CUSTOMS REMEMBERED, PART 4
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the 10k characters that appear in this story, and am in no way affiliated with NBC or 10k producers. I DO however own the character of Genieve, and am in no way looking to profit from this story.
Customs Remembered
Part Four
"What do you mean you can't find the mirror?"
Virginia Lewis gripped the mirror tightly and gazed angrily down at her father. "How could you loose something like that?" She plucked a bit of stray hair from her face and set the mirror on her bed so she could sit comfortably and talk.
Tony shuffled back and forth. "Don't worry Ginny We'll find it before the ceremony I promise."
Virginia sighed and narrowed her eyes. "Dad..." She noticed Wendell was looking strangely at her father.
"I promise Ginny now you get some rest." He said and abruptly walked out of the mirrors range. She looked at Wendell Helplessly and he gave her a small smile.
"We'll get you back, I promise." Then the Mirror Went Dark.
Virginia slid off the bed and began rummaging through her tattered belongings. there HAD to be something suitable for her to wear to a wedding. she smiled to herself. "an almost wedding if I have anything to do with it." She whispered. She held up each of her dresses and sighed. Nothing was good enough, everything faded and wore. "I look like a balloon." She thought staring at her budging stomach.
Virginia felt her confidence start to slide away and she gripped the edge of her suitcase. "No" she said to herself as she pulled herself to her feet and went to the T.V. she picked up the picture of Wolf and held it to her breasts. She heard again his voice in her mind.
"Your Not Virginia"
She brought the picture to her lips and kissed it softly. "I'm coming Wolf" she Whispered. "I don't know how but I'm coming."
"Grrr"
Wolf mumbled to himself as he turned over in his bed. somewhere near contiousness; he knew he had to get up but didn't want to. Something was holding him back, pleading with him to stay in that vat of near nothingness. Wolf groaned again and forced his eyes open. The sun had just finished rising, and it left the contour's of his room softly luminous. Wolf rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and padded to the window, pulling open the half closed satin curtains. "Such beauty!" Wolf whispered aloud, once again drawn to the mystery of morning. His spirits nearly lifted as he gazed out at the dew laden green land before him, the disapating fog failing to cover the animal activity from the night before. Wolf sniffed the air eagerly, taking it all in. The animalistic part of his soul yearned to sleep again among nature. He closed his eyes and anticipated the rememberence of the night sky or the smell of the dewy grass just before sunrise.
What he remembered was Virginia.
He saw the morning again as if it were yesterday. Stumbling and sleep laden they had continued on there journey. Wolf remembered excitedly informing Virginia of the activities that had passed under her nose the night before. He could almost smell again that lovely aroma, how her sent had mixed in with the musky pine of the wood and he sniffed in Memory. "My Virginia" He said turning sadly from the window. He sat on the bed and ran his fingers through his dark hair. He didn't know how he could possibly go on without Virginia. Waking up without her every morning for the rest of his life was a fate worse then death. "How can i get married today to anyone but Virginia..." His voice trailed off and his eyes went wide. "TODAY!" He cried leaping to his feet. Cathedral bells began chiming as if to substantiate his claim. "Today...Huff Puff!"
"Tony..." Wendell's voice was saturated with warning, but Tony pretended not to pick up on it. His brow furrowed in fake concern, Tony did his best to look thoughtfull.
"Hmm?"
"You can't REMEMBER where you put that mirror?"
"No.. isn't it the DAMNDEST thing?" Tony looked about trying to think of where to send Wendell searching. "Whats left on the castle grounds?"
"Not much" Wendell conceded. He got the distinct impression that Tony wasn't being truthful, but couldn't pull a confession from him. "Just the kitchens and the dungeons" Tony grinned.
"Ok I'll check the kitchens and you.."
"I'm going to go tell Wolf, perhaps he can provide some insight."
Tony spun on his heal to face Wendell. "You can't do that! Virginia asked spacificly that we NOT tell him. You want to disregard her wishes?"
Wendell looked at the floor. "No but i don't want to see Wolf make this kind of mistake either."
Tony searched Wendell's face. "Why not? You said so yourself that they can't marry."
Wendell shook his head. "I AM King of the 4th Kingdom and sovereign eye over the rest of the Nine kingdoms, I think i can ratify the situation." Wendell looked at Tony carefully. "You know my friend, you can't dictate who your daughter loves, no one can, not even Virginia. People don't choose who they fall in love with, it just happens and if you were the one to stand in the way of happiness..."
Wendell's voice trailed off as he thought of Wolf and Virginia together. They had rough patches in their relationship sure, but didn't everyone? Wendell knew that what his two friends had was rare. It was one of those one in a Million loves that needn't be questioned, and he only hopped that someday he would be as lucky.
Tony's voice brought him back to reality. "Don't worry, we'll find that mirror" He said and Wendell nodded.
"I'll got and help ready Wolf then" He sighed and turned down the hallway.
