JEANIE

I walk out of the hospital, Franny falling behind me.

It hurt, seeing her laying there, looking pale as a sheet, and having no energy. It isn't like the Lucy I know, and it didn't make me feel good. And after my recent surgery with a bullet hole, I don't like visiting hospitals.

The question is, who does?

Franny catches up to me. "You want to drive you home, or do you want to come visit us?" She asks.

I sigh. "I need to go home. I have to pack."

She's silent.

After my chat with her about Travis coming back, I expected her to be overjoyed and glad that I was doing this. But what I was met with was anger and resentment I didn't know she was harboring.

I felt super selfish after that moment, not realizing all that she was holding back because of my love for Travis.

She still loves him, I know she does. He was practically her older brother, and for something like this to come between them, were they ever really friends?

The answer is immediately no, because I can't even imagine my best friend at war with my ex-husband. Life would be awful, and not to mention Franny being married to Travis' best friend.

It would just be chaotic.

We get into the car, and Franny drives me home. She drops me off, and I wave her my goodbyes.

When I get inside, I find Mom sleeping. It was around her nap time.

I go straight to my room and find my empty suitcase surrounded by folded clothes that I meant to put in there.

But doubts started to creep in, and it almost stopped me from going through with it.

I kept thinking of all the reasons this would never work out and every article of clothing I ended up putting in there ended up coming back out and back onto my bed. I had done that twice, then when I got the call from Lucy's mom, I decided it was a great escape.

I was surprised I even wanted to come back here after all this deciding and undeciding.

But it needs to be done. I would regret it forever if I didn't try. If I didn't fight for the man I love and who I hope still loves me.

He has to still love me.

That's when the doubts came back. They crush me when they start to remind me that he could have moved on with someone, he could be happy where he is and refuse to come back with me.

Nothing would scare me more and make me cry uncontrollably.

Just thinking about him rejecting me... my soul aches because of it.

Travis, please still want to marry me. Please still love me.

I stuff everything into my bag, not even caring if they got unfolded or not. It isn't like I am staying super long, but just long enough that if he says no, I could somehow convince him otherwise. I can be very persuasive, and also strong-willed.

But if he truly wanted to move on without me in his life, I would let go.

Hesitantly, I would let go.

I only hope it doesn't come to that.

FRANNY

I spin around in the mirror, smiling at my reflection. I didn't ever think I looked good white, but right now I felt good.

Everything felt good.

Jeanie walks into the room, looking beautiful in her red gown. She looks like a princess in her dress. It is too bad she doesn't look happy.

It has almost been a year since Travis divorced her, and weddings are probably her least favorite occasion.

But she's a trooper and stuck on a smile when she sees me looking at her.

"Hey, bride-to-be, how are you?" She wraps her arms around me in a hug, and I hug her back, wanting to whisper kind words to her, encouraging words to her during this tough time, but my mouth did not open.

When we pull away, I see a few tears in Jeanie's eyes.

"You look gorgeous," she whispers, pulling the fabric of my dress up into the air, then let's it go, it falling back down.

I smile. "Thanks, Jeanie. I'm pretty sure I feel like a princess."

"You are one." She grins.

I take her hand, looking into her eyes.

This question had been poking at me for a long time, ever since the divorce really, but now the big day is here, I am concerned she might be offended.

"Hey... are you okay with seeing Travis today?" I ask softly.

She doesn't look surprised at the question. She shrugs. "I guess I'll have to be. I can't exactly skip out because I'll be walking down with my ex-husband."

Her expression is now pained.

"Will you have a lot to talk about?" I ask.

She sighs. "Unfortunately. I only have about a million questions, but I guess the first one I would be asking is "Did you really love me?" or something like that."

I pull her into another hug.

"I hope you get all the answers you need from him," I whisper.

She clutches me tightly. "Me too."

A knock sounds on the door, and it opens without an answer. It's Jeanie's mom.

"Hey, we're ready for you," she says, grinning.

Jeanie and I exchange looks and I suddenly feel bubbly and giggly as we walk hand in hand out of the room. We make it halfway out of the house, where I see my Dad waiting for me.

I wasn't quite sure how I felt about him walking me down the aisle, but at least he was more accepting of this than my Mom was.

She absolutely did everything she could to sabotage Jared and I's relationship, but it always failed.

Which was good, because I don't want to live my life without him in it.

We hear the music start and Jeanie begins to walk down the aisle. I couldn't see her face, but I can imagine a big grin sitting there as she walks.

Everyone then stands when they see me.

I look to the altar, seeing Jared standing there, looking unaware as he straightens his tie. I almost laughed. He hates ties almost as much as he hates weddings.

He wanted to elope.

I was almost convinced.

I catch his eye and his jaw drops to the ground.

My laugh escapes before I can stop myself.

We begin our descent down the stairs, and down the aisle. I only look at Jared, who can't stop smiling. We are almost reaching each other when I look behind him, expecting to see Travis standing there in a tux, with his blonde hair gelled back.

But there is no one.

Jared stands alone.

The question in my eyes, I look at Jared.

He understands and frowns.

It hits me as I look at Jeanie, who is looking as confused as I am.

He didn't even bother to show up.

My anger shot up, and I tried to pummel it down, knowing this isn't the kind of drama I need on my wedding day, but it couldn't help.

He didn't come.

He stood Jared and me up.

I take Jared's hands in mine, and he whispers, "Franny... I-I can't even describe how pretty you are right now."

A blush filled my cheeks and I hope it is more blush than anger.

"I think the word you're looking for is jaw-dropping gorgeous," I whisper back, and I make him laugh in front of everyone.

"You're so right," he whispers back as the man starts to speak, totally ignoring our banter.

Jared tightens his grip.

"You're so jaw-dropping gorgeous, Franny," he pauses, that twinkle in his eye, "and I can't wait till you're mine."