Part III: Family Matters

Chapter: Diamond Heart

Four months later, Brussels:

Under the huge glass dome of the Serres Royales de Laeken (Winter Garden), a very nervous groom was waiting for his bride. In his super stylish British morning suit, that consisted of a black cutaway coat, a light green silk waistcoat and black striped dark gray trousers, he knew he looked like a hero of an Austen novel, but inside he felt like falling apart.

It had been a full week and a half since he had seen Margot, and it was killing him.

Margot had come to Brussels with Kat beforehand, to prepare the wedding, and Myers had only arrived yesterday. Secretly he had hoped to get to see her at his arrival, but she had insisted that they didn't.

"It's bad luck if the groom sees the bride before the wedding, so don't you even think about it!" she had said on the phone. "We've had enough of bad luck already."

But now, waiting for her to arrive, Myers felt as if it had been a year instead of week and a half. He felt her absence in every cell of his body, as a hollow ache in his heart and agonizing need in his bloodstream. He needed her, like he needed the air he breathed, and when he wasn't with her, he felt like suffocating.

Anxious, he glanced around in the large room, that Margot had picked for their wedding, and yes, he had to admit, that it was beautiful. It felt like they were in the middle of a tropical forest, and with the hundreds of exotic trees and flowers surrounding the square they stood on, it was easy to forget that they were in actually in Brussels. The 150 years old royal dome of glass and iron arched high above their heads, and the tallest of palm trees reached almost to it, giving the afternoon light a subtle shade of green.

All the guests had arrived already, and were on their seats, he noticed. There was his family, Sue-Ellen and Ronald and the kids (who were all wide eyed, staring at Hellboy, except for Jack who's eyes were fixed on Jay and Andy) and Amanda, who gave John a smile and a thumbs up.

But even more important to Myers was the presence of his friends and colleagues. Among the wast number of people who had arrived by BPRD's private Jet, was Clay, with his girlfriend Brexia (with whom Margot had befriended). Manning was attending of course, and even Professor Broom, who had hesitated until the last minute, saying that he was really too old to travel this far for a wedding. And Abe. Thank God for him, and his friendship during these past months! His big, dark eyes were so calm and reassuring that Myers drew strength from them, as they locked gazes for a short while.

He turned to look at Margot's side of the guests, noticing Jay and Andu, and of course many familiar faces from Europol, including Marco Dornak, who gave him a radiant smile, and the other agents he had learned to know on the mission on Prague. And of course Margot's family - Professor Heinemann, wearing his best dark suit and a black tie, and by his side, Martha, her eyes already in tears.

The look in Professor Heinemann's eyes told Myers, that if he fucked this up, he'd be a dead man. It sure didn't help Myers' nerves at all, but luckily Martha gave him a loving gaze and a warm smile.

The only ones missing were Kat and Margot.

"What's taking so long?" Myers breathed, his voice tense and stretched. "Isn't she supposed to be here already?"

"Easy, kid." Hellboy replied. "The bride is always late, or so I've heard."

"But what if… what if she's not coming."

"Oh, she'll be here. Kat's gonna make sure of that."

"Christ, I hope so." Myers breathed.

And just then he heard the first notes of violin, that echoed in the high arch of the dome, and he turned to see.

There she was, Margot, walking towards him, and her looks took his breath away.

She was wearing a light green gown, with empire waist and a simple cut, and gloves of matching colour that reached up to her elbows. In her neck, in a thin gold chain, was the diamond ring he had given her. The wild, undisciplined curls of her hair were pulled up, and decorated with ivy and real lilies. She looked like a fairy, or a dryad, her pale skin glowing white, under the green light of the garden.

No one walked her down the aisle - that was the way she had wanted it. "I'm no one's property." she had said. "And I walk to John of my own free will, to become his."

Now, watching her approach, Myers knew Margot did it because she wanted to. Because, for whatever reason, she had chosen him. Not Jay, not Marco, nor anyone else, but him - to be her lover and her companion for the rest of her life. Her cheeks blushed, as she locked eyes with him, and suddenly all of his nervousness disappeared. The room around them seemed to vanish, and all he could see was her. All that mattered was the way she looked at him, and took his hand, the grip of her slender fingers strong and determined.

