• Just Say Yes •

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

Life was great for Miss Ayden Steele. She was past the ordeal with her parents, shutting them out after a few more phonecalls full of shouting and tears and a settlement about her involvement, or lack thereof, in their relationship now. It hurt, of course, but she was glad it was down and over with. Now, all she had left to focus on was school and enjoying life. And, well, her new boyfriend. Caleb and her weren't really "new", however. They'd been together for forever, if you actually thought about. Recently, they'd just finally gone that one extra mile to make everything official.

It was heaven on earth to Ayden, and she almost always caught herself smiling these days. Being with Cal felt so natural, as easy as... being. They were made for each other, which she finally realized now, and there was no turning back at this point. Sure, they hadn't been "romantically involved" for that long, but she knew this would last their entire lives. It'd begun how many years ago, and had survived the troublesome hell of high school and most of college. The kissing and... other... things they did made it all that much better. And Ayden absolutely loved it. For the first time in a long time, she could confidently say that she was happy. Curling up in Caleb's arms at night, waking up to his lips on hers, meeting him for lunch each day; it was all so amazing, so surreal. Ayden couldn't believe it was happening most of the time. She'd even pinched herself; but, no, she was awake and all of this was completely real.

Today was one of those beautiful days where the two of them just sat around the apartment, entirely cut off from the world but as close as possible to each other. Or, er, it was supposed to have been that. Caleb had surprised her that morning by announcing she needed to help him with a design which, as usual, she complied to without a second thought. At least they'd still be alone for awhile and maybe he'd treat her to pizza like what typically happened on her "modeling" days.

Ayden yawned loudly, gingerly pulling the white mass of fabric over her head. It slipped over her skin easily, like it was made exactly for her. Which, as usual, it probably was. She knew a lot of Cal's class projects were designed to her size specifically, mostly because she could then try them out for him. Not that she minded because Ayden adored his clothes and always had. Just this one... well, this one wasn't something she was expecting. She stared wide-eyed at herself in the mirror on his wall, mouth agape. "You put me in a wedding dress?!"

[/b] Ayden shrieked, eyes turning to the very dress' designer with total confusion in them.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

• • •

TAG: Her Partner in Crime <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Bedroom. ;3
WORDS: 493!
MUSIC: "Love Story" by Taylor Swift
OUTFIT: Will be here eventually >.<
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[/size]

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

He’d been working on this little side project for a seriously long time. But it had never been more than thoughts and drawings in his sketchbooks. There had never been any real reason to even start the pattern work. And then everything happened, and life just sort of fell into place. Maybe it was pushing it, to be making this specific dress, or maybe it was wishful thinking. Either way, he’d been working on it for the entire week, practically nonstop and now it was ready for a fitting. And naturally, he’d asked Ayden for help. She always played model for him, and since it wasn’t anything out of the norm for him to ask, she’d agreed without suspicion.

He knew that as soon as she figured out what the dress was, he was going to get an earful but it would all be worth it to see her in the beautiful white gown. At least she was happier these days. It took a lot out of her, Cal knew, but everything was better now. Her parents hadn’t called since the last of the arguments and he and Ayden had been living in a peaceful quiet. It was hard on her, he knew but it wouldn’t be forever and things would start to get better. It was heaven to fall asleep with Ayden wrapped in his arms, and know that when he woke up in the morning, she’d still be there and he could wake her up with soft kisses and feather light touches.

He’d hidden the pretty white dress in a garment bag in his closet. It stuck out like a sore thumb in among his clothes but obviously it had been the one place in his room that she hadn’t looked yet, so it had seemed the obvious place. Now, helping her into the dress, Cal only hoped that it would turn out the way he’d envisioned it. He knew it was her size, all the clothes he made for class and just first tries were all her size. Like all the designs he completed and she tried, she wasn’t allowed to look in the mirror until he said she could. It was a surprise after all; especially this particular design. And like everything else, if she didn’t like it, there was no harm, no foul.

