The joyful smile Emily had on her face died the moment she saw Victor's original intended running into the church.
How dare she? She thought. She knew from her husband that the wispy little thing had married a Lord something or other. She had no right to even be here!
But the annoyance on her face turned into confusion. The Victorian lady's eyes were wide with fright and she constantly gasped as she ran forward. But her steps seemed to be slowing.
"Oh no."
Emily heard Victor's soft cry and turned towards him. To her surprise her husband's eyes were wide with shock. "Victor?" She questioned, a note of concern creeping into her voice. Automatically he turned to his wife.
"It's Victoria. He explained. "She can't-"
She can't what? See you like this? Is that it? Emily said suddenly. The concern she had showed, quickly changing into annoyance.
Before Victor could respond there was a strangled gasp. They turned around and saw Victoria start to fall.
"Oh no!" Victor yelled out before running forward. Just before his former fiancée would have hit the ground, he caught her. Gently he lowered her the rest of the way, and began his search for signs of life. Emily was annoyed and the tiniest bit betrayed, until she saw her former rival. Then she understood.
"It was her corset wasn't it." Emily said quietly as she approached her husband and knelt down beside him.
Victor felt his wife's presence and smiled weakly. "Her mother thinks they're never tight enough." Victor said quietly. Emily glanced down at the other woman and smiled sadly. "I had almost forgotten. Will she be alright?"
Victor turns back to Victoria and carefully feels her wrist. He smiles as he finally feels a pulse. Looking a bit further, he notices Victoria's chest was now moving up and down.
Victor lets go of her hand, and turned to Emily smiling warmly. "Yes Darling. She's still breathing and should wake up soon."
"RATS!"
Emily laughed gently as Victor jumped from the sudden cry. Apparently he had forgotten about their guests who were still watching from their pews. One of the skeleton ladies though was now reprimanding the little skeleton boy for yelling out in a church.
Victor mock frowned at his wife and then smiled. "I think our guests are getting restless." He whispered softly. She smiled back. "There just anxious for the party to start." She whispered back.
"All right my Love. As soon as she wakes up… we'll go home."
As his words registered, Emily's face lit up. And the way she looked at him….Victor thought he would become forever lost in her eyes. Once again they had started to lean towards each other.
Everyone was so intent on watching what was sure to be another romantic moment, that they didn't see Victoria start to stir and then open her eyes.
