Disconnected

by Bethany Daniel

  He smiles and nods. "Thanks, man. So, what are the girls doing today?"

  "From what Katy's told me, she's in charge of finding a photographer and flower arrangements. Krista's in control, though. There's no telling what she has planned for them to do."

  "Think we should go help?"

  I shrug, taking a drink of my juice. "Probably wouldn't hurt. But just be prepared to be put to work. Katy says Krista is determined to make it the wedding of her little five-year-old-self's dreams."

  Scott shakes his head, standing up and stretching his arms above his head. "Alright, let's go help make that little girl dream come true."

  When we walk into the room the girls are using as planning central, there are magazines stacked all around them, notebooks with notes scribbled in them and Katy is just turning off her phone when we walk in the room.

  "Happy now?" she asks Krista pointedly.

  "Ecstatic!" Krista beams, clapping her hands.

  "What are we ecstatic about?" Scott asks as he sits beside her.

  "Kate actually used Liam's name to her advantage." She shrugs. "She had to inform the jeweler who he was so the lady would stop being a crab towards her. Once she knew, she was more than happy to make sure that Katy's order was placed and shipped out ASAP."

  "Really?" I ask Katy, raising an eyebrow.

  She sighs, nodding her head. "Yes. I didn't want to, but Krista didn't give me much of a choice."

  Krista rolls her eyes, waving her comment away. "You'll thank me later, sweetie. That heart necklace was meant for you."

  Katy smiles and grabs my hand. "I do really love the necklace. It can be my something new."

  I smile and kiss her softly. "I can't wait to see it."

  "So, what are you boys up to?" Krista asks, leaning into Scott.

  "We thought we'd come help you two with whatever you're doing."

  "Oh good! You can call photographers, and Liam, you can help Kate call florists and find out about renting chairs and stuff that are safe to use on the beach."

  "Great," I mutter, looking down at Katy. "We just volunteered to be bossed around, didn't we?"

  She laughs and pulls me down to kiss me. "M-hm. Get used to it now, she's a slave driver."

  For the next several hours we do all the busy work that needs to be done, contacting every person that's needed to make a wedding go off without a hitch. Finally, after we've all called and scheduled everything to be delivered on certain days, we all go into the living room to relax for awhile.

  "Happy now, Kris?" Katy asks, folding her legs under her.

  "Very," Krista smiles. "Everything's going to be perfect."

  Katy shakes her head as we hear a knock at the door.

  "Are we expecting anyone today?" Katy asks.

  "You girls stay here. I'll get it.” I tell them, standing up and walking towards the door. Scott is right behind me.

  I look in the peep hole and laugh to myself; all of our families are standing outside the door. They must have done some planning of their own--they're early.

  I open the door and smile at the small crowd. "You're all a day early!"

  The girls walk into the foyer and grin when they see everyone. Krista's mom walks over and spins Krista around.

  "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so excited! Look at you.” She pulls Krista into her arms before grabbing her left hand. "Ok, let me see the ring. I'm sure pictures don't do it justice."

  Krista holds her hand up higher and they both squeal loud enough that I have to cover my ears. Like mother, like daughter.

  "And Kate, I have to see yours, too,” Sarah says as she turns towards Katy, grabbing her left hand and doing the jumping squealing thing again. How do they do that?

  "You girls! I'm so happy and proud of you. You've gone through a lot together, and now look, you each have your prince charming," she tells them as she pulls them both into a hug. I smile over at them. I'm glad Katy's had these people in her life these last few years.

  As the girls chat with their Moms, I go over to where my dad and younger brother are standing by Scott's parents.

  "Hey, son," My dad nods at me. "Sounds like things are going on a much better track."

  I smile and nod back, "Yes, sir." I look back at Katy, "Much better."

  He pats my shoulder, "Glad to hear it, son. Your mom has been so worried about the two of you, scared that something will happen to break you up again. It tore her apart seeing you so upset over the years."

  I glance back to where she's standing around talking with the girls, Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. Quinn, and shake my head. "I know, but there's not going to be anymore heartache, Dad. I'm not that stupid anymore. Hollywood's not going to ruin us again."