Tony looked after him, a cold light shining from his dark eyes. "That mirror is going to stay lost" He mumbled to himself as he started to his won quarters. "Virginia doesn't need a man like that....."
Wendell found Wolf still clad in his night clothes pacing the floor franticly.
"Cripes!" He cried wide eyed when he found his friend standing in the doorway. "What am I doing??"
Wendell came forward and halted Wolf's pace with a reasuring hand on the shoulder. His heart shouted that he should tell Wolf of Virginia's coming, but his head registered that she didn't want him to know. "It's all right my friend." He said softly and Wolf halted completely.
"All right? It's NOT all right."
Wendell smiled. "everyone gets jittery on their wedding day. Tony says that people in his world call it "cold feet"
Wolf contemplated the notion of cold feet and sat tiredly on his bed. "cold feet? I have more then that! I don't even want to look the woman I'm going to marry in the face... I"m in love with Virginia and i know if I'm to go through with this wedding I shall surely die!"
Wendell rolled his eyes. "Now don't be so dramatic, it's not as bad as all that." But he knew it was.
Wolf was sick.
He was weak and dying of a broken heart. Wendell's personal physician had confided in him that Wolf would not have more then a month or two of life left in him, should he marry this day. Wendell wanted nothing more then to cease his friends suffering, but he was bound by his word to keep silent. Wendell came back to reality with a start when he realized his animalistic friend was weeping. Silent tears rolled down Wolf's unusually pale cheeks and Wendell's heart went out to him. "Wolf my friend, my colluege..." he started but his words melted away when Wolf met his gave. Wendell was struck to the sould at the depth of pain that resonated from Wolf's dark eyes. confusion and fear lingered within them. gone was the friendly twinkle, the soothing shine. Wendell was looking into the eyes of a broken man, and he could not find the words to give him comfort. Wendell tentatively reached out and wrapped his arms around wolf. "There there...." he said softly and Wolf didn't relent. The two Kings sat together and each wrapped in a cloak of sorrow, and neither noticed Tony standing in the doorway.
Tony lewis was dumbstruck.
Never had a simple hug effected him so. He stood in Wolf's doorway, and watched as Wendell tried to comfort the obviously grief stricken Wolf, and Tony was stricken as well, by an attack of countious. He turned and quickly made his way to his room. Tony closed the door and leaned against it thoughtfully. For the first time in a long time he was unsure of what he should do.
Tony never liked the idea of Wolf and Virginia together. He thought Wolf was all together wrong for his princess, but seeing Wolf in such a venrable state..... "No" he muttered to himself crossing the room. He picked up a framed picture near his bed. A very young Virginia smiled up at him, and he couldn't help but smile back. This is how he always wanted to remember his daughter..so young, impetious and in need of his guidance and protection. Tony sighed and put the picture down, and thoughtfully picked up another. It was of the four of them; Virginia, Wolf, Wendell and himself taken shortly after Wendell's coronation. How happy they had looked, all of them especially Virginia... She was smiling ear to ear, and arm threaded through both Wolf's and his own. Tony remembered the day well. How much she'd laughed, and how she'd rubbed her nose against Wolf's in absolute abandonment... and he remembered what she had said to him shortly before leaving for New York.
"No matter where I go...no matter what happens between myself and Wolf..you'll always be my Daddy. You'll always hold a special place in my heart that no man will ever be able to touch and no matter what you might think, I'll always need you."
Suddenly his thoughts went back even further, to a before Virginia was born.
"Daddy says that if I marry you he's going to disown me" he heard a soft voice in his mind. It was Christine, Virginia's mother. "But I don't care. I'd rather be pennyless then without you!"
A tear formed in the corner of Tony's eye, and he knew in his heart he could not deny Virginia this chance. He realized she was depending on him to get her to Wolf... that she needed him, and he wasn't going to let her down.
"I can't believe I'm doing this" He muttered to himself. The ring of the catheadral bells brought him back to reality.. how long had he been spacing? He glanced at the ornate clock hanging on the wall and yellped in suprise. The marriage was commencing! He leapt from his bed and giving a hard push sent the top mattress sprawling on the floor. Their nestled between pillows and goose down blankets was the mirror. He propped it up against the wall and opened the portal.
"Virginia?"
Wolf had never spent much time in a church, the whole thing made him a bit nervous, and it didn't help much to be in one now. He stood at the alter, Crisp and Dashing in his black crushed velvet suit. He looked hollowly at Wendell who stood beside him, nervously scanning the room for something, thought Wolf could not tell what. The Vicar in his high hat and bejeweled robes cleared his throat.
"Will we be starting now?" He asked in a naisily voice.
"Tony's not here yet" Wendell interjected nodding at the Vicar, trying desperately to stall. what was taking him so long?
But Wolf stopped him. "No" He said holding up his hand solemnly. "Let the ceremony begin."
The cathedrals clang their joyful bells and the organist began in earnest. A dozen brightly dresses bridesmaids flounced down the isle, along with a pair of little tow headed girls tossing pink rose petles.
