Author's Note: This is my second fanfiction. As a birthday present to myself, I've decided to post the first chapter to get a general reaction of this story. Hate it? Love it? Please leave a nice, little review either way ;). Kudos, and enjoy!
Biff Hooper grinned as he presided over Joe and Vanessa wedding. Clearing his throat, he began his speech. "Dearly beloved, Joe and Vanessa stand in front of you today, so truly excited about the years of love ahead of them. Soon, their marriage will become the intertwining of two life stories. As individuals, they have each had a unique and defining past, and now they willingly choose to set aside the solitary exploration of their individual lives to discover who they are in the presence of one another. We celebrate with them their arrival at this point in their lives. Joe and Vanessa, the stars and heaven brought you together, and we are incredibly happy that your love has brought us this joyous occasion. And now without further ado, the exchange of wedding vows." He turned his attention to the stunning bride, whose luminous golden tresses were pulled into an elegant twist. The crystals adorned on her wedding gown glowed in the fading afternoon sun, and Vanessa's youth and purity made her one of the most beautiful brides that Biff had ever seen.
As Joe finished his vows, he looked at Biff, waiting for his good friend to say the words that he had wanted to hear since he had first started dating Vanessa eight years ago. She had been there for him in the worst times of his life, an unwavering guardian angel that had helped him battle the kiss of death time after time. Come hell or high water, Joe knew he would always love her like no other woman in his life. Iola Morton maintained a special place in his heart as his first love, but it had been Vanessa's gentle nudging and fun-loving nature that had pulled him from the sinister depths of depression, and Joe would be eternally grateful to her for that. Amidst his musings, he heard Biff ask for the exchange of rings. After slipping the diamond and sapphire ring onto her slim finger, he finally heard those precious words. "By the powers vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Joe eagerly lifted the veil away from Vanessa's face, and together, they shared their first passionate kiss as newlyweds.
Frank wrapped his arms around Callie's waist, kissing her neck gently as they stood on the balcony. The normally vivacious blonde had been distracted all night, so when Callie had requested him to go outside with her, he had left Joe to carry on celebrating while he followed her. But now, all they had done so far was stand in silence, and Frank was getting cold, having left his suit jacket on the chair. "Baby…what's on your mind?" When she finally turned around, he was surprised but confused to see her eyes alight with exhilaration. She stroked his cheek, giving him a light kiss before she finally spoke. "Do you remember two months ago, the night that you rescued me from the clutches of that madman? We were talking about the future, and you told me that you wanted to take the next step in our relationship?" Frank nodded, barely suppressing a shudder as he thought about the mentally unstable Lucifer Brenin. The man had been indicted and thrown into jail by Fenton Hardy, and he had harbored a crazed, mile-long vendetta against his father during his ten year prison sentence. Lucifer's schizophrenic mind finally snapped, and he had been out to exact his revenge against Fenton. His initial plan had been to kidnap Frank, but the unsuspecting Callie had proved to be an easier target. After a harrowing four days, they had finally found the place where Lucifer was keeping Callie. The experience had scarred her, and it had taken nearly a month of gentle ministration on Frank's part before she had stopped experiencing terrifying nightmares.
He sighed and hugged her closer to him. "I remember. And I'm so glad you're still here with me…I don't know what I'd do without you by my side." Callie smiled, and then, out of the blue, she blurted out, "I'm pregnant." She watched Frank's face expression change from shocked to joyful, all in the span of a second. "WHAT?!" he nearly screamed. "I'm going to be a daddy!" Abandoning his usual poise, he grabbed her around the waist and spun her around while happy tears streamed down his face. Laughing, he took her hand and pulled her inside. Walking up to the podium where the band was playing, he whispered into the lead singer's ear. Frank caught the confused look that Joe shot him, but he just continued to grin. As the band finished their song, he took the mike that was handed to him and stared at the faces of their friends and family. "I have an announcement to make." Frank paused for dramatic effect and gently tugged Callie closer. "Baby bro, I know this is your day, and I'm not trying to steal your thunder, but … I'm going to be a dad!" he yelled. For a moment, there was stunned silence, but the room soon erupted with applause and cheers. Before he knew it, he and Callie were accepting hugs and congratulations. Noticing that an ecstatic Vanessa was now hugging her best friend, he couldn't help but break out in a wide grin as Joe appeared in front of him. No words needed to be exchanged before he found himself wrapped up in his brother's fierce hug. As Joe's tears slowly dripped down his shirt collar, he whispered softly in his ear, "This is the start of something new, bro. And I'm so glad that you're here to share it with me…"
Joe pulled away and looked him in the eyes. "Big bro, you're not stealing my thunder with this announcement. And you're right. Life in the Hardy household is sure going to change after this!" Hugging again, the two brothers relished this serene moment of bliss.
Looking back, Frank wondered if Joe instinctively knew that they were about to be thrown into a mystery that would rip their family apart.
"Babe, are you almost ready? Mom and Dad told us to be there by 6:30 P.M." Joe waited for Vanessa's reply, but he didn't hear one. "Van?!" Finally, he heard the sound of high heels making their way down the staircase. "I'm coming, Joe…" He suddenly found himself incapable of speech. Vanessa stood in front of him, clad in a gorgeous blue dress that hugged her curves in the right places and complimented the golden tan she had gotten while on their honeymoon in Fiji. Her long ash blonde hair was straight and gleaming, swinging lightly with every step.
"Let's go," she announced, a gentle smile playing at her lips while she took the hand that Joe offered to her. The couple made their way to Joe's black Mustang, and before Vanessa even realized it, they were outside the Hardy home at the corner of Elm Street. On their way here, Frank had called to inform them that they were running a little bit late. Taking her hand, Joe walked up the familiar driveway and rang the bell. When nobody answered, he exchanged confused looks with Vanessa. Shrugging it off, he took his key out and unlocked the door. It was then that Joe froze. I don't smell any cooking. I thought Mom said she was going to make her succulent pot roast and mashed potatoes. Something's not right. His mind screamed a warning, but he pushed the nagging feeling aside and walked into the house. Even so, he held Vanessa's hand so that he was still protecting her. With his free hand, he managed to slip his gun out of its side holster and held it in front of him. "JOE!" he heard Vanessa hiss. Shaking his head at her, he continued to make his way to the kitchen, his heart hammering in his chest.
Pushing open the door, he barely registered Vanessa's scream of terror. Joe's eyes slowly processed the sight before him: a pool of crimson blood, gleaming from the soft glow of the kitchen ceiling lights. His mouth opened then, and without even realizing it, let out the most terrifying scream that he had ever heard.
Want to press that pretty, purple button? Constructive criticism appreciated, too. No flamers!