________________
Misty's Awakening
Part 19
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With Ms. Ketchem's word, the procession began.
Misty and her two violet-clad sisters waited by the door, ready for their turn to begin their march toward the front of the chapel. Misty could hear the music sweeping into a loud wedding tune on the organ, urging the audience to look out over the aisle and wait for the coming line of people to emerge from the back door.
"I hope I don't mess up," Misty whispered, to no one particulary.
"How *can* you mess up?" hissed Daisy, "all you're doing is walking down the rug to the front."
Misty shrugged. She felt a small rush of weakness in her legs at the very thought of suddenly losing step and falling down during the procession. She'd probably send Violet off crying, the perfectionist that she was. Well, she was more of one than Misty, and Misty knew that she personally would be embarrassed if the Maid Of Honor at her wedding took a tumble during one of the main points of the ceremony.
"It's getting to be time..." whispered Lily to the others.
"Ok...ready..." Daisy said softly, "....now! Let's go!"
The three girls came out into the aisle, striding daintily towards the front. Misty looked about her, smiling faintly as she passed audience members. Some she even recognized— old friends, some distant relatives, and various other familiar faces. She wondered then, for just a moment, what it would have been like if her parents were here today.
She hadn't though much of her parents at all, it dawned on her, since she'd woken up. In fact, she didn't think of them much at all ever. This was mostly because she knew she'd never see them again. They had both left— her mother dying after giving birth to her, her father running off soon after— and Misty only remembered vaguely that she had been juggled around other homes of friends and relatives until she and her sisters had moved into the Gym and made training there their livelihood. She couldn't say that it was the best way to live, but since she hadn't known her parents, she didn't miss them like maybe she should.
She glanced back for a quick glimpse of the flower girl and ring bearer behind them— one of Brock's younger brothers and his little sister. They were sweet, both looking to be small replicas of their older brother. It made her laugh.
Behind that, Brock, Ash, and the Minister were making their way up the carpet. Misty couldn't really look back far enough to see his face, but she got the idea from the way she could see Brock walking that he was a tad nervous. She was sure, too, that Ash found it comical that his friend was acting to jumpy, like he was walking down a street with Joys and Jennies surrounding him on either side. A nervous wreck.
Everyone in the procession, coming up the front, took their places. Misty's sisters stood off to one side, but Misty stood a little closer to the middle, nearer to where Violet would come to stand. She looked up to Ash, who was standing near Brock, and the two exchanged a quick smile before directing their attention to the aisle again.
Brock stood before the officiant, waiting, and biting his lip in anticipation for Violet. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting....
Misty could practically feel his fear.
And then she came.
She walked alone down the aisle, a nervous smiling flashing over her lips as she came. Her dress was gorgeous— A-line, like the bridesmaids dresses, but it poofed out further at the skirt and the sleeves were a bit scantier. She looked beautiful in the pearly-white gown, and her pride, even amidst her fear, radiated throughout the room.
Violet strode up to the front, the music stopping for her, and she looked at Brock. The Minister began to speak.
Misty wasn't really listening. She was too busy worrying, in her way. She was almost beginning to feel afraid that they wouldn't go through with it, after all. She'd never seen either of them so uptight and edgy before.
She suddenly felt herself being pushed back into reality again at the Minister's words. The ring bearer had come forward, and Brock and Violet were being asked that ever-crucial question that Misty had seen on T.V. so many times...
"Do you, Brock, take Violet to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
He nodded, and said, "Yes, I do."
Turning to Violet, the officiant asked her the same. Misty bit her lip, wondering if she'd change her mind...
"I...do!" She assented, with a smile.
Misty sighed in relief. What had she been thinking?
And then, before Misty knew it, the veil was moved up from Violet's face, and they were kissing. So sweet, so right...Misty felt the grin take over her face. They'd done it. They were official. Brock and Violet Slate.
* * * *
The reception began later that afternoon, round about evening. Misty and her sisters stood in the line next to Violet, then Brock stood on the other side with some members of his family. People came through, congratulating and chatting briefly with the bride and groom, and occasionally saying something to the others in the line.
