*A/N: I've tuned a guitar but never tuned a piano in my life so allow for literary licence in this chapter! Also I had Brooke Fraser 'Arithmetic' in my head the whole time for this chapter.. you'll see why hopefully lol!
The next morning,
"Ah bugger, sorry Chaplin" Kate said wincing as she snapped another piano wire and because she swore. She remembered why she didn't go to a house of worship besides the fact she had no religion. She felt like every curse word was like some higher being such as God might smite her for using foul language in his place of worship. The Chaplin laughed and shook his head as he watched her tune the piano.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I've heard worse? Trust me I've spent 30 years in the military I'm sure I know more foul language than you" The Chaplin said. Kate smiled as she tuned another string. So far she had tune ¾ of the piano and only snapped two wires. Luckily the Chaplin had a whole pile of wires to keep the piano going for a long while. Kate tapped the key again and listened to the note being sounded, satisfied with the sound she moved to the next one. She had been tuning the piano for the last hour.
She was amazed that Terra Nova had a piano but the Chaplin had explained that it hadn't been on the list of necessities but the chapel goers had put their terras together and gave it to Boylan to get the piano through the portal. Then miraculously some clerical error happened on the requisition forms and the piano was sent through with one of the biyearly portal drop of supplies along with the last pieces of the original terminus.
"It won't stop me, I feel weird in here" Kate said.
"Not a woman of faith?" he asked.
"I'm agnostic" Kate told him, she liked the Chaplin he was easy going and didn't seem to judge her for her lack of religion.
"Lazy man's atheism" Taylor said as he walked up the main aisle of the small Chapel.
"Commander, it's a fine morning don't you think?" Chaplin asked.
"Definitely is" Taylor agreed, he looked around the light and airy Chapel that easily seated 200 people.
He noted the lack of windows with the frames still in. The glass had blown out from during the early attack of the Colony. Considering the chapel had large windows they were low on the list of repairs as they had to manufacture new windows. It took time and a lot resources and Taylor decided the new windows would be triple glazed for extra strength and better insulation.
"You here for a progress report?" Kate asked.
"No but why don't you give me one to save time" Taylor said.
"Everything is right on schedule…" Kate started, she went into detail about the wedding cake, flowers arrangements and decorations just as his eyes glazed over from all the talk she stopped and changed topic "I'll be finished with the piano in half an hour so you got nothing to worry about" Kate finished.
"Thank you, I appreciate all the hard work" Taylor told her.
"You're welcome. So tell me what really brings you here" Kate said, Taylor noted the glow of her smile and how even though she had dark circles under her eyes from fatigue she was still happy.
"We need to talk about you becoming Deputy" Taylor said lying about his real purpose. He had meant to bring up Lucas but just couldn't bring himself to do so. Kate cursed as she snapped another wire in the piano. He watched as she removed the broken wire from the piano.
"I said a tentative 'yes'. Malcolm and I discussed it and while he's not ok with me in the role he won't stop me from doing what I want though he put some stipulations" Kate said with a wry smile as she could still remember their conversation this morning in the afterglow of making love.
"What kind of stipulations?" Taylor asked.
"That I only do it part time and that we have a gun safe in the house for me to store my gun when I'm off the clock" Kate said off handily as she strung up the piano wire "I know everything Kate" he emphasised. Kate looked up at him.
"All reasonable requests, you'll have to sign some contracts and pass a medical exam for it all to be finalised" Taylor told her.
"Yeah I don't think I'm going to pass the medical exam" Kate said with a grimace.
"You're worried about the fatigue" he said.
"Yeah, it's wrecking my life. I sleep 8 hours and I wake up feeling like I haven't gone to bed at all. It's hard" Kate said rubbing a hand over her eyes and forehead.
"Doc said it would take you a while to recover and there's no need to rush yourself the job isn't going anywhere" Taylor assured her as he knew she worked herself up worrying about not being productive and contributing enough when she was the last person he'd call lazy.
"I know, so anyway I found a song that I will be playing for Alicia to walk down the aisle to" Kate said as she picked up the plex she was using to help her tune the piano with and brought up the song for Taylor to look at. "What do you think?" Kate asked.
