Chapter 5: I have died every 일 waiting for you
"I'm sure it doesn't mean anything", Richard said. He and Paul were at a 피자 parlor, waiting for Pedro, Peter and Nikolaj to show up, so that they could discuss his bachelor party. Richard's brother, Kit, was also coming.
"Easy for 당신 to say", Paul muttered.
"Hey, nothing is easy for me to say right now. My fiancée's father wants to kill me", Richard said. "That's... He's terrifying."
Paul smiled a little. "Yeah, he seemed to be." After a moment of silence he added: "At least your future wife didn't reject 당신 last night."
"Paul", Richard smiled in amusement. "Just because she was tired last night doesn't mean-"
"It was 9 in the evening. I understand if she's not in the mood, I just wish she'd tell me, directly. Not... use excuses", Paul muttered, staring at his half-empty plate.
Richard sighed, nodding his head. "Talk to her about it."
Paul could do nothing but grunt, and take a bite of his pizza.
"When I say no strippers, I mean no strippers", Rachel said as she was walking towards the 피자 parlor with Pedro. She was on her way to meet up with Celine.
"Hey, I heard 당신 the first time", Pedro said. "Don't 당신 trust me? No, 더 많이 importantly, don't 당신 trust him?" They both knew who he meant 의해 him.
"You know how I am with this trust thing", Rachel sighed.
"What are 당신 afraid is gonna happen at this bachelor party?" Pedro asked, stopping in his tracks and staring at his friend.
"I... I don't know. That you'll make him change his mind", Rachel muttered.
"Why would we do that?"
"Not intentionally!" Rachel snapped. "I just don't want to lose him, how difficult is that to understand?"
Pedro smiled and hugged his friend briefly. "You are not going to lose him. I just met the kid, but it's pretty clear he's crazy about you."
"God knows why."
Pedro groaned. "Have 당신 talked about these insecurities with him?"
"No, of course not. I'd seem insane. He hasn't done anything to make me doubt his feelings for me, so me doubting them anyway would seem a little retarded if 당신 ask me", Rachel said impatiently.
"Well, I have an actual problem for you", Pedro grimaced. "I talked to your father yesterday. He called me. Asked if I was aware of his precious baby girl's new, clumsy boyfriend. And I think I might have accidentally told him that 당신 two have been together since college...."
"No", Rachel gasped. "No, no, no, no, no. Now he's going to think I hid him for a reason!"
"But 당신 did."
"Not for a bad reason! Because I 사랑 him", Rachel grabbed Pedro 의해 his 칼라 and shook him. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not caught up on all your lies, woman", Pedro rolled his eyes. "If it makes 당신 feel any better, I also told him that Richard is a very respectable young man who treats 당신 well, makes 당신 happy, and no, has never seen 당신 naked because I assume 당신 want to keep up with the "dad, I'm still a virgin" act. I told him about Richard's job-"
"No", Rachel breathed out again. "No. No, 당신 didn't."
"What?" Pedro asked, now a bit afraid of what he'd messed up this time.
"Now he knows that Richard is a Stark. My father hates the Starks. I don't know why, but he does, and you.... you... Go eat 피자 and get out of my sight", Rachel buried her head in her hands.
"I'm sorry-"
"I know. Go."
Pedro sighed, giving his friend one last hug, and then descending inside the 피자 place.
"Hey, sorry I'm late, I was with the freaked-out bride", Pedro said with a smile. Richard's eyes travelled to the entrance of the restaurant, with the glass windows, and paused as he saw Rachel, looking rather distressed. "Is she alright?"
"Nothing a little bit of 피자 won't fix. My advice, take some 집 for her."
"So, the bachelor party", Nikolaj spoke up. "Strippers?"
"No strippers", both Pedro and Richard said at the same time.
"I'm sorry, ladies, I wasn't aware I was planning this gathering with my little sister", Nikolaj chuckled.
"It's okay, if Richard doesn't want strippers, we'll think of something else", Paul said, trying to get his mind off of the problem of him and Celine. He wasn't actually even sure if there was a problem, which made it all the 더 많이 confusing.
"Now, the important question", Peter turned to look at Richard. "Have 당신 met Jack?"
"Who's Jack?" Kit raised his eyebrows, turning to look at his brother, who looked just as confused.
