A/N It's a long one but, oh well. Thanks to TypicalRAinbow for the ideas when I had complete writers block. Some additional notes at the end to reference some of the songs etc that I mentioned in the chapter.
Also, on my Tumblr (dreamsinlilac) I've created a mood board for Fenny and Grissy's dresses, along with the bridal party and Constance and Imogen.
Speaking of Tumblr there's a missing HB/Drill scene in the chapter that I'll be posting a little later. I'm sure you'll be able to guess which one. (Feel free to PM me if you're not on Tumblr or can't find it later)
"Well my dear, you may just have saved the day." Amelia smiled at Abby, seeing her own tiredness reflected back at her.
"Is it okay?", a small voice whispered from the doorway.
Amelia opened her arms to Ava. "You should be asleep."
"I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I still feel very bad for what I did.", Ava murmured into her Granny's dressing gown.
It had all started so innocently. She had been so excited to wear her flower girl dress and the next day just seemed so far away. As soon as she put it on she had felt more like a fairy than ever, and a fairy needed to dance didn't she? But proper fairies didn't have to content with stray markers that left purple lines when brushed up against. And a proper fairy would have known that rather than removing the mark, washing with hand soap would have made the little line turn into what looked like a huge bruise in the end.
She had been near hysterical when she confessed her self-perceived crime to her parents. And she had to tell, not alone was it part of the Willows code, her parents always said telling the truth was very important.
Constance and Imogen had been less concerned about the dress and seriously worried about their five-year-old, who was practically hyperventilating at the thought she had ruined Fenny and Grissy's big day.
Eventually, they calmed her down and told her that yes, she had done something silly but it wasn't the end of the world. Nobody was angry, they just needed her to breathe, then promise that next time she was told not to touch something she would keep her word.
While this was happening, Amelia had been frantically thinking of a solution. She was out of tulle and the shops were closed so making another skirt wasn't an option. Neither was magic, tempting as it was she knew that Constance was right in something she often said. If the girls saw that something could easily be resolved with magic, they would never truly learn about consequences.
Luckily for everyone, Abby had an idea. "Dye it. Maybe a grey colour. It will still go with the top part, and our bridesmaids' dresses are silver so it will work with them too. It's cotton, not that plasticky stuff, which is perfect. I did it in design class in school. We can get the dye in the supermarket, I promise, it's super-easy. "
With that, Tom had been dispatched to the nearest 24-hour supermarket and on his return, the dying process had begun. Of course, it wasn't just Ava's skirt that had to be dyed, in order to match, Zara and Fleur's also required treatment.
It had, Amelia observed, been almost like a potion being concocted in the sink. There was the adding of ingredients and the constant stirring. It was only the addition of the modern washing machine for rinsing that ruined the illusion.
So, while everyone else had gone to bed, Amelia and Abby stayed up, wanting to make sure everything worked out.
And it had, even more so than they had expected. From the stained white skirt had emerged a dove grey version. All that was left to do was restitch the tops before adding the ribbons. Baby pink for Ava, mint green for Zara and ice blue for Fleur.
"I'll let them dry overnight and do them first thing in the morning. It will only take me ten minutes.",Amelia told her granddaughters. "As for now, I think it's time we all go to bed don't you?"
"Are you angry with me Granny? 'Cos I'm very sorry." Despite what her parents had said, Ava still felt very guilty that she had caused all this extra work.
"I know you are my dear." Amelia gently smoothed back Ava's messy waves. "It was an accident, one that I think you've learned something from."
"I have, I promise."
"Good. And the important thing is you told the truth. I'm not angry and I promise you, Fenella and Griselda won't be either." She looked at the skirts and pictured what the completed dresses would look like. "In fact, I think your little accident had the happy outcome of making the dresses even better."
"Really?"
"Definitely." Abby agreed. "White is fine, but these dresses going to look amazing. You'll be the coolest little fairy flower girls ever." On seeing her sister's face relax properly for the first time all evening, she held her hand out. "But we've got a long day tomorrow so come on, you can come in with me and I'll make you get some sleep."
"Okay." Ava yawned before giving her Granny one last hug and kiss. "Thank you for being so kind, I love you."
