Sorry it took so long. Hope you enjoy. 

Laura's POV

I woke up in my own bed the next day and when I checked my phone I had 20 missed calls. The bridal party was supposed to all sleep over Sarah's house last night. I honestly just wanted to be alone not to mention I was a little angry at Dania. I knew she wasn't filled in on the whole story about me and Ben but still. It didn't give her the right to but in. 

I threw on some sweats and headed downstairs as quickly as I could. It was 5 in the morning so I wasn't going to be late but I was sure Sarah was going to be mad or disappointed about my absence. Surprisingly I found my mom already up and making coffee.

I guess those were the few perks about living with your parents. "Mom what are you doing up?"

She shrugged her shoulders and handed me a cup of coffee. "I just couldn't sleep."

Man, did I know the feeling. 

"Um honey why was Chris over yesterday?"

I stopped adding sugar to my cup and stared into her brown eyes that were the replica of mine. 

"He was dropping something off that I forgot to take home with me." 

She nodded into her cup before taking a sip. I think she bought it. I was actually a pretty good liar. 

"Well ok honey. You should be going. Sarah called the home phone like 10 times asking for you." 

That was the best thing about my mom, she always had my back. If it looked like I needed a few extra hours of sleep, she'd totally cover for me. 

"I'll see you at the wedding." 

I rushed out and drove to Sarah's in a matter of minutes. She didn't live far at all and if it wasn't for the fact that she had my dress I probably would have just met them at the church. 

Dania was the one to open the door. Just my luck. She looked pissed but I didn't even care. I walked right passed her like she wasn't even there. 

"Excuse you. Where have you been?"

I didn't answer and I could hear her footsteps close behind me. 

"Laura I asked you a question. We were all worried about you yesterday. You didn't show up." 

Now she cared. I still didn't answer her. 

"Laura Gale Brown," she used a deep motherly voice on me while pronouncing my full name. Really? She was going to go there. 

"Just drop it Dania. I'm here now." 

"No," she went in front of me to stop me from going into the other room. "What the heck happened to you? You disappeared right after-"

"You made me walk down with Ben," I finished off for her. 

"Yes," she huffed while crossing her arms over her chest. 

She was unbelievable. "Dania I don't know what kind of plan you're forming in your head but you need to stop it." 

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I threw my hands in the air with a sigh. "Like hell you don't. Dania just stop. Me and Ben are done, through. There is nothing left between us." 

"I don't believe that. You guys were perfect for each other."

I could feel my pulse quicken and blood heat up. Should I tell her? I wanted to tell someone the truth. Just then Demi walked in, concerned. 

"You want to know why Dania? You want to know why I broke up with him and why it will never work out between us?"

I paused and both Demi and Dania awaited anxiously. "He cheated on me. The day of his birthday I found him making out with his ex girlfriend."

"That A-Hole," Demi spat out with just as much hate as I had about the subject. 

Dania had a hand over her mouth. "Laura I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"I know; it's fine. I didn't want anyone to know. Just do me a favor and stop trying to hook us back up. I can't Dania. I just can't."

I can't trust a cheater. 

She nodded regrettfully. We spent the rest of the morning getting dressed for the big event. I was grateful when they didn't bring it up. I didn't want to talk about it. I needed a distraction and so far the preparations were doing just that. 

Sarah looked incredibly beautiful in her full lace dress. She was glowing with excitement and I was beginning to envy her. Sarah had found the person she was going to love for the rest of her life. She didn't have to worry about stupid dating or if he is the one. She found it already and I wish I had too. 

I started getting anxiety when we finally reached the church. I was never nervous by nature but for some reason the closer we got to the big moment the more butterflies I felt in my stomach. 

"Dang it," Dania said with annoyance. "Chris forgot the bride's ring." 

I opened my mouth immediantly. "I'll take it to him." I wanted to see him before we had to walk down with each other. 

I didn't want it to be weird between us; well weirder than it already was. And secretly I knew that seeing his face would calm me down a bit. 

I took the ring from her and headed out. I passed the entrance to the church and noticed how packed it was. Dang, they must know a lot of people. 

My anxiety went up a notch. Ben was in there no doubt. I turned to get away from the doors to get as much space between us as possible. I turned down the hall and spotted a tall figure heading my way. 

We both stopped for a second and took each other in. It was Chris, clad in black and blue. I wasn't sure what it was but all of a sudden I felt like I could finally breathe; like everything was going to be ok. 

We started walking towards each other again. He was so freakin handsome and hot in his black tux, baby blue button up, and black skinny tie. Yeah he totally looked like he came off the runway or something. 

