CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"Lena, calm down," Nick tried to pacify his girlfriend as she whipped around the kitchen, cleaning everything in sight.

"It's bad enough that they're forced to sleep on an air mattress in the living room," she complained as she scrubbed the stove. "But I'm not letting your cousin and her boyfriend think I'm a deadbeat live-in girlfriend taking advantage of you."

"Of course, they won't think that." Nick tried not to laugh. "You've been getting along with their friend, Georgie, over the phone. They know about you; they know you're a good person. And last I spoke to Jessie, she said she was happy I found someone who fit into our world, so I didn't have to hide any part of myself. And she of all people understands struggling to learn to control new abilities."

Lena admitted to herself that he had a point. He had told her about how Jessie had no idea she was a Grimm or half-vampire until she was sixteen, being bombarded with her abilities from both sides of her family and learning how to handle it on her own for the most part.

Lena sighed as she finished with the stove and took her yellow rubber gloves off her hands. "And there are no food allergies or anything? I avoided using garlic on the cheesy bread."

"You really didn't have to go through so much trouble," Nick told her.

"I just want to make a good impression," Lena said. "I mean, you all sing her praises all the time. She's important to you."

"So are you," Nick pointed out, tugging on her hands until she was pressed against his chest. "They're going to love you and see how well you fit in with us."

"I hope you're right," Lena gave his cheek a kiss. "I have to get changed and remind Trubel about our guests. When are they coming?"

"Jessie texted me that they were half an hour away five minutes ago," he told her.

Lena squeaked at the short time she had and jogged upstairs to clean herself up and get ready quickly. She was just slipped on a cardigan over her blouse when she heard the doorbell ring.

"I got it!" she heard Nick call.

Lena rushed out of her room and knocked on Trubel's door. "Trubel, they're here! Come on down!"

Lena made it downstairs first to see Nick helping two teenagers get their suitcases into the living room. Jessie was a pretty girl, long dark hair, and dark eyes. Next to her was she assumed, Scott, the werewolf boyfriend. He was a bit taller than her with dark eyes, black hair, and a darker complexion. He had a kind but nervous smile as he shook Nick's hand.

"Nice to meet you in person, Scott," Nick was saying.

"Nice to meet you too," Scott said.

Nick turned to smile at her, waving her over. "This is Lena. Lena – this is Jessie and Scott."

"Hi, it's so good to meet you finally," Lena nervously shook Jessie's and Scott's hands. "I feel like I already know you, Jessie."

"Ditto, Georgie talks about you," Jessie smiled kindly.

"How was the drive?" Nick asked.

"Fine, we're used to long drives," Scott said.

"Yeah, didn't you take a spontaneous trip to Mexico?" Nick chuckled.

"A couple of them," Jessie said wryly.

Trubel finally clambered down the stairs.

"And this is Trubel," Nick said. "Trubel, this is my cousin Jessie, and her boyfriend, Scott."

"The other Grimm?" Trubel questioned blatantly. "And vampire?"

Jessie nodded slowly.

Trubel gestured to Scott. "Werewolf. But not wesen."

Scott shook his head. "Nope. Just the regular supernatural kind."

"Can I see?" Trubel asked eagerly.

"Trubel, I think we're all hungry first," Nick chided lowly.

But Scott was amused. "No, it's okay. Are you sure?"

Trubel nodded.

Scott and Jessie shared a look before they changed. Jessie's eyes glowed bright cobalt blue, while Scott's eyes glowed red and his face morphed in his wolf form, sideburns and all.

"Cool," Trubel breathed.

Lena laughed nervously, "Let's eat."

They soon sat down to dinner and dug in, talking about the weekend plans and how things were in Beacon Hills.

"They're quiet," Scott said. "Which is good."

"How are you adjusting, Trubel?" Jessie asked, conversationally.

"Now that I know I'm not crazy, I'm good," Trubel said, munching on cheese bread.

Jessie smiled. "I know what you mean. When I suddenly started getting psychic feelings, I thought I was paranoid or deluded or both."

"It took me a bit to accept changing into a werewolf too," Scott admitted.

"You were turned into one?" Trubel questioned. "You're not born with it like wesen?"

"I was bitten and turned, yeah," he said. "But not all werewolves are. Some are born werewolves."

"Like vampires can be turned, but they're mostly born," Jessie chimed in. "Grimms and wesen are always born that way. That's what separates them as parahumans, from supernatural creatures. I brought my family's bestiary, I thought you might find it interesting. My side of the Grimm line focused on supernaturals rather than wesen."

"Cool, thanks," Trubel said genuinely. "You're going to the wedding, right? Are you gonna bring sunglasses?"

"Sunglasses?" Scott asked in confusion.

