"Floor length dresses right?" Rosie asked
"Yeah. They are definitely more elegant." Emily said
"Yeah. Until someone trips and breaks a nose." Hayley said
"We aren't running a marathon in them. And I think if we have the right shoes no one will trip." Rosie said
"Have you met our sister Kenzie? I think the only person who is clumsier than her is you." Hayley said
JJ and Penny smirked at each other
Emily chuckled.
"That is so not true." Kenzie said
Rosie shook her head. "Don't listen to her Kenzie she is just jealous of our special clumsiness."
Kenzie giggled
"Do you feel comfortable in a long dress?" JJ asked Kenzie.
"I dunno." Kenzie said
"If you prefer a dress that comes more to your knees. That's okay." JJ said
Kenzie nodded and some of the other girls agreed
"Now dad and papa said they don't all have to be identical but just all grey." Rosie said
"Right." JJ said.
Dave and Hunter were with the guys getting fitted for tuxes.
Rosie had taken charge of making sure all the girls and women got their dresses. It was going to be a large wedding party, but Hunter and Dave wouldn't want it any other way. Their girls were going to be bridesmaids the youngest two flower girls. Emily, Penny, JJ bridesmaids as well.
Aaron was Dave's best man and Hunter had his childhood best friend as his best man and a couple friends as grooms men. As well as Spencer, Derek and Will were groomsman standing for Dave.
Everyone got fitted for what they needed and such.
Emily, Penny, JJ, Rosie, and Hayley ended up with a floor length dress. Maddy, Kenzie, & Callie a knee length version of the same dress and the two little girls ankle length flower girl dress.
Dave ended up with a black tux with white shirt and black bow tie. Hunter a mostly white tux with black details and the same black bow tie. The best men and grooms men in a grey suit with grey ties.
/\/\/\/\
That was about a month previous and now it was the wedding day.
Dave had gone to a hotel the night before letting Hunter stay at the house. That had been a disagreement about who would stay at the house. But ultimately Dave convinced Hunter to stay. Hunter did leave early the next morning to head to get ready with his buddies.
The girls all stayed at the house to get ready. Rosie was putting lip gloss on the little girls.
"Why cant we wear as much make-up as you?" Scarlet asked
"Because if I let you papa would kick my butt." Rosie said
"Why do you and Hayley get to wear it than?" Scarlet asked
"We are older." Rosie said. "Now stop talking so I can get this on your lips."
Scarlet obeyed.
Rosie smiled "Besides you are beautiful as is."
Scarlet grinned and ran off.
She looked back at Hayley. "You are beautiful without make up to." She said with a smile
Hayley smiled. "Thank you. I know. I know you are just trying to make Scarlet forget about it. And you are freaking gorgeous without make up too. I mean have the school would date you if they could."
Rosie chuckled. "I'm happy with Noel."
"I know." Hayley said. "I'm a little jealous of how happy you are together. Reminds me of papa and dad."
Rosie smiled. "I hope we stay that happy forever."
There was a screech from the kitchen. Rosie and Emily ran in to find little Kara crying. There was red juice on her dress.
Rosie's eyes went big.
"No big deal." Emily said quickly taking the dress off the girl.
Rosie picked the little girl up and wrapped her in a blanket that she grabbed from the couch. "Hey don't cry. I'm sure Auntie Emily can fix it." She looked at Emily
Emily nodded. "Need club soda if you have it, dishwashing soap and baking soda."
Rosie nodded. "Club soda and baking soda in the pantry. Dish soap under the sink."
Emily got everything and got to work removing the juice before it stained.
Rosie gave the little girl some juice before she would get the dress back on.
JJ looked at Penny. "I don't think I have ever known of someone who has gone from an only child to oldest of seven and done it so gracefully." She spoke quietly so no one else heard
"Dave told me that it looks that way from the outside and it has gotten better but Rosie was really struggling and kept it to herself till she snapped. Its why she ended up taking advantage of the invite from Emily and convinced her dad to let her go to London kind of last minute." Penny said. "There was a lot of other things going on too of course but she was feeling really overwhelmed by becoming a big sister."
JJ nodded. "Its to bad she kept it inside. No one would expect her to be 100% ready for that role."
"Yeah. Blended families take time to meld together." Penny said
"You have tried talking to her about it?" JJ asked. She knew Penny had some experience with it.
"More than once. She just says she's fine." Penny said
JJ shook her head. "She really spent to many years bottling everything up and doesn't know how to do it any differently."
