A/N: See the intro for the usual stuff. Please R & R. Consider it charity work.
This is complete and total fluff. Nothing very heavy in here. This is my Halloween treat for you all. Enjoy and don't call me if you go into sugar shock.
Hiatus warning: okay, Normally I don't give any warning, but this is planned. I'm participating in NaNoWriMo in November and all my writing will be focused on that for the next month. Back in December.
Tess rolled her eyes at Bette and Stephanie dancing around the suite as she sipped her water. It was obvious by their antics that they had enjoyed the complementary champagne even if Tess couldn't. Tess' phone rang. Bette snatched it from the table before Tess reached for it. She glanced at the display before flipping it open.
Tess grabbed at the phone, but Bette danced away. "Bette, just give it to me."
Bette stuck her tongue out at Tess. "Ya can't leave her alone for jus' one night?"
"Bette, put her on the phone," grumbled Don.
"I'm sorry, your bride-to-be is resting. Enjoying her last night of freedom before she's stuck with you."
"Bette!" protested Tess, reaching for the phone. Bette moved away again.
"I need to talk to Tess," growled Don.
"No can do, Don. We are here to be without you. So, no contact." Bette waved her glass for emphasis. Tess grabbed the phone. "Hey!"
Tess ignored her, went into one of the rooms and locked the door. "Hello. I'm sorry about that."
"Not yer fault. Having fun?"
"Mm. I've gotten a very nice message, facial, had to skip the aromatherapy bath. Too warm for baby and me."
"Oh yeah. That sounds like a blast," said Don flatly.
Tess chucked at Don's tone. "Really, it was." She sighed. "The massage felt so good."
"I'm glad, Sweetheart. You deserve to be pampered a little."
"You didn't just call to see how I was did you?"
"No, I can't find…"
"That's because I packed it already."
"How did you know what I was asking for?"
"Because I realized on the way here packing your shaver wasn't the best idea. Not unless I wanted a groom with a day's growth."
Don chuckled. "Want me clean-shaven?"
"Yes! And please make sure Danny is too. None of his usual."
"What am I supposed ta do? Hold him down?"
"If you have to." Someone started pounding on the door. Tess ignored them.
"Tell Donny ta git off the phone, Tess. He monopolizes you enough!"
"I have to go. The natives are getting restless. One or both of your sisters just showed up."
"God," moaned Don. "Please promise me ya won't trash the hotel. I don't want ta haveta bail ya out."
"I won't, Mom."
"Ha ha. Seriously, Tess."
"I promise I won't. I'll see you tomorrow at four."
"I'll be the one at the front of the church in the tux."
"I think there are three of you. How will I know which is the right one?"
"I'm the good lookin' one."
"Hmmm. I think that might be debated by some people."
"Ya might be able ta say that about yer brother, but I know I'm better lookin' than Danny." The pounding started again.
"Tell Donny I'm sending Mike over ta confiscate his cell phone."
"Your sister is threatening again. I really have to go. I love you and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Love ya too, Sweetheart."
Tess clicked the phone shut and opened the door. Stephanie grabbed her phone and turned it off. Bette drug her out into the room.
"What if Dad is trying to get a hold of me?" called Tess over her shoulder.
"He can call my phone."
"Come dance," begged Bette.
"Don said not to trash the place or manage to get arrested."
"My baby brother is a worry-wart."
Tess just smiled and shook her head as she joined in the dancing.
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Danny tugged at the collar of his tux shirt. Don glared at him in the mirror. Danny glared back
"What?"
"Quit yankin' on yer shirt, Messer. You look bad enough as it is without gittin' all full of wrinkles."
"Sorry that my almost gittin' killed's interferin' wit yer weddin', Flack," countered Danny sarcastically waving his wrapped hand. He tugged at the shirt again. "I think they gave me the wrong size."
"As soon as we're done takin' pictures you can unbutton it. Can ya suffer that long?"
"Yer lucky I like Tess and don't want ta upset her," said Danny finally dropping his hand. He rocked his head back and forth. "This cinches it. I ain't havin' no fancy church weddin'."
Tess' brother Adam stepped up to the mirror and smoothed out his vest front. "We don't get that choice."
"Ain't nobody talkin' me into one of these again," grumbled Danny, fiddling with his deep red tie.
