Chapter 4: The Wedding

Part 1

Mitch, a tall, tanned man with brown, spiky hair and hazel eyes opened the door of Castle Café and entered. The first thing he noticed was a man lying on the ground at the bar. He sighed and walked to the man. He kicked him softly. "Sir, wake up. We open in two hours"

Cas opened his eyes and suddenly felt how soar he was. He squeezed his eyes and looked at Mitch. "Who are you?" he asked.

Mitch rolled his eyes, grabbed Cas' upper arm and lifted him on his feet. "There you go" he said.

"You are strong" Cas noted admirable.

Mitch frowned and looked away, not knowing what to think of it.

"Yeah, apparently" he said, feeling uncomfortable. "Okay, you, eh, you really need to go now"

But Cas didn't move an inch. "I think I did something stupid last night"

"We all do stupid things" Mitch said uncaring.

"I'm getting married today" Cas continued. "I can't live with someone in dishonesty"

Mitch let out a deep sigh. "I can't believe I'm really going to have this conversation with a total stranger"

"What conversation?" Cas asked confused.

"Look, man, if you love this girl and today's your wedding day, then here's one good advice. Whatever you did last night, don't tell her"

Cas shook his head. "I'm not sure if I can do that" he said uncertain.

"Let me guess, you cheated on her?" Mitch asked.

"I think so" Cas said.

"What's that supposed to mean? Did you actually sleep with another woman?" Mitch asked accenting.

"No" Cas said slowly.

"Then you didn't cheat on her" Mitch concluded.

"Really?" Cas said relieved. The concerned expression disappeared and he took a deep breath. "Okay, ehm, I have to go"

"Finally" Mitch said.

"I'm getting married" Cas said, as if he just realized it.

"Congrats" Mitch said.

"Yeah, thanks" Cas said, before rushing off.

Part 2

Daphne was in her bedroom putting on her dress, while Mrs. Allen was helping her.

"Can you try to keep still?" Mrs. Allen said reproaching. She was trying to zip the dress.

"I look fat in this dress" Daphne said. Mrs. Allen rolled her eyes.

"You look beautiful, dear" she said. "Every woman will be jealous and all men will want to marry you"

"Thank you, mom" Daphne smiled nervous. "But I'm only going to marry one"

"I hope so" Mrs. Allen laughed. She took some hairpins and used them to put Daphne's hair up. "Let me see that" she ordered and Daphne turned around. "Hmm" she said doubtful. She removed one pin and let the wisp fall on the left side of her face. "That's better"

"You think Emmanuel will like it?" Daphne asked.

"You look amazing" a male voice said and Daphne gasped.

"Emmanuel!" she exclaimed. "You're not supposed to be here! You can't see the bride before the wedding! It's bad luck!"

"I'm sorry" Cas said upset, now that Daphne started panicking. "I just need my costume"

Mrs. Allen sighed annoyed and opened the closet. She grabbed Cas' suit and threw it at him.

"Now, please go, before you upset my daughter even more"

"I'm really sorry" Cas said one more time before closing the door.

Mrs. Allen threw her arm around Daphne's shoulder and pulled her down on the bed. "Breathe, sweetheart, just breathe. Everything will be perfect today"

Part 3

Cas walked downstairs, his suit in his arms, when he bumped into someone. "Watch out where you're going" a slow, familiar and female voice said.

"What are you doing here?" Cas asked.

"Saving you" Meg said smug. "I saw you walking into the house and well, I know a thing or two about weddings. No celebration before the ceremony. No seeing the bride before the ceremony. I bet your Daphne Dearest is now going all crazy"

"You shouldn't be here" Cas said, looking around, hoping no one would see them together.

"You're absolutely right" Meg nodded. "But neither should you. Let's go" She grabbed Cas' arm and dragged him off the stairs and out of the house. She crossed the street in a rush and before they knew it they were standing in Meg's house.

"So this is where you live?" Cas asked redundant. He looked around. The house was rather bare. There was a table and chairs and some cupboards and closets and he assumed that somewhere there was a bed. But there was no radio, no television, no paintings.

"You want to see my bedroom?" Meg asked blunt.

"No, I'm afraid I have to decline your offer" Cas refused polite.

"Please, I insist" Meg said and she dragged Cas to her bedroom. "Okay, let me see your costume"

Cas handed it to her.