"The Grimm eyes," Jessie explained to him before answering Trubel. "I don't actually need them. My eyes don't do anything when I see wesen. Or as far as we've been able to tell with Alex, Monroe, and Rosalie woging in front of me. No black. We think it might be due to my vampire side. My vampire side turns my eyes blue so, I guess they can only have one side."

"That makes things easier for you," Trubel said.

"How is Alex?" Nick asked.

Lena vaguely knew the story behind Alex. He had brought Jessie to Portland, to Nick. He came from a hunting family and knew all about supernatural creatures and wesen even if he wasn't a Grimm. While in Portland, a hexenbeist – that Jessie has since 'taken care of' – killed him. But someone working with her had stolen his body from the morgue and did something to him that ended up turning him into a sauberbiest. He didn't come forward after 'waking up' and instead tracked the hexenbeist back to Beacon Hills where Jessie and the others found out he was alive.

"He's doing well, I think," Jessie said. "He's not exactly the same, he's a bit more serious and on guard for threats. But I would have expected that."

"Is he sticking around Beacon Hills?"

"Seems that way," Scott said. "He still refuses to let anyone tell his dad and Emily that he's alive."

"That's so sad," Lena commented. "Does he say why?"

Jessie sighed and shook her head. "Not really. He never wants to talk about it. Just said that it's his decision and he doesn't want them to know if they don't have to." She paused to sip her water before facing Lena. "How are you adjusting, by the way?"

"It's a process," Lena said. "Georgie's been a god send."

"Honestly, I think helping you is the perfect distraction for her," Jessie commented.

Lena frowned. "Distraction from what?"

Jessie and Scott shared an awkward look before the werewolf answered. "Georgie's sister was trapped in the nemeton. It's this powerful tree – well now it's a stump. It gives power to supernatural beings that can tap into it. Honestly, we still don't understand how it works totally."

"That's awful, about her sister," Nick said. "Can't you find a way to… un-trap her?"

"The only way is if she does it herself, or if her unum does it," Jessie said. "But we're easing into telling him. He only just found out about supernatural things."

"Unum?" Trubel questioned.

"Soulmate," Jessie and Scott said at the same time.

"You guys have soulmates?" she gaped.

"Well, no," Jessie shook her head. "Witches do. It's a bond that's unbreakable by anything. And since Georgie feels a familial connection to Jordan, she believes that he's her sister's unum even though they haven't met yet."

Lena cleared her throat awkwardly. "Um… witches have soulmates?"

Jessie grimaced at the change in subject. "Well… yeah, I guess. We don't really understand how that works either. You can ask Georgie about it. She's with hers."

"My best friend, Stiles," Scott added. "A human. From what he's told me, it took a while for Georgie to realize that he was her unum. But they were already dating so it didn't make much of a difference other than he's able to make some of her small spells work."

"Witches have spells!?" Lena exclaimed.

Jessie chuckled. "I'll have to let Georgie know she needs to give you a crash course."

"Anyone want dessert?" Nick changed the subject.

Lena and Nick drove Jessie and Scott up to the Lodge for the rehearsal dinner. They drove in comfortable silence accompanied by soft music from the radio and parked.

Jessie excitedly got out to give Monroe and Rosalee big hugs. "I've missed you guys!"

"We missed you too," Rosalee gushed.

"And it's good to see that you're… you," Monroe said a bit awkwardly. A lull washed over them as they remembered the time Jessie spent locking herself away from her emotions to control her vampire side.

"This must be Scott!" Rosalee said to break the tension.

"Yes," she said. "Scott, this is Monroe and Rosalee." Scott shook their hands as Jessie added, "Blutbad, Fuchsbau."

Scott chuckled. "Jessie's been teaching me about wesen."

Monroe and Rosalee chuckled. "Are you guys ready to go in? We've got a rehearsal to get started."

"Of course."

They followed the couple into the lodge where everything was already set up for the ceremony, chairs and all. Monroe's parents and Hank were sitting on one side in front of Monroe, while Rosalee's mother and Bud sat on Rosalee's side to watch. They were having dinner in the lodge right after rehearsal. Jessie and Scott quickly took seats next to Hank while Nick and Lena made it up to the podium.

Nick put on his sunglasses and stood next to Monroe. Lena stood next to Rosalee, with DeEtta just behind her.

The rehearsal of the ceremony didn't take too long. Hank walked Rosalee down the aisle and retook his seat. The minister was a kind looking woman who quickly walked them through the process.

"By the power vested in me by the great state of Oregon, I now pronounce you man and wife. Et cetera, et cetera. Or, if you prefer, husband and wife. Then we go for the kiss, or, I should say, the two of you go in for the kiss..."

They all let out a little bit of a giggle at her words.

"After which I present you to the guests, and then you'll be happily married." She looked at Nick and his dark glasses curiously. "Do you plan on wearing sunglasses during the ceremony tomorrow?"

Everyone, all at once, babbled about why he needed to wear them.

