CHAPTER 1- Going Back Home

Sophie

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. There was a big wedding happening today, and it was up to me to capture the whole thing with my camera.

I went inside my restroom and began to prepare for the long day.

This gig will surely pay well. I love this job, it not only gives me the satisfaction to see people smile and unite in the happily ever after, but I love seeing how everyone loosens up. The yummy food, the elegant decorations, and the music. God, I love the music.

I wanted to kill time to look my best, this way I wouldn't rush this morning, so I had fixed my hair last night in loose curls. I pinned my hair up, got in the shower, cleaned my body, washed my teeth, and got dressed in comfy ripped jeans and a long sleeve shirt that fits off the shoulder on one side.

I quickly grabbed my light blue Tom shoes and slid them on. I tucked my shirt a little in front by my belt buckle, did a quick once over in my mirror after applying light makeup, and went to the kitchen to prepare a light breakfast for my six-year-old son, Nathan, and me.

Yes, I'm a single mom. Have been since my son was born. I got pregnant a few weeks before my high school graduation. It was hard. It took me almost twice as long to graduate from college than the time it takes most people.

While most people graduate in four years, it took me nearly seven. I dropped my second semester because my son was born in March. I was all alone at first. I knew no one and my family was all across the country.

I miss them so much, but I can't complain. I've made a few friends throughout the years, including my boss where I got my first job in a coffee house, Mrs. Clark. She is such a sweet old lady.

I made my way to the kitchen and was surprised to see my son already up and was trying to make peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches.

"Nate, baby? What are you doing?" I asked him making him turn startled. He smiled, revealing his big beautiful green eyes.

" Hi, mommy. I'm making breakfast."

"You are? Awe, baby!" I said going over and hugging him tightly. He had a Nutella stain on his left cheek, making me chuckle.

"How did I get so lucky to have such a good man in my life? You're the best, you know that? I love you cubby-bear." I said grabbing a napkin, dipping it in a bit of water, and cleaning his cheek.

He smiled from ear to ear and turned to continue his duty.

"So..... Coffee? Or orange juice for you sir?" I asked in a sheepish French accent making him chuckle.

"Coffee, please." I laughed and nodded my head pouring myself a cup of coffee from the pot I made before going into the shower. "Orange juice it is for my cubby bear."?

"Awe, mom? When will you let me try coffee? You get to drink it every day. That's not fair." He grunted in protest.

"When you're older. Ok?"?

"Next year?" I looked at him with a stern look making him smile sarcastically. "Nice try. But, no. When you're much older. Ok?" I said tapping the tip of his nose and kissing him.

"Awww, ok." He pouted and took his orange juice gulping it down.

"Baby, mom has to leave for work in a bit. I'm going to take you to Mrs. Clark's today. Be on your best behavior, ok?" I warned him making him press his eyes together quickly as he nodded in agreement.

"Yes, sir!" He said, saluting and standing tall.

I smiled nodding my head and sipping my coffee. I looked at the clock and cursed under my breath. It was 7 am. I needed to be there in an hour and if I didn't hurry, I risked being stuck in the crazy California traffic.

"Baby, we gotta go," I said turning around and grabbing my stuff.

"But your sandwich."

"I'll eat it in the way. I promise." I quickly opened my drawer and took two sandwich bags out, placed his in one and mine in the other. I then opened my cabinet and grabbed my thermal, dropped my coffee inside, and closed the lid.

I grabbed his sports cup and filled it all the way with iced tea and crushed ice, placed it in his bag with the sandwich, and a ziplock bag full of pizza-flavored goldfish.

"Ok, put your shoes on, let's go, baby."?

We walked out of the apartment, locking the doors and sprinting towards the stairs.

We got in the car and I dropped him off at the coffee house I used to work at. Mrs. Clark was ready to retire, her daughter would take over. But, she still came each morning to greet all of her old loyal customers.

"Bye, sweetie. Drive safe." Mrs. Clark waved me off while engulfing Nathan with a bear hug.

He has a heart of gold. I'm so proud of him. He's kind, and always considers people's feelings. He acts so maturely for his little age.

I made my way to my destination and got to work.

At around five in the evening, I took a break since they were going to cocktail hour.

I glanced at my phone and saw I had a few missed calls from Troy and my realtor. I've been thinking of going back to my hometown to be close to dad and my brothers. Besides, even if things didn't work out between my son's dad and me, he was stuck in New York. The last thing I heard, he had graduated from law school and was offered a permanent job at a prestigious law firm he interned for, while still attending college.

Perks of having a great friend with a high position. Plus all the money, I suppose. He is filthy rich after all.

So, it was easy for me to make my decision. I haven't talked with Nathan about this in case I don't get the house. But I had high hopes of getting the house.

I decided to call my agent and ask her what her call was regarding.

"Hi, Linda. How are you?"?

"Sophie, oh thank goodness. I have great news, honey." She said with a joyful tone.

"I'm listening."?

"You got the house. It's yours, they accepted your offer."?

I screamed with joy, cheering. I couldn't believe it.

