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“Okay, all done! How does that look?”
Wooyoung spun the chair to face the mirror and gave your hair one last pass with the hairspray. He set the can down, admiring his handiwork as you stared at your reflection in the mirror, mouth falling open in surprise. He had done your hair in an elegant style, complete with tiny pearls and navy blue gems to match your wedding colors.
“Woo, it’s perfect. I just... wow. You're the best."
“I’m glad you think so.” He gave you a tiny squeeze before he removed the cape from around your neck and hung it up on a hook next to the mirror. “You look beautiful. I think this style looks incredible on you too… though if you do want to keep experimenting more, we can. We still have a few days to decide!” He winked at you.
God. Just four. Four days.
Four whole days until you walked down the aisle and finally married Mingi. The two of you had decided to wait a year before you said your I do’s, partially because of logistics— but mostly because both of you thought it exceptionally fitting to have a Christmas wedding. It made the most sense. You’d met at Christmas (almost). Gotten engaged at Christmas. It was a no-brainer.
“I think it’s great, Woo. I really do.” You looked at yourself again, trying to imagine how it would be with your dress on and in full makeup. You knew Mingi would love it.
“Awesome! So, listen... I made an appointment for us on Friday for mani-pedis. Yeosangie and Hwa are coming too. I didn’t think you’d mind the extra company. I know you've been stressed lately and I figured you could use a bit of time to unwind before the big day.”
“Oh, that sounds awesome.”
You were laughing internally at how far off the traditional path things were for this wedding. Then again, you were kind of working with what you had. To your complete dismay, everyone you’d asked about being a bridesmaid had respectfully declined, stating they couldn’t swing the expense, especially at that time of year. Each of them tried to reassure you that it wasn’t that they weren’t happy for you or didn’t support you. You understood, and assured them they’d still be invited, of course.
You were still a bit sad about it. Your wedding party had already been unconventional by that point though, so you supposed it was just as well. You’d asked Yeosang to be your man of honor, having grown exceptionally close to him since you’d met. The words had scarcely left your mouth before your friend had flushed bright red at the idea of being given such an important title, and he’d enthusiastically agreed. Naturally, Hongjoong was to be Mingi’s best man.
For simplicity’s sake, after those decisions had been made, you and Mingi had opted to leave it at that. Everyone else was content either way, and they had all been more than willing to help out in other ways. Wooyoung had, of course, immediately volunteered to do hair and makeup. Seonghwa had stepped up asking to be your wedding planner, and Jongho had offered to be in charge of music. San had pulled some strings in the bakery he worked for, getting you a great discount on the cake— which later devolved into cupcakes once Mingi couldn't choose between the top five cake varieties he liked most.
As for the officiant, Yunho had volunteered immediately, and spent many hours making sure all of the legal requirements were met. Mingi had accepted his offer, on the condition that Yunho not say anything embarrassing during the ceremony.
“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” Yunho had laughed. “We’re going to save that for the toasts at the reception!”
The entire wedding had come together mostly without a hitch. It was going to be a smaller ceremony— aside from yours and Mingi's in town friends, you had only invited a few more people you’d gone to college and stayed close with, and Mingi had invited his family, a good number of whom were coming. You had opted to exclude your own family, having had quite enough of their antics and drama in recent years to last you the rest of the foreseeable future. You hadn’t even breathed a word of your engagement to them, choosing to create new social media accounts to chronicle your new adventures instead, and since you'd moved early in the year, none of them had your new address. You continued to ignore phone calls and texts, blocking numbers whenever someone else decided to try and do your mother's dirty work.
“Hey hon, you keep zoning,” Woo snapped his fingers, startling you. “Don’t you have to meet Hwa and Jongho at the venue?”
“Oh shit,” you mumbled, checking your watch. “Yeah, I do. And then I have to go for my final dress fitting.”
“Okay, lovely. Text me if you need anything, okay?” Woo gave you a quick peck on the cheek. You pulled on your coat, and he walked you to the door.
“Four more days!” He called out as you got in your car. You grinned at him.
Four more days until I'm Mrs. Song.