"No. Should I have?"
"No. Probably not", Peter said. "But just so 당신 know, he was Rachel's horrible, horrible boyfriend back in high school. We all hated him. I'm just telling 당신 this because he likes to surface back into her life every now and then to cause 더 많이 trouble."
Richard tensed a little. "Has he hurt her?"
"No", Nikolaj said. "But if 당신 meet him, you'll be very tempted to hurt him."
"I can imagine", Richard said through gritted teeth, trying to take his mind off of the image of the horrible ex-boyfriend of Rachel's. It didn't exactly work.
Rachel found Celine at the apartment, freaking out a little.
"Please tell me today is just a nightmare", Celine begged as soon as Rachel entered.
"Wow, 당신 sure make a girl feel special."
"No, I didn't mean you", Celine said impatiently. "I just got a call from my mother. Guess who's coming to the family 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 I'm having with my parents and Paul tonight?"
"Who?" Rachel chuckled as she sat down 다음 to her friend.
"Hayden."
"Wait, Hayden, 당신 mean... your ex-boyfriend?"
"Yes. Apparently, according to my mother, he's just in town and they figured that they have to have him over for 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 some night, so why not tonight? I bet it was my father's idea. He is still a bit hesitant towards Paul."
"You can't tell me you're surprised. He's always been protective of you", Rachel said.
"I know", Celine sighed. "But this is not the best timing."
"What are 당신 talking about? 당신 and Paul just got engaged!"
"Last night I sort of acted weird. I was really tired and didn't feel like.... 당신 know?" Celine turned to look at her friend.
"No, I do not know what that's like", Rachel said. "But let's pretend I do."
"I hate you", Celine groaned. "Anyway, I think I gave Paul the wrong idea. I don't want him to have any sort of doubts."
"I doubt he does", Rachel said. "This can't be the first time you've spent a night without rolling in the sheets."
"And it's not", Celine said. "But this along with the Hayden thing is not good....", she breathed deeply. She felt 더 많이 stressed than she usually was. And 더 많이 emotional.
"Are 당신 okay?"
"Yeah", Celine pushed all her doubts out of her head. "Yeah, yeah. Okay, so, Paul and I have been thinking, about the weddings. 당신 and Richard, when do 당신 want to get married?"
"In the winter", Rachel said without even thinking.
"Really? Why?"
"I... I don't know", Rachel shrugged. "We both 사랑 the winter. The snow makes him smile."
Celine smiled a little at this. "Alright. Paul and I will take summer, then."
"No, wait", Rachel rushed to say. "I don't want 당신 to make compromises because of-"
"I'm not. We want summer. Trust me", Celine smirked. "This will work out fine."
What didn't work out so fine, however, was Paul and Celine's drive all the way to her parents' house. She had told him about the possibility of Hayden showing up, and ever since then Paul had said nothing.
"Babe", Paul finally spoke when they parked the car. "Are we okay?"
Celine looked at him in confusion. "What? Of course we are!"
Paul smiled a little, taking her hand in his. "Good, because.... I don't know.."
"If you're thinking about last night, I was just tired", Celine leaned closer and sealed his mouth in a kiss. "Trust me."
When they finally broke apart for air, Paul was smiling a little. "Alright. I'm sorry, 당신 have every right to be tired, I was just-"
Just then they heard a knock on the window of the car, and as they turned around, they saw Celine's brother Andrew waiting impatiently for them to get out.
"Andrew!" Celine screamed as she ran out to hug her brother. "It's been weeks! How are you?"
"I'm good", Andrew chuckled. "Sorry to interrupt you, it looked like great fun, it's just that dad's on a bad mood again."
"Oh, no", Celine made a face. "Is Hayden there?"
"Yep."
"Is tonight gonna suck?"
"Oh, yes", Andrew said before nodding at Paul. "Nice to see 당신 again, man. Congratulations on the engagement."
"Thank you", Paul took Celine's hand in his, and they slowly followed Andrew into the house.
Celine's parents, Carrie and Harrison, had met Paul a few times, but never this formally. The greetings part of the evening went just fine. The parents rushed over to the entryway to say hello to their precious daughter and her boyfriend. Things only got bad once they reached the dining room to find Hayden there, with a rather smug smile on his face. Paul decided he wanted to beat that smile out of him right there and then.
