"A Light in the Garden"

Chapter Six

Author: Kelly Min

Disclaimer: You all know that Ed, Edd, n Eddy is property of Danny Antonnuci, right? Well good, then you know that they don't belong to me in any way. Ivy's my only pride and joy (hehehe), along with any family and friends mentioned in the stories.

Author's Note: I know, I know... it's been a while since I've written this. I've been trying to come up with ideas for this chapter. I hope you'll enjoy this. : I'd like to thank everyone for their constant support. Hard to believe it'll be over soon? I'm half-way from my finish point. The final chapter will lead off into the next sets of stories. So, do keep an eye out. Well, do enjoy! :3

"Now Eddy, posture... it's imperative you keep a good posture for this evening." Double-D coaxed his friend who was attempting walking with three books on his head. Eddy sighed. "I don't know, Double-D... this seems like an awful lot for a tea party..." Eddy concentrated though, he wanted to impress Ivy. He didn't want anything to go wrong.

"Well if it isn't Dorkasaurus and Dweebaramus." Kevin snickered from behind the fence. "Are you ladies practicing for the ball? Don't forget your ball gowns!" Kevin guffawed until he got smacked over the head. "Ow!" He turned to see an aggravated Nazz behind him. "Nazz! Hey honey, what's going... on?" Kevin waggled his eyebrows at his girlfriend. Nazz had her hands on her hips. "Don't try to sweet-talk me, Kevin. You're eighteen, and you're acting like such a... eleven year old!" Nazz threw her hands up in disgust, storming off. Kevin, now sweating bullets, ran after her. "Nazz, baby, wait... wait up!"

"He's SO owned." Eddy shook his head. "Poor fellow..." Double-D added in. "Yes, it is a travesty to see one of our own peers in such an adolescent relationship, when his other half he equally respects and loves." An odd, rare, completely correct comment from Ed. Double-D and Eddy just blinked. "Sometimes I wonder where these outbursts come from..." Double-D murmured, shaking his head. "Eddy, let's practice greeting your host..." Eddy rolled his eyes.

"Fine, sure, whatever." Standing straight, Eddy bowed rather graciously. "Good evening my precious lady, I wish to humbly thank you for inviting me." He would then pretend to take a hand and kiss it. Only, when he would open his eyes, he would be holding Ed's hand, who was laughing and smirked. "Tease!" Ed laughed and ran around in circles. Eddy spit in disgust while Double-D hung his head. "Well done, Eddy. Now, pretend I am another lady at the party. Introduce yourself." Eddy nodded.

Bowing again, but shorter this time, Eddy spoke once again. "A pleasure to meet you, my name is Eddy. How does this evening find you?" Spoken without a hitch. "Good, Eddy. Do you have other phrases in mind as well? It might be boring to hear you speak the same thing each time." Eddy nodded once more. "Gotcha Double-D. Hey, can we break for lunch? I'm starved." Double-D nodded with a smile. "Certainly. We'll practice table etiquette after." Double-D walked into his house and began to prepare lunch.

"Sometimes I pick my bellybutton and let the lint tickle my tummy..." Ed sighed and munched on the grass. Eddy scowled and rolled his eyes. "GIRL!" Ed shouted as he pointed. Eddy turned on his heels to see Ivy walking past Double-D's house. Eddy immediately began to shake. Sweat poured over his forehead. "H-h-hi Ivy." Eddy waved meekly. She turned, smiling, she would stop. "Eddy, hello." Ivy approached. Oh god, she was coming over! Be cool, Eddy, cool like... cash. Eddy's charming grin came over his face.

"How are you? I-I'm looking forward to... to the party." It was only in a few days. He had been practicing night and day to get the etiquette down perfect. Although, this is the first time since they met that he's thought about cash. In fact, scams had all but disappeared from the cul-de-sac since then. Some of the kids didn't mind one bit, some were relieved, and others worried. It was out of Eddy's character, WAY OUT, to miss out on scamming someone. Ivy smiled now.

"Well so am I. My parents are looking forward to meeting you as are my friends." Ivy pushed a tendril of hair behind her ear as Double-D re-entered the scene and placed some sandwiches and juice down on the table. He then spied Eddy and Ivy. "Oh, hello Ivy." Double-D waved. Ivy waved in return. Meanwhile, Eddy is thinking... Oh no, her family and friends know I'm coming? Hell, I hope I don't make a total fool of myself... she'll never forgive me. "Would you like to join us?" Double-D's voice cut Eddy's thoughts. Eddy just smiled to Ivy. "Oh well I'd love to, but I need to go gather some Earl Gray for my mother, we're out and it's her favorite. But... I will see you later, and Eddy... I'll see you on Saturday." She leaned in to kiss his cheek, and then waving, she'd walk off.

Eddy sighed dreamily. "...she's so perfect." Eddy smirked. "I'm going to impress her parents and sweep her off her feet!" Eddy smacked fist to palm. Double-D chuckled. "You've a long way before you're there, Eddy. But you're close. Come on guys, lunch is ready." Double-D motioned his two friends over. They all sat down and enjoyed their lunch. Moments later, Double-D was cleaning up as Eddy was verbally practicing his table etiquette.

Double-D now appeared, in costume. Silence and staring, and then Eddy and Ed broke out into fists of laughter. "Oh pardon me, mademoiselle. Can I get your seat?" Eddy asked between snickers. "Yeah yeah, pretty Double-D needs a throne!" Eddy and Ed cracked up as Double-D fumed. "It's MAY I, Eddy. And I'm trying to help you visualize better! So Ed zip it and Eddy, get gentlemanly!" Double-D all but screeched. Eddy swallowed thickly and Ed sat down.

