BEXLEY TURNER

MY PARENTS PILE INTO HAYDEN'S truck and I take a deep breath. The lights on the tow truck in front of us glow a golden orange and flash before it starts to move, towing the truck on the hardly busy road. I slump a little in my seat and watch as the tow truck disappears from sight, the veil of white snow making it easier for it to vanish.

Fluffy snowflakes land on the windshield and Hayden flicks on his wipers, swiping the flakes away quickly but more flakes land and replace the ones that were just swiped away. He turns up the speed on the wipers and glances at me before he pulls onto the road. I reach for the heater and turn it on, shivering as the air comes out cold first.

"Thank you for getting us," my mom speaks up from the backseat and I glance back at her and notice her holding my father's hand in hers with a tight grip.

"Mom, you don't need to thank us. We couldn't let you two freeze to death in your truck," I tell her, feeling the need to hug her and never let go.

"But still, Bexley. It's dangerous being out here and you guys didn't have to risk it, especially with Ian sick." She gives me the mother look and I sigh.

"It's okay, Mrs. Turner." Hayden joins the conversation, glancing in the mirror to look at her. Her heavy sigh tells me that she's given up on the argument and I look out the window with a small smirk on my lips.

On the road back to Chrissy's house, Hayden drives slowly, and when passing cars speed past us on the icy, snow-covered road, I tense in my seat and Hayden notices. His hand finds itself on my inner thigh, the heat of it seeping through my jeans. His thumb moves up and down on my thigh, soothing my nerves. Mmm, I've missed those fingers.

❄︎

The next morning, I wake up at five-thirty-seven next to Hayden in the guest bedroom. I roll over and snuggle into his chest, basking in his warmth before I have to get up and help with the wedding. I pull the blanket over us and lay there until I feel his body stir against mine.

"Morning," he whispers with open eyes, his morning voice sending volts through my body.

I smile and look at him. "Hi."

His body shakes with a silent laugh. "Hi."

"Chrissy is going to kill me if I don't make it to her room by six," I murmur, wanting to stay with him for the whole day.

"Jared too," he groans, but a smile plays on his lips.

I plant a slow kiss on his lips. "Look after Nash?"

"Of course," he responds and sits up when I do. I throw my leg over his body, trapping his legs between mine. I slip my hand behind his neck and tilt his head back by the strands of his hair.

I press our lips together and he holds my hips in his hands. "Don't miss me too much," I whisper before climbing out of the bed. Hayden smiles at me as I grab my Maid of Honor dress off of the hook that hangs on the back of the door.

"I'll see you at the reception later, gorgeous."

"See you, handsome."

I leave the guest room and walk down the hallway to Chrissy and Jared's room with a smile on my face. I knock on the door and wait until Chrissy opens it. She pulls the door open dressed in a white silk robe with a bright smile.

"Morning bride to be." I pull her into a tight hug, tears brimming in my eyes. "You bitch, you made me cry," I laugh and she laughs with me as she pulls back from the hug.

Our mother steps into the room, her eyes narrowed on me. "I would scold you on your language but you wouldn't listen to me anyway," she says and pulls me and Chrissy into a big hug, sniffling as she holds us tight. "You brats, you made me cry." We all laugh, all of us a mess of sniffling, tears, and smiles.

The next long hours are spent helping Chrissy with her makeup and hair. Her eyes are painted white and blue with a darker blue mixed in the crease, all of the colors blended to fit with her skin, and a light layer of mascara on her lashes. Her lips are a light pink and her cheeks are a light blush color. And once her makeup is done, we help her with her hair. Loose curls flow down her shoulders and part of her hair is braided and pinned to the back of her head, a flower hair clip made up of white roses and blue brunnera's clipped to the braid.

When it's time to get her in her dress, she stands from her vanity chair and grabs her dress off of the hanger, and pulls it out out of the clear, protective wrap. She discards her robe and steps into the dress, holding onto me for support so she doesn't trip.

Chrissy easily slips into the silk dress, smiling at herself in the body mirror as I zip up the back, pulling the strings and tying them into a loose bow. The back of the dress flows down to the floor, creating a blanket look and I pick it up so it doesn't get dirty.

Our mom grabs the veil from her wedding out of a white shoe box and clips it to Chrissy's hair, tears filling her eyes. "Jared is going to cry when he sees you, Chrissy. I'm so happy you found someone that you want to marry. You picked a good one, sweetie." She smiles through her teary eyes and hugs her.

When Chrissy pulls away from the hug, I look at her with a serious face. "I love you so much, Chris. I'm so happy for you and I'm excited to see you grow as a wife and woman to a man you love."

"Quit, guys! You're going to make me cry and smear my makeup," she scolds and fans her face with her hand, her chin quivering. "I love you two so much. Now get out so I can get married," she teases before breaking out into an excited smile, a bouquet of white roses and blue brunnera's in her hands.

Thanks for reading!