Chapter 22: The Wedding

∆ (The School) ∆ - ¤ (June 5th) ¤ - Φ (Drew) Φ

Today was finally the day, after so long. Today was the day May and I would be happily married. She had prepared everything from her dress to the school for today. She'd always take care of everything. I liked her doing that. It made her happy to have the control. Most of the time we worked together but for now, she was in charge. She knew more about this stuff regardless.

I kissed May's lips as she woke up. "Morning." I said. She had also exhausted herself with all the work. She was wearing a pair of white pants and a red top. She had fallen asleep in her chair checking to make sure everything was perfect for the wedding. I had to carry her to bed, not that I minded.

"Morning Drew… did." I kissed her again.

"Everything's fine. Everyone has said yes, everyone is just waiting for us to be ready. Mainly you. … maybe you should sleep some more." I suggested to her.

"But…"

"Why don't you? Everything's ready. I have to go meet up with my stepfather and your dad for the wedding. You sleep and I'll call you to wake up soon. Please rest. You look exhausted."

"Really?" She asked, worried that she'd look bad.

"Sort of." I didn't want to upset her more. "Just sleep. I'll wake you up. I promise."

"Alright Drew. Thank you." She said kissing me again as she curled up in her blankets.

I got into the car as Max followed me. He had shown up a few days ago knowing how stressed his sister would get if he wasn't early, rather than on time. "She okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, just exhausted. Nothing to worry about." I told him.

"Nothing to worry about. May, on her wedding day is exhausted!" Max yelled.

"I get it. I told her to sleep a while. She'll be fine. And anyone, once she sees everyone, is in her dress and everything, adrenaline will kick in and she'll be completely fine. Just like a contest."

"But this is a marriage, not a contest."

"It should be fine. She will be fine. We can't do anything more than hoping that she will be." I said.

"So are you sure that she will be? Marriages are very stressful. Who knows what could happen?"

"Whether this marriage happens today, tomorrow or the next day I know that we love each other. If she needs time. I give it to her. If she wants to be separate for a while to make sure. I let her."

"You'd really do anything for my sis wouldn't you?" Max asked.

"Yeah, on any normal day, in any normal situation she'd do the same for me but she's crazed about the marriage. Who knows maybe that's what she's dreaming of?"

"Maybe Drew. Let's go." I nodded as we got into the car and drove off to meet our father's for the preparations for the wedding as May slept in her bed peacefully. I hoped she was sleeping and not freaking out. She looked tired and even with another hour or two's sleep she'd need a bit of makeup. Which she usually doesn't like to put on except for a few special occasions. This would probably be one.

We walked in and my stepfather welcomed me by handing me my suit. I went into one of the changing rooms, putting it on and brushing through my hair. I took a deep breath knowing what would come next. Soon I'd be standing at the end of the aisle waiting for her to walk down it.

"Drew, sweetheart, are you alright?" I turned around to see my mother. I was just sitting in a chair staring at the door and I hadn't seen her enter.

"Yeah. Just thinking."

"Don't worry. It's all okay. To be nervous."

"I'm not nervous." I answered. I know what was going on. Nervous means anxious, worried, jumpy, panicky, tense, uneasy. I was the opposite I was calm and reserved.

"On the inside, yes." She answered. Maybe she knew me. She was my mother after all.

"I'm not nervous. I'm just… concerned… for May."

"Yes, she seems very exhausted. How long are you going to let her sleep?" I sighed, looking at the clock. It was one hour until. I would wake her up.

"I'll call her now." She nodded and left the room. I called her cell. It kept ringing until she answered.

"How long do I have?" She asked in panic.

"Take a deep breath May. 1 Hour. You can handle this. I know you can. My mom is coming for you, and yours is waiting for you here. Breath, don't forget. Everything be fine."

"You'll be there too, right? Right?"

"Of course but I can't see you until you step down the aisle, right."

"Yeah, right. Thanks Drew. I feel better. See you then." She hanged up. I hope she would calm down because she wouldn't want to be a wreck on TV. This was a major event and is going to be broadcasted.

My stepfather came in and sat down. "We have our differences."

"Yes we do, many of them. I hold most of them against you to this day."

"Well then I'm sure that's a lot because I've made a lot of mistakes. But today, can you forget those so we can talk?"

"I can, and will. Since you asked."

"I'm glad."