His warm green eyes were scanning my face; probably waiting for me to combust. Yeah, I've been feeling like a ticking time bomb lately. 

We were inches away from each other and I swear I could drown in heaven with the intoxicating smell of his cologne. I took a hold of his tie and began rearranging it for him, it was a little off. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest and instantly my nerves were calmed with his even breathing. 

I stopped fiddling with his tie and raised my head to see his eyes. One of his hands went to my face in a warm caress. 

"Are you okay?" He asked me. 

I nodded and slipped Sarah's ring on his pinky finger. "You're going to need that."

His lips curved into one of his heartbreaking smiles. "Yeah, maybe."

It was getting close to showtime. I could feel it but I didn't want to move. I felt somewhat safe in his presence. 

I tugged on his tie to pull him closer while I also got on my tippy toes. I pressed my lips to his soft ones. He welcomed the kiss eagerly. I just needed to get my mind off of everything, even if it was only for a moment and Chris could do that for me. 

He pulled away. "Better?"

I nodded.

Chris took my hand and led me back to the entrance doors where everyone else in the wedding was waiting for us. 

Before I even knew it we were walking down the isle to some really amazing music. I didn't look into the audiance. I watched my best friend marry the man of her dreams as she declared her love for him in front of everyone in the room and he did the same. 

It was clear on Michael's face the love he had for her. I think he even started to tear up. I glanced up for just a moment to look at Chris. His eyes were locked on me and for some reason I felt like he was staring at me the whole time. 

His stare was so intense and serious. What was he thinking? I would honestly do anything to find out. I'd have to ask him one day but for now I'll just look away like it didn't phase me. 

I couldn't take the smile off my face once they were pronounced man and wife. It was the end and they were already walking out. I took hold of Chris' arm and welcomed his body warmth. Once we were out of the church a storm of anxious people came rushing over to the bride and groom. That was when I lost him. 

Chris' arm left my presence and when I turned to find him he was gone. A sick feeling came rushing to my stomach. This was going to be a long night. 

We all went down to the reception area and ate the delicious food. The bridesmaids sat at their own tables but I did see Chris. He was talking to his cousins across from us and making his way around the giant room. That was so him. He liked talking to others and making sure they had everything they needed. 

I didn't want to stay in the big room anymore. To be honest, I was getting claustrophobic. So once I walked out into the open night air I instantly felt better. 

"You look beautiful," his deep luscious voice startled me.

I knew this moment would come. Ben wasn't the kind to just drop a subject.

"I try." 

I wanted to dive in a dark pit when I heard him move closer to me. What did he want? I was even too afraid to look at him. 

"Laura," he caressed my name like it was gold to him. 

"What?" The sooner I knew what he wanted the sooner I'd get rid of him. 

"I'm sorry."

Those were the words I longed to hear from him but they just didn't make a different anymore. "It's too late."

He moved in front of me and I was forced to look into his haunting baby blue eyes. I used to melt at the sight of them. 

"What do you mean?" He looked disappointed. 

"You had a year to say you were sorry Ben." 

He shook his head like he was shamed. "I know Laura. I know. I was so stupid and just angry. I'm so sorry." 

I'm sure guilt was the driving force of his emotions. Ben rarely apologized. 

"Laura I swear to you, nothing happened. I made Ashley leave. I know I should have pushed her away immediantly but I don't know. I don't know what was going through my head. I just wasn't thinking." He was rambling. 

But I didn't want to hear it. Did it matter, the things he should have done? He did what he did. Ben can't take that back no matter how much I wished he could. 

"Ben stop please." I just didn't want to hear it. 

"No, Laura listen to me." He took a step closer. We were just inches apart. He still looked the same, handsome as ever but this time he had desperation written on his face. "I've missed you. I've missed you so much."

God, the way his voice was pleading was softly killing me inside. I was honestly starting to believe him. 

"I kept replaying the moments of us in my head and I'd try and find what went wrong with us and I just couldn't find it." His hand gently grazed my cheek while pulling back a stray strand of hair. "I was so stupid. I never meant to hurt you. There were so many times when I wanted to just come back and pull you into my arms." 

Why didn't he? At least in his vulnerable state he would have possibly confessed to me. 

"I want you back Laura. I want us to start over. I will never hurt you again."

I shut my eyes. This can't be happening. Why was he torturing me like this? I couldn't believe him. I wouldn't let myself. 

"Ben, stop. It's too late." 

"No, no it's not." He cupped my face in an attempt to get my attention. I opened my eyes and found him desperate with want and need. "You know me Laura. Once I make a mistake I never do it again. That was the worst mistake ever. I promise you, I swear to you, it will never happen again."