This was a first try for him. Normally, Cal was all about the everyday wear. He didn’t make formal wear, and stayed as far away from a Tux as he possibly could. But he thought he’d try his hand, and actually liked the results. If a career in Fashion didn’t work out, he could always go into Bridal. Finally, Caleb stepped back and sat down on the edge of his bed. He kept a straight face until Ayden saw what she was wearing, and the almost stunned expression was priceless. With a beaming smile on his face, Caleb nodded his head. “I did,” he said, grinning like a fool.

Tag; Bonnie to his Clyde
Words; 497
Location; The Mancave
Clothes; You're Original
Lyrics; 123//Craig Smart
Notes; <3 <3 <3

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

Ayden stared helplessly at herself in the mirror. She'd never even imagined herself in a wedding dress, not seriously anyways, and definitely not one designed by Cal. It was so far from his usual style, or the designs she had piled up in her closet and drawers. This dress... it was something entirely abnormal. And, yet, it was still beautiful in the way any "famous" designer's would be. It was perfect. It was perfect because it was perfectly Ayden.

"Should I be reading into this somehow? You putting me in wedding dresses?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow at him as she continued to stare at herself in the mirror once again. The dress looked amazing on her, that was obvious. It was made for her, after all, which she very well knew. He had so many measurements on her, it wouldn't surprise her if he had some of them memorized. But, this... this went beyond those everyday clothes she'd modeled countless times before for him. Actually, this went over anything she'd ever worn or seen of his, including from high school. It was spectacular, and caused Ayden's stomach to clench as she thought about herself walking down the aisle in a dress like this.

A big white wedding had never been her goal in life, despite what her parents would've no doubt wanted for their daughter. Now, however, what they wanted didn't matter in the slightest to her, but this dress could mean something that Caleb was planning. They'd never discussed their future wedding; there'd been no need to until now. Did he want a huge wedding, with months of planning and tons of money spent? Was this actually a wedding proposal, or just her overreacting to a simple class project?

Ayden sighed, running her hand very gently over the white fabric covering her body, studying it once more. "Well?" she said, turning to him and slowly spinning around. "How does it look, Mr. Designer?" These fittings were normal for her, but this particular clothing item was not. She was assuming all the rules still applied, though she'd kind of broken the one about the mirrors. Her curiousity had gotten the best of her today, though, and she was hoping he wouldn't mind. From the pleased look on his face, Ayden would bet money that he wouldn't. "You planned this. I should've known," she muttered, running one hand through her hair as her eyes turned back to the mirror. She should've known he'd put her up to something like this. He'd been locked up enough in his room this week, that had to mean a plot was coming eventually. Ayden just hadn't been expecting this.

• • •

TAG: Her Partner in Crime <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Bedroom. ;3
WORDS: 483!
MUSIC: "Love Story" by Taylor Swift
OUTFIT: Will be here eventually >.<
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

He was right, the design was stunning and suited Ayden so well. And the best part about keeping the dress a secret was that he’d already known all of her measurements by heart and hadn’t had to ask her for them again. It made surprises so much easier when he didn’t have to get her to stand on a stool while he wrapped her up in measuring tape. Of course, with as many clothes as he made for Ayden, it also wouldn’t have been out of the norm. It didn’t matter now that it was mostly finished. Caleb didn’t think he’d get away with sneaking in all that fabric. There was a hell of a lot more than what he usually bought and in a texture he rarely purchased, especially in white; he rarely used white.

When he’d first started on it, he honestly didn’t think he’d get it done. There was just so much fabric; but he did it, and damn if it didn’t turn out great. He’d had some trouble on the little details on the bottom half of the full length dress, but he’d managed it. Cal didn’t know how exactly, but he’d gotten it all done. And it was worth every minute of torture with those little details. He almost wished he’d though ahead and grabbed the camera so he could catch Ayden’s first reaction to it all. He didn’t say anything just shrugged, letting her think what she wanted. She’d clue in eventually and for the moment, he was enjoying watching her work out the puzzle.

