"OUCH! jeez niki, why so tight?" i ask as niki adjusts my dress.

"i'm hardly doing anything! i'm fixing your zipper!" niki shoots back.

"you're doing SOMETHING alright!"

"let me try," lindsay says. she stands behind me and zips up my dress fully, pulling it slightly and moving my freshly curled hair out of the way. "there! now it's perfect."

"almost perfect," amanda says, adjusting the front of my dress. she smooths it out and makes sure it's looks as good as possible.

"WHERE ARE THE FLOWERS?" paige panics.

"the bouquet?" niki asks. "right over there in the corner." she points at a table and, sure enough, my bouquet is laying on the table.

"and the veil?" caroline (amanda's girlfriend, who i've grown very close to over the past few years) asks. "do we know where that is?"

"in the same bag val's dress was in," niki answers again. she looks at me and winks.

"this is why you're my maid of honor," i say with a heavy sigh. niki giggles. "i love the dresses, by the way."

"aren't they pretty?" niki asks, showing off her red dress. "but enough about me, it's YOUR special day! aren't you excited?" niki stands behind me and rubs my shoulders enthusiastically while i look at myself in the mirror.

"i definitely look the part."

"do you not feel the part?"

"well, i-"

"valerie davis, soon to be valerie simons! don't tell me you're getting cold feet now!"

"no! absolutely not!" i groan and go to rub my eyes, but niki quickly swats my hand away, warning me not to ruin my makeup. "just nervous. that's all."

"what's there to be nervous about? you guys have been dating for what, five years? and then tommy FINALLY pops the question, you were both so excited, you couldn't even SLEEP last night you were so excited, and now you're nervous?"

"yeah. i guess." i pick at my freshly manicured finger nails (which, again, niki stops me from doing).

"tell me why you're nervous." niki pulls up a plastic chair and sits in it, then motions for me to sit in the cushioned chair in front of my vanity.

"i think..." i smooth out my dress as i sit down. "i think it's more excitement butterflies. but they feel like nerves. and they're so... prominent. it's all i can think about. i'm getting MARRIED. like..." i let out a nervous breath. niki nods slowly as she examines the engagement ring on my right hand.

"tell me how he did it again," she says. i raise an eyebrow.

"did... what?" i ask.

"proposed." i smile as i think back to that day.

"don't you remember?"

"i want to hear you say it again. you always look so happy when you tell the story." i laugh as the scene plays in my head.

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"are you JOKING?" i ask as tommy tries to focus on the road. "you rented out a whole CINEMA just for our date?"

"you never know what precautions you have to take!" tommy defends himself while laughing. "what if the fans are there?" i roll my eyes and laugh.

"i can't believe you're still making videos. it's been, what, like eight years?"

"ehh, give or take a few. isn't it amazing?"

"it sure is." i look over at tommy, and notice him squirming and fidgeting nervously.

"are you alright?" i ask. tommy lets out a snort and i sigh. "don't start singing lovejoy. i'm asking if you're OKAY."

"i'm perfectly fine, why do you ask?" tommy replies, his blue eyes darting around.

"you look nervous. and a little constipated." tommy lights swats my arm and i laugh.

"i am not constipated." even though he tries to be serious, tommy lets out a light laugh as well.

"okay, but you didn't deny being nervous." tommy grunts.

"maybe i'm just nervous because i'm taking a pretty girl to the cinema."

"we've been on many dates in the past five years, tommy."

"so what? that doesn't make you any less pretty." i try to hold back a smile.

"flattery won't get you anywhere, simons."

"ehh..."

"enough side conversation. come on, why are you nervous?" tommy puts a smug look on his face.

"try as you might, valerie, you won't get an answer out of me. because i am not nervous." i cross my arms and sigh.

"fine. i'll drop it for now. but i'll get it out of you somehow."

"whatever helps you sleep at night."

after the car ride, we get to the cinema. tommy motions for me to go inside while he buys the popcorn. i comply and go to enter our theater, and was greeted with rose petals on the floor inside our theater.

