Eight years ago I was going to marry my ex-girlfriend, she always hinted at how she wanted a large wedding, in a church. Then the reception was going to be in a bar she wanted to be rented out for the special day, although I knew it'd put a dent in my pocket -- seeing as I hadn't been accepted into the military at the time, I didn't mind. She was worth it.

Was it foolish to think she'd do the same if I got into the army because I waited for her to complete her university? I guess you could say I had hoped she would. So when I saw the letter on the duffel bag that faithful night, with the ring I spent an excellent buck to get, my heart sunk down to my feet. The thought made me chuckle, the void I felt right after cause me to stay almost a decade in and out in the office and camp, trying to get her name and who she was to me out of my system. Did I? Not until roughly three years ago. Florescent, that was her name.

I didn't think I'd be attending Cas' wedding, even if she was my good friend. Seeing the wedding bells would remind me of how I had chosen to serve the country over a life with Florescent, well according to her. To be honest? I didn't feel bad, or regretful. If I didn't go into the army, I wouldn't even have met Cas or Gabe. Perhaps I would never have come across Amelia on her bicycle that fateful day. Amelia...

Did she find it weird being a plus one to a wedding, with a man she wasn't even with? I hoped not. I was too excited for a change of mind.

Staring at the reflection in the mirror, I grinned. The suit was well-tailored, as though it was made for me even if I bought it ready-made. It was a dark blue suit, with a silver pocket square which added a bit of pop to the outfit. According to Amelia, I looked better in dark colours as they complimented my fair skin. Taking out the gel, I tried to style my hair carefully, it wouldn't hurt to let Amelia's gaze linger on me. The light brown strands of my beard had added volume in the past week, this made me look less boyish than before.

When I was done inspecting my look, I checked my phone to see if she was ready. Knowing how she was, I didn't want to rush her, so I'd given her a two-hour headstart being going to the flower shop and then back home. The flowers were for Amelia, I guess I was stepping up in being a gentleman. Curtsey to Saffron.

'I'm on my way, baby.'

It made my heart swell with joy when I called her that. She liked it also, I knew she did. It didn't take long for her to reply, it was with a picture. Before I opened it, my lips automatically drew a wide, silly grin. She angled the phone weirdly and took a picture of her face. Call me cheesy but the lady looked cute either way. It was captioned: 'I was done before you :) I'll be waiting.' I chuckled.

'Sure you were, keep telling yourself that.'

'Tee-hee, Abel's teasing me a lot! Hurry!'

What the woman wants. Taking the keys to the truck and the bouquet, I reversed out of my house, making my way to hers. 'Just ask her to be your girlfriend already.' I remembered what Saffron said teasingly when I asked which flower ladies preferred. Trust me when I said I was planning to, I didn't just want it to come suddenly. Not right after -- well, a bit after her confession. When last did I have a girlfriend? I was surely rusty in that area.

Was she ready to be in a relationship? Heck, was I ready to be the darn good boyfriend she deserved? I guess those questions acted as the reasons why I concluded to take baby steps in our journey together. Perhaps we needed to know each other a bit more. I planned on taking her to mine one day, simply talking about ourselves. I didn't trust myself to be in the same bedroom as her and not want to pull her in, to drench her in affection.

See? My own head wasn't safe from her.

As always, the neighbourhood was jovial. It was starting to feel all the more comfortable, I wouldn't mind meeting any of the kids there. The thought made me laugh, was I good with kids? If Saff counted as one, then maybe. On getting to the gate, I saw Abel at the front, he had his back half turned, grinning at the person inside. I wouldn't say it was weird seeing my now boss live with the lady I was interested in, it was something I just wasn't used to.

Taking the bouquet, I approached. Abel was already turned, his lips tilted in a smirk, eyeing the roses. "You might want to come out now, baby sister." He uttered without looking back, affirming my thoughts on it being Amelia behind the gate. When I heard her cute huff come after "I'm not a baby!" I couldn't help but laugh. It made me nervous, to hold flowers while her brother inspected me.

"You look cleaned up." He commented with a small smile. "I'll leave you to it, enjoy the wedding." Abel nodded, backing away before Amelia timidly made her way outside, a small box in her hand. Might I spare you the cheesiness and not explain how gorgeous she looked in the dark blue silk gown?

No, I would not.

The gown hugged her curves, hiking up at both sides of her thighs. It had a thin arm and a string of plastic blue flowers wrapping around her upper arm. Her face looked smoother, her eyebrows more accentuated. The makeup blended with her skin, the eyeshadow matching her gown. When I saw the black heels, it made sense how I wasn't looking so down at her. In one word, she looked stunning.