"And I love both of you." Amelia smiled before turning out the lights and following the girls upstairs.
While Ava entered the bedroom, Abby hung back slightly. "Grissy will be okay with this won't she?", she whispered.
"I'm sure she will be."
As always, Granny knew best.
"They are gorgeous.", Grissy breathed as she took in the dresses. "I love the grey, it's a perfect tie into the other dresses. Thanks for thinking of it."
Amelia lowered her voice, "It was Ava's doing really, though by accident rather than design. Though, if you don't mind, the less said the better."
"Understood.", Grissy's mother Cathy nodded. If the Drill girls were anything like her own daughter at that age accidents happened, regularly.
Speaking of Ava, she was just a few minutes behind with her sisters.
"It's the prettiest flower girls in the world." Grissy bent down to give Ava and Zara hugs. "And our beautiful bridesmaid.", she beamed at Abby who had wrapped her in an embrace.
"Happy wedding day." Abby beamed. "What do you need me to do?"
She was interrupted by a knock on the door and Maud sticking her head in. "Err, Gris, there's been a bit of a hiccup. The hairdresser just rang Fen and she's got some sort of bug and won't be able to make it."
"What?" Rather than Griselda, it was her mother who responded. "But she's going to send someone else, isn't she? We asked about this and she said she had a backup."
"She's sick too.", Maud cringed. "I rang the make-up artist and she said she's not trained in hair. I don't know, maybe the hotel can get someone? Though it's last minute."
"Well, it's not my thing either. We could use magic?" Cathy suggested, knowing full well what the answer would be.
"No." Grissy shook her head firmly. "No magic until the ceremony. I'll suppose I'll just have to do it myself." The intricate plait she had planned on may have been impossible with her limited skill set but she'd manage something.
"Mama could help. She was doing ours anyway." Abby was already getting her phone out of her bag and dialling. "Mum, is Mama with you? Cool. We need her to do some hair. I don't know, sick hairdresser or something. Will she? Okay, I'm going to drop Zee down to Fenny's room and I'll ask her what she wants. Gris, do you still want a side plait?"
"Please, with the bottom down."
It was an apprehensive Constance who approached the dressing room. She wasn't nervous about the request, she had always been good with hair and in the past six years of having children, had perfected all manner of plaits. No, it was more the thought that Griselda would be, to steal a phrase from Abby, 'freaking out' over this setback. However, she was pleasantly surprised to find the bride to be sipping a glass of Bucks Fizz while giggling with Ava and Gaby.
"Yeah, I would have expected myself to freak out as well, but that was before today came. All that matters is that Fen and I are getting married."
"An admirable attitude." Constance smiled into the mirror before getting to work. It didn't take her long, in fact, she had both Grissy and Ava's plaits done in less than fifteen minutes.
"That's why I wanted Mama to do my hair.", Ava explained as she admired herself "She's the best."
"It's perfect." Grissy gave Constance a hug. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. I'd better go tend to your future wife. Do we know what she wants?"
"A chignon," ,Abby confirmed. "She's ready for you."
"Just something simple" Fenny smiled nervously when Constance entered the room. "And low at the back so I can wrap my flowers around it."
As she worked, Constance was struck by how much more nervous Fenella was in comparison to Griselda.
"Fenny, do you want a strawberry?" Zara, whose smooth hair required no styling, held out the plate she was eating from. "They're yummy."
"No thanks Zee, you have them." She looked at Constance in the mirror. "I think I'll throw up if I eat anything. Grissy must be freaking out."
"Fen, she's fine.", Maud told her for the twentieth time. "Will someone back me up here?"
"I promise my dear, she is taking everything in her stride." Constance agreed. "When I left she was having her make-up done and enjoying the process."
"Fenny love, this is the only wedding day you're going to have." Emma Feverfew took her daughter's hands in hers and squeezed them. "Please, just relax and enjoy getting ready. And for goodness sake, have something to eat, you don't want to faint walking up the aisle do you?"
Fenella took a deep breath and gave a shaky grin. "No, I don't. And you're right. Zee, is there anything left on that tray?"
Relieved that Fenella was more relaxed and Zara wasn't going to be allowed devour an entire breakfast tray by herself, Constance quickly helped Abby separate and pin her curls before making her way back to Imogen who was getting everything organised in their suite.
