I can't express how much I have loved making this series so far and writing this chapter felt like a milestone. Writing this series my writing has improved and so has my creativity. I can't wait to share with all of you the rest of this crazy, baby filled love story and know that this isn't even the beginning of it all.
"Mary I think that's enough blush," Claire said, face practically covered with powdery blush, her friend had been adding to for the past few hours. She'd never been to a wedding, well besides one but she was nine and didn't remember much, but she had no idea how long getting ready took. Originally she planned an easy morning and an hour or so before the wedding she'd get her dress on. But nope. From the moment she'd woken up with Cassidy, she'd been pushed off to the upstairs where she, her bridesmaids, mom, and Barbara had been getting ready since.
Mary ignored the bride's command and continued adding blush, stepping back to make sure it was enough." Hush you, it's your wedding, you have to look perfect." she stated, smiling at how her makeup look had come out."Perfect, now for the lip."
"I can do the lipstick!" Claire said, the germaphobic side of her, wanting Mary to get her hands off of her. She reached out for the lipstick but Mary stepped back, shaking her head, low bun shaking as she did so.
"Nope," she said, opening the lipstick that was a light maroon and grabbing Claire by the cheek so she'd stay still."I have makeup experience you don't. Trust me Claire bear, you'll look amazing when I'm done."
Claire ignored the insult that she couldn't do makeup and opened her mouth wide she Mary could apply the lipstick. Her hand reached to her pajama shirt and she gently rubbed her small baby bump. It was strange to be showing so early since with Cassidy she didn't show for a while, but then again, it is normal to show earlier in a second pregnancy, especially when she never got the chance to get back to her normal body shape and weight after Cassidy.
Mary took a step back, looking over her masterpiece."Ahh, it's perfect!" she squealed clapping her hands together.
"It is!" Ophelia exclaimed, entering the bedroom, dressed in a classic mother of the bride dress. A dark turquoise dress, ending just below her knees, a straight neckline, and t-shirt length sleeves. Claire had seen her mother wear the dress a million times since it was her event dress she wore to all work events."Oh Claire you look beautiful,"
Standing up, Claire finally got a look at herself in the mirror." Wow," was what let her mouth, amazed by what Mary, Darcy, her mother, and mother in law had done in just a few hours. Her hair was curled to have a slight wave and two front pieces had been braided and connected in the back in a pony. The light lavender eyeshadow along with the blush and maroon lipstick was perfect and would compliment her dress indefinitely."It looks incredible."
Mary grinned, crossing her arms." What did I say?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
Claire rolled her eyes and turned to her very needy friend."You were right," she mocked, continuing to look herself over in the mirror, simply amazed she could look so beautiful.
"Our flower princess is ready," Darcy said at the door to the room. She was holding both of Cassidy's tiny hands as she walked into the room(depending almost entirely on Darcy though). She was dressed in a rose gold dress, that had frills, bows, lace, and more, all woven into a dress for a baby. She was wearing a headband of the same color with three fake fabric flowers, the center one larger than the other two.
Cassidy smiled, making Darcy move quicker when the baby spotted Claire." Muma," she squealed, reaching her arms up to Claire. Leaning over, Claire thanked the fact she was still able to, aware that in just a few months it would be near impossible.
"Oh Cassie sweetie, you look so pretty," she said in her high pitched baby voice, adoring the dress Barbara had selected for the wedding. She still found it hilarious that the most expensive thing purchased for their wedding were the outfits. Her dress alone was an eBay find and had only been just over thirty. They took care of all the food, cooking up normal wedding foods a day ahead and there was no venue cost since it was just Barbara's backyard.
"Fyy," she said, throwing both her hands out and laughing. Claire laughed but immediately turned to her friend's for some answer.
"I was teaching her that she has to throw flowers," Darcy explained, pulling the bag with Claire's dress in it from the closet it had been hiding in for the past week.
"Oh," Claire said, proud of her little girl."Good job baby. The flower girl throws the flowers."
"Bee," Cassidy said tapping Claire's torso." Bee Bee," she said again, this time pointing at her stomach.
"That's right, the baby is mommy's belly," Claire said, moving Cassidy onto her waist so her little girl could touch her stomach. Cassidy tapped Claire's small bump twice, laughing with her eyes almost entirely closed. After laughing she made a quick arm twitch that Claire had noticed she'd been doing a lot recently, but didn't question it since she only did it when happy.
"Okay, it's time for mommy to get ready," Darcy said, stealing Cassidy back."What do you say we go make sure your daddy and uncle Toby are all pretty?" Cassidy squealed hearing the mention of Jim, causing all the women to laugh as Darcy hurried downstairs, pulling Cassidy's thank behind her, to go check on the boys.