"I didn't know ya hand anyone askin', Messer," teased Don.
Danny rounded on him and stepped close. "Flack, ya know, if it wasn't yer weddin' I'd wipe that smirk off yer face. I'm sick of seein' it."
"Jealous, Danny?" Don's smile widened.
Danny sobered slightly and then grinned back. "I just may be. So ya ready?"
"He'd better be," grumbled Adam.
"Hey. Can ya stop the over-protective older brother routine now?" asked Don.
Adam chuckled. "Seeing you with yer sisters I think you know the answer to that."
"I'm glad yer in Boston then. Too bad it's Stephanie in Washington."
Adam scowled. "I promised Tess I wouldn't hit you again."
"He hit ya?" asked Danny looking between the two men.
"He didn't try very hard to stop me," admitted Adam. "He was playing the martyr."
"I jus' let ya ta git it over with," growled Don.
"Whatever. I promised Tess never again. Although, if you give me a good enough reason..."
"Cut it out. Geeze, Flack. I think I liked ya better all goofy. Now, unless we're tryin' for a matched set, you two had better lay off."
"Oh, I see how this is. Yer allowed to threaten me, but not Tess' brother."
"I got dibs. I've known ya longer." Don rolled his eyes at Danny. Adam just shook his head.
A knock sounded. "Guys. Time to git up there." Don looked in the mirror one more time. He smoothed his hair and ran his hands down his vest and jacket. He caught Danny grinning at him out of the corner of his eye.
"What?" he groused.
"Ya look like a kid at Christmas."
"I'm a very lucky man, Danny. Very lucky." He headed up to the church with the other two men trooping after him.
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"Last chance. Ya can still run, Tessie." Bette bustled around Tess straightening her dress and veil.
Tess glared at her. "Give it a rest, Bette."
Stephanie wrapped her arm around Bette's shoulders. "We gave it our best, Bette. Tessie's just too stubborn." Tess stuck her tongue out at Stephanie.
"You just wait, Stephie."
"You're gonna have a kid to deal with. You won't be able to pull anything over on me."
"Is that a dare, big sister?"
Stephanie flashed a superior smile. "Double dog."
"Watch your back then," countered Tess. The door to the narthex opened and Tess tried to get a peek around to see Don as her father snuck through.
"He's there waiting patiently," he father chuckled. Jozef's eyes were a little damp as he looked at Tess. "You are so beautiful, Mezem. Your mother would have been so proud." Tess glanced down slightly. Jozef raised her face with a finger under her chin. "Of everything." He kissed both her cheeks and settled the blusher over her face. Tess gave him a watery smile and a quick hug.
"I love you, Daddy."
Jozef chuckled again. "You aren't getting rid of me, Teresa."
Tess took the round bouquet of deep red roses from Bette with a nervous smile. Bette grinned at her.
"Now yer getting cold feet," she teased, waving her smaller cream-colored rose bouquet. Tess glowered at her. Bette laughed quietly as she lined herself up behind Stephanie. Tess concentrated on their backs.
Red and cream, red and cream, cream and red. Tess recited the colors of their dresses and flowers like a mantra in an effort to calm her nerves. The doors to the sanctuary opened and the butterflies in Tess' stomach went into overdrive. Bette and Stephanie slowly made their way down the aisle to the front of the sanctuary. Not for the first time Tess wondered why there wasn't some short cut. After the two women arranged themselves across from the men, the music changed to the Prince of Denmark's March and everyone stood and turned. Tess took as hesitant step forward. Tears threatened to spill over. Tess took a deep breath afraid she would either burst into full blown tears or get sick. That would certainly make this a memorable occasion. She was very grateful for her father's support as she moved forward.
Don watched Tess take a shaky step forward. Come on, Sweetheart. You can do it. He watched Tess and her father make their way towards him. He grinned as he watched Tess' dress swing like a bell as she walked down the aisle. He knew she had made her stole, not finding anything she liked in the stores. As the aisle straightened he finally saw her fully. His grin threatened to split his face. Absolutely beautiful. Lucky, luck man. He could barely notice the bump under her dress. The creamy color made her skin glow. He could see roses tucked in her upswept hair. How did someone manage to get that all piled up there. What in God's name is keeping it there?