The ceremony was short and simple. No exchanging of rings (for they were just so impractical in the job), no long wows, or endless speeches. They both simply said 'I do', when asked if they wanted to have the other one as their spouse, to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do them part - and then he was allowed to kiss the bride.

The glimmer in her eyes, as she turned to face him, was a mix of tears and love and desire, and he felt it in every inch of his body.

Her waist was tiny in his hands, her hair scented of lilies and roses and spring, and her lips were on his in a heartbeat. Their minds merged, and he couldn't help but to gasp into their kiss, pulling her slender form tight against him, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"I missed you!" he sent to her mind.

"And I you, husband." she replied. "You look dreamy!"

There was cheering, laughing and clapping of hands, and suddenly Myers realized he had been kissing Margot for quite a while, and blushing, he broke the kiss.

"You are now husband and wife." the registrar declared, and Myers' heart skipped a beat.

Husband and wife, till death do us part. Hell, yes!

He turned to look at Margot, who was hopping of excitement, and grinning like a maniac, which made the crowd cheer and laugh.

"Weehee! I'm married!" Margot announced laughing out loud. "It's party time! Champagne, everyone!"

"The drinks are served in the next room, where you can all congratulate the happy couple." said Kat, who had walked to them. "Just follow me."

And taking Margot's hand, Myers let Kat and Hellboy lead them, and all the guests out of the room.

A few hours later, the party was on.

After the ceremony, they had first had the champagne and other drinks in a smaller hall, while the large dome room had been transformed into a dining area and a dance floor. And after the dinner of three delicious courses, and some (luckily not too long) speeches for the newlyweds, the party had truly started. Margot had hired a few trusted guy from 'À la mort subite' to serve the guests as much wine, beer or other drinks as they could possibly want, and there was a small band playing lively dance music.

Margot was clearly having the time of her life, and Myers just couldn't get enough of watching her.

She had long ago abandoned her high heels, and was now dancing bare feet to the beat of a Lady Gaga cover. She held a champagne bottle in her hand, her skin was sweaty and her cheeks red from all the dancing, the stylish hairdo was all gone, and her wild curls moved to the music, her bare feet stomping the ground and her hips swinging on a primitive rhythm, and Myers knew he had never seen her more beautiful.

Margot was on the dance floor with Brexia and Amanda, and they certainly had gotten the attention of every male in the room, but for once Myers didn't mind.

He knew Margot was his, and that she was dancing for him.

"Myers, my man!" interrupted an annoyingly familiar voice, and someone patted Myers on his shoulder, making him spill his drink. "You truly are a lucky guy, having a wife like that! She is hot as Hell, I'm telling you."

"Yes, I am aware of that, Jay." Myers frowned at the blue guy. "And of the fact that she is my wife."

"I envy you, I do." assured Jay, turning his eyes back to Margot. "I only got to sleep with her a few times, but you get to do that every day! I take it you do it often enough? You don't keep that hot chick in agony, do you Myers? A girl like her needs some serious loving, if you get my meaning."

Just hit him and he'll stop talking.

A punch on his smug, arrogant face and he'd be spitting blood to the floor.

But he glanced at Margot, who was waving at him and laughing, and he knew she'd never forgive him if he started a fight in their wedding.

Counting silently to ten in his mind, Myers turned to look at Jay again.

"I can assure you that I am up to the task." he replied with a venomous tone. "And I want to hear no more on the subject."

"All right, what's going on here?" another voice said. "Jay, you're not making fun of the happy groom again, are you?"

"On the contrary, brother!" Jay replied to Andu. "I was just admiring the beauty of his wife, and telling him, that he's one lucky guy."

"Yes, she is lovely indeed. Congratulations again, John, you must be very content." said Andu with a sincere and polite tone, making Myers once again wonder how on Earth was it possible that these two guys were identical twins. With their dark blue skin, black curly hair and long tails they looked so similar, that you couldn't have told them apart, but when they opened their mouths, there was no mistaking.

Andu was a good and honest man, an intellectual and a loner, and his soul was filled with weltschmerz. But Jay? He was like a Duracell bunny on steroids.