"Virginia loved pink rose petles" Wolf thought to himself. "Oh stop it!" He whispered and the Vicar raised an eyebrow.
"No not you" he muttered scratching his ear.
A sudden hush fell over the masses and Wolf forced himself to look in the direction of the doors.
Genevieve glided regally towards him with a graceful air. Her satin clad feet made no noise on the tile as she came near. A wonderus murmur of agreement came from the crowd as the bride neared the alter, for Genevieve looked splended. She had forgone the usual veil over face, and her dark onyx hair cascaded over her shoulders in a mass of provocative ringlets, ornately held in place by a small crown of diamonds. Her dress was simple, it flowed around her as if made just to her design, it fitted her perfectly. Her alabastar skin gleamed healthy in the sunshine that filtered through the multi colored glass windows and her huge eyes sparkled maddengly.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to witness the joining of this...man and this woman in holy matrimony...."
Wolf stared at Genevieve and the Vicar's words were lost on him. He tried to smile, but couldn't. Here he was marrying this beautiful, desirable woman..and yet... he felt as if he were a condemned man being forced to the gallows.
"Cripes" He muttered under his breath and for the first time in his life, Wolf began to pray.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
"Dad? Oh Dad i didn't think you would ever find it in time!" Virginia came through the mirror and strait into her fathers arms. She held him tightly as if she never wanted to let him go. "Oh daddy" she muttered and Tony smoothed a hair that had strayed across her flushed cheek.
"We'd better hurry honey, the ceremony has already began." He held Virginia's hand tightly and began to lead her out of the room when she came to a sudden stop.
"Virginia?"
The blood drained away from Virginia's face and she stood stock still as an emence pain ripped through her lower abdomen. She gasp from the shock and swayed slightly. The pain came again, stronger this time and she ommited a low groan. Tony managed to get her to sit on the bed and she clung to him, her white brow dotted with perspiration. The gripping pain lasted a full five minutes before releasing and Virgina let out her breath in a "whoosh".
"I'm ok now dad, just a...hunger pain I'm sure, not lets go."
The Vicar drowned on and on and Wolf became paler and paler. How could he do this? He looked to Wendell for support but found his friend figitting and glancing nervously around for Tony. What was the big deal about Tony? Wolf knew Tony didn't like him much, and didn't expect him to attend anyway. He felt a little stirring in his shirt and looked down. Something was moving.
"Oh no.." He whispered to himself.
"If their be anyone who thinks this couple should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." The Vicar paused briefly and then took a breath to begin again, when a soft high pinched hum was heard.
The Vicar stopped mid breath and looked into the crowd. "What was that?" The humming grew stronger and stronger, as did the figitting from Wolf's chest. Genevieve looked at Wolf with narrowed eyes and unbuttoned his suit coat and shirt, instantly freeing the singing ring. The crowd looked on in shock as it began to glow and sing it's sweet voice resonating throughout the room.
"By your sworn word you gave to her
she in return her maidenhead,
By your child which grows in her,
You belong, this lovely fiend though mustn't wed
If unsatisfied by these token's three,
a fourth one you do bear:
About your neck beneath your shirt
A necklace of her hair.
And hanging on this selfsame string
You'll see me; thine own engagement ring
Whose pearl of your true love does sing,
For you and your lady fair."
The church grew deathly still and everyone watched in wonder as Genevieve stared red faced at Wolf.
"What is this?" She asked gripping the ring she put her finger rudely in the sweet pearls face and, un-characteristic of the singing ring herself, it bit her.
"Ouch!"
Genevieve cried yanking her hand back. She turned calmly to the Vicar. "Does that count? That ring isn't a real person or anything."
The Vicar nodded thoughtfully "Well..." He began "I can't see how a ring could possibly-"
"What if I were to second that notion?" A voice called out and the entire wedding party turned around.
Wolf's eyes went wide and Wendell smiled broadly.
"Virginia!" they cried together.
Wolf couldn't believe it, it was really her! Virginia came slowly down the isle, one hand trying to sooth her stomach, still reeling with pain and the other cupping her mouth so her words could be heard. Her sent hit him like a ton of bricks and he smiled. He had never seen Virginia look so...wanton. She was about neatness.. order and personal carefulness. But not today. Virgina's dress was tattered, and well wore, faded to a brownish grey color. Her rich chestnut hair fell about her to it's full length in a mass of enticing waves, and her face was smudged with dirt. Her stomach bulged out enormously from the rest of her otherwise slight frame and Wolf couldn't help but smile, she had never looked more desirable to him then she did at that moment.
"Oh Virginia!" He cried leaping down the steps and running down the isle.
He caught her in a hug and held her close to him. He closed his eyes reveling in her smell her touch, her realness.
"Huff Puff.. can I be dreaming? are you really here?" He felt a painful pinch on the wrist and yelped. "What was that for?"
Virginia smiled up at him. "If you felt pain then this is not a dream."