He’d never actually fantasized about weddings or futures, thinking there was no way they would be together like this. He had always loved her, but he’d never thought she loved him back. So when everything turned out as it had, he’d only gotten as far as this dress. He hadn’t even took a minute to think if Ayden wanted a big dress to go with a big wedding, or a simple dress to go with a simple, small gathering of their closest friends and loved ones. He, honestly, didn’t care, as long as Ayden was happy, he was happy. If she wanted a big white wedding, he’d make that happen. And if she wanted to elope at city hall tomorrow, he’d make that happen, too.

He would do anything he could to make Ayden happy. Caleb had said that since they were teenagers, probably even before that. If it was within his power, Cal did it, just to see Ayden smile. As his little fire spun around, he took in the dress, and the beautiful woman wearing it. Finally, he stood up as Ayden turned back to the mirror. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Behind her, Cal wrapped his arms around her and set his chin on her shoulder. “You look perfect, Little fire and I did,” he said, giving himself a mental high five for doing a damn good job and laughing happily. He turned his head to press a kiss to her cheek with that smile fixed to his face for the time being.

Tag; Bonnie to his Clyde
Words; 519
Location; The Mancave
Clothes; You're Original
Lyrics; 123//Craig Smart
Notes; <3 <3 <3

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

Ayden leaned back against Caleb as he came up behind her, a smile on her lips as his arms slipped around her waist. Looking at the pair of them in the mirror, she had to admit, it was a perfect picture. Just them; always just them. He'd promised how many times in the last couple weeks, making her feel even safer and more comfortable with him than ever before. He truly was her home, not Seattle or her parents or her hometown. Just him. As long as she had his arms to crawl into at night, Ayden would be the happiest young woman on the planet.

She tilted her head as his lips found her cheek and shook her head at him. "You're so mean to me," she teased, reaching up to press her own lips to his chin. Ayden turned in his arms, facing him and resting her hands square on his chest. She looked up at him with her big blue eyes, smile on her face as she met his eyes. "This isn't for class, is it? It's too beautiful for a school assignment," she said bluntly. Ayden had never been one to beat around the bush, and that included now, especially now. Keeping secrets from Caleb didn't work well for her, as her rare drunken nights proved. But, this? This had to be something good. From the look on his face, she was expecting something wonderful to happen, or some big revelation to be made. This dress was already beautiful enough, however, even if she was just modeling it for a school assignment. She could hope, though, right?

Ayden couldn't keep the fantasies out of her head. She could see them running away to get married somewhere after college, settling down somewhere and raising a bunch of little babies like the family they'd no doubt eventually be. He'd make them all clothes and she'd play lullabies and it'd be heaven on earth. She was making too much out of this though. Wasn't she? It was just a dress. A wedding dress that he'd undoubtedly spent hours labouring over to make for her, but still. Just a dress.

If she kept telling herself that, maybe she'd eventually believe it.
Yeah right.

• • •

TAG: Her Partner in Crime <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Bedroom. ;3
WORDS: 403!
MUSIC: "Love Story" by Taylor Swift
OUTFIT: Blushing Bride!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

It wasn’t just a dress to Caleb; it was a promise. A promise of what their future held. He would do anything he could to see the surprise, the happiness on his love’s face. Since everything happened between them, Cal had started letting his mind wander to things he didn’t think would be possible for them. A bigger place, kids, maybe even a friend for Kimmie. He wanted a family with Ayden. This was just the next logical step, even if he hadn’t, exactly been thinking along those lines. He loved having her wrapped up in his arms, knowing that they were closer than ever. They’d already been each others’ best friend, they’d already told everything to the other, had fallen asleep wrapped in each others’ arms more times than either of them could count. Really the only thing that changed, or rather was added was three little words that meant so much to both of them.

