Rory woke up with a smile on her face, and that certainly wasn't going anywhere as the day went on. A leisurely morning (thank god) had her buzzing around once noon hit, gathering everything she needed and making sure to triple check that she had everything packed properly. She almost for got her gift for Maris, but managed to dash back into their bedroom and snatch it from its hiding place before they were good to go.

She always loved the trip into New York, but this time felt different. This time, Rory felt like she was completely buzzing, a livewire of electricity in her veins as they went about their day. Sarah had picked up her dress, her mother was holding onto everything else, so there was no real reason to be cagey about her hotel room or anything hiding inside of it. Besides, they loved hotel rooms.

The rehearsal had been such an odd thing, going through the motions in her flowy skirt and t-shirt that felt nothing like her dress - but that was kind of the point. Lots of and you'll be here and then the music will play and yadda yadda. In the beginning, Rory rolled her eyes, figuring this was such a weird tradition of going through the motions, who didn't know where to walk? They were smart enough to figure out where to stand. But in the end, she was glad they did it. Her eyes had glassed over with tears a few times, but she knew it was nothing like the waterworks she'd have tomorrow.

As they left to get changed for their dinner, she hung on Maris, an extra bounce in her step as they went off to get ready. "You realize I'm not leaving your side until they physically drag me away, right?" She'd grinned, before getting into her (or temporarily their) room to shower and change.

The dress. It felt so fitting that Maris had found it and essentially picked it out for her. It was one she'd love wearing for years to come, but wanted it to belong to their very special night. Her hair, she piled up on top of her head before frowning at herself in the mirror and letting it fall back down, slightly curled that was accentuated once she pulled up just the top.

She put on her shoes after her earrings, and checked her phone. "We've got fifteen to meet everyone downstairs. Mom got us a limo." She said with a snort of laughter. She'd insisted they didn't need anything like that, but her mother, even more stubborn than Rory, wouldn't hear it. She looked at herself in the mirror, that ever-there smile on her face as she turned towards her bag. "Do you want to give each other our gifts now, or later on tonight?"

Maris was even more dubious about the idea of a rehearsal dinner than Rory was. The idea that she needed to practice walking in a straight line and waiting for the right moment to kiss her soon to be wife seemed like an insult to her intelligence, but she was comforted by the notion that there would be dinner after.

And in the sort of place she wouldn't have really treated herself to otherwise.

"A limo?" she repeated, peeking her head out of the bathroom as she fumbled to put the post back on her pearl earring. She never really bothered with jewelry, especially earrings since they really only seemed like too much fuss to change (not to mention their propensity to snag on everything), but the pearls had been a gift from Ramona, who insisted that every woman needed a pair when she had given them to her years before.

Maris had to admit they did match her dress perfectly.

Like rehearsal and her jewelry, a limo was yet another thing that seemed a bit much, but part of her welcomed treating that night (and everything it was leading up to) as the momentous occasion it was.

"Presents now," she said. She walked over to her overnight bag to pull Rory's out, but not before giving the other woman a second glance as she passed by.

She'd known the dress she found would suit Rory, but it looked even better than she ever imagined.

Maris was slightly nervous about her gift. Rory already had wedding shoes and she really had no way of knowing if the Converse she'd had made for her (with their initials and wedding date in black) would suit her wedding dress. She supposed she could wear them at the reception if her feet got tired, but even if she didn't, they seemed like a unique keepsake all the same.

"Here," she said, pressing a box wrapped in shiny silver paper into Rory's hands before she lost her nerve. "I figured... well, they seemed very you. And right for the occasion."

She supposed the one good thing was that the rehearsal had given them the opportunity to have a (albeit quick) kiss in front of their family and wedding party. Not that they needed rehearsal in that department, but the all-eyes-on-them part of it was certainly new. Rory had been in a bit of a giggle fit during it, but knew that certainly wouldn't be the case tomorrow. Part of her wanted to just turn to everyone at the rehearsal and say "can we just do this now?" But they had plans, and Rory was nothing if not a lover of a good plan.

"A limo." She confirmed with a shrug, but she was grinning at the glimpse of her fiancee that she caught. Yes, her family was clearly going a little all-out with the splurging and extravagance, but she couldn't even be bothered with it. She was too far-gone to the joy of their day.

It took Rory a moment as Maris emerged from the bathroom, an adoring smile on her face as she took in the other woman. "You look beautiful." She said quietly, almost as though her inner thoughts had just snuck out.

Rory grabbed her wrapped presents from the bag, which were two packages tied together with a black ribbon. She handed them to Maris, and sat to unwrap her gift. When she opened it, she gasped, bursting into laughter as she reached into the box. "Baby, oh my god!" She exclaimed, pulling them out and making a bit of a pouting face when she saw the back of the shoes. "Oh god, I love these." She was beaming, and reached out with one of the shoes still in hand to wrap around her fiancee and press a kiss to her lips. "I think the right occasion is tomorrow." She kissed her again, suddenly nervous about the gifts she'd gotten for her.

"One's a bit more ... sentimental. I mean. It takes a little explaining." She huffed, annoyed at her own rambling as she looked on. "Open the small one first." Inside, a white gold chain, the first time she'd thought to put their last names together in anything beyond the signage and invitations of their wedding. Inside the other box, a small frame, and inside, a slightly worn coaster. "It's a little ... I slipped that in my purse on our first date. I figured it deserved to be somewhere other than a little keepsake box."

"Wait until you see what I'm wearing tomorrow," Maris teased, but the warm glow she'd gotten from her fiancee's compliment didn't last long. It was soon replaced by anxiety as Rory ripped open the paper and finally opened the present she had purchased her months before.

A huff of almost relief escaped Maris' lips when Rory seemed to like them, immediately bursting into a grin. "Yeah?" she said somewhat tentatively, not wanting Rory to feel like she had to wear them.

The shoes may have been perfect for Rory, but her fiancee's gift for her was just as fitting. It was exactly the sort of jewelry Maris made exceptions for. Simple, delicate and silver (or white gold in this case) it would fit right in with everything else in her collection, but the initials (and the fact that it was a gift from Rory on such a big night) would make it an instant favorite because it was just a little more special, meaningful than everything else.

"It's pretty," she said softly, running her fingers along the letters. She would have worn it right then if it wouldn't have been a little much with her current outfit (which had a necklace built in). It wouldn't pair well with her wedding dress, either but Maris knew it would get plenty of wear in Italy.

Maris was nothing if not confused, brow raised as she waited for Rory to explain the coaster, letting out a laugh once everything made sense. "Wow you..."

Maris was about to tease her fiancee for stealing, trying to form some sort of klepto joke, but a realization struck her. One that caused her throat to tighten just a little. "You...kept this all this time?"

And some of them certainly hadn't been rosy. In truth, Maris found herself trashing a few things (including but not limited to an old tee shirt, a handful of hair ties, a pair of gloves and a bottle of her girlfriend's shampoo still sitting on the edge of the bathtub) that were Rory's, especially in the immediate aftermath of their break up.

"I really can't wait." Rory said, though she was going to, however hard that was.

True or not, Rory was always worried that she didn't give the best gifts, mostly because she stressed so much about them, that by the time she found something she thought was perfect, she'd get to the point of talking herself out of it. That never really seemed to be the case for Maris. She might err on the side of sentimental, of heartfelt gifts, but she knew her fiancee well, and knew the sort of things she liked.

That could equally be said for her fiancee; she gave her gifts that always struck her as being ultimately so perfect, and the shoes were exactly that.

She felt a flood of relief mixed with elation at how Maris reacted to the first gift, but even then it wasn't the one she was more excited about. The necklace was understated, fine and delicate, but the coaster was, well, kind of a full circle moment.

"I did." She said simply, stepping in and pressing a gentle kiss to Maris' cheek. "You know I'm a sentimental hoarder." That was only partially true, and Maris likely knew that. She kept things that meant something to her. Truthfully during their breakup and in the years since, she'd happened upon the coaster a few times. Anytime she'd thought about tossing it, she just couldn't. It was a source of some pain during those years, yes, but she was transported back to that night every time she looked at it. Maris laughing. The two of them emphatically arguing with their team (and each other) over the right answers. Their walk home. The rain. Their kiss and everything that came after it. She couldn't just toss it. When Rory found it again in packing for their big move, she knew she had to do something with it. "It was a good night."

"The best night," Maris said, smiling down at the coaster in her hands. It brought back the same memories for her as it did her fiancee.

It was the night that had changed everything. The night that had lead to this one which was why...

"We should frame this," she said after staring at it for a moment more. "Find someplace good for it in the new house."

An idea had struck Maris, but she kept quiet, giving Rory a soft kiss of thanks. "Come on," she said. "We should get downstairs."

Now a woman on a mission, she didn't let herself get carried away with Rory, even more of a feat when you considered just how much the pair liked hotel rooms.

And just how little time to themselves they had left after dinner that night.

Maris had never been in a limo before and couldn't help but laugh as the door was opened for her and she slid inside. In truth, she'd been slightly worried the dress she was wearing to their rehearsal dinner was a bit much but with this sort of ride well, she didn't feel the least bit overdressed.

"Can you take us to Southern Tier Brewing Company first, please?" she asked once she and Rory were buckled in. "Just for a minute," she whispered with a soft smile. "I feel like we should see it. One last time. Before London. I think we're allowed to be a little late to our own party."

Rory was beaming now, her smile so big that her cheeks were going to hurt if she kept it up. Well, she should probably get pretty used to it. "I think that's a perfect idea." She said softly, kissing her back.

She knew when her fiancee got quiet like this, the way something struck her a little more than a silly gift or something else. She didn't draw attention to it though, just kept the feeling for themselves.

Taking Maris' hand, she followed downstairs to the lobby and out to the limo. It was a nice one, black, because when her mother asked if she wanted a white one, she'd said no, pretty emphatically. Sliding in with Maris, she looked around and fiddled with the vents and lights (because of course she had to explore everything). She'd been busy doing that when Maris' voice stole her attention.

"Oh." Rory felt soft hearing their destination, a blush in her cheeks and that smile growing all over again. "I think you're right." She grinned, cupping Maris' cheek with one hand and leaning over to kiss her, deeply. It had been a long time, and going back there felt like it would feel ...even more poignant.

During the drive, she took the opportunity to kiss her fiancee more, but made sure not to get too carried away - a feat in itself. Once they arrived, she took a deep breath, feeling like somehow it would feel big just to be there. stepping out of the car, she reached for Maris' hand as she looked up at the place. The wave of memories that hit her almost knocked her over. "A drink, before we go to our party?"

Maris nodded.

The bar had never been a dive but it was definitely the sort of place where two women waltzing in wearing particularly nice evening dresses garnered more than a few looks.

Not that they really noticed.

"A shot of whiskey," she said to a waitress as they snagged the last empty booth.

Maris may have told Rory she thought they were within their rights to show up a little late but she was wary of staying too long. She normally liked to savor her drinks but if it got them out of there faster, well, all the better.

Apart from some new, more comfortable upholstery in the wooden booths, the bar looked as same as ever, though there was no trivia that night.

"I was kind of embarrassed that night, you know. I invited you out for trivia and we lost."

Anybody looking at them probably didn't think that these were two women on the eve of their wedding, but were certainly a little over-dressed. Rory smiled, thinking they had their own little secret from the other people in the bar.

"Same." She asked the waitress, a smirk directed in Maris' direction. "A little celebratory shot, hm?" Rory wasn't too much of a shot-girl, but certain situations called for it.

She reached across the table and took Maris' hand, lacing their fingers together as she let her gaze wander over the bar. Not much had changed, a few different posters, maybe some replaced bar stools.

"You were? You hid it well." She laughed, using her free hand to thumb through the drink menu just for the hell of it. "I think we could have been absolutely demolished and I wouldn't have cared. I was way too into you."

"Of course!" She let out a laugh of her own. She hated to lose and she couldn't think of anything worse than losing in front of Rory.

Their drinks were placed in front of them and Maris murmured a thank you, though her gaze never really left her fiancee.

"I might have been trying to impress you," she confessed, sliding Rory's shot toward her and reaching for her own. "Just a little."

Maris paused before picking up her glass, wondering if she should make some sort of toast before she spotted a stack of paper coasters on the far corner of the table. The design had changed ever so slightly. The bar's logo was now in the center of a deep green background and Maris slid one into her purse. Her clutch was a little small, since she figured she wouldn't need to carry much to dinner, but the tiny circle fit without much of a struggle and would probably (hopefully) stay pristine until she got it home.

"There," she said. "Now we have two."

One to mark the beginning and one to mark the end of their relationship. Well, the end of the non married portion of it anyway.

The beginning of the next beginning was probably a better term.

"Did you think I'd only go home with you if we won?" Rory shot her a cheeky grin, her fingers absentmindedly toying with Maris' as they talked.

She probably should be taking in more of the space around them, more of the nostalgia of where they were, but for Rory's part, she couldn't quite bring herself to look away from Maris, either.

