This is a filler chapter using some cute pics I had of Sophia. It focuses mainly on her, but not much is going on with Kat at the moment. I hope you enjoy!
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I woke up the next morning smiling. Last night’s date was incredible and I couldn’t wait to start a relationship with Emilio. But there was one last thing I had to do; I had to break up with Sean. I sighed, sitting down at my computer. As I expected, Sean was online.
katattack918: hey
s0nglyric33: good morning
s0nglyric33: did you get my email?
katattack918: yea, I got it
s0nglyric33: so can I see you before I leave? I get home from the dorm next Friday and my plane leaves next Wednesday
katattack918: have you ever wanted to see other girls?
s0nglyric33: what? No… random
katattack918: I mean, you must have met a lot of new people at college and wanted to ask some of them out
s0nglyric33: why are you asking me this? You know I only have eyes for you Kat
katattack918: It’s okay if you want to see other people, I don’t want to hold you back.
s0nglyric33: you aren’t holding me back, I don’t feel that way.
s0nglyric33: Why are you asking this? Do you want to see other people?
s0nglyric33: you there…?
katattack918: Sean, have you thought about our future? We’re both studying to be doctors. It will be at least 6 years before you’re done with school. I’ll have to sacrifice my dreams to help you meet yours. And once you’re done with school and we’re both working… our work hours are never going to sync up. How are we supposed to ever raise a family?
s0nglyric33: what brought this on? Of course I’ve thought about our future.
s0nglyric33: there will always be obstacles, but love is enough to see us through them
katattack918: I’m not so sure it is
s0nglyric33: why not?
katattack918: Sean… I don’t want to hurt you
s0nglyric33: then don’t
katattack918: but I have to be honest with you. I met someone else.
katattack918: …
katattack918: hello?
s0nglyric33: I’m here.
s0nglyric33: I don’t want an open relationship
katattack918: I know
s0nglyric33: you’re choosing him?
katattack918: I’m sorry
katattack918: …
katattack918: Sean?
s0nglyric33 has logged off.
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A week later I was back at home for the summer. I never did see Sean before he left, but he sent me a few upset e-mails and tried to call my cell phone often. I couldn’t face him, so I ignored his calls.
The night before he left for his summer abroad, he called the house. Momma answered.
“No Sean, I’m sorry but she’s not here… I think you’d better stop calling, you both need space right now… Okay, I’ll tell her you said goodbye. Have a safe flight.”
Meanwhile, Emilio called me every other day. We both had summer jobs and were taking things slow until we went back to school. The new relationship was thrilling; we always had new things to talk about.
In my free time I helped Sophia plan her wedding. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to get married at Cedarwood Mansion, so one of the first things she did was plan a tour of the property.
The site coordinator showed us the back lawn where weddings take place. “We have room for 40 seated guests and 30 standing. The grounds make for a wonderful location for pictures, and included in your wedding package is an extra 2 hours for you and your photographer to take bridal portraits at your convienance. When is your wedding date?” the guide asked.
“We want to get married in May, but haven’t set the day until we get a location. Do you have any Saturdays in May open?” asked Sophia.
“Excellent, we do recommend that you book your wedding at least 6 months in advance because we are very busy in the summer months. If you two would like to look around some more, I’ll go get my date book and meet you back in the ballroom in 10 minutes.”
Sophia and I stood looking at the wedding arch.
“What do you think Kat?” she asked me.
“It’s gorgeous!” I exclaimed. “But how can you afford this place?”
“Well, Pete’s loaded you know, and his parents have offered to pay for the honeymoon, rehearsal dinner, and location as long as me and Momma pick up the rest. Nonna’s doing all the flowers, and Aunt Ethel volunteered to make our cake.”
“You’re so lucky Sofie! I’ll donate part of my paycheck to helping you pay for the rest,” I offered.
“No, don’t be silly, I can’t let you do that,” she protested.
“We’re sisters, we take care of each other,” I insisted.
“I can’t wait until it’s your turn!” she said. We both squealed with excitement and hurried inside to meet the wedding coordinator.
“How’s May 12th?” the coordinator asked.
“That sounds perfect! I’ll take it!” Sophia replied.
The lady made a note in her book. “Okay, I’ve got you down for the 12th. Today I just need your deposit and I can get you a list of our packages. We offer on site catering and live entertainment options for an extra fee, but you do need to provide your own florist and bakery. You can look over our brochure and give me a call when you decide.”
Sophia wrote a check and bid the coordinator goodbye. We must have giggled the whole way home with excitement. Even though it wasn’t my wedding, I was starting to see just how much planning went into this one special day, and having the location secured was a huge load off our shoulders. On the way we stopped at a gas station and picked up some bridal magazines. Sophia still had to decide on a decorating theme and her dress.
For the next few days we poured over the magazines, tagging every page Sophia liked and writing notes vigorously in the margins.
My favorite part of helping my sister plan her wedding was the dress shopping.
Sophia had always envisioned a princess wedding and thought that her perfect dress would be a big poufy gown. But after trying a few full skirted designs, she got discouraged.
“Ugh, I hate it Kat,” she said as she looked at her reflection. “This isn’t how I envisioned it at all!”
“Oh come on Sofie, there are plenty of dresses here, keep trying,” I said, as my sister started to pout. “Why don’t try a more elegant and modern style… like this one?” I pointed to a slim fitting mermaid gown.
“Hmm, I think I like the fit, but I hate this dress! And I definitely should avoid gloves.”
She disappeared into her fitting room to try another gown as I sat flipping through a magazine.
“Kat! This is it!” my sister shouted.
I looked up just as she emerged. “Oh my gosh! It’s amazing Sofie!”
It was a beautiful, pure white, fish tail gown with intricate lace and beading all over.
“Kat, I want you to choose the bridesmaid dresses. Since it’s a spring wedding, I’m thinking knee length, and I want them to be pink.”
I went to look around the store for those requirements as my sister got dressed. I tried on a couple of gowns, settling on the second one. We both loved it. It screamed Sophia’s style and was perfect for spring.
As I stood there looking at myself in the dress, I got my first bridesmaid pangs. I hoped I hadn’t ruined my chance of ever having a family. I realized how rare and sacred it was when a person finds true love. I started crying, so happy that my sister had found hers.
“I’m so happy for you Sofie. I love you,” I said, hugging her tightly.
“Kat, you’re going to marry Emilio. I know these things, I’m psychic!” we both laughed at her claim, but I knew she was just trying to cheer me up. I hoped she was right.
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The next chapter will focus more on Emilio and the type of guy he is... or seems to be...
Again, I'm going to be out of town without computer access this weekend, so the next update won't be for a little while. I already have some pictures taken for it though, so hopefully not too long.
And... another one of my self-made lots is featured in this chapter and can be found at MTS2: Cedarwood Mansion