Caleb smiled, chuckling. “I know, I’m evil. You can spank me later,” he declared with mischief brightening his eyes as she spun around, setting her hands on his chest. She was stunning in that gown and he just couldn’t take his eyes off her. And when she looked up at him, her big blue eyes wide and smiling, he fell head over heels in love with her again. Her words hit his ears and it took Caleb a second to really understand what she was saying. He couldn’t hide anything from her, could he? Of course, he wasn’t trying to hide this from her. The dress wasn’t for school, there was too much of a demand for taffeta and organza for that course, and thankfully, he hadn’t needed to take it for his degree. Everything he designed, he had Ayden in mind for, first and foremost; other people came second.

Cal’s smile widened. “Nothing is too beautiful for you. But you’re right. It isn’t for school. It’s all yours. Just something I’ve been toying with lately. What do you think?” he asked, looking down into those clever blue eyes. He didn’t have a ring. That was the first thought that had popped into his head when he’d seen her in the dress. But did he really need one right that moment? Sure, he could have gone out with his savings a bought a ring, but he hadn’t been thinking about that. For the last few weeks, everything had been about helping Ayden with everything she was going through with her family. And now that it had seemed everything was settling down again, he was realizing he didn’t have the proper items for a proposal; which was what he was going for now. Why not? Ayden was happy, she was glowing, and he had her in his arms; that was all that mattered right then, everything else could be put on the back burner. He could propose and they could go out together and get a ring that she would love to wear forever.

Tag; Bonnie to his Clyde
Words; 500
Location; The Mancave
Clothes; You're Original
Lyrics; 123//Craig Smart
Notes; <3 <3 <3

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

Ayden had never imagined her own wedding. Heck, she'd never even imagined having a boyfriend like Caleb; it was always her semi-solo and running back to him for comfort and fun. Never in all her 23 years had she thought she'd be standing in a wedding dress, cuddling up to the man she loved with every fibre of her being. She'd never pictured things past college, not until recently anyways. Now that she had Caleb, it was a totally new world. Things stayed the same in most aspects, of course. Living together, seeing each other every morning, going to bed with his smile the last thing on her mind. None of that changed. But, still, everything had. Those three simple words had turned her world into an entirely new place and helped her find her way back into the light she'd lost for a time. Ayden was so happy, more happy than she'd ever been in her life. And it was all thanks to Caleb.

"So I've got permission to this time?" she retorted, returning his smirk with wicked eyes. Despite the jibes from the friends when they'd finally walked out as a couple, Ayden was very much in love with flirting and teasing him. And, if she thought about it, hadn't they been going back and forth all of their lives? It had never seemed to strike her as "flirting" back then, but it certainly did now. She loved him for taking her crap in stride, and he never failed to make her smile or laugh.

Already, Ayden was only half-aware of what she was wearing. Her mind was focused on Caleb now, and that look in his eyes that meant so much more than he was obviously sharing. She was interested in what this big secret was, and she knew he hadn't revealed all of it to her yet. The dress was a shock; an amazing one, but that's beside the point. There was something hiding behind those handsome eyes and she would find it out sooner or later, even if she had to pry it from his lips. In as loving a way possible. Of course.

Ayden's face turned into one of suspicion as he spoke but she did smile. There was double meaning clear in his words; but she only got the obvious definition. For now. "I think you're oddly sweet today," she commented, reaching one of her hands up to trace a finger down his cheek. She pushed herself up onto her toes, brushing her lips gently against his for a moment. Ayden fell back onto her feet, wrapping her arms around his neck. "It's a perfect dress, Cal. My favorite that you've ever designed," she smiled gently, fingers toying with the hair near the back of his neck. She'd let the secret go for now; she was too happy and content to care. For now.

