"Emily" Chapter 1: Barkis Bitterin

Author's Note: This is my first non-Harry Potter fanfiction. I've only seen the movie "The Corpse Bride" twice, so please don't be mad or offended if I something I include doesn't line up with the story. Your reviews are always very welcome. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Corpse Bride or any of the other Characters. Tim Burton does, which is good because I wouldn't have made it as cool as he did.

A young woman stood on the balcony that attached to her room. It was almost dark. It was cold out too, the cold had never bothered her and instead it felt like a nice breeze on her bare arms.

She wore a fairly casual dress. Not one acceptable at dinner, but she didn't feel the need to change.

Beside the balcony, there was birch tree. Its branches reached all the way to balcony and there, mingled with the pickets. In a few places, they were so tightly wrapped around the pickets that you couldn't see the wood underneath.

As she looked into the sunset, she thought she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned and saw a butterfly, the most brilliant blue she had ever seen, flying toward her.

It fluttered over, landing on her hand that was resting on the rail.

She loved the way its little legs felt on her hands. She almost held her breath she didn't want to accidentally move and scare it away.

She stood still for quite a while observing the intricate patterns on its back the lines were so small and detailed.

The door to her room was flung open, causing the butterfly to fly into the darkness.

"Emily!" Said a woman's voice sternly.

"Yes, Aunt Becky?" Emily called back, trying to sound innocent. She had lived with her un-married aunt when her parents had died in a boat accident a few years prior.

"Do you remember that man, Barkis Bitterin?" Her aunt asked.

The thought of him gave Emily the chills. He was so mysterious and rude. But all she said was "Yes, I do."

"Good" She replied. "He is here. I thought you'd be ready. I told you we were having guests over at 8:00 for dinner." Aunt Becky motioned to the dress still draped over the arm chair.

"I'm sorry, I will be there as soon as I can."

"Yes you will. You will be there is five minutes, no exceptions. Alright, Emily?"

"Yes, Aunt Becky."

"Good," She replied, putting a hand on her nieces shoulder. "We have some important things to discuss with him.

She then turned and walked out of the room, briskly closing the door behind her.

Emily grabbed the dress off the chair. Thoughts ran through her head. –Why was Mr. Bitterin here - What could possibly be so important that they needed to speak with him on such short notice?

She was pretty sure she could count the number of times she had spoken with him on one hand.

She tightened her corset then put on the dress that her Aunt had picked out for her. It wasn't one she had ever liked but it was the only formal one she had, so it seemed that she always ended up wearing it.

It had only been about two minutes, so she sat down at the old vanity she had sitting in her room and brushed out her hair until it was good enough. She then slipped on some old flats. She didn't deem it important to have nice looking feet because they would be covered by her long dress.

After confirming with herself that her Aunt would approve of the way she looked, she rushed downstairs and into the large dining room.

The moment she walked in, both Aunt Becky and Barkis stopped talking.

Everyone was silent for a moment before her Aunt said "Oh, Emily, please come sit by us," pulling out a chair next to her.

Emily quickly sat down. Across from her, Mr. Bitterin was smiling a smile that gave her goosebumps all up her arms. Luckily, her dress was long-sleeved and they visible.

"Good evening, Emily" he said, his voice falsely sweet. She had to grab the chair from underneath to keep herself from getting up and punching him.

"Why hello Sir," She replied, hoping her voice sounded steady. She looked down at the food on her plate. She had lost any appetite she may have once had.

She turned to her Aunt. "I thought you said there was something very important that we needed to discuss?" She was done with Barkis Bitterin's uncomfortable attempts at friendly small talk. She wanted this conversation over a soon as possible.

"Oh, yes." Her aunt said, taken aback by her niece's blatant end to the conversation.

"Well?" Emily said, looking between the two of them.

He Aunt looked to Mr. Bitterin before responded. He nodded and she said "Emily, Mr. Bitterin has asked for you hand in marriage. I told him 'yes' because I recalled you earlier saying that you were eager to be married."

She gasped. Of all things, she was not expecting this.

"I…I…um…Okay, that sounds great." She stuttered. How could Aunt possibly sign her up for this?

"Thank you, Emily. We will have private ceremony at the church sometime this weekend. I'm sure I can arrange that with the priest." Barkis Bitterin added.

She wished he would just shut up.

"That sounds lovely, Barkis. That is much appreciated" replied her Aunt.

"If you would like, you may go up to your room. I know this is big news and you may want time to process this. Neither of us will blame you." her Aunt said.

"Thank you, Aunt Becky" Emily responded. "I look forward to this weekend she said," curtseying to Mr. Bitterin and trying to avoid his eye.

"Bye Emily" they said at the same time.

She turned to go, hoping they weren't paying enough attention to her to notice that she couldn't stop shaking as she made her way upstairs.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment!

-Bellatrix