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Chapter Three-Wedding Rehearsal Gone Wrong

Three hours later, Gwen, Duncan, and their parents were in the hall, going through the rehearsal.

"Miss Stoss, from the beginning. Again!" Pastor Hatchet barked impatiently. "With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine." He shot a glare at Gwen that rivaled that of her mother. "Let's try it again!"

"Yes! Yes, sir." Gwen looked down at the floor, embarrassed, and then raised the candle she was holding.

"With this candle;" she tried to light it on a larger candle, but it wouldn't light, much to her frustration. She tried again "This candle..." Still, it didn't light. "This candle..." Nothing.

"Should I get up there and do it for her?" Blaineley asked, just loud enough for Gwen to hear.

"Don't get all aflutter, dear." Chris advised her. Gwen nervously looked from her own parents to the Libertines, who were glaring at her like she was something nasty they had just stepped in (which, in their minds, she probably was). Against her will, the poor girl's nerves were getting the better of her. She looked back at Pastor Hatchet, who cleared his throat. Gwen felt like she was backed into a corner, with no way out. To her relief, she noticed that the stupid candle finally got lit. She allowed a small smile to cross her face as she said, with renewed confidence

"With this candle," she let out a breath, and the candle blew out. She should've known it was too good to be true. Blaineley groaned behind her.

"CONTINUE!" Pastor Hatchet roared. The doorbell rang, providing a temporary relief.

"Get the door, Justin." Alejandro ordered his butler.

"Let's just pick it up at the candle bit." The pastor sighed as Justin walked up to his master.

"A Lady Courtney, sir." he said, handing him a card. Alejandro grimaced as the lady in question walked up next to him.

"I haven't a head for dates." she said. "Apparently I'm a day early for the ceremony."

"Is she from your side of the family?" Alejandro asked Heather.

"I can't recall." Heather answered. She snapped her fingers. "Justin, a seat for Lady Courtney!" Justin obliged, and Courtney seated herself, looking particularly pompous as she looked at the would-be newlyweds.

"Do carry on."

"Let's try it again, shall we Miss Stoss?" Pastor Hatchet asked, his tone indicating that he was getting sick of wasting his time with this girl.

"Yes, yes sir. Certainly." Gwen said as Duncan lit her candle with his own, doing her a favor.

"Right."

"Right." Gwen repeated. Suddenly noticing that her candle was in the wrong hand, she let out a start, almost dropping it before tossing it to the correct hand. "Oh! Right! With this, with this..."

"Hand!" Pastor Hatchet said, feeling like he was about to get a migraine.

"With this hand," Gwen put Duncan's hand in her own, and the two of them walked up to the candle. "I will..." She accidentally walked too far, and bumped into the pulpit.

"Three steps! Three!" Pastor Hatchet shouted. "Don't you know how to count?! Don't you want to get married, Miss Stoss?!"

"No, no!" Gwen shouted.

"You don't?" Duncan asked, secretly feeling hurt, though he didn't know why.

"No!" Gwen answered, then suddenly realized what she had said. "I mean, no, I do not not want to be married...I mean, I want to..." Gwen was unable to continue. Pastor Hatchet hit her on the head with his staff, his temper reaching its breaking point.

"Ow!"

"Pay attention! Have you even remembered to bring the ring?!"

"The ring!" Gwen gasped. "Yes, of course!" She pulled the ring out of a pocket in her dress. But then, of course, it slipped out of her fingers and went bouncing along the floor.

"Dropping the ring!" Pastor Hatchet shouted.

"She's dropped the ring!" Blaineley shrieked like a banshee as Gwen went down on her knees to try and grab it.

"This girl doesn't want to get married!"

"It's disgraceful!" Alejandro proclaimed as the ring went rolling under his chair.

"Excuse me, sorry!" Gwen said as she ducked down to get it. She then emerged from under the chair, holding the ring up triumphantly.

"Got it!" Behind her, Alejandro let out a startled cry. When Gwen had reached under his legs to grab the ring, she had accidentally left the candle behind, and one of his pants legs had caught fire.

"Out of the way, you ninny!" Heather hissed at Gwen, pushing her out of the way to try and help her husband. She tried stomping it out, however, she accidentally stomped on Alejandro's leg. To make matters worse, Gwen's parents had gotten in on the action too, Blaineley using her fan to try to put the flames out.

"Oh, I hope it doesn't stain!"

"Stop fanning it!" Alejandro shouted at her. Pastor Hatchet groaned and closed his Bible, rolling his eyes at the madness that was going on.

"Get a bucket! Get a bucket!" Blaineley shouted as Heather kept trying to stomp out the fire.

"On the way, dear!" Chris said, hurrying off. Courtney then held out the goblet of wine that was to be used for the ceremony, dumping its contents on Alejandro's pant leg. Cocky smirk on her face, she tossed the goblet away, satisfied. Justin, who was nearby, caught it on a tray, and Blaineley, Alejandro, and Heather stared at her, impressed.

"ENOUGH!" Pastor Hatchet roared, having finally reached his breaking point. "This wedding cannot take place until she is properly prepared!" Everyone (except Duncan) glared at Gwen as Pastor Hatchet rounded on her.

"Young lady, learn. Your. Vows." Gwen looked from him to Mr. and Mrs. Libertine, who were looking at her with such hatred that she could practically feel heat radiating off them to her own parents, who likewise looked angry and disappointed. She couldn't believe everything was going wrong like this. All for a stupid wedding rehearsal she didn't even want any part of. Feeling behind her, she grabbed the doorknob and turned it, opening the door and running out, away from everyone. Duncan looked at her with concern, while Courtney rubbed her fingers together behind him, smug smile still in place.

"Well, she's quite the catch, isn't she?" She asked. Duncan looked at her, then back at the door, hoping that Gwen would be alright.

A/N: Poor Gwen :( Well, the Corpse Groom himself finally shows up in the next chapter, so stay tuned! And, as always, leave a review!