Chapter 3

Faith's POV

Natalie linked her arm with mine. “So how do you know Brian?" Natalie had the most beautiful red hair. It cascaded around her shoulders and accentuated her cheekbones. Her blue eyes were bright and piercing all at the same time and I was completely  nervous because I didn't have a clue where this conversation was going.

"We met at the hotel in the elevator.” I said wincing.

“That’s nice.” she said enthusiastically.

That made me ease up a bit. She sensed it because she kept talking. It was an odd thing because I knew at that moment I could trust her and would be as comfortable with her as I was Brian.

“I’m glad you already seem to be sensible. That last girl he was with was a total bitch and nobody  liked her. He was with her only a couple of months. He can never find anyone to just love him for...well you know him."

She led me around to the champagne and gave me a glass. I never really drank because my father forbade it. I had only had wine at a wedding maybe twice in my life and I enjoyed it. Occasionally  I had a shot or two of Jack when he got rough so I thought what the hell and took the glass anyway. I took a sip and held back from making the disgusted look and just kept sipping it. I had  definitely never drank champagne before and never would again. I'd stick to what I knew. I felt like it would be incredibly rude for me not to drink it after I had already accepted. She caught me looking for him as she took me to a table.

“Don’t worry he will be back soon. The way he talked about you at the rehearsal dinner you  would think he’s going to ask you to marry him."

In mid drink I spewed my champagne back into the glass and began coughing from it getting  caught in my throat. This caught me by surprise because he hadn't spoken to me until after the dinner. Natalie was in tears from laughter and trying to catch her breath to asking if I was okay.

“I’m so sorry.” she laughed, wiping the tears from her eyes.“I didn't mean anything by it. You're just the most genuine person he’s met in a while.” she said as she laughed so hard she was squeaking out the words.

I began laughing at her laughing and we looked like a pair of idiots sitting in the upscale wedding  venue laughing our asses off. I didn’t know her and I didn’t care because I wanted to get to know her. It was in our moment of laughing fits that Brian came looking for me.

"Oh no, what did my sister do to you?” he said with a big smile trying to hold in his own  laughter.“It’s time to go to the beach where they will say their vows."

I stood up taking his hand and I managed to stifle my laughter. "It was so nice meeting you Natalie.  I'll have Brian text you my number."

“That sounds amazing.” she said happily.“I’ll make sure to sit with you at the ceremony."

After saying goodbye Brian rushed me off down to the beach so I could get a good seat under the canopy. He went and stood beside his brother at the altar and not long after Natalie arrived and sat next to me. Then a nice older couple sat next to her.

"Mom. Dad.” Natalie said, " Meet Faith, Brian's girlfriend."

I could feel my face glowing red as I held out my hand to shake theirs. I was definitely not expecting to meet his parents and had no clue of what to expect. I tried not to make the situation  awkward. Their mom had the same red hair as Natalie, but it was a little shorter and styled differently and Brian had her green eyes. Their dad however had light to medium brown hair that looked  exactly like Brian and Natalie got his blue eyes.

“Nice to meet you.” I said almost in a whisper.

"No need to be shy. My name is Gladius and this is my husband Brett. We are just so happy our son has an interest."She leaned in towards me and covered her mouth on one side to whisper, "We were beginning to think he liked the dick."

“Gladius!”Brett said jokingly, chastising her.

I held back my laughter and a tear began to fall down my cheek. I noticed that Natalie was trying  hard not to laugh herself. Gladius had a huge smile on her face too and leaned in once more."Not that I think anything is wrong with that dear, considering I love dick."

I contained myself enough to speak. "There is nothing wrong with it at all, Gladius." She patted my leg and went back to talking with Brett who also had a huge grin. I heard something  about her liking me and he smiled and agreed. I looked up to see Brian giving me a worried look  because he had no idea what his mother just bestowed upon my ears. I smiled and gave him a small wave to reassure him and he seemed to relax.

Soon after the music began to play and the maids began walking down the beautiful lavender carpet they had laid down on the sand. The flower girls were adorable and I wondered if they were little cousins or just friends of the family's kids. It made my mind wander to the point of wondering  what Brian's and my kids would look like if we had any. I began to daydream when I felt Natalie stand up beside me.

My mind came back to the present and I stood up too. Emily was so beautiful and there was no  way I could compare to her. Her hair was a deep espresso that shown in the sun. She wore an  amazing lace dress that accentuated her figure perfectly. It clung to her perfect shape and ended up  in a five foot train. She was the epitome of beauty. So why did Brian choose me? That thought kept going over in my mind as the ceremony began. Before I knew it they were saying kiss the bride and it was over. We were standing up again and watching Jason carry Emily back down the aisle. I felt a warm arm wrap around my waist and a kiss on my cheek. I turned to see Brian and he pulled me in for a hug.“I see you've met my parents.” he said cautiously as he released me from our hug to face them.

Gladius came over to hug and kiss her son on the cheek. “Don’t be so worried darling. Faith is a wonderful girl and I was delighted to meet her.", she said as she smiled and winked my way.

"Come on sweetheart, let's get to the reception where they will be serving the seafood buffet.” Brett said, pulling her away."We will see you there sweetheart!” she yelled out as he pulled her towards the hotel.

“I had better go with them and save our mother.” Natalie said, rolling her eyes and quickly walking  after them.

"I'm so sorry for whatever she told you.” Brian said, mortified.

I smiled, “your mother is amazing and there is nothing to be sorry for."He quietly linked his fingers with mine and we slowly walked back to the hotel just enjoying the quietness between one another. When we entered there were people everywhere. I hadn't realized so many people had come to the wedding because I had sat in the front row. I edged closer to Brian because I didn’t know anybody and I was hoping he would shield me or at least break the ice anyway.

"Who do you have here?” a bald older gentleman asked as he eyed me.

"This is my girlfriend Faith.” Brian said, pulling me closer to him.

"Well, I'll be damned you're finally settled down.” the man said laughing.

"Not quite Uncle Robert.” Brian said, annoyed.

"There is Jason. We had better go say hello since I haven't been properly introduced.” I said getting  us out of the awkward situation.

Brian took this as his cue to get us the hell out of there and took it. We walked swiftly over to  Jason and Emily and I instantly got nervous. Even though I knew Brian would make everything  okay once we got to them it didn’t make me any less nervous to meet his little brother.  When we reached them Brian engulfed them both in a hug. "Little bro! Little sis!” he said as he pulled away and looked at her lovingly.“I’m so happy you two finally did it!"

"Well, “Emily said looking my way," it’s about time you've settled down yourself." My chest instantly tightened and my cheeks flushed. Brian could tell my comfort level plummeted.  I immediately took a step behind him and had a death grip on his hand.