Annetta came yesterday before coming down to Wintermere and she got a dress in space so that saved her time from getting one when she got down here. The night was rather fun since Annetta and Vanessa made sure there was some girl time and we had a makeover night with movies and popcorn. Gabriella wanted no part of it and just sulked until we all feel asleep. The next morning Grandma gets me up and I see things on the table meant for me to sign soon after the wedding one of which is changing my last name. July 28th is going to be our wedding anniversary from here on out and all of our immediate family has come including grandparents and my Godparents but that is it who is here other than dates here and there that our siblings brought and Clarice as a witness. Narcissa and Daisy are up as well but it appears they are getting my dress and things ready even if the wedding isn't until 5 in the afternoon then going for dinner at Polly's Restaurant and Hotel which is a large family restaurant and hotel in town and it has been booked.
"Can't I sleep in?" I ask. "I thought the wedding wasn't until the afternoon."
"Not really, you have some things to do before getting married not that most of it isn't done and won't take that long nor will this. It just needs done because of the tribe for the female the males are done last night. We will head down to the actual area of the reservation and the elders will pray and bless you. It won't take more than an hour."
"Ok, I'll get dressed."
Anthony stayed in the hotel which tonight I'll joining him before going on the vacation which technically is our honeymoon now for the weekend. After getting in shorts and a tank top along with putting my hair in a ponytail and putting flip flops on I am ready to go. Getting to a large area surrounded by pueblos there are the rest of the 7 elders one of them being Anthony's grandfather and husband to the cutoff grandmother. One of the females comes up to me.
"Are you a virgin?" she asks.
"Yes," I reply. "Why are you…?"
"Hannah, she's 11 and forced into this marriage by the government because of her parent's death. There is no way in hell she would not be a virgin still unless she has be raped considering I know they have an agreement to wait until they are married to have sex. Also I told you not to ask that before the blessing since it has nothing to do with the blessing unless they are pregnant where we bless the child and the mother. I know you want a pure marriage for everyone but nowadays that's give and take."
"Sorry Shima, this is your granddaughter?"
"One of them she is Susanna, remember, Hannah? I have several granddaughters since I had 3 children all of which had children of their own."
"Right, where are the others?"
"Still sleeping, since the wedding isn't until 5 and it is just family members most grandparents, parents, siblings, and Aunts and Uncles that they keep in touch with including if they have any children."
"Do you have lots to do for this?"
"Everything is set up but I am officiating this wedding as well so I can't stay long."
"Right," states Tony's grandfather. "And Pamela and I will be joining it as well so I understand the time crunch since we two want to get ready for the day."
At that I am sitting inside a circle with them forming the circle around me and have a few things one of them being the staff that Shima uses and is her wand. There is pastel pink and blue sheets and strings that I see and the most obvious along with a bow and arrows which I only heard given to select few mostly of very strong members of the tribe and usually notes a very strong marriage. They start to chant what I know of it, it is translated into this:
"Let this lady be protected, bear many children, toil the lands, and take care of her husband to be. Let her have patience, kind hearted, love, peace, and a warm home. Spirits hear our cries for this lady is about to marry later in the day and we wish that you watch over her and her husband. Protect her from all the evil spirits which wishes to see the marriage fail or weaken the marriage so we seek that you to strengthen this marriage and keep it together when times get hard. Let her know that she has a village that will help her if something horrible comes up and that we will help. Show her the way when things get dark."
The chant this for an hour while going around in a circle after the second chant and I can see a drum, wooden whistles and flutes, rattle, and other instruments that Taloni tribe uses. It safe that last night was technically Tony's bachelor party here since after the chant the male tribal celebrates it with him while the females like last helps to get the female ready. It ends with one of the members giving me the bow and arrow set.
Putting them on my back we head back but Grandma seems to be pissed off and I have a good idea why because they aren't supposed to come and she knows the guest list and all of them replies that they will come. I don't say anything until we are already driving.
"Grandma, I know we didn't invite them since Tony and I sent out the invitations to everyone and they weren't on the list nor do I remember getting a fake RSVP since they were to come to us," I state.
"I know but Daisy needs to know about this and she can tell Tony since you cannot see him until the wedding," replies grandma. "We will have to deal with it since they will come and make a huge scene because they are grandparents and Pamela causing drama. I do know they cut her off for nearly hurting either Tony or Vanessa but nothing more. It was years before you were born."
"Why did you guys pick a bow and arrow set for me? I know it symbolizes strength especially in a marriage and personal strength no matter what it is."
