Sitting at a beautiful wedding full of love was not my ideal situation right after getting out of a relationship. A relationship where I had been mistreated and cheated on more times than I could even count.
One thing did help the situation at hand though, the fact that a good amount of the roster for the Chicago Blackhawks were in attendance since it was a player getting married. I had gotten to know a good few of them over the past few years and it was safe to say that not one of them liked my ex, so the support was through the roof.
The ceremony was beautiful and the second I walked into the reception, I knew it would be even more beautiful. I was also thankful I got seated where I did, with people I felt the most comfortable with.
"How are you holding up?" Amanda asked, taking a seat next to me.
"Surprisingly, a lot better than I thought I would be. I giggled while grabbing my drink. "How's mama life?" I asked before taking a sip.
"Exhausting, but totally worth it" she smiled widely.
"I'm so happy for you guys" I gave a sad smile even though I tried to hide it.
"I'm happy for you too. It sounds weird, it's not the same kind of happy but I am happy for you. Happy you're out of that situation and happy you now have the opportunity to have the relationship and the life you deserve" she patted my elbow gently.
"Oddly enough, that makes sense to me" I breathed a laugh before we both heard someone calling out for Amanda.
"The boy is calling me, but I'll be back. We're table buddies" she gave a warm smile getting up from the table and making her way over to her man.
I watched her smile get wider as she approached him and tucked herself under his arm. They both looked so happy and so in love. My focus turned to the bride and the groom, whispering something to each other with a smile spread across their faces in between greeting their wedding guests. There were happy couples everywhere, it was almost infuriating given my situation.
I didn't even notice I deep sighed until someone sitting next to me pulled me back to reality.
"Are you jealous?" Marc-Andre asked, taking the seat Amanda had just vacated.
"Not jealous, just...overwhelmed" I answered honestly.
"Understandable. I'm stealing Amanda's seat by the way" he chuckled, making himself comfortable.
"Totally fine with me" I gave a small smile.
Out of everyone, Marc-Andre was the only one who hadn't made a comment about the breakup. It was kind of nice, but at the same time he was the one person I wanted to comment, to give his thoughts.
We hadn't known each other long, but I really wanted to know what was going on inside his head. What he thought, what he felt, was always a mystery...and it drove me absolutely insane. Partly because I hated not knowing and partly because I had developed the biggest crush on him.
Amanda eventually came back and practically kicked Marc-Andre out of her original seat, making him opt for the seat directly across from me.
The first dance was amazingly stunning and it made my heart clench. How it must feel to have someone love you and only you that much.
Towards the end of dinner, when I had already gotten full and just picked at my food with my fork, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up to be met with Marc-Andre sporting a small smile.
'Wanna dance?' He mouthed to me from across the table as a slower song came on. A smile broke out on my face before I nodded, pulling myself out of my chair.
One hand on his shoulder, the other comfortably settled in his, he offered a warm smile.
"Listen, I know everybody has probably been saying how sorry they are and making you relive everything and I promised myself I wouldn't be one of those people to put you through that but...I'll be here if you need anything" he said seriously.
A small, grateful smile landed on my lips.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me. I know we haven't known each other long and that's a lot to offer someone you haven't" I gave his shoulder a squeeze.
"Yeah we haven't known each other long, but you're important to me and I make sure to take care of things that are important to me"
He was always so genuine and caring. It made me absolutely melt. Before I had time to think about it, I let my body lead and wrapped both arms around his neck in a gentle hug. It wasn't until he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him that my heart sped up and my palms broke out into a sweat.
"You're one of the most genuine people I've ever met" I mumbled into his shoulder.
"It's easy when I'm around someone like you" he breathed through a laugh.
"Stop saying things that make me crush on you harder" I whispered, completely meaning to keep that thought in my head.
"What?" He laughed, pulling away to look at me.
"What?" I tried to play it off.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing" I brushed it off.
"Y/N" he said a little more with warning.
"Alright. Listen. Truth is, I think I'm only taking this whole being cheated on and dumped thing so easily and much better than expected because. Well because I kind of maybe have this huge crush on you" I looked away from him in embarrassment until I heard a small laugh.
"Ok, I have a confession too" he started slowly, still not letting me go. "I promised I wouldn't bring up the breakup and put you through feeling that all over again not just because I know that's a terrible feeling, but because I wasn't sorry at all...I was actually kind of glad" he looked as if he was trying to read my face.
"Wait, glad?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah. I'm sorry but he treated you horribly and he did some terrible things to you. And you deserve someone who adores you, you deserve the world"
"What did I say about saying things like that?" I stuttered out, my eyes on the verge of releasing tears.
"I'm sorry" he chuckled softly. "One more confession though" he looked at me hopefully. I nodded, urging him to go on. "I may or may not have a huge crush on you too" he grinned.
"Are you...are you serious?" I barely got out without choking on my words.
"Told you you were important to me"
"You're important to me too" I closed my eyes tightly to stop the tears from falling.
"I know it's only been a week since everything happened but...whenever you're comfortable and whenever you're ready again, maybe want to give us a shot and see what happens?" He waited eagerly for my response.
I gently moved my hand behind his head and pulled his lips to mine for a quick sweet kiss.
"You have my heart Marc-Andre Fleury" I smiled widely at him.
He pulled me back against him and swayed me to the beat of the song that was playing. Who knew if this was the relationship that Amanda said I deserved, but I sure as hell was going to give it my all like it was.
People like Marc-Andre don't just walk into your life often, and when they do it's so important to hold on to them. Hold on to them for dear life. And that is exactly what I intended to do.
Requested by: @powerfulhater
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