Chapter 5 – Wedding Bells
The wedding has finally arrived and Beca is just glad the parties that she and Chloe have to plan are over. Now they are all still back and enjoy as Aubrey and Benji tie the knot.
"Are you almost ready to go?" Chloe asked Beca as she pulled on her heels.
"Yes, yes, I'm just trying to get a hang of walking in these things. I probably should have tried them out before now, but I guess that's why they call it the rehearsal dinner," Beca laughed at her own joke and she could see Chloe crack a smile down the hallway.
Beca walked out of her bedroom cautiously, not wanting to trip and fall on her face.
"You look beautiful babe," Chloe was never one to pass up a chance to compliment her girlfriend's looks and as much as Beca didn't want to admit it, she loved it.
"As do you, I'm lucky to have such a gorgeous date for this wedding," Beca couldn't help but return the favour, Chloe did look stunning.
Aubrey and Benji were having a more casual wedding on the beach, but decided on a nice dress up dinner for the rehearsal which they were having in her parents' backyard. Aubrey's parents' backyard was certainly large enough and nice enough to mimic the beach. Beca hoped things this evening would go much more smoothly than they had the engagement party. Last time she had been around Aubrey's father she had called him an idiot and cursed at him, she would do it again if she had to but hoped it wouldn't be necessary. Maybe his grandchild's arrival will have finally softened his opinion on Aubrey's choice of life partner.
Benji really is a great father and Aubrey's father is an idiot if he can't see that. It seems like every time Beca talks to Aubrey on the phone Benji is out at the park walking with McKenzie, or reading to her. One time when Beca and Chloe went over to their house for dinner Benji was in the midst of performing a magic show for the 2 month old. Beca initially laughed at the thought of doing magic for an infant, but deep down she hoped one day she'd have the urge to do silly things like that for her kids. Her kids; that thought still kind of scared her, she never really thought she'd make even a half way decent parent. She wasn't fun like Benji, or organized and determined like Aubrey and she certainly wasn't adventurous, perky and loving in the way Chloe was. She certainly didn't want to be anything like her parents, but maybe she could be more like her friends as parents.
"Beca, come on, we need to leave," Chloe said as she waved her hand in front of Beca's face, snapping Beca out of her own thoughts.
"What were you thinking about?" Chloe asked her.
Beca wasn't sure she wanted to give herself up, but she had promised Chloe they would talk about things and share their feelings.
"I was thinking about Aubrey's dad," she revealed, continuing quickly as Chloe gave her a strange look, "I was just thinking about that whole issue at the engagement party, and wondering if he's gotten over himself yet. Benji's a great guy, and a great dad, I'm hoping he's figured that out," Beca wasn't completely truthful, but she didn't really want to talk about the future right now, she wanted to get through Aubrey and Benji's wedding before she could even begin to think of her own.
"Oh yeah, I hope he has too," Chloe agreed, "Benji is an awesome dad, and I know he'll be a great husband. Aubrey told me last week that he went out to get her tampons and chocolate, now that's a man."
Beca was quiet on the ride over to Aubrey's parents' house, this didn't particularly alarm Chloe as Beca was often quiet but she did like to know her girlfriend was okay.
"Are you okay babe, you seem out of it this afternoon?" she asked her girlfriend after a solid 30 minutes of silence.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about stuff, maybe we can talk later," Beca did want to talk, just not now.
"Okay, later for sure," Chloe agreed, putting her hand on Beca's leg. Beca put her own hand on top of Chloe's, just wanting to let her know that she appreciated her asking.
As they walked up Aubrey's parents drive way, they met up with Stacie, Cynthia Rose and Fat Amy who had apparently been arguing about who was hotter between Amy Adams and Isla Fisher. Beca remembered that they had gone to the movies earlier in the week and just assumed it stemmed from this, not wanting to engage in their debate.
They were greeted at the door by Aubrey's father who did seem to be in a better mood than last time, and wasn't drunk, at least not yet. He informed them that the rest of the guests were already in the backyard. As they were walking out Aubrey's father asked Beca if he could have a word with her.
"I wanted to thank you for rudely berating me in my own house last time you were here."
"You're welcome, I guess," was the only response Beca could muster, flabbergasted that he would actually bother to talk to her after that.
"You were right, and you're a good friend to my daughter. I want you to know I've been trying to stay sober, and there won't be any outbursts from me tonight, or ever again, at least not about Aubrey's choice of husband."
"That's good to know," Beca said, before walking off to join her friends in the backyard.
"Hey Beca," Aubrey called her over to the side of the table she, Benji, Chloe, Jesse were already sitting at.
"How is the bride to be this evening?" Beca asked, genuinely curious.
Aubrey and Benji had both seemed so sure about this, from the second they got engaged to today they had been keeping it together so well. I guess being so sure of something just didn't come that easily to Beca.
"Excellent, thank you, I just want to marry him already," Aubrey sounded more excited than Beca had ever heard her.
Benji kissed her, presumably to express his agreement with his bride to be.
