In The Light

Something Blue

Tor watched her brother's retreating back with a wide smile and a hand resting on her pendant.

Oliva emerged from behind a tree, clipboard in hand and eyes on her watch.

"Good to know that a laser pointer is all I need to keep your brother on schedule," she joked as she looked Tor over for needed touch-ups. She dug through her bag to produce the makeup bag and held up a compact mirror so Tor could ensure nothing had budged due to their effusiveness.

"A laser pointer or a certain blonde with curly hair," Tor amended as she blotted her under-eye. Her makeup had held up well, considering how emotional she was. Still, she had yet to see Aaron that day, and she already knew that would be the true test of her mascara's claim that it was waterproof.

Tor had spent that morning missing his presence. He had written her an effusive good morning letter, but not even Aaron's way with words could make up for a morning without him. Without his weight beside her in the bed, his arms around her middle, his lips pressed to her shoulder. Without the way he made her coffee, pouring in the exact right amount of cream and sugar every single time. Without the gravel of his voice when he was still waking up. The tousle of his hair. The crinkle beside his sleep-dimmed eye. The way he smiled at her when she woke up beside him.

She missed all of him. But one morning without him was worth the lifetime of mornings they would have together.

"You ready?" Oliva asked, taking back the makeup and tucking it into her fanny pack.

"I've been ready since six a.m.," Tor laughed. Oliva grinned and offered her elbow for Tor to hold onto as they made their way over the cobblestone and snow-laden path.

"We've got plenty of time before we have to start moving toward the ceremony," Oliva assured her. "You and Aaron take as long as you need. Once you're ready, I'll text Jessica and have her bring Jack to you."

Tor nodded, her smile somehow doubling in strength at the idea of seeing Jack. Apparently, he had been thinking about their wedding since he overheard Aaron mention ring shopping to Jess. He had envisioned a Star Wars-themed wedding, complete with Tor in a white dress with two large buns and Aaron in a smart vest. Tor and Aaron had to talk him down from that idea gently, but he quickly rallied and accepted that a more traditional celebration would have to do. The change of plans had not dampened his enthusiasm, and he had been more than happy to offer his opinion on everything from the cake flavor to the boutonniere. He and David had formed an unexpected dynamic duo of wedding planning and had ensured that every detail was perfect no matter the height of the person looking at it.

"Alright, let me go make sure we're on schedule," Oliva said, stopping Tor just before they rounded the corner of the house. Tor nodded as Oliva dashed ahead, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Aaron had seen her in every possible state, from the sunniest of mornings to the darkest of nights. He would tell her she was beautiful no matter what. But they only got one "first look," and, for the first time in a long time, she desperately wanted to be perfect.

"He told me he's got about three minutes' worth of self-control left," Oliva announced as she returned. She gave Tor a final look over and nodded in approval. "I think he'll agree that you're worth one hundred and eighty seconds of keeping his eyes closed."

Tor giggled anxiously and smoothed her dress down one more time.

"Take a deep breath," Oliva ordered, the authority in her voice enough to make Tor automatically do as she said. She beamed and carefully took Tor's hands in hers. "You are stunning. You could be wearing a trash bag, and the second he saw you, he'd fight the urge to demand David get out here and officiate the ceremony that instant."