Laura
After we finalized the wedding dress design, I turned to Chloe, gratitude spilling over. "Chloe, thank you so much. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you today. Really."
She smiled, a little bashful. "Hey, that's what friends are for. Plus, it's your big day, Laura. If you can't lean on your friends now, when can you?"
"True, but you know, I really mean it," I insisted, hugging her. "I'd love for you to come as a guest too, you know, just to celebrate with me."
Chloe's expression softened, but I saw a slight hesitation in her eyes. "Laura, I… I don't know if I'd really fit in. It's a big, fancy wedding, and I—"
I stopped her with a look, squeezing her hand. "Please, Chloe. It wouldn't be the same without you. You're like family to me now. I want you there, celebrating with everyone who matters to me. You're part of this too."
Chloe let out a long sigh, a reluctant smile starting to break through. "Alright, alright, you win," she laughed. "I'll be there. No one can say no to you, apparently."
"Thank you," I said, hugging her again, feeling lighter with every word.
After saying goodbye, I went straight to Arlene's house. I was so excited to share all the day's events and maybe even get her opinion on a few last-minute decisions. As I arrived, I could hear the familiar sounds of laughter and pots clanging coming from the kitchen. When I walked in, I saw Arlene and her mom, my aunt, both laughing over some inside joke while they cooked together, the smell of spices filling the room.
"Hey, guys!" I called, leaning against the door frame with a grin. The warmth and smell of familiar dishes filled me with a sense of comfort and nostalgia. It was nice being around family.
My aunt turned and broke into a wide smile. "Laura! Get in here, sweetheart!" She gestured to me to come closer as she stirred a pot on the stove.
I stepped forward, noticing the dish she was cooking. It was my favorite, and my mouth watered a bit. "Wait a minute, are you making that for me?" I quizzed while hugging my aunt tightly. It was so nice seeing her after all these years.
Arlene looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, of course. Mom always makes your favorite. Apparently, I'm no longer the favorite child around here."
Her mom laughed, nudging Arlene lightly. "Well, Laura's getting married! When it's your turn, I'll cook your favorite too, I promise."
Arlene looked back at me, her teasing smile softening a little. "Maybe one day."
The wistfulness in her voice caught me off guard, but before I could say anything, I quickly pulled out the sketch of my wedding dress, trying to lighten the mood. "Look! You both have to see the dress design. Chloe really came through for me today."
Their eyes lit up as they gathered around me, studying the sketch.
"Oh, Laura," Arlene's mom said with a sigh. "It's so beautiful. You're going to look like a fairy tale princess."
Arlene nodded in agreement, a big smile on her face. "It's perfect, Laura. You're going to look like a dream."
I felt myself glowing with happiness, watching them react to the design. But then, all of a sudden, Arlene swayed a little, reaching for the counter to steady herself. I rushed to her side, concerned.
"Arlene, are you okay?"
Arlene's mom was by her side in a flash, her hand on Arlene's shoulder. "Sweetheart, you look a little pale. Are you sure you're alright?"
Arlene gave us both a weak smile. "I'm fine, really. Just... there's something I haven't told you yet… I'm pregnant."
The kitchen fell silent, and I felt a momentary shock as her words sank in. Her mom's face broke into a wide smile, and she reached out to hug her daughter tightly.
"Arlene, honey, that's wonderful news!" She pulled back slightly, searching her daughter's face. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Arlene looked away, her expression a little sad. "It's... it's complicated, Mom. I didn't want you to worry."
Her mom squeezed her hand, her expression turning serious. "Complicated how, sweetheart?"
Arlene sighed, her shoulders slumping a bit. "The baby's father… he's not ready for this. We're not together anymore. I thought he'd be supportive, but when he found out, he…" She took a shaky breath, a hint of pain crossing her face. "He said he wasn't ready for the responsibility and left."
Her mom's face fell, but she quickly recovered, wrapping Arlene in a warm embrace. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry. I know this isn't what you planned, but you're not alone. You have me, and you have Laura. We're here for you."
I placed my hand on Arlene's shoulder, looking her in the eye. "She's right, Arlene. You have us. We're with you every step of the way. Don't forget that."
Arlene's eyes filled with tears, and she brushed them away with a shaky laugh. "Thank you. I've been feeling so overwhelmed, wondering how I'm going to do this on my own."
Her mom gently touched her cheek, her voice soft. "You're not on your own, honey. You're strong, and you have a whole support system right here. We'll get through this together."
Arlene let out a small, relieved sigh, a hint of a smile breaking through. "I don't know what I'd do without you both. I've been so scared, but hearing you say that makes it feel a little less terrifying."
Her mom wrapped her arms around her again, holding her close. "We're going to be okay, Arlene. We'll face this together. And one day, you're going to look back and realize how strong you were."
Arlene sniffled, laughing softly. "Thank you, Mom. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that."
I leaned forward, giving her hand a squeeze. "And whenever you feel overwhelmed, just remember that you're not in this alone. We're all here for you."
Arlene smiled, reaching out to hug me too. "I'm so lucky to have both of you in my life. I didn't want to tell anyone, but I feel better now that I've shared it."
I grinned, wiping a tear from my own cheek. "We're not going anywhere. You have a whole family right here, whether you need help with the baby or just someone to talk to."
Arlene laughed softly, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Alright, alright, enough with the sappy talk. We're here to celebrate your wedding, Laura. Not my drama."
Her mom laughed, patting her on the back. "Yes, and speaking of celebrations, I think I'll make a toast once the food's ready. This is a special day all around."
We all laughed, and I held up the dress sketch again, playfully wiggling my eyebrows. "Well, if we're celebrating, let's get one last look at the dress, shall we? It's not every day I get to show off a custom design."
My aunt beamed, studying the dress sketch with a newfound admiration. "You're going to be such a beautiful bride, Laura. Jake's a lucky man."
Arlene nodded, smiling warmly. "I'm so happy for you, Laura. And I'm so glad you get to share this with us."
"Me too," I said, my heart full…