NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I'm gonna jump forward to the Wedding From Hell for this chapter so that I can move things along. It'll be easier for me to explain things in later chapters.

Chapter Seven

Anaheim Pond

08/23/04

Lita sat in the private dressing room, slowly unpacking her things and trying to keep her mind off of the wedding she didn't want. She was completely by herself by choice. She had requested a private room to avoid the looks of pity and sadness on her co-workers' faces. In less than two hours, she would be married against her will to the man she hated with every fiber of her being.

If the circumstances had been different, and it was Matt that she was going to marry instead of Kane, the room would have been filled with the sounds of laughter and happy chatter, with a bridesmaid or two getting ready for the big event and hovering over Lita to make sure her hair and makeup and dress and accessories were absolutely perfect. She would glide happily down the aisle to where Matt stood, with a breathtaking smile on his face, and joyously recite the vows that would make them both husband and wife.

But it would never come to pass. This trip down the aisle would be like a walk to the the gas chambers or the electric chair. It felt more like an execution than a wedding.

A pounding on the closed door interrupted her gloomy thoughts. Lita stood up and glared; there could be only one person who'd want to see her at this point. "Get out!" she snarled.

Kane barged in, a garment bag slung over his shoulder. The Big Red Machine circled his bride-to-be and looked her up and down. Lita flinched, feeling like a piece of property.

Look I know you want me to leave," Kane began. "I know it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. But I couldn't help it. There is nothing that is going to ruin this wedding tonight." He paused. "Our wedding. This night is very special to me, Lita. It is going to be an all white affair, to signify the purity of my child that you'll be carrying. "That's why I'm going back on something I once said." Kane opened the garment bag. "That's why I want you to wear this."

With that, he pulled a wedding gown of snow-white satin out of the bag. It was rather lovely, with embroidery on the train. He chuckled as he fluffed out the full skirt.

Kane caught the look of disgust in Lita's eyes as she stared at the dress. His eyes narrowed and his voice grew sharper. "Look, I know you don't want to do this, Lita, but you're up." Another chuckle escaped him as he tilted Lita's chin up so he could stare into her face. "Because after all, it's a nice day for a white wedding."

With that, Kane turned and left, his laughter echoing down the hall.

Lita gazed down at the dress in dismay. It's not a nice day for a wedding, she thought drearily. It's more like a nice day for a funeral.

~~~LITA~~~

Meanwhile, in her own private dressing room, Trish Stratus turned this way and that in front of a full-length mirror, admiring the way her outfit played up her curves. Perfect, she thought. Since Lita can't wear white, I figured that I could.

Besides, she needs a maid of honor!

A knock on the door interrupted her silent admiration. "Who is it?"

"Christian. Can I come in?"

"Door's unlocked."

Christian goggled at the sight of Trish in her maid of honor outfit. "Where are your clothes?"

"These are my clothes," Trish shot back, twirling around so that her boyfriend could get a view from every angle. "I'm gonna be Lita's maid of honor tonight. Tell me this outfit doesn't rock."

Trish wore a low cut bra of white lace that pushed her breasts up almost to her chin and displayed her cleavage. Her white lace thigh-high stockings and panties matched the bra, and her sheer lacy coat left little to the imagination.

"Uhmmm...you're not wearing that to the ceremony, are you?"

Trish looked at her boyfriend like he'd sprouted horns. "Of course I'm wearing it, Babe. Why do you think I put it on?"

Christian shook his head. "That looks like something you'd wear on a wedding night. Not to a wedding ceremony."

"I thought it was appropriate."

"What, are you trying to upstage the bride? Trish, I know you don't like Lita, but this is getting out of hand."

"What's up with you?" Trish folded her arms across her chest. "Ever since you've been back, you've been walking around like you've got a bee up your ass."

"Trish," Christian explained, closing the door behind him. "I've been trying to reconnect with you since I came back. I thought you'd be over the moon about me coming back here. But all you've been doing is running around making Lita miserable, and you've barely given me the time of day."

Trish glared at him in disgust. "When did you decide to take up for Lita all of a sudden? Last time I checked, you didn't like her any more than me!"

"Hey, I don't like Lita any more than you do. But it's like you're all...I don't know, obsessed, I guess...with making her life a living hell."

"Well it's not my fault that she decided to get knocked up with Kane's baby-"

"It's not like she chose to sleep with him. If I remember correctly, that motherfucker forced himself on her. He was gonna break her boyfriend's neck with a chair if she didn't do what he demanded of her. There's no way in Hell she'd have slept with a freak like him because she wanted to"

Trish glared at her boyfriend. "You are taking up for her, aren't you?"

"I'm just calling it as I see it." Christian shook his head in disgust. "God, I can't believe I'm actually having this conversation with you." He paused and then headed for the door. "Look, if you wanna keep getting under Lita's skin, fine. But I'm staying out of it."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I'm going back to the hotel."

Trish chased after her boyfriend. "Wait! How am I gonna get back tonight?"

"Tyson's here. Get a ride with him. Or bum a ride off of one of your girlfriends. I'm out of here."

"Christian, come back here! We can hang out after the show! I'll even wear this to the bedroom if you want! Wait, you're walking too fast! Christian-" By the time Trish turned the corner, Christian had disappeared.

Exasperated, she made a high-pitched whining noise and stamped her foot. What the hell is up with him, she wondered, as she turned back towards her dressing room. Oh, well. It's not gonna stop me from showing up tonight.

She picked up her cell phone and tapped out a number. "Hey, Tyson, it's Trish. Yeah. Okay, I guess. I'm on the other end of the building. Christian's being a prick right now. Can I get a ride back to the hotel with you..."

