In which we meet the wedding planner and prepare for the wedding rehearsal...
Friday arrived, rainy and grey. The weather forecast for Saturday was sunshine with some clouds, but Nick hoped it wouldn't be muddy. Monroe and Rosalee found a nice spot on Mount Hood for the ceremony, but Rosalee was still not one hundred percent with her balance... mud, fancy shoes, and one arm out of commission could be a dangerous combination. Monroe sent Nick a few worried texts during the work day, but as the end of the shift approached, the sun came out, giving Portland a pleasant hazy mist. Nick and Sean carpooled to the site with Monroe and Rosalee. This was supposed to be a very quick rehearsal, and the couple were both in good spirits, singing along quietly to a random love song on the radio. Sean was playing with his phone. Nick's phone buzzed in his pocket.
We're still pranking them tomorrow, right? Nick waited until he knew Sean was looking at him and nodded his head slightly with a tiny smile. The couple didn't notice. When the song finished and station cut to commercial, Rosalee turned to Nick and Sean.
"By the way, we are SO sorry about what Bart said the other night..." Nick held up his hand.
"Look, we know you guys have no control over him. And honestly, it's not like he hasn't said stuff like that before..."
"I know, man, but it was still a dick move..." Sean shrugged.
"We can keep a lid on it. It'll be like at work."
"Yeah, but you shouldn't have to if you're happy... You are happy, right?" Rosalee looked pointedly at Nick. "I haven't really had the opportunity to check on you guys. Is your living situation okay?" Nick and Sean both nodded.
"Yeah, it's great... working out nicely." Rosalee smiled.
"GREAT! That's what I like to hear!" The car wound up, and Portland was laid out before them on one side while Mother Nature ran rampant on the other. Monroe turned into a little makeshift parking lot, turned the car off, then jumped out to help Rosalee. With the sun setting, the area seemed alive truly alive, almost as if by magic. Rosalee especially seemed to shine in the golden glow as she smiled at Monroe, who offered his arm to help her balance in the mud. Nick heard the quiet clicking of a phone camera; Sean was taking pictures.
"You let me know if you need me to carry you, okay? It won't be a problem..." Rosalee laughed.
"I think I'll be okay... thanks for the offer, though..." Monroe pressed his lips to his bride's forehead as they wandered to a little outcropping of rocks; they could see Portland in the distance.
"Anything for you. Now and forever." Rosalee shook her head.
"I think we're getting ahead of ourselves. Tomorrow, honey."
"Can you believe it?" the Blutbad whispered to the Fuchsbau, "In 24 hours, we'll be married!"
"And to think it almost didn't happen..." She turned to him and smiled. "My hero!" They kissed as Sean took a few more photos.
"Knock it off, Sean," Monroe mumbled into Rosalee's mouth. They parted and turned back to their friends, Monroe wiping his eyes.
"You're so pretty, though!" Sean whined in a silly voice. Monroe ran his fingers through his hair.
"Why thank you; but we have to acknowledge that I am not nearly as lovely as Rosalee..." Rosalee giggled, and he kissed her cheek. "We're supposed to meet the wedding planner here... I think that's them." He points up the road to a black SUV. The SUV parked next to Rosalee's Fiat, and a tiny African-American got out. They smiled widely when they saw Monroe and Rosalee. They addressed Rosalee first, giving Nick and Sean the opportunity to look them over; they appeared androgynous, hair in cornrows, wearing a bright blue suit with a white dress shirt and black skinny tie. They lifted their well-manicured hand to Rosalee's cheek.
"Oh, my beautiful bride! You are looking so much better! Is he taking good care of you?" Rosalee nodded with a smile as they turned to Monroe. "Of course you are! Only the best for your lady, right?" Monroe also smiled widely.
"Damn right!" Monroe turned the wedding planner to Nick and Sean. "Guys, this is Dakota. Dakota, this is Nick, the best man, and Sean, one of the groomsmen." Dakota enthusiastically shook their hands before turning and whispering something to Monroe. The Blutbad almost had to double over because of the height difference. "That would be Nick. Don't worry, though, he's cool." Dakota nodded, briefly woging Eisbiber.
"Yeah, just your friendly neighborhood Grimm, here to help two of his best friends start their lives together," Nick said with a smile.
"Oh, I like you, honey!" They turned to Rosalee. "Why don't we go check on our spot and the guys can wait for the others? I don't want you straining yourself... watch your step!" The little Eisbiber started to lead her away.
"Really, Dakota, I'm fine..." Dakota laughed. The sound reminded Nick a little of a wind chime, pleasant, tinkling.
"Yes, and then something else happens to you and I get my arm ripped off by a raging Blutbad..." Dakota turned to Monroe, "not that it wasn't well-deserved! I just prefer to keep all my body parts!" Monroe snorts slightly but smiles. Dakota and Rosalee laugh before disappearing into the trees.
"Is that a girl or a guy?" Sean asked when he was sure the Eisbiber was out of earshot. Monroe shrugged.
"No idea. Doesn't really matter. When we interviewed them, we weren't sure, so when we decided to hire them, we asked what sort of pronouns we should use and they said they preferred gender-neutral, so that's what we're using. They already know my parents are probably going to be jerks about it, but they said it isn't the first time and won't be the last. They've been really supportive and helpful, and worth every cent we're paying them, especially these last few days..." Monroe shrugged again "Why? Is it gonna be a problem?"
"Umm, not with us, but your parents..." Monroe rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"My parents can get the hell over it. That's actually part of why we hired them; they specialize in interspecies weddings and have a great attitude when dealing with problematic family members and guests. They can handle my dad. And if not, I have a Grimm, a Royal police captain, and Gloria and DeEtta to back me up."
"The Calverts met them?" Monroe nodded.
"Yeah, at the hospital. Gloria thinks they're just the sweetest thing... speaking of, I think I see Gloria and DeEtta now."
A/N: Sorry it's so short; I've got a lot going on right now. I also wanted a more solid idea of what Monroe and Rosalee were planning on doing for their wedding. I think I have a decent handle on it now.