"Crisis averted?" Imogen asked as she heard the their bedroom door open.
Constance tried to answer, but she found herself rather speechless at the sight of her wife, half dressed in silk stockings and a coffee coloured suspender belt complete with matching bra. Even after all this time, Imogen had the ability to take her breath away and somehow she knew that would never change.
"Just the reaction I was hoping for.", Imogen smirked as she made her way across the room.
"You are just teasing me by showing me what I cannot have." It was only an hour until they had to leave, definitely not enough time for what Constance really wanted.
"Oh, you can have it." Imogen raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not straight away but I have told the girls the only way they can stay up late is if they have a nap between the ceremony and the meal. If all goes to plan that leaves you and me with a couple of hours to ourselves to celebrate a certain anniversary."
"Then maybe I'll show you what's under my dress.", Constance whispered.
"You'd better get dressed first." Imogen gave Constance a lingering kiss. "And so should I."
"Such a waste.", Constance muttered before reluctantly turning her attention to her own hair and makeup while Imogen woke Fleur from her nap.
It didn't take too long before Imogen was the one with her mouth open. "Baby, you look incredible."
"Really?" Constance glanced down at her navy dress before patting her bun. "It's not too low cut?"
"Just low enough.", Imogen grinned. "Honestly, it's perfect. The dress, the shoes, your hair, everything."
"I could say the same about you." Constance thought Imogen's skirt and top, in a mixture of white, tan and gold was beautiful. She crouched down to face Fleur who was sat on her Mummy's hip and whispered, "Don't tell Fenella and Griselda but your Mummy is the most beautiful woman in any room."
"Don't listen to her.", Imogen told an excited Fleur. "She means your Mama."
Their admiration session was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Lily who had travelled down to the hotel with Tom and Stephen. While she put her bag in the bedroom she and Abby would share, Tom indicated to the rooms across the hallway.
"We'll just put our suits on."
"Hurry." Imogen was bouncing on her toes with excitement. "Abby text, they're ready so they're coming down while Fen and Gris have a moment with their parents,"
Within minutes her daughters were making their presence known.
"Mummy, Mama, look." Ava twirled happily down the corridor. She was in love with her dress again and combined with her pretty pink shoes, the flower crown she was wearing and bouquet she was holding, she had never felt more fairy-like in her life.
"You look beautiful Poppet. You all do." Imogen thought her heart was going to burst with pride as she saw her children. Abby looked so grown up with her expertly applied make-up and elegant dress. Ava and Zara did look exactly like little fairies, as did Fleur, in her mini version of the flower girl dresses. While she would stay with her parents during the ceremony, as far as her mentors were concerned she was their third flower girl and would be as much a part of the day as possible.
Look at my coat, it's soft like Shep and Wendy's fur." Zara hugged her faux fur jacket tightly.
"It's lovely little one." Constance adjusted the flower crown that was already slightly askew and smiled as Zara snuggled against her. "Are you ready?"
They were definitely ready, after a few pictures of course.
"I'll look after them, promise.", Abby whispered to her Mama before getting in the car that was taking them the short distance to the ceremony location, a converted barn situated just downhill from the hotel.
"We know dear but remember, we want you to enjoy yourself too." Constance kissed Abby lightly on the cheek before closing the door and waving them off.
"Come on." Tom jangled his keys. "We don't want to be late."
While this was happening, Fenella and Griselda were each having a private moment with their parents.
"This is it Fen, last chance to change your mind." George Feverfew laughed as he saw the horrified look on his daughter's face. "Joking."
"You hush." Emma blinked away tears as she took Fenny's hands again. "You know how proud we are of you. We always were but seeing you over the last few years, you've blown us away. You deserve every happiness in the world, you and Griselda both."
"Thanks, Mum, thanks, Dad." Fenella basked in the embrace of her parents. Although she had already left home it was still a bittersweet moment, almost like she was saying goodbye to a part of her past while the same time saying hello to so much more. "For everything."
Meanwhile, Griselda was having a similar moment. "I think we're ready."
"I think so." Kevin Blackwood held his arm out. "You look beautiful Gris."