Wolf took his fingers and gently worked them over Virginia. First touching her silky hair and then over her face, memorizing every line through his fingertips, like a blind poet or artist, trying to get a feel for his masterpiece.
"Oh Virginia how I've missed you so much!" He cried brining his lips to hers in a feather soft kiss.
Virginia wrapped her arms around her and held him as close as she could, determined never to let him go. The happy reunion was cut short by a pair of angry voices.
"What is going on here?" Genieave, the bride stamped her satin foot angrily on the tile floor and Queen Riding hood echoed her question.
"You can't be doing this Wolf, it is against everything we stand for, our family our customs our-"
"Your family and customs do not stand for true love?" Wendell's voice boomed throughout the church as he stepped down and joined Wolf and Virginia in the isle.
With each swift movement Wendell walked towards his friends, importance and gravity echoing in his footsteps. He stood next to Wolf and Virginia and looked out at the crowd.
"How can anyone stand in the way of true love?" He asked, his voice dripping with authority. "What does one live for if not to be loved? No one has the right to hinder true loves course and I for one will not allow it to happen."
"But..But King Wendell, as Ruler of the 2nd Kingdom I have the authority to...." Riding hoods voice trailed off as Wendell's dark gaze fixed upon her.
"As King of the 4th Kingdom and sovereign ruler of the rest of the Kingdom's I have the power to over rule any standing law that I see fit." Wendell took a deep breath and Riding hoods face went as scarlet as her dress with anger and humiliation. "Let it not be said that King Wendell let true loves course be hindered, for it shall not happen while I rule!" He cried with a flourish of his hands. The hushed room was filled with applause and Only two people didn't look happy.
Genevieve made her way down the isle.
"You little hussy!" She spat at Virginia, raising her hand to slap her. "How dare you ruin my chances!" Virginia ducked to avoid the slap and Wolf cought Genevieve's hand mid air.
"I suggest you put your hand down." He said gripping it tightly. Genevieve grimaced in pain. "You'll do no such thing to the woman I intend to marry." Genevieve's eyes went wide and the moment Wolf released her hand she slapped him across the face with all the energy her willowy body could muster.
"You...you.. HALF SPECIES!" she cried angrily running from the church. Wolf laughed.
"Well that was something."
Riding Hood Glowered at the three of them but said nothing.
"No complaints Queen Hood? Right then off you go!" Wendell said and the entire room burst into laughter.
Wolf took Virginia by the hand and began leading her towards the alter.
"Come on, lets finish this cearimony." He smiled, but it died on his lips as she looked at Virginia.
She dropped his hand and doubled over on the floor in pain.
"oh...my..god.." she muttered tears streaming down her face. Wolf knelt beside her.
"Virginia? whats wrong?" Virginia's breathing became labored and she fought to get out her words.
"The baby...I think it's coming."
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
"Well this has been one hell of a day." Tony muttered to Wendell as they stood outside Wolf's bed chamber. Wendell smiled at his friend.
"You did the right thing you know, they are going to be very happy.. and so will you...grandpa." Tony returned his smile with ferver.
"Grandpa..."
"Their now it's all finished Virginia lie still.... It's a girl.. you have a beautiful baby girl." The doctor wrapped the screaming infant in a blanket and placed in in Virginia's arms.
Wolf smiled at them both and smoothed the hair away from Virginia's sweaty brow.
"Huff Puff.. a girl!" He said softly gazing in wonder at the reddish purple tiny life snuggling quietly in Virginia's arms.
"She's going to be so beautiful.. just like her mother." He said kissing Virginia softly. She smiled tiredly up at him.
"And she's going to be rambunctious and energetic.. just like her father." She said softly. "Here.. why don't you hold her?"
Wolf Gingerly plucked the infant from her mothers arms and with a little help from the doctor held her snuggly. The little thing opened it's big blue eyes and stared up at him.
"You have your mothers eyes" Wolf cried happily. The doctor grinned at him.
"Most infants have blue eyes when they are born."
"Her eyes are going to stay blue.. i know it." He smoothed a tuft of silky dark hair on his daughters brow with wonder.. she was so beautiful.
Virginia stared at the two of them, her heart brimming with happiness.
"What shall we call her?" Wolf's dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure..." Then wolf smiled impishly. "How about Christine?"
Virginia's heart soften yet again at his reserve.. he wanted to use her mothers name. "Thats a wonderful idea love." she said. "Christine... Christine Scarlet"
Wolf's eyes widened and he echoed her. "Christine Scarlet.."
Virginia moved over and Wolf and Christine joined her in bed. Wolf placed Christine between them and he held Virginia's hand, and slipped the singing ring back into it's rightfull place.
"A happy ending and whats more
What once was three has now become four!"
It sang happily and Wolf laughed. A happy ending.. or a happy begining He couldn't tell, he only knew that his life was never going to be the same.
"My Virginia...My Christine" He said softly Closing his eyes.
