Chapter 21
Scarlet paced around the chapel, her nerves getting the best of her as she looked at her dress on the rack. She felt strange, she was excited about marrying Momomi but at the same time she was nervous but not because she was having doubts, it was for another reason that was unknown to even her. They still had one more day till the actual wedding day arrived and Scarlet had drove there just to bring her dress along with a few other things to be ready for tomorrow.
Momomi had already left her stuff in the opposite room and was waiting for her outside, though their friends had taken extra care to make sure that neither one would see each other's wedding dresses.
This was what Scarlet had always wanted, so why was she feeling this way? She was sure it was just nerves and by the time she found herself on the altar it would be all gone.
Scarlet took a few deep breaths and finally left the room, she walked along the soft carpeted floors to where Chikaru and Eleanor were waiting for her.
-"You okay Scarlet-chan?"- Chikaru asked as she took a few steps towards her.
"Yeah yeah, just feeling a little nervous."
Eleanor giggled, "It'll pass trust me, remember I was the same way too."
"Yeah I know, but it still isn't easy."
Eleanor nodded knowing what she was going through, -"Come on, let's go girls."- Scarlet followed behind the two, -"By the way Scarlet-chan, I have a few friends I want you to meet when we get back if its okay with you."-
"Sure."
They all hopped inside the van Shion was driving, and Scarlet took a seat next to Momomi, "How you feeling?"
Scarlet wrapped her arm around Momomi, -"Nervous."-
"You too huh." Momomi nodded as Scarlet pulled her closer.
"So you girls hungry?" Eleanor asked.
"A little, I mean we did just wake up and head on over here." Scarlet replied, -"I've been up longer then Carly so yeah…"-
"We can stop by a place and pick something up."
-"That'd be great."- Momomi leaned her head on Scarlet's shoulder.
-"You know, I'm also hungry. What about you Shion?"- Chikaru asked, -"Starving more like it."- the three giggled as Shion's stomach began to growl loudly enough for everyone to hear.
So with the course set, they drove off to pick up some much needed food before heading back home.
Shion drove the van inside the garage and parked it. The four of them got out and walked inside, Chikaru smiled as she heard the familiar voices of the girls she had so loved during her time at Lulim.
Scarlet turned the corner seeing three girls talking with Nagisa, girls she'd never seen or met before. One girl kept her chestnut colored hair in tails while the other girl kept her green hair med length and she wore glasses that made her look adorable.
The third girl seemed to be more quiet then the other two as she mostly leaned on the table hearing the other two talking with Nagisa, just giggling about some story that Scarlet had no idea what it was about.
The blonde girl turned her head who smiled upon seeing her, -"Chikaru-chan."- the other two quickly turned around, -"Chikaru-oneesama!"- they rushed at her and hugged her tightly while the other girl calmly walked to her with a smile.
-"My goodness, how much you three have grown."- Chikaru looked them over, she remembered seeing them in Lulim and how adorable they were and now they were growing up faster then she expected. Even during Chikaru's own wedding they were still the same adorable girls she loved.
-"We missed you so much Chikaru-oneesama!"-
Chikaru giggled, -"I missed you all too, and there someone else that's missed you girls."- the three girls looked behind Chikaru.
-"Eli-chan!"- they all rushed her too, nearly knocking her over as she yelped.
"Hey girls," she hugged them, "Wow look at you, you've gotten so much taller now."
-"Nowhere near as tall as you Eli-chan."-
Eleanor still couldn't believe how much taller and older the girls were since she first saw them, "Girls, I want you to meet someone I grew up with, my lifelong friend and the girl that's getting married."
-"Yeah Chikaru told us, it's so cool that you have a friend you grew up with, she's like a sister to you right?"-
"Yes she is." Eleanor nodded happily and stepped aside, "Girls, this is Scarlet." The three girls looked at her, the moment their eyes laid upon her hair they were left in awe.
-"So pretty."- she took a few steps to her, -"You're hair is so beautiful."- the other girl followed up.
"Thank you, I don't believe I know your names."
The three smiled at Scarlet, -"I'm Kizune and this is Remon and Kagome."- Kizune introduced them.
"It's nice meeting you all." Scarlet replied warmly.
-"Scarlet-chan… may we… brush your hair?"- Scarlet giggled as she looked at Chikaru who no doubt wanted to do the same thing, "Sure."
The girls lead Scarlet to the living room and sat her down on the soft carpeted floor and once Chikaru retrieved a few brushes, mostly ones she bought just in case she would ever find herself brushing Scarlet's hair and made sure to have different brushes for the occasion.