"I think that I don't read music sheets" Taylor told her in an amused tone as he read the title 'Arithmetic' it didn't sound romantic or wedding related at all. Kate pressed the play button on the plex.
Later that morning,
Malcolm walked into the Chapel to see where Kate was up to in tuning the piano. He had received her message saying she was having lunch with Alicia and she would see him at dinner but he couldn't resist as he was curious to hear her play. He had heard the music coming from the Chapel and was in disbelief that it was Kate but when he entered there she was seated at the piano playing a sad yet beautiful melody of Sibelius 'Valse Triste (Sad Waltz), Op. 44, No. 1'.
He sat at the back of the Chapel in the last row of pews watching her. He was a fan of old classical music he never thought Kate was one as she opted towards 1950's jazz lounge music more than any other genre of music.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Chaplin said as he sat down next to Malcolm.
"Yes" Malcolm said his eyes not leaving her. "She said she could play but I didn't know she was this talented." he added.
"I was doubtful for the first hour or so myself" The Chaplin said with a smile.
"How long has she been playing?" Malcolm asked.
"About 3 hours. Different melodies but all of them have the same mood. I hope she knows something a little cheerier for the special day" He mused in good humour.
"Only way to find out is to ask" Malcolm said as he rose from his seat, he would have enjoyed listening to her play longer but if she had a lunch to go to.
"Do you take requests?" Malcolm asked, Kate stopped playing at his voice and looked up at him. She gave a smile as he looked over the back of the upright piano resting his chin on his hands.
"Depends on if I know the song or composer" Kate answered.
"Chaplin is wondering what you will play at the wedding"
"Well it won't be Cannon in D or 'here comes the bride'… I was thinking maybe Ave Maria but Taylor has given what he wants me to play. Luckily it's very easy to play" Kate said as she played a few bars of the Taylor's choice. Malcolm smiled as it was a beautiful piece of music.
"You play beautifully" he told Kate, she blushed at the compliment but still made a face.
"Thank you but I need more practice. My playing is rough but I'm sure it will do for the day since the Chapel has no electricity or a sound system for music. Can't have the bride walking up with no music" Kate said as she stopped playing and stretched her fingers.
"I thought I'd let you know it's nearly 12 and because I wanted to hear you play" he told her.
"Thank you for letting me know the time" Kate said.
"You miss playing?" he asked.
"No, my Nan taught me. It was one of the many things we did together, 2 hours everyday every afternoon for years. When she passed I tried playing but I just didn't enjoy it as much, it didn't feel right. Still doesn't" Kate said wistfully as she closed the lid on the piano keys. Silence lapsed between them for a moment as Malcolm wasn't sure what to say to her so instead he changed topic.
"Let's go for a walk, you can pick up the Monkey he missed you terribly" Malcolm said as he held out his hand to her.
"Really?" Kate asked in amusement as she took his hand and stood up with him.
"Yes, he looked quite forlorn at your absence and has been moping in his cage." Malcolm said as they walked out of the Chapel.
"I feel bad for locking him up but he's really clingy after the coffee spill. Tell me Haynes didn't see him" Kate said as she interlaced her fingers with his as they walked.
"Haynes did not see him, I put him in my office with the door closed" Malcolm assured her.
"Good" Kate said not hiding her approval.
"You should really give him a name" Malcolm said.
"What's wrong with calling him Monkey? I like it. It's simple, easy to remember because he looks like one" Kate said in good humour. Malcolm shook his head at her. He didn't have the heart to correct her.
"So I was thinking grilled fish, vegetables and rice for dinner" he said changing the topic.
"Mmm with Miso soup?" Kate asked.
"Yes with Miso soup. I swear you have the weirdest food addictions" Malcolm told her.
"What's wrong with rice and miso soup?" Kate asked.
"It's worrisome when you eat the paste with a spoon like its ice cream" he told her.
"But it's sooo good" Kate murmured in a delicious tone.
"Not that good" he said.
"So Taylor has been really secretive about the wedding plans. I'm worried he's up to something. You're my maid of honour as such you have to pander to my every whim. I want you to use your super sneaky soldier skills and figure it out" Alicia ordered as she drank some of her peppermint tea. She and Kate had met at Taylor's house and eaten Lunch and were now indulging in some tea before Alicia had to go back on duty.
