A Happy Band of Conspirators

Genre: Family, Friendship, FUTURE FIC

Pairings: Greg and Molly, Greer and Sam, John and Josie

Main characters: Lestrade family ensemble in The Nook

"Oh, sod it," Josie declared, as she sat down in The Nook next to John. "This shift has been absolutely interminable," she sighed heavily. John wrapped an arm around her shoulder, leaning in to kiss her tenderly on her temple, easily bearing the weight of her leaning against him, exhausted. He smiled as small tendrils of hair, having freed themselves from her messy bun, tickled his nose.

"Just another half hour, darling," he said softly. "Then you can join us here and tell us all about your day. We're all saving the juicy bits of ours for when you're with us," John winked.

"You're nothing but a tease, John William Lestrade," she protested, her annoyance betrayed with a smile. "Well bugger it anyway, I see I have another customer. Duty calls," she said heavily, heaving herself to her feet.

John smiled after her, as his family watched him watching her.

"So," Molly said. "Where were we…"

"Something about the dress, I believe, Love," Greg said, suppressing a yawn. Greg, as everyone had known for years, had long held the belief that a groom was best advised to simply dress up, show up, and shut up. He knew, of course, that it was better for the groom to participate and show interest in the big day that was, in truth, about him as well.

However, while he had agreed to minor participation in his own wedding, he had largely simply given Molly free rein, knowing full well that they were HER dreams that needed fulfilling, not his. Greg's sole dream in the matter was simply to marry the woman he loved, and to witness her blushing and full of joy on a day she'd looked forward to for nearly her entire lifetime.

For Greg, "dressing up, showing up, and shutting up" was his way of standing back and basking in his bride's utter contented happiness in the day.

"Ah yes, the dress," Molly said. "You know darling, you might at least PRETEND to be interested in all of this. After all, it's YOUR son's bride's surprise we're planning." She teased him gently, poking him in the arm with a finger.

"And it's YOUR new daughter-in-law who you're deciding everything for, Love. It's been my experience that most brides like to have a say in their big day. It all seems like it could be a bit awkward, is all."

"Oh sod it, Dad," Greer chided softly. "You know as well as the rest of us how tired and overwhelmed Josie has been these past weeks. She only wants two things right now. She wants to have a healthy, strong, happy baby, and she wants to marry John. She just doesn't know that the latter will be happening a lot sooner than she ever dreamed. THAT'S why I've been taking notes and sneaking about, like a good little Detective Constable…" she trailed off, as she pulled out a notebook.

Greg rolled his eyes as he gave his daughter a crooked grin. He really, honestly DID know better than to try to argue with a woman on a mission to plan a wedding.

Especially if said woman bore the surname of "Lestrade".

"John, can you confirm these numbers?" Greer asked, handing her notebook over to her brother.

John glanced at them. "Hmmm… yes, more or less. Shoe size is correct, I see you're compensating for possible swelling and convenience walking in sand with the style of shoe. You've also got her dress size right, again, compensating for physiological changes and such… the style is flattering and forgiving as well."

"Now," Scott said, "I've been scouting out rings. If I know you and Josie as well as I think I do, these should suit quite nicely," he commented. Bringing up an image on his phone, he passed it over to John.

"Oh… my. Oh, Scottie," John said, his voice growing quiet. "Yes. And my ring… it's absolutely perfect. When will the set be available? I was hoping to propose… well, very soon. I want her to enjoy the promise for awhile before springing a full-fledged marriage on her," John laughed lightly.

"Should be ready to pick up day after tomorrow," Scott confirmed. "Yes, I already ordered it. We both knew I'd be right anyway, brother," he chuckled, "and let's be honest. We both knew I'd know you wanted to pop the question before the week is out."

"Now, I've been emailing with the local florist in the nearby town to the park itself," Molly said. "I've been reassured that the only other wedding she's doing flowers for that weekend is Greer and Sam's repeat ceremony. Fortunately she remembers Greer quite well, apparently they've been out for drinks once or twice to the local tavern."

Greer nodded, remembering easily. "Ah yes. Anna Marie. She has a beautifully quaint little gift shop as well. She grew up in the area. I would imagine that the only way she might be unexpectedly busy would be if she had a funeral to provide flowers for, last minute."

Greg sighed, hoping this was going to be alright with Josie. The poor girl was already under a lot of stress. Having a wedding sprung on her could go very, very well, or it could go irretrievably sideways.

"I've also been in contact with some other friends there. Dad, do you remember when we attended that community event, and it was catered by a local church ladies group? Well, their group secretary/treasurer has told me that they aren't booked for any other catering events that weekend, so they're available to provide for the reception."

"Yes, actually. I believe it was the Anglican ladies? Or were they Presbyterian… Wait… no… they were Lutheran?" Greg's brow furrowed slightly at his attempts to remember the denomination of the group who had served up a meal fit for a king.

"Right the third time, darling," Molly said casually. They're Lutheran. So the Basement Ladies are booked then?"

"Yes, Mrs. Nelson confirmed it. Apparently she and Sam's mum are in the same Thursday evening five pin bowling league," Greer confirmed. "She also said that if anything else comes up, the Catholic Women's League or the Kinettes ladies will take those bookings. No worries."

"Um, Dad," John suddenly said, "I was wondering… well normally of course I would have had Scott stand up for me as my best man, but he's giving Joey away… I don't suppose… well Dad, will YOU be my best man?"

Greg blinked.

Well, THAT was unexpected.

Greg knew John had planned to have Scott give his bride away, but hadn't thought much about who his oldest son had intended to ask to be his best man.

"Of course, Son," he said softly, smiling. "I'll not give a speech though. I might suggest Scott do that as he would have been your original choice."

"Thought you might say that, Dad," Scott chuckled. "No worries, I've got it handled. We'll be sort've… CO-best men then, yeah?" He held his glass up to clink with Greg's as the two men sealed the deal.

"Well, other than music, which we were going to do ourselves, I think we're set as much as we can be," John said, sounding relieved. "Dad… you still seem a bit skeptical?"

Greg cleared his throat. "No, son… not really skeptical, I'm just concerned, that's all. I might do a little chatting with Josie on my own, see if I can't get her take on weddings and such. If nothing else it'll tell me if we're on the right track."

"I think you'll find we are, Dad," Scott said, taking a sip from his glass. "But perhaps you might glean a few finer details. Small things she'll notice that might make the day that much more special. Finishing touches, as it were."

"Right then, will do," Greg said, finally smiling. "I guess I just need to know this isn't going to go pear-shaped. I suppose as long as we make sure they're HER ideas and dreams, it doesn't much matter who arranges them, as long as we get them right."

"THAT'S the spirit, darling," Molly said, sounding happy and relieved. Leaning over, she kissed him softly. "So, best and worst of the day that does NOT involve planning a beautiful Saskatchewan beach wedding on the sly… Josie is due to join us in a few minutes, we should probably clear the mental slates so nothing slips out…"

"Already cleared, Mum," Greer said. "So are we ready for refills? I might go order then help Jose bring them back to the table. We'll all have another of the same?"

Nods of confirmation were followed by the happy band of conspirators gazing across the bar as Greer joined Josie.

John glanced over, smiling softly, as he watched Josie speak with his sister. He couldn't wait for all of these plans to come together, but most of all, he couldn't wait to see his Joey, standing in front of him while the Saskatchewan sun, reflecting off the lake, set behind them.