They began to brush her hair while Momomi watched with a smile on her face, she was convinced that Scarlet must be so annoyed by this, of course she knew she wasn't but she'd like to pretend she was. Though Momomi herself would've been annoyed with so many people wanting to brush her hair… had it been as long as her vixen's.
-"You're hair is so pretty Scarlet-chan."- Remon said, -"Yes it is, its like we're brushing repunzials hair."-
-"But her hair is blonde."- Kagome added, -"Hmm, I wonder how you would look like with blonde hair Scarlet-chan."- Chikaru threw in with a smile and really thought about Scarlet with blonde hair.
-"I think you would like really pretty with it Scarlet-chan."-
Scarlet giggled, "um not much of a blonde person myself though… at least on me."
-"I'd think you'd look good Scarlet-chan,"- Chikaru replied, -"But your red hair really suits you, it's really pretty."-
"Thanks Chikaru."
-"So Scarlet-chan, Chikaru-oneesama didn't tell us whose the lucky girl and we forgot to ask Eli-oneesama,"- Kizune grinned, -"So who is the lucky girl?"-
Scarlet slightly moved her head to look behind her, "She's standing behind you." She said lovingly, and the girls turned their heads with a cheerful smile but it immediately faded when they saw who it was.
-"Momomi-sama?"- Remon spoke up, -"You're marrying Scarlet-chan?"-
She nodded, -"Yeah I am."- Scarlet extended her hand for Momomi who took it and sat in front of Scarlet.
The three girls were speechless, they didn't hate her like everyone else did when they saw her, they were mostly confused and concerned but the three have heard stories about her and what she did in Spica. But as they looked at Momomi who looked very peaceful and happy in Scarlet's arms, they wondered if those stories were true.
-"Girls, can you come with me. I need your help with something."- Chikaru asked as she walked into another room.
-"We'll be right there Chikaru-oneesama!"- Kizune and Remon cried out happily while Kagome smiled and followed behind them.
Chikaru had led them to their room, -"What do you need help with Chikaru-oneesama?"- Kizune asked.
-"Well, I know you just met them but I would like for you three to be the ring bearers like last time."- Chikaru smiled.
-"Of course we will!"- Kizune shouted, -"Can you not be so loud Kizune."- Remon shot back to which Kizune stuck her tongue out at her.
-"But what about you Chikaru?"- Kagome softly spoke up, -"You two look really close, shouldn't you do it?"-
-"I'm already Scarlet-chan's bridesmaid, which is why I would like you three to do it. if you want too."- Chikaru replied.
-"Well I'm all for it."- Kizune gave a toothily smile.
-"That's great,"- Chikaru clapped her hands together, -"Here, hang on to their rings till tomorrow."- Chikaru handed them two palm sized boxes which contained their rings.
-"We'll take good care of them Chikaru-oneesama."- Remon held the box delicately almost as if she was holding a very fragile artifact.
-"So…"- Kizune began, -"I thought she was an awful person? We heard so many things about Momomi, the things she did to people and to Spica… to Shion-sama, to you… to Hikari-chan."-
Chikaru glanced down to her hands, -"She was…,"- she began as she looked up at them, -"Everything you heard, was true. She was a horrible person, she hurt a lot of people to get her way, she lied to a lot of them, mostly to Shion. She tried to sabotage one of our plays at Astraea, remember the one where I played Carmen."-
-"Oh I remember! You looked so beautiful Chikaru-oneesama."- Kizune said, -"Arigato."- Chikaru replied, -"So what happened next?"- Remon followed up as she was really interested in what Chikaru was saying.
-"Then she met Scarlet-chan."- Chikaru said, -"Then after that, she began to change,"- Chikaru smiled, -"I never thought anyone could make her change the way she has but she did. The Momomi you heard about, the girl she was back then is no longer there. She's no longer that person anymore."-
-"Wow."- Kizune was surprised, -"Remarkable."- Remon smiled.
-"That's why she looks so happy with her just from what I saw."- Kagome said softly.
-"Yes,"- Chikaru smiled, -"Momomi has changed in a lot of ways we never knew she would."-
The girls smiled hearing that, knowing that someone who they thought was an awful person, someone who had a cold heart could actually warm up and be happy.
Momomi rested against Scarlet who was embracing her lovingly, "This feels really good." Scarlet said softly.
-"Yeah it does."- Momomi leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
"Are you nervous?"
Momomi was silent for a moment, -"No, not anymore. You?"-
"I was, but all of a sudden it just went away. I don't know how to explain it." Scarlet said.
-"Well tomorrow is the day."-
"Yeah, the day we're gonna be together for the rest of our lives." Scarlet held her, "Do you have any regrets?"