I was slowly and tenderly being sucked in. How could he do this to me, everytime? He always had a way to make me go weak at the knees. 

He pressed his forehead against mine and I could smell his intoxicating cool mint breath. 

"I want you," he whispered kissing my left cheek. Tingles were placed on my skin before his lips left me to do the same on my other cheek. 

I was trembling at this point. I wasn't sure if it was from helplessness I felt or the feel of having him so close to me after all this time. 

"I need you," he whispered.

"Ben," my plea did nothing to stop his actions. 

Did I want him back? I was confused. I...I couldn't. Chris flashed into my mind. What about Chris? I wasn't sure what we had but for some reason this didn't feel right. 

Ben cheated on me. Ben cheated on me; I chanted to remind myself of the pain he inflicted on me. I could never trust a cheater. I could never trust him. 

"Ben stop," I pulled away but he quickly wrapped his hands around my waist. 

"Laura you want this just as much as I do. You can't tell me you haven't missed me."

I was locked in place by his strong grip. I couldn't move. "I did miss you...for the longest time but I got over that." 

"Laura please, please give us another chance." 

His pleading was killing me. I couldn't give in thou, he had hurt me too much and I just couldn't forgive him. Not just yet. 

"Ben let me go."

Ben shook his head while scrunching the satin fabic of my dress in his hands. "Laura please."

I pressed my palms to his chest and tried pushing away from him. "Ben please let me go." 

"No," his helpless voice echoed into the room. 

"Ben let her go," Chris' deep voice brought relief to my system. 

Ben turned his head to the direction of where Chris was standing. Chris didn't look pleased at all. He was actually furious looking. 

"This is none of your business Chris." Ben tossed Chris' presence to the side. 

Chris started to take steps towards us. "Well she obviously doesn't want to talk to you Ben. So let her go." 

Ben clinched his jaw to restrain his frustration. He obviously wasn't too happy with Chris inferring but I was honestly relieved. 

Ben's tight hold on me had finally relaxed and I slowly took a few steps back. It felt so good to put some distance between us. I could never think straight with him around. 

"Chris you should get involved with things that don't concern you." 

Was Ben threatening his own cousin? That would be the first. By the look on his face he was more annoyed than anything. I didn't think it was a threat. 

"I was coming to get Laura actually," Chris' eyes were glowing with hidden irritation. "Sarah was looking for her."

Well that was really good news and right on time. I grabbed a fist full of the skirts of my dress and headed towards the door exit. I refused to give Ben one last glance. Who knows what would happen or what I'd see. 

I was finally out of their sight but I decided not to go straight to Sarah. No I needed time to recover from whatever I was going through. I couldn't believe all this was happening. Who would have guessed Ben would want me back? Well I guess I should have seen it because I was after all the best he's ever had. It just never crossed my mind. Chris was the best distraction for forgetting all other things. 

I found myself outside again but deep down a hidden path that only few knew about. I was in front of a wide open clearing that had the most fantastic view of the stars. 

Suddenly I felt a warm coat being placed over my shoulders. I slightly jumped but relaxed once the familar cologne hit my nostrils. 

"Are you alright?" His worried voice startled me. I don't think I have ever heard him so concerned before especially over me. 

I nodded gently because I wasn't sure how secure my voice was at the moment. I was still a little shaken up. 

He took hold of my hand without warning and led me to the small bench towards the large oak trees. I didn't even notice that bench before. 

Chris sat down and pulled me down on top of him, wrapping his arms comfortably around me. I felt his chin resting on my shoulder and knew he was looking up at the bright stars. 

"Thank you," I finally whispered. 

"For what?" 

Was he honestly that clueless and confused? I slight turned so I could face him. Yup he looked a bit confused. 

"For getting me out of there. I don't know how much more of Ben I could have handled." 

"I'm just sorry I wasn't there sooner." 

I smiled. "You know you shouldn't start being all nice to me...I might get used to it." 

He chuckled before causally leaning in and brushing his lips over mine. "I can be nice."

When you want to be. 

I rested my head on his chest and we both stared out into the night sky. I lost track of time or what was really going on around me. I just didn't care...not when I was around him. 

"What's your favorite color?" 

Chris hesitated a moment before answer. "That's a random question. Why do you want to know?"

"Because I know nothing about you and I'm tired of hearing things from other people." 

His arms tightened around my waist. "Red, what's yours?"

We spent the rest of the night asking each other random questions. Never in my life would I have guessed I'd be in this situation. I was here in Chris Compton's arms. Chris Compton. We hated each other yet we were getting to know each other on this starry night. Crazy how things happen.