You hurried to the venue, a moderately sized private club downtown that was very popular for events. Seonghwa and Jongho were standing outside, shivering slightly as snow flurries blew by.
“You’re late,” Jongho laughed. "We almost thought you forgot about us."
“Look. It’s not my fault. I hit every damn red light once I got off the freeway.”
“You are like a red light magnet,” Seonghwa giggled. “Which deity did you piss off to earn that one?”
“I haven’t the foggiest—” You stopped speaking as you heard a familiar voice shouting your name. You turned to see your mother across the street, waving at you. “Oh. Oh shit. That’s my mom. Come on, let’s go inside!”
As Seonghwa flagged down an attendant, your mother blew through the door behind you, a deep frown on her face.
“I was calling your name! I know you heard me. What kind of daughter ignores her own mother?”
“Please leave,” you said flatly, unwilling to engage with your mother's histrionics.
“You haven’t talked to any of us in over a year, missy. All the cards and letters I’ve been sending come back undeliverable. You never respond to texts or calls. You have some explaining to do.”
“She doesn’t have to explain anything to anyone.” Seonghwa appeared at your side quickly, and Jongho moved to stand in front of you. “And especially not someone who’s going to treat her like you are.”
“Hwa is right. She owes you nothing. You need to go,” Jongho said firmly.
“Is this for the Song wedding?” The attendant came back, walking up to Seonghwa. He nodded, and you grimaced. Your mother’s face turned red with rage.
“You’re getting married?! And just when did you plan on telling all of us?
“I didn’t. And your behavior today is exactly why," you said, hoping she wouldn't hear the waver in your voice.
She stepped forward, but Jongho and Seonghwa were quicker, and both of them stood fully in front of you, shielding you from your mother, who stomped her foot angrily.
“Get out of my way!”
“Absolutely not,” Seonghwa hissed, and you could just see his face from where you were standing— eyes narrowed, brow furrowed. He was livid. Jongho’s hands were balled into fists.
“Madam, we’re going to have to ask you to leave,” the attendant said, moving over to her. “Now, before I call the police. You may not harass our customers like this.”
“I have the right to speak to my own daughter!”
“I will call the police,” he repeated. “Leave. Now.”
“Fine,” she spat. “Fine.” She peered between your protectors to glower at you. “Have a nice life.”
She stormed out the door, and you sighed heavily. Seonghwa and Jongho immediately enveloped you in a giant hug. Seonghwa kissed your cheek softly.
“Sorry you guys had to see that,” you mumbled. "She really is the worst."
“Don't worry about that. Are you okay?” Jongho asked.
They let you go, and Seonghwa put a reassuring hand on your shoulder.
“Yeah. She’s just… she’s a piece of work. Thanks for standing up to her, you guys didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes we did,” Jongho told you. “Of course we did. You’re one of our best friends. We’ll always have your back.”
"What Jongho said," Seonghwa agreed. "We adore you, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let your family ruin your big day."
“If you all are ready,” the attendant interrupted. “I can show you to the rooms you’ll be using.”
You let yourself get lost for a bit in decorating the space for your wedding. Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, and Jongho had spent long hours with you making a lot of the decorations, and you had done all your own floral arrangements as well. You and Mingi had chosen navy blue and ivory for your colors, thinking it would go well with the obligatory Christmas theme. The venue had supplied a tree and all the trimmings, and you and Seonghwa made quick work of it while Jongho tinkered with the sound systems and set things up for the ceremony and the reception.
“All those choir concerts paid off,” he joked. "I've got everything ready to go!"
“Hopefully this will be preferable to herding high schoolers,” you giggled.
“Oh, by far,” Jongho nodded. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my students. But herding adults is easier.”
Your phone buzzed, and you pulled it out to see it was Mingi.
Mingi [2:31pm]: Jagi I’m tiiiiiiiiiiired :(
You [2:31pm]: I feel like *someone* recommended you not stay up till 4am?? :p
You [2:31pm]: Oh wait, that was me :p
Mingi [2:32pm]: That’s not the point :(((
You [2:32pm]: Can you take a nap?
Mingi [2:33pm]: …I maybe just got up. And I have to go run some errands. When do you think you’ll be home?
