A/N: Written for GJ7B.X's 30 one shot challenge Prompt #5 "Every once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale." It's going to take me a long time to get through them all, but I have some ideas . . .
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I don't own LwD but as soon as they go up on ebay they're mine
I'll cherish your words and I'll finish your thoughts
I'll be your compass baby when you get lost
I wanna be the wind that fills your sails and be the hand that lifts your veil
be the moon that moves your tide, the sun comin' up in your eyes
Your Everything, Keith Urban
An Ordinary Fairy Tale
She was sitting at the vanity, not watching her reflection as her step sister hovered above her behind cloud of hair care products. She could see the residual spray dancing like diamonds in the late morning sunlight filtering through the open window. She watched as the caterers set the tables in the mid October vineyard below; gleaming china and crystal stemware that caught the light perfectly with their golden rims to match place settings. She would have preferred silver to gold, but he had been right, the gold matched flawlessly with the deep reds and oranges of the fall setting.
Her sister, the maid of honor of course, was reviewing the wedding coordinator's notes for what had to have been the fifth time since they arrived at this perfect little country church in Niagara's wine country. Her mother was sobbing already. My baby girl, so grown up and beautiful. Over and over. My baby girl. Bridesmaids, three of her closest friends, one from high school, two from college and Marti,of course, bustled to arrange flowers and ribbons, their dresses a just-right shade of autumn red, not too long, but not too short, shoes and manicures to match.
She was oddly calm at peace for the first time in months. It was an ideal morning with blue sky and crisp sunny air. With all the activity around her, she was serene. The i's were dotted the t's were crossed and none of it mattered because today she got to marry her best friend. They could have gotten married in their parents' back yard for all she cared. She had even brought it up in early planning sessions, thinking it would be appropriate. After all, they had fallen in love in that house, he had proposed to her in that house, why shouldn't they get married in that house. But he wanted perfection, the storybook ending.
It had been in the pre dawn hours, before the stars had begun to fade on the morning of her eighteenth birthday. He had snuck into her room and perched on the side of the bed, simply staring until she awoke. She opened her eyes knowing he was there.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday"
He had presented her with a small velvet box which contained a band and three small stones, past, present and always he had told her. She had protested something about graduation and college and being too young and how could he know for sure. He had gently kissed her and pledged to wait until she was ready. He told her to keep the ring, to wear it only if she wanted to, keep it the box it didn't matter to him, she had his ring, she had his heart. She had compromised and wore it on a chain around her neck.
Months passed and they went in opposite directions to schools of their choosing. He had been patient with her noncommittal good bye hug and she had been sure he'd meet girls more his type in his classes.
When she allowed Jason Miller to kiss her after their last exam before winter break she had known, he was the only one who should be kissing her. No one else would do. She hadn't been able to wait another minute to share this revelation with him. She drove the six hours from her front door to his, rehearsing what she would say the entire way there. She sat on his front step watching the fog from her breathing and the winter sunrise, rehearsing what she would say when she got the courage to knock.
In the end, she said nothing. He had opened the door and while he had been shocked to see her on his doorstep, unannounced, that early in the morning, what had surprised him even more was the glint of three small stones in the morning light, shining up from her left hand as she handed him his paper. He kissed her, not quite so gently and drug her inside, paper forgotten on the stoop.
The caterers, in their black jackets and gold ties were finishing up the centerpieces and laying out place cards. The three stoned ring sparkled happily at her from it's new place on her right hand. The photographer was snapping every potential memory and one of the bridesmaids had finally gotten Nora a tissue. It was nearly time and the girls were getting giddy. She smiled for the camera and thought to herself that the by the time she would step foot outside this church, she would really be a Venturi. The idea make her pristine smile turn to a full on grin and the photographer captured the look on film with a photo of her flanked in red by her sisters and friends.
He knocked on the door before he entered, just to make sure everyone was ready to be seen.
"Show time ladies, time to take your places."
He held the door as the girls clattered past with their silk shoes the color of his tie and fall flower bouquets that matched the sprig pinned to his lapel. He closed the door behind them as she made one last swipe at her eyes in the mirror with iridescent powder.
