To Sweden With Love

After I got done washing my face, and fixing my makeup, I finally made it to the VIP section and grabbed a glass of champagne and gulped it down.

“Well it looks like someone is ready to get the party going, where have you been?” Vero said with a smile.

I gave her a weak smile back and looked around. “Where is Ellie? I need to talk to her.”

“I think Malin took her home, she wasn’t feeling well.”

I frowned. I knew this party was going to be too much for her, especially with everything that had happened with Adam.

God, I feel like I horrible friend for not asking how she was doing, too consumed with my problems.

I drank some more champagne and mingled with the girls a little while longer, my mind not fully into it.

I pulled out my phone to text Ellie.

I hope you are okay. I will see you tmrw at the dress fitting?

A few moments later, my phone pinged.

I’ll be okay. See you at 12

Before I could put my phone down, I had another message from an unknown number.

we need to talk about that kiss.

I deleted the message and slammed down my drink. The girls all looked at me in worry. I gave them a smile.

“I think I am going to head home myself. Final fitting tomorrow for my dress. Don’t need to be bloated from all this alcohol.” I said as I patted my stomach and gave them a smile.

They all got excited grins and nodded and they all told me goodbye as I walked toward the front door.

As I hit the street, I realized the bus was gone and I had no ride home. Before I could get my phone out of my purse to text Michael, I heard Carl’s voice.

“Need a ride?”

I looked back at him. “I told you Carl, stay away from me.”

“See that’s the problem, I can’t. Ever since I met you, you’ve had a hold over me I cannot shake.” He said as he stepped closer.

“How did you even know I was here tonight? Are you stalking me?”

He shook his head. “I overheard Malin tell Patric. And I knew it was my chance to talk to you.”

I laughed. “Once again, there is nothing to talk about! I am getting married in 8 days! Nothing, and no one, is going to ruin that.”

He grabbed my hand. “That’s the thing, you deserve so much more than Michael. You called me in tears 2 weeks ago cause of him damnit!”

“That’s because no one else would answer their blasted phones!” I said through the tears I was fighting back. “And as I stated before, that was a mistake.”

“Why? Cause you don’t want to admit you feel for me what I feel for you?”

“Yes!” I exclaimed as the tears started to flow. “Okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? But it’s too late. I’m marrying Michael.”

He wiped my cheek. “Min kärlek, it’s never too late.”

Before I could say anything, I felt his lips on mine again. This time, I let him pull me closer,

We remained like that for what seem like forever until he pulled away.

I opened my eyes and saw him smiling.

“Don’t tell me you can walk away from that.”

I gulped and lied to myself and him. “Goodbye Carl.”

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After getting an Uber home, I walked into the house to see Michael waiting up for me.

“Hey babe, how was the party?”

“It was, well interesting to say the least.”

As soon as he saw my tear streaked face, he ran up and ran his thumb over my check. I flinched at his touch.

“Liv, what happened? I thought bachelorette parties were supposed to be fun?”

I laughed. “It was, I just- got so emotional at all of the love and support.”

He nodded. “You women and all of your emotions.”

I gave him a weak smile. “I think I am just going to go to bed.”

He mumbled something about being up shortly as I headed up the stairs.

As I stripped out of my dress and got into my pajamas, all I could think about was Carl’s lips on mine.

I shook my head and climbed into bed and tried to close my eyes to sleep.

I woke up when Michael climbed into bed, and put his arm around me.

And I felt so disgusted with myself.

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After a night of restless sleep, my alarm went off at 6 to remind me to head to the airport to pick my parents up.

I quietly climbed out of bed and got ready. I left Michael a note on the kitchen counter letting him know I was heading out to pick my parents up and will drop my dad off before heading to the bridal shop.

The cool April morning air felt good as I drove to the airport in silence, trying to comprehend what had transpired the night before.

I parked the car and went into the baggage claim to wait for my parents, and pulled my phone out.

3 new text messages.

The first one was from Ellie, apologizing if she ruined my party.

The next two from Carl.

You need to do what is best for you. Unfortunately, if that is marrying Michael, I understand.

But know this, I am always one phone call away best friend. :)

I put my hand to my mouth as I smiled.

“Well someone must be excited for her wedding if she is smiling at 730 in the morning!”

I turned around to see my father and mother walking towards me. I got up and ran to give my father a hug.

