Chapter 7

I'm Covered in the Colors; Pulled Apart at the Seams

"Ladies, are we ready to head out to the church, yet," yelled Vanessa, as Charmy, Mariella, Grey, and Secre came out of their rooms, dressed up and ready to attend Yami and Charlotte's wedding. It was about 10 in the morning and they needed to get uptown in an hour. For the occasion, King Lumiére sent a car for convenience, which had Vanessa cooing at Secre at how much Lumiére loved her. "We have to meet the guys in the front of the church and get good seats."

"I hope we don't get shoved in the back again," said Mariella. "We're Charlotte's friends, who actually love her."

"That's why we need to get a move," said Vanessa, herding her friends and bandmates out their apartment door. They were dressed very fancily for the wedding, as they walked down their terribly apartment stairs. "Watch the bottom step, don't get your heels stuck."

"Like that time you fell up the stairs," said Secre.

"Rude," said Vanessa. "I was drunk!"

They reached the exit of their building and saw the sharp-looking SUV waiting for them because it was way too nice to be owned by anyone around here. The driver looked non-pulsed as five fancily dressed women entered the car. "Lady Swallowtail's group, I presume."

"Yes, to the 5th Ave Church," said Secre.

"Right, my Lady."

"Not a lady."

Vanessa grinned as Secre pouted the entire car ride to the church. She couldn't wait to see Yami and Charlotte finally married. She looked forward to hearing the orchestra's recorded music at the church. According to Nozel, it went swimmingly well. It was high praise coming from him since he was a bit of a realist. Even more than that, Vanessa looked forward to their music being revealed at the wedding reception.

It was a big moment for her and for Nozel. All their hard work paid off.

And then, Vanessa won't see Nozel again unless he gets dragged out by his sisters or his cousins. Nozel wasn't very sociable and he was a workaholic, and his awkwardness would let him keep in contact with Vanessa. And Vanessa didn't want to impose herself as his friend on him. That's rude to be that pushy.

Finally, the SUV pulled up to the church where the guys stood waiting. They had fifteen minutes to spare before the ceremony started.

"Miss Vanessa, Miss Charmy, Secre, Mariella, Grey," yelled Asta, waving them over, standing next to Yuno. The two cleaned up very nicely in their tuxes. "You all look great!"

Yuno rolled his eyes. "Gauche and Zora are holding seats for us."

"Awesome," said Charmy, rushing into the church to see if she could find snacks.

Their group entered the solemn church and found Gauche and Zora bickering as though they hadn't been roommates and friends since high school. Kirsch sat on the other side of Zora, shaking his head, but used to Gauche and Zora's vitriolic friendship by now. Vanessa followed the others and they sat in the pews. The church was decorated specifically for the wedding. There were a lot of roses, covering the religious imagery.

Yami stood at the altar. His best man was William Vangeance, first trumpet seat in the Clover Orchestra. Vanessa knew that Yami and Charlotte agreed to have only a best man and a maid of honor to make things so much easier for them. William was like Yami's brother. Charlotte's maid of honor was her little sister Lerola, of course. Vanessa sat in the pew and waved at Yami and William.

Yami rolled his eyes, while William, bless him, waved back.

Guests continued to flood into either side of the aisle (one side for Yami's guests and one side for Charlotte's guests, very traditional). Vanessa spotted the regal Silva family and Vermillion family entering the church. Noelle and Mimosa waved at their friends on Yami's side of the church. Nozel nodded in Vanessa's direction, she thought.

"This is delightful," said Julius, sliding into the pew in front of Vanessa's group. Julius Novachrono was Yami and William's adoptive father of sorts and the conductor of the Clover orchestra. "He looks so handsome up there." Marx Francois, Julius's partner, and Owen, Julius's best friend sat down too. Owen brought his husband too. Yami's side of the church was relatively bare in comparison to Charlotte's side.

This church also had a balcony, which was where King Lumiere and his sister Princess Tetia were seated.

Eventually, the church was full and the priest arrived at the front of the altar. Music began playing, as Lerola and the flower girl (a Roselei cousin) made their way down the aisle.

Vanessa had seen Charlotte in her wedding dress already, but this was her big moment.

The orchestra music played, as the doors opened to reveal a smiling Charlotte in her beautiful wedding dress, being escorted by her father James, who looked like he ate a lemon. Vanessa held her heart. Charlotte looked so happy.

Vanessa glanced over at Yami, who only had eyes for Charlotte.

I want something like that too.

The wedding was long, beautiful, and heartfelt. Vanessa cried. Everyone on Yami's side of the church cried, including the moodier ones like Gauche, Zora, and Nacht. Vanessa and her friends headed over to the reception hall, which was at the fancy country club's ballroom, while the wedding party took pictures with the professional photographer.

Once at the hall, Vanessa left the others to search for Nozel since they had to meet up with the reception's master of ceremonies to help with the music. Vanessa and Nozel will only be singing the duet in person, while all the other songs were recorded along with the playlist handpicked by the duo. She found the Silva family bickering with each other by hor d'oeuvres table.

Vanessa had no qualms about interrupting them. "May I borrow Nozel for a bit?"

Acier smiled widely. "Yes, dear! You look so beautiful! I can't wait to hear all the songs."

"You all looked so regal," said Vanessa, grinning widely.

"Thank you. Nozel, darling, go with Vanessa and behave," said Acier.

"Yes, thank you, Mother," said Nozel, cheeks reddening.

Vanessa and Nozel hunted down the MC easily enough.

Vanessa asked, "So, what were you all bickering about?"

"Same old stuff," said Nozel, vaguely. "Mainly teasing me though."

Vanessa giggled. "Naturally, your siblings like to poke fun at you."

"Pains," said Nozel.

Vanessa shook her head, feeling far too fondly of this awkward man.

They found the MC and reviewed the music plan. The duet will be sung by Vanessa and Nozel during the First Dance. Vanessa and Nozel decided to do one of the earlier songs only so it didn't get too late and they won't get too tired. The MC was thoroughly impressed, as he had listened to the music beforehand.

"Now that's over," said Vanessa. "I'm starving. It's already one."

"Charlotte went with all of Charmy's recommendations," said Nozel.

"Excellent. I'll see you in a couple of hours. Try not to murder your siblings with your glares," said Vanessa.

Nozel nearly smiled before reverting back to his stoic face. "I'll try."

"And now, it's time for the First Dance of husband and wife," the MC announced. "And this song will be performed live by the lead singer of Arresting Dark Weave, Vanessa Enoteca, and the first seat cello player of the Clover Kingdom orchestra, Nozel Silva!"

Vanessa and Nozel stood on the makeshift stage as Yami and Charlotte took to the center of the dance floor. Vanessa knew that Yami was nervous and had asked around for dancing lessons, so he didn't stomp on poor Charlotte's feet.

Vanessa glanced at Nozel at the piano and nodded.

Nozel began to play.

Vanessa sang,

"You mean the world to me

I never thought there'd be someone like you"

Vanessa sang about love, hope, longing, and promises. She focused on her breathing and singing, as other couples joined Charlotte and Yami on the dance floor. Yami and Charlotte. Gauche and Grey. Zora and Kirsch. Yuno and Asta. Secre and Lumiére. Charmy and Henry. They were all the happy couples she knew and she knew they loved their partner unconditionally.

The song ended and Vanessa made a decision, as the reception hall clapped. She went over to the piano where Nozel sat and asked, "Do you want to go on a date with me?"

Nozel looked startled, like a deer in headlights. A minute later, he said, "Yes."

Vanessa smiled.

~to be continued