"Hayden, 당신 remember Paul, right?" Celine said awkwardly as she went over to give him a quick hug. Hayden smiled brightly at Celine before turning to look at Paul. Yep, the smug look was back. "Oh, yeah, I think so.... Nice to see 당신 again, man."
"You as well", Paul said stiffly before sitting down, Celine right 다음 to him. To both of their misfortune, Celine's parents had decided to 좌석 Hayden right 다음 to Celine.
"So, what is this big piece of news 당신 wanted to share with us?" Harrison got straight to the point, glaring at Paul as if he knew what he had done already.
"Daddy, can we at least eat first?" Celine begged.
"No. I want to know now."
Andrew and Celine exchanged a glance, and Andrew merely shrugged. Even he didn't know what was up with their father on that particular evening. "Okay, well", Celine took Paul's hand in hers and squeezed it tightly. "Mom, dad.... Hayden", Celine bit her lip. It was not right for him to be here for this, he shouldn't be there. "Paul and I are engaged."
What followed this was a silence, during which Andrew took a sip of his glass of wine, Hayden started blankly, Harrison glared and Carrie just froze still, until she let out a scream of joy.
"This is wonderful! My little girl is getting married!" Carrie rushed over to hug both of them with a smirk on her face. "I'm so happy for you! When is the wedding? Have 당신 picked a date? Show me the ring!"
"You know", Harrison's voice cut through everyone else's, making everyone shut up and turn to look at him. "Traditionally 당신 ask the father of the bride for the bride's hand in marriage."
"Daddy!" Celine groaned, but Paul nodded. "I am aware of that, sir."
"Yet 당신 failed to do this", Harrison said. It was not a question.
"No", Paul found himself saying. "I chose not to do this."
Harrison raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
Celine held her future husband's hand tightly. Her father was not someone people often stood up to, and she admired her 사랑 immensely for doing so.
"Celine is a smart, capable, beautiful, independent young woman", Paul said.
"I know this", Harrison said. "She is my daughter. Of course I know this."
"And with that being the case, I don't think her marriage is up to anyone but her", Paul said. After these words the whole room fell silent. Until Hayden spoke:
"I actually agree."
"What?" Both Paul and Celine turned to look at him.
"I know it is traditional to ask the father of the bride for permission, but these days women are so strong on their own", Hayden smiled at Celine. "No one else gets to own them."
Celine turned away awkwardly, trying to ignore both Hayden's smile and the death glare Paul was sending the man.
"Harrison, just be happy about this, she's getting married. She's happy! You're happy, aren't you?" Carrie turned to look at her daughter, who smiled.
"I am very happy", she held Paul's hand tightly in hers. "So happy."
The rest of the night went moderately well. Hayden made his quick remarks and tried his very best to flirt with Celine, but she ignored him rather stubbornly. Andrew dropped the 육수, 국물 bowl, ruining the brand-new carpet, which created a distraction from the whole engagement thing. But at the end of the night Carrie hugged the couple again with tears in her eyes.
"I'm very happy for you."
"Thank you, mom", Celine smiled.
Harrison, on the other hand, only told Paul he'd be calling him in the 다음 few days to arrange a private meeting between them, whatever that meant. Paul merely nodded at this.
"That went well", Celine said as the two of them were lying in 침대 that night, with Celine's head against Paul's chest.
"I don't know. Your father wasn't happy", Paul sighed.
"He'll come around, I promise", Celine smiled. "My mom is so happy. And Andrew is, too. Rachel and I talked about the wedding thing today. They want to get married in the winter, so I guess that leaves summer for us!"
"And 당신 want to get married in the summer?" Paul asked in hesitation.
"Yes", Celine turned to look at him. "But the main thing is that I'm marrying you. Nothing else matters. I 사랑 you."
"I 사랑 you, too", Paul whispered, pulling her closer. "I still hate Hayden, though."
"You have that right. He was being rather obnoxious", Celine said. "But that's just who he is. Every now and then he tries to get back into my life, but ever since I've met you, I haven't even noticed him."
Paul smiled. "Do 당신 promise?"
"I swear", Celine said as she leaned closer and pulled Paul in for a heated kiss.
