Chapter 8 Ringing like a bell from my head down to my toes
September 2005
Faith woke up safe in Constantine's arms, she kissed him on the chin, as he lay sleeping.
Faith got up and looked at the document Constantine had handed her, the minute he had walked in the door after coming back from Rome yesterday night.
It was a declaration of nullity, from a very high up Bishop. God only knew, how Constantine had swung it. Things like that normally took six months. Her previous marriage to Woods was now annulled, because of his lycanthropy. Only her marriage to Constantine now counted. This evening they were having their marriage blessed. A reception party was then being held in the Watchers Council hall, for all their friends and John's family.
Faith hugged herself in joy. Life was so good, she could cry with happiness. Faith loved John so much and they were going to be together forever.
The church was reasonably full that afternoon. Faith noticed a lot of onlookers in the back of the church. The onlookers, some heavily veiled had come to get a glimpse of what was being called 'the marriage of the year' in the supernatural community.
Constantine looked at Faith, with the tenderness he reserved exclusively for her. She was wearing a long red satin cheongsam with sensible splits, in case of demon attack. Her hair was up and held back with turquoise chopsticks.
The priest blessed their marriage and their rings. Faith, Constantine and the few other Catholics amongst their friends took communion together.
Faith and John had never felt so full of the grace of God.
Faith was finally introduced at the reception, to the U.K. John Constantine or J.C. as he was jokingly called by Giles, who had known him in his Ripper days.
"The cocky prick acts like he's Jesus Christ, wait till the evening wears on." Giles had told her in explanation.
Faith found J.C. an attractive man, like his cousin her John Constantine. J.C. was too old for her. J.C. found Faith attractive too obviously, for as the evening wore on he got more and more drunk and came onto her repeatedly.
People called for speeches and Xander stood up on a bench, with a mike. "I introduced these two and I realise I did a good deed in a bad world, accidentally. Have you ever seen a couple more made for each other than them? A toast to Mr and Mrs Constantine."
The room erupted into hoots and cheers, people raised their glasses, toasting Constantine and Faith.
Constantine and Faith climbed up on a coffee table together.
"It's been a month since Faith and I got legally married." Constantine said to the assembled gathering. "It was a whirlwind wedding and we regretted not having our friends and family with us. So we want to thank you for coming to this shindig, some from overseas." He nodded at Dr Midnite from L.A, "Some from other dimensions." He nodded at Lorne. "We'd like to start the evening with a toast to absent friends."
Every one raised their glasses and toasted absent friends.
Faith radiated happiness at her guests. "We need to thank the people here in London, who helped us. Rona and Vi made us that wonderful cake, by hand. Buffy helped me choose and buy my dress, knock it down in price and find caterers. Giles helped me choose and buy all the alcohol and Dawn and Ellie did all the floral decorations."
"She did?" Murmured John in Faith's ear concerned. "What is it, poison ivy?"
"So my next toast is to the friends and family, that are here with us now." Faith smiled and everyone drank a toast again.
The waiters went round refilling glasses. Ellie blew on her glass and another demon's, to turn the wine into blood. Xander frowned at her.
"Its pig's blood darling, relax." Ellie laughed.
"I want to say something about my new wife." Constantine looked at his young wife, in loving disbelief that someone as amazing as her, would want to be with him.
Giles folded his arms and whispered cynically to Buffy. "Is it possible that Constantine is going to start shouting 'I'm in love with this woman' and jump up and down on the coffee table?"
Buffy choked on her wine, trying to suppress a laugh. She turned it into a polite cough and refocused on the speeches.
"Faith I've said everything I needed to you, in the Church two hours ago, but she looks amazing everybody doesn't she?" Constantine declared to everyone. "I never know what she's going to wear next, but she always looks beautiful, probably because she is so beautiful on the inside."
"I can't believe he got all soppy like that, in front of youse guys." Faith laughed to her friends, her South Boston accent always thick in times of nervousness. She looked up at John in adoration and they got down from the coffee table.
Xander called for others to say a few words.
Buffy stood up. "I've known Faith since Sunnydale High School. I was attending it, she kept persuading me to play truant." Everyone laughed. "We've had our differences, but Faith's basic goodness and strength always triumphs and I hope you'll both find that in your marriage." Everyone clapped.
Dr Midnite stood up. "I know both John Constantines, they are both good men in their own way, but Dark Slayer you married the better man to be your husband.
Giles took the stand. "Faith is an extraordinary girl, who has overcome appalling obstacles to become the leader and champion for good she has. I hear even Constantine has saved the world from an apocalypse once. As people keep mentioning, it is indeed uncanny how similar they are. All the members of the new Watchers Council and every slayer, wish them every happiness.
J.C. came over and took the mike. "Name's John Constantine, I'm not the nicest bloke you've met. I'm Yank Constantine's cousin. Well you're a great supernatural addition to the Constantine family, Faith love. It's great to see John with a human for a change as well." he said to the gathered assembly of thirty, of whom six were demons.
"Well, me whole family's musical, folks..." J.C. went on. "Even the sewing machine's a Singer but tonight, they've got Krevlornswath "Lorne" Of The Deathwok Clan to do a number."
Lorne stood up and smiled. "Well kids it's great to be back in this dimension, to see my and Pylea's favourite Slayer. Faith hon, there's a job waiting for you back at the castle anytime you want and bring tall dark and cynical." Everyone laughed.
"Now," Lorne announced. "I want to sing a song to the happy couple, while they lead the dancing. Ellie is doing the backing. It's by Constantine's favourite artist and a great wedding song or blessing song, in you two love birds' case." Lorne joked
"Leonard Cohen's 'Dance me to the end of love." The green singing Demon announced. Ellie accompanied Lorne on the piano in the hall and he began to sing.
"Dance me to
your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til
I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my
homeward dove
And dance me to the end of love
Yeah, dance me
to the end of love "
John took Faith in his arms and led her round the room. They had practised dancing to this song all morning, so they didn't make fools of themselves.
"Oh let me see
your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving
like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the
limits of
And dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end
of love"
Giles offered his arm to Buffy and they spun decorously round the dance floor. Buffy hadn't been able to take the Immortal as her partner to this event, but had enjoyed catching up with Giles immeasurably.
"Dance me to the wedding now,
dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We're both of us beneath our love... both of us above
And
dance me to the end of love
Yeah, dance me to the end of love"
Xander and Dawn waltzed with flair. Xander had taught Dawn to dance, when she was fifteen and in his opinion had trained her perfectly.
"Dance me to the children who are asking to be
born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
And
dance me to the end of love "
"I do want kids with you Faith." Constantine whispered to her, as he spun her round the dance floor. "I'm sure they're going to come our way as well."
Without thinking he began to sing along quietly with the words, that Ellie sang in her beautiful voice. Constantine had heard the song eight times that morning and it kept repeating in his mind. Faith hummed along with him absentmindedly, resting her head on his shoulder.
Lorne had stopped. This was Ellie's solo section. Lorne froze and looked at Constantine and Faith in complete horror.
"Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch
me with your naked hand... touch me with your glove
Dance me to
the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the
end of love"