Zoa and Zee

Chapter 11

 

N.G.

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Two Years Later

Zenon patiently sat deathly still as Nebula carefully swiped mascara on her eyelashes. Zenon's hands were too shaky to be of use for applying makeup, so her best friend stepped up to do the job. Squatting eye level with Zenon, Nebula chose a medium size brush and a bluish-silver shimmering eye shadow. She carefully brushed the shade over the lid of Zee's eyes, just going past the crease. Checking for symmetry, Nebula put down the brush she'd previously used and selected a smaller, more edged brush. Finding a darker blue shadow, Neb ordered Zee to open her eyes while she made a mental note of where the corners of her eyes met the crease. She had Zee close her eyes again, and using her right hand to hold Zee's chin still, she carefully spread the darker shade on the sides of her best friend's eyes she had earlier checked for. The effect she went for and achieved was to open up Zenon's already stunningly-blue eyes and draw more attention to them. Grinning, Nebula had Zee close her eyes again, and used her fingers to smooth a faint silver cream shadow up to her brow line, which was almost invisible except to someone looking right at her eyes. Pleased with her work thus far, Nebula told Zenon to open her eyes again, and using a light blue eyeliner pencil, lined Zee's lower eyelid right in the lashes, coordinating with her eye shadow. Neb put her pencil up, grabbed a clean Q-tip to brush the loose shadow off of Zee's lashes. Deciding to be safe, Nebula added an extra coat of thickening mascara, assuring no shadow was left.

Moving down to her cheeks, Nebula selected an extremely pale rosy pink blush. Zenon sucked her cheeks in, looking like a fish, to display the apples of the cheeks and the perfect place to apply blush. Using a big fluff brush, Neb applied the blush in small circles, going from the center of her face to the sides. Wiping away a stray line, Nebula stood back to admire her work. Satisfied so far, Neb moved to her lips. Although Zee did not have the fullest of lips, they were far from thin, so Neb decided to play them up. She used a nude lip liner to trace a smudgy line just outside of her friend's lips, and fill in the sides, avoiding the plumper part of her lips. The liner done, Nebula sought out a gloss to cover it, hesitantly choosing a pale red, but reconsidering with a light pink. Swiping the strawberry flavored cosmetic across Zee's lips, Nebula felt her eyes tearing up. She couldn't believe this was finally happening.

To insure the perfect look, Zenon hired a mutual friend of her and Neb's, a stylist named Neptune, to come in and do her hair. Neptune was an exotic woman, tall and lithe, with dark hair and beautiful almond shaped eyes. Her dark complexion and dark features perfectly contradicted her sharp blue eyes. She wore a white shirt with a pale blue skirt, half o her voluminous hair pulled back, the excess and the free-hanging hair curled into perfect spirals. Even with the curls, her hair still reached halfway down her waist. After surveying Zenon's choice of accessories, Neptune decided she would pull Zee's hair up in sections, in a straight line down the back of her head. Using clear elastic bands, Neptune secured all but a few lone, short wisps in her face in three sections behind her head. It looked like one solid ponytail, the separate sections being so close together the only purpose they were serving was to create distinct layers. Neptune shook a can of mousse, before spraying a large dollop in her hand. She then rubbed it in Zenon's pulled-back hair, tousling her blonde locks. Brandishing a wide-barrel curling iron, Neptune moved lightning fast curling her shoulder-blade length hair into perfect spirals. Just after allowing them to naturally set, Neptune grasped them into the palm of her hand and spritzed them with firm-hold hairspray. The lowest ponytail barley extended past her shoulders now, the middle ponytail gently grazing her neck, and the shortest dropping to mid-ear. Neptune stepped back and admired her work. She pulled out a narrow-barrel curling iron and used it to tame the too-short wisps in Zenon's face into perfect spirals. Neptune gently tucked some tiny hairs behind Zee's ears and gelled them into place, as Nebula looked on amazed. Once satisfied with her work, Neptune gave Zenon her permission to turn around.

