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December Thirteenth…
As my eyes reluctantly pop open, the effects of only having little sleep slams into me. My head is throbbing, and my mouth doesn’t have a drop of moisture.
That probably has more to do with the erotic screams I shredded last night than tiredness. Noah’s sexual appetite has always been high, but last night, it was insatiable.
Eager to relish the scent of his skin on mine, I roll over to snuggle into Noah's chest. His side of my bed is warm but empty.
After propping myself onto my elbows, I crank my head to the bathroom, wondering if he’s having a quick shower before we head to the airport.
When my eyes sweep past the alarm clock on my bedside table, I realize Noah isn’t in the shower. It’s ten past five in the morning, and I overslept my alarm.
Groaning, I flop back onto the mattress. I told Noah last night I'd drop him off at the airport for his six AM flight, and I didn’t even manage that.
What a fabulous fiancé I am—not!
When I throw my arm over my tired eyes, paper crumbling trickles into my ears. There’s a post-it-note on my pillow. It has Noah’s gorgeous handwriting scribbled across it.
Good morning, beautiful.
You looked so peaceful sleeping; I couldn't wake you.I love you more than you’ll ever know, andI can’t wait for you to be my wife and the mother of my children.
I'll see you soon.
Noah xx
As a smile tugs my lips high, my heart beats out a funky tune, relieved everything is finally coming together as planned.
The day I returned to college after dropping Noah off at the airport with Jacob, I cleaned out my dorm in preparation to go on the road with Rise Up. I hadn’t submitted my application to the Dean yet, but I was trying to be optimistic.
I spoke in-depth with Jenni when I visited her the night she gave birth to Jasper. She deferred her studies so her slide into motherhood could occur without additional worries, but I didn't want to do that. I needed a permanent solution for my situation with Noah, not something temporary.
While Jasper slept, Jenni and I researched a solution online. An hour in, we stumbled onto an opportunity to study via correspondence through Parkwood State College. I had to apply to the Dean, however, if my application was approved, my scholarship would remain valid, so I wouldn't need to hand over a bundle of cash to finish my studies.
That was a critical factor in my decision. College is expensive. My parents can’t afford my tuition, and I don’t want Noah paying for my education, so maintaining my scholarship was best for all involved. I'll still be required to put in the hours I’m doing now, but with an internet connection, I can do that anywhere.
I was ecstatic to have unearthed the perfect solution for our predicament, but I held off telling Noah until it was approved. I didn’t want to get his hopes up only to have them dashed if my request was denied.
As I was packing my belongings, I reminisced about the nearly two years Noah and I have been together. It was a whirlwind flashback that assured me without a doubt that becoming his wife and the mother of his children was more imperative than anything. More vital than my career, my studies, and his band becoming mega-successful.
With that in mind, I jumped onto my laptop and applied for a marriage license for the state of Nevada that very afternoon before slotting together the final pieces needed for us to become husband and wife.
Jacob wasn't pleased with my request for him to keep quiet on my plans, but after agreeing that I'd handle Noah's ‘prissy attitude’ if he found out we were keeping secrets from him, he reluctantly agreed to be my co-wedding conspirator.
With Noah busy preparing for Rise Up’s first concert tour, Jacob and I commenced arrangements for Noah and me to wed on Noah’s twenty-third birthday, which was only two short weeks away. It was a tight squeeze, but the final pieces of the puzzle were slotted into place last weekend when I visited Jenni and baby Jasper.
We hired the Little White Chapel for our nuptials, then arranged for our guests to dine at Alize. It's a famous restaurant that sits on the top floor of the Palms Casino. Its views of the Vegas skyline are breathtaking. It's almost impossible to secure a booking with short notice, but Nick asked Isaac if he had any contacts in the industry. He managed to secure us three tables without dropping any names.
I hadn't had any contact with Isaac since I used him to exact my revenge on Noah when I thought he was on a date, so to say I was shocked by his assistance is an understatement. I was flabbergasted.
While talking to Noah last Friday night, he let slip that he only had one free night before their concert series kicked off in San Francisco. His confession presented the perfect opportunity for Jacob and his bandmates to host his bachelor party. It was another tiny fib added to my collection, but I was sure it would be worth it.
Since bachelor parties are wilder than secret wedding preparations, I asked the one person I knew capable of pulling off the festivity with extremely short notice...
“Shh, Slater,” I beg when he answers my call by screaming my name at the top of his lungs.“Is Noah with you?”
He continues chuckling while murmuring, "No. He's on stage doing a soundcheck. Why?"