"what the hell..?" i mutter to myself. i sit in the middle, only because tommy specifically asked to go in the middle. which doesn't make much sense to me, considering we always sit in the back.

tommy walks in not too long after me with popcorn, slushies, and candy.

"holy- wow," i say as tommy sits down.

"here you go," he says as he hands me a pack of skittles.

"skittles are my-"

"favorite," tommy finishes for me. "of course. i know that. i'd be an awful boyfriend if i didn't." he smiles at me as he then hands me my cherry slushy (and no, it's not what you're thinking. he also got cherry).

the movie starts, and turns out it's pride and prejudice. my eyes widen, considering tommy didn't tell me what movie we were going to watch. i turn to him with sparkling eyes and he laughs.

"you like this movie?" he asks.

"i've never seen it!" i reply happily. "but i've always wanted to!"

"today's your lucky day, then."

we watch majority of the movie in silence, occasionally exchanging words about the film.

finally, the ending scene comes, and i almost shed a tear. right before the proposal part in the movie, tommy lets out a long sigh and starts bouncing his leg.

"are you good?" i ask, tearing my eyes away from the screen.

tommy rolls his head and inhales sharply. he quickly stands up and moves to the aisle, on the left side of me. the movie screen slowly fades to black.

"what in the world-" i ask, standing up and looking around.

"valerie," tommy says abruptly. i turn to tommy and see him on one knee.

oh my god.

"tommy?" i question quietly.

"i love you. a lot. in case you didn't know. in case i don't say it enough. i love you very much. and these past five years have been the best years of my entire life. you came into my life through a stupid online bachelor show and blew me away from the beginning. your kindness, generosity, humor even, never fail to amaze me. YOU never fail to amaze me." tommy takes a few deep breaths. my heart starts racing, beating at least 100 times per second.

"valerie amelie davis, i promise to love you, take care of you, and cherish you until the end of time. would you do me-" tommy pauses for a second, feeling his pocket. "uh, one second." i laugh and tears fall from my eyes. happy tears, of course.

"where in the lord's name-" fear starts picking up in tommy's voice as he feels his pockets.

suddenly, none other than wilbur soot comes bursting through the doors.

i don't remember taking any drugs, but i have to be tripping right now.

"YOU IDIOT!" wilbur shouts at tommy, holding a small box. "YOU LEFT THIS AT MY HOUSE! DID YOU NOT DOUBLE CHECK YOUR POCKETS AFTER LEAVING?"

"shit..." tommy mutters quietly, laughing. wilbur walks slightly closer and tosses him the box. tommy catches it and motions wilbur to leave.

"i thought i told you to wear the navy collared shirt," wilbur says, refusing to move. "dark green still looks good, though-"

"wilbur," tommy says bluntly. "you're a real one for bringing this for me, but i'm sorta in the middle of something here. is that cool, pal?"

"oh yeah. i forgot. have fun." wilbur leaves the theater and i turn back to tommy, my face still streaked with tears.

"was that a fever dream?" i ask with light laughter.

"i wish it was. now, what was i saying... oh! of course. valerie davis, would you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming valerie simons?" tommy opens the box and a beautiful ring shines in the dim theater lights. i sniff as tears start falling again and i nod.

"of course... yes..." i say happily. tommy smiles and stands up to hug me. he kisses me gently before sliding the ring on my finger.

"FUCK YEAH TOMAS!" the speakers in the theater blast. "DAMN RIGHT MY MAN!" my eyes widen.

"was that-?"

suddenly, the door bursts open. alex, wilbur, tubbo, niki, george, clay, karl, and nick all barrel in. a few of them are carrying balloons, a few have streamers, they all have confetti poppers, and they all start yelling at the same time.

"CONGRATULATIONS!" i can make out karl saying.

"wilbur, you almost ruined the whole thing!" niki scolds.

"was the thing on the speaker REALLY neccessary?" nick asks.

"it added some spice!" alex defends.

all i can do is stand there in shock. of course i've reunited with my friends many times over the years, but this is the first time in five years we're all in the same room together. i almost start crying again at the sight of all my best friends with me again.

"YAY NEWLY WEDS!" tubbo shouts as he runs over to hug me.

