The Continuing Adventures of Alexa & Jenny: #2 At Jessica & Paige’s Wedding

I woke up to something hitting me in the head and a voice that did not sound very happy.

“Shut up Jenny” I heard Nikki groan as she lay in the other bed in the room.

“Was I talking in my sleep?” Jenny said with a hoarse voice.

‘You snore” Sarah croaked out, causing me to giggle and my wife to defend herself.

“I do not snore” Jenny pouted in her little girl voice. I tossed our new pillow to the side and slowly lifted my head and kissed my wife ever so gently on the cheek.

“Babe you snore” I told her. Jenny went into full pout mode. And if I wasn’t feeling like I had been hit by a beer truck, I may have sympathized. But I was dying.

The four of us had come up to Loch Lomond on Tuesday morning for Jessica and Paige’s wedding. I had never ridden a train before, so it was another new experience I was able to experience with Jenny. The ride was easy, and the views were incredible. It was also a better way to spend some time with Snikki. A car would have been just as fun, but this was more relaxing. We enjoyed a few sweet treats and coffee on the ride and made it into Glasgow around lunch time. Tuesday was a fun time to see everyone. The thing that really hit me was how nervous Jess was and how calm Paige was. Natalie and I were relentless in our teasing of the Baltimore Blondeshell, a name I had coined for Jessica that she hated. We got to meet both girl’s families, including Hayley, Jessica’s sister who was going to be freshman at the U this fall. It was a quiet night, but we still found a way to unwind a bit.

The wedding the next day had been a blast! Paige and Jessica both looked beautiful. It was such an incredible moment to see two of our friends share their love for each other. The dresses were stunning and with Loch Lomond in the background, it may have been the most incredible wedding I had ever been to. All three of them. My cousin and his girlfriend had gotten married the summer before my sophomore year at the U and then there was Julie’s wedding last New Year’s. That was the extent of my wedding experience. The one I was at this summer doesn’t count, mostly because I was one of the brides and I was a wreck.

The reception had been out of control. The smiles the brides had on their faces were wonderful to see. The couple had been through some ups and downs but that was now in the rearview mirror. And it wasn’t just the brides who had huge smiles, it was all of us who came to celebrate these two. As the reception went along, Jenny and I were able to relax and enjoy ourselves a bit more that we had at our wedding. The group from Soixante-Trois that had shown up were enjoying themselves immensely, and we heard some more stories about the brides. Jenny and I also got to spend a little more time with Hayley and began to give her some tips on the U. When Jessica saw the three of us enjoying a glass of wine together I think was the only time the smile left her face all night.

As the night wore on and the drink flowed more, there were chants for the Venus Girls to take the stage. Even Out of Heaven was pushing us to take the stage, but we refused. We preferred to dance as our mode of fun last night. Whether it be the more open dancing of the larger groups on the floor or the more intimate dances Jenny and I were able to share together, we had a great time. That was how we wound up in the shape we were in this morning.

Jenny’s defiance over the teasing finally lessened and she cuddled into me and I tried to dose back to sleep, but the pounding of my head stopped that. Also, the rumbling of my stomach told me I needed something to eat. And I wasn’t the only one who had that feeling, because I could hear Sarah expressing the same thought. We flipped for it and Snikki got the shower first. We reminded them we had things to do today and not to be in there forever. 45 minutes later the four of us were refreshed and walking out of the room on our way to breakfast.

On our way down, Nikki began to tease me as to how I was dressed. “Looking pretty casual there Alexa. I don’t think I have seen you in trainers too many times. And I do like the denim skirt. Deciding to tease a bit today?” If it was anyone else, I would be very upset. But this was Nikki. Of course, I had to ask Nikki if she was doing the same thing with her little skater dress.

“I hope you have something on underneath that thing Nikki. We wouldn’t want you putting on a show.” I said. I could hear Jenny groan under her breath about my and Nikki’s teasing. When I asked what the problem was, Jenny told me that me and Nikki were worse than me and Danny.

We entered the breakfast area and were greeted with a round of applause from the assembled crowd. The four of us stared at each other in panic. “We didn’t do it again, did we?” Sarah asked fearfully. Jenny told her not that she could remember. “Nothing on social media at least” Jenny said. That made us all feel a bit better, but there was still something sitting there. When Natalie commented that “the stars of the night are here” our panic returned, and it was not helped by the look that Jamie shot Nikki. We took the walk of shame to an empty table in the corner and tried to hide, but it was almost impossible. Someone would look over at us every once in awhile with a smile or give us a thumbs up. We were completely on edge as we tried to replay the night amongst the four of us. Then the fun really began.

