…

Misty sighed as she watched raindrops slide down her office window, dull grey buildings and the whirr of her computer as the back drop. It was days like these that she wanted to go home.

Don't get her wrong, she loved the fast-paced life of New York City. She loved that her job in PR got her invites to the best parties, got her to-die-for freebies and an address book of contacts that would make a Kardashian jealous. But nothing could beat the Florida sun.

Sure, it rained there too, but somehow a huge storm crackling through the air after a long hot day on the beach was a relief. Unlike here where it rained so much the puddles barely had time to evaporate before the next onslaught of rain came down.

And the snow! Don't even get her started on the white stuff. Those tiny, fluffy flakes looked gorgeous as they floated through the air but god, did they cut like glass when they landed on your face.

But she knew she could never go back to Florida, despite how much she missed the sun beating down on her skin. She'd burned too many bridges there, even her own mother wouldn't want her back.

"I got wet!" Her best friend and co-worker announced, bustling back into the office. Hair plastered to her face but proud smile on her cheeks as she held out a Starbucks mug.

"I can see that." Misty laughed as she took the coffee from her outstretched hand and took a sip. "Hmm, but worth the journey for that caffeine."

"If you say so." May rolled her eyes. "Next time you're doing the coffee run."

May was the first friend Misty made when she moved to New York, they were both young girls with big dreams who had hit it off straight away. In a cheap bedsit on the outskirts of the city they'd both interned for Purple PR. Working their way up until between the two of them they practically ran the place. Bitchy, pushy, ambitious, driven. Call them what you want, Misty and May were two girls who got the job done.

"So what, pray tell, are we celebrating tonight?" May asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Nothing?" Misty frowned. When they'd first become friends May had celebrated daily, weekly, monthly and yearly friendiversary. Surely, now they were in their late 20s they were too old for those anymore.

"Well, Rudy seems to think differently." She replied, waving her phone at Misty to prove a point.

"What on Earth?" She mumbled grabbing her phone.

Sure enough, there was an evite from Rudy for some sort of party. The whole event was cryptic, nothing more than a simple description.

Come help me celebrate some incredible news.

It wasn't like Rudy to keep a secret, the man couldn't lie to save his life. She'd discovered that quickly in the first few months of their relationship. Not that Misty was complaining, it showed her she could easily trust him as it was so against his nature to be dishonest.

Rudy had been her boyfriend for a little over two years now, they'd met in the most ridiculous of fashions that had their friends rolling their eyes. They'd both been reaching for the last salmon terrine. A serious purchase for Rudy but a joke for Misty to show May that the other half seemed to be incapable of chewing food anymore – not that she'd ever come clean about that fact.

Their relationship had progressed slowly from then on, Rudy had been a perfect gentleman despite Misty's subtle and not-so subtle hints. But in the long run she knew she's be thankful that she'd finally found a man who treated her with respect.

She was happy with Rudy, it was a grown-up relationship. What they lacked sexually they made up for with laughter and conversation. He didn't always make her heart ignite with passion, but she'd learnt at a young age that fire in a relationship was all well and good but it left you vulnerable to getting burnt.

"So?" May probed, after Misty had sat in silence for a few minutes too long.

"I have no idea." She shook her head.

So much for a quiet night in with some wine, crisps and a Netflix binge. She supposed now she would have to go celebrate whatever news Rudy wanted to share.

A little miffed, her finger hung over the decline button. Serve him right for not telling her what was going on but he was obviously excited about something and she wasn't petty enough to say no out of spite.

"Interesting." May mused, rubbing her chin as if she were Sherlock solving a case. "What could Rudy want to celebrate that he can't tell anyone, not even his girlfriend?"

Misty laughed as May's eyebrows jumped up and down in quick succession, she knew what it was not what the other girl was thinking. But Rudy was far too practical for this sort of extravagance.

"Not sure." She shrugged. "Guess we will have to find out later."

"Yes." She hummed. "I guess we will."

…

Misty groaned as she paid for the taxi fare, usually she could convince Rudy to come pick her up so she could get ready at his but tonight he was having none of it. She really begrudged paying for the overpriced taxi to get her from the centre to the back of beyond, but these were the things people did for love.

By the time she arrived she could see the party was already in full swing and she wasn't even late. It was if everybody but her had received a different time for the start. Least she never minded making an entrance.