"You were very impressive. Even more so later that night." She laughed, blushing a little which was certainly a bit out of character. They could say anything to each other and not get a bashful response from Rory, but something about being here and reliving those moments had her in a particular kind of mood.

Her own drink was lifted, hanging in limbo as she watched Maris snatch one of the coasters and put it away. "I love it." She said softly, already in her mind's eye able to picture them framed together. "Down in one?" She asked with a wink, raising her shot glass to her fiancee, who, when she thought about it, gave her a swell of butterflies thinking she could only call her that for a few more hours.

"Well, I thought it'd help," Maris shot back playfully. But it was almost as much of another confession as it was a joke.

Maris had never really had a problem with women. Apart from a few misguided, embarrassing crushes on straight girls (because no queer woman had infallible gaydar), she had a pretty good track record of winning over (and swiftly bedding) the girls she was interested in. Her confidence went even further than her charm, but Rory had made her a little nervous, something that should have been a sure sign that she was different, from the very beginning.

Special.

Her lips twitched as Rory blush, sitting up a little straighter at the compliment. "You weren't so bad yourself," she said, holding Rory's gaze as she raised her shot glass.

"To us," she said as if it was obvious, making a bit of a face as she tossed back her drink, still very firm in her belief that whiskey was meant to be sipped and savored.

Rory laughed at Maris' comment, giving a tilt of her head like yeah. In truth, Rory had been thinking about what it would be like to kiss ... and do a lot of other things with Maris long before trivia. "I had a lot of fun, even when we didn't win."

Her ridiculous crush on Maris for the weeks leading up to the night in this very bar had been a series of trying to talk herself out of it, trying to decipher if her instincts about Maris were right, and overall trying to make it obvious (but not too obvious as to be labeled easy) of her attraction to the other woman. She was particularly not-subtle when mentioning ex girlfriends, just in case. From the moment their lips touched, that was it. Rory should have known.

"To us," She agreed with a nod, tossing her own shot back. She winced as it burned its way down her throat, sticking her tongue out once she'd swallowed the shot. "Guess I've always been a basic white girl and enjoyed the lemon drops more." She laughed, and drew Maris' hand to her lips to press a kiss against her palm. "I love that you brought us here."

Maris smiled, giving Rory a little shrug like their little detour was just the obvious thing to do.

"You started it," she murmured against her temple before pressing a kiss there. They separated a little so Maris could pull her lipstick out of her bag. She liked the deep red shade she was wearing, but it didn't have very much staying power and she figured she needed a touch up after her drink.

She was busy staring into her mirror and reapplying when some lanky, pale guy in very tragic dockers and a green plaid button up approached their table.

"Hey, can I buy you another shot?" he said, glancing in Rory's direction.

"Fuck no!" Maris said automatically, snapping her mirror shut. "We were just leaving," she said, sliding out of the booth before Mr. Kahkis had a chance to protest.

Maris' comment earned a bit smile, one that grew even wider when she kissed her skin. It just seemed so them, where one of them might have an idea, and the other would make it even better somehow. Their minds were big and beautiful things which worked together so perfectly by now.

One would think that two women so clearly loved up in a booth together would send a "boys stay the fuck away" message loud and clear, so when the guy approached them, Rory was already scowling when he spoke.

So much so, that Maris' immediate reply earned a laugh, which, probably made the guy feel even more foolish. Good. Rory held fast to Maris' hand, scooping her dress behind them as they breezed by Khakis and out to their waiting limo, stopping only at the bar to leave cash with their waitress for the shots.

"I think we'll be in the 'fashionably' timing of late by the time we get there." Rory said once she'd slid back into the limo, leaning over and pressing a soft kiss to Maris' lips.

The only thing Maris felt the least bit sorry about was speaking for Rory. She knew her fiancee's answer was obviously no, but she also knew that she was hardly the type of person who needed someone to fight her battles for her.

But Maris' answer really was automatic, the result of a flash of white hot jealousy that surfaced even when men inserted themselves into the picture.

Rory was hers.

And she was feeling especially possessive the night before they were about to officially give themselves to each other.

Which is why the kiss Rory gave her didn't stay soft, freshly reapplied lipstick be damned. She pulled Rory into her lap, sitting her on her knee as she pushed her tongue past her lips, suddenly very grateful for the blacked out partition that separated them and the driver.

There really was something to be said for chivalry and how much she loved it when it was coming from Maris. It spoke to how protective they were over each other, and how much she loved feeling like Maris claimed her as hers.

Rory let out a little huff of surprise as she slid into Maris' lap, a flash of a smile between their kisses as she pressed one palm into the seat behind Maris and the other slid up the back of her neck. She kissed her unabashedly, in that immediately breathless kind of way.

"You taste like whiskey." She moaned softly against her lips, a cheeky grin flashing across her features, but it was gone a moment later in favor of another deep kiss, her tongue immediately finding Maris' again.

"Then it really is like trivia night," she murmured against Rory's lips before theirs crashed together again.

She remembered every bit of it. She always had, but memories of their first night together were just a little more vivid during this one.

She'd offered Rory a glass of wine after they'd come in from the rain, then poured herself a bit of whiskey so Rory didn't feel awkward drinking alone, but with still damp skin, Maris hands were slick which had forced them to touch and...

All of it played out behind Maris' eyelids as she kissed her in the here and now, a hand sliding into Rory's hair (because keeping it down really had been the right decision on her fiancee's part) as she deepened the kiss with a soft gasp of pleasure, her free hand slowly sliding down her lover's back as she shifted her hips ever so slightly.

"Full circle, huh?" She chuckled softly, her lips meeting Maris' again.

That first night was one of those that seared into her mind as well. Every time after it only enhanced her memory of the first night. The ones that stood out like it were milestone moments.

Rory had wanted to kiss Maris on the walk. She'd wanted to kiss her as soon as it started raining. She wanted to kiss her the second the door closed behind them. Every time she'd come close, but timing, timing, timing was everything. Eventually she couldn't stop herself. She had to, and their hands touched and the rest was history.

Rory hovered above Maris now, tilting her love's chin upwards as her tongue stroked against hers. Her own sharp sound came as Maris' fingers tangled in her hair. A hand moved between them, giving off a little hum of delight as she squeezed Maris' breast greedily through the fabric of her dress. This was one of those thrills of dangers that really ... she couldn't help herself.

Maris' dress was a sort of thick, ribbed material that really would have made it too warm to wear at the tail end of summer if it wasn't sleeveless. Thick material or not, that squeeze was keenly felt and earned Rory a hissed yeah of approval, her hips pressing into hers just a bit more insistently. Maris threaded Rory's hair between her fingers, gripping it tightly as the kiss got needier, somewhat sloppy in its passion.

They had no way of knowing it, but the limo was currently stuck in the middle of a rush hour traffic jam. Their driver's honk of annoyance at someone not moving once they finally could startled Maris ever so slightly, causing a little hitch of breath that had nothing to do with Rory's mouth or touch. But she was back kissing her again a moment later, pressing against her as much as she could.

Whenever they were like this, which, to be fair they were never far from, Rory always felt like nothing could deter her or distract her from how desperately she needed her fiancee. She kissed her deeply, her breathing growing a little harder, her tongue eagerly moving with Maris'. She felt her shift beneath her, at the same time the grip on her hair sent a shiver down her spine.

The honk surprised Rory too, earning a soft, breathless laugh gasped against Maris' lips. "Your skirt really fits you," She growled a little frustrated, against her lips. But she was kissing her a moment later, as she used a hand to gather her skirt around her hips and slide into her lap more snugly, her thighs squeezing Maris' hips.

Maris let out a little groan as Rory slid back into her lap, suddenly feeling very warm even though her skirt had been pushed up past her hips, her hand slid downward, the one not in Rory's hair cupping, then gripping her ass as they moved together. "Oh, that's my girl," she said huskily, in an almost trance as she watched her fiancee move.

But then the car came to a stop. Which meant they needed to, too.

"Just gotta find a parking spot!" The driver chirped through the partition, thankfully not lowering it or looking back in their direction.

"No," Maris whined, closing her eyes and taking on a petulant tone that even Rory (who was one the only person she displayed every emotion around) rarely heard.

"God, it was getting so good," she whispered, pressing a kiss to Rory's earlobe while she still could.

No matter how many times she heard it, that claimed language Maris used always struck her so deeply. She huffed and repeated it against Maris' lips, as if it were any debate that Maris was her girl in return.

Rory was just about determined to have exactly what she (well, they) wanted, when the car stopped. Rory had barely registered it but their driver hollering back at them made her jump.

"Fuck," She whined, bowing her head against Maris' in an equally petulant tone. She felt a kind of annoyance rise up the back of her neck, but she was still flushed and needy.

Rory exhaled sharply, trying to calm herself a bit as she kissed her fiancee's cheek, and then the side of her neck, softly, trying to wean herself off of her. "Don't for one second think I'm not going to find a moment to steal you away make you come before you're taken away from me tonight." She promised against Maris' ear, her teeth playfully nipping at her jawline before she slipped off of her lap and went about trying to right her hair and dress.

"Not if I drag you away first," she muttered.

She made a bit of a face as she whipped out her mirror again to check out her reflection, knowing she was a sight from the waist up as well as below.

Still, she smiled when she got a good glimpse of Rory once she got herself sorted, playfully doing her best to help rub some lipstick off her chin.

"Maybe we should make a pit stop in the bathroom before we head to the party," she said with a grin.

"Oh a challenge, I like it."

Rory was likely still not as pristine as she had been when they left the hotel, but that didn't matter to her. She tilted her chin down and kissed Maris' fingers, grinning like they had a secret. Well, they did.

"Maybe we should." She tilted her head a little bit, brows raised in challenge. "C'mon." She kissed her quickly, managing to keep it quick before slipping out of the car with Maris.

Heading inside, she held onto Maris' hand, coming to a stop where they could either go to the right and their waiting guests, or down a short hall to the bathrooms. "Which direction, fiancee?"

"Come on," she growled playfully, tugging Rory toward the bathrooms. "Can't have your family knowing I kissed you before marriage," she teased.

The hotel was popular. Packed and fully booked for events and regular weeknight drinks alike.

There were already a handful of women by the sinks when they walked in which meant Maris' (admittedly faint) hope that she and Rory could finish what they started in a bathroom stall was almost immediately dashed.

She sighed, claiming her spot in front of a mirror she and Rory could share and started to fix her face with a slight scowl.

Stealing a moment alone together was going to be a challenge even beyond sneaking away from the party in a hotel like this one.

"Come on," she said, knocking her shoulder into Rory and taking her hand before heading into the ballroom.

"Oh there you are!" Ramona said, her high pitched voice higher than ever to make some sort of announcement to the whole room. "It's okay everyone they're alright." She grabbed Maris' arm. "We thought the limo driver kidnapped you or something!"

Rory laughed at Maris' growl, following her towards the bathroom. "No, we can't have that scandal on our wedding eve." She feigned a gasp.

She didn't try to hide her slight scowl when she saw how busy it was in the bathroom, but she supposed it was a good thing - the way they were, they'd likely be very, very late if given the opportunity.

Wedging herself in close to her fiancee wasn't a bad alternative however, as she grabbed a paper towel and cleaned up a smudge of her lipstick. As they walked out, she reached over with her free hand to tug a strand of Maris' hair back into place in the back.

Rory couldn't help but laugh at Ramona's dramatic announcement, shaking her head as they walked in to greet their family and friends. "Oh no, just stuck in some traffic." That was true, for the most part. They were pulled into the festivities, and she realized how hungry she actually was.

By the time Maris managed to reassure her aunt that she (obviously) had not been kidnapped, more of her friends and family had congregated around her, meaning Rory had some time to go and talk to hers.

She couldn't help but notice she'd slightly misjudged Jenna's slip dress. It looked chic, sultry rather than tarty with silk that clung but still left plenty to the imagination. Everyone looked nice, really. Faye had toned down her bright colors and crazy prints for a pretty plum colored pencil dress with a belt. Maris' dad was wearing his best blazer. Eli, nothing if not casual was wearing one too. Though he hadn't been able to resist throwing his favorite, slightly worn Elvis Costello tee shirt underneath it.

"Well?" he prompted.

"Well, what?"

"The beard," he said rolling his eyes as if it was painfully obvious. "Does this meet your approval, facial hair fascist?"

Maris laughed, biting back a smile before nodding. To his credit, her best friend seemed to have taken her warning to not look like "a hobo" at her wedding and shaped things up a bit. "Much better."

"There was nothing wrong with it before, Mari," he muttered before making his way back to his seat.

Maris took her place next to Rory with a smirk, scooting her chair a little closer to her fiance once she moved up toward the table. "Is it too late to just...send everyone back to where they came from?" she murmured, their limo ride still in the back of her mind.

But for all her teasing, their loved ones were proving a more than adequate distraction.