And I told her.

"I do? Thank you. I hope it isn't too much...w-wait, is that for me?" Too much? There was no doubt she was going to be a point of attraction, but it was fine as long as she was comfortable with it. "It's not too much. And yeah, I hope you like roses." Her cheeks beam a brighter colour. "I haven't gotten this many roses before, thank you, Evie." Whether she thanked me or not, her smile was enough for me to know she appreciated it.

"You're very welcome, pretty lady." Amelia giggled, entering the truck with my help. "So, I didn't know if to come empty-handed for your friend's wedding, is this gift okay?" She opened it, a hopeful gaze directed at me.

It was a pair of bracelets, they were almost identical. How thoughtful. "I'm sure she'd like it, you didn't have to you know." She pouted. "It wouldn't be right going empty, Everest." Oh, the first name? I rose my hands in surrender. "Whatever you want, sweetie. That's very thoughtful of you." Amelia grinned, nodding her head in a cute way.

"Do you know?"

I turned, trying not to look away from the road for too long. "Know what?" She squinted her eyes at me, not saying a word. Ah, not this telekenses again. "You're going to have to say it, you know?" Amelia huffed, "C'mon, guess!"

"Do I know how pretty you look?"

"No! Guess again?"

"Do I know you put on make-up?"

"Evie!"

This made me laugh. "Lia!" I mocked, the nickname flowing right out, of the top of my head. She paused, her frown changing into a blush. Amelia grinned, clearly liking the name. "Lia?" She said, tasting the words on her tongue. "You like it?" I gave the grinning lady a smile. Amelia nodded. "I do actually. I meant to say we're matching outfit colours!"

That was when it clicked, she was also wearing blue, and looking darn gorgeous in it too. "You look better in it, and no wonder. I heard a crack on my window, so you were spying to see what colour I'd wear." I teased, and when she giggled, I continued. "Dear, dear Lia. I didn't peg you for a stalker." Her fits of giggles got louder, she lightly pushed my shoulder. "Don't be ridiculous."

"But just because you're cute, I'll allow it."

"You wish I was stalking you." Amelia scoffed playfully, twirling a strand of hair which was curled up and reaching her shoulders. "That's exactly what a stalker would say, darling."

"Why? Have you encountered one?" Her laugh was so contagious, I found myself laughing along with her. "I wouldn't even wish that on my enemy." She hummed, her smile lingering on her lips. "Everest?" After some minutes of silence, her gentle voice broke it again. "You know, when you call me that, I can't help but reckon it's serious." Although I liked it when she said my name, I'd come to be more inclined to the short version -- which was intriguing as I never liked anyone shortening my name. Everest wasn't too long, so it needed no short form. Yet, here I was, wondering why the little lady refused to shorten my name just now.

"Is it? Well, I just wanted to say that...I really want to get to know you more."

It was like she read my mind.

"You know, who is Everest Simon?" I smiled, it was a sight seeing her speak this way, as though she'd made up her mind days before this. "I was thinking of that as well." Amelia rose a brow. "You were? That's nice! So...I was wondering, would you like to, you know...?" Ah, there it was again, not being as fluent in communicating her feelings. "Like to?"

"Know more...about each other?"

"I would love to, Amelia. So, your place or mine?" The lady giggled. "I don't know, I guess your place? Since you've been to mine." My place...I never thought of having my own place, well, I didn't even come home until recently. Would she find it weird that I lived with my dad, his second wife and child? Ah...a thirty-two-year-old without his own place. Was that lame? I was definitely thinking too much.

"My place. Sure thing." We'd cross that bridge when it was near.

From Amelia's gasp, I realized we had arrived. The venue was big, decorated, filled with cars and hired photographers. "This is lovely! Oh, right, what is your friend's name?"

"Cas. Well, Cassandra Moore, soon to be Cassandra Ruben."

"You're sure she wouldn't mind you bringing a stranger to her wedding?" Her concern warmed my heart, Cas knew about her before Amelia did, so I doubted she'd be seen as such. "Of course not, she'd be happy to meet you."

I parked in one of the few empty spots, getting out of the truck before walking over to Amelia who was already out and beaming at the scenery. "This is so beautiful." She gushed, tucking her arms into mine. Together, we made our way inside the church. I noticed Amelia's finger tap my elbow absentmindedly. Turning, the look on her face prompted my next question.

"Nervous?"

"Oh, uh...well..."

"Don't be." She pursed her lips, nodding. "I'll try."

