Chapter 6

Looking at myself in the mirror in this ridiculously beautiful bridal gown is making me nauseous. It's not like I don't like the gown, I love it, but the idea of wearing such a beautiful creation for something that's not even real is making me annoyed. We've been shopping for six hours already, and we've gotten every other thing with the gown as the last stop. After trying on four previous gowns, we finally found "the one". I don't even know why we bothered with it, but knowing Nate's family, they'd plan something fancy, so the jeans and top are definitely out of the equation.

After so much squealing and sniffing, we paid for the gown and we went back home. I guess I am a little excited about getting married even if it's someone I do not love. 

We got home to meet the full house. During the time of our shopping, the Joneses sent the location of the wedding, which they said they would send the day before, which only shows how much they do not also want this. It is almost like they sent it as an afterthought. The instruction that came with the wedding, however, says it's a family-only affair, which is fine by me, it's not like I have any friends or anyone I'd like to invite to my fake wedding. I really should stop calling it fake though.

Alongside the location, there was a contract drawn up, trust them to be fancy with it. The contract included all we discussed and a few of their own rules. One of them states that outside the immediate family, no one else must know that it's a temporary marriage and a fake one. Easy to do, not like I have anyone to blab to. Another rule is that I am to represent the family alongside Nate at family functions, formal dinners, and stuff like that since I'm going to be carrying the family's name, which makes me wonder what they'll tell people after this doesn't work out because I'm very certain it won't. At least, I'm sure it won't after I'm done with my plan. 

After glancing through the rest of the contract, my aunt and I signed it and sent it back with the omega that brought it to us, with a reassurance that yes, I'm still getting married to Nate and no, I haven't changed my mind yet and yes, we'll be there at the stipulated time.

Packing was an even more tedious activity than I thought it would be. We're trying to get everything I need which is hard because I don't really have much and I'm pretty sure I'd need more because what I don't have here, I usually use my aunt's or Jo's but I'll have to get for me, which means another shopping time. Cue double groans.

Since I already have some things before, it didn't take as long as previously, in fact, we only used a little over an hour because we made a list before we left home.

After packing into two separate bags (we agreed that anything else needed will be bought when I get there), we were done. I looked at the sweaty faces of my aunt, Jo, and Miranda, who had joined us for the second shopping, and I felt a swell of emotion, I would be leaving the people who truly care for me into a family where no one gives two fucks about me. I hope time speeds up so I can come back soon.

"It still feels unreal that I'm getting married tomorrow, doesn't it?" I said as I looked at the cloth bag containing my wedding dress hanging on the door of my wardrobe, just beside the dresser holding the rest of my things for the wedding preparations. We felt it'd be easier to get dressed here and just drive down without having to start the rush of dressing over there.

My aunt sighed, "It sure is. I've gotten so used to your presence in the few short months you've been here and I'm definitely going to miss you. The house won't be the same without you in it" 

It looked like she was about to cry so I hugged her "Don't worry, I'm going to visit as often as I can, every day if I can" 

"Your house is very far from here, you can't make it here and back there in time for you to get back to your house before nightfall. You wouldn't want to give Nate an excuse, would you?" Jo reasoned.

Now that I think of it, that's very true. The house we were given by Nate's parents would take about four to five hours to drive from here, which means I can't drive up anytime I want to. Damn.

"Of course not!", I answered Jo's question "I'll FaceTime every day with y'all then" Facetiming was a more suitable solution, but we'll have to do it at dinner time if I want to talk with all of them at the same time.

We stayed in my room talking for some time before Aunt Mel had to go and prepare for dinner, leaving Jo and I alone. Miranda had left a little earlier to attend to something which we all know is code for going to meet James for a make-out session. 

"Rose?" Jo called in a small voice I'd never heard her use before.

"Yes, Jo?" I turned to face her and then moved closer to hold her when I saw that her eyes were filled with unshed tears. " What's wrong, baby?"

"I'm really going to miss you. I've had a sister for only a few months and now she's leaving" The tears started falling. I held her a little tighter to myself.

"I'll be back before you know it. It's just for a month. It'd be like I never left" I assured her.

"What if you fall in love with him and decide to stay? I feel selfish for even asking that" She leaned back to look me in the face.

