Fina purred in contentment as she laid in Fred's lap in her cat form while he and Joe played video games. The screen was split in two as each of their characters patrolled different parts of the village they were in.
"Do you see the warlord yet, Joe?" Fred asked sneaking around the side of a hut. "I took out a bunch of his goons but he wasn't with them."
"I'm tracking him now." Joe said jumping across a few rooftops. "But I'm low on grenades and he has six generals with him and they all have on armor."
"Got it, I'm on the way now."
Fina purred and licked Fred's wrist as he handled the controls. Fred smiled but he didn't take his eyes off the screen. She didn't mind though. They had been engaged for a few months now and he gave her all the attention she ever needed. He loved to take her everywhere and show off her and her engagement ring.
Fred finally reached the roof of the hut and they dropped several grenades in through the sun roof.
"Yes!" He yelled when it went off. "Kill point goes to Fred the conquer!"
He scooped Fina up in on arm and she licked his jaw. He laughed and peppered little kisses on the top of her head.
"Oh gross." Joe mumbled playfully. "Get a room you two."
"We'll have our own place soon enough." Fred laughed as Fina nuzzled his neck. "Isn't that right babe?"
Before Fina had a chance to answer they heard whistling in the hallway. The whistles got louder until there was the sound of knocking at their door. Joe got up to answer it and opened the door to see Joleena waiting impatiently on the other side.
"Joleena!" Joe blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
The whistles and cat calls continued in the hall behind her and she sighed in irritation. "I came here to pick up Fina but I might just buy and demolish this place instead."
"Hold on," Joe stepped into the hall and yelled out a few choice words to the guys cat calling his girlfriend. Once the noise settled down he closed the door. "Sorry about that babe. You said you were here for Fina? What for?"
"So we can go over the details of her wedding of course!" Joleena smiled broadly at Fina. "What are you still sitting there for? Come! Come! We have many appointments today!"
Fina quickly morphed back into a human and jumped off Fred's bed. When Fred didn't move she tilted her head in confusion. "Aren't you coming?"
Fred shrugged and started a new game. "Nah, Joleena's got everything covered and I'm fine with whatever you want, angel."
"Are you sure?" Fina twisted her hands together. "I, um, thought it'd be more fun if we did this together."
"Ach! The groom has no say in wedding matters." Joleena waved her hand impatiently.
Fred chuckled and patted Fina's arm. "You'll be fine without me. When you pick the food for the reception though, just remember that I hate shellfish."
"Okay... if you sure..."
"Yes he's sure. Now let's go!" Joleena grabbed her arm and practically dragged her out into the hallway. "There's no need for you be so intimide about this, Fina. Like Fred said, I have everything covered."
Fina nodded and followed meekly behind her. She usually wasn't shy around others but to be perfectly honest, Joleena made her more than a little nervous. Whenever she had her magic lessons with Joe she could feel Joleena's eyes baring into them. Fina wasn't stupid. It would annoy anyone to see their boyfriend with another girl all the time. But Joe didn't give her a choice. He needed to learn but he didn't want to leave Joleena's side.
"I know I haven't been the easiest to get along with lately." Joleena said almost as if she were reading her mind. "But I hope you know it isn't personal."
"I know." Fina said gently. "I understand completely."
Joleena gave a bitter laugh and lit up a cigarette. "Let's hope you don't understand too much."
They left the dorms and Fina was relieved to see San-Li waiting for them in her car. She was reading a book and Joleena had to tap on the window to get her to unlock the doors. Joleena got in the passenger seat and Fina slid into the backseat.
"Hey San-Li," Fina smiled. "Where are the kids?"
San-Li started the engine and drove off campus. "Home with Sam. He wanted to get some quality time in with them before midterms."
"So does that mean things are good between you two again?" Fina asked hopefully.
"Things are fine between us but it doesn't mean we're together." San-Li noticed Joleena smoking and frowned. "Don't smoke that in here! The twins ride in this car and I don't want the seats smelling like tobacco."
"The windows are down." Joleena said carelessly.
"Don't make me break your fingers, Frenchie!"
"I'd like to see you try it, tramp!"
"But why aren't you and Sam together?" Fina interrupted impatiently. "You two were perfect together!"
San-Li glanced at her in the mirror but turned to Joleena instead. "So where are we going again?"
Fina huffed and slumped down in her seat. It wasn't right. Part of her wished that San-Li was the one getting married instead of her. She deserved it and already had a family for crying out loud! But Fina recognized the stubborn look in San-Li's eyes and knew it was no use in arguing with her. Again. So she decided to just sit back and see what Joleena had in store for them.