"Can't you just sex it out of him" Kate said.
"Sex it out of him" Alicia repeated her in a dry tone at Kate's terrible use of the English language.
"Sorry use your feminine wiles and make him talk" Kate corrected as she wriggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"I'm struggling to feel sexy when I feel nauseous and tired most of the time." Alicia told her, she didn't want to admit that she and Taylor were already having a lot sex and that using it to pry information out of him would not work.
"Then take anti-nausea meds and lie on the bed in a seductive manner and call him to bed" Kate said tongue in cheek.
"Is that what you do with Malcolm?"
"Yes I even do a little strip show and throw my knickers at him but they usually hit him in the face as his too distracted to catch them" Kate said mockingly. Alicia laughed at Kate's tone and expression even if she didn't understand the reference before Kate's straight face cracked and she too laughed.
"Hmm maybe I should do that for his birthday. Isn't that what women in relationships do for their man?" Kate asked.
"Why are you asking me?"
"You've been in a relationship longer than me. I'm sure you got some tricks you could share with me. things that drive Taylor up the wall that I can use on Malcolm" Kate said.
"I'm not sharing my tricks"
"Don't be such a prude, it doesn't suit you."
"It's private"
"Private? I caught you and Taylor naked doing the dirty on the kitchen counter and the lounge room which I hope you disinfected after your fun"
"You were supposed to be out for another hour and the other time at work" Alicia told her, a rare blush gracing her cheeks.
"The things I saw and heard are forever burned in my memory" Kate said with a smile trying not to laugh as Alicia went a deeper shade of red.
"You act like it's the first time you've seen two people have sex"
"No, it wasn't the first time but I was definitely surprised, Taylor is in amazing shape and must be one hell of a shag as I didn't know you could be so vocal and I have to say Taylor's birthmark on his-"
"Stop talking" Alicia said cutting Kate off before she could finish that sentence but Kate just smiled and laughed not heeding her words.
"What? I was going to-" Kate started innocently.
"Can you not? I like my sex life to be private. Hence why we do it behind closed doors and not in the main square" Alicia told her tartly as Kate laughed some more.
"Ok I'll stop teasing you" Kate said once she stopped laughing.
"So you going to tell me what Taylor is up to?" Alicia asked.
"Look all he told me was a time to show up. Though the question I should as is do I dress up or just go as I am on the day?" Kate asked.
"I'd love to wear a dress but buying one would be difficult as I'm always wearing my BDU's rumours will start flying and I don't want that" Alicia said wistfully.
"Ok what if I bought the dress under the guise that I'm buying a dress for tomorrow night?" Kate asked.
"So the rumours are true. You're really going to propose to Malcolm?" Alicia asked.
"Not tomorrow but I've already organised a special dinner for us tomorrow night to celebrate our being back together etc. so I have the perfect excuse" Kate said with a shrug.
"Let's do it tomorrow lunch"
"This lunch business is becoming a thing" Kate said with a smile.
The next morning,
"Kate, wake up" Malcolm murmured as he kissed her neck. They had slept through the alarm and it was currently 6:45 am, Malcolm had enjoyed waking up with Kate wrapped around him sleeping soundly. He had helped her with stringing decorations and doing final touches until they finished at 1am. He had wanted to let her sleep in but she had a long day including a yoga session with Maddy and Alicia to go to in 15 minutes. His attempts to wake her so far had failed as she just shifted in her sleep moving herself up from his chest so they were face to face.
"Mmm two more minutes" She told him in a sleepy voice, she hadn't even opened her eyes.
"You're usually the first one out of bed" He murmured in good humour but also concerned that she was not feeling well as she was running a temperature.
"So tired" Kate mumbled sleepily as she wrapped her arms around his neck and threw a leg over his hips pulling him tighter to her body. She made a sexy chuckle as she felt his morning arousal pressing against her belly. She kissed him good morning and opened her eyes.
"Hi" she whispered with a sleepy smile.
"Hi, you need to get up" he told her running a hand down her flank to her ass, he pulled her closer making them both moan from the intimate contact. Kate bit her bottom lip and shook her head.
