Chapter 83

Chapter 83

“Hey Jordy, Hey Liz.” Lauren said with a bemused expression on her face.

They both blushed and Jordan shifted nervously. “Hey guys.”

“Well, it’s getting late. I should probably get going.” Liz said, standing up, obviously trying to escape the conversation.

Lauren shot Jordan a look when she noticed the look of disappointment on his face. His cheeks flushed even deeper. Liz hugged Sidney and then pulled Lauren into a big hug. “Congratulations. I am so happy for you two. It’s about time.” She said, winking in Sidney’s direction. “So I’ll talk to you later, then?” Liz asked, looking over at Jordan.

He got a nervous grin on her face. “Yeah, definitely. Good night, Liz.”

“Night.” She said, giving a Jordan a lingering glance before turning and heading towards the front door.

Lauren barely waited until Liz was out of earshot before she sat down on the couch and pulled Jordan down next to her. Sidney smiled at Lauren and excused himself to talk to Marc and some of the guys in the kitchen.

“Start talking.” Lauren said, linking her arm through Jordan’s so he couldn’t escape.

“About what?” Jordan asked innocently.

“Ahem, you know what. What exactly was that all about?” Lauren said grinning.

“We were just talking.”

“What did she mean by ‘talk to you later’?” Lauren pressed, making air quotes with her fingers.

“We exchanged phone numbers and we’re going to go and get coffee or something tomorrow.” Jordan said, unable to keep a nervous grin off his face.

“So you like her?”

“Yeah. She seems really great.”

Lauren squealed. “Aww yay! Jordy, that’s so cute!”

“Don’t get too excited just yet. She only agreed to coffee.” Jordan said.

“Trust me, she wouldn’t have even agreed to that if she didn’t like you too.” Lauren said with a wink.

“Really? You think she likes me?” Jordan asked.

Lauren smiled at how nervous he was. “You’re blushing, Jordy.” She teased.

“I can’t help it. I just loved talking to her tonight. How come you never told me she was so great?”

“It’s not like I hid her away from you. But really, she’s great.”

“I just felt like we really connected, like we were on the same page about life.”

“Aww, Jordy, I’m really glad. This is tough for me, though.” Lauren admitted.

“Why? I still love you, gorgeous, don’t worry.”

Lauren smiled. “That’s not what I was worried about, but I still love you too. What I meant was that, on the one hand, she’s my best friend. If anybody were to ever hurt her, I’d have to kick their ass. But you’re my Jordy, and if anyone ever hurt you, I’d have to kick their ass too. So…just don’t hurt each other, okay?”

“I promise to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Jordan replied, holding his hand solemnly over his heart.

“Good. Now, I’d better go see where my fiancée has disappeared to. You coming?” Lauren said, standing up.

Lauren and Jordan found a bunch of the guys standing around the island in the kitchen. Lauren slid in between Sidney and Max and Sidney wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his side, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “So, Jordan and Liz, huh?” he whispered in her ear.

“That’s what it looks like. He and I talked about it a little bit – he seems pretty smitten.”

“Good, maybe now he’ll quit hitting on my fiancée.” Sidney joked, kissing her nose.

“I wouldn’t bet on that.” Max piped in, apparently having heard what Sidney said. “Just because you put a ring on her finger, phenom, doesn’t mean we don’t all still think she’s hot.” Max said very matter-of-factly.

Sidney rolled his eyes and Lauren buried her face in his chest to hide her blushing cheeks. “Boys will be boys.” She said.

“Some things will never change, I guess.” Sidney conceded with a smile.

“Don’t worry – I think it’s pretty clear who my favorite is.” Lauren said, leaning up to kiss him passionately. A chorus of whistles and cat calls broke out, and Sidney waved them off with his hand, not breaking the kiss.

When Sidney and Lauren finally broke apart a few minutes later, Max looked at them with an incredulous expression. “Seriously, you two are so sickening.”

“Oh, hush. You’re just jealous.” Vero spoke up.

“Jealous? That she has to kiss his ugly mug? For the rest of her life? I don’t think so.” Max said, shaking his head.

“I don’t know…I think he’s kind of handsome.” Lauren said, looking at Sidney.

“Thanks baby.” Sidney said, rolling his eyes.

“You’re his fiancée, you have to say that.” Max said.

“Lauren’s right. Sidney is rather handsome.” Vero said in a matter-of-fact tone. When she saw the look Marc was giving her, she added “Oh, for Pete’s sake. Marc is very handsome too.” Marc’s face brightened and he kissed her cheek.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Max asked.

“Uhh, well, we haven’t really talked about that yet.” Sidney said, chuckling.

“But we’ll make sure you’re on the guest list.” Lauren added, and then noticed everyone else looking at her expectantly. “Oh my word. You guys are worse than children. We’ll make sure you’re all on the guest list.” Lauren exchanged a knowing glance with Vero as they both rolled their eyes.

It was well into the early hours of the morning before the last of the party guests left. Lauren’s parents had left a few hours earlier and Sidney’s family and the Lemieux’s had gone to bed around the same time. Marc and Vero helped them clean up a little bit before heading home, and Sidney and Lauren collapsed on the couch, exhausted from all the festivities.

“When I woke up this morning, I had no clue that today would be most perfect day of my life.” Lauren said, resting her head on Sidney’s shoulder.

“I didn’t either. Well, I was certainly hoping everything would go the way I planned them, but nothing prepared me for the way I feel tonight. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though – you’ve always amazed me more than I ever thought possible, but today just blew me away.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Lauren.” He said, kissing the top of her head before resting his head against hers. They each let out a content sigh. “Oh, and Lauren?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for saying yes.”

She laughed. “You’re welcome. Thanks for asking.”

They sat in blissful silence for a few moments and Sidney could feel Lauren’s body grow heavy against his. Figuring that she had fallen asleep, Sidney carefully pulled her into his arms and stood up. “Let’s go to bed, baby.” He whispered as he carried her up the stairs.

“Sidney, will you promise me something?” Lauren asked sleepily.

“Anything.” He whispered back, pushing the door open with his foot.

“If today was all a dream, don’t wake me up tomorrow morning.”

He smiled and kissed her forehead, setting her gently down on the edge of the bed. “Today was not a dream. And tomorrow morning, when we wake up, it’ll just be the first day of our life together. I can’t wait for that.”

“Me neither.” She smiled.

“Good night, angel.” Sidney said, placing a kiss on Lauren’s head as she snuggled tighter against his chest.