“Reconciliation”

A Gaby FanFic

The first thing I have to do is to publicly thank Angharad, KarenJ and last, but certainly not least, Jillian, for all their efforts to decipher my scribbles. It was also their encouragement that gave me the courage to submit this to Maddy, in the first place.

I also extend a warm ‘thank you' to Maddy, for creating this ‘universe' and giving my mind a place to occasionally wander.

Nine

Sat., May 18, 2013 came around at last …

das Haus des Peters (the Peters house)

“Time to get up, honey. The girls will be here in about an hour.” Carol chirped as she poked her head in Maddy's room. Gaby's right, mothers are way too cheerful in the mornings!

Carol headed off to the guest room. “Ally … time to get up, dear … you can use our bathroom to freshen up … I've already put fresh towels out.”

“Thanks, Mrs. P”, Ally replied.

Maddy literally rolled out of bed and decided that if she was getting married today, she should at least have a shower to wake up. With eyes half closed, she found her way to the bathroom and the shower. As she started to enjoy the warmth of the water cascading over her, Maddy heard the bathroom door burst open.

“Mum?” Maddy called out.

“guten Morgen Maddy … it's a lovely day to get married!” Kat cheerfully yelled over the sound of the water as she peeked behind the shower curtain.

“Scheiße! … Fer Chrissake Kat! … Ya wanna give me a bloody heart attack?” Trying hard to appear all serious-like and not laugh, Maddy popped her head out from behind the shower curtain at a slightly drowned Kat.

Kat looked at her with an exaggerated pout, then matter-of-fact-like told her “Your mama told me to tell you she ist making us some breakfast, so get a move on!”

Laughing as she said it, Maddy stated, “Just my luck … I had to get a Sergeant-Major for a Maid-of-Honour ... tell mum I'll be down in ten.”

When Maddy pulled back the curtain to get out, Kat was standing there with a silly grin and a large opened bath towel. As she stepped out of the tub, Mad noticed the matching towel was piled in a heap by Kat's feet and her hair in desperate need of a good brushing.

Maddy quickly brushed Kat's hair and as Kat left to deliver the message Maddy went into her room, threw on some jeans, a t-shirt and trainers and then quickly went down to the kitchen. As she entered the room, she noticed Ally was at the table but someone was missing.

“Morning, Ally … Where's Kat?” Mad asked.

“Gone to get the door.” Carol replied without looking at her daughter.

As Carol turned, she noted Maddy's rather all-to-casual appearance and asked her if she planned to get her hair done, looking like that?

“Mum, think about what you just said ... We're going to the salon to get beautiful … right? … Geez … I'm supposed to be the nervous one, aren't I?”

“Well, it's just that I've never had a daughter get married before.”

Maddy just threw her arms around Carol's neck and held her for what seemed like an eternity. Finally before releasing her mum, Maddy whispered in her ear, “I love you Mum.”

As Maddy and her mum parted, Kat entered the kitchen with Maddy's three remaining bridesmaids. Maddy gave each one a peck on the cheek and told them put their things in the guest room then come back and ‘pull up a chair' as breakfast was almost ready. Kat took the girls through.

“Are you nervous, Mad?” Ann asked as the four girls returned to the kitchen.

Maddy sat in deep thought and then with a nervous laugh, finally replied, “I wasn't until you mentioned it.”

As the girls finished their light breakfast and migrated into the lounge at the front of the house, Maddy quietly asked, “Ally … I'm sorry …I wish we found time to talk yesterday but you know what things were like … I really want to know … how's things with you and Em?” Mad's voice conveyed genuine concern for her friends.

The two stopped in the hall, allowing the others to pass before they continued their conversation.

“I really don't know.” Ally almost whispered, as she cast her eyes to the floor.

“It's not Em … she's always said she loved me … been there for me - even back when she was Rhod … It's me, Mad ... you know how I felt about Rhod and now that she's Em … I mean part of me wants to jump into her arms and another part says it's all wrong …” Ally quietly replied as she looked up to Maddy's eyes.

“I'm sorry ... I didn't mean it to sound like it did.” Ally felt she had to apologize to her friend for her last remark, considering Maddy was set to marry another woman. Mad took Ally's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, letting Ally know she took no offence.

As Maddy stared at Ally, she emphatically told her friend, “Forget what others may've told you … they're the one's with the problem, not you … it's neither right nor wrong … it's you being you!”

After briefly collecting her thoughts, Maddy continued.