You [2:33pm]: We are almost done here, but then I have to go to my last dress fitting, and then I’ll head home. What do you want to do for dinner?
Mingi [2:34pm]: Anything that doesn’t create vast amounts of leftovers and does not require much work on either of our parts
You [2:35pm]: Soooo. Pizza then
Mingi [2:35pm]: YES!!! You’re so smart and pretty and I love you. We should get married. ;)
You [2:36pm]: A tempting offer! Are you free Saturday?
Mingi [2:36pm]: How does 2pm sound? :)
You [2:37pm]: You’re a mess, Song Mingi. I love you. I’ll see you in a bit, okay?
Mingi [2:38pm]: Can I see your dress?
You [2:38pm]: On Saturday at 2pm, yes!
Mingi [2:38pm]: Not fair. Yeosangie gets to see it!! D:
You [2:39pm]: Yeah but… he’s my man of honor. You’ll just have to wait. :) I’ll talk to you later. Love you!!
Mingi [2:40pm]: Love you too <3
You bid Jongho and Seonghwa farewell around 4, and headed to the dress shop a few blocks away. You were relieved that you had beat Yeosang there, but after only a couple minutes, he burst through the door, cheeks red from the cold and a big smile on his face.
“Hi friend,” he said as he wrapped you in a huge hug. “It’s almost that time.”
“I know,” you blushed. “I can’t believe it.”
“I always knew you and Mingi would get married,” he told you as the two of you waited for the shop owner to get your dress out of the back.
“Oh yeah?” You nudged Yeosang playfully. “You were that sure, huh?”
“Of course I was. The first time I met you and saw the way the two of you interacted, how very taken you both were with each other… it was just… obvious. You were meant to be.”
“Yeosangie, stop it.” You hid your face and giggled.
“I will not.”
A short while later, you were standing on a pedestal in front of several mirrors, admiring your dress. You’d chosen something relatively simple, a lacy ivory A-line gown that Yeosang had assured you looked phenomenal in.
“Wow,” Yeosang whistled low as you spun in the mirror to get a view of the back of the dress. “I know I’ve already said this a million times, but you look amazing. And that hairstyle Wooyoung did looks perfect with the dress. Mingi is definitely going to lose his mind.”
“You sure it’s not too much lace?”
“It’s not too much. It’s perfect.” Yeosang got up from his chair to come over and help you down off the pedestal, and gave you another hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
Once you’d changed back into your regular clothes, Yeosang walked with you back to the parking garage you’d both left your cars in, carrying your dress for you. He had agreed to keep it at his house, just in case Mingi decided to try and sneak a peek. You didn’t think he would, but better safe than sorry, since you knew how mischievous your fiancé could be.
“Plans tonight?” He asked as you helped him load the dress into his car.
“Nah. Mingi and I are going to get pizza and I’ll probably go to bed early considering Woo wanted me at his house early this morning to play with my hair, and I never took a nap. Plus, I know this will totally shock you, but we have barely packed a thing for the Disney trip.”
“Well, let me know if you think of anything you need. I’ll see you Friday?”
“Yep. Woo said he was driving all of us for the mani-pedi thing so we are meeting at his house at 11. And don’t forget, you have to go with Mingi and Joong tomorrow to pick up everyone’s tuxes.”
“I’ve already got a reminder on my calendar. Talk to you later!”
You arrived home to find Mingi puttering around, tidying up and putting things in order. You snuck up behind him while he had his back turned as he dusted the things on the fireplace mantle, and he jumped about a foot in the air, shrieking and throwing the duster. He spun, and immediately made a face at you.
“You are very lucky that I like you,” he said, clutching his chest dramatically and taking a deep breath as he raked his other hand through his blonde hair.
“I know,” you said with a wink. “You know, I wouldn’t do that to you if it weren’t so funny.”
“I think you should buy the pizza,” he huffed as he leaned in to kiss you. “Since you’re being so ornery.”
“Already done,” you told him. “I ordered it before I drove home, it should be—” You stopped as the doorbell rang. “Oh, and there it is.”
“You’re the best,” Mingi kissed you again. “Even though you scared me. Again.”