~~~LITA~~~

Lita gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She had slipped into the wedding gown and put on the matching veil. The dress was quite flattering, with a halter style neckline that left her shoulders bare. It was embellished with delicate white embroidery that gave the dress enough detail without it being too ostentatious. The back had a short train trimmed in white lace. It was a beautiful dress by any standards, one that Lita would have been happy to wear if the circumstances were different.

As she looked into the mirror, she thought, This should have been Matt's and my wedding day! Snarling in anger, she picked up a pitcher of water and hurled it into the mirror. The pitcher shattered, and water spilled everywhere.

She stepped back and let a sly smile creep across her face. White wedding? I don't think so. Turning away from the mirror, Lita let her gaze rest on the garment bag she'd brought with her. What was in that bag would be much more appropriate for the occasion.

~~~LITA~~~

"Man!" JR sighed, as he gazed around at the all-white floral arrangement. "Well, the ring has been...transformed."

He was right about the ring being transformed. In a few short minutes, the ring had become a wedding chapel. Everything—the carpeting on the ring, the wedding arch, the ribbons, the flowers, the instruments being played by the string quartet that had been hired to perform for this occasion—was white. Not only was it bland—but it was blinding in its whiteness.

Lawler caught the tone of dismay in his colleague's voice. "That wasn't a good sign, JR."

JR shook his head in disbelief. "The Wedding From Hell is a heartbeat away, King. I can't believe this is even gonna happen."

The broadcaster's view changed to a shot of Kane strutting around backstage, resplendent in an all-white tuxedo ensemble.

"Oh my God, look at Kane!" JR spat.

"Yeah JR, but look how happy he looks."

"Is that a tuxedo?" wondered JR, watching Kane adjust the lapels on his tuxedo jacket.

"He's a great-looking groom!" Lawler beamed, as Kane took a deep breath and smiled.

"Folks, I can't believe this is actually gonna happen. But the Wedding From Hell is happening next!"

~~~LITA~~~

"Look at this beautiful ensemble that they've got here, JR!" marveled Lawler, as a pastor, dressed all in white, took his position on the stage. The quartet was playing a classical number, and the music filled the air. "I don't know who's paying for this, the parents of the bride, or...well, they've spared no expense. This is beautiful!"

"Everything's white!" JR fired back. "But it's still, in my view, the Wedding From Hell."

"Would you do me a favor?" Lawler barked in irritation. "Would you just sit here and be quiet? Act a little reverent?"

A white tuxedo clad dwarf in makeup and spiked blonde hair strutted towards the ring, carefully holding a satin pillow with a wedding band attached to it.

Upon seeing the little man, Lawler cocked an eyebrow. "Well, I guess you're right, JR. This might be a little bizarre. I guess that's the ring bearer. But at least he's smiling."

Another dwarf—this one a young woman in a white dress that was cut low and tight to show off her cleavage and ample curves and dark hair to her waist—walked happily down the aisle, tossing white petals from a little basket out into the crowd.

"That is the flower girl?" Lawler turned to his colleague. "JR, do you think those flowers might be poisonous?" A little smile creased his lips. "But then again, love is a beautiful thing."

The musical ensemble paused and then began an orchestral version Kane's theme song. At the sound of the unique musical arrangement, the crowd erupted as Kane marched proudly towards the makeshift chapel.

"Look at the big smile on Kane's face, JR. That is one happy groom." Noticing the grumpy expression on JR's face, Lawler questioned, "Why aren't you smiling? He's about to become normal."