"A perfect bride." Cathy dabbed at the corner of her eye while smiling shakily. "And you'll be a wonderful wife as well."
"I hope so." Grissy took a deep breath. "I've dreamed of being Fenny's wife for so long, I can't believe in less than an hour I will be."
"Well, you will.", Kevin told her as they linked arms. "So let's go and make this little family of ours a bit bigger."
As agreed the mothers had sent a text so there was no chance of either bride meeting in the reception area. Instead, they left five minutes apart with Fenny being the first to make it to the venue. There, she was greeted by Maud and Zara while Ava and Gaby waved from the other doorway.
"Do you hear that?", Fenny whispered to Maud.
"She's here." Zara was peeking through the crack in the door. "Ooooooohhhh, she looks like a princess."
"Does she?" Fenny couldn't contain her excitement any longer.
"Yep." Zara, who was feeling very affectionate, ran back and gave Fenella a hug. "And so do you."
Behind another door, a similar conversation was happening.
"Wow." Ava couldn't stop looking at Grissy. "You and Fenny both look sooooooo beautiful."
"Tell me what she looks like." Griselda was only half teasing.
"You can see for yourself." Gaby had just received the signal from Elizabeth. "It's time."
As the music started, Abby beamed with pride as her little sisters came from each side of the venue to meet in the middle. From there, they walked down the aisle, Ava stopping to take Zara's hand when she correctly thought her sister may be little nervous. She saw her mothers, their faces full of love as they watched their two young girls enchanting the guests.
It was Abby's turn next, closely followed by Maud, then Gaby. She knew she was grinning like an idiot but didn't care, as soppy as it was she was so thrilled to be involved in her friends' big day. As she walked she gave a glance to Mildred, Ruby and Jadu, then to Lily, Jamie, Sarah and Stephen who were all taking pictures as she walked past. And as she came near the top of the aisle she gave a special look to her grandparents and parents, remembering their wedding days and the excitement of being a flower girl. She took her place to the left of the altar, Ava and Zara either side of her, Maud and Gaby just behind and waited for the most important people of the day to join them.
Fenny and Grissy had debated for months on how they would walk down the aisle, including who would go first. Eventually, they had gone for the old-fashioned approach with a coin toss deciding that Grissy would go first, escorted by her parents with Fenny following just behind.
And so it was Grissy who the wedding guests saw first, glowing as she slowly walked up the aisle in her 1950's inspired tea length lace dress. On reaching the top she kissed her mother and father, handed her flowers to Gaby and tried, unsuccessfully, to calm her rapidly beating heart.
"Here she comes.", Gaby whispered as she saw Fenny start her approach.
Again, there was a gasp of appreciation as the second bride began her descent. Always one for a more simple style, Fenny had chosen perfectly. On paper, her long white dress with three-quarter sleeves could have sounded plain, but the added lace details on the cuffs and waistband along with the flowing, pleated skirt gave the dress a classic but ethereal look.
"Oh my God.", Fenny murmured as they made the final couple of steps "This is really happening."
"It is. We love you, now go get married.", George whispered, kissing his daughter's cheek and waiting for his wife to do the same before taking a step back.
"You look….." Grissy couldn't find the words.
"So do you." Fenella felt like she was in a dream, one that she was only snapped out of by Elizabeth gently clearing her throat.
"Are we ready?"
"Yes.", the girls giggled nervously.
Like Constance and Imogen, Fenella and Griselda had chosen to have one ceremony, combining both the civil and magical aspects of their joining. They had also elected to start with a poem, read by Constance and appropriately entitled 'Today I Marry My Best Friend.' It was short but set the tone perfectly for what was to come.
The formalities were quickly covered off by Elizabeth, there was no legal reasons either woman could be married and both were entering into the union willingly.
"More than willingly.", Grissy quipped, squeezing Fenny's hand just a little tighter for emphasis.
"We thought so.", Elizabeth smiled. "To take us into the next part of the ceremony, Fenella and Griselda have chosen a song that means a lot to them, and a person who means a lot to them to sing it. Imogen?"
As instructed, Imogen rose from her seat and approached the podium. As she sat down she caught Constance's eye, smiling at Fleur who was watching with curiosity from her Mama's arms. Then she picked up her guitar smiled at her friend and took a breath before starting to sing.
