Hiii bestiesss!

So here's another long-ish chapter to make up for my late update. I've had little time to write through these past weeks and it's crazy.

However, it's one I'm excited for (and I think you might be too...but I don't know, it depends. I've fooled y'all before).

But oh, isn't this song the same one chosen for the trailer? I wonder why...

Anyway, without further ado, I hope you enjoy this one, my precious rosy tulips 🌷

♬ ✥*

Serenity.

"So, that's what he said?" my mom said after letting out a soft sigh.

Amara and I didn't stay the last couple of days at the cabin. Needing some time by myself, so I told her that — I just needed to go home.

Throughout the entire trip, Harry wasn't brought up. I wasn't going to bring it up while we were driving, and she knew that I was waiting until she dropped me off, because she knew what happened, but never said a word. The way her eyes kept travelling over to me every once in a while, with the extra concern in them, simply made it even more obvious.

It wasn't about the texts or the voicemails, but about the fact that she gave him the address to come to the cabin. In a way, she had every right to invite whomever she pleased; I mean, after all, the place was hers. However, as best friends, that's where she crossed that line.

Deep down inside, I knew she did it for my well-being; and it clicked when she urged me to check my phone yesterday. It all came together as to why she did so.

The drive was spent with brief small talk, the radio softly playing in the background. It was the first time that our trip was so silent and solemn between us. The polar opposite to the way to the cabin which was cheery and filled with laughter. Music bounced off the ceiling and doors as we sang along to the words, completely off-key.

And that was the first time I was in a happy mood since I broke it off with Harry, and Mars knew that — also since she told me:

"Now, this is how I like to see you," she'd said with a wide grin, leaning slightly across the console to grasp my jaw and shake it. I slapped her hand down with a laugh and just responded by increasing my vocal volume, knowing that my off-key was even worse than before.

It was unfortunate while we were going back because my mood had turned into being a Debbie Downer, but I couldn't blame this one entirely on myself. My friend partook in it — and without knowledge, so did Harry.

My mind was running on full drive throughout the drive, and I felt that maybe being completely on my own wasn't the best of ideas. So instead, I figured my parents' place for the night would be better. When I told her, she simply nodded, keeping our silent steak as I turned around to focus back out the window as the view began to change. Shivers ran all across my body, but the warmth of my friend's car kept us warm.

The snow remained up above in the thick, grey clouds. The sun and moon were hidden, and I just hoped to get a glimpse of either. Nonetheless, as we entered the city, the rain would scatter in millions down on the world below, splashing the ground with a gloomy sensation.

When we arrived, silence suffocated us, each waiting for someone to speak. My eyes remained down on my lap, letting out a soft sigh before she finally said something.

"Look, I'm sorry," she said, and I met her eyes that were filled with shame.

"I just don't understand, Amara. I thought you were against Harry. Why did you give him the address?" I replied with furrowed brows.

"He called me dozens of times throughout these past two weeks, and his desperate tone just got to me. It shook my bones and I kind of felt bad for him."

"Felt bad?"

"No, wait. That's not the right word."

"Pick another one."

"Damn it, Serenity, he just sounded like he was at the lowest point. I mean, he and I haven't really had full conversations, but I've never heard him sound like how he did. I couldn't say no to him," she explained with a sigh. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't."

"I get it. I heard that tone..." I quietly trailed off, "...but I could."

"You're my best friend, Ren, and you know that. But being that person to just try and give a smidge of possible happiness is what I want for you. I know he fucked up badly, but we all have our lows and issues. He's human and made a really shitty decision. He broke you and destroyed that trust between you both, and I'd still knee him straight in the crotch if you want me to. There's no doubt about that."

A small chuckle escaped my lips. "No need. I think that emotional pain is worse than a hit there."

"Not how I'd leave him," she snorted, "He wouldn't be able to have children if you let me do that to him. Imagine how fun it'll be for him to also show up with that black eye Charlie's threatening to do. Just give him the word. It's what he told me, and I'm backing him up on that."