Despite teaching for a living and having to hold court (and attention) to a classroom full of students, Rory didn't actually relish being the center of attention. So as their families descended on them, it gave her a slight panic that being the center of attention from tonight until tomorrow would be overwhelming. But it really only took her a moment to realize it felt different when it was all coming from people who loved them.

Her mother looked lovely in a brown skirt and pink top duo, and Maggie had brilliantly thought to ask a friend who had moved to New York years ago for a babysitter who had the kids tonight and would watch them after a point tomorrow. She would have applauded her sister's planning if it wouldn't sound slightly condescending coming from Rory.

"I think you look good, Eli." She said over Maris' shoulder, giving her fiancee a wink just before she was distracted by Sarah, who was lamenting that they really could have done her a solid and invited more singles. Rory just rolled her eyes, glad to grab for Maris and move off to their table.

"No, it's not too late." She affirmed with a nod, leaning into her a bit as they were asked by a waiter (who was incredibly prompt) what they'd like to drink tonight. Rory asked for a cocktail menu before she leaned over and kissed by Maris' ear. "We could just make a run for it as soon as everyone gets served, the food will distract them." Rory squeezed Maris' thigh beneath the table, their limo ride playing through her mind as well.

Because she had a go to cocktail, Maris rarely bothered looking at drink menus. She opened her mouth to ask for an old fashioned, but heard Rory's voice in the back of her mind instead.

You taste like whiskey.

Probably not the best memory to keep reliving if she wanted to make it through dinner without pouncing Rory, Maris asked for a Pimm's cup instead. Even though thanks to the cocktails they had planned, she'd have plenty (or at least one) tomorrow.

"No, I'm hungry too," she grumbled. "Maybe we should just...eat fast."

As soon as Maris ordered a Pimm's, Rory felt bad for asking for the drink menu - only to end up ordering the same.

"Yes. Very good idea." Rory agreed. But it was kind of a catch-22. The quicker they were done, the quicker they could go steal a few moments away together -- but then they'd be that much closer to parting ways for the night. She'd seize the time they'd find together, and knew she'd actually burst if she didn't.

But as they sat together, her hand staying in Maris' lap, she took in the tables around them, filled up with the people they loved. She felt a little tightness in her throat, as she leaned her shoulder into Maris'. "Look at them." She said softly, how her mother was chatting away with Faye, Sarah was gossiping with Eli and Jenna. "We did good, y'know?"

"We did," Maris agreed softly, looking out at their crowd of loved ones for the first time.

She never thought her people and Rory's wouldn't get along, but she also never expected to see them getting along so well. It really hammered home the fact that their lives were merging, that they and their loved ones were becoming family now, a thought that was enough to make Maris a little dizzy.

She was used to such a small one. She had a feeling this one would be even more intense tomorrow and that everyone would probably be even more comfortable with a bit of familiarity built up from tonight.

A few drinks and their insanely good dj probably wouldn't hurt matters either.

Maybe a little too full on some of the best chicken marsala she'd ever tasted, Maris rose from her chair when everyone else seemed lost in their various conversations. She half expected someone to come up and ask one of the thousand questions she'd fielded over dinner, but since she and Rory seemed to finally be in the clear, she kept hold of her hand and used it to pull her into the hotel's main bar area.

It was a huge room with large chandeliers that Maris thought looked straight out of The Great Gatsby when she first saw them. A piano player was playing all the usual lounge classics with the pair walking in just as the last few chords of Unforgettable ended.

"It does seem like a shame to ignore such a nice room," Maris admitted, glancing up at one of the glittering chandeliers she liked so much. She made a bit of a face as she looked over toward the bathrooms to see there was a line outside.

"Wanna dance? Kill some time while it hopefully goes down?"

Likewise, Rory had been just concerning herself with everyone arriving on time, being there, being entertained, that it hadn't quite hit her that their loved ones were creating something else around them. Their lives were morphing together in the most harmonious way, right in front of their eyes.

It felt overwhelming, a kind of bursting in her chest that if she was being poetic about it, she'd say it was because her heart was just growing a bit bigger.

Every once in a while, she'd catch her mom looking at the two of them. It was one of those things that Rory couldn't look back too long, because she knew she'd burst into tears. Rory and Maris really did have such similar family units. Small, close, wildly protective of each other. It had been important to Rory that her family liked the person she was going to spend the rest of her life with. They loved Maris.

Rory was elated to steal away with Maris, as she was happily full and just shy of buzzed. Being around other people milling about didn't bother her, as none of them even knew Maris and Rory.

"You know, you're right." She squeezed Maris' hand in hers and used it to pull her fiancee close to her. They might as well have been the only people in the world. She swayed with the music, not really paying attention to what was playing as she rested her forehead against Maris'. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she said, letting out a little huff at how ridiculous the understatement of the century sounded. She was better than fine. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so happy, so she really couldn't imagine how she was going to feel tomorrow.

The band started playing Fly Me To The Moon, but it barely registered while Maris tried to gather her thoughts and give her fiancee a more honest answer.

"I'm torn, really. I want the night to be over so it can be tomorrow already, but you're leaving me at the end of it and well..." She gave Rory a little twirl before almost immediately pulling her right back in again. "I really like tonight," she murmured, brushing some hair out of Rory's face and tucking a stray strand behind her fiancee's ear.

"But you're doing alright?" she asked, losing some of her playful tone to meet the other woman's gaze. "No worries or..." She swallowed a little "Second thoughts or..."

Rory laughed softly at the response she got, that little huff from her fiancee was so very her. She slid her arms around her a little tighter as a result, the music seemed to swell around them when really, it was the same volume it had always been.

"I know, I feel the same way." A big grin split across her face as she twirled away and then back into her arms, sliding her one not clasped in Maris' to the back of her neck. "Tonight has been perfect, honestly." And it would be, even though they had to part later on.

Rory's smile softened as Maris' questions hit her. She shook her head even before she spoke, closing the space between them to peck a soft kiss to her lips. "I feel amazing. No doubts. No worries. No second thoughts." She moved her fingers up into Maris' hair, giving her a gentle tug. "Just trying not to think how much I'll miss you tonight."

Deep down, Maris knew Rory was just as sure about tomorrow as she was but well, everyone heard stories of everyone getting cold feet before their wedding. Maris just figured she was immune because she'd been apprehensive of the idea for practically her whole life.

Until now.

"I'm not sure how I'll get to sleep," Maris admitted. And not just because she was excited about their big day. She'd always struggled with insomnia, only ever finding (pretty) consistent relief when Rory was in her life, though even she sometimes woke up to find Maris up at 3 am reading or flipping through channels on the tv because she just couldn't stare at the ceiling anymore. Sure, the fact that the other woman usually fucked her to the point of very blissful exhaustion probably helped but... something about Rory's presence soothed her.

Even in fully clothed moments like this one.

"But we'll text," she said, putting bit of an emphasis on the last word because she had a feeling hearing Rory's voice would make their separation even harder. "Well, maybe a short phone call. To say goodnight."

"Me neither." Rory said softly, and while she didn't have the sleeping struggles that Maris did, had trouble falling asleep to begin with thanks to the way her mind tended to take the body's slow-down as prime time for thinking over every little detail of her day. Once she was out, she was out, but for their middle of the night rendezvous that had become something she so looked forward to, her body automatically woke up now. There was something to be said as well for being able to feel Maris' energy throughout the night, when she'd stir, Rory knew even in her half-consciousness, she'd reach out for her, put her hands on her or pull her against her body just to make sure she knew she was there.

Rory had become so used to sleeping beside Maris, that she didn't think she'd be able to be in a bed, especially a new one, without her and still sleep. It was like the longing she'd felt for her over the years only morphed and shaped itself into a perpetual kind, so she could miss her even if she was just in a different room of the house.

"Yes, I can agree to these terms." She winked, grinning as she slid her arms a little tighter around Maris. She kissed her softly then, but the kind that lingered longer than she should have allowed. "Come with me." She whispered like she had a secret once their lips parted, her hand sliding down Maris' arm to grasp her hand.

Leading her in the opposite direction of the bathrooms, she found a hallway that was pretty deserted, the lights weren't even at full brightness. "I might have looked this up..." She pushed at one of the doors and frowned when it didn't open, but tried the one next to it, which opened right up for them onto a balcony that sort-of overlooked the city, if they looked over the neighboring rooftops. "Less music, but that's what our phones are for." She smirked, pulling Maris back into her arms.

Maris' raised eyebrow lifted even higher as they breezed past the bathrooms. She let out a laugh, shaking her head as she looked out at the view, then back to her fiancee again.

"Who are you?" she said in almost awe, surprised Rory had the foresight to scope out such a perfect spot. But very glad she did.

She looked out at the view again, a siren howling as an ambulance wooshed down the street below and some of Maris' hair fluttered by her ears.

"This time tomorrow everything's going to be different," she murmured, turning her attention back to Rory with a soft smile. "Yet exactly the same."

Sometimes Rory really did lean into her whole expert planner vibe, and tonight had been no different.

"Yours." She answered the rhetorical question anyway, grinning at Maris as they stood outside in the warm night air. "My girl wanted a patio, I got her a patio. Mostly." There wasn't much of a place to sit, just piled up chairs likely meant to go somewhere for storage, a bench over in the corner. The stone railing came up to their waists with glass partitioning up the rest of the way to block out wind. Not the most romantic of places, but Rory didn't care. Anyplace she was with Maris meant she found it romantic.

"It is." Her gaze was stuck on Maris, unfaltering as she took in this woman. Rory felt like her heart might burst just looking at her, here they were standing at the very edge of a huge change. One that would launch them into "the rest of our lives". "I'm so ready for it." Rory said with a breathless tone to her voice, her heart beating a little faster for whatever reason.

It felt like they were standing on the edge of something big even before Rory lead them outside to a view where possibilities seemed endless.

"I've been ready," Maris confessed with a shake of her head, her tone matching Rory's own. "You're lucky I didn't march you down to the courthouse the second we got our license. Maybe even before."

Maris, as assertive and occasionally impatient as she was probably would have demanded some poor clerk just figure it out, refusing to leave until she and Rory were married.

But they'd planned too much now. They'd come (and overcome) too much in general.

They deserved this moment, a big celebration of every last one they'd spent together.

"I think I've been ready from the moment we were officially together again," she said, having never really admitted so out loud because the realization had only just hit her.

"The minute I heard you were..." She paused for a moment, but what she was about to bring up next didn't hurt as much as it once did (although she still didn't want to talk too much about it on such a big night leading up to an even bigger one). "When I heard you were going to marry someone else I felt so sick. Not just because I was hurt. It just felt wrong. Because something in me said no, she's supposed to marry me."

Rory smiled softly, a blush on her cheeks she didn't bother to hide as she looked at Maris. "I would have said yes to that, for the record." Oh their families would have been pissed if they ever found out but really... that would have been worth it.

Anything would have been perfect, even if they got married in some rec room (they would never) or a courthouse, or in the middle of a storm. It didn't matter to her, because at the end of it she'd get to call Maris her wife.

Rory inhaled a shaky kind of breath, her hand gripping Maris' as she looked at her. It felt overwhelming, those days when they were starting out again. It had shocked her then, just how easy it was to trust in what they had, even considering all they'd been through.

Bringing up that big ol' elephant was valid, and Rory pulled Maris closer as a result. "I tried to convince myself for a while that I could be happy with anyone else, or that I could love someone even a fraction of the way I love you." She felt a little emotional saying it, her throat tightening as she slid her arms around Maris. "It was never going to happen. What we have is too ... big to contend with. I would have been living a shell of myself, of my life if you didn't find your way back to me."

Rory kissed her then, softly, quicker than she would have liked, but she needed to say certain things that maybe felt like vows, but that were meant for only Maris. "You're the person I'm meant to spend every piece of my life with. I would marry you a thousand times over."

Maris was struck silent, her throat similarly tight as she listened to everything Rory was saying. She didn't really know how to respond apart from a small, slightly solemn nod that turned into a playful headbutt.

"Hey, aren't we supposed to save some of this stuff for tomorrow?" she teased, letting their noses brush before taking Rory's face in her hands and giving her a very tender kiss.

"Well now we just taste like gin," she purred softly, a faint cheeky grin on her face as she pulled away.

Sometimes it wasn't so terrible to bring up the past, when comparing it with how wildly different, better, wonderful their lives were now. Each hardship was something that solidified how much they had earned this moment, and every single one that came after it.

Voicing those things felt heavy, but heavy in a load that was theirs, where they could relax because now they were finally here. "Oh, you're right." She chuckled softly, kissing her fiancee softly. That kind of kiss was one she felt warm all over, radiating in her chest like an oven.

"Mm hang on, I need a taste test." She grinned, leaning in and kissing her again, one that lingered longer this time, her tongue sweeping over her lips. "Gin and ginger. Delicious."

Maris let out a laugh. "Gin and Ginger sounds like...some really twee hipster botique for that whole subset of girls who try to dress like Zooey Deschanel."

