The Wedding Shop

Chapter 17:

It had been just over a month since Maggie had passed away and everyone was missing her terribly. I'd go to the shop everyday and each time there would be dozens of flowers left at the front door.

I found myself searching for things to make me feel better and hopefully it would rub off on Cindy but nothing came. I spent most nights at Jasmine's apartment as she was a great support for me and looked out for me as much as she could. She loved to bake and often made extravagant deserts that would leave me very full but also really satisfied.

I often told Jasmine that she should become professional in her baking; I knew her talents wouldn't stay hidden for long and her name was already catchy and attractive.

Despite my efforts to keep the shop going the thought of being there without Maggie and Cindy behind me was too much and I couldn't see myself becoming a designer anytime soon. I loved the shop with all my heart but the happy memories had gone and Maggie's ghost was the only atmosphere I could feel in the shop.

I went out to buy food for Cindy as she barely left the house herself and once I was done sat down for a coffee. It was nearly spring but the rain recently had been terrible and left me feeling even more melancholy. In the corner of my eye I saw Matt walk past and quickly covered my face. I wasn't ready to see anyone and wanted to focus on what was important. Since Maggie had gone my responsibilities had grown dramatically and I was being to find it hard to cope.

I heard the chair opposite me squeak and knew he had seen me.

"hey Sophia." he said softly, with his usual comforting voice.
"hi Matt."
"how are you?" he asked concerned.
"I'm fine. It's Cindy you should be worried about, she hasn't left the house in weeks."
"I just went to see her, she was telling me how amazing you've been to her."
It was nice to hear him say this as I was glad my efforts had been recognised.
"Sophia," said Matt standing up, "come with me."

Before I knew it we were in his car driving off in the rain. I was worried about the frozen shopping still sitting in my car but stopped myself from worrying. We stopped in front of these memorial benches near the local park and Matt quickly jumped out the car. He was soaking wet by the time he reached my door and decided to get me wet too.
"Matt what are you doing?! Don't you have an umbrella?"
"we don't need one."

We stopped in front of a list of long names of people who had passed away and I automatically felt emotional. Matt pointed to a name that was blurred up from the rain and as I moved closer I could see exactly what it read.
"Maggie Hart." I said completely lost for words.
"so she'll never be forgotten," replied Matt gazing at me lovingly.
I moved his wet hair away from his face and kissed him passionately for longer than I can imagine.
"I love you." he said without thinking but my only reaction was to kiss him back. Despite all the bad that had happened recently somehow Matt made it seem better. He lifted me up and ran back to his car as we splashed in the puddles. We were both laughing hysterically and I had finally found the happiness I had been searching for through Matt.

He dropped me at Cindy's house leaving his car there to go and collect mine from where I had left it. As I took off all my wet outerwear I saw Cindy imbedded in heaps of papers.
"Cindy, what on earth?"
"Soph, it's ok. I've made my decision." she seemed too calm, as if she was reading everything off a script.
"what do you mean? What decision?" I was getting slightly worried as her facial expressions were lifeless.
"Blushing Brides. I've decided. All the paper work is done and I've been in touch with the real estates. I'm selling the wedding shop."

by vera©