RP: At Last

[shh_ernie]

Date: 31 December 2005
Characters: Ernie Macmillan, Eleanor Branstone, Invited Guests (Add your tag when you arrive.)
Location: Hammerside Lobby
Status: Semi-Private
Summary: The big day is finally here.
Completion: InComplete

Comments

[shh_eleanor]

Eleanor had been suffering from a horrible case of nerves most of the day, but now that it was nearly time for the big moment, she was surprisingly calm. The lobby had looked beautiful when she'd come in a few hours earlier, and she had been assured that everything was ready to go. Of course, if Mum didn't stop fussing with her dress that could change at any moment.

Rose stepped out from behind her with a brush in one hand and a mouth full of hairpins. "How's it look?" Eleanor asked her, sidestepping her mother to glance in the mirror.

"Oh, Ellie! You look beautiful, dear," Mums said, pulling a handkerchief from her sleeve to dab at her eyes. "And your hair is behaving so nicely. It used to get so messy when you were a girl. You were always coming in with bits of leaves and sticks in it. That's the reason I started putting it in plaits, you know."

Mum seemed to be overdosing on childhood memories, as well.

"Well, that was Nathaniel's fault. Do you think I would have climbed trees and jumped into mountains of leaves all on my own?" Eleanor asked with a wistful smile, which quickly turned into a look of horror when Mum burst into tears.

"Er... I'll just go check to see how the groom is holding up then," Rose said brightly before making a hasty exit.

"I'm sorry, Mum, I didn't mean to make you cry," Eleanor said, wrapping her mother in a hug once the door had closed behind her maid of honor.

"It's alright, dear. I just wish he could be here to see it, is all."

She looked over at her bouquet, which had her locket tucked inside. She was wearing her grandmother's pearls today, but it didn't seem right not to have her locket with her somewhere. "He will be, Mum."

Mum sniffed and patted her cheek. "Of course he will. Now, let's get a picture of you. Oh! your father has the camera."

"Mum, we've hired a photographer," Eleanor said with a chuckle.

"Yes, well, I want to take a few of my own. Humor me, won't you, Elle? And stay put, wouldn't do for Ernie to see you yet." Then she was gone, leaving Eleanor alone in the women's locker room.

[shh_mandy]

After talking with Ernie and placing the present on the table, Mandy tucked her arm in Zach's and wandered off to find Elle, as per the directions provided.

They located the women's locker room, just as a middle-aged woman was vacating it, looking a little sniffly and pink-eyed, which led Mandy to suspect she might just be the mother of the bride. She smiled at her as they passed each other, and then walked up to the door and looked up at Zach as she knocked.

"Elle? It's Mandy. And Zach," she called softly, standing back a step and waiting for a response.

[shh_eleanor]

There was a knock at the door soon after Mum left. Eleanor grinned when she heard Mandy's voice and jumped up to let them in, making sure she was properly hidden behind the door when it opened.

"Come in," she said excitedly. "I'm so glad you're here, my mother's just run out to get a camera, and I feel like I'm about to bounce right out of my dress."

She gave them both a good look over and a hug once they were inside. "You both look wonderful. Have you seen Ernie? How's he doing? Rose said she was going to check on him, but she's not come back yet."

[shh_mandy]

"Oh, wow," Mandy said weakly, her jaw dropping when they got into the room and Eleanor closed the door and came into view. "You look ... oh. So beautiful." Embarrassingly, she found herself choking up already, and swallowed with determination. "That dress is perfect for you." It really was. It was both elegant and pretty, very feminine without overdone frills. Much like Eleanor.

"Um, Ernie?" She nodded, and tried to force herself not to gawk; she had a notion that she came off like a four-year-old girl spotting a fairy-tale princess, and that Zach was likely quite amused at her. "We talked to him. He seemed to be doing very well, actually, didn't you think so, Zach? I was amazed at how it is actually possible to look calm and collected and delirious with happiness at once," she said with a giggle.

"How are you doing? You don't look the least bit nervous either. Just, well, about to bounce out of your dress probably covers it," she grinned. She didn't think she'd ever seen Eleanor this excited. Which was just as it should be, really.

[shh_hannah]

Hannah was amazed at how good Hammerside looked. It was going to be a lovely night for the wedding. She left her gift (a family photo album and a blender) on the table. Then she and George found their place cards at one of the tables. She left him there with a kiss on the cheek and went to find Eleanor. She shot Ernie a smile on the way, but wasn't sure he saw her.

Mandy was already there, which made Hannah feel a bit behind on her bridesmaid duties. Eleanor didn't look like she needed help, though, she was already stunning. "Wow, Elle, you're going to knock Ernie off his feet," she said, giving the bride a gentle hug. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

[shh_eleanor]

"Thank you," Eleanor said, flushing with pleasure at Mandy's reaction to the dress. "It took ages to find the right one. The girl at the shop kept trying to stick me into all these horribly flouncy things, but I fell in love with this one the moment I saw it." She smoothed her hands down the bodice and sighed happily. She couldn't wait for Ernie to see her in it.

"Oh good, I'm glad to hear that. And no, I'm not nervous at all, I got that out of my system earlier. Now I'm just terribly excited, and a bit impatient. I can't wait!" She glanced at the clock for what seemed like the millionth time. "Well, a lot impatient.

Just then Hannah came in. "Hannah!" she said, returning her hug. "I hope so. You look beautifu. No, I don't believe so. Just keep me company, the maid of honor seems to have disappeared."

[shh_hannah]

"Thank you, but you definitely outshine all of us. And of course I'll keep you company." She smiled at the radiant bride.