"they're not married yet, tubbo-" george attempts to point out. clay shushes him very quickly, claiming it was "sweet."

we all catch up, tommy and i are congratulated, and soon we all realize we're starving (even though tommy and i ate a bunch of candy and popcorn).

"dinner's on wilbur," tommy says.

"why me?" wilbur asks.

"because you almost RUINED EVERYTHING!"

"i didn't ruin anything! i made it memorable. don't you agree, val?"

"it definitely caught me off guard. it was great, though," i reply. wilbur puts a smug look on his face, as if saying "i told you so."

"she said it, not me. and anyway, we wouldn't have HAD THAT moment if you didn't FORGET THE DAMN RING!" tommy scratches the back of his head awkwardly.

"how DID you forget the ring?" niki asks.

"i don't know!" tommy defends. "i was asking wilbur for reassurance, i was so frazzled, and i just-"

"reassurance for what?" alex asks. "did you think val was gonna say NO?" he laughs loudly and tommy's face turns red.

"i was just nervous, i guess!"

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"and then we all had that little engagement party at our old airbnb, the lot of us hung out for a few weeks just like old times, and now we're here," i say, finishing the story. i let out a long breath. "feels like just yesterday, doesn't it? and we're already here." niki nods and smiles while remembering those special days months ago.

"and now it's your big day," niki says cheerfully. i look next to me to see my other bridesmaids listening closely, surely catching the story i told a few minutes ago. i grin.

"it is."

a quick knock is heard on the door before tubbo and wilbur poke their heads inside.

"it's almost time, we need the brides- woah," wilbur says. his eyes are drawn to me and his eyes go wide. "it's like seeing my little sister all grown up." he takes my hand and twirls me, my dress flowing as i spin.

"you look pretty, valerie!" tubbo exclaims. "i doubt tommy's going to remember his vows." i laugh.

"thank you guys. you all better go," i say, looking at the bridesmaids and maid of honor. they nod and briskly head out.

"can't keep your man waiting," lindsay whispers in my ear as she walks out. i laugh and shake my head, ushering her out.

her and i have been talking a lot throughout these past years. though there's an ocean between us, we were able to work out our differences and make up. i've made sure to keep her updated on my relationship and work life (both in the bakery and streaming) and she's kept me updated on herself and american life.

it feels good to have lindsay back in my life, but even while we're friends again, i chose niki to be my maid of honor. though i've known lindsay longer, i feel like niki and i are closer. she's like my older sister, truthfully. i always go to her for advice, reassurance, anything really.

i'm quickly snapped out of my trance by yet another sharp rap on my door.

"come in," i mutter. i watch as my dad enters the room, eyes puffy. as if he's been crying. and i've never seen my dad cry.

"jeez, valerie," he mutters, a lump in his throat. "why'd you have to grow up so quickly?" he takes my right hand and looks at my engagement ring.

"and he's good to you?" my dad questions.

"dad!" i say. i quickly get myself back together. "very good. he's very kind. you've met him a few times. don't you remember?"

"i remember the first time i met him VERY vividly." i chuckle, thinking back to that day.

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"this isn't good enough," tommy mutters, attempt to fix his tie. "what if they don't like me?"

"are you crazy?" i ask, moving in front of tommy to fix his tie for him. "they'll love you. just don't talk about blowing up nations or anything like that. then they'll be concerned." tommy lets out one of his signature laughs and reaches for his suit jacket. i grab his arm and shake my head.

"we're going to dinner, nothing else. my dad will probably be in a t-shirt and jeans. you look fine."

"are you sure?"

"positive."

"alright then. let's go."

tommy and i get in the car and make the half hour car drive to a restaurant. my mom and dad have both flown out to brighton to visit me and meet tommy, and tommy could not be more terrified. we arrive at the restaurant and tommy starts bouncing in his seat.

"i should've brought the jacket," he says, tapping his hand on his knee rapidly.

"it looked very nice, tommy, but it was unnecessary," i reassure him. "i promise, what you're wearing is perfect."

"not true. you look so much nicer than me." he points at my royal blue dress and i sigh. i open my mouth to speak, but tommy starts talking again.