"We don't actually pick them whatever is seen in a Taloni trance at the announcement of the marriage is what is picked out. Yours just so happened to be the bow and arrow and you are right it symbolized a lot of strength no matter what but for a marriage it particularly means in the marriage. The item for Tony was similar but it means protection, which you know is a gun and only came in once the Europeans came. This marriage despite being arranged is very strong and you both want the same thing despite being opposites. But you two had many symbols in the vision but we had to use the first one right now. You two will get the second symbols when you get pregnant again since they probably will be predominate. If there is more than one symbol the 1st vision is the predominate vision and I do say both of you had the basket and house meaning a caring and stable symbol. Besides you had a bow and arrow set before the fire that you loved to play with when given the chance."
"Bart didn't show you the video?"
"We didn't let him show us the video otherwise he would have and are not happy that he showed it to you. At the time of the recordings, your father would send you to us when he could and he was filing for divorce and custody but they said he had to have proof of abuse and that was it. The video was mean for proof only and he made sure it was protected so your mother wouldn't destroy it which is how it survived the fire. He came to us the day after and before we got your owl. Has he said he's sorry yet?"
"No, I haven't seen him since then but it seemed he was trying to get a lot of people to watch it. Things have been cooling down but I know he is coming to it and hopefully we can talk beforehand."
"Hopefully, especially since things have calmed down since he did tell me about the argument and we stand with Tony that you shouldn't have seen it and we would have fought him to if you were with us."
I just look at grandma and it goes back to silent the rest of the ride back to her home. Annetta jumps on me once we reached the house and has a stupid grin on her face.
"Nervous, Sue?" asks Annetta. "I would be this is your big day and you are very young."
"No, Anna, I'm not nervous especially since you scared me half to death! I turned off for the moment sensing people around me other than when people touch me," I reply.
"Annie, stop jumping on people," I hear Bart's voice and he sighs.
Everyone tenses up and I just hope he will apologize sometime but I don't know when that will be. Looking at me, he sits down and looking at the floor.
"Suzie, I'm sorry for making you watch the video," he apologizes. "I wasn't thinking what would be best for you other than you needing to know but not at your terms. Can you forgive me?"
"Yes I can but right now I don't have much trust in you that you won't do that again and it will be a long time before that trust is back," I reply.
"What can I do to get the trust back and be a family?"
"I don't know, but how would you like it if you were made to view yourself being abused even if you had no recollection of it? I wanted to leave but you didn't let me and it is taking a lot of my meditation time to even start to get passed everything. You are still my brother and want what was best for me I get that. But that video, it doesn't seem anyone wanted me to watch it unless I wanted to so maybe a starting point is know that you aren't my guardian and cannot try and parent me. That was put on to Anthony after my parent's death even if he will be my husband by the evening."
"I'll try but you are my little sister and I do want to protect you no matter what even if you are marrying. Don't worry I did say I'm sorry to Anthony but he wanted me to tell you it even if I was coming to tell you this morning. I should get going I'm sure I have some duties to do as the self-appointed best man."
"We said we didn't want groomsmen or bridesmaids at this one because of the size of it."
"It's happened, your brothers are the groomsmen and Vanesa and your sisters are your bridesmaids. Now I have to get going."
He leaves and this is much different from what we planned since we didn't think there was much need for a bridal party for this wedding. It is just family members. For the most of the morning nothing is really done other than making sure I'm relaxed. The afternoon though we had a lot to get accomplished from getting my hair tamed to make up, and so forth. They get me into my cream colored 2 inches above the knee length belted dress with black peep toe heel that has a feathery bow on it. I am also wearing a rose gold pendent necklace that is just small circles, and a rose gold and diamond hoops along with the engagement ring which is on my right hand for now. Annetta is getting into this pink mullet dress with a floral printed kitten heel. Gabriella had this mid-thigh dark rose pink dress and a high similar colored heel. Vanessa stood out with her red one shoulder knee length dress with a multicolored heel. Narcissa has this very flow purple gown with nude heels while Daisy wears an aquamarine sleeved dress with plain black heels. Everyone does look nice and I guess my bridesmaids somewhat matches but not enough to tell they could be bridesmaids. Right now they are doing my hair which will take the longest since they are trying for a more loser curl and in a half up half down do which I have yet to see the results from them doing my hair.
●Tony's POV●
I am getting into my all black suit with a few rose gold accents on my watch and cuff links. The rest are getting into their suits as well dad has this red and black striped tie with his suit, Bartolo has this dark blue suit, Richhas a tan suit with a blue tie, and Gianni (polyvore) has a grey suit with a purple tie. Lucius seems to be in an all-black suit as well but I haven't seen much of him
"Getting nervous, Tony?" asks dad as he finishes up with his tie.
