POV: Savannah
It was about 9:00 and almost everyone had migrated inside to hear the speeches and watch them cut the cake. This wedding was the drink-all-night type of deal. Colin and I split up and I went towards my mom and Jon. We talked for a while until Reece stood on a chair and clanked a fork against his glass of champagne. Everyone silenced and anticipated his next move.
"Thank you all for coming! Special thank you to our groomsmen and bridesmaids. Colin, thanks for being my best man," he raised his glass in the air and continued, "anyway, tonight is the best night of my life and I'd like to thank my beautiful bride...I dont know where I'd be without you. You make me a better man and my life a better place... I'm so sorry I have to go on tour. I would drop everything to be with you, but you insist I follow my dreams, and that's why I love you Jennifer..."
Jennifer got a little emotional as Reece gave her a kiss, passed the mic to me, and began opening another bottle of champaign.
"I ask that we all raise a glass to my wonderful bride, and her beautiful bridesmaids, as Savannah begins her speech"
Everyone refilled their glasses and I took center floor.
"I'd just like to start by saying how happy I am to be here..."
My eyes switched back and forth between Colin and Helen. He had his arm tightly wrapped around her waist... he was so close, yet he couldn't seem more distant. He stared off to his right and I looked deep within the crowd to find who he was fixated on.
"...love is a crazy thing, and one small mistake can end everything. In the blink of an eye," I directed my statement to Colin, "or the turn of a head... The love of your life may move on, just because you didn't fulfill their desires"
Colin cut his eyes over at me. They were still filled with bitterness. His gaze cut deep into my soul, reopening the inevitable wound that was left when he broke my heart.
"...but some couples overcome those mistakes! They move on with their lives together because they know how hard it would be to go on without one another... everyone here can trust me when I say I'm speaking from my heart. I mean it with every ounce of love in me, Jen and Reece are made for each other... I'm glad they've forgiven each other for their past errors"
I dropped the mic from my lips and everyone began clapping. Reece smiled and thanked me as I handed him the mic to introduce Colin. He separated his arms from Helen's waist and took the floor.
"Thanks Reece," he smiled, "I'm not really good at these types of things, but I'll try, not guaranteeing This will go very well"
Subtle laughter filled the room. It was obvious Colin was already a little drunk...
"I actually agree with everything Savannah said... Deception in a relationship is a very hard thing to overcome... and sometimes you just can't," he stated simply, pausing and making direct eye contact with me, "but one day? If you're lucky enough... you'll be rewarded with someone else who will treat you right!"
He smiled, looking into the crowd, and over to Melany first before quickly switching his eyes to Helen.
Melany... that's who he was looking at during the ceremony and just moments ago...
I didn't know what they were planning, but it had me worried. By the look on Helen's face, she was worried too... Colin stared at the ground and continued.
"... I was lucky enough to end up being one of those people, as were Reece and Jen... In the end, we must learn who's gold, and who's gold plated. These two are destined to be together, and I wish them a long happy future together, cheers everyone!"
He raised his glass and everyone else followed through.
POV: Colin
I stepped back into the crowd and placed my arm around Helen.
"Colin we need to talk..."
"Uh, okay..."
She grabbed my hand and walked me to a secluded room, free of prying eyes and camera flashes.
"Helen, what are we—"
She reached up and kissed me softly on the lips. I looked down at her and suddenly became speechless...
"It's been so long—"
"Maybe it was better thy way..." she claimed, looking at the floor.
"What?"
"I see the way you look at her Colin..."
"I promise you, Savannah and I are no longer—"
"I'm talking about Melany..."
I stood still with my mouth open, searching for the words to piece together that would make her understand my behavior.
"I don't think I can go through another break up with you Colin, I'm sorry, I have to go..."
"Helen—"
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be Colin. Between you, Ryan, Savannah, and Melany, there are two overlapping love triangles happening that I don't want to be involved in... I'm sorry this can't work out..."
I sat down in a chair and watched as she walked away. When she left the room I rested my head in my hands. Clanking footsteps came from the doorway to my right, causing me to look up and see who was there.
"Melany? How'd you know I was in here?"
"I asked around..."
"Helen just left me—"
"I figured," she said smiling sympathetically and rubbing my back.
"You're leaving... Reece is leaving... it'll just be me, Savannah, and Jen," I said, looking into her eyes, "I just can't do this anymore Melany—"
"Can't do what anymore?" She asked with concern in her voice.
"I— I just want things to be normal again..."
I stood up and walked into the hallway.
"and what do you consider normal Colin?" She asked, following me to the back door.
"Normal is a relationship with a woman who loves me. Normal is not this... whatever the hell this is—"
"I do love you Colin, but if Ryan wants to make it work—"
"I know– it's what's best for your kids..."
She looked over to me and I looked at the ground as water swelled in my eyes, "too bad I'll never know what that's like—"
"Don't say that Colin..."
I pulled my keys from my pocket and walked outside, unlocking my car doors.
"But we both know it's true—"
"It's NOT!" She yelled defensively
"THE PERSON I LOVE MOST, THE PERSON I CAME CLOSEST TO HAVING A BABY WITH, THAT WAS ALL RUINED BY YOUR HUSBAND," I shouted back, pointing a finger in her direction.
"He's the father of my children and your brother—"
"Yeah some brother he is..."
I got in the car and Melany opened the passenger door.
"I'm not getting out until you calm down... you're drunk and angry Colin—"
I laughed, "WHY does everyone keep telling me to calm down, I'm one hundred percent fine! There's nothing bothering me that has anything to do with alcohol—"
"Then what is bothering you Colin?!"
The pitch of her voice was fluctuating drastically.
"I WANT A CHILD"
I looked into her eyes and couldn't break from their hold. We were both speechless and I never meant for that to come out.
"Melany I—"
"Ok...."
I raised my eyebrow in confusion.
"Ok what?"
"You want a child and I want to be with you," she said, grabbing hold of my hands, "If this is meant to be... If we try for a child tonight, and I end up pregnant... then I will be with you Colin. I will be yours..."
I gazed at her, painted with confusion.
"You'd do that..?"
"Yes Colin... I would, what do you say?"
I contemplated how this decision could ruin everything about my relationship with Savannah and Ryan, but then I remembered I had already done that a long time ago...
I shifted the car into drive, "your place or mine?"