• • •

TAG: Her Partner in Crime <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Bedroom. ;3
WORDS: 513!
MUSIC: "Love Story" by Taylor Swift
OUTFIT: Blushing Bride!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

Cal had never thought about any of this either, but now that Ayden was standing in front of him, he could picture it all. It wouldn’t be big and fancy for them. Hell, City hall would probably do. Cal looked down at Ayden with that devilish spark in his eye. “You’ve never needed permission before,” he said, raising his brow. “Why start now?” he laughed, running his fingers across her shoulders. It amused him that all their friends basically yelled “Finally” when they told everyone the great news. He’d laughed at the jokes and comments; the teasing. He was already used to them telling him that she was oblivious to his flirtations and obvious interest by using her and usually only her as his model.

First he hadn’t really had a big secret to keep from her; the dress had been the big secret. But seeing his love in the gown he’d designed and created especially for her, he was starting to rethink that surprise being just the dress. He was quick on his feet and was already forming a plan of action. Caleb smiled, it was a go-to reaction whenever he set his dark gaze on his little fire. “Thank you. I can be sweet you know. It’s not an uncommon thing,” he said as he ran his hands down her sides. The fabric of the dress was cool against his fingers and it just cemented his next thoughts together. Ayden’s lips brushed against his and he wanted more than just a quick peck. He was more than pleased that Ayden loved the dress so much. “I think it’s perfect, too,” he said, lowering his head to rest his forehead against hers.

He was slowly gathering the calm he’d need to say what was on his mind next; the next step in all of this. He pressed his lips to hers, gathering the rest of his strength; he didn’t want to be rejected but that thought was buried deep in the back of his mind. What was front and center was the speech he’d just thought up on the spot. “Ayden,” he said, bringing his hands up her sides, her arms to lace his fingers with her and bring them to his lips. He pressed his lips to her knuckles and lowered himself down to one knee. He’d never thought he’d been the type of guy to be traditional like that, but he figured Ayden deserved a little bit of tradition; especially considering he created the dress he hoped she’d wear down the aisle to meet him. “Make me the happiest man on the entire planet and marry me?” he asked, looking up at her with wide expectant eyes searching hers for a preview to her answer.

Tag; Bonnie to his Clyde
Words; 458
Location; The Mancave
Clothes; You're Original
Lyrics; 123//Craig Smart
Notes; <3 <3 <3

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

Ayden could say, without a doubt, that she wanted Caleb in her life forever. He'd been there for as long as she could remeber already. And, honestly, she had a dark feeling that she wouldn't know what to do without him there to make her feel better at the end of the day. Sure, they'd fought over the years and even right when they'd "become" a couple. But, they'd moved past it all. They always had. Always, always it came back to them. Caleb and Ayden; Ayden and Caleb. She smirked right back up at him, trying to hide her laughter. "Oh is that so? I thought you didn't like when played rough." His glint was mirrored in her playful eyes, the smirk on her lips twitching with laughter. Ayden shivered gently as his fingers touched her shoulders and she moved closer to him, stepping more into the safe embrace of his arms.

It was true that she'd been oblivious for... well, for ever. Ayden had never wanted to believe that there was something more for fear it'd ruin a priceless friendship. She didn't want to lose him, though it killed her every time he was with another girl, even if they were just friends. Cal was hers, he'd always been. She'd simply never taken down her blinders long enough to realize yes, a romance with him would work and that, yes, he did love her as much as she loved him. Until now. "Mhm, I know," she breathed, eyes closing as his fingers skimmed down her sides. Ayden could never get enough of him touching her, even with her clothes on. It never failed to send her body into over drive, tensing and tickling every available nerve or sense. "I love you," she whispered, pressing her lips to his again as their foreheads met. She rested her hands on his chest, enjoying their sweet moment of perfection. There'd been a lot of these lately. And, still, she couldn't get enough of them. Gosh, she loved him. She loved him more than anything in the world.