"So what the hell is a rehearsal dinner anyway?" Fat Amy piped up, "in Tasmania we just throw the couple in the ocean with a rattlesnake and if they come back to shore together, they're ready to be married."
A few moments after Amy's bizarre but not surprising revelation the dinner was served. Aubrey's mother had hired the same caterer that she did for the engagement party so the food was just as delicious. Beca assumed the rehearsal portion would come after they ate. She wasn't quite sure what there was to rehearse though, they'd stand on a beach, Aubrey and Benji would declare their love for each other and Chloe and Jesse would sign something to prove that it all really happened. Throughout dinner Fat Amy told them more stories about wedding customs in Tasmania, most of which Beca were sure couldn't be real. Friends and family told stories about how awesome a couple Benji and Aubrey were, and Benji and Aubrey just sat there being nauseatingly adorable. Benji thanked people for coming and gave a small toast, wanting to save his words for the big day.
As she suspected after dinner they did the rehearsal portion of the night. It was kind of random, people just figuring out where they should stand and how the following day should play out. Beca awkwardly stepped on both Benji and Jesse's feet throughout the evening; she had still only kind of gotten the hang of walking in heels.
After that it was time for the bride and groom to turn in, tomorrow was the big day and everyone involved needed to be up early to prepare.
As Chloe and Beca walked back to the car they could hear Fat Amy horrifying Benji with the tale of a Tasmanian wedding night ritual and suggesting that they incorporate spider dancing into their reception.
"So do you want to talk about it now?" Chloe asked her girlfriend as they turned off of Aubrey's parents' street.
"What…oh, yeah that," Beca still wasn't sure, but she owed it to Chloe to keep her promise and talk to her when she was feeling things.
"When I was thinking about Benji and McKenzie earlier, I was thinking about us and having kids in the future."
"Well, what were you thinking about it?" Chloe asked curiously.
"I was thinking that I wouldn't make a very good mother, I just don't know how to be one," Beca was being as honest as possible with Chloe now.
"That's okay though, nobody really knows what they're doing, not at first. Aubrey keeps it together, but even she confessed to me before McKenzie was born that she had no idea what to do. I figure we just go with the flow, and do what we think is best for our kids," Chloe was trying hard to assuage Beca's fears.
"What if I don't know what's best? What if I mess them up?" Beca walls were down now.
"We'll figure it out babe, together. You won't know, and I won't know but we'll try together and see what works," Chloe needed Beca to know that she wasn't afraid of the unknown.
"I like the sound of that," Beca said still unsure. She was sure that whatever she was going to do in the future though, she definitely wanted to do it with Chloe.
They decided it would be best to go straight to sleep; they did need to get up early and help Aubrey get ready.
The next morning they were both up at the crack of dawn. Chloe was making coffee as a reluctant Beca walked slowly into the kitchen.
"Morning sunshine," Chloe quipped.
"Yeah, yeah, bring me the coffee," Beca wasn't cheery this morning but she knew she would need to be.
After they finished their coffees they threw on some sweats and packed up the car. They could change into their beach dresses later at Aubrey's, now they were just focused on waking up.
When they arrived at Aubrey's house, she was sitting in a rocking chair in her living room with McKenzie. Beca swore that baby got cuter every time she saw her.
"What if I'm not a good wife, what if Benji's only marrying me because he got me pregnant?" Aubrey practically shouted these questions across the room.
Nothing could have prepared Beca and Chloe for that. Aubrey had been so sure, even last night she was solid as a rock. Beca wondered what had shaken her, or if she had just been repressing these feelings all along. Luckily Benji had gone to Jesse's place to get ready and wasn't here to witness Aubrey's insanity.
"Calm down Aubrey, it's just nerves, you know neither of those things are true," Chloe said this, but was still so taken aback by Aubrey's sudden meltdown that she needed a few minutes to think.
"Aubrey come on; you're being ridiculous. First off the two of you have been living together for 2 years, and you've got a kid together, you're pretty much already his wife and we all know you're good at it. You love him, you take care of him, you listen to him, you care about his feelings, you're a great mother to his child and you even take a genuine interest in his nerdy hobbies. He couldn't ask for a better wife. Second, you know damn well that he's not marrying you just because you got pregnant. He carried a ring around in his pocket for months just waiting for the right time to ask you to be with him forever. It just so happened you got knocked up, and like you said before, that was just an unplanned blessing," Beca said this and almost couldn't believe she had. Beca was never sure of anything in her own life, but she was sure these two loved each other and that Aubrey just needed to have nerves calmed.
Chloe walked over and picked up McKenzie while instructing Aubrey to take a deep breath.
"You're right Beca, I'm sorry for freaking you guys out. It's just; you know how nervous I can get. At least I didn't vomit, well besides this morning, and last night," Aubrey had now calmed down to the point where she could express herself without yelling.
"Are you happy Aubrey?" Chloe asked her friend.
"Very," Aubrey said sounding a lot more sure of her words now, "I have a beautiful baby and I get to marry the love of my life today."