“Em, Rhod – she's the same person, Ally! … When all is said and done, it's YOUR happiness and YOUR opinion that matters here – no one else's.” Maddy was on an emotional roll. She was so determined to help her friend with the advice it took her four dark years to learn for herself.

Momentarily closing her eyes, Maddy asked Ally, “Now … do you love the person? … Do you love HER? … Yes or no! … Simple question. You really can't love one without loving the other.”

Finally, Mad implored Ally, “Ally? … If the answer is ‘yes' … then for God sakes, tell her … I've been through it an' I know the pain of denial!”

Maddy's expression softened as she looked Ally straight in the eyes and stated, “There's a line in ‘our' song … Gaby's and mine … that I think says it all very nicely … ‘Search your heart … Search your soul … And when you find me there you'll search no more.”

Trying to keep the conversation at least semi-private, Maddy quietly begged her friend, “Listen your heart, girl ... not your head …”

“Thanks, Maddy … thanks a lot.” Ally's voice faded as she closed her wet eyes and hugged Maddy.

John informed the girls their ride to the salon was waiting outside, as he stood holding the front door.

“Got your ‘feather' and the girl's flowers, Maddy?” Carol asked her daughter as they were leaving.

“Gaby said to put that stuff in our after we get dressed or else they'll get ruined.” Maddy stated as she took her mum's arm and started out the door.

“Jen and I figure we'll be back around noon, so enjoy the quiet while you can”, Carol told John as she kissed him good-bye. “Oh, don't forget to that you and Dave have to deliver the girl's flowers to the church, this morning.”

das Haus der Bonds (the Bond's house)

“Rise and shine, sis … Sis? … SIS?” Jules entered Gaby's room only to find she wasn't there.

“She'll be back shortly”, Dave stated as he walked past the bedroom door.

“Back? … Where'd she go? … She's getting married today … she can't just … GO!” The sound of panic had started to creep into Jules voice. “What'm I gonna do if she doesn't come back in time to go to the salon? I'm supposed to make sure things run smoothly …” Jules voice betrayed that she was near tears.

“Sorry, Princess … I should've told you when they left, but I thought you could use the sleep.” Dave put his arms around Jules in an attempt to calm her down. He explained that her mum and sister went out for a ride a couple of hours ago and that Jenny would make sure they got back in plenty of time.

“Why today … DAM! … This isn't how it should be ... ( sniff )”

“You know a ride relaxes your sister … it always has, whenever she's been stressed or just needs time to think … and if she ever needed to ‘chill', now would be the time.” Dave softly explained as he held Jules.

“You're right … well at least I can be ready when she gets here … thanks Daddy.” Jules regained her composure and gave her dad a peck on the cheek, then proceeded to claim the bathroom as her private domain.

Poking her head out the bathroom door, Jules asked her dad, “Em up?”

“She's in our shower … should be out shortly … I told her your mother will be wanting it, when she and Gaby come back.” Dave replied.

Dave went downstairs to the kitchen to start their breakfast and to await the return of his other two girls.

A few moments later Em came into the kitchen and at Dave's invite, began to make herself a tea. Not long after Dave sat down and proceeded to enjoy his tea, he had to get up to answer the door.

“guten Morgen Kristen, girls … c'mon in. Jules is in the shower, Em's in the kitchen and Gaby should be back with her mother, shortly.” Dave stated as Gaby's bridesmaids entered the house.

“Just put all your things up in the guest room with Em's stuff, then come into the kitchen and grab some breakfast.”

As the girls went upstairs to the guest room, Dave heard his wife and daughter come through the back door and went back to see his girls.

“Good ride?” Dave asked when he saw Jen and Gaby.

“In more ways than one.” Jenny replied for both of them.

As Jenny and Gaby headed upstairs to get cleaned up, Jules was visibly relieved as they passed her in the hall. Following a quick shower, Gaby joined the rest of the bridal party in the kitchen, for a cuppa and some toast. Jenny joined them a few minutes later. After everyone had something to eat, they all got up and prepared to leave.

“Everyone ready? … Gaby? … You ready for all this?” Jules sounded serious.

“An' you're just asking me, now? … “ Gaby questioned, as they all broke out laughing.

“Gabs, got your ‘feather'?” Kristen asked.

“I'm leaving it here … it'll be better if I do myself, after I'm dressed.” Gaby replied.

“What about the flowers for our hair?” Nina questioned.

“Do them after you're dressed or you'll ruin them.” Gaby stated.

Dave answered a knock at the door, “guten Morgen … Herr Bond?”