"Kind of," I reply. "I cannot believe I'm getting married right now and the person is still in school and too young to normally be married. They need to change the law about marriage of the Taloni Tribe arranged marriage upon death so even if there is a person petitions for them to marry without them knowing it won't go through. Everyone needs to be on the same page and it is forcing Susanna to mature faster than normal."
"It's going to be awhile before that is changed."
"I figured and why would Pamela and her husband try to crash this wedding? Let alone what would go through their mind? They cause too much drama and I know that is why we got the owl earlier so I don't need to read it. If they want to cause drama at this wedding then they can leave the wedding before we kick them out."
"I don't know other than thinking they are family and deserve to be there. What do you want to do with them there?"
"I will kick them out and if they stay for the ceremony they have to be out for the reception since we do not have the room for them at the reception. They are not going to ruin this for me or for Susanna. She doesn't need to see their actions and frankly I know she has never meet them so if they show their true colors first then she will not want them either. They will not be near my family no matter what even if they pull the family card especially when we have children."
"Speaking of children, when are you two planning to have them?"
"After she graduates from Walpi so around 6 more years before we start to have children. I do not want to chance her health right now nor put her grades in jeopardy by having a child while she is there. Now if it happens while she is in school we will have to go with the flow but it seems more ideal that she will be out of school than if she was in school. So don't expect to be grandparents anytime soon."
"I understand I take it you two don't know how many you want to have?"
"No, but how do I discuss that when Susanna is 11 and may not know how many she wants herself right now. I do not want to have as many children as she had as siblings that are too much for me maybe 2 to 3 children will be my number for children. I knew she grew up with a large family and she may want a large family but I am willing to compromise but I don't want 6 children but I can go up to 4 to have an even number. But I think we will have at least 3 children considering her dream or vision."
"Of course, with how young Susanna is we were figuring Vanessa will marry first but it seems she doesn't want to be married yet."
"Same here because the contract stated when she turns 18, out of school, and said yes is when she will get married not upon their death. I really wanted to uphold the contract despite having to bunk together upon their death because then I became her legal guardian as well. If Pamela hadn't stepped in that is what would happen so she would be a normal student not a student and wife to a teacher. I'm half afraid student will pick on her for that especially the girls. You don't know what they tried to do this past year to try and get their grade up in my class and I keep hearing how I'm the hot young bachelor despite them not knowing that I am engaged and an arranged marriage. If they find out that it is a student that is my wife then she will have a hard time in Walpi."
"Things will work out."
"I know."
●Susanna's POV●
"There done," states Narcissa as I see two curly strands around my face and the rest pulled away with it going down to past my mid-back where it normally falls in its natural state. "Makeup is even done. So what do you think?"
"It's gorgeous, Aunt Narcissa, and thank you," I reply looking at a rather neutral looking lips and cheeks but a smoky eye.
"You are quite welcome and the others are getting theirs done. Lucius and I haven't been the best godparents to you or Annetta but your mother scared us if we ever got in her way. We might have been in the same organization at one point but she was different almost like my sister, Bellatrix, when we became friends but something didn't seem right. She made it clear we couldn't see you two very often and could only send gifts. We obliged but we do want to see you two more."
"We'll see but I'm not sure what will happen. If we are being truthful, whenever you were around and still now something with the situation doesn't feel right but I cannot put my finger on it. It is very elusive but I know something has happened and it seems in a way you guys go to who is more powerful and the same ideals as you are. I could be wrong but it is only my observations of what I've seen and it's hard to trust people like that not that you don't have morals but a bit flaky in away. It seems I can read situations and inherited dad's familial gift of the seer portion and being a Jedi or at least force sensitive makes me a little bit more attuned to what is going around me even if I don't have a suspect in mind. Loyal to principles and believes while loyalty to people are two totally different things and I wished not to be used in such of a manner that I am to further a cause and then dumped when I'm not longer useful or another stronger person comes along. If you do, all communications from me will cease to exist."
"We couldn't do that to who we consider family and you and Annetta we consider we consider you two as our daughters. And we don't do that now."
"Then prove it, money will only get you so far in life and material items no matter how will they are made either deteriorate over time or I cannot take them with me when I die. Not once in my life have I seen you or Lucius prove what side you are on making me fear that you will flack other than family but technically I am not family, I am only a goddaughter of your friend. While it is like family and close like family, but I fear that since we do not have the same blood flowing through us that after a while I will be thrown to the side. No matter how hard I meditate this fear will not go away. This has resulted in me seeking answers and I know Master Luke Skywalker will not have those but either you or Uncle Lucius. I understand mother putting barriers to keep a secret and if that is the case then I am sorry because I got the wrong impression."
