I Hate the Way...

Part 15: "Commando"

"No, absolutely not."

Hope shakes her head as she looks over Josie's outfit.

And while Hope is in her Marines dress uniform, Josie looks ever so nonchalant in normal everyday attire.

"What's wrong with what I have on?"

"We're getting married today, Josie, not going for a walk in the park. I'm coming up."

She walks up the porch steps before Josie gets the chance to answer, other than the groan she releases, "You're not gonna find a fluffy virgin white wedding dress in there, Commando."

Josie's been calling Hope that ever since their incident a few of days before.

Hope walks past her and into the front door, "Don't call me that."

She heads directly to Josie's closet, looking through her outfits.

"Sure, you can absolutely snoop through my things," Josie sarcastically remarks as she tosses her purse on the bed.

Hope ignores the comment, pulling a dress out and handing it over to Josie, "Try this."

Josie takes it from Hope's hand, but Hope doesn't make a move to leave the room, "A little privacy?"

"Right, sorry," Hope turns and exits the room, from outside the door she sarcastically remarks, knowing she'll get under the girl's skin, "I just figured since you decided to get a look at all of me—"

"I didn't see anything—"

"Yes you did."

Yes, she definitely did.

Josie let's out a huff, "That was Lizzie's fault, not mine, remember?"

Of course she remembers, but it's still fun to mess with Josie.

"Sure, blame your sister. That's really nice."
Josie scoffs from inside the bedroom, making Hope smirk from outside the door,
"You just got all flustered, is all—"

"More like in shock," Josie corrects the Tribrid before she swings open the door, not missing the smirk that was on the girl's lips, "Don't look so smug." She leans against the doorframe, "Do I look like a doting bride now?"

Josie wears a thin, flowing white dress, and it actually makes Hope pause for a moment, looking over the girl briefly before forcing herself to stop.

She nods, clearing her throat, "Um, yeah, this will work. Ready to go?"

Josie scoffs humored, "Look who's flustered now."

Hope scoffs, less humored, "I'm not—"

Josie doesn't miss the opportunity to tease, "Are those pants getting a little tight between your hips, Commando?"

Hope realizes Josie is only messing with her. She shakes her head.

"I can't believe you would objectify your bride to be."

Hope can hear the mockery in her voice, feigning shock as Josie puts her hand over her chest.

"Are you done?"

Josie deflates, "You're no fun."

In the car, they go over the details one more time.

About the wedding.

The night they are to spend together in the hotel on base.

How they need to appear as a couple even when Hope is deployed.

Schedule times to talk.

Write romantic letters...

All the stuff that normal couples would do.

After a moment of silence, Hope changes the subject, "How was work last night?"

Josie furrows her eyebrows.

When the hell did Hope start asking about her job?

"What?"

Hope glances over to her, seeing her confusion, "Well, Lizzie said that you were supposed to sing with MG's band last night—"

"It went well. Thanks." There's skepticism in her voice, still.

Hope raises an eyebrow, "Do you write your own songs, or—"

"I sing covers with MG's band. I don't sing the songs I write. They're personal."

"Could I hear them sometime?"

Josie raises an eyebrow at Hope, scoffing, "Okay, how about this? I'll sing you a song when you take me flying and show me your paintings in your super secret office."

Hope's jaw locks, her body instantly more tense.

Josie expected as much.

She mumbles, though Hope can clearly hear her, "That's what I thought...Hell would freeze over before that would ever happen."

Hope tries to relax, shaking her head, "Sorry I asked."