Slowly pivoting on the stool, Zenon gasped as she saw her reflection. "Vega Omega! I look stellar major!" She said, taking in her hair and her makeup. She gently reached up and touched her curls, taken completely aback by the difference.

"Zee, you're gorgeous," Nebula breathed. "Your hair is… is stunning!"

Seeing this as her cue, Neptune took a deep bow. "Thank you," she said.

After admiring Zee for a few more minutes, Nebula traded places with her, and sat down to apply her own makeup. Neb decided to minimize her efforts with her eyes, and draw attention to her lips instead. Not needing any extra plump, Nebula reached for her long lasting red lipstick. It was a medium to dark red, the color of a robust red wine. It was a heavy matte, intended for long wearing, which would be needed by the time she was able to reapply. After allowing it to set for a minute, Nebula reached for the conditioning stick and coated her tight-feeling lips with moisturizing vitamin sheen. Puckering her lips together, Nebula equally distributed the gel across them. Satisfied with that region, Nebula moved to her cheeks. Thinking of her dress, she chose a rosy red to highlight her cheeks with. Finding the apples of her cheeks, she took one long sweep from nose to ear. Once it was set and even, Nebula moved on to her eyes. Without overdoing it, Nebula selected a very faint gold shadow, applying it from lash line to brow line. While setting off her eye's gold highlights, it didn't demand attention as her lips did. She picked gold eyeliner, gently running it under her lower lash line, creating a smudgy line. Finally, Neb reached for the lengthening mascara, to elongate her medium-short lashes. Once through applying the goop, Nebula stood back and admired her handiwork.

"Nice, Nebulator!" Zee commented from behind. Neptune nodded in agreement.

"Thanks!" Neb said, grinning from ear to ear.

Seeing that Nebula was done, Neptune stepped up behind her and busied herself with doing Nebula's hair. It had grown half-way down her back, and would get incredibly hot after standing there for so long. Neptune surveyed her tools, before deciding to grab a thin pick and separate Nebula's hair into 3 sections: one on the top right side of her head, another on the medium left, and the final in the lower middle. Pulling the ponytails to the point where they were closest but still securely on the scalp, Neptune secured each with a clear elastic band. Pondering over her options, Neptune finally decided to do a dramatic twist, first putting a ribbon in each section of her hair, one red, silver, and the last gold. She then began twisting each one separately, then circling the now-twisted pieces around one another. They clung to one another, ribbon peeking out from various places, adding mystery and exoticness to it. Seeing that Neb's hair was still rather long even pulled up, Neptune twisted and tucked one more time, before pinning it to her scalp. The effect was a glam French twist, complete with personal touches.

Once Nebula's makeup and hair was finished, Neptune sat down to do her own makeup. She decided to match her eyes to her dress as well, choosing a stunning blue shimmer-cream eye shadow. She used her finger to smudge it a finger-width above the crease of her eye, then dusting over it with a transparent powder to reduce buildup in the crease. After blinking quickly a few times, Neptune moved on to fill the space between the shadow and her brow line, choosing the darkest shade Zenon wore on her eyes. Once again, Neptune used her finger to blend the line between the cream shadow and the powder, to soften the difference between the two. Adding flair to the already-stunning color, Neptune took out six sapphire rhinestones, made for applying to the face. She put three on each side, going up along the line of the shadows. Next, she pulled out her jet black eyeliner, lining her upper, lower, and lash lines on both eyes. After blinking back tears from the adjustment, she reached for the volumizing and lengthening mascaras, first using the volumizing then adding the length. Satisfied, Neptune forwent any blush, and decided on a clear lip gloss.

Standing, Neptune said, "Zee, you've got 30 minutes. We need to get moving!" A look of terror crossed Zee's lovely features for a half of a second.

"Cetus-a-petus! Let's get to the room!" Zenon screeched.

