If Only

Thirteen

Third Person P.O.V.

There Charlotte stood outside the boutique thinking about all the eyes on her. She'd been toned for a very long time but she knew it was going to go soon. Luckily the wedding was the day after tomorrow but today her body would be on display.

Grace saw her standing there staring at the store and walked up next to her "if she says anything I'll shut her down, try and cut her out of this as much as I can" she patted her shoulder

"Charlotte?" She looked to see Celine behind me

"Don't be so nervous, your a beautiful girl and you'll look beautiful in every gown you put on, your perfect dear" Celine said with a smile

They entered the boutique to see Amara talking with a consultant and Megan came in behind them

"Who's ready to see the most beautiful bride!" Megan said walking to Charlotte

"Oh hush Meg" Charlotte said

"Well ladies, we are so happy to be of service today. Welcome to Windsor's Bridal. I'm Bridget and I'll be your consultant. I say you all pick a dress for the bride to try on while the blushing bride herself tries on a dress"

"I just need a dress by the end of today, to take home" she nodded

"Is there a limit?" She asked

"No" Celine answered with a smile

The Amara came in "so sorry I'm late, but I'm here now" she walked over to her daughter looking at her and then looking away

"I'll take the bride and she can pick out a few dresses while you all wait and... Celine would you like to choose a dress" she looked surprised

"Oh I'd love to Bridget" she walked off into a section of dresses while the other woman sat on a couch

She looked at the dresses more in disparate than excitement like a bride would be. But this wasn't a wedding, more so her wedding it was someone else's.

But a dress caught her eye, she scanned it and smiled. She took it off the rack, it was October her favorite time of year, she used to dream of her fall wedding. But now that it was happening she felt more sad rather than happy.

She never saw herself like this, well at least not with Carter. Maybe in 5 years but not now, she wasn't the meet you at the end of the isle kind of girl. She was the bridesmaid happy for her friend.

Her biggest worry was moving in today, she'd been to his apartment but it would be theirs soon. She didn't know him, he didn't know her. Yes he was one Wikipedia search away, but that's not him. She didn't know him, like truly know him.

After trying on 3 dresses she placed on the one that she loved at first. It was a perfect, long sleeve white dress with lace designs and a train that ran not too long. She walked out and finally her mother was silent, she had nothing to say but just admired her daughter

"THAT'S THE ONE" Grace said

"Absolutely" Megan gushed

"Oh sweetheart you look just darling" Celine said and she turned to see her sister in tears

"The day nobody ever saw!"

"BELLE" Charlotte said annoyed

"It's okay" Amara said and Belle rolled her eyes at her mother "it's beautiful Charlotte I won't hear of anything else"

"Is this the one?" Bridget said "because it looks like the one" she smiled at Bridget

"Sure why not" Charlotte shrugged

"Is there something wrong with the dress?" Bridget asked

"No it's perfect in every way, but the person in it is not perfect" she admitted "we'll take it" she walked back into the dressing room quickly removing the dress and changing back into her clothes

She looked in the mirror to see a silent tear quickly leave her eyes which she immediately wiped away. She exited the dressing room and handed the dress to Celine "thank you" Charlotte said

"I must go though, I have to finish packing" she said and exited the boutique quickly

She entered her car and Belle ran after her immediately hoping in before she pulled away. The tears left her eyes "I just" she said at a loss for word while driving

"This shouldn't be how it was supposed to happen. I was supposed to find a guy, fall in love and get married. I deserved that, after everything I deserve love" she continued to cry

"CHARLOTTE" she almost hit the back of a pick up truck but Belle brought her attention back

"Pull over, we are swapping places" she said

"No Belle I'm fine"

"It wasn't a question" she said sternly and soon they pulled over at a rest stop and she exited the car and just sat on the pavement sobbing as Belle walked over wrapping her arm around her. It was unfair, it was so unfair

She placed a hand on her stomach "it's just you and me baby" she said and Belle squeezed her hand

"And unfortunately your aunt Belle" and Belle scoffed and grabbed the keys from her. Helping her sister stand kissing her cheek

She pulled into her parking spot and went into the lobby to see him sitting there "oh Nathaniel" she said  and he walked over giving her a kiss as Belle smiled

"Come on" he said and she looked confused "I have to pack" she said

"We'll do it later" he said "Belle you don't mind if I steal your sister from you do you?" She shook her head

"She's all yours" Charlotte looked at Belle annoyed as she just grinned at her sister

Taking her hand they exited the building and she started to hail a taxi but he stopped her "my cars parked over there" he pointed and she looked over at it. The black Bugatti

"Is this safe?" She said

"Tesoro I would never put you in danger" he said opening the door for her and he rushed to the other side getting in the front seat

She felt the heat between her legs and he was just sitting next to the man so she looked out the window. She laid back and watched the rain drop from the crisp fall sky as it darkened

"I bought a dress" she said "rather your mom did but I tried in dresses" she laughed

"You okay?" He asked

"No" she said "but I will be someday" she said as they continued to drive.

They left the car garage and she looked at the building "I always forget you live at park place"

"We, we live at park place" he corrected but she was quiet and they rode up the elevator silently

The door opened and she entered "so why are we here?" She asked looking at him "I've had a long dreadful day"

"I want to get to know you better, get more comfortable if possible, not be complete strangers" he said

"What do you mean?" He looked at her

"Tonight, you, me and the longest game of 20 questions possible. Minus the booze plus the food" she chuckled

"Hmm, deal" she said and went to the coach sitting down and he joined her

"Chinese or pizza?" He asked

"Chinese" she said

"Good call" he got up ordering food and then came back down and she grabbed herself a blanket getting comfortable on the couch

"So 20 questions was mentioned?"

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A/N:

Sorry for such a short chapter!

Also reminder this book is UNEDITED