(A/N): Sorry it took so long. I had issues with the site but now I fixed it. Hope you guys enjoy what I'm doing.
Chapter Two (New Year's Eve Wedding)
"Steve, I am super nervous about this special night.", said Arthur, trying to put on his black tie.
Steve who was already dressed in his matching Christmas tuxedo suit, chuckled at his baby brother's nervousness on his special day before coming over there to help with his tie.
"Oh, don't get cold feet on me, Arthur. You're about to become a married man in the next hour and fifteen minutes to a beautiful elf," said Steve, fixing up Arthur's tie.
Arthur chuckled on that one before the two heard Grandsanta who was dressed up in a matching outfit as the groom, was on the red chair holding his antler cane while talking about his time getting married.
"Why back in my day, it was your grandmother who was the one having cold feet. And that was because I ordered the elves to stop shoving coal into the furnace.", said Grandsanta, before being looked crazy by his grandsons.
"You are one cheap old man.", said both Arthur and Steve.
Grandsanta shrugged his shoulders and said, "Hey, paying those elves are not cheap. They used to be paid on just cookies and milk and get a loaf of either banana bread or fruitcake as a Christmas bonus. That is up until those little germlines started to form a darn union on me."
Now, Arthur and Steve took this moment to listen to what their grandpa was saying as this has caught their interest. It was so good that their dad stepped in to check on the groom before going over to check his daughter in law, and just sat down on the couch and listening in on one of his father's classic rants.
"Then those little ungrateful goblins started going on strike and begin protesting, right in the middle of December where we're just a few days away from Christmas. On that day they completely stopped producing and packing toys which we have to ship out late that night, and went behind schedule once we've finally loaded up the darn sleigh!.", finished Grandsanta.
"Huh, I slightly remember that time when that happened.", recalled Malcolm, before helping himself to a plate of ginger snaps.
Steve crossed his arms with a raised brow and said, "How much did does elves want to be paid?. And please do not ad lib, Grandsanta."
Grandsanta grumbled on that memory while scratching his bald scalp, "If I'm not mistaken they wanted to be paid a dollar and fifty cents pure hour. Which to ya it is not much in modern times, but in my day it's biscuits and gravy. And don't get me started on them demanding for both life and health insurance let alone set up a retirement plan or else they would report me to the stupid National Labor Relations Board. Not to mention that they also wanted a minimum wage raise in which I surely refused to comply."
"You are the worst kinda Santa that I ever know, Grandsanta. The worst. In fact, you make The Grinch look like a saint compared to you. And I'm talking about the Jim Carrey version of The Grinch", said Arthur, right before putting on his red dress coat and then button it up all the way.
"And also, I wouldn't blame those elves demanding fair labor and real pay. That was just plain old cruel and unusual punishment, old-timer.", said Steve, while adding some cologne on.
Eventually, Grandsanta got up from his seat and was about to head on out to go take his spot at the altar before turning his head to say, "Believe me or not, those elves are going to pull that same stunt again on you Arthur. And it is only a matter of time."
Malcolm just chuckled and said, "Dad never was good at weddings. He is either drinking way too much eggnog or smoking too much peppermint cigars. So anyway, are you ready to go and get married, Arthur?."
Arthur took a few breaths to remove the nervousness and said with both confidence and his cheery smile, "I am ready as I ever will be, Dad. Now let us make some holiday magic."
As the three men begin to head on out to the alter just after taking a trio photo together by a certified elf photographer, Bryony who was in the other room was getting a little bit of makeup to match with her wonderful Christmas red bridal dress that is almost identical to her soon-to-be husband's Santa Claus suit. Along with matching red flat dress shoes and a pretty multicolor diamond necklace that her mother in law has given her, as an early wedding present and let alone being a tradition. Bryony's mother who was slightly taller than her daughter with long hair that was tied up in a bun, wearing the identical version of her daughter's dress was super happy for her little girl to be finally settling down. And mostly being the first elf ever to be a Claus. After Bryony broke the news to her mother and father they broke out with huge joy, and begin spreading the word throughout the whole elf village in which only made Bryony blush in embarrassment.
"Oh, Bryony, you are going to be the cutest little thing at the alter!. And here I thought I won't be able to live to see this day come true.", said Betty, wiping a few tears from her face with Margaret's custom-made handkerchief.
"Yes, I feel the same way with my boys, Betty.", begin Margaret while pouring a cup of hot chocolate for Bryony, "That, and I always knew that our kids would one day tie the bow."
