Apparently, I freaked some of you out with my author's note yesterday! I don't know whether to feel bad or great about it, lol. Buuut you'll find out un this chapter what I was alluding to, so maybe I'll just wait and take a look at your reactions before I decide ;)
Chapter Eight: The Finale
"Now that we've finished the toasts, we would like to have the first dance between the bride and groom!"
As the guests clapped, Ash looked over at Misty with an expression of pure horror. In return, Misty giggled and reassuringly grabbed her husband's hand, pulling him up to his feet.
"You knew this was coming," Misty whispered to him.
"But that doesn't make it any less nerve-wracking," Ash reasoned. "I can't dance!"
"Ash, you made me feel better about the grand entrance before, so now I'm going to make you feel better about our first dance," Misty assured, leading him towards the dance floor.
"How?" Ash murmured, sounding defeated. "Yours was just nerves. That's easy. You can't teach me how to dance within the next ten seconds!"
"No, I can't," Misty agreed. "But I can tell you that you'll be just fine, and no one's here to judge your dancing ability. I won't even judge your dancing ability! As long as you hold me and manage not to step on my toes, or my dress, then it'll all be fine."
"I can't make any promises," Ash muttered, earning a laugh from his new wife.
Once they reached the middle of the dance floor, Misty grabbed Ash's hand and gently guided it to her waist. Taking her right hand, she gripped his and held it tight, staring him in the eyes the entire time.
"Just follow my lead," Misty murmured, her voice gentle and reassuring. Silently, Ash nodded his head.
The music began to play: a soft, harmonic tune that reminded Misty of all the iconic ballroom scenes in the princess fairytale movies. With a delicate smile, she took a step back, Ash following her and taking a step forward. Her grin widening, Misty swept to the side, once again bringing Ash along with her. To everyone else, the dance looked perfect. Their guests, in fact, were amazed that Ash seemed to be able to know what he was doing. It didn't take long for Ash to adjust, and he was soon following Misty's every move with precision and even grace. After a while, Ash even began to lead Misty! This lit up the gym leader's whole face. The pride she had for her husband was very clear, and it made the rest of the guests feel just the same. Once the dance was over, Ash spun Misty around before dipping her down and giving her a kiss, leading the guests to applaud.
"You did it!" Misty giggled, holding her hands against Ash's face. "I'm so proud of you!"
Ash laughed and gave Misty another kiss, this one on her cheek.
After Ash and Misty's first dance as a couple, Misty shared a dance with her father, which she originally hadn't really wanted.
"Why should I have to dance with Dad?" Misty grumbled.
"Because it's tradition!" Violet had wailed.
"Yeah, you kind of have to dance with Dad," Lily added. "We all did! It'd look bad if you didn't."
Misty had scowled and sunk down in her chair, looking completely torn. With an understanding smile, Daisy got up and stroked her youngest sister's hair, catching Misty's attention.
"I know how hard it is for you to accept Mom and Dad's decisions, Misty," Daisy reasoned. "And I'm not saying you're wrong. But you have to remember that you're still Mom and Dad's little girl. You're the baby of the family! They love you, and I know for a fact that Dad wants to dance with you at the wedding."
"Yeah, you're his last daughter!" Lily trilled. "I bet he's been waiting for this since you were a little girl."
"Or maybe not," Violet hummed. "I don't think Daddy ever wanted Misty to get married! He's so protective."
Misty smirked at the idea. Her father, while a very private and somewhat gruff man, did love her. Even if he had a strange way of showing it. And, despite the tension in their relationship, Misty knew that sharing a dance with him was the right thing to do.
And, as it would turn out, her father was extremely grateful for the opportunity to dance with his youngest daughter. When he twirled her around the dance floor, Misty felt like a little girl again. It was as though nothing had ever happened between her and her father. Ash watched on from the sidelines with a smile on his face. Even though he and Michael didn't have the best relationship either, Ash thought it was important for him and Misty to at least get along.
Once Misty and Michael had finished their father-daughter dance, it was time for Ash to get back on the floor and dance with Delia. Unlike his wife, Ash had been looking forward to dancing with his mother. Although he knew he wasn't the best dancer in the world, Ash wanted to be able to show his mother just how much she meant to her. He was just as nervous dancing with her as he'd been with Misty, and just like Misty, Delia had done an excellent job of calming him down.
