Mallory
We managed to get into the hotel before Reid was kissing my cheeks, my forehead, then my mouth. I smiled, gently pushing him off me. "Reid, wait one second?"
He stared at me, breathing a shade faster than before. I loved it when he looked like this because of me; his hair mussed and his lips pinker. Even his eyes looked brighter. "What is it?"
I raised my eyebrows at Reid, wondering how he could still be so attractive after four years of knowing each other. "Are you sure you want this?"
Reid rolled his eyes, pulling me in for another kiss. "Mallory, silence those thoughts and keep kissing me."
I laughed softly, kissing him quickly again. "I will."
He kissed me in the elevator, despite my protests. When we got into the room, Reid locked the door and continued pressing sweet, adoring kisses to my neck, trailing down the lines of my collarbones. He took off my top, throwing me onto the bed. As we kissed, I pulled his shirt over his head.
I gasped in surprise, staring at the inked bird next to his collarbone. "You got a tattoo?"
Reid grinned, his fingers pausing on unhooking my bra. "Last year. Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful." I complimented, staring at it. "But why did you get a bird?"
Reid sighed, thinking about it. "I guess I wanted something to remind me that no matter what happens to me, I have my freedom. I needed to remember to count my blessings as they came." he looked at me meaningfully.
I smiled at him, my heart bursting at its seams. "You're sweet, Reid."
Reid laughed under his breath as he got my bra off, exposing me to the cool air. "Let me show you how sweet I can be."
I raised my eyebrows. "Is that a threat?"
"Call it a challenge."
I curled my hands around the pillow behind my head as Reid moved his kisses to the skin between my breasts. He glanced up playfully at me before laving his tongue around my nips, bracing his hand on the pillow supporting my head.
I gasped, winding my fingers into his hair as he took one in his mouth, rolling it in a way that had my toes curling. He glanced up at me and moved away for another kiss, dipping his hands under my skirt, then lifting it up.
He playfully snagged the edges of my lace underwear with his teeth, pulling it down. Reid was only the second boy who ever touched me like this, but it was so long since we'd been intimate. It felt exciting, but I was unwillingly intimidated by the idea of him being so close to me again.
"What are you thinking about?" Reid asked as he kissed past my waist to my hips. He looked up enquiringly at me from his position above my body, waiting for an answer.
I let go of his hair and looked up at the ceiling, releasing a pent-up sigh. "I'm happy we're doing this, but it's been a while." I peeked up at Reid, and he looked back understandingly.
He let go of my hips, thinking to himself. "But you're comfortable, right?"
I smiled, pulling him in by his shoulders for a kiss. When I let him go, I looked into his eyes as I spoke. "I would tell you if I wasn't comfortable, Reid."
He kissed me again. "I know you would. We can take it slow, okay?"
"Okay." I agreed quietly against his mouth. He kissed me sweetly and moved back to his position between my legs. His kisses on my skin drew nearer to the ache and when he reached my clit, my hands tightened around my pillow as I arched my hips into him. Reid was never shy when it came to my body, because we knew each other intimately. The way he touched me, the way he knew exactly how to build up the tension coiling below my stomach; it was all so perfect.
When he touched me, he drew constellations across my skin, tracing maps and marking stars along the lines he found. Eventually, he moved into my space, and we found an easy rhythm that was ours, years ago. The quickening of breath, pacing of our hearts in time with each other. It was all so familiar and dear to me. All we needed was each other, all this time.
After we finished, Reid ran a bubble bath for us to share. I let my muscles unwind, after a long and quiet night. Reid glanced over, smiling as he blew a bubble my way. I laughed and pushed it away, but my smile quickly sobered. I was delaying our reconciliation by ignoring what happened.
"I'm glad we worked out." I chose to open with, peeking over at Reid.
Reid gave me a slow, small smile. "I guess our timing was wrong."
"I guess I was too stuck in the past to give us a future." I admitted.
