A Night To Remember (w/ CharmSnake)

Weddings were meant to be momentous occasions, filled with joy and happiness for all involved and especially the lucky couple themselves. For two people this was the first day of the rest of their lives and there was a beauty to that, one that even Spencer Collins couldn't deny. However, that didn't make her any less thrilled to be pulled along for this wild ride. Had Mackenzie elected to simply invite her to her wedding rather than asking her to be part of the wedding party, right now Spence probably would have been feeling awesome - picked a nice dress, been waiting in the crowd to watch her best friend walk down the aisle to wed the love of her life. Instead here she was - stressing.

It came as no surprise that she had been asked to be a bridesmaid. She had met the bride to be back when they were young, reckless teenagers who knew nothing of the world around it but tried to anyways. That had been over a decade ago now, back when they had been fourteen and new to high school. As the resident best friend of course she was to be a bridesmaid and even though Ava had hoped that there was some way she could stay out of the affair, there was no way to refuse. That had been six months ago and the closer the wedding got, the more she dreaded having to go to it. That anxiety only grew the day before, when she found out that the man who was supposed to walk with her wasn't even in town. What the fuck did they mean, Ray wasn't getting there until the morning?

Spence had never met this man before but she was already getting a terrible impression, and his desire to cut close to being late was going to be the death of her. The rumors had been true - morning came and while everyone else had their partners ready and everything seemed to be moving flawlessly, Spencer was left unaccompanied and with no way to let out that pent up frustration as she dashed around to help get everything just perfect. While Mackenzie seemed to care less about getting every last thing in to spot, the controlling side of Samatha (the bride's mother, who happened to be like a second mother to Spencer herself) had come out and pretty much every second she was being told to do this or that. The minutes were ticking down and half an hour to, and she was still yet to catch sight of the man she was supposed to be walking with. All she had was a name, Ray, and probably 2 more glasses of champagne than she should have drank.

They put things off as long as they could, wanting the whole wedding party to be present. For that much, the brunette was grateful, but eventually the call was made that things had to get going. Girls in lilac dresses lined up with their partners beyond closed double doors, preparing for the music that would signal their entrance one by one. Spence would be first to go followed by several other women, and all she could do as she waited for the cue was shake her head with tight pursed lips done up in a subtle nude color that accented the olive tone to her skin.

"Since you weren't here yesterday, let me fill you in. So you're out first, with Spencer," instructed Tony.

"Which one is she?"

"Don't worry. You'll see her," he said. His grin spread across his square jaw that matched his thick dark brow and broad shoulders. "Then I go next. I got the hottest one, Brandie," he said as he flicked his brows.

"No," the groom shook his head. Wade was a six-foot ginger from Texas with neat sideburns to match. "My bride is the hottest."

"You can't look anymore anyway," Tony teased. "Then Byron, the best man with the maid of honor," he continued. "Then Wade, then Vic will bring the bride and give her to Wade."

It was simple enough. The four of them stood in their tuxes trimmed with lilac cummerbunds as they filed out into the hallway behind the double doors. Tony cracked them open to peer out to the hall full of guests and seeing all the details, he got the picture of who was running the show. It was Samantha, the brides mother. She rushed over.

"You're finally here."

"Of course. Been here nearly half an hour," he winked. "I'm never late."

"Told you," said Tony as he slapped him on the shoulder.

Through the doorway next to them he could see the swish of lilac dresses, their mauve color an obvious theme for the day. One of them even glanced out towards them. The bride McKenzie was still hidden from view. Samantha hurriedly pinned a corsage to his lapel so that he matched the other groomsmen. Then she hesitated at straightening his bowtie, leaving it in its state of perfection.

"Had us all worried," she fretted.

"Had you worried," the groom grinned in good spirits. They'd just had their second toast, shots of bourbon all around.

