Chapter Text
The morning of the wedding starts like any other. As usual, Patrick is up long before David and he heads to the store to make last minute preparations. Once David gets up he packs up their clothes for the evening (“I am NOT marrying you while you are wearing a blue button down shirt and mountaineering shoes, Patrick”) and heads to the store as well. When he arrives, Patrick hands him his macchiato and says, “Are you ready for this?”
“No. I mean ‘yes’. Can I say ‘kind of’?”
“There’s nothing to worry about. I have Bob and Roland coming in around 4 to start setting up the stage and the chairs. Twyla put up a notice that the cafe is closed because of a gas leak and is finishing the decorations and food. Both families are coming. The only wild card is Stevie getting Alexis and Ted here. What’s the plan for that again?”
“Stevie is going to lure Alexis here with the promise of letting Alexis make her over. Ted will come because Ted goes wherever Alexis goes. He’s like one of those fish that attach themselves to another fish and just let it drag it around.”
“Oooooo-k. I told Ray to be here a little early. That way we can go over the ceremony with him real quick.”
The day passes slowly, but finally Roland and Bob show up with the stage and chairs. David puts a sign on the door that says they’re closed to set up for tonight and retreats to the back room, where Patrick is waiting for him on the couch.
“Hey,” Patrick says, patting the couch beside him. “Are Roland and Bob doing ok?”
“It appears so.” David flops down onto the couch. “Are we really going to do this tonight?”
“If you’re not ready, just tell me and we can call it all off. Only a few people would even know. I don’t want you to think you have to do this just because I had the idea.”
“I’m ready to get married. I don’t know about having the actual wedding ceremony, though. For someone who went to elementary theater school I am surprisingly nervous.”
“Well, we can just pretend it’s ‘the number’, David.”
“Very funny, Patrick. I don’t even know where my hair straightener is! You know I can’t do ‘the number’ without my performance hair.”
Guests start to stream in to the store. Claire is one of the first to arrive, and Patrick gives her the wedding rings so Jack and Tanner can be the ring bearers. Stevie and Claire instantly bond, sharing embarrassing stories about David and Patrick. Stevie looks at her watch and says, “Wish me luck. It’s 6:30 and I have to convince David’s sister to come down here. I was planning on telling her that she could give me a makeover, but now I think I’ll tell her that you’re here, Claire. She wouldn’t give up an opportunity to share stories about her older brother!”
Claire laughs. “Good luck. Is there anything I should be doing while you’re gone? I don’t want to step on your ‘best wench’ feet, but…”
“Oh my God. Patrick told you that?”
“Well, we were discussing Alicia’s role in the ceremony. He felt it wouldn’t be an appropriate title for her.”
“Well, then...I’ll have to thank him for sharing. You could make sure no one sits in the front row. I promised David it would be family and attendants only.”
“Can do.”
Stevie leaves the store and Claire stations Alicia at the front row with strict orders to tell anyone who tries to sit there that the seats are reserved.
David peeks out from behind the curtain of the back room while Patrick is putting the finishing touches on his bow tie. “Claire is here. Ryan and Stephanie. Alicia looks adorable in the dress I picked out. I told you she would look fine in grey...and it matches our aesthetic perfectly. Here we go...my mom and dad are here.”
“Why don’t you go out and say ‘hello’? I can finish up in here and then I’ll be out by the time my parents arrive.” Patrick gives David a kiss on the cheek. “Go on. It’ll be fine.”
David takes a deep breath, steels himself, and goes out to the sales floor.