Pieces of Me (16 page)

It’s now the start of February and Abbi is getting excited about Lacie and Corey’s upcoming wedding. Over the last month we’ve had a couple of trips back to Coffs Harbour for last minute preparations, as Abbi is the Maid of Honour and I’m Corey’s Best Man. We spent a couple of days with Abbi’s parents, which was nice. They have always been really nice to me and seem to be happy that we are finally together after all of these years. After the trouble with Daniel they had wanted to come and stay with Abbi, but she had assured them that she was fine and I was taking care of her.

On our last night at her parents place I finally get a chance to be alone with Abbi’s Dad, Richard to tell him about my plans to propose and to ask for his blessing. We are sitting in the two armchairs in his games room watching a game of football when I bring it up.

“So, Richard, I want to marry your daughter.”

His head snaps to mine, eyes wide, and then his lips curve up in a massive smile.

“I think that would be just fine. That girl has been in love with you for as long as I remember and when you left she wasn’t the same for years. Through the whole mess with that scum you proved just how much you care about her and what you are willing to do for her. Jake, I would be happy to call you my son.” He reaches out his hand and I grasp it in mine, glad that it went that smoothly.

“Thanks Richard, it means a lot to hear you say that.” He gives me a wink before turning back to the football game. Abbis’ Dad is a man of few words, but when he does speak it means something. I am touched by his comment about being happy to call me his son and I wish that my Dad was around so I could share my happiness with him. When I told my Mum about my plan to propose to Abbi she had gushed about how happy she was that I was ready to settle down and how ecstatic she was that it was with Abbi. She then reminded me that she’s not getting any younger and I need to make her a Grandma soon.

***

One afternoon after work, I meet Levi and Cameron at a small jeweller’s shop in the city. Cameron insisted on coming along to help me choose a ring and demanded that Levi come with her.

We walk around the store looking for the perfect ring that Abbi will love, but nothing is jumping out at me.

Just as I begin to move to the next display, a small, silver ring catches my eye.

“Excuse me.” I call to the store clerk. “Can I please see this one?”

She looks to where I’m pointing and smiles.

“Ahh…yes. A beautiful choice.” She unlocks the cabinet and carefully lifts out my ring of choice placing it down on a piece of black fabric. “This is a one point five carat Princess Cut Diamond set in a platinum upswept, hand engraved band. It’s beautiful and very unique.”

“Cameron. This is the one.”

She comes to stand beside me and her eyes nearly pop out of her head when she sees the price tag. It’s a lot of money, but totally worth it. The ring is perfect and I smile to myself when I picture it on Abbi’s delicate little hand.

“I’ll take it.”

***

The week before Lacie and Corey’s wedding, we drive up to Coffs Harbour with Cameron and Levi for the Bachelor and Hen’s parties. It was my job to organise the bachelor party, so I booked out a private function room at one of the local clubs and invited around twenty five of Corey’s closest friend, including some that we had gone to school with and after a game of paintball in the afternoon, we met up at the club for some poker and drinks.

The alcohol is flowing and I have already lost close to a hundred dollars on the poker game, which isn’t really my thing, but I know Corey enjoys it. I make my way over to the small bar and order another beer while pulling out my phone to see if I have any messages or missed calls from Abbi. Nope, nothing. The girls are out for the Hen’s night and I can’t help but wonder what kind of mischief they are up to right now.

“Checking up on her already?” I look up and see Levi grinning at me and I smile back.

“You know me too well, man.”

“She’ll be fine, Cam will look after her.”

Chuckling, I tuck my phone back in my pocket.

“That’s what I’m worried about.”

At the far end of the room, the main door flies open and a couple of girls stumble through, obviously a little intoxicated. They are closely followed by a larger group of girls and in amongst them I spot a head of dark hair and bright blue eyes that make my heart speed up.

A smile spreads across my face as I watch her stumble toward me, towing Cameron and Lacie behind her. Lacie is wearing a veil covered with little rubber penises and I hear Levi chuckle beside me.

