Complicated Love

I sat in Val's kitchen eating a delicious BLT with extra B. "I seriously think the guys should sing at the reception," I said pulling a tomato off my sandwich and plopping it in my mouth. "Come on, how many people get to say 'I had Avenged Sevenfold play at my wedding'?"
Val laughed as she finished her sandwich and stood to place the plate in the sink. "And how many people get to say they're married to or getting married to a member of said band? I think it would be awesome. You gonna run that by them?"
"Yupp. When Jimmy calls me next, I'll tell them my idea," I said.
My phone went off and I looked down to see that it was a text from Kayla:
Titan needs food. Get some.

I rolled my eyes and put my phone back in my pocket. He's my dog and she's treating me like I'm the one staying there instead of the one paying all of the fucking bills.
Val saw my look and tilted her head slightly to the side. "Kayla again?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I've barely seen her in the two weeks since our fight and she likes to act like its her house."
"I'd kick her out of the house and the wedding party, but that's just me." she said.
I hated fighting with Kayla. She had been such a good friend to me and I loved having her living with me. And having her help with my wedding had been heavenly, but lately I just couldn't handle her. Everytime I got home, she'd shut herself in her room like a teenager mad at her parents.
I stood to grab my keys. "I'm going to go take care of this. I want my friend back. I'll call you later with details, okay?"
Val nodded and walked me to the door. "You better. Lord knows I love some good gossip."
I rolled my eyes at her. "Heaven help you, Val. But you know I love your crazy ass. Bye."
When I walked into my house, Kayla was in the kitchen adding dirty dishes to her already tall tower of unwashed dishes. She saw me come into the kitchen and she quickly moved around the counter and tried to get to her room but I cut her off.
Kayla stopped and looked down at me. "Move, Brooke."
I shook my head. "Not a chance. You are not a sixteen year old girl, Kayla, so stop running to your room everytime I get home. If you want me to continue to provide a place for you to stay, we are going to talk." I pointed to the couch, "Now."
Kayla sighed dramtically and drug her feet over to the couch, throwing herself down and crossing her arms. "What do you want to talk about?" She wasn't even looking at me.
I'd had enough. "For starters, you're going to stop acting so fucking immature. You're a grown ass woman, for crying out loud. You shouldn't be acting like this."
She stayed silent, but she did turn her head towards me.
"Second," I continued. "Stop acting like you're the queen of this house. This is not a monarchy, but if it were, I'd be the queen seeing as it's my castle. You need to stop stacking your dishes up in the sink and do them for once. I have a job that takes a lot out of me while you're home doing God knows what. The least you could do is dishes."
"Is this why you wanted to talk to me? To scold me like a child?" Kayla said.
"I wouldn't have to if you weren't acting like one." I said sighing. "I wanted to talk to you because you're my friend, Kayla. You got jealous because I'm getting married and because it seems like you've forgotten all I've done for you."
She looked down at her lap. "I'm sorry. I have been acting kind of immature haven't I?"
"Yes. You have, but if we can get over it, we'll be friends again. I really want you to be a part of my wedding, Kayla."
Kayla finally looked up and met my gaze and to my surprise, she had tears in her eyes. She reached across the couch and hugged me. "I'm so sorry, Brooke. I never meant to hurt our friendship. I promise I will be the best bridesmaid ever."
I laughed and pulled away, "Ok, but for now, lets go tackle mountain dirty dish huh?"
She laughed as we made our way into the kitchen.
With our friendship back on track, planning the wedding went smoothly with both Val and Kayla helping me along with suggestions from my boys. They had agreed to sing for the reception with a recording of the drums so Jimmy could be with me.
The months were passing by quickly and soon it was May. I was getting my class ready to end and I was actually kind of sad to see my kids go. I'd be teaching again the next year as Mrs. Sullivan and I was more than very excited.
It was the week before school ended and my boys would be home in two days. Right now, my class had let out and I was in the room gathering my stuff to leave when Karen, a teacher friend, walked in.
"Hey there, Brooke. How was your class today?" she asked as she slipped a strand of her blonde hair behind one ear.
"Hey Karen. It was pretty good today. Though, I am kind of sad that I lose them next week. I've become attached to those little buggers," I said pulling out a thick blue binder. "That's why I started this."
Karen opened it and flipped through the pages. It was a photo album I had started. I had taken poloroids of each student and put their picture next to a drawing each of them had done. "This is really good, Brooke. Where'd you come up with this?"
I shrugged. "Just thought of it one day. I got consent from each parent, of course. I'm going to start doing that for each class I teach. Kind of like my own personal memoir, you know?"
"That's pretty smart. I think you're going to make an amazing mother yourself some day," she said handing the binder back to me.
I smiled. "Thanks, Karen. I can't believe I'm getting married in just over a month. It's amazing and kind of scary at the same time. You're coming to the wedding, right?"
