It was finally the day most anticipated all week. The annual County Fine Art competition. The winners of all categories would compete next Saturday in the renaissance festival to become county champions. As always with every competition morning, it was pure hell getting out of the house. Miss Petunia had to go through her three hour beauty routine before going anywhere public, Henry and Orville messed up their nice clothes after having them on for five minutes, and Nana was desperately trying to find her husband's cane. On the verge of my sanity, I rushed out the door with Neville to meet the cars out front. We could never afford a car with the number of people living in our house. My parents, before they died, set up a transportation system for all of us. I was one less thing that would drive me off the edge.
"Petunia! Are you ready yet!?" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
"Hold on! I'm still fixing my hair!" Who knows when she would be done. My mind was racing with a thousand things I had to do. Sue Pea was still sleeping, Vincent was no where to be found, I had no idea if Grimmly or Sir Weston was coming , Melody was still practicing, and before I could handle any of that, I realized I left Chauncey in his room. Short of breath, I raced up the stairs to the nursery, unfortunately to find him hysterically crying. I grabbed him and rushed toward the front door. There outside, I saw Neville, gesturing me toward the car.
" You ok?" he asked.
"Ohh…. I'm fine. I mean, everyone is frantically trying to get ready, I have no idea where half the people are, we're going to be late, and I'm about to kill someone because I can calm down and so help me God-"
"Ok, ok Lydia, dear, just take deep breathes." He tried to restrain me. I was about to lose it.
" Why don't you wait in the car with Chauncey, I'll find Waverly, Warren, and Vincent, get Nana with Sue Pea and send you off. I'll meet you there with the boys, fixed and dressed."
"Thank you…." I said softly. With a quick kiss, he ran off. I honestly felt like crying. I guess it's one of the side effects of the first month with the new baby. Extreme mood swings. I climbed into the car, settling myself down in the cozy seat next to the window. Chauncey stopped crying, and now was serene in my arms. I felt like a mess. I was short of breath, confused, and dazed. At least Neville made me feel a little better. He knows I have problems channeling my emotions, especially now with Chauncey. However, he always knew how to make me feel better, no matter what the situation may be. I think his tolerance really helps in our relationship. He's so loving to me, helping me out in my numerous times of need. I just feel I haven't done enough for him. Suddenly, the three contenders were in the car, along with Sue Pea and Nana. With the ok from Neville, the driver started the engine, and we were off. I was somewhat serene, trying desperately to block out Waverly and Warren's gibberish about their dance plan. This went on for about an hour, or two, until we finally arrived at the County Ballroom. I honestly wanted to stay in the car the whole time, but Waverly had to push me.
"Lydia, dear, aren't you coming? I would be so depressed if missed our dance." Turning my head, I saw her make her infamous puppy dog eyes. With a huge moan, I managed to lift myself up and climb out of the car. Escorted by my sister, we made our way to the front door. It opened, and my eyes burned from the incredible amount of light. When my eyes finally settled, I saw a glorious hall, pale white walls that sparkled under the golden light. The orchestra was playing and colorful works of art were hung up across the walls. Vincent ran off to prepare his work for the evaluation. Waverly dragged me to the studio, where the two wanted to quickly practice their routine. As they danced, they kept asking my opinion and if they should change anything. I constantly told them they were fine and not to change. However, that is not good enough for them. I feared Neville would not come soon enough. If thy asked my opinion once more, I swear I was going to punch someone. As I thought I was to lose my sanity, my knight in shining armor came to my rescue.
"Hello my dear! "he said in his cheery voice.
"Hello my love how are you?" I was happy to see him. With a kiss, he told me the status of everyone.
" Well, good news! Henry and Orville are looking presentable in their nice clothes, Miss Petunia finished her routine on time, and Melody is here."
"O wonderful! That's fantastic. Anyone left behind?"
"Grimmly and Weston, as usual." It was usual for the two not to come . I never knew what Grimmly was up to, but Sir Weston was probably in the freezer, working on his fur coat for the woman he'll never meet.
"It is time for the dance competition to begin." An announcer stated in his booming voice. "Will the Waltzing Whrilindas please take the floor?"