"Marriage is…"

"Please, don't tell me what you think of marriage, because you left my mom, or have you forgotten what you did too?" I said. "I won't let you be a hypocrite about this. I don't need that."

"I may have done bad things but even those who do bad things know what they were supposed to do right. Just because I messed up, doesn't mean I don't know what I was expected to do. Don't underestimate me."

"So you know how much of a hypocrite you're being currently?"

"I had only said 2 words. Marriage is. Now I didn't say anything about what you are supposed to do. I'm just sharing the fact of the matter. Care to listen?"

"I guess." I answered him. I didn't mind listening to this. He was right, after two marriages he should know what to expect, shouldn't he.

"Marriage is the unification of 2 people. Forever. They're supposed to stay with one each other no matter what. To help that person, love them, take care of them, guide them and be there for them always." He said. "I know I did wrong to your mother Drew."

"Yes, yes you did."

"Thanks for your two cents but don't make my mistake."

"I didn't plan to."

"I'm glad to hear it. It hurts to know that you broke someone that was already broken. Pouring salt in their wounds."

"Why did you take me from my mother?"

"What?"

"Why, did, you, take me, from, my, mother." I said with pauses and as clearly as I could say.

"Because you were a boy, I wanted a son to teach and make mine. She let me. She could have easily fought against it but that's not she wanted to do."

"Why didn't she?"

"I'm not sure. Why haven't you asked her that?"

"Because we don't talk much."

"Why?"

"Because we can't under law." I'm just nearly 17. Only because our parents both agree in this could it happen.

"Yes, but you did."

"Yes I know. But I'm not under you house. I've separated myself now. I'm free, am I not?"

"Not yet Drew. Not yet."

"I'm aware."

"Good because…"

"You wouldn't."

"You're right. I wouldn't but I'm just saying that that doesn't mean that I can't." My stepdad, I had known him to play games, with me, with others… like my mom. It hurt when you did that to someone. I never did. I was always straight to someone. I wanted to be like that. I didn't want to hurt anyone.

"Why did you leave my mom?"

"She was young and pretty. She was easy to toy with. It was all too simple and easy." I wanted to attack him with some attack. Rosélia's preferably, just to spite him.

"You hate me don't you?"

"I try not to hate people."

"Does that mean that you can't?"

'No, it just means that I try not to. Just as I said." I replied.

I stood up and opened the door. Ash was there. "May just got here. Want to talk?" I nodded and I walked with him into the gardens of the school. It was nearby where the ceremony was. Someone here. May had prepared it.

"How are you doing?' I asked. He had arrived early this morning. Waiting here for us.

"I'm excited to see you to get married." He said. "I'm waiting for it."

"I'm thinking about May."

"She's really stressed out."

"I regret letting her do everything that she wanted to. I should have helped more even though she wanted to do it by herself." I told him. "She might have been less stressed and exhausted."

"But that's what she wanted and you just wanted to make her happy. I guess you could have stepped it but it's too late, right?" I nodded. "So how are you feeling now?"

"I'm doing fine. I'm just thinking about her. Do you think we're too young. May just turned 17 lately."

"Nah. I mean you guys love each other and you'll stay together. It's not like you want to separate or be with someone else. You guys have wanted to be with the other person for the longest, nothing will change that. I think the law is just so kids aren't foolish in getting married too young but you guys really love each other."

"Yeah, I'm just wondering."

"I know. For you guys before and after you get married won't change most things. You'll live together like before, be at the other's side and spend all your time together. Just a few differences. Like now it's official." I nodded, understanding everything he was saying.

May's dad walked into the garden, Ash left. I expected he wanted to talk to me. He sat down on another bench. "I'm fine. Just thinking about May." I knew he was going to ask me how I'm feeling.

"I know. You're calm and you're just thinking about May. That's not what I was going to ask." He said. "I was going to ask how my daughter is." I laughed and smiled.

"Really? Well she's exhausted. I shouldn't have let her do everything on her own."

"I said the same thing at my wedding to her mother. We knew your dad Drew. My wife competed with your mother all the same. I was more into battles though." I nodded, knowing about his background. "May, like her mother likes taking things into her hand, even to the point where she has exhausted herself and can't do more, she'll try."

"I know that from experience in fighting her."

"A lot of the time…" He said.

"… most of the time…" I added.

"you don't win." We laughed. We could finish that easily. That's how May was too.

"So what are you doing out here?" He asked.