I wiped her tears with my thumb and held her face between my palms "don't worry, that can't happen. There's no way in a million years, in a million galaxies, that I'd fall in love with someone like Nate Jones. Don't worry about that"

She looked into my eyes like she was searching for something before she sighed and then smiled "If you say so. Anyway, let's go down to help mom. I'm sure she's almost done by now and I can already hear the boys being rowdy" She jumped off the bed and pulled me with her, dragging me towards the door. 

"You didn't have to rip my arm off for that. I'm coming" I laughed as she let go of my arm. We descended together and found that the boys have graciously helped set the table. 

"Just how did you get these knuckleheads to set the table for you, Aunt Mel? Divine intervene? Mind control? Torture?" I joked as I sat down. 

"Consider it a parting gift to you. It definitely won't happen again" John said before putting my food in front of me. Serving too? I could get used to this. Or not, I thought, as I remembered my wedding tomorrow. I groaned inwardly for what must be the thousandth time today.

"Or, you could continue like this and be good boys," Uncle Jack said.

"Nice try, Dad. Thanks but no thanks. We're not interested in being the slaves to this family again. You're right, Rose, it's torture" John replied to his dad as he took his seat. 

That's one other thing I'll miss about this family. Dinner and the playful banter that comes with it. I looked at everyone, wanting to capture the moment forever.

"I love you guys so much" I blurted out, unable to contain the emotions.

"Aww, look at you getting emotional on us. Who knew you were capable of emotions, Lil sis? Need a tissue?" James joked.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, James. The only thing I'll be needing the tissue for is to plug your nose with it after I give you a nosebleed. Now, let me relish this beautiful moment, would you?" I replied to him, jokingly of course. I'd never hurt anyone in this family.

"Now, now. Before anyone resorts to violence, we have something for you, Rose. Call it a wedding gift or a late birthday gift if you want" Aunt Mel announced and looked at her husband, who nodded and brought out a small wrapped box which he slid across to me.

I didn't expect them to get me anything after all they'd done for me already. I opened the box and inside was a bunch of keys. I looked back up in disbelief.

"It's for your car. We wanted to give it to you after your birthday party but with everything that has happened, we haven't had the time to" Uncle Jack explained.

Which caused me to squeal. I got up from my seat and went to hug both of them. " Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much". I could hardly contain my excitement. 

"It's alright. You deserve it for being a good daughter and sister to the kids. And don't worry, it's already parked at your new place since you'll have to ride with your husband after the wedding tomorrow" 

I could feel the tears of joy running down my face as I grinned. " Thank you so much. All of you".

After dinner, I helped clean up after so many arguments in which I insisted that I wasn't tired and can handle simple chores like cleaning up and yes, I'll still be up very early for the preparations, I went to my room.

After putting the key in the purse which I'll be using tomorrow, I freshened up and crashed on the bed.

"Bessie? Can you hear me, Bessie?" I called out, hoping she'd answer me.

"Hello, Rose" I was startled. After almost a week of radio silence, with the exception of a few whimpers, I was surprised to hear her voice in my head again.

"Thank you for answering me, Bessie. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Better now since you've agreed to marry our mate, although temporarily. It made me stronger a bit, I'll be better after the wedding ceremony" I could hear the strength coming back to her in her voice.

"But, if you're better, why didn't you talk with me? The agreement was yesterday". I would have known if she has tried to talk with me, right?

"I was a little bit still mad at you for what you did" She continued after a pause during which I muttered sorry " also, you've been busy. With the preparations and all. I thought I'd give you time to rest before talking with you, but you seemed like you needed the conversation today".

"Thank you. I want you to know that I'm doing this for you and you alone. Well, other than my other plan, but mainly for you" I told her.

"I know, thank you for that. Oh, by the way? I love that dress. Fits you perfectly" she complimented

"I know right? I might seem nonchalant about it, but I really love the dress. Just seems like a waste to wear it for a fake marriage". 

"Well, you never know. Anything could happen in a month". She said, sounding like a very wise person who can foresee the future. 

"Bessie, do you want to go for a run or something tonight? To feed?" It must be so cramping to have been in there for so long

"I can handle a few more days without a run or a feed. I assure you that I'm fine. You should rest, Rose. Big day tomorrow. Good night"

"Ok, good night, Bessie. Thank you"

And with that, I drifted off to a dreamless sleep.