Waiting For Forever

Looking out the window of the plane, Irving Ashcroft was excited to see that they were finally about to land back home. It had been weeks since he had seen or even heard from his girlfriend, Envy. The work trip he was returning from didn’t allow him to communicate outside of people directly associated with the project he was working on. The moment he got off the plane, he would be running through the airport to find Envy. She always showed up to pick him up.

Being without his girl for so long was a hard thing to handle. When they weren’t working, they were spending every second together. Irving couldn’t wait to kiss her and do much more than that. He already planned to tease her a bit when he got her to the bedroom, knowing she was waiting just as much as him.

That was why, after he picked up his luggage, he was confused. There was no sight of Envy. He went over to the little cafe that they always met at if they couldn’t find one another. Not a sign of her there either.. He didn’t have his phone on him either. He had left that at home, like he normally did on these special projects. Irving ended up waving a taxi down outside.

Rushing into the front doors of his house, he noticed how empty it was right away. Envy was gone, and so were her belongings. Lying on his desk, where they normally left notes, was something completely different. A wedding invitation.

“You’re cordially invited to the Wedding of Damien Crowe and Envy Evermore.”

He had to read it again to make sure he wasn’t tripping balls, because Damien Crowe was Irving's best friend.

The date was a week away. All Irving could wonder was “What the fuck happened while I was gone?”

It was about 10 minutes later that Irving's sister Evelyn showed up, with a freshly made casserole. Evelyn Sterling lived right down the road with her husband and family.

“I got ready the moment I saw your light on.” She reached for a hug. “I know you’re in shock”

“ I was only gone a month. How did this happen so fast? I thought she loved me.” Irving could feel the tears welling up. “And look at me. Should a man like me be crying?”

“Irving,” Evelyn was being gentle, “ I told you several times you would eventually lose her. You didn’t show any interest in marrying her. I wasn’t there when it happened, but I think when he proposed, she finally saw a chance to settle down.”

“But my best friend?” Irving was even more hurt by it all.

“Damien is the opposite of you; maybe that’s what she needed to be happy.” Finally sitting down on the sofa, Irving put his head in his hands. “Evie, what do I do?” His sister was the only person he could really count on now. He had lost his best friend, both of them.

With a thoughtful expression on her face, Evelyn smiled and said, “Don’t give up.”

The week leading up to the wedding was difficult. Irving had tried everything he could think of to find Envy. Her family wouldn’t respond to him, and it seemed that Damien had moved. Of course, Damien wasn’t answering either. Neither of them seemed to be at work that week, as Irving had tried both of their places of work.

There was only one thing left to do.

Crash the wedding.

The church building was like any other. It didn’t look overly extravagant. That was a bit of a surprise. Someone like Envy deserved a huge wedding in a big cathedral. Not this.

This was the moment that could change his life. He was going to leave with or without Envy, and he was hoping she would be by his side by the end of the night.

Remembering Evie's words, he took a deep breath and opened his car door. He wasn’t going to give up.

Walking into a wedding for Envy was crazy. He should be the one waiting for her at the end of the aisle. Beautiful wildflowers were laid around the entrance of the church. There was some music playing faintly in the distance. It must have been coming from the chapel part of the church itself.

Irving could barely make out the tune, but as he walked closer, he realized it was their song.

“What the actual fuck?” He grunted. “This is ridiculous”

His palms were sweating as he opened the doors to the chapel. Irving quickly stepped inside, making a lot of noise. Everything stopped as he made his way down the aisle looking for Envy. The faces started to catch his attention, though. Where Damien's family should be, Irving's family sat, all with smug smiles on their faces.

His mom's face was beaming with excitement, while Grandma was in tears. Evie, of course, was giving him her signature “I know something you don't” smile. And next to them, Damien. Who simply gave Irving the thumbs-up sign.

Searching for an answer, Irving slowed down a bit more, stopping before finally saying, “I object.” Still not able to see Envy.

That was when everyone in the church, except for him, broke out into laughter.

“Where is she?” Irving finally asked, realizing Envy was nowhere in the room.

Damien then stood up and walked towards him. “Took you long enough, buddy.” He motioned to a chair that almost looked like a throne. “Sit”

Then Envy appeared, wearing a simple white dress. She made a beautiful bride. This was all so insane.

“Envy? What exactly is going on?” He started to stand, but Damien, standing next to him, gently put his hand on his shoulder, forcing him to stay seated.

Envy finally started to speak as she walked down the aisle, holding a bouquet of wildflowers. Her favorite. “Irving Ashcroft, I have waited too long for this. So, I had to be the one to make this happen, as I do with anything else that needs to get done.”

Everyone in the church started laughing even more.

Envy then got right in front of Irving, got down on one knee, and pulled out a shiny black and silver band. “Will you marry me?”

That was when it all clicked. This was a set-up. A setup for a proposal. They really had him. And it looked like everyone was in on it.

Irving stood up grabbing her waist, and kissed her playfully. “You little devil”