The hotel's normal schedule that day was put on hold for the very special occasion. The vast front yard of the hotel had a long white carpet leading from the front doors down to a beautiful flower canopy that served as an altar. Both sides of the makeshift carpet walkway had rows of chairs for the large number of guests attending. The couple were surprised that they knew so many people between the two of them and were overjoyed that so many accepted the invite; however, there was one denizen of Hell that was absolutely blacklisted from the couple's list.
"You're absolutely certain you don't want Angel to be here? He seemed a little bummed about it this morning." Charlie asked as she continued to brush out the knots from the moth demoness's silky white hair.
"He should have known that he would be instantly uninvited when he decided to bring drugs to my engagement party. Qué cabrón. What was he thinking?" Vaggie exasperatedly expressed.
"Well, he thought he was doing me a favor but-" the blonde started to say as she worked out a particularly large knot.
"Ow!" Vaggie winced at the sudden harsh tugging.
"Sorry, sorry! I'll try to be more gentle." Charlie frantically apologized before going back over the spot a little more gently.
"It's fine. But, when it comes to Angel, you should have let Alastor have a little more fun mauling him over and over again." Charlie and Alastor may have agreed to keep the specific details from her parents a secret, but that did not mean she couldn't disclose this information to one of her closest confidents she had gained over the years.
"You know I can't do that. He's still my friend and one of my patients. And since then he has been on his best behavior, and he's been helping with the hotel more. Plus, I think he's been punished enough." She tried explaining while finally untangling the large knot as painlessly as she could. "I don't know how Al got all of the blood stains out of the hardwood….and I don't really want to know what he did with all of those extra limbs." Referring to when Alastor first found out who tampered with his drink.
"I'm grateful that we won't be dancing on a bloody dance floor tonight." Vaggie joked before her tone turned serious, swiveling her chair around to face her friend. "Are you sure you're okay about letting this go? Because I have a new double-ended extermination blade that can be Angel's new butt-plug." She offered.
Charlie smiled and rolled her eyes at her friend's crude offer to help. "Now that the dust has kind of settled I just want to move on and try to enjoy this pregnancy. And I thought we recently talked about how hypocritical it is of me to enforce the 'No weapons' policy on everyone but you." The blonde pointed out.
"No worries there. I actually left all of them at home." The moth demoness truthfully claimed. "But let me know if you ever want to take me up on the offer." She quickly added.
"Thank you, Vaggie."
"So, how is your pregnancy going? You doing okay?" Vaggie questioned as she motioned her hand towards her friend's 17-week bump that seemed to be getting steadily larger every week.
"That's why I put an emphasis on the word try." Charlie answered, already thinking of a way to deflect from the topic. Not because she didn't want to talk about it, but because she didn't want to take anymore focus away from her friend's very special day.
Before Vaggie could tell her friend that she thought she looked beautiful in her knee-length, dark red dress or ask further about what she meant by "try", Charlie eagerly stated, "Oh, I almost forgot! One last thing." She swiveled her friend's chair back around to face the vanity mirror before picking up the beautiful pink lily off the table. The flower was placed and secured in the demoness's white locks, completing her wedding attire.
"It's absolutely perfect." Vaggie smiled in awestruck as Charlie placed her hands on the moth demoness's shoulders. Upon studying their reflection in the mirror a strange, small wave of melancholy overcame her. "Four years ago did you think we would be here today?" Vaggie questioned her ex-turned-dearest-friend.
"Not in a million years." Charlie answered truthfully.
"You know, it's sometimes strange how quickly things change. You're going to have a kid in five months and I'm getting married to a horned demoness that isn't you. Not what I envisioned happening over four years ago." Vaggie commented as she squeezed one of the pale hands resting on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I thought it was going to be the two of us saying 'I do' to each other at the altar too back then." She responded as she met Vaggie's glance in the reflection of the mirror, returning the soft squeeze.
"Do you regret how everything turned out?" Vaggie surprisingly found herself asking.
"Despite some of the unfortunate things that have happened; no, I don't regret any of it. You?" The blonde asked her friend.
"Even though I was initially sad when we broke up and went our separate ways for a year, I'm glad we were able to still be friends in the end. You were the first person who was kind to me when I arrived here. You loved me and gave me a home. Querida amiga, you gave me hope. So, thank you Charlie, for everything." She said with a soft smile on her face as she turned to look up at her friend instead of looking at her via the mirror's reflection.