"You're doing fine," Delia had promised her son in the middle of the dance, giggling at his anxious expression. "Just perfect, sweetheart."
"Do you promise?" Ash murmured with a chuckle.
"I do," Delia hummed, her smile widening. "This is wonderful, darling. I love you so much."
Once the dance ended, and everyone cheered, Ash and Delia exchanged hugs, with Delia once again on the verge of crying. Ash caught her this time, however, and managed to clear the tear off of her cheek.
"Don't cry, Mom!" Ash chuckled.
"I'm sorry," Delia giggled softly. "I'm just so happy for you."
Ash smiled and gave his mother another hug, never wanting to let her go. Now it was his turn to feel like a child again, afraid of being separated from his very loving mother.
"Ash?"
"Yeah, Mom?"
"You can let go. It's alright."
"But I don't want to."
"What about your wedding cake?"
Ash's eyes widened and he pulled away, glancing down at his beaming mother. "You have to cut your wedding cake, dear!"
Ash's whole face lit up at the mention of the cake. Giving his mother one last kiss, Ash let her go and hurried over to Misty, who was smiling knowingly at her husband's current disposition.
"Your mother asked about the cake, didn't she?" Misty murmured.
"Yes!" Ash cheered. "I want to see it! Come on!"
The dessert table was full of pastries and cookies. Plates and plates full of cream puffs, cake squares, cookies, fruit and chocolate tarts surrounded the glorious wedding cake that managed to take both Ash and Misty's breath away in a single glance.
It was an extremely tall and impressive ten layers, the white fading into the colors of blue and green on every level. Edible pearls surrounded the bottom of each layer, with white coral made out of sugar placed here and there around the cake.
"Oh, it's so pretty!" Misty breathed. "It looks like it came from under the sea!"
"I knew it would come out perfect!" Ash chuckled. He glanced over at Misty, who looked positively enamored. "Aw, your eyes are sparkling! I think you love this cake more than you love me!"
"No!" Misty gasped, laughing afterwards. "I love you just as much as my cake."
Ash's jaw dropped, leading Misty to giggle and grip his arm. "I'm just kidding! You're so adorable."
"You two ready to cut into this thing?"
Ash and Misty looked over their shoulders, where they found Lily and Tracey standing behind them. In their hands, they held a server and a knife, both utensils silver with crystal imbedded handles.
"It's time for our special gift to you!" Lily giggled, handing the server to Misty.
"These are for you to cut the cake with," Tracey added, handing the knife to Ash. "They're special, so you'll always remember your wedding day!"
"And they match the champagne glasses that Violet and Gary gave to you!" Lily trilled.
"Aw, it's a wedding set!" Misty breathed, examining the server. "How beautiful!"
"Thanks, you guys!" Ash chuckled, giving both Lily and Tracey a hug. Misty followed suit, and once they were done, Lily began jumping up and down and clapping her hands.
"Come on, cut the cake!" Lily cheered, her eyes shining.
Ash and Misty both laughed and turned back towards the cake, Ash steadying the knife in his hands while everyone in the room watched on.
"Be careful," Misty warned, her voice wary.
"What, you don't trust me with a knife?" Ash chuckled.
"I don't know, I don't want you to butcher the poor cake," Misty murmured.
"You're supposed to help me!" Ash laughed, moving the knife towards Misty. "Come on, show me how to do it."
Misty took hold of the knife, Ash layering his hands over her own. Though shaky, Misty was able to cut through the first layer of the cake with two quick slices, earning applause from the guests.
"I can do this part," Ash assured his wife, picking up the server.
"I want to help!" Misty giggled, placing her hands over Ash's this time. Sticking his tongue out of the corner of his mouth, Ash placed the server beneath the slice that Misty had cut and placed it on a nearby plate, beaming at her once it was done.
"That was a pretty big piece you cut there, Mist!"
"I don't know, I thought it looked good!" Misty defended herself.
"Oh, it definitely looks good," Ash crowed, looking over at the slice. The inside of the cake was revealed to be white cake; Misty's choice. The alternating layers were made of chocolate fudge; Ash's choice.
Picking up the plate, and a fork from the nearby basket, Ash grinned cheekily at Misty, who threw her husband a warning glance.