"Oh. You know, I have this thing with my eyes."

"Yeah, no, he's got to wear them, 'cause it's, like, a light sensitivity issue that, if unprotected, it could..."

"Cause a sort of retinitis situation."

"He has very thin corneas. Could be really dangerous. He could go blind. They're like tissue paper."

"The doctor really wants him to keep them on, you know."

"Right, if he takes off the glasses... he could go blind and... it could cause permanent damage."

The minister surrendered, holding up her hands. "Okay, fine. He keeps the glasses. Whatever you want. So, unless anyone wants to run it again?"

Monroe and Rosalee looked at each other and shook their heads.

"No, I think we're good."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow. Enjoy your dinner," the woman big her adieu.

"Thanks."

Monroe clapped Nick's shoulder, whispering, "Don't worry. It's gonna be fine."

"Let's eat," Bart exclaimed. They all worked together to get their food and get seated at the large round table the lodge prepared for them.

Bud ended up behind Lena in line to get food. And got a little over excited. "You must be the beautiful Lena I've heard so much about!"

"I must be?" she replied with a smile.

"Bud Wurstner," he introduced himself, clumsily shaking her hand while Nick watched on in amusement. "Monroe and Rosalee told me a little about you before you got here." He frowned as if worried he'd said something wrong and rushed to correct himself. "Nothing bad! Of course, why would they say anything bad? You look like a wonderful girl. Woman! – I mean, woman."

Lena gave Nick a questioning look.

"Eisbiber," he whispered as explanation.

"Ah," Lena nodded. She turned back to Bud, who was still babbling away, not having noticed their exchange. "Bud!" Her shout startled him into attention. "It's nice to meet you too."

Bud gushed a bit more before finally taking his seat and allowing her and Nick to do the same.

The dinner was lovely of course. There was no tension. Monroe and Rosalee caught up with Jessie and got to know Scott. Gloria was fascinated with Lena's work as a midwife, as was Alice. And DeEtta drank glass after glass of wine.

When most had finished their meals, Bart cleared his throat and stood, tapping his glass with his fork to get everyone's attention. "Well, as you may know, when we first met Rosalee, we had some issues, and I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to Rosalee and my son, who, I must admit, made us see things in ways I didn't think possible. Which leads me to extend an apology to Nick, a Grimm, who taught me that this world does move in mysterious ways." Everyone softly laughed. "And finally, I want to thank my wife, Alice, who refused to leave when I really wanted to and made me face my own bullheadedness. Without her courage and love, I would've totally screwed up everything. I just want to wish Rosalee and Monroe a long, happy, and mysterious life together."

"Hear, hear," everyone cheered.

"Thanks, dad," Monroe said as everyone clinked their glasses together.

Alice stared at her husband in wonder. "Oh, did you really just say that?"

"I said it, and I meant it," he answered, kissing her.

"Before everyone puts their glasses down," Lena said, standing up next to Nick. "I just want to quickly say that… I can't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't have found Rosalee, or if she hadn't had taken some pity on me." People chuckled lightly at that. "I wouldn't have met Nick or Monroe. I would be all alone. And I can't imagine I would have been as happy as I am to have all of you in my life here." She raised her glass of white wine a bit higher, "So congratulations to Rosalee and Monroe. Here's to a fantastic wedding tomorrow and a long happy life together that you both truly deserve."

Everyone cheers to her toast as she sat down. Rosalee was a little teary and gave her a hug. As Lena pulled back, Nick put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.

Monroe and Rosalee were laughing and chatting with their family as they got to the couples' house for the night.

"Anybody want anything else before we go to sleep?" Rosalee offered the group.

"Not me. I'm beat," Bart said.

"We don't need anything," Gloria assured her daughter.

A tipsy and smiley DeEtta exclaimed, "I could use another glass of wine." The family all gave her looks, wondering if that was a good idea. "It's a special occasion. I mean, my baby sister doesn't get married every day."

"Okay, red or white?" Rosalee thawed, tugging her sister to the kitchen.

"Red!"

"All right, I'll see you all in the morning," Alice said, heading upstairs.

"Me too," Gloria followed.

"Good night, son," Bart said, about to follow the women.

But Monroe stopped him. "Hey, dad, can I talk to you for a second?"

Bart frowned. "Is there a problem?"

"No, no, not at all," Monroe assured him. "Actually, that's what I wanted to talk about. I just... Wanted to say that I thought what you said at dinner was really nice. And, you know, I really appreciate how you've come around to Rosalee and me."

Bart nodded awkwardly, a little ashamed of how he'd thought before. "It was my problem, not yours. And now that we've gotten to know her, that girl of yours is pretty special. There will always be some who won't agree, but I'm just glad I'm not one of them anymore."

"Thanks, dad."

"See you in the morning."

"Okay."