All of the three girls were suited in white satin robes, compliments of the spa treatment they earlier received. Nebula grabbed two of the garment protectors, tossed them over her shoulder, and grabbed a carrier bag with two shoeboxes in it, and Neptune grabbed the garment bag set apart from the other two, and the shoebox in front of it. Giggling, the trio ran out of the room they had been in, and took the elevator to the first floor, before slipping into the room right next to the ballroom.

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"It's almost time," the Australian said to his English band mate, who was busy buttoning his vest.

Protozoa looked immaculate in his tuxedo, a three button jacket with straight leg pants and a platinum paisley vest, all over a crisp white dress shirt. The sleeves of his jacket came just past his wrist, but not far enough to cover his hand. The back of his tux extended just past his hips, sitting low enough to make him look even taller. His pants were straight-legged, loose, and went just over the heels of his shoes. The biggest difference in his appearance was the lack of the twisted peroxide spikes that had become his trademark in the world of rock and roll. Instead, he had grown his hair out and refrained from going blonde again, instead choosing to low-lite a few sections a mahogany red-brown. Today, it was messily gelled into conformity of a somewhat sane look, a variety of lengths and textures.

Germ looked just as good in his tuxedo. His was a four button notch jacket, with a vivid blue vest, designed to match Neptune's dress. The coat went down to the top of his thighs, an air of elegance and fashion radiating off of him, as if he were a model for the tuxedo company. His pants were long like Protozoa's, the only difference between his pair and Zoa's was the fact that Germ's were more form-fitting, and there was a silk lining down the seam on the outer side of the leg. Germ opted for a more simple and comfortable loafer, as compared to Zoa's fancy Italian lace ups. His hair had since been changed from his blonde dreadlocks to a medium-long shag. Although his bangs covered his forehead, his eyes were now slightly visible; they were a beautiful pale, sea mist green, almost endless when looking directly into them.

Randy sat in the corner of the room, quietly sipping on a bottle of water. His tux suited him extremely well too; exactly identical to Germ's, except for his vest. Randy's was a striking red, intended as a match for Nebula's dress. Randy towered at 6'4", above both Germ and Protozoa. His mahogany skin perfectly set off his white teeth, always shining in a devil-may-care grin. He met Nebula at a restaurant two years ago; he had sent her a drink that she refused, before asking her to dance. The two waltzed, tangoed, and swing danced all night long. They spent the rest of the night sitting at a table for two, talking about anything and everything. By the end of the night, they knew each other as so much more than just friends; they started dating and had been for the past two years. At the current time, a diamond ring rest comfortably around Neb's left ring finger. They were getting married in 2 years, after Nebula finished law school.

"Hey, guys," Protozoa said, breaking the comfortable silence. "Here. I have something for you," he finished, handing both Germ and Randy a blue velvet jewelry box.

"Uh, PZ, I think you've already got someone to give a ring to, don't you?" Germ teased. Protozoa was Germ's oldest friend, and vice versa. They'd been band mates since 2048, when Microbe first came out. It was Germ's doing on his side that finally gave him the courage to pop the question.

Randy just shook his head and laughed. He met Protozoa the same night he met Nebula. She had been out to dinner with Zoa and Zee, the same night that they became an item. Their relationships were extremely close, he and Nebula double dating alongside Protozoa and Zenon. They didn't have the advantage of knowing one another for years and years, but the deep connection that formed gave them a different sort of emotion, an understanding and deep commitment, that led them to promising a future so incredible they could barely stand to be apart. Of course, with Nebula in school full time, and Randy busy running his own practice, it was a rare thing they got to spend more than two days together at a time. Over holidays, after a few days with their families they visited collectively, the pair were all but inseparable. Three months ago, over Nebula's spring vacation, Randy took her to a private airport, where they boarded a jet and went to Aspen, Colorado. They spent the entire day skiing, then, relaxing in front of the fire that evening; Randy pulled the ring out of his pocket, telling Nebula she was the best thing that ever happened to him, and that he couldn't go on without knowing she would be by his side for the rest of his life. Through her tears, Nebula managed to nod and hold her hand out to him.