"You need to use the bathroom before the dress?" Barbara asked, unzipping the bag.
"No, I just did, I think we should be good," she said, feeling the same shock she did when she first saw the dress. It was floor-length and frilled out slightly. It had a sweetheart neckline and the entire bodice was covered with embroidered purple flowers that separated as the skirt began. Sinching the waist was a purple ribbon that didn't match the flowers. Barbara had to tie loosely to allow room for her protruding stomach. She chose to wear white flats since it was a more casual wedding and her feet were already quite swollen, making heels already hard to deal with. As her mother latched a grey necklace with a small white faux pearl charm, she could hear light chatter down below. This caused butterflies to fly around the baby in her stomach, making her feel queasy.
"Nervous?" Ophelia asked, running her hands through her daughter's wavy hair. Claire muttered a yes, trying to focus on breathing so she wouldn't puke."It's normal, I was a mess on mine and your father's wedding day, though he was worse."
Claire laughed, wondering how Jim was doing."True, knowing Jim more than a few tears will be shed." she paused, shifting forward as the want to puke built inside of her.
"Okay, we're almost ready," Barbara said, smiling when she saw her son's soon to be wife."You look gorgeous."
Claire smiled, standing up slowly, gripping the dresser." Thank you. Uh... is the feeling of puke normal?" she asked, hoping it was just nerves and not actual puke.
"Yes," Barbara said, quickly turning towards her doctor's side." But it could also be nausea. Do you think you need to or just nerves?" she asked, ready if needed to grab the trash bin beside the bed.
Biting her lip and inhaling deeply, she exhaled, a smile appearing on her face and color returning to her." Just nerves," from below she could hear people working their way outside. In under an hour she'd be Claire Maria Lake. In under an hour she'd be married to the man she loved.
. . .
"How the hell..." Jim complained, struggling greatly to get his tie into place. He was dressed in a white dress shirt with deep blue dress pants and a matching deep blue blazer. His tie was the same blue and would not fit in his suit. Finally, after at least five attempts, he managed to get it in.
"You got," Toby said, holding two thumbs up in his friend's face. But instead of getting a laugh to smile, Jim seemed to not even notice it and just sat down on the couch where he started putting on his shoes. Leaning against the couch, he frowned towards his frown." Think about your dad?"
Jim was shocked to hear such a random but spot-on guess."How-how did you..."
"I think about it too," Toby said, tugging his friend's shoulder down so he sat down."I mean, our situations are entirely different but you always picture your dad there to help you on your big day, even if you don't really try to."
"I'm sorry," he sighed." I don't want my dad here but you do or will one your wedding day. It's not right of me to complain."
"Jimbo you're not complaining. And don't worry you'll have to console me on my wedding day plenty so there no reason to feel bad about wanting to talk about it." Toby said, flushing for a moment at the thought of him and Darcy being married one day, but quickly regained color so he could help his friend currently getting married."You can talk to me, Jimbo. We're the closest thing either of us has to a brother so as your brother, talk to me, dude."
Jim laughed, patting his friend on the back. With all the stress overwhelming him, he could always rely on his best friend and brother for a laugh even if it revolved around a sensitive topic, especially considering he'd seen his father for the first time in over a decade."Thanks, and ya I never pictured him being here. I mean, for the few wedding I've been to, they never mention the father, it's always the bride and her dad, never the groom and his dad. But, though this isn't a formal wedding, it still feels weird, him not being here. I never had a dad and neither did you, to talk to us about all this, girls and life. I almost wish he was here."
"Of course. I always miss my mom and dad, though I never knew them, but a thing like my wedding day and an event like that will always be extra hard and make me want them more." Toby said, still wondering where he'd be if his mom and dad were still alive. Would he be sitting there, on that couch, beside his best friend who was getting married? Probably not.
"Exactly," Jim said, leaning back and tugging on his poorly combed hair. He didn't want to feel stressed since that day was the day he was marrying Claire Nunez, the girl he'd loved since sixth grade. But he couldn't help but be as he waited anxiously to see her walk across the yard, holding her father's hand, preparing to marry him.
"Okay you can be upset but don't ruin your already disastrous hair," Toby commanded, forcing him to sit up and flatting his hair with his hand. Like Picasso, he leaned back, holding his hands up as he was an artist, setting up proportions before starting a piece.
"Okay quite it," he chuckled, shooing his friend's hands away. He stood up, looking down at himself, trying to make out if he looked okay." So. whatcha think," he said, turning around on his heels and holding his arms out."Wedding presentable?"