Emily finished getting the juice out the dress. "All fixed." She said smiling at the girl showing her.
Kara smiled big. "Thank you!"
"Of course." Emily said
"Now do you want anymore juice before we put it back on?" Rosie asked smiling.
Kara shook her head.
"Okay." Rosie said setting the girl down and taking the blanket back. Emily got the dress back on her.
JJ looked at the time. "Okay. Time to go." She said
Everyone headed out to the few cars and headed to the location of the wedding. It was at a beautifully decorated hall.
It wasn't long till the wedding started.
It was a beautiful ceremony. There was even a part of the ceremony where they did a family blending unity ritual thing. When the vows were said there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Both men had been married before but there was no doubt that Dave and Hunter were each others true soulmate.
When the ceremony was done pictures were taken. Rosie was getting a little frustrated because the pictures were taking longer to get through because of the little girls not co-operating and Rosie was getting hungry. But she was trying to just keep a smile on her face for her dad.
Emily could tell Rosie's mood was changing even though she was keeping a smile on her face. She also knew Dave and Hunter were so focused on getting the little girls to behave that they probably didn't notice so moved closer to her and whispered. "You okay?"
"Just hungry." Rosie said with a smile.
"Ah. Yeah. Been awhile since breakfast." Emily said
"And I didn't get a chance to eat much. I did eat some but not much." Rosie said
Emily nodded.
"Don't tell my dad or papa please. I did eat some and tried to eat more I just didn't have time." Rosie said
"Yeah. When you take on the leading role to get everything done your own needs tend to come second. Its not good but happens." Emily said. "I wont tell them."
"Thank you." Rosie said
"But I want to see you eating plenty after these photos are done." Emily said
"I will." Rosie said
"Okay. Whoever can stand still for pictures the longest I will take to ice cream before I got back to London." Emily said loudly
The little girls stopped fooling around and got into pictures. As they finished up Dave noticed Rosie was starting to get a little pale.
"Rosie. You okay?" Dave asked
Rosie smiled and nodded. "Just ready to switch to the comfortable shoes. My feet hurt."
Dave nodded. "You're sure that's it?"
"Dad. I'm okay. Promise." Rosie said
"This day is not more important than you. If somethings going on I need to now." Dave said
Rosie took a breath.
Emily came over. "Dave. I have it handled. Promise."
"I don't doubt that. I still want to know." Dave said
"I'm a bit hungry okay…" Rosie said "I'm going to go get something to eat right now."
"Did you eat breakfast?" Dave asked
"Yes. But that was several hours ago." Rosie said
"Okay. Go." Dave said
Rosie smiled and picked a piece of lint off his suit. "You look very handsome by the way."
Dave smiled and kissed her head. "Thank you. Now go."
Emily went inside with Rosie.
"Thank you." Rosie said
"You will be telling him the whole truth. But after today." Emily said
"Yes Ma'am." Rosie said as she picked up a few pieces of some appetizers that had been set out.
Emily got her some Dr. Pepper as well. "Drink this too. And no more skipping out on full meals because your busy."
"Yes Ma'am." Rosie said
Emily smiled abit. "I'm not upset with you just concerned."
"I'll be fine after I eat." Rosie said
Nolan came up behind and heard that.
"Didn't eat enough this morning?" He asked
Emily smiled. "And I will leave her in your very capable hands. Make sure she eats." She said before going to help someone with something.
Nolan tilted his head and raised and eyebrow.
"I ate. Just not enough no." Rosie said "I should have delegated more. I was doing to much didn't have time to eat more than a few bites of food."
"You have to be careful Rose. You cant skip food." Nolan said
"I know. I'm sorry." Rosie said
Nolan smiled abit. "Forgiven."
She finished having some food and handed Nolan her glass. "I'm going to change my shoes before I end up breaking an ankle. I will be right back." She said before she went out to her car. She switched to her sneakers and checked her phone. She sighed and shook her head at the text and left her phone in the car before going back inside and back to Nolan.
He handed her back her refilled glass.
She smiled and took it. "You refilled it."
"I did and you got about four inches shorter." Nolan said
Rosie chuckled. "Six."
"You were wearing six-inch heel?" Nolan asked
"When my fourteen-year-old sister is taller than me yes." Rosie said
Nolan chuckled. "I love my short girl."
Rosie smiled and blushed abit.
The party started with the grooms being introduced and the first dance. Rosie snapped pictures with her camera.