"Mmm no I want to stay here" Kate whined playfully as she started kissing him again. Just soft gentle kisses.
"I will make love to you if you keep teasing me like this." He warned her.
"I like the sound of that" Kate said between kisses, Malcolm groaned as Kate had just given him the green light. Her comm. unit beeped and Kate groaned as she didn't want to move. "Can you get that and tell them I'm busy" Kate said, Malcolm rolled them so she on her back and him above. He reached over her and grabbed the comm. unit.
"It's a message from Alicia reminding you she is walking over in ten minutes to go to the Shannon's. You want me to reply?" Malcolm asked.
"Please, just say 'Copy that'" Kate told him as she looked up at him as he typed the reply. She was exhausted to her bones, she didn't know where she was going to get the energy for the rest of the day. Trust me to be bone tired on the one day I need my energy Kate thought inwardly annoyed at herself. He sent the message and placed the comm. unit back on the bedside table.
"You feeling ok? You have a slight temperature" He asked her.
"You want to take my temperature Doctor?" she teased as she wriggled her hips in a suggestive manner. Malcolm half groaned and laughed as he shook his head at her.
"That is the worst line you've given me to date. You must be coming down with something. I daren't ask what you'll say next" He said as he moved back to his side and looked at her waiting for a proper answer. Kate gave a reluctant sigh.
"A little warm and exhausted but otherwise I feel fine. I just need a strong dose of green tea" She reassured him.
"I'll help you today"
"No, you got work I couldn't-"
"I'm my own boss which means I can dictate my own hours. I've helped you thus far I don't see the harm in taking a day off work to help finish this" Malcolm told her.
"Ok I'm not going to argue, Elisabeth was supposed to help me but she has to remove someone's appendix this morning. So Jim is going to help me with the flower arrangements. Between Me, Jim and the Chaplin we should get it all covered in a few hours" Kate said vainly trying to rub the fatigue from her person.
"Jim and flower arrangements?" Malcolm said trying not to laugh.
"Yes, I don't see what's so amusing though" Kate said raising an eyebrow at him to explain his amusement.
"This I have to see, come on let's get you that cup of green tea and ready for yoga" He told her.
"What about the morning sex?" Kate asked.
"You need your energy today, sex can wait" He told her as he pulled her out of bed.
"Sex can wait? Who are you? And what did you do with Malcolm I know?" Kate asked.
"You're look like you rolled out of bed, you feeling ok?" Alicia asked as a half asleep Kate was stumbled out of Malcolm's house with a cup of tea in hand. Malcolm had been pretty cheerful when he offered a cup to Alicia through the door. She declined as she didn't like to ingest liquids or food before Yoga it made her nauseous while stretching not to mention the high caffeine content.
"I did" Kate said as she sipped her cup of tea, she was wearing a olive green off the shoulder jumper and black short shorts as she walked barefoot along the gravel. Alicia knew Kate had to still be asleep as she was walking with a slightly dazed expression instead of cursing the gravel that was painful to walk on even with calloused feet. Her hair didn't look like it had met the brush either.
"You know we can always do this in the afternoons, if you can't hack all night sex sessions with Malcolm and yoga early in the morning" Alicia teased.
"Nah I can handle it" Kate said before she took a sip of her tea. Alicia laughed as she caught Kate by the arm and pulled her sleepy friend next to her as the woman couldn't even walk in a straight line. "Hey can you help me set up the house at lunch today for my special dinner with Malcolm?" Kate asked.
"Sure, and I've decided we need to get dresses tomorrow before the ceremony" Alicia said.
"Ok. Hey, you know what I miss from the future?"
"Chocolate?"
"Mmm yeah I'm so desperate for Chocolate that I think I'd lick it off Boylan's chest if that was the only way I'd get some" Kate said, Alicia pulled a face of disgust and shook her head.
"Uh, you just made me wish I had taken my anti nausea meds before coming today" Alicia said, she had decided since she woke up feeling good that she'd tempt the fates and here she was with bad mental images of Kate licking Boylan's chest and the man enjoying the attention.
