Our "Friendly" Matrimony

12- Dressing Disaster

"But we don't even know where to start?! Someone wants frill, someone wants a collar, someone wants net, someone wants lace, How are we ever going to get this done within a week?!"

It was official, Kaylee and willow had lost it. Being the oldest girls from both families and having such a massive responsibility shoved onto them clearly didn't appease them one bit. Not to mention Macey feeling neglected wasn't helping Kaylee's case. She was after all, a classic mama bear.

"Why can't you guys just decide on something yourself?"

Oliver muttered, his tone that of someone who was terribly bored. Well, I related there. But the fact that he was a double agent was still not forgotten. So I simply narrowed my eyes at him and huffed before turning away.

"Okay, Lord why is everyone in this family so melodramatic?"

I cheered when Cora hit him over the head with a rolled up magazine of all the bridal gown designs they had overlooked in the past three hours. Fortunately, I hadn't had to change several gowns before any of them settled on something.

Uncle Joseph and Arlo stuck close-by, peering over our shoulders to look at the dresses with curiosity. Most definitely picturing their own wedding days from the smiles on their faces.

"Alex must be dying right now."

I was surprised to hear his uncle Hunter comment, given that he'd been silent for the past few hours without break.

"Oh God, are they putting him through something worse on his end?"

"What do you think?"

well... judging by the fact that everyone who wasn't here was shoved onto Alex's team did technically translate to hell.

"I'll call him later."

Uncle Arlo and Joseph were quick to intercept.

"Just go visit."

"With food, I can't imagine the hell he's going through right now."

I hummed in response before the three misses showed up. Their expressions made my heart drop and the number of dresses wheeled in behind them made me flat line completely.

______________________________

"Hmm, nope, not this one either."

I wanted to rip the veil off my head. This was the 25TH DRESS! THE 25TH!!

"Why are you men so much more judgmental?!"

"Hey, don't blame us, you were the one who asked for our opinions."

Yes, this all is totally my fault, I definitely agree with you there uncle Joseph. I should just go jump off a balcony or something to make up for my mistake.

"Don't worry too much honey, we just want you to be wearing the prettiest wedding dress ever. And not a disastrous one like Kaylee's."

"Hey! You were the one who picked mine!"

Kaylee was quick to apprehend uncle Arlo.

"Ya'know, I chose you guys thinking you'd be much easier to impress."

"That's where you're wrong hun, after seeing my wife in a wedding dress my standards were raised too high for you to possibly ever pass."

Uncle Hunter....

"Firstly, that's the most you've ever said to us in one go, secondly, we know that you're a sucker for your wife, so please stop rubbing it in our faces. We've been here for hours! At this point why don't you just try on some rags instead of this flashy bullshit that takes hours to put on and even longer to remove."

It was clear, this whole thing had made even Oliver snap. Unfortunately, I didn't have the energy to cheer when Cora lazily smacked his head again.

"Calm down, we'll be done soon."

Why did Aunt Jasmine sound so sure of herself?

"Is there something that's gonna be a definite yes, hidden somewhere in here?"

When she nodded was when all hell broke loose. Cora, Oliver, Willow and I broke.

"Why is it not out yet?!"

"This is pay back isn't it?"

"I missed out on my favorite show's marathon for this."

"I'm the bride! Why are you forcing me into depression just weeks before my wedding."

Their expressions were ones of boredom, Uncle Arlo was too busy checking his nails to even look up at us. Which only proved Oliver's point. They were definitely getting us back, more specifically, they were trying to get me back, and everyone else was just caught in the cross fire.

"You mean old people."

"Who ever said old people were kind? For God's sake."

"Biggest contradiction ever."

While Cora, Oliver and Willow, complained, I quietly backed into the corner. Because there was one thing that you never ever said in front of the older generation of the Sallow and Whittman families.

"Old huh?"

Uncle Hunter started.

"I guess these kids need their dresses picked out too."

Aunt Melody continued.

"They must be feeling left out."

Aunt Alayna added.

"Of course, Alex and Soph should look perfect but these guys shouldn't look like they don't belong in the venue right?"

