Surviving (Surrender 2)
Another thing on my mind was my conversation last weekend with Raven about saying our own vows. I know I’m a love sick fool, but so does everyone else. She thinks it’s easy for me since I write songs, but she’s wrong. The songs are easy and can be manipulated, but my vows to her need to be perfect. She finally agreed to our own vows, but the traditional ‘I do’s’. So every night this week, she has either been doing homework or working on her vows. I, on the other hand, tore a page out of one of the journals from last summer and tweaked it.
I hear her pull into the garage and put away my notes. When she comes in, I can tell she’s been crying.
“Babe, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, I had class with my group today and they gave us the most wonderful wedding present ever. So I got emotional. Then on my
way home, I started thinking about the next few days and I got emotional. Then I started thinking about anything I’ve forgotten and got emotional. So I guess you can say I’m EMOTIONAL!”
The doorbell rings signaling our food is here, but I’m torn if I should answer it or hug her tight. I finally grab my wallet and go to the door.
I set the food up on the kitchen island and pour her a glass of wine while I grab a beer. She’s rearranging her school bag and putting in all our wedding stuff.
“Why are you packing your school bag?”
“Because I need to have all our stuff including my computer so I can keep up.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. We’re getting married, no school work.”
“No, just want to be able to link into what is happening with Sayge while we’re gone. If I’m going to be your manager then I need to keep on top of things.”
“Jay has it covered. You’re not taking over until you graduate.”
“Yes but we have a whole interview to dissect and pictures to choose. And, I have to be able to keep your calendar updated. And it’s important to know if anyone posts anything else.”
“It’s been almost a month and nothing’s happened. I think we’re safe for a few days. And what can we do about it?”
“I know, I want to be prepared if anything pops up.”
“This is our wedding, not a working vacation.”
“I need to at least check in.”
“Bullshit!” I pull her to me and frame her face with my hands. “This is ours. Let the others handle it for a while.”
There’s a pit in my stomach when I stare into her beautiful blue eyes. She’s absolutely the most perfect thing on my world. I’ll be damned if she thinks she’s working the next eleven days.
“Okay, Dec, they can handle it.”
Thank Christ! I fix our plates, and she tells me about her day. When she shows me the crystal engraved picture frame from Brent, Kyle, and Mari, I’m not so sure why she got emotional. But I’m smart enough to keep my mouth shut.
*****
“Please can we stop at the Harris Teeter?” Raven asks Chris on our way to the island.
I blame James for everyone having a buzz. He bought rounds of beer the whole flight telling the flight attendants his little girl was getting married.
Raven didn’t bring her laptop but did sneak in her iPad. Her mom, Mrs. Black, and she went through every picture the photographer sent and approved the picture for the cover. I was forced to sit with Nate and my dad, James, Cooper, and Mike around us talking about the summer tour.
Jenna and James weren’t surprised that Raven was coming with us this summer. They were supportive of her managing us. But James and Mike signed a contract, and we had two guards going on tour with us.
We had two transport vans waiting for us when we got through baggage. I was glad Chris was one of the drivers. He was a great tour guide for our parents, and he also had no problem stopping at the store.
We went through the grocery picking up the things Raven wanted in our condo. I almost lost my shit when she tried to pay, but luckily she pulled out the card for our joint account. She’s finally getting it.
When we finally get to the Plantation, Jenna is going crazy. The bellhops help get the luggage of the people staying at the hotel and Laurie meets us with a huge box. Rave thanks her and I learn these are welcome gifts for our friends for their condos. She has already placed them in the rooms for hotel guests.
We have a three bedroom condo. Robbie, Ember, Kendall, Brian, Tripp, and Finn are staying with us. Tripp and Finn get the couches. It’s actually musical fucking rooms because Jenna insisted that Raven and I spend tomorrow night apart, so I have to sleep with my fucking band in their place.