Leaps and landings

52

"I told Rory," Celeste admitted to Jess in the middle of their dinner the same evening, which they were having at the Lebanese restaurant for a change, having gotten quite enough of cooking after Thanksgiving.

"Huh," he reacted, somewhat unsurprised by the fact. The way she seemed to be talking with Rory exceeded his expectations, and in a way he admired their ability to look past their rather unusual history. Above all he was just glad she had a friend, hoping she was feeling less lonely these days when it came to friendships.

"I assume they're coming then?" he asked, thinking a few steps ahead.

"Is that okay? I mean if you want to have Aidrian or Luke or anyone there, that's fine. It sort of came up and I don't know, it just felt right that they should be there....I just don't want to start deciding on the time based on when everybody is available," Celeste blabbered, having started feeling a little bad for offering an invite without discussing it with Jess first.

For a moment he did consider that maybe he'd just invite some people, but he knew that if he invited anyone who were actually related to him that would leave others who found out later with hurt feelings.

"I think I'm good," he replied after some contemplation. For most of his life it had been him fending for himself, and while the people who had shaped him had a place in his life and he did care about them, ultimately he was that lone soldier type. And while he did understand Celeste's need to surround herself with friends, to hold onto them strongly, to him there was little significance in the presence of other people in this. It was between him and her.

"You're sure?" she asked, tilting her head to the side, studying him closely.

"I am. All I need is you," Jess assured.

"You got that date thought out?" he asked practically, after taking a sip of his IPA.

"I got the dress," she added with a secretive smile. He was going to see the dress before the wedding anyways, the two of them going in together, but still the idea that it was something she had picked out for him, and her, had it's value.

"So you just tell me the day you can come to the City Hall with me to get the licence and once we have that, then...," she shrugged smilingly. After that it really was - whenever. Soon. She couldn't wait. Neither could he.

"Well alright then," Jess sighed with determination. There wasn't much question what they'd be doing the following morning.

The weekend in between, the earliest they could in fact get married was Monday, December 3rd, Jess taking a day off by working some later nights and a little in the weekend to make up for it, not wanting to ask for special favors or take out any more holiday days before Evie was born.

They were past the traditions - arriving at the Brooklyn Marriage Bureau together. There had been something alternatively ceremonious about getting ready together - Celeste helping him choose the best shirt and the best tie, Jess zipping her up, helping her decide between earrings, each gentle touch playing its significance. He wore his dark blue fitted suit, along with a classic white shirt. They'd picked a tie that matched her flowers, a single large white rose with eucalyptus. She'd settled for a low pair of comfortable heels, not that they showed much from under her dress, and weaved a fishtail headband braid into her hair, Jess actually helping her in securing it into place. He'd cut his hair the day before, knowing how she liked it a little shorter than he often let it grow. As a gift, she'd given him a pair of cufflinks that would match their future wedding bands, simple brushed gold, with nothing excess. He adored her dress - elegant and innocent, feeling the silkyness of it under his palm as he touched her.

They were there by 11 AM, expecting a bit of line, but for a day this important, they didn't want to have to wait outside, arriving before they opened either. As they arrived they could already see Logan and Rory from the distance, having dressed up for the occasion as well. In a way it was good to see a pair of friendly faces, even Jess felt it.