Chapter 1: Not a Corpse nor a Bride

I haven't written fanfiction in a long time so I hope you like it. Tim Burton owns the characters.

….

It had been several months since Victor and Victoria wed. They lived in the Van Dort Manor together. The fish company was thriving and everything since the walking dead incedent seemed much brighter and full of life. Things weren't so grey and the whole village was much happier.

Victor and Victoria were happily married. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. Every once in a while though, Victor found himself thinking about Emily. Especially when he took part in his favorite hobby of observing and studying butterfly species. He remembered the swarm of them taking Emily into the moon lit night. Without a trace she was gone, like she was never there. He never did get a proper goodbye.

It was early morning in the Van Dort house and Victor was printing every detail of the butterfly he had under a glass as it fluttered. As always he opened his window and let it go free once he was done with it. He watched it fly away towards the forest across the bridge in the sun rise. He was so spaced out he didn't realize his name was being called until a hand on his should scared him back to reality.

"Huh!?" He jumped turning to see his lovely wife giggling at his clumsiness.

"Victor darling, are you alright?" She asked.

He smiled and sighed, "Oh, Victoria, y-yes, I'm fine. D-did you need something my dear?"

"I was just going to tell you breakfast was ready."

"Ah yes, thank you, I'll be down in a bit."

Victoria went down to the dining room first and Victor soon followed.

While at breakfast Nell Van Dort, Victor's mother, began her daily gossip as usual. "Victor, listen up!" She said. "Lord and Lady Cartner are moving in the empty mansion just out of town, they're from the city, apparently they came for the quiet life."

"And why does this concern me?" Victor asked.

"Your father has already gone to greet them, obviously you must befriend them, it's only natural for high society types like us. I expect you to pay them a visit."

...

The next day while Victor was at work he was paid a visit by none other then Lord Cartner. Johnathon Cartner was tall and had blonde hair. He wore a fancy dark blue tail coat and walked with confidence. Right away Victor knew who he was.

"Lord Cartner I presume?" He said as he went up to shake his hand.

"The one and only. But you my friend can call me Johnathan."

"It's a pleasure, J-Johnathan." He cleared his throat. "I'm-"

Before he could finish Johnathan cut him off. "Victor Van Dort if I'm not mistaken! I hear you're the man to see about some fish." He winked. "Victor I'm going to be frank with you, I know little about the fish industry, my wealth is by the making of watches and other little gadgets, so I'm clueless with seafood."

Victor, taken back by Johnathan's wild personality awkwardly smiled. "I see, well your in luck, I certainly know a bit about the subject." he chuckled.

He patted Victor on the back and smiled. "I hear you're married as well old chap?"

"Y-yes."

"Then you'll understand my dilemma. My lovely wife, Emilia, her favorite meal is a seasoned cooked fish and For our first dinner in this town I'd like it to go perfectly, but I myself don't care much for the fish, so I'd like you to sell me your absolute best catch of the day." He explained to Victor while they cruised around the barrels of fish.

"I know what you mean. Well, I don't know L-lady Cartner, but, but Victoria, my wife, she quite enjoys this one over here." Victor leads him to a few fish resting on ice.

The two continue their talk about fish and it soon turned into a conversation about their wives and they just ended up spending most of the day together. Surprisingly the two hit it off and became fast friends. Victor was always quite awkward and didn't really have any friends. Johnathan was the type who made friends easily and was a very likable guy. Their difference's made it a bit awkward in the beginning but with his tenacious character it brought out Victor's humor.

In the end Johnathan invited Victor and his wife Victoria to the Cartner Manor for dinner. Unfortunately the two had dinner plans at his in-laws. So Cartner extended the invitation to the next day for brunch. Victor happily accepted and was giddy to tell Victoria the news knowing she'd be ecstatic.

….

The next day Victor and Victoria got in the carriage around noon and headed a bit out of town to the Cartner's place. Upon arrival Johnathan met them at the door and welcomed them into his glorious Victorian mansion. He introduced himself to Victoria and they had a lovely chat about the décor and such. Victor was going to enter the conversation until the tune of a piano caught his ear. He looked to the right and there was a small hall lit up with light most likely shining from the window in the parlor. Victoria noticed the music as well. It was soft and echoed throughout the house. It reminded Victor about the melody he had played with... Emily.

Johnathan noticed the couple's distraction. "Lovely isn't it?" His question brought their attention back.

"Y-yes. W-who might I ask, is playing?" Victor asked caught off guard.

"It's quite beautiful.." Victoria inquired.

"That would be my wife, she's very talented, do you play Lady Van Dort?" He asked while leading them to the parlor.

"I do not, my mother thought it was not for a lady, too passionate... Silly isn't it?"

Johnathan showed a compassionate face feeling bad for Victoria. "Silly doesn't begin to describe it, passion is what leads to all the great thing in the world. It's a shame really, sorry for prying."

Victoria laughed to shake off the pity, "No reason to be sorry, besides, Victor plays the piano rather beautifully."

"Really, Vic old pal? You must be quite good for your wife to praise you so. I unfortunately am not talented enough in the musical areas."

"I'm sure you'd play just as well if you practice." Victor assured him.

"Maybe if you'd be so kind to play a duet with my wife?"

Victor awkwardly looked at Victoria who in turn smiled at him as if to say it was okay with her. Victor was about to answer when they entered the parlor and witnessed Lady Cartner playing the piano in front of a tall open window. The wind blew a gently in the room making the shear white curtains dance around the grand piano.