"And you want to clear it up. Yes your mother put impossible barriers for us to visit regularly and we were very rocky with our relationship because she and your dad said we would play a major role in you and Annetta's lives which never happened. We were flaky to her and we tried not to be for you two. It just wasn't possible without you guys noticing since your dad did tell us you were force sensitive and would be very perceptive from the family trait and that. We don't know why she put the barriers up and we don't question it now. Whatever happened she didn't want us to know about is in the past and we have to move…"
"Forward, I know. And I'm aware you know what happened because either Bartolo or Aunt Rosalia and Uncle Elliot told you about it. I have regained back memories after meditation on it every day for a month not to mention Bartolo showing me the video. It's not something I wish to relive again or do to my children when I have them."
"Yes, we are. As Lucius said before, do not hesitate to contact us if you want anything even if it is just for conversation you need some outlet even if it isn't us."
I sigh and just hang out until time says I have to be hidden but I see Shima in her dress, as well as Clarice, Alexa, Pamela and everyone trying to get her and her husband out, Anthony's maternal grandmother, an elder from the tribe since she is a close friend, and all the grandfathers . At that time I do make sure in my swimsuits are packed for the weekend and thankfully I don't need much. I do hear the boys come in as I wait with my sisters, I finally see Lucius, and I have a sneaking suspicion he is walking me down the aisle because my father is dead.
"I take it you are walking me down the aisle?" I inquire.
"Yes," he replies. "We will try to be better godparents, Narcissa told me what you two went over in brief when I got here. Your mother made it impossible."
"I know Aunt Narcissa told me. How much longer will I be up here?"
"Just a few more minutes before we can get down and I got Pamela and her husband out so they shouldn't be bothering you guys for the wedding."
I just nod my head and I guess we are waiting for someone to come up and tell us we can come down but there has to be an order. It was Daisy that came up in ten minutes saying everything was ready for us and Vanessa heads out first followed by Gabriella and then Annetta before Lucius and I leave together but I am wobbling on the heels since I have never worn them before. Walking in them is weird to say the least. Not to mention in heels I'm almost the same height as Lucius since he is about 5'11" and right now I'm probably around 5'5"-5'7". I can hear music playing but it is most likely from the radio which I saw had been moved outside.
Going down one by one seems nerve racking but at least Pamela doesn't seem to be here and hopefully won't come back. Even if I don't know her well or seen her I have heard stories about the drama she causes. Everyone stands up by the time we reach what small roles of chairs there is and Tony is just smiling. At the end Lucius is in between for now.
"Family and friends we have gathered here today to witness a union in holy matrimony between Anthony and Susanna in marriage," starts Grandma. "And who gives this young lady's hand in marriage?"
"My wife and I do," replies Lucius before kissing my cheek and sitting down.
"The commitment that the two of you are about to make is the most important commitment that two people can make, you are about to create something new, the marriage relationship, an entity that never ends. As you stand here today, are you now prepared to begin this commitment to one another?" she goes on.
"We do," we both reply though mines a little bit quiet.
"Have you come here with a clear conscious of everything that has come in the past and willing to move forward from it?"
"We do"
"Anthony and Susanna, I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with dignity and respect; to remind yourself often of what characteristics between you two have brought you here today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail- as these do to every relationship at one time or another –focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment you can remember that the sun is still there; and if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight;
"Anthony Fin McCaden, do you have this young lady to be your wedded wife?"
"I do" replies Tony.
"Do you love her and comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do"
"Susanna Violet Rizzo, do you have this gentlemen to be your wedded husband?"
"I do," I answer.
"Do you love him and comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do"
"Since your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before your family by repeating after me:
"I, Anthony, take you, Susanna, to be my wife, to have, to cherish, and to hold from this day forward, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish as long as we both shall live," dictates Grandma.
"I, Anthony, take you, Susanna, to be my wife, to have, to cherish, and to hold from this day forward, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish as long as we both shall live," replies Tony getting my ring.
"Susanna, take this ring as the sign of my love to you," adds Grandma as the ring gets slipped on.
"Susanna, take this ring as the sign of my love to you," mimics Tony holding the ring there.
"I, Susanna, take you, Anthony, to be my husband, to have, to cherish, and to hold from this day forward, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish as long as we both shall live," Grandma turns to me.
"I, Susanna, take you, Anthony, to be my husband, to have, to cherish, and to hold from this day forward, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish as long as we both shall live," I repeat getting the band for Anthony since Tony slipped it in my one hand.
"Anthony, take this ring as a sign of my love to you," states Grandma.
"Anthony, take this ring as a sign of my love to you," I reiterate.
