Fifty Ways to Love You - Emily Prentiss x OC

49. preparations

Wedding planning was more stressful than I had anticipated. I took the lead on most everything, since Emily was already so busy with work. The tables had turned, with me now becoming the stressed one and her helping me keep a cool head.

Getting everything ready for our wedding took up so much time and energy. Emily and I started to formulate a guest list and saw me grow anxious. "What's on your mind, sunshine?"

"I'm good, Ems." I sounded far away from this conversation. Emily put her hand on my thigh and her head on my shoulder.

"Tell me what's going on. I can see that something's eating you up, and I want to help you. Will you please let me in so I can help you feel better?"

I leaned my head against hers and placed my hand atop hers on my leg. "My parents,"

"Oh,"

"Yeah." Emily knew, with such minimal context, what I meant by that. Nevertheless, I elaborated, "I don't want a relationship with them in the future. As far as I'm concerned, I never really want to see them again. But I want Max and Dima there,"

"Of course. I know how much your brothers mean to you,"

"I just wish my parents weren't assholes. I wish they were proud of me."

My voice quaked with that final sentence. Emily muttered, "Come here, love," and hugged me. I choked back sobs until she said, "No, no. It's okay. Let it out, baby. It's okay."

Thank god Emily loved me; I could hardly love myself. Once I was able to stop crying, it became Emily simply holding me on the couch. We both were content with just that. Nevertheless, Emily said, "Galina?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you more than anything, sweetheart. I know how much it hurts to disappoint your parents, or to have this kind of relationship. And I can't know exactly what your feelings about it are, and your specific relationship with your family, but...I'm here. I love you — god, do I love you — and you're never, ever a disappointment,"

"Em..." I nestled into her embrace, and she took me willingly. "I really, really love you,"

"I love you too, honey. Can I kiss your head?" she asked softly. I nodded and allowed myself to smile a little, looking down so she could kiss the top of my head. "Sit in my lap, baby. Let me hold you for a little bit. C'mere." She already had her arms around me, but if she wanted me closer, I most certainly would not complain. I put my legs over her lap and laid my head on her chest, by her shoulder. Faintly I could hear her heartbeat. She interspersed kisses between words, saying, "Galya, let's take a break from planning for right now. You're stressing yourself out, and I hate seeing you so upset like this. Let's relax for a bit."

I let out a soft groan to begrudgingly agree, and muttered, "Can we watch TV?"

"Mhm. What do you wanna watch?"

"I don't care,"

"Okay. The Goldbergs, then," she settled.

"Okay," I mumbled, adjusting my position slightly.

"Galina?"

"Hmm?" I turned my head up a little. Emily kissed my forehead, making me smile.

"Let me help some. I know why you're trying to do all of this by yourself, and I know you're trying to help me out, but you can't exhaust yourself like this. I don't want you to stress yourself out this much for our wedding. It's supposed to be a happy day, love,"

"I just want it to be everything we've ever wanted..."

"You're doing so much to make it a good day, baby, but the day I get to marry you will be the best day of my life. No matter what. It doesn't have to be perfect. And you definitely don't need to work yourself to the point of burnout to make it so. Hear me, babe?"

"Mhm. I hear you. I love you, Emmy." I buried my face in her neck. "I'm so tired..."

"I know you are, pretty girl. I know. You are not obligated to plan this all by yourself. I'm sorry I haven't been helping as much as I should,"

"No, that's my fault. I've been overworking myself. I've been a control freak." She shook her head, fervently disagreeing. I modified, "I'm just eager." Emily smiled and kissed my head. "I just wanna marry your ass already, god damn it!"

Emily continued smiling and tightened her arms around me. "I hope you wanna marry the rest of me, too," she laughed, "not just my ass,"

"Mm, it's certainly an asset..."

"In all seriousness, though, baby, I need you to take care of yourself. You're still recovering. You really shouldn't tax yourself. The wedding can wait. We can be engaged as long as we want, baby, and we'll plan together when we're ready. Okay?"

"Mhm. Agreed,"

"Good. Good girl. Now, how can I get you feeling better? What do you want right now, my love?" Emily cooed.

"Hmm, for now, Emmy, can we sit and kiss and cuddle and watch TV together? I wanna unwind with you,"

"Of course, baby. Can I give you some kisses?" Emily knew how much I loved being kissed. She just knew I was in a somewhat vulnerable state, and wanted to check if what she had been doing was okay, and if she could continue. I nodded and turned up so she could kiss my lips. "So pretty. Let's get a blanket, baby."

She reached over and grabbed a blanket we kept on the couch, spread it over our legs, and put her arms back around me. "Emily?"

"Yes, love?"

"You're the best. I love you so much,"

"I love you too, Galya. Lay your head down for me. Relax. Take a nap, if you want, love. I've got you."