The Art of Loving

[49] The Best Looking Couple

The group stayed in the pub until quite late, but eventually one by one they started to head out, heading home. Brian and Ellie left along with Sue and Pat so they wouldn't have to figure out who would get whose key issue. They were alone in this living room this time, they had the room to themselves this time. And yet they slept close to each other because that was what they both wanted. However, even though they were alone, all they did was sleep as they were both tired.

When Ellie woke up, she gave herself a few minutes to adjust to being awake again. The living room was quite bright, the sun was shining. Ellie smiled, rolling onto her back. A sunny day was a good day for a wedding. It also meant she hopefully wouldn't freeze too much in the outfit she had chosen for the day. She sat up and looked at Brian's watch which he had put on the coffee table the night. It was only nine, which was early, but she was feeling awake so she decided to get up.

As quietly as possible, she stood up and put on some trousers before she left the living room, going into the kitchen. Sue was awake as well already, she greeted Ellie quietly when she stepped into the kitchen. "Morning.. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," Ellie confirmed, going to the window to look outside. It really seemed to be a lovely day. "What about you?"

"Yeah, me too. I'm glad I didn't drink too much last night," Sue said, yawning a little. "It's going to be a long enough day as it is."

"Yeah," Ellie agreed, still partly asleep. "Mind if I make some tea?"

"Not at all," Sue said, shaking her head. "The kettle should still be warm. Is Brian still asleep?"

Ellie nodded, walking over to the stove. "He was when I got up, yeah. I think he had a bit of trouble sleeping last night, I woke up a couple of times and he was awake as well. We're not in a rush, are we?" She asked, making herself some tea.

"No, we're not. Let him sleep, we have time. I doubt he needs four hours to get ready."

Smiling, Ellie shook her head. "He doesn't usually, no. Have you made any breakfast?"

"No, not yet. I'm not usually hungry right after I wake up. But we have some cereal, so help yourself. There should also be some apples if you want," she pointed out, getting up to show Ellie where the food was.

They stayed in the kitchen with the radio on while Ellie had breakfast. The two of them chatted quietly for a while until Pat joined them. Ellie enjoyed the time alone with the two women, just talking and getting to know them even more. She got to hear a few fun stories about Brian in Cornwall.

Eventually she went to take a shower, and by the time she got out back out, Brian had gotten up as well and was standing in the kitchen, making himself breakfast. "Sue, the bathroom is free now," Ellie told her friend before she walked over to Brian who had turned around when he heard his girlfriend's voice.

"Good morning," he greeted her with a smile. "You got up unusually early," he pointed out, as they both usually preferred to sleep long.

"I know, but I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to wake you."

Brian smiled and pecked her lips. "Thank you, that's sweet. Did you sleep well?"

"I did, yes. It's nice to sleep in that living room and have it be quiet," Ellie pointed out, making Brian chuckle.

The four of them had breakfast, before they were talking in the kitchen until it was time for them to get ready for the wedding. The three girls understandably took quite a bit longer than Brian who just had to put on his suit and rearrange his curls a little.

Ellie was excited, but she was also a little nervous. This was the first wedding she was going to as an adult, and it was with Brian. Yes, they had been a couple for two months, officially, but this felt different. It felt like their first 'official' outing as a couple somehow and Ellie wanted it to be a good one.

Once she had done her hair and make-up, she went into the living room to put on her dress. It was nearly time to leave, so she had to hurry a little. Brian came into the living room after he had put on his suit in the bathroom, causing Ellie to pause in what she was doing. Instead of getting dressed, she looked at Brian closely, a wide smile forming on her face.

"Wow...," she stated, walking over to him. She reached up and fixed his tie a little, before took a step back. "You look amazing.."

"Really?" He questioned, a small smile on his face.

"Absolutely," she told him, nodding, not taking her eyes of him. "We should go to more weddings if it means you'll dress up like this."

Brian's smile widened. "You really like it then?"

"Yes, I do," she confirmed once more and pecked his lips. "But I have to get dressed now so I'll have to get back to admiring you afterwards."

"Do you need any help with the dress?" He offered, closing the living room door.

"Not really," Ellie told him, shaking her head. "But you don't have to leave the room, don't worry."

Brian sat on the couch, a small smirk on his face. "I see you know me well.."

Ellie just chuckled and took of the clothes she had been wearing so far. "I guess I do, yeah... so... are you excited?"

"About the wedding? Or about seeing you change?"

Ellie laughed softly. "The wedding of course, I don't have to ask if you're excited about seeing me change."

"Fair point," Brian said, nodding a little. "I am excited, yeah. I'd say George is a good friend and I'm happy for him and Mary. Are you excited?"

"If I'm honest, I am a little nervous," Ellie admitted, putting on her dress before doing up the zipper.

Brian straightened up a little. "You're nervous? About what?"

Ellie shrugged, straightening out the fabric before she fixed the little bow the dress had on the waist. "I don't really know if I'm honest. I feel like this is very official somehow and I don't want to make a bad impression in front of your friends."

"Ellie, you don't have to be nervous, dear," he said, getting up to walk over to her. "You're not going to make a bad impression. You're a very sweet person, not to mention that you look gorgeous. I'm very happy to have you with me and I'm looking forward to a fun afternoon and evening with my friends and my lovely girlfriend. Just relax, it'll be fine." He paused before he kissed her cheek and continued. "I thought you don't get nervous about things like these."

Ellie nodded. "I know, usually I don't. It's weird... but I care about what your friends think of me, you know? I don't usually care about what other people think about me so I don't get nervous."

"That's very sweet," Brian said with a smile, reaching for her hand. "But... all my friends you've met so far like you, don't they?"

"I hope so...," Ellie said, looking up at him. "Have they said anything about that?"

"They've only said good things about you, Ellie, don't worry so much," Brian said, his smile growing a little. "It's cute, but I don't want you to worry. You're a lovely person and they know that."

Ellie nodded a little. "Okay... thank you. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologise, Ellie. You can always tell me if you're worried about something," he assured her. "But you have nothing to worry about, you're lovely and you look gorgeous in this dress. The only thing you might have to be worried about is stealing the show because you look so beautiful today."

Smiling more, Ellie looked at him and kissed him softly. "Thank you. You're so sweet. Seems like we might be the best looking couple there today."

"That's fine with me," Brian told her. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, almost, let me just get my handbag. You know, it feels so weird not having a camera to bring along to an event like this," she pointed out, double-checking that she had everything she might need in her small handbag.

"I can imagine, but they do have a photographer, and this way you can relax and enjoy the ceremony with me," he pointed out.

Ellie looked at him and nodded with a smile. "You're right. That's true. I'm sorry if I don't seem too happy about this right now. I am, I promise. I'm glad I'm here and I'm glad I'm here with you."

"That is all that matters to me, I promise," Brian said with a big smile before he kissed her softly. "Let's go, my dear."