"Lovely?" laughed Jay at his brother's words. "That's an understatement of the year! Margot is blazing hot, and you know it. She's got the body to die for, and-"

"Just leave it at that, brother. There are plenty of other fish in the sea, for you to admire." Andu ordered, and miraculously enough Jay obeyed.

"If by fish you are referring to the cute merman, I already tried to hit on him, but he didn't warm up to me." Jay shrugged. "Such a pity. I've never slept with his kind before."

That thought silenced both Andu and Myers for some seconds, but Jay was quick to move on. "So, tell me Myers, who is that cute guy with black hair and a nose piercing. He's been staring at me the whole night."

Myers cleared his throat.

Can I just kill him where he stands?

"My nephew, Jack. He's sixteen. If you touch him, I will kill you."

"Sixteen?!" Jay laughed. "So young and so beautiful! But do not worry, my friend, he's too young for me! I'll wait a decade or two, for him to grow up. But on the meanwhile, that hot blonde on the dance floor is just waiting for me to sweep her off her pretty feet, so if you'll excuse me-"

"She's my sister Goddamn, Jay! Don't you dare to-"

"Wow, you do have hot relatives!" Jay seemed genuinely delighted. "Tell me she's not sixteen as well."

"No, but-"

"Then adieu, mes amis! I'm off to make a girl very happy!"

Myers turned to Andu, a desperate look in his eyes.

"Andu, stop him or I'll have to shoot him."

Andu gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder, and a reassuring smile.

"Do not worry, John. I'll take care of this."

Myers watched, as Andu followed Jay to the dance floor, and reaching his brother, he leaned to say something in his ear. Whatever it was, it had the effect Myers had been hoping for, since Jay apparently lost interest on Amanda and headed off the dance floor, leaving Andu to bow and ask Amanda for a dance.

But Myers lost interest on Kat's brothers as he noticed Margot leaving the dance floor as well, and walking to him, holding a bottle of Champagne on other hand and her shoes in other.

"Hey, gorgeous." Margot purred and leaned to kiss him in the lips.

"You're so damn beautiful, you know that?" he breathed into the kiss, letting his lips open hers and their tongues find each other.

The kiss took his breath away, and made him high headed. He felt the humming of her blood in her veins, the rapid beat of her heart, her mind that reached to him, and he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, his hands finding the curves of her hips under the softness of her wedding dress.

Margot broke the kiss, and gave him a lustful look through her lashes.

"I love that style on you, hero." she purred. "Cutaway coats make me horny."

"Yeah, thought so, since you were the one who told me to wear this. But gotta tell you, that dress is awesome. Not the most traditional wedding dress, but then again, you're one of a kind."

"I couldn't have worn a white dress. White is supposed to symbolize virginity and purity, and we both know that ship has sailed."

"Well, who want's a virgin anyways?" Myers chuckled. He let his hands find her slender waist, and the small of her back, caressing her curves through the fabric of her dress.

"Wanna make out in the toilet?" she grinned.

"Hell, yes." Myers groaned. "Lead on."

Giggling Margot took his hand, and led him through the crowd, to the hallway and the nearest men's room.

His lips were on hers on the minute she had dragged him into one of the small booths, and with force he pushed her against the wall, making her gasp.

"Christ, I missed you so much! Never leave me again!" he groaned into her mind, his hands desperately grabbing her hips.

"I won't, not ever." she replied, and her hands were in his neck, pulling him closer.

Her closeness, her intoxicating odor of champagne, roses and lilies made him high headed and he felt his blood pulsing hot and demanding in his veins, the need awakening inside of his groin.

Her small, gloved hands were on his waist now, feeling his tight abdomen, the waistband of his trousers under the waistcoat, and he felt his erection hardening.

"I want you so much." he breathed, his lips brushing hers.

"Wanna fuck me now?" she exhaled, and pressed her slender body against his, letting her hand find his hard shaft through the fabric, making him moan and bit his lip.

"Not here." he managed to rasp. "I want to take you to the gorgeous wedding night suite, and make love to you there, all sweet and slow, all night long."

"Oh, sweet and slow you say? I'm liking that plan."

But her hand was still on his cock, caressing it through his pants, and he couldn't help the need that rushed through his veins. She gently rubbed him, palmed the head of his aching shaft and caressed it on a way that took his breath away.