-"No, none what so ever."-
"Neither do I."
-"Is it too late to back down from this?"-
"What?" she looked at Momomi only to see her ever present smirk on her face, "Why I don't know, if you back down i may have to drag you to the chapel."
-"If you can. Well lets go get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow."- Momomi smiled as she stood up and held Scarlet's hand then led her to their room to rest for tomorrow was the day that both their dream would come true.
The day had finally arrived, the girls had all gotten dressed up really nicely and had drove to the chapel with Scarlet and Momomi with them, of course they made sure they wouldn't let them see each other till they saw each other in the alter.
All the girls were in very pretty dresses and were already waiting for the brides, and were very excited.
Inside one of the rooms, Scarlet walked around a little as she looked over her dress and took many deep breaths to calm herself.
-"Take it easy Scarlet-chan, it'll be all right."- Chikaru placed her hand on her shoulder, "Yeah, you'll be fine trust us." Eleanor followed up, "You only get married once you know." Ember chimed in.
-"Now come on Scarlet-chan, you look beautiful."- Chikaru fluffed out Scarlet's hair one more time and made sure it was nice and neat.
"How many are out there?" Scarlet asked.
"Well your parents, mine and a few people from work and everyone else we know." Eleanor said.
Ember embraced her, "This only happens once, so enjoy it cousin." She slowly let go and opened the door, "I'm gonna go take a seat, Sasha is probably all lonely without me." she giggled and closed the door behind her.
-"Are you ready Scarlet-chan?"-
"Yeah I am, I mean I just… I just thought I'd never be in this, in a wedding dress or even having a wedding to begin with."
"But its happening, aren't you happy?" Eleanor asked.
"Of course I'm happy, I'm just shocked because I never once thought in my life that I'd be here you know."
Chikaru nodded, -"Shion was the same way, but she told me she was a lot worse then she told me but I understand how you feel, no one ever expects it no matter how much we prepare and once we're here, we still can't believe."-
"Yeah exactly," she took a few deep breaths, "Okay, I'm good. I'm ready, lets go." She opened the door and walked out with her friends.
In another room, Momomi looked in the mirror and made sure her hair was fine, -"Your hair is fine Momomi."- she glanced at Shion.
-"I know, I just need something to do till its time."- she said.
-"Nervous?"- Shion asked.
-"A little… I mean, how did I get so lucky, I really thought I'd be alone, or worse with Kaname."-
Shion placed her hand on Momomi's shoulder, -"But you didn't, you met a wonderful woman. Scarlet really has opened your heart to a lot of things, things that you needed, things that made you happy."-
-"More than happy,"- she glanced at her glove covered hands, -"I really do wish I had met her a lot sooner. I don't feel the same as I used too, and I'm glad because now I'm no longer that bitch everyone hated."-
Shion held her hand, -"That took time to change everyone's mind about you, but it looks like no one looks at you that way. Everyone that knew you now has a different opinion about you and you know what that is?"-
Momomi looked at her, -"You may not see it but everyone considers you a good friend to everyone, to Eli, to Chikaru, and to me."- Shion smiled.
She returned the gesture, -"Maybe not Shizuma, we do have a lot of history between us."-
-"Maybe, but she does respect the hell out of you… and I suppose to her that's better than liking someone."- Shion replied.
-"I suppose you're right."- She looked at her, -"Shion, I'm so sorry for all the crap I caused you at Spica."-
Shion waved her hand and chuckled, -"Hey don't worry about that okay, its in the past."- she then hugged Momomi, -"Now come on, let's not keep that lovely girl waiting shall we."- Momomi smiled warmly and followed Momomi out the door.
The doors opened up and Momomi looked around, spotting her parents in the front row and all her friends standing near the alter with the exception of Shizuma who was in the seats along with Nagisa. She walked towards the front with a smile on her face, though her heart was beating rather fast as she finally made it to the front to wait for Scarlet.
Shion stood next to Momomi as everyone waited patiently; another thing that had caught Shion's eye was Momomi's choice in wedding dress. It was a single shoulder top which clung to her body and she also wore a short skirt that reached her slightly above her knees which also hugged her form and showed off her legs, the whole dress was white and on the back she had a white ribbon that flowed behind her.
Scarlet put her hand on the door, she waited for a moment before opening it.
"Are you ready sweetie?" Her father asked.
"Yeah, I'm ready." Scarlet and Rick both pushed open the doors, the moment the people saw them they were in awe, her friends especially and when Momomi's eyes fell upon Scarlet… she was smitten.