The reception center was full now, people talking at tables or in little social circles all around the place. The table at the front of the room was adorned with bows and colored table clothes, topped with a centerpiece of a man and woman holding hands with a heart around them. There were little mini sandwiches at one end of the table, and champagne and punch at the other side. People periodically swarmed up to the tables and sat down again, chatting happily all the time.
The room was dim, with white Christmas lights draping over the walls and tables, and just about anything else. Love music played sweetly through the speakers, everyone seeing the songs' very meanings in the smiles of the Bride and Groom. A net of lights canopied over the empty dance floor. No one was out on it...it seemed to be almost forbidden, until the Bride and Groom's first dance.
Eventually, though, the line dispersed, and Misty found her way to the food table. She'd been so thirsty all day...and while a glass of water would have better satisfied her, she settled for some of the pinkish-red punch that seemed abundant at the refreshment table.
She sipped at the drink, watching Violet with her trailing pearly dress being constantly stopped by members of the crowd.
"What a day."
Misty jumped, almost spilling her punch.
"Hey! Ash!"
He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and filled up a cup of the punch for himself. "It's crowded here, isn't it?"
Misty relaxed, setting her cup down. "Ah, yes. I don't know very many of these people, either...but I guess that when two Gym Leaders have a wedding, they invite a lot of different people from a lot of different places. You meet a lot of people, being a Gym Leader..."
"Yeah, you're right about that." Ash was taking a drink from his cup, then went on. "It's getting late, too...we've been here at least and hour and a half already."
"And it's starting to rain worse out there," Misty told him, watching the window. She'd been noticing the storm's progression throughout the night, and it was continually getting worse.
"I know! It was so nice out there earlier."
Ash and Misty decided to sit at one of the empty tables (which they were lucky to find) and watched as people came and went through the reception hall. They both saw a few Gym Leaders that they knew, and Brock's numerous brothers and sisters occasionally ran by and under the tables. The music played over the building, giving it a romantic mood, and at last the first dance for the Bride and Groom was announced.
Misty took Ash's hand and led him over to the floor with the rest of the crowd.
"This should be a sight," Ash told her. "Brock trying to dance!"
"Oh, give him a chance! I'm sure you don't know how to dance, either!"
"How do you know that?"
"It's a guess," Misty said, looking straight at him, "but hopefully, tonight, we'll find out."
A scared look came over Ash's face. "But, I—"
"We're going to dance, Ash," Misty told him and grinned. Before Ash could say anything more, the song had started, and Brock had taken Violet out to the dance floor.
The couple held each other, moving rhythmically, and they swept around amidst the crowd of people who watched them. Somewhere, Brock must have learned to dance, because both he and Violet danced flawlessly as far as Misty could tell.
Brock dipped Violet low to the ground, and she giggled, holding onto his strong shoulders, and they continued on until the dance had ended. Everyone cheered, and Brock bowed facetiously before the crowd. Laughter filled the room.
The dance floor was now open, and a new song started to play over the speakers. Couples came out from the surrounding crowd and began to fill up the floor.
"Ash..." Misty said, holding to his hand tightly, "let's dance! I've never done it before...please? We'll be embarrassed together!"
He bit his lip. "Well...if it means so much to you..."
She smiled, and pulled him out onto the floor.
It was a slow song, and dancers out on the floor swayed around in rhythm to the music. Ash and Misty both had to look at the other dancers for examples of *how* to dance correctly, and then, with Ash's hands around Misty's waist, and her hands on his shoulders, they began.
It felt stupid, really, and Misty almost found herself wanting to bail out on the whole dancing idea. But then, eventually, she began to feel a little less awkward and let the music lead her body.
The song ended, but Misty and Ash, ironically enough, both decided on another dance.
A new tune began, and the two of them came closer to each other. Misty moved her chin closer to Ash's shoulder, all the while listening to the words of the song that played. It seemed to speak to her. . .
~~ "I would sure love believing
in something that's never leaving...
Would like to let go the hurting
when everything's so uncertain
You know I tried
To show you what I have inside
Will we laugh at how this all began
When you're an old women and I'm and old man?
Take me wherever you go
Help me forget tomorrow
Love me your best and I'll know
All of the rest will follow
Love me as well as you know
And everything else will follow
I wouldn't mind pretending
It's something that's never-ending
Would like to believe that someday
We won't be living this way
I know you tried
To show me you were on my side
Could it be that I've already found
The thing that I've been searching the whole world round?
