~O^O~
Abel's eyes focused out a nearby window and caught a glimpse of the Empress's personal airship landing near by. He could safely assume that his dear little sister, Seth, was practically bursting at the seams with anticipation. Though he didn't think it was that surprising by the turn of events. What was so wrong with the thought of Abel Nightroad, Vatican priest, getting married? Though he had to admit it, Abel found himself constantly pinching his left arm to just to make sure this wasn't a dream. Although if this was a dream, Abel wanted to stay in the wonderful coma forever.
The priest double checked himself over in the mirror and smiled. He had said that he would have worn a tuxedo or something more suitable, but alas. Esther was just far too stubborn to listen to her soon to be husband. She had insisted that he wear his simple black robes. Not because he was an ordained Catholic priest, but because, as his beloved Esther quoted 'she couldn't keep her hands off of him when he wore them'. Abel just hoped Esther could wait until after the reception to jump him.
"Abel?" someone spoke, accompanied by a light knock. "Are you even up yet?"
"Of course." He answered while opening the door. Catherina stood in the doorframe smiling. She wore her regular red Cardinal robes. "I haven't slept a wink all night."
"Too nervous?"
"No. Excited!" He grinned wildly. Abel's oldest and dearest friend walked into his room. She looked as if she had been up half the night too, though not for the same reasons. "How's my blushing bride?" Abel asked while brushing his hair back into his regular hair ribbon. Catherina shrugged her shoulders.
"Haven't seen her and you're not suppose to be asking. Tradition, remember." Abel rolled his eye. "Need help?" The Cardinal didn't wait for Abel's permission. She grabbed the hairbrush out of his hands and continued brushing out any rouge snarls.
"Thank you." He mumbled to her. Catherina let a small smile slip across her lips. She secretly loved to brush Abel's hair. The Cardinal remembered when Abel would let her braid his hair when she was much younger. It still felt the same, silky smooth and smelled fresh and clean with a hint of what she thought could only be vanilla. She wondered where on earth Abel got his shampoos.
"Oh! By the way..." She spoke softly to him. "I wanted to inform you that your sister has finally arrived."
"I know...I saw her land before you came in."
"Shall I go and retrieve her for you?" She asked. Abel chuckled lightly to himself. "What?"
"What's with all the being nice. Brushing my hair. Asking me if you could go and get Seth. What happen to the Woman of Steel that I work for?" Catherina sighed and fought back the urge to yank slightly on Abel's hair.
"Consider it an early wedding gift." She scowled instead. Abel laughed quietly and handed the cardinal his infamous black ribbon. "Well...?
"I'll go and see her." He answered. "There are a few things that I need to go over with her before the ceremony starts."
"Oh." Abel pushed his glasses back his nose.
"Sibling business. I think Esther and I mentioned something about it to you earlier this week." He plainly spoke. Catherina nodded and spoke
"I'm happy that this moment happen during my life time. I never thought any of us would see the day that you wed. Let alone to Esther."
"Is it so hard to picture me in love?" Abel looked back at his old friend. She shook her head and laughed. "What?"
"Nothing." She spoke trying to rid any thoughts of her recent daydreams. Catherina felt tears start to form in her eyes. She had been fighting it for far too long and now...now it was best that she left Abel alone. How she wished she could have been his bride. "Well..."She spoke trying to gather her wits together and stay sane. "If you won't be needing me then, I need to make sure all your arrangements are ready."
Abel thanked Catherina and watched her leave. He let out a sigh and slumped in his chair, knowing how much this had to be hurting her. As the Cardinal said earlier and as often as she could since Abel purposed; she was happy for the both of them. Though he understood that it was a cover up and that she had hoped that it had been her in Esther's shoes. Although he had known Catherina since she was but a child, Abel could never love her more than that of a sister. She was his most trusted friend, one of the first to know his true history and not shy way, but Esther was different. She was daring, vibrant, and above all else...his. Esther had chosen to spend the rest of her life at his side.
