In which we have the rehearsal dinner...
Nick, Sean, and Bart made their way back to the parking lot to find Monroe and Alice leaning on Rosalee's car, arms crossed, feet tapping in unison, staring daggers at the end of the trail. Like mother, like son. Rosalee was sitting in the car, window down, desperately tearing into what looked like a granola bar. Otherwise the parking lot was empty.
"Are you quite done?" Monroe asked his father, who nodded silently. "Good. Mom has directions. Everyone else is on their way there already. I personally think you owe Dakota an apology, but I'll settle for you not speaking to them again. Now, if you don't mind, my future wife is hungry." Alice gave her son's hand a quick squeeze before shepherding her husband to their rental. Monroe opened the door for Nick and Sean without a word before climbing into the driver's side and starting the car. Nick could almost feel the frustration radiating off his friend.
"Honey," Rosalee began quietly once they were moving forward, "It's going to be okay..." Monroe sighed and took her offered hand. Her touch seemed to deflate his anger considerably. Monroe squeezed her hand briefly, then put his back on the steering wheel.
"Sometimes I wish I had never brought them back into the picture," he muttered.
"That's not true and you know it." Rosalee said as she started playing with the empty wrapper, clumsily tying knots in the shiny plastic with one hand. Nick watched Monroe turn slightly to watch her for a moment, a soft, loving look in his eyes, before he turned back to the road. A moment after, Rosalee turned and looked at him the same way. Nick couldn't help thinking again how well the two of them went together. Monroe sighed again.
"So what happened? Dakota didn't say much. They kinda took charge of the situation, agreeing to lead the convoy so we didn't miss our reservation."
"And thank goodness they had a stash of granola bars, because I was about ready to start chewing on the steering wheel," Rosalee joked.
"Well..." Sean began, "They told your dad he was being a total ass..."
"Accurate," Monroe and Rosalee stated in unison.
"And chewed him out for being selfish. You know, Dakota has a lot of respect for you two."
"That's part of why we hired them," Rosalee said quietly. "We interviewed this one planner... what was she?"
"Klaustreich, what the hell else?" Monroe muttered, shaking his head.
"Anyway, while we were interviewing her, she got really nasty and started preaching and screaming at us about how what we were doing was wrong and walked out, saying she refused to take part in unnatural unions or something like that..."
"Yeah, that was fun. It took a lot for me to not chase her down and teach her a lesson." Rosalee turned to Nick and Sean, speaking in an exaggerated whisper:
"Yeah, me saying, 'Down, boy'!" Nick and Sean laughed.
"So Rosalee gets to treat you like a puppy and we don't?" Nick asked.
"Umm, no offense, Nick, but (a), you are not marrying me, (b), you are not sharing a bed with me, and (c), she's a hell of a lot cuter than you will ever be. So yes, she gets to make me her puppy-wuppy all she wants and you do not."
"Puppy-wuppy?" Sean asked, snorting. Nick felt like he was going to burst out laughing as well.
"Yeah!" Rosalee commented in an exaggerated baby-talk voice, "He's my big, sweet puppy-wuppy and I loves him so much." She reached out and pinched Monroe's cheek. He turned his head slightly to kiss her hand.
"Ugh, you two..." Nick gagged theatrically.
"Well, we're almost there. So what were you two doing while Dakota was chewing my dad out?"
"Well, we... kinda didn't know what to do, so we let Dakota handle it and then when your dad tried to go after them when they were walking away, we stepped in..."
"And Nick threatened to cut his tongue out." Sean finished.
"Could you? Please?" the couple asked in stereo before starting to laugh.
"Oh God, what a great wedding present that would be," Monroe said, shaking his head. "Here we are!" He pulled into the parking lot of Thirst on the Waterfront. Monroe parked the car and once more hopped out quickly to open the door for Rosalee. "It looks like everyone else is here. We've rented out the Cellar, so there's a private bar... And I don't know about you, but I need a drink." Monroe took Rosalee's arm and led the way.
The Cellar featured warm, clay walls and a fireplace, as well as a wall of windows looking out over the Willamette River. A fire was burning, and the air was warm with happy chatter. When the couple entered, a cheer went up through the crowd. Rosalee smiled and held Monroe's hand a little tighter as the Blutbad made a beeline for Dakota, who was at the bar chatting with the bartender.
"Did you talk to them about changing Rosalee's dinner?" he asked. Dakota nodded.