Smiling back on that memory, Randy opened the box PZ had handed him. A Pair of sterling silver cufflinks with ruby stones in the middle was in the box. Randy put them on his first button on his sleeve, quickly and deftly, where Germ was fumbling a little bit with his sapphire cufflinks. Standing, Randy walked over to Germ, and taking the little buttons in hand, he put them on Germ's sleeves too.

Germ smiled in appreciation, "thanks, man."

Nodding, Randy said, "PZ, we need to get on out there and start seating people. I don't think you need directions, do you?" The question was mocking Zoa, because of the several times they practiced earlier that morning.

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"Zee?" Nebula's voice broke through Zenon's wall of concentration. "It's time to get the dress on!"

Zenon had been peacefully sitting on a stack of feather pillows, focusing completely on her breathing. Inhaling and exhaling, she ridded herself of all her fears and concerns, preparing for the biggest day of her life. While she was busy meditating, Nebula and Neptune were putting their dresses on. Nebula's was a vibrant red, while Neptune's was a stunning sapphire blue. The tops of the dresses were halter tops, the bodices fitted to each girls figure. The necklines were embroidered in tiny gold and silver beads, along with the waist. The backs scooped down, revealing a tantalizing amount of skin, while still being tastefully gorgeous. The skirts were made of thick organza, fluffing the gown out to its maximum proportions. It was fashioned into the ballroom style, starting narrowly on the hips then dramatically flaring out, making the wearers look like princesses. The dresses matched their occupants to perfection, flattering each woman in their own way.

"Okay Neb, are we really doing this?" Zee asked, untying the knot in her robe.

"Yes! Let's get a move on!" Neptune exclaimed, even though the question wasn't asked of her.

Zenon dropped to robe, revealing a white satin bustier and matching underwear. She chose to forgo stockings, afraid they'd get dreadfully uncomfortable during the ceremony. The bustier helped keep the shape of the dress, while enhancing Zee's already stellanarious figure.

"Okay, Neb and I decided that it would be easiest if we just unlaced the back till it was really loose, so you could just step into it. Sound good?" Neptune quickly said.

"Yeah, that's fine for me," Zee replied.

Nebula and Neptune got the dress out of the garment protector, undoing the bow tied in the back. Neptune held the dress up by its sides, just under where Zee's arms would hang, slowly lowering it as Nebula flattened the edges out so to not damage the beadwork on the bottom. Once the gown was lowered to about three feet above the ground, Neptune stopped.

"Zee, do you think you can step into it from here? I don't want to risk it getting caught on something, so it would probably be best to not go any further," Nebula asked.

"Fully. I'm sure I can do it," Zee replied affirmatively.

Nebula stood and offered her arm for support, Neptune doing the same. Turning sideways, Zee reached her left arm out to them, each girl taking a place on her forearm, to balance and pull her if need be. Her left leg went into the dress through the bodice seamlessly, but the right leg proved to be more difficult.

Nebula surveyed the situation carefully. "Okay, Neptune, I'll hold the dress up, if you can go around to the back and help lift her in?" She asked.

"Sure," Neptune replied as Neb's hand replaced hers on the dress. Walking around to the back of the dress, Neptune forcefully took hold of Zenon from the underarm, using her arm strength to lift and push Zee forward, so she could get her right leg in cleanly.

Once Zee was in, Nebula pulled the dress up her friend, and raising the waist up to Zee's chest, slipped the halter around her neck slowly and carefully, trying not to mess up Zee's hair. Neptune came around and lifted Zee's hair so Nebula could pull the dress to loosely fit before they tightened the back. Once sure the dress was correctly positioned, Neptune dropped the cascade of blonde locks.

"Okay Zee, lets get this thing tied up!" Nebula said; placing her hands on Zenon's ribs to assure no slack remained the front, as Neptune tightened the tie in the back. A few short moments later, Zenon's dress was on.