But it was a good combination. Increasingly aware the end (or maybe the beginning was a better term), Maris kissed her again, this time a little harder, though they hadn't quite circled back around to the fervor they'd had in the car.

The faintest pitter patter of rain started to fall on the ledge. It was more of a drizzle than a downpour, something Maris really only noticed because a few light raindrops had fallen on her hand.

Her lips twitched against Rory's, obviously delighted by the turn of events. But somehow not entirely surprised. A small part of her thought it was raining for them, however pitifully. It felt like a good omen. Proof that this was another big moment in their lives, even though she couldn't think of anything bigger than tomorrow.

There was a low rumble as it started to rain more steadily and Maris pulled Rory closer with a firm hand on the small of her back, wanting her nearness almost as much as she wanted to help her fiancee fend off a sudden chill that their kisses really wouldn't have much trouble banishing.

"Oh god, it really does." Rory made a face, shaking her head as she laughed. "We can start our own little London shop and name it that, be those pretentious Americans."

London was going to be something, a whole wide world of adventures for the pair of them. It was kind of funny how little Rory allowed herself to think about it in reality, when the wedding took up so much of their energy. There would certainly be no let-down of excitement after tomorrow was done.

Clear skies the weather said. Rory felt a splash of rain on her shoulder first, and she had to laugh. "Oh I see how it is." She said sort of to the universe itself, her words mumbled against her fiancee's lips. There was a slight overhang closer to the building, but Rory wasn't ready to pull Maris to the covering just yet. Instead, she scooted closer at Maris' tug, her arms circling around her as she kissed her deeply.

Her fingers slid up the back of Maris' neck, sliding into her hair there and dragging her nails against the base of her neck. She made a soft sound, her tongue finding her fiancee's, a kind of breathlessness taking over. That heady, needy feeling was all too familiar, one she knew they both could get lost in.

Movies had it right. Kissing in the rain (something Maris, as formerly opposed to pda as she was hadn't indulged in very often) was definitely an experience.

Even when you were mostly shielded from it.

The air was damp, carrying that faint, clean Earthy smell that still didn't eclipse Rory's perfume. She let out a soft sound of her own, eventually backing herself onto about the only place to sit, that slightly uncomfortable metal bench in the far corner.

In seconds Rory was back in her lap again like she had been in the limo, her face cupped in both Maris' hands as she kissed her slow and deep.

Rory had told Maris about the times she'd thought about kissing her that first night they went on a date, how the rain just seemed to accentuate how much she wanted her. It was their thing ever since that night. No wonder they were moving away to a country with a lot of rain.

Their dresses would withstand some rain. She didn't care enough about her makeup or hair. The only thing on Rory's mind was chasing after the heat that burned between the two of them. A snap of their fingers could shift her entire mood when it came to Maris.

She hummed a low sound as she slid into her love's lap, her knees pressing into the bench that may not have been as comfortable as the limo, but she didn't care. Her lips parted, eagerly inviting their tongues to find each other. Her hands found Maris' hair again, giving a slight tug as her fingers were getting slightly damp.

"I love you," Rory murmured against her lips, as though it weren't the most obvious thing in the world. She just felt filled with it now, along with other things. "Remember what I promised?" She panted against her lips with a flash of a wicked grin, dropping one of her hands to squeeze one of Maris' breasts like she'd done in the limo.

"Having a hard time thinking of anything else," she murmured, her head falling back against the brick wall as Rory squeezed. She let out a soft groan as she started to rock her hips, deepening the kiss before taking her hands away and sliding it down Rory's shoulders and back.

"You gonna make me come right here, Rory?" she challenged, breaking the kiss to catch her fiancee's earlobe with her teeth and give it a little tug.

"Good," She huffed back, a sharp little laugh coming after it as Maris' head hit the wall. "No concussions, baby." She teased her, but her voice was laced with the more obvious desire as she let her gaze fall to take in the way Maris looked beneath her.

It was Rory's turn to groan, the words coupled with Maris' teeth on her ear sending a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the rain. "I'm a woman of my word." She said softly against Maris' ear this time, kissing her damp neck as she lifted herself just slightly from Maris' lap. It was only enough so she could get her hands on the hem of Maris' skirt and push it up, enough so she could slide the palm of her hand up the inside of her thighs. "You're so warm." She hummed her words into her skin, as she slid her hand up to begin to just tease her fingers against her love's pussy through the fabric still separating them.

"Oh, relax. Vows said with a head injury are still totally binding," she teased. Although she really would have headed down the aisle wrapped in gauze. The wedding was happening tomorrow come hell or high water. They'd waited so long already.

Her hips jerked at that first touch, a soft purr of pleasure escaping Maris' lips as she began to rock against Rory's hand. This was a familiar thrill in an unfamiliar location.

Maris knew the door leading out to the balcony was locked. She knew they were up high enough that nobody could see them but there was something so dangerous (and freeing) about fucking out in the open. It really wasn't any wonder she was already burning up.

A hand slid up and under Rory's skirt, lingering at the soft, smooth skin of her lover's inner thigh as Maris' spread just a little wider with a shiver.

"Oh yeah I was really worried there for a second." Rory laughed, seizing her lips in a deep kiss again, her tongue immediately finding hers and stroking as her fingers worked slowly.

She'd never get tired of the way Maris responded to her touch, how immediate it was, which only spurred her onward to touch her more, to give her every ounce of pleasure she could.

And here they were outside, their loved ones a very distant thought who may or may not have noticed their absence by now. People were still inside the hotel, and while it looked like none of the windows could see out to this patio, what did she know? That thrill of being out in the open got to her just as much. Knowing that she had to claim her fiancee again, maybe for the last time with that title.

"Oh god," She huffed a moan of her own as she slipped her fingers inside of Maris' panties, rolling her fingers along her slick folds and starting to stroke her fingertips over her clit. "You're always so wet for me." She purred, though it would have been a little comical thanks to the rain, had she not been burning up with desire.

"You never stopped making me wet." It was a whispered confession against Rory's lips that turned into a hiss as her lover's fingers stroked her clit.

She'd always wanted, longed for Rory even after she'd sent her away. Memories of her and everything they had would hit her at the strangest of times and the she felt ashamed of the way she indulged them. If only because she felt so lonely and pathetic once the high subsided. It had been like touching herself to the memory of a ghost.

But Rory was here now, on top and nearly inside of her. She was close enough to touch so she did, her fingers pressing against Rory through her panties until one shifted the fabric aside just enough to start lightly rubbing her bare pussy in earnest, nipping at her lower lip as they found a shared rhythm.

"Get ready for a lifetime of it." Rory grinned against her lips, a breathless, possessive quality to her tone. As was pretty much par for the course whenever she was touching her fiancee.

Rory would be lying if she said that her desire for the woman she was about to marry ever waned in the slightest. She spent years trying to find anything that came close, if only for her own stubborn satisfaction that someone who wasn't hers anymore could have such a hold over her. She spent an even harder time trying to deny it when she saw Maris again. Even in her sadness, her shock, part of her wanted to topple over the table in the coffee shop and pounce on the other woman. She ached to know what her lips tasted like, how her body felt all those years later. All in all, they'd had exceptional willpower.

But no, Rory had signed herself away to this woman long before their wedding, long before the move to Maine, the breakup. Hell, it was probably somewhere between their first drink at Trivia night and the next morning. Maris was, simply put, it for her. She always had been.

A sharp whimper of a sound caught at the back of her throat when Maris touched her, that heat in her own body skyrocketing. She knew how wet she was, the affect Maris had on her. Rory leaned up a little more, not entirely lifting away from her lap, but giving them a little more space. Her lips parted, panting as she leaned her forehead against Maris'. She wanted to take this in, to feel the excitement not only from their touch, but where they were - both location-wise, and on a more universal level. The eve of their wedding, their life together. She slid two fingers inside of her lover at the thought of it, staving off a wave of emotion with a fresh one of pleasure.

Rory slipping inside her caused a sharp cry to fall from her lips and drift out into the storm. She clamped around Rory's fingers immediately, her free hand sliding up to cup her cheek in an attempt to keep her in place so she could see the other woman's reaction as she slowly smoothed her finger over her clit.

She caught Rory's lower lip and sucked on it, a little purr buzzing against her fiancee's skin as she rocked her hips in time with her fingers, a harder task than it probably needed to be in such a narrow, tight skirt.

She let out a little laugh. "Why is my formal wear always so tight?" Visions of the dress she'd worn to the gala danced through her mind. While Maris probably had popped a stitch that day in the car she didn't see any damage and it was waiting in the back of her closet for another outing someday.

She didn't wait for an answer before easing inside Rory, letting out a little huff at the thrill of entering inch by inch. It was slower than usual, but not really a tease. She wanted them to savor this too.

There was this flash of absolute delight that broke across Rory's features at the sound that Maris made. Her whole body flushed hot, a fresh wave of wet heat against Maris' fingers as her own hips rocked into her hand. Her own moan escaped into the night, a little louder than she would have meant for it to be but, who cared? The way Maris touched her clit always made her shiver.

Her fingers continued to move at a slow pace, drawing out every thrust, curling her fingers to rub against her slick walls as she moved out, then back home again.

"This fucking skirt." She laughed, breathless in sound as she leaned in and gave her a breathless kiss, her teeth catching Maris' lower lip and tugging gently. She had to be careful not to completely get carried away but, well, easier said than done. "You just like to make my work harder." She grinned, rubbing her clit with a little moan as her fingers began to move a little quicker, driving back inside of her harder as a result. "Here I'm the easy one in flowy skirts." She laughed breathlessly against her lips, kissing her again.

Rory's fingers stopped abruptly for the few seconds as Maris slid inside of her. A sharp sound left her throat as she moaned, her head tilting back as her hips tilted angled towards Maris' hand.

"It's not my fault you're a goddamn hippie," Maris shot back playfully, but in the back of her mind a (n admittedly microscopic) seed of worry had been planted. Her wedding dress was form fitting, just as structured and well tailored as everything else in her wardrobe and featured yet another narrow skirt because she'd avoided bridal fluff above all else. Would it be hard to...well, let's be honest, do exactly this in?

Her worries didn't have a chance to linger for long. Not when Rory's fingers earned a soft little growl every time they curled inside her.

Her lips traveled down the soft skin of Rory's throat, tongue tracing her lover's pulse point as she mirrored her movements, determined to catch Rory up so they could experience the exact same sort of bliss at exactly the same time.

Or as close as they could get anyway.

Eventually the pleasure became too much. Maris' fingers shook on the hand that was gripping Rory's hips, her head falling back as her hips arched up as she cried out Rory's name and spilled all over her fingers, her own plunging as deep inside her lover as they could.

"Uh huh," Rory laughed, her tone distracted as a shudder raced up her spine again, this time making her thighs tremble a little with it. The fact alone that they could tease each other and poke fun while they were in the throes of wild passion like this was one of the many, many reasons why Rory was marrying her. She might leave this one out of her vows, though. Rory didn't worry about a thing for tomorrow, she didn't even worry past the next ten minutes. All she wanted was to spend these moments with her, and savor every single feeling they gave each other.

She grinned as their lips parted, a flash of a look as she tilted her head away from Maris, giving her more space of her neck. "No hickeys for tomorrow." She warned, her throat rumbling with a little laugh that mingled with a moan. She rocked her hips into Maris hand, her breath hitching audibly.

But her focus, as pleasure spiraled through her body, was entirely on Maris. She knew the signs, and her fingers moved faster, drawing out every last bit of pleasure. She'd never, never tire of hearing her name like that on Maris' lips, so much so that she followed suit, her voice low and desperate as Maris' name fell from her own. It was the force of Maris' fingers, coupled with everything else that had her soaring over the edge, her orgasm racing up her spine as she cried out, only barely able to muffle the sound of Maris' name yet again by biting hard on her lower lip.

Maris caught the lip Rory had bitten, soothing it with a kiss as they rode out the last few waves of pleasure their orgasms sent through them. When she finally came down (for the most part), Maris was surprised by the sound of rain rushing down the rain pipe nearby. Having forgotten, momentarily at least, that they were in the middle of a(n admittedly mild) rainstorm until the world came back into blurry focus.

But Rory was still all she cared about. The brightest, most beautiful thing in it which was exactly why...

"I don't want to go," she murmured, letting their noses brush before their foreheads came to press together. She didn't even move. Her fingers were still inside Rory. They were still in the same position they had been moments before and she was more than fine with that. Maris would freeze time, if she could. No matter how excited she was to marry her. Leaving her now, especially after what had just happened seemed unthinkable. But she knew she would.

Rory moaned softly against her lips, the sensation of Maris' mouth soothing her own mingling with the shudder that raced down her spine. She was panting and flushed, even in part due to the fact that reality was setting in and where they were started to sharpen up around them. She giggled softly, bowing her head against Maris' and sliding her free arm around her shoulders to hug herself closer.

