SO, I've been thinking that this story might be a short story! I hadn't really planned on making it a really long story any ways...From now on I will try and make the chapters longer; key word TRY lol...

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 After my little out burst Christmas morning I stayed out of the house as much as possible. Xavier had tried calling my phone a bunch of times, but I sent him to voice mail. I wasn't ready to talk to him yet. I spent most of my time at Aggie's helping her with the kids and what not. She to had read the article on Xavier and tried to talk me out of the marriage. I went on to explain why I had to marry him in the first place. What I wanted didn't matter anymore. 

I hadn't talked to Elena or Corrie since I had gotten the text. It wasn't that I was avoiding them as well. They both had family that had flew down for the holiday's and were busy with them. No matter how much I needed them right now I couldn't be selfish and expect them to drop what they were doing just for me. When I got home later that afternoon I was surprised to see Sharon-Xavier's mother-sitting in the living room. I walked over to her cautiously not because I was afraid, I was just...I don't know! 

"Hello Mallory!" she smiled

"Hi Sharon, what are you doing here?" I asked

"I know that this is the last thing you want to think about, but I wanted to come over to get your opinion on some things for the wedding and reception." she said 

"I know the wedding is in less than two months, but I wasn't aware that it was already being planned." I admitted

"Your mother started the planning." she said 

"Figures." I scoffed "Knowing my mother, it's going be the type of wedding that she wants."

"That's why I came over. It is your wedding after all and you deserve to be apart of the planning."

"That's very sweet of you." I smiled

"Why don't you join me for dinner tonight and we can go over everything. I'm sure you'd rather do it some place your mother wont be. I know she can be a bit overbearing."

"That is an understatement if I've ever heard one." I said "But, that sound like a wonderful idea."

While Sharon called for her car I went up to my room and got changed. Slipping out of my sweats and tank top I pulled on a high waist black pencil skirt and a white silk blouse-tucking the hem into the skirt. To finish off the look I used a pair of black and white polka-dot peep toe Mary Jane stilettos. Stuffing my phone, keys and money into my clutch I met up with Sharon at the front door. The car was ready and waiting when we walked out of the house.

The car stopped in front of Cafe La Boheme. I didn't know what I was expecting when she had asked me to join her for dinner. I guess you could say it would more along the lines of Urasawa's-you know the type of restaurant where you pay through your ass. Sharon and I walked into the restaurant and it didn't surprise me that the people working here knew he by name. I guess when you have a well known company and make billion's of dollars everyone knows your name. 

"I also wanted to apologize." Sharon said as we took our seats and waited for our drinks.

"For?"

"My son's behavior. He is a grown man who is set to be married and yet he thinks that he can still act as if he were in high school." 

"It isn't your fault how he act's. As you said he is a grown man." this wasn't kind of conversation I would expect to have with her. "In all honesty he can do whatever he wants, with whoever he wants, as long as I don't have to read about. Neither of us are getting into this marriage out of love, hell we aren't even together."

"Well, enough about my son's idiotic behavior. Let's talk about the wedding." she suggested "You mother has been making all sort's of plans but, hasn't finalized anything yet. Thank goodness."

For the next hour we ate and went over some of the things my mother had already planned out. I was horrified to say the least. I don't know what made her think that I would want a wedding anything close to what she wanted. It was all fluffy and princess like with pinks and purples. So not me! Don't get me wrong I love those colors but, it was so not happening for this wedding. 

Just because I didn't want any of this to happen didn't mean I wanted out of the whole process. I knew what I wanted in terms of the wedding and I was going to make sure it happened how I wanted it to. If I couldn't have my dream wedding with a man I loved I was going to make sure I had it now. My mother would not stand in the way of this. If she didn't like it than she could stay home and not come to the wedding for all I cared. 

Leaving the restaurant we headed back to Sharon's home. I expected a huge lavish mansion style house. I was pleasantly surprised to see that she and her husband lived in a simple two story home. It was still pretty big for a two story but, it had a more homely feeling than my gigantic house-one that my mother just had to have. I swear she is a gold digger! What my father ever saw in her is beyond me. Then again she wasn't always how she is now.

"What kind of dress are you thinking about wearing?" Sharon asked as we got settled into the living room.

"I haven't really thought about. Actually I haven't really thought much about the wedding at all, I always push it to the back of my mind." I replied

"I'll let you in on a little secret." she said with a smile; I nodded for her to go on. "My marriage to Garrett was also arranged."

"Are you serious?" I asked shocked

"Mmhmm," she nodded "I was your age at the time and he was a few years older. We had grown up together but, never really got along. To him I was the irritating little girl that he got stuck with." she laughed, her eyes taking on a faraway look. "The arrangement was made by our grandparents when they started a company together. They wanted to make sure the it stayed within both families so they wrote up an agreement with their lawyers that stated that their first born grandchildren would be wed. When we found out our reaction were completely opposite. I had been smitten with him for a few years so I didn't mind at all. Garrett on the other hand went into a rage, he couldn't believe that he had to marry me."

"He seems a whole lot different now." I commented

"He is," she smiled "It took him a while to finally get over the fact that we were married. Once he was though, we both fell deeply in love and have been ever since."

"That's amazing." I smiled "But, I really do not see that happening with Xavier and I."