"But I was going to say I miss lingerie shops like Victoria's secret but then lingerie's just an tantalising obstacle course for men but I do miss the feel of sexy lace and soft satin against my skin" Kate commented wistfully as the tea was finally perking her up. Alicia chuckled at Kate as she talked like she was missing an old friend.
"So what are you making for this 'special' dinner?" Alicia asked changing the topic.
"Gallosaur leg roast with lemon and mint seasoning, eggplant surprise and roast vegetables" Kate said.
"Mmm Eggplant surprise lucky man" Alicia said with a smile. Kate had taught her the recipe and was a definite favourite in the Taylor household even if it was a labour intensive side dish.
"Yeah he better be grateful, it's a bitch to make" Kate said Alicia laughed as they had reached their destination.
Later that morning at the Chapel,
"How about that?" Jim asked as he, the Chaplin and Malcolm stepped back to look at the bouquet that would be Alicia's to hold as she walked down the aisle. The three men had been left in charge of finishing the last of the flower arrangement which was an easy task that involved copying Kate's easy design and attaching them to the end of the pews to frame the aisle while Kate who was getting some much needed rest.
She was having a nap on one of the pews as her brain and body was fried from doing too much in the last couple of days. He was amazed she could sleep at all considering the amount of caffeine in her system. She spent the morning after a ten minute nap after breakfast at the Shannon's running around like a two year old on a sugar high. They finished the Shannon's backyard and then halfway through decorating the chapel she had fainted, luckily the Chaplin had caught her before she did any serious damage to herself. They made her sit down after that and hydrate before she decided she needed to sleep for a bit.
The three men continued decorating the chapel and finished everything except Alicia's bouquet. Then they would be done with 3 hours to spare before the ceremony. They figured how hard could it be as they had been playing with flowers for the past hour or so. Just toss a bunch together and tie string around the base or at least that's how Jim sold the suggestion. They agreed as it allowed Kate could sleep a little longer.
"It's a good start" the Chaplin said diplomatically, though it was a blatant lie. Jim's bouquet was just a whole bunch of flowers plonked together.
"I think you missed the part that this was about arranging flowers" Malcolm commented dryly as he looked unimpressed.
"Ok then why don't you try" Jim told him. Malcolm stepped up to the challenge and 10 minutes later produced a beautiful bouquet with a mixture of soft orange, yellow and white flowers tied with string.
"How about that?" Malcolm asked.
"Beautiful, Dr Wallace" The Chaplin said impressed.
"Does Kate ever feel defeminised by you?" Jim asked in good humour.
"Far from it" Malcolm told Jim smugly.
"Let's see chapel: decorated and ready, Reception: also decorated and ready to go and Zoe has a mountain of petals to throw…" Jim listed off everything until he got to the end and smiled. "I think it's all ready we all just have to go to our respective homes and make ourselves pretty and come back"
"I'll inform the Commander that everything is good to go. Nice work gentlemen" The Chaplin said before leaving them. Malcolm turned to Jim and they both exchanged an uneasy look at the compliment.
"Do you have a suit jacket?" Malcolm asked Jim who gave him an odd look at the question which Malcolm took to be a 'no'. "Ok I'll bring my navy jacket for you to wear. Might be a tight fit but it will only be needed for the ceremony" Malcolm added.
"Ok, well I'll leave you to wake up sleeping beauty and meet you back in 2 and half hours to double check everything is ready to go" Jim said with a smile, Malcolm nodded watching Jim leave.
Alicia rocked up at Malcolm's house and knocked on the door, she had spent the better part of the morning following Taylor to see what he was up to as the wedding was tomorrow yet he just went along business as usual with the exception of seeing Lucas in the morning. It was the only thing that made her wonder what he was doing in the afternoon as that was when he usually met with Lucas. The front door opened and Alicia looked to Kate with surprise.
"Wow you are really going all out for Malcolm" Alicia commented as Kate pulled her into Malcolm's house. She couldn't help but notice how Kate's hair red hair had been curled and pulled away from her face in a very messy chignon. The curls suited her as she had a few tendrils frame her face and she was wearing makeup, it all looked natural with the exception of the smoky eye shadow that accentuated the colour of her grey eyes.
