Chapter Twenty Eight

Jasper

Everyone was on station and waiting patiently as the bride arrived. As soon as the music started, The phantom of the Opera music what else? Everyone went quiet and stood looking round for Crystal's entrance including Andy and Cade and most of the guests had to do a double take when they looked at Crystal on her father's arm. If we thought she was Crazy it was nothing to her father who looked like a cross between Lurch from the Addams family and Boris Karloff playing Frankenstein, I swear his skin even had a greenish tinge to it!

"Check for bolts through the neck"

Garrett's whisper was quiet but the twins heard and of course burst into giggles which they tried to smother with hands over their faces.

"I'll bet Andy's parents are glad they didn't meet him earlier"

I nudged Garrett to shut him up and then looked to the front where Andy had just caught sight of his bride to be and soon to be father in law. He didn't seem phased so maybe he didn't see them in quite the same way the rest of us did. Peters face was a picture and I groaned quietly. If he kept his mouth shut it would be a bloody miracle!

As they passed us Crystal stopped and waved her pudgy fingers at the twins calling them out into the aisle while her father turned stiffly to look at us. There was something in his eyes that unsettled me, he saw more than anyone else with those eyes, did he recognise us for what we were? As his eyes swiveled to the front once more the twins shot me a glance and I shrugged,

"You're on your own now boys, behave."

They nodded looking very uncomfortable as Crystal gave one a glass decanter of red wine and the other a delicate crystal chalice. At least I hoped it was wine in the decanter, I didn't smell blood which eased me somewhat. Garrett looked at me again talking from the corner of his mouth,

"What the hell is she going to do with that?"

"I have no idea, it's probably drugged so he can't run screaming from the Inn."

Garrett sniggered quietly then we composed ourselves for the rest of this ceremony.

Crystal's rather odd friends were all smiling and making admiring noises while Bella and Lisa kept their heads down but I heard Bella's agonised groan as she saw Peter standing at the front looking angelic and smiling placidly at the bride. We waited with bated breath for him to start but his voice was low and even as he started the service, was he keeping the crap for later? Setting us all on edge or just for once was he going to behave? The tension was getting to us by the time they got to their vows!

The whole ceremony had been slightly bizarre but it was none of Peters doing and I could see why he was behaving himself, he was enjoying the look of consternation from some of the guests, especially Andy's family and friends. The vows also were a little different but Crystal smiled the whole way through. First she spoke,

"I will stand by your side, hunt at your back, and fly within your Soul.

I will stand between you and all which would harm you.

I will shield you from the Light of Day with my flesh.

I will never betray you, for you are my Heart, my Soul and my Life."

Then he returned the vow,

"I will stand by your side, hunt at your back, and fly within your Soul.

I will stand between you and all which would harm you.

I will shield you from the Light of Day with my flesh.

I will never betray you, for you are my Heart, my Soul and my Life."

If Peter were going to act up now would be the time but he confounded both Garrett and myself by continuing the service playing it straight.

"Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time passes, remember, like the star should your love burn brightly, like the stone should your love be firm. Be close, yet not so close that you restrict one another. Possess one another, yet grant each other the freedom to grow. Be understanding and compassionate, and have patience with each other, for storms may come, but they will quickly pass. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Fear not, lest the ways or words of the unenlightened give you unease. For the Lady and Lord are with you, now, and always.

May your love endure through this life and all others. As the Gods and the old ones are witness with those of us present now, I proclaim them Husband and Wife, and thus are they Bonded, the two are now one. Please fill the chalice."

The twins looked at each other, then Nathan unstopped the decanter and carefully poured the red wine into the chalice, stopping when Peter nodded before handing it to him and stepping back looking round unsure what to do with the rest of the wine. Peter handed it to Andy who took a drink then handed it to Crystal who followed suit then they dashed the empty chalice to the floor where it shattered into hundreds of shards which seemed to please Crystal who clapped her hands happily before throwing her arms around her husband almost strangling him.

Everyone stood and clapped as Crystal and Andy kissed and the vampires in the room heaved a sigh of relief, the danger was finally over.

Bella and Lisa came over to us and neither Garrett nor myself could help a smile at their dresses,

"One word either of you, and you'll find yourselves alone in the sack for at least six months. Is that clearly understood?"

We nodded our assent but it was difficult, the girls looked so strange in their bizarre outfits and then of course Peter had to show his face.

"Fooled you didn't I? You thought I was going to bugger about and ruin things. Well I can play it straight when I feel the need. So, you gonna let me marry you two?"

I looked at Bella, we hadn't discussed getting married but it seemed like the way to seal our relationship and she nodded grinning.

"OK Peter why not."

"YES!"

He punched the air and everyone looked round,

"Sorry folks, I just got another engagement."

Mary and Dennis looked slightly puzzled but Cade just laughed out loud and came to join us,

"Well done Peter. How did you do it?"

"He had to or we wouldn't let him officiate at our wedding."

"You and Jasper? I hope I get an invitation"

Bella threw her arms around him and hugged him tight,

"Of course, if not for you we wouldn't be here now, happy and with the twins."

"Twins? Did I hear you say twins? Bella are you telling me that diary of Lisa's was telling the truth?"

We all turned to see Crystal standing there holding on to Andy for grim death,

"Sorry?"

"You said the twins Bella. Your twins?"

"My twins? No, Nathan and Jake of course."

She looked disappointed but just sighed,

"Oh well it was a good tale. I'm sorry if I caused any problems for you with that girl I spoke to but she seemed very convinced."

"Yes well Alice could be very convincing when she wanted to. So when are you off on your honeymoon?"

"Tomorrow. Tonight were staying here at the Inn. They set aside the haunted room for us, can you imagine?"

Looking at Peters smile I could imagine all sorts of high jinx but I just smiled and put my arm around Bella pulling her close and whispering in her ear,

"Do you think we could slip away now and get you out of that hideous dress?"

"I was hoping you might say that. I think we could manage to sneak away."

"Not without me you don't"

Garrett pulled Lisa to his side,

"Hey, you like to get married with them? A double date?"

Lisa's smile lit up the room and I knew I had a new sister in the family.

Peter

Before we left I had a quick word with the boys, I'd smelled their surprise from the other end of the room.

"If you two put the rats in their bedroom it will be much more effective and you wont be around to get into trouble."

They grinned at me and nodded,

"Oh yes, just one more thing, here"

I handed them back the confetti that The Major had confiscated earlier, after all boys will be boys now wont they? Then I followed the others out to the car,

"Right I guess its back to the house yes?"

"There's no rush. We could take a couple of hours out for ourselves."

"Hey what about the twins, your twins? Don't you think they'll be missing you? You've been gone a long time, they might be walking and talking by now"

Bella looked at me open-mouthed

"Are they? And I, we, missed it?"

"No I was just making a point. They grow so rapidly who knows what they might be up to by now and I know Garrett's interested in seeing them aren't you?"

I glared at Garrett behind The Majors back.

"Yes. I know Lisa's been missing them. How about we all go back to the house?"

How could he say no now? So we all piled into the car and drove off to the house leaving Crazy Crystal to her hopefully eventful honeymoon night! I would of course be sneaking back later to make sure the resident ghost made an appearance as long as Cade wasn't watching out for me, There was always someone eager to spoil my fun!