The dinner was served
Speeches came and when it was time for Rosie's she got up there.
"So. I'm going to keep this short so we can get back to the amazing food. But I've been told by a few people I have always had a good intuition if people are gay or straight or what have you but when my dad told me that he was inviting over a guy for Valentine's day he proved that was so far from the truth I was stunned. I also told him that a first date on Valentine's day was a bad idea.. I'm glad I was wrong. I'm glad that my dad has found someone who makes him happier than I have ever seen him. His smile is bigger. His eyes twinkle more and that is all a kid wants for their parents. And honestly I don't know how my dad and I survived before you.
When Hunter started coming around more and I got to know him he never once made me feel like I was a pain in the ass, and we all know I am. And he has always treated me like I am one of his daughters. So when I found out my dad bought a ring and was going to propose. I was so excited. Because my dad was so happy and also I was getting a second parent I knew I could depend on and even though I know I haven't always made things easy Hunter has always been right there with my dad to help me when I needed it. And also has brought along with him six little sisters that yes sometimes drives me crazy but that I don't know what I would do without them. And I know that now. I have my dad. And I have my papa whom I see as much as of my father as my dad. And six little sisters that I will protect with my life." She said. "So lets raise a toast to the two people who have shown me, shown all of us what true love really is and that it doesn't always look like a fairy tale or a disney movie." She finished by raising her glass.
Everyone toasted.
Dave and Hunter came up to give their toast next. And Dave stopped her. "How did you know I bought a ring?"
Rosie chuckled. "Intuition?" she said before going and sitting back down.
Dave and Hunter started their speech and thanked everyone for coming and everything that they were supposed to do and a few stories about their relationship and such. And at the end Dave said "And if anyone can tell me how Rosie -knew that I bought a ring I would greatly appreciate the information." He said
Everyone laughed. And Rosie shook her head with a big smile on her face.
"How did you know?" Nolan asked her
"Intuition." Rosie said laughing
"You know I don't believe you right?" Nolan said with a chuckle
Rosie nodded. "But that is what I will go to my grave saying. Or at least till I'm eighteen and he cant ground me."
Food was finished and dancing started, and everyone had a great time.
At one point people with young kids started to leave. Hunter's ex came and picked up her kids. Rosie was staying with Uncle Aaron and Emily, but she was going to drive herself there when she was ready. It was getting to the early morning hours when Dave and Hunter went over to her and Nolan who were slow dancing.
"We are heading out in a few minutes. Its late and we want you to get headed to Uncle Aaron's." Dave said
"Okay. Love you both. Have fun in Spain." Rosie said
"We love you too. Both of you drive safe." Hunter said
Nolan and Rosie headed out towards her car.
"I have been to some wedding before, but this was by far the most…" Nolan said
"Extravagant?" Rosie asked
"Yeah." Nolan said with a smile.
"That's Italian weddings." Rosie said
"Well it was a lot of fun." He kissed her.
She kissed him back. "Thank you for being my date."
"Of course. If you had asked anyone else I would be jealous." He said with a smile
"You are my pick. Always." Rosie said
"Same." Nolan said kissing her again.
She kissed him again as well before unlocking her car door. Nolan opened it for her.
"Text me when you get to your uncle." Nolan said
"I will. You let me know when you are home too." Rosie said
"Will do." Nolan said before closing her door for her and going towards his own car.
Rosie drove to Aaron and grabbed her bag out of the back seat and her phone from her console. She went and knocked softly on the door.
Aaron opened it and smiled and took her bag. Sascha was already there and jumping at her feet.
Rosie went inside. "Thank you for letting me stay here."
"Of course. You are always welcome." Aaron said leading her to the guest room. "I have been told to ask you when you are to tired to argue. How did you know he bought a ring." Aaron said
Rosie chuckled. "My explanation will not change no matter how tired I am."
Aaron chucked and shook his head "Must be pretty bad if you sticking to it."
"Or. That is the truth." Rosie said smirking.
"Okay. Sure. Get some sleep. Its late." Aaron said leaving the room closing the door behind.
Rosie changed out of her dress and into pajamas before going to the bathroom and removing the layers of make-up on her face. To be honest she hated wearing this much make up but sometimes you did the things you hated for the ones you loved. She went and crawled into bed. Sascha climbed on with her She texted Nolan.
'Sorry. Got back abit ago about to head to bed.' Rosie said
Nolan texted back 'that's okay. Same.'
Rosie fell asleep quickly.