Chapter Fifteen

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Chapter Fifteen


Eleanor's POV

"Are you sure you and your boys don't want to come?" Parker asked for the umpteenth time that evening. He was standing by the doorway of our home about to leave for China is his private aircraft. Hey, if he owned an airline, it was reasonable he'd have his own private jet.

I nodded rolling my eyes walking closer to him. "Yes, Parker. The boys, and I will be fine here." He looked at me one last time before lowering his head to my level. His face lingered just a centimeter away from mine, teasing me. "Are you going to kiss me?"

"I just want you to know how badly you'll miss me if you don't come," Parker replied in the deep baritone voice of his. 

Impatiently, I made the first move and placed both of my hands on his cheeks pulling his head down; our lips finally connected. I kissed him opening my mouth instantly, deepening the kiss right away. My hands had minds of their own as they moved up the back of his neck and into his soft locks. I felt Parker's thumb rub against the visible skin on my waist where my shirt rose up from leaning up to kiss him. Parker growled against my mouth pulling away and leaning our foreheads against each other. His eyes were closed, breathing heavily. 

"If we don't stop now," he said in a sexy, husky tone of voice, "I might just decide not to go after all. Not without you anyways."

I grinned, superior at having him around my finger. I pushed him away gently giving him one last kiss. "Go on. Don't want to keep your pilot waiting."

"Tell the boys goodbye for me," he told me opening the door stepping out into the crisp, cool morning air. Since it was still early in the morning, my boys weren't awake yet. "I'll call you tonight."

"I will," I nodded and waved bye to him. I only closed the door when the limo pulled away out of my sight. I closed the door gently behind me and walked into the rest of the house. 

Parker was supposed to be gone for at least five days; it depended on the amount of work he had to get done over in China. This was going to be the first time he would be away for so long. I already knew that if I married Parker, he would be gone constantly as a businessman. That was actually one of the reasons I decided to marry him; I wouldn't have to put up with him all the time. Although now that things changed... I didn't want to be away from him.

Pulling the fluffy robe tightly over me, I cleared my head of any thoughts. I had raised my two sons without any help of their father; I shouldn't have a reason to start depending on Parker now. I checked for the time on the fancy grandfather clock located in the formal living room. Summer and I were going to get together this morning shopping for dresses for her wedding. I only had about a few hours to get ready.

Charlotte, the usual babysitter Parker and I would hire, agreed to watch over my sons for the whole day. They were only going to be a nuisance when we go shopping; Peyton especially gets agitated. I woke my boys up early, so they would be ready for when the babysitter comes in.

"Parker gone?" Luke asked sadly sitting up on his bed, rubbing his eyes. I nodded kissing him on the forehead. "I didn't say bye."

"He told me to give you his farewell," I told him stroking his messy hair. "He left very early, my angel. He'll be back in a few days time." My son nodded understandingly. "Charlotte will be coming in today. Your Aunt Summer and I will be together."

"Yay! I like Charlotte."

I took his hand in mine, tugging him to his feet. "Come on. Time to get ready so you're freshly showered when she comes in. You don't want to be stinky do you?" I playfully smelled his armpits and made a stink face. Luke laughed bringing his arms down. 

"Stop Momma!"

"Okay, let's wash that stink off you!" I grabbed him under one arm, thankful that he was the skinny one of the two and walked us to the bathroom. I let Peyton sleep in for just a few more minutes and would wash him once I was finished with Luke.

When it was time to get ready to leave, I went into my closet full of various clothing fit for any type of occasion. I stood there unsure what to wear. To be quite honest, I had never went out of the house except for the occasional park visits with my sons. If I were to go out, I was with Parker at a social event and he would pick out the clothing for me. Maybe it was time for a change. I should act more like Parker's wife; one that's beautiful and dresses the part of a Jenkins. One thing I learned was that there's a heavy reputation having that name.

With that in mind, I browsed through the different materials of clothing. I picked out clothing I wouldn't normally wear before I met Parker. Well, mostly because I wouldn't be able to afford it. Now these clothing would only go to waste if they collected dust in the closet! Before heading out, I actually put on make up. Something I haven't done to myself in a very long time since I thought there was no need to ever impress a guy ever again.

