I was smiling at the memory of Koa and I bonding over acai bowls in Hawaii when he said that same thing to me. Another full-circle moment that gave me goosebumps. "He's told me that before, too."
When I came out of my reverie, briefly stuck in a time where I truly believed Gus and I were done, I looked up to see Sutton gazing at the TV again. I could tell she wasn't really watching the movie. Before we got too far off-topic, there was something else we needed to shine a light on.
"You have to talk to Duncan," I said, hoping I sounded as stern as I thought I did. I must have because my sister's eyes flickered from the TV right to me. "You guys need to clear the air and settle this. I know none of us are thrilled about it, but you can't just hold onto it. You gotta let it go."
The corners of her pouty lips slightly turned down, but she nodded anyway. And because I figured she deserved to know, I found myself blurting the most important part of Duncan's newfound relationship.
"He loves her." The revelation, though it came out of my mouth weakly, had Sutton's shoulders slumping. In relief, in regret, I wasn't sure. It didn't stop me from going on. "He told us when we got home from the ceremony. Apparently, she gets along great with Madelyn. I'm pretty sure if they didn't, he never would have gotten involved with her. You know Maddy is his world."
She dug the heels of her hands into her eyes and mumbled, "You're right. They spent so much time together with all the pre-wedding stuff. I guess it was bound to happen."
"Your wedding made everybody fall in love," I quipped.
She dropped her hands from her face and shot me a knowing smirk. In a second, it became a sincere look of respect. "I'm really glad you're happy. You and Gus are one of a kind. It's inspiring."
"Nah." I shook my head with a shy laugh. "We're just a couple of idiots in love."
"Let me keep paying your rent for a while. It's the least I can do," she said then, and it took me by surprise. When I opened my mouth to interject, she cut me off. "Bayla, please. Let me do this, okay? I want to."
"Alright," I sang grudgingly, "But just remember you said you wanted to."
"I do," she chirped. "Now I'm done being sad and I have a serious question that needs an answer." And just like that, she was back to the Sutton I knew best. Sitting up straight with her hands clasped together and that familiar, gorgeous gleam in her eyes. When I nodded for her to go on, she couldn't hide her grin. "Does this mean you're gonna have a real wedding since we all know?"
"Everyone keeps asking me that," I sighed at first, and she scoffed in disapproval at my uncertain answer. "When we told Gus' family, his mom and I talked about it which was basically just her throwing out ideas and me trying to keep up. I didn't think I'd want to but... I kind of do."
"You should!" She shoved me in her own, encouraging way.
I cocked my head to the side, gnawing on my lip as if I was actually thinking about it for the first time. Ever since Gus and I had our one month anniversary, I'd been thinking about it every day if I was being honest. Jumping from one decision to the other, considering all aspects, making a mental list of why or why not. Wondering if it was worth it, if it was what we both really wanted.
Who was I kidding? I knew what I wanted, and I knew Gus would want whatever I wanted. Fuck the idea of teetering between "should we" and "shouldn't we". Now that everyone we loved knew we were married, we had every right to want to celebrate it with them.
Still, I wanted to mess with Sutton for just a bit longer.
"I don't know," I said, dramatically letting my voice fall as I toyed with the fringe on the pillow between us. I wasn't looking at her, but I could feel Sutton's eyes on me, questioning what the fuck is wrong with you? I tried my best not to laugh. "I'd love to, but I have no idea how to plan one. I wouldn't even know where to start."
Sutton cleared her throat. A few times, and each time more exaggerated than the last. When I finally lifted my gaze, I saw her thoughtfully staring up at the ceiling.
"Sutton..." Her wandering eyes latched onto mine, unwavering as I asked, "Will you help me?"
Mrs. Monahan may as well have rushed into the room from the scream that gushed out of my sister.
"I thought you'd never ask!" She shrieked, throwing herself onto me in one of her signature suffocating hugs. All I got out was a muffled laugh. How this girl could bounce from one mood to the other was baffling.
Before she got too carried away, I wriggled my arms so I could push her away. "Listen, this is great but the second you make anything about yourself, you're fired," I demanded, my tone teasing with just a touch of venom because I meant it.
"I promise I won't," she exclaimed with a fervent shake of her head. "If I do, you have every right not to talk to me ever again."
"We're not doing anything crazy either. Your wedding was awesome, but I just wanna throw a big ass party, you know?" I said, and she was nodding like a nutjob at every word that left my mouth. "I don't need a formal wedding, a priest, a forty-thousand dollar gown, whatever. We're already married, it'd be redundant. I just want everyone we love to get together for some good food, good music, and a good fucking time. Okay?"
"Whatever you want, we'll make it happen," she promised. Knowing Sutton, I didn't doubt her.
Koa came skidding into the living room then, à la The Breakfast Club, beaming at the two of us. "The pig is done! Come get some grindz. Bayla, you gotta stay and try it," he babbled in triumph and I couldn't say no even if I wanted to.
"Sure thing. Let's do it," I grinned.
He waved his arm in a circle for us to follow him, scampering ahead like a puppy who was dying to show his owners a bone he found. I pushed myself up and helped Sutton off the couch, then we joined her husband in their sunlit dining room.
And that was how I ended up spending my Saturday; planning my wedding while eating Kalua Pig with the Makana's.
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A/N - SHEESH this chapter was exhausting !!! sorry for so much dialogue but it had to be done. there was a LOT to be said and i was Stressed but i'm glad we got through it in one piece.
so the tables have turned: SUTTON was the one doing the confessing this time!!! did you ever think we'd see the day? were you expecting any of this? it all makes sense now though i think. like bayla said, sutton's initial reaction to the news wasn't ~right~ but it does explain it. homegirl's been burying it for so long that – would you look at that – it exploded at some triggering news aka bayla saying she got married on the same day as her!!!! wow, funny how life works sometimes. PS KOA??? a golden gem. i want to marry him. he's too pure for this world. and the SONG?! we love a full-circle moment, y'all. we really do.
whether you've forgiven sutton or not, bayla has, and now it's time to move on to Bigger and Better things!!! gus has been gone for ONE measly chapter and i'm already having withdrawals like... i need help. he's coming back, and we'll get to meet someone super special too! can't wait. hope you guys are hanging in there. thanks for reading. love ya lots!
xoxo, sabbbycat
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