"It doesn't always happen but, I just hope that you both will be happy." she said patting my hand

"You and me both." I sighed "Let's get back to business."

We stayed up working on the wedding plans until the wee hours of the morning. We had gotten everything planned and finished. Everything from the decoration for the ceremony and reception, the center pieces, flower arrangements, dinner menu, invitation-everything! It had been easy to do since I didn't want a big lavish wedding even though I knew it would turn out to be one. All we had left to do was get my dress and the dress for my wedding party which would only consist of Elena and Corrie.

It was nearly 2am when I had gotten home. Sharon had offered me one of their guest rooms but, I wanted to sleep in my own bed. Tomorrow was New Years eve and I had absolutely nothing planned. Though I would probably go down to the beach and watch the firework show that was put on every year during New Years eve and 4th of July. Maybe I'd go down to Aggie's and spend it with her and the kids. They always made me feel better. 

I woke the next morning and decided to call and see how the girl were doing. I called Corrie first and we three wayed with Elena. They had no idea what had gone do with Xavier on Christmas since we hadn't talked since before then. I told them everything from the slap my mom gave me, to what happened after I got the text from Corrie all the way up till last night.

It felt really good to be able to talk to them about everything that's happened. Even though it wasn't face to face at least I got it all out. A weight felt like it had been lifted off my shoulders when I was finished. We talked for almost two hours before they had to go back and be with their families. We had made plans to meet up tomorrow after both their families had left.

I couldn't wait to meet up with them I needed some serious girl time. Plus, tomorrow I was planning on asking if they would both be my maids of honor. Screw having brides maid, I had my two best friends and that all that mattered. I would also have Maria as the flower girl. It may not be my dream wedding but, it would have to suffice.

I spent most of the day holed up in my room, much like I had been since the altercation with my mother. I didn't know if she or my father were nor did I really give a crap. My life and attitude had done a complete one-eighty since Thanks Giving. I was no long the girl who cared what her parents thought. I no longer sat on the side lines with my head bowed. I spoke my mind and didn't give a crap what anyone thought about it. 

Later that afternoon I went over to Aggie's. I didn't want to spend my New Years around a bunch of strangers who would undoubtedly be drunk out of their minds bringing in the new year. I wanted to be surrounded by some of the most special people in my life.  I stopped at a store-well a few of them-on the way and bought up all the fireworks I could find. Since it was last minute there wasn't much that's why I had to make so many stops. 

Most of the kids had come running out of the house as soon as I pulled up. It had been a few days since I had come and I missed them all so much. Some people would find it weird that I felt that way. I mean, how can anyone possibly miss other who they had just seen a few days ago, right? Well, I can and I do.

Since I was spending dinner and bringing in the New Year at Aggie's I ordered a whole bunch of pizza. They kids loved it since they hardly ever got to have pizza. Some time's when Jean had the time she would cook up a whole bunch of deserts for them as well. We all sat around playing different games and the kids told me jokes to pass the time. As darkness fell we headed outside to play with the fireworks I had brought over. 

It took a little while for some of the younger ones to get used to them since they had never played with any before. Guess it was a good thing I bought a whole bunch of sparklers. Those were a hit for the night. By 11:30 most of the children were fast asleep. They only one's sitting outside with me were the older kids and Aggie. 

From the house we could clearly see the beach where the firework show would be held. We sat around in silence waiting for the clock to strike twelve signaling the new year. So far this had been my best new years eve. I sat on the grass in the front yard with my knees pulled up to my chest. Glancing down at my phone it was 11:59, seconds later it changed and the fireworks were set off. 

"Happy New Year!" Aggie and the kids cheered pulling me from my perch. We all joined into ta group hug. 

Yup, definitely the best new years ever! I stayed for a while longer to help clean up all the rubbish left by the fireworks. When I arrived at home all the lights were off and my neither of my parents cars were home. They were probably off at some party and wouldn't be back till morning. 

I walked up to my room to get ready for bed. When I came out of my bathroom after I changed into some sleeping clothes I noticed an envelope laying on my pillow. I sat cross legged on my bed and pulled out the folded paper it contained.

Dear Mallory,

Since you have ignored all of my calls I decided to do this in the form of a letter since I know you would refuse to see me. I want to apologize for my behavior. What I did was just plain stupid. When Maria was in the hospital I didn't know what to do. There was nothing I could do to change the fact that she had been there. I also knew that there was nothing I could do to ease your worries or fears.

I don't know why I left so I wont make up any excuses. I also will not try and make any excuses about what I did that night either. I could say I was drunk and I didn't know what I was doing. But, I wont. Yes, I was drunk that night but, that does not justify my actions. It was never my intention to disrespect you as my fiance. 

That was how my life has been for the longest time. It's hard knowing that it will never be like that again. It doesn't make me happy to do the things I've done. I've just always done it, you know? It's what I know and what I'm comfortable with. I know I have to change my way since we will soon be married. I never liked change so that scares me. But, for you I will change and I am truly sorry.

Xavier

PS. I hope you had a wonderful New Years.

I read and re-read the letter five times just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. The words were always the same. As I sat there staring at the letter in my hands I knew that everything was about to change between Xavier and I. Whether it was for the better, I had not idea.

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So it's not that long but I felt like I had to end this chapter here. SORRY!