Stephanie and Kayla entered and after getting themselves some food, joined the four of us at our table. They both had smirks on their faces that put the four of us on edge. Nothing was said for what seems like an eternity. Finally, Nikki broke the silence and asked what was so funny. “You guys were good last night” Steph said, the smirk never leaving the singer’s face. Nikki buried her head on Sarah’s shoulder while Jenny and I slumped back into our chairs. Both Natalie and Jamie both came over at that point for some reason and all four of friends began laughing at the four of us trying to hide in shame. I looked at Nikki and I am sure that the confused look on her face had to match mine.

Jamie spoke first. “For once the four of you behaved yourselves. For the most part.” Jamie took a seat next to her protégé. Natalie sat down next to Jenny and went on.

“The only thing that got a bit crazy was when Nikki and Alexa here were trying to do the Spice Girls moves to ‘Stop’, that was pretty good. But that was it.” Natalie put an arm around Jenny, but I could still see the fear in her eyes. She asked if they were sure that was all they did, and Natalie told her yes. “We got everyone in here on the joke. Kayla and Steph were the spies to see when you four finally extracted yourselves from your room.”

Kayla then pulled out her phone. “One good thing about not being much of a drinker is I can get video. And this one is a private video only meant to tease one person.” And with that she hit play and sure enough there was Nikki and I dancing around trying to mimic the legendary British all girl group, but it wasn’t just the two of us trying to mimic the moves. There was a third, who seemed to be leading us. It wasn’t Sarah or Jenny, they were seen to the side laughing away. No, it was the famous singer who sat across from us trying to hide her face.

“I can’t believe I let you four drag me into your antics” Stephanie said as she looked for cover that was nowhere to be found. Her girlfriend was offering no sympathy. Sarah tried to protest, that it was just me and Nikki on video.

“It started out as the four of you, but Miss Abbott over here kept telling you that you were doing it wrong. She decided to step in and show you how to do it. Before Kayla could get her phone going you and Jenny had to stop because you were laughing so hard.” Jamie told Sarah. Both my and Nikki’s wives got smug looks on their faces as the video played on. Natalie began teasing Steph that she needed to do some more work on her dancing and that maybe Nikki and I could give her some lessons.

“Stop.” Stephanie pleaded. “I got enough from Kayla this morning.” She then tried to hide in Kayla’s arms. Kayla tried to stop it saying the only promise she made was that it wouldn’t go public. The four of us sat back and relaxed. Though we did ask Kayla to send us the video.

“Need something to tease Steffi-boots here with” Nikki said. Steph pulled her head out of Kayla’s arms and shot Nikki a dirty look. The rest of breakfast kind of went that way. Teasing amongst friends and story telling and all four of us who had a reputation for getting into a bit of trouble could relax as it seemed we had behaved ourselves. That fun changed quickly, at least for two of us.

The brides walked into the room and the cheers began again. Both Jessica and Paige blushed at the continued love being thrown their way. They had huge smiles on their faces and they held hands as the soaked it all up. It was when Jessica spotted the four of us that her expression changed. She let go of Paige’s hand and began making her way over to our table. I could see Paige roll her eyes as she followed her wife over to us. Jessica pointed at me and Jenny and said ‘We need to talk”

“Um, ah, um” I babbled as the blonde woman stared my wife and I down. Mean while Paige stood behind Jessica shaking her head.

“You two shouldn’t have been giving Hayley anything to drink” Jessica started off lecturing me and Jenny. “She is only eighteen! Sure, it’s legal over here but she is going to be in school soon and I don’t want her out drinking and getting mixed up with the wrong people!” It was a line I couldn’t let go

“Are you saying me and Jenny are the wrong people?” I asked, jokingly. Both Jenny and Paige had to stifle laughter at my comment. The angry look came across Jess’ face again as she tried to stare me down.

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it” an increasingly upset Jessica blurted out. It was then a new voice entered the conversation and frustrated the new bride even more.”

“What did you mean then?” Hayley asked her older sister. Jessica spun around and began trying to explain herself. Hayley sat down next to her older sister and tried to explain things to Jessica. “Yeah, I will be going off to college and I will be experiencing new things, but I am not going to go crazy. I know why I am there. I am there to work my tail off so I can become the lawyer I always dreamed of. But I am going to want to let off some steam. I’m going to drink.”

“I know, but I am going to worry.” Jessica said. Hayley reminded her sister that she had said that she could trust these two and if she needed anything that she could come to us. Jessica looked at us and sighed. “Yes, I did. But I am still going to worry”

“Don’t worry Jessica, we will watch over Hayley like she was our little sister.” Jenny told her. That seemed to ease Jessica’s mind a bit as she sat back. She did mumble that she was still worried about us teaching her bad habits which of course got us giggling. Hayley stood by with a proud smile as she watched her sister resign herself to the fact that Hayley was growing up.

Breakfast went back to its normal dull roar, and people came in and out of the breakfast area. After we were finished, we decided to take a walk around the grounds and get a different view then yesterday. Sarah and Nikki begged off, leaving it to the two of us, which was fine by me. Jenny and I assumed what had seemed to be our standard position, holding hands, and went out the door to take in the beauty of the Loch.