"Something in the way she moves."
"Thank you.", Fenny whispered over the clapping as Imogen made her way back to the seat. That had been their song since the beginning of their relationship and both had been adamant that they wanted it to be a part of their ceremony. Having someone who meant so much to them singing it had been far better than any recording and they were so grateful to Imogen for agreeing to play this part in their day.
Imogen was blushing as she sat down, although she loved singing, her inherent shyness came into play when it came to performing in front of groups of people. Still, as long as Fenny and Grissy were happy with what she had done it was worth it. And apparently, they weren't the ones who were pleased.
"That was lovely Mummy." Ava turned around and gave her mother a kiss.
"Thanks Poppet." Imogen sat back, feeling Constance softly stroking the small of her back as they held their youngest child and watched the hand binding ceremony, something that brought back amazing memories for them both.
As instructed by Davina, Fenny took Grissy's hands in hers as the silver ribbon was used to bind them together. Her whole body was shaking but not from fear, rather from the complete euphoria of being joined to the person she loved more than anyone in the world.
Satisfied that the binds were tied correctly, Davina stood next to her own wife and smiled at the brides before focusing on Mildred who rose shakily from her seat. The poem she had been given wasn't a long one and she had practised it so many time by herself and with Ben and Maud that she could recite it in her sleep. But still, she was nervous as she approached the podium. What if she fell, or tripped over the words or…?
Her worries were stopped as she caught a pair of brown eyes in the front row. Zara may have considered her very silly just a few weeks previously, in fact, she probably still did. However, she still gave her a big smile and two thumbs up which was just the encouragement Millie needed. She was word perfect, didn't trip once and as she made her way back to the seat, received a high five from her little friend for her effort.
"It's time to exchange vows.", Davina announced as Mildred sat down.
Since her bragging that she had finished her vows, Griselda had taken a step back and realised that sometimes the simple approach was the best one.
"I love you Fen. I love everything about you, your kindness, your bravery, your sense of humour, your wit, your logic, your hugs and of course the cups of tea you bring me in the morning."
Although everyone laughed at that Grissy didn't even notice, her entire focus was on Fenny. "I'll love you always, as your wife but also as your best friend and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together."
Fenella couldn't keep the smile off her face as she recited her own vows. "Well firstly, I promise to keep bringing you cups of tea as long as you promise to make your chicken soup whenever I'm sick. Deal?"
"Deal." Griselda gave a shaky grin.
"Good. Grissy, I'll always be there for you, no matter what happens. I wish I could promise you things will be perfect, but we both know things be can't that simple. What I do promise is that what we have together, we will always have. We'll be friends, partners, wives, learners, teachers, dreamers and sometimes complete fools together and I can't think of anything better."
"Neither can I."
As they squeezed their hands together, Fenella felt a whisper of an old sensation, the faintest hint of magic running through her veins. She had known to expect it, both Imogen and Tom had told her they had felt the same in their own magical ceremonies. Part of her had been worried that the reminder of what she had lost would be too much, but as she held Griselda's hands and felt the glow she knew was running through both of their bodies as they kissed, she knew nothing could have taken away from this moment.
"We now declare you wife and wife." Elizabeth beamed at them. "Congratulations."
She wasn't the only one who wanted to wish the couple well. As soon as the couple broke apart they were immediately surrounded by their family and friends.
"You're married, you're married.", Ava gasped as she jumped up and down between them.
"We are. Finally." Grissy reached down and took her flower girl's hand, keeping a safe hold on her wife's with the other. "And we're so happy that you're with us. Are you ready for some photos?"
Like her sisters, Ava was always camera ready. There were a few group photographs as well as some with just the bridal party and their parents. Then, it was time for the brides to have some photographs alone before being driven back to the hotel by their chauffeur. At least being driven back was the plan.
"We seem to have a problem." The driver grimaced as he stuck his damp head back in the car. "Gasket's gone."
While the term didn't really mean much to them, the steam coming from the bonnet was a clear indicator that all wasn't well.
"Can you phone someone?", Fenny asked.
"Phone's dead.", the driver cringed. "Don't suppose you have a mobile on you? Otherwise, I'll have to walk back up to the hotel."