Wolf thanked the lord for being so blessed, and smiled. Some times having an old Custom Remembered wasn't so bad after all.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the 10k characters that appear in this story, and am in no way affiliated with NBC or 10k producers. I DO however own the character of Genieve, and am in no way looking to profit from this story.
Customs Remembered
Part Four
"What do you mean you can't find the mirror?"
Virginia Lewis gripped the mirror tightly and gazed angrily down at her father. "How could you loose something like that?" She plucked a bit of stray hair from her face and set the mirror on her bed so she could sit comfortably and talk.
Tony shuffled back and forth. "Don't worry Ginny We'll find it before the ceremony I promise."
Virginia sighed and narrowed her eyes. "Dad..." She noticed Wendell was looking strangely at her father.
"I promise Ginny now you get some rest." He said and abruptly walked out of the mirrors range. She looked at Wendell Helplessly and he gave her a small smile.
"We'll get you back, I promise." Then the Mirror Went Dark.
Virginia slid off the bed and began rummaging through her tattered belongings. there HAD to be something suitable for her to wear to a wedding. she smiled to herself. "an almost wedding if I have anything to do with it." She whispered. She held up each of her dresses and sighed. Nothing was good enough, everything faded and wore. "I look like a balloon." She thought staring at her budging stomach.
Virginia felt her confidence start to slide away and she gripped the edge of her suitcase. "No" she said to herself as she pulled herself to her feet and went to the T.V. she picked up the picture of Wolf and held it to her breasts. She heard again his voice in her mind.
"Your Not Virginia"
She brought the picture to her lips and kissed it softly. "I'm coming Wolf" she Whispered. "I don't know how but I'm coming."
"Grrr"
Wolf mumbled to himself as he turned over in his bed. somewhere near contiousness; he knew he had to get up but didn't want to. Something was holding him back, pleading with him to stay in that vat of near nothingness. Wolf groaned again and forced his eyes open. The sun had just finished rising, and it left the contour's of his room softly luminous. Wolf rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and padded to the window, pulling open the half closed satin curtains. "Such beauty!" Wolf whispered aloud, once again drawn to the mystery of morning. His spirits nearly lifted as he gazed out at the dew laden green land before him, the disapating fog failing to cover the animal activity from the night before. Wolf sniffed the air eagerly, taking it all in. The animalistic part of his soul yearned to sleep again among nature. He closed his eyes and anticipated the rememberence of the night sky or the smell of the dewy grass just before sunrise.
What he remembered was Virginia.
He saw the morning again as if it were yesterday. Stumbling and sleep laden they had continued on there journey. Wolf remembered excitedly informing Virginia of the activities that had passed under her nose the night before. He could almost smell again that lovely aroma, how her sent had mixed in with the musky pine of the wood and he sniffed in Memory. "My Virginia" He said turning sadly from the window. He sat on the bed and ran his fingers through his dark hair. He didn't know how he could possibly go on without Virginia. Waking up without her every morning for the rest of his life was a fate worse then death. "How can i get married today to anyone but Virginia..." His voice trailed off and his eyes went wide. "TODAY!" He cried leaping to his feet. Cathedral bells began chiming as if to substantiate his claim. "Today...Huff Puff!"
"Tony..." Wendell's voice was saturated with warning, but Tony pretended not to pick up on it. His brow furrowed in fake concern, Tony did his best to look thoughtfull.
"Hmm?"
"You can't REMEMBER where you put that mirror?"
"No.. isn't it the DAMNDEST thing?" Tony looked about trying to think of where to send Wendell searching. "Whats left on the castle grounds?"
"Not much" Wendell conceded. He got the distinct impression that Tony wasn't being truthful, but couldn't pull a confession from him. "Just the kitchens and the dungeons" Tony grinned.
"Ok I'll check the kitchens and you.."
"I'm going to go tell Wolf, perhaps he can provide some insight."
Tony spun on his heal to face Wendell. "You can't do that! Virginia asked spacificly that we NOT tell him. You want to disregard her wishes?"
Wendell looked at the floor. "No but i don't want to see Wolf make this kind of mistake either."
Tony searched Wendell's face. "Why not? You said so yourself that they can't marry."
Wendell shook his head. "I AM King of the 4th Kingdom and sovereign eye over the rest of the Nine kingdoms, I think i can ratify the situation." Wendell looked at Tony carefully. "You know my friend, you can't dictate who your daughter loves, no one can, not even Virginia. People don't choose who they fall in love with, it just happens and if you were the one to stand in the way of happiness..."
Wendell's voice trailed off as he thought of Wolf and Virginia together. They had rough patches in their relationship sure, but didn't everyone? Wendell knew that what his two friends had was rare. It was one of those one in a Million loves that needn't be questioned, and he only hopped that someday he would be as lucky.
Tony's voice brought him back to reality. "Don't worry, we'll find that mirror" He said and Wendell nodded.
"I'll got and help ready Wolf then" He sighed and turned down the hallway.
