One Month Later

Getting married would change everything. My career, my life, would all have to be reorganized. I've always been about work and doing things right. When it came to marriage, that was something I wasn't prepared for, obviously since Quinn was first to marry. After I gave up on finding 'the one' I put all of my focus into my acting, singing, and just living my dream in Hollywood. Being alone became a part of my life. I wasn't attached to anyone or anything, but my job and I was okay with it. Now marriage? To someone that I haven't even known for that long? I must've been nuts for actually considering the idea, but I love James. And for him, I'm rearranging my whole life.

I was back at my condo in L.A and I realized how much I really hated this place before I left. It was another thing I just got used to. I didn't pay attention I just went along with it. Now I see it so differently, this is my home and I love it. Not a home like Dallas, but this is the life I created for myself here. James came to mind again, he is a new life.

"I'm BACK!"

Quinn's voice and a slam of the door caused me to leap off my stool, letting out a cry.

"Jeez, you're clumsy," she giggled.

"Hi, Quinn, I'm fine, thank you," I said, lifting myself up. "How was shopping?"

"GREAT! I love it here! And I got so many things for you to try on. I'm so excited!"

"I see."

She frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I brushed it off and smiled. "So what did you bring me?"

Quinn and I went out for some ice cream. We took a walk and I showed her my favorite places to have breakfast, lunch and dinner. I could tell she really loved the city. It was nice to have her come with me. Back in Dallas and even in Chicago we didn't really have too much time for just the two of us. Then again, it was her wedding and her honeymoon so I didn't expect her to be away from Jett. It's amazing how different things are when you become an adult. When Quinn and I were younger we would try to find ways to be far apart, only because we would get so annoyed with each other. Now, we want to be best friends and hang out all the time. Then there's the problem of us living so far from each other. Jett did mention once that he would love to visit LA more often which gives me hope of seeing them more.

Quinn glanced at her watch.

"It's getting late," she said. "You ready to go?"

I nodded finishing the last of my ice cream cone.

I don't think I will ever get over the fact of how close James has been to me my entire time in LA. On the flight home he slept next to me, just like the flight to Dallas. He slept most of the time and I just couldn't bring myself to. I couldn't even close my eyes, I just stared at our hands, fingers intertwined, so in love. How is it that we have never met before? Los Angeles is huge, I know, but James literally has lived only blocks away from my condo. I wondered if we ever maybe did see each other or brushed shoulders somewhere and didn't even notice one another. I hated thinking about that because I feel like it's time wasted. I could've met him years ago and we could've even been married by now. My life would've gone a different path before I had even created the one I was living in.

We pulled into James' driveway and I could see everyone was sitting around in the living room. His house was beautiful, I'd been here once before when we first got back, but it still took my breath away. I mean, what else could I expect from the owner of Cuda Cosmetics?

James greeted us at the door with a huge smile on his face.

"Hey beautiful," he said, leaning down for a kiss.

"Hey," I smiled.

He reached behind me and greeted Quinn.

In the living room both of our families sat together. I felt so overwhelmed seeing everyone so happy. It's like we've been together forever. James led me to sit next to him and Quinn got comfortable next to Jett. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. It made me feel sure that my new life was going to be just fine.

"So girls, how was your day?" My mom asked.

Everyone silenced and looked at us with smiles.

"It was nice to finally catch up," I smiled.

Conversations began here and there again. James stood up and pulled me into the kitchen. He turned to me and he had a huge smile on his face.

"I'm really happy Sarah, and I love that our families get along so well," he held my hands. "I love you."

My stomach exploded.

"I love you too."

"Good," he smiled. "Now, our families are settled in our guest rooms, how you help me finish up this dinner?"

"Sure. I'd love to help. Wait, our guest rooms?"

He pulled me into a hug.

"Of course, our guest rooms. This is our home now. Or did you plan on living somewhere else after the wedding?" he chuckled.