"And thank you for being the first to believe in me when no one else did. This hotel would be nothing but still a wishful dream if it wasn't for you. Your friendship is truly a gift and that can never be replaced." Charlie smiled as she leaned down, wrapping her arms around her friend's shoulders. The blonde demoness felt tears prick her eyes but managed to hold them back as she said, "So, thank you Vaggie, for everything."
##########
Before leaving the women's restroom Charlie made sure that none of her makeup was smudged from the cry-fest she almost had earlier. Once satisfied with her appearance, she exited the woman's restroom and headed back to Vaggie's makeshift dressing room. I think my bladders been shrinking, she bemoaned to herself, but my feet have definitely gotten bigger, she added as she felt the tip of her black flats squishing her toes while walking down the hall. I can't wait for you to finally be here, her thoughts continued as she placed her hand on her abdomen, but until then can you be a little kinder to my body?
She rounded the corner to head back to see if her friend needed anything else. Everything was pretty much ready to go for the wedding ceremony starting soon, but she decided to provide Vaggie with a little more company before the event started. Before she could continue down the hallway she bumped clumsily into a familiar tall figure.
"Nice to run into you, dear." Alastor commented as he made sure she was steady on her feet.
"Literally." She snorted. "You okay? I bumped into you pretty hard."
"Isn't that supposed to be my line?"
"Yeah, but I kind of feel like a wrecking ball." She admitted.
"Doll-face, you're not that big." He pointed out.
"Not yet," she sighed, "but I'm getting there." Charlie stated before taking notice of her boyfriend's attire. "Well, aren't you looking dapper?" She motioned towards his nice suite, complete with coat tails and top hat.
"Nifty fixed up the old thing, the sweetheart. Almost forgot that it existed." He said as he straightened his bowtie. "You ready to head outside with everyone else?" He offered his arm to her so they could walk arm-in-arm to their seats out front.
She was used to the red pinstripe suits he usually wore as well as his button up dress shirts and suspenders when he wanted to dress more "casual". So, he always dressed nice, but seeing him like that along with the influx of her raging hormones stirred something within in.
"D-do you wanna have a little fun first?" She whispered quietly while leaning in close, as to not be accidently overheard by guests and hotel staff still milling about inside the hotel.
"Are you asking me to partake in some afternoon delight, my dear?" He curiously asked while arching an eyebrow.
"Maybe." She shyly whispered as a deep blush danced across her cheeks.
Alastor, not surprisingly, was all for satisfying his girlfriend's needs and to fulfill her sudden urges. The surprising part was that the tentacles were making an appearance less often. After their first (fully consensual) time together he now had a better understanding what Charlie was actually craving several months ago. It dawned on him that sex isn't just a physically stimulating experience. While that certainly was a nice perk, he discovered something that made him desire to want to love her again, and again. Being so vulnerable in his angelic love's embrace and sharing something so private and intimate for only her doe-like eyes to see, made him almost believe he was accidently sent to heaven. Chasing away any previous feelings of sexual repulsion only when it came to the small demoness in his arms. Which made him feel awful for depriving her for so long, even though he didn't realize that he was at the time. In his defense, he couldn't miss what he never had. But now, he was happily making up for it.
Although, he wasn't expecting her current urge to lead them into the cleaning supply closet off the first-floor hallway, with her friend's wedding ceremony about to start very soon. As soon as the door was shut behind them Charlie didn't hesitate gently pushing him against one of the shelves as she reached for his face, pulling his head down so her lips could connect with his. Her hands didn't stay at his face for long as they made their descent down his chest, reaching their destination at his belt buckle. Alastor cupped the back of her head near the top of her neck as he deepened their kiss. His other gloved hand trailed down the side of her waist to her ass, gently giving it a playful squeeze as she finally finished undoing his belt and unbuttoning his pants.
##########
Nifty walked down the hotel's first floor hall as she searched for the missing Princess of Hell and the Radio Demon, with clear instructions from a worried Vaggie to find them. The short cyclops was quick on her feet as she scoured the area, calling out for the couple as she searched. She was eager to find them knowing that the sooner she found them, the less likely the ceremony would be delayed, and the sooner they could get to the reception. Which she was ecstatic to start already, looking forward to dancing and flirting with all of Vaggie's cute male coworkers.
She was about to head upstairs to start checking the other floors when a noise from one of the doors she was passing by caught her attention. Nifty stopped dead in her tracks as she raised her eyebrow and stared quizzically at the supply closet door. Hesitantly, she turned the doorknob and poked her head inside, scanning the small space and finding no one.