  "Good. Because I love Katy too, ya know," my younger brother, Braden, says. "I've missed her being a part of our family."

  "Just you wait until you meet the right one, little brother. It's hard to make that other person stay happy. And Katy deserves happiness. I promise you, I'm not gonna run her off ever again."

  "You better not. I'm old enough and big enough to beat you up for something like that now."

  I laugh and shove his shoulder just to prove a point and he topples over to the side. "Sure about that, Braden?"

  "Boys that is enough," My mom walks over and chastises us. "Sometimes I swear the two of you are still 5 and 10." She shakes her head at us.

  "Sorry, Mom," We both mutter. I feel like a 10 year old right now.

  "Do you want to come dress hunting too, Fiona? I just know it’s going to be so exciting!" Mrs. Parker calls over to my mom.

  "Of course! Katy's practically my daughter too, and besides, I only have the boys. I don't get to have much fun with dresses."

  "Ok, sounds like we're going to be having a dress-trying-on party! Better start making your phone calls, Kris," I hear Katy say, and I laugh along with her.

  Krista holds her phone up in the air. "Already on it!" she yells before walking into the other room.

  Katy walks over and hugs me before pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Looks like I get to try on even more dresses."

  "Well, I can't wait to see what you end up in, baby. I want that moment of seeing you in your white dress for the first time."

  She laughs, squeezing my middle. "I guess this will be better than getting married in blue jeans and a t-shirt in a Vegas chapel, huh?"

  I laugh and nod, "M-hm. I think your mom would have a heart attack if you were to dare to try that this time around."

  Katy nods her head in agreement as Krista bounces back into the room. "All set! Come on, Kate!" she says, grabbing her out of my arms. "Sorry Liam, I need to steal her now."

  I shake my head, watching all the women flood out the door.

  Derek, Katy's brother, comes up behind me and Scott, slapping our backs as he does. "Alright boys, time for some real fun!"

  I raise an eyebrow, looking over at him. "What kind of real fun are we talking about?"

  He smirks and shrugs his shoulders. "Poker, Men play poker while the women shop. Hollywood hasn't sucked the fun out of you, has it?"

  I laugh, shaking my head, "Nope. I can still beat you in poker, no problem."

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah...we'll just see about that."

  Chapter 33

  A couple hours later, Braden and I have won each round and Derek is sulking.

  "Did you really think you could beat us, man? You should know better than that," Braden taunts him, and I have to cover a laugh.

  "You two have to be cheating. That's all there is to it." He throws his cards on the table and leans back in his chair, glowering at us.

  "I do not cheat," I point out. "You know our dads taught us all to play poker growing up. And Braden and I just happen to be naturals." I stick my fist out for Braden to bump. "No need to be a sore loser there, Derek."

  Braden and Derek start going back and forth on each other so loud that I don't even hear anyone come in and jump when I feel slender arms wrap around my neck. "Looks like you boys had fun while we've
been gone," Katy says into my ear.

  I turn and pull her onto my lap. "It was fun for me, dad, and Braden, anyway. Not so much for Derek or your dad. Scott and his dad didn't want to play. He's had to calm them down about his and Krista's whirlwind romance. They think having this short of an engagement, even despite everything they've gone through, is much too fast."

  Katy frowns and looks around the room. "I hope they don't start anything. Krista loves that man more than anything. It'll crush her if he does something because of his parents."

  I hug her to me. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that. He loves her just as much. I think if they try and stop the wedding, he'll have them escorted back onto the plane and flown home."

  She sighs, leaning her head on my shoulder. "I hope you're right. Is your game over?"

  I look at the now-empty table and nod. "Sure looks like it. Come on, lets go to bed."

  I stand up, grabbing her hand as we make our way to our temporary bedroom. Before we reach our room we see Krista and Scott in the hallway with his parents and I hold my breath, waiting to see if there's any fighting going on. Katy squeezes my hand tightly, noticing the same thing and preparing herself to go rescue her best friend. But instead of a yelling match, Scott's mom reaches over and embraces Krista in a tight hug, and there's a smile on both their faces.