Tony looked after him, a cold light shining from his dark eyes. "That mirror is going to stay lost" He mumbled to himself as he started to his won quarters. "Virginia doesn't need a man like that....."
Wendell found Wolf still clad in his night clothes pacing the floor franticly.
"Cripes!" He cried wide eyed when he found his friend standing in the doorway. "What am I doing??"
Wendell came forward and halted Wolf's pace with a reasuring hand on the shoulder. His heart shouted that he should tell Wolf of Virginia's coming, but his head registered that she didn't want him to know. "It's all right my friend." He said softly and Wolf halted completely.
"All right? It's NOT all right."
Wendell smiled. "everyone gets jittery on their wedding day. Tony says that people in his world call it "cold feet"
Wolf contemplated the notion of cold feet and sat tiredly on his bed. "cold feet? I have more then that! I don't even want to look the woman I'm going to marry in the face... I"m in love with Virginia and i know if I'm to go through with this wedding I shall surely die!"
Wendell rolled his eyes. "Now don't be so dramatic, it's not as bad as all that." But he knew it was.
Wolf was sick.
He was weak and dying of a broken heart. Wendell's personal physician had confided in him that Wolf would not have more then a month or two of life left in him, should he marry this day. Wendell wanted nothing more then to cease his friends suffering, but he was bound by his word to keep silent. Wendell came back to reality with a start when he realized his animalistic friend was weeping. Silent tears rolled down Wolf's unusually pale cheeks and Wendell's heart went out to him. "Wolf my friend, my colluege..." he started but his words melted away when Wolf met his gave. Wendell was struck to the sould at the depth of pain that resonated from Wolf's dark eyes. confusion and fear lingered within them. gone was the friendly twinkle, the soothing shine. Wendell was looking into the eyes of a broken man, and he could not find the words to give him comfort. Wendell tentatively reached out and wrapped his arms around wolf. "There there...." he said softly and Wolf didn't relent. The two Kings sat together and each wrapped in a cloak of sorrow, and neither noticed Tony standing in the doorway.
Tony lewis was dumbstruck.
Never had a simple hug effected him so. He stood in Wolf's doorway, and watched as Wendell tried to comfort the obviously grief stricken Wolf, and Tony was stricken as well, by an attack of countious. He turned and quickly made his way to his room. Tony closed the door and leaned against it thoughtfully. For the first time in a long time he was unsure of what he should do.
Tony never liked the idea of Wolf and Virginia together. He thought Wolf was all together wrong for his princess, but seeing Wolf in such a venrable state..... "No" he muttered to himself crossing the room. He picked up a framed picture near his bed. A very young Virginia smiled up at him, and he couldn't help but smile back. This is how he always wanted to remember his daughter..so young, impetious and in need of his guidance and protection. Tony sighed and put the picture down, and thoughtfully picked up another. It was of the four of them; Virginia, Wolf, Wendell and himself taken shortly after Wendell's coronation. How happy they had looked, all of them especially Virginia... She was smiling ear to ear, and arm threaded through both Wolf's and his own. Tony remembered the day well. How much she'd laughed, and how she'd rubbed her nose against Wolf's in absolute abandonment... and he remembered what she had said to him shortly before leaving for New York.
"No matter where I go...no matter what happens between myself and Wolf..you'll always be my Daddy. You'll always hold a special place in my heart that no man will ever be able to touch and no matter what you might think, I'll always need you."
Suddenly his thoughts went back even further, to a before Virginia was born.
"Daddy says that if I marry you he's going to disown me" he heard a soft voice in his mind. It was Christine, Virginia's mother. "But I don't care. I'd rather be pennyless then without you!"
A tear formed in the corner of Tony's eye, and he knew in his heart he could not deny Virginia this chance. He realized she was depending on him to get her to Wolf... that she needed him, and he wasn't going to let her down.
"I can't believe I'm doing this" He muttered to himself. The ring of the catheadral bells brought him back to reality.. how long had he been spacing? He glanced at the ornate clock hanging on the wall and yellped in suprise. The marriage was commencing! He leapt from his bed and giving a hard push sent the top mattress sprawling on the floor. Their nestled between pillows and goose down blankets was the mirror. He propped it up against the wall and opened the portal.
"Virginia?"
Wolf had never spent much time in a church, the whole thing made him a bit nervous, and it didn't help much to be in one now. He stood at the alter, Crisp and Dashing in his black crushed velvet suit. He looked hollowly at Wendell who stood beside him, nervously scanning the room for something, thought Wolf could not tell what. The Vicar in his high hat and bejeweled robes cleared his throat.
"Will we be starting now?" He asked in a naisily voice.
"Tony's not here yet" Wendell interjected nodding at the Vicar, trying desperately to stall. what was taking him so long?
But Wolf stopped him. "No" He said holding up his hand solemnly. "Let the ceremony begin."
The cathedrals clang their joyful bells and the organist began in earnest. A dozen brightly dresses bridesmaids flounced down the isle, along with a pair of little tow headed girls tossing pink rose petles.
