You May Now Kiss the Bride

-Friday, April 22, 6:34 pm/Karkat & Terezi's house/18 weeks-

John gave Vriska one final kiss before their wedding. "Good luck," he told her, a smile on his face.

"Tomorrow's going to be awful!" Vriska whined. "I mean, I just know something's going to go wrong, and I still don't even know why I invited Nepeta and Equius because I still don't like either of them and I haven't seen them since Karkat and Terezi's wedding, and my dress isn't going to fit, and—"

"Calm down." John rubbed his soon-to-be-wife's shoulders. "I'm sure it's normal to think these things, although I'm not sure about regretting inviting someone…?, but yeah. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Don't leave me!"

Ignoring Vriska's hormonal whining, John gave his fiancée a kiss. "I'll see you at the altar tomorrow. I love you."

"I love you too."

Vriska waved as John drove away with Karkat in the car. After picking up Dave, who had flown in from Houston, from the airport, the three were going to go back to John and Vriska's apartment to hang out and stuff before the big day. Sort of like a miniature bachelor party.

Vriska, Terezi, and Kanaya were doing that too, except it would involve a lot more estrogen and lipstick. Kanaya had finished the dress alterations the day before, and Vriska needed to try the dress on in case it needed any last-minute fixes. Terezi would do her best to coach Vriska on what to do at the altar, even though she had rehearsed it numerous times both out loud and in her head.

After making sure she, as well as Terezi and Kanaya, had everything together, Vriska finally managed to calm down some. But, of course, that didn't last long, as she suddenly came to the realization that tomorrow, she would be Mrs. John Egbert.

-Saturday, April 23, 8:57 am/Karkat and Terezi's house-

"Vriska, you need to get up!" Terezi hit Vriska upside the head with a pillow, which definitely made Vriska pay attention. "You're getting married in two and a half hours! You're going to be late!"

"Shut your trap, it's only nine. I'll have plenty of time." Vriska yawned and rolled off the couch. "What's for breakfast?"

"Whatever you want for breakfast."

"Thanks for your help!" Vriska rolled her eyes and rubbed her lower back. "This thing is going to be the death of my good posture, that's for sure."

Terezi didn't answer, and Kanaya was in the kitchen.

"Okay, fine." Vriska out on her glasses and yawned as she walked into the kitchen.

"If you want enough time to do your hair and stuff, we'll need to leave in twenty minutes." Terezi had a hint of frustration in her voice as she got a carton of milk out of the fridge.

"What are you making?"

"Pancakes."

"Make sure to save me a few."

"Alright." Terezi began to heat up the pan as Vriska went into the bathroom to change out of her pajamas.

Vriska stared at her reflection in the mirror and sighed. Sweatpants and yoga pants weren't going to cut it much longer. At only five months, Peanut was already too big. She would have to go out and buy maternity pants soon, even though she thought they were ugly and unflattering.

Oh, whatever. Maybe they would be comfortable.

"Vriska!" Terezi called from the kitchen. "The pancakes are finished! Hurry up, or you're going to be late!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Vriska rolled her eyes and turned off the bathroom light as she left.

After scarfing down her pancakes doused in maple and chocolate syrup, Vriska finally was hit with the realization that she was going to be late if she didn't hurry. So, she and the others hurried to gather their stuff before getting in the car.

"Are you ready?" Kanaya asked Vriska, a slight smile on her face.

"I guess, I don't know." Vriska looked out the window and sighed. "I don't even know what I'm going to do with my hair, does that count as ready?"

-11:15 am/Crossroads United Methodist Church-

"Fifteen minutes!" Terezi yelled as she opened the restroom door. "Are you almost finished?"

"I guess." Vriska coughed again and flushed the toilet. "Okay, I'm sort of ready now."

"Well hurry!"

Vriska wiped her mouth and washed her hands. Didn't Dr. Browne tell her she shouldn't be having morning sickness anymore?! Well, obviously that wasn't true.

She rushed back into the bride's room and practically yanked her dress off its hanger. "Vriska, be careful," Kanaya reminded her.

"I know, I know, I'm not stupid. Now could you help me here?!"

Kanaya unlaced the back and helped Vriska slide the dress on. Vriska grunted when Kanaya pulled the laces tighter, but finally let out a sigh of relief when Kanaya tied it.

"Vriska, you have five minutes!"

"I know, Terezi, I have to finish fixing my hair!" Vriska sighed with frustration as she ran her fingers through the loose part of her half-bun and stuck in some blue flowers.

Despite her efforts to be quick, fixing her hair again took about ten minutes. Vriska looked at the clock. 11:29. She needed to get her butt over to the sanctuary right now.

"God fucking dammit!"

Vriska picked up the skirt of her dress and slid on her pumps. "I'm going to be late!"

"Calm down." Kanaya put her hand on Vriska's shoulder. "You're going to be fine."

"I can't be 'fine' when I'm late for my own wedding!"

