Chapter 11: Chapter 11

"Wakey, wakey, little miss bride." I say as I step into Peyton's room through the adjoining door from my room and Peyton just tosses a little in bed and continues sleeping.

It's not like I could blame her though, it had been a really stressful last week of planning, but thankfully we were able to plan everything perfect to the very last detail.

The day of the wedding had finally come.

And tomorrow, I'll be on my way back to L.A.

Subconsciously, I turn to stare at my room, remembering the card that Peyton's wedding planner had given me.

'You would be a great addition to our team.'

She had whispered while handing me the card, not knowing the kind of conflict she struck in my mind at that moment.

A job.

Here, at home.

Close to everyone I love.

I look away from the door and turn back to Peyton, my eyes briefly passing the beautiful wedding dress, and it I realise that today is my best friend's wedding day.

This wasn't a time to deliberate the offer, even though I only have a few hours to decide whether I'm going to take my flight back home tomorrow.......or not.

"Ava." Peyton's voice snap me out of my thoughts and I turn to see her sitting up in bed, her hair all over the place as she stares at me.

"It's my wedding day." She says and the two of us stare at each other for a while before we start giggling.

"Oh my God, it's my wedding day!!" She laughs, covering her face with her hands and I go to join her in bed.

"How are you feeling?" I ask and she looks up at me.

"How am I feeling? I want to lock myself up in a closet and eat a whole chocolate cake!" She exclaims and I can't help but laugh.

"But?" I persuade my laughter dies down and she sighs.

"But I can't wait to get married to the love of my life." She says and I hold her hands.

"And that's what's going to happen. So you have to shower because the makeup artists and hair stylist will be here any minute. I'll go check on the bridesmaids in their room before I start getting ready." I say and get up but Peyton pulls me back down.

"Thank you, Ava. For everything." She says and pulls me into a hug. The warmth of the hug helps me relax and I admit something that I've been hiding from her for a whole week.

"I told Aaron that I love him."

She pulls away instantly, holding me by my shoulders.

"What?!"

"Yeah. And he told me he loves me too." I say and Peyton's eyes get wider if possible.

"When did this happen?!" She demands, her eyes filled with excitement and shock.

"Last week, after I got the flowers from Brenda. We went on a really romantic date and...I just couldn't deny it anymore." I admit shyly, remembering that magical moment in the tent.

"Wait a minute, last week? A date? Why are you just telling me this now?! I wouldn't have bothered you about staying in a hotel with me." Peyton says with remorse.

"That's exactly why I didn't tell you. This entire month and this trip is about your wedding. Nothing else." I say and Peyton sighs, pulling me closer.

"AJ, what about Aaron? What about you? Your flight is tomorrow and--"

"Peyton." I say, stopping her abruptly as I shake my head.

"Please. Let's not talk about it. Please, Pey." I beg and although I can see her eyes flooded with words unsaid, she nods anyway.

"Okay, fine. But can I just say one thing?" She begs and I sigh.

"Sure."

"What you've found with Aaron, what you have always had with Aaron, you may not find it back in L.A. Think about that, Ava." She says and pecks me on cheek before heading into the bathroom.

And I finally let the tears flood my eyes.

****

Aaron's POV

As I grab my keys from the kitchen counter, I adjust my bowtie one last time and head for the door, briefly passing Ava's room.

Ava's room.

That is how I automatically call it now. No longer my guest bedroom. In just one month, she had not just occupied my house but a great part of my life.

The room still scented like her, that honey-lemon scent. And there were little things that reminded me of her.

Like my hot chocolate.

The patio.

The clothes I gave her on the day we made s'mores.

The hairpins she forgot in her drawer.

The basketball games.

And a half used scented candle in the bathroom.

Ever since that night at the tent, we hadn't seen or heard from each other. And I couldn't bring myself to call her because too much affection might just push her away again....which is the last thing I want.

What I want is her.

I need her in my life.

I want her to stay....

I love her.

And although I'm more than excited to see her, I'm also scared of what she may have decided.

Today is a big day indeed, for all of us.

I just hope it has a positive effect on tomorrow....

*****

A calming aura settles on the crowd of wedding guests as the violinists begin to play a harmonic wedding song.

The moment is finally here.

As I wait with the other groomsmen and the groom at the end of the aisle, I eagerly look towards the back, where a beautiful arch is designed with flowers.

The flower girl emerges first, followed by the ring bearer, and then finally the four bridesmaids with Ava at the back, looking more beautiful than ever. Her gown is a glittering gold unlike the other bridesmaids wearing champagne gold dresses.

Her gaze is focused in her front as she walks down the aisle, but the moment she stands at the other side, our eyes meet.

God, she is beautiful.