  "Oh, Kate, Liam, come here!" Krista says when she notices us standing there.

  "Liam, so nice to see you again," Mrs. Adams smiles over at me. "And who is this?" She asks, looking over at Katy.

  "Mrs. Adams...this is my wife, Katy," I tell her proudly while pulling Katy up closer.

  "Very nice to meet you, ma'am," Katy smiles as she shakes her hand.

  "Please call me Karen."

  "Kate is my best friend. I'm so excited to share our big day with her and Liam," Krista smiles, grabbing Katy's free hand.

  "I am, too. I hope it's everything you want it to be, Kris."

  "It will be. After having that dress on tonight..." She sighs dreamily. "I felt complete. This is going to be amazing, I can just feel it."

  "Well, I, for one, can't wait to see you in this mysterious dress." Scott smiles over at her. "I want it to be everything you've ever hoped for."

  Krista stands on her tip toes and presses a kiss to Scott's cheek. "It already is, because I got you--a man who loves me even though I can be clumsy and I have a big accent. I love that you love that about me."

  "I'm glad you make my son so happy, Krista. I was beginning to worry that there was no hope of ever having any grandbabies. I have at least a small hope for that now." She smiles warmly, looking over at Scott.

  Scott groans, shaking his head. "Please don't get started on grandbabies, Mom. I don't even have a ring on her finger yet."

  She just gives him a knowing smile. "I can be patient, I promise."

  "No, you really can't. That's what worries me."

  Krista breaks into a giggling fit that Katy joins in on. Oh boy, Scott is going to be outnumbered quickly with Krista in his Mom's corner now.

  "What about you two, Liam? Are you planning on having a family?" Karen asks.

  I squeeze Katy's hand and pull her closer to me, "Yes, ma'am. We hope to start a family sooner rather than later."

  "Well, see, Scott, if you and Krista have a baby, it will have a little playmate."

  Scott groans again. "Mom...please."

  "I'm just saying." She holds her arms up in defeat while Scott shakes his head back and forth.

  "Well, I think the two of you will have very pretty babies." Katy winks over at Scott. "But there is plenty of time for them."

  "Thank you!" Scott says, flabbergasted.

  I laugh and pat his shoulder. "It's alright man. You just have to remember that when it comes down to it, the women are in control. We're just along for the ride."

  Katy smiles, looking up at me, "You are a very smart man, Liam Warren."

  I smirk and pull her tightly against me. "I've just learned a lot of things over the last few years. And number one is to hold your wife in the highest rank, because she can tear you apart with a single word." I kiss her softly and look over at Scott. "Remember, learn from my mistakes. Listen to your wife, remember where you came from, and don't let Hollywood give you a big head. Then you two will be fine."

  Katy wraps her arms around my middle and squeezes lightly. "I love you, you know that?"

  I nod kissing her forehead. "I do. I love you, too. And I'm glad I'm not such an immature idiot anymore."

  She laughs and watches Krista, Scott and Karen slip down the hall and into their own rooms. "I am, too. Now I believe it's time for bed."

  "That it is." I slip my hand into hers and walk us into our room. We both silently change into pajamas and climb into the large king size bed.

  Katy cuddles in closer to me and lays her head on my chest. "Are you nervous about the wedding?" she whispers softly.

  "Yes and no. I'm nervous because we didn't do anything like this last time. But I'm excited to recommit myself to you, Katy. I want the world to know that we're back together and I'm not disconnected from life anymore. I've felt that way for so long and I think it showed in everything I did. I'm complete with you."

  Katy tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear and leans over to kiss me. "I know the feeling. But now you've got me again, and I'm not going anywhere."

  I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly against my chest. I'm not planning on ever letting her go again.

  Chapter 34

  The next few days were a blur of delivery after delivery. One day it was chairs. Then it was the tent materials, string lights, ribbons, and finally, a thin, rolled up carpet to be our aisle. The day after that, so many tables came that we had to ask to borrow a storage facility to keep them in until wedding day. Yesterday all the flowers were delivered, and Katy, Krista and all the moms spent a good part of the day making bouquets and centerpieces for the reception and putting them all in water to hold overnight.