Abbi stops right in front of me and gives me the sweetest, drunk looking smile I have ever seen and I am lost. I’m lost in her beauty, in her magnificent blue eyes that just pierce through my soul.

“Hey, stud.” She actually giggles and it’s music to my ears. I haven’t seen her this happy and carefree since Daniel and I’m loving it.

“What are you girls doing here? Did you miss us already?” Lacie spots Corey over at the poker table and saunters toward him and Cameron drags Levi over to the soft couches in one corner of the room, leaving me and Abbi alone.

She slowly steps closer to me, her blue eyes sparkling mischievously. I am really trying hard not to take her in my arms and make love to her right here on the floor. As she gets closer, she wraps her slender arms around my waist and gazes up into my eyes.

“You’re right, I did miss you.”

Leaning down I place a gentle kiss on her lips, my eyes not leaving hers.

“Jake, is it bad that I can’t stand to be away from you for a couple of hours?” She pouts and I chuckle.

“Baby, I have spent half the night checking my phone and wondering what you have been up to as well.”

She grins as she pulls my face to hers and bites my lip. We spend the rest of the night laughing, drinking and dancing and having fun with our friends before somehow making our way back to our Hotel and spending the night wrapped in each other’s arms.

It is the morning of the wedding and I am getting really nervous, not about the wedding, but what I have planned for Abbi. Her ring has been burning a hole in my pocket for weeks and I am finally going to pop the question. When we were in Coffs Harbour for the party last week, I had spoken to Lacie about my plans and she had offered to help me. At first I wasn’t too sure about her plan because it’s her special day and I don’t want to take the focus away from her and Corey starting their life together, but it is a really great plan and Abbi will never suspect it or see it coming. I like the idea of having the element of surprise.

The wedding venue is a small chapel on the outskirts of town, surrounded by lush gardens, where a large marquee has been set up for the reception. I am standing with Corey in a little private room at the side of the chapel, giving him a last minute pep talk while we wait for the girls to turn up.

“I’m so fucking nervous, man, which is totally ridiculous because we’ve been together for so long. I mean, our engagement has lasted years.”

I rest my hands on his shoulders and grin at him.

“You know you two belong together. Just remember that when the nerves kick in and you feel like you want to puke.”

“Haha, very funny. What about you, Jake? How are you feeling about today? It’s a big day for you too.”

“I’m fine. I haven’t prepared a speech or anything, I’m just going to live in the moment and…wing it.”

He pats me on the shoulder. “Well, good luck, man. I hope it all works out for you.”

I give him a quick bro hug just as there is a knock on the door. We both turn to see Corey’s father grinning at both of us.

“Boys, it’s show time.”

As I stand beside Corey at the front of the chapel, both of us staring toward the back door, I realise that soon this could be me, standing here waiting for Abbi to walk down the aisle and give herself to me for all of time. The thought fills my heart with joy and I suddenly can’t wait to ask her the big question. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone but her and I just hope that she feels the same about me. I guess I will find out soon.

The sound of a guitar breaks the silence and I recognise the song as “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran and suddenly, Abbi appears in a beautiful charcoal grey one shouldered dress, reaching to just above her knees and showing off her gorgeous, slender legs. My tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth as I take in every little detail of her appearance. Her hair is pulled back into a sophisticated chignon, with some soft curls falling around her face, which is made up with quite a natural look, except for the bright red lipstick making her soft, delicious lips look fuller and more kissable. She is holding a small bunch of white Arum Lilies in her hands as she slowly steps toward us, her eyes not leaving mine. This girl is so beautiful; every time I see her I swear she knocks the breath right out of me.

I am so wrapped up in Abbi, that I hardly even notice the bride following behind her, and as they both reach the altar, Abbi steps to the side and Lacie’s Dad hands her over to Corey.

***

The ceremony is nice and short and as we follow the Bride and Groom out of the Chapel, I take Abbi’s hand in mine and place a kiss on her fingers.