He smiled, moving closer to me. "And what about now?"
My mouth quirked up at the corner as I focused on him. "I think a lot of things have changed now."
"Yeah?" he said softly, looking at me. My heart swelled with recognition. It was the old cat and mouse game we enjoyed when we were dating, the constant evasion and teasing that ended in inevitable make out sessions.
I leaned closer, propping my head on my cupped hand and focusing on him. I was certain I knew how this would end. I was sure that Reid knew, too. "Yeah, I think so."
He leaned into me, until our mouths were inches away from each other. Reid's body language gave me the courage to initiate the kiss and this time, I felt our souls reconnect like old friends. The imaginary thread between us grew stronger as Reid grinned, pulling me into him. This boy was always the centre of my universe. This was where I needed him to be: with me.
We slept in the same bed together that night, with my back against Reid's chest and his arms wrapped around me. This was nothing like the night Reid left, where everything felt cold. The kisses we exchanged that night were desperate; a singular method of communicating our parting. This was the clouds parting to reveal the sun, bright and strong.
On the morning of Kennedy and Tony's wedding, waking up with Reid next to me was euphoric. I ran my hands through his soft hair, watching his eyelids flutter because of my disturbance. Reid sighed in content, resting his head on my chest.
Reid always told me that he liked me first, but I knew he was wrong. Love was like waking up from a deep sleep, and Reid woke me up the second I saw him. Being trapped in a relationship with Brent, all those years ago, felt like nothing now. Who wasn't infatuated with Reid, with his easy smiles and gorgeous eyes? He was the kind of person you'd write songs about, and temporary-tattoo the lyrics for.
I traced my fingers along the warmth of his skin, seeking out a pattern down his neck, along the lines of his collarbones. Reid's chest rose and fell evenly as he dozed in our bed. His eyes opened blearily to my face, and he smiled lazily, resting his hand on the skin just above my bare chest. "If I'm in heaven, I never want to wake up."
I smiled at him, aware that my hair was in a messy halo of waves around my head. My skin was probably dry because I hadn't moisturised yet, and I hadn't brushed my teeth yet. "Neither do I, but today is a big day for your cousin and my best friend."
Reid's eyes widened, and he sat up in bed, fixing his hair. "The wedding's today?"
I smiled at him, sitting up. "Yes, silly. We need to get ready."
So we did. I got ready and slipped into my blue maid of honor dress, with plenty of time left to do my hair in a loose chignon in front of the bathroom mirror. Next to me, Reid was brushing his teeth in his dress pants and shirt. His blazer was hanging on a chair in the room.
"You look gorgeous." Reid complimented once he finished up, hugging me from behind. I reached my hands up to touch his own, smiling as I looked at us in the mirror. My eyes looked brighter, and I looked prettier. I guessed that was what I looked like when I was in love.
"I love you." I told him, ignoring the rush of fear that followed my statement.
There was silence as Reid digested it, but he smiled after a split second, his eyes sweet with affection as they looked into mine. "I love you too." He kissed me again, then left to finish doing his hair.
There was an air of contentment around us, something tangibly happy. I put my heels on and got my purse, waiting for Reid. He came out of the bathroom again, holding something up to me. I looked at it properly, then gasped.
"It's the necklace I gave you for your twentieth." Reid said unnecessarily, because I would've recognised it when I was fifty years old.
"I know." I replied, looking at the piece of jewellery in wonder. "How did you find it?"
"Remember when we went to Paris? It got stuck in my suitcase, and I found it a couple of days ago. Do you want to wear it?" Reid asked me, his eyes sparkling.
I beamed, turning around so he could put it on. He dropped the necklace around my neck, securing the clasp. He kissed the back of my neck playfully after he finished, hugging me from behind. "You look gorgeous. I want to show you off to everyone."
I smiled, touching his jaw with my fingertips. "There's only us from now on, Reid."