"I'll send the paperwork to your email. Sign it, send it back. The sooner the better.

She gave me further instructions and then congratulated me again.

"Thank you again, Linda. I could not have been able to get this house without your help."?

"Don't mention it, sweetheart. I'm glad we could help. I'll talk to you soon." I hung up the phone enthusiastically.

I had felt drained of energy, but with this news, I was suddenly recharged.

Things might finally start looking up for me and Nate. No more struggling in a tiny apartment with the leaky faucet and over-packed laundry room. No guests stealing my parking space. I love this news.

After the whole wedding, I finally made my way home. My feet ached so badly, but I was happy from the phone call I had with Linda. I found Mrs. Clark and Nate fast asleep on my couch. The tv was still on, playing automatically episodes of the golden girls.

I smiled and turned the tv off. I softly woke up Mrs. Clark and bid her goodbye. I grabbed Nathan and carried him to bed, tucking him in and kissed his forehead. He was so beautiful.

---

The next day, Sunday morning

I woke with a lot of enthusiasm. I opened my laptop and got to work. Answering emails, got a whole chapter done on my book, and posted it on the platforms I was working with. Then I began working on the papers that Linda sent on e-sign, I looked over them, filled in the necessary information, and signed them. It took me nearly an hour to sign everything but I finally hit send and a big thank you to Linda.

By nine in the morning, Nathan finally woke up. He did his own little routine, going to the bathroom, washing up, and cleaning his bed.

My phone startled me as I began preparing breakfast for him.

I looked at the screen and smiled, "Hi T."

"Hey, baby girl. How's life in the golden state?"?

"Not bad. Not bad. Where are you in the world now? Still traveling around?"?

"No, Dylan and I came back a few months ago. Anyway, I'll cut to the chase. Be my maid of honor."?

I was taking a sip of coffee when he dropped this bomb on me, making it spit it out.

"What? You're getting married?" I squealed in joy making him chuckle. "T! Why didn't you tell me? Oh my God! Congratulations sweetheart!" I was so overjoyed. Troy has been my best friend since sixth grade. He's gay and is now engaged to his high school sweetheart.

He inherited his grandmother's investment group and decided to hire someone to look after it while he took a year off to travel the world. I was so happy for him. He went through so much before coming out, battling with himself and judgmental people, including his parents.

"He just proposed last night. So, yes, that's why I'm calling. Please, Sophie. Be my maid of honor."?

He didn't know I was buying a house back home. It was supposed to be a surprise until I got back to Tennessee.

I wanted to be there for him. But, I also know he and Dylan have become such close friends with Logan, my son's dad. I wasn't sure I was ready to see him. I haven't seen him since he came to find me four years ago. I was glad Nathan was not home that night. He was still at the babysitter's when he barged into my house.

I had a moment of weakness and slept with him that night, but he left soon after, promising me that he was going to leave me alone for good.

"T, I'm sorry. But I can't. I'm. . . . I'm sorry. I just can't."?

"Oh come on Sophie, who else am I going to give this honor to? You're my best friend. I need you there by my side. My wedding will not be the same without you there. Please, pretty pretty please?" He pleaded with me making me grunt.

"Who are you talking to mom?" My eyes went wide and I immediately covered the phone, pressing the mute button. None of my friends back home knew about Nathan other than Lexie.

"It's just my friend Troy from back home baby. Go and take a seat, start eating your pancakes. I'll be right there ok?" I said kissing his forehead and walking to my room. Troy kept talking on the phone pleading for me to be his maid of honor.

"Look, I know it's hard for you. Logan will be here, I know. But you guys broke up so long ago. By the way, why did you guys broke up? You won't tell me, he won't tell me. Is there something you both haven't told me? You guys were literary the envied couple of our school. Why did you guys suddenly break up? Don't mind me, I know I'm babbling away. "?

"T, ok. Ok, I'll be your maid of honor, ok? But!" I said as he began cheering.

"Only if you can't find someone else."

"What? No. Sophie, I want you to be my maid of honor, no one else. You're my best friend Sophie.

"Oh really? What about Lexie? Isn't she your best friend too? You can ask her? I mean, I will still attend, and bring you an awesome gift."?

"Oh come on, Sophie. You're killing me here. I want you, Sophie. Please, please, please, please, please?"

"Ok, fine. I'll be your maid of honor, happy?" I said grunting internally. I just knew this was a bad idea.

"Yes! Thank you, baby girl. Besides, Lexie is already a bridesmaid, or. . . grooms maid. . . whatever you call it. I want both of my girls there. Oh, and don't worry, my grandma and Dylan's step-mom are taking care of most of the details, so you don't have to do much but make sure you bring your sexy butt over here. Got it?"?

"T, I swear you better not make me regret this. I will stop talking to you for a year, if not more." He chuckled loudly on the phone.

"I promise Sophie, you won't regret coming back home." He assured me.

I wasn't sure how things would conclude with these new changes in life. But I was so nervous about all these sudden changes.

I had a feeling my life was about to change, not just for me, but for Nate as well. . . and maybe more.

?