“You look so beautiful, Abbi.”

“Why, thank you Jake. You don’t scrub up too bad yourself.” She gestures down at my charcoal grey suit, with the black shirt and silver tie.

I place a rough kiss on her lips as we make our way to the marquee, the wedding guests following closely behind.

The night starts out with dinner, dancing and speeches. When it’s time for mine, I stand up and take the microphone. My speech is full of stories about our childhood and how it feels like we have come full circle. Abbi’s speech is all about how happy she is that the Bride and Groom are finally starting their life together, followed by lots of tears. When the speeches are all over, there is more dancing.

As I hold Abbi in my arms, slowly swaying to the love song the band is playing, I find myself touching my pocket to double check the ring is still there. That would be all I need, to lose the ring before I even get the chance to propose. Luckily, each and every time I check, the ring is still there, just waiting for the moment.

Abbi’s voice distracts me from my thoughts.

“Are you okay, Jake?”

She is gazing up at me as we dance, a concerned expression on her face.

I smile reassuringly at her.

“Yeah, Babe. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You seemed a thousand miles away just now.”

Leaning down, I place a kiss on her red lips.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just thinking about how gorgeous you look tonight and how much I can’t wait to get you back to the Hotel room.”

As I lean in for another kiss, we hear someone tapping on a glass to get the crowd’s attention. I turn to see Lacie holding her bouquet.

Okay, showtime!

As Lacie calls all of her single and unwed friends onto the dance floor, I can’t take my eyes off Abbi. She looks so beautiful tonight and I can’t wait to see her reaction to what I’m about to do. My nerves are really starting to hit now, my palms are sweating and my heart is racing, hammering in my chest.

Lacie takes her position at the front of the group and gives me a discreet little wink before wishing her friends good luck and turning around. With her back to them she holds the bouquet out in front of her, ready to toss it. Abbi is standing at the front of the group with a gorgeous smile on her face as she watches Lacie. Just as Lacie looks like she is going to toss it over her head, she spins around and walks toward Abbi, holding out the bouquet in front of her and announcing.

“It’s your turn next, baby girl.”

Abbi’s brows draw together and her jaw drops in complete surprise as Lacie places the bouquet in her hands, and I move from my spot at the side of the dance floor and walk toward Abbi.

Her blue eyes meet mine and she watches me with a look of confusion. I think she is in shock. I stop in front of her and take her left hand in mine. Her eyes start to glaze over and I can see tears welling as she gazes up at me with the sweetest expression on her face. She’s wearing her silver locket and it catches my attention. I think back to that day, more than six years ago, when I had to leave behind my best friend and the girl that I had loved for years. That day tore us both into tiny, miserable pieces, but I vow to spend the rest of my life putting those pieces back together.

“Abbi, when I was fifteen I fell in love with you. You were smart, sassy, beautiful and stubborn as all hell, but I knew that I was going to love you forever. That silver heart you’re wearing represents my heart. When I gave you that locket, I gave you my heart. You own it, Abbi. It’s always been yours. Recently, I’ve learned that life is too short to take the ones we love for granted and I made the mistake of letting you go six years ago; I’m never going to make that same mistake again. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.” She smiles through the tears as I get down on one knee. I can feel her hand trembling in mine as I reach into my pocket and pull out the small box. Letting go of her hand, I open the box and hold it up to her. “Please make me the happiest man alive and marry me.”

She stares at me for a few seconds, before looking down at the ring and then back at me again. She hasn’t said a word and I am starting to panic. Is it too soon? Have I made a mistake? Finally, she smiles the most beautiful grin I have ever seen in my life and whispers.

“Of course I will marry you, Jake.”

Rising from my knee, I pull her into my arms and spin her around, the joy in my heart exploding. As I stare up into her bright blue eyes, she leans in and kisses me, whispering against my lips.

“I will love you forever too, Jake.”

…The End