Naomi was lying up in bed with her laptop watching Emily pace back and forward on the phone. She was alternating between heavy sighs, gritting her teeth and waving her arms around in exasperation. If she thought she could get away with it the blonde would have been in fits of laughter; but she knew better than that.
"Yes Katie...I know...I know!" Emily rolled her eyes at her partner who couldn't help but smirk.
"Katie, look please can we just talk about this tomorrow?" She whined. "We're meeting that guy at 11...yes the hotel manager that's what I said...well he is a guy!"
Naomi shifted in the bed, getting up and approaching Emily.
"Yes I am taking this seriously Katie...yes I do want it to be a beautiful and magical day." She said flatly. "But..." She was cut off when Naomi took the phone from her hand.
"Hi Katie!" The blonde said in an overly cheerful voice. "Yes I know this is very important but I'm afraid Emily can't discuss anymore wedding plans tonight because her fiancé needs her to come to bed."
Emily giggled quietly at the look on Naomi's face when Katie responded. She could imagine what her sister was probably saying.
"Well it's nothing you won't be doing to Effy later." She smirked. "Goodnight Katiekins. We will see you in the morning at 10am sharp."
Naomi hung up the phone and Emily threw her arms around her in gratitude. "Thank you!" She groaned.
"You're welcome." The taller girl smiled and kissed her nose.
"Why did I agree to this?" She complained as they got back into bed together.
"I thought it was because you love me and want to spend the rest of your life with me." Naomi replied wittily. Emily glared at her.
"I know that! I meant why did I agree to let Katie help me plan the wedding? God she's insufferable!"
"I know." Naomi agreed flippantly. "But she is the best! And she is only being pushy because she's your sister and she loves you and wants the best for you."
"I know." Emily grumbled. She knew her partner was right but that didn't mean she liked it. "Do you think she'd notice if we changed our phone number?" She asked hopefully, settling down to bed and turning out her bedside light.
"That won't work." Naomi pointed out, doing the same. "She has your mobile number. And even if you changed that Effy would sell out and give her your new number."
Emily laughed feeling much less stressed now. "I love you."
"I love you too." They shared a soft and tender kiss. "Now let's get some sleep because we have an appointment with the Nazi wedding planner at 1000 hours."
Another bout of giggling and a few goodnight kisses later they fell asleep.
-
"Do you really have to go?" Effy rolled over in bed to pout at her girlfriend. Katie was running around their bedroom getting dressed.
"Yes." She replied firmly. "They'll never let me live it down if I'm late."
"Well maybe if you didn't insist on ringing Ems every single night they might be more forgiving." The brunette pointed out.
"I knew you'd take their side." Katie rolled her eyes.
"I'm not taking their side." Effy argued. "I'm just on the side that means my girlfriend can come back to bed."
Katie chuckled. "You know you could always come with me, I'm sure Emily and Naomi wouldn't mind?"
Effy considered this option for a minute. It was Saturday so she didn't have anything else to do and Katie would probably be gone all day. "I do enjoy watching you work."
"Then get up and get dressed quickly. We can't be late." She repeated and headed down to make some coffee. Effy watched as she walked away, a huge grin spreading over her face and she jumped up out of bed. She was ridiculously happy with her life at the minute but it hadn't been an easy road.
When Cook testified that the beaten and bruised John Foster had killed Freddie and the police eventually found his body Effy had suffered another breakdown. After what happened with John they moved her to a different hospital, one just outside Bristol, for treatment. It had taken the first two months of her stay to get her to talk again. Katie had visited her almost every day, sometimes staying overnight on the couch in her room. Effy couldn't understand why, hell Katie wasn't even sure why she was doing it. She just needed to make sure Effy was ok. She was the first person Effy spoke to after it happened.