"Alright, I'll do the veil now!" Neptune squealed excitedly. The veil Zee chose was a white blusher with corded edge. To add pizzazz to it, Zenon and Neptune decided to get a tiara to hold it in place. Neptune placed the veil on Zee's head, carefully positioning it just so. Nebula handed her the tiara, and with pinpoint precision, Neptune slid it into the veil, the tiny holes accommodating the teeth of the crown just perfectly.

Zenon's vision adjusted to seeing through the thin white film, her world becoming covered in white. "What about the shoes?" She asked.

Neb snapped out of her dreamlike state of watching Zee, and grabbed the box on the table beside her. She carefully unwrapped two silver toned sandals and placed them in front of Zee, who stepped quickly into them. Taking a few precarious steps to get used to the weight of the dress and the shoes, Zee paraded over to the full length mirror on the wall across from her. The trio collectively gasped when they saw the finished picture.

Zenon's veil rested comfortably on the top of her head, catching glints of light given off by the sun and the lights blaring in the room. Neptune pulled the front of the veil back to allow her a clearer picture, and what she'd look like at the altar. Her hair gave a visual path to her neck, where the dress began. It was a white, halter style v-neck gown, with embroidered straps and bodice. Intricate designs of flowers and loops decorated the waist and neckline, leaving the upper-midsection free of design. Just above her hips, the dress flared out into a beautiful tiered tulle skirt. Layers of tulle and crinoline inside the gown made the bottom heavy and large, but all the more beautiful. The hemline was covered in designs as well; as was the back of the gown. A grand cathedral train was the most magnificent part of the dress, extending a full ten feet from Zee's tiny waist. The back of the bodice was held together with a silver tie, which laced from the mid back to the lower back, before tying and flowing along with the train. Though the shoes weren't visible, they were a silver slip on sandal, with daisy detailing on all the straps. Designed for comfort over style, they were meant for a dress that would hide them. It would still allow Zenon to dance and stand for pictures, without giving her a killer backache.

The girls sat there for a few moments, just staring, before a knock on the door broke the silence.

Randy's voice came, "you girls ready yet? PZ is up at the altar, so don't worry, he won't see."

"We're ready," Nebula whispered softly, loud enough only for her two best friends to hear. "We'll be waiting outside, Zee," she said, taking Neptune's hand, picking up their bouquets, and slipped out the door, leaving Zee to stare at herself alone.

"Zenon, you're about to marry the man of your dreams," she softly whispered aloud.

======================

The groomsmen and bridesmaids were lined up, waiting for the procession to begin. On Randy's arms were Nebula, the maid of honor, and Linda, Protozoa's mother. On Germ's arms, there were Neptune and Astrid Kar. Zenon stood behind them, off to the side with her dad. The processional hymn began, and the doors opened. Zenon's cousin Halley slowly walked out, dropping handfuls of rose petals with each step she took. Once she was halfway down the aisle, Randy, Nebula, and Linda sauntered out. Slowly and gracefully, the women walked alongside their escort. Once they reached the front, Randy released Linda's arm next to her husband, Lester, and walked Nebula to the left side of the altar, where she would be standing behind Zenon. Germ, Astrid and Neptune were halfway up the aisle when Randy took his spot behind an extremely excited Protozoa, and soon enough they were to the front. Hanging a left, Germ released Astrid's arm to an empty first row. She took the second seat, knowing her husband would be joining her and sitting in the first. Germ proceeded to the front to drop Neptune off, before walking over and standing between Zoa and Randy.

Once the wedding party was in place, the whole room eagerly anticipated the wedding march to begin. A very distinct tune began to play, and the entire audience stood and faced the door, waiting for the beautiful bride to appear.

Behind the now-closed door, Mark took his only daughter's arm, "You're beautiful," he whispered, before the doors opened to allow them to proceed in.

The first step Zenon took into her wedding, the room filled with flashes and gasps, as the most beautiful bride any of the members of the audience had ever seen walked into the room. Zenon smiled, hidden behind her veil. It seemed like it took forever to reach the altar and her future, while it really only took a half of a minute.

