[OTA] We Are Gathered Here | The Fox-Kattalakis Wedding

[headfollowheart]

A few things had gone wrong, honestly. There had been some confusion in the morning when they’d arrived to decorate the church - a few bouquets on the altar, some green and blue ribbons twined around a few of the posts - and it’d been locked. She’d managed to leave Spade Castle with her dress, veil, the coin from his mother strung on a thin leather thong, the emerald silk sash and Victor’s ring - but of all things, she’d managed to leave her shoes in their box in the closet, and Chives had had to go back for that. Hadyn looked a little green from his adventure shanghaiing Victor with Ben and Elisha, her cousin Sara had in usual Sara fashion managed to break the heel on her left shoe. Nerves finally hit as Chives was braiding her hair, and by the time the veil was settled over the smooth curls, her nails had left indents in her palms.

In the end, though, it was pretty much perfect. Two of her closest friends preceded her down the aisle in soft blue dresses with forget-me-nots in their braided hair and small posies in their hands. She’d walked towards her fiance on her brother’s arm with her hands full of spring flowers, and after the words were said and Victor lifted the veil, they were married. It only felt a little different than before, Zoe thought as their brief kiss ended. But it was different; she was Zoe Fox.

Zoe Fox knew, of course, that Victor Fox would have preferred them to just slip back to their apartment - no big party, no flowing wine and hors d'oeuvres - but she’d wanted something. And he’d given her carte blanche in the end, really; she’d chosen the small reception room that opened out into the Castle gardens, she’d picked the combination of hyacinths, hydragea, and lily of the valley for the table arrangements, the Greek-flavored menu of spanakopita, wild green and strawberry salad, linguine primavera and herb-encrusted lamb. She’d pored over cake designs until she finally picked a vanilla bean cake with strawberry puree filling, decorated in vanilla buttercream. She’d pruned the list of friends, family and acquaintances who might be expected to be invited to the wedding reception until they numbered barely fifty.

Under the strict supervision of Chives, of course the reception looked perfect, she thought as they arrived, and she smiled as she slipped her hand into Victor’s arm and the full skirt of her dress swirled against both of their legs. Perfect, though perfect didn’t matter quite so much to her right now.

Comments

[onlytolerable]

"Maybe." She twines her arms around his neck and plays with the hair at the nape of his neck. If they're going to canoodle, they should at least pretend to be dancing. There are children present, remember? "Or maybe you should elaborate. Sounds to me like you still covet my outfit."

[denythyfather]

"Oh my god," he murmurs, moving his lips to her temple. In a whisper, he says, "I want to take your clothes off, Sophie, and I don't want them anywhere besides on my floor."

[onlytolerable]

"Mr. Fitzgerald! On the floor? Where they might become wrinkled?" Sophie absolutely did not shiver when his breath caressed her skin. Never, ever, never. Honestly. Well, maybe a little.

She rests her cheek against his. "Besides, you won't be borrowing my clothes tonight at all. We promised Sitara we'd make a pillow fort and a 'camp out', remember?"

She doesn't recall which of them had come up with that particular carrot to make attending the wedding of near strangers more palatable to her, but it had been a good idea. "She's pretty excited, I think. Something about Papa telling ghost stories."

[denythyfather]

"Tomorrow night, then," he implores, moving to press a kiss to her cheekbone, her jaw. "You have to promise."

[onlytolerable]

She hears an urgency in his voice she's unaccustomed to, at least, not under these circumstances. "You must really like this dress."

She pulls back enough to look at him. Had he hit the bar early? Even Adrien's not this affectionate in public. She pushes back his hair and cups his cheek. "You'd best find a babysitter, then."

[denythyfather]

“What else are Jacks meant to do?” he asks, just a little distracted by her eyes and her fingers in his hair.

... not that it’s a big deal or anything.

[onlytolerable]

"Remind us that we're both ridiculous people judging by how often he says it." Normally, they can find time for themselves when Sitara was asleep, but it was always nice to have an entire evening.

[denythyfather]

"No, that's a Cadogan job. A Jack's job is definitely to assist his Suit whenever it needs help. And babysitting is definitely assisting those in need, right?"

[onlytolerable]

"I'm fairly certain he'd disagree. Disapproving looks and thunderous sighs might be in the job description, though."

He has a cute nose. She must kiss it.

[denythyfather]

"Well, being nice to us is in the job description of being our friend, and I'm not letting him quit that one." He grins, his lips following hers when she pulls back.

[onlytolerable]

"Perish the thought." His kiss swallows the murmur. When they break, she smiles brightly. "Goodness! All these people heating up the room. Those doors lead outside. Perhaps some fresh air?"

[denythyfather]

He smiles at her, just a touch mischievous. "Lead the way."