You and Me, Forever Young

It's really hard convincing your best friend's sisters to leave so you could plan uninterrupted with everyone else, but just mentioning the term free samples and saying there was an unmarried doctor outside sent them running toward the doors (which would have been very funny had the situation not been tense).

Shelby only had to speak up before my mind began planning, plotting.

And that was where Spencer came in.

"Lilly?" He asked with a tone of surprise.

"Spence," I murmured softly, hoping not to give anything away. "We've got a small problem."

"Oh crap what?" He asked in a panic.

"No, no it's not that, Shelby's still here but... well we're hoping for a change in, er, venue?"

"Lilly, you're making absolutely no sense." Spencer muttered irritated.

I sighed. "I'll explain when you get down here Spence, just don't forget to bring Ryan with you. See you in three."

With that I hung up, knowing he'd be down here soon enough.

And it needed to be soon as I glanced over at Shelby, curled up in the fetal position in her wedding dress.

Sure enough four and a half minutes later there came a knock on the dressing room door.

Spencer breezed in, obviously wanting more explanation, while William followed him and quickly pulled me into his arms.

I would've glowed under his fiery gaze as his eyes hungrily swept over my dress, that look being more than any compliment could hope for, but the situation was far too tense.

Brendon and Pete followed after them, tugging Ryan behind them as he held his hands securely over his eyes.

"So what is this about? Shelby?" Ryan asked as I suppressed a laugh at him looking around in confusion with his hands still covering his eyes.

"Ryan I can't do this." Shelby murmured from where she was curled up.

Hearing her voice was like a wake up call, drawing Ryan out of whatever superstition he was in.

I think we were beyond the bad luck, and just proceeded to seeing the bride before the wedding, hoping all went well with my plans.

If it weren't for the warm arms around me reminding me I was loved I would've been jealous of the look they exchanged as Ryan sat down on the floor next to Shelby like their expensive clothes meant nothing.

They talked in whispers with red eyes as Shelby explained to Ryan in a way I knew she could never talk to us.

While they talked I drew everyone into a huddle, my mind already coming up with the perfect plan.

"We need to figure this all out." Natalie said before anyone else could talk.

I nodded. "We need cell phones and lap tops out now."

They all nodded conspiratorially and went off in different directions for a moment.

By the time they came back we were joined by Ryan and Shelby.

"Do you guys have any ideas?" Will asked.

Ryan nodded. "We leave."

Jamie sighed. "Honey, we've all got that idea, but there are other variables. We need escape vehicles, means to get out, not to mention we have to subdue the hundred odd guests you have in the other room."

He sighed and nodded. "Well we've got a lot of planning then huh?"

Pete, who I had forgotten was there with his out of character quietness, spoke up.

"You guys still want to get married right?" He asked.

He was answered with both of their nods.

"Okay then, now we're getting somewhere. Do you want to get married, say, within the next twenty-four hours?" Pete asked.

I caught onto where he was going with this and added to it.

"Do you want to do it low key, just you two?"

This time they paused, but then nodded.

Both Pete and I turned to each other grinning evilly.

"Get the lap top, we've got to get a flight out of here ASAP, then we need to call a cab-"

"And someone needs to get their bags, book a hotel room-"

I finished for Pete.

"And someone has to break the news to the guests."

From outside our little bubble of plotting I heard Ryan turn to Will.

"They're a little scary like this. Remind me never to let them plan ever again."

Still, we ignored them and began assigning jobs between bridesmaids and groomsmen.

I grimaced to myself at getting assigned the job of breaking the news to the guests, but Will squeezed my hand reassuringly.

Everyone else got computer or phone jobs, sending the room into a silence only broken by voices on phones, the tapping of keys, and Ryan softly murmuring to Shelby from the embrace of his arms.

Ten minutes later everything had been planned and we were smuggling thehappy couple out of the church.

"Now don't worry about anything." I consoled Shelby, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"We'll take care of anything, just go get married and be happy." Brendon insisted, pushing the rest of Shelby's fluffy wedding dress into the cab.

In response they all kissed us goodbye, murmuring thanks and offers of first born children to make this up to us as they shut the door.

As the car drove away we all held each other and waved goodbye, sighing when they turned the corner.

"Man... now we have to go deal with them." Pete sighed.

We moaned to ourselves and trudged back inside.

Our good deed had been done, but now we got to deal with the consequences and the angry people.

And there weren't enough plastic surgeons in their speed dial to make them pretty after what we were about to tell them.