Chapter Six

“Rise and shine, dearest!” Brooke called in an upbeat voice, throwing back the curtains to let the sunlight stream in.

Ava groaned, curling up around a pillow. “Brooke, I love you but it’s too early on a weekend to do this to me.” She complained in a pout.

Brooke paused halfway through the motion of lifting a curtain, her shock expressive on her face. “Ava! It’s your wedding day!” she exclaimed, turning around to give her future daughter-in-law a stunned look.

Ava winked open one eye, a slow grin taking over her face before she scrambled out of bed to launch herself at Brooke who caught her easily.

“I’m so happy, Brooke.” She sighed blissfully, hugging the older woman.

“Trust me, I know exactly how you feel.” Brooke gave her a warm smile, now we don’t have all day, come on, let’s get you ready.”

The rest of the morning was spent getting ready, Brooke had been the one to help her pick out her wedding gown.

Her excitement had been palpable and Ava was just happy that her soon to be mother in law was happy.

She had gone for a simple design to match the simple wedding so getting ready was a piece of cake.

Brooke had offered to come down to her apartment to get her ready for her wedding, it was bad luck for the groom to see her before the wedding anyway.

Sugar just kept running around like he could sense the excitement in her voice.

When Ava was all ready, Brooke carefully led her to her full length mirror to show her how she looked.

Her dress was exquisite even with the simple design, it was sleeveless with a corseted bodice, the skirt a satin fall of white with an overlaying lacy layer.

It bloomed out in a way that made her look like a Disney princess come to life.

Her short, soft brown hair was styled with a wreath of flowers, her veil pinned to her hair.

Make-up was minimal which only heightened her natural beauty, big green eyes staring out of a porcelain face.

"I love it, Brooke!" Ava gushed, throwing all caution to the wind and making a move to throw herself on the older lady.

Brooke stopped her in time, her honey blonde hair in a classy chignon. "Don't mess up your outfit now." Her mother-in-law to be scolded her lightly. 

"Now let's get to the car, there's no time to waste." Brooke hurried her outside, stopping to pick up Sugar.

Kris' car had been beautifully decorated in preparation for today and Brooke had driven it down here to pick the bride herself.

"Ready Ava?" Brooke asked with the brightest of smiles on her face.

It was late in the morning on a Saturday, just a week after their surprise engagement. 

The sun shone brightly, like even the weather could wait for them to be together.

"As ready as I'll ever be." She muttered, looking out the window as she absently petted Sugar's fur to calm her nerves.

The drive to Kris' house was the shortest ever of all the trips she had taken there and she couldn't decide if it was a bad thing or not.

The engagement had been very homely but when they got to the back gardens this time, it had been transformed into somewhere very different. 

White covered the colorful spaces, from arches to wreaths and balloons. It blended beautifully with the colorful background.

Even better than the decor was Kris standing at the makeshift altar, Niall standing behind him, the priest already waiting.

Brooke was the one to walk her down the petal covered aisle, matching beaming smiles on everyone's faces.

The ceremony was short but that was the whole point, it was merely for the sake of society as werewolves didn't need marriages.

Marking your mate ran far deeper than a couple spoken vows and ink on paper.

Kris couldn't wait to make Ava his.

After the vows were taken and the priest was long gone, Brooke went into a flurry preparing the after wedding celebrations. 

She wanted it to be a panic out in the back gardens which was a perfect idea with all the decor still standing.

"Let me come help you…" Ava started to say, escaping the confines of her husband's arms for the first time since they said their vows.

"Nonsense, you're not working first thing after joining the family, Kris, Niall, make good use of yourselves and come help me." She scolded in a breath, hurrying inside the house.

Kris made sure that Ava was comfortable on the picnic blanket that had been spread out. 

It was really large to fit them all comfortably.

"Am I the only one who feels like Brooke treats us differently?" The dark haired Beta mused, hazel eyes thoughtful.

"Niall…" Kris started to warn him but his mom was faster.

"What are you two still swaddling over there for?" Her voice floated over and they immediately jumped into action.

The wedding picnic was a lovely affair, laughter and happiness shared as much and as easily as the delicious food.

Ava wasn't surprised when Brooke piled her plate high with food, thankfully it wasn't just her this time, Kris and Niall swallowing back complaints.

It was evident that she genuinely enjoyed taking care of them, like they were her own little Pack that she never had.

Ava hadn't been curious about any of their pasts, she could understand too well about how most didn't like to talk about the past.

Besides in the here and now, they were all absolutely wonderful people and that was all that mattered.

She did know that her husband basically grew right here in Newwall just like she did.

She glanced at him, he was laughing at something his mom said to Niall and she was hit with the weight and intensity of how much she loved him.

He glanced at her at the same moment, their eyes meeting, Kris giving her a promising smile