CHAPTER THREE
Ellie
“You’re really going to be gone for three weeks?” I asked with a slight whine. I was sitting on the bed next to his opened suitcases. Steven hustled around the bedroom organizing everything he needed to take with him.
“Yes, Ellie. I’ve told you this already. Four days in New York, four days in Texas, five days in California, then off to Vegas with the boys for the bachelor party.” He stopped what he was doing and looked down at me. His expression softened a bit and he moved to the bed beside me. I looked up at him as he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “I’m sorry. There are a lot of things to take care of before the wedding. I want to have everything done so we can enjoy the honeymoon.”
“I know,” I said in a soft tone, feeling almost scolded. “I’m sorry.” He went back to packing, intently looking at how everything was arranged in each suitcase.
“The guys planned this whole Vegas thing. I can’t tell them no, now. If I could come back here when I was done checking on everything, I would. Besides, the time apart will give you time to miss me, and when I get back it will be amazing.” He gave me a sly and wicked look. I flushed knowing exactly what he was talking about.
See the thing was, we still hadn’t done it. Yes, we had made out heavily and there was occasionally some groping on his part, but that was as far as we’d gone. I had been a little hesitant, but that was only because I was a little scared. I had never done any of that and I didn’t really know how to or what to expect. But I knew he was going to be my husband and I knew it was something we were going to have to do and get comfortable with. I had hinted a few times that I was ready but he always brushed it off. I wasn’t necessarily waiting for marriage, even though, it was heavily implied in my upbringing. I just never really had any opportunities to do so.
I wasn’t the prettiest girl by far. I was actually rather plain and I tended to blend into the background. I didn’t mind it, though. I was never loud or outspoken, and I was always the dutiful daughter. I cooked and cleaned. I knew how to keep a household going and how to make things run smoothly. Simple, I guess that is the best word to describe me. And I didn’t mind at all.
“The girls are taking you out Friday, right?” he asked, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded and hummed my answer. “Good.”
I bit my lip trying to hide my apprehension. It was his idea, after all, I shouldn’t have felt guilty or weirded out by it. But something about the whole thing was just gnawing at me on the inside.
He came up with the idea for me to go out and have one crazy "hurrah” for my bachelorette party. He explained that he meant he wanted me to go out and find someone to… well… sleep with. He wanted me to “get some experience” before we made love. It seemed like an odd idea to me, but the way he explained it made it seem like it made sense. So, I got it in my mind that I would try. For him and for our future marriage.
Maybe it was better to lose my virginity to some stranger anyway. Like Steven said, then there wouldn’t be any awkwardness of it when we finally got to that point. For all I knew, it was a completely normal request. Seeing as I didn’t have any friends, he had a few of his female friends set it all up. And he assured me they would take care of everything. All I had to do was show up.
Easy enough, right?
“This is still what you want?” I asked hesitantly.
“Yes, I think this is the best idea.” He stopped briefly and flashed me his sweet smile. It made me melt a little and I felt at ease about the whole idea.
“The cab should be here soon,” he said as he checked his watch. “Am I forgetting anything?” he mumbled mostly to himself.
After he seemed satisfied that he had everything he needed, he zipped up both cases. I followed behind him as he headed to the door. The cab’s horn honked right as we reached the front hall. He pulled me in for a hug and a quick peck on the lips.
“Okay, I’m off then. I’ll call when I can.” He gave me a wide smile before bolting out the door. I watched as he climbed into the cab. I gave a wave as the car pulled away, only to find his focus was on his phone.
I had a feeling the next few weeks ahead were going to be weird and life changing. I wondered if this was going to be the turning point in my life. Would I finally find my place? Would I figure out just what it is that makes me happy? Maybe I was simply one of those people who were made to be a good wife. I believed that sometimes it wasn’t how much you made or how hard you worked. I counted success in life by how many people you touched and made happy. I thought life should just be that simple.
I went back inside and made sure everything was tidy before I locked up and went back home. The night ahead held nothing exciting for me, but I had some idea that I should probably enjoy the quiet. My weekend was going to be crazy and full of people I didn’t really know. Steven’s friends had planned out a whole day at a spa before they took me out at night. I didn’t know where they were taking me. I had never been in a bar or club before and I found that I was actually a little excited to go. For all I knew, tomorrow could be the beginning of a new Ellie.