"Funnily enough, seeing as it's our wedding day we didn't think we'd need them." Fenny was fast losing patience with the driver. The weather had turned, it was pouring with rain and it seemed they were missing out on their own celebration.
"For goodness sake.", she muttered as she watched the chauffeur jog carefully up the now muddy hill.
"Shhhhh." Grissy leaned over and pressed her finger to Fenny's lips. "Someone will come and get us and if it takes a little while, so what. It means I get to spend some time alone with my gorgeous wife."
"Do you think we'll ever get used to saying that?", Fenny asked as she relaxed into Grissy's embrace. "Wife I mean."
"I hope not boo. I want it to always feel special."
It took almost thirty minutes for another car to come but neither minded, the time alone had been worth it and Fenny's fears had been unfounded, all they appeared to have missed was some speculation around why they had taken so long.
"We thought you'd gone straight to your room.", Ruby teased the blushing couple.
"Or on honeymoon.", Jadu added.
"And miss all this." Grissy shook her head as she took a glass of champagne and looked around the beautifully decorated room. "No way."
While the drinks reception was happening, Ava, Zara and Fleur had been taken upstairs for a nap before dinner. A successful one by the looks of things as by the time they arrived back, they were smiling almost as widely as their mothers.
"You look pleased with yourself.", Jamie commented as he passed Constance a pre-dinner glass of wine. He and Sarah were child-free, having opted to leave the boys with his visiting family for the day and he was making the most of it
"It's a happy day.", Constance smirked into her glass. It wasn't a lie, however the event had been somewhat enhanced by what she and Imogen had been doing while the children were asleep, the illicit nature of their tryst having only added to the excitement. She cast a quick glance at her wife, who was still managing to look smug as she settled Ava and Zara into their assigned seats ready for the speeches and meal.
Both brides had been adamant that they didn't want long speeches, so it was simply a case of a few words from their parents, the reading of some cards to wish them well, including to their delight, cards from each of the Cackle's year groups. Finally, from the couple, there were some thank you words and gifts, including silver bracelets for the bridesmaids that tied into the theme of the day.
"Thank you." Abby hugged her friends after receiving her present.
"You're welcome Abs." Fenny beamed. "And we haven't forgotten our lovely flower girls either."
For Ava, Zara and Fleur there were personalised teddy bears which they loved. Any gift was always received with huge excitement and appreciation from the Drill girls and these cuddly toys, along with the framed wedding themed sketches Mildred had made for them were no exception.
Ava lined their new friends up on the table to show their parents and grandparents the pink, green and blue overalls they were wearing. "Look, they have our names and the dates on them."
"Oh, they really are lovely and you can keep them forever." , Amelia smiled before turning to whisper to Constance. "Have you decided?"
Imogen and Constance had spent quite some time discussing what to do with the girls during the evening part of the wedding. In the end they decided to see how things panned out on the day. Based on how things were going so far she nodded. "I think they can stay up. Fleur's had several naps and as we know, like Ava she can sleep through most things. And as for Ava and Zara, its likely to be far later than we normally allow them to stay up, but it's a special occasion."
"And New Year's Eve, somehow I'm fairly certain they'll still be up when the bells ring." Amelia couldn't help laughing as she watched Ava and Zara's ecstatic reactions to the first courses coming out. Fenella and Griselda had wanted to make sure the menu catered towards their younger guests as well and clearly, the tomato bruschetta and mushroom soup had been the perfect choices.
The attention to detail was carried through to the main courses, based around the couple's favourite foods.
"Not a word." Fenny pointed at Imogen as baskets of triple cooked chips with various side sauces were distributed to each table.
"Nothing from me.", Imogen called back as she dipped a chip in some truffle oil.
"I didn't think I'd be able to eat.",Grissy whispered as she sliced her steak. "I couldn't manage breakfast but I'm definitely making up for it now."
"Me too.", Fenny agreed. "Honestly, I thought I was going to be sick and Mum was trying to force feed me bacon and eggs at one point."
"Mmmm, bacon and eggs.", Grissy sighed. "I think that's what I'll order for breakfast tomorrow morning." She leaned close to whisper in Fenny's ear. "I think we'll need the energy boost, don't you?"