She felt very conscious as she let herself in, she could have sworn that the room feel silent as Rudy's front door creaked open. Part of her just wanted to back out again and come back later when people were too drunk to notice her late arrival.

But before she had the chance to, May yanked the door the rest of the way greeting her with wet eyes and a wide smile.

"You're here!" She screamed, pulling Misty into a hug.

"How much have you had?" Misty frowned, awkwardly returning the hug.

"Nothing, we were all waiting for you!" She laughed, as if the answer were obvious.

"Right." She nodded.

As if she were Moses at the red sea, the crowd parted and left her a path towards Rudy – stood by a very tempting champagne tower. Self-consciously, she walked towards Rudy. She hadn't felt this exposed since she'd walked… well not for a very long time at least.

"Hi." She coughed, never before feeling so awkward greeting her boyfriend.

"Hi." Rudy replied, not looking her in the eye. Another sign there was something he was keeping something from her. But she couldn't dwell on that, not in front of all these people.

"So." She clicked her tongue. "What is this party in aid of?"

"I was sort of hoping it could be an engagement party." He explained, dropping to his knees.

"What?" She gasped as he pulled a velvet box out of his pocket.

"Misty, will you marry me?"

Misty was speechless, the question completely blindsiding her as well as the ring. A clear diamond cut in a teardrop, sparkling in Rudy's overhead lighting. Smaller diamonds hugged the edge and carried on around the band. The whole thing was so large she was sure it would reach her knuckle when it was finally put on her delicate finger.

"Misty." She heard May hiss behind her.

"Oh sorry." Misty blushed. "You took me by surprise."

A small ripple of laughter went through the crowd at the confession, all besides Rudy who looked terrified.

"So?" He prompted, his voice wobbling slightly with nerves.

"You idiot." She rolled her eyes. "Of course I'll marry you."

Rudy leapt up with a smile, eagerly slipping the ring onto her finger and giving her a kiss. The weight of the ring was new and foreign but it felt right, she knew her life is taking exactly the right path for once.

Misty pulled back with a scream as a cork hit her in the back of the head before froth from champagne poured over them.

"Hey!" Misty squealed. "This dress is dry clean only Mabel."

May just laughed at the scold, continuing to shake the bottle and filthy up the new engaged couple.

"A drink?" Rudy asked, holding out a flute which has somehow managed to be filled during all the commotion.

"Sure." She nodded.

Misty knew it's cheesy, and if they weren't in a crowded room full of people Rudy would probably laugh it off, but she linked her arm around his before he could take a drink.

"Cheers." She grinned.

"Cheers." He rolled his eyes, indulging her all the same.

…

"Ow, ow, ow." Misty complained as the fingers she'd tried to carelessly run through her hair got stuck in tacky tangles.

This champagne was going to be a pain to get out and the dress was a write off but the reaction from everyone had made her smile. The pure joy everyone felt for her and Rudy was infectious, even if the joy was supposed to start with her.

She wanted to marry Rudy, she knew he was the perfect man to spend the rest of life with. But onto each life some rain must fall and Misty had a big storm coming.

She sighed as she looked down at the ring, big and bulky. A status symbol more than anything but that was Rudy all over, he liked the finer things in life and if he could rope Misty in too then that was even better.

She couldn't help but compare it to another ring in her jewellery box. A simple aquamarine gem on a plain gold band, over half the size of her current ring but they buyer knew her better. Knew she cared more for what jewellery could represent rather than the piece itself.

"Here's where you're hiding." May said, coming out to stand beside Misty on the balcony.

After the hundredth congratulations Misty had snuck out, she needed a moment away from everything while she collected her thoughts. She hadn't even thought about the destination before she realised her feet were climbing up and up the stairs until she was in Rudy's bedroom and could barely hear the merriment on the ground floor.

She supposed this would soon become her house, everyone would expect her to give up her apartment over Rudy. A three-story town house was definitely a better place for a newly married couple to settle down, it had room for the pitter patter of little feet Misty was expected to provide.

"You okay?" May asked with a frown.

"Course, I just needed a little air. Got claustrophobic." She laughed. "Rudy didn't notice did he?"

"No, he's too busy playing host." She joked.

Misty half smiled back, her gaze dropping back to her ring. It really was an eyesore, but she supposed nobody could be perfect. Bad jewellery choices were hardly a deal breaker, and Misty knew deal breakers.

"What's wrong?" May asked, wrapping her arm around Misty.

