." I smile as she wipes another tear.
"It was beautiful." She smiles. "Ugh I have to snap out of the girly mode. I'm singing soon thanks to you." She nudges my shoulder.
"I would say I'm sorry, but I'm not. I can't wait to hear you."
"You can't wait to hear me sing or moan your name?" She whispers seductively in my ear.
"Both." I smile.

We take our seats at the bridal party table and I notice Scar scans the room for Cooper.
"He is sitting with us." I whisper.
"What?"
"Yeah, I talked Brett into letting Cam and Cooper sit by us." I smile.
"Thanks. I know he will be happy about that." She says.
"As long as you're happy."
"I am. Thank you, babe." She kisses my cheek.

Cooper and Cam find us easily and take their seats.
Caterers bring out everyone's food after everyone is seated. Champagne flows freely throughout the room, but I stick to water. As Scarlett finishes her second glass I place my hand on her shoulder.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Yes. Just nervous." She smiles. Celia comes behind her and whispers in her ear. "Show time." She says.
Cooper kisses her hand as she stands.
"You'll do great." I tell her reassuringly.
She smiles quickly before heading to the stage. Celia announces Brett and Karianne as Scarlett takes her place at the piano.
When they get to the middle of the floor, spotlights shine on them. They smile as Scarlett beings the song.
When her voice comes through the speakers, my heart beats wildly in my chest. I watch her as she keeps her eyes closed at first. After the first verse, she looks at Brett and Kare on the dance floor and smiles.
Next to us, Paisley cries as Cam kisses her softly on her cheeks. I look at Cooper who, to my surprise, wipes away a tear. I pat his back and he smiles at me briefly before looking back to Scarlett. Her eyes fall on him, then me. She blushes but doesn't miss a beat.
As the song ends, she holds out the last note before everyone claps and cheers. She stands and runs to a crying Kare, kissing her cheek briefly, before returning to her seat. She doesn't sit because Celia asks all the bridal party to come up for the next song.
I grab her hand and follow her to the middle of the room. I lean in and whisper, "you did wonderful."
"Thank you." She kisses my cheek.
The DJ is already prepared as The Fray's Never Say Never plays through the speakers. I hold her close as we move slowly on the wooden floors.
"You look insanely beautiful." I whisper in her ear.
"You look pretty sharp yourself." She smiles.
"I'm so excited for the next couple of months." I tell her.
"You're going to be a dad so soon." She smiles. I search her eyes for sadness, but she is genuinely happy for me.
"Yes." I say.
"Have you decided on a name? Has Mandy?" She asks.
"She was leaning towards Carter." I say and she smiles.
"That's a nice name." She bites her lip. "Do you think she will let me hold him?"
"He's mine, too. Yes you can hold him, Scarlett." I tuck her hair behind her ear.
"Thank you." She smiles.
"I think you and Cooper should try for a baby." I blurt out and her eyes widen but she smiles.
"I don't want to lose you."
"You won't. We can try after." I smile and she rolls her eyes. "Maybe we will have a little girl with your eyes." I smile as she hugs me closer.
"I like your eyes more." She giggles.
"What? Have you seen yours? That are magical." I say and she laughs.
"They are brown. People made fun of them when I was little."
"They were stupid. You're beautiful." I kiss her cheeks.
"Thank you. For everything." She smiles.
"For keeps." I whisper.
"For keeps." She repeats.

As the song ends, we head back to our seat as Karianne dances with her Dad and Brett dances with his mom.
I smile at Cooper as we sit. He looks at me quizzically.
"I think she is down to have your baby." I whisper to him and Paisley and Scarlett talk New York. His eyes light up.
"Really?"
"Yes. Maybe we should get one of those tests that tell you your best days to get pregnant." I suggest.
"Good idea. I'll get one tonight while you're... ya know."
"Oh. Right." I nod. "Are we still good?" I ask.
"Of course. Are you mad about the baby?" He asks.
"Surprisingly no. I just don't want things to change." I say.
"I think we will be okay." He smiles reassuringly at me.

I sit back in my seat and impatiently wait tonight.