"I don't either." She confessed, closing her eyes for a brief moment to soak in the nearness of her fiancee. If they went inside, it would be even closer to being pulled apart. Slowly, reluctantly, Rory eased her fingers out of Maris, sighing softly at the warmth she was leaving by doing so. "I don't know how I'm going to survive a night without you." Rory sand somewhat dramatically, leaning back just enough to catch Maris' gaze again, though her body gave a little jerk at the way she moved with Maris' fingers inside of her. She laughed softly, pressing a kiss to Maris' lips softly, slowly parting her lips and dragging her tongue over her lips again. "If they never find us, they can't make us sleep apart."

"Mmm, flawless logic, darling," Maris purred, pressing soft kisses down Rory's jaw and the neckline of her dress. Her fiancee's little jerk at the fact that Maris' fingers were still inside her didn't go unnoticed.

She smirked, starting to work them ever so slowly, knowing her fiance was still sensitive. Maris wasn't trying to get her off. Despite their playing, somewhere in the back of her mind, she had already resigned herself to the fact that time was up. That they would have to get back to everyone and go their separate ways soon, but she couldn't help it.

She liked making Rory feel good.

For as long as possible.

Her finger found that little ridge inside her lover, stroking it slowly as she purred at just how good it felt to touch and be inside her, marveling (and not for the first time) at how she'd ever gone years without it. Her eyes were dark as she watched Rory's reaction, cheeks flush with exertion and a fresh wave of want.

"I have some of that, sometimes." Rory huffed with a little laugh, humming a little pleased sound as she brushed her nose over her cheekbone and dipped her head to press a kiss against Maris' shoulder. She wished like hell she could get her fiancee undressed, properly kiss and touch her entire body like she so loved to do.

Her fingers stayed splayed against Maris' thigh, her thumb brushing against her soft inner thigh almost in time with the way Maris' fingers worked her fingers. Her body jerked again, almost violently in the shock of it as Maris' fingers hooked inside of her. A loud whimper escaped her lips, her eyes flaring wide and then fluttering closed for a brief second. "Fuck," The word came out in two syllables, her voice trembling as she inched her own hand upward so her palm cupped her lover's sex.

She was overly sensitive already, but the way Maris touched her as a result sent a flood of heat soaring through her body. The way they'd do this in their own bed felt different to now, just adding fuel to their fire. Her breathing was heavy, her hips rocking just so into her hand. "Love," She whimpered, rubbing the heel of her hand against Maris' pussy but not even consciously. She knew she was going to come again, as her body began to tremble from the pleasure re-mounting inside of her.

The soft sounds Rory made were exactly the sort she loved most. They were always a turn on but they filled her with something more than desire. An almost pride, the fullness that came with knowing she really could make Rory happy, that the other woman felt just as good as she did when she was around.

Sounds like that meant Rory was hers completely and Maris pressed and pulled their bodies even together to celebrate that.

Her breath hitched. She could feel Rory's body buzzing against hers, even through their clothes. Like her fiancee, she really wanted nothing between them but god, if it wasn't a turn on.

She kissed her, hard and slow and slightly desperate as her fingers kept their slow and steady pace, her wrist taut with both of them knowing she would make this last and that she wouldn't stop until Rory got the bliss she was chasing.

The sounds that came from Rory were borderline pathetic, a kind of breathless whining at every twitch or thump of Maris' fingers inside of her. Her forehead bowed against Maris', her breathing shaky and noisy as she began to rock harder against her hand.

Rory felt almost desperate as pleasure raced up her spine, her heightened sensitivity just making it that much more intense.

Her fingers grasped her fiancee, one hand with her fingers digging into the soft skin of her thigh and the other gripping the back of her neck. She panted and kissed her back, slow and breathless but with the kind of passion only they could create. A sharp whimper buried itself into Maris' lips as her body seized with her orgasm, shaking uncontrollably as she came for a second time.

Maris was never really sated. The bliss etched on her lover's face only made her want to give her more of it. And more after that until they honestly couldn't take anymore. The urge was even stronger tonight than any other. They were being separated for the first time in months. It was the night before their wedding, a moment that was bound to make her feel as invincible as it did grateful and soft.

Part of her knew if that they didn't do this, the traditional night apart before their wedding there was no way they'd get any sleep.

The honeymoon would already start and honestly, Maris wasn't sure she'd be able to drag herself out of bed and to the venue at all. They'd become completely hedonistic (a feat considering they'd never really practiced restraint before) in the weeks leading up to their wedding. Every day Maris wanted Rory more and more.

A good sign for the longevity of their marriage, really.

She knew if she didn't stop now she probably never would, so she sighed as she slowly eased her fingers out of Rory, pressing soft kisses all over the other woman's face, mapping out places she already knew by heart before taking it in her hands, tilting it so she looked at her.

"Hey," she said softly. "It's only a night, yeah?"

If they begin a night like this (or any time of day, really), it was usually fine to roll over in bed and sleep for a while, especially knowing they'd get up in a little while to talk, or kiss, or make each other come again. Their middle of the night rendezvous' were some of Rory's favorite things. But they'd be without each other for a whole night and much of tomorrow. Rory had never been a clingy sort of person, her wild independence made sure of that. But she just chose to want to be near Maris as much as humanly possible.

Now that they'd had this unbelievably blissful moment, Rory didn't want to leave her all the more. She'd known that it would be hard, but she wouldn't have made it without these stolen moments.

Rory's hips gave a little jolt at the loss of Maris' fingers, but it was a pleasant, warm feeling that raced up her spine. She actually giggled at Maris' kisses, finally hooking her fingers under her chin and drawing her in for a deep one.

"One night." She agreed. Rory found it kind of sadistically hilarious that in so many straight couples, the night before the wedding was thought of as the "last moment of freedom", some big to-do. God, who gave straight people the right to get married in the first place? It should feel like this, like letting go of part of herself but knowing the next day would bring them back together even stronger.

Rory kissed her again, circling both of her arms around Maris' shoulders and letting her tongue find hers as the kiss deepened. "We should go back." She spoke against her lips, stealing one, two, three more kisses that finally parted with a soft noise. "The sooner we sleep, the sooner I get to marry you." Even if she needed about a thousand more kisses before then, and she knew, knew being dragged away from Maris would make her heart ache. "One night." She repeated, almost as much to herself as to Maris.

If a younger Maris could see the current one she'd think she was a total sap. Okay, she'd probably have a lot of questions, really and would probably do her best to talk her out of not getting married. Although she would have at least stopped to acknowledge Rory was the prettiest woman she'd (they'd?) ever been with before going on the same old anti marriage tirade.

Even the Maris who had dated Rory the first time around would have told her she was being ridiculous. That it was only one night and she'd see plenty of Rory tomorrow and every day after.

But she knew better now. She was done pretending that she didn't love and on some level, need Rory as much as she did. Playing it cool, like that Maris had was what tore them apart in the first place.

Maris had and did surrender herself to everything being in love with Rory meant now.

And was there any better way to say you were all in than what was happening tomorrow?

"One night," Maris murmured, repeating Rory's little mantra as she stood up with a little sigh and straightened her clothing.

She wasn't sure she had ever held Rory's hand tighter as they made their way down the hall. For once, she didn't walk fast enough for her father (and everyone else) to poke fun at her.

She wanted their last few minutes together to last. The brightly lit room came into view. Maris could even see a few of their guests moving around through the open archway, a telltale flash of Jenna's bright red dress as she came back from the bar. But she didn't go in.

She grabbed the top of Rory's arm and lead her down another side hallway, stopping in front of a fire exit to steal one last kiss.

And it really was the last one, something she poured every bit of feeling she had into.

She bit her lip, softening ever so slightly as she took in the sight of her fiancee, the neon red of the exit sign giving her a bit of an extra glow. "You're going to be so beautiful tomorrow. I can barely handle you now but...tomorrow's going to be worse." She made a little scoff of a noise but there was a smile on her face. "And the next time we kiss... you're going to be my wife." Her lips twitched. "So don't get any ideas. That was the last one."

These moments felt very much theirs. More than almost any other moments, the ones where their hearts led them more than any other part of themselves felt special. Rory always loved Maris, she always wanted her, even when she was buzzing with satisfaction. But speaking the words that were meant only for each other always felt different. She loved that these moments, these parts of each other were saved for just them. Now their vows would just be a bit of a peek, but that was for later.

Rory hadn't been someone who dreamed of the huge fairy tale wedding, but she had hoped, at various points in her life, that she'd find a partner she'd want to be with, grow old with, love for her life. She just never quite thought that she'd get this lucky. She never thought that she would meet someone who challenged her and completed her whole heart like this. She never thought she'd find someone who just felt like she was meant to be hers. God, she was lucky.

Their mantra felt like one she'd be repeating to herself late at night, but for now, she'd soak in every moment they had left.

Rory's hand remained tight in Maris', as she peeked in and spotted her family mingling about. She side-stepped as Maris led her way, a wide grin crossing her features as she found herself stolen away.

And god was she glad to be.

Rory's arms squeezed around Maris, pulling her in tightly as she matched, ounce for ounce of the passion her fiancee was giving her. She felt breathless, awash with passion and love as she kissed her with every feeling that felt as though it were exploding in her heart. "I know, how am I going to stop myself from running at you down the aisle and making out with you?" She chuckled, but knew the answer to that. Her heart would be bursting with how much she loved her. "Oh fine." She pouted with a soft sigh, the way Maris said wife striking her right in the heart. She brushed her nose over Maris', not stealing a kiss, but nuzzling her softly. "I love you, fiancee." She spoke softly, knowing they only had so many hours where that title was still accurate.

"I love you too," Maris whispered back, tracing Rory's cheek. She nearly broke off her vow to hold off on kissing and save everything for their big one tomorrow, but she took a step back knowing that anticipation would make that moment even sweeter.

And honestly if she didn't give herself some kind of cut off and stop now she probably never would.

She stroked Rory's jaw with her thumb, resting their foreheads together. "Call me before you go to bed, okay? Don't care if you're sleepy."

She sighed and even a step away from Rory was physically painful. Maris felt like she'd just ripped off a band aid way too quickly, but it was a pretty apt metaphor in more ways than one.

This too, was something that needed to be done.

Maris walked in first, kind of hoping Rory would take a moment before following her in. They'd been gone a long time and she didn't exactly want people to figure out what they'd been up to.

"Where were you!?" Eli asked, nail idly picking at the label on his beer.

"I needed a smoke."

Eli's eyes narrowed. Nobody liked to lecture Maris on her occasional slip ups more, but she supposed it made sense. Her best friend was more or less a doctor.

"Well, I guess you're stressed," he conceded after a beat. His brow furrowed as he leaned across the table. "You okay, Mari? You're not nervous or..."

"No, I'm fine," she said, waving off his concerns and leaning over to steal his beer and take a sip.

"Ooh, this is interesting." she said, eyes wide before taking another, slower sip. "Tastes kind of weird, like..." Maris tilted her head. "Is this pumpkin?"

Eli blushed, snatching it back. "Tis the season."

Luckily Jenna arrived to save him from any teasing. "There you are. You guys ready? Your dad wants to get home before its too dark."

Maris nodded, reaching for her purse. "You're coming with us, right? Because I'm serious, Jen. You can stay over. My dad has two guest rooms."

"And I don't mind sleeping in the basement. John has a big screen tv down there." He turned toward Maris, muttering, "He still does right? Haven't been down there since we were like 17."

Maris laughed, nodding before turning to Jenna with a more serious expression. "Come on, Jen. I really need your help getting ready tomorrow."

Jenna smirked, snatching her purse off the back of a nearby chair before starting toward the door to meet John and Faye in the parking lot, a silent yes. "I know. This is exactly why I should have been co maid of honor."

God, it was painful not to kiss her again, but Maris’ words clung in the space around her heart. The next time we kiss, you’re going to be my wife. Something like that, she couldn’t trifle with. So she bit her lip instead, nodding softy and only pressing a kiss to her fingers as they passed her cheek. It’d be a struggle not to call her on the drive back to the hotel, let alone in the hours before sleep.

She let her fiancee go, her gaze following her as she moved back into the room with their loved ones. For a moment, Rory just stood there, leaning against the wall, a swell of emotions in her chest. They weren’t bad ones, they weren’t even sad ones that they were spending the night apart - those would come later. No, this depth of feeling was entirely wrapped around the idea that Maris was going to be her wife tomorrow. Everything they’d been through, everything that brought them to this moment… it was worth it. She’d go through it all again, and even more if she had to. Anything to get them to that chuppah.

Taking a deep breath, she headed back into the room, catching sight of Maris across the room already swept up with her people. Rory had barely made it a few steps into the room when Maggie was hugging her and kissing her cheeks, apologizing for having to duck out to relieve the babysitter.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you tonight?” Sarah had asked as she handed over Rory’s purse and jacket she’d collected from the table she and Maris had been sitting at. “You’re just down the hall, Sarah.” Rory chuckled, taking her things and sliding her arms into her jacket. “We can grab a drink before bed though, yeah?” Honestly, she loved a good sleepover as much as anyone, but the idea of having anyone, even one of her very best friends or family members sleeping next to her would just make her miss her fiancee all the more.