Groaning he pushed her against the wall, and pulled up the hem of her dress, let his fingers find the bare skin of her thighs, and her backside, feel the lace of her panties. She let go of his cock, and wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him near, and he pushed his hips hard against her abdomen, making her gasp.

Her breasts were so heavenly soft against his chest, and they called for his hands, for his lips, and he felt his mouth watering on the thought.

He knew there was a wedding night suite waiting for them in the city, he had reserved it himself - the only thing Margot had let him do for this wedding. But Damn, if Margot was gonna keep teasing him any more, he would take her here and now.

But just then they heard the door opening, and Margot broke into a giggle.

"Who's there?" she asked, laughing.

"Can't you tell?" Myers sent to her mind.

"Red?" she asked. "That you?"

"Yeah, it's me. Margot?" the low voice of the demon replied. "You there too, Myers?"

"Yup." Myers replied, his voice still hoarse in his throat. "Umm, Red, can you give us a moment?"

There was a rumbling laughter, and they heard how Hellboy turned to leave.

"Sure thing, kids. I'll be outside."

The door closed, and Margot broke into a hysterical laughter.

"Jesus!" she breathed. "That was embarrassing!"

Myers held her against his chest, his fingers in her hair.

"We'd better get out of here."

"I don't want to, though." Margot purred. "I want you, between my thighs, inside of me, filling me every way I can think of. Right now."

Christ, the things she said! He felt his erection throbbing hard in the agony of his pants.

"Yeah, soon. I promise. In the hotel, okay?"

"Okay." she grinned, and tiptoed to give a kiss on his nose. "Let's get back to the party."

She opened the door of the small toilet booth, and they stepped out. Margot straightened her dress, made sure her hair was presentable, picked up the Champagne bottle she had placed by the sink, and headed to the door.

"Coming?" she asked, and Myers followed him out of the toilet into the hallway.

There was Hellboy, leaning on the wall, smoking his cigar and in his dark, leathery suit, he managed to look so menacing, that no one dared to approach the toilet.

"Guarding the door for us?" Margot asked. "That's sweet, Red. Thanks."

"You done?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"For now." Margot winked. She turned back to Myers, and pulled him yet into another kiss, her lips so warm and inviting, that he couldn't help but to groan, his need still pulsing hard in his veins.

Margot broke the kiss, laughing.

"Hold that thought." she breathed to Myers, and let go of him. "I'll see you in a minute."

Reluctantly Myers let go of her, and watched as she walked away from him, the hem of her green dress dancing around her legs, her hips swinging.

"You got a cigar? I could use one." Myers asked, leaning his back on the wall, still trying to catch his breath.

Red nodded, and pulled a metal box out of his pocket, and opened it offering Myers a fine, cuban cigar.

"Got some extra ones for the occasion." he noted. "Go ahead, take one."

Myers did, and Hellboy lit it with a lighter. Soon a strong, calming odor filled the air around them, and Myers felt his heartbeat steadying.

"Let's go out for a smoke?" Red suggested.

"Yeah, sounds good. Just give me a moment."

He wasn't going to spell out why, but he really needed to cool down a bit, before being able to walk.

Hellboy gave a low chuckle. "Just take your time, kid. No rush."

Myers felt his cheeks blushing. Yeah, this was embarrassing, but then again, so what? He was married to the most beautiful girl in the world, and that girl had just dragged him into the bathroom to make out with him, so he was entitled to feel a bit high headed and crazy.

"I'm one lucky guy." he said, after a minute or so.

"You are." Hellboy agreed.

"So, you've had fun in the party?" Myers asked, to get something else to think about, than how Margot's body had felt against his own.

"Sure. Good food, a lot of beer… What's there not to like?"

"My relatives aren't giving you hard time, then?"

"They're okay. The kid's stare at my horns, but they're just kids so it's fine."

"You've had any time to catch up with Kat?"

Hellboy shook his head. "Nah, not really. But don't worry, we'll have time after you guys head to the hotel."

"Right." Myers nodded. "You got a room there too?"

"Yup. But not near to yours, luckily."

Myers made a small laugh. "Good thinking."

"Thank Kat, she picked it." Hellboy tilted his head towards the exit. "Out?"