“ein Moment bitte … Limo's here! … die Damen haben heraus Recht”. With that, the chauffer returned to his vehicle to await the arrival of the women.

As the six ladies filed past Dave and out the front door, Jenny gave him a peck on the cheek with some final instructions.

“Relax and try to stay out of trouble. We'll be back by noon-ish … and make sure you take the flowers to the church before we get back, huh?”

Der Schönheitssalon (the beauty salon)

A short time after the ladies departed the Bond and Peter residences, both limousines arrived in front of the beauty salon. Once everyone got out, they encountered a locked door and a sign in the window , “ Geschlossen für private Funktion” ( closed for private function).

“Gaby! They're clos… never mind…” Nina started to read the sign in the window.

Kat knocked on the door. After one of the staff pulled the small door curtain to one side for a look, she opened the door, admitting the twelve ladies.

Elsa, the owner of the salon, came over and apologized for the sign and the locked door but with a wedding party of twelve she decided it would be better to close for the morning else she may have not been able to accommodate everyone in one sitting.

“Who's the bride? … I'll do her first.” Elsa announced.

Maddy and Gaby simultaneously pointed at each other and trying not to laugh, said, “She is…”

“Ach, when you get old, the memory is not so good.” Recalling her prior conversation with the girls, Elsa made light of the situation.

Then she continued, “You girls wanted everybody's hair left straight, ja?”

Maddy jokingly reminded Elsa what they wanted. “Wash …trim the split ends … add highlights … leave straight … manicures and facials … did I forget anything, guys?”

Elsa had everybody take a chair and her staff started to work their magic on the girls.

“No headpieces, girls?” Elsa inquired, addressing both girls.

Gaby replied, “It's easier if we do them at home after we're dressed.”

When they all exited the salon later that morning, the limousines were waiting for them along with a small crowd of curious onlookers.

“This must look really weird to these people.” Judith commented.

“Why?” asked Em.

Judith explained, “Well … twelve women…”

“Goddesses!” interjected Nina.

Judith quickly glanced at Nina while she resumed her explanation, “… twelve GODDESSES and two stretched limos … not exactly a common sight in this town.”

Gaby added, “Hey! … If you think we have a crowd now, wait until after the wedding when we all go out the front of the church.” Then she added mainly for Em and Ally, “We'll literally be standing in a busy town square on a Saturday afternoon.”

“Yeah … but if you and Maddy wear those low necklines like at the fittings, WE won't be the one's being noticed.” Kristen playfully shot back while making a B-line for her limo.

Rückkehr zu den Peters (Return to the Peters)

When the girls started coming in, John announced than he had a light lunch prepared in the kitchen and that everyone was to eat something before anything else was done. Despite eating not being a priority, the girls finished all the sandwiches and tea John had prepared. While he cleared the table and started to wash up, the girls quickly disappeared upstairs to get ready.

“What's the rush? …You girls have plenty of time.” John stated.

“You haven't seen our dresses have you? … It's gonna take us that long to get ready.” Maddy called out as she ran upstairs. John just shook his head and went back to the task at hand.

Kat and the girls took control of the guest room to get dressed, while Maddy went to her room.

On the way past Maddy's room, Kat poked her head in.

“Give me a few moments to get dressed and I'll be in to help you, ‘kay?”

A short time later and with help from one of the other girls, Kat was dressed and returned to help Maddy. She knocked on Maddy's closed door.

“You decent?”

“No … but you're gonna come in anyway, aren'tcha?”

“Wow … you look like you stepped out of one of those Victoria Secrets thingies“, was all Kat could say as she entered the room.

Maddy, smiling as she removed her bra said, “That's for later.”

Then Maddy took a good look at Kat. “Pretty ‘wow' yourself, kid … you look really sexy … in a 16 th century kinda way.”

Then she quickly added, “When he sees you, poor Karl won't know if he's coming or going.” After which both girls broke out in a fit of giggles.

When they finally composed themselves, Maddy pointed out Kat's flower. “I love the flower in your hair, Kat ... it suits you”.

Maddy added as an afterthought, “Better make sure all the girls have their flowers firmly secured in their hair - above the right ear.” Kat left the room to pass the message along.

After she returned from checking on the others, Kat resumed helping Maddy to get ready. As she helped Maddy into her chemise, Kat paid particular attention not to muss Maddy's hair as it slipped over her head. Between the two of them, it didn't take too long to get Maddy looking as sexy as she did at the fittings.