"I'm sure it doesn't mean anything", Richard said. He and Paul were at a 피자 parlor, waiting for Pedro, Peter and Nikolaj to show up, so that they could discuss his bachelor party. Richard's brother, Kit, was also coming.
"Easy for 당신 to say", Paul muttered.
"Hey, nothing is easy for me to say right now. My fiancée's father wants to kill me", Richard said. "That's... He's terrifying."
Paul smiled a little. "Yeah, he seemed to be." After a moment of silence he added: "At least your future wife didn't reject 당신 last night."
"Paul", Richard smiled in amusement. "Just because she was tired last night doesn't mean-"
"It was 9 in the evening. I understand if she's not in the mood, I just wish she'd tell me, directly. Not... use excuses", Paul muttered, staring at his half-empty plate.
Richard sighed, nodding his head. "Talk to her about it."
Paul could do nothing but grunt, and take a bite of his pizza.
"When I say no strippers, I mean no strippers", Rachel said as she was walking towards the 피자 parlor with Pedro. She was on her way to meet up with Celine.
"Hey, I heard 당신 the first time", Pedro said. "Don't 당신 trust me? No, 더 많이 importantly, don't 당신 trust him?" They both knew who he meant 의해 him.
"You know how I am with this trust thing", Rachel sighed.
"What are 당신 afraid is gonna happen at this bachelor party?" Pedro asked, stopping in his tracks and staring at his friend.
"I... I don't know. That you'll make him change his mind", Rachel muttered.
"Why would we do that?"
"Not intentionally!" Rachel snapped. "I just don't want to lose him, how difficult is that to understand?"
Pedro smiled and hugged his friend briefly. "You are not going to lose him. I just met the kid, but it's pretty clear he's crazy about you."
"God knows why."
Pedro groaned. "Have 당신 talked about these insecurities with him?"
"No, of course not. I'd seem insane. He hasn't done anything to make me doubt his feelings for me, so me doubting them anyway would seem a little retarded if 당신 ask me", Rachel said impatiently.
"Well, I have an actual problem for you", Pedro grimaced. "I talked to your father yesterday. He called me. Asked if I was aware of his precious baby girl's new, clumsy boyfriend. And I think I might have accidentally told him that 당신 two have been together since college...."
"No", Rachel gasped. "No, no, no, no, no. Now he's going to think I hid him for a reason!"
"But 당신 did."
"Not for a bad reason! Because I 사랑 him", Rachel grabbed Pedro 의해 his 칼라 and shook him. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not caught up on all your lies, woman", Pedro rolled his eyes. "If it makes 당신 feel any better, I also told him that Richard is a very respectable young man who treats 당신 well, makes 당신 happy, and no, has never seen 당신 naked because I assume 당신 want to keep up with the "dad, I'm still a virgin" act. I told him about Richard's job-"
"No", Rachel breathed out again. "No. No, 당신 didn't."
"What?" Pedro asked, now a bit afraid of what he'd messed up this time.
"Now he knows that Richard is a Stark. My father hates the Starks. I don't know why, but he does, and you.... you... Go eat 피자 and get out of my sight", Rachel buried her head in her hands.
"I'm sorry-"
"I know. Go."
Pedro sighed, giving his friend one last hug, and then descending inside the 피자 place.
"Hey, sorry I'm late, I was with the freaked-out bride", Pedro said with a smile. Richard's eyes travelled to the entrance of the restaurant, with the glass windows, and paused as he saw Rachel, looking rather distressed. "Is she alright?"
"Nothing a little bit of 피자 won't fix. My advice, take some 집 for her."
"So, the bachelor party", Nikolaj spoke up. "Strippers?"
"No strippers", both Pedro and Richard said at the same time.
"I'm sorry, ladies, I wasn't aware I was planning this gathering with my little sister", Nikolaj chuckled.
"It's okay, if Richard doesn't want strippers, we'll think of something else", Paul said, trying to get his mind off of the problem of him and Celine. He wasn't actually even sure if there was a problem, which made it all the 더 많이 confusing.
"Now, the important question", Peter turned to look at Richard. "Have 당신 met Jack?"
"Who's Jack?" Kit raised his eyebrows, turning to look at his brother, who looked just as confused.