"I'm clearing my mind. I was arguing with my dad. He was lecturing me."

"Most dad do. I did it to…"

"Sorry to interrupt but… he's not my father. He cheated on my mom and then divorced her. He hurt her badly. He has no right to tell me what marriage is supposed to be. Why would anyone go against what they're supposed to do if they know it?" I asked.

"Because… people make mistakes."

"Did you?"

"No. I'm glad to tell you that I found my wife much as the same way your parents found each other and you and May yourselves did. On the battlefield in one of the few contest matches I ever did. I was glad I did too." He told me.

"So what are you saying?"

"Some people make mistakes. They go off and marry someone who is beautiful and have no clue what they are getting themselves into. Some people agree to it without knowing how wrong it is. Then a mistake is born. Not knowing. Being too young."

"So…" I was still confused.

"I'm saying that just maybe your stepfather married your real mother just because she was pretty and talented, rich as well, wasn't she?" I don't remember much of anything from my childhood anymore.

"I don't know.' I answered.

'Well regardless. I think that he could have just married her for that. She… having lost her husband was trying to find love in someone else. Because she was hurt and there was no one to stop her. I don't know but I think that's what happened. Then he realized that he didn't love her… and so he divorced her and married someone, I do believe he loves. Or he wouldn't care about you. Would he?"

"Huh?"

"He cared to talk to you because he didn't want you to make the same mistake. He knows he messed up and he was just trying to correct the mistakes he had. I'm not sure why you're upset with him. Maybe just that but that could be all. Just give him a chance, if you want."

"I think I will." I said. It sounded like a good idea. "Thanks." He nodded and walked off. He stopped and turned around.

"You two have my blessing. I have to return to my daughter now. She's probably panicking." I nodded as he walked off.

"May and I will be together forever. This is not a mistake. I love her. She loves me. I will not make the same mistake you did father. Dad," I said looking at the sky. "I want your blessing too."

I closed my eyes and relaxed. "Rosélia!" Rosélia ran up to me. She was providing the flowers for the ceremony. I guess it was time I get going. It was almost time.

"Alright, I'm coming. Thanks for getting me."

"Rose." She handed me a rose and I put it in the spot in my tuxedo. It was beautiful. I loved roses. May did too. I guess that's why she loved when I'd give them to her "Beautifly". I laughed, how silly she could be sometime. I was trying but she was just a little too oblivious. "Rosélia!"

"Sorry, I'm coming." I said following her as we went inside the building to prepare the final preparations.

Before I knew it, I was waiting at the end of the aisle… for her. I hoped nothing was going on with her. I really hoped that she was okay. No second thoughts she had told me. Some how, I had doubts about that.

I could already tell our wedding would be an unusual one. Ash was standing next to me, looking as concerned as last time. "Am I allowed to call her?" I asked.

"I don't know. Ask the priest guy." Ash said. I looked at him. He shook his head. "I'll go check on them." I nodded as he walked off.

He came back after a while. He seemed as thought everything was fine. What was keeping her then? Soon the field was covered with petals as May walked down the aisle looking as beautiful as I've seen her. The dress just complimenting her beauty. It was like a light pink whitish color that I couldn't quite describe well.

Eventually, she was at arms reach as we went through our vows together, and were married. I held her as I kissed her and I loved that smile on her face as she looked at me. I just held her and the many, extremely so, people that were there all danced and partied.

We sat at a table and cut the extremely large cake that would surely be eaten by all the people that were there, waiting for us. We sat down with our best man and maid of honor, Ash and Misty. "Are you guys glad to be married now?"

"Of course we are." I said smiling.

"Yeah. I'm so happy." May said excitedly.

"I'm glad." Misty said.

"It's nice that you're talking with us and all but you have thousands of other people to talk too. Go talk to them." Ash said. "I'm going to come along too. You coming Mist?"

"Sure." She said, we all got up and walked.

"Hey guys." Tracy said to us. I had met him for a short time when he and Misty visited Ash. I happened to be there with May as well.

"Hi." May said.

"Thanks for inviting me May, and you too Drew. It's been a while hasn't it?" I shrugged. May nodded. "Congrats. I figured that today would be someday in the future."

"I think everyone knew." May said laughing about how oblivious we had been to each other. Just arguing away every time we saw each other.

"Sorta exactly like how you and Ash are." I said smirking. They both were blushing as everything was going on.