"Nothing, I just…" She trailed off, it was far too much to unload at a party.

"Are you not happy about marrying Rudy?" May bit her lip, she knew Misty never gushed about her relationship but she assumed that was just how Misty was. She'd never got weak kneed over a boy, that was more May's thing.

"No, it's not that. I love him it's just…" Misty sighed, she knew she could trust May but this was still a secret she'd kept for so long it felt strange saying it out loud. As if a nightmarish ghoul would appear if she said his name three times.

"It's just what? Come on Misty, I thought I was your best friend." May whined, it was cheap tactic but she knew it always worked with Misty.

"I can't get married." She sighed.

"Why not?" She questioned.

"I'm, technically, already married." She bit her lip, feeling a lot better now that she had finally said the truth, it had almost been eight years since she'd even allowed herself to think about it.

"What?!" May shouted, Misty suddenly very conscious of all the people downstairs.

"Look, it's really not that big of a deal." Misty whispered, desperately trying to hush her.

"It's a huge deal! How long have I known you? And I missed you getting married. What was it? A drunken night out?" May asked. "No, I would have been there. Can't you just get an annulment?"

"We've been married for ten years I think we're a little past that now." She admitted, wincing at the scream that came from May.

"Ten years?! Why didn't you tell me?" She gasped, slamming the balcony door shut to keep this conversation private.

"I don't know." Misty shrugged, dropping down onto a chair. "When we first met it seemed a bit much to be like 'Hi I'm Misty and I have an estranged husband.' Then it became awkward because I never mentioned it so I just sort of forgot about it. I never thought it would become an issue."

"How did you never think it would be an issue?" May laughed, sitting beside her.

"Well when you're nineteen and already had a failed marriage behind you, you sort of lose your faith in love." She rolled her eyes.

"I guess." She agreed.

The pair fell into silence after that, Misty could tell May wanted to question her more but felt awkward. This sudden secret sharing had put a rift between them, Misty knew it. As far as May was concerned, she'd been lying since the start of their friendship. If she could lie about something as big as a marriage, what else could she lie about?

"Go on then." Misty said, waiting for her dressing down.

"Who is he? How did it happen? What was he like? Why did you break up? Why didn't he follow you?" She questioned breathlessly, not exactly the reaction Misty was expecting.

Misty sighed, she knew she couldn't avoid talking about it anymore. And May was just the starter, Rudy was the main course and all his friends were the desert.

"His name was Ash, he was my first boyfriend and I was besotted with him. I'd had this crush on him since I was about ten but I couldn't even work out how to be around. I followed him around like some doe-eyed puppy trying to get his attention but it just came out in arguments and insults." She groaned. "God I was embarrassing."

"Then what happened?" She asked, eyes dreamy as she listened. How could she forget what a romantic May was?

"I don't know, the fighting changed, I guess. It was flirty and playful it just progressed naturally. When he asked me to marry him I was so excited, he was my whole world of course I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. My whole family tried to talk me out of it but I just thought they didn't get it, get us." She laughed at how foolish she used to be. "Suddenly I'm living in the shitty flat with him, arguing over the washing up and making the bed. And when he suggested kids, Christ, I panicked."

"What did you do?" She whispered.

"I ran." She groaned, burying her head in her hands. "Before social media it was easier to do. He didn't know where I went and that was it. I lost track of time and suddenly it had been ten years since we got married and almost eight since I last saw him."

May just nodded, unsure what more there was to say. So much information to process and so many behaviours explained. The way she used to constantly look over her shoulder, the way she jumped whenever someone knocked at the door, the way she hesitated whenever she filled her name out on a form.

"Misty Waterflower, I do declare." May joked. "You're a dark horse."

"It's Misty Ketchum actually." She smiled despite herself, trust May to bring a smile out of her. "I have to tell Rudy, don't I?"

"Not necessarily." She answered, rubbing her chin again. Always a bad sign Misty decided. "And where does this allusive Ash live?"

"Florida, I guess? That's where I left him." She said, wondering what Ash had made of himself. She hadn't allowed herself to indulge in memories from the past for so long she'd almost forgotten his ambition and his dream. He'd be someone now, he'd probably have someone too. Long over his youthful romance, nothing more than regrets between them.

"Then we go to Florida, quick sign of the papers and bam you're done. Rudy is none the wiser and you're a single girl again." May grinned, extremely proud of herself.

"Isn't that a bit dishonest?" She frowned, was a lie really the way to start a marriage. Not that she knew much about successful marriages.