"Yes, they said it's fine."
"Wait, what?" Rosalee asked, confused.
"You need protein. So we're having them switch your vegetarian meal for the steak."
"Oh, honey, you don't have to do that..." Rosalee whined quietly. Monroe wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.
"Yes, I do. You're still healing..."
"Are you sure? I don't want..."
"Honey," Dakota interjected patiently, "he knows what he's doing. Let him do it." Monroe smiled and clapped Dakota on the shoulder.
"Remind me to buy you a drink later," he muttered. Dakota nodded.
"I'm particularly fond of IPAs. Just letting you know." Monroe ordered his and Rosalee's drinks and then placed a gently hand on her back to mingle with their guests before dinner. Nick and Sean got their drinks and stood by the fire. It was still early enough in the spring that the nights were still chilly. Nick spied Bart over by the windows, glumly staring out into the night. Alice, Gloria, and DeEtta were fussing over Rosalee, playing with her hair. Bud and Hank walked over to Nick and Sean.
"Monroe's dad is a piece of work, isn't he?" Hank grumbled. Nick and Sean nodded in agreement.
"Before you got here, he was giving the bartender a hard time about making his drink right, but then Dakota just looked at him and he just skulked away to the corner..." Bud explained. Nick then remembered that Bud mentioned they were members of the same Lodge. The men all heaved a collective sigh and shook their heads, watching the fire.
Dinner was served soon after, a fresh salad followed by a choice of vegetarian pasta primavera, flank steak with mashed potatoes, or chicken breast with rice. Monroe once more cut Rosalee's food for her as she smiled shyly. He also offered her a bite of his pasta, accepting a taste of her potatoes in return. After the dishes had been cleared away, before dessert, Monroe and Rosalee stood together. Monroe tapped his fork gently on his wine glass. The chatter subsided, and everyone gave their attention to the couple.
"Hi, guys..." Monroe began nervously. "We just wanted to thank you all for coming... it's been a long road getting here but, uh, here we are! And we know we couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. So, uh, we have a few gifts that need to be distributed... Dakota?" Dakota walked forward with two large bags, setting one next to Monroe and one next to Rosalee. Dakota stood by Rosalee's side. "First, our bridal party. You standing up with us means the world to us. Nick, Sean, Hank, Bud, DeEtta, Mariyam, Audrey, and Lindsey..." Monroe handed each of the men a silver flask engraved with their initials, while Rosalee handed her girls small boxes that contained bracelets. "Thanks for everything!" DeEtta especially loved her bracelet, hugging her sister in such a way that it caused Rosalee to squeak.
"Next, we want to thank Dakota, our awesome wedding planner, for putting up with all of our crazy."
"Yeah, Groomzilla over here," Rosalee commented with a laugh, which was echoed by the guests. Monroe presented Dakota with a bottle of wine.
"I know this doesn't get me off the hook for your IPA later, but thank you." Dakota reached up and squeezed Monroe's shoulder.
"You didn't have to..."
"YES, we did," the couple said in unison. Dakota smiled and didn't argue as they turned to the guests.
"And now, the couple would like to exchange their gifts to each other." They reached into their bag and pulled out a large parcel wrapped in brown paper and handed it to Monroe.
"Wow, this is heavy!" he commented as he unwrapped the package, revealing a very old-looking leather-bound book. He held it in both hands, looking stunned.
"You didn't..." Rosalee smiled and nodded. "Oh my God, you did!" Monroe wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a deep kiss, which she happily reciprocated. When they parted, Monroe looked close to tears. He sniffled and brought his forehead to hers. "I love you so much!" he whispered.
"I know," she replied simply before he kissed her again. When they parted, Monroe flipped gingerly through the book, and Nick caught a glimpse of some diagrams of clocks. He was pretty sure the book wasn't in English. Monroe shook his head and sniffed again.
"This makes my gift to you seem really silly and impersonal now..."
"I'm sure it's not..."
"But a first edition! I mean, I don't even know how..."
"Magic," she said with a wink, "and knowing the right people."
"But it must have cost..."
"And you're worth it. Every red cent." He hugged her again before producing the Tiffany Blue box with a white ribbon from his bag. Now it was Rosalee's turn to look surprised.
"No," she said simply, shaking her head.
"Yes. Something new, perhaps?" Monroe removed the ribbon and Rosalee pulled the lid off. She dropped the lid on the table and her hand covered her mouth in shock.