Uncle Arlo gave a dark chuckle at the end of his statement.

"Judging by what they're wearing right now, they definitely need assistance."

Uncle Joseph scanned the three from head to toe.

"Well our years worth of experience is going to come in handy for them."

Aunt Jasmine smirked at their dread filled expressions.

"Bring them out!"

A combined command was passed and their fate was sealed.

It took the 3 whiners a minute to realize that they stepped on a land mine, but it was already too late. Their destiny was decided the moment they uttered the 'O' word.

"Old means wise."

"It's a total compliment."

"It's the best you're ever gonna get from us."

Willow and Cora glared daggers at Oliver, who had successfully ruined their self-saving attempt.

"We've kept Soph standing for way too long, come take a seat, it's their turn to walk the runway."

Watching from the side lines is always the best!

____________________________________________

"Old people suck."

"Watch it man, I don't wanna suffer anymore."

Liam and Oliver whined and flopped onto the sofa, we were back at my apartment and Oliver had decided to tag along with me and Cora. Upon arriving, I was more than surprised to find a ragged Liam sleeping on the couch.

"They didn't come with you guys right?"

The panic in our youngest's voice was more than evident.

"Nah man, it's just us three."

"I can't believe today's experience has me talking to a snake."

"Oh, get over yourself."

Oliver tossed a cushion at Liam's head only to be smacked on the head by Cora... the third time today.

"Oye what's your addiction to my head and all these smacks huh?"

"Well, its too hard for words to get through after all."

"Okay okay, instead of being pissed at my two-faced existence why don't you appreciate what a great business move it was on my end to rat you guys out?"

"Wait, you actually took money? You bloody sell-out!"

Liam threw the cushion back while simultaneously cursing at Oliver.

"A. Don't curse at me, I'm older. B. Being business minded doesn't mean I'm a sellout."

"You totally are."

Cora interjected, siding with Liam, as she should.

"Ugh, stop ganging up on me, there's too much negativity in this world, I'm going home."

"Yeah, right. You're not."

"Yes I am."

"No you're not."

"Why don't you try to stop me?"

"Oh you think I can't?"

While Oliver challenged Cora, I decided to make my way up to my bedroom. The cooling air that escaped from below the door alerted me of the air conditioning being on, and there was only one person I knew who would openly occupy my bed without permission. Partially because I had tackled both Leo and Vince when they had done the same thing, years ago.

"Lexy?"

"Hmm?"

"Sleeping?"

"No."

"Tired?"

"Yes."

His one word responses proved that. With a sigh I moved inside and removed my coat, after changing through so many dresses, the last thing I wanted to do was change again. Hence I simply hung up the coat in my cupboard and occupied the space beside Alex. It wasn't long before his arm found its way around me and pulled me closer.

Nuzzling into the crook of my neck was a habit of his, and I ran my hand through his hair as he did just that.

"Did you turn on the AC right after showering?"

"Mhm."

"You're gonna get sick at this rate."

"Then just keep me warm."

Huffing at his response, I pulled him closer.

"Why did you shower though?"

"Don't make me start, they actually... They're demons in human form I tell you, Demons!"

"Did they wax your cheeks again?"

"God no, I'm never going through that again."

I laughed at his grumbled response.

"Then?"

"They tried weird s**t in my hair, I couldn't get the gel and colored stuff out."

"But it smells okay."

"Are you sniffing my hair?"

"Uh... no?"

He laughed in return before sighing into a very particular spot.

"Alex! Don't you dare!"

"Don't I dare what?"

The mischief in his voice was clear and my fear came true as his fingers moved on my waist, prompting belly aching laughs from my lips.

"Y-You're so mean."

He only chuckled at my complaint before turning around and putting me in a position similar to his previous one.

"Ya'know?"

He started seriously.

"hmm?"

"Just thinking about what's gonna happen on that bachelor& bachelorette mixture gives me the chills."

"Don't make me think about it. I'll fall into depression."

We laughed at our statements, being nervous yet still looking forward to whatever eventful night they had planned, however, nothing could've ever prepared us for what was going to happen.