"Do you have the keys?"

It was such a simple ask.

And yet I stood there like a lovestruck idiot, unable to form a sentence.

In my defence, it had nothing to do with her question.

It had everything to do with that dress she was wearing.

"Hello? Earth to Hunter?" the sound of her voice pulled me out of the trance. "Do you have the keys?"

I held up the car keys in my hand. "Got 'em."

"Good. Let's go."

It wasn't my fault that dress she had on was fucking with my head. The lighting was at fault for making it appear crisp white instead of the light pink shade it was meant to be.

Dylan looked like a bride.

"Fucking hell. Are you coming?"

I blinked, forcing myself back into reality. Spotting her at the end of the hall, I quickly got my feet in motion and hurried after her.

"Can I ask why we're in such a rush?"

Dylan pushed open the door, ignoring my question. "Where's the car?"

I led her in the right direction without uttering another word. Of course, I wanted to know why this car ride was needed an hour before the start of the wedding. However, Dylan's frantic, worried glance was enough to signal that I needed to shut up and stop asking questions.

Dylan picked up the hem of her dress, ensuring it didn't get dirty from the dusty, gravel road as we crossed the parking lot and got into the car.

Turning the key and revving the engine, I went to shift the gear into drive when I suddenly realized I hadn't asked the most crucial question. "Where am I going?"

"Pharmacy," she replied shortly. "There's one at the end of the street."

"Left or right."

"Left." There was a beat of silence in the car before she added, "Sorry. I'm just-"

"You don't need to apologize," I said, turning out of the lot. "We'll be there in a few minutes. Don't worry."

Dylan mumbled a response, turning her attention to the window. The silence was making the short drive seem far longer than it was. And assuming that making conversation wasn't the best option, given the stressful nature of the way she sat with her hands fidgeting in her lap, I turned on the radio.

At least the songs playing at a low volume through the speakers provided something to fill the otherwise dead-silent car ride.

Pulling the car into a spot outside the pharmacy, I shifted the gear into park. "I'll wait here."

With a nod, Dylan opened the passenger door and made her way out of the car, quickly disappearing into the store. She seemed lost in her own world, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going through her head.

Yesterday everything seemed fine.

I didn't see much of Dylan during the day due to her helping with wedding preparations. I assumed my lack of presence was a good thing. While she worked on the setup and put out any last-minute fires for the big day, I watched over the kids. We seemed to silently agree to work together to allow Delilah and Ethan a calm day before the wedding.

Our interactions were pleasant at the rehearsal dinner, although sparse. Although, I didn't expect it to be any other way. Once we got the first conversation out of the way during dinner, it was like there was an unwritten rule that we didn't need to spend any more alone time together.

Or I was overthinking it.

Tapping my fingers against the steering wheel, I nodded to myself. I was definitely overthinking it. What was I expecting? That we would suddenly sneak off to have more private conversations? Become the best of friends after everything that had happened?

We were civilized with each other. And considering what our past entailed, the fact that we could act civil was quite an accomplishment.

A sudden knock against the glass startled me.

I rolled down the window. "Everything okay?"

"Do you have any cash?" Dylan crossed her arms over her chest, eyes avoiding mine. "My card got declined."

Leaning my body to one side in my seat, I reached behind to grab my wallet out of my back pocket. "I have ten bucks," I said, fishing through my wallet to see if there were more spare bills. "But I have my credit card. Do you care if I come in to pay?"

She shook her head and stepped to the side, allowing room for me to open the door and get out of the car. Following her lead inside and to the counter, the cashier looked up from her magazine.

"Ready to pay again?"

"Yeah, uh, credit," I said, holding up my card.

"The total is seventy-two dollars and four cents." The cashier held up one of the various boxes off the counter. "You know you could probably just buy one, right?"

Dylan ignored the comment as she released a heavy sigh. Her attention focused on the machine, which to both of our annoyance, took its time approving my card. Finally, the beep of approval released some tension from both our shoulders.

"Uh, we don't have any bags left."

"You don't have any bags?" Dylan said in disbelief. Without waiting for an answer, she rolled her eyes and collected the numerous boxes in her arms. "Can you grab that last one?"

Nodding, I grabbed the remaining box from the counter. "Pregnancy tests?" I uttered out loud without realizing it.

Dylan turned to the door and quietly said, "Yeah. I'm late," before hurrying out of the store and back to the car.

"Late for-" I cut myself off. "Oh. Oh, shit."

Dylan thought she was pregnant?

Holy shit.

Holy fucking shit.

I didn't know what to do. Or say. What could I possibly fucking say?

Congratulations?

Who's the father?

I'm sad it's not mine?

Fuck. No, I definitely couldn't say that last one. Or any of that.

Wishing her congratulations seemed like the best approach. However, Dylan had made it clear this was barely a topic of conversation. I only knew about it because of the payment situation.