“I know.”
"Your hair looks pretty," he remarked, reaching up to gently touch some of the gems. "Woo did a great job."
"Didn't he?"
You and Mingi cozied up on the couch with the pizza while he asked you a myriad of questions about the honeymoon. You both had decided on Disney World, considering Mingi had never been, and in your opinion, Christmas was one of the best times to visit. After dinner, you dragged him to the bedroom to resume the packing that he’d distracted you from the previous night.
“You’re packing shorts?” He wrinkled his nose as he watched you fill your suitcase.
“It’s Florida, Mingi. Shorts are a must."
“But... it’s December.”
“Clearly you have never been to Florida.”
Mingi shook his head.
"Nope."
“Pack some shorts. We may not need them, but you never know.”
Predictably, Mingi got bored after just a bit of packing, and enticed you to crawl in bed with him instead— and that was where he kept you, the rest of the evening.
“Hey, guess what,” he said some time later, as the two of you were curled up together under the covers. “It’s past midnight. Three more days.”
“Three more days,” you murmured, kissing him softly and carding your fingers in his hair. “I can’t wait.”
You arrived at Wooyoung's house early on Friday, to find that Yeosang was already there, sitting in Woo’s kitchen nursing a cup of tea. Seonghwa, on the other hand, was ten minutes late, and ran in the door apologizing profusely.
“There was an accident on the highway. I thought I’d never get free. I can’t believe how many people here can’t drive in the snow.”
“It’s absurd, isn’t it?” You snorted. “It’s not like it’s a new thing here.”
“Are you guys ready to head out?” Woo popped his head into the kitchen. "We have a bride to celebrate."
Everyone nodded. Wooyoung flitted over to the counter and removed a couple things from a shopping bag, turning to you. You laughed when you saw what it was— he’d gotten a ‘Bride’ tiara and sash for you.
“You can’t be serious,” you giggled. Wooyoung raised an eyebrow and smirked at you.
“I am the most serious, all the time. Haven’t you met me? Surely you’ve noticed by now. Anyway... put them on.”
“You have to wear them, it’s the law,” Seonghwa piped up. "Very important that you follow the law, don't you know."
“The law where, exactly?” You rolled your eyes.
“It’s the law we all just made up,” Yeosang explained. “Obviously.”
You acquiesced, allowing Woo to drape the sash around you and place the plastic tiara on your head.
“Okay, now let’s go!”
Seonghwa had put together a playlist of over the top, mushy love songs for the trip to the salon, including the two that you’d recorded with Mingi earlier in the year, which the guys teased you about relentlessly.
“You know he started writing that one love song like, two weeks after you guys met?” Wooyoung told you.
“Stop, he did not.”
“No, it’s true,” Hwa chimed in. “He eventually set it aside because there was so much he wanted to put into it and he couldn’t narrow anything down. I think it’s even cuter though that the two of you turned it into a couples’ thing.”
“Yeah,” you nodded, blushing heavily.
Once you all were settled in for pedicures, glasses of champagne in hand, Yeosang started to giggle.
“Okay, you’ve had like two sips, what’s so funny?” You glanced over at your friend.
“Yeosang, are you okay?” Woo asked.
“Yeah! Just... do you guys remember when Mingi went on his first date in this town? Not long after we all moved here?”
“Was that the one where he spilled an entire glass of red wine on the girl?” Hwa asked. "What a fucking disaster."
Yeosang nodded and took another swig of his champagne. “Yep. All over her brand new white coat. He said she stormed out of that restaurant and never talked to him again.”
“Mingi really has a penchant for over the top awkward interactions,” Woo laughed. He leaned forward to look over at you. “I guess with you, he had elf magic on his side. Maybe that’s what made it stick!”
“Good point!” Yeosang snorted. “Thank god he lost that bet with Joong.”
“I thought for sure it was going to be Joong who lost,” Hwa said. “He was way further gone than Mingi was at that point in the night… but didn’t Mingi lose in just the third round?”
“Second,” Yeosang corrected. “And then he tried to keep going anyway, but Yunho caught him. He was the one who came up with the idea for the penalty since Mingi was trying to be sneaky.”