She was stalling, and she knew it. As her mother and Sarah lingered by the door waiting for her, she glanced back across the room to Maris. It felt melodramatic, like some song of deep longing should be swelling or something. This time tomorrow night, she’d be looking at her wife.

Rory was kind of quiet on the ride to the hotel (in a cab, damn she missed that limo, but it wouldn’t have been the same without Maris anyway. As they made their way up to the same floor in the hotel, her mother was a mess of tears and hardly able to control it as she took Rory’s face into her hands.

“Mom…” She protested, but mostly because her voice wavered with her own emotion. Evelyn leaned forward and kissed her cheeks, hugging her tightly. “Tomorrow is your day, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see you marry someone so perfect for you.” Compliments didn’t flow freely from Evelyn, and that alone meant the world to Rory. She inhaled deeply, blinking back tears. “Thank you mom.” She said, and kissed her cheek before heading down the hallway further.

Sarah followed Rory into her room, where she sat on Rory’s bed while Rory went to get changed. Once in her PJ’s, she pulled her hair up into a ponytail and grabbed her phone, firing off a text to Maris: I miss you. The pang of her fiancee’s absence was palpable, but Rory decided she was going to make the best of it as she returned to the main room. The pair sat on her bed for a good hour, sharing a drink, sharing stories.

“I can’t believe she got you chucks, she knows you so well!” Sarah said, looking over the shoes Maris had given her. Rory scoffed, laughing as she sat back with her drink. “Well I’d hope so, I’m marrying her.”

“You’re marrying her then you’re leaving us.” Sarah, ever with the flair for the dramatic. Rory laughed, tossing a pillow at her friend. “Please, like you’re not going to find every excuse to visit us and wax poetic about the West End.”

Rory gave Sarah a gift for being her maid of honor, figuring the time was nigh since tomorrow she’d be a little distracted. “Tomorrow is gonna be perfect, Ror. I’ll make sure of it. You know I take my job very seriously.” Sarah said as they hugged goodbye. Rory laughed, nodding as she let go of the other woman. “I know you will, and I love you for it.”

The room felt too quiet after Sarah left. Rory wandered around the room for a few minutes, tucking a few things away, making sure she had everything she needed for tomorrow together. Her bags put together for Maggie to drop off at the other hotel for her.

Rory mixed herself another drink from the mini bar, sitting back on the bed as she grabbed her phone and stuck her headphones in. The drink was helping her feel sleepy, dulling the adrenaline of anticipation just enough that maybe she’d sleep a little tonight. In all honesty, she’d lasted longer than she thought she would. She hit the call button on Maris’ contact, her heart already pulling as she waited for her to answer.

It was a long ride to her dad's house. Sandwiched between Jenna and Eli in the backseat (because as nice as Faye's offer to sit up front was, Maris wasn't about to make her sit with her friends), Maris felt like a teenager on her way the home from school.

Pulling up to the house she grew up in only furthered the illusion.

Nobody could do enough for her. Her father asked if she wanted a cup of tea. Faye offered to make her something even though they'd all ate more than enough at the restaurant. Eli and Jenna, after arguing for most of the ride over what movie they wanted to watch in John's (admittedly great) set up in the basement asked her if she wanted to join them.

But all she really wanted to do was take a shower. It was an attempt to waste time as much as it was to try and wind down. Some small part of her hoped it would help her sleep, too. But she wasn't as relaxed as she hoped she'd be as she stepped out into her childhood bedroom and toweled her hair dry.

It and her bed was comically small. Her father had all but insisted she take the bigger, better guest room that had been her grandfather's bedroom once upon a time, but hers seemed fitting on a day like this one.

Her childhood had been over for ages, but it really would be come tomorrow. She was starting a new chapter. A very adult one that involved more than just herself. One that would involve her own children if she had anything to say about it. And her biological clock did. More and more frequently these days.

She sat around her towel for longer than she needed to, reflecting on the space and the memories made there, but the present and future always managed to float back to the forefront of her thoughts. Especially when Rory texted.

Miss you more.

The pair didn't have much of a conversation. Jenna knocked on the door just as Maris finished tying the waistband of her striped pajama shorts.

"You sure you don't wanna come down and watch a movie with us? Eli and your dad want to do Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and then the second one if we feel like it but I think Faye and I can get them to pick something else the second time around."

Maris managed a weak smile. "No, I'm fine."

"Tired?" she asked, brow furrowing. "I might just sleep too, I went a little crazy on the wine earlier."

"Tired in body, not really in mind. You sure you're okay in the guest room? You could sleep with me." Maris gestured to the bed and Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Why Maris, what a proposition on the night of your wedding," she said with a laugh.

Maris ducked her head. "Don't get cute."

"Besides, I already shot my shot."

Maris looked up, the circumstances of how they met ones they never really talked about because it was an awkward start that turned into something better.

Jenna had been one of a few rare women who had approached Maris for once, offering to buy her a drink at their college's go to pub. Maris was tempted, but she had sort of been knee deep in Caroline drama at the time and let down Jenna as easily as she could.

After a few more slightly awkward run ins, the pair became friends and the rest was history.

"Rory and I ran into Caro you know. She came to my book tour."

Jenna's eyes widened as she sat down on the bed. "Granny's still alive?" she joked, jabs at the other woman's age one of the few things that helped soothe her ego over the whole thing. Jen had no lingering romantic feelings for Maris, but she was just as proud as her friend and just as unaccustomed to being rejected. "Fuck, how did that go?"

By the time Maris had filled Jen in on the story (and a thousand others) an hour had passed and Eli came up the stairs to fetch her. "Come on, you need to stop Faye from breaking out her Outlander dvds." He gave Maris a pointed look. "You should help with that, Mari."

"Kinda tired. You guys go. Have fun."

Maris sighed, both soothed and simultaneously terrified of the quiet room as she climbed into bed. When her phone rang she nearly knocked it off her nightstand in her haste to answer, but she grabbed hold and smiled as she brought it to her ear.

"There's my girl."

Hearing her voice was like breathing oxygen in the cleanest, freshest place. Rory felt absolutely fucking ridiculous, but she felt her eyes well up and throat get a little tight just hearing her voice. She sighed through a laugh at herself, rolling her eyes. "Hi you." She was grinning as she leaned back into the pillows, resting the bottom of her glass against her knee as she let her phone drop to the bed next to her.

"I fucking miss you." She sort of exhaled the words, the warm buzz of her final drink sort of sinking into her bones. It was so weird being without Maris, speaking to her on the phone even felt a little different when it wasn't just a quick call from the store asking if she wanted anything or when Rory was still at the school, calling her during a break.

Rory chuckled a little bit, picturing Maris in her own bed... far away from her. "How's it over there? Are Jenna and Eli behaving themselves?"

"Miss you too, darling," she murmured, the faint ache of being without her fiancee just a little bit worse now that she knew she wasn't the only one experiencing it.

"They're fine," Maris said with a laugh. "A slight squabble in the car over what movie to watch, but Jenna was up here with me for a while. We'll see what happens now that they're in the same room again."

Maris sighed, doing her best to adjust and get more comfortable under the covers, "They're better now though. I mean, they've been better. About the wedding stuff. Gives me hope we'll get through tomorrow with minimal bloodshed."

Maris reached over to turn off the lamp on her nightstand and almost immediately wished she didn't.

The room seemed bigger, colder, more empty in the dark.

"I left my straightener in the hotel room, by the way," she murmured. "Make sure to pack it up for me?"

On any other day Maris would have been having a panic attack about leaving behind something that was practically an extension of her right hand, but she wouldn't actually need it tomorrow. Just for their honeymoon. Well, maybe. She had a feeling she wouldn't be too focused on her hair.

Rory couldn't help but smile at Maris' voice, the term of endearment, the truth behind it. Rory had never been the kind of woman who thought she'd be like this, feeling the ache of longing after being away away from her love for just a few hours at this point. But it was there, in the pit of her stomach. It was probably a good thing that Maris was indeed far enough away that Rory wasn't about to race over and climb into her bed with her.

"I honestly can't even guess who won that argument." She laughed, picturing Maris' two friends and how they both seemed able to get one-up on the other in an endless parry of wits.

Rory smiled softly, thinking of tomorrow the moment she brought it up. "They better behave themselves, otherwise I'll yell through the door. Don't think I won't." She laughed softly, before finishing a sip of her drink and putting it on her nightstand.

"Oh yeah I'll put it in my bag." She smiled, sliding into her covers and burrowing into the pillows a bit more. "Look at us already acting like a married couple." She grinned, finding it almost annoying that she could hear Maris but she couldn't reach out to touch her, kiss her.

She was quiet for a moment, looking at the window and the lights that glittered against her rain-smattered windows. "It's still raining. Think it'll hold into tomorrow?"

"You would have remembered it even if I didn't ask," Maris murmured as she burrowed under her comforter. And she meant it. Rory was thoughtful. They both were. They cared about each other, sometimes more than they did themselves, a good sign on the marriage front if there ever was one.

She looked up, then out her own window, surprised she hadn't really noticed the rain until Rory mentioned it.

"I'm not saying anything one way or the other. Wouldn't want to jinx it." Maris laughed, shaking her head a little. "We're probably the only couple in history who wants rain on their wedding day. Alanis is so ashamed of us."

Maris teeth sank into her lower lip, her voice softening a little. "But you're alright? You're feeling alright about everything?"

She felt stupid asking, having long since grown tired of Eli and her father and everyone in between asking if she was nervous about tomorrow. She knew they meant well and it wasn't because they assumed she was likely to bolt at any minute. They were just checking in and making sure she wasn't too stressed over everything. And that was what she wanted to do with her fiancee.

Even though she was a little nervous that Rory was nervous. Tomorrow was... a dream come true.

And sometimes you woke up just as a dream was getting good.

"I mean, yes of course I would." Rory laughed softly, tossing her hair out of the way so she could roll over. She usually only needed one pillow to sleep, but tonight felt like the sheer amount of pillows that had been on the bed were going to make it feel less empty. A futile practice, no doubt, but one she was willing to try.

Rory grinned, having had the same thought about the singer of the 90's. "You're right, she'd hate us." But Rory really did hope that the rain continued throughout the next day. A surprise storm that felt like a gift specifically for them. Nothing else could explain it.

There was that feeling, the one that was utterly soft and yet big. The kind that swelled in her chest and made her feel like she was filled up with the way she loved this woman. "Yeah babe, I feel really good. I mean, I feel shit that you are so far away and I really don't like it. Don't think I haven't calculated in my head how long it'd take for me to get in a cab, come over, and sneak past your wall of protectors over there." She grinned, but sighed softly.

Tomorrow, Maris would be her wife.

"I'm so ready, Maris. I'm so ready to marry you."

"They're not guarding my door, Rory," Maris said with a bit of a laugh, shaking her head. "Now you've got me picturing Rapunzel or something."

But it wasn't an entirely unpleasant scenario, no matter how above fairytales Maris thought she was. She would have been up for anything as long as Rory was there and even she wasn't opposed to being on the receiving end of a little chivalry on the right occasion.

Rory's words (or at least her assurance) were what Maris wanted to hear but they still hit hard, her voice a bit softer as it had been moments before.

"Good," she said softly. "Because it's been all I've wanted for so long I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I finally get it."

She would obviously be ecstatic. Happier than ever to be sent into that honeymoon phase people raved about even though she was pretty sure she was already in it. But she couldn't help but wonder if there would be a some of that strange feeling lingering after something you'd really wanted had finally come to pass. That sort of what now funk that after the holidays or crossing something huge off your to do list even though their wedding was obviously bigger than both.

She had an idea, of course. Plenty of them and just starting their life together, especially on an entirely different continent would be task enough, but it was something to think about all the same.

This wedding had been a long time coming and as eager as she was for it to finally happen, part of her wondered if she'd almost miss the anticipation that came with it.

"Oh don't tell me that! You'll just make the temptation that much harder to resist." Rory grinned, one of her hands reflexively reaching out for the space that Maris usually occupied. The bed felt too big, too empty. "I'd definitely scale a tower for you. It'd really go well with my flair for the dramatic."

Parts of this night felt kind of fairytale-esque. They had certainly fought hard enough for each other, fought to be together, fought for their wedding and the life they were embarking on together. She never thought of "fairytale" part of a wedding at all, but parts of it might feel like one, too.

"Probably be obnoxiously happy for an eternity, give or take?" Rory laughed softly, but allowed herself to ponder about their future. She was obviously thinking more and more about it these days, but when she allowed herself the scope to look past their wedding, she knew their future was so bright. They'd have challenges, arguments, heartaches, but she knew in her bones that none of that would even compare to the joy that being with Maris brought her already. She just couldn't wait to get started in earnest for the rest of their lives.

