Ali wasn't quite sure what to expect when Nora pulled up outside of a community hall in the heart of Manchester. Though, it certainly hadn't been this. The bricks were crumbling beneath the yellow insulation plaster, that looked as if a three year old had been given the task. The red roof was dull, and the lull of classical music was the only hint that there were people inside. It was a terrible location for a wedding. And yet...Ali didn't hate it. 

"They wanted the church but apparently everyone wants to get married now that we're well and truly past the virus," Nora claimed, having made no movement to release herself from her seat. Instead, she just stared ahead, her eyes narrowing on the guests that arrived, and she noticeably hunched, likely wishing to remain obscured for a moment longer, when those who were familiar came into view.

"Shall we get going?" Ali proposed and though she nodded, once more she remained still. This was a bigger deal to her, than he had realised but Ali was patient, and he was in no rush to join the growing crowd inside. The thought alone made his palms sticky with sweat, and he quickly refuted his distaste, with an extra layer of hand sanitiser as Nora sighed, finally releasing the wheel, as she relayed what was on her mind.

"Honestly, I'm not quite sure why I'm so worried to go in," She confessed, "It's not like people don't know me in there, heck even my mum and step-dad have been invited," Ali must have probed further with his expression as she groaned, squashing her curls as she leaned back on her seat, before adding, "My parents remained really good friends after they split up. Like creepily close, and I can't say if I know they did it for me, or if they are just weird people but my dad gave my mum away at her wedding, and we've done Christmas, Easter and the mother/father days together, regardless of where they were in their lives, ever since."

"That's...mature," Ali labelled and she snorted, nodding her agreement, with a brightened grin.

"It is, isn't it," She laughed, "but I think it's harder...or least it was for me. Seeing my parents happy with one another, and truly friendly, their divorce just didn't make any sense."

"So would you have preferred for them to have split and never speak to one another again?" Ali asked, his curiosity well and truly peaked. He wasn't about to relay his own truth, but to hear Nora explain that there is no single way a child can escape divorce unscathed...it unsettled him.

"I don't know what I would have preferred," she sighed, "but it's not like I had any choice in the matter, and well...it could have been worse." 

Ali only stared. 

"Alright," she exhaled once more, " Let's go, I'll bet my next packet of crisps my mother will be hovering by the door; probably praying that I'll come, and is on the look out,"

"You didn't tell her you were coming?" Ali asked, and she shook her head, brushing her bangs out of her eyes, as she took Barbie's key out of the ignition and slid out of her seat, giving Ali no choice but to mirror her actions.

"I wasn't sure if I would actually come," She expressed, holding out an elbow for him to link arms with. Ali didn't exactly want to hold her arm, but he took a deep breath and committed to the action, quickly realising that Nora was seeking his support, and not the other way around.
She took her own audible breath, before taking the first step to join the throngs of people entering the hall, which to Ali's surprise, had been decorated beautifully.

 A white cloth covered the floor, concealing the old school hall tiles he knew were laid beneath, and pews were adorned with fake ivy and lights. A table without a cake stood to the side, and an archway where the bride and groom would declare their vows, stood at the front. Compared to the large Indian wedding Ali had had of his own thirty years ago, this was far more simpler...and yet perfect.

"Nora!" Her name was called by a woman dressed in a plum, shoulder-less grown and immediately she released Ali's arm, and jumped into the callers arms. Their squeals were quickly gather the attention of the elders, but it was clear they neither of them cared as they expressed their glee. 

"Millie!" Nora grinned, "It's so lovely to see you! I didn't know you were coming,"

The second woman was almost a replica of his companion. Aside from her blonde toned hair, Millie mirrored Nora's height, facial features and a glint in her eye that screamed mischievious.  Had Ali not been alone with Nora, than there was no way he would choose to stand between the two- goodness knows what they get up to. 

'Likewise," Millie, grinned, "But I am so glad to see you, your dad has been on eggshells all day wondering whether you'd make it, he'll be so happy to know you're here,"

"Well I made it," she smiled as Millie's eyes landed on Ali, causing him to freeze, and offer an awkward, polite smile. "Millie, this is Ali, my comraderie, and Ali this is my cousin and savior at family reunions, Millie," They shook hands and Ali quickly offered to get drinks, gaining enthusiastic nods as he left the cousins to reconnect.

***

"So who is your friend?" Millie asked as they moved to the side, to avoid being caught in a stampede of people arriving late. "Because if you've decided to make some crazy decisions around elder men then---"

"Ewww!" Nora quickly interrupted the terrifying thought  with a shake of disapproval. Thankfully Ali had excused himself to get some drinks, leaving the cousins to talk. And Ali certainly would not have wanted to hear Millie's suggestion. 