"Come on Drew." I nodded and we walked off. Misty doesn't like to be teased, especially by her friends. She can be quite aggressive afterward which we wouldn't want to provoke by staying there.

A little boy ran up to May and hugged her. May picked him up and hugged him back. "Hey James. How have you been?" May asked, setting him down.

"I'm doing amazing. I'm so happy you guys got married. It's so exciting." He said cheeringly.

"I'm glad too. Where's your mom?" He shrugged.

"Somewhere. I couldn't find her before either but I know she's here."

James was the kid that May and I watched and rescued, which is how she got her Azurill. He is the son of Ms. Markey. He was sick and followed after his pokémon after it ran off. He got lost and passed out. We saved him.

"Hey Drew, Hey May, Hi!" The duo of boys said. I hadn't seen them since the summer adventure thing. Their names are Ed and Mike.

"Hey." I said.

"Thanks for inviting us. I can't believe that you guys are married. I can't believe you guys are teachers. I can't believe anything that involves you two." Ed said.

"Thanks, I think?" May answered, confused.

"Good luck with your marriage. I'm sure you've got a ton of things to do, right?" Mike asked.

"I'm not sure if we do but whatever." I said.

"Yeah whatever back at ya." Ed said pulling his friend off.

"May darling." May crossed her arms and glared as Harley walked over.

"Back of Harley." Solidad said. "Hi guys, I'm sure you're doing fine."

"I am. She's exhausted." I said, she, referring to May.

"Who would blame her? With all the stuff she's been taking care of her, of course she is." Solidad said.

"She volunteered for it all." Solidad looked at May like she was crazy. Then she looked at me like I was supposed to stop her.

"It's not Drew's fault."

"I just let her do what she wanted." I said. "She did an excellent job didn't she?"

"Yes she did. Wonderful job May." Solidad complimented.

"I agree." Harley said.

"Back of Harley." Both girl said glaring.

"You better listen or I'll deal with you myself." I said, warning him.

"Alright. Protective much?"

"Yes I am." I said.

"Well we have more people to greet, bye." May said waving as we walked off. "Do you think I was too harsh?"

"No. He'll learn that way."

"You think so."

"Yeah. Because if he doesn't. I handle it." I said. She smiled and we walked over to her parents, sitting down.

"You guys are having a great time aren't you?" Her father, my father-in-law asked.

"And you should. It's your wedding day after all." Her mom added.

"Yeah it is. All day." May said happily.

"And all night." I added. "Until midnight."

"Yeah, that too." May said laughing.

"Well enjoy yourselves." Her mom said.

"We will." I said.

"Yeah." May said. We talked for a long while longer until we decided to go off on our own in the gardens, to talk and whatnot.

We sat down by a beautiful water fountain. We sat on the edge of it and she smiled. "We're married!" She screamed as loud as she could manage. If someone was trying to find us, they'd find us.

"Yes we are May." I said smiling. She looked beautiful in her dress. "You look beautiful May." I didn't remember telling her that.

"Thanks you look extremely handsome too." She said. She rested her head against my chest. Her hair was pulled up into a bun with pieces arranged as they came out from it and fell the length of her back. "So where are we going?"

Of all the things I let her do. I had requested to pick the place we go for our honeymoon. I didn't plan to tell her until we got there. It would be a surprise. It was a place in a small tropical island called "Valley of the Roses." It was between two mountains and every kind of rose grew there. It's famous for their pokémon, just two to name being Rosélia and Beautifly. I know she'd love it. It was an island so the tropical summer weather even in winter, would allow us to go swimming or whatever else we'd want to do.

"I'm not telling you. Get over it." I said. "Not until later today. It's not long. You can wait." I said.

"No I can't. I'm so excited. Does anyone know?"

"Yes, but I'm not telling you who."

"Drew…" She said pouting.

"Come on, we have to eat too you know." I said taking her hand and guiding her to the place where the food was. "Sit, I'll get our food for us."

"Fine but I will find out." She said.

"Yes you will, tonight. I've made sure that there is no way that you'll find out. It's impossible." I said with a smile.

"Is that a challenge?"

"No." I answered. "It's a statement. This would be a challenge. "I Drew Kito challenge you, May Kito to a battle, but I'm not."

"Drew!" May complained.

"I'm going to get us something to eat." I said. I walked over to Lily and Max. "Go sit with May. She's going to do something irrational."

