“The big day, finally!” Annabelle’s voice is like fresh, soothing water, washing over me and damping down my nerves. She has her beautiful golden hair tangled up in lustrous pearl pins and her smile chases off the shadows from the room. I manage to notice her lingering gaze on the pale tie I have just finished fixing around my neck and when her eyes show disapproval I find myself glancing down once more with increasing concern and a gaping mouth, only to hear her delighted laugh ringing in my ears. “It’s lovely, don’t worry. I’m only messing with you!” I cannot help my expression twisting into one of exasperation, and once again I wonder where on earth she gets it from.
“Did you finally grow bored of annoying Sherlock and have now come to do me the honours instead?” I find no heat in my own voice; my sister’s presence has always been comforting more than anything else. I can see in her eyes that she is fighting the urge to ruin my curls which I have managed to finally groom into a more acceptable condition in retaliation, but only very halfheartedly.
“We actually had a very civil conversation, thank you very much.” She manages to feign some semblance of annoyance. “He tries to hide it, but I don’t think he feels quite ready to sit through an entire day filled with people, much less practice friendly smiles at them.” She wills a shudder through her delicate figure, and I know we are both imagining all of the sharp teeth Sherlock will be baring at our guests.
“I’m still surprised he agreed to a proper wedding ceremony at all.” I utter through a sigh. Sherlock is far too good to me, truly. I know he has only agreed for us to have an actual ceremony for my sake. I simply wish to share our happiness with those whom we care for. I believe the both of us deserve that much.
“You know, mother called.” I can sense how hesitant Anna is to voice those words; no doubt she has been expecting the way they harden the muscles lining my jaw. I don’t wish to hear it, and I tell her so. “I don’t want her to ruin this for me.” I won’t allow her to. “And anyway, you know how she is. She is going to get herself drunk out of boredom and then there will be no stopping her.” Anna very well knows my reasons for not sending our mother an invitation, but she has always felt more for her than I. Perhaps she has always been able to understand mother better. She gathers herself as elegantly as she has been trained to throughout her life, and her smile grows once more. “Well, this is your day, after all. You’re allowed to feel happy.”
I take a moment to ponder her words, and I realise the truth which rings in them. I feel my cheeks aching with the ease of the smile which finds a home upon my lips. “Do you know, I truly am.” The moment stretches between us, and I cannot help feeling a slight reluctance when I finally have to end it. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have one very anxious groom I need to collect before he makes something or someone explode.” Not, of course, before checking on the little surprises I have orchestrated for him in order to set his brilliant and restless mind at relative ease.