"You have to get ready" Kate said a little too energetically compared to when Alicia left her at the Shannon's after breakfast. The redhead had been asleep on the lounge when she left. Alicia waved to Maddy and Elisabeth who were equally looking just as done up as Kate. She suddenly felt like she was being left outside of a very important loop.
"I didn't realise I was invited" Alicia said confused.
"I lied about the special dinner, it's your wedding day! well afternoon! Surprise! Now go have a quick shower and put on this top, come back to the lounge room" Kate said as she held out a very loose grey jersey singlet with spaghetti straps, Alicia had seen Kate wear before, it didn't flatter her figure as it hid all her natural curves but Kate said it was for comfort not aesthetics.
"Wedding is tomorrow night" Alicia stated confused as she took the top and allowed Kate to push her to the bathroom.
"Not anymore hence the surprise that it's today in 2 hours. Taylor organised it all. Now I have prepared lunch to eat while your hair is being done and then you can brush your pearly whites before make up" Kate told her as she pushed her towards the bathroom. "Don't worry I brought all your toiletries here this morning and they will be taken back to your home after you have washed up a bit. Now go shower and wash your hair" Kate said giving Alicia the final push into the bathroom and closing the door.
An hour and half later,
"Très belle, Taylor won't know what hit him. We should have more girl time like this" Kate said as sat to the side watching Maddy and Elisabeth did all the touches of natural makeup and her hair. Alicia looked extremely uncomfortable from all the attention but sat still and allowed the Shannon women to do their work.
"So I assume there are more surprises?" Alicia asked as Maddy and Elisabeth packed up the hair dryer and brushes.
"Heaps, prepared to be blown away!"Kate said exuberantly, enjoying herself entirely too much and way too energetic in Alicia's opinion.
"How much tea have you had today?" Alicia asked.
"A lot and B12 shot courtesy of Doc Shannon" Kate said as she held up a mirror for Alicia to inspect, Alicia was speechless as she looked beautiful and not like a hooker she had been worried as she had been at the mercy of Maddy and Elisabeth for over two hours. Her hair had been blow dried into its natural waves and placed into a loose half up, half down style with her long fringe perfectly styled to frame her face. Her makeup was light and natural like always just with a little more eyeliner to accentuate her dark brown eyes, some mascara and bronzer that made her olive skin glow even more than usual.
"Wow" Alicia murmured.
"You haven't even put your dress on" Kate said.
"I think it's so romantic that Commander Taylor has put so much thought and effort into today" Maddy said smiling.
"Yeah you should totally marry that guy" Kate said to Alicia in a mocking innocent manner.
"Really? I don't know" Alicia said in a mockingly doubtful manner. Elisabeth and Maddy chuckled at the two women as they continued to banter.
"Well we shall leave you ladies to finish the rest as we have to get changed ourselves." Elisabeth said.
"Ok see you in half an hour and thanks for the makeover and energy boost" Kate said.
"Anytime" Elisabeth said as she and Maddy left.
40 minutes later at the Chapel.
"This has got to be the first time Wash has been late in years" Guzman commented as he tugged on the collar of his jacket. It was an honour to be asked to stand next to Taylor as his best man but he wished they could have gone without the jackets but Taylor had it in his mind how he wanted everything to be so here they stood waiting in their dress uniforms. Well the closest thing to it.
Malcolm was off to the side talking with Chaplin quietly while Jim stood at the back of the Chapel with Zoe who kept tugging on her blue dress and trying to throw petals, generally just being impatient.
Malcolm and Jim were just in casual suit pants, button down shirts and linen jackets looking far more relaxed and cooler than Guzman felt, he marvelled at how Taylor could stand beside him and not sweat bullets in the overly warm heat of the afternoon.
"She's only 10 minutes late" Taylor said, he was slightly relieved when Elisabeth and Maddy Shannon made their own entrance with apologetic smiles. It meant Alicia couldn't be far behind. Elisabeth wore a steel blue wrap around dress with cap sleeves her hair was up in a sleek updo while her daughter wore lavender summer dress that cinched at the waist. Her hair was half up half down in soft curls with the top half in loose braids. Both women looked beautiful and calm.
Taylor shot Jim a look and he took the look to say 'Check on Wash' and disappeared with Zoe outside for a moment.
