Hello, all! I know it's been a long time. I haven't forgotten this story or any of my stories. I've been in a Jewelpet mood lately. Anyway, enjoy! Oh, also, fun fact time! Later in the chapter, I reveal the full name of Dian's character, Tom Catsburg. As you may recall from earlier in the story, the names Tom and Molly reference the common terms used when describing a cat by its gender. The middle name I gave Tom in this chapter is a reference to Dian's species, the Maine Coon cat, which is, by extension, Tom's species. Well, enough out of me. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: If Only It Were Real
Two days after they made up, Garnet and Dian happily resumed the filming of Tom and Molly, and two weeks later, they were at the wedding scene.
Garnet said to Ruby and Sapphie, "I know it's only a scene, but I am so nervous right now!"
"Are you worried that Masago got a real priest?" Ruby asked the pink cat, presenting the absurd, yet plausible possibility. She was changing into her bridesmaid dress when she asked that.
"Just think of it as practice for when you two really get married," Sapphie suggested pleasantly, also putting on a bridesmaid dress.
Garnet, who was flushed with embarrassment, scolded, "You two are not helping!"
"You want to marry him. It's become your other dream," Ruby informed Garnet, who was surprised by her statement. "C'mon, did you think that your two best friends in the whole world wouldn't notice? Your dream is now the same as Ruby's! Only with Dian instead of Granite."
"All this talk about weddings has helped me make a decision," Sapphie declared. The pink eyed cat and the red eyed rabbit gave her their attention. Sapphie said, "To get over my fear of ghosts and the paranormal, I am going to marry a spirit."
"I-I'm not sure it works that way…" Garnet nervously informed her canine roommate, not wanting to burst her bubble. Sapphie's declaration was perturbing because it almost seemed like Sapphie was going to marry a ghost for the wrong reasons. "You should at least have a strong, loving connection with him. Or her. Actually…I don't think I've ever seen you show romantic interest in anyone before. You're encouraging of Nejikawa, but…"
"I guess I just don't know how to be romantic," Sapphie concluded, giggling sheepishly. "For now, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!"
"You and Dian resonate so beautifully, Garnet! Tom and Molly is going to be the romantic film of the ages!" Ruby assured, about to open a cup of chocolate pudding.
"Ruby, stop!" Garnet cautioned. Ruby stopped as much voluntary motion as possible. Garnet took the pudding cup away and scolded, "You shouldn't eat chocolate pudding while wearing a bridesmaid dress! You might stain it!"
"But, Garnet, Ruby likes pudding!" Ruby protested.
"Ruby, Garnet worked really hard on all of these dresses. You can have the pudding later," Sapphie promised the rabbit that she could have the pudding later.
"Okay," Ruby sighed. "Let's get Garnet into her wedding dress now!" Garnet smiled. Practice for when she really got married, was it? Deep down, Garnet liked the sound of that. It was true. Garnet loved Dian and prayed that one day, at some point in their lifetimes, that she would marry him. She wanted to have his kittens. Closing her eyes, Garnet tried to imagine what they would look like. She imagined a gray kitten with red eyes and a pink kitten with black eyes. They both had Dian's bangs and her white chest tuft. Garnet sighed dreamily, opening her eyes.
Meanwhile, Dian was getting dressed into a black tuxedo. He felt his heart pounding like a might drum in his chest. Carnelian, who was helping him dress, asked, "You okay? You seem on edge."
"Do you think…I'll be a good husband?" Dian asked nervously, his dark eyes filled with concern.
Carnelian couldn't help but laugh. In his laughter, he apologized, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't laugh, but…you know you're not really getting married, right?"
"Y-yeah," Dian said with a nod. "It just…it feels so real. I love her. I want her. I want to be her future. More than anything, I want to be her strength. She's the most wonderful Jewelpet in the world!"
"Well, I'd argue that that title goes to Larimar-chan, but I get what you mean," Carnelian empathetically informed Dian. "I think you'd make a great husband and father."
"Thank you, Carnelian," Dian thanked him with a comforted smile.
"Do you think I'd make a good husband for Larimar?" Carnelian asked sheepishly, blushing. Dian observed Carnelian's body language. Carnelian seemed to shrink back. His fluffy tail swished around his feet and his eyes were pointed to the side of the room; not at anything in particular.
"…I think she's a lucky vixen to have you. Have some confidence in yourself," Dian advised, his smile more confident now.
Hearing the slightly older Jewelpet say that to him got Carnelian's hopes up. Carnelian got on all fours and bowed his head, groveling, "Thank you, Master! I'll make you proud!"