"I love you, Mars, but shut up. You won't, and neither will he. I'll murder my own brother if need be."

"Oh, I'm sure you will." A teasing grin was on her face.

I obviously wouldn't murder him, and I'm not physical, but I'd make sure to leave him with a shiner that he'd be embarrassed to tell his teammates.

And that's what happened last night before I left. A warm hug was shared between us, I grabbed my bag, and she was off.

When I knocked on the door, my mom opened it for me, and her expression was both surprised and knowing — she knew.

She always knew.

However, my mom didn't say much nor ask me any questions. The look on my face said it all. I wasn't planning on talking about what happened — at least, not now.

The chat would inevitably come, and I expected it to be sometime tomorrow. She'd always let me rest before bringing up some serious topic. Since I was young, it was like that; even when it came to my brothers and family meetings.

Sleep was important to us, and my mom knew that people were never themselves if they were restless or hungry. And, of course, it was true. So she treated us in the best way, and we gave into the things she did.

But when I woke up in the morning, she said something that I had to do.

Go to our neighbour's wedding.

Well...vow renewal.

It was the mother of the girl Charlie once made out with in our backyard. The daughter was studying something in the medical field somewhere in South America, so she couldn't attend it. There wasn't much to the party, only planned in a small venue with their closest friends and familiar neighbours. It was a spur of the moment thing and completely unplanned.

I wasn't in the mood and didn't want to go — but I was forced to.

With everything she did for our family, there was one thing that we all got used to: "so as long as you're under my roof, you follow my rules. It's how it's always been. No questions asked. You're going."

So, I went.

Twenty-five years old, and I still have to follow her rules.

They've always been moderate, though. My mom's never once used them as a way to hurt, punish, or force us into something we don't want to do. But this time, I could tell that it was a way of force as she saw the glum look on my face. Somehow, she did things that were good for us — even if we never know it at the time.

And this was one of those times.

Emily-Mae and Mitchell Cook.

That was the couple who were getting their vows renewed.

The ceremony was small but very elegant. Candles were set on the ground, parallel to the aisle. Floral decorations of cream and crimson roses, basil-toned leatherleaves, and sage-tinted silver dollar eucalyptus. The theme remained the same all into the room holding the reception across the hall.  The bride in an delicate red dress, and the groom in a white suite, a red tie to bring things together.

Em wanted to switch things up this time around, hence the pick for her choice of a cherry-toned gown. And also because she considered herself a semi-newlywed bride; and him, the same husband-to-be.

They were known to the neighbourhood as E = MC2 — for obvious reasons.

And they were quite fond of it.

Mitchell had a physics degree, and the moment he met Emily-Mae, it was fate for him. To put it simply, he fell for her on the spot, and their story was love at first sight.

Their vows included the story of how they met and the beautiful things they've had together throughout their marriage. Hearing them talk about everything they want to experience in the future made a tear slide down my cheek.

I loved how they kept their ceremony short, as they wanted the reception to be all about having fun, showing that it's how they wanted their lives to continue forward.

However, their second dance song was The Lady In Red, and it only brought back memories for me.

I kept to myself the majority of the time. At least, that was the case until my mom decided to join me, a warm, friendly smile on her face.

And that's when she decided to ask me what happened during my trip — including Harry.

My eyes occasionally met hers, travelled to watch the happy couple, down to my lap, and back at her. I wasn't sure where to focus on as I told her everything that happened; and this time, I didn't leave anything out.

Her hands rested on mine while I spoke, but then when she asked me that final question, one raised to cup my cheek.

"Yeah," I replied with a shrug.

My mom looked at me with a soft expression, lowering her hand as she smiled. "You know he loves you, right?"

"I don't know." I sighed. "I feel that he does, but I won't know unless he says it."

"Why is it so important to you that he says it?

