Chapter Thirty – Five - Moving On?

[ Caraline Narrating ]

It’s been three months since I found out what kind of person Nick really was. I try my best not to think about it, but sometimes I can’t help not to. He hasn’t been in the spotlight any. From what I know, he quit work on his album and I have no idea where he is. Honestly, I don’t really care where he is.

I’ve moved on with my life.

Due to Faith, Tim, and my family forcing me, I went home to Star after the incident with Nick. Faith and Tim wanted me to take some time off and just be myself. It was good for me in a lot of ways. I grew closer with old friends again. I was able to wake up in my bed every morning and eat my favorite – my Mom’s bacon and eggs.

I was also able to realize what things were really important to me.

I spent a lot of time with Bryan. We went to the movies and hometown football games. We sat around, watching re-runs of old tv-shows and talked about the old days. Somewhere in between then and now, I realized that whatever feelings I had for Nick after the broken heart he gave me, were gone. I realized what I was scared about that night in the bathroom as I talked on the phone with him. I realized that deep down, I was still in love with him. I didn’t even have to question his feelings for me, they were apparent. He loved me and he always loved me.

I realized that Nick was right about one thing though. He was right about wasting time when you know that you’ve found the person you are meant to be with. That’s why in about thirty minutes, I’m going to be walking down the isle, behind Faith, my maid of honor, to marry my first and only love, Bryan. I know that it’s the right thing to do. It’s what I want to do.

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”You look so beautiful,” Faith said, placing the small tiara on Caraline’s head. “And your getting married in the church we all went to when we were little, how sweet is this?”

”It’s what I want,” Caraline whispered, looking at herself in the mirror. She had on a sleeveless white dress, with a high waist that flowed down to the floor. “I look like a Barbie.”

”You look great,” Faith replied when there was a knock at the door. “Hang on, let me see who it is,” Faith walked to the door and opened it slightly, seeing Bryan standing outside. “Bryan, you can’t see her before the ceremony.”

”Oh come on Faith,” Bryan said as he laughed, “Caraline?”

”Faith, let him in,” Caraline replied as Faith looked back at her, “It’s not bad luck, there can’t be any bad luck today.”

“Okay,” Faith replied, walking out of the door. Bryan walked in, staring at her as she smiled.

“Hi,” Caraline whispered. Bryan walked up to her, giving her a slow, kiss on the lips. “Are you nervous?”

”Honestly?” Bryan asked, smiling slightly. “Not really. I mean, I’m happy. I know this is what was supposed to happen.”

”We were meant to drift away and see what was really important.” Caraline whispered before wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you so much, Bryan.”

“I love you too. And I have a surprise for you,” Bryan said, causing Caraline to stop hugging him. She moved her head back, staring him in the eyes. “After the reception, we’re getting on a private jet, and we’re flying to Milan.”

”Milan?” Caraline asked, in shock. “There’s no way you did that Bryan, you don’t have that kind of money –“

”Okay so it’s a gift from Faith and Tim, and I didn’t want to take them up on it, but they insisted and I know how much you love fashion, so Milan.” Bryan said, reaching down to take her hand in his. “I’m gonna make our wedding night the best night of our lives.”

“I’m so glad that we waited until this night to actually be together this time,” Caraline replied, pinching his nose with her left hand. “I’m going to show you just how much I love you.”

”I already know,” Bryan whispered, leaning in to kiss her again. He placed his fingertips on the side of her face lightly, taking her mouth into his. He moved away slowly, sucking on her lips and smiled. “I better go back before someone comes and pulls me out of here.”

”Yeah,” Caraline replied, hugging him again. “I love you Bryan.”

“I love you too Caraline.” Bryan said. He walked backwards to the door, smiling at her. “See you in a little bit.”

”Okay,” Caraline whispered, watching Bryan as he walked out. She smiled, putting her hands over her mouth as she tried not to cry. She couldn’t believe how happy she was at the moment. Not only was she getting the guy that she always really loved, but they would be spending their honeymoon in the city she had always wanted to visit.

”It’s perfect,” Caraline whispered, turning around to look in the mirror. “Just perfect.”

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“Just perfect,” Nick muttered, moving a strand of hair out of his eyes. He sat there in the bar, throwing back another shot of Jack Daniels while looking at a basketball game on the television. He hadn’t had a haircut in months, and hadn’t shaved in days.

He yelled for the bartender to bring him another shot, but stopped when two guys looked at him. “What the hell are you two looking at?”

”It’s not even noon on a Sunday, are you sure you wanna be drinking?” the older man said as Nick rolled his eyes at him. “Come on Charlie, we’re gonna be late for the wedding.”
“Bryan and Caraline will kick our ass if we’re not there for sure.” Charlie, a short, heavy set man said as he put on his coat jacket. Nick looked over his shoulder at them as they walked out the door. Caraline and Bryan’s wedding. Who gave a shit about them, they would end up divorced in a year anyway.

“Hey man!” Nick yelled, slamming his fist down on the counter, “Can I get another drink or what?!?”

“The bar’s closing down.” The bartender said, wiping off the counter top.

“What the hell for?”

“The whole town’s heading over to the First Baptist Church for a wedding. Go on back to your hotel room.” He replied, taking the shot classes from Nick’s reach.

“Fine, see if I come back here,” Nick said, throwing a fifty dollar bill on the countertop. He gave the bartender a dirty look and walked towards the door of the bar. He walked outside, and looked towards the rundown hotel he had been staying at. “Maybe I need to show my congratulations to them too,” he said, walking towards the hotel.

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”I, Caraline Leah Morgan, take thee, Bryan Andrew Cashwell, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, through sickness and health, ‘til death do us part.” Caraline softly said, as she placed Bryan’s wedding band on his finger.

”By the power invested in me, and the state of Mississippi, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Son, you may now kiss your bride,” the preacher said as Caraline smiled, leaning in to meet Bryan’s lips. They kissed slowly while the church exploded into applause.

“I love you,” Bryan whispered, kissing her lips again.

”I love you too.” Caraline replied, hugging him before he reached down, taking her hand. “Let’s go get some cake.”

Everybody in the church stood up, as Caraline and Bryan turned around to walk down the isle, but paused when they saw Nick standing there in a long black jacket with a suit and tie on. The crowd turned around, seeing Nick standing there and stopped their applause.