JR shook his head.

Kane shook the hands of the pastor and the ring bearer and kissed the flower girl on the cheek. He took his position next to the pastor in happy anticipation for his bride.

Finally, the first strains of the familiar bridal chorus sounded to announce Lita's arrival. Kane's smile evaporated as he saw Lita stalk across the stage to the entrance ramp, with a hateful glare pasted across her face. Instead of the snowy-white gown he'd picked out for her, she was dressed in a black gown and veil. The white bouquet she carried stood out in sharp contrast to the black as night satin.

The music turned ominous as Kane's expression transformed from joy to smoking rage.

"What's this, JR?" Lawler asked, as Lita locked eyes with her groom-to-be. "I thought she was supposed to wear a white dress."

Aware of the fury in Kane's eyes, but choosing to ignore it, Lita continued down the aisle.

Lawler shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it's a nice contrast. Black and white."

Finally, Lita climbed up the steps to the makeshift wedding chapel. She glanced up at Kane and saw his expression change once more to that of amusement. "Somehow, I knew you wouldn't wear that dress," he chuckled softly.

The pastor cleared his throat. "Good evening," he began. "And welcome to the wedding of Kane and Lita. Tonight is a very special night as we unite these two in holy matrimony. But, before we commence, there's a man who has something very important he would like to say."

Lita glanced towards the entrance ramp in surprise. Maybe Matt's here? she thought hopefully. The last time she'd seen him had been three days earlier, after she'd talked to her family about her forced nuptials. He'd given her a hug and kiss goodbye as she boarded an airplane to Anaheim. He'd seemed resigned to the marriage, but perhaps he'd traveled here in secret.

"A man who is very close to both the bride and the groom. He has requested this opportunity to address you both," continued the pastor. "Kane, Lita, please welcome Eric Bischoff."

Lita's heart sank as the general manager of RAW, holding what looked like a Bible, strutted arrogantly to the top of the entrance ramp, wearing a smirk that deserved to be slapped off of his face. And he's dressed all in white, too! You bastard!

"First of all, I would just like to say how honored I am to be a part of this blessed occasion. And in the honor of the bride and groom, I'd like to take this opportunity to read one of my favorite passages from the Holy Bible." Bischoff slipped on a pair of reading glasses and opened the book. "It's from Ephesians 5:25."

Lita rolled her eyes. God, and Bitchoff can't even pronounce the name of the Bible book properly!

"Two lives, two people, so very different, yet so similar. Together we stand as one, sharing our future as it comes. The past is that past. Buds are yet to blossom, with care and trust, the best is yet to be revealed. Honesty and kindness are the fruits of love. Lord, bless this day and always to enrich us so our love may never die. Amen."

That's not even a Bible verse! Lita thought in disgust as Bischoff turned and headed backstage.

The pastor continued. "Kane, Lita, while I don't know you personally, I gather it's clear to me that you have a very...unique relationship. And to illustrate this relationship to the entire world just how unique it is, I understand that the groom has put together a very special video. A video which will illustrate his love for you, Lita."

Kane gestured towards the Titantron, and Lita had no choice but to watch. It was a video showing Lita and Kane in various scenes, set to a cheesy country version of "Having My Baby." The first was a scene of her doing her entrance dance before a match. It then switched to a shot of Kane leering at her. Lita's stomach flopped sickening as she watched a scene of her taking a pregnancy test, and her heart broke when she saw the scene of Matt's aborted proposal and Kane's announcement that he'd slept with Lita. The expression of heartbreak on her face matched the devastation she felt in her heart at the moment.

Inwardly, Lita cringed as she saw a shot of Kane stroking her face and saw pictures from her ill-fated "bridal shower." No doubt the smile on Kane's face matched the one she saw splashed across the Titantron screen. There were more scenes; Kane cornering her in the ring as she tried to protect Matt; of Kane puckering up for a big kiss, and the infamous "First Kiss" that Trish had so graciously made a portrait of.

Lita felt goosebumps rise on her skin as she saw herself being held hostage in the boiler room. Adrenaline rushed through her as she watched herself get picked up in a chokeslam that Kane didn't follow through on. She watched herself slap Kane in the face, and watched herself flee backstage after the Summerslam match. The last scene was the worst. It was a shot of her cringing in terror as Kane snuck up from behind and tried to wrap his arms around her. A red heart surrounded the unhappy couple, in a cruel parody of love and romance.

When the video mercifully reached its end, Kane wiped a tear from his eye and took Lita's hand in his to kiss it. Lita yanked it back in disgust. A female voice in the audience shouted, "Run, Lita! Run! Run, girl!"