Scarlet walked to the alter in a beautiful crimson colored dress, a top that had both her shoulders exposed and a long skirt with red heeled shoes to match while her crimson red hair flowed behind her and the light reflected warmly of her porcelain skin.
She walked gracefully towards the altar where Momomi was waiting and could not keep her eyes off her.
Scarlet finally made it to the altar, Momomi kept her gaze till Shion cleared her throat and snapped her out of it.
Momomi looked at Rick as he passed his daughter to her, "Take care of her, okay Momomi."
"I will."
She held Scarlet's hands, "What?" Scarlet giggled slightly, "Say something." Momomi was in awe but she finally snapped to it.
-"You look so beautiful."-
Scarlet smiled, "As do you."
The priest finally stepped up and she looked at the two girls and smiled as she finally began, "Dearly beloved, we are joined today in a very special occasion. The joining in matrimony between Momomi Kiyashiki and Scarlet Ashfield."
Momomi and Scarlet stared into each other's eyes as the priest went on, giving off many kind words to the two and to the people that showed up.
The priest looked at them, "Now, Scarlet do you take Momomi to be your beloved wife till the end of time?"
"I do." Scarlet smiled.
"Now do you Momomi, take Scarlet to be your wife for as long as you live and love her with all your heart?"
"I do." Momomi replied.
"The rings please."
Kizune, Remon and Kagome all walked up with the rings and handed to the girls. Scarlet took the ring and placed it on Momomi's finger.
Momomi held the ring for a moment, "All my life I never thought I would ever marry someone. I was never a good person, till I met you Scarlet," she began as she looked into Scarlet's eyes, "You've changed me for the better, you accepted me for me and you've shown me so much and I would love nothing more then be with you forever. Thank you Carly, for changing me and showing me what love is really about. I promise to be the best wife I can for you." Momomi said lovingly as a few tears fell down Scarlet's eyes and finally slipped the ring on Scarlet's finger.
The priest smiled, "I now pronounce you wife and wife, you may kiss each other."
Momomi slowly inched her face closer to Scarlet's and her vixen quickly closed the gap and the two gave each other a very loving kiss. Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of clapping, the two were startled slightly as they looked to the crowd that had been clapping happily that the two were now married.
The two began to walk down the aisle along the red carpet to get inside the limo that was waiting for them to take them back home.
The two finally made it outside as their family and friends followed behind them and neared the limousine, that's when Scarlet and Momomi threw their bouquets without looking behind them to see who would catch it.
The girls scrambled till finally a pair of hands caught them, Scarlet and Momomi turned around seeing that Nagisa had caught one of them and was looking at Shizuma happily, the other was caught by Remon who was staring at it then looked to Kizune who was grinning which only flustered the green haired girl and turned away.
Once the two girls stepped inside, Scarlet poked her head out and gestured to all her friends to come on in the limo so they could all go home.
"Are you coming Mr. Raynsford?" Scarlet asked Henry.
"No that's quite alright," He smiled, "I brought my car, and I'm sure Shizuma is going to drive the truck back so we'll catch up with you girls." Scarlet nodded and got back inside.
The drive didn't take long as the girls were all excited and talking with the newlyweds to see how they felt and what they were planning now. Chikaru had finally stopped crying at the beautiful thing she had just witnessed, it was the same as when she saw Eleanor get married to Miyuki and who could blame her, she just saw her two closest friends finally get married to the women they loved.
They stepped out of the limo and quickly ran up to the house to get out of the cold winter winds and shut the door behind them.
-"Okay girls, come on. Let's go make a big dinner for the Scarlet-chan and Momomi-chan,"- Chikaru said as everyone quickly agreed.
-"Besides, this will take some time and knowing Momomi… it's more than enough."- Shion smirked as she glanced at Momomi who only chuckled and playfully shoved her. Once everyone went to prepare the biggest dinner, Scarlet and Momomi headed upstairs for some time for themselves.
Once they reached the top of the stairs, Scarlet quickly scooped up Momomi on her arms with a small yelp.
-"Carly!?"- she giggled, -"I didn't know you were strong."-
Scarlet smiled as she walked with Momomi on her arms, "Well you're not heavy at all." They made it to their room.
-"Admit it, you wanted to do the cliché thing you always see in the movies."- she smirked teasingly as they entered their room.
"Yeah…" Scarlet blushed slightly.
-"Well I liked it."- Scarlet lowered Momomi onto their bed and began to kiss passionately, their hands roaming each other's bodies and loving every moment of it. the girls' wish to finally marry one another had finally come true and now they had a lot of time to for themselves but as much as they both wanted to make love, they had friends waiting for them though… Momomi didn't mind making them wait a little longer as the two enjoyed their time together.
End Chapter 21