In which a wedding is rehearsed...
DeEtta parked their car while Gloria waved happily at the men.
"Hello!" she said as she got out and hugged Monroe around the waist, "Did Rosie and Dakota go on ahead?" Monroe nodded.
"How's she feeling?" DeEtta asked seriously.
"I think at this point she wants to get it over with, but she seems pretty happy..." DeEtta nodded, taking her mother's arm.
"Okay. We'll see you in a bit. Holler if you need us... Come on, Mom..." The Fuchsbau went off in the general direction Rosalee and Dakota had gone, following Rosalee's scent. The rest of the bridal party arrived within the next few minutes, but Monroe stood, looking down the road, frowning. No sign of Bart and Alice. Nick went over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"This isn't like them," the Blutbad muttered under his breath. Nick didn't really know how to respond; they may not be one hundred percent on board, but Bart and Alice had at least warmed up to the situation...
"Oh, wait, that's them." A rental car pulled into the lot, and Bart and Alice got out. Alice immediately hugged her son while Bart looked around, taking deep breaths in.
"Seems... nice, son," he commented gruffly. Monroe nodded, and turned to lead the whole party to the location.
After a short walk along a well-worn but muddy trail, the group found themselves in what looked like the ruins of a small ancient Roman amphitheater with a large stone platform that served as a stage.
"They do summer stock theater out here," Monroe commented absently as he made a beeline for Rosalee, who was sitting on the stage with her mother and sister, talking to Dakota, who was going over last minute details.
"So I'll come by early with my assistant. We'll bring the cushions, ribbons, and other things..." the Eisbiber put a gentle hand on Rosalee's cheek once more. "Don't you worry, I will take care of everything. Once we're done tonight, all I want you to think about is getting some sleep, and dreaming about this wonderful man you're going to marry tomorrow!" Monroe arrived at Rosalee's side and gently kissed her cheek.
"Sounds like a plan, Dakota." Bart and Alice stood next to Monroe; Bart was looking Dakota over in a way that made Nick uncomfortable. Before Monroe could introduce them, Bart grabbed Monroe's arm and dragged him away. Nick started to follow, but the agitation in Bart's voice gave him pause.
"Monroe, what the hell is that thing?"
"That would be an Eisbiber, Dad. We know quite a few of them."
"This is no time to be a smartass, son. Is that a boy or a girl?"
"I don't know, and I don't care."
"How can you not care?"
"Well, since neither of us are interested in having sex with them, I don't think it matters."
"What's it's name?"
"Their name is Dakota. Dakota Jones. Also, stop calling them an it!"
"Stop calling it a they!"
"Stop being an ass, Dad!" At that moment, Dakota made their way over to the arguing Blutbaden; the little Eisbiber seemed to know exactly what was going on.
"You must be Bart!" they said, extending a hand. Bart stared at it. Monroe nudged his father, the tips of his ears beginning to turn red.
"Dad, don't be rude."
"I don't want to touch it." Monroe slapped his forehead.
"I am so sorry, Dakota. What my dad means is..."
"What are you?" Bart interrupted. Dakota stood up as straight and tall as they could
"I am an Eisbiber, but I know that isn't what you mean. I identify as agender. I don't identify as male, I don't identify as female. I am just a person." Bart shook his head.
"You mean you can't decide?"
"Dad..." Monroe growled. Dakota held up their hand.
"We can finish this conversation later, but we are burning daylight. If it makes you uncomfortable, you are welcome to leave. Come on, Monroe, your lady awaits." Monroe and Dakota turned and walked back to the larger group, leaving Bart stewing. Alice rushed to her son, concerned, but when Monroe quickly and quietly explained the issue, she rolled her eyes.
"I'll talk to him," the Blutbad matron sighed.
"I am so sorry, Dakota," Monroe began, pinching the bridge of his nose, but Dakota just patted his arm.
"Later. Let's bang this out first."
"Aye aye, Captain."
Since Monroe's parents were not expressly necessary in the rehearsal, they sat and watched; Bart still looked angry, but Alice was looking longingly at the group as they figure out the exit and entrance and who would stand where when. She clearly wanted to be closer to her son and the group. At one point, Rosalee slipped in a patch of mud, but Monroe caught her and scooped her up, and, despite her protestations, refused to put her down anywhere except the stone stage. Nick couldn't help smiling at his friend's stubbornness. As the sun was setting, Dakota declared the rehearsal complete, and they should start making their way back to the cars if they were going to keep their dinner reservation. Monroe once more picked Rosalee up.
"Stop! Put me down!" she shrieked with a giggle.
"No," he said simply, leading the way back to the parking lot. Rosalee seemed to accept what was happening and snuggled against his chest. The others in the group followed, but out of the corner of his eye, Nick saw a flash of blue going in the other direction. Nick grabbed Sean's arm. The Royal's green eyes followed the little Eisbiber, who was marching resolutely over to where Bart and Alice were still sitting.
"Do you think we should..." Sean began.
"Yes," Nick said, and they turned around to follow.
Sorry it took so long and is again very short; I've just had a whole mess of real life stuff happen. Confrontation between Dakota and Bart coming, along with much more. Thanks for sticking with me- your continued patronage means a lot to me right now owo