The Troubleshooter

49- Rehearsal Dinner

Lili POV

I pull my hair up twisting my unruly curls into a bun and pinning it in place. Once I'm satisfied with it I lean forward checking my reflection in the mirror. Gently prodding the skin with my freshly manicured nail.

"You look good, stop stressing" Sophie insists walking up behind me, our eyes meeting in the mirror.

The swelling from the surgery has subsided and the bruising has been successfully hidden with makeup by Maddie. Turning to thank her I realise that I am now alone with Sophie.

"Where did Mads go? I thought we were getting ready together" I ask Sophie.

"She got a text and had to suddenly step out. Entirely by coincidence I just got a text telling me Eddy is here too." She smirks.

"Sit down I'll do your hair," I offer, "how fancy are we going?" I ask.

"It's only family, it doesn't need to be fancy" she reasons.

"It's your rehearsal dinner, and if Matt has any say it'll be the only rehearsal dinner you ever have. So yeah, we need fancy." I argue.

I can't believe Matty is getting married tomorrow! Apparently it's an anniversary of sorts for them. I want to tell myself it's their first kiss but I'm sure I remember someone mentioning they kissed at his birthday party. So I'm choosing not to think about it too much.

"So, while it's just us," Sophie says, breaking the silence. "There's a little surprise planned for later, so could you go with me to help when I signal you?" Sophie asks.

"Sure, what's the surprise?" I ask curious.

"You'll have to wait and see, but I think you'll like it" Sophie smiles confidently at my reflection.

Her hair takes a surprisingly short time to finish. It's definitely easier to handle hair when it's not just a big mess of curls like mine and Maddie's.

Just as I think of Mads I see her try to subtly sneak back in the room her hair in disarray.

"Windy is it?" I tease.

"No it's actually ok out besides the snow…" Maddie trails off realising I'm teasing. "Oh shut up" she snaps throwing a cushion at me.

"Come on I'll fix your weave before we go down" I offer, sitting her in Sophie's vacated seat and smoothing out her curles while Sophie slips into my bathroom to change.

Sophie returns in a cream tea length dress that hugs her curves in a way that is sexy but still classy. I smile knowing how happy Matt will be, I've put money on him crying tomorrow.

"Right," she breathes, "let's do this!"

I take one last glance at the mirror, my floor length, mermaid cut blue dress glittering slightly as I move.

I follow Sophie and Maddie downstairs to find everyone drinking and talking in the large entrance hall.

Matt immediately weaves through the crowd when he spots Sophie, a wide smile on his face telling me he's either had a few drinks or he's high on life. I suspect it's the first, but I'm surprised when I reach him that he doesn't smell of alcohol.

He leans into Sophie whispering in her ear, based on her smile it's probably not something I want to hear about, so I give him a pat on the arm as I skirt around him looking for Nico in the crowd.

"Looking for Nic?" Matt asks.

"Yeah" I reply a frown creasing my brow.

"Went to take a dump" Matt tells me, making me grimace, and Sophie smack his arm.

"Since you have a moment, can I borrow you?" Sophie asks me pointedly. I was going to get Champagne, but I remember I promised to help with the surprise. So I nod following Sophie towards the kitchen, my curiosity rising as she opens the back door holding it so I can walk ahead.

"Oh crap, I forgot the key!" Sophie gasps, "you go on I'll catch up" she says.

"I won't know what I'm looking for!" I point out.

"Trust me, you can't miss it. I'll just be a second" Sophie says, pointing me left towards the garage and pulling the door closed, leaving me outside alone. I'm glad I have long sleeves as I step through the path that has been cleared of snow.

It will be gone by morning as the light flakes are falling again. Passing the outside wall of the utility room I freeze looking up at my tree.

It isn't just glittering with snow. It has been decorated with small twinkling lights and there at the bottom, on one knee, in a place I once landed as a girl.

"Nico?" I gasp.

"Liliana, when I first met you, you were washing a Barbie doll in the utility room." Nico starts. I can feel my heart thudding in my own throat, my feet pulling me towards Nico until we are both sheltered beneath the tree.

"When I first held you, it was under this tree. So it only seemed right to meet you here, so that I can tell you that I never want to let you go."

"Lili everything I have and everything that I am is entirely yours. Forever. Will you make me the happiest person alive and agree to spend your life with me?" Nico opens the small box in their hand revealing a sparkling ring.

"Really?" I choke out, as I start full on ugly crying, I can even feel my nose running.

"Really." Nico chuckles. "And not because I want to own you, or because your brother heard us having sex and said I had to because let's face it, I'd kick Matt's ass." Nico says standing up and standing close to me, using a thumb to softly wipe my tears.

"He said you were taking a dump!" I try to laugh, but through my tears it just sounds like a strange choking sound.

"That dick" Nico scowls, but I can see the laughter in their eyes.

"Marry me Lili, I will never love anyone else the way I love you, and I will spend forever proving that to you."

I can't speak, trying to take deep steadying breaths which make me hiccup so instead I nod.

"Yes?" Nico gasps.

"Yes!" I cry, allowing Nico to slide the ring onto my finger before throwing my arms around them, claiming their lips. We remain like this for I don't know how long, holding each other as the lights twinkle above us, the snow peacefully falling around us.

"We need to get you inside, you're freezing." Nico insists, once my breathing evens out, breaking our bubble. I don't argue squeaking when Nico lifts me, carrying me up the now snow covered path.

"Where have you been!" Ma shouts at us as soon as we enter the hall. My face burning from the sudden change in temperature.

"It was my fault Aunt P, I was proposing to her" Nico throws out casually.

"And?" Ma asks, eyes bulging. I hold out my hand displaying the sparkling diamond on my finger in reply.

"Well it's about damn time!" Ma shouts.