Wedding Planners From Hell!

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 4: The Gang's All Here (let's try to make that a good thing)

It was 7:00 sharp, and Grimmjow rang Uryu and Bambietta's doorbell with Ichigo and Rukia in tow, all smartened up for the party. Grimmjow wore a simple black blazer over a white shirt and black slacks, and Ichigo had a dark brown version of Grimmjow's outfit. Rukia, for her part, wore a yellow sundress and had a purple flower pinned in her hair.

"So, I am dressed okay, right?" Grimmjow asked Rukia, wiping nervous sweat from his brow. "Maybe I should have included that bow tie after all... I wonder if Halibel will think I'm under-dressed..."

Rukia rolled her eyes. "You're fine, Grimmjow. Seriously."

"Nervous, bro?" Ichigo asked.

"N-no, no!" Grimmjow blabbered. "Okay, maybe a little."

Rukia smiled. "Big brother Byakuya won't bite your head off, you know."

"Not this time, anyway," Grimmjow muttered, which earned him a light kick on the shins.

The doors swung open and classical music and chatter wafted out. "Hey, guys! Right on time!" Bambietta cheered. "I was just getting ready to pop open the champagne bottle."

Ichigo scowled. "As long as you don't spray it on me like the last five times."

"Four times," Bambi corrected him, hands on her hips. "I'm not that evil." Then she beamed and backed up. "Come in! Everyone's already here."

Grimmjow smoothed his blazer with his hands and felt his mouth water at the scent of a massive dinner, hand-cooked by... well, half his friends, honestly! "Smells fantastic. Can't wait to dig in."

"You and me both," Bambi said, shutting the door. "Oh, and Rukia, you look great!"

"Thank you. You too," Rukia said kindly. "I think purple is really your color."

"Aw, shucks," Bambi said with typical false modesty, hands clasped behind her back. Her sleeveless evening gown, a rich, dark purple piece, definitely cost more than Grimmjow was comfortable thinking about!

Okay, now for my mission, Grimmjow thought, mingling with the crowd packed in the living room/kitchen. He hunted down Nel, who chatted with Tatsuki in one corner, and waved hello. "Hey there, Nel, Tatsuki."

"Grimmjow! Finally!" Tatsuki threw her arms around Grimmjow's waist in a tight embrace. "I heard you were finally back in town. Looking good, mister!"

"Thanks," Grimmjow choked out. "I-I need air..."

Nel peeled Tatsuki off of Grimmjow and gave her a gentle shove. "Go mingle," she said. "I gotta ask Grimmjow something real quick."

Tatsuki gave her an annoyed look as she left.

"So..." Nel said with a sly smile. "Halibel is here. Haven't you said hi to her yet?"

Grimmjow looked through the chattering crowd. "Well, uh... I was gonna save it for dinner."

"Later, huh?" Nel repeated. "You know... this is a fantastic opportunity for you, lover boy! I mean, everyone you care about is here. Your friends, your dad, and most of all, your girlfriend! In fact..." She opened her small purse and produced the engagement ring box. "If you propose to her here tonight, I'll give this to you."

"Great. Thanks," Grimmjow said, and he reached for it.

"Hey!" Nel drew back and stuck the box back into her purse, and she bopped Grimmjow on the head with her fist. "Not so fast, buddy! What if you chicken out and run? I'll hang onto this ring until you prove yourself."

Grimmjow hung his head. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"I'm just trying to help."

"I'll... see what I can do." Grimmjow wandered off and found Bambietta.

Bambi grinned. "How you doing?"

"I ran into Nel," Grimmjow said discreetly. "She's got the ring, but didn't give it to me. Looks like we'll have to do this the hard way."

Bambi glanced over at Nel and nodded. "Yeah, no kidding. That girl is cuckoo."

"This coming from you."

Bambi kicked the same shin that Rukia had kicked earlier. "You want my help or not?"

"Sorry!" Grimmjow winced. "So, how will this go down?"

Bambi grinned. "At some point in the party, I'll excuse myself to visit the bathroom, and ask Nel to come with me."

Grimmjow scrunched his face up. "Huh?"

Bambi made an exasperated noise. "Are you dense? Girls do that sometimes! To chat privately about stuff. In my case, I'll overpower her and get your ring back."

"Whoa. This had better not turn into a bathroom brawl."

Bambi tossed her dark hair. "Relax. I can do it. Besides, this gown is a discount knockoff, so I don't mind it getting torn. It just looks expensive." She plucked at the fabric.

"Right, right." Grimmjow wiped his sweaty palms on his slacks. "I just hope that -"

Uryu tapped a fork on a wineglass. "Dinner is served, everyone! Have a seat!"