The father and son awkwardly hugged before Bart went upstairs to bed.

As they got to Nick and Lena's neighborhood, Scott started sniffing and frowning.

"What is it?" Nick asked when he caught the movement in the rearview mirror.

"I smell smoke," Scott said.

"Me too," Jessie said, rolling her window down to sniff the air.

"There's a fire alarm going off," Scott added. "I think it's coming from your house."

"What?" Nick exclaimed, speeding up until he parked outside his house and they all jumped out of the car to get in.

The smoke alarm was blaring as they rushed in, shouting for Trubel. The young woman was wacking at a stove fire with a towel, crying, "Sorry, sorry, I'm really sorry."

"I've got the windows," Lena sighed, going to open the one above the sink.

"Yeah, and the door," Nick said as he smothered the fire with the pan's cover. "Get back."

"Got it," Jessie said, opening the door. Scott went over to shut off the fire alarm.

Trubel coughed. "Sorry, I was just trying to cook something."

"No, that's okay. No harm done," Nick told her.

"I was just trying to cook something for you guys," she sighed.

"That's really nice," Lena smiled. "What were you trying to make?"

"Bacon and eggs. If it worked, I was gonna make breakfast, but..." she showed them the plate of burnt bacon crumbs. "Well, I never really got past the bacon."

"How about I teach you?" Lena offered. "Later."

"That'd be great," Trubel smiled sheepishly.

"And by the way, I need your help tomorrow. We have something important to do," Nick told her.

"What?"

"We're moving the trailer."

In the dead of night at Monroe and Rosalee's house, there was a loud thud downstairs that woke everyone up.

"What was that?" Rosalee exclaimed as she made it downstairs first.

"I don't know," Bart grumbled.

They heard groaning noises from the dining room and turned their attention to the entryway where they saw a plastered DeEtta rise from the ground. She was sloppy drunk in the middle of the night, but that wasn't the worst of it. She was also wearing the wedding dress and had ruined it. There was a deep red wine stain on the front and a giant tear in the sleeve, as well as a lot of little tears in the lace.

"Oh, my God!" Rosalee cried.

Gloria sighed disappointedly. "DeEtta."

"Rosalee, I can't let you get married in this dress," DeEtta slurred, stumbling into the living room. "I won't let you get married in it. I got married in it twice, and they both ended up in the crapper. This dress is nothing but bad luck. I'm doing you a favor." To end her drunken rant, she promptly fell to the found with a thud and passed out.

Both Nick and Lena groaned when they were woken up by the sound of Losing My Religion by R.E.M. Lena cringed as she started turning in the bed. "It's mine." She blindly reached for it and frowned when she saw Rosalee's name. She sat up in bed and answered it, "Rose, what's going on?"

Nick perked up when he heard Lena gasp at whatever Rosalee was telling her. He idly heard her say things like 'I know it's late I'm sorry' and 'emergency.' Hearing that, he assumed there was a wesen type danger and started getting dressed.

"Uh-huh, what can I do?" Lena asked Rosalee. When she caught Nick getting his jeans on, she snapped at him with her fingers to get his attention. When he looked, she mimed for him to stop. She returned to her phone call. "Yes, of course you can. I'm honored you thought of me. – I'm gonna get it out right now and hang it up, steam it down so there's no creases. I can be over first thing in the morning, and we'll fix everything. Now, breathe." She took a deep breath herself with Rosalee over the phone. "Now go back to bed. You have a big day tomorrow."

Nick crawled back into bed as she hung up and started getting out of it. "What did Rosalee want at… two in the morning?"

"Turns out, DeEtta got raging drunk and ruined Rosalee's wedding dress," she explained quietly as she went to one of her boxes in the corner of the room.

"Oh no," Nick groaned.

"Yup," she confirmed. "But, their lovely bridesmaid, kept her wedding gown." She pulled out a black garment bag and went to hang it up in the closet.

"She asked to wear yours?" Nick asked as she went to the dresser where she had wrinkle spray.

"Yep, she said she loved it when I first showed it to her. Wanted something similar. But it was tradition to wear her grandmother's dress and it meant a lot to her mother after not speaking for seven years," Lena said. She quietly unzipped the bag in order to spray down the gown as it hung. Nick didn't get a good look at it.

"Are you okay with her wearing it?" Nick asked her quietly, knowing that seeing Rosalee in her wedding dress could bring up grief over Kevin.

But Lena nodded with a soft smile. "Absolutely. I felt more than beautiful when I was wearing it. I'd love to give Rosalee that same feeling on her wedding day. It can be her something borrowed. Or even just her something old."

Nick held out his hand for her, pulling her over his lap in the bed with a smile, "You are such a strong, wonderful woman."

"It helps to be surrounded by wonderful people," she smiled back at him, giving him a lingering kiss before they went back to sleep.