"Wow, that looks awful" Meg said horrified. "Who bought this? Don't tell me. I don't even want to know. We have to fix this"

The costume was black and classic. But the shirt had ruffles and that was so ridiculous. So Meg held the shirt tight and ripped off the ruffles.

"What are you doing?" Cas asked shocked.

"I'm fixing your wedding costume, of course" Meg said obvious.

"You're ruining it!" Cas said.

"Oh, damn, guess you can't get married now" Meg said cheerful.

"You think this is funny?" Cas said mad. "This is supposed to be the most beautiful day of my life and you're trying to ruin it. What have I ever done to you?"

Meg swallowed and looked down. "I'm sorry, Ca-Emmanuel" she quickly corrected herself. "I was just kidding. Give me the shirt, I can really fix it"

Part 4

Zoey was still lying in bed when Alexia jumped on the bed. "Wake up, mom! You have to get ready!" she said excited while she jumped up and down on the bed.

"Go away" Zoey muttered and she pulled the sheets over her head.

Alexia let herself fall on the bed and lifted up the sheet so she could see her mother's face. "Did you forget about the wedding?" she asked reproachful.

"No" Zoey said. "We're just not going"

"But we have to go. Aunty Daphne will be so sad if we don't" Alexia said a little upset.

"Aunty Daphne doesn't like mommy very much right now" Zoey said diplomatic.

"But I want to go!" Alexia protested. "I want to be flower girl"

Zoey sat up and sighed. "Honey, I'm afraid Aunty Daphne already has a flower girl" she said careful. "But I'm sure if you ask her nicely she'll let you do it"

"So, we're going?" Alexia asked, excited again.

"Yes, we're going" Zoey confirmed and she came out of bed to get ready.

Part 5

Zoey parked her car on the Butterfield Park parking and got out of her car. She walked around her car and opened Alexia's door.

"Why don't you go play on the field while I talk to aunty Daphne?" Zoey suggested.

"No, I want to come" Alexia pouted. "I want to ask her myself"

"Okay" Zoey said, raising her hands. "As you wish"

She took Alexia's hand and walked to the restroom. She knocked. "Daphne, you here?"

"Go away" Daphne said.

Zoey opened the door and walked in.

"I know you got an invitation, but I would think you'd understand I don't want you here today" Daphne said a little upset.

Zoey rolled her eyes and covered Alexia's ears. "Bitch, please, I'm not here for you" she mumbled. "Alexia wanted to come"

"Why? Sure you told her how awful and crazy aunty Daphne is" Daphne said.

"She needs to ask you something" Zoey said.

Daphne turned to Alexia and conjured a smile. "What is it, sweetie?"

"I want to be flower girl" Alexia said. "Please?" she added.

The smile on Daphne's face vanished. "Oh, I wish that were possible, but I'm afraid it's not. I already have two girls. I'm sorry, sweetie"

"Okay, aunty Daphne" Alexia said sad.

"Alex, honey, why don't you go play on the field outside while aunty Daphne and I talk?" Zoey said, looking sharp at Daphne.

"Okay, mommy" Alexia obeyed and she left the room. Once outside she almost collided to Meg.

"That wasn't very nice of your aunty Daphne, now was it?" she said. "Would you like to do something for me?"

"What?" Alexia asked suspicious.

Meg searched her pockets and conjured a cassette tape. "I need you to play this during the vows. I'll show you the music installation"

"Why can't you do it?" Alexia asked.

"Because I need to help Emmanuel" Meg said obvious.

"You're his friend?" Alexia asked. "Does he know about this?"

"No, it's a surprise for him" Meg whispered. "So, you'd be a really good girl if you could help me with it"

"Hmm, well, if it's for uncle Emmanuel I'll do it" Alexia agreed.

"Good girl" Meg smiled.

Part 6

Feeling uncomfortable and strange Cas decided to take a walk around the park. It was as if a hundred butterflies were fluttering in his stomach.

"You don't look so good, man"

Cas turned around and looked serious at Andy. "I don't feel so good, either"

"You need to use the bathroom?" Andy asked slightly concerned.

"That won't be necessary" Cas said. "I just have a bad feeling"

Andy nodded in understanding. This wasn't the first wedding he attended. It wasn't exactly uncommon for the bride or the groom to be nervous.

