July 7, 2020
Mitch wakes up with Tim staring at him.
Damn him for always waking up first, lately.
"Must you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Wake up, shower and come back to bed to stare at me."
"I can't think of anything better to do after showering than looking at you."
"So showering is better than looking at me?" Mitch asks.
"I want to be fresh for you."
"I want to get fresh with you."
"The teased becomes the teaser."
"Not the only way you could rub off on me."
Tim balks.
"It'd be better if you gasped."
"Mit you jerk." Tim says, high pitched.
"Sounds like you could use some jerking."
"You're a dick."
"You want to do something with your dick?"
"I was waiting for you to wake up to say happy wedding day but I can't talk to you like this."
"Happy wedding day." Mit replies.
"I love you, fiance."
"I love you too, fiance."
"Is there a better word in the English language?"
"Yes. Husband."
"And we'll be saying that soon."
"Wait, aren't we not supposed to see each other until the wedding?"
"The rule is that the groom isn't supposed to see the bride. It says nothing about the bride seeing the groom."
"Am I the bride?"
"No. We're both the groom. I was just pointing out how confusing that tradition is. If you wanted to follow it, you should have sleep elsewhere."
"Why would I have been the one to sleep elsewhere?"
"It's my bed."
"I thought it was our bedroom."
"But it's my bed."
"That makes little sense."
There's a knock on the door.
"Are you two decent?" Mitch's mom asks.
"Never." Mitch grins.
"Let me word that differently. Am I interrupting anything?"
"We're just talking, Mom." Tim replies.
She comes in.
"The girls are here to start the day."
"And by that you mean?" Mitch asks.
"Didn't you look at the itinerary?" She replies.
"No."
"We're getting lunch and getting beautified with our best friends."
"Bethany's downstairs?"
"And Whitney." Tim calls after him.
"Put on a shirt." Mitch's mom says.
"Ain't nothing she hasn't seen." Mitch calls from downstairs.
"Modesty is still a virtue." Bethany replies.
----- ----- -----
Tim was having a blast watching his dad try to follow Whitney's conversation.
"And what does that mean? When you say we should yeet Mitch if he ever breaks up with Tim again?"
"That's such an old term. Mr. Alpen. It simply means throw with force."
"Like a baseball?" Tim's dad asks, anxiously.
"Yes. Or a football." Whitney claps.
"Dad, she's joking. It doesn't have to be physical."
"So like emotionally yeeting? Did I say that correctly?"
"Yup." Whitney says grinning.
"Do you think you'll break up again? You know how I feel about the two of you marrying so young."
"I don't think we've survived all we did to break up again. There's baby Emily to think about. I personally don't want to be with anyone else. Mitch feels the same."
"He better." Whitney says. "But like I said yeet and never speak to him again if he tries this shit again. Excuse me, Mr. Alpen."
"We're grown. You don't need to pretend you don't curse."
"I'm still 16."
Dad stares at her.
"I skipped a grade and I have a late birthday. I'll be 17 before the year is out."
"I won't tell." Dad says, receiving his receipt. "Thank you."
"So ready to get beautified?" Tim asks.
"No. But your mom's itinerary says I must."
----- ----- -----
Meanwhile, Bethany and Mitch's mom were getting along so well Mitch could barely get a word in.
"And the dress Whitney and Tim picked out." Bethany exclaims.
"The color is perfect."
"What's the color?"
"Mitch, are you trying to win an award for least attention paid to your own wedding?" Mom asks.
"Yeah." Beth adds.
"I'm more into the marriage aspect."
"Well then it's a surprise." Mom says.
"Can I get a hint?"
"No." Bethany and mom share a smile.
Mitch lets them keep chatting around him. Wish his mom had been this invested in his life during his childhood. It's not the day for thoughts like that.
Mitch: What are you doing?
Liam: At the moment, talking to my dad. In a moment, going to go shopping for your wedding.
MItch: You haven't bought my gift?
Liam: I believe you're supposed to say "our." And no, I ordered your gifts soon after the engagement. I haven't bought my suit.
Mitch: sigh.
Liam: You feel the same way as I do about clothes shopping. If it wasn't your wedding, you'd be in the same spot.
Mitch: Truth. Tim said he's dreamed of wearing a white tuxedo since he was a kid. He asked if we could yin-yang it. I said sure. He and mom picked them out. Asked my opinion and that was the extent of my wedding planning participation.
Liam: so you'll be as surprised as anyone.
He looks up and sees his mom and Bethany staring at him.
"What?"
"We were debating at what point tonight you will cry."
"I say walking down the aisle. Bethany thinks you'll hold off until reception speeches."
Mitch: I've got to go. My companions actually want to talk to me.
"You should already know I'm losing it when it's time to speak."
They stare at him.
"Vows, you guys. I'm losing it when I promise myself to him for life."
"Such a romantic." Bethany says.
"Only with Tim."