"O my God! Warren, that's us!" Waverly shouted in a shrill of excitement. With giddy faces, the two made their way to the dance floor. I still can't believe they made their own team name. However, considering their dancing style, it suited them well. Warren and Waverly gracefully set up their begging position. I wasn't paying attention to any of their rehearsal, but I knew they were doing a Viennese Waltz. I didn't know much about the dance. All I knew was it was a fast, graceful movement. All fell quiet. The violins began to play, Melody displaying her talent on the piano. Suddenly, Warren gracefully wrapped his arm around Waverly. With a loose turn, they spread their arms out like wings. Crossing their arms, they turned without flaw, and leaned out back toward the judges. Soon, the two finally moved. They gracefully danced toward the opposite end of the floor, never letting go of each other's hands. She pulled out and was drawn in by his force, as she was lifted off the ground, like she was leaping. She let go and spun around numerous times, then she was grabbed by Warren's masculine grasp, as he dipped her down smoothly to the floor. Their moves were excellent, as though they were dancing on air. Showing off his strength, Warren lifted Waverly up and spun her around in a continuing circle, placing her down gently without a sound. The two finished their dance by posing, placing their hands on each other's face, as though they were to share a kiss of a lifetime. The crowd went crazy for the two. Their cheers lasted longer then they were on the floor.
"O my God. Waverly, Warren, you two were beautiful!" I shouted to them racing to give my congratulations.
"O thank you" Waverly said with tears in her eyes. "We worked so hard! I didn't think the crowd would react like that." Warren embraced her, trying to dry her tears of joy. The two retied to the studio for a few hours, cleaning up and dressing into something comfortable. I joined them with Neville and Petunia, talking about how much it would mean to them if they went to all county. That's one thing I admired about them. They never relied on talent. They always knew their were people better then they were. What was most fulfilling for them, was they fact they knew they did well. Waverly played with her nephew for the first time since he's been home, which gave me some time to get some decent food. I was exploring the art competition, which was late into it's judging. I stopped to look at Vincent's painting. He entitled it, 'Corpse Bride'. The dark shades and use of emotion was truly hypnotic. The artist quickly snapped me out of my trance.
"So, you admire my work?"
"Oh yes. It is truly beautiful." I said in a staggering voice.
"Yes. May I have a word with you?" he asked. I was surprised. He changed the subject so quickly, I thought something was wrong. He dragged me to a private corner.
"You have my attention, what's the matter?" I was beginning to become concerned.
"Miss Lydia. Do you know what my inspiration for this painting was?" he asked, hoping I knew.
"No, I don't." I was confused.
"My inspiration was you." With his confession, I was shocked. "You are that Corpse Bride."
"Now wait, how can that be me? I have love. You know that." I had no idea what direction he was going in.
"My inspiration was my feeling for you, and yours for me. You can not deny that we had something for each other. I miss you sitting in my studio, watching me work. We had something there that night we were almost together. We were close, in love, and when it got more intense you loved it! Ever since that night, it seems you deny there was anything between us. You try to kill your feelings, but I know they are still their, wandering in your heart." He described it so beautifully, but that didn't help how angry I was.
"You know I love Neville!" I shouted softly. "He is my one love, a better love then you could ever be! How can you think such things he is your friend!" Why Vincent tortured me so I'll never understand. Then, he pulled me in close. We stared at each other for god knows how long. In that time, I felt something I never felt with him in a while. A spark of lust.
"I know this may seem crazy to you, like it will never happen." Vincent said in slow, deep voice. "But I promise you. One day, your feeling will show through for me again. On that same day, you will forget about Neville, for a short time, and we will have our moment of pure love. And I promise you, it will be the best moment of your life." I breathed slowly, absorbing his warning.
"And the winner of the art exposition is…… Vincent Van Gore!" we heard the announcer say. He stared at me with a smile, and ran off to accept his award. I sat down, scared for my life. My mind thought of many possibilities of what he meant. I feared betrayal, rape, continuous lust until I cracked. I tried to block my fears with a promise. 'As long as I have this ring on my finger, I will never betray Neville' I said to myself. I sat there, stunned, until Waverly found me.
"Lydia, are you ok?" she asked concerned. I had been missing for a while.
"O I'm fine. I just……. fell." I couldn't tell anyone about his warning.
"Ok. We won the dance completion." hearing that put a smile on my face. I hugged her, and she slowly escorted me out to the car, finally going home.