Gail and Gavin ended up helping Holly's dad with the flowers. Gathering them, driving them to the venue, putting them in vases and stringing them up, the whole shebang. But unlike Gavin, Gail was terrified of screwing it up so she kept hovering over Mr. Stewart's shoulder to make sure she had the instructions right. The boy of course made fun of her, which started a war of loose flower pedals showering the two in their war cries and laughter.
Which was when Gail met Lily and her daughter Emmi. Emmi and Gavin ran off to help move chairs into place, leaving Gail with Holly's cousin Lily in an awkward silence.
"So you're the famous Gail Peck, it's nice to finally meet you" Lily held out her hand.
Gail clasped her hand and gave it a firm shake. "It's nice to meet you too, Lily"
"I like what you've done with the place," she gestured to the hundreds of flower pedals that were now scattered all over the isle and surrounding seats. "It's very colourful and unique."
Gail looked at the mess shyly, not quite sure if the blonde was being serious or sarcastic.
Lily let out a laugh that sounded like Lila's, which oddly comforted her -just a bit. "I'm serious, it actually looks good."
"Oh. Uh thanks?" Gail's cheeks had to be cherry red by the heat she felt.
"LaLa was right, you are cute" Lily mused as she walked past the now pouting blonde and began touching up the decorations.
Conversation with Lily was easy, she kept up enough for the both of them so Gail only had to nod and add in a few things here and there. She liked that, it took off the pressure. They worked together doing odds and ends and watching the kids. Lily also eased over a lot of the awkwardness when new family members appeared, introducing themselves -everyone all seemed to know who Gail was, which was a little unsettling but also kind of made her feel important- and joining them in decorating.
Before she knew it Mr. Stewart was yelling at them all to 'get their asses home and make themselves pretty'. Gail was a little lost. She wasn't sure if she'd have to make sure Gavin got ready, and if she did she wasn't sure what the boy was supposed to wear or how to do his hair and it was making her anxious. So she texted Holly.
What does a ten year old boy wear to a wedding?
Lunchbox: Are you planning on dressing like one?
No. We were sent to get ready and idk how to prepare Gavin
Lunchbox: Ahh. LaLa set out his outfit on his bed, just make sure he showers and brushes his hair. Maybe deodorant idk ask about that
K
Lunchbox: As for yourself, shower at least twice and remember to brush your hair and teeth
Har Har
Lunchbox: Okay for real though, wear something you won't mind wearing all night dancing in
I'll keep it in mind. Are you guys coming back or are we driving ourselves?
Lunchbox: You'll see me at the alter
Sounds familiar
Gail wiped the smile off her face as Gavin went barreling into the car she'd been leaning on.
"So what're you going to wear Gail?" Gavin stared at her through the rear view mirror.
Gail shrugged. "Not too sure yet."
"Do you leave everything to the last minute?" He chuckled.
Gail was starting to really like the boy. Gavin had a way of picking up on Gail's cues, making jokes when needed, calming with reassuring words when needed. He was a lot like Holly in that way, although the pathologist had a harder time picking up on the subtle hints.
Back at the house she shooed the boy into his bathroom and yelled for him to quickly shower and shave -which he laughed and said he shaved the other day- and anything else he needed to be clean. After she heard the shower start she ran into her and Holly's room to figure out what to wear, there weren't many options as she flew through packing to make it on time.
Once showered and brushed and dressed -Gail also had the extra task of makeup- she rushed them out the door, the wedding was one thing she refused to be late for -no matter how much she hated large crowds who were all overly happy. Gail shuddered at the thought. Although the Stewarts have been proving themselves to be the most tolerable people she's ever met, maybe it wouldn't be as bad as normal.
It was packed, that was the first thing Gail noticed. They had made it right on time for arrival and she wasn't expecting this many to already be there.
