I do not own any characters, plots, or anything else pertaining to "Outlander". This chapter will be from Bree's P.O.V. and will jump ahead to the night before the wedding at the Rehearsal Dinner. As always, thanks for following/favoriting and commenting.
Chapter 21
Grateful
Bree takes a seat next to her husband to be at the head table. Her eyes scan the room at the scene around her and she's in awe at how amazing everything looks. Bree smiles when she spots her mama, who single handedly, made this night happen. She hadn't anticipated how wonderful a Rehearsal Dinner like this would be. Her family and friends gathered together to celebrate her upcoming wedding to the man she loves, the only man she's ever loved. Bree turns to look at her future husband and can't help but be grateful to fate for bringing them together.
She slips her hand in his on the table and he turns to her with a smile. "Are ye okay with all this?" Bree smiles at him and nods. "Everything's perfect. Remind me to let my mama plan events for me more often." Roger chuckles and squeezes her hand in his. "If ye listen to me after we're married." It's her turn to laugh. "Don't worry Roger, my stubborn streak will calm after marriage." A chuckle sounds in her ears and she turns to see her da coming towards them. "Dinna go listenin to her lad. I went thinkin the same n Claire's fiery temper went blazin on. Ye canna go trustin these lasses cause their a wee bit too independent." Bree shakes her head, just as Roger gives out another chuckle. "Many thanks to ye for your sage advice." Her da is right in the notion that her and her mama are independent. Ever since she was a little girl, her mama has encouraged her to be an independent thinker and fight for her beliefs. Bree has always been grateful to her mama for teaching her to be her own woman, it's made her into the strong person she is today. "So, your taking advice from an 18th century Highlander about marriage now?" Roger gives her a nod. "Aye, yer father knows how to handle you Fraser women." Bree gives him a deflated nod, knowing that he has a point.
She has never seen two people with more understanding of each other than her parents. They are completely in-sync and know each other in every conceivable way. Bree gives her da a smile. "I guess I should listen to you, considering how long you and mama have been married." He gives her a nod, love showing within his eyes. "Aye, ye mother is a special woman. I coulda go on livin without her again." Bree gives him an understanding nod, knowing how hard their separation had been. She had listened to her mama go through every detail of their time together, every triumph and failure, and it had broken her heart. Bree could hear the pain in her mama's voice as she talked about the father she had never met, the man that she had missed terribly, and loved with her whole heart.
Bree takes her freehand and grabs her father's hand. He looks down at her and gives her a smile. "I know how much you and mama missed each other, but we're together now." Her da gives her a nod. "Aye, n I canna wait til I go givin ye away tomorrow." Bree gives him a small smile. "I can't wait either, da. I'm so happy you and mama can share the day with me." She watches as her da's smile widens. "I love ye." Bree's heart warms at her da's touching words. "I love you too, da." Suddenly, her mama's voice rings through the air and Bree's attention snaps to her mama standing behind the large podium with a microphone in her hands. "Good evening, I'm the mother of the bride and I'm honored to be here to celebrate Brianna's upcoming nuptials. I could never have envisioned a better man for my daughter to marry and I'm sure her father would have been in approval of Roger as well." Bree's heart aches at the mention of her father, whom she wishes was here right now. Her perfect dream would be both her fathers walking her down the aisle, but she knows that's impossible now.
Bree feels tears begin to fill her eyes, as a wave of emotions wash over her. After a few moments, her mama manages to catch her gaze, tears glistening within her own eyes. Her mama picks up a champagne flute and raises it. "So, here's to my beautiful daughter's wedding, and to those that are present to celebrate with us and those who are here in spirit." Everyone picks up their own champagne flutes and they salute their upcoming marriage. Despite her tears, she can't help but smile at all the celebration.
Bree feels a hand touch her shoulder and she turns to see her da standing behind her. "Are ye okay, Breeh?" She gives him a nod. "As okay as I'm going to be. I know my father would want me to be happy." Her da gives her a nod in understanding. "Aye, as do I." Bree smiles at her da. "Thank you for being here, da." He gives her a smirk. "Always." Her da reaches out his arms and she gets up to embrace him for a few moments. "What happened here?" Bree releases her da and turns her attention to her mama. "I was just thanking da for being here for me." Bree makes her way over to her mama and gives her a smile. "I also want to thank you for such a special night." She gives her mama a hug and knows she'll remember this night forever. Most importantly, she'll remember how grateful she is for all her parents, how grateful she is for family.