Dani woke up to the smell of lilacs, and a warm weight tucked under her chin. She was spooning Stella, her blonde hair tickling her nose.
Suddenly, her every nerve was on high alert. Everything was soft and warm and Stella, Stella, Stella. Dani was well aware that she should move, but she sure as hell didn't want to.
Carefully, Dani tried to pull her arm free from it's place but Stella's hand closed around her wrist. Dani froze.
"Mmm," the blonde gave a content half sigh, snuggling in closer, "Sleep well Dani?"
"Yes ma'am- I mean Stella-" Dani willed herself to relax. If they were going to pretend to be married, for who knows how long, she was going to have to get used to sleepy, flirty Stella.
Yeah. Right.
"Wakey wakey," a voice called in.
Jerking up, Dani saw her grandmother, mother, brother, and sister peeking throw a crack in the door.
"Mum!" Dani cried, pulling the blankets up.
"Oh do you like the quilt?" Gran said, "It's an old family heirloom, supposed to increase fertility!"
"Get out!" Dani shrieked, flinging the quit off the bed.
Stella laughed as Dani stormed to the door, locking it, "It's not like a fertility quilt would even work for us, Dani."
"Still! The nerve!" she flopped back down on the bed, "M'sorry about my family."
"Don't be sorry, they're lovely."
"Here's an idea!" Gran said breakfast, "Why don't you and Stella get married this weekend? It would be lovely, all the family's going to be here already."
"But we can't, we don't have dresses or any plans, and no one is here for Stella," Dani said.
"That's all right, love," Stella said, throwing a meaningful look at the redhead,"There isn't really anyone I would invite anyway."
Dani was still flustered, "Surely you don't want to make this weekend about us, Gran, it's about you and your birthday!"
"Dani, birthdays are every year, but you only marry your true love once," Gran said.
She looked across the table at Stella, who didn't meet her gaze but gave the slightest nod.
"I guess there's no time like the present," Dani replied.
"It's settled then!" Catherine said, "We can go shopping after breakfast!"
Stella followed Dani into the kitchen, managing to catch her alone.
"Dani," she was close, she could smell her perfume, "Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"No," Dani shifted, uncomfortably as Stella fiddled with her collar.
"Dani," the older woman pressed.
"A little bit Ma'am- Stella- but not in a bad way," she admitted, "It's just..."
"Hm?"
"It's nothing, really," she licked her lips, hesitating under her glaze.
"It's just that I kinda sort of fancy you!" Dani blurted out, and Stella's eyes softened.
She smiled, still quiet. Dani felt like she was going to burst.
"Well? You're just going to smile at me aren't you? Like when I came out to you-" Dani began, but Stella cut her off with a kiss.
Dani's hands found their way to the smaller woman's waist. The kiss was slow, Stella letting Dani relax into it, parting her lips to Stella with a soft sigh. Stella rocked against her, deepening the kiss. Her arms were around Dani's neck, hands in her hair.
The turned their heads, breaking slightly to heave another breath. Stella tasted crisp and sharp- mint tea on her tongue. Dani was loosing herself in the kiss. She could hear her heart race in her ears, her world dissolving to just Stella's taste, Stella's touch, her warmth, Stella, Stella, Stella.
When they broke apart, Dani licked her lips, breathing hard.
"Dani," Stella sighed, dreamily.
"I know," the younger woman whispered, and Stella raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, this is just for show, yeah? Just until you get your green card?" Dani took a shaky breath, "Until we catch him and you go back to London?"
"Dani-"
"I know I'm just a sweet night," Dani whispered, "Maybe a little longer than a night, but the same idea."
Stella's gaze flicked back to Dani's lips, mouth opening to speak.
"Dani, Mum was wanting-" Dani's sister Alice began, stopping short when she saw the pair, Stella jumping away, Dani with Stella's lipstick from her mouth.
"We'll coming," Dani said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand and following her sister back into the living room.
"So, Stella, what were you thinking of wearing for your and Dani's wedding?" Alice asked as they drove to the bridal store.
"I admit I haven't given it too much thought," Stella said.
"C'mon, what little girl doesn't plan her dream wedding?" Alice said, half joking.
Stella shrugged, "I didn't think I was going to get married until I met your sister."
"That's so sweet," Dani's grandmother said, "Oh Dani! Member when you used to dress up in my old wedding dress? It was vintage, my mother's, and the only time we could get her in a dress."
Stella smiled, ducking her head.
"Gran!" Dani cried, embarrassed.
"Oh hush, you were adorable! Still are!"
"I have an idea," Catherine said, "What if you wear Gran's dress for your wedding? That is, if you want to, it's your day. Yours and Stella's."