"It's not about him just saying it, mom. It's about him learning to open up on the inside, trusting what he feels, and not live in his previous heartbreak. Yes, we're both crushed right now, and I see it in his eyes, texts, voicemails, basically everything. But does he really know how to help heal that? No. It's why it's important."

"So if he were to say it, you'd forgive him?"

"Again, I don't know. Maybe it's more about just saying it, but meaning it."

Her hand gently covered mine. "Look, sweet pea, I want to sock that man for doing what he did to you, but I liked him a lot. We all did. It's why we were shocked."

A sad, short laugh escaped my lips. "Tell me about it."

Everything that happened between Harry and me just last night was all adding up to me. I struggled to replace him with something else in my mind, but he wasn't budging. The heartbreak, the happiness, the memories were all on repeat on a broken record.

Harry Styles imprisoned himself within me, and nothing could move him.

Could I bring myself to trust him again?

His despair was truthful.

His persistence was truthful.

His agonising tone was truthful.

His solemn jade eyes were truthful.

None of those were fake nor lies.

"What're you thinking about?"

"You really have to ask?" I pursed my lips, and she simply smiled.

"You'll figure it out, sweets," she said, "I know you will."

"What're you two talking about?" My dad spoke as he approached us.

"Nothing. Just girl talk, my dearest husband." A grin on her face, and he narrowed his eyes at her, trying to study them.

"As many times as I try, I can never read your mother. A mystery woman, she is," he said with a laugh. "We've been married for what? Twenty years?"

My mom snorted. "Twenty-eight, idiot."

"I never like counting time with you. The more years I'll have with you, the more memories we'll make together." His smile was ultimately sincere, tone filled with love and passion.

"I'd normally say 'smooth save,' but that's not needed here," she replied, "Always feels longer with you too."

"Care to dance, my wife?" His hand reached out for her, and she took hold of it without hesitation.

"Gladly, husband," she said, standing up as he led her to the dance floor.

I watched my parents, so deeply in love with each other, as they swayed together, each with two left feet, but they made it look like they were professionals. It only made me wonder if it was just those strong emotions made everything seem beautiful, so as long as that feeling was there.

Maybe it was true.

Or maybe that feeling gave that push to be able to get out of either of their comfort zones.

More like 'concrete zones,' as I told Harry.

He was able to do things that he never thought he'd ever do in his life.

Drink tea.

Go snowboarding.

Conquer his fear of heights by riding a gondola.

Dance with someone who truly cared for him.

Hold someone that made them fall into a deep, peaceful slumber.

But he had someone that made them fall deeply in love with him.

Me.

Shaking my head, I looked up to see the stunning bride grabbing something to eat by the dessert table.

Making my way over to her, I reached out for a mini fruit tart and placed it on a plate.

"A re-best wishes to you, Emily-Mae," I kindly spoke with a smile.

"Thank you, dear. You know, I thought my actual wedding was beautiful, I clearly had no idea what was in my future." She laughed, taking a bite from the profiterole in her hand.

"So he just out-of-the-blue proposed again?"

"Yep. I didn't see it coming at all. We were watching one of my favourite movies, and I turned to see the ol' fart holding a ring in his hand," Em said with a chuckle.

"Wow."

"Yeah."

"I don't want to be rude or anything, and especially today, but..." I paused in hesitation, biting my lip.

"Go on," she encouraged, and a small sigh escaped my lips as I placed the plate down on the table.

"...Um, how did your marriage last so long? I mean, my parents are in love still after so many years, but I rarely see them fight. I mean, I see it only when it's about who gets to use the barbecue, or when my dad nearly set the kitchen on fire," I said, and Em chuckled.

"Your parents fight, trust me. Every couple does," she spoke, and I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"But they can't be that big, right?"

"Fights are fights. Like you said, it could be about the basic or major things. Financial troubles can sometimes be a trigger for our problems, but we always work it out."

Well, Harry surely had no issues of financial struggles in our relationship.

That would be me.

The irony between the struggling contemporary ballerina and the CEO of a multimillion-dollar company.