"Well it's time to get this started," said Samantha, her hair elaborately pinned up with a jeweled clip and a brocade jacket over her dress. The organ music was playing over the murmur of the guests in the hall. "Ray, you lead with Spencer. Come, come," she said and she coaxed him by the hand into the opening before briskly stepping to the doorway to fetch the lilac maids. "McKenzie, you stay!" she insisted. "Wait until your father brings you out."

"Oh, Mom!"

"And where is your father?" she asked aloud. "Vic? Vic?"

"I'm right here," he grumbled with a grin as he came down the hallway behind them adjusting his waistline. "Had to take a bathroom break."

"Maybe if you hadn't been drinking all day," his wife scolded him as she ushered the maids forward to pair up. "Ray and Spencer, go now." she shooed as she opened the doors.

Rey stepped forward, as his name was indeed not Raymond but Reynan. Reynan Cervantes had moved to America from Chile as a child and was fluent in both Spanish and English without an accent. The shortest of the groomsmen, he stood a svelte five-nine with thick golden hair swept over and soft features. He offered his elbow, not certain which girl would take it.

Spencer stood, arms crossed, near the doors to the room that the wedding ceremony would take place in. Subtle make-up accented high cheekbones and hazel eyes, crinkled half-closed out of frustration as white heels tapped against the floor. She talked with the women, but the only person she wanted to be talking to was the beautiful bride herself, dressed to the nines in the most stunning gown that she had ever laid eyes on and chestnut brown hair done up in an elaborate up-do. Samantha was traditional or maybe she was a prude, but either way as soon as Wade had made his way in to the foyer it was time for Mackenzie's last touches. As much as she wished to give the bride one final hug and wish her good luck one last time, it was time to get moving.

Spencer had been anxiously eyeing the foyer when she heard her name in Samatha's high pitched, urgent tone. A quick glance was all it took for her to lay eyes on the newcomer and watched as he stepped forward. Just as she had been, he looked unsure as to who he was supposed to be looking for. Ray was the only newcomer in a sea of faces she had seen before, and there was little doubt that this was the man that she had been waiting ever so impatiently for. She let her arms fall from their tight hold beneath her breasts and met the man half way as the frown melted off of her lips and the subtle curves of her hips swayed with each step that she took, and through a brief moment of eye contact, she offered her hand in to the crease of his elbow.

"Could you cut it any closer?" She asked as doors opened, a hushed whisper in his ear that left him with no time to reply before the cue to get moving came. Positioned beside him she was nearly as tall as him; without heels she was taller than the average woman at just millimeters under 5'7" and with the pump heels she was wearing she stood at virtually the same height as the man at her side. Despite her earlier frustration she was poised from the first step, any trace of trouble erased from her sharp features in an instant. Samantha wasn't the only stickler for order here, and just as the bride's mother wouldn't let this wedding go less than perfectly, neither would she.

Unfolding her arms, she revealed her figure to him to take his left elbow. She wore less makeup than the others but then she required no such elaborate painting. Tony could sermon all that he wanted about who was hotter than who. Spencer was perfectly lovely. She had a simple elegance, plain and pretty. She would do just fine for his arm.

"Could you cut it any closer?"

"Reynan," he introduced himself, not so much dismissing her question as rendering it moot. He had arrived as quickly as he could and with a little luck of a smooth ride through customs, precisely when he had prescribed. There was no need for him to explain himself, and certainly was not about to spoil this moment with the pressing matter of their role in the ceremony immediately at hand. They had a duty to perform for their good close friends and they were about to carry it out. All was accounted for and everything would show to work out in the end. His eyes softened in assurance as he looked nearly level to her, and his thin smile subtly broadened with warmth. He led her through the doors and down the aisle.

The sea of guests was parted down the middle and without any instructions for speed or rhythm he simply paced their traversing naturally, a casual step yet with no melodramatic lingering. With head up and forward, he approached the altar with her. The organ music meandered over the hush of anticipation and adoration. Although they had just met, Rey allowed her to adorn him like no garment nor jewel ever could. Necks craned as they passed and cameras flashed.

