Chapter Song: Dancing in the Moonlight- Toploader

I think the entire wedding party cried throughout the ceremony. Good thing the ceremony was short per the demands of my brother. That was one rule he wanted, a short ceremony so they could have a longer reception. Priorities.

I'm pretty sure most of the guests were crying too. There was something about seeing genuine love and happiness that was entirely captivating. Beautiful.

Last night the wedding party stayed up just to hang out. A few of them were nursing some pretty gnarly hangovers but they seemed to be holding it together pretty well. Or trying their best at least.

We didn't have any more responsibilities besides Cal and I making a speech later on tonight. Thankfully we could all just sit and eat dinner for now. I was starving. Not eating much today and having a few drinks was probably not the best choice. I had to make sure Riley ate something and I guess I forgot.

"Are you going back to London soon," Hayden nudged me as I sipped my drink.

"Yeah, actually uh my flight is next week."

"How long are you staying? Are you staying?" He raised a brow.

"I'm coming back here. I think I'm ready to be back and set down some roots," I admitted. "How long I'll be in London? I don't know. I got accepted to a few courses I applied for before coming here. So," I trailed off.

"Do you like it there?"

I shook my head yes. It was beautiful. As much as I loved living there, something kept pulling me back here. I don't know where I wanted to live but I knew I needed to be here for now.

"I love it, but I love it here more I think. There's just some stuff to wrap up there. Pack my things, tie up some loose ends, say goodbye, you know?"

"I get it," he took a sip of his drink. "So there's no way I can convince you to move with me to Chicago?" He grinned that handsome grin that had anyone within a five mile radius swooning.

"Well, I could be open to it," I grinned back. "I'll definitely have to visit you multiple times before I decide anything."

"Oh of course." He nudged me, "I miss you too much Ken."

"Me too. I'm glad you're here."

"Kenny don't you dare let him convince you to move to Chicago," Mason groaned.

"Why not?" I giggled.

"Because they are famous for deep dish," he shivered. "Imagine the shitty thin crust pizza you'll have to go out of your way to find. And it'll still be garbage."

"I'm sure I'd survive the great thin crust fiasco," I rolled my eyes. "And I said there no promises to moving there."

"Moving where?" Natalie piped up.

"Chicago!" Mason groaned. "KP is gonna move to Chicago."

"No I'm not," I laughed clutching my stomach. "I'm not moving anywhere except back here soon."

"You are?" She gasped. "Does Riley know?"

I shook my head. We had talked about it earlier this week. I don't think I'd move in with them. I'd give them some time to be by themselves as newlyweds. Even though they'd already been living together. My dad and Tish had helped me apartment search. So when I get back I'll stay with them until I get my own.

We finished up our dinner and talked about the flash mob dance we stayed up practicing last night. It had been so hard to keep a secret but somehow we had all been doing a pretty decent job.

After I finished eating I made my way to a table I had planned to ignore the entire time. Something inside me told me I should go talk to her. I'd like to imagine Livi was shoving me over there.

"Hi," I smiled taking an empty chair next to her.

"Hi. You look absolutely beautiful Kennedy." She smiled at me a bit unsure but when I placed my hand on top of hers it softened a little.

"Thank you. So do you."

She didn't know what to say and I didn't either. I think that was okay. I mean how were we supposed to know.

"It means a lot to him that you came you know." I gave another soft smile. I promised not to bite.

"I had to say I was surprised that I got the invitation, but I had to come."

There we're so many things about her that I saw in myself but the more I stared at her the more I saw Liam. The way their smiles sat more on the right side. He had the same straight eyelashes as her and the bump on his nose.

"Really? He told me you guys had been talking to each other I didn't think it would have been a shock."

"You would be surprised. Just because he is speaking to me doesn't mean we have a great relationship. Things take time."

"I get it," I sighed a little. Part of me hoped that Liam and her were closer. He made it seem that way at least. But maybe I'd just been hopeful that he was able to move on. He was always the less stubborn one, and her favorite.

"You know," I say again. " I don't know what our relationship could be or if it could ever reach a certain closeness. But if it's okay with you can we keep in touch?"

Her eyebrows raised and she withdrew her hand. Immediately dread filled my gut. How could I be so fucking stupid?

It's one thing to work her way back with Liam, but not me. There's no way she'd want to be back in my life. I tried to take a deep breath and focus on my next steps. But I couldn't help but feel like that little girl standing in the doorway watching her mom say that she'll be back.

"I just mean to see how you're doing every once in a while or to send you big life updates. And maybe if we're ever near each other we might grab dinner or a coffee or something." I forced myself to say it anyways. I was already pushing the line might as well say it all.

I had been talking to my dad and Tish about it during our dinner nights. They though it might be helpful to reach out. Even if we didn't build a relationship but just to get to know her as a person.

"I would like that very much actually."

"Oh good," I smiled in relief. It was like the child version of me saw the door open again and her wave to me. It was small but it was a good step.

"How are the boys?"

She grinned even bigger now pulling out her phone. She scrolled through tons of pictures of them and told me all sorts of stories. They loved soccer and one of them even was in swim. She said he reminded her of me.

It felt good to sit and talk to her. There weren't any pressures of her to be my parent. I didn't need that anymore. I had two amazing parents. But to sit and get to know her as a person was something entirely new.

I liked talking to her actually. It still hurt to look at her and speak to her. But it was a different kind of hurt. I couldn't keep blaming myself or her leaving. But I can accept her for who she is. She's still a person. I didn't have to have her in my life, and I might decide to not have her. But what I wanted right now was to get to know her. Even if it took the rest of my life.

It was still a little awkward and weird but maybe one day after enough forced conversations they would become more natural. At least that's what I was hoping for.

"Excuse me my beautiful ladies, Kennedy it's speech time." Cal came and bent down between the two of us. He stopped to shake my birth mom's hand and introduced himself.

"Let me know before you leave tonight I'd like to say goodbye okay?" I asked her.

"Of course," she gave me a quick hug as I got up. "Thank you," she whispered.

I gave her a small wave before walking away. Cal gave me his arm and I linked mine through. Old friends arm in arm, but it held so much more meaning. He was my best friend and my biggest supporter.

"How'd it go?" He asked smiling at guests we passed.

"Surprisingly good." I sighed relieved. It felt like I was holding my breath that entire conversation.

"I told you, you could do it," he flapped the arm I was linked to.

"Yeah yeah. You were right," I wrapped my foot around his ankle causing him to stumble.

"Oh my god," he huffed. "Don't start something you can't finish."

"I'm not starting anything. My dress was caught to my heel," I shrugged eyeing him playfully.

"Uh huh, very plausible." He rolled his eyes grinning, as we took the center of the dance floor. "Ladies first," he said as he handed me the microphone.

"For those who don't know me I am Kennedy, Liam's twin sister and Riley's best friend. I want to say thank you to everyone who is here. I am so glad you could all make it to celebrate these two amazing people." I smiled at the two of them. "And can I just say that it's about damn time."