fiery_ring | The Wedding

The Wedding

Mrs Frances has done as good a job as she can, preparing for the wedding. She and her daughter Libby have been cooking at top speed since the couple came home.

Mr Frances is outside, decorating the horse-drawn cart for the bride to ride to the church in, and for the couple to ride back. Will has been out arranging with the local vicar, and telephoning any guests within reach.

Carlotta brings her guests out of a portal concealed by a caravan. She holds a finger to them and looks around, to check if they are observed.

"All right, the coast is clear. Follow me towards the house after a couple of minutes, and tell them you were dropped off by taxi. If asked, you are circus folk I have worked with or been cared for by, but your circuses also disbanded due to the war, and I telephoned you at home."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Charlie is a bit more distant. Weddings never feel right to him, for some reason. He takes his seat, lost in thought still.

As soon as everyone is seated, the organist begins and Carlotta walks down the aisle, with Libby and Teja. There's already signs of the wedding party after them starting to gather outside.

The vicar tries, nevertheless, not to let the moment feel rushed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to witness the marriage of Carlotta Maria Brown, and William Herbert Frances."

He leads with an opening prayer, then looks at Teja.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"I do," Teja says, with deep earnest, leading her forwards.

Demeter watches them both with a bittersweet smile, she never saw her daughter's wedding.

This is a much happier occasion though the shadow of war hangs over everything.

Carlotta looks good, if not stunning. Clearly a bit of a rush job. Also, he's never seen a woman who looks less at ease in a skirt.

Will looks dazed. Like thousands of grooms before him.

The vicar does an abbreviated version of asking for objections, and the early part of the ceremony, then goes to the vows.

Will turns to Carlotta and takes her hands.

"In the name of Jesus, I, William Herbert Frances, take you, Carlotta Maria Brown, to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live."

"In the name of Jesus, I, Carlotta Maria Brown, take you, William Herbert Frances, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live."

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." the vicar says.

Teja exhales, and bows his head. He remembers little Carlotta who came to his after-life, not quite three years of his own personal time ago, but so much more of hers.

And now, here she stands, a woman on her wedding day.

The name of the god doesn't matter to Demeter but seeing Carlotta with the man she chose finds an old ache and Demeter starts quietly crying.

She wishes she had her cloak with her so she could pull it up over her head and fade away, but not here. She's here for Carlotta.

He wonders if it's good form to cheer the bride and groom kissing here. So for now, he behaves.

When she's finished kissing (something she refuses to rush, after all this waiting) Carlotta turns and grins at the congregation, avoiding the eyes of anyone who's crying.

Avoiding any reminders that when he walks out that door tomorrow, he may never come back...

The vicar hustles the wedding party out of the church, where one of Will's friends gathers everyone for photographs.

Carlotta hugs both Teja and Demeter, because they're looking very solumn right now, and the photos are supposed to be smiley.

Getting Teja to smile in a photo is not very likely. But then, he has hardly if ever been on a photo before.

But he embraces Carlotta. "I wish you all happiness, my almost-daughter," he says, very quietly, so only she can hear it. And maybe Demeter.

Demeter pulls herself together to smile and hug and kiss Carlotta,

"Congratulations and be happy, child."

Charlie catches up and gives Carlotta his own hug. "Congratulations. I hope it all works out for the best." The war, the marriage, everything.

Carlotta hugs them all back (she wasn't sure if Charlie was a huggy person).

"Thanks almost-Dad." she whispers to Teja. By the time she gets to Demeter and Charlie she's lost for words.

"Everyone in two lines for the photos!" Will's friend says, chivvying them all. "Nobody crying!"

Teja doesn't cry, of course. He looks as calm and grim as ever.

Demeter manages a bright smile for the photo.

It's been ages since he smiled for the camera. He's forgotten what a hassle it is.

He's forgotten how easy it is.

As the happy pictures are taken, the bride and groom pose, and then get into their horse drawn cart.

"All right, everyone back to the house for the reception!" Mrs Frances says.

Carlotta leans against Will in the cart, as they ride back. Making the most of having him by her side.

[ooc: I think we're coming to a fade point; it's meant to be quite a quick wedding in the context! Thanks for threading folks :)]

Teja follows, trying not to look to grim at the thought of the inevitable morrow. He will not be the ghost at the feast.-

Demeter slips her arm through Teja's and leans on him, they're here for Carlotta who looks happy.

This is a beginning of something good and that's what matters. War is hard but passes and Carlotta and Will love each other and now their love can grow.

Charlie catches up with Teja and Demeter, and hopes that he can find something to eat at the reception (British food not being a favorite). For this day, this moment, he is a good mood.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding

Re: The Wedding