Once I was finished, I said my goodbyes to my two darling boys and entrusted them into the hands of Charlotte. Promising I would bring them back some goodies, I closed the door behind me and jogged to the limo idling in the driveway. I knew Summer was going to flip about this choice of car, and I was right.

"I am absolutely loving Parker for this!" Summer stood beside me gawking at the limo before us. Parker left me his limo and chauffeur for the entire time he was gone and specifically told me to use it for whatever I'd like. "Arriving in fashion, huh?"

I nudged my best friend and motioned for her to climb in. "It was the only available way to get around. I, as you know, do not know how to drive." I was picking up Summer for our day together since Finn had work all day and wasn't able to chauffeur us around.

"This is sweet!" Summer expressed her approval once we were seated. "Chardonnay in a mini-fridge located in a limo? You are seriously living the life of a celebrity." Summer finally turned her attention to me instead of the limo. I gave her a look asking if she was done yet. "You look wonderful, Elle. New wardrobe I see?"

I nodded blushing. "Hey, wouldn't want to embarrass Parker's image in the public, right?" 

She gave me a deadpanned look to which I just shrugged off. "You are not an embarrassment! If anything, Parker would be an embarrassment to you."

"I thought you said you loved Parker," I teased. 

"That doesn't mean I don't love my best friend anymore," she rolled her eyes and looked out the window. "Anyways, I have two appointments in two wedding dress parlors. I want to explore all kinds of different wedding dresses, so I don't choose the wrong one."

"Two parlors? Are we going to have enough time for that? We all know you're the picky one."

"Ha-ha. Very funny, Elle. So, I was thinking since you're already married and all, you would help with the pressure of choosing the right dress," Summer rattled off. I tried to hide my sheepish look but was caught anyways. "You did wear a dress at your wedding with Parker, right?"

My look must have given it away for she threw her hands up. "Eleanor! What kind of wedding was that?" I could tell Summer was getting upset. "First your best friend wasn't their to witness her best friend's only wedding, and now you're telling me you didn't wear a traditional wedding dress?" 

"I'm sorry!" I told her. "It was very short notice, and... There was just no time."

Summer closed her eyes and took deep breaths for about thirty seconds. I was starting to worry when it neared a minute, for she was still still in her seat. "Uh Summer? You okay there?"

"Sh!" She briskly shushed me. "I don't need to be any more stressed than I already am. So I will let it go."

"You're upset already?" I frowned getting comfortable in my seat. 

"No, but I know I will be if I don't find the dress today."

Typical Summer already worrying over the smallest things. "Why did you and Finn decide to move the wedding date closer anyways?"

Her eyes flew open and quickly calmed her face. "No reason. I thought I'd rather get this over with than anticipate for the time to come. You know me."

I decided to let it go and nodded. "So, what kind of dresses are you looking for?"

"I have no bloody idea." Summer looked at me with a deceitful look. 

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Summer, how are you so responsible with your students but never with yourself?"

She shrugged and helped herself to a glass of wine. "I yet have to answer that question, dear Elle."

We spent the rest of the ride to the first place Summer has chosen catching up on things. I realized I missed my best friend being by my side every single day. Now that I don't need her help anymore, I need her presence. She was always able to make me laugh even through the toughest times I went through. 

An hour and a half later, I was slumping one of the chairs like a boyfriend who went shopping with his girlfriend. Summer has been coming out of the dressing room with a new dress for the past hour and sometimes trying the same dress again and again. I tried not to show my restlessness by putting on a bright smile and thoughtful face when she would come out.

"What about this one?" Summer asked turning from side to side to get a good view on all the angles of the skimpy wedding dress she had on. 

I crinkled my nose up in disgust. "Very sexy, but I don't think Finn would be capable of saying his vows correctly with you dressed like that."

Summer frowned and looked herself up and down the mirror. She nodded slowly agreeing with me. "You're right. Alright, Isabelle. Next dress." The salesperson who was helping my friend find a dress never lost her patience. I guess she was experienced in working with bridezillas.