If only it was that simple, Lita thought dejectedly.

The pastor caught the animosity between the couple and composed himself. "Uh...moving on, we are now ready to join you in wedlock. In the spirit of being unique, I understand that the couple has decided to write their own vows. Kane?"

Kane gazed down at his bride. "Lita, when I first chose you to carry my seed, I chose you because of your strength. I chose you because I knew you would stand up for yourself. You'd surprise me, when I thought I'd completely taken the fight out of you. And even tonight, you chose to defy me. On my special night. Our special night. I admire that, but even so, you need to understand one thing. Lita, I'm happy to say that you're more than just the woman who will bring my offspring into the world. You are now...my property. You are mine to do with, as I see fit. You will never know freedom, you will never again feel the embrace of another man. For there is no escape, Lita. From this day forward, until the day... you... die. You... are... mine..."

The pastor shuddered slightly. "Lita, would you...would you like to proceed?"

Lita fixed Kane with a glare that could take paint off a wall as she removed a piece of paper she'd tucked into the top of her wedding dress. "Kane, I hate you more than life itself," she began. "You are a vile, horrible man with no soul. And even though I have no choice but to marry you, I want to make it clear that I love, and will always love – Matt Hardy."

At the mention of Matt's name, the crowd erupted into cheers.

Kane stared at Lita, the expression on his face unreadable.

Lita continued. "The only joy I have now in life is in hoping and praying for you to suffer a horrible accident resulting in your painful and immediately death. I sincerely hope you rot in hell."

A tense moment passed. Then, to Lita's astonishment, Kane flashed his ugly smile. "That…was lovely," he said.

The pastor looked a little more unnerved. "Per—perhaps we should proceed to the end of the ceremony. Kane, Lita, it is now time to join you in matrimony." He paused. "If there is anyone here who feels that these two should not be joined in holy matrimony at this time, please speak now or forever hold your peace!"

Kane looked suspiciously towards the entrance ramp. Lita glanced around, her hope rekindled slightly. Maybe someone's going to stop this! Matt! Please be here! Anyone! I don't want to do this!

A pause. Then, the pastor continued. "Very well then. Lita, do you-"

Then, the unthinkable happened. Trish Stratus's music came on loud and clear through the arena.

For the love of God, not her! Lita thought in humiliation. Yet another jab. Why can't she leave me the hell alone?

"Oh, my God!" gasped JR, as Trish appeared on the entrance ramp. The diva looked downright slutty in her bra and panties ensemble and stiletto heels. A smirk graced her pretty features as she held up a microphone.

"Guess this is a white wedding, JR!" Lawler laughed.

"I'm sorry, Father," Trish said to the pastor as she started towards the makeshift chapel. "I'm not here to stop the ceremony. I'm simply here to show my support to my…very good friend, Lita."

Very good friend my ass! Lita thought in fury as she glared at her nemesis.

Trish continued. "You know, I thought it was just plain terrible that on your big night, you didn't even have a maid of honor! So I thought to myself, who better…than me? She flashed a fake smile and opened up her lace coat. "I even wore white! Because I knew that you couldn't." She winked.

Way to rub it in, Bitch! Lita stared at the skimpy outfit, at a loss for words.

Trish had the audacity to climb the steps up to the chapel, where she stood face to face with the bride to be. "Now Lita. I personally don't believe in sex before marriage, but I wanna let you know that I support your decisions 100 percent." Lita saw the condescension in Trish's eyes and felt her blood boil. "I know that you're all nervous and confused about having to marry Kane, but I just wanna let you know that everything is gonna be just fine."

You're not the one marrying this freak, Lita thought.

Trish flashed a cruel little smile. "All you have to do is open your heart...just like you opened your legs."

Lita had enough. She snarled and smacked Trish across the face with her bouquet of flowers. Before Trish could react, Lita pounced on her blonde nemesis like a cat and knocked her onto the carpeted entrance ramp, where she pounded Trish's head into the floor and punched her in the face.

"She can't do this!" Lawler shouted.

"And she's pregnant!" added JR. "A pregnant woman assaulting Trish Stratus!" Trish screamed as she tried to protect herself from Lita's furious attack.

"You bitch!" Lita shrieked at her. "I hate you! I hate you, you fake bitch!"

"Somebody stop them!" Lawler exclaimed.

"Well, Trish had no business being out here!" JR fired back.

"She was the maid of honor."