Toby continued to walk around him even after he stopped spinning, looking over the groom as if he were inspecting a new geode."Eh, from all the Say Yes To The Dress I've watched, I know Randy would not agree with this nad Lori would call this a wedding disaster but hey, for the TrollHunter you're alright."
Jim rolled his eyes, punching his friend in the arm." Yes yes, we all know you're an expert on all TLC shows but seriously?"
"Jim, you look great," he said genuinely, wiping a piece of couch lint off his jacket."Just don't let Cassie vomit on you and you'll be good."
"Please if I have to worried about anyone puking on me, it's Claire," he wondered how she doing. He hadn't seen her all day since the second he woke, he was sent to the first floor and Claire wasn't allowed to leave the second level. He hadn't heard the loud and obnoxious sound of her vomiting but could guess Estelle was beating her up from the inside.
"Number Two's still killing her?" he asked, listening to the loud rustling from above."What the hell are they doing? Redecorating?"
Jim laughed."Probably getting Claire ready, they were insane his morning. But ya, it's been killing her. Mood swings, surprisingly haven't been bad but the vomit hasn't stopped and her back and feet have been killing her."
"God I don't wanna imagine what Darcy will be like," Toby complained.
"Oh," Jim smiled slyly." So you guys are trying. I thought you said you didn't want to be like us?"
"I did, and we still stand by that," Toby said, finger up like he were the President giving an important declaration.
"I second that," Darcy said, walking down the stairs. Jim's heart melted seeing his little girl, all dolled up.
"Oh Cass," he said, fixing her dress as Darcy handed him over."By far the prettiest flower girl I've ever seen." Cassidy didn't look at him but instead, her attention drifted to the running fan, entranced by the moving object."Hey, I'm talking to you, missy," the girl continued to stare at the fan, breathe quickening in excitement as she watched it. She made the quick arm motions again, excited by the continuous motion of it."Really like that fan huh?" Jim asked, staring into her blue eyes, focused on nothing but the fan.
"Okay, Claire's ready," Barbara announced, joining them in the living room.
"We're good here," Jim said, moving to face his mother, watching as Cassidy's eyes still refused to leave the fan.
"I'll take her," Darcy said, quickly taking Cassidy without a second thought." Ready to do as I taught you?" she asked, handing the baby one of the flower petals. Cassidy finally changed her gaze from the fan to the flowers. Grabbing it, she looked it over for a moment before throwing it."Good girl. We're ready," Darcy said to Barbara.
Barbara nodded."Javier and Ophelia are already up with Claire and Toby can you make sure everyone's seated?"
"Will do Dr. L," Toby said, pulling down the cuffs of his shirt. He looked over himself and grinned, pleased with the look he'd put together in just a few short weeks.
All alone, Barbara stopped Jim before he could walk towards the back door."Mom," Jim said, looking her in the eye."I have to go,"
"Oh shush," she silenced him, fixing his hair and tie.
Jim frowned, unused to seeing his mother like this."Mom are you..."
"You always picture your child getting married, and you also fear that day because they're not yours anymore." Barbara sniffed, looking away from her son for a moment before continuing to fix his hair."Not at eighteen though," Jim laughed, but quickly realized she was actually emotional."You've grown up so fast. At least when the baby was born you were still her debut now you're moving across the country, getting married, already a father, and having another. Your not my little boy anymore," she said, looking straight ahead and only growing more emotional." and you're almost as tall as me."
It was strange to have to comfort his own mother, but she was right that he was older, and he did need the practice for when his own two daughters got older. Rubbing his mother's back, Jim choked back his own tears realizing he wasn't sure how long it would be after they moved that he'd see her again. Yes, it wouldn't be years and probably before Estelle came but going from seeing that person every day for eighteen years to not seeing them for a long period of time is a difficult task."It'll be okay mom,"
"You're just so young." she cried, wiping away her tears, trying to keep from her mascara starting to run."Oh god, I'm a mess,"
"No your not," Jim said," Beleive me, I've got toby stocked with tissues,"
"Hah," she snorted, continuing to wipe tears and snot."Okay I'm good. Are you ready?" she asked her uncertain son. He wasn't uncertain about whether or not to marry her, oh he was marrying her, but the uncertainty came from a deeper source remembering that just three years ago, Claire didn't know his name and now they were getting married.
"Ya, I'm ready," he'd been ready his entire life for that day.
Modest was an overstatement. The backyard looked basically normal except for the white fold-out chairs and the placed flower petals that outlined the walkway. Everyone was dressed up in some way, let it be over casual or under fancy, they picked. The 20 or so people filled all the seats and sat patiently, with Jim sweating out of his dress shirt, waiting for her. Everyone awwed when Darcy who could be considered one of Claire's bridesmaids, walked out with Cassidy.