"Yeah." Myers nodded. "Let's get some fresh air."

Myers returned to the party after about fifteen minutes, and headed to the dome room. It was rather late now, and some of the guests had already headed for their hotels. But the ones still here, were having the time of their lives, the dance floor still crowded with people. Myers noticed that Andu was still dancing with Amanda, but he danced like a gentleman, his hand resting light on Amanda's waist, and Myers didn't see any reason to worry.

He took a seat by a table, and poured himself a glass of wine, glancing around to see Margot, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey Myers, what's up?" asked Kat, taking a seat by his side.

"All is good." he replied. "Mostly thanks to you. You've done a great job, taking care of Margot and being there for her this past week. So thank you, sincerely."

"Nah, don't mention it." Kat shrugged. "Comes with the job description of being a best friend."

"Nevertheless." he raised his glass. "Cheers to a life long friendship!"

"Cheers, Myers. I'm really happy that you hooked up with Margot. You make a cute couple."

"Yeah, I'm happy about that too." Myers took a sip of his wine. "You've seen her?"

"Not in a few minutes."

"Huh. That's weird. She told me to meet her here."

Kat gave him a smile. "Don't worry, boy scout. I'm sure she'll be here any minute now."

In the women's toilet, Margot was fixing her makeup by applying some more lipstick to repair the damage the kissing had done.

She took a good look at herself in the mirror, and gave herself a smile.

The Champagne and happiness were bubbles in her bloodstream, and made her head spin. She was married, married to John Myers, who happened to be the love of her life, and who loved her too! And he was about to take her to their wedding night suite, and make love to her all night long.

Damn, just the thought of it, was enough to make her aroused, and she felt the a warm, electric sensation deep inside of her belly, an urge to feel him inside of her. Not having him in her bed this past week, had been pure torture, but thank God that was end soon enough.

Margot grabbed her Champagne bottle to take a sip, but just then the door of the toilet opened, and in stepped a tall, slender woman, wearing a gown of golden silk.

"I have been searching for you, for a long time." a low, and sexy voice said, and Margot turned to look.

She froze, and the bottle she'd been holding fell to the floor, shattering to pieces. A cold, horrible fear grabbed her heart like iron claws.

"You..?!" she stammered, taking a few steps back. "But I… I killed you!"

"No." the woman in gold answered. "You killed the priestess. I am the Goddess."

Margot stared at her. At her golden hair that fell to her shoulders, her hourglass figure, her ice blue eyes that answered her stare with no hint of fear or hesitation.

"You're wearing her face." Margot breathed. "The face of Beatrix Connelly."

"That was her name? She served me well, until you killed her. I saw it fit, to use what she left me, to be able to walk on this Earth again."

"She managed to finish the ritual." Margot stated, more to herself than to the Goddess.

Fuck, I messed up! she cursed in her mind. I left the pool of blood there, with that bitche's body floating in it, my mind filled only with John-

And then, the agonizing fear. The Goddess had wanted John's life, and now she was here.

Margot hardened herself, forced herself to be focused. No matter what happened, no matter what that bitch said or did, she would never let her have John. She'd die first.

But the Goddess tilted her head and observed Margot as if she'd been something truly interesting.

"It was not Beatrix Connelly, who finished the ritual. It was you. You spilled the blood, that raised me."

"But I didn't mean to!" Margot exhaled. "It was an accident!"

"It matters not. What happened, was meant to happen. You are my priestess now, Margérie Duval, and all my power is yours. Come now, child. Let us leave this place."

Her heart froze, the cold sensation spreading to her limbs with her bloodstream.

"Where to?"

"You will see."

The Goddess raised her hand and grabbed the thing gold chain around Margot's neck, and ripped it off. The beautiful diamond ring, her engagement ring, fell to the floor, into a pool of spilled champagne and shattered glass.

Margot hardly noticed. She felt like paralyzed, she could not move, but just silently observed as the Goddess reached to touch her. In her heart she knew - there was no running away. The Goddess would take what she wanted - and this time it wasn't John.

"Kat!" she screamed in her head. "John! I fucked up, please help, I'm in the toil-"

And then the Goddess laid her hand on Margot's shoulder, and the room around them disappeared.