"I think you're about eight years too late for that." She chided.

"I guess, but what am I supposed to say? I can't just up and leave without any reason."

"Girls weekend, wedding shopping, an early bridal shower. I don't know, be creative." She sighed, she really did have to do all the work.

Misty groaned, she knew May was right but seeing him again, going back to the place where it all began and where it all ended terrified her. She may have grown up but deep inside she was still that frightened little girl who had ran away when the going got tough.

"Florida, here I come." She smiled miserably.

…

Misty smiled at her reflection, she didn't want to sound big headed but she looked good. As she should, it was her wedding day after all.

She adjusted her dress, ivory and blue much to her mother's disgust. But she knew what worked and white would just wash her out, no way was she going to look like a ghost on her wedding day. Especially next to Ash's naturally tanned skin.

These were photos she was going to show all her friends, all her family. Her kids, her grandkids. She needed to look amazing.

She wiggled her toes into her shoes, admiring how they made her legs look even longer than usual – she was blessed in that department. Another fact her mother was cross about was the length of the dress, but why spend all that money on shoes and a pedicure if you're just going to cover it up.

"Oh Misty." Her mum gasped walking into the room. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." Misty smiled, the first good word her mother had said since she found out about the engagement.

"You know it's not too late to change your mind." She urged, desperate for her daughter to reconsider. Both her and Ash had so much growing to do and they might not grow into people that were still in love. She couldn't watch her baby go through that heartbreak, especially so young.

"Mum!" She whined. "I love Ash, I want to marry him. Age is just a number anyway, I'm gonna love Ash when I'm twenty, when I'm thirty, when I'm sixty, hell even when I'm one hundred!"

She loved him, more than she ever loved anyone before, more than she would ever love anyone again. But she knew nobody understood that, understood them.

"Of course, sweetie." She smiled, knowing it was too late. Misty was stubborn as a mule and whether she wanted it to or not this wedding was happening.

"Right." Misty nodded, pulling her veil over her eyes. "Get Dad."

Her mum smiled and slipped out the room, seconds later her Dad appeared. The same proud smile her mum had had when she first saw her. Misty knew it would slip off in a second.

"Honey bunch, you look gorgeous!" He said, pretending to rub dust from his water eyes.

"But I shouldn't do it?" She groaned.

"I never said that, if you love this boy, really truly love him, don't you ever let him go." He said, pressing a kiss on her head.

"Thanks Dad."

Misty took her Dad's arm and they came out the room, her heart in her throat as she walked down the grand stairs. The doors thrown open as the music started, all her friends and family waiting for her to make the biggest commitment of her life.

She knew there were rumours, she knew everyone thought she was pregnant. That everyone thought her dad had forced Ash down the aisle because there was no way his first grandchild would be born a bastard.

But it wasn't like that, this is where they were headed anyway why wait five years until they were the 'socially acceptable age' to marry when they were ready now?

Misty put on her most confident smile and walked towards her soon to be ex-fiancé. A husband, Misty was going to have an honest to god husband. She was so excited.

Ash finally turned around, his smile wide and slightly crooked like it always was but as breath-taking as the day she first fell in love with him. He winked at her and she thought her knees were going to buckle underneath her.

How had she managed to get the most gorgeous boy in the world to marry her, scrappy little Misty who thought a side pony and jean shorts were the height of fashion. She knew girls envied her, it was written all over the faces. But she loved Ash for so much more than his looks.

She loved his determination and his tenacity, she loved how he knew what he wanted and went after it with a rash confidence he hadn't really earned. She loved how he could always make her smile, she loved how he always saw the best in people, in her. She loved how whenever he was around nobody else in the room mattered.

God, she adored him and just like her dad said, she was never letting him go.

The ceremony went by in a blur of nerves and tears, Misty wasn't even sure what she was saying but she knew she'd said 'I do', she knew there was now matching gold bands on both their fingers and she knew the rest of their life had just begun.

"You may now kiss the bride." The priest said, the crowd letting out a cheer as Ash swooped Misty backwards and gave her a dramatic kiss.

"Misty Ketchum, I'm gonna love you for the rest of my life." Ash whispered against her lips before giving her a kiss.

And Misty knew she was going to love him for the rest of her life too.

…

I have been told this has a similar story line to a film, however I have never actually seen this film so if you're hoping it will follow that story line it probably wont.