Tess had finally slowed her breathing and was feeling less queasy when she hit the mid-point of the procession. She had kept her eyes glued on Don since entering, but at this point she could finally see him relatively clearly. Her mouth went dry. How did I ever catch this man? Don had refused to give her the details of what his tux looked like, which had worried her. She shouldn't have worried. Can a man be called beautiful? Handsome…devastatingly…heartbreakingly... handsome. His black tux fit perfectly. The jacket ending at mid thigh and the faint chalk stripe make him look taller. The black vest and tie was elegant. Tess' lips twitched. I never thought I'd see him with a plain black tie. And it's not a bow tie. I wonder if I can get him to dress like that again. Maybe we should look into buying that tux. Tess caught his eyes and her heart nearly stopped. She felt her father's hand tighten on her elbow again as she released a ragged breath. She noticed Don's grin widen slightly and she fought off the urge to giggle.
Tess and her father finally reached the front of the church. Tess gave Don one more dazzling smile before turning to her father. Jozef carefully lifted Tess' veil and brushed it back. He took both her hands and squeezed them. Tess felt the tears spill over as her father kissed both her cheeks. It didn't help that she could hear Stephanie sniffling in the background. She felt Don approach her. Jozef gave her hands one more squeeze, then turned her and place one of her hands into Don's. Tess turned from her father and looked at Don. She tried to give him a reassuring smile to wipe the concern from his eyes. Don gave a slight nod and led her up to the altar. Tess looked at her uncle, waiting to marry them. Before he let go of her hand to take his place, Don pulled Tess close and leaned down to her ear.
"I see ya decided white was a little outta line." Tess' eyes flew to his in shock. She blinked hard and broke into a broad smile. Don squeezed her hand and stepped away. Her uncle gave her a disapproving look. Tess blushed slightly and tried for a more serious face.
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Don slid the key card through the lock. Tess was about to pass him, when he blocked her path with an arm. Tess looked at him. As she stared, realization dawned on her. She shook her head.
"No. You're going to kill your back."
Don frowned. "You aren't that heavy. And it's tradition." Tess rolled her eyes. Don bent and swept her up, keeping the door ajar with his hip. He grunted slightly.
"I warned you," teased Tess. Don just scowled. He bounced her once to distribute the weight properly. Don carried Tess into the hotel room and dropped her on the bed. Tess just lay there staring up at the ceiling. Don flopped down beside her and loosened his tie.
"How are you feeling?" he asked not shifting from his back.
"Tired. Very tired."
"I hear ya, Sweetheart." Don tugged Tess toward him. She shifted so that her head was plowed on his shoulder. "I suppose I've gotta help ya escape from yer dress."
Tess groaned slightly, slid off the bed and stood up. "Even if I wasn't six and a half months pregnant, I would need some help getting out of this. You can help hunt for hairpins too."
"Hmm. I was wonderin' how that all stayed up." Don didn't move. Tess looked down at him. Don propped himself up on an elbow. "That means I gotta get up."
"Unless you've developed Jedi Powers. Yes, it does." Tess turned her back to Don. "The sooner you get me out of this…"
Don stood up and kissed her bare shoulder. "The sooner we get to sleep." He unzipped Tess dress.
"You're that exhausted?" she grinned over her shoulder. Tess let the dress drop and stepped out of the puddle.
Don tugged her into his arms, her back to him. He caught her eyes in the mirror. "I'm more worried about you being too tired." He rested his hands on her belly. Tess shook her head and placed her hands over his. "Tell ya what. Let's get ready for bed and we'll see how things go." Tess nodded again, turned and kissed Don. The kiss deepened and Tess smiled wickedly at Don as he broke the kiss off.
"Whatever you say, Mr. Flack."
Don grinned down at her. "Hm. If I'd known marriage was gonna make ya so submissive, I'd have done it sooner, Mrs. Flack."
"Submissive? In your dreams."
Don chuckled. "OK, maybe that was over the top." He gave Tess a quick kiss. "Any way you think, I'm feeling a little over dressed." He undid his tie, gave Tess another quick kiss. "You are too."
Tess kissed him. "I'll join you in a minute. You child is squishing bits of my innards."
"Oh, that's sexy," said Don sarcastically.
"Welcome to our life."
Don smiled broadly. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."
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