After that the visits always lasted longer and the overnight stays became more frequent they formed an unlikely friendship on the basis that they both needed each other to feel normal. Another two months in the hospital and she started to feel a bit better, a bit more human. And Katie helped a lot. She was the only person who visited her who didn't feel the need to talk about therapy or drugs or psychosis. She talked about let's get Fitched, about Naomi and Emily, Cook, JJ, the ridiculous facebook messages she was receiving from Pandora at Harvard. During the next few months Katie found it was getting harder and harder to be away from Effy and she struggled with what her new feelings meant.
When they told them Effy could get out of hospital Katie had kissed her. It was an instinctive reaction to the good news. Effy had been shocked at first but she had accepted the fact that she was in love with Katie a while ago so it was a rather pleasant surprise. Katie asked the doctors would it be ok for Effy to move in with her, or would it be too much change too soon. They seemed to think it was a great idea. Effy completely agreed. She had never been happier.
"Hurry up!" Katie snapped from the bottom of the stairs pulling her from her little trip down memory lane. She rolled her eyes and pulled a top on over her tights.
"Fucksake I'm coming." She shouted back impatiently.
-
The next morning Naomi was awakened way before she was ready. She stretched and frowned looking at Emily with half closed eyes. The red head couldn't help but laugh because her bride to be looked incredibly cute with her hazy blue eyes and blonde hair sticking out at odd angles.
"What time is it?" She yelled in a sleepy voice.
"Time to get up." Emily informed her with a bright smile. She was already dressed and ready to go. "It's 9am."
"But we don't have to be there till 10." She grumbled.
"I know. But I thought we could grab a coffee beforehand."
"Unless it's an Irish coffee I don't think it'll help." The blonde rolled over and closed her eyes again.
"Get up!" Emily pulled the pillow out from under Naomi's head and hit her with it.
"Fine!" She whined, throwing back the covers in a huff and sitting up. "This is not how I intended to spend our day off."
"I know." Emily said sympathetically, wrapping her arms around the blonde's neck. "But if you make it through today without killing my sister then I promised I'll make it up to you." She raised her eyebrow suggestively.
"Oh really?" Naomi licked her lips and grinned. Emily answered with a look that sent a shiver down her spine.
"I'll try but I can't promise anything." She grumbled and shuffled off to get dressed.
Emily pulled up outside her favourite coffee place and rushed inside. Naomi waited in the car, resting her head on the passenger side window half asleep. There were a surprising number of people on the streets considering the early hour. Most of them were business men and women on their way to work, stopping off for their caffeine fix.
"I got you an extra shot of espresso." The red head informed her sliding back into the car.
"What they didn't have anything stronger." Naomi retorted accepting the tray of drinks. "So what are we in for today?"
"We're going to view a venue for the reception." Emily informed her, pulling out and driving round the corner to Katie's office. "Well first we're going to discuss a date, place for the ceremony, dresses, flowers and all that stuff."
"Great." Naomi said sarcastically.
"You could be a bit more enthusiastic." Emily pouted. "It's your wedding too."
"I know. You know I'm just no good at all of this. Katie will agree." She shrugged.
"Well I want your opinion." Emily assured her reaching across and squeezing her hand.
"And please...Try not to fight with Katie." She pleaded as she pushed open the door to let's get Fitched.
"I'll try if she tries." Naomi said pointedly, knowing Katie would probably be mad at her after the phone call last night.
"Oh my!" Emily gasped quietly when she looked up at Katie's desk.
"You're early." Katie shrieked quickly pulling away from Effy who was sitting on her desk with her legs wrapped around the older twin.
"We brought coffee." Emily spluttered, blushing almost as brightly as her sister. Effy giggled nervously and hoped off the table straightening her clothes.
"Now this makes getting up this morning worth it." Naomi grinned broadly. Emily dug her in the ribs. "Nice of you to join us Eff." She added with a curt nod.
"Shall we get this started then?" Katie cleared her throat and tried to move on.
"Let's." Emily nodded keen to wipe the scene she had just observed from her memory.