Take me wherever you go
Help me forget tomorrow
Love me your best and I know
All of the rest will follow
Love me your best and I know
Everything else will follow
Take me wherever you go
All of the rest will follow
Help me forget tomorrow
All of the rest will follow
Love me as well as you know. . .~~
The song ended, and Misty looked up to Ash, smiling. But it looked blurry...
"Mist?" Ash asked her as she rubbed her eyes.
"I've been up on my feet too long," Misty told him, taking a deep breath. "Come on, let's sit down...boy, is it hot in here..."
"Yes, it is...all these people! It's like a sauna."
"I didn't even notice that before now..." Misty let Ash lead her to a table again, and she had another drink.
A few minutes flew by, and people came and went in a blur. Misty felt sick...fruit punch with nothing to eat for hours wasn't a good combination, she decided. She and Ash walked back to the refreshments together, and Misty took a small sandwich for herself.
"Ash!" It was Ms. Ketchem.
"What, mom?" he asked, turning to see her there. Misty leaned on the table and watched.
"We're out of punch— refill the bowl, will you? Make sure you cut the grapefruit slices for the sides and to float with the ice...I'll refill the sandwich tray."
"But...oh, fine." Ash didn't see a good reason to argue. "Mist, I'll be back in a few. You alright?"
"Yeah, I am. But I'm going out to the patio for a while...It's just too hot!"
"Ok...I'll meet you there. I'll even bring you more punch, while I'm at it." He shot her one of his sweetest smiles and was off with the punch bowl.
Misty waited until he was gone, and then found her way through the crowd and to the patio door.
_ _ _ _
...To be continued...
_ _ _ _
AN: Sorry about the long (understatement) wait for part 19. I kid you not by saying so much has been happening lately. The song lyrics I used above are from the song "Follow" by Semisonic, I don't own them. Oh, and sorry if there are any inconsistencies with the wedding ceremony...I've never really known what exactly happens, so...I tried, so live with it. Until next time!!
--StarGlider
Misty's Awakening
Part 19
________________
With Ms. Ketchem's word, the procession began.
Misty and her two violet-clad sisters waited by the door, ready for their turn to begin their march toward the front of the chapel. Misty could hear the music sweeping into a loud wedding tune on the organ, urging the audience to look out over the aisle and wait for the coming line of people to emerge from the back door.
"I hope I don't mess up," Misty whispered, to no one particulary.
"How *can* you mess up?" hissed Daisy, "all you're doing is walking down the rug to the front."
Misty shrugged. She felt a small rush of weakness in her legs at the very thought of suddenly losing step and falling down during the procession. She'd probably send Violet off crying, the perfectionist that she was. Well, she was more of one than Misty, and Misty knew that she personally would be embarrassed if the Maid Of Honor at her wedding took a tumble during one of the main points of the ceremony.
"It's getting to be time..." whispered Lily to the others.
"Ok...ready..." Daisy said softly, "....now! Let's go!"
The three girls came out into the aisle, striding daintily towards the front. Misty looked about her, smiling faintly as she passed audience members. Some she even recognized— old friends, some distant relatives, and various other familiar faces. She wondered then, for just a moment, what it would have been like if her parents were here today.
She hadn't though much of her parents at all, it dawned on her, since she'd woken up. In fact, she didn't think of them much at all ever. This was mostly because she knew she'd never see them again. They had both left— her mother dying after giving birth to her, her father running off soon after— and Misty only remembered vaguely that she had been juggled around other homes of friends and relatives until she and her sisters had moved into the Gym and made training there their livelihood. She couldn't say that it was the best way to live, but since she hadn't known her parents, she didn't miss them like maybe she should.
She glanced back for a quick glimpse of the flower girl and ring bearer behind them— one of Brock's younger brothers and his little sister. They were sweet, both looking to be small replicas of their older brother. It made her laugh.
Behind that, Brock, Ash, and the Minister were making their way up the carpet. Misty couldn't really look back far enough to see his face, but she got the idea from the way she could see Brock walking that he was a tad nervous. She was sure, too, that Ash found it comical that his friend was acting to jumpy, like he was walking down a street with Joys and Jennies surrounding him on either side. A nervous wreck.