The ceremony was being held inside a barn, the walls and floor were littered with an array of flowers, the chairs were linked with bows and streamers. The barn was huge so once the ceremony was over everyone was to take their chair to one of the tables on either side of the room which would clear room for a dance floor. Outside a huge patch of grass had been cut for people to also have a space for playing out in the fresh air. Gail would only admit it to herself but she actually kind of liked the set up, it was beautiful and dressy casual and light.
Gail smoothed down her tie and took a deep breath. Saying she was nervous was an understatement, she knew all of ten in the sea of happy people. She felt an arm link through her own.
"You look great and everyone is going to love you, promise."
Gail looked down to find Gavin giving her a reassuring smile, his arm snaked with her own. She bumped into him playfully, "thank you kind sir. You don't smell so bad yourself"
"Who are you kidding? I look fabulous and smell even better" he pulled on his vest to show his outfit.
Gavin lead them into the barn and safely into their seats without being stopped by welcoming family members. Gail was grateful for it, she wasn't ready to be bombarded with introductions and smiles and happy wishes, personal questions and the works. Especially not sober and sans Holly.
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart joined them, promptly sitting beside Gail with compliments on both of their outfits.
"You look lovely Mrs. Stewart, I like your earrings. And you clean up well Mr. Stewart, honestly didn't think you could pull off a bow tie." Gail smiled at the couple as best she could. The nerves were starting to get to her, she really needed a drink.
Mr. Stewart laughed in that gruff fatherly way.
"Thank you sweetie, and please call me June." Mrs. Stewart leaned forward so she could meet the blondes eyes.
Suddenly Gavin was getting up and in his place sat an all dolled up Lily, who met her gaze with a smile and a proffered shot glass. Gail silently thanked the lords for Lily as she downed the tequila.
"Thank you" she nodded to the blonde woman to her right. Lily was in the isle seat, then Gail and Holly's parents, followed by Gavin and Emmi, and some others she didn't know.
"No problem, Holly said you'd need it" Lily said after taking a sip of her water.
Before she could say anything else the music started, the room fell into hushed whispers and died out to silence as the first of the bridesmaids and groomsmen came out. Gail held her breath in anticipation. Holly would be out any minute. She missed the brunette, Gail hadn't seen her since that morning, and she actually missed her. Plus she had never seen Holly all dressed up, sure there were a few picture she'd seen, but it would be nothing compared to the real thing. She wondered what Holly's dress would look like, all of the bridesmaids dresses were different except for their colour, a deep but vibrant purple.
Just then a familiar shade of chestnut wavy hair caught her eye, her heart stopped for a second as she took in the sight of Holly. Her dress hugged her perfectly, showcasing her luscious curves, and ended just before her knees showing off those toned legs that seemed to go on forever. And then Gail was graced with a lopsided directed right at her.
Gail couldn't tell you anything about the ceremony except for how gorgeous Holly was as she smiled at the couple, how every time she laughed Gail's stomach would flip in joy, how hard it was to breathe when brown eyes met her own blue. If she hadn't been sure before there was no denying now, she was falling in love with her best friend, Holly Stewart.
The room lit up for a split second, causing Gail to cower yet again. She hated thunder storms. They were loud and obnoxious, made a mess of the yard -that she and Steve would usually have to clean- and most of all, they kept her up. They tortured her through their entire show of lights and yelling, terrified. Gail didn't do well in these situations. Usually she'd wait them out lying in her closet with her game boy, her brother would join with snacks if it was a bad one. This was a bad one and her brother was miles away.
"Gail? Gail are you up?" A soft voice whispered into the night.
She peaked out from under her blanket to find Holly staring at her over the safety rail.
Holly looked to her hands and timidly asked if she could crawl into bed with her. Gail only hesitated for a moment, she had to weigh the pros of having someone wait it out with her and the cons of showing weakness. She shifted back against the wall, giving the brunette mattress room and a share of the blanket.
Neither spoke for a long time, Gail honestly thought Holly had fallen asleep, so she relaxed and laid a hand on the girls. Lightning struck again, scaring her frozen until the hand in hers gave a comforting squeeze.
"Are you okay?" Holly turned on her side to face the blonde.