What I felt at that moment was hard to describe. I couldn't tell if I was either really happy or really sad, but I did know that I was nervous. It hit me in the face, the reality that this was really happening. And James was officially confirming that this is going to be my new home. It was beginning.

He must've noticed my reaction because he frowned.

"What is it?" his voice was sad and it hurt me. "Are you having second thoughts about this?" he asked, anger was in his eyes.

"James, wait, I'm just,- I,"

"You are? You don't want to do this?"

He turned away.

"James, listen, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"NO, I don't want to listen to you break my heart. Just please stop," he still didn't face me.

"You need to listen to me, it's not what you think."

My eyes were filled with tears. He doubted my love for him. I just want to tell him the truth, how I feel and how this is a huge change for me, but he won't listen.

"James?"

"Look, um, I think I'm just gonna go to bed now."

He walked past without looking at me, and went upstairs.

I pressed myself against the wall and let out my cries softly, hoping my happy family in the next room wouldn't hear me.

Dinner was a blur. Everyone didn't seem to buy the story of James feeling ill, but they went along with it anyways. I knew they suspected something was wrong because the laughter that they had earlier seemed to die down. After desert was served Quinn offered to clean up, along with my mom and James' mom. Jett and the dads head back to the living room to watch television. I stood awkwardly at the table straightening out some napkins.

"Hey," Quinn whispered. "What happened?"

I turned and saw the moms chatting while washing dishes and cleaning up the leftover food.

"I don't think I'm ready for this Quinn," I whispered.

"What do you mean? I thought being with James was what you wanted?"

"It is, it really is, but I just, I don't know what to do. What if I disappoint him? We haven't known each other for that long and-,"

"Sarah, James makes you happy, I can see it. You make him happy too. Couples fight, it's going to happen."

"Ugh, I don't think this wedding is happening, Quinn." I bit my lip, holding in my tears.

I still couldn't face her.

"Hey, look at me," she turned my chin. "Talk to him. Everything is going to be okay. Mom, dad, Jett and I didn't fly out here for no reason."

James had to listen to me. Quinn was right.

Everyone said goodnight and headed to their rooms. Quinn gave me an extra tight hug before going into her and Jett's room. She gave me a reassuring look that only made the knot in my stomach bigger.

James was awake when I walked in. He sat at the end of his bed staring down at his hands.

"James?"

He didn't look up and I knew I should push it. I sat next to him and took a deep breath.

"James, I'm sorry. I need you to know that I love you and I know you're angry with me for my reaction of this new home. I understand," Another deep breath. "If you want to cancel the wedding."

He looked up. His eyes were red and he looked torn.

"What? Sarah, I don't want to cancel. I, I thought you were coming here to tell me that you didn't want to get married anymore. I know we might be going a little fast and there's a lot to look forward in our lives. I don't know what's going to happen but I know that I love you for sure and forever."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"James, I'm scared, nervous, and I don't know how to handle it. That's why I freaked out. I thought I wasn't ready. This is different for me," I smiled, knowing then and there that I could never be more ready for this. "It's a new life and now I know that I'm ready to spend it with you."

"So you don't want to break up with me?"

"Of course not," I held his face in my hands. "I love you so much and I want to marry you."

"I promise," he said. "I will do my best to keep you happy and make sure you never ever regret your decision."

All I could think of doing at that moment was holding him tight. He pulled me onto his lap and rested his head on my shoulder.

"I can't believe it, I really am ready for this," I said.

He smiled, "I'm glad. I know it's going to be a big change for you, but you don't have to give up on your dreams. I'll always be next to you to support them."

"Thank you," I smiled. "For everything."

He pulled me with him under the covers, then into his chest.

"I can't wait," he said.

"Me either. I think I'll always be nervous, but I know I should never be scared with you. You make me happy and make me feel safe starting over."

He chuckled.

"What?" I said, looking up at him.

"Sarah, we're not starting over. We're just beginning."