For a minute I forget I'm at my sister's wedding and all that exists is Ava. Standing tall, beautiful and elegant in that gold dress with her curly hair packed up.

We hadn't seen each other since I dropped her at the hotel a week ago and I almost give into the urge to run across the aisle and just hold her.

Feel her in my arms.

But the crowd stands up and Ava looks away towards the back where everyone is looking.

And Peyton emerges, wearing a beautiful, white wedding dress, led by dad.

She gets to the altar, hands her bouquet to Ava and the ceremony begins. Soon enough, we get to the vows and Nick starts,

"Peyton Leah Knight, you are all that I am, all that I love and all that I've wished for. You've given me the strength, courage and love that has made me a better man and I want to keep being a better man for you. For better or worse. I don't want to have a future without you because you're my future and my soulmate. I love you."

The crowd 'awws' and Peyton lets out a tearful chuckle but I can't see the expression on her face.

My gaze has been fixed on Ava and her eyes have never left mine.

I can see the tears clouding her eyes after Nick's vow but she doesn't look away.

The emotions, the pure expressions, everything in this moment has us hooked.

Unable to speak, yet able to feel.

"Nicholas Ben Rolland," Peyton begins, "the past 3 years of being with you has been the happiest moments of my life. You're my love, my friend and my future. You make me happy, you're always there for me and my life wouldn't be complete without you in it. I love you so much and I promise to always make you as happy as you make me."

At this point, a couple of tears escape from Ava's eyes and she looks away, wiping her eyes as she turns to the wedding couple.

I look away too, trying to gather my feelings.

The couple's vows had thought me something though, and it was that in the end, the goal of love is to put the other person first.

It wasn't easy, but if the person is worth it, then so is the love.

And Ava is worth it.

****

Ava's POV

The reception venue is in a ballroom at the top floor of a hotel, with an elegant view of the city.

As I watch various couples take the dancefloor, I return my gaze back to the cake slice in front of me and take another bite from it.

I have been successfully avoiding Aaron since after the wedding by keeping busy or remaining in the ladies room.

It wasn't so hard anyway, because almost every girl wanted to be  around Peyton's 'single brother'.

I just can't see him yet.

Especially after that intense moment we shared while the vows were given.

I still haven't decided on--

"May I have this dance?" A deep voice says from behind and I'm almost positive Aaron has found me, but when I turn around, my dad's face is smiling warmly down at me.

"Of course dad." I say as I take his hand and he leads me to the dancefloor.

After a few seconds of silence, he says,

"What's wrong chap? Why the sulky face?"

"I'm fine." I say with a sigh as I look away, scanning the crowd for Aaron.

"You know you can never get away with lying to me. I've never seen you sulk so bad, especially at your best friend's wedding. Come on, talk to me." He persuades and I look up at his calming eyes, realising now that I need to confide in him.

I suddenly feel fragile and vulnerable like a teenager and it takes all my willpower not to burst into tears at the moment.

"Dad..." I begin and his gaze remains on me as he sweeps me across the dancefloor.

"Yes?" He says.

"I need to make a big decision between two things tonight, before tomorrow comes and I've had all week to decide. Yet I still can't make a choice. If I pick one, I will have to forfeit the other and vice versa. I don't know what to do...I feel stuck." I say, my voice cracking with emotions and my dad observes me for a little bit.

"And both choices are equally important in your life? None has an alternative?" He asks and I am suddenly at a loss for words.

Is Aaron's importance equal to the importance of my life in L.A?

What life? My conscience mocks me.

Furthermore, Aaron has never and will never have an alternative.

But as for my job....

"Listen, baby," my dad's voice draws me back,

"In life, somethings can be replaced and other things simply can't. Not everything has a replacement because some are so special and so unique, you only get it in a rare opportunity. One of those things is true love. Gina is my wife and I love her, but she doesn't replace your mother in my heart because your mother has always and will always be my true love. So when you know which choice is irreplaceable, hold on to it because you never know how long it will last and you may never get another opportunity." He says and plants a kiss on my cheek that radiates my body with comforting warmth.

The song ends and my dad gives me a reassuring wink before he leaves.

With his words still on my mind, I turn around to find my seat when I bump into Aaron, his glorious height and immaculate appearance in the suit knocks the breath out of my body.

We haven't been this close to each other since that night at the tent.

"Ava." He says husky and I look up at his hazel eyes.

"May I have this dance?" He asks and I can only nod as he takes my hand and brings my body close to his, his hand on my waist.

Just like prom night.

"Like de ja vu, right?" He says with a small smile and starts leading me across the dancefloor.

It feels like heaven to be held by him again.

"I've missed you." He whispers and I am held prisoner by the look in his eyes.

"I've missed you too, Aaron." I say without hesitation and he smiles even more.