"As long as we're ordering that breakfast to have in bed, I'll be happy." Fenny whispered back, knowing even without the squeeze Grissy gave her leg that the answer was most certainly 'yes."
While the couple were rightly caught up with each other, they were still pleased to see their guests were having a good time. It was a relatively small wedding. They could have invited more people but both agreed on wanting to give those they were closest to a great day, rather than having big numbers just for show. As a result, they had just over forty close family members and friends spread across three tables where the conversation and laughter appeared to be flowing non-stop throughout the meal.
"You having fun?" Abby nudged Lily as they sat in the lobby once dinner was over. For her, this was turning into one of her greatest days ever and she wanted to make sure it was the same for her best friend.
"Definitely.", Lily promised. It was the first New Year she had spent without one of her parents and while it was a bit strange, she really was having a wonderful time.
Abby smiled as her family came over to join them. "Do you have to go?", she asked Jamie as he sat on the edge of her seat.
"Afraid so squirt. They might not even know we're there but we want to be with the boys as the New Year starts. And yeah, it's soppy but…."
"I understand." Abby gave him a squeezed, only letting go when Fenny and Grissy came to say goodbye.
"Thank you for having us. Hope you don't mind us leaving?" Sarah gave the couple hugs. Through Constance and Imogen she and Jamie had become very close to the girls and although they were still happily unmarried, they were delighted for their friends.
"Not at all, thank you so much for coming.", Fenny reassured her. "Give the boys a kiss from us and we'll see you soon."
As Jamie and Sarah said their goodbyes, the rest of the guests were guided back into the function room which had been transformed. As well as a dance floor there was plenty of tables and comfortable chairs with a station set up at the back where food would be distributed throughout the night.
"That's a very good idea.", Ava told Lily as they walked in hand in hand. "I'm going to be doing a lot of dancing so I might get very hungry."
"Me too.", Lily confided.
Of course, the first dance of the night had to go to Fenny and Grissy who had again, chosen a song that meant a lot to them.
"Are you ready?", the wedding co-ordinator asked. On getting a 'yes' back, she indicated to the DJ who had been hired for the night.
"Ready gorgeous?" Fenny held her hand out.
"Ready."
"What on earth?" Constance lifted her hands to her ears as the loud music pounded from the speakers.
"Shot through the heart and you're to blame."
"Sorry.", the DJ mouthed as he frantically tried to find the right song. His previous gig had been an eighties night and what with running a little late to this one, he had forgotten to double check his playlist.
Fenny and Grissy looked at each other and started to laugh. Considering everything that had gone wrong this seemed to fit perfectly, even though it wasn't exactly a 'romantic couples' song. It was however a great song to rock out to.
"Don't change it yet.", Grissy called to the DJ. "Come on then." She beckoned to the wedding party who quickly joined them.
"This is a great song.", Zara screeched at Abby as they bopped along.
"Not sure Mama thinks so."
Eventually, with the wedding co-ordinator breathing down his neck, the DJ found the right music and Fenny and Grissy got their romantic first dance.
"I love this song.", Grissy whispered as she rested her head on her wife's neck. "I think of you every time I hear it."
"Me too.", Fenny murmured back. "All of me does love all of you, you know that don't you?"
"Of course I do boo, just like I love every inch of you"
The rest of the night was spent in a blur of dancing, drinking, eating and talking to their guests. It was another reason they had gone for a smaller ceremony. They loved the fact they could spend time with their friends without feeling rushed or that anyone was being ignored. They wanted to hold onto every moment, but as they had been warned, the day went so quickly and before they knew it they were cutting the cake. Kathleen Cosie had done them proud, the silver and white cake was not only beautifully decorated, it tasted even better.
"I have to say Gris, there were a couple of occasions when I expected you to pop off today but you held back.", Maud sniggered as she, Ruby, Jadu and Millie were joined by the newlyweds for champagne and cake.
Griselda shrugged. "Really, they were only small things. As long as Fenny was there, nothing else mattered."
"We're glad you're all here too.", Fenny added.