At the altar he stopped, took her by her other hand and turned to face the guests. In the front row before him was Wade's parents Tim and Lonnie. Danny Isfeld was a few rows behind. He was busy trying to keep his squirmy toddler settled while his cute chubby wife cradled their newborn. Dave and Farrah were there. So was Mike Ogden. On the bride's side, Tammy Trufant was unmistakable in her straight gold hair and scarlet wrap. Not far from her was Izzy Taylor with some hot date in a flower print. Most of the rest must have been aunts and uncles and other relations that he had never met. With a confirming nod to Spencer, the assuring signal to part, Rey released her hand and took his place on the lowest step as Wade's older sister Becky, clad in sleek cobalt skirt suit, in the front row silently pointed out the spot that mirrored Spencer's.

Next was Tony and Brandie. Husky Tony had a saunter to his step and a twinkle in his eye as he walked little Brandie down the aisle. She had a pert gymnast figure and her hair was held back by a coordinated lilac band showing the dark locks between bleach streaks, a trace of boredom on her heart-shaped face. They parted at the base of the altar and took the second step.

Wade's little brother Ezra couldn't make it as he was deployed in Afghanistan, so Byron had to stand in as the best man. The six-foot tall black man's tux fit perfectly over his trim physique as he brought forth the maid of honor. They took the third step.

Finally the groom entered. He may have been calm and cool on the outside, but Rey figured him to be sweating tropical bullets in that suit even if he would never admit it. He was drunk too. They all were but Wade more than the rest. Rey couldn't imagine him saying 'I do' unless he was right and thoroughly hammered. It was okay though, as Wade could drink with the best of them. He always held his liquor well.

Carrot-haired Wade climbed the steps and turned to face everyone, hands crossed at his waist. There was only one more to come. The organ's tune changed to the first few chords of Here Comes the Bride and in the open doorway she appeared shimmering on the arm of her father.

Reynan was having none of her snarkiness, and for that Spencer couldn't fault him. She moved easily down the aisle with him at her side and parted on cue, taking her spot to the left of where the bride would stand. As the next couple, Tony and Brandy, followed suit behind them at the same classy pace as she had just walked, she couldn't help but focus her gaze on the man who stood mirroring her. With every pair that made their way down the aisle the tension grew, excitement bubbling on many eyes until the three pairs of the bridal party, an eclectic bunch, had made their way to the front and faced the crowd. The groom followed, looking incredibly sharp in his tux, and then the bride herself began her walk down the aisle.

Spencer was mesmerized; she had seen Mackenzie in her dress before now, but the beautiful brunette looked serene as she stepped down the aisle on her father's arms, head held high and a smile on her face. Samantha had made her way to the front, sneaking around the side, and was snapping picture after picture of her daughter as she made her way towards the front. Spence had never seen her best friend looking so happy.

The bride reached them on her father's arm and then Vic handed his daughter's hand to the man who was about to be her husband. Mackenzie had truly never looked so happy, though Spence knew that she had a glass or two of champagne already in her system. Nerves, after all - the maid of honor had to cut her off before she had too much, lest they risk a case of Drunken Bride. Luckily, they had succeeded in that endeavor. Though Mackenzie's fair cheeks flushed slightly, she walked with poise and elegance, seemingly unaffected by the bubbly.

The minister signaled for the guests to sit as the nervous, but seemingly happy, newlyweds were to start their ceremony. The man guided the pair in their vows, sweet and simple but very poignant for each of their personalities. Wade went first, a man of few words, followed by the bride herself. Mackenzie spoke softly, affectionately; as she vowed her life to the man in front of her with love in her eyes. Though Spencer's focus stayed on the pair in front of her, watching one of her best friend's best days, but on occasion her hazel gaze flashed towards the man who had just walked beside her, lingering just moments before returning to the scene at hand.

The bride seemed to hover down aisle on her father's arm, her opulent strapless and sequined white gown trailing behind her. Some of her rosy glow may have been due to a touch of wine perhaps but her adoring eyes upon her husband-to-be showed genuine love. At the top of the steps, Vic handed his Mackenzie to Wade. As the bridal couple faced the hall the guests basked in their radiance, heads just atilt, gazing in admiration. The air was saturated, the hall filled with love.