  Today is wedding day.

  Scott was a nervous wreck all last night and it made Krista nervous that he was getting cold feet. I had to get him a couple beers to help him relax. It took a few hours, but I think he's got his head on straight now. At least, I hope he does; I would hate to see him lose it while we're waiting on the girls to walk down that aisle.

  The girls are already hidden away in one of the larger rooms with their moms awaiting hair and make-up to come and do their thing, so I don't have to worry about anyone getting onto me about seeing the bride before the wedding.

  I walk out into the foyer where Scott, Braden, and Derek are standing around waiting to see what may need to be done next.

  "Everything good, boys?" I ask, walking over to them.

  Scott nods, crossing his arms, "Yep. A crew came in earlier and got everything outside all ready to go. And a different crew set up the reception area. By the way, the cakes look amazing. I'm almost scared to ruin it by cutting into them."

  I laugh, "You? You'll have them destroyed by sticking your fingers in the icing or something before anyone gets a chance to cut them."

  Braden starts cracking up and Scott leans over, smacking him on the back of the head. "You're just as bad as your brother, aren't you?" he says, shaking his head.

  Braden shrugs, still laughing. "Sorry, I think it's in our genes."

  "And Kate has put up with you two all her life? I'm impressed."

  I shake my head, watching all the activity going on around us. It amazes me how much work goes into something that will only last a matter of minutes. But I guess the same can be said about our movie sets.

  "You boys aren't dressed yet?" my dad asks, looking us over. "You know you only have another hour and a half until the ceremony, right?"

  "Dad, we're guys. All we gotta do is throw the shirt on, button it up and slip on some pants. My hair is even already good to go," I point out to my dad.

  He sighs, looking up at me. "Liam, you and Scott of all people know how mu
ch can go into getting ready. Please, humor me. Go get ready, you too, Braden."

  "Why do I need to? I'm just the best man." He frowns.

  "Because I said to, Braden Michael Warren, now go. Your Mom won't be happy if you make the wedding start late."

  He sighs, "Fine. I'll go get ready." He waves at us before disappearing down the hall into his room.

  "We'll go, too. Just in case Alicia thinks she needs to come do our hair when the girls are done." I grab Scott and pull him down the hall. "How are you doing?"

  "Nerve wise? Better, hangover wise? Not so great. I shouldn't have had that 4th beer last night."

  I laugh. "Yeah, well, you were making your fiancé nervous. I had to do something."

  "Thanks. I mean it; you're the closest thing I got to a brother."

  "Thanks man. Thanks for being my extra brother." I reach my hand out and he quickly shakes it. "I'm glad I get to stand beside you today."

  "Same here, guess it's time to look good for our women, huh?"

  I laugh and nod. "That it is. See you at the altar."

  He waves and I make my way into my room where my black, loose fitting pants and white shirt are laid out on the bed. I'm glad the sleeves can be rolled up and buttoned if need be. I'd much rather feel relaxed when we're out there on the beach.

  I make my way over to the mirror and blow out a breath. I don't know why I feel nervous. This should feel like any other day for Katy and me; we're already married. This is just to recommit ourselves to each other. I guess wedding day jitters get the best of every guy, regardless.

  I grab my hair gel from my little bag and run my fingers through it a couple times to make it look just right. No need for much else as far as that goes. I quickly kick off my jeans and pull my shirt over my head, tossing it on the chair by the door.

  "Time for a do-over," I mutter to myself before changing into my wedding attire. I'm ready for this, to show everyone I mean business. I'm sure pictures will leak out sooner than we would like, but I want those girls out there to see what this means. I may be the guy they have pictures of all over their bedrooms, or who they swarm to the local mall to get a glimpse of during press junkets, but I'm a real guy, too. I screwed up four years ago, and I lost the one girl who meant everything to me. But I've got my second chance now, and today, I'm gonna prove to everyone that I can be the husband, the best friend, the lover; everything Katy will ever need. Hollywood isn't going to have the best of me anymore--Katy is.