"What about lying?"

"We sometimes lie or hide things from the people we love, and it can be a good or bad thing. But, it also makes us human. We're not perfect."

"Has — has, um..." I trailed off. "Actually, never mind."

"Serenity, I've known you since you were a little ankle biter. Actually, wait, that was Charlie. Anyway, it's okay. You can ask away." She grinned before chuckling lightly. "That rhymed."

It was her re-wedding day, and I was wasting her time. Unbelievable, Hayes. Unbelievable.

"Has Mitch ever betrayed you?" My voice was quiet, ashamed of my question.

"He has." Her soft reply surprised me. "But, it's not just him, though. I have, too. Like I said, we're human. We sometimes do things that mess up our thought process and we do things that make big mistakes. We always work things out. It can take some time — but not a lot, because in the end, I still love that ol' lug."

"So even if he makes mistakes, you forgive him?"

"The love I have for Mitch is greater than everything, even though that man's slept on the couch more times than I can count. Nonetheless, if I was ultimately pissed from the worst thing he did, if anyone spoke something bad about him, I'd defend him like there was no tomorrow."

Biting my bottom lip, I thought about everything every word that she was saying.

"Listen to me, Rennie. I can see in your eyes that you're upset from someone that means so much to you. Remember the words I'm about to tell you," Em spoke with a pause, "Life's too short to throw love away, because it's hard to come by. Once you've found it, hold on and never let go.

"Of course, that's only if he's a good guy deep down inside, and is worthy of your love. If he's a sleezebag, dump the idiot and run to Fiji."

Tilting my head with a light laugh, I asked, "Why Fiji?"

"Dunno. It's beautiful, of course, not that I've been there. But wow, the photos and videos you see, it just makes you want to jump right in the picture." Her laugh was infectious as it echoed in the hall.

"Point taken." A smile overtook my expression.

"Keep that heart and mind of yours open, learn to forgive and forget. I know it can be hard to do so, but when you do, it could be the greatness and love you've dreamt about for years."

"So that really works?"

"I wouldn't be married for forty years if it doesn't." She smiled. "Plus, we wouldn't be E = MC2 if we didn't work it out.

"You can do it, Ren. Anyone in love can. They just have to put effort into knowing the difference between what can be forgiven and forgotten, how to work around it, fix it — if that's possible — and try to understand the other person. One of those days, it'll be you in some form of his shoes. It's a two-way street that we can't just throw in the towel and never look back at it again," she paused, "but we have to."

Slowly, I nodded as I processed what she was saying.

"Think about it like a super expensive dress. Would you want to just throw it in the laundry basket and leave it until whenever you feel like washing it?"

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Um, no?"

"Exactly, you'd send it to the cleaners and make sure it was in pristine condition. That's how it should be with that person. You've got to treat him like that dress."

"But a dress like that should be worn again," I said with a slight, unmistakable smile.

"Of course, wear it, or..." she paused with a light cough "...wear him out."

My cheeks softly blushed. "Duly noted."

"Atta girl." A grin graced her face. "Now, I have to go before my husband starts singing an awful rendition of anything by Michael Jackson. He butchers that man's iconic voice. I will not stand by that. And oh, try those cream puffs, they'll change your world."

"Thank you again, Em," I spoke as she pulled me in a hug, whispering a soft "good luck" in my ear.

It was just a minute after when I saw that she really did know her husband very well, as she grabbed the mic from him seconds as he began singing 'I'll be there.'

The poor man was a loving husband, but incredibly tone-deaf.

I gave another internal thank you to Emily-Mae for saving our ears.

Minutes passed on, and I rejected every offer to dance by all the guys who'd asked me. Each of which were tipsy sons of the groomsmen and random guests.

My eyes watched everyone having a wonderful time. They all moved without a second glance at who was looking. Their carefree and careless actions made their moments feel so honest and pure. The guests threw the rules out of their minds and let felt freedom flow