AUGUST || Bucky Barnes x OC

37

"Come on! we have to celebrate, are you kidding?" Sophie insisted, flailing her arms all over the place, almost knocking over her mimosa.

"Guys..seriously, it's not that important to me. We already have so much to celebrate these coming weeks. I really don't want to add an extra day of planning" Valerie explained, her chin resting in her hand as she tried to ignore all the torn looks from the girls around the table.

"Blasphemy. We're celebrating your birthday, Val. And that's that." MJ took a long sip of her iced tea.

Wanda nodded in agreement and lifted her own glass to clink it to Valerie's, which was still on the table.

The summer heat was really doing its work the closer to August it got. There had barely been any rainy days at all these past few months.

"What do you wanna do for your bachelorette party, Soph?" Valerie tried to change the subject.

"Uhm..I haven't really given it much thought." She shrugged, lifted her sunglasses into her hair.

"That's the point, Sophie! You're not supposed to. That's our job. We just gotta know if we're allowed to embarrass you or not" Wanda gave her a playful wink.

"I guess...don't embarrass me too much?" She looked like she was wincing at the possibilities.

"Duly noted. Lots of embarrassment!" MJ raised her glass and they all laughed.

The previous week and a half had been full of wedding preparations. As Valerie had been upgraded to maid of honor, she took her role in helping to execute the vision very seriously. Her and aunt Jen had attended every single meeting, and in some cases even set them up with the right people to make things easier for Sophie. "Trust me...people love getting married in Bladesville...we got enough flower shops, catering services and all that jazz to help you plan 2 more weddings, at least. But we hope it's just the one, of course!" Aunt Jen had teased.

As soon as they were done with breakfast they headed off to the dress store. Sophie had already chosen out a selection of 3, now it was time for the final decision. Valerie's mother and aunt Jen had agreed to meet them there. As they had set up the date for Sophie's wedding dress try on, they had also set up the rest of the day for MJ's wedding dress try on, which they had all managed to keep a secret.

As soon as they arrived they were served with complimentary champagne. The boutique was absolutely stunning, and the most popular one in the entire county, not to mention the most expensive.

Everyone besides Sophie took a seat on the long couch, accompanied by a few futons on each side so that everyone could get a good view of the show. When Sophie stepped out in the first dress, Valerie's mother began to cry.

"You look like an angel!" She managed between sniffles. Valerie rolled her eyes at her dramatic expression, trying to push away the slight bubbling feeling of jealousy; knowing her mother had never been so engaged and supportive of anything when it came to her.

The second dress was also very beautiful, but it got a 50/50 reaction from the room.

The final and third dress took the longest to put on, but as soon as Sophie stepped out they all gasped. Valerie and her mother actually grabbed each other in pure reflex, and then pulled away from each other just as quickly once they realized.

"I think this is it..." She beamed, twirling around the little platform she was standing on.

"Yes! Absolutely, yes!" Wanda was holding back tears.

"I think we have a winner!" Aunt Jen raised her champagne glass.

The rest of the room agreed, and Valerie's mother started to cry again. Slowly they all walked up to the bride-to-be, getting a closer look at the dress and watching her spin until she was dizzy.