The bride and groom's first look...
They were all meeting at Mirror Lake for the photos and for the couple's first look. The waters were still despite the warming breeze, so the pictures should work perfectly. The photographer had the guys do a series of pictures from serious to ridiculous, then he took a few shots of Monroe with his parents. They finished up and the photographer went to set up for the first look. Monroe would stand looking at the water as Rosalee would come up behind him, and Monroe's first look at his bride would be in the reflection in the water. Monroe stood, hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched in anticipation. Nick's phone buzzed in his pocket. A text from DeEtta.
Bride incoming! Nick read it and smiled. He showed it to Monroe.
"See? It's going to be okay." Monroe took a deep breath and pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve.
"I'll believe it when she's actually here. After everything that's happened..." Nick couldn't help himself; he swatted the Blutbad up the back of the head.
"OW! Was that really necessary?"
"YES! You get another Gibbs slap! It would take an act of God to keep her away at this point, and even then, you know she'd still try to get here!" At that moment, Dakota's SUV pulled up, followed by Audrey's. Monroe took a deep breath and turned back to the water. "Is she there?" he asked shakily.
"Well, Gloria and DeEtta are there... other photographer... and Dakota... oh, there she is..." Rosalee was supported by Gloria on one side and Dakota on the other. The tiny Eisbiber was wearing a black suit with white trim and a light blue pocket square. Gloria was wearing a light blue dress that coordinated with Alice's. Alice appeared at Gloria's other side, and the mothers smiled at one another. The bridesmaids were wearing dark blue dresses that matched Rosalee's ballet flats, peeking out under her dress. Nick couldn't make out the detail in the top of the dress, as it was covered by the shawl that Gloria and DeEtta had given her. The fluffy knit web covered Rosalee's sling well, and little beads captured the sunlight. Completing the look was a little veil clipped into Rosalee's elegant dark curls, and her new pearl necklace and earrings. She positively shimmered, but the most beautiful thing about her was her wide smile as she was led to her intended. Nick couldn't get over how lovely his friend looked.
"She looks gorgeous, and she's got such a big, beautiful smile... wait 'til you see her, man!" The Grimm clapped his friend on the shoulder and stepped back out of the range of the camera. The other women stopped a way away to allow Rosalee and Monroe to have their moment. Gloria kissed her daughter's cheek, wiping her eyes as her youngest child turned away. Monroe was breathing slowly in and out; he should be able to smell her by now. Rosalee crept up behind her husband-to-be. Monroe kept his eyes on the water, and gasped as she came into view beside his reflection.
"Oh my God," he said quietly, covering his mouth. Rosalee smiled down before taking his hand. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, and he began to cry in earnest as he reached to gently touch her face. "Oh, honey... you... I... I mean... just... oh, wow..."
Rosalee smiled and wiped the tears from his cheeks with her thumb. Monroe couldn't seem to find words, so he just pressed his forehead to hers, rubbing noses. Rosalee purred in the back of her throat before standing on her toes to kiss him. One of Monroe's large hands gently stroked her cheek, careful to not displace a single curl; the other gently rested at the small of her back.
"So... do you like it?" she asked quietly after they parted. Monroe sniffled and nodded.
"You're perfect," he whispered.
"So are you," she responded. The entire time this was happening, the photographers had been clicking away on their cameras. Nick saw Sean, DeEtta, and some of the other bridesmaids taking photos on their phones as well.
The photographers set up a few posed shots of the couple, the families, and the bridal party with Mount Hood in the background. Finally Dakota looked at their watch.
"All right, everybody, we need to head on up and get these two married!" Rosalee and Monroe shared one more gentle kiss before Rosalee was shepherded back to the cars. Monroe watched her go with a dreamy look on his face. Bart and Alice stood on either side of him; both were smiling. Alice wrapped an arm around Monroe's waist and leaned her head against his chest.
"You ready?" she asked, her eyes following Rosalee as well. Rosalee turned and waved before getting into Dakota's car, and the three Blutbaden waved back.
"Yeah," Monroe said with great confidence. "Yeah, I'm ready." And Nick knew he was.