Everyone in the procession, coming up the front, took their places. Misty's sisters stood off to one side, but Misty stood a little closer to the middle, nearer to where Violet would come to stand. She looked up to Ash, who was standing near Brock, and the two exchanged a quick smile before directing their attention to the aisle again.
Brock stood before the officiant, waiting, and biting his lip in anticipation for Violet. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting....
Misty could practically feel his fear.
And then she came.
She walked alone down the aisle, a nervous smiling flashing over her lips as she came. Her dress was gorgeous— A-line, like the bridesmaids dresses, but it poofed out further at the skirt and the sleeves were a bit scantier. She looked beautiful in the pearly-white gown, and her pride, even amidst her fear, radiated throughout the room.
Violet strode up to the front, the music stopping for her, and she looked at Brock. The Minister began to speak.
Misty wasn't really listening. She was too busy worrying, in her way. She was almost beginning to feel afraid that they wouldn't go through with it, after all. She'd never seen either of them so uptight and edgy before.
She suddenly felt herself being pushed back into reality again at the Minister's words. The ring bearer had come forward, and Brock and Violet were being asked that ever-crucial question that Misty had seen on T.V. so many times...
"Do you, Brock, take Violet to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
He nodded, and said, "Yes, I do."
Turning to Violet, the officiant asked her the same. Misty bit her lip, wondering if she'd change her mind...
"I...do!" She assented, with a smile.
Misty sighed in relief. What had she been thinking?
And then, before Misty knew it, the veil was moved up from Violet's face, and they were kissing. So sweet, so right...Misty felt the grin take over her face. They'd done it. They were official. Brock and Violet Slate.
* * * *
The reception began later that afternoon, round about evening. Misty and her sisters stood in the line next to Violet, then Brock stood on the other side with some members of his family. People came through, congratulating and chatting briefly with the bride and groom, and occasionally saying something to the others in the line.
The reception center was full now, people talking at tables or in little social circles all around the place. The table at the front of the room was adorned with bows and colored table clothes, topped with a centerpiece of a man and woman holding hands with a heart around them. There were little mini sandwiches at one end of the table, and champagne and punch at the other side. People periodically swarmed up to the tables and sat down again, chatting happily all the time.
The room was dim, with white Christmas lights draping over the walls and tables, and just about anything else. Love music played sweetly through the speakers, everyone seeing the songs' very meanings in the smiles of the Bride and Groom. A net of lights canopied over the empty dance floor. No one was out on it...it seemed to be almost forbidden, until the Bride and Groom's first dance.
Eventually, though, the line dispersed, and Misty found her way to the food table. She'd been so thirsty all day...and while a glass of water would have better satisfied her, she settled for some of the pinkish-red punch that seemed abundant at the refreshment table.
She sipped at the drink, watching Violet with her trailing pearly dress being constantly stopped by members of the crowd.
"What a day."
Misty jumped, almost spilling her punch.
"Hey! Ash!"
He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and filled up a cup of the punch for himself. "It's crowded here, isn't it?"
Misty relaxed, setting her cup down. "Ah, yes. I don't know very many of these people, either...but I guess that when two Gym Leaders have a wedding, they invite a lot of different people from a lot of different places. You meet a lot of people, being a Gym Leader..."
"Yeah, you're right about that." Ash was taking a drink from his cup, then went on. "It's getting late, too...we've been here at least and hour and a half already."
"And it's starting to rain worse out there," Misty told him, watching the window. She'd been noticing the storm's progression throughout the night, and it was continually getting worse.
"I know! It was so nice out there earlier."
Ash and Misty decided to sit at one of the empty tables (which they were lucky to find) and watched as people came and went through the reception hall. They both saw a few Gym Leaders that they knew, and Brock's numerous brothers and sisters occasionally ran by and under the tables. The music played over the building, giving it a romantic mood, and at last the first dance for the Bride and Groom was announced.
Misty took Ash's hand and led him over to the floor with the rest of the crowd.
"This should be a sight," Ash told her. "Brock trying to dance!"
"Oh, give him a chance! I'm sure you don't know how to dance, either!"
