A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Deleted Scene

Note: This scene is a deleted scene from the story depicting their wedding that was left out.

Warnings: Mentions of anxiety and brief mature scenes.

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I spread my fingers over the dress, smoothing down the fabric of any wrinkles. Black and simple, just the way I wanted it. Thank goodness Wanda Popplewell wouldn't see it, she'd probably forbid her daughter from being the flower girl. As soon as we told her Sheryl had been so excited, telling Wanda which colour petals she wanted. Wanda insisted on nothing less than the purest pink and that was okay with her.

When Sheryl told me how excited she was to marry Angus a second time, Wanda nearly fainted as I explained he was marrying me instead. Sheryl only said, "We'll see about that."

Cooper tilted his head, watching me place the dress back in the wardrobe. Ever since Angus left for the tour he'd been watching for his return out the window. Buying his attention with treats worked for a while but eventually he grew tired of them. What he really wanted was his Angus.

And I wanted him too.

Phone calls weren't enough anymore. Hearing his voice was encouraging but I needed him next to me. His absence cut deep. No one to draw pictures for, no one to make silly jokes I could laugh at. No one to express my love to when the temptation struck.

Physical intimacy itself had never been something I craved. But having Angus so close; looking deep into his eyes and losing myself in his warmth...that's what I missed. Angus made all the difference. He made it okay. I loved him.

Atlas snored from his bed. He spent so much of his time sleeping I wasn't sure he even noticed Angus was gone. He preferred my quiet company anyway while Cooper wanted Angus to throw him a toy. They were complete opposites but that didn't stop them from sleeping together in a pile.

Usually on my bed.

Since Angus was gone they took it upon themselves to fill up the empty space on the bed, occasionally spilling over onto my side. More times than I could count had I woken up with drool on my face that wasn't mine. Sometimes even a tail across my upper lip like a moustache. As long as they kept their paws to themselves, I wasn't too bothered.

All the same, I was anxious for Angus to come home tomorrow.

Cutting it close was an understatement. The wedding was tomorrow evening and Angus promised to be back before noon. We'd pick up Sheryl on our way to the church, leaving her pleasant parents behind, and meet the other guests there. The other guests being Angus' family and some of his old school friends.

The band too.

The service promised to be a short one. Knowing my anxieties about getting married, Angus insisted on keeping it that way. Not too much attention on me, no crowds of people, and my family staying far away from me. A small get together after the service, then getting Sheryl home. Our dogs would greet us happily, demanding their dinner, and we'd pass out in bed, drunk on tea and good memories.

Our honeymoon would have to wait. In a couple days Angus would be leaving again to start the next leg of the tour. I knew he felt awful about it. "As soon as this tour is done I'm takin' ya' somewhere," he said over the phone, cutting out randomly from poor reception. I could hear thunder on the other end. "Jus' you an' me, love, we'll do whatever you want-not now, Mal, I'm on the phone..."

I sighed, petting Cooper who trotted up to me. "Tomorrow," I said as he licked my hand. Atlas let out a yawn so big he whined and licked the air.

I was getting married tomorrow.