Grimmjow joined the crowd and had a seat on one of the many mismatched chairs. Uryu, Rukia, Orihime, and the others had gathered several different tables and chairs to seat all these guests, and it was crowded, but not too uncomfortable. And so much food! Like a banquet for a king!

Everyone dug into the first course and started up the polite talk. Takeshi, meanwhile, sat across from Grimmjow, wearing a dark blue blazer over a white, freshly-pressed shirt. "Grimmjow, my boy. I haven't seen you since I went out to visit you last summer!"

"Good to see you, dad," Grimmjow said with a smile. "Sounds like you've been pretty busy at that office lately. This was my first chance to see you."

That's it, Grimmjow told himself. Keep cool and be polite until Bambi does her thing. You'll walk away with that ring!

"Well, that much is true," Takeshi admitted, taking a bite. "Things are a little strained over there, ever since three people from the second floor were fired for -"

Byakuya cleared his throat loudly. "Human resources are being allocated. That is all," he said firmly.

"Yeah, a fancy way to say three bozos got kicked the hell out," Isshin said with a wide grin.

Karin shot her dad a hard look. "Dad...!"

Isshin shrugged.

"Well, I, for one, am proud of all the work my grandson and Rukia do," Ginrei said, taking a sip of wine. "And as long as Byakuya places good faith in Mr. Jeagerjaques, I do too."

"I appreciate that," Takeshi said. He motioned to Halibel, who sat next to her boyfriend, and he smiled again. "I forgot how great you kids look together. I'm surprised you didn't escort her here, son."

"Well, uh..." Grimmjow went red. "She was helping set up. I just came here with Ichigo and Rukia. I bet I'd make things worse trying to cook or decorate."

Halibel giggled. "You've cooked just fine before, darling," she told Grimmjow. She kissed his cheek. "You should definitely host the next party."

"I'll... think about it," Grimmjow said with a nervous smile. All the while, he kept checking on what Nelliel and Bambietta were doing; so far, nothing unusual, just chatting with Orihime, Ichigo, Rukia, and Tatsuki. Hmmmmmmm... how long was this going to take?

The main course was served, and Grimmjow found himself getting a little woozy from the wine. "This is strong stuff," he commented, setting down his empty wineglass.

"It sure is," Halibel said, fanning herself, her face going pink. "Uryu, I think I'll have to pass on having a second glass."

"I understand," Uryu said.

"What?!" Bambi yelped. "No way! Have another, Halibel!"

"I say, keep it coming!" Isshin cried, raising his glass. Bambi filled it, and Isshin downed it all.

Byakuya blinked hard. He looked dizzy. "I have had two glasses. Clearly, even that was too much." He blinked again.

"Dad, you shouldn't have any more," Yuzu piped up as Isshin had another glass. Then another. "Or you might - oh no."

"Guys and girls! Watch this!" Isshin bolted to his feet, gathered up all the empty plates and teacups he could reach, and loudly sang circus music as he juggled them.

"Party's over," Karin muttered, clapping a hand over her face.

"Whew! I, for one, could use a bathroom break," Bambi said, setting her cloth napkin on her plate. "Hey, Nel... come with me?"

Nel looked up from her plate. "But I was gonna eat another -"

"Now," Bambi said sternly, standing up. "Please?"

"All righty." Nel picked up her purse and followed Bambi down the hall and out of sight. Grimmjow heard a door shut.

Meanwhile, Byakuya clenched his fists on the table. "Isshin!" he grated. "Could you stop doing that?"

"Do what?" Isshin hollered, singing even louder as he kept juggling.

"Oh, let him have his fun, Byakuya," Ginrei said, waving a hand and taking another sip of wine. "What's the harm?"

"But, grandfather, it's... it's..." Byakuya sighed. "Amusing, I suppose."

"Yeah! I know!" Orihime cried, waving her arms. "Do more tricks, Mr. Kurosaki!" Around her, everyone cheered and beat their fists on the table in a rhythm. "Do it! Do it! Do it!" they chanted.

No one misses a chance to turn a dinner party into THIS kind of party, Grimmjow thought as he chanted with everyone. At that very moment, the bathroom door slammed open and both Nel and Bambi came rushing out, grappling with each other, shouting nonsense.

"You girls okay?" Ichigo yelped.

"Give it back!" Nel cried, grappling for the engagement ring box. She swiped her hand at it and sent it flying through the air. It bounced off Byakuya's head and landed on his plate.

Byakuya flinched. "What's going on here?"

"Let me see that." Takeshi seized the box and turned it over in his hands. "Is this a -"

Alarm shot through Grimmjow's nerves and he batted the box from Takeshi's hands and onto the floor, out of sight. "I think the party's over," he told Halibel over the noise. "I'll walk you home."

Halibel stared in bewilderment. "What's going on? What was that box?"