Once Maddy was set, she sat down on her bed facing her mirror and proceeded to insert her ‘hair feather' on the left side of her head, above the ear. It was actually quiet simple – after a few lessons from Gaby.

“Where's the shield? … Have you seen it Kat?” Maddy was furiously looking all around.

“Calm down Mad … here it is.” Kat handed Maddy the shield for her ‘feather'. Once that was in place, Maddy looked much more relaxed. Next came her dream-catcher earrings.

Finally Maddy held her hair and Kat put a black velvet choker with three small feathers hanging in the front, around Maddy's neck and fastened it at the rear. A final brush to her hair and Kat declared Mad as ‘pretty as a bride'.

As Maddy posed, she seductively asked Kat, “Think she'll like?”

“Oh, yeah…”, was all Kat could say.

Suddenly in a panic, Maddy remembered the flowers as she called out for Carol. “Mummmm! ... Did you deliver my rose and the bouquets to the church or are they still here?”

“Relax, honey … your dad took them over this morning ... everything's over there.” Carol replied in a calming tone, as she reached Maddy's door. She stood in the doorway staring at her daughter for several minutes, then after a deep sigh, embraced her daughter in a tight hug.

“You look absolutely beautiful, dear.” Carol whispered in Maddy's ear.

“Thanks, Mum … you look lovely yourself.” Maddy replied and then motioning to a bag by the corner of her dresser, added, “Would you take that bag downstairs with you … it's the gifts for the girls.”

“Ok, dear … oh! …We almost forgot … your Gran's charm bracelet … It even has a blue stone on it”, Carol exclaimed. As Maddy held out her wrist for Carol, her mum let out a sigh of relief, “There, you're all ready!”

“You ready, honey?” Carol called out to John as she grabbed the bag and started towards the door.

“Waiting for you down here!” John called up the stairs.

Meanwhile Kat had checked on the progress of the other girls and ushered those who were ready, downstairs. Finally, Ann completed the bridal party and as all gathered at the base of the stairs, they watched in silence as the bride descended the staircase.

When Maddy got to the bottom of the stairs Carol handed her the bag, from which Maddy extracted a number of boxes.

“Now, the finishing touches.”

“For the Maid of Honour and the Mother-of-the-bride.” Maddy said with a certain air of ‘pomp and circumstance'.

Maddy produced a pair of earrings and a choker identical to hers, for both Kat and her mum. Both ladies put on the earrings and Maddy assisted them with their chokers.

“Und für meine Brautjunfern”

Maddy then handed each bridesmaid a box containing a pair of earrings identical to hers. Maddy watched as the girls put them on.

“Now we look like we belong together”, Kat commented.

Before they left for the waiting limo, John took several photos of Maddy and her bridal party. Even John mentioned that with everyone wearing the dream-catcher earrings, it ‘tied' the bridal party together rather nicely.

“Mark this day well dear, for you'll never see your father looking so handsome again.” Carol playful commented, as she tightly clutched one of John's arms.

The time to leave for the church came and Maddy's bridal party departed in their limousine. John and Carol followed in their own car. Like the rest of the guests, they would park in one of the town's public lots and walk to the church, while the girls got door-to-door service.

Rückkehr zu den Bonds (Return to the Bond's)

As the girls started to file through the front door, Dave's voice rang out from the kitchen.

“Lunch is not an option! …We don't need anyone passing out because of an empty, nervous stomach, do we … Gaby?”

A few moments later, Dave had served the six ladies at the kitchen table. After all had eaten and relaxed for a very few minutes, they headed upstairs to get ready, Gaby to her room, Jules to her room and Gab's team mates to the guest room.

“You coming to get ready, hon?” Jenny asked, as she was about to leave the kitchen.

“Takes you longer … go ahead … I'll be right up in a few minutes, after I wash up here.” Dave replied.

“Em? … you give me a hand so I can get in and help Gaby?” Jules asked as Em started to go with the rest of the girls. As she turned to go to Jules, Nina volunteered to help Em when she returned.

When Em entered Jules' room, she found Jules stripped down to her panties and tights, just about to lower her chemise over her head. Em helped her get it on without messing her hair and together they managed to have Jules dressed in a relatively short time. Following a quick brush of the hair, Em secured the wild flower in Jules' hair, above her left ear.

With a last minute check of the make-up, Jules went across the hall to help her sister but not before asking Em help all the girls put the flower in their hair on the left side, above the ear.

“Ready for me, Sis?” Jules asked as she entered Gaby's room. She noticed her sister was just wearing panties, nylons and a suspender belt. Gaby was just stepping into her crinoline.