First the three of them spent a few hours going from designer to designer, looking at different table set ups for the reception, visiting caterers to make future tasting appointments, and every other little detail about the wedding ceremony and reception. Fina was more than a little relieved to let Joleena make most of the decisions. She had been to a lot of weddings sure, but they all seemed to bleed together in her memory.
Afterwards they spent the rest of the day visiting different venues for the actual event. And with Joleena as the financial backing, the possibilities were nearly endless. Destination wedding in Fiji, France, or Jamaica? Or a traditional wedding in a church or cathedral? Or even a traditional wedding in a garden with an exotic twist.
By the time they stopped for something to eat, Fina's feet were sore and her head hurt. They went to a high end casual restaurant and Fina looked through all the brochures for the venues Joleena wanted her to consider.
"Gosh I really don't know." Fina bit her lip nervously. "Fred and I haven't even picked a date yet."
"August 4th."
Fina stared at Joleena blankly. "Huh?"
"August 4th." Joleena took a bite of her food and shrugged. "Fred didn't tell you? He said the date didn't really matter to him as long as it wasn't during classes so we decided August 4th. That leaves time for both your wedding and your honeymoon."
"Are you kidding me?" San-Li frowned and shook her head at Joleena. "Did you really pick the girl's wedding date without telling her? What, were you expecting her to just show up, put on the dress, and walk down the aisle?"
"Its not a big deal, San-Li." Fina said quietly, looking down at her uneaten food. "Fred probably just forgot to tell me."
"Yes it is a big deal! It's your wedding for goodness sake!" San-Li snapped.
Several of the other patrons turned towards them at the sound of San-Li's raised voice. Joleena flushed in embarrassment and glared at San-Li.
"Please lower your voice. We are in public!"
San-Li ignored her though and gave Fina a look full of concern. "I'm sorry, Fina. I've been trying not to say anything, but now I have to. Are you absolutely sure you even want to get married?"
"Of course I do!" Fina said instantly. "I love Fred and he loves me!"
"That's not what I'm asking you sweetie." San-Li reached out and laid her hand on top of hers. " Are you sure, one hundred percent sure, that you're ready to marry Fred?"
"Yes I am, San-Li." Fina pressed her lips together and slid her hand out from under hers. "I'm know you think I'm some stupid little girl, but at least I'm smart enough to know that I have a good thing with a guy who loves me."
San-Li's eyes widened in surprise and hurt. Fina immediately regretted her words but it was too late to take them back.
"Alright." San-Li said quietly. "As long as you're sure."
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"
San-Li cleared her throat and stood up. "I'm going to call home and make sure Sam's okay with the kids. Be right back."
Fina opened her mouth to apologize again but nothing came out. She felt tears sting her eyes as she watched San-Li step outside. She didn't know what had gotten into her to say something that hurtful.
"Well that was a bit uncalled for." Joleena muttered. "Why would you say something like that?"
"I don't know. It just came out." Fina slumped down in her seat unhappily.
Joleena giggled and pulled out a cigarette. "You look like a sulky child ma cherie. Sit up straight." She held out the pack towards her. "Want one?"
Fina was on the verge of saying no, but her hand seemed to have a mind of its own and pulled one from the pack. Joleena lit it with a gold lighter and Fina hesitantly inhaled. She immediately started coughing and choking on the acid smoke.
Joleena chuckled in amusement and took it from her. "Perhaps not."
"Yeah, not my best idea." Fina coughed again.
San-Li came back, but instead of sitting back down she dropped a few bills on the table and grabbed her coat. "Sorry, but I got to run. I can hear Sammy getting fussy in the background. Sam's says he's got it handled, but I can hear the panic building in his voice."
"Are you mad at me?" Fina stood up and anxiously wrung her hands together. "Please don't be mad. I'm so sorry for what I said! I really really am!"
"Don't worry about it kid." San-Li smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "If you're happy, I'm happy. I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into."
Fina swallowed and tried to smile back. "I'm sure. I want to marry Fred."
"If you ever pick a venue that is." San-Li chuckled.
"Um..." Fina picked up a brochure at random. "I really liked St. Patrick's Cathedral."
"Ah marvelous choice!" Joleena dropped more money on the table and stood up. "I shall make all the arrangements immediately."
Fina quelled the flutter in her stomach and continued to smile. "Whatever you think is good Joleena."