"I think you smeared your lipstick," Terezi told Vriska.

"Shit!" Vriska took one last look in the mirror and wiped off the smeared lipstick before stepping out into the hallway.

Meanwhile in the sanctuary, John was impatiently waiting for his bride. Dave and Karkat were getting antsy as well. All three glanced at the clock in the back. It was almost 11:35. Vriska was almost five minutes late.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Vriska repeated the word over and over. As she got closer to the sanctuary, she switched to repeating it in her head.

"Finally!" The man standing by the door to the sanctuary breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought you ladies would never show up!"

Vriska pushed Terezi and Kanaya into place. "Don't fuck anything up," she whispered to both of them.

"Says the pregnant lady," Terezi scoffed.

Vriska elbowed Terezi as the pastor—Mr. Freeman—looked up, signaling the bridal party to walk out. The piano began to play processional music.

"Go!"

Terezi stumbled a bit as Vriska pushed her through the doors.

Kanaya followed soon after, and Vriska took a deep breath when the music changed to the bridal processional.

"Please rise," Mr. Freeman told everyone.

She breathed it out. "Here goes nothing."

The man opened the door for her and she stepped into the sanctuary.

John gazed into Vriska's eyes as she walked down the aisle. She didn't have a care in the world—all she cared about was John. All her worries about that day were gone. She didn't look at any of the attendees. All she did was gaze into her almost-husband's eyes.

She smiled and took his hands after handing her bouquet off to Kanaya.

"You may be seated." The wedding attendees sat down.

"Welcome all." Mr. Freeman nodded toward everyone. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of John and Vriska."

John smiled. Vriska blushed.

Mr. Freeman continued, preaching—rather, lecturing—everyone in the sanctuary about marriage.

"John, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

John nodded. "I will."

Mr. Freeman turned to Vriska. "Vriska, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will."

"Great." Mr. Freeman looked back down at his book. "Now, John, repeat after me: 'I, John Adam Egbert,'"

"I, John Adam Egbert,"

"'take you, Vriska Serket,'"

"take you, Vriska Serket,"

"'to be my wedded wife,'"

"to be my wedded wife,"

"'to have and to hold,'"

"to have and to hold,"

"'for better or for worse,'"

"for better or for worse,"

"'for richer or for poorer,'"

"for richer or for poorer,"

"'to love and to cherish, from this day forward.'"

"to love and to cherish, from this day forward."

The pastor turned to Vriska. "'I, Vriska Serket…'"

"With this ring, I thee wed." John placed the ring on Vriska's finger and she shivered with excitement.

"Vriska, please place the ring on John's finger and repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

"With this ring, I thee wed."

Vriska slid the ring onto John's finger, gazing into his wonderful deep blue eyes. He gave her a toothy grin.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Mr. Freeman paused for a long moment, obviously doing it on purpose.

"You may now kiss the bride!"

John pressed his lips against Vriska's. This kiss definitely seemed to have more "umph" in it…maybe it was because they were married now?

Vriska and John laughed as they smiled at everyone in the sanctuary. Everyone was cheering, many were taking pictures. Just one glance at each other, and they were kissing again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. John Egbert!"

Thank God I had written the actually wedding ceremony portion of this beforehand (2012, actually…). For those of you who read I'd Only Choose You, I thought the word-for-word, all-out wedding ceremony was too lengthy, too repetitive, and overall just boring. That's why I only took the key points and put them in here.

Also, I think John's middle name would be Adam. Don't ask.

Mr. Freeman is the assistant pastor. More basing the Freeman's after a family at my church.

THE GENDER POLL IS STILL UP! I promise, you'll find out this next chapter! Stay tuned as the mystery of Peanut is unraveled! Then, once I tell you guys what Peanut is, I'll start taking name suggestions (well…I already am!).

Reviews/ideas/votes please!

Marrissa Lacrymosa - This is payback for "My Heart Will Go On". Just kidding, haha.

XellanxLarxene - I try not to do too many cliffhangers, but sometimes a cliffhanger gives me more motivation to write the next chapter!

Spy of Influence - Yes, I did just do that. I am an evil human being, haha.(I caught your hint of sarcasm there!)

8th Dimention - Have you voted on the poll yet? Notice there's a "both" option! X3

Sil3ntghost - Yes, I am awful for doing that. You should have seen my face when I got the idea for it to be a cliffhanger!

moonandtstars - Thank you, and you'll just have to wait and see!

Vriska Serket Fan - I promise, you'll find out the gender this next chapter!

Guest (the Spiderdad? one) - Your reviews are very amusing.

AwesomePotterlover - Here's your update!

Guest (ch. 11) - Thanks, even with school I still try to post at least once a week.

Guest (ch. 9) - Thank you!

AshAndMay4ever - OMG, really? That's so funny! And thanks, the mystery will be cracked next chapter!

Guest (ch. 1) - Omg.