“Oooooo … Maddy's gonna like that.” Jules quietly cooed.

With Jules' help, Gaby then carefully slipped her chemise over her head and as she shook it out to let it fall into place, she looked up at Jules.

Finally acknowledging her sister and pulling at her own chemise, Gaby flatly replied, “Yeah …like this would get anyone going!” That got the two sisters giggling and eased some of Gaby's nervous tension.

In a serious tone, Gaby looked at her sister and commented, “I never thought I'd say it, Sis … but you really do look lovely ... Gerhardt's gonna love it.” Jules twirled around for her sister's inspection.

Blushing, Jules replied, “Ya think? … I could get used to this ‘country maiden' look, real easy”

Then holding her breasts, Jules smugly continued, “Ye old ‘push-up' has nothing on the laced bodice … except comfort …”

“It's all relative”, Gaby replied with a straight face.

Jules's smug look changed to a devilish grin, as she looked at Gaby and said in a very serious tone of voice, “Your turn, Sis...”

After tying the wrist drawstrings on Gaby's chemise Jules lowered Gaby's frock over her head and then after smoothing down the skirt, she began the process of lacing her sister up. Before Jules tied the shoulders, she helped Gaby lower the neckline of the chemise for that seductive

off-the-shoulder look, just leaving a glimpse of cleavage for Maddy. Once that was all taken care off, Jules tightly laced the frock's bodice.

Inspecting her sister, all Jules could manage to get out before choking up, was, ” Sis…”

Gaby reached for and squeezed Jules' hand and then in an effort to re-focus her sister, Gaby simply asked, “shall we continue?” Jules managed to nod her head in reply.

Gaby held the back of her hair up as Jules fastened Gab's beaded choker around her neck.

“Something ‘borrowed' … it's the bracelet Mum wore when she got married.” Jules commented as she fastened it onto Gaby's wrist.

“We don't have anything blue … do we?” A concerned Jules asked.

“All taken care of.” Gaby replied, playfully patting her butt as she sat down on her bed facing her dressing mirror.

“Maybe it might be better if you do it, Gabs.” Jules commented as she held the rawhide string and Hawk feather that would be her sister's headpiece.

As Jules looked on, Gaby grabbed few strands of hair above her left ear and quickly braided the rawhide into the hair. Finally, she inserted the quill of the feather into the top of the braid and clipped the ‘shield' in place. She then put on her ‘feathered' earrings and with a final check of the make-up, turned to her sister.

As Jules saw Gaby start to get off the bed and with a definite feeling of déjà vu, Jules called out, “Wait … Cinderella needs her shoes!” She took Gaby's pumps off the bed then continuing to play the role of a Lady-in-Waiting, knelt down to put them on her sister's feet. “ … m'lady…”

With shoes on, Jules exclaimed, “It's ‘Showtime'!”

Gaby then stood up and gave Jules a long hug before they exited Gaby's bedroom.

“Love you, Sis.” She whispered in Jules' ear.

On the way to the stairs, they met Em as she came out of the guest room. As Jules continued on down the stairs, Gaby gave Mfawny a long hug and told her she really looked lovely and that she was going to make someone a beautiful wife, someday.

“I don't think so … no matter who I'm with I always end up thinking of Ally, but… ” Em's fading response was quiet and weak.

“I've a strong feeling things will work out between you two … give it time.” Gaby quietly comforted her childhood friend.

As Em threatened to tear up, she broke the hug and told Gaby, “You better let me go down first … you know … your Grande entrance an' all.”

Having said that, Em turned to go down the staircase leaving Gaby at the top ready to make her debut as a beautiful bride. With everyone waiting at the bottom of the stairs Gaby lifted her skirt with one hand and with the other hand on the banister, slowly and cautiously started down.

When Gaby got to the bottom of the stairs, Jules handed Gaby the bag she brought from Canada.

“Now … for Jules and Mum.”

Gaby handed both of them, a pair of earrings and a choker identical to hers. After they put on the earrings, Gaby helped them with their chokers.

“An' for my girls.”

Gaby handed each of her bridesmaids, a box containing a pair of earrings that were identical to hers. Each girl inserted her earrings before Dave picked up the camera.

“Let me get a few quick shots, before you girls get in the limo.” Dave asked .

As Jenny and Gaby posed for Dave, Gaby commented on how beautiful her mum looked and Jenny, for her part, tried to keep control of her emotions.

To be continued:

PB 03.01.07 (revised 16.02.07) © 2007

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