Bryony rolled her eyes while taking sips of her hot chocolate. She sometimes hated it when her mother talks like that about her being single she-elf for the rest of her life. Herself and Arthur were young in their prime and they aged slowly since he is a Claus and she is an Elf. Still, Bryony can not deny the truth that her mother in law speaks as she did not have any romantic interest in any of the male elves nor have romantic feelings. Tonight was going to be a special night for both herself and Arthur once the two of them say "I Do", and have a great full thirty days of honeymoon fun on sweet Easter Island. Also known as "The Home And Operations Of The Easter Bunny."
"First comes love, then comes marriage, and later comes grandkids!.", said both Betty and Margaret, in a high cheerful singing tone.
Bryony automatically spits out hot chocolate from hearing the last part before beginning to choke on it. This caused the mothers to stop their joyful singing and attend to the bride who was choking uncontrollably. Thankfully, Bryony again control of her choke and looked at her mother and mother in law with a stern pointed look. Both Betty and Margaret looked ashamed of causing Bryony to almost choked to death from her hot tasty beverage.
"Do you guys think you are rushing things here?. Sure, me and Arthur have always talked about having kids and such. But still, you two are accidentally trying to ruin my special day here.", said Bryony, jumping down from the step stool.
Margaret gave her daughter-in-law a sad smile and said, "Sorry about that sweetheart. We're just too excited about being grandmothers and such."
Betty apologized as well when removing the eyebrow pierce from her daughter's face without pulling it off. As soon as the three exit the room they were introduced by Bryony's father, Barney who has a silver-grey goatee and a few streaks of grey hair due to his old age. He looked at his daughter with such happiness that a few tears run down his face. He dreamed about his daughter getting married to great honorable men, but did not expect it would be coming from Arthur. Still, Barney was grateful to be alive and be able to walk his little girl down the aisle. He came up to his beautiful second born child and embraced her with a warm loving hug as Bryony did the same.
"My little girl. All grown up and about to be a Claus. What a special after christmas this is.", begin Barney, before handing his daughter the bouquet of fresh roses.
"Thanks, Daddy. You know exactly how to make things even sweeter than it is now. Ready?.", Bryony asked, sticking out her arm for him to take with his arm.
As the four made their way to the sanctuary to get themselves positioned for the wedding, Arthur along with Steve who is the best man, and Grandsanta was already at the alter waiting for the bride to arrive and get this wedding on the way. It gave Arthur enough time to serve the massive church that is decorated all christmassy from top to bottom. Then he looked at the audience that was filled with all the elves including the legendary holiday figures such as Cupid, Mother Nature along with her adult sons Heat Miser and Snow Miser. Both the Easter Bunny and Leprechaun, Sandman, Tooth-Fairy, Jack Frost, young preteen Baby New Year and finally Father Time. And Father Time is the one who is going to be the reverend for the wedding.
Arthur waited patiently for Bryony to come through those doors while the regular wedding music was being played, as the wedding is getting started smoothly. First came his father and mother, and then a few elves including his mother in law who was the happiest when she winked at him. Once Betty settled down and then see his sister-in-law Veronica who is taller than Bryony, everything including the music went completely silent. Then the classic song of "Silent Night" begins playing as it is sung by The Temptations. This Silent Night version is Bryony's favorite song when wrapping up gifts and sometimes listen to it when doing some reading.
Next, everyone rosed up from their seats as the double doors swung wide open, and out came the bride. Arthur's jaw dropped when seeing the beauty of Bryony as she smiled right at him when noticing his glaring. Bryony walked nice and slowly so she could hear The Temptations sing her favorite Christmas music, and also savor the special moment in her life. Both herself and Arthur can not wait to be married to each other once she made her way to her step stool, after giving her father a thank you kiss on the cheek. The song went off both signaling the audience to have a seat and the start of the ceremony as Father Time took his position and opened the Bible to read scripture, before doing a prayer and the start of the wedding.
Father Time looked at the two to be wed with a warm smile while stroking his long grey beard before announcing the audience and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness a holy marriage between this young man and this young woman. A Claus and a She-Elf. Now, we will witness marriage vows between Arthur Claus and Bryony Shelfley. Starting with the bride of course."
Bryony chuckled nervously when reaching down into her bra and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Then she glanced shyly at Arthur who smiled right back at her while unfolding her paper and then took the time to cough up before speaking.
"Arthur, ever since we met as kids at our elementary school down at the playground, I met my soul mate at first sight. You and I have been through a lot of bumps on the road together when we worked at our first job at Holiday Bucks Coffee. You've always turn stressful things and situations into positive fun ones. Heck, you were always willing to take my shift when I wanted to relax at home or go mall shopping. And now, I am paying my debts to you, Arthur. And that is becoming your wonderful, caring, loyal, and most of all loving wife. I love you, Arthur Buddy Claus.", finished Bryony, tears of happiness running down.