"Virginia loved pink rose petles" Wolf thought to himself. "Oh stop it!" He whispered and the Vicar raised an eyebrow.
"No not you" he muttered scratching his ear.
A sudden hush fell over the masses and Wolf forced himself to look in the direction of the doors.
Genevieve glided regally towards him with a graceful air. Her satin clad feet made no noise on the tile as she came near. A wonderus murmur of agreement came from the crowd as the bride neared the alter, for Genevieve looked splended. She had forgone the usual veil over face, and her dark onyx hair cascaded over her shoulders in a mass of provocative ringlets, ornately held in place by a small crown of diamonds. Her dress was simple, it flowed around her as if made just to her design, it fitted her perfectly. Her alabastar skin gleamed healthy in the sunshine that filtered through the multi colored glass windows and her huge eyes sparkled maddengly.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to witness the joining of this...man and this woman in holy matrimony...."
Wolf stared at Genevieve and the Vicar's words were lost on him. He tried to smile, but couldn't. Here he was marrying this beautiful, desirable woman..and yet... he felt as if he were a condemned man being forced to the gallows.
"Cripes" He muttered under his breath and for the first time in his life, Wolf began to pray.
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"Dad? Oh Dad i didn't think you would ever find it in time!" Virginia came through the mirror and strait into her fathers arms. She held him tightly as if she never wanted to let him go. "Oh daddy" she muttered and Tony smoothed a hair that had strayed across her flushed cheek.
"We'd better hurry honey, the ceremony has already began." He held Virginia's hand tightly and began to lead her out of the room when she came to a sudden stop.
"Virginia?"
The blood drained away from Virginia's face and she stood stock still as an emence pain ripped through her lower abdomen. She gasp from the shock and swayed slightly. The pain came again, stronger this time and she ommited a low groan. Tony managed to get her to sit on the bed and she clung to him, her white brow dotted with perspiration. The gripping pain lasted a full five minutes before releasing and Virgina let out her breath in a "whoosh".
"I'm ok now dad, just a...hunger pain I'm sure, not lets go."
The Vicar drowned on and on and Wolf became paler and paler. How could he do this? He looked to Wendell for support but found his friend figitting and glancing nervously around for Tony. What was the big deal about Tony? Wolf knew Tony didn't like him much, and didn't expect him to attend anyway. He felt a little stirring in his shirt and looked down. Something was moving.
"Oh no.." He whispered to himself.
"If their be anyone who thinks this couple should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." The Vicar paused briefly and then took a breath to begin again, when a soft high pinched hum was heard.
The Vicar stopped mid breath and looked into the crowd. "What was that?" The humming grew stronger and stronger, as did the figitting from Wolf's chest. Genevieve looked at Wolf with narrowed eyes and unbuttoned his suit coat and shirt, instantly freeing the singing ring. The crowd looked on in shock as it began to glow and sing it's sweet voice resonating throughout the room.
"By your sworn word you gave to her
she in return her maidenhead,
By your child which grows in her,
You belong, this lovely fiend though mustn't wed
If unsatisfied by these token's three,
a fourth one you do bear:
About your neck beneath your shirt
A necklace of her hair.
And hanging on this selfsame string
You'll see me; thine own engagement ring
Whose pearl of your true love does sing,
For you and your lady fair."
The church grew deathly still and everyone watched in wonder as Genevieve stared red faced at Wolf.
"What is this?" She asked gripping the ring she put her finger rudely in the sweet pearls face and, un-characteristic of the singing ring herself, it bit her.
"Ouch!"
Genevieve cried yanking her hand back. She turned calmly to the Vicar. "Does that count? That ring isn't a real person or anything."
The Vicar nodded thoughtfully "Well..." He began "I can't see how a ring could possibly-"
"What if I were to second that notion?" A voice called out and the entire wedding party turned around.
Wolf's eyes went wide and Wendell smiled broadly.
"Virginia!" they cried together.
Wolf couldn't believe it, it was really her! Virginia came slowly down the isle, one hand trying to sooth her stomach, still reeling with pain and the other cupping her mouth so her words could be heard. Her sent hit him like a ton of bricks and he smiled. He had never seen Virginia look so...wanton. She was about neatness.. order and personal carefulness. But not today. Virgina's dress was tattered, and well wore, faded to a brownish grey color. Her rich chestnut hair fell about her to it's full length in a mass of enticing waves, and her face was smudged with dirt. Her stomach bulged out enormously from the rest of her otherwise slight frame and Wolf couldn't help but smile, she had never looked more desirable to him then she did at that moment.
"Oh Virginia!" He cried leaping down the steps and running down the isle.
He caught her in a hug and held her close to him. He closed his eyes reveling in her smell her touch, her realness.
"Huff Puff.. can I be dreaming? are you really here?" He felt a painful pinch on the wrist and yelped. "What was that for?"
Virginia smiled up at him. "If you felt pain then this is not a dream."