"Oh my God..."
"Mom always told me that a lady should always have a good string of pearls, even if she has nowhere to wear them... do you like them?" Rosalee was definitely crying now, wrapping her good arm around his waist, nodding furiously, trying to choke out words.
"Oh, Monroe... They're beautiful..."
"Let's see 'em!" DeEtta called from the bar. Monroe nodded and pulled them gently from the box. Rosalee turned and lifted her hair out of the way. Monroe deftly clasped the pearls around her throat, kissing the back of her neck when he finished. Rosalee dropped her hair and turned back to their guests with a smile. Alice excitedly led the applause.
"I am so proud of him! They look so lovely on her!" the Blutbad matron whispered loudly to Gloria, who was wiping away tears of her own. Rosalee put her hand to the necklace before turning back to Monroe, as if she was worried they would disappear.
"Danke," she said quietly. "They're beautiful!"
"Just like you, mein schatzi. I hope I get to see you wear them for many years to come," he whispered before they kissed again. Dakota collected the bags back before raising their glass.
"Now... ahem," they cleared their throat and Monroe and Rosalee parted. "Just really quick...Rosalee, please put your hand on the table." Rosalee complied. "Monroe, put your hand on top of hers." Monroe did the same, looking at Dakota with confusion. Dakota turned to the assembled. "I just want everyone to see the last time Monroe has the upper hand!"
"That was the first time, too!" Hank called, causing raucous laughter to fill the small space. Monroe stuck his tongue out before kissing Rosalee's hand.
"Well if you're gonna be that way about it, I think I'm going to need some dessert!" the Blutbad joked as he and Rosalee sat down again. The dessert was a lovely bread pudding with a caramel sauce, and most of the other members of the bridal party offered toasts to the couple. Finally, Alice stood, and the room got quiet.
"Rosalee... I want to thank you for everything you've done for our son. You've clearly changed his life for the better, and never, ever doubt how much he loves you. Just... just keep fighting for what you have. And what you can have. And may your marriage be like a hand of poker." Rosalee cocked her head, looking from Alice to Monroe for an explanation. Monroe was chuckling and shaking his head, smiling at his mother. This apparently meant something to him. "May you start with a pair and end up with a full house!" Monroe nodded, laughing, clapping his hands. Rosalee started laughing, too. "Come on, I had to slip in a request for grandchildren somewhere!" Everyone clapped and cheered except Bart, but Nick decided he was done worrying about him for the night.
"I love you, Mom!" Monroe stood and embraced his mother. Alice patted Rosalee on her good shoulder before pressing a kiss to her forehead. Rosalee looked up at her mother-in-law and mouthed 'thank you'.
"And that just about wraps up our time here," Dakota said. "Ladies are meeting at Audrey's house at 10 AM; Gentlemen at Monroe's house at noon. Everybody get some sleep, and I'll see you all tomorrow!" The group slowly dispersed, and Monroe and Rosalee walked out to the car with Nick, Sean, and Audrey. Rosalee was staying in Audrey's guest room overnight. Monroe's parents were staying with them, but Monroe had to drop Sean and Nick off first. Monroe cuddled his bride-to-be close to his chest.
"I'll see you tomorrow." She nodded, and Nick saw her burrowing. "Are you gonna wear your pearls?"
"Of course. I love them... thank you." He smiled into her hair before pulling her chin up to kiss her gently. Audrey put her hands on her hips and cleared her throat.
"Come on, guys, I'd like to be home by midnight!" Monroe waved his hand behind his head but continued to kiss Rosalee as if Audrey's words were an annoying fly.
"Monroe... don't make us separate you," Nick added, but he couldn't help smiling. They parted.
"Okay, okay... but you know I'm not going to be able to do that for a while, so..." Rosalee grabbed his neck and pulled him down in another kiss, drowning out the rest of his words. They kissed deeply, then parted, rubbing noses.
"I love you," Rosalee whispered.
"I know. I love you, too," Monroe answered before kissing her nose. He stole one more kiss before dropping his arms. Audrey steered Rosalee away before they could kiss again, but that didn't stop Rosalee from blowing a kiss out the window. Monroe smiled and turned back to his groomsmen.
"Let's get you guys home so I can keep my parents up all night with my pacing!"
I promise next chapter will be a Nick and Sean scene, but I want you guys to remember the rating. I'm not changing the rating. I will make it as sexy as possible, but nothing graphic, deal?