"Hi Miss Fitch?" Naomi smiled and held her hand out to her future sister-in-law. "I'm Naomi Campbell this is my partner Emily Fitch, we're your 10 o'clock."
"That's cute Naomi." Katie rolled her eyes and gave a tight lipped smile. She motioned for them to sit down. Effy pulled her chair around to Katie's side of the desk and began flicking through brochures and documents. "Alright where should we start? Have you decided on a date yet?"
"No." Naomi shook her head.
"Well..." Emily shot her a behave yourself look. "We were thinking late summer early autumn."
"What this year?" Katie flicked through her date book frantically counting the weeks. "5 months. It won't be easy but we could do it."
"Who said anything about this year?" Naomi sounded mildly panicked. It had taken her a year to work up the courage to propose she assumed she'd have at least a year to mentally prepare for the actual wedding.
"Well you don't want to be one of those couples who is like engaged forever and never actually get married. Do you?" Katie scoffed. When faced with the alternative of 5 short months to plan a wedding Naomi was thinking that sounded good.
"No." Emily agreed with her sister. The idea of having the wedding in 5 months excited her. She looked at her girlfriend with big, pleading eyes. Naomi whimpered. She couldn't say no to those eyes.
"Do I really get a choice?" The blonde rolled her eyes. The twins had already made the decision for her. Effy smirked but gave her a sympathetic look.
"Excellent." Katie marked it in her little book. "That means we have a lot of work to do. I have the perfect location; well I think it's the perfect location, you'll see it soon but we have to decide on colour schemes, wedding favours, dresses, hen nights and a guest list."
Emily and Naomi looked at each other with wide eyes; that's was a lot of stuff.
"But don't worry because that's why I'm here." Katie smiled, sensing their nervousness. "Any ideas about colours?"
"I like blue." Naomi offered when Emily eyed her expectantly.
"Blue." Katie nodded. "Like electric blue, navy blue, baby blue...?"
Naomi frowned, since when was just blue not enough.
"Maybe like a midnight blue?" Emily suggested, giving Naomi a proud and encouraging smile. Katie made a note in her book and smiled; midnight blue would look good with her complexion.
"And you'll both be wearing white dresses?" She asked as though yes was the obvious answer. Emily nodded ardently.
"But nothing too...big." Naomi insisted. "Or frilly. Or puffy."
"Simple." Katie agreed showing Naomi she understood what she wanted from the wedding too. "Now how big of a wedding party are we talking?"
"Huh?" Naomi looked confused.
"Bridesmaids? Brides...men?" Katie elaborated. "Ushers? Flower girls?"
"Well...uh...I guess you and James will be standing with me?" Emily mused. It had never been a question of asking Katie to be a bridesmaid; her sister had just presumed the role when they announced their engagement.
"Hey Eff...Do you want to be my bridesmaid?" Naomi asked as though she was asking the girl did she want a drink.
"Of course." Effy smiled. "I'd be honoured."
"Thanks." The blonde smiled gratefully. She didn't have any siblings and her and Effy had really bonded over the past few years; something about a shared experience living with a Fitch twin bringing them closer together.
"Aww." Katie couldn't help but coo.
"What about JJ and Cook as ushers?" Naomi suggested. She was on a roll with all this input.
"Is Cook coming?" Effy was intrigued.
"I called him last week he's still on parole but he said he'd speak nicely to his parole officer and see if he can come." Naomi nodded. She had a strong relationship with the mixed up boy. She knew he just needed to be looked after.
"Cool." Effy smiled.
"Sounds good to me." Emily grinned.
"Then that's that settled." Katie was buzzing with excitement about all of this. She checked her watch and gathered some pieces of paper together. "Shall we leave now and continue this discussion in the car?"
She stood up indicating that there wasn't really an option and she and Emily led the way out the door.