I wasn't supposed to know. I didn't have a right to know. This had nothing to do with me.

And it would stay that way.

It was nearly impossible not to glance over at all the boxes on her lap as I started the car. Dylan was pregnant. Pregnant. I knew this day would come - when we would both move on and find someone else. She said the other night that she had moved on from me. But a baby? Another Lily or Rosie running around?

Sweat pooled in the palm of my hands. I knew I needed to stop thinking about it, considering, well, it was none of my fucking business. But the numerous boxes visible from the corner of my eye were a constant reminder. My hands tightened their grip on the wheel - knuckles turning white.

Turning into the lot, I had never been so thankful to end a car ride in my life.

I needed a drink.

Maybe two.

The second the engine was cut, Dylan whispered, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"This wasn't how I planned for things to go. You're just the only one I know that had a car, and it's not like I could ask Ethan to Delilah to take me, and-"

"Dylan," I interrupted her, "It's okay." My hand instinctively reached out and rested on hers. "There's nothing for you to apologize for. All I did was drive a friend to the pharmacy."

A small smile curved on her lips. "Friend?"

"Well, uh, shit." I cleared my throat. "Is acquaintance better? Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed we were friends."

"No, it's fine. It's just funny hearing that word to describe us. But I like it." Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as her eyes fell on the venue. "How am I going to get these in there?"

After a quick visual search of the back seat, I mentally cursed myself for doing such an excellent job at cleaning out my car. As my eyes fell to my lap, suddenly, an idea came to mind. "Hold on!" I announced, hurrying out of the car. Making my way around, I opened the passenger side door and motioned to my jacket. "Let's see how many I can stuff in here."

"Are you sure?"

"It's our only option."

We quickly got the pregnancy tests into each pocket of my suit jacket. It wasn't a perfect disguise - considering all the cardboard boxes were stuffed into a fitted jacket. But it would be enough to maneuver through a crowd without raising too many alarm bells.

"So," I cleared my throat. "Where am I... taking these?"

Dylan chewed her bottom lip before she released a sigh. "Just come with me."

I silently followed as we headed back into the hotel. Dylan grabbed hold of my jacket, pulling me behind as she took the lead - I assumed because my actions before would have led her to believe I would stop and stare off into space like an idiot. She made quick work of weaving us through the lobby and down the hall, somehow bypassing any guests before they could stop her to talk.

The wedding was small, and yet it seemed like every person attending was in this one part of the hotel for the reception.

But that didn't stop Dylan.

Soon enough, we were in a secluded hallway and outside a door.

She hesitated, her eyes shifting from me to the door and back. "Shit," she mumbled under her breath.

Following her gaze, I spotted an individual standing at the end of the hallway. I assumed she was worried they would spot what was sticking out of my pants pocket as she quickly opened the door, grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the room.

Dylan quickly shoved her hands into my pockets, pulled out the pregnancy tests, tossing them onto the coffee table. Once her pile was all sorted, her eyes slowly drifted back to mine. We stood in silence, allowing the moment to hit us both. Surprisingly, Dylan looked as confused as I felt.

"Um, thanks for helping me, but I can," she motioned to the bathroom behind her, "take it from here."

"Oh. Right." With a slight nod, I took a step back. "Well, I guess I'll see you at the wedding then," I said, opening the door, "Good luck in there!"

Returning to the empty hallway and closing the door behind me, I rested my back against the door. Good luck in there? Did I just fucking say that?

I should have topped it off with thumbs up and told her she was "the best in there, champ!"

If it wasn't awkward before, I certainly made it that way now.

There was only one thing I wanted to do - get a drink. I could vividly picture a glass full of freshly poured amber liquid in my mind. It felt like my perfect solution to forgetting the past hour.

But thankfully, the sounds of tiny feet running down the hall pulled my attention.

"Uncle Fishy! Look how fast I can run!" Lily yelled, moving her little legs as fast as she could, running past me and towards the opposite end.

Ethan, jogging after her with heavy breaths, stopped by my side. "Shit. I don't know how I will keep up with her."

"You've got a future track star on your hands, that's for sure!"

"So, are you guarding my future wife's room?"

"What?"

Ethan pointed to the door I currently rested against. "That's Delilah's room for getting ready."

"Oh, I didn't realize. But no, not guarding anything. I was just helping Dylan with something."

"Well, do you mind helping me control my future olympian?" Ethan asked, just as Lily zoomed by once again. "I need to change and can't risk sweating through my wedding suit."

"Yeah, of course."

Thankfully for me, chasing down a kid with a never-ending tank of energy was just the distraction I needed before the wedding.

//

"You may now kiss the bride!"

That erupted the first round of tears.

Hearing, "for the first time, please welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson," erupted the second.