We dance in silence for a while, the question hanging above us with tension and yet none of us address it.

For a few minutes, the physical outweighed the emotional and we sway contentedly in each other's arms.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" He finally says.

A simple question, yet it addressed everything.

What have I decided?

"Aaron..." I begin as I look up at him.

"Before you say anything, Ava, know that no matter what you decide, I'll stand by it and I'll stand by you. I love you, I always have. But my feelings shouldn't be in the way of your happiness. So whatever you decide, just know that it's for you, not for us." He says and I feel tears cloud my eyes as my vision becomes blurry.

What do I do?

There's my dad's advice...

My love for Aaron....

My job in L.A....

The job offer and business card from the wedding planner....

And now, Aaron's words.

"I need some air." I say as I move backwards, away from his embrace and head for the balcony.

"Ava." I can hear Aaron call me but I keep moving as I finally give in to the urge to cry and I don't stop moving until I get to the balcony.

Aaron's POV

I watch helplessly as Ava walks away, wiping her eyes as she heads for the balcony.

Great.

What have I done?

"Don't tell me you're not gonna go after her." Peyton's voice says and I turn in shock to see her standing next to me.

"I don't think she wants me near her." I say and she gives me a look like I'm speaking gibberish.

"Says who?"

"Well--"

"Listen, Ron. No one knows Ava like me. She is as stubborn as she  is emotional. Even her emotions are stubborn and all she ever needs is a little push. Right from talking to you as teenagers, the first time she went to your room during our sleepover, picking a dress for prom and even coming to Boston for the wedding. Decisions that she knows will change her life scares her and she can't take that jump unless one thing is present. Do you know what that is?" Peyton asks and I turn to Ava crying in the balcony.

"That she is not alone?" I ask and Peyton nods.

"Exactly. She can get stubborn and mean when she can handle herself. But in those rare moments when her feelings take control and she has to take charge, she needs a hand to hold. A little push with the assurance that everything is gonna be okay. So can you please show my best friend how much you love her and stop her from crying?" Peyton says and I don't wait for her to tell me twice.

I rush to the balcony and shut the door behind me.

"Aaron?" Ava says when she turns around and spots me.

"Ava. I love you. I know this is hard--"

"It's not hard. It really isn't. It's just---"

"Scary." We both say and she blinks at me in surprise.

"I know baby. I know it's scary. In just one month a lot has changed and the speed it changed with is super scary. Heck, I'm scared too because when you walked into my condo you hated my guts. Like serious hate." I say and she surprises me by giggling.

"And if anyone ever told me that you would have feelings for me before the month was over, I would laugh at them. But baby,..."

I wrap my arms around her waist.

"It happened. The change happened right from when we watched our first game together and it wasn't scary then. You know why? Because we didn't notice. We took it in stride and that moment when you told me you love me while we made love in the tent was one of the best moments of my life. That was when we noticed. And everything became scary, everything hit us at full speed. It seemed scary." I say and her eyes observe me, overwhelmed with emotions.

"It doesn't mean it actually is scary. Change is inevitable and it comes with fear a lot but that doesn't mean it has to be scary. Not when we can push that fear away together, and I'll prove it to you. Ava, if you can't stay in Boston, then I'll come to L.A with you." I say and she gasps.

"You...you would do that? For me?" She asks in surprise and I nod.

"Of course. You don't have to go through this alone. You have me and I promised you I would stand by your decision. And if we're in this together, change doesn't seem so scary anymore." I say and she chuckles in disbelief.

"Aaron." She says and my eyes search hers.

"Yes?"

"I chose you. I chose Boston. I want this. I want to be with you, here. You're irreplaceable to me and I let you go once. I don't want to let you go again." She says and it's my turn to stare in shock.

"I've never really had a life in L.A anyways, excluding my job and Peyton. But here I have it all. I have you and everyone I love. I always knew I would chose you but the change that came with choosing you scared me." She says as I wipe the tears from her face.

"Not anymore. Not while I'm here. You're not alone." I say and she leans close.

"I love you Aaron."

"Oh, Ava. You have no idea how much I love you." I say and bring her lips to mine, kissing her wholeheartedly.

"You still owe me a dance. It's been ten years and yet you keep walking out on me." I mutter against her lips and she giggles.

"No more walking away, I promise." She says as she kisses me again, and I completely lose myself in her.

My final puzzle piece.

Author's Note.

And that's a wrap!!!!!!

Thank you allll SO SO MUCH for reading "Hot Chocolate and You"!!!!

Please don't forget to vote and comment ❤☺️☺️❤

Still not sure whether I should do an epilogue so please share your thoughts with me❤❤❤

Thank you once again!

I love you guys!!!!!