"Look, man, I'm sorry about last night" he said. "Lincoln was really pissed about his hand, you know"

"I don't understand why I get the blame for this incident. He tried to hit me. The blame is on him" Cas said cold.

"Yeah, I know, we were just messing with you" Andy said. "But, hey, no harm done. It was just to welcome you to our family"

"Apology accepted" Cas said and he reached out his hand, which Andy accepted. As soon as Andy was holding Cas' hand he pulled him closer and whispered: "No one's forcing you to say yes. You can still walk away"

Cas jerked his hand and frowned, but before he could ask for an explanation, Andy said: "I think you should go. Daphne won't wait much longer"

He walked away and left Cas behind, who was now even more confused on what to do.

Part 7

Cas was standing next to the altar, waiting for Daphne to come. As the music started she appeared and walked over the aisle. She looked at Cas only, happier than ever. Mr. Allen was walking with her and though he tried, he didn't even look half as happy as his daughter. If anything, he looked tensed. But maybe that was just a father thing. It's never easy to let your children go.

As soon as Daphne was standing in front of Cas the priest started talking. While he was doing that, Cas looked around him and was somewhat relieved to see Meg sitting in the audience. At least one familiar face. She caught his eye and winked.

Daphne coughed, forcing Cas to look back at her.

"Emmanuel, when I saw you for the first time I fell in love with you instantly. You have this innocence coming off of you and you can calm me down by just being with me. Though we've only known each other for a short period of time, I know I can trust you. I know you won't leave me. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I won't ever let you go"

Cas swallowed. That all sounded so definitive.

"Emmanuel, it's your turn" the priest said, when Cas hesitated.

"Right, sorry" Cas said. He coughed. Daphne's speech had seemed so well-rehearsed and it probably was, but he hadn't prepared anything.

"Just say what's in your heart" Daphne said sweet. Cas looked at Meg and suddenly he knew the right words to say.

"Daphne, you found me on a time I most needed to be found. I was a stranger, but you gave me shelter. Where others showed me suspicion and hatred, you showed me kindness and love. And now you give me the chance to have your kindness and love for the rest of our lives. I can't wait to get started"

One single tear rolled over Daphne's cheek and Cas frowned worried. Daphne shook her head. "It's okay" she whispered. "I'm just happy"

"Is there anyone here who has just cause why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace" the priest said loud.

Meg jumped up. "Emmanuel, don't marry her! I still love you so much!"

Daphne looked shocked at Cas, who looked shocked at Meg.

"Nah, I'm just kidding. Go on" Meg said and she sat down again.

"Daphne, do you take Emmanuel as your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do" Daphne said, beaming.

"Emmanuel, do you take Daphne as your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?"

But before Cas could say I do or don't, a voice was heard.

It was a man and he was groaning. Whatever was happening he seemed to enjoy it.

All eyes were on Cas now who looked only at Daphne. She was crying again, but now it wasn't of happiness. She turned around and ran away.

Part 8

For a minute Cas' feet seemed to be stuck on the ground, but as he saw Daphne running away, along with the opportunity of a lifetime with her, he forced himself to move.

However as he tried to reach her, he felt a firm grip on his upper arm and the next moment he and Meg were standing next to the swimming pool.

"What in God's name do you think you're doing?" Cas asked furious.

"I am saving you from the biggest mistake in your life" Meg said. "You don't want to marry that girl"

"Because I want to marry you? Is that what you're trying to say?" Cas asked still angry.

"No! Just not her! You don't even know who you are! Shouldn't you figure that out before you jump into commitments?" Meg exclaimed.

"I may not know who I am, I still know how I feel" Cas said sharp. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find my fiancée"

"No" Meg said and she grabbed his arm. Cas pushed her away, and she fell backwards. But since she was still holding on to Cas, she dragged him along into the swimming pool. As soon as they both reached the water surface Meg grabbed Cas' collar and kissed him passionately. The kiss took Cas by surprise. It was not like any of the kisses he had shared with Daphne.

"Don't marry her" Meg pleaded.

"I have to go" Cas said with a trembling voice. "I love her"

Meg shook her head. "You're confusing gratitude with love. Because that's the only thing you're feeling. Gratitude. And maybe loyalty. Neither is enough to marry someone. You think you owe her something, because you think she saved your life. But truth is, she never did. You were never in need of saving"

"Just go away" Cas said as he swam to the shore.