Kennedy and Tony's wedding setup was beautiful. It was in the hotel garden, just like the rehearsal, with extra camellias and gorgeous flower details everywhere on the lawn. The archway where the marriage would happen was tall and golden, with intertwining green vines on top.
"This is incredible." Cleo complimented the setting, tossing me a happy smile. She looked especially beautiful today, with her hair down in curls. "I'm over the moon that Kennedy and Tony found each other."
I took my best friend's hand, smiling as I took in the sight of her bridesmaid gown. "I'm happy too. You look stunning."
"As always." Cleo joked, and I giggled in assent. I glanced back at the entrance to the hotel, wondering when Reid would show. As if she was reading my mind, Cleo reassured me, "Reid will be here in a few minutes, don't worry. You're going to give him a heart attack in that dress."
I shrugged, smiling. "He already saw it in the dress rehearsal, and in our hotel room."
"But the third time is always better." Cleo said with a wink, and I burst into laughter. As I smiled at her, I felt fingertips lightly touch my shoulder. Reid placed a kiss on my neck.
I turned to face him, smiling. My boyfriend took in my dress again, looking awestruck. "Did I mention I'm the luckiest guy ever?"
"Almost as lucky as Tony. I told Mallory that your mind was going to be blown for the third time running." Cleo confirmed, arching her eyebrows at me in silent triumph. "Speaking of Tony, when's the wedding going to start?"
"Three minutes." Kennedy's mother confirmed as she walked past, and we thanked her. Cleo and I saw Kennedy in her wedding gown yesterday during the final fitting, which made us all tear up. Today, I was just excited to see Kennedy on her special day.
I stood in position with Reid, a few metres away from the arch as the bridesmaids and groomsmen lined up. I got a strong sense of deja vu, remembering that just days ago, I couldn't stand seeing Reid near me. Now we were never close enough.
I took Reid's arm, unable to take the smile off my face. He leaned in to brush a few stray hairs away from my face. "Only a few seconds left." he told me softly.
I hushed him as the band started up, and it was time for Reid and I to lead the procession in. We walked down the aisle together, my head held high. I was proud to be next to Reid.
I was aware of Nick sitting in the back row, looking forlorn after our abrupt breakup. I only spared myself a moment of sorrow and guilt before I ignored the past, looking only to my future.
I watched Reid's smile as everyone filed in. The music became sweet and light as Kennedy appeared from the doors, holding her father's arm. I felt the onset of joyful tears rapidly approach as my best friend walked down the aisle, looking ethereal in her white sweetheart-neckline gown.
When she reached Tony, who was already crying at the altar, the officiant began the process of the introduction, vows and rings. He concluded with, "Does anyone have objections to this holy wedding? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
A brief silence ensued. I looked around the crowd, but everyone looked content. The officiant began speaking again, but I was distracted by the movement of someone standing up in the crowd.
Everyone gasped as Nina walked to stand in the centre of the aisle. She didn't look well. Her eyes were bloodshot red; her skin lacked color against the bright fuchsia shade of her dress. "I have an objection." Nina declared, turning to stare at Reid. Next to me, his shoulders were rigid as he looked back at her.
"Not now." Tony muttered under his breath.
"What is it, Nina?" Kennedy asked steadily. She fixed her eyes onto Nina, unwaveringly calm.
Nina pointed a finger at Cleo, hiccuping as she spoke. Cleo looked too shocked to speak. "You wanted me to keep quiet," Nina said to Cleo, "But there's no justice in silence. The truth is that years ago, when Reid got into his amnesia-inducing crash, he killed someone."
I turned to look at Reid, who looked horrified. He couldn't take his eyes off her as Nina ranted on, looking delusional. The silence she left in the wake of her destruction was deadening.
"He didn't just crash into a tree. He crashed into an innocent man, who died on impact." Nina finished, turning her blank eyes onto Reid. "You're a killer, Reid. It's time you face your mistakes."
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