Gail took her hand back. Maybe she shouldn't have let Holly into her bed, she shouldn't have taken her hand and she shouldn't have shown her fear. This was a bad idea.
"Fine" She whispered back, turning to face the ceiling, anything but at the concerned eyes boring into the side of her face.
"I don't like thunderstorms, they make me nervous and keep me up all night. My dad always stays up with me and we have a cup of tea while he reads to me. This is the first time he hasn't been around for a storm." Holly spoke softly, not once taking her eyes off her friend. "So thank you being with me."
They went back to not talking, nothing but the pounding of rain drops on the roof and the distant rolls of thunder to fill the silence. Gail wasn't sure what to do, she wanted to comfort the obviously on edge brunette, she wanted to snuggle up to her friend and tell her everything was fine like she did every time Holly crawled into bed with her. But this time was different. This time she herself was frightened and Holly had seen it, she'd never been the one to be consoled. Giving comfort to Holly was fine, easy, but receiving it was a whole other thing. Gail trusted the brunette, other wise she'd never allow bed sharing or hugs or even mindless chatter in the middle of the night, but showing her weakness? She couldn't. So she swallowed down the urge to turn over and throw an arm over the lanky girl next to her, she stiffened ever fiber in her body and begged it not to jump when the next round of lightening struck.
"Gail?" Holly was barely audible.
Gail closed her eyes, she knew that tone, no matter how quiet. Holly was going to ask for something she knew Gail might not like. Gail didn't want to have to shut her down at a time like this, it was enough she wasn't touching her and reassuring her of their safety. She hummed a reply.
"Could I... could I maybe, hold your hand?"
The uncertainty and timidity in her voice was what broke Gail. It made her tummy sink and fill with guilt, fear and concern. She turned her head and met the shaky gaze of the brunette. Gail swallowed hard, wishing her own fear would go with it so she could do this, so she could help her friend in need. She held her hand palm side up in silent proffer.
Holly took it immediately, linking their fingers with a light squeeze.
"Am I bothering you? Cuz I can go back to my bed and-"
"No!" Gail said hurriedly, shooting up onto her elbows and holding tightly onto Holly's hand. She relaxed a second later, berating herself for acting so abruptly. "I mean-uh, no it's fine. You're not bothering me"
Holly studied her closely. She knew her friend was being odd, but she couldn't quite get why. She thought it was because she had woke Gail from sleep only to be a nuisance talking and sharing and asking for comfort. But now that she thought about it Gail had told her when those things bugged her, she'd tell her when to stop and she always comforted with open arms. But the weirdest thing this time was the silence. Gail was never quiet when Holly needed help, she would never give up that grumpy quip about waking her up or complain about the amount of room Holly was taking.
"You're being weird, tell me what's wrong"
Gail shifted uncomfortably. She should have seen it coming, the sadness of Holly's imploring eyes said it all. She was to talk to Holly or have the brunette be even more upset and probably go back down to her own bed. She sighed and turned back to Holly.
"I just don't like thunderstorms" Gail confessed, hoping that was enough.
"When you dislike things you're very vocal about it. This isn't a dislike"
She fixed her gaze past Holly's shoulder on a rules poster across the room.
"I.. I'm, well they kind of" Gail fumbled to say the words aloud. She couldn't believe she was going to tell someone. This girl she had only known for three weeks has her stuttering her way through confessing to weakness. She took a deep, steadying breath. "Storms scare me"
Gail didn't remember jumping at a sudden crack of thunder and flash of lightening. She didn't remember landing on Holly's side of the bed. She didn't remember Holly's warm arms wrap around her, drawing Gail flush against her. But she remembers falling asleep with her nose pressed into Holly's neck, smooth circles drawn into her back, Holly's soothing voice in her ear.
