Silence

Rachel figured that she had to be the most unusual bride in the existance of weddings. By this point, Brides had gone Bridezilla, or fallen to pieces in tears. This bride had done neither one. When planning, she had told everyone in that firm, but quiet, voice of hers that she wanted a small wedding. Only friends and family were invited, and Rachel knew that less than three hundred people were crammed into the small chapel. White and a soft teal were the wedding colors, and Rachel smoothed her hand over the very soft teal gown she wore. As matron of honor, it was her job to calm the bride's nerves. Rachel figured that her best friend had nerves of steel.

Jennifer Hame had been in her gown for the past twenty minutes, and was calmly seated on the window seat of the bridal suite. Her back was straight, her head bent, a small book held in her hands. Rachel wondered exactly what it was about reading that always induced such a reaction from her friend. No matter how stressed she was, or how tense the situation, put a book in Jennifer Hame's hands, and she was fine. It must have something to do with being a Librarian. The two girls had been best friends since they were twelve, and had been best friends for the past sixteen years without any major fights. They'd grown to look utterly different- Jennifer was tall, and willowy with her dark hair and peachy-golden skin. Rachel was tiny and blonde. Still. She'd always figured she would have grown out of it by now.

A knock on the door told Rachel that it was time, and she picked up a bouquet and walked over to her friend.
"Jen? It's time."

Jennifer looked up, calm serenity in her eyes; the moment was ruined when one hand shot out, and grabbed Rachel's with a surprising grip that had Rachel shifting on her feet.
"Rach, I am terrified."

Looking into Jenny's eyes, Rachel believed her. Jennifer had always been good at that calm facade, and Rachel had always been good at seeing through it. Being terrified was normal; heck, Rachel had been a mess on the day that she'd married Adam. Jenny had laughed, telling her that she'd never be this panicked. Rachel had not found it at all funny. Now that they'd switched places, she was beginning to see the humor. A flutter raced through Rachel's abdomen, and she pressed her hand to her belly, feeling the butterfly kicks of her unborn child.

Perceptive as always, Jenny saw what was happening. Mirth replaced the terror in her gaze, and she touched the barely showing stomach.
"My Godchild agrees with me." She said drily.

Lightly shoving Jenny's hand off of her stomach, Rachel handed her the bouquet of red roses instead.
"Yeah? Well when you finally get around to creating my Godchild, they will be taking my side."

Jenny's giggle carried through the room, as Rachel opened the door, pausing to adjust Jennifer's veil.
"You ready?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Nope. No scheduling and no delays. We've all been waiting for this for sixteen years."

Jenny forced a small smile, and Rachel supposed that most people would have thought she was calm and serene. Rachel saw the forced smile for what it was, and patted her friend's back. Reid appeared out of nowhere, offering his arm to Jenny. He was to walk her down the aisle, and it had caused quite a family stir when Jenny had made that little family announcement. Jenny had held quietly firm, and gotten her way. Reid was walking her down the aisle.

The wedding march swelled, and Rachel clenched her bouquet, walking down the aisle towards Bailee and his best man. Bailee looked as terrified as Jenny looked calm. Rachel figured that he was the opposite of his bride, and probably feeling rather calm. Not that he wouldn't be, with Reuben cracking jokes behind him. Rachel began preparing her lecture for the recessional. The march swelled, and everyone turned to see Jenny and Reid, making their stately walk up the aisle.

Rachel didn't know what Reid had said to Jenny, but it had drawn a genuine and delighted smile from her lips. He'd probably mentioned a book or something like that. Rachel was thrilled with how gorgeous her friend looked, and she felt a bit of self-pride at having insisted on the little things that Jenny would have passed over.

No words were exchanged as Reid handed Jennifer over to Bailee, but no words were needed. Jenny and Bailee looked at each other, exchanging glances and smiles. They hadn't needed words in such a long time, and knew each other well enough to guess what the other would say at any rate. This left them with the golden and beautiful option of something that had brought them both together anyway.

Silence.