"M-Master? I'm not Master, nor am I your master!" Dian corrected the red fox, flustered.
"Are you guys ready?" Masago asked.
"Yeah, we are," Dian replied. Masago walked up to Dian and got down on his knees, getting in Dian's face. "Um… Yes?"
"If you even so much as think of mistreating Garnet, I will punt you across the ocean," Masago threatened. Dian, while taken aback, couldn't blame Masago for saying this. He knew Masago cared deeply for Garnet. He couldn't blame him for that, either.
"I doubt you're that strong, but I won't stop you from doing so," Dian acknowledged Masago's terms. "I love her…"
"That's why I'm most excited for this scene," Masago informed Dian with an excited smile. "By the way, that tux looks sharp on you."
"What does Garnet's dress look like?" Dian asked out of curiosity.
Masago blushed and said, "It looks amazing. She looks like an angel in it."
It wasn't long afterwards when the scene started. Dian was standing at the altar. Carnelian stood behind him. Tour was on the side, holding his guitar. Several students from around campus were stand-ins for filling pews in the campus chapel. Angela had the camera strapped to her head. Labra, in traditional mage robes, was acting as the priest for this scene of the movie. Dian was anxious. Though he was acting as Tom, he still thought of Garnet as his bride. He knew he would be somewhat disappointed when this dream-like scene ended, but he didn't care about that.
Tour started playing his guitar. Sapphie entered the chapel first, wearing a pink-tinged off-white dress. Ruby followed soon after, wearing the same dress, and Granite couldn't help but let out a whistle from the pew.
"Remember to edit that out…" Masago said to himself as he wrote it down on his palm.
Finally, Garnet entered the chapel. She was in a sleeveless white dress with a pink sash and a glittering white veil. She wore white sandals. Her signature pearl and garnet necklace rested charmingly against her fluffy chest tuft. A pink rose was embroidered on the bottom half of her knee-high dress. She was smiling like a radiant angel. Every step she took was a step towards the future of her character, Molly. In a sense, she was walking towards her own future as well. She was blushing, overcome with emotion.
Dian felt his own cheeks grow heated with a blush. He couldn't recall having ever been so amazed. Garnet's grace seemed godly. Her fluffy, pink tail swayed from side to side. She climbed each step onto the altar and grasped Dian's paws with her own. They gazed into each other's eyes and could see every tomorrow for the rest of time in them.
"Ahem. We are gathered here today to celebrate the glorious union between Tom and Molly, labu~," Labra, or Mother Polar Bear when in character, announced. "Does anyone object this union, labu~? No? Good, labu~! Marriage is the joining of two lovers at its highest level, labu~. It is a commitment, labu~. It is a union, labu~. It is the boldest way to say 'I will love you always', labu~."
Dian and Garnet took Labra's words in as they gazed into each other's eyes. It felt like their souls were dancing even though their bodies were standing still. Time seemed to stand still for their love.
Watching on, Masago couldn't help but think, The way they're looking at each other is romance film gold. That's because, even though this is a movie, what they feel is real. Garnet…I'm so glad you're happy.
The part of the scene involving their vows came about. Dian went first. He said, "Molly…When we first met, I knew there was something special about you. I know that you would change my life forever, though I didn't anticipate it would be to this magnitude. You've been sent to me by heaven. It's because of you that I see the purpose in life again."
"Oh, Tom…!" Garnet whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I suppose it's time for my vows. Tom… Thomas Maine Catsburg… The man of my dreams… I always knew that 'the one' was out there. You and I came from completely different worlds. I was just a small-town waitress and you were a bigshot on the rise. You saw something in me? You became a teacher to me. You taught me how to be free. If this is a dream, don't wake me up unless it's to tell me that this dream is real. Since we've met, I've dreamed a million dreams. I know you're the one and nothing is ever going to be right if I'm in the wrong here. I love you, through and through."
"Molly…!" Dian's voice trembled. He knew it was just script, but he could tell that Garnet meant every word and he was overcome with emotion. He almost called Garnet by her real name.
"After that display of affection, do I really need to ask, labu~? Alright, do you take each other as tom and molly, Tom and Molly, labu~?" Labra asked, trying not to cry.
"We do," Garnet and Dian answered simultaneously.
"By the power vested in me, by the grace of Jewelina-sama, I now pronounce you tomcat and molly, labu~. You may kiss the bride, labu~!" Labra announced happily. Garnet and Dian embraced each other and kissed passionately. People and Jewelpets threw their hats in the air. There was a roaring applause. Dian and Garnet drowned it out, caught up in their love.