Most seemed to know not to approach until after Gail had had a few drinks in her, there were a few, grandmas and their spouses and a few aunts, who slipped in for greetings and small talk. And that's when she found out what Holly was talking about, when the family member turned to the brunette and asked how things were going. Their face would grow soft and concerned, tilting their head just that little bit in sympathy, and pat her arm or something of comfort when Holly would say how great she's doing. And Holly was right to be hesitant about Gail's accompanied curiosity, if she hadn't promised not to ask she would have commented after the second person.
Everyone was nice and didn't seem phased about there being a new person at the wedding. 'How's work. Holly here says your the best cop Toronto has' and 'how are you liking things in BC' seemed to be the most popular openings and then would be led into personal questions, and if they were lucky next would be a conversation. One thing she did love was the few Aunts and Uncles that shared stories.
Aunt Tori told her about the time baby Holly was basically a nudest, the one to three year old wouldn't keep her clothes on longer than an hour at home -unless cold.
Uncle Auggie told her about how inseparable Ava -his oldest daughter- and Holly were. They were over at each other's houses at least six days a week, even after spending all day at school together. He told her about the times he'd have movie night with the group of closer cousins.
Aunt Joy told her how Holly would always go to her and her wife with things she couldn't go to her parents with. About the day Holly showed up in the dead of night terrified of coming out.
Aunt Tammy told her about the gangly teen who would spend summers working in her bookshop, nose always buried deep in one and fumbled when speaking to costumers.
Gail would laugh along and point out how Holly the stories were, then look to her left to find said brunette smiling with a roll of the eye or a light pink to her cheeks. She'd stay there for a moment, basking in the beauty before her, who wasn't looking back and was totally enthralled in the story that had faded out of her own conscious. Then Holly would take a peek at Gail's reaction to something only to be met with awe filled blue eyes and a fond smile.
Then as the day turned to evening and the elders drew together in a corner of tables, the kids came out to play. It was time to meet the kids Holly grew with, the cousins who gave her noogies and played pretend with, the cousins who she got drunk with for the first time and the cousins who were her first friends. The people who had the biggest part in her influence.
Gail met some on the dance floor during just the right amount of alcohol consumption. She met some at the bar, some sitting at the table and some Holly dragged her to across the room. They were all alike in their openness and warmth, all had laugh lines and bright smiles, all had hilarious stories that not even the parents knew. Gail liked them, she could see why Holly would miss this. She would miss this if this was her family.
During dinner Gail told some of her own stories of Holly, who in turn told some of Gail, which everyone enjoyed thoroughly. Since a few of Holly's closest cousins had kids Gail got to meet them -plus one of their cousins depending on age- while they ate.
"You can sit down, you aren't getting any cake." Holly told Gail casually.
"What do you mean I don't get cake?" She asked with furrowed brows. "I ate my veggies, even though Lila isn't at this table, because I know mothers have some weird radar. I get cake Hols." Gail explained matter of factly.
"Nope, no cake. I told her you didn't and now she's at the table, eyes pealed to make sure you don't get any." Holly was being all to cool abut this. It was cake. Wedding cake! Wait did she say she told Lila?
"You- you told her I didn't?"
"Yup." Holly nodded once to make sure the blonde understood.
"Why" Gail almost shouted in a whine.
"Well I had to punish you for shutting me out somehow." Holly smiled sweetly and walked to the line for cake.
Gail watched in shock as the brunette strode easily into the crowded area that was the 'line' for cake. Her sight was suddenly blocked by a purple dress. She followed it up and was met with Ava's amused smile and Ben's reddening face. She looked over her shoulder to make sure the coast was clear.
"I'll see if I can possibly get a second slice on my plate and slip it to you when Hols isn't looking." Ava leaned in a bit so Gail could hear her hushed voice over the room.
"Really?"
Ava nodded and tried to reposition the baby on her hip. Ben was obviously getting tired, his face was red and he wasn't sitting still.
"Okay, cool. In thank you for even the gesture, gimme Ben. You can't take him in that crowd and I might be able to settle him down" Gail held her hands out for the one year old.
Ava looked hesitant. "Ben's a very fussy baby, not many can cool him down. But I'll take the offer" she kissed the top of his head and passed Gail the baby. "Good luck!"