Part 9

Mrs. Allen was sitting on a bench next to Daphne, her arm thrown around her. Daphne was crying incessantly and Mrs. Allen was trying to console her.

"I'm so sorry you had to hear that, sweetheart" she said soft.

"I don't understand" Daphne sobbed. "Why would he do this to me? I thought he loved me. I took care of him, without questioning him. I stood up for him, I believed in him. What does that slut have that I don't?"

"Nothing, sweetheart, absolutely nothing" Mrs. Allen said. "Emmanuel is a fool not to see all the beauty that's in you"

"I hope he rots in hell" Daphne said bitter.

"Come on, sweetheart, that's not nice" Mrs. Allen said.

"I know, mom. I don't even mean it. I just love him so much" Daphne cried.

"I know, sweetheart, I know" Mrs. Allen said, caressing Daphne's hair. "But if Emmanuel slept with another woman, it must mean his feelings for you are not as strong as your feelings for him and in that case it's better to know it now than after"

Daphne shook her head confused. "What are you trying to say, mom?"

"I'm trying to say that maybe it's for the best. Perhaps Emmanuel wasn't the right guy for you. Maybe you should come with us, live with your father and me for a while" Mrs. Allen suggested careful.

"You want me to cancel the wedding?" Daphne exclaimed.

"Haven't you already?" Mrs. Allen said obvious.

"This is a setup" Daphne said soft and she stood up. "You tricked Emmanuel into cheating on me. Andy drugged him or something and then they hired a whore to sleep with him. Emmanuel couldn't stop her and of course he liked it, he's a man, after all, but he never meant for it to happen"

"Sweetie, you're making no sense" Mrs. Allen said serious.

"You're trying to ruin my wedding, so I would come back to you and you can spy on me" Daphne continued.

"That's enough, Daphne" Mrs. Allen said sharp. "Sit down. Our conversation is not over yet"

"Oh, yes, it is" Daphne said. She turned around and ran away.

"Daphne!"

Daphne turned around again and saw Cas walking her way. She waited for him to catch up on her.

"I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you" he said quick.

"It's okay, I forgive you" Daphne said breathless and she took his hand. "Come on, they're waiting for us"

Part 10

Cas opened the front door and carried Daphne over the doorstep. "You can put me down now" Daphne said.

"Shouldn't I carry you into our bedroom?" Cas asked.

"I'm thirsty. I want to have a drink first" Daphne explained.

"Okay" Cas said and he put her down. She walked to the kitchen and Cas followed her. As she took a glass from the cupboard Cas came standing behind her. He lay her hair over her shoulder and kissed her neck.

Daphne groaned and turned around. Cas continued kissing her as his hands searched their way underneath the dress.

"Bring me to our bedroom" Daphne said breathless.

Cas threw her in his arms and raced to the bedroom. He put her down on her feet and zipped her dress down while Daphne unbuttoned his shirt and pants.

When they were both naked Cas carried her to the bed and lay her down. He looked at Daphne, not sure what to do next.

"What's wrong, honey?" Daphne asked sweet.

"I, ehm,…I have to tell you something" Cas said nervous.

"What is it? You don't have an STD, do you?" Daphne asked concerned.

"No" Cas said. "I…I'm not sure how…I've never done this before" he finished.

"What?" Daphne said, getting up.

"I don't know how to do this. I've never been with women before" Cas said, too ashamed to look at her.

"Then what were you doing on that tape?" Daphne asked totally surprised.

"That was Meg. I'm not sure how you call it, but she took my penis in her mouth" Cas said turning red.

"She gave you a blow job?" Daphne asked with raised eyebrows.

"I guess" Cas said. "Are you angry now?"

"No, I'm not angry. Just disappointed" Daphne said sad. "I can't sleep with you if you're still a virgin"

"Why not?" Cas asked.

"I just can't, okay?" Daphne snapped and Cas startled. She climbed out of bed and walked to the closet.

"What are you doing?" Cas wondered when Daphne got dressed.

"I can't stay here" Daphne said. "I need some time alone. I need to think this through"

"Maybe I should go, then" Cas offered.

"No, you stay right where you are" Daphne said. "Don't worry, I'll come back"

And without any proper goodbye she opened the door and left.