"Just stop right there," She pleased. "Ali is a friend of mine, and we have been travelling," The raised eye brow was a very clear indication that Millie wanted to hear more and Nora had her own questions.

It had been almost a year since the pair had seen one another, as a result of the pandemic, and Nora had plenty of queries; particularly in regards to the man smiling just within sight, that caused her cousin to audibly swoon. Had it been anyone else, Nora would have been annoyed, but she could be uncharacteristically forgiving for Millie. And this fine gentleman wasn't just looking to pick up a random person at the bar, no...his eyes were only for Millie as soon she was in sight. It was Carl Richardson from their reception class, it was about time the pair finally confessed their feelings. 

"Nora," Her name was re-called, interrupting her thoughts immediately, and this time  she stiffened, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand on edge, as she turned, and revealed a small smile.

"Mama!" Nora greeted. Her mother had donned a plum dress, similar to Millie's, only hers was a halter neck and exposed more than Nora would have thought acceptable for a woman in her mid-fifties, but what else would someone wear to their ex-husband's wedding? She didn't doubt that Arlo, her step-father would have also spruced up for the occasion, not that he needed to prove anything. After a teen-hood filled with their highly inappropriate affection, Nora knew that her mother and step-father had a relationship that rivalled any she'd had in the past. As did Leah and her father, and today they would be confirming that love in front of her entire family.

"I'm so glad you were able to come," The reflection of what Nora would look like in twenty-five hours, with a thick Spanish accent, grinned. "You father will be so happy, have you seen him yet?"

"No, I only just came," Nora expressed as her mother's jaw stiffened. It had minimal change to her mother's overall countenance, but she noticed the difference and it forced her to gulp. "I was just on my way actually," She added, and this time, Anita nodded, latching on to her wrist to pull her in the direction of the doors, that the bridegroom was likely to enter from. "Did you have to wear trainers?" Anita added, and Nora knew better than to answer. Where was Ali and her drink, when she needed it? Better yet, when could she go back to her Airbnb and scoff down a packet of her beloved ready salted crisps?

The man standing before the mirror looked exactly the same as he did, the last time Nora had seen him on Christmas Day, four months ago. His stomach was slightly rounder, likely from the beer he enjoyed a little too much, and there were only a few more silver hairs that contributed to his silver-fox look, but for the most part, Miguel Torres, looked the same. He was tightening his tie when they entered the room, and her mother immediately leaped to offer his aid.

"You've never been able to do your tie," She chastised as Nora bit her lip, standing awkwardly in the moment as her mother smoothed the silk of his blazer, before nodding her approval.

"You look great papa," Nora piped in, choosing to escape her awkwardness by invoking her own tension, by gaining their attention.

"You came?" He asked, stepping towards her, and she nodded, stiffening when Miguel wrapped her in his tight embrace. She could hear her mother sniffling, though she was too short to see over her father's shoulder, and guilt clenched her stomach, as she finally raised her arms. Nora couldn't even remember the last time she had hugged her father, but now that she was here, and she could see just how much it meant to her parents, she could finally concede that she was wrong. 

"I'm here," she grinned, "I've been travelling, so I didn't get the memo about the colour scheme and my shoes..."

"As if you'd have worn heels anyway," he grinned, pulling back to admire her clothes, "You look beautiful, and I couldn't be happier, I really wanted you to come,"

"I'm glad I did," Nora returned honestly, as her mother cleared her throat, reminding them of her presence.

"We have five minutes," She warned, "Miguel, if you could talk to Nora, I'll arrange everything in the hall," he nodded as Nora frowned, waiting for her mum to depart the room before she returned her attention to her papa.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" The look Nora received was not one she appreciated in the slightest, she needed a packet of ready salted crisps the moment her father released her from his clutches, and a drink of the alcoholic variety wouldn't be harmful either!

***
Ali had been dragged by Nora's cousin, Millie to a seat in the middle of the venue. He was currently in between a old man who was half asleep, and two other girls that had dressed in the same plum colour that Millie had worn. A quick glance at the hall hinted that a colour scheme had been organised, and a bubble of sympathy appeared as he realised Nora hadn't received the memo. Or perhaps she had, and really hadn't considered whether she would be attending the wedding, until this morning.

His thoughts were halted as the music began, and glanced around the hall in search for his friend, as a couple walked through the space allocated between the pews. The woman was the spitting image of Nora, and it didn't take him long to acknowledge that she was her mother, and the man walking beside her, was her step-father. Though today her mother was smiling, Ali could see why Nora avoided her calls; her naturally raised eyebrows could be frightening should the circumstances permit it.