"How do you know that?"
"It's a guess," Misty said, looking straight at him, "but hopefully, tonight, we'll find out."
A scared look came over Ash's face. "But, I—"
"We're going to dance, Ash," Misty told him and grinned. Before Ash could say anything more, the song had started, and Brock had taken Violet out to the dance floor.
The couple held each other, moving rhythmically, and they swept around amidst the crowd of people who watched them. Somewhere, Brock must have learned to dance, because both he and Violet danced flawlessly as far as Misty could tell.
Brock dipped Violet low to the ground, and she giggled, holding onto his strong shoulders, and they continued on until the dance had ended. Everyone cheered, and Brock bowed facetiously before the crowd. Laughter filled the room.
The dance floor was now open, and a new song started to play over the speakers. Couples came out from the surrounding crowd and began to fill up the floor.
"Ash..." Misty said, holding to his hand tightly, "let's dance! I've never done it before...please? We'll be embarrassed together!"
He bit his lip. "Well...if it means so much to you..."
She smiled, and pulled him out onto the floor.
It was a slow song, and dancers out on the floor swayed around in rhythm to the music. Ash and Misty both had to look at the other dancers for examples of *how* to dance correctly, and then, with Ash's hands around Misty's waist, and her hands on his shoulders, they began.
It felt stupid, really, and Misty almost found herself wanting to bail out on the whole dancing idea. But then, eventually, she began to feel a little less awkward and let the music lead her body.
The song ended, but Misty and Ash, ironically enough, both decided on another dance.
A new tune began, and the two of them came closer to each other. Misty moved her chin closer to Ash's shoulder, all the while listening to the words of the song that played. It seemed to speak to her. . .
~~ "I would sure love believing
in something that's never leaving...
Would like to let go the hurting
when everything's so uncertain
You know I tried
To show you what I have inside
Will we laugh at how this all began
When you're an old women and I'm and old man?
Take me wherever you go
Help me forget tomorrow
Love me your best and I'll know
All of the rest will follow
Love me as well as you know
And everything else will follow
I wouldn't mind pretending
It's something that's never-ending
Would like to believe that someday
We won't be living this way
I know you tried
To show me you were on my side
Could it be that I've already found
The thing that I've been searching the whole world round?
Take me wherever you go
Help me forget tomorrow
Love me your best and I know
All of the rest will follow
Love me your best and I know
Everything else will follow
Take me wherever you go
All of the rest will follow
Help me forget tomorrow
All of the rest will follow
Love me as well as you know. . .~~
The song ended, and Misty looked up to Ash, smiling. But it looked blurry...
"Mist?" Ash asked her as she rubbed her eyes.
"I've been up on my feet too long," Misty told him, taking a deep breath. "Come on, let's sit down...boy, is it hot in here..."
"Yes, it is...all these people! It's like a sauna."
"I didn't even notice that before now..." Misty let Ash lead her to a table again, and she had another drink.
A few minutes flew by, and people came and went in a blur. Misty felt sick...fruit punch with nothing to eat for hours wasn't a good combination, she decided. She and Ash walked back to the refreshments together, and Misty took a small sandwich for herself.
"Ash!" It was Ms. Ketchem.
"What, mom?" he asked, turning to see her there. Misty leaned on the table and watched.
"We're out of punch— refill the bowl, will you? Make sure you cut the grapefruit slices for the sides and to float with the ice...I'll refill the sandwich tray."
"But...oh, fine." Ash didn't see a good reason to argue. "Mist, I'll be back in a few. You alright?"
"Yeah, I am. But I'm going out to the patio for a while...It's just too hot!"
"Ok...I'll meet you there. I'll even bring you more punch, while I'm at it." He shot her one of his sweetest smiles and was off with the punch bowl.
Misty waited until he was gone, and then found her way through the crowd and to the patio door.
_ _ _ _
...To be continued...
_ _ _ _
AN: Sorry about the long (understatement) wait for part 19. I kid you not by saying so much has been happening lately. The song lyrics I used above are from the song "Follow" by Semisonic, I don't own them. Oh, and sorry if there are any inconsistencies with the wedding ceremony...I've never really known what exactly happens, so...I tried, so live with it. Until next time!!
--StarGlider