"Anthony and Susanna, in so much as the two of you agreed to live together in matrimony, have promised your commitment to each other by these vows, joining of your hands and the rings given, by the authority vest in me by the state of New Mexico, I know pronounce you as husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Anthony McCaden."*
Tony cups my face as my hand goes behind his back as we kiss before breaking and turning around to go back in the house to sign the needed papers. Those will be sent by owl before we go to the restaurant. The guests other than the witnesses hang out in the backward talking and having small things that Winky and Dobby made to occupy them. I sign the papers first though we look them all over before actually signing them. My last name will change the marriage will be finalized by the courts and hopefully we can get a copy of the marriage licenses after they are done with the filing. How soon that will take I have no clue but they said it would be official by the time I go to Walpi.
After signing of the papers Tony makes sure my suitcase is with us before going to the restaurant. A worker does get my suitcase up to the room. Heading to the room that was reserved for us, Tony I can sense is relieved. Not that I blamed him this was a stressful time to get us married and so forth so I'm relieved as well that it is done. We weren't to marry now. Whom we have here claps when we come in before sitting down and eating. Dinner is mostly filled with congratulations but I do notice another male with Lucius and Narcissa that isn't Draco and I thought they only had one son. We did talk to them a bit to find out that they took in their nephew once his parents died. Surprisingly Lucius paid for the dinner even if we were prepared to pay for it. Gifts are not here at least mostly money right here and a lot say the gifts are at the house.
Tony afterwards carries me into the hotel room and sets me on the bed before starting a make out session for a few minutes. Breaking he has a big smile on his face and moves some of my hair. For some reason I am falling for him or I believe that I am but only time will tell but I didn't not like to be forced to marry now. It has happened so there is no way to change the past and we made sure this was official and not lying since that could also get us in trouble and more so if we never married.
"Happy anniversary, Mrs. McCaden," he states. "For now and always this will be our anniversary even if we have our vowel renewal on a different date. I love you."
"I love you too, Mr. McCaden," I reply.
"Are you sure you want to do it tonight? You are still too young and being married doesn't mean we have to have sex. And there is no way I am going to force you to have sex with me no matter what, I can find other ways to relieve myself. You may think you are ready but you still aren't mature enough that people will be for sex in my opinion."
"Yes, I'm sure and you aren't forcing this decision on me. As I said before I trust you and really I believe I'm falling for you. If you are afraid you'll hurt me, you won't, and I've seen it, Tony. I also know you have been ready for this for a very long time so why shouldn't we do this?"
"I don't know but if you are sure then I don't see why this wouldn't hurt."
"Then stop talking about it and do it."
Tony just looks confused for a moment before getting back in a make out session. I know why he is apprehensive about this and frankly this is for the Taloni Tribe is somehow different for the law. There are no statutory rape charges if the two are arranged to be married or already married from a petition. It's not as he will get into trouble.
●Annetta's POV●
We are spending the late hours after the wedding at grandma's and nonno's house only because most booked a hotel room for that one night and the majority has left anyways back to their house other than the Malfoy Family who is at their hotel room as well. But the rest of my siblings and Tony's family is here.
"So, are they doing it?" pipes up Riccardo breaking the silence realizing that Susanna is married and she was forced to marry.
"Most likely," I reply
"So how soon will they have children? I don't think it won't be too much longer before we hear she is pregnant probably w/in the next few years nor will she make it through schooling w/o getting pregnant. They are married so I do not see how or why the need to use protection," adds Gianni.
"They won't be pregnant for a while," inputs Vanessa. "He's taking a potion to make him shoot blanks for a while so Susanna's hormones don't get screwed up right away. The potions for girls is much worse than any muggle birth control and is only used in a short amount of time say like thinking of a one night stand otherwise the hormones for women are really out of whack many do not get back to normal leaving them infertile. The potion he is taking doesn't have those side effects on the male long term. The side effects of his are very short term infertility upon ending the potion and it may not always work if he doesn't take it correctly which is the same time and day weekly."
"How do you know this?" inquires Bart.
"I saw him taking the potion before and asked what it was so he told me."
We just nod our heads and do not say anything else. The evening goes find before all of us head back to our houses.
●Susanna's POV●
The morning after our wedding we leave for the beach in Texas for the days provided but thankfully apparition doesn't take long so we can spend the majority of the day at the beach. The hotel is on the beach and is a hotel run and operated by wizards so they weren't too surprised about the honeymoon with the age difference just the time frame for it. The weekend goes by fast but at least we got time at the beach before having to go to school even if I'm not exactly looking forward to that.
*Based off of Denton County Website's Stardard Vows PDF