"You really think she would?" Max asked.

"Knowing her, yes." Lily answered for me.

"Why?" Max asked.

"She wants to know where they're going for the honeymoon, of course." Lily said, knowing everything.

"Oh, is that all. Why don't you just tell her then? It'll save you some work."

"It's better to have a surprise for her. It's not the only surprise I have for her." I said with a smirk.

"Really?" Lily asked.

"I thought that's all you planned." Max said.

"That's all I told everyone I planned. There's much more." I said.

We ate and the day continued until May was going to start tackling me to the ground if I didn't tell you. I sighed, I stepped in front of everyone. "Well everyone, May's rather inpatient about getting going so we're going to have our first dance as a married couple and take our leave."

"Music please." May said.

The music played and we danced through the song, we then excused ourselves so she and I could change. We were going on a boat there so we could leave at any time. No, I didn't spare any cost for this wonderful day.

I covered her eyes with a blindfold as I carefully led her out to the boating dock. It was a personal cruise ship that I had rented out for today. It was around 4. We'd arrive at another city where we'd get on a personal plane and arrive their around dawn.

"Why am I blindfolded is this supposed to be ironic?" She asked me.

"No, it's not." I said as I took it off and she saw the boat.

"Wow Drew…" I pulled her after me as we climbed on board the ship and took off.

She ran around the ship like a little child, which I didn't mind. She was happy and excited and that's what I love May for, being herself. She is rather childish but that's just how she is. I don't mind at all. As she continued running I grabbed her and took her to the front of the ship.

"We're almost at our first destination. The airport." I said. She looked at me.

"Where are we going?!" She yelled.

"You'll know when we get there, won't you?"

"Yes but I want to know."

"Now, I know." I said as we climbed onto the plane and we waited until it was within viewing distance.

"May, come on." She sighed, she had been pouting for the last few hours. I guided her to the viewing port above the cockpit.

"Where is this place?" She asked me.

"It's the Valley of the Roses." She hugged me. It was a place of dreams. Everyone knew about it but it was very hard to get to, not to mention rather expensive. Nevertheless, as I said, I didn't spare cost for today, or the next 2 weeks at that.

We arrived and May hadn't let go of me. She was so happy that she was going to hug me to death. Not that I'd mind, very much. I'd like to be married to her for more than a couple of hours. "Come on." I said as we went through customs and stepped foot on the island.

I guided her to the Ocean Seaside Resort that we would be staying at and we went to the balcony as the water glistened as the sunset, it was beautiful. "Drew… thank you." She said. She was crying, because she was happy.

I wiped her tears. "You're welcome, come along." I said guiding her out to the edge of the waves.

"Are we going swimming?" She asked.

"Sorry but that's planned for tomorrow."

"How long are we staying?" She asked.

"2 weeks, or longer if you want?"

"Really?" She asked.

"Yeah, but I've already paid for 2 weeks. We can stay long if you want." I said.

"I'd love that." I nodded, kissing her.

"Me too."

We sat beside the waves, in the sand, even though we were getting sandy, we didn't care. We watched as the sun set in the distance. It was beyond any sunset I had every seen before. "Isn't it beautiful Drew?" She asked.

"Yes it is. It reminds me of you." I wrapped my arms around her as she leaned against me and we watched the sunset.

After the sun had set, I guided her back to the room were dinner had been laid out for us, and we ate, on the balcony, over looking the seat. It was beautiful.

"Drew, what if we hadn't met for that contest? What would have became of us?" She dared ask.

"I don't know May. And you know what. I really don't care. I have all I could ever want know."

Many people wonder where they would have been if they… (Insert event here)… hadn't happened. You know what. I don't want to know because somehow I doubt whatever… (Event)… happened would have given me the same perfect results as I have now. I think everything is perfect how it is now. I don't want to change it. I don't want to know what else could have happened. I just want to live in the now, with May.

"Are you sure?"

"Would I have married you if I wasn't?" I asked her back.

"No, but I'm just making sure."

"You know what May?"

"No."

"It's kind of too late to have second thoughts."

"Because we're married?" She asked.

"No because I've thought about it beyond 2 times. So many times. I'm 100 sure. It's too late know. I love you."

"I love you too Drew." She turned to look at me and I kissed her.

(A/N: Hope you liked these chapters. 2 to go. Then I say good-bye to you all. Until next time. Don't forget to review.)