“And here you are,” Hwa reached over to pat you on the arm. “All because Song Mingi is a colossal troublemaker.”
“Indeed. And I never could have imagined I’d find my husband at the North Pole,” you snickered, causing the guys to laugh wildly.
“Don’t tell Mingi,” Woo shot you a sly grin. “But I got on Etsy and managed to find him an elf hat similar to the one he wore for that job, and I got someone to embroider ‘Groom’ on it. Going to make him wear it for the party tonight.”
“Oh my god,” you cackled. “We have to get lots of pictures.”
After everyone’s nails were done, all of you headed back to Wooyoung’s house to start prepping for the joint bachelor/bachelorette party that evening. Mingi showed up around 3, and the rest of you got some entertainment as Woo chased him around the house, brandishing the elf hat and shouting “come here, Jingly Mingly!”
Woo finally wrestled Mingi into the hat, and you lost it laughing as your poor fiancé stood there pouting in the kitchen. The whole scenario was made even better by the party’s theme— ugly Christmas sweaters. You had done yours and Mingi’s yourself, decorating a couple of heavy cable knit sweaters with garland and ornaments. As you stood there giggling, someone swiped the tiara off your head. You turned to see Woo holding another elf hat that matched Mingi’s, with ‘Bride’ embroidered on it.
“Jung Wooyoung, you little shit!” You rolled your eyes, but good-naturedly allowed him to put the hat on you.
“There,” he chuckled, pushing you over to stand with Mingi. “Perfect. My favorite elf couple. So cute.”
“Now hold up,” you pointed at Woo as he snapped some pictures. “I am not an elf. I just got swept off my feet by one.”
“Oh, my bad. You’re totally right.” Woo nodded sagely. “But, you’re marrying him now, so it’s only right that you learn to embrace the elf culture.”
Mingi groaned loudly.
“You guys are never going to let this go.”
“Correct,” Seonghwa nodded. “You should know better than that, anyway.”
The party was a blast— a nice mix of friends, plus Mingi’s brother and a few of his cousins. Yunho and San had coordinated with Wooyoung on the food, and Joong played bartender and photographer.
Halfway through a ridiculous party game, you happened to glance over at Mingi to see he was beaming at you. You tried to quell the butterflies as you got up from your seat and wandered over to sit down on his lap instead, and he wrapped his arms around you.
“I get to marry you tomorrow,” he whispered in your ear.
You woke before your alarm on Saturday, and lay in bed for a bit, clearing notifications from your phone and trying to calm yourself. You’d spent the night at Yeosang’s house in his guest room, choosing to go along with the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other until the ceremony.
Yeosang made breakfast for you, and after both of you had showered, he drove the two of you downtown to the venue. Wooyoung was already there, setting up to do your hair and makeup first.
The rest of the morning and the early afternoon sped by, and before you knew it, you were standing in your dressing room, staring at yourself in the mirror— wedding gown on, hair and makeup done to perfection.
“Knock knock, can I come back in?” You heard Yeosang from the other side of the door.
“Yeah,” you called, smoothing the front of your dress. You heard the door open and close, and Yeosang appeared behind you in the mirror.
“Oh my god.” He looped an arm through yours. “You are stunning.”
“Thank you,” you replied quietly, trying not to cry before the ceremony even started.
Another knock at the door, and Yeosang went to answer it, turning back to motion to you.
“It’s time, friend. Are you ready?"
You thought your heart might beat out of your chest as you waited in the hallway. As you heard the first notes of the song you’d chosen— So This Is Love— you took a deep breath. A second later, the doors were opening inwards, and you saw everyone stand and turn to you.
You watched Mingi glance up as you took your first steps into the room, and he immediately broke into an enormous smile. He was wearing glasses— a black and silver pair you hadn’t seen before. You knew right away why he’d picked glasses over contacts, as he began to wipe away the tears already streaming down his face.
After what seemed like an eternity, but also no time at all, you were standing in front of him, and he was holding your hands in his, glowing with joy as he looked down at you.
“You look beautiful,” he mouthed as Yunho called for everyone to sit.
