Set between Season 2 Episode 15 (Deceptive Little Parasite) and Episode 16 (God Johnson)
It had finally rained and the morning air was still fresh as the sun came out. It wouldn't take long to dry but until then everything seemed to shine as the light reflected off the water. In the middle of the park a wide patch of grass held two groups of folding chairs separated by an aisle. Petals had been sprinkled down the centre and it ended at a large tree that stood alone with white ribbons hanging from the branches. The rest of the forest didn't start until a dozen feet further back and formed a backdrop of greenery to the otherwise isolated scene. If it wasn't for the distant hum of the city you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the wilds of Canada rather than central Los Angeles.
The guests all smiled as they watched the two women holding hands at the end of the aisle. Both wore white but that was where the similarity ended. The first was a tall brunet wearing a fairy tale princess gown and the other was shorter than average, plump, blonde, and wore an off-the-shoulder hippie dress and a garland of flowers in her hair. The bridesmaids and groomsmen each wore a different colour that formed a rainbow as they stood to one side. Even the preacher's stole was dyed multiple colours.
The two women faced each other with smiles, as between them the preacher held out his hands.
"Do you have the rings?" He asked, just like in the rehearsal, and everyone turned to look where the little ring bearer stood.
Or at least where he should have been. A slight murmur ran through the guests and both brides turned to their multicoloured entourage who looked at each other in confusion. As the murmurs grew louder the bridesmaid in green stepped forward and waved the happy couple back into place. She lifted the hem of her dress and hurried towards the small marquee that was set up behind them. The sides were down, on the off chance of more rain, but she heard a child's laughter coming from behind the tent.
She quickly made her way to the rear and turned the corner to see the young ring bearer and the flower girl with cream smeared around their mouths. The kids giggled as the woman standing in front of them reached forward and pulled a card out from behind the boy's ear. The stranger turned as she heard the bridesmaid approach. She clearly wasn't one of the guests as she wore loose jeans and a muted shirt with her platinum blonde hair frazzled and untidy as if she'd got ready in a hurry. However, it was enough of a defining feature for the other woman to recognise her.
"Amber?" She hissed and the blonde woman grimaced at being discovered. "I can't believe you actually have the nerve to turn up after all you've done!" The bridesmaid pushed passed her and reached down to take the children's hands. It was only then that she realised each held a half-eaten slice of cake with suspiciously white icing. She turned back to Amber and glared.
"Tell me you didn't?" she growled and Amber shook her head.
"How else was I to get them over here?" she replied as she put her cards away.
"You're such a bitch!" replied the bridesmaid as she started to lead the children away by their cake-free hands
"No, you can't!" Amber cried as she stepped in front of her. Even without heels she was taller than the bridesmaid but the other woman didn't back down.
"Move" She demanded.
"No" Amber refused and held her arms out to block the way.
"I won't let you ruin this for them!" she said as she let go of the Flower Girl's hand and tried to push Amber to the side.
"You can't!" Amber shouted as she caught the bridesmaid's wrist and held it tight, forcing the other woman to twist away to free herself. She stared, dumbfounded.
Then the shooting started, closely followed by screams.
The bridesmaid jumped in surprise before swearing and running back towards the ceremony.
"NO!" Amber shrieked but it was too late and the woman was gone. All she could do was grab both children and pull them further back behind the marquee. She hugged them both to her as the screams got louder but the three of them only closed their eyes and waited for it to be over.