"Ditto" Gail half shouted back as she situated Ben in her lap. She hadn't had much experience with babies, a few here and there, but she had enough to know he was too warm to be comfortable. Gail peaked in his dress shirt and was happy to see he was wearing a onesie underneath, so she sat him on the table and talked to him as a distraction while she shimmied his clothes off. Then she brought him back into her lap and started bouncing him.
"I knew you had a thing for kids but that's almost not fair." Tommy said getting back in his seat with a hefty plate of deserts.
"And why's that Thomas?" Gail smirked at the glare she got for using his full name.
"Ben doesn't settle down let alone fall asleep for anyone but his parentals." He responded with a point of his fork which was coated with the icing from the bite he took just a second before.
Gail glanced down at the baby in her arms and sure enough his eyes were closed, mouth agape, and cuddled right into her.
"Getting baby Ben to sleep earns you a bite"
Her head shot up at the familiar voice. Holly was back in her seat, right next to hers, and was looking fondly at Gail.
"What?" Gail asked clueless to what was transpiring.
"You get a bite for getting grumpy baby to sleep," Holly had a forkful of cake held out between them, waiting for Gail to eat it. "Common I don't have all night"
After desert Gail was getting hot and decided to go see what was going on outside. There were few adults and most of the children, some were dancing, some were off to the side talking and laughing, and others were playing. She'd met a lot of them throughout the evening, kids asking their parents for things, kids on the dance floor, kids getting drinks and snacks that she'd help grab what they could reach.
When spotted, a few called her over and Gail played with the bubbles. All ended up in the game, they set it up so four people were blowing bubbles while the rest either danced around or popped them, and when you got tired you'd switch places with someone. She spent a lot of her time picking up the few little ones that were still awake so they could reach the bubbles the other kids couldn't. Gail took a special liking to Ella, Ben's older sister. The girl was small and the youngest still awake, she had blonde curly pigtails and freckled cheeks, a heart melting laugh and shy smile. Ella and Gail ended up on shifts together as one, the girl always in Gail's lap or on her back.
When Holly went out to find Gail, an hour after she'd left, she stopped in her tracks. Gail was laid out in the freshly cut grass, all the children sprawled out around and staring at the same starlit sky. The blonde had several of the children resting on her. Ella was on one side of her chest, Zeke on the other side, Teddy lying his head on Zeke, Emily and Bailey shared her stomach, Gavin lying opposite of Gail, cheek to cheek. Holly's chest filled with adoration at the sight.
Her cousin Cathy had gushed to her about Gail playing with the kids twenty minutes after Gail's disappearance. She'd gone back into the barn when it was obvious that her services weren't needed with the children and went straight to Holly to tell her that Gail was definitely a keeper. Her cheeks had grown hot at the claim, she didn't need to be told how much the blonde was one to keep, but it was still nice to hear from her family. That was when Tommy and Ava smirked at her with that all too knowing glint in their eyes, neither needed to say anything, she knew what they were thinking.
"Can I join?" Holly asked the stare gazing crowd.
Gail tilted her head back as far as she could, trying not to disturb what she was guessing was a few sleeping children, but wanting nothing more than to set her sights on the most beautiful person she'd ever known. She gently smiled at the brunette.
"Be our guest."
Holly slowly made her way to the group, scouring for a space.
"Here, you can have my spot Aunt Hols." Gavin stood up and went to lay next to Emmi down by Aubry's feet.
"Thank you, Gavin." Holly touched his shoulder as he passed.
She carefully laid down -she was in a dress after all- in the same position her nephew was just in. Gail was a breath away from her and the realization gave her goose bumps. Holly could feel the warmth coming off of Gail's cheek, was beginning to be consumed by the smell of her perfume, and could hear nothing but the even in and out of Gail's breath.