Ayden met his lips once again, savouring the sweetness of their kiss. Her lips quirked into a smile, but, before she could kiss him another time, he was moving. Something seemed to change in him. She opened her eyes, blinking in confusion at him as he kissed her cool skin. And then he was on his knees, holding her hands and looking up at her with those deep, dark eyes. Finally, she put two and two together. The dress... one knee... and, lastly, the question. Her heart just about stuck in her chest as she stared down at him, paniking for a second. She wanted this, she did. But what if they ended up like... like her parents? What would happen then? No, no. They'd never be them. They were too perfect for eachother, too in love, too different. And she wanted this. "Yes," she whispered, the word holding the most weight it would in her entire lifetime. "Yes!" Ayden repeated, stronger this time. She bent down onto her own knees, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug and ignoring the wrinkles she was probably putting into her dress. Did it matter, though? She and Caleb were getting married. She could finally call herself "Mrs. Turner" instead of the cursed "Miss Steele". It was a dream come true.

• • •

TAG: Her Partner in Crime <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Bedroom. ;3
WORDS: 607!
MUSIC: "Love Story" by Taylor Swift
OUTFIT: Blushing Bride!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

Caleb had always thought they’d be together until the end of time; but he’d always thought that it would be as friends and nothing more than that. And then everything sort of exploded and even Cal was still reeling from it all. It was hard to complain though, when he woke up with Ayden wrapped in his arms every morning, or when he could walk right up to her and kiss her like he’d always wanted to do. Words couldn’t really explain how great it all was. “That’s rough?!” He asked, sounding as incredulous as possible. “That’s not rough,” he said, disagreeing before leaning forward and nipping lightly at her bare shoulder playfully.

Caleb loved Ayden’s sweet kisses. Hell, he was absolutely head over heels, no turning back madly in love with the girl. There was nothing else now that he could honestly call her his. She’d always been his as much as she could be; but he’d always put words after the “his”. His best friend, was usually what he said in place of his girl, his love, his life. Now he didn’t have to worry about any of that. He could say all those things, and not have anyone shoot him down, telling him she didn’t have a damn clue; because she did. It wasn’t nice to think, but he was actually kind of glad that she had all the drama, enough to drink anyway. He hated that she had to go through all of that alone and wished if it were possible for them to switch, but at least she finally saw him. And for that Caleb would always be thankful.

If anyone would have asked Caleb where he’d be now, back when he was a senior in high school, he sure as hell wouldn’t be answering with proposing to Ayden Steele in the apartment they shared. The thoughts raced through his mind over and over again, like a skipping record. He should have known when he decided to bring the design to reality that he was planning this. But it had been so far into the back of his mind, that even he hadn’t seen it until now. He didn’t have a ring, he didn’t have an idea, but he knew this was right. But he’d been too wrapped up in hoping Ayden wouldn’t get concerned with him being holed up in his room for almost an entire week without coming out for more than sleep, food, class and work. Of course, he shouldn’t have worried about that, Caleb usually locked himself in his room when he was on deadline with a school project; it was only natural for Ayden to assume he had something due that wasn’t quite up to his standards of perfection.

He held his breath, waiting for Ayden to say something; anything. There was too much on the line for him; there was everything. And when she said what he wanted to hear, it was like he didn’t hear it at all. He was just as stunned as Ayden must have been when he popped the question. But then she said it again and he heard it again, and it finally sunk in as Ayden sank to her knees and hugged him. The dress she was wearing was completely forgotten in that moment. Cal wrapped his arms around Ayden just as tightly and fell back laughing. He pressed his lips to hers, holding his fiancé as closely to his body as he could. It felt like forever, but probably wasn’t much time at all, Cal pulled back. “I don’t have a ring, but we’ll go out and get you one,” he promised, kissing her again. She had just made him the happiest man alive right then and there.

Tag; Fiance
Words; 625
Location; The Mancave
Clothes; You're Original
Lyrics; 123//Craig Smart
Notes; <3 <3 <3