At Malcolm's house,
"I can barely breathe in this dress. This is a disaster" Alicia said as she took shallow breaths in the white gorgeous Grecian bustier dress. It was made from two layers of a softly woven cotton fabric but sadly didn't have a lot of give in it. It was fitted underneath with a loosely gathered overlay.
"Ok just relax" Kate said as she unzipped the dress and made Alicia step out of it. The dress was too small in the bust. Alicia had already divested her strapless bra and had Kate awkwardly help her position her boobs so she had a nice cleavage instead of squished mono-boob.
"Relax? I was supposed to be at the chapel ten minutes ago. Why does Taylor have to make a production out of everything?" Alicia grouched as Kate disappeared from the room for a moment. She was stressed, she hated being late and while she did like being girly and putting on a dress she was now ready to throw it all to the side and get back into her BDU's and just go.
"Because every woman deserves to have her day of wedding bliss and anyway it's good luck to show up late. It's expected" Kate said from the kitchen. Alicia heard the sounds of fabric ripping and winced as she really didn't want to know what Kate was doing to the dress out there.
"I've never been late in my life" Alicia said sitting on the bed in the spare room.
"In less than nine months you'll have proof that you have been late before" Kate said with another tear of fabric that made Alicia cringe.
"You're hilarious" Alicia said dryly as Kate came back into the room the dress appeared to still be intact.
"Here we go round two" Kate said as she held out the dress, Alicia stepped into the dress and turned around. Kate zipped up the back of the dress. "How's that?" Kate asked.
"Better, still tight but I can breathe" Alicia said as Kate checked the dress over to make sure it wouldn't fall down or anything too embarrassing. Alicia rearranged her breasts or the 'girls' as Kate called them until said redhead gave her the thumbs up.
"Good, you want it tight so it doesn't fall down. Your boobs are amazing, not that you didn't have a nice rack before but wow pregnancy has it's perks." Kate said before laughing.
"Thanks" Alicia said dryly as Kate circled her making sure everything was where it was supposed to be and looked alright.
"You are missing one thing" Kate said.
"Oh? What?"Alicia asked, she had a dress, the ring and shoes. Her hair and makeup was done. She thought the look was complete.
"Well your engagement ring is something old, the dress is new, and this is something blue-ish and borrowed" Kate said holding up the fabric belt that was supposed to be part of her dress. The floral print was a mixture of blues, oranges, reds and greys.
It was a sweet floral tunic mid thigh dress in the same soft cotton as Alicia's dress was made in. It was all-over floral print that had a V-neck with ruffled drape detail, short flutter sleeves and a cut out detail at back with button to fasten at neck. She wore tan sandals and matching tan belt to accentuate her trim waist.
"You are really pulling out the all the stops today" Alicia said as she lifted her arms so Kate could wrap the floral belt under Alicia's bust cinching the cascading layers of the dress and giving Alicia some shape.
"Taylor's orders" Kate said with a mock salute.
"Well when it's your turn you can borrow my wedding dress" Alicia told her. Kate shook her head.
"Nah I can't do strapless, remember?" Kate asked as she pulled the collar of the tunic back to reveal the burn scars on the top of her shoulder that were a gift from Lucas and the other faint scars she had been gifted from her previous life.
"I'm sure Elisabeth could fix those so you barely notice them" Alicia told her.
"I'll give it some thought. Anyway your dress could be dyed a more versatile colour and wear it in the summer or for date night. When you lose your pregnancy boobs we'll just sew up the darts I ripped open" Kate said.
"There's an idea" Alicia said, she wasn't against wearing dresses she just couldn't be bothered as she wore her fatigues all the time. They were easy option for her.
"You ready?" Kate asked in an excited tone.
"Yes" Alicia said.
"Excited?"
"Giddy, can we go?" Alicia asked as she took a slow inhale and exhale. She had not expected her afternoon to turn out like this or her wedding. It was great except for the not knowing what to expect. Kate had assured her the wedding was still small and said only Guzman, Malcolm and the Shannons would be in attendance sans Josh who was working.
"Yes if we are any later Taylor will really worry that you left him at the altar and we have run off together" Kate said tongue in cheek.