As we were walking around, we bumped into Jessica’s parents. We once again complimented the two on what a beautiful wedding it was and what great children they had. “Thank you so much.” Karen, Jessica’s mother said. “It’s so wonderful that Jessica has so many friends that support both her and Paige. And from what I have understood you are going to take on another of our daughters?” We smiled and nodded.

“We will keep an eye out for her, but we won’t be quite as overbearing as her big sister.” I said, which earned a laugh from Jessica’s father Calvin.

“I think that would be impossible. Jess is very worried about her little sister, but she has said knowing that the two of you will be nearby has eased her motherly instincts a bit.” Calvin stopped for a moment. “Never thought I would say that, but it feels right.” Jenny and I both smiled at that. I tried to help ease Mr. Tyler’s mind by saying I had two brother’s who never thought they would have to watch over their little sister. Jenny jumped in at that point to carry the point on a bit further.

“Actually, Lex’s one brother jokes that he went have from no sisters to two he has to worry about. And put up with.” Jenny said as she tightened her grip on me. A smile came across the Tyler’s face. I think that our truthfulness was easing their concerns about Hayley a bit as well. We continued talking with the two all the way back to the hotel, and once we entered the lobby. I ran off to the desk and grabbed a piece of paper, so I could write down all our phone numbers for Calvin and Karen. “Just in case you can’t get ahold of Hayley. You can pretty much track us down.” They thanked us again and we started to make plans to get together when they came to town in a few weeks to get Hayley settled in.

Just as Calvin and Karen started to head off, Paige and Jessica showed up. “What was that about?” Jessica asked, and thankfully we were able to ease her motherly concerns. We assured her we were just giving her parent’s all our contact numbers, just in case. I tried to tease my friend a bit about it

“Don’t worry, we are on the case.” I said which earned me another look and a reprimand from Paige to Jessica that we really did want to help. We sat down in the lobby and were soon joined by Snikki as well as some of the other guests and went back into normal conversations that mattered, like the night before. As the hazy memories of the night before came more into focus, the conversation slowly died. That was when Paige stepped up.

“So, what is everyone’s plan? I want to show you Scotland” Paige said. We tried to tell her that wasn’t necessary, she was still celebrating her wedding and that her and Jessica should be given some space, but Paige would have none of it. “I don’t know when I will get all my friends up here again, besides I have my whole life to be with my beautiful blonde lass” Paige declared as she reached around Jessica’s shoulders and the two shared a kiss, earning an ‘Aww’ those gathered around. We all took off for rooms to get our purses and a coat. E met back in the lobby and in no time we were led out of the hotel and walked to a bus that took us back to Paige’s hometown Dumbarton.

It was a pretty little town and I can see why Paige wanted to show it off. We hit several little quaint shops and did some sightseeing. The Dumbarton Castle was neat looking, and Jenny and I made a deal to come back and visit sometime so we could check it out some more. We found a 29-year-old bottle of Signatory Vintage Scotch from the Dumbarton Distillery that we knew we had to get for Marty. It was when we were walking up to an area with a few pubs and other shops that one of my biggest fears came to the fore.

“OK girls, especially you Yanks. Its time your experience a quintessential Scottish delicacy” Paige flashed us an evil grin. Here it was, I was going to be forced to eat haggis. And while It would be funny to watch Jenny try and eat the dish, I was scarred that my reaction would be much worse. But Paige threw us a curve. She led us into a little shop and the first thought that came to my mind was The State Fair. Those thoughts were confirmed as Paige slid up to me and Jenny, laughing her head off. “You should have seen the looks on your faces. You thought I was going to have you eat haggis, didn’t you?” We nodded. “I wouldn’t be that cruel. No, I am going to treat you to a deep-fried Mars bar.” Jenny had no idea what Paige was talking about. “It is a deep-fried candy bar.” Our Scottish friend said.

“They have those at the State Fair” I said. Paige told me that may be true, but Scotland was the birthplace of this delicacy. We all enjoyed a sample of the sweet treat, enough where I think we over whelmed the poor gentleman who ran the place. I know we overwhelmed his teenage assistant who couldn’t stop taking his eyes off the loads of gorgeous young women standing around eating a deep-fried candy bar, and that’s when a new feeling came over me.

In the past, when I was around all or many of these women, I would somehow feel that I didn’t belong in the same league as them. I was not as pretty as the rest of these girls, I was a wannabe. But this time I realized I am one of these beautiful women and that I belonged. A smile came to my face as I enjoyed the laughter and friendship. I felt Jenny slide up next to me and give me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Yes, you are as beautiful as everyone in this whole group. In my opinion you are the most beautiful” she whispered before going back to a conversation with Zoe. How does she do that I thought? How does she know what I am thinking? Than I remembered something. I will have the rest of my life with her trying to figure it out.