𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 «« Matthew Gray Gubler.

1.5

Wedding Season.

15th of November, 2010.

Las Vegas - Marilyn Gubler's Rehearsal Dinner.

Coraline nervously paced in the bedroom of Matthew's Las Vegas home, smoothing down her casual dress.

In the day the couple had been there, she'd been absolutely swamped with work, having to excuse herself from John, Molly, Gray, Laura and Timothy multiple times to go over paperwork and attend phone calls for Lady Kensington. She was surprised the family were so open minded about her busy work, sending her little acts of assurance every time she had to depart.

But now, she was meeting his mother and soon to be step father. She prayed to herself that nothing would come up, sending a firm message.

Message from Paulina Wallace to Martin:
Please, no work for the next couple of days. Wedding.

Message from Martin to Paulina Wallace:
I'll try my best, ma'am. Good luck.

Matthew had made the unwise decision to startle his girlfriend, trying not to laugh when a loud yelp escaped her lips. "Jesus, you're going to kill me." She gasped, spinning around in his arms to face him. 

"You look great."

Coraline frowned. "You think she'll like me?"

"I think she'll absolutely love you."

"You better be right, Gubler."

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The Rehearsal Dinner.

The pair had arrived hand in hand, Matthew greeting odd family members here and there while she relentlessly chewed on her lip, not stopping even when the metallic taste of blood had reached her tongue. 

The princess' nerves skyrocketed when all the sudden his hand left hers as he wrapped his arms around an older woman. "Mom!" He greeted warmly, pulling away. "This is Coraline."

Like Paget, Marilyn had attempted a curtsy (a lot better than the actress') only to be pulled up by Coraline, a small smile on her face. "Please, don't curtsy. I think I'd rather curtsy to you." She lowered herself into a gracious curtsy. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gubler."

"Oh, Matthew, she's absolutely amazing. Call me Marilyn." The two women had joined in an unexpected embrace, a nervous grin on the blonde's features as she looked to her boyfriend, receiving a proud smile. "You're so cute! You should be a bridesmaid!" Marilyn gushed, examining her.

Coraline's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Bridesmaid? I don't think I could be. I don't have a dress."

"Don't worry about it! Wear whatever, Laura's doing the same. Tom!" She called over her fiancé. "Tom! Meet Matthew's girlfriend, she's a sweetheart!"

An older man had approached them, sharing a friendly greeting with Matthew before landing on the terrified young woman beside him. "Hi, I'm Tom." 

"Coraline. Nice to meet you."

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Everyone had stationed themselves in their seats, digging into dinner.

The semi-quiet chatter had disappeared when the sound of a utensil hitting one of the many champagne glasses made itself known. Marilyn stood, her smile radiant.

"I'd like to say thank you to everyone for making it, Tom and I couldn't be happier. All of my kids have flown in, so you know it's a special occasion. Matthew even brought his girlfriend from London, everyone say hi to Coraline!" The blonde attempted to smile as the entire table greeted her, awkwardly waving as Matthew's hand on her thigh did nothing to comfort her. "I'd like to make a toast to everyone who could be here today, and the people The who couldn't."