Wolf took his fingers and gently worked them over Virginia. First touching her silky hair and then over her face, memorizing every line through his fingertips, like a blind poet or artist, trying to get a feel for his masterpiece.
"Oh Virginia how I've missed you so much!" He cried brining his lips to hers in a feather soft kiss.
Virginia wrapped her arms around her and held him as close as she could, determined never to let him go. The happy reunion was cut short by a pair of angry voices.
"What is going on here?" Genieave, the bride stamped her satin foot angrily on the tile floor and Queen Riding hood echoed her question.
"You can't be doing this Wolf, it is against everything we stand for, our family our customs our-"
"Your family and customs do not stand for true love?" Wendell's voice boomed throughout the church as he stepped down and joined Wolf and Virginia in the isle.
With each swift movement Wendell walked towards his friends, importance and gravity echoing in his footsteps. He stood next to Wolf and Virginia and looked out at the crowd.
"How can anyone stand in the way of true love?" He asked, his voice dripping with authority. "What does one live for if not to be loved? No one has the right to hinder true loves course and I for one will not allow it to happen."
"But..But King Wendell, as Ruler of the 2nd Kingdom I have the authority to...." Riding hoods voice trailed off as Wendell's dark gaze fixed upon her.
"As King of the 4th Kingdom and sovereign ruler of the rest of the Kingdom's I have the power to over rule any standing law that I see fit." Wendell took a deep breath and Riding hoods face went as scarlet as her dress with anger and humiliation. "Let it not be said that King Wendell let true loves course be hindered, for it shall not happen while I rule!" He cried with a flourish of his hands. The hushed room was filled with applause and Only two people didn't look happy.
Genevieve made her way down the isle.
"You little hussy!" She spat at Virginia, raising her hand to slap her. "How dare you ruin my chances!" Virginia ducked to avoid the slap and Wolf cought Genevieve's hand mid air.
"I suggest you put your hand down." He said gripping it tightly. Genevieve grimaced in pain. "You'll do no such thing to the woman I intend to marry." Genevieve's eyes went wide and the moment Wolf released her hand she slapped him across the face with all the energy her willowy body could muster.
"You...you.. HALF SPECIES!" she cried angrily running from the church. Wolf laughed.
"Well that was something."
Riding Hood Glowered at the three of them but said nothing.
"No complaints Queen Hood? Right then off you go!" Wendell said and the entire room burst into laughter.
Wolf took Virginia by the hand and began leading her towards the alter.
"Come on, lets finish this cearimony." He smiled, but it died on his lips as she looked at Virginia.
She dropped his hand and doubled over on the floor in pain.
"oh...my..god.." she muttered tears streaming down her face. Wolf knelt beside her.
"Virginia? whats wrong?" Virginia's breathing became labored and she fought to get out her words.
"The baby...I think it's coming."
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
"Well this has been one hell of a day." Tony muttered to Wendell as they stood outside Wolf's bed chamber. Wendell smiled at his friend.
"You did the right thing you know, they are going to be very happy.. and so will you...grandpa." Tony returned his smile with ferver.
"Grandpa..."
"Their now it's all finished Virginia lie still.... It's a girl.. you have a beautiful baby girl." The doctor wrapped the screaming infant in a blanket and placed in in Virginia's arms.
Wolf smiled at them both and smoothed the hair away from Virginia's sweaty brow.
"Huff Puff.. a girl!" He said softly gazing in wonder at the reddish purple tiny life snuggling quietly in Virginia's arms.
"She's going to be so beautiful.. just like her mother." He said kissing Virginia softly. She smiled tiredly up at him.
"And she's going to be rambunctious and energetic.. just like her father." She said softly. "Here.. why don't you hold her?"
Wolf Gingerly plucked the infant from her mothers arms and with a little help from the doctor held her snuggly. The little thing opened it's big blue eyes and stared up at him.
"You have your mothers eyes" Wolf cried happily. The doctor grinned at him.
"Most infants have blue eyes when they are born."
"Her eyes are going to stay blue.. i know it." He smoothed a tuft of silky dark hair on his daughters brow with wonder.. she was so beautiful.
Virginia stared at the two of them, her heart brimming with happiness.
"What shall we call her?" Wolf's dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure..." Then wolf smiled impishly. "How about Christine?"
Virginia's heart soften yet again at his reserve.. he wanted to use her mothers name. "Thats a wonderful idea love." she said. "Christine... Christine Scarlet"
Wolf's eyes widened and he echoed her. "Christine Scarlet.."
Virginia moved over and Wolf and Christine joined her in bed. Wolf placed Christine between them and he held Virginia's hand, and slipped the singing ring back into it's rightfull place.
"A happy ending and whats more
What once was three has now become four!"
It sang happily and Wolf laughed. A happy ending.. or a happy begining He couldn't tell, he only knew that his life was never going to be the same.
"My Virginia...My Christine" He said softly Closing his eyes.
Wolf thanked the lord for being so blessed, and smiled. Some times having an old Custom Remembered wasn't so bad after all.