"No. Should I have?"
"No. Probably not", Peter said. "But just so 당신 know, he was Rachel's horrible, horrible boyfriend back in high school. We all hated him. I'm just telling 당신 this because he likes to surface back into her life every now and then to cause 더 많이 trouble."
Richard tensed a little. "Has he hurt her?"
"No", Nikolaj said. "But if 당신 meet him, you'll be very tempted to hurt him."
"I can imagine", Richard said through gritted teeth, trying to take his mind off of the image of the horrible ex-boyfriend of Rachel's. It didn't exactly work.
Rachel found Celine at the apartment, freaking out a little.
"Please tell me today is just a nightmare", Celine begged as soon as Rachel entered.
"Wow, 당신 sure make a girl feel special."
"No, I didn't mean you", Celine said impatiently. "I just got a call from my mother. Guess who's coming to the family 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 I'm having with my parents and Paul tonight?"
"Who?" Rachel chuckled as she sat down 다음 to her friend.
"Hayden."
"Wait, Hayden, 당신 mean... your ex-boyfriend?"
"Yes. Apparently, according to my mother, he's just in town and they figured that they have to have him over for 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 some night, so why not tonight? I bet it was my father's idea. He is still a bit hesitant towards Paul."
"You can't tell me you're surprised. He's always been protective of you", Rachel said.
"I know", Celine sighed. "But this is not the best timing."
"What are 당신 talking about? 당신 and Paul just got engaged!"
"Last night I sort of acted weird. I was really tired and didn't feel like.... 당신 know?" Celine turned to look at her friend.
"No, I do not know what that's like", Rachel said. "But let's pretend I do."
"I hate you", Celine groaned. "Anyway, I think I gave Paul the wrong idea. I don't want him to have any sort of doubts."
"I doubt he does", Rachel said. "This can't be the first time you've spent a night without rolling in the sheets."
"And it's not", Celine said. "But this along with the Hayden thing is not good....", she breathed deeply. She felt 더 많이 stressed than she usually was. And 더 많이 emotional.
"Are 당신 okay?"
"Yeah", Celine pushed all her doubts out of her head. "Yeah, yeah. Okay, so, Paul and I have been thinking, about the weddings. 당신 and Richard, when do 당신 want to get married?"
"In the winter", Rachel said without even thinking.
"Really? Why?"
"I... I don't know", Rachel shrugged. "We both 사랑 the winter. The snow makes him smile."
Celine smiled a little at this. "Alright. Paul and I will take summer, then."
"No, wait", Rachel rushed to say. "I don't want 당신 to make compromises because of-"
"I'm not. We want summer. Trust me", Celine smirked. "This will work out fine."
What didn't work out so fine, however, was Paul and Celine's drive all the way to her parents' house. She had told him about the possibility of Hayden showing up, and ever since then Paul had said nothing.
"Babe", Paul finally spoke when they parked the car. "Are we okay?"
Celine looked at him in confusion. "What? Of course we are!"
Paul smiled a little, taking her hand in his. "Good, because.... I don't know.."
"If you're thinking about last night, I was just tired", Celine leaned closer and sealed his mouth in a kiss. "Trust me."
When they finally broke apart for air, Paul was smiling a little. "Alright. I'm sorry, 당신 have every right to be tired, I was just-"
Just then they heard a knock on the window of the car, and as they turned around, they saw Celine's brother Andrew waiting impatiently for them to get out.
"Andrew!" Celine screamed as she ran out to hug her brother. "It's been weeks! How are you?"
"I'm good", Andrew chuckled. "Sorry to interrupt you, it looked like great fun, it's just that dad's on a bad mood again."
"Oh, no", Celine made a face. "Is Hayden there?"
"Yep."
"Is tonight gonna suck?"
"Oh, yes", Andrew said before nodding at Paul. "Nice to see 당신 again, man. Congratulations on the engagement."
"Thank you", Paul took Celine's hand in his, and they slowly followed Andrew into the house.
Celine's parents, Carrie and Harrison, had met Paul a few times, but never this formally. The greetings part of the evening went just fine. The parents rushed over to the entryway to say hello to their precious daughter and her boyfriend. Things only got bad once they reached the dining room to find Hayden there, with a rather smug smile on his face. Paul decided he wanted to beat that smile out of him right there and then.
