The month and a half before the wedding passed so fast, Peter couldn't think about where Meagan could have gone even if he had time to. The first sessions at the record company went wonderfully. One session went into the night. The band had so much to learn about the business in such a sort amount of time. It was an incredible period for them music-wise.
Personal wise it was different. The afternoon Mike came back from his bird picture taking jaunt he had gone right into his own personal photo lab in the extra bathroom. Peter had gone to the store while he was in his lab developing the pictures. Right away, Peter noticed when he got back how different the guys acted around him. They treated him nicely, too nicely. Whats more, Mike refused to show him the pictures and came up with the lamest excuse Peter had ever heard.
"I want to enter a local bird photo show contest. I have to make sure they are perfect to win. I could get an extra hundred dollars." He bragged.
"But why did Micky and Davy get to see them and I didn't?" Peter asked.
"Well we just got quick peeks." Micky said. "Plus we barged in on him."
"That explains it. I guess." Peter nodded. "When is the contest?"
"A month from now." Mike said.
"The same day as the wedding?" Peter asked with new interest.
"No, its a day before the wedding. The grand revealing will take place then."
"All right." Peter said. "Good luck." He smiled at his friend.
"You too." Mike said. Peter turned his head. "I mean we all need it right now...a little luck....to feel lucky in what we do..." Mike turned to the guys. "Say something!"
"I think you did a good job right there." Micky laughed.
They had gone to practice some new material after that and Peter put the photos out of his mind. Mike would let him see them when the time is right.
The guys weren't the only ones who were acting weird, it seemed to be catching; Sofie was also acting weird at the sessions. One minute she would be into the wedding, and the next she would be throwing a conniption about the whole thing.
"Maybe she regrets putting the wedding so close to the sessions. A lot of stress is going on here." Peter said to the guys. He promised to ask her about it.
"Do you want to put off the wedding?" Peter asked a week before the wedding.
"Absolutely not." Sofie said. "I got my dresses, and I got my bridesmaids dresses ok? I am not putting it off. I am fully capable of having a good wedding and marrying you." She huffed. Peter backed away in fear that she would bite him.
"Just a suggestion." Peter said.
"Well heres a suggestion, have your British friend learn how to sing something other than Greensleeves when he warms up? Its getting on my last nerve." Sofie said before storming out the door. "One last thing, you need to pick up your tuxedos from the store tommorrow." She said in a much calmer voice. She smiled weakly at Peter before going out the door.
The wedding rehearsal dinner took place the next night. By the time Peter saw Sofie again she had calmed down. It was 48 hours before the wedding. 24 hours before she would see him again because she believed in the "bad luck" of a bride being seen the the groom twenty four hours before.
At the dinner there was a whole buffet of food waiting to be eaten. There were several bins of hot food all ready for the meal. People were lined up behind the bins with serving fork waiting to go into action. Sofie had followed through on an earlier suggestion she made and had the occasion catered.
Peter looked around the room but didn't see a sign of Meagan.
"Maybe she really is gone." Peter thought to himself as Sofie joined his side.
"This is so lovely." Sofie sighed. "I am so starved. Being in a studio doesnt give you much of a chance to eat." She explained. "They are short tonight though." She said matter of factly.
"Why is that?" Peter asked while he noticed that one cartering employee was manning two different food bins.
"Someone from out of town was going to work tonight. A new employee." Sofie explained, even though it was obvious to Peter that she didnt very much care about the companies personal problems. "She balked at the last minute. Its said she found out who was here and refused to work. In order to keep from being fired they will be working the wedding." Sofie smiled. "As an extra touch they will also be attending the wedding."
"Thats an interesting idea." Peter said nodding. "And practical cause after the wedding gets done they can go right over to the reception party."
"Yes." Sofie said. "I was afraid we weren't seeing eye to eye on this wedding. After all you did ask for chocolate mousse rather than a traditional wedding cake." She chided her fiancee'. "What are you guys doing after this is over?" She askes spotting the guys next to a table. Mike was clearly uncomfortable with his suit and tie and had his finger hooked into the neck of it. Micky and Davy loved it however, and were pretending to play "Spy-man" and hit on chicks.
"Some bachelor stuff." Peter shrugged. "I have no idea. They are keeping it secret from me. I made Mike best man for a reason. He won't have me do anything at my bachelor party that I wouldnt want to do."
"Thats a relief. That last party I went to the bride to be married the stripper." She sighed. "It took so long to explain to her folks that the new husband was not a actual cop." She shook her head. She kissed Peter on the cheek. "Its starting, I'll see you in a few minutes."
Mike, Davy and Micky walked over to Peter. They had a large manilla envelope in their hands.
"Peter we have our gift for you now." Mike said.
"You're giving me the bird pictures you took?" He asked excitedly.
"Yeah." Mike said with a curious look to his other two friends. "They cancelled the bird show. Not enough interest."
"If they had my kind of bird fest, every guy in town would be there." Davy said with an evil smile.
"So we decided that you should have them. As a wedding present." Mike said. Peter moved to open the envelope.
"Not yet. They arent set right."
"But why put them in if they arent done?" Peter asked.
"They're real close to being done." Mike said. "Open it tomorrow morning."
"But just forget about them for now." Micky suggested. "It's dinner time." He smiled.
Micky and the others went over to the buffet table and got in line. Davy got a slap from one attendent after asking about her buns. When she realized that he meant of the bread kind, she begged for forgiveness. Davy smiled and asked her on a date instead of forgiving her. She gladly accepted.
Peter looked at the envelope in his hand. There was no way he was gonna be able to wait till tomorrow. He took the envelope and snuck around the corner of the banquet hall they were in. He quickly opened it and brought out the contents. Peter slowly inhaled as he examined all of it.
"My god." Peter said letting out a deep breath. He stuffed the contents back in as Sofie rounded the corner.
"Are you ready? Dinners getting cold." Sofie said sharply. She marched away from him at a quick pace, not even waiting for him.
"I'm coming." Peter said looking at the envelope. "I'll be right there."