During the vows, Reynan caught Spencer sneaking a glance his way. Her eyes quickly flitted back to the altar but it was too late. Her cover had been blown. The young ring bearer became a welcome distraction for all. Colton, the five year old son of the maid of honor Kristen (whom Rey was piecing together as Mackenzie's cousin) climbed the steps in his little tux, his blonde hair geled into a fauxhawk and delivered the bands.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Already holding her by the hands, Wade drew her close and pressed his mouth to Mackenzie's, holding it there for several seconds. Everyone in the hall stood to applaud. Rey added his as well. The newlyweds faced the gathering with wide smiles. Blushing Mackenzie delicately dabbed the corner of her eye with the end of her pinky as the cameras flashed again.

At Samantha's direction, Wade descended the steps with his bride and led her back up the aisle, nodding and waving here and there to all the guests. Then Byron and Kristen took their turn, followed by Tony and Brandie. Rey stepped forward to meet Spencer and offer his arm once more. Samantha gestured for them to follow. The banquet room awaited for the reception.

"Beautiful," he smiled softly as he took a moment to gaze upon sweet Spencer.

Beautiful. - It was one simple word, and the first that Spencer heard from the young man she had walked along with. They were one again arm in arm on their way towards the banquet room where the reception would be held.Though the ceremony itself had been perfectly done, at least given the bride's style (or more so her mother's), the reception would be more Spencer's style - a bit of alcohol, food, music, dancing. While Spence was by no standards a drunk a frequent partier, even she could enjoy being able to let loose once in a while. She, like everyone else, had earned the chance to relax.

"You know, for a moment I thought that you weren't going to show," the brunette remarked, her voice low for a woman's and laced with a hush secrecy, like she didn't want to be overheard by those around her. There was no scandal to her statement but there were many listening ears, and from the start she had been fond of her privacy. She peered at him from the corner of her eye as they walked through opened double doors and in to a large room. Tables filled part of it, seats labelled with the names of guests. At what could be considered the front was a long table with a magnificent white three-tier cake, topped with little black and white figurines of newlyweds and decorated with lace and edible glittery lilac and silver beads. To each side of the cake were various finger foods, and dinner would be arriving shortly from the kitchen. In the back of the room was an open bar, likely a disaster waiting to happen.

She didn't release his arm as they made their way in, though once they were safely out of the way of the people entering she did. Spencer politely slid her hand out of his hold and clasped her fingers loosely together in front of her. For once in her life her nails were manicured - shaped perfectly, and covered in a glimmering coat of silver polish. Like the other women, she had them done to match the color scheme of the wedding.

"I'm glad you didn't disappoint." It's casual conversation, still in a quiet whisper, but a hint of smile flashed across her full lips for a brief second. Spence may not have realized it, but she had leaned in towards him as she spoke, so close that their shoulders briefly brushed against each other; she quickly corrected her behaviour as if it had not happened.

"You know, for a moment I thought that you weren't going to show."

"I'm never late," he answered rather absently as he took in the room around him. The lavish cake was on display front and center and Rey was only slightly surprised that one of the other guys (probably Tony) hadn't played any joke with the matrimonial figures atop it yet. On the table all was in order but on the floor people were milling about randomly, some mingling to exchange pleasantries with old acquaintances including plenty of embraces and kissed cheeks and some endeavoring to find their assigned seats. Still others began to line up at the bar. Through it all Samantha kept herself busy greeting and guiding the lost. Her voice seemed to ride above the rest of the din of chatter, seemingly desperate to maintain order.

"I'm glad you didn't disappoint."