She hadn't been this close to the blonde since they were eight. Sure there had been hugs and they tended to drift to the middle of the couch when they watched things together, but this was different. This was more intimate. Holly had actually been surprised at the lack of physical contact with Gail when they reunited. At camp they were quite close, she remembered a lot of nights in the same bed and basically spooning like it was the most normal thing in the world, she remembered walking with linked arms after the hike she tore her arm open -Gail wasn't having her wife lose an arm on account of her balance-, she remembered sitting so close that it felt like their skin had melted together.
"So are you having fun?" Holly whispered.
"Ehh, you guys are alright."
Holly gave a breathy laugh. "Well everyone loves you, like I said. I've been told to bring you around again."
"No surprise there Lunchbox, I'm awesome."
"That you are, Gail."
There was a long pause, both just enjoying the company.
"I guess weddings with the Stewarts isn't so bad. Plus the kids are cool and there's an open bar, I don't think I'd hate going to more" Gail sounded almost shy.
"Did I tell you how breath taking you looked tonight?" Gail casually asked as she dug out her pyjamas from her open suitcase.
"No" Holly murmured from her spot across the room, also digging for sleepwear in her dresser.
Gail spun around and caught Holly's gaze, "you did. I mean you always look beautiful but there was something about tonight that just amplified it."
Her heart swelled when Holly bashfully averted her gaze, crooked shy smile firmly in place. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Holly seemed contemplate something then moved closer. "You looked amazing as well." She grabbed Gail's loose tie and ran her fingers down it, making Gail's breathing slow as her heart picked up. "I didn't know you could wear a tie that well"
Gail swallowed thickly. "I can pull off anything this well"
A pang of arousal shot through her as she watched brown eyes grow darker. The proximity was really starting to get to her, Holly still had her tie and she could feel the whispers of her hot breath.
Holly licked her lips, "I wouldn't doubt that."
There was a knock at the door, making both women jump at the sudden noise. Holly took one more moment to soak in Gail and went to answer the door.
"Saw your light on, thought I'd come say goodnight. So g'night" Lila pulled Holly into a hug. "Sweet dreams sis."
"Good night LaLa, don't let the bed bugs bite."
Lila scanned the room before yelling out. "Goodnight Gail, you looked hot tonight."
Then her smile faded and she looked seriously into Holly's eyes. "You looked great too. You guys would make a killer couple."
Holly broke out in a smile that could be described as amused and embarrassed. She pushed on her sisters face, moving her from the doorway out into the hall, "you're drunk. Go to bed."
"You're cute when you blush." Lila smiled lazily.
"Goodnight Lila" Holly closed the door with a sigh.
"She's not wrong." Gail pointed out from somewhere behind her.
"Which part?" Holly raised a brow and started for the bathroom Gail had just vacated.
Gail crawled into bed, very aware of lingering eyes. "I looked hot, you look hot, we'd be a killer couple and you are adorable when you blush. So pretty much everything"
Gail woke to a clearly distressed Holly. The brunette had a white knuckled grip on the sheet, blanket thrown off to the floor, and there were whimpers sounding through clenched teeth. She quickly threw off her own blanket and shot out of bed.
"Holly. Hols, it's just a dream." Gail tried soothing the sweaty pathologist.
"You're okay. Everything is okay. Holly" she started to raise her voice.
Gail continued to call out to Holly and when it did nothing and the brunettes' distress got worse, morphing into almost screams, she jumped onto the bed and started to shake her awake.
"Holly get up. You're okay, it's just a dream" Gail used her cop voice, clear, stern and direct.
Holly suddenly sat up, eyes wild with fear.
Gail grabbed her hand, yearning to do more, to scoop the brunette into her arms and take away all fear but she didn't know if Holly was that kind of person anymore.
"It was just a dream, everything is okay Hols." She gave Holly's hand a gentle squeeze.
Holly searched in the darkness for the calming voice, it was familiar and comforting.
When Holly's gaze locked with hers, her heart stopped. The usually bright, warm brown irises were nothing but black sadden and fearful.
"Gail?" She asked as if the blonde was a faded memory, confused of her presence.