"Throw Cassie," she whispered to the baby who looked at her before remembering the rose petal in her hand. With a sinched smile, she threw the rose petal which landed on a part of the grass that wasn't on the path. Still, the crowd put together a brief cheer for the flower girl.
"Da," Cassidy whined as Darcy and her passed Jim. Jim laughed, taking his little girl for a moment, kissing her sweet cheek and getting lost in her eyes. She appeared content in his arms and gave a quiet fuss when Darcy took her back but Jim didn't notice, he was watching intently as Mary stepped out and he knew that Claire was next. They didn't have any live music, just classical music being projected from Barbara's phone that was hooked up to the blue tooth. But like a band, the song switched the second she stepped out of the kitchen.
Holding both her parent's hands, Claire wore the brightest smile he'd only seen on their daughter. She looked flawless, hair falling perfectly, makeup adding just ht spark to make the old, slightly worn dress pop. Her arm looped around her mother's reach forward, holding the under part of her small ump that was nearly invisible in the dress.
It was seeing her that made him forget about the stress drowning him the worries of the future, the fears of the present. That was going to be one of those moments, one of those seconds he'd remember for the rest of his life.
Though a quite modest and casual wedding, it followed all the normal formalities all weddings do. He shook hands with both Javier and Ophelia, stunned they were even letting him near their daughter let alone marrying her. Hen and Claire then took hands, both staring at one another with goofy teenage smiles, both still comprehending what was happening. The vows alone were a blur, the standard boring vows almost everyone said, but they sped by as the two stared at one another and the rest of the world seemed to disappear. Before he knew it, he was being asked by his step-father(not his first choice for the efficient, but Bliny had to worry about the Market) was asking him if he wanted to marry her? If he was willing to love her for all eternity?
"I do."
"I do."
The two simple words, cementing everything. They could barely hear the loud claps of their friends and families, and cries from their overwhelmed daughter. All they could see was one another as they leaned close, holding one another in a loving embrace. Feeling they'd surpassed the normal time, Jim pulled away reluctantly, heads touching as he held her by her blushing cheek, staring into her chestnut eyes." I love you, Mrs. Lake," he said, already positive the name would never grow old.
Claire smiled, wiping one of the many tears from his cheeks." I love you too, Mr. Lake,"
Hands laced tightly, they turned to the cheering group of their family and friends. Claire rested her head on his shoulder as they laughed, overwhelmed with joy and love. Nothing could ruin that moment, not even Cassidy who was balling her eyes out, not from joy like Toby, and both their parents. Jim and Claire graciously took Cassidy, happy she was able to be apart of that moment. Held by both her parents, Cassidy quickly calmed down.
"Happy?" Jim asked, receiving no form or scoff from Claire, just the same smile he'd fallen in love with.
She turned her head up to him, eyes reading, really?"Is that a question?"
"No," he answered, voice a bit pitchy from the nerves that had been building up throughout the day, then crashed down in a second, replaced by pure joy. He kissed the crown of Cassidy's head before sharing another passionate kiss with his... wife.
That's when the flood of congrats swarmed the family of three(technically four), overwhelming and causing Cassidy to cry again while making Jim and Claire start laughing again.
. . .
"Care to dance?" Jim asked, trying to sound all romantic but it only came out as one of Toby's stupid Randy impressions.
Claire shook her head, leaning back in her chair and trying to relax." No way, I wouldn't be surprised if my feet have to amputated," she complained after a long few hours, dancing whilst pregnant. The party had died down and some people were starting to leave, and with the being only around 20 people, Jim could predict the reception would soon be over. He was fine with that, they'd danced, ate, cut a cake he'd baked earlier that morning.
"I'm pooped too," Toby complained, lying on the literal grass, almost guaranteeing grass stains.
Jim laughed at first but grew worried when he remembered the last person he saw holding Cassidy, had been Toby. Guessing darcy had her, he grew even more worried when Darcy was seated beside Mary, neither of which holding a baby."Tobes, where's Cass?"
Opening a tired eye, Toby took a long second to think, physically and mentally exhausted."Pretty sure your mom put her down."
"You sure?" Jim asked, surprised Cassidy would go down without one of her parents and with so many people over.
"Don't worry," Claire said, signaling for him to sit beside her which he obliged. Resting her head on her husband's shoulder, she maneuvered her body so she was leaning up against his side, hands resting on top of her stomach. Jim was surprised at how normal it was between them. Thouhg they were married now, nothing was different. All that day had been was the day they promised to love one another forever. Which is something they'd already promised.
I have a crap tone of studying to do over the vacation so the next chapter might be a week, but I'll try my best to get it out. Happy Thanksgiving and see you soon!