"is the matching tie too much? what if he thinks i'm copying you?"

"a lot of people color coordinate matching outfits-"

"what if your parents show up and they look perf-"

"tommy!" i shout loudly. he blinks a few times and then looks at me. "you look FINE. better than fine. you look very nice. you look perfect. please don't worry anymore." tommy inhales slowly and nods.

after a few minutes, tommy gets out of the car quickly and dashes to my side of the car to open my door. i laugh quietly.

"they can't see you right now, you know," i say.

"i'm simply being a gentleman," tommy responds smugly. "as per usual."

"now you sound like the tommy i know."

we enter the restaurant and my dad waves us over (earning a lot of curse words from tommy under his breath and saying "we should've left earlier"). i pull him over to the table and quickly hug my parents, tommy giving both of them a firm handshake.

might i add that wilbur had to give him handshake lessons? yeah. i think they paid off, though.

"so you're tommy," my dad says. "we've heard a lot about you."

"all good things," my mom reassures when she sees the look of panic on tommy's face.

"uh, yes. that's me. i'm tommy. nice to meet you," tommy says awkwardly.

"you're treating our daughter well?" my dad asks.

"dad!" i snap. "don't scare him!"

"i'm just asking. i have to make sure he's perfect for my valerie."

"of course he is. i wouldn't be with him if he wasn't. you know that."

"ah yes. have you gotten a load of her backbone yet?" he turns to tommy.

"her, um, what?" tommy asks, slightly choking on his drink.

"her stubbornness, in other words."

"oh!" tommy laughs, finally loosening up a little. "many times." his eyes go wide and he quickly adds "it's not bad though!"

"it can be bad." my dad chuckles.

"okay, you're supposed to be meeting each other, not bonding over this," i groan.

"well then, you two clean up nicely. you both look very nice tonight," my mom says, thankfully changing the topic of conversation.

"thank you! i told you you were fine." tommy shakes his head.

"it was a nice coat, though."

we spend the rest of the night talking, my dad interrogating tommy (which tommy learns to handle pretty well), and at the end of the night my parents both approve of him.

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"he was a charming young man," my dad says. "rather peculiar sometimes, but charming. i think that made him perfect for you."

"he is," i say with a nod.

"hm?"

"he is perfect for me." my dad smiles.

"well i suppose you wouldn't be getting married to him if he wasn't." the wedding music starts to play and i inhale sharply.

"nervous?" my dad asks, looking down at me. he fixes one of my curls for me.

"terrified," i reply. "excited, but i also want to dig myself into a hole."

"don't be terrified. after this is over you're gonna look back and remember this as one of the happiest days of your life. it's just scary in the moment." my dad holds his arm out for me. "shall we?"

i take his arm.

"we shall."

the two of us wait until all the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk out (wilbur gives me a little pep talk before he leaves with niki on his arm).

moonlight, me and tommy's husky, also walks out. she has a mat with two rings on her back and a basket of rose petals in her mouth. she's doing an awful job at throwing the rose petals, so george and alex trail behind her and throw their own for her before standing with the groomsmen.

then finally, the aisle clears and i can see tommy at the end. though he's far away, i can see his smile grow wide when he sees me.

my dad and i slowly walk down the aisle, though it doesn't feel like i'm walking. the butterflies in my stomach are so violent it feels like i'm floating. i can't feel any part of my body and if my dad wasn't holding me i'm sure i would've collapased.

my mind starts dashing all over the place. i end up thinking about our minecraft date, our "first date" together.

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"HEY GUYS!" tubbo screams once he joins the call.

"hi tubbo, want to spy on tommy on his date with me?" wilbur asks.

"oh, you know i'd love to. where are you guys?"

"we're at the massive house. the only building here. where else would we be?"

"in the end, in a mine, at the nether... there are lots of places, wilbur."

"whatever. just get over here."

tubbo walks over, his innocent looking character right next to me.

"hello!" he says cheerfully.

"hi there," i say giggling. "your skin looks really familiar..."

"it's tweek! from south park!"

"oh that's cute!"

tubbo walks up to the second floor of the house and lets out a gasp.