Quick as a flash, Kane rushed to the fighting women and dragged Lita off of Trish. "Kane restraining his future bride," JR said, as Kane hauled a struggling Lita back to the converted ring. Trish, sputtering and coughing, struggled to her feet and staggered backstage. "Lita should not be in a situation like that."

"Come on, let's go!" Kane barked at the pastor.

The pastor held up a hand. "Okay. Alright. Alright." He paused briefly. "I, I think it's best for all parties that we conclude this ceremony. Lita, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Lita glanced up at her hideous groom. A leering smile was on his face as he awaited her answer. As she stared at him, she realized that she had let herself be manipulated by this man for far too long. She had allowed herself to get into a nearly impossible situation, one that she couldn't escape without help. If this wedding came to pass, she knew she would be considered helpless, weak, and pathetic. At that moment of epiphany, she suddenly understood that the only one who could help her now was herself.

God, give me the strength! she prayed silently. Help me survive! If I don't please help me at least go down swinging!

The crowd shouted frantically, waiting for her answer. Lita squared her shoulders. Her eyes met the mismatched eyes of the man who had terrorized her for far too long. She took a deep breath and moved close to the microphone in front of her.

"NO!" she screamed.

The crowd erupted into loud cheers.

"WHAT?" Lawler shouted.

"I don't believe this!" JR gasped. "Lita just said no!"

Kane's jaw dropped in shock as he stared speechlessly at his bride. It took him a few seconds to gather his wits, and when he did, he leaned over and snarled. "You signed a contract, Lita! You'd better say I do, or I will crush you and your family and your friends. Say it, Lita! Say it! SAY IT!"

"I already said it, Kane. NO!"

Kane shook his head in anger. He clenched his fists, trying his best to keep his temper in check.

"I don't think anyone in this arena knows this," Lita started. "But last week, I had a miscarriage."

A gasp went up from the crowd.

"King, I don't know what to say," JR said, his voice suddenly quiet.

"Did Kane know about this?" wondered Lawler.

"I'm not sure."

"What it means, Kane, is that I lost the baby. And you knew that I lost it. And you didn't really care. You know, you could have let me rest and recover after it happened. But you didn't want to. You had to have your precious white wedding, and you had to have it in front of the whole world. You had to have all the control. But I guess that's not happening right now, is it?"

Kane's face began to turn red.

JR's voice was full of venom. "He knew Lita lost her baby? That bastard! If he had any decency, he would have called off this ceremony, or at the very least postponed it! What a heartless sonofabitch!"

"Well, maybe he wanted to make sure that if he and Lita tried again, they could be legitimate about it." Lawler offered, weakly.

"That's not the point, and you know it!" JR growled in disgust at his colleague. Lawler, knowing he'd said too much, fell silent.

The roaring of the crowd gave Lita the strength to continue. "As I sat alone and in agony the night it happened, I could only think of one thing. That the baby I was carrying would never have to know you as its father. And all I can say is Thank God!"

The crowd went ballistic.

"Kane, I had a good career, a man who loved me and a life I enjoyed. But then you came along, and decided that you were going to make me your property and force me to carry your seed. You didn't care that I loved someone else. You didn't give a damn about me. You didn't care about my own family, or my own life, or my own career. It was all about you!

"What you did to me and Matt was beyond selfish. And I was a fool to think that if I went to bed with you, you'd leave Matt and me alone. No! It was just way to sucker me in. Kane, the fact is, you forced your will on me! And tonight, you've tried it again, just to show everyone that you could."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing, JR!" Lawler ventured

"Kane, getting both barrels from his bride to be, Lita!"

Lita had the courage to draw closer. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear, Kane. I don't love you. I could never love a sick, twisted, sweaty, evil, pathetic man who is as ugly on the inside as he is on the outside. You don't deserve the privilege of being a father. And if you think for one second that I'm going to be your property until the day you die, you are dead wrong! Kane, what goes around comes around. You destroyed my life, so it's only fitting that I destroy yours!"

Finally, finished with her tirade, Lita stepped back from the microphone, her heart pounding in fearful anticipation. The look of pure rage on Kane's face told her all she needed to know. She had just humiliated her husband to be in front of a worldwide audience. The consequences were going to be swift and severe, and she knew it. But she also knew that she would never take back any of what she'd said for all the money in the world.

She closed her eyes and steeled herself for what would happen next.

And seconds later, all Hell broke loose.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: WOW! Cliffhanger! It always happens. I plan to write one chapter, and it turns into two or three. You'll find out what happens to Lita in the next chapter. And Trish is so preoccupied with tormenting her rival that it's hurting her personal relationships. She's gonna need to quit, or it's gonna bite her on the ass!

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