A second couple arrived, likely Nora's grandparents then walked behind, as a familiar man...her brother Leo and possibly his wife also trailed behind. Leo had the same smile that Nora wore when she was genuinely happy...and most often that was when she was inhaling a packet of crisps, and it was surreal for Ali to meet the family at such an expected yet personal occasions.

Finally, the groom, and a familiar girl who couldn't have looked more frightened arrived. Her red dress stood out from the sea of purple, but the smile that lined Nora's lips was genuine, and she cast it in his direction, as he offered an encouraging thumbs up. It must have taken guts to walk the aisle with her father, and he could see how much it meant to the pair of them, as he kissed her hand, and she took her space behind him at the make-shift alter.

The music changed to introduce the ceremony, and Ali politely paid attention as vows were shared and they were pronounced 'man and wife'. It was a simple service conducted by Leo, but Nora hadn't stopped smiling. In the week he'd known her, she'd been utterly carefree, but this was different and he was glad to be a witness to that. She looked whole.

Dinner was announced soon after, and the guests were led through one of the doors were a buffet had been arranged. Thankfully, Nora had found him in the crowd, and she was quick to claim that she would be his company for the rest of the night, which was a massive relief. Ali couldn't have felt more out of place with all of these strangers, who incorporated Spanish for every second word, he didn't have a clue on what they were saying.

"Shall we get some food, and then we can make the rounds and head back?" She offered as they neared the buffet and he frowned in surprise. "What?"

"Don't you want to stay?"

"I don't really know what else to do," She confessed as small sound of humour released from his nose.

"That's exactly the point of a wedding,"
Nora raised a brow and he sighed, gesturing for her to pick up a plate. Thankfully they were still warm from the dishwasher, and he followed her along the table, selecting some fish cakes and pasta, a weird combination but thankfully kept far away from the meat so that it wasn't a concern.

"I have a lot of cousins," He explained, "and though our weddings are slightly different, culture wise, the thing they have in common is standing idle, unsure of what to do but being happy to be there in the moment,"

"You don't seem the type to enjoy weddings," She noted suspiciously as he harrumphed in agreement.

"Usually they are are a source of hell, but you do your part and you don't regret it," he shrugged, as they moved to an unoccupied table towards the back.

"Well, when the dancing starts, I'm sure you'll change your mind," She teased, spooning her first bite into her mouth as Millie arrived, to join them at their table.

Surprisingly to Ali, Millie was the sort of person he couldn't imagine Nora being amicable with, let alone truly friends. They conversed as if they were two souls who had finally reconnected, and they did well to keep Ali updated as they reminisced and shared stories.

Leo had also appeared to greet the pair, along with his wife Jeanie. Nora' sister-in-law, was also an entirely different species compared to herself, and it was evident the most the pair held in common was her brother. Still, Nora remained polite and asked about the baby that was clearly due any day now, and Jeanie was happy to discuss the cot she had single-handedly built, with little concern to the fact the topic was boring. But she continued, and the small grin that Nora directed his way was cheeky enough to cause him to laugh.

Fortunately, if that was the correct word. a shriek from the other side of the hall, sounded, halting their conversation and prevented him from being caught,  as they each turned their heads.

"Excuse me," Nora frowned, sliding out of the table to see her...step-mother, that would take a while to get used to, pointing to the empty table, her expression filled with distraught.

"What's wrong?" She asked and her mother offered a sad smile,

"The cake never came," she sighed, "we hadn't noticed until Miguel's suggested we do the cake cutting,"

"Well is it too late to pop to Asda?" Nora suggested and her mother, step-mum, brother and paternal figures paused to glance her way.

"Leah's allergic to eggs," her father reminded. "And she was really looking forward to the cake,"

Nora eyed the four adults before her. She could see the silent plea in her parents eyes, Arlo's passive indifference, though she didn't doubt he tried to have good intentions and Leah's desperation. Based on the weight she had lost, it was likely her stepmother hadn't consumed a mouthful of cake since Christmas. Her distraught was likely linked to how long she had pined and dreamed about this cake and for a moment Nora could relate. The one time she had dieted had resulted in her buoying an entire month's supply of sweet treats, and Leo had found her covered in wrappers.

Leah deserved this cake and after moment's thought, she took on the challenge. "I'll do it," she decided, "it can't be anything fancy because of the time, but I'll make it,"

Nora had never seen such love in her parent's eyes, and then she was dragged to the kitchen, her mother's heels dividing the crowd as they began to search for ingredients.