"And now, the Groom.", announced Father Time.
Arthur nodded when digging through his coat for a few seconds to find his vow paper and begin speaking, "Bryony you've made my life complete throughout the years of us growing up together and being my best friend for life. I feel whole once I'm with you and I can not sleep well when you're not with me. Besides Christmas, you my sweet Bryony Lovejoy Shelfley are my favorite and lovable thing of every day, week, month, and year. And me being your devoted, caring, loyal, and loving husband is not a right. No, sir, it is a privilege. I love you, baby."
Bryony can not help but grin wide at that lovely vow that Arthur has given to her and just want to kiss him now and go on their honeymoon now. Father Time then said, "Now, let's get this show story, shall we?. Bryony would you take Arthur to be your wedded husband?. To be with him through rich or poor?. Including sick and for better or worse?."
"I Do!.", answered Bryony, smiling brightly.
"And to you, Arthur, will you take Bryony to be your wedded wife?. To be with her through rich or poor?. Including sick and for better or worse?.", said Father Time.
"I Do!.", answered Arthur, holding both Bryony's hands.
Father Time then raised his arms up proudly and said, "With the power invested by me, I announce you husband and wife. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'll present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Claus.", The old man looked at the two before looking at Arthur, "You may now kiss the bride."
At this point, both Arthur and Bryony did not hesitate as she just jumped on his arms, and pucker up her red lipstick lips, and collided with his with great love. A swarm of applause and cheer including whistles came from the whole crowd while Margaret, Betty, and Veronica began to cry their eyes out of pure joy. Steve handed the rings to his brother and sister in law before congratulating the two as Arthur placed Bryony on her ring finger. After Bryony did the same with Arthur, the song of Silent Night begin playing again as the two rushed through the aisle with Arthur carrying his new wife. Then came the party as it is quite good, to say the least as they ate sweet ham, smoked turkey, fresh-baked duck, and all the tasty sides known to man.
Then after a few slow dancing and toasts from both Malcolm and Barney, the new married couple began doing wedding tradition. For Bryony, it was the classic bride bouquet toss in which her older sister has caught it thanks to the aid of jumping off her chair and now have her eyes set on Arthur's older brother, Steve. And speaking of Steve, the good body build man caught Bryony's garter by mistake when Arthur tossed the thing. He was trying to catch the microphone so he could say a few words before Arthur and Bryony would leave for Easter Island, but instead, he was caught in a one on one love with Veronica who was already all over the guy with snuggling. After saying goodbye to everyone and finished loading their wedding gifts on the electronic self-flying sleigh as a gift from Grandsanta, who managed to recover the remains of his old sleigh EVE and gave her a huge modern upgrade.
"This is going to be the best honeymoon ever, Arthur.", said Bryony, snuggling up to her man with the big Christmas blanket that her mother has knitted for them.
Arthur put his arm around his wife and let the programed sleigh take them to their destination, "Indeed it will be Bryony. I just can not wait to do the things that I want to do for you. If you can catch my drift."
Bryony looked at her husband and had a sex smile on her face and said, "I catch your drift, Arthur. And I too as well have something special planned for you once we get to our honeymoon location."
Snickering on that wonderful thought just before messing with her hair before doing so with her cute pointy ears. Just then multiple shots of fireworks were popping all over the skies both surprising and hyped the married couple as they looked into each other and said, "Happy New Year, Love!."
As time went on they landed at their destination on Easter Island where their honeymoon would be held at the nice beach house that the Claus family own for vacation time in the summer. Arthur grabbed the sack of wedding gifts inside the house with Bryony carrying a few meals and sweets from their party. Once settling in, Arthur lay down on the amazing super soft and comfortable king and a queen-sized bed with a Christmas theme as the bedspread while Bryony went to the bathroom to change into something nice and conformable. This gave Arthur the chance to get up and mess with the cd player on the dresser beside the nice long flat-screen tv and played Cee Lo Green's version of "Baby It's Too Cold", and then returned to the bed to resume a little bit of work on checking out the naughty and nice list soon after putting the repeat mode on the cd player.
"Are you alright in there, sweet cakes?.", called Arthur, before grabbing his mug of hot chocolate.
"What do you think of my new sexy pajama outfit, Sugar Snaps?.", asked a grinning Bryony.
"Say what dear?.", Arthur did not bother to look at his wife for a few seconds as he looked twice at a little boy on his list and determine if he is good or not. Now, he finished what he wanted to do with the book and looked at his wife and gaps, "Well, hello there sexy!."