The Way We Were

September Ninth

After Nikolas and I figured out the whole packing up and moving business yesterday, we decided to have a one-on-one time with each other and stay in New York at his place for the night. We left late this morning back to Tennessee where Caleb, Edie and the rest of the wedding party were. Nikolas volunteered to drive to the Followill Ranch, and as we came up the drive way in the Land Rover, we saw that everyone was sitting out on the lawn by the lake.

After Nik parked the vehicle I got out and was immediately greeted by my future in-laws and my parents coming out of the house.

"Audrey look! Betty-Ann taught me how to make lemonade from scratch!" My mother grinned holding up a pitcher of lemonade.

"Oh, that's nice? Mom, when did you guys get here? I thought you were staying at the Four Seasons in the city." I awkwardly hugged her and Nikki.

"Well we wanted to finally meet Caleb's family, so we decided to come over." Nikki chuckled kissing the side of my head.

"Oh, well I'm sorry I didn't properly introduce you then." I laughed. "Where's Caleb?" I looked around and then spotted him sitting on a lawn chair.

"He's over there." Betty-Ann smiled. I went and hugged her and kissed her cheek.

Nikolas and I walked over to where everyone was, Nik was greeted in a sweet and excited way by Edie, she jumped up from sitting on the grass and tackled him over with a hug and kiss. I laughed as I went up from behind Caleb and kissed his cheek.

"There's my bride." He smiled.

I laughed, "So when did my parents get here?"

"This morning, about a couple hours before you guys came." He answered. "Nik, wow you're looking a lot better than you did a couple months ago. The black eye is gone." He laughed.

"Yeah, the bruises have faded and the cuts and scrapes have healed for the most part. But I still got a couple scars on my face and the odd place on my body." Nik chuckled, he sat on the grass and pulled Edie onto his lap and held her close.

"Yeah but he's a survivor, those were hardly anything for this guy." Daniel laughed, pushing Nik's head as he walked past.

"So we're still having an engagement party tonight?" Chanel grinned, sat up from her seat.

"We got the bride, the groom, most of the wedding party. Yeah I'm pretty sure it's still on." Caleb smiled. He held my hand and proceeded to kiss it.

I looked around and saw our wedding party, I have 10 bridesmaids and Caleb has 10 groomsmen, though they weren't all here yet. My maid of honour was of course, Chanel, and my bridesmaids were Edie, Sophie and Rosalie, Johanna, Jandi (Caleb's cousin), Behati, Coco Rocha, Chanel Iman, and Erin Heatherton. Full of models and bff's of course.

And Caleb's crew were family, close friends, one of my exes, and musicians: His best man was Nathan, and the the other's were Jared and Matthew, Nacho, and then Daniel, Nik, and Mauro, and my ex-boyfriend Garrett (I guess Caleb and him were friends long before he ever knew that we were an item), Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys, and Harry McVeigh from the White Lies.

"Perfect, it's gonna be at the Mirror right?" Chanel asked.

"Yeah." I nodded. I looked out a the lake and sighed. "I'm gonna go shower up, I need a seven hour prep time for this evening." I chuckled, standing up.

"Anthony Caleb Followill! Where are you, you handsome devil?" I could recognize that voice anywhere. It was Garrett.

I turned around as Caleb jumped to his feet. "Garrett!" To my great displeasure, Lily was with him. I just stood there, in shock as I watched Garrett approach us holding hands with Lily.

"Congratulations Audrey!" He smiled as he walked up to me, his arms outstretched. I hugged him without a word, as I was speechless.

"Thanks." I half-smiled.

"Congratulations Audrey, I wish the both of you a happy future together." She smiled, walking forward and hugging me. I awkwardly hugged her back and ended it quickly with a pat on the back.

"I was just going to take a shower...so I'll talk to y'all later..." I walked past them all. I walked past my mother and ran up the stairs, she called after me but I went up to my room. As I entered I went straight to the bathroom and took out my cell. I leaned against the door, scrolling through my contacts I ended on Ryan's number. I paused for a long time, just contemplating to myself and remaining silent.

There was a knock at the door. "Audrey?" It was Caleb. "Audrey, are you alright?"

I closed my eyes as I put my phone back in my pocket. I cleared my throat and walked to the shower, turning it on. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just gonna take a quick shower and I'll be right down."

I opened the door and gave him a smile and a peck on the lips. "Don't worry."