It was really hard not to when he made that face at her. He looked like a puppy that had been forced into one of those ridiculous costumes that you saw stuffed in lady’s purses. But the costume in question was a tux. And the problem was not the sizing ( which was very nice indeed ) but the poorly done up tie that looked like a child trying to imitate their father. Jess had seen her own father wear bow ties on many occasions and had grown used to helping him straighten or tie them over the years.
She bit her lip to try and keep the smile that was beginning to crinkle her eyes from growing. Mirth showed through her eyes as she tried to reel herself back in from enjoying his anguish.
“ Not even for Matt and Emily? ”
It was definitely understood by now that they were a forever couple; no matter how often they would bicker. It was simply a matter of would Matt ever propose and would Emily accept being married again after her last unfortunate marriage.
“Here,” she said, stepping forward and batting his hand away. “Let me. You’ll actually choke yourself if you keep that up.”
Her fingers deftly unknotted his tie. Readjusting the lengths on either side she glanced up at him before feeling a blush start to creep over her face. His face was closer than she’d thought. Clearing her throat she began to work again.
“It’s a bit easier when you can see it.”
“No.” He replied quickly, his face turning more sour the more she struggled to hide her smile. Then he thought and sighed and conceded, “Okay... perhaps for Matt and Emily, if they asked very, very nicely. But Matt would definitely let me wear my dress uniform instead of this outrageous penguin suit. At least in that I don’t need anyone else to fuss with my tie for me.”
He could understand why Abby and Connor wanted a tux instead. The military was already an overbearing presence in their work life, they hardly wanted that in their wedding photos as well, but understanding didn’t make it any more comfortable for him.
He dropped his hands, letting her take over, and managed to stand still long enough for her to fashion the bowtie into an acceptable shape. It was a task, it seemed, that required her to stand quite close to him and he had no way of hiding the blush that lit his cheeks as he gazed down at her, his expression finally softening, “You look nice, by the way.”