When Nifty shut the door and finally left, Alastor whispered to the demoness in his arms, "As much as I would love to spend the rest of the day in this cramped space with you, my dear, I believe the jig is up."
Mostly due to her boyfriend's quick thinking they had ended up on the top empty shelf closest to the hinges of the door, effectively hiding in the shadows. A feat he hastily pulled when he saw the door opening, and he wasn't kidding when he said the space was cramped. Charlie had to lean over and bend slightly to her side so her abdomen wouldn't get squished. Although, if anything, it was Alastor who was compressed the most. Charlie was quick to get down from the shelf as soon as the cyclops left, not wanting to continue crushing a certain body part belonging to her boyfriend that was still out on display, which she knew was probably super uncomfortable for him. But she knew his legs probably had it the worst.
They cleaned up quickly, Alastor grabbing his top hat and bowtie from the shelf across from the one they had been hiding in while Charlie attempted to fix the bun on top of her head. They both agreed to continue this later and swiftly exited the hotel from one of the side doors, taking their seats in the front row next to Tammy, Husk, and Nifty. The feeling of guilt sunk in for Charlie as she realized they had missed Lily walking down the aisle. A couple seats down from her she could hear loud sniffling and someone blowing their nose harshly.
"Tammy, is everything okay?" She asked with concern.
"Don't mind me, suga'. I always get teary-eyed at weddings." Luckily, her loud sniffles kept her from hearing the uncomfortable exchange about to take place next to her.
"Next time, lock the door." Nifty stated flatly as she side-eyed Charlie.
"What?! I have no idea what you're talking about." She claimed in a flustered tone, as she tried but failed to play it cool despite the evidence that her elegant bun had turned into a messy bun since the last time anyone saw her, and Alastor's attire seemed to be slightly disarrayed.
"I visit that cleaning supply closet several times a day. You don't think I wouldn't notice a certain top hat I fixed up earlier this week sitting inches away from me next to the Lysol?"
"You've got to be shitting me? At a wedding no less ya fuckin' nasty freaks." Husk reprimanded with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Just keeping it classy." The red demon joked as he pointed finger guns at Husk.
And with that Charlie placed her head in her hands and begged for the ground to open up and swallow her whole as the color of her face began to match the color of her dress. The universe seemed to have heard her pleas to end her suffering and gave her a break as Vaggie's bridal entrance song started playing.
"Oh." "Here she comes!" "She's gorgeous." "Look!" Voices from the seated guests rang out.
Ohhhhhh... the bride is here.
She's waited for this day for many a year.
For this day, for this day.
Our hopes and our pride.
The bride is here.
Vaggie felt her heart flutter as she steadily walked down the aisle towards her future. She didn't even notice Charlie's tomato hue face as all of her focus was directed towards the beautiful face of her smiling soon-to-be wife.
Here comes the bride(3Xs). Our bride.
For this day, for this day will last forever
And all of her friends will work together.
To make it the perfect day she's always dreamed.
Our hopes and our pride.
Our bride, our lovely bride.
Lily almost forgot to breathe as the owner of her heart and all of her love joined her under the hanging flowers at the altar.
"You look stunning. The flower is a nice touch. " Lily whispered quietly.
"Thank you. You look beautiful too, mi amor." Her bride whispered back as she took in the view of Lily's white, lace-patterned wedding gown. And with that, the ceremony started.
##########
The reception hall was elegantly lit with softly illuminating string lights and burning candles. And with the beautiful theme of a garden for the party it was truly an aesthetic scene to behold as the guests watched the newly wedded couple have their first dance.
I love you too much
To live without you loving me back
I love you too much
Heaven's my witness and this is a fact
The Radio Demon, not very interested in watching the couple dance and twirl each other about the dance floor as much as the other party-goers, let his mind wonder as he leaned back in his chair, taking a swig of his bourbon. He first fantasized the many different ways he wished he could torture and kill the six-limbed coke fiend; still not very particularly ecstatic about his girlfriend's wishes to not do anything else about Angel. Even though that pest nearly caused his second death due to a certain unhappy King of Hell. So for now, the best he could do was allow his imagination take over.
If he tried to rip the porn star limb from limb again, but this time attempted to quickly cauterize the gaping holes where his limbs were, would they still regenerate? Would the spider taste better boiled alive or deep-fried? If he gutted him like a freshly shot deer, could he prove to Charlie that there were no such things as rainbows inside demons.
Charlie.
He turned to look at his girlfriend as she happily watched the newlyweds. The red demon's usual Cheshire cat grin turned into a genuine smile as he watched her be mesmerized by what was going on the dance floor, delight on her face.