"That's a great idea!" Dani said, then bumped shoulders with Stella, "Then I don't have to try one a million dresses at the bridal shop. Uhg."
"It's a lovely dress, if I do say so myself," said Dani's grandmother, "It's from the 1920s with lace all over and a ribbon around the waist- she was a flapper."
"It's settled then! We just need to find a dress for Stella!" Alice cheered, and Stella pressed her lips together in a thin smile.
"Welcome to The Bridal Shop!" a cheerful brunette called as the little group entered the store. She circled the counter, but when she approached, the salesgirl gasped.
"Dani! I didn't now you were going to be in town!"
"Jemma!" Dani looked surprised, "I didn't- it was a last minute visit."
Jemma hugged her, "It's so good to see you!"
"You too," Dani hugged her back, "Oh, Jemma, this is Stella, my, uh, fiance."
"They're getting married this weekend," Sharon supplied, "Dani and Jemma dated for years in Secondary School and Uni."
"It's so good to meet you! Dani's a great girl," Jemma said, immediately hugging Stella as well, "I wish you two all the happiness."
"Thank you," Stella stiffened at the hug, then stole a glance at Dani and said to Jemma, "I hope it's not uncomfortable for you, that we're here."
"Not at all! Any friend of Dani's is a friend of mine!" Jemma said, "Now, what can we do for you?"
"Stella needs a wedding dress," Catherine exclaimed, and Jemma was quick to shepherd them into the back dressing room. She held up a hand when Dani tried to follow.
"Oh no! Not you Dani. You can't see a bride in her dress before the wedding day!"
"Dani-!" Stella called from inside.
"I think I should-" Dani tired, but Jemma continued to block the way.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of your girl," she said with a wink.
Catherine took her daughter's arm, "Come on, we'll go look at the other shops on the street."
Stella Gibson rarely admitted when she was out of her element, but standing between Dani's grandmother and Dani's ex girlfriend, she had reached that point.
"What kind of wedding dress are we looking for today?" Jemma asked, "Ball gown? A Line?"
"Definitely not ball gown," Stella replied, "Something simple. Light."
Sharon pulled a mermaid dress off the rack, "What about this?"
Several dresses later Stella manged to get her hands on her phone. Humorously, she had seven texts from Dani.
Ru okay?
Should I come back?
Mum wants to know why don't have rings. I said we hadn't found ones we like yet
We're at a jewelry store. Do u need me to come back?
I found a ring
wait am I not supposed to tell you that?
Everything going okay?
Stella smiled, quickly replying that she was fine, did Dani need an excuse to come back?
I think I can take a half hour more, was the quick reply.
I'll send an sos in a half hour then, Stella returned.
"Is that Dani?" Jemma asked, "She loves you, I can tell. She gets that look in her eye, you know?"
"Hm," Stella hummed noncommittally as she looked through a rack of dresses.
"Don't worry, we parted on good terms," Jemma continued, "Dani was moving to Belfast and I was staying here, we tried to make the long distance thing work in Uni but it didn't. She's lucky to have you."
"What?" Stella turned, right eyebrow arched.
"Dani and I still kept up after Uni- she even mentioned you a couple times- and every one she dated, well, no one seemed to stick around very long. I'm so happy she found someone to share forever with," Jemma said, "Now what about this dress?"
She passed Stella a vintage looking dress, and not fully looking at it, Stella pulled it on. Sharon and Jemma gasped.
"It's beautiful," Dani's grandmother said, "What do you think my dear?"
"I'll take it," Stella replied, and turned away.
"How did it go at the dress store?" Dani asked as they got ready for bed that evening, "I mean really."
"Fine, fine," Stella assumed her, "Jemma was very nice and I found a dress."
"Did Gran say something then? Because you've been acting funny ever since we got back,"
"I'm perfect, Dani, thank you for your concern though," Stella rose up on her toes to kiss Dani on the cheek, hoping to fluster the younger woman enough to drop the subject.
It worked.
Only twelve hours later- hair styled, make up done, dress on- Dani Ferrinton realized what was happening. She was getting married to Stella Gibson.
She gripped her bouquet tighter as she could hear the wedding march begin. Slowly, she advanced, but when she stepped through the door, she stopped focusing on her feet and looked up.
Dani's heart felt like it tightened when she saw her. Stella's wedding dress was lace and almost sheer, hugging her frame to her knees where the lace was replaced with white tulle.
Stella inhaled sharply when her gaze met Dani's, and Dani was surprised to see her blush.
That's when Dani Ferrington realized that she was in love with Stella Gibson.
That's also when Stella's eyebrows pulled together in saddness, "I'm sorry," she said, "I can't do this to you."
And she turned around and ran out the door.