I leaned back into my chair checking the time on my phone. Although there was no need for that since my stomach growled signalling it was probably time for lunch. I waited patiently for Summer to come back out and tell her we should get some lunch. 

She came back out minutes later, and my tummy was pretty upset. "What about this one?" She walked back to the small podium with about five mirrors angled differently that surrounded her. A long, ivory white dress clung to her body with a ballroom gown styled bottom. It looked beautiful on her, but everything does anyways.

"Beautiful," I nodded my approval, "but I don't think that's the dress for you." 

Summer pondered on the stand for a few minutes and then sighed. "I guess this store doesn't have the dress for me."

I nodded enthusiastically hoping that we would get out of here and have some lunch. "Yup, guess not. So let's go out, huh?"

A few minutes later, we were out of the boutique and into fresh air. I breathed in smelling the after math of rain. I savored the beaming rays of the sun which was rarely out. Summer was headed for the parked limo before I stopped her by grabbing onto her elbow. 

"Whoa. Where you going?" I asked curiously.

She gave me a weird look. "To the limo?"

"And why?"

"Off to the next store..."

"No way. We are not going there unless I have some food in my system," I hooked my arm in hers so she wasn't able to get away and headed for the quaint cafe I saw just a blocks down. 

"But then we won't have time if we eat!" Summer complained staying in place. 

"Summer, honey. Calm down. I know you're stressed over your wedding, but you will find the dress," I turned around tugging her towards the cafe in which I looked at with longing eyes. I could already smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked pastries. My stomach growled at the anticipation.

"Oh alright! I am feeling hungry all of a sudden," Summer wistfully replied stopping her resistance. 

Exactly seven hours later, Summer and I were done for the day. The verdict? Summer found the dress! It was absolutely beautiful on her (well, everything looks amazing on her) and fitted her figure perfectly. The dress was traditional strapless white, with a sweetheart neckline and a tenacious bodice. The entire look was completed with a ballgown bottom.

"I'm just- just gonna go talk to the head of altering services," Summer said through her tears of joy. I always knew Summer was emotional, but she's been crying for quite a while after getting out of her dress. 

I nodded and smiled at her. "Want me to come with you?"

"No!" She quickly said. "You can go on ahead in the limo and wait for me. I'll be there shortly." Before I could say anything else, my friend quickly turned on her heel and walked after the consultant to the tailor.

I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed my purse and headed out of the store. I saw the chauffeur waiting patiently outside, and as soon as he spotted me, he opened the door for me with a polite greeting. 

I only waited for a few minutes before Summer's boisterous voice to the chauffeur rang in my ears. She slid in to the seat beside me with a huge smile on her face; at least she wasn't crying anymore! 

"So ready to go home?" I asked her closing my eyes. I badly need a rest and to see my boys. And maybe to wait on Parker's promised call. "It's getting rather late."

"Well..." A sheepish Summer said. "I kind of invited Laura and her husband to join us and Finn for dinner." My eyes snapped open and sought hers. "You know, just to celebrate in finding my dress!" She said quickly at the end.

"You couldn't tell me this beforehand?"

"Please?" She drawled out. 

Oh how the tables have turned from this noon! First, I was the one begging her to eat out. "Alright. You're paying."

"Of course,"  she smirked and gave me a hug from the side. "Thank you Elle, for coming with me. I couldn't have stayed sane without you by my side."

After a while, the driver pulled into the entrance of a well-known steakhouse, famous for their meat imported from Argentina. I had never been here, but I know Finn and Summer would splurge on restaurants like these. 

"There they are!" Summer immediately shouted when she stepped out. "Finn! Laura!" 

I got out right after her and thanked the chauffeur. I told him I would just inform him once we were done and sent him on his way. Walking up the steps, I followed Summer who was greeting her fiancee with a kiss. Spotting Laura, I gave her a huge smile. Laura was one of Summer's friends from college and eventually became my friend as well. Opening my arms for a hug, Laura crushed me to her.

"Why in the world was I not invited to your wedding with no other than Parker Jenkins?" She exclaimed into my ear.