"Good, now let's get you into your dress so you can marry him," Chloe was as perky as ever.
Chloe handed McKenzie to Beca and grabbed Aubrey's dress for her.
Beca hadn't held many babies in her lifetime; she had no siblings, very few cousins and no other friends with kids. McKenzie woke up suddenly, and to Beca's surprise didn't immediately start wailing at the sight of her.
"Hey there pretty girl," Beca cooed at the infant, "are you excited, your parents are going to make it legitimate today?"
Normally a comment like this would earn a death glare from Aubrey, but she was too busy trying to adjust her dress to notice.
"Is this her dress over here?" Beca asked about a tiny blue and yellow sundress lying on the table.
"Yep, do you like it?" Aubrey asked her.
"Yeah, do you mind if I put it on her?" Beca had never dressed a baby before but she figured it couldn't be that hard.
"Sure, have at it," Aubrey replied with a smile.
Beca laid McKenzie down on the couch, and unsnapped her outfit. She was glad her diaper was dry and she wouldn't have to change that first. Beca wasn't sure what she expected but McKenzie didn't seem to be a fussy baby, she barely squirmed as Beca pulled the dress over her head. Maybe the whole baby thing wouldn't be so hard after all, sure she had just dressed her but it was something. Beca lifted the infant back up and proceeded to bounce her a little.
Chloe had finally finished zipping Aubrey up. Her dress was short, and really very plain, but it had a lovely flower at her waist, and was perfect for the beach. This coupled with a white flower in her hair and Aubrey looked stunning.
"Awww McKenzie, don't you look so beautiful in your dress," Aubrey kissed her baby on the cheeks.
"You're not too shabby yourself," Beca said with a smirk.
"You look amazing Aubrey!" Chloe squealed.
The beach was only a short drive from Aubrey and Benji's house, Chloe would drive them there in Aubrey's vehicle today as the Chevy wasn't exactly wedding ready.
When they arrived the beach was set up beautifully. White chairs under a gorgeous tent, with flowers tied all around. The aisle in the sand was draped with flower petals. Due to the logistics of having a wedding on the beach Benji was already standing at the end of the aisle with Jesse. Beca ran to sit down, taking McKenzie with her.
Aubrey had no train on her dress so Chloe walked down the aisle first, with Aubrey following behind her with her father. They had decided against a large wedding party, preferring to just everyone enjoy the day, the really only needed their two witnesses anyway.
Beca had watched 27 Dresses recently with Chloe so when Aubrey walked down the aisle she had her eyes firmly on Benji. As she could have predicted Benji was beaming with joy, she was pretty sure she also saw him casually wipe a tear from his eyes. When Aubrey reached the end of the aisle she hugged her father. Benji reached out his hands to hear, and Aubrey gave him the biggest smile Beca had ever seen on her friend's face.
The justice of the peace they had gotten to do the ceremony began his address welcoming everyone to the union and the usual wedding babble. Aubrey and Benji had elected to write their own vows, and had decided not to share with them anyone until this moment.
"The night I asked Aubrey out for the first time I was just a geeky acapella singer who loved Star Wars and magic, and today, well I'm still a geeky singer who loves Star Wars and Magic, but I also love the most beautiful, caring and wonderful soul. Aubrey you are my everything, and I promise to love you always and I will try for the rest of my life to make you feel happy and loved every single day," Benji finished his vows and this this time he mostly definitely did wipe a tear from his eyes.
Aubrey was crying and totally ruining her make up when she started, "Benji, you are the most kind, generous, loving man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Having you in my life has changed me in so many ways, all of them for the better. You've given me more love and happiness in the time I've known you than I've ever had in my life. I promise to love you with my whole heart every day for the rest of my life. I can't wait to spend forever with you, you are the love of my life and I can't imagine my life without you. Thankfully, now I never have to," when Aubrey had finished there was no hope for her makeup, but it didn't matter.
After the justice declared them man and wife, and gave them permission to, Benji kissed Aubrey so tenderly. Beca was sure at this point there wasn't a dry eye on the beach. She wasn't one to get sappy, but this really had warmed her heart and had her anticipating the day when she would get to walk down the aisle with the love of her life.
The rings they had exchanged were white gold, and both were engraved with the silly but appropriate, I aca-love you forever.
After the ceremony had ended Aubrey, Benji and Chloe made their way for Beca. Aubrey grabbed her baby out of Beca's arms and thanked her for holding her during the ceremony. Chloe had a kiss for Beca that she had obviously been waiting to give her for the whole ceremony.
"Beautiful, right?" Chloe remarked of the ceremony.
"Yeah, you are," Beca leaned in and returned the kiss.
Beca and Chloe held hands as they walked back to Aubrey's car, Aubrey and Benji had a limo ready to take them to do the reception venue. Beca and Chloe would take McKenzie in Aubrey's car and come back for Chloe's Chevy later.
"I can't wait to dance with you," Chloe whispered in Beca's ear.
Walking along the beach with Chloe, with a baby in her arms felt just right to Beca.