"Are you gonna be okay tonight, babe? Maybe even get some sleep?" She sighed after she said it, feeling a certain kind of way about her own sleeping. "I kind of want to soak up every second you're letting me stay on the phone with you."

"We could be here a while if you're waiting for me to sleep," she teased, both of them knowing that it didn't come easily to her under the best of circumstances.

Her current excitement would probably make things even worse, but Maris held out hope that all the extra hours of travel and planning and socialization she'd been putting in over the past week would finally catch up with her.

Still, she didn't want her insomnia to worry Rory (and had a feeling it sometimes did) so she changed the subject.

"I'd say we could talk all night but that seems like cheating. No point of separating in the first place." She let out a laugh. "Why did we agree to this in the first place?" she teased. "Apart from it making the sex better tomorrow."

"I know, you always take longer to get to sleep." She pouted a little bit, Rory's mind dipping into worry-mode as she thought not for the first time that she wouldn't be there to hold her or rub her back until she fell asleep. Such a silly part of a deeper longing, but still present.

Maris certainly knew what she was doing in shifting the subject, but she didn't fight it. She knew it would make Maris feel better if Rory wasn't worrying, even if Rory couldn't ever entirely shut that off.

"You're right. But... yeah I'm starting to think this was a really shitty idea. I don't think we're capable of having anything remotely resembling less-than sex." She smiled, biting at her lower lip a little bit. "Even if I'm still kinda buzzing from out on the terrace." Bad idea currently to bring any of that up.

"Sarah came in and we had a drink. Then I just finished another one so I am very happily buzzed right about now. She saved me from mom blubbering more about tomorrow. I think we're gonna have a record amount of mom-tears from the Berlanti half tomorrow. Sorry babe."

"Oh god don't mention the terrace," Maris groaned, pulling the blankets closer around her. They were a pale imitaton of Rory's warmth and she hoped the venue kept their word about making sure theirs was available to them tomorrow.

She alreday knew she wanted a repeat and that she'd want Rory even more tomorrow. Although Maris wondered if even they would be bold enough to try anything with so many of theit loved ones floating around.

"I'm not really used to causing happy tears but I'll take it," she teased, their long running joke about making her students cry resurfacing. Truth be told, she was looking forward to teaching once they got settled in England, too.

She hadn't really felt productive since her book tour ended. The wedding was about the only thing she had to focus on and pour effort into and since that was finally coming to fruition, she needed something else.

Even though her inevitable job search once they arrived was the exact opposite of fun.

"I should have followed your lead. Had a few more drinks to help me nod off." She sighed, idly running her fingers along her pillow. "I should let you sleep, too."

Maris took a deep breath. "I love you." It was hardly something she hadn't said a thousand times before. Rory already knew but it seemed heavy, important to say that night above all nights and yet it didn't seem like enough.

But Maris didn't know how to express herself any further without dipping into her vows and those had to be saved for tomorrow.

Rory couldn't help but laugh at Maris' comment, feeling exactly the same damn way. "I know, I know." She whined, burrowing deeper as well, so much so that the heels of her feet hit the end of the bed. She couldn't get more lounged if she tried.

This would not only be the first night without each other in god knew how long, but the first time in so long they couldn't just touch each other, kiss each other, even devour each other like they were wan to do. Rory wanted her fiancee constantly, even now (or maybe especially) with hours left before they married each other, and that slight buzz not helping any.

"You're going to be the cause of a lot of them." She smirked, meaning both, really. The life they had ahead of them would be full of joys, beyond their wedding, their house was waiting for them. Their new life in London, a family. Happy tears would just be a thing.

"I've stopped plenty shy of being hungover tomorrow, don't worry though." She felt her heart pull in her chest at the latter comment, that she should be off to bed. And she should. It was just easier said than done.

Her own fingers idly dragged over the sheets next to her, wishing she could hold her fiancee. "I know, I should let you try to sleep."

Something about hearing those words tonight felt ... bigger. She knew how much Maris loved her, she knew how much she loved her in return, but it felt like it just said so much more. "I love you, Maris."

"Call or text me whenever you need to, I don't care about the rules." Rory grinned, holding her phone a little tighter for the last few seconds before their final goodbyes of the night carried her off to sleep.

Maris drifted off not soon after, more drained from everything leading up to their wedding than she realized. The rest of the house carried on without her, letting her sleep while they packed everything they would need in the car, only sending Eli up to wake her when Faye had finished making a breakfast that wouldn't have looked out of place at a Vegas buffet.

"Hey," he said softly from the doorway. "Faye made pancakes if you're hungry."

"I'm not," Maris said groggily, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "But I doubt anyone's gonna let me get away with not eating something so..."

"Basically," Eli said with a grin. "Just come down when you're ready."

Maris was ready, but not for breakfast. She stared in the mirror for a long moment after she finished brushing her hair, attempting to pull herself together before meeting everyone downstairs.

She managed about half of a pancake (which was pretty impressive either way you looked at it considering Faye's pretty generous portions) and two cups of coffee before heading upstairs to go get ready to go to the venue.

It didn't take long. There was no point in worrying about what she was wearing or fussing over hair and makeup when all three would be different in a few hours, so she jogged downstairs in a pair of skinny jeans and a black and white striped top, her face falling at the fact that everyone else seemed to be frowning.

"Oh god, what happened?" she asked, a million nightmare scenarios racing through her mind.

"Nothing its just..." Jenna nodded toward the kitchen window. "Raining."

"It's not too bad," Faye said soothingly. "Barely even a drizzle. It'll probably stop before we get there."

Maris smiled, shaking her head. "No its...it'll be fine."

Rory had full on expected to have a restless night's sleep, but was pretty surprised when she woke up in the morning to it actually being morning. She'd set an alarm but woke up before it even went off, smiling a little to herself as she decided to take the morning and order in room service. She had a barrage of texts, and finally responded to a couple of them from her mother and Sarah who both were catching her up on the goings-on. She had a little while before she was needed anywhere, so she decided to take full advantage of that.

Butterflies had made a home in her stomach, so she just ordered some fruit and oatmeal, figuring having some form of food in her would help.

She should have known her solitude wouldn't last long, as the first knock came in the form of her best friend, who barreled into the room with a shriek of excitement as she wrapped up Rory in a hug. "It's your big day!!" She sing-songed, and had a full bag read with anything she could possibly need throughout the day.

The peace only lasted so long, when her mother was next in the room. She was already bustling around, emotional, and had the energy of a weepy tornado. "Aurora I'm so sorry..." Rory's heart sank for a shock of a moment, but her mother was on the way to the windows, pushing open the blinds and scowling out at the dark skies and sprinkling rain. "Would you look at this storm? The weather report had said sunny just two days ago!"

"Mom, it's hardly a storm."

But Rory was just grinning, her cheeks kind of sore from it already. "Don't worry about it ... we're indoors." Sarah was tilting her head at Rory's reaction, trying to gage if she was being honest. Rory just shrugged at her with a private kind of smile.

"Alright. We're gonna leave so you can shower and get ready. Your hair girl gets here in an hour, Maggie is meticulously inspecting your dress for wrinkles, so we'll bring that in. Makeup last?" Rory nodded as Sarah rattled off everything. "Sounds good."

The room was oddly quiet as the two left, and Rory laughed to herself as she grabbed her phone and sat on the bed. Maybe it was against the rules, but Rory shot off a simple text to her soon to be wife. It's raining. I love you.

While everyone scrambled to find and gather up every umbrella John & Faye had in the house, Maris was marveling at their luck.

Her father was rattling of similar sentiments, incredulous that the weather report was wrong since he'd made sure to check it before bed, but Maris just smiled and gave her father's hands a reassuring squeeze.

"Daddy, it's going to be fine."

"I just want you to have a good day is all," he said softly.

Maris' lips twitched. "It will be."

She got Rory's text as everyone was double checking they had everything they needed before the car ride to the venue. Eli caught her smiling like an idiot at her phone and rightly guessed just who she was talking to but didn't call her out on it, lightly grabbing Jenna's arm so she knew to grab a second box full of things for the reception.

Maris didn't really know what too say to Rory. If her fiancee was there with her, all she would have needed to do was smile to be understood.

Of course it was raining.

She settled for sending a youtube link to a certain Alanis song, an attempt to be funny as she suddenly wondered if Rory was feeling anxious too.

They made their way to the venue and set up in the little room where Maris would be getting ready. Eli had turned on a little music in an attempt to soothe everyone's nerves but nobody really seemed to be listening.

It was impossible to hear anything but Ramona's loud, distinct voice when she arrived, looking very nice in a navy blue skirted suit and pearls. Though she too, was annoyed by the rain and spent a good five minutes complaining about her "ruined" hair.

"Here," she said, thrusting a floral gift bag into Maris' hands. "You can use it now."

Maris blinked, surprised to be getting presents already but didn't argue. Especially when Ramona seemed to have taken her favorite color into account for once.

"A robe? It feels nice. Silky." Then Maris noticed the embroidery. "Oh," she said softly, looking up. "New initals."

"New initials," Ramona said with a smile and a nod.

"Thank you." Maris looked around to confirmed that her father and Eli had stepped out and hastily started undressing so she could slip into it. Her lingerie didn't go unnoticed however, earning her a playful wolf whistle from Jenna.

"Jesus, should we be seeing what Rory's going to be seeing?"

"What? Was I supposed to put it on when I got here too?" Maris grumbled, hastily tying her robe shut.

Since she and Rory were sharing a hair and make up person and had agreed on Rory getting her first, Maris had a lot of waiting around to do. And boredom apparently lead to hunger.

Everyone seemed to agree on sending someone out to get something a little nicer than burgers but when they asked Maris what she wanted all she could really think of was french fries.

So Eli got soup, salads and sandwiches from a cafe and made a second stop to McDonald's just for Maris.

Who, after a series of texts with Rory, announced that he should go get her some french fries too.

"I just got back!" he said incredulously, his buffalo chicken wrap halfway to his mouth.

"Then give her half of mine," Maris insisted, holding out a half full paper container. "Come on, Eli, they're like ten feet away."

He sighed, tossing down his sandwich. "Fine."

"Do you think she's ready yet?"

"The make up girl?"

"No, Rory," Maris said, sounding exasperated with Ramona as she shoved her last french fry in her mouth.

"Soon?" she offered.

"You think Eli will tell me what she looks like?"

"That's cheating," Jenna said, barely looking up from her phone.

"Either way, you should get dressed," Ramona insisted, taking down Maris' dress from its spot on the back of the door. "Come on, the wedding's in like an hour and a half. It won't wrinkle."

Maris made sure to rid herself of any lingering salt and french fry grease before nodding, letting out a sigh of relief when her aunt zipped her up just fine.

"Well?"

Ramona's glassy eyes told her everything she needed to know.

"Oh come on, I'm not even ready yet," Maris grumbled, carefully sitting back down in her chair.

But her heart had tightened a little in her chest too and she shot out of her chair when Eli came back from his delivery gig.

"Well?" she snapped as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "What did she look like?"

For all that she had taken her sweet time throughout the morning, Rory didn’t luxuriate in any sort of a long shower. She stepped out and wrapped herself and her hair in towels before she grabbed for her phone, spotting the notification from Maris. Clicking the video, she just laughed … and then turned up the volume as she got ready.

The lingerie she’d been dying to wear went on, and Rory squinted at herself in the mirror for a few seconds before she slipped into jeans and a t-shirt. Which just felt … weird, considering the kind of day she was in for. Her hair went up in a wet bun to keep it damp for the hair girl and then … this was it.

Rory grabbed the box with her white shoes, her purse, a few other things… and then she took a moment. It wasn’t like she had any deep attachment to this room, but rather that this was the last moment she’d really be alone for the rest of the day. It was the last moment she’d have to sort of reflect on the moment to herself. But Rory just smiled to herself. She really wasn’t going to take more than a moment. She wanted to get the show on the road.

As soon as everyone piled in the car, they were off to the venue, where Sarah announce she’d planned to make sure they weren’t going to be showing up at the same time as Maris & Co, and thus running everything. Rory just rolled her eyes, but thanked Sarah for her attention to detail.

That however, didn’t stop Rory from peering around to see if she might catch a glimpse of her fiancee on the way to their own little room.

It was in their “suite” as Maggie had taken to calling it, that Rory really was glad they hadn’t opted for some big wedding party. With just her mother, Maggie and Sarah in the room, that was about all the chaos she could take. She couldn’t imagine if she’d had another handful of people milling about.

Sarah had curated a playlist and had that going, as Maggie headed for the door with an annoyed tone that someone couldn’t handle a meltdown from a toddler. Rory just laughed and said she was happy to have Charlie as the only man allowed in the room. But her brother in law had arrived with a small box as well, that Maggie had left behind. “Sorry, I should have given this to you last night.” Maggie said, already more frazzled than anyone in the room.

