Chris wolf-whistled, which indicated to Brooke that Anna was likely just on the other side of the barn door. Brooke’s heart was slamming against her rib-cage. She wanted to see her. She wanted to say‘I do’and get to spend the rest of her life with her.
“Darling?” Brooke asked, settling for the reassurance of Anna’s voice.
“Hey, Honey-B,” Anna said, her voice was filled with so much joy Brooke could feel it through the door.
It made Brooke smile.“How’s your day been?” Brooke hadn’t seen the love of her life since the night before and it had been far too long. She hoped she always thought that. If she got to ask the universe for things, that’s something she’d ask to keep, that burning, hankering desire to get to fall asleep next to Anna, and that warmth and comfort that came from waking up next to her. It was a kind of love Brooke had never even heard described and never wanted to lose.
Anna giggled.“Good, I’m so excited.”
Audrey was already snapping photos. Brooke was glad for it. She wanted to see how much happiness could be harnessed in a photo.
“I’m excited, too,” Brooke agreed.“Also a little nervous. I wish pre-wedding hugs were allowed.”
“I wonder if they’d be allowed if we were blindfolded?” Anna mused.
It had been Anna’s idea to not see each other on the morning of the wedding. She had really leaned into the tradition of it, honestly surprising Brooke, but Brooke hadn’t argued. If Anna wanted to do some things in a more old-fashioned way, Brooke would never stop her.
“I’ll look,” Christine exclaimed, reminding Brooke that she and Anna weren’t alone.
They stood, smiling in silence while Christine scoured the internet.
Christine hummed.“The results are inconclusive,” she said.“Most sites think it’s fine though. It’s really the not seeing each other thing that carries that tradition. It doesn’t have anything to do with contact.”
“Isn’t that a tradition so the husband couldn’t see his wife for the first time and call the whole thing off?” Vivienne asked.
“It’s something gross like that,” Nick’s voice chimed in from somewhere on Anna’s side of the door.
Anna laughed again.“Yep, that’s exactly why I wanted us to not see each other on the day of our wedding. Entrapment.”
Audrey paused for a moment.“It’s not quite the same, but if you’ll both face your bridal parties, I can have you side-step out towards me. I can get one with y’all back-to-back?”
“Promise you won’t look?” Anna asked through the door.
Brooke huffed out a laugh. They both knew she wasn’t the risk there.“Doyoupromise?” She asked, emphasizing the word‘you.’
“I won’t look if you don’t look,” Anna declared.
Brooke turned all her attention to Christine, Vivienne, and Nate. Chris was still trying not to cry. Vivienne looked… Well, Brooke wasn’t entirely sure how Vivienne looked. Brooke knew that weddings had never really been her thing, but she looked happy for Brooke and Anna. Shewashappy for them, Brooke knew it, but she did look ever so slightly nauseous. Brooke made a mental note to check on her after the ceremony.
On Audrey’s command, Brooke side shuffled to the edge of the door. She took a slow step out, past the barrier. She could feel Anna behind her immediately.
“Hi,” Anna whispered, no longer needing to speak loudly with nothing in between them.
“Hello, Love,” Brooke returned. Instinctually, they both shuffled backwards so that they were making contact. Anna’s hand reached back and found Brooke’s, tangling their fingers together, somehow, a little backwards, but perfect all the same.
Christine squeaked from the sidelines.“You two look amazing,” she cheered.
“Seriously, this could be in a magazine,” Allegra added from Anna’s side.
Nick sniffled. Yes, Brooke knew it was him from just the sound of his sniffle.
“Hey, Nate, do you have another hanky?” Maddie asked.
Nate laughed.“I brought so many. Mel has them in her purse.” He waved his hands over his head, clearly trying to get Mel’s attention. She would likely be off mingling with the rest of the guests.
Audrey, thankfully, made sure to get photos of all of their friends during this photographic torture—it wasn’t really torture, these were going to be amazing photos, and even through their backs, Anna’s presence had calmed the racing of Brooke’s heart. Brooke just wanted a hug. Even more now that she had gotten so close.
Jaqueline entering Brooke’s peripheral shattered that calm. Though, despite the nerves she produced, the woman was smiling, looking put together and sure. She waited for Audrey to take a few more photos before clearing her throat.“It’s nearly time.” She looked down at her omnipresent clipboard.