Karen hugged me. "Of course. Wouldn't miss that for the world. Besides, I can't wait to meet the famous Jimmy."
That night, I was on the phone with Jimmy before he got on the plane. "We're getting married in just over a month, Brooke." he said. "Getting cold feet,yet?"
I stretched out over my bed. "Of course not silly. I couldn't be more excited. How about you?"
"Absolutely not. I've been looking forward to marrying you for the longest time." Jimmy said. "So we're having a party before the wedding right?"
"Yes," I said. "Over at Matt and Val's house, like always. LIke a bachelor-bachlorette party. Since you've been away for so long, we should have our party together."
"Hmmm," Jimmy said. "I'm down with it. Hey Brooke?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
I smiled, "I love you too, Jimmy."
"I've been gone for far too long. But with all that we've been through, after all this time I'm coming home to you." he said.
"Babe? Did you just quote 'Gunslinger?'" I asked.
I heard him laugh. "Maaaaaaaybe."
I laughed. "You are one big goofball."
"Yeah but you love me."
"Hince the reason I'm marrying you," I said.
The whole next day, Kayla and I stayed home cleaning and about six, Val came over with her huge "plans" binder.
We were sitting in my living room and Val was showing me pictures of the bridesmaids dresses and my dress. The bridesmaids dresses were a light, shiny purple with a simple yet elegant design and the hem came to right above the knees.
"So," I said. "All of you tried them on today?"
Val nodded. "Yeah, Your cousins and Kayla looked gorgeous. I didn't look half bad myself."
"Ok, so a beach wedding." Kayla said. "Won't we get sand everywhere?"
I shook my head. "We're going to have huge cuts of fabric down to keep the sand out of everyone's clothes. It'll be fine, Kayla."
Val went on as if we hadn't been talking at all. "We're going to pick up your dress tomorrow, Brooke. You're going to be one beautiful bride."
"Aww thank you," I said just as my doorbell rang. I got up to answer it but first stopped to wonder at Val's huge smile. "What're you so happy about?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I'm so excited about your wedding. Now go, answer the door," she said as the doorbell rang again.
I moved to the front door, opened it and almost screamed when I was scooped up and carried into the hallway by long, strong arms.
"Hey there, fiancee." Jimmy said.
I looked up at him and grinned. "Oh my God, Jimmy!" I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I have missed you so very much, baby. I love you." I said as I pulled his face down to mine and kissed him.
"Wait," I said. "I thought you weren't getting back until tomorrow?"
He smiled at me as he put me on my feet. "Ok so maybe I lied about that to surprise you."
I looked towards the living room where I could see Val leaning around the corner grinning at us.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "You were apart of this weren't you?'
She laughed. "Of course. You're not the only one in love with one of them. And speaking of that," she said as she grabbed her keys, gave me a small hug and slipped passed me. "Mine should be home now so I'm going to go attack him. I'll pick you up tomorrow."
When she was gone, I reached up to kiss Jimmy again and pulled him to my room. I had my Jimmy back and this time, I was keeping him.
The next day, Val came to pick me up and we headed to the dress shop. Jimmy had made a big fuss about wanting to come with us, but Val had put her foot down and said, "No, Jimbo. You can't see the dress until she walks down the aisle."
He had pouted and it had been hard to walk away from that, but Val had pushed me through the door.
At the shop, I grabbed my beautiful dress and went to the back to try it on. When I came out of the dressing room, Val gasped and put her hand to her mouth. "Oh my God, Brooke! You look amazing!"
The foor-length dress was white with very small beads sown in so whenever they hit the light, it gave my dress a slight purple sheen. It had quarter sleeves that ended in lace and a neckline that ended right above my breasts. The back was my favorite because it drooped down to right above my butt showing off my entire gorgeous wings tattoo.
The lady who worked there who had introduced herself as Amy came up to us with a giant smile on her face. "You really do look beautiful in that. Turn and let us see the rest."
I turned slowly and I heard both of them gasp. When I turned back to face them, they each had a different look. Val's was one of wonder and Amy's was one of mild disgust.
"So?" I asked.
Val hugged me. "It's absolutely breathtaking, Brooke. The fact that your wings show just make it that much more magical." She kissed my cheek, "Like the angel you are."
Amy cleared her throat. "Are you sure you want...that showing. If you want my opinion, it's kind of tacky to show tattoos on your wedding day. I had all of mine covered up at my wedding."
I sighed. I was getting so tired of other's peoples "opinions" of me. I shrugged. "And that's good for you, but I happen to be very proud of these. I will be showing them off and I would like to pay for it now."
"But madam," Amy started but Val put up a hand.
"She wants to pay for it so I suggest you fucking do it and stop telling people what YOU think they should have at THEIR wedding."
I smiled at Val. I didn't know what I'd do without her.
I hugged her. "If it weren't for you, this wedding would suck."
She laughed. "I'm just that good. Come on, lets go pay and then get you home to Jimmy."