“It’s been too long papa.”

“I’m just excited to see my little girl in her wedding dress later!” My mama exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes as I hugged her.

“It’s just a dress mama.”

“No, it’s my only child’s wedding dress. This is a huge thing!”

After we grabbed their bags, we headed back to my house.

When we arrived, I smelled something amazing.

“I figured I could make breakfast for everyone.” Michael said as we walked into the kitchen.

I gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

He smiled at me as he plated the pancakes. “Anything for you love”

As we ate, my parents and Michael chatted about pretty much everything, and I sat in silence just pushing my food around.

I felt my mama grab my hand as she smiled at me. “Are you okay honey? You’re being awfully quiet.”

I gave her a slight smile, if only I could tell her what was going on through my head.

“Yes mama, I am just overwhelmed. There is just so much left to do in a week.”

“We will be fine love. You just worry about today and I will take care of everything else.” Michael reassured me.

“Livvy, you are lucky to have Michael here. When me and your father were getting married, he didn’t do anything to help.”

My father scoffed. “I got the suits. That was my only job!”

They all chuckled as I gave a weak smile and excused myself from the table. As I was scraping off my plate, I felt two arms wrap around me.

“Babe, are you should you are okay? You just tensed up.” Michael asked as he turned me around.

I nodded. “I am just ready for this wedding to be over with so we can relax as husband and wife.”

He laughed. “Only 7 more days love.”

I groaned. “Are you sure we cannot just elope?”

He looked at me confused. “Babe, you were all excited for this wedding a few weeks ago, what is going on?”

I shook my head and put my plate in the dishwasher. “Nothing. I am okay. We need to get going since I need to pick Ellie up before we head to the shop.”

I could feel his eyes on me as I walked past him into the dining room.

“Mama, are you about ready?”

She looked at her watch. “We have about 2 hours before we have to be there, why the rush?”

I sighed. “Cause we need to pick Ellie up, that is why.”

“Olivia Jane. You might be getting married, but you aren’t too big to take over my knee. You don’t take that tone with your mama.” My father said as he stood up.

“Sorry, to both of you. Can we just go though?”

My mama nodded as she got up and followed me out of the house.

As we drove, my mama looked at me questioningly.

“You are getting cold feet aren’t you?”

I sighed. “Maybe, I don’t know. I think I am just overwhelmed.”

She chuckled. “You know, it’s normal to have cold feet, we practically had to drag your father to the church. This is a big life choice. Everyone has their doubts. Trust me, once you see him waiting for you at the end of that aisle, everything will make sense.”

The only thing is, at that very moment, Michael wasn’t the one I imagined at the end of the aisle.

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When we arrived to the Hornquist’s house to pick Ellie up, we ended up staying and chit chatting with Malin for awhile about wedding preparation. We were there long enough to make the appointment only 20 minutes early.

When we arrived at Glitter and Grit, they met us at the door and ushered me and Ellie back to put on our dresses.

After putting on my gown, I looked at myself in the mirror and took a breath and smiled.

Maybe my mama was right, maybe it was just cold feet.

I heard a knock on the door, as Ellie peaked her head in.

“Oh my God, Liv. You look absolutely beautiful!”

I pulled her in and gave her a hug. “So do you, and you were questioning the plum color I picked.”

She laughed. “Your mama is gonna cry when she sees you.”

I smiled. “I know, but first things first, are you doing okay? I am a horrible friend for being all caught up in my own little world when you have been through hell.”

She nodded. “As well as I can be. He tries to call me and text me once in awhile, but I feel much safer now that Patric and Malin have let me crash at their house.”

“You know you could have stayed with us at my house. You are always welcome.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t want to intrude on pre marital life. Besides, I was fine in my own house until he started contacting me again. Then he was there yesterday when Patric took me to pick a few things up.”

I gasped and hugged her. “Oh my god! Why didn’t you tell me!”

“Yesterday was your day. I didn’t wanna ruin it.”

“I don’t care about this wedding stuff when you are in pain. One week and it will all be over and I will be here for you always.”

She rolled her eyes. “Let’s just go show your mama what hot bitches we are.”

I laughed as I followed her out of the dressing room.

As I saw my mama’s face light up and her eyes swell with tears when she saw me, all my worries washed away.

And at that moment, I knew it was Michael who was meant to be at the end of the aisle waiting for me.