100 Missions.
Hi all! It's a Christmas special and a comeback from me after some university work! I'm sorry about the lack of updates and I hope that this sequel to LAST Christmas' story makes it up to you! Presenting…Lance and Molly's Christmas wedding.
49th Objective: Winter Wedding Wonderland.
He was shaking with nerves.
Or at least, his hands were.
Lance waited at the end of the isle and for a moment, he had to struggle to remember how he got here in the first place.
"Molly?"
"Hm?"
Lance was silent for about five minutes after that, trying to find the words he needed as they sat on the grassy tussock together, watching the sky blush pink in the presence of the setting sun. The warm spring breeze ruffled through their hair and he felt her patience stand strong beside him.
He had never been one for "lovey dovey stuff" and this…she never cared much for theatrics either. This was going to be bad and he should probably quit while he was ahead.
"Never mind."
Molly turned her head fully, her pale neck exposed and turning into gold as she studied his hesitant gaze properly.
"No, Lance. You had something to say. You can tell me!" she coaxed; unaware that what he wanted was the most important thing he had done since signing up to the army. "Has something happened?"
Lance felt her worry start to grow and he quelled it before it could flourish.
"Naw, nothing bad. It's just stupid and you probably won't be interested."
She didn't gush and tell him that what he liked she would too. She didn't beg and plead.
"I might not, you're right. But how will I know if you keep mum? I'll do my best to listen." Her hand fluttered to pat her bob and Lance let his heart flutter with it.
"Molly…how would you feel if a man took out a ring and proposed to you?"
Her red lips curved at the corner, but she humoured him.
"Ooo, it would depend on the circumstances. I'd hate him if he did it in front of everyone."
Rolling brown eyes, Lance scoffed.
"I would too. Why does he need to involve the world and their grandmothers?"
Molly laughed heartily.
"But…I wouldn't mind if you did it," she said suddenly, smiling slyly as he sputtered. "I think you might know what to do, y'see."
An awkward moment ensued as Lance fumbled, his large hands moving through the grass in an attempt to wipe off the building sweat. He just ended up with dirty hands instead. He…he wasn't very good at keeping surprises away from her, that was for sure.
"I wanna marry you, Molly." It came out in a sudden rush. "I wish I knew how to tell you that I want to marry you properly, but I can't do that."
Eyes the colour of the sky in summer crinkled with fondness and a knowing that came from five years of just being together.
"You're not doing badly so far. Try a little further."
"Maybe if you stop teasing me first!" he groaned, sinking his head into a hand and she chuckled, watching as he let out a grunted one in return.
"I'm sorry, I'm so mean. Go on."
Finally realising that there was supposed to be an engagement ring somewhere in this mockery of a marriage proposal, Soldier patted down his breast pockets in the white shirt under his leather jacket until he hit a lump and drew it out, sneaking an uncertain glance at his girlfriend, looking very much like a child ready to give their mother a present, desperate for approval.
"Well, uh, Molly," he swallowed, brushing fingers briefly through cropped hair. "I have a ring I'd like you to try on. Maybe you could wear it forever?"
With taut muscles, he opened the little velvet box.
"This was my mother's," he continued as she gasped, tilting her dark head to see the light catch the little opal embedded in the gold and throw out a rainbow. "And she gave to me before she died. Said she wanted a good woman to have it in her place."
Molly looked at him.
"Will you do me the honour of marrying me, so you can be that good woman? I don't want it on anyone else's finger, to be honest."
For a heart-stopping second, Molly kept her thoughtful gaze on him. Then it headed to the ring and she gently cupped his cheek.
"I hope I can always be that good woman. Yes, Lance. I will."
Refraining from sweeping her into his strong arms, he let her take it and place it on her own slim finger. THEN he stood and twirled her round, crying out in delight.
"You said yes! Even after I messed up and asked you advice on how to ask you to marry you, holy Mother of God!"
Adrenaline and love and everything he'd never felt with any other female poured into his veins like a warm drink.
Molly laughed and cried all at once.
"You know," she said with a small smile after they'd calmed down. "We met at Christmas, didn't we?"
Lance stared at her.
"Yes?"
With a grin, Molly took his hand and stroked his thumb.
"I've always wanted a Christmas wedding."
And they'd done just that, the RED Soldier reflected. It was like they had a fairy godmother or something. There was snow falling, they'd managed to rope in Felix the RED Spy to play the piano for their reception and the ground was lovely and white, matching the hyacinths (Molly's favourite) that decorated the silver backed chairs. They even had a fountain which the ceremony would be performed in front of.
It was an outside wedding, a day completed by his friends and few remaining relatives, who expressed their delight at the wedding invitations, which were sent out a month in advance. A nudge had him glancing at Guy, his best man.
"Ye ready?"
Lance laughed, his voice a little too high.
"If I'm not now, then I'll never be."
The RED Demoman just gazed at him out of his one good eye and the tough soldier found himself relenting under the onslaught.
"I'm terrified. What if she realises two months down the line that this was all a huge mistake? Or we argue too much? Or-?"
Suddenly, the small band they'd hired for the ceremony began to play the Wedding March and Lance gulped.
"Oh my god, she's coming."
The Scotsman chuckled and nudged him again.
"Oh aye…and she looks fantastic."
Curiosity and a longing to see her again had him turning round quickly and his jaw dropped, making their RED Scout grin as he tightened his hold on the rings.
Molly was…well, there was no other word for it apart from beautiful.
With her father proudly on her arm, Molly's humble train was being carried by her two sisters, both looking slightly tearful. The veil covered most of her face, but even from his place at the front, her soon to be husband could see a tiny smile already gracing it. It was a modest dress with a tight bodice and he had never seen something so perfect.
"Wow…"
"I'm glad you're impressed," she teased gently when she reached him, her father kissing her hand and giving her one final hug before joining her mother (who was already bawling) at the head of the chairs. "Are you ready?"
"I-I don't know." He stammered in reply, wanting nothing more than to take her hand and run far away, and she giggled in response.
As the priest started his sermon, she whispered to him again.
"We're doing it! We're getting married!"
"I must be insane."
A hand swatted his black covered arm and they straightened just in time to give their vows.
"Do you, Molly Seedford, take Lance Corporal as your husband, until death do you part?"
"I do!" she repeated, her face flushed under the lacy veil.
"And do you, Lance Corporal, take Molly Seedford as your lawfully wedded wife, until death do you part?"
"I do." He said softly, already envisioning their lives together.
"Then I have nothing more to say, apart from you may now kiss the bride! And congratulations!" the priest ended with a smile.
The entire company burst into yells and applause as Lance uncovered her and took her in his arms, sealing their new bond with a long, strong kiss.
"Who wants a drink and some cake?" he bellowed to the guests and the cheers made the bride and groom beam with pride.
The ceremony might be over, he reflected, but his life with Molly was only just beginning.
Mission Complete.
That was so bloody corny at the end. Sorry about that. XD
Anyway, another apology is in order because this is also a late Christmas update. So, I'm very sorry!
Love, Lily. X
