Chapter 13
ALAMAIN MANSION
The next morning, Rhiannon was in her bedroom, getting ready for the day ahead. She looked out the window, the first snow of the year had fallen overnight. She was talking on the phone with Ceri.
RHIANNON: I just can't believe that there are three days left.
CERI (over phone): I know! It's coming so close!
RHIANNON: It's gonna be amazing.
CERI (over phone): Rhian, thank you so much for all your help planning this.
RHIANNON: No problem. After all, you are my sister. I just can't wait to stand up at your wedding.
CERI (over phone): You are going to be a beautiful maid of honor.
RHIANNON: Not as beautiful as you, the bride.
CERI (over phone): Love you, chwaer*.
RHIANNON: Love you, too.
CERI (over phone): I've gotta go to work. I'll text you later.
RHIANNON: Sounds good. Have fun.
CERI (over phone): Bye.
Rhiannon hung up her phone. She had been so busy talking to her sister that she hadn't noticed the music in the background. Now, though, she did. She looked around to see if maybe she'd turned her iPod on by mistake, but she hadn't. Then, she found that it was coming from outside. She looked out her window, and saw J.J. standing under the window, strumming his guitar and singing.
J.J. (singing): ...but long as there are stars above you. You never need to doubt it, I'll make you so sure about it...
Rhiannon quickly ran down the stairs, put her shoes and coat on, and walked outside to J.J. There he stood in a suit with his guitar around his shoulders, strumming away and humming. Nearby was his backpack.
J.J. (singing): If you should ever leave me, though life would still go on, believe me, the world could show nothing to me. So what good would living do me? God only knows what I'd be without you. I know I'll always love you, and long as there are stars above you. You never need to doubt it. I'll make you so sure about it. God only knows what I'd be without you. God only knows. God only knows what I'd be without you. God only knows what I'd be without you.
The strumming came to a stop. J.J. put his guitar down, and picked up his backpack. It was already open, and he pulled a big bouquet of flowers out of it.
J.J.: These are for you.
He handed them to Rhiannon.
RHIANNON: They're beautiful.
J.J.: You are beautiful.
Rhiannon ran into J.J.'s arms, and kissed him on the cheek.
J.J.: I'm sorry about yesterday. I was being a jerk. I don't know what came over me.
RHIANNON: I forgive you.
J.J.: You were right yesterday. No matter what happens, Joey and I will still be friends. But, that's not half as important to me as you. You're everything to me, Rhiannon. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in my life.
RHIANNON: I love you, too.
J.J.: And, whatever happens, I want to be by your side.
RHIANNON: I want that, too. I've never met another person who makes me feel the way you do.
J.J. and Rhiannon kissed, and laughed.
RHIANNON: So, what else have you got in that bag, Mr. Deveraux?
J.J.: Well, Miss Alamain, I figured since it's the first snow, and nobody else will be quite ready for it yet...
RHIANNON: Yes?
J.J.: I figured you and me could go out to your favorite place for lunch...
RHIANNON: You got us a table at Chez Rouge?
J.J.: Well...I know the owner. And then, after that, we're going ice skating.
RHIANNON: That sounds great, but I didn't pack my skates.
J.J.: I know. But, I did.
J.J. went into his bag and pulled out Rhiannon's ice skates.
J.J.: So, what do you say?
RHIANNON: I say that sounds amazing.
J.J.: Not nearly as amazing as you.
They laughed and kissed, and started walking.
RHIANNON: You weren't totally wrong, though.
J.J.: What do you mean?
RHIANNON: That girl Joey's hanging out with, Lilith, she's trouble.
J.J.: You know her?
RHIANNON: Unfortunately, yes. She and Ceri used to be friends back in Wales. Very close friends. And, it got kinda creepy after a while.
J.J.: How so?
RHIANNON: Well, they eventually found out that they both like girls. Lilith is bi. And, she had a huge crush on Ceri. Except, she thought that it was more than a crush. She thought Ceri felt the same way about her. Basically, she was obsessed with my sister.
J.J.: So, why's she come to Salem?
RHIANNON: Dunno. Somehow, she's found out that we moved here. I just hope she doesn't try anything at the wedding.
*”chwaer” is Welsh for “sister”.