"Dearly Beloved," the pastor began, "we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, to join Aidan 'Protozoa' James and Zenon Astrid Kar in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying to us the mystical union which is between Christ and His Church. Which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence at the first miracle which He wrought in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of the Apostle Paul to be honorable among all men, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly or inadvisably, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God."

 "Into which holy estate Aidan and Zenon come now to be joined and to unite two hearts and lives, blending all interest, sympathies, and hopes. I charge and entreat you, therefore, in entering upon and sustaining this hallowed union, to seek the favor and blessing of Him whose favor is life, whose blessing make rich and add no sorrow. Let us now seek His blessing."

After blessing them in a prayer, the pastor asked, "Who is giving this woman away?"

Mark responded, "Her mother and I."

"I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that true love and loyalty alone will avail as the foundation of a happy home. If the solemn vows you are about to make be kept inviolate, and if you steadfastly endeavor to do the will of your heavenly Father, your lives will be full of joy, and the home you are about to establish will abide in peace.

"No other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than those you are about to assume. You are entering into the holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the very sacrament of divine love."

Mark stepped back from his daughter, looking at her as his own one last time. He lifted her veil and folded it over.

"The couple has written their own vows, which they shall now read," the pastor finished.

Protozoa started first. "I've had many great things happen in my life, met many amazing people, and done many amazing things; yet none of them have compared to you, Zee. I love you with all of my heart, mind, and soul, and I never intend to lose you. I will be there for you, every waking moment of every day, any time you need me for anything. I will support you, I will comfort you, and I will cherish you as my dearest commodity in life. Zenon Astrid Kar, I will forever be faithful to you and only you."

Smiling through her tears, Zenon said, "Aidan, the past seven years have been anything but imperfect. You've gone from a rockstar that I didn't even know, to an acquaintance I was glad to say I had, to my steadfast support, to my best friend, to my fiancé. I love you, and nothing can ever come between us. Aidan, I swear my undying love to you, for as long as we both live."

"Do you pledge your lives to one another, for as long as you both shall live?" The pastor inquired.

"We do," they answered in union.

"Aidan, take Zenon's left hand in yours, and place the ring on her finger, sliding it only to the middle." Protozoa complied, waiting for the pastor to continue. "Zenon, do you accept this ring as a symbol of Aidan's love for you?"

"I do," Zenon replied.

"Repeat after me Aidan," the minister said. "With this ring-"

"With this ring," he said, staring at Zenon.

"I thee wed," the minister continued.

"I thee wed," he followed.

"In the sight of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I take you as my wife."

"In the sight of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I take you as my wife," he finished.

"Push the ring completely onto her finger."

He did as he was told, smiling at her the whole time, a look of adoration on his face.

"Zenon, take Aidan's left hand in yours, and place the ring half way on his finger," Zenon complied as well. "Aidan, do you accept this ring as a symbol of Zenon's love for you?"

"I do," Protozoa said.

"Repeat after me, Zenon," the minister said. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring, I thee wed," she repeated.

"In the sight of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I take you as my husband."

"In the sight of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I take you as my husband," she breathed.

"Push the ring completely on his finger."

Zenon did as she was instructed a shy grin on her face the whole time.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the pastor finished.

A look of relief passed over Zoa's features, as he held her hand and leaned in for a polite kiss.

"It is my privilege to introduce you to the new Mr. and Mrs. Aidan James. Congratulations!"

The recessional hymn began, and Zoa and Zee walked down the aisle to their new lives as one.

THE END

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Wow, it's been quite a ride hasn't it? 2 years after this idea came to me, I finally was able to finish it. True, I'm unhappy with the first few chapters, but there will be more stories in which to improve myself. I want to thank everyone who has read this story, and send special thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story. I hope this ending is to your liking, and that you will read any future stories I put out there.

I love and greatly appreciate all the kind words and support from all my readers; THANK YOU!!!

Queen Of Swing

P.S., for old time's sake?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of them, except Randy and Neptune. If you try to sue me, you'll lose.