The third round came when the new bride and groom had their first dance before being joined by Lily in her father's arms and Rosie in her mother's. Even I wiped my eyes at the sight. It was nice to see how happy they were - their smiles radiated throughout the room, and their joy was every single person watching them.

Ethan and Delilah were now (officially) married.

They always had their happily ever after. However, this moment felt like a cherry on top of everything.

Looking around the room, I noticed someone slowly drift away from the crowd and head toward the back door. I waited a minute for her to return. Then another. And then another. And another.

The dance floor began to fill with other guests dancing alongside the bride and groom.

But someone still hadn't made their return.

Excusing myself from the individuals engrossed in the conversation I hadn't been paying attention to, I snuck my way through the crowd, unnoticed by the fellow partiers, and headed outside. It took me a second to locate her; she wasn't standing near the balcony like the first night I saw her. Instead, she sat alone on a bench near the water.

A part of me screamed to let her be - that she probably wanted to be alone.

But I knew better.

I knew her.

Angel wasn't okay.

Hurrying down the concrete stairs, I made my way along the cobbled path, heading straight toward the bench she sat on. I approached with cautious steps, not wanting to startle her. It wasn't like Dylan to run off. Especially not during something like this.

"Dylan?" I called out to her, a few feet away, "Are you alright?"

Her head turned, and a slight scoff left her lips as she forced a smile. "Of course I am."

"Why are you sitting out here alone?"

"It's quiet out here." Her voice dropped to a mumble as she replied, "Easier to let yourself fall apart when no one's watching."

"You're falling apart?"

She nodded, eyes focused on the view in front of her.

"I had no idea."

Dylan shrugged. "This weekend isn't about me. It's not like I was going to start telling everyone." Another forced smile appeared. "But it's alright. This fun bottle of bubbly is turning my night right around!"

She held up the item clutched in her hand before taking a giant swing. Alcohol. Drinking. She was drinking alcohol.

"You're drinking," I unintentionally commented out loud.

"Mhm," she replied, raising the bottle to her lips. Before taking a sip, she asked, "Why? Do you want some?"

"No, that's-"

"Good! Because it's all for me!" She giggled. "Don't look so concerned, Hunter. It's a p-aaaaaarrrr-ty," she dragged out the word for dramatic (and drunken) effect. "People drink!"

"I know people drink, but-" I fell silent, watching as she took another large sip, "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

Dylan rolled her eyes. "I'm fine! Don't be such a party pooper." Her bottom lip pouted. "Oh, I get it. You're worried because you think I have a little bun in the oven." As she leaned forward, I could smell her intoxicating perfume mixed with the abundance of alcohol she appeared to have consumed. "Don't worry. I'm not pregnant."

"Oh."

"Oh?" she repeated, a slight mock to her tone. "Oh, is right. And guess what?"

Noting how close in proximity she was, her lips just inches from mine, I cleared my throat, trying to remember our current conversation at hand. "What?"

"They weren't for me."

"Oh."

With a giggle, she said, "You like that word. Oh." Raising the bottle to her lips, she took a long sip. "Oh, oh, oh, oh!" Erupting with more laughter, she continued, "Oh! Oh, oh, oh!"

"Seems like you're the fan of the word now."

"Oooh, am I?" she teased, grinning from ear to ear. "Tell me something, Oh-Hunter."

"What would you like to know?"

Dylan leaned her body toward mine. "If I wasn't drunk right now, would you?"

"Would I what?"

"Kiss me."

My airways instantly constricted, hearing the words that tumbled from her lips. "W-why do you ask?"

"Because I want you to. But do you want to?"

"You want me to kiss you?"

Dylan's head cocked to the side. "Are you sure you're not the drunk one?"

"But you said you were over me."

With a slight sigh, she nodded. "Well, yeah. That's what everyone says after a breakup. That's what I told my sister. And all the other people I dated after you. And my therapist - don't worry, she didn't believe me. She's very good at her job... Do I need to say that special sentence?"

"What special sentence?"

"You know. Three words... It starts with an I... ends with you," she said, tapping the tip of my nose.

It was like I was drunk throughout our conversation until this moment when I suddenly sobered up and came to the realization of what was happening; what she was saying. But most importantly, the fact that she was the one that had consumed almost an entire bottle of alcohol.

"Dylan, I don't think we should be having this conversation while you're-"

"Why not? Scared that I'm going to say it?"

"You've been drinking. I don't want you to say something you'll regret."

Her bottom lip pouted. "So considerate," she purred. "Fine, I won't say it." As I felt some relief, she continued, "I won't say that every person I've been with doesn't make me feel like you did... or do. I won't say that seeing you that other night sucked. Like, really sucked. And I won't say that it sucked because it just reminded me that-"

"Dylan-"

"I'm still in love with you."

the next chapter is the end :)

thank you for reading xo