Rory thanked her and opened the box, inside a silk white robe with what looked like rose gold accents. “Look at the back.” Maggie said excitedly as she fed Charlie and got him to stop fussing about. Rory turned it over, letting her fingers run over the lines: R F B. She swallowed hard, feeling emotion prick her eyes already. “I love it.” She thanked her sister and kissed her cheek. “I wasn’t sure if you were doing Forrester-Berlanti or Berlanti-Forrester, so I took a gamble.” Rory just laughed at her sister’s over-explaining. “It’s perfect.”

She got changed out of her t-shirt and jeans and into the robe, ready for the rest of the getting-ready to begin. She’d be lying if she’d said that she wasn’t distracted texting her fiancee, who at present was eating French fries that sounded really good.

“Do you want us to get you a snack, too?” Evelyn asked, already ready to jump to where she was needed.

“No, Maris says Eli is bringing me fries.” Rory laughed.

When the man of the hour actually arrived, Rory was maybe a little overly appreciative of him and the treat he’d brought her. “Is she good?” Rory asked, hating a little bit just how soft she sounded, but also entirely incapable of not asking. Eli’s smile said it all, and she gave him a quick hug before he was shooed out and the woman doing their hair, Diane, arrived.

Charlie was plopped into Rory’s lap at some point, as he played with a hair-tie and settled against her chest. Apparently if anyone needed a good boost of serotonin, hold a sleepy child. She even shared her fries with him.

As Rory let Charlie toddle off, she settled in to let her hair get twisted and pulled every which way, a kind of soothed warmth washing over her as she let her eyes close and the process just go on with her as a prop. She just wanted to get to the ceremony already. When Diane was done, Rory thanked her as she sent her off to Maris, a sudden jolt of jealousy that the purple-haired woman would get to see Maris.

“Okay! Makeup is next. Ror, do you have your vows all set?” Sarah had already changed into her dress by that point, which of course looked amazing on her. “Yep, all set. I have notecards that you can hold. I’m not sure I’ll actually use them though. We’ll see.” It may all just spill out of her without.

"I'm sorry, which one is Rory again?" Eli teased. Maris let out a frustrated noise (and shot her best friend a very dirty look) and he softened. "She's fine, Mari. She asked about you too." He took a step back. "Nice dress, by the way."

Maris laughed. "Oh right, you haven't seen it."

"I've seen it," Jenna mumbled with a smug little smirk, still not looking up from her phone.

Maris ignored her. "Better than prom?"

Eli smiled and nodded. "Can I have my sandwich now, mistress?"

Maris laughed, letting Eli finally get to his food.

"Wait, you guys went to prom?" Jenna asked. "Like together?"

"We needed dates!" Eli said through his first bite.

"And they looked adorable together<" Ramona chimed in. "Of course now I'm realizing it wasn't a real date..."

"Gee, you think?" Maris muttered, earning her a smile from Faye when she heard.

Ramona's eyes widened a little as she let Diane in. Slightly old fashioned, the other woman's purple hair was a lot for her, but she was slightly comforted by the fact that she wouldn't have time to do the same to Maris.

Although she sat a few feet away from her just in case.

"Oh you never let me curl your hair!" she said, sounding slightly offended as Diane pulled out her iron.

"Because you burned me that one time," Maris shot back.

"Well, I think it'll look nice," Faye offered, spearing a bite of salad with her plastic fork. "Different, but not too different, that's the key for a wedding."

Ramona and Faye branched off into a tiny debate over the subject because Ramona thought weddings were a time to go all out and try new things because you'd never have another day. Since Maris already had a slight curl to work with and only needed a little heat to wake them up, Diane was done pretty quickly and she couldn't help but smile at the results, nodding at her reflection. "Good," she said softly. "Just what I wanted. Light and not..."

"Poodle?" Diane offered.

Maris laughed, nodding again.

Rory was pretty used to being very low maintenance, especially over the time of quarantine. She didn’t like heavy makeup or a lot of fuss to her hair, usually opting for just a few of the former and either running a quick blow dryer through her hair, or even just tossing it up in a ponytail if she was running late. Having people fuss over her and make her look a certain way (to her liking) felt weird, but not in a bad way.

She liked the way Diane had done her hair, and she fought the urge to touch the tiny flowers she’d put in the mess of curls she’d meticulously pinned into place. Rory grinned to herself, thinking about some scenario of Maris’ reaction if she’d showed up in a flower crown.

“Ror, you look so good.” Maggie spoke from her spot on the floor, and Rory felt a glimpse of a moment from when they were kids. Maggie may have been a wife and mother first, but she was still her baby sister as far as she was concerned. So much of her teenage years were spent being wildly annoyed with her younger sister, taking a little bit of sinister pleasure in getting to go places and experience things that her sister was just too young for. It had taken until Rory went off to college for them to really get close again.

Rory supposed days like today were built for nostalgia. It had always been Rory and her mom and sister against the world, and the closest people who had managed to stick around beyond the two of them. While Rory was pretty friendly and comfortable around people on the surface, actually trusting someone to be hers had been a bigger deal than she’d probably even let on. But Maris was her person, she’d been the love of her life the second she breezed into it, even before Rory knew enough to acknowledge that.

Her stomach was a swell of butterflies just thinking of how little time there was now.

In the last chunk of time, everything seemed to be happening too fast and too slow all at once. Her makeup was done pretty simply…

“Just not too much eyeliner…” Evelyn chimed in, making the whole room laugh at her back-seat direction. “Oh yeah, I can’t be off looking like a common whore on my wedding day.” Rory responded, laughing harder at her mother’s annoyed look.

But in the end she was happy with the job the woman they’d hired had done, and she felt like her fingers were a little numb as Sarah helped her into her dress, careful not to get any makeup on the white fabric. She zipped her into it and fluffed the skirt before Rory turned to face the room. There were some oohs and gasps, even though they’d all seen it already. It felt different today.

“Shoes on, Cinderella.” Sarah said, and Rory used the wall to balance herself while Sarah assisted in putting the white converse on. “These are so cute.” She commented, and Rory was smiling. “She knows me well.”

“Well, I’d say so. Otherwise this day might be doomed.” Maggie snorted, and Evelyn whacked her for saying anything like that, even joking. “It was a compliment!”

Rory was barely listening. Her hands rested flat on her stomach as she looked at herself in the mirror, her jewelry was now on, and the whole look complete. It was Evelyn whose eyes she caught in the mirror, the older woman beyond misty. “Time to get married?”

Evelyn had done so much for her girls, always putting them first, never even really seeking out another big relationship after their father had left, and Evelyn had to become mother and father. It was a big thing, her “giving away” her daughters, and it felt pretty big, even for the moment for the two of them.

“I’m ready.” Rory said, the conviction in her tone mingled with excitement.

When the time came for Maris' make up she was slightly antsy. She barely bothered with it herself, even on the sort of occasion that called for it, though she did have a tendency to cover up her freckles or the occasional blemish more often than not.

Still, she wanted to look nice on her wedding day (and especially for Rory) so she settled in as best she could, pleased with how everything had turned out once Diane was finished. Her make up was simple, but she looked as flawless as she always wanted to look. Her father came in the room just as Diane left, carrying Maris' flowers.

"Eli, I can't believe you didn't pick them up from the florist. They're pretty imp-" He stopped in his tracks as soon as he saw Maris. "Oh my god," he said softly.

Maris' teeth sunk into her lip (which automatically lead to a wince because she was already ruining her make up). "Daddy, don't. I just finished getting my make up on."

"You know, we can all go," Faye started suddenly. "Give you two a minute to..."

"No, no stay," John said a little too quickly, seeming like he wasn't thrilled about the prospect of becoming a blubbering mess either. "Actually, you should go. Um, down to the seating area. We're starting in a minute."

John handed Maris her flowers and the pair stood silent for a minute.

"You know, you always told me it was rude to stare," Maris joked, hoping to break it.

"You look beautiful, Mari," he said softly.

Her dad's compliment struck her hard and not just because it was her wedding day. Looks weren't something the Forrester clan put much stock in (although they were a pretty good looking family). John had always told Maris she was smart, clever, determined. Ramona was the one who had built up the physical side of her self esteem.

It was just...nice to hear it. It was so rare that she knew she was true.

"And you're alright? You're not nervous..."

"God, why does everyone keep asking me that?" Maris scoffed.

"It's alright to be nervous. I was nervous when I married your mom. And Faye."

Maris bit her tongue, fighting the urge to tell her dad that when it came to her mom, he probably should have run the other way.

"Nervous sounds scared. I'm not scared. I just want to get it all out right."

"You and me both," he joked, holding up the cards he'd be reading off for the ceremony.

"You'll be fine," she said, knocking shoulders with him before sliding her arm in his. "Come on, we'll head up there together.'

"Am I gonna step on your dress?"

"It's not that long!"

"Hair looks especially nice though. I don't know why you don't wear it like that more often."

"Dad..."

"Well, I don't!" John said, opening the door for her so they could head out. "Oh, hello, Eli."

He smiled softly. "Figured I'd stick around. Best person duties and all that."

Maris sighed as she descended the last step. "Your tie is crooked," she said, immediately grabbing hold of Eli's shoulders to steady him and fix it. "But it looks very nice," she said her voice cracking a little.

"Oh is she gonna..."

John shook his head. "Nah, too stubborn to cry."

"I just always fix your tie at these kind of things and you're going to look really stupid when I'm in London," she spat, pulling it a little too taut. "There. Now I don't have to be embarrassed to be seen with you."

"Oh yeah, she's fine," he quipped, falling in line behind Maris and her dad.

There was a slight hubbub as Charlie refused to go with his dad to get changed, so Maggie kissed her cheek and ran off to go finish getting herself and the kids ready with Kevin. It felt like the timing was getting closer, and Rory had to stop herself from pacing around the room. Sarah left the room to go get the flowers, leaving Rory with just her mother.

She felt like the air was thick with something heavy, but not burdensome. Rory turned to see her mom across the room, her glassy eyes fixed on her eldest daughter.

“Mom…”

But Evelyn just looked at her, shaking her head slightly as she took her in. Rory crossed the space so her mother could gather her hands with her own. “I’m so proud of you, and the woman you’ve become. And the woman you’ve chosen to marry.” For as warm and friendly as the elder Berlanti was, compliments weren’t given freely. There had been a time when Rory had worried about her mother’s reaction to how she and Maris were back together, for other plans changed and her life taking on this new, familiar direction. But Evelyn had been nothing but supportive.

A knock at the door made Rory’s heart jump. “Did Sarah forget her key?”

“No, there was someone who I promised to let in for a last minute sneak peak.” Evelyn was full mischief as she hurried over to the door. She tossed Rory a wide grin before she opened it.

“Hi mamma.” She was beaming as, elegant as ever, Isabella walked into the room.

Rory was already choked up as the elder woman walked into the room, looking regal as ever in a deep green dress. “Aurora, bellissima.” Rory had to fight to keep her tears at bay as her grandmother wrapped her up in her arms in a tight hug.

“Truly exquisite, look at you. I can’t wait to see your bride’s dress. I know she has style.” Isabella practically purred her praise, and Rory was beaming already. “I’m so excited to see her.”

All her life, Rory had been surrounded by good women. It wasn’t that they were perfect or even close to it, but the good in them was what helped shape Rory into the woman that she was. Her mother, her sister - they were the obvious and most important, but Isabella had been someone who was just as constant, even if she lived so far away now. She’d never had much of a male influence after her father left and her grandfather was gone in her teens, but she hadn’t ever felt lacking because of it. These women, the universe that they created around their family were more than enough. Maris was an extension of that, and soon enough they’d create their own branch of this fierce family.

Both Evelyn and Isabella had been wrapped up in a hug by Rory, a sort of overly emotional moment, that Rory managed not to weep through. Think of her makeup. It was interrupted as Sarah arrived, knocking on the door as she entered. “Oh, Mrs. Berlanti! Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. It’s… time.”

Sarah had long since called Rory’s mother by her first name, but almost always, she’d stumbled over what to call Isabella. The eldest Berlanti simply nodded and cupped Rory’s face in her hands. “See you downstairs, cara mia.” As she breezed out of the room, she offered a smile to Sarah, looking at her dress for an extra moment. “Lovely.” Also never one for undue compliments, she left without another word.

“She intimidates me so much, she’s so fabulous.” Sarah sort of exhaled her words all in one breath, earning a laugh from Rory.

“Those for me?” Rory reached out for her bouquet, which looked exactly how she had imagined it … and meticulously described to their florist.

And then suddenly it was time. Rory felt like she was going to start shaking with the adrenaline alone, but overall she was excited to see Maris. And then marry her.

They made their way downstairs, where she could see in the distance some stragglers hurrying into the glass dome. A venue usher paused them in the spot that would keep them dry by a tunnel of tents they’d put up to go into the greenhouse. Rory just smiled as rain splashed down, as she took in every single moment, hearing music wafting out of the greenhouse, their wedding waiting for them.