"Very good. Now then, Eddy, I'm approaching the table... and then a chair, it appears I'm going to sit..." Double-D made the motions as he spoke them. Eddy was quick to think, and he pulled out the chair for Double-D. Smiling, Double-D made the motion to sit and Eddy pushed the chair in behind. "Well done, Eddy. Now, most likely if Ivy's parents are there, they will sit by themselves and look on. However..." Double-D cleared his throat. "Ivy would most likely want you sitting right beside her. If such is the situation, she'd either pat the seat, or say it." Double-D smiled.

"I hope I don't fumble and land in her lap..." Eddy was so nervous he was biting his nails. "Crap, I can't stand being so nervous!" Eddy exclaimed as he fumbled for a cigarette. Putting it in his mouth, lighting, and then taking a few puffs... he seemed calmer. Double-D sighed. "That's another thing... I wouldn't advise smoking at the party. It's not proper. If you really need to, excuse yourself and go outside." Eddy grumbled while he took a few more puffs.

"Yeah... well, I hope I don't forget." Eddy said and they went back to practicing.

"Ivy, so tell me, what's this new beau like?" "Yeah, is he tall and handsome?" "How much does he –" Maris, Janey, and Cordette were huddled around there friend on the day before the High Tea. "Stop, stop, stop!" Ivy sighed. "He's a wonderful man, Maris. He's kind and considerate, and so far... he doesn't know my secret. He's handsome, Janey. He's not tall but he's not short either. And Cordy, he is not set to inherit anything. And that doesn't matter... at all." Ivy sighed gently. "No, when I see the warmth in his eyes... when I feel him close. It doesn't matter one bit."

Maris and Janey smiled, happy to see their friend. Cordy on the other hand, laughed. "That's hilarious, Ivy! Of course it matters. Money makes it or breaks it." Cordy went back to filing her nails. "To you, it might. But not to me." Ivy countered. Maris frowned at Cordy. "Geez, how selfish can you be, Cordy?" Maris was this lovely brunette, with natural curls. She had the palest blue eyes. She had the look of prestige, but not the mouth. Janey was a redhead, with shoulder-length tendrils. She had green eyes, but they weren't as intense as Ivy's. Cordette was lavished; she had long black hair and black eyes. She had the look AND the mouth.

Cordy scoffed. "Excuse me?" Janey shook her head. "Yeah, what kind of friend are you? Are you even to be considered one?" Cordy gasped, truly shocked. "How dare you say that to me!" Ivy pulled herself to her full height. "Cordy, where is your invitation?" Cordy blinked, and pulled it out of her purse. Handing it over, Ivy ripped it into tiny bits. "Consider your invitation revoked, as well as my friendship. Please leave immediately." Cordy gasped, took her things and stormed out.

"Bravo, Ivy, Bravo!" Maris clapped, as did Janey. "So, shall we go shopping for new outfits for later? Oh! And remember Maris... this isn't my house. It's yours. You've been kind enough to let me have the party here." Maris nodded. "Understood." Then they all walked downstairs and made their way to the limo, and pulled out of the driveway... gossiping as usual.

Now it was 2:00 p.m. and Double-D was putting the finishing touches on Eddy. Eddy stood there in slightly formal wear. Sweating bullets profusely, he didn't know if he was going to faint or have a stroke. All Eddy could think about was Ivy, and even thinking about her, didn't calm him down, it only made him worse. Eddy was dressed in what's known as a poet's tunic (with the big slightly ruffled kind of thing in the middle of his shirt), he was wearing a dark green velvet jacket, with a trim of lighter green. Black pants and matching shoes. He actually looked like a prince, if you could believe it.

"Marvelous, it's amazing what a change of clothes could do to a man." Double-D was somewhat awed at how, well, gentleman like Eddy looked. "Are you done yet, sockhead?" Looked different, still acted the same. Double-D watched Eddy through flat eyes. "Eddy, please, you're supposed to be a gentleman. "Sockhead" is not a polite or endearing term." Double-D warned. "But it defines who you are." Ed said out of nowhere. Double-D just blinked and sighed at Ed.

"As I was saying... Eddy, you're ready. I guess you had better get going." Double-D smiled. Eddy grinned, a bit of worry in it. He inhaled sharply, and turns away. He freezes in his tracks as he sees Ivy coming down the cul-de-sac to gather him. His tongue tied in knots. She looked like a princess, how convenient was that? She wore a dark green spaghetti strap gown, with a light sparkle to it. It had a large, flowing skirt. She was wearing heels; the clacking of the heels was heard on the sidewalk as she finally approached the trio.

"My goodness, Ivy, you look dazzling, if I may say so." Double-D ventured to say what Eddy could not. The sweat came back ten fold. His nerves were shot and going off the wall. Ivy blushed slightly and smiled. "Thank you Eddward, that's kind of you to say." She then turned to Eddy.

"You look as handsome as a Prince, are you ready to go?" Ivy said gently to Eddy. Eddy almost fainted over, but... he regained as much composure as he could. He cleared his throat, offered her his arm as he bowed. "Shall we?" He asked smoothly. She blushed and took his arm as they started off.

Double-D sighed as he watched them walk off. Ed, once again, was in the pool of Koi, and swimming with them, laughing happily.