“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and family,” Yunho began, and you looked up at him to see a glint of tears in his eyes. “We are gathered here today to celebrate this very special couple as they join their lives together as one.”
You listened as Yunho told a cute story from the first time he’d seen you and Mingi together, echoing what Yeosang had said before— he’d known you were destined for each other.
Finally, it was time for vows. You grinned up at Mingi as you cleared your throat, hoping your voice didn’t sound as thick as it felt as you fought back tears of happiness.
“The last two years have been the best of my life,” you told him, and he squeezed your hands tighter. “I don’t think I could have ever imagined that we would find ourselves standing here, after the absurd manner in which we met… but I will eternally be glad that I saw you again, that we started talking, that our paths kept on crossing. People keep telling me they think we were meant to be, and I have to agree with them. The universe was on my side, that day I met you, and now I’m never letting you go. You are the absolute best friend I've ever had, and I promise that I will walk with you and support you steadfastly for the rest of our days. I love you, Mingi, and I'm so lucky that you're mine.”
Mingi took his glasses off for a second so he could wipe more tears from his eyes, and then pulled a small card out of his pocket.
“Two years ago, I stayed over with you during the first snow of the year.” He squeezed your hand again. “I know that some of you will know,” he said, gesturing to the wedding guests, “but for those of you who don’t— in Korea, we believe that if you share the first snow of the year with someone special, that person will remain in your life for a very long time. I had always known I wanted to be with you— I knew it from the start, from that first trip we took to the coffee shop together. But I took that first snow as a special sort of sign. I told you I’d show you I meant it when I said I was staying, and I promise here and now to always stay with you— to be your friend, your eternal safe space, your biggest supporter and your most faithful companion, for as many days as we have left together on this earth. I love you so, so much, jagi. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.”
Your eyes flicked to Joong, and you saw that he was sobbing— not that Yunho or even Yeosang were faring much better. And you certainly had no room to talk, as you furtively withdrew a handkerchief from its hiding place, dabbing at your eyes carefully.
“Song Mingi, do you take this wonderful human to be your wife, to treasure her forever, to be with her through all the trials and tribulations that life may hold?”
“I do.”
Yunho called your name next.
“Do you take this wonderful human to be your husband, to treasure him forever, to be with him through all the trials and tribulations that life may hold?”
“I do,” you said firmly.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Yunho declared as you and Mingi exchanged rings. “Mingi, you may kiss the bride.”
Mingi pulled you gently into his arms as he leaned in to kiss you tenderly, and he whispered against your lips.
“I love you, Mrs. Song.”
The party the day before had nothing on the reception Seonghwa had planned. Mingi’s entire family welcomed you enthusiastically, telling you over and over how grateful they were that their son had found such a wonderful person to share his life with.
Hongjoong led the toasts, and just as you thought he might, regaled everyone with a lively rendition of the tale of how you and Mingi had met, complete with a photo slideshow that had Mingi trying to cower under the table in embarrassment.
Jongho played DJ for the reception, playing a mix of Christmas music and Mingi and Joong’s songs, and you spent an incredible afternoon dancing and carrying on with your friends and new family. You were almost sad when it was time to go, as the limousine Hwa had insisted on arrived to pick up you and Mingi at half past 6. After a quick stop at home to change, the two of you were en route to the airport and your honeymoon.
Mingi didn’t let go of you the entire evening, unless it was absolutely necessary, and as you got settled in your hotel for the night, you wandered to the window, where you could see the tail end of a fireworks show lighting up the entire night sky. Mingi came up behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist, dipping his head down to rest it on your shoulder.
“Are you happy, jagi?”
“Over the moon,” you murmured. You turned around to face him, and he pulled you in tighter as he stole a few kisses.
“Me too. I love you.”
"I love you too."
He let you go for just a moment, darting over to grab a couple glasses of champagne that he’d poured while you weren’t looking, and returned to you, handing you one. He raised his glass to you.
“Here’s to our lives together,” he said softly, and you could see him tearing up again as he smiled at you.
“The rest of our lives together,” you repeated as you clinked your glasses together.
It had a nice ring to it.