I know I belong
When I sing this song
There's love above love and it's ours
'Cause I love you too much
He shifted his gaze from his charming demon belle to the dancing couple. Beginning to imagine it was him and Charlie instead. Alastor never once thought during his entire mortal life, nor during his damnation, that he would turn into such a sap and become dizzy over a dame. But alas, here he was, fantasizing over such things as he returned his sights back to Charlie, his gaze trailing down to her rounding stomach. As much as he wanted to, it just wasn't the right time.
Alastor was pulled out of his thoughts as the sound of a chair scooting back grabbed his attention.
"Hey, Husk. Can you be a dear and help me bring the cake out from the kitchen? It's pretty heavy and the chefs all went home for the night." Tammy asked as she got up from their table, needing help with wheeling out the large wedding cake she helped bake. She would have already brought it out before the party moved to the reception hall; however, it was a very large cake and she was worried that it would take up too much space. With a grunt as his response for confirmation Husk got up and followed the she-wolf to the kitchen, an excited Nifty trailing behind them with hopes to try to steal some icing.
You live in my soul
You heart is my gold
There's love above love but it's mine 'cause
I love you
There's love above love and it's yours cause
I love you
The female singer Vaggie and Lily hired increased her tempo as the couple danced faster and faster, as if they were oblivious to the onlookers around them and it was just them in the entire world. Charlie sighed as she placed head in her hands, a starry-eyed look in her eyes as she watched. She was officially enjoying the wedding festivities now that she had eaten some dinner, and the fact that Nifty didn't bring up the little fiasco from earlier again. The blonde demoness was very grateful for that.
Charlie turned her head as she suddenly felt as if someone was carefully observing her. She was surprised, yet at the same time not, as her eyes connected with her boyfriend's gaze. "What are you so intently looking at?" She smiled at him.
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are, darling?" He asked as he trailed his hands through her long blonde hair. Before the reception started, Charlie had given up on her bun and ditched her hair tie all together. Her locks now flowed down her pale shoulders and back in curly waves from being tied up all day. And from the soft glow from the candle at their table, Alastor thought she looked like an absolute goddess. Too pure and heavenly for his wretched soul or for Hell.
Charlie's face matched her dress for the second time that day as she looked away, but before she could start stuttering a loud bang coming from the reception hall's doors averted hers, and everyone else's, attention.
The loud bang was from the doors swinging widely open and hitting the wall as a humungous cake was wheeled in. The two beings moving the cake were not Tammy or Husk, but two female imps wearing chef outfits. A third imp appeared from behind the absurdly large cake with a boom-box in her claws. She smiled wickedly as she pressed play.
"What in tarnation is going on here?" A confused Tammy asked as she, Husk, and Nifty emerged from the other side of the hall, exiting the kitchen doors and bringing out a large but modest wedding cake. They didn't have to wait long before the music from the boom box blared and the three imps ripped off their chef outfits to reveal black leathered stripper uniforms.
Step inside
Walk this way
You and me babe
Hey hey!
Everyone was nothing short of shell-shocked as more skimpily dressed female imps emerged from the towering cake. The icing on top of this 'what-the-absolute-fuck' moment was when the tip of the mountain of cake suddenly burst open, revealing a devilishly smirking Angel Dust.
Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on
Livin' like a lover with a radar phone
Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition woman, can I be your man?
He emerged from the peak, making his way down while shaking and dancing to the song with the imps, wearing his own skimpy leather outfit. When he finally reached the ground he licked the icing coating the inside of one of his forearms all the way to his pointer finger as he locked eyes with Husk from across the room. The cat demon shuddered and looked away as he grimaced, although, some of the other guests were enjoying the unexpected show and thought it was part of the celebration.
Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C'mon, fire me up
Charlie sat there just as stunned as half of the other guests as she watched the disaster unfold before her. Alastor on the other hand….was laughing like a hyena dying on laughing gas. Oh the entertainment! It's almost too much!, he thought to himself as he thrived on the chaos. The Radio Demon felt like he was going to combust from all of the hysterical laughing as he observed Vaggie on the verge of having an aneurysm as Angel shook his money-maker for all its worth, the letters SUGAR printed on the ass of his outfit. Oh he brought the sugar all right. It was the first time Alastor was grateful that he didn't obliterate the obnoxious spider demon.
Author's Note: So, I kind of got caught up writing this chapter today and decided to post it early instead of the two-shot I'm working on. I hope you guys enjoy this early surprise!