"Hayden, 당신 remember Paul, right?" Celine said awkwardly as she went over to give him a quick hug. Hayden smiled brightly at Celine before turning to look at Paul. Yep, the smug look was back. "Oh, yeah, I think so.... Nice to see 당신 again, man."
"You as well", Paul said stiffly before sitting down, Celine right 다음 to him. To both of their misfortune, Celine's parents had decided to 좌석 Hayden right 다음 to Celine.
"So, what is this big piece of news 당신 wanted to share with us?" Harrison got straight to the point, glaring at Paul as if he knew what he had done already.
"Daddy, can we at least eat first?" Celine begged.
"No. I want to know now."
Andrew and Celine exchanged a glance, and Andrew merely shrugged. Even he didn't know what was up with their father on that particular evening. "Okay, well", Celine took Paul's hand in hers and squeezed it tightly. "Mom, dad.... Hayden", Celine bit her lip. It was not right for him to be here for this, he shouldn't be there. "Paul and I are engaged."
What followed this was a silence, during which Andrew took a sip of his glass of wine, Hayden started blankly, Harrison glared and Carrie just froze still, until she let out a scream of joy.
"This is wonderful! My little girl is getting married!" Carrie rushed over to hug both of them with a smirk on her face. "I'm so happy for you! When is the wedding? Have 당신 picked a date? Show me the ring!"
"You know", Harrison's voice cut through everyone else's, making everyone shut up and turn to look at him. "Traditionally 당신 ask the father of the bride for the bride's hand in marriage."
"Daddy!" Celine groaned, but Paul nodded. "I am aware of that, sir."
"Yet 당신 failed to do this", Harrison said. It was not a question.
"No", Paul found himself saying. "I chose not to do this."
Harrison raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
Celine held her future husband's hand tightly. Her father was not someone people often stood up to, and she admired her 사랑 immensely for doing so.
"Celine is a smart, capable, beautiful, independent young woman", Paul said.
"I know this", Harrison said. "She is my daughter. Of course I know this."
"And with that being the case, I don't think her marriage is up to anyone but her", Paul said. After these words the whole room fell silent. Until Hayden spoke:
"I actually agree."
"What?" Both Paul and Celine turned to look at him.
"I know it is traditional to ask the father of the bride for permission, but these days women are so strong on their own", Hayden smiled at Celine. "No one else gets to own them."
Celine turned away awkwardly, trying to ignore both Hayden's smile and the death glare Paul was sending the man.
"Harrison, just be happy about this, she's getting married. She's happy! You're happy, aren't you?" Carrie turned to look at her daughter, who smiled.
"I am very happy", she held Paul's hand tightly in hers. "So happy."
The rest of the night went moderately well. Hayden made his quick remarks and tried his very best to flirt with Celine, but she ignored him rather stubbornly. Andrew dropped the 육수, 국물 bowl, ruining the brand-new carpet, which created a distraction from the whole engagement thing. But at the end of the night Carrie hugged the couple again with tears in her eyes.
"I'm very happy for you."
"Thank you, mom", Celine smiled.
Harrison, on the other hand, only told Paul he'd be calling him in the 다음 few days to arrange a private meeting between them, whatever that meant. Paul merely nodded at this.
"That went well", Celine said as the two of them were lying in 침대 that night, with Celine's head against Paul's chest.
"I don't know. Your father wasn't happy", Paul sighed.
"He'll come around, I promise", Celine smiled. "My mom is so happy. And Andrew is, too. Rachel and I talked about the wedding thing today. They want to get married in the winter, so I guess that leaves summer for us!"
"And 당신 want to get married in the summer?" Paul asked in hesitation.
"Yes", Celine turned to look at him. "But the main thing is that I'm marrying you. Nothing else matters. I 사랑 you."
"I 사랑 you, too", Paul whispered, pulling her closer. "I still hate Hayden, though."
"You have that right. He was being rather obnoxious", Celine said. "But that's just who he is. Every now and then he tries to get back into my life, but ever since I've met you, I haven't even noticed him."
Paul smiled. "Do 당신 promise?"
"I swear", Celine said as she leaned closer and pulled Paul in for a heated kiss.