"You'd better not shove that in my face," Misty warned.
"Who said I was going to do that?" Ash mused. "Look, I'm taking off a piece with my fork."
Misty watched warily as Ash broke off the end of the slice with his fork. From their seats, the guests watched on with bated breath, wondering what Ash would do when it came to giving Misty the first piece of cake.
"I guarantee you he smashes it in her face," Gary commented.
"You really think so?" Lily nearly gasped.
"No way," Violet refuted. "Ash has grown up. He's mature."
"He's not that mature," Brock snorted. "Misty's getting a cake facial."
"I don't know, Brock," Tracey murmured. "I think it would almost be a dumb move to do that."
"Which is exactly why Ash would do it!" Brock cried.
"I am betting money on this," Gary announced, throwing a five dollar bill down in the middle of the table. "Five bucks, the cake is going in her face."
"I'll second that," Brock chimed in, slapping down his own bill.
"Are we seriously betting at a wedding?" Daisy gawked.
"I bet she doesn't!" Lily trilled, throwing her own money into the middle.
"Lily!" Daisy scolded.
At the front of the room, Ash lifted up his fork and moved it towards Misty's face. She still looked hesitant, especially because Ash was still wearing his side smile.
"Come on, Mist, open up!" Ash pleaded.
"Not until you get that dumb grin off your face," Misty muttered.
"I'm not going to smash it in your face," Ash sighed. "Just open up your mouth and eat it! I can't have a piece until you eat it first!"
Rolling her eyes, Misty quickly opened her mouth and leaned forward, biting the piece off the fork. As soon as she tasted its flavor, her eyes lit up. Before she could say anything to Ash, however, she found him reaching out and leaving some white icing on her nose.
"OH!" Gary and Brock both guffawed, high fiving over the table.
"That doesn't count!" Lily instantly retaliated. "He didn't smash it in her face!"
"No, but he still put something on her face!" Gary laughed, picking up the three bills. "Brock-o, I'll be breaking this and splitting it with you."
"Fabulous," Brock hummed, raising his champagne glass before taking a sip out of it.
Misty, meanwhile, had her jaw dropped and was staring at Ash in pure shock, to which he chuckled nervously and took a small step beck. His new wife looked about ready to kill.
"I didn't smash it, Mist," Ash murmured. "I kept my promise!"
Misty set her jaw and ripped the plate out of Ash's hands, taking another piece of the cake off with the same fork.
"Here, Ashy," she crooned, far too sweet to be genuine. "You wanted to have some cake?"
"Not like this!" Ash shrieked as Misty charged at him, cake still in hand. "Not like this!"
With everyone in the room roaring with laughter, Brock got up from his seat and hurried over to the couple, grabbing Ash by the shoulders and forcing him to turn around.
"Get him, Misty!" Brock encouraged, his laughter increasing as Ash let out a yelp.
"Brock! You traitor!" He gasped.
With a girlish giggle, Misty smeared the piece of cake across Ash's cheek, beaming at her victory. Ash made a face of disgust, but it quickly melted away as he stuck his tongue out of the corner of his mouth in an attempt to lick off the remains.
"Mmm…tastes good," Ash commented.
"As good as it looks?" Misty hummed.
"Yeah!" Ash chuckled. "Exactly!"
"Well, now that we're done playing with our food," Misty sighed, warily eyeing her husband, "everyone else can have a taste!"
"Perfect!" Ash chuckled. "I just hope they don't make a big mess like we did…"
XXX
As the reception came to an end, Ash and Misty stood by the door and made certain to bid all of their guests farewell and thank them for attending both the ceremony and reception. Once the last guest walked out, Misty sighed and leaned against Ash's side, allowing her eyes to flutter closed.
"We're not done yet, Mist."
The new bride looked up at her handsome groom, who was smiling down at her.
"We have a promise to keep."
Nodding her head, Misty stood back up straight and stretched her arms over her head.
"And we will. But before we do that…let's get a little more comfortable. You were right…this dress is heavy!"
Ash smirked at this and twirled one of Misty's curls around his finger, leaning down to kiss her atop the head before leading her out of the now empty ballroom.
Yep, we still have one more chapter to go! Misty has to keep a promise, just like Ash said. But what IS her promise? Any guesses? You'll all see soon ;)