Abel liked it when Esther tended to stand closer to him while his nanomachines were activated. How she would laugh and scoff at him for thinking he was this horrifying monster. "I am not the least bit afraid of you, Abel Nightroad.' He remembered her once saying. "If anyone is afraid of you it's you" Though she didn't know it, those nineteen little words saved him. It gave him back his self-confidence. He really had been afraid, afraid of what other people would think of him if they knew what he truly was. Esther was the only woman for him. He loved everything about her. From her sweet little smile when she held his hand all the way to the worried look among her screams as she came to his aide in battle.
Another knock on his door made the priest jump to his feet. The door flung open and a blur of green jumped onto him, knocking him back into his chair.
"Hello big brother!" Seth smiled delighted that she had caught him off guard.
"Hello little brat." Abel hugged her tightly. "I trust that your way over here was pleasant enough?" Seth shrugged and rolled her eyes.
"I probably could have flown here quicker, but..." She gave Abel the 'you-know-what-I-mean' look. Abel chuckled lightly. "Where's my new sister?" Abel took in a deep breath before he answered.
"Somewhere is in the Vatican. They won't let us see each other. I guess its tradition or something that the groom doesn't see the bride before the wedding. Absolutely ridiculous."
"Terrans and their traditions." Seth shook her head and smirked. "I can't believe that you went along with that one."
"Esther enforced it." He grumbled.
"Really? How?"
"With Tres. She has him standing guard." Seth laughed out loud. "It's not funny." Abel lowered his head to see over the brim of his glasses.
"Your absolutely pitiful Abel."
"Am not!" Abel retorted.
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!" Abel lashed out at Seth and tickled her sides. Seth laughed loudly and went after Abel's left knee.
"Wait...No...Stop....Ha...Seth...no" Abel spoke between fits of laughter.
"Are too!" She shot back. Abel growled and tickled Seth's sides harder. Seth tried to pull herself out of he brother's strong hands.
"Surrender." Abel stated.
"No!" Seth laughed.
"I'll stop if you surrender." He tickled her more.
"Oh...Oh...Okay! I give up. You win!" She shouted. Abel released Seth and crossed his arms. A big smile across his lips, Seth growled at him. "Will you ever grow up?"
"Depends. Will you ever stop being a brat?" Abel retorted. "Or annoying?"
"Your hopeless. I hope Esther knows what she's getting into."
"More than you know."
"Are you ready for this?" She asked next. Abel nodded eagerly .
"Ready and willing. It's what I want. Oh!" Abel snapped his fingers. "Which reminds me. Esther asked me yesterday if you would mind being her maid of honor." Seth's eye widened. "Her words were and I quote 'I really want Seth to be a part of this. She's your sister and she should be apart of our life." Abel smiled at his sister. "She's taking quite a liking to you."
"Not that it's hard." Seth added.
"No not a all." Abel butted in sarcastically. The empress ignored the remark.
"I would love to." She smiled sweetly. "I'd do anything for you and Esther. I love you both." Abel smiled. "I'm happy for the both of you." The priest looked over at a nearby alarm clock.
"And it seems I need to push you out of here. I got to get down and prepare for the ceremony." Seth looked at the time as well. They only had an hour.
"Sure."
"Go down to Catherina's office. She should be in there as well. She knows what's going on and will tell you what to do.' Seth nodded and looked up at her big brother. She felt a single tear run down her tear. "What's wrong?" he asked with concerned. Seth wrapped her arms around Abel and hugged him tightly.
"Nothing." She spoke weakly. "I just...I just never thought I would ever see the day you'd get married. I never thought you would...would..."
"Change?" Abel asked. Seth nodded. "My sweet silly Seth..." He smiled at her. "Everyone changes. After Lil..." Abel paused to gather his thoughts together. "She helped me out more than you know. More than she knew."
"She would have been very proud of you today." Seth felt more tears run down her cheek. "She always said you'd find someone special." Abel nodded in agreement. He held on his sister tightly.
"I love you Seth. I always will. No matter what happens in our lives."
"I love you too Abel. No matter what."
Thanks to all of you that have reviewed. I hope to get many more.
Up next....Esther and Ion.
Lil~Rahl (A Division of Crusniks~R~Us)