"N-nothing. Let's get outta here. This place is crazy." Grimmjow took Halibel's hand and led her across the living room and to the door.

"Hey, Grimmjow!" Nel cried, holding up the ring box. "If you want this back, you have to become my personal servant! Get over here and serve me!"

Bambi tackled her to the floor in a desperate bid to get the ring back.

Grimmjow wasted no time in making his escape with Halibel. He shut the front door and cut off all the noise.

"Whoa." Grimmjow ran a hand over his face. "What a party. I could use some peace and quiet."

"We could go back to my place," Halibel offered with a smile. "I have some desserts there."

"Yeah. I'd like that." Grimmjow glanced at the door "Give me a minute. I forgot something. Just stay here, okay?"

He wrenched the door open, pushed his way through all the guests, and helped Bambietta pin Nel onto the floor.

"W-well done, Grimmjow!" Nelliel cried, holding up the ring box. "I think you earned this. Ow! That hurts, Bambi!"

Grimmjow snatched up the box, waved good-bye to everyone, and hurried back out the door before anything else insane got a chance to happen. Then he pocketed the box, laced his fingers with Halibel's, and walked her to the bus stop.

*o*o*o*o*

"I hope you don't mind if this cheesecake is a week old," Halibel said as she set a plate down at her kitchen table. She sat opposite her boyfriend with her own slice, a bashful smile on her face. "Nel got it and forgot to eat any of it."

"I don't mind, babe. It looks great." Grimmjow dug his fork into the slice and had a bite. It sure tasted fine... but he couldn't relax. That ring box felt huge and heavy in his pocket, like a lead brick!

Halibel giggled and shook her head. "You know, a small part of me was expecting the dinner party to get wild like that. In this circle of friends, it comes with the territory, I suppose." She took another bite.

Grimmjow nodded silently. After that dinner party, Halibel and Nel's apartment was almost too quiet, except for the hum of the air conditioner, and the ticking of an antique clock in the living room. In a way, this was even more intense. Grimmjow's throat felt tight.

"I should have a talk with Nel," Halibel said after a few more seconds of silence. "Ever since you got back in town, she's been even crazier than usual. I don't know where she gets her energy from."

"Hey, wild animals have to run free," Grimmjow joked. "Right?"

Halibel giggled again. "Well, she does like visiting the park..." She tilted her head, her fork holding still over her half-eaten cheesecake slice. "Are you all right? You look like you have a cramp, honey."

Grimmjow waved a dismissive hand, his face warm. "No, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong."

Then he stood up. "Actually... there's something I wanted to ask you about. Somethin' pretty important."

Halibel smiled. "Let me guess: there's another comic book convention in town soon. Does this mean we can do Star Trek cosplay? Or maybe your Batman costumes?"

"Believe me, babe, I'd love that. But I meant... uh..." Grimmjow knelt on the tiled kitchen floor and held out the box. He pried open the lid. "I was gonna ask you: Halibel, will you marry me?"

"Oh!" Halibel's sea-green eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth. "Grimmjow, I..."

Grimmjow stayed in position, the ring's little diamond glittering, his heart fit to explode.

"Yes! Of course I will!" Halibel dropped her fork, leaped to her feet, and held out her hand. She couldn't help having a wide, amazed smile on her face.

I did it! Grimmjow slipped the ring onto Halibel's left ring finger, then stood and kissed her. "I love you, Halibel," he said. "And I seriously can't wait for the wedding."

Halibel kissed him back. "I know! Me, neither! Oh my goodness... I love you so much, Grimmjow." She patted his cheek. "I can't wait to tell mom and dad about this!"

"They'll be cool with it?" Grimmjow asked.

"They had better be," Halibel said with a sly smile, toying with the ring on her finger. "Or we'll just have to elope."

Grimmjow stared. "Are you for real?"

Halibel burst out laughing. "I'm just kidding! I'm sure they'll be very happy for us. You'll have to tell your dad, too! Oh my word..." She held a hand to her chest, breathing hard. "I'm breathless..."

"We'll figure this out together," Grimmjow promised. "Like the bridal shower, planning the wedding, all that stuff." As he spoke, he realized how much this was gonna cost. How exactly were they gonna work this out?

Hell, they'd worry about it later. No big deal!
"I can't wait," Halibel said, still toying with the ring on her finger, twisting it around. "I really can't wait, Grimmjow."

"I know. We keep saying that, don't we?" Grimmjow closed the box and pocketed it. He held his fiancee close and rested his head on her shoulder. "I kinda want to spend the night here. But all my stuff is at Ichigo's place."

Halibel hugged him tight. "I'll find something for you. No way are you leaving tonight, buster! Stay with me."

"I'm all yours."