"No offense or anything, I mean you know I love you, but why are you here Eff?" Naomi asked her friend. "I mean if it wasn't my wedding I sure as hell wouldn't be here."
"If you could get away with still not being here even though it is your wedding you sure as hell wouldn't be here." Effy corrected her with a giggle. Naomi shrugged. She knew Effy was right.
"Besides...most of my friends are busy planning a stupid civil partnership so what else is there for me to do?" The brunette chuckled and threw her arm around the blonde as they approached the car. Katie was impatiently waiting in the passenger seat so they climbed into the back seat quietly.
-
The hotel Katie was taking them to view was just a little outside the city. As they drove through its large grounds they were quite impressed by the beautiful gardens. Emily was looking around deciding which places would be nice to have pictures taken in. The manager, a tall, thin man with blonde highlights in his hair, met them in the reception with a big smile on his face. He air kissed Katie when he greeted her by name; they had obviously done business before.
"Leo this is my sister Emily and her partner Naomi." She introduced the couple.
"It's lovely to meet you." He air kissed both of them too.
"You too." Emily smile sheepishly.
"I won't even try to guide you on this one Miss Katie; just tell me where you want me to take you." He had worked with the fussy twin enough times to know better than to try and advise her on her own sister's wedding.
"I want to show them the ballroom. Maybe a tour of the grounds?" She informed him with a grin. She couldn't wait to see their faces; she just knew they would love it. Naomi looked at Emily with wide eyes and mouthed the word ballroom at her. Emily just shrugged.
"As you wish." The man smiled and half bowed. He led them through the reception to the room in question.
When he opened the door they actually gasped. It was beautiful. It wasn't as overly big as they expected it to be, it was moderately sized with his ceilings and ornate chandeliers. The walls were off white decorated with detailed gold filigree. Large round tables were spread out across the room and a bar ran the whole length of one of the walls. There was a wooden floored area that would serve as a dance floor during the reception too. It was just perfect. Emily looked at Naomi with those bight brown eyes sparkling and a huge smile on her face and she knew they just had to have this place; no matter what it cost. Katie watched them as they took in the room. She could read on their faces how much they loved it which thrilled her. Even Effy seemed impressed.
"Of course once we decide on colours and stuff I'll have the tables decorated." Katie smiled.
"It's amazing." Emily smiled at her sister. The girl really was fantastic at her job.
"Isn't it?" She grinned. "Wait till you see the grounds."
She gave a nod to Leo who proceeded to lead them around the many gardens the hotel had, each more gorgeous than the last. Emily could practically see her and Naomi standing in the different places on a late summer's day having their wedding pictures taken.
"Well?" Katie asked hopefully, pulling them aside in the garden.
"It's perfect." Emily beamed.
"Really perfect." Naomi agreed. Any place that made her Emily this happy had to be the place they had their wedding.
"I'm glad you think so." Katie sighed happily. "Because I booked it for you to use on August 21st."
"What?" The red head's mouth fell open.
"It's a Saturday." Katie informed them.
"Katie..." Naomi began, still slightly shocked by the date that was so very close. "Is this place really within out budget?" She asked; not that it mattered she'd get another job if she had to so Emily could have her wedding here.
"Consider it your wedding gift." The brunette twin grinned happily.
"What?" Emily shrieked, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"I booked it for you as you're wedding gift. I'm paying for it." She clarified.
"You can't..." Her sister began but was cut off.
"I already did. Just accept it." Katie insisted. Emily threw her arms around the older twin and screamed a little.
"It's from both of us by the way." Effy added with a smirk.
"You really shouldn't have." Naomi found herself rather overwhelmed by her future sister in laws generosity.
"Don't mention it." She shrugged. "I want this day to be perfect for you. Both of you." She threw her arms around the blonde that would soon be marrying her twin sister.
"I can't believe this." Emily gushed excitedly.
"You haven't even seen the honeymoon suite yet." Effy pointed out with a suggestive wink.