"Me too," he grinned as he turned to her and took in her countenance fully and fondly. He was close enough to see now that even through the makeup there was a softness to her smooth complexion and the structure of her cheeks. Her eyes were much more intricate, greenish perhaps jade but flecked with copper and gold around the pupils. Surrounding it all her hair was dark with a soft sheen, the contrast enhancing her face all the more. "The pleasure was mine," he told her. Their seats could wait. Their names were on them after all. "Shall we?" he gestured with a leading step towards the bar. "Before the lineup gets too long."

"Yes, lets."

There was no need to seek their seat out right now - unlike most who were just finding their spots now, the wedding party had an obvious spot as the center of the attention, taking up a large white-clothed table that took the head. Thanks to the rehearsal the previous night Spencer knew that her and Reynan would end up parted as it was time to eat, parted by the entire length of the extended, white-clothed table that served as the main table. The newlyweds would sit centered, followed by parents and then the wedding party, each pair taking an equal spot on opposite sides. Spencer and the man beside her would take the ends, split the farthest out of everyone. If Rey was not aware of that due to missing the rehearsal, it was an easy enough thing to point out when the information was needed.

Though she had no intention finding herself truly drunk tonight, Spencer desired a drink or two. Therefore, when the slender, well-kept man beside signaled towards the line what was starting to form at the bar, she was more than happy to allow him to take the lead and guide them in to the line up. She stayed at his side as they awaited to get their drinks, her own slim form standing tall and refined and her hazel gaze met his in a subtle side-glance. A calmness had consumed her among the energetic chatter of the hall and perhaps she shouldn't have taken a step closer towards Rey but by the time she realized she had it was much too late. Spencer played it cool - shifted her weight to the farther foot, didn't draw attention to the subtle movement. There was no denying that his lean figure appealed to her, and his soft waves of golden-brown looked absolutely touchable.

She questioned herself as she realized the attraction - but that was all it was. Fleeting, momentary - they would likely never even see each other after today. Her glanced flitted between him, the bar and the crowd around them as they made their way closer to the bar person by person. She crossed her arms loosely below her breasts, grasping each elbow with the opposite hand, as she offered the man beside her a smile and then her voice rang out in a quiet tone, interested but slightly flat: "Let's say that I don't know my alcohol," a part-truth, she knew that she enjoyed a whiskey and coke, maybe a bit of vodka here and there but not too much else. In a way she was attempting to halt her own indecision as to what she wanted, but also feeding her own curiosity about Rey and his habits. "Champagne or something else? What would you suggest for someone like me?"

She stayed close to him as they glided over towards the bar. Rey sensed an inner elegance coming forth from her, perhaps one that had been hidden for some time but was now confident enough to emerge even if rather tentatively. It was in her posture, in her stride, in her eyes. They shared a glance as they joined the end of the queue.

"Let's say that I don't know my alcohol. Champagne or something else? What would you suggest for someone like me?"

Spencer's question revealed her willingness to put herself into his care. Subtly, he raised an eyebrow in his discernment.

"Let's say that you don't," he began. "Champagne is for special moments, and since many moments on a day like this will be special we should defer this to Wade and Mackenzie." His stance partially turned towards her, he stepped nearly sideways as the line advanced, enticing her to follow. "Someone like you?" he clarified as the corner of his mouth curled upwards. Then he turned his attention to the bottles behind the bar. "Perhaps a brandy," he said as he perused. "But for you specifically, something more refined." The line shuffled forward again. He looked back at her, cool calm and in control. Reynan was enjoying the moment and much of that was Spencer, the best part at least.

"Two double caesars," the portly blonde fellow before them ordered. "Make it four," he said as he craned his neck to take orders shouted at him from across the room.

"This might take a while," Rey remarked within her confidence as the bartender began salting the rims of four glasses in preparation for the rather complicated cocktails. "They really should have two bartenders," he confided quietly once more. No sooner had he made the comment than a second barman arrived.

"What can I get you?" he smiled.

"The Courvoisieur," Reynan ordered. "Two please."