It took them less than ten minutes to get to the church and only a few odd looks from a few people passing by as most people were still at work and school. When they arrived at the Chapel Jim and Zoe were waiting outside ready to go.
"One Photo" Alicia told Jim in warning as he was already ready to take a picture. Jim handed Alicia her bouquet of flowers with a grin.
"Smile for the Camera" Jim said holding up his hand held plex. Kate and Alicia posed and smiled for the camera once the photo was taken. Kate held out her hand to Jim. "What?" he asked.
"Plex camera thingy, Maddy is chief photographer as she is the only person in the Colony I trust not to distribute photos without authorisation" Kate said, Jim made a face and reluctantly handed it over to her.
"I want it back" Jim said disgruntled by Kate's honesty.
"You will later tonight. Now I have to get inside. You look absolutely beautiful, if he doesn't marry you. Just know I'm happy to step up and then we can start a colony of Amazon women!" Kate joked Alicia shook her at Kate but laughed none the less with Jim. The redhead crouched down to Zoe. "Zoe clean up nice, you ready to throw some petals in the air?" Kate asked her.
"Yep!" Zoe said with a nod.
"You totally have the best job today. I have to go play a smelly piano" Kate told her in a jealous tone, Zoe smiled smugly as it made her feel special. "Ok let's go, see you two inside" Kate said to Jim and Alicia. Alicia turned to Jim and took a deep calming breath.
"So you got the duty of walking down the aisle?" Alicia asked him.
"Yeah Guzman, Malcolm and I drew straws" Jim told her.
"Thanks I feel so special" Alicia said laughing.
"You should, you make a beautiful bride. Now, we have to wait until Zoe is half way up the aisle and then we walk. I promise not to step on your dress. Now let's get this over with I'm getting a rash from wearing Malcolm's Jacket" Jim joked her as he held out his arm.
Taylor shared a smile with Kate as she circled around the back of the chapel and up the outside of the pews avoiding the aisle as she made her way to the piano. She gave him the thumbs up as she took her seat at the piano.
The Chaplin took his position at the front on a higher step to Taylor while Malcolm, Maddy and Elisabeth turned to watch Alicia's entrance. Kate started playing the first bars of soft melody Taylor had never heard before, he watched as Zoe threw flower petals up in the air so they showered everywhere even over herself. He smiled at the enthusiasm of the little girl. Zoe was halfway up the aisle in her petal showering and skipping when he heard Kate start to sing with the music. He like many in the room had no clue she even possessed a talent with music let alone a beautifully soft melodic voice. Normally something like that would have caught his attention but today it melted into the background adding to the romance and atmosphere as he saw Alicia at the back of the Chapel. She was so beautiful, his throat ache. She looked angelic in her white cotton floor length dress, her long hair draping her shoulders.
Alicia was amazed and incredibly touched by the view before her. The whole thing was not half assed as she had imagined it would be. The Chapel was decorated with many flower arrangements out of a mixture of the Terra Novan white Gladiolas, Larkspurs, Dahlias, Statices, and Freesias in a mixture of soft yellows, oranges and white. They were some in pots and many fastened to the end of each pew that cascaded to the floor to frame the aisle. The afternoon sunlight cascaded a soft glow into the right side of the Chapel.
Taylor stood at the front of Chapel next to Chaplin in his black military jacket and black BDU pants. Guzman stood next to him as he wore similar outfit but his was in a drab green denoting his enlisted billet. She inwardly smirked that it was the closest thing any of them had to a dress uniform. She saw Elisabeth and Malcolm standing at the front row of pews. Zoe was already half way up the aisle still tossing flower petals with enthusiasm while Kate singing while she played the piano added to the atmosphere as Maddy flittering about taking photos with a small plex.
She hadn't, couldn't imagine a wedding like this to be hers. It felt like a true fairytale for her that she never allowed herself to get wrapped up in yet here she was sinking in. She held the bouquet and linked arms with Jim and they proceeded down the aisle. She smiled softly her eyes never leaving Taylor's as he smiled at her. This was the beautiful start of their future together.
TBC~ See you all hopefully next week! Reviews welcome as always… :-)
A/N: If you want to know what Alicia's dress looks like (from my mind) Alexander McQueen Grecian Bustier dress.