"Emilia my darling, come welcome our guest." Johnathan said as he walked up to his wife putting a hand on her lower back while she stood.

Emilia Cartner stood up in a fitted light blue dress. She had long curly brown hair and soft pink lips that formed into a smile. Her skin was almost a peachy light pink color and she looked so full of life. She looked exactly like Emily, except, she was alive. Victor's heart skipped a beat and without thinking he instinctually blurted out, "Emily?"

Victoria also thought she bore a resemblance but was still shocked at her husband. Thinking fast Victoria tried to save Victor from an awkward situation. "Emilia, Lord Cartner said her name was Emilia Cartner."

Victor realized his rude manners. "R-right! My apologies Lady Emily, I-I mean Cartner, so sorry Lady Cartner."

She giggled, exactly like Emily Victor noted, "It's alright, Lady Van Dort you are most enchanting, you must forgive me, I haven't done anything with my hair, I lost track of time while I was playing."

"N-no, you play very good, it was our pleasure to hear." Victor said. Without knowing he had been starring at her the whole time. Johnathan didn't seem to notice unlike Victoria. He must've been making an odd expression because Victoria grabbed a hold of his arm.

Johnathan still had a hand on Emilia's back. "Do you play Lord Van Dort?" She asked.

"Yes." He responded a bit too fast. He couldn't help himself, he was a bit in awe. He was calming himself down and gaining his composure knowing that Emily was gone. He had made his peace with it but every once and a while he couldn't help thinking about her. What if he married her? What if she stayed? What if he died? How is she? What is she now? Will they ever meet again in another life? So many thoughts, but in the end he was certain he made the right decision.

"Well lets all make our way to brunch shall we?"

…..

Victoria and Emilia hit it off just as well as Victor and Johnathan. All four of them got along better then any of them thought they would. Over the next three months all four of them did many activities together such as horse riding, reading, picnics, dining together and just enjoying each others company.

Victor had pushed his thoughts of Emily to the back of his mind, or at least he tried. He tried to drown himself in Victoria, but every time he saw Emilia he couldn't shake a feeling of Emily. Although over the months Victoria was convinced Victor didn't pay much attention to it anymore and no one was the wiser.

One day the four were going to go for a day outing, but Victoria wasn't feeling well so she sent Victor to tell the Cartners they'd have to reschedule. Victor was let into the home by a butler and was told Lord Cartner was running late. He waited in the entry for a few minutes before hearing the familiar sound of the piano again. He slowly walked into the parlor seeing Emilia playing again, then suddenly she hit multiple keys at once showing her frustration.

Victor cautiously walked toward her. She thought it was her husband and she ignored him looking the opposite direction obviously unhappy. Victor sat down and began to play the same song he had done a duet with Emily in the land of the dead. He remembered how it made Emily feel better to play. It worked for Emilia too. She knew her husband couldn't play piano so she melancholily started to play with victor. The more Victor got into it so did she. She finished the song with the high noted keys on his side and accidentally had her ring fall off. He picked it up for her.

She giggled. "Pardon my enthusiasm." She said while he took her hand and slipped the ring on her thin finger.

"I like your enthusiasm." He said with a deja vu moment. They looked into each others eyes for what seemed like an eternity and he still held her hand. He noted her warmth and how Emily was cold.

"Sorry, I seem a bit moody." She then took her hand back.

"No, no not at all." She gave him a look that said she knows she's moody. "I mean just a bit." He laughed. "Is something wrong."

She was quiet for a while making things awkward, especially since she was eyeing him. "I don't know why, but all of this, you, we seem so familiar."

His eyes widened and he relax, "M-me too! Emily, I mean Lady Emilia, Cartner... I also find you familiar, or it's more like I know you."

"Yes, me as well. I'm sure we've never met before, so how..?" She brushed her hand on his right shoulder focusing on the seams of the fabric.

"I-" A door bursting open was heard coming from the entrance and both of them could hear Johnathan yelling in a lured voice as if he were drunk, which he was. Victor and Emilia stood up from the piano stool and backed away from each other. "I-I'm sorry, I forgot I came hear with the message that Victoria is ill today and as such we will not be able to accompany you and Lord Cartner."

Johnathan Walked in and immediately Emilia was back in a sour mood. "Emilia here you are! And with Victor? Without an escort!?" He stumbled onto a chaise and laughed, "I'm only kidding Victor, I know you'd not think so much as to lay a finger on my wife. So, where's your Lady wife old man?" He looked around the room.

Emilia walked over to him and helped him off the chaise. "Dear, Victoria is under the weather today and wont be joining us, Victor has kindly come all this way to inform us. I'll walk him out while you head to the dining room for lunch."

"Leaving so soon Victor!? Come eat!" John said as he stumbled his way to the dining room with the help of some servants.

Emilia watched him exit the room and then walked Victor to the door. "I'm so sorry you had to see that, please don't ever mention it to anyone, not even Lady Van Dort."

"Worry not. I understand now, is this the reason you were upset?"

"Some days he drinks from dusk till dawn... He says he'll quit but he can't help himself." She put a hand to her head as if in a bit of pain.

"Are you alright?"

"Nothing more then a headache. It happens sometimes, it'll go away soon."

Victor smiled and commented, "It was a pleasure playing a duet with you."

"The pleasure was all mine. My husband hasn't the patience nor least bit of interest in learning music, it was refreshing to play with someone."

"Perhaps then, I shall accompany you another day for a duet?" Victor felt he had been too forward with his offer. "That is, if you w-want too..."

"I do."

I hope you liked it. Is the font big or is it just me?