"Of course." Grissy knew their friends understood. In fact, one of the best things about the wedding had been getting to spend time with people like Millie, Ruby and Jadu who they didn't get to see so often anymore. It was funny, looking back they had been so close to their immediate classmates when they had been in Cackle's but it was the girls in the class below who had become lifelong friends, along with Gabrielle and Abby.
"Come on, time for a Cackle's crew dance."
Apparently, the crew now included Gabrielle, Abby, Ava, Zara, Imogen, Davina, Elizabeth, Amelia and despite her initial reluctance, Constance who could never resist the pleading eyes of her wife and daughters.
As the clock crept closer to midnight, Fenella stood at the top of the room and with the help of the DJ, gathered everyone's attention. "I know it's late and a bit cold but I'd like to invite you all to join my wife and me outside."
"What?" Grissy wasn't sure what was going on. She hadn't organised anything for midnight, figuring that the countdown would be enough.
"You'll see. Everyone, follow me."
The cold wasn't a problem as the hotel had arranged plenty of heaters for their guests but still, Imogen and Constance made sure their girls were wrapped up warm as they ventured into the dark night. Fleur, who had slept through most of the music and dancing, was wide awake as she cuddled against her eldest sister and waited for what was going to happen.
"I love you gorgeous." Fenny took Grissy's two hands in hers, pulling her aside just as the countdown began.
"Ten, nine eight…" As they moved into the next year everyone exchanged hugs and kisses.
"I hope your second year with us is just as good as your first.", Abby whispered to Fleur. "Love you."
Constance and Imogen embraced their excited girls, wishing them every happiness for the year ahead, before taking a moment to exchange a kiss themselves.
"Here's to another year Sweetheart.", Imogen whispered against her wife's lips. Things had changed since their first New Year together but she wouldn't swap what they had for anything, and being able to share this moment with their girls made it extra special.
"Oooh.", Ava gasped a moment later as she saw the first firework going up in the air. "it's the Disney castle."
"Fen.", Grissy sighed with happiness as she took in the silent fireworks and the accompanying Disney music "This is perfect, just like when you proposed."
"As close as I could get anyway." Fenny was just happy her romantic gesture had worked out. "I wanted to do something really special for you."
"You did boo."
The ten-minute display captivated everyone and after it finished, most people traipsed back into the hotel to continue the party.
"We're going to leave you to it." Constance indicated to Zara who was fast asleep in her embrace, just as Ava was in her other mother's arms. Both had lasted until the final firework, then, almost like the wind-up toys their grandparents had bought them for Christmas, had simply run out of energy.
"I think we'll do the same.", Amelia told them with a hug while Tom kept Fleur warm.
"Congratulations, and happy New Year.", Imogen whispered as she kissed the girls while balancing Ava at the same time. "We wish you a world of happiness ahead."
"Thanks all for being here and for everything you've done to help us." Fenny knew their wedding wouldn't have been the same without this incredible family being such a big part of it.
"Do we have to go up as well?" Abby was hoping the night wouldn't have to end just yet for her and Lily.
"They can stay with us.", Stephen offered, earning him some serious cool uncle points in the process.
"You may stay," Constance told the excited teenagers. "But no later than 2 AM and please don't wake your sisters when you come in."
"We won't.", Abby promised, giving her mothers and sisters quick kisses before rapidly making her way back in before her Mama could change her mind.
With everyone else gone back inside, it was just Fenny and Grissy left, holding each other while staring at the stars in the night sky.
"Are you sorry it's over?" Fenny thought back to how Grissy had felt as she planned the wedding and hoped that her fears had been unfounded.
"No, I know everyone told me but it's true. Today was amazing and I wouldn't change a thing, even the little hiccups. But that's all it was a day. What we have together is so much more, and I know that's not even close to being over, in fact like the New Year, everything is just starting for us.
Without realising it, they were each thinking back to the two young teenagers who had started at Cackle's. Neither had known that on that very first day they would meet the person that within ten years they would marry, surrounded by their families and the friends and mentors that school had brought them.
And neither would have changed a single thing.
A/N. A couple of the readings/songs referenced in the chapter.
Today I Marry My Best Friend: Bertrand Russell
Something In The Way She Moves: Beatles
You Give Love A Bad Name: Bon Jovi
All Of Me: John Legend