"Hello to you too," I teased after we pull away. I gave her husband, Greg, a kiss on the cheek in greeting. "Hey, Greg. I haven't seen you in a while."

"Likewise," he grinned at me. "How are the little ones?" He asked referring to Luke and Peyton. 

"Oh, they're growing up so fast!" 

"Don't be offended Laura," Summer interjected all of a sudden smirking. Her arm was hooked with Finn's leading the Laura and I plus her husband into the busy restaurant. "Her own best friend wasn't invited." We walked up to the hostess and Summer brightly said, "Table for five!"

The interior of the restaurant had a smoky atmosphere with its dimmed lighting. It was fancy all right; a restaurant where people would dress up just to eat. I was proud of myself for choosing to wear really suitable clothing this morning. We were luckily quickly seated to an empty table right in the middle of the restaurant; I wouldn't mind it as much, but as I walked with Laura beside me, I'd been getting looks from strangers. I guess they did know who I was. I disregarded the looks and chose to just enjoy the night with my friends.

After we all finished ordering, Laura insisted on telling me the story of how I married Parker. I told her the edited version of everything, one that Parker and I stuck to the story of. I promised them I would invite them over one day, so they would be able to meet him and see my kids again.

"I just can't believe it's Parker Jenkins!" Laura said for what seemed like the fourth time that night. "The things I would do to him if he was my husband..." 

Greg chuckled at his wife's comment not one bit fazed at the content. "Do you think you should be saying that in front of me, sweetheart?"

Laura quieted down and laughed her hypnotizing laughter which turned heads towards our table. "Oh, Greg. I didn't marry you for nothing; I could do anything with you whenever I want."

"Alright, alright," I chuckled stopping from where this conversation was going. "Keep in mind that Parker's married now." I meant it off as a joke but as I said the words, they had a serious tone to it. 

"Someone getting jealous?" Finn asked with a glint in his eye looking at me knowingly.

"Come on Finn, I thought you were on my side!" I playfully complained handing the waiter my empty plate. I ordered a scrumptious medium-rare rib eye steak which fulfilled my stomach right away.

"Elle?" I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see a curious Caleb behind me. His face lightened up once he saw me. "So it is you!"

My face brightened up as well and stood up from my seat to greet him. "Caleb! Fancy seeing you here." I heard coughs from the left side of me which was Laura. I smiled and turned back to my entourage. "Everyone, this is Caleb, Parker's friend and mine as well. Caleb, this is Laura and her husband, Greg, and I don't know if you've already met my best friend Summer and her fiancee, Finn."

Caleb nodded with his charming smile present. "It's nice to meet you all."

"What are you doing here?" I asked standing beside my chair, so I wasn't in the small space between the edge of the table and chair. "I thought you went to China with Parker."

"I had a dinner meeting with one of the business executive," Caleb shrugged. "I was just heading out once I saw your familiar head."

I smiled. "Well that's just-"

"Why don't you join us?" Summer interrupted with a sly smile on her face. "Have some dessert or something."

Caleb was about to decline before I placed a hand on his elbow. "That's a wonderful idea! Come on Caleb, don't leave me being the fifth wheel." I joked. 

"I guess a cake or two wouldn't hurt," he grinned taking the seat beside me.

I smiled triumphantly and sat back down. It was going to be a great night, I could tell.

For being so late at night, the restaurant was still bustling with people. The dinner was really relaxing just being able to be myself again. Not once did I remember of having a straight face; I was laughing and smiling all throughout the conversations we had. Finn and Greg were always the ones with a wonderful sense of humor, but add Caleb to the group they were unstoppable with their jests and stories. 

We were just finishing our desserts up when my phone rang in my purse. I slipped it out and answered it right away. "Hello?" I asked a bit distractedly wanting to listen to one of Greg's many crazy stories as an ER doctor.

"I was hoping you'd be a bit more excited to hear from me," Parker's deep voice rang through the other end somehow still able to make me feel tingly. 

His call absolutely slipped my mind as soon as I started to let myself get into the night. Also probably with the help of the two glasses of wine I had in my system.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net