"Certainly," said the bartender as he set up two tumblers. Then he turned to fetch the bottle and carefully pour. "Enjoy," he said. The guy ordering the caesars was noisily waving his friends over to help carry the drinks as they were still being garnished with spears of pickled asparagus. In contrast, Reynan slotted a crisp five dollar bill into his server's tip jar. The bartender silently nodded in gratitude and Rey picked up the drinks, handed one to his company and stepped back to allow the next in line forward.

"Cheers," he said, holding his glass out towards her.

Spencer's lips turned up in to the semblance of a smile at Reynan's response, and she subtly leaned in closer to the male's form as she watched hi with a careful curiosity. She was very pleasant when she wanted to be - when the stress had worn off, when she no longer worried about what was supposed to be an amazing turning in to a disaster. More than that she liked Rey's answer, she liked the smell of the ceasars being made - now if only she didn't absolutely hate the taste.

"I think you have good taste sir," she replied. Though in more casual settings she was happiest with whiskey - even someone that seemed as elegant as herself could drink "like a man". She liked her fancy cocktails, yes, but she preferred the simple. In the end Rey's choice of order, a cognac that she admittedly was yet to ever try, sounded like a good call. She smiled to him as she held her glass gingerly in one hand, staying close to his side as they stepped away.

"Cheers," she said in tune as she brought her glass to his, clinking the lower rim against his before bringing it to her subtley-accented full lips to tip at the drink within. She was pleasantly surprised by the alcohol that awaited her tongue, and her multi-hued eyes flickered with something bright as her gaze moved to Reynan's svelte form once more.

"I have to say, you did make a good call," she remarked, before taking another sip. The thought of simply downing it then and there was tempting, but the taste was strong an this was a drink meant to sip. Beyond that, it would be crass of her to find herself off-her-face drunk at a wedding. Maybe in a drink or two, once her inhibitions were lowered, she would give in to that urge much easier but for now she stayed slow and classy. "Are you always this good at figuring out what a girl likes, or is this just the start of a lucky streak?"

She had given him a shade of space to order the round and share the toast. He realized that it wasn't the first time that she had drawn herself close. Spencer liked him, he could tell, even if she relented to a safe distance each time that she became conscious of her attraction and endeavored to keep it in check.

"Are you always this good at figuring out what a girl likes, or is this just the start of a lucky streak?" she asked. Rey could tell by the way her lips curled and her brow cleverly straightened that she was sizing him up. They were also likely the first signs of tipsiness.

"Ahh, good old lady luck," he grinned. "Why do some people always seem to be luckier than others?" He took another sip before continuing. "In my line of work, you need to keep yourself in a position to take advantage of luck when it presents itself. You know what they say: gotta be good to be lucky," he winked. The cognac lingered on his tongue but it was Spencer that he was drinking in. At her height she was a lovely structure with simple features to fit any scene or any weather without deprecation. She was an expression of refinement, whether she regarded herself as such or not, and as her form left no question to her femininity, her androgynous name only added a touch of sophistication. Rey knew that he had led her to her next question - that of his occupation, but she wouldn't get the chance to ask.

"Rey! How's it goin'?" said Mike Ogden as he approached with his hand extended. Reynan gripped it firmly. "You still racing cars?"

"No," Rey shook his head subtly. "I'm engineering them."

"Oh?" asked Mike. He was tall and his dark hair was thick and coiffed. He was gaining a bit of weight but still looked good. He wore a purple silk shirt with open collar under his beige blazer. Mike had always liked to stand out. "Driving didn't work out?"

"Engineering pays better," answered Rey. "No scrambling for sponsors. Just do the work, get a cheque," he explained. "How about you?"

"Selling craft beer," he smiled. "Uptown Brewery."

"So then, you supply bars and restaurants?"

"Pretty much," Mike affirmed. "They should have called me for today," he gestured vaguely about the room. "I could have brought kegs."

"Mike, this is Spencer," he introduced, turning to lilac bridesmaid next to him. "Spencer, mike Ogden. We used to hike and mountain bike and such with Wade and Ezra."

"Back in the day," Mike grinned. "Maybe I oughta get back into it," he said patting the moderate bulge of his waistline.