"Do my eyes deceive me? Simon! Is that you?!" Had someone recognized me already? A smile went up to my lips as the familiar voice, I turned, Amelia still intertwined at my arm. "In the flesh." I joked before observing who it was. My smile got wider.

"Adam? Chester?" Adam Chester as I liked to call him was here. It was hard to believe seeing as he lived a miles from here. He was with me in the military, the assistant lieutenant favourite as we loved to call him. His strong build and features made him well-respected there, somehow, we managed to go beyond pleasantries.

He cackled, widening his arms for a hug. Amelia stepped back, letting for our little reunion. It had been a while since I'd seen him, after we departed, we lost contact, partly because half of us were still hospitalized. "How are you, Simon?" He patted my back with force, he never knew how strong he was. I nearly coughed out.

"Easy there, Chester. I've been really good recently. How's your side?" His hearty laugh bore good news. Apparently, he was inheriting his father's booming business and the process was almost done. "And who is this pretty woman by your side? I take it she's partly the reason?" He smirked, his gaze fixated on Amelia.

Gently, I drew her back in, taking her arms in mine. "This is Amelia. My plus one." Chester hummed, offering her a wand which she timidly took. "It's nice to meet you, Amelia. You can call me Adam. Unlike this bloke here who calls me Chester." She giggled when he kissed the back of her palm.

"Nice to meet you too, Adam."

"We served in the military together." Adam briefed, looking back at me. "I'll be in town for a while, we should catch up. Okay?"

"Definitely." After a handshake and finger snap, Amelia and I were off to take a seat. "He seems nice." She worded, taking a seat. "He is. One of my good friends to be honest." Who said we couldn't start getting to know you early? "Really? It's good to meet a friend of yours any day."

"Am I included in that?"

We turned in unison, facing the one I nicknamed my best friend. "I'd be darned if you were not." I laughed, standing to my feet to hug Gabe. "You came." Penelope was by his side, a brown fitted gown which fell to her ankles was her attire. She smiled shyly, resuming to intertwine his hand. Oh? Were they a thing now? About time.

"Ah, you must be our Amelia."

"And you must be the one who rose from the dead." Her sly response made me laugh, throwing my head back. So did Gabe. "Ah, I guess I'm not the only known person here." They shook hands. "I'm his best friend, Gabe. And this is my woman, Penelope." Woman? I see.

"Hi, Amelia. You're really pretty." Pen greeted, shaking her as well. "Oh, uh...thank you, that's very kind. Nice to meet you both." I honestly admired how well she flowed with my friends. It wasn't awkward, just...nice. We sat down and in a few minutes, the ceremony began.

"This is exciting," Amelia whispered, trying to stifle her giggle. I smiled, opening my palm. "Do you want to?" She blushed, looking away. I wasn't sure if it was too forward, but sitting this close to her made me want to hold her hand. "Yeah..." Our hands interlaced, her palm was warm, soft and small in mine. Holding her like this felt a bit intimate, but I liked it. Amelia shifted closer, but not close enough to rest her head on my shoulder.

The sequence for the event went smoothly, Bran; her husband-to-be, made an appearance after his best men came. He had on a pale pink tuxedo. Anyone with a pair of eyes could tell he was nervous from a mile away, I could only imagine the nerves running through him, it was his wedding day after all.

The moment Cas made her entrance, she was truly the centre of attraction. A gown I bet I'd see straight from those princess movies we used to joke about, glitter must've surely been the theme today, from head to toe, Cas was glistening. "Wow." I heard Amelia murmur, nudging me. "She looks really pretty."

We watched as they said their vows, and joined themselves with a kiss.

Screams and claps erupted, and it was time for the reception. All this time, I and Amelia kept holding hands, my thumb occasionally caressing hers. Seeing Cas get married made me think, I did want to take Amelia seriously, I'd gladly go to the next step if she was ready. The little lady had become so...special to me.

"Evie?"

"Hm?" I immediately snapped out of it. "You're really deep in thought, this is the third time I'm calling you." Oh, was I? I chuckled it off, not wanting to tell her what those thoughts were about. "My bad. So, are you ready to meet the bride?" Amelia huffed, taking the gift box from her small purse. "Yes!" Her words were affirmative and animated.

"After this introduction, I get to have you the entire night," I said, squeezing her palm. "Oh yeah? And what are you going to do the entire night, mister?" Oh? Were we going down that route? Don't mind if I do. "I was thinking..." Amelia gasped when I lifted her hand, twirling her on the spot, and a giggle erupted out of her. "Evie!"

"Maybe we'd dance, talk and while the time away in each other's company."

She bit her lip.

"R-really? I can't wait."

-

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