Forever & Always

Ceremony

"Riley's the type to ditch at the alter," Garrett whines as he sips from the flask Clint shoves into his chest.

"Riley's totally-," Brody starts.

"The type to ditch you at the alter,' Darcy interrupts, 'you're correct."

Brody drops his jaw, "I'm beginning to regret your invitation."

"I'm just here to help."

"Okay,' Laura steps forward in her lavender gown, carrying small boutonnières, 'I've got some blues, some purples."

Nathan signs to his mother in assistance mode, 'Purple is for Darcy.'

"Oh. Thanks. Hand that to her," Laura half signs back.

Garrett quickly tucks the flask back into his jacket pocket, receiving a smirk from Clint who quietly pats his back.

"Nathan," Garrett signs with his free hands, 'any word from Aunt Nat?'

'No, not yet.'

Brody glares, collects his thoughts and then stacks his fingers in a quick choreography, 'Don't tell him that.'

Nathan rolls his eyes with a huff especially made for his big brother's best friend.

"She's gonna ditch me," Garrett reaches for the water bottle his mother offers.

Laura tilts her head toward Clint and nods to Garrett, "Did you tell him?"

"I uh,' Clint scratches his head, 'your mother wants me to tell you-."

"Your father offered to!"

"Well!"

"What now, Pops? Just tell me," Garrett plops on the white foldout chair behind him.

"I'm getting to it!"

Laura smiles, "He's ordained as of 48 hours ago."

"-I'd be willing to step in IF Natasha isn't here on time,' Clint lifts a finger as he half signs, 'Big if. And I don't mean 5 minutes late, we're talkin' 10-20. Minimum."

"You'd do that,' Garrett blinks, hand on his knee when not in use, 'you'd do that for me...wow."

"Why not?" He shrugs, "Someone's got to." 

"I just-. Damn. Wow."

Laura reaches her arm to brush Garrett's shoulder as he lifts one singular finger to brush his eye.

"This still doesn't solve the whole, Riley not showing up."

"We know but,' Laura reaches up to brush his cheek, 'you have nothing to worry about. She loves you...a little less than I do."

'She's not coming,' Nathan can barely sign due to snickering over his message

'Stop it,' Clint signs aggressively.

"Guys! Wait,' Violet clutches the side of her ribcage as she whooshes into the groom's suite, 'where are your people?!"

Brody snorts, "Late."

"But they need to be here for the check in before the ceremony."

"You look lovely, Vi. Maybe it's that lipstick. Did you get your makeup done?"

Her eyes flick sharply onto the best man, "You can't flatter your way out of this. Izzy is warping the girls over any minute! You want Hill to see half the boys aren't here yet?!"

"I'll call them," he ducks his head and reaches into his pocket, adjusting his glasses as he pushes the door open to head into the hallway.

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