His heart broke just a little as he looked at the wonderful woman she had become, and thought of how it was his father, rather than her's, who would have the privilege to walk her down the aisle. But she had asked George and he supposed that she had become more George's daughter than her own father's some time ago. It was only right that he have that honor, of both giving her away and welcoming her into their family again. She caught his eye in the mirror as he came up behind her.
"Where's George?"
She had been expecting her step-father, not her step-brother to come and fetch them from the vestibule. She was surprised to see him now, even though he was the best man, they were never really all that close. She had always chocked it up to their age difference, figuring they really didn't have all that much to say to each other, both too absorbed in their own lives. But now, here he was, looking misty eyed like he was ready to get all weepy over her on her wedding day.
"He's on his way, but there was something I wanted to do first."
He fumbled in the pockets of his jacket and she silently prayed he didn't loose her ring. She was just about to ask him when he produced a stunning double strand of pearls the color of fresh cream. He gestured with the necklace between his hands towards her and she nodded her permission for him to fasten them around her neck.
"These were Great-grandma Venturi's and they're only on loan. I think they're suppose to go to Marti as soon as dad's sure she won't hock them for a motorcycle"
He smiled and took a step back as they settled at her collar bone gleaming. She touched them gingerly; in awe at the gesture and that he was the one to make it. She spun in her seat and took his hand, squeezing gently, suddenly feeling more connected to him than she ever had in all the years they shared a house.
"Thank you Derek, they're perfect."
He crouched down to look her in the eye, careful not to step on the skirt of her dress as she pulled it around her feet.
"Can I ask you something Lizzie?"
She smiled at the childhood name, everyone called her Beth at school, she had gotten her family to switch to Beth over time, everyone but Derek, he still treated her like she was thirteen years old.
"No, you can't ditch the reception to watch the Leaf's game. We're having the hotel record it for you I promise."
He grinned and nearly laughed, but his eyes looked almost pained. He squeezed the hand he was still holding.
"Thanks, but no, that's not it. . . . How did Edwin do it? Get you to not care about the whole step thing. Why did you say yes?"
She should have known. Derek, her still desperately in love with Casey and still too proud to really do anything about it step brother, soon to be brother in law was looking for the easy way to get what he wanted. Poor man, he still didn't understand that love, is very rarely easy. She stood and allowed him to escort her down the stairs to take her place at the back of the church where George was waiting for her.
"When you take Casey's arm down there and walk her down the aisle to stand up for us today, really look at her and realize that every once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale. But it's what you do with it that makes all the difference. Edwin never made me guess how he felt; I knew he loved me before I understood what that truly meant. He took a chance and was honest with me because he wanted us to be together more than he wanted to be right. And that was more important than what anyone else thinks or says. Edwin and I have always been us, a team. You and Casey have to care more about each other than you do about yourselves or it's never going to work. You don't just get a happily ever after, you have to earn it."
"When did you get to be so smart?"
"Somewhere between you moving out and me agreeing to be Mrs. Venturi I guess."
He handed Lizzie to a wet-eyed George and made his way up to Casey's side. She was breathtakingly beautiful in that deep red dress with her dark hair spilling down her back in loose waves. He looked out at the crowded church full of October sunlight and Edwin standing looking more confident than he'd ever seen his brother. A sudden ache of jealousy threatened to render him immobile as he contemplated not being the man that stood, waiting for Casey at the front of a church, not being the man that knows what she feels like first thing in the morning, not being the man who carries her children to bed when they fall asleep waiting for Santa Claus under the tree.
He took her hand and she looked at him, eyes sparkling with unshed tears, and he wondered if they were tears of joy or regret.
"Another MacDonald, turned Venturi" He quipped as the music began, hoping to get a read on what she was thinking.
"Two out of three, that ain't bad." She countered in the completely noncommittal MacDonald fashion. But her eyes were smiling along with her mouth, so that was good.
Just before they stepped out into the church to lead the attendant's procession he leaned in close and whispered "How 'bout we test the theory that the third time's a charm?"
Fin.
