Together Forever

Chapter 16: Only Love Can Hurt Like This (part 2)

(There will probably be a few more parts to this flashback section because I wanted to focus on the wedding❤️)

The early morning of  October 6th, 1978:

Today was their day. Benny would marry Anni-Frid. Finally. It only took 9 years.

"Pappa, Pappa! Mamma looks like a princess!" Verity shouted in delight, leaping into his arms. She had just turned 4 and was his little angel. Maybe one day they could have a few more, but for now they were just prioritising their children and careers.

"I'm sure she does, just like you do, Ver." Benny tapped the tip of her nose and they beamed at each other.
"Mamma says I have to help you because otherwise you won't be ready in time." She giggled.
"Oh does she now? And who's helping Mamma?" He pretended to be shocked.
"Auntie Anna, Lottie and Lennie." She counted them out with her fingers.
"Okay. Are you excited?" He put Verity down and going to grab his tie.
"So excited!" Verity screamed, jumping on the bed.

"Careful darling, Mamma and I don't want to say our vows in the A&E waiting room!"
"Sorry Pappa." Her lip began to quiver.
"Hey, no crying today. It's going to be a very happy day. Onto more important matters, which bow tie should I wear?" He held up a navy one in his left hand and a black one in his right.

"Black, silly! That way it will match your suit." Ver tapped the side of her nose knowledgeably.
"Oh naturally, Miss Andersson." Benny slapped his hand to his forehead.
"Do I really look like a princess?" She twirled around so that the skirt of her scarlet dress inflated.
"Yes, my little princess." Verity  lifted up her arms so he would carry her.
"I'm your little princess, Lottie and Lennie are your big princesses and Mamma is your Queen." She said firmly.
"Exactly."

"Do you need me to pop your shoes on?" He grabbed the shiny silver slippers.
"Yes please!" Verity scrabbled to the floor and over to a nearby chair, hoisting herself up.
"Have you seen Leo today?" Benny questioned as he did up the straps.
"Yes, and he didn't know what to do so mamma told us to go have breakfast while she got ready. It turns out no one had time to prepare anything so he tried to make me toast, but then that burnt so Peter cleaned it up for us. He says we're not allowed to stress mamma out on her big day, so you must stay very, very quiet." The small girl said in a rush, pressing a finger to her lips.

"Okay baby, just checking. I can't wait for mamma to be 'Mrs Andersson' can you?" Benny looked up into his daughter's eyes. Her mother's eyes.
"Pappa, mamma was always 'Mrs Andersson' , this is just making it official." Ver pointed out.
"That's very true, minsting! She'll always be my Mrs Andersson. Always." He stroked her cheek absentmindedly. His little girl was slowly becoming her own person and he loved it. Benny had always wanted a big family, he knew that, and something in him felt like he and Frida weren't done with the babies thing yet. They always said they would know when their family felt complete, but for now they just wanted to make memories with their first two together before they got older and started hanging out more with friends.

"Are you nervous, pappa?" The blonde asked softly, touching his bearded cheek with her tiny hands.
"A little, Verity, a little, but your I can't wait to marry your mother." Benny sighed.
"Do you love her?" She questioned innocently, green eyes wide with curiosity.
"More than anything!" Benny grinned.
"More than my siblings and I?" Verity pouted, a frown gracing her forehead.
"It's a different kind of love, my Angel." He gently explained, placing her on the ground.
"Okay!" She smiled, staring at herself in the mirror.

"Pappa... I actually look pretty." The 4-year old whispered as she touched her curls, eyes shining.
"What do you mean, 'actually'?" Benny looked up at her in alarm.
"It's just sometimes I don't feel pretty. Helene and Lotta look so grown up and I just look... not very nice." Verity explained as though it was the most natural thing in the world, and Benny felt his heart shatter into a million, billion pieces.