WHO: Chelsea Corner, Imogen Montague. WHAT: Imogen has a question for Chelsea. WHEN: Sunday, 7 January. WHERE: BGC flat, Tinworth. WARNINGS: None.
"So, about the other day, when I said I wanted to ask you something in person…" Imogen began. A block of chocolate (from Rosier's, though she wasn't planning on telling Baz that) lay between them on the kitchen counter of Chelsea's shared Tinworth flat.
Imogen wasn't entirely sure why she was nervous, it wasn't like she was expecting Chelsea to say no, but there was a part of her that wondered what her friends thought of the whole upcoming ceremony. It was so unlike her to agree to something so rushed, so unlike Gilbert, who had taken an extra two months to decide he was sure enough to say 'I love you' back to her.
"As long as you aren't trying to get me to plan your wedding, I'm all ears," Chelsea joked. "I think I'm too busy to take on that project, although it'd be fun to do it." She'd never planned a wedding before, but it involved a lot of things she enjoyed, namely planning and organizing.
"Oh, don't worry, Gilbert's Mum and I have almost got that sorted." It was somewhat overwhelming how quickly Mary-Ellen had come up with arrangements, but Imogen wasn't complaining. The important part wasn't how perfect the catering was going to be, or the table arrangements, just that the ceremony happened. Preferably without a security breach (a quick flash of guilt stirred in Imogen's gut as she thought briefly of Graham, who didn't yet know and wouldn't know, if all went well). "But maybe the bachelorette party?"
"I've never planned one of those, but I'm sure there's helpful guides on the Winternet about how to do it." Chelsea paused to think about it some more. "You don't want this to be something big, do you?"
"God no," Imogen breathed a sigh of relief. "Just small. You know, us, Gwen, Adrestia. Who else are we friends with? Also -- wouldyoubemymaidofhonour?"
Although Imogen had rushed through her words, Chelsea, through a little confusion, understood the gist of it. She smiled at her and asked, "Are you sure? I'd love to, but it's a big decision!" Not, probably, as big as deciding to get married, but still up there.
"Of course! I mean, who else would I ask?" In truth, Imogen had fretted about the decision before making it. She hadn't ever had a singular best-friend throughout Hogwarts, which hadn't mattered much, because her Ravenclaw cohort had been such a cohesive group. And the person that had ended up becoming her best friend she was marrying in two weeks. The thought struck an anxious chord; she pressed her nails into the palms of her hands until she felt the sharp pricks of pain. "No one else in 08 makes better sock puppet shows," she added warmly. "Or has been kinder, and more supportive than you."
Chelsea blushed over Imogen's words and tried to wave them off with a wave of her hand. "Well, I'm really honored," she said, sincerely, and with a little of bit of excitement already creeping into her voice, "and I'll do my best to do all the maid of honor things that need to be done."
Imogen grinned -- before it faltered as the internal panic grew stronger still. "This is crazy, right?"
"A little," Chelsea had to admit, but before Imogen could take it the wrong way, she added, "but in a good way. Like, I can't believe you guys are getting married! We're going to have two married couples in the group!"
"Yeah. At least there are no kids involved?"
"That you know of," she teased, before turning serious. "But really, it's a good thing. I'm glad you're getting married. You should have something good happen to you." What with everything else that had been happening, Chelsea thought that Imogen deserved to have something go right for her.
Imogen chewed her lip and touched her stomach unconsciously with a furrowed brow. "Don't even joke. I can't imagine having a kid in a war. I have no idea how Owen is coping with it."
Chelsea raised her hands up in surrender. "We won't mention the child word from here on out." Her amused smile turned into a slight frown. "But I don't know either. He just does his best. Just like you guys do and all of us." Shaking her head, she managed to bring her smile back. "Let's focus on the wedding stuff though."
And this, Imogen thought as she smiled and broke off another piece of chocolate, was why she'd asked Chelsea.