Hey you guys. I know that you guys have waited patiently for this new chapter. Your patience has been rewarded because I, The MAN WITH IMAGINATION (echos) am bringing you the new chapter to this story. Brace yourselves because you are in for a LONG chapter.
Thanks for the reviews:
Sunrise Phoenix - I know, right? Just saw them make out without warning. Lol
Autobot00001 - Thanks. I hope that I brought out every detail.
white pedal - Dom't declare "Awwww..." yet, the story is almost over!
The Rainwalker - SO close! Just by one small mistake! Gah! (flips table) Ah man, I was SO in the clear that time. Almost!
DISCLAIMER!
I OWN NOTHING! I only own the OC's in the story!
It was Christmas Eve and you would always expect everyone bustling all over town for gifts at the last-minute. However, for Atem, he had spent countless hours working and having to do final preparations for the wedding. He invited only Tristan, Duke, Kaiba, and a few of his other employees in his former department. He was still in his office filing shipping payments to customers who purchased their gifts on Kaiba Corps. website and requested overnight shipping. He kept typing as fast as he could while he had to do some last-minute gift wrapping of his own. Atem became stressed out over the list of people who needed immediate shipping as it took him nearly two hours just to finish them all. Atem had no time to relax yet as he had a package in his bottom drawer of his office desk, which he has for both him and Téa, and he plans on showing her after the reception.
'My head is seriously pounding from all of this. The wedding is tomorrow and this work is preventing me from spending time with Téa.' Atem heard a knock on his door as it took him out of his thoughts. "Come in!" The door opened and revealed that it was Kaiba. He saw Atem literally working his fingers to the bone.
"Atem, go home, I'm letting you off early today." Kaiba just told him straight to the point as Atem stood up from his chair. "You been working hard and I have seen that. The tournament that you and I have created and finished a few days ago was a major success. But, you have a wedding that I am attending to tomorrow and I would hate to see you not at 100% in your best tuxedo."
"Thank you, Kaiba. I appreciate it." He bowed to Kaiba.
"Just pack up and leave home already before I change my mind." Atem grabbed his gift and suitcase and headed straight towards the elevator. As he went down a couple of floors, the elevator stopped and opened to reveal Tristan walking in.
"Hey Atem." Tristan wrapped his arm around his neck. "You are about to be a married man tomorrow! Aren't you excited?"
"I am, but I am too exhausted to show it. I've been up to my neck in signing forms for overnight shipping for everyone that made orders for gifts at the last minute. Luckily, I managed to make time to get a gift for me and Téa to give tomorrow."
"What did you get her?" Atem shook his head and didn't say anything about it.
"I cannot say. I want to surprise her after the reception is over." The elevator stopped on the ground floor as Tristan and Atem walked out. "So, are you heading home as well?"
"Yeah. Serenity is still on maternity leave until New Years is over. After that, she goes back to work." Both men exited the building while the sun was shining and snow was on the ground.
"I guess I'll see you at your wedding tomorrow." Tristan waved as he entered his car. Atem waved back and left to their homes.
MEANWHILE
Téa was at the dress shop with her mother Sylvia and Serenity with TJ in a baby carriage asleep. She was trying on a variety of wedding dresses to see one that would fit her style. There were a few that just weren't in her size or her style. She tried on another wedding dress as it was flowing with a few layers beneath it since she knew it would be cold outside, the dress had a beaded style hand stitched as it would shimmer in the light.
"What do you think?" Sylvia and Serenity gave it a thought and responded.
"Sweetie, I think it looks great on you." Her mother replied.
"Yea, since you knew it was going to be cold out, you picked a nice wedding dress. But, don't you like it?" Serenity became concerned not knowing if Téa liked the dress.
"Of course I do. I just wanted your opinion on it." Sylvia stood up and walked towards Téa as they both looked in the mirror.
"Téa, it isn't up to us if this is the right dress for you. You look in that mirror and you see yourself, but what I see is a bride that is soon going to tie the knot with the man she loves the most." Téa hugged her mother for giving her that pep talk.
"Thanks Mom, that means a lot, so I'll take it." She went to take off the dress and back into her clothes. Téa wore a blue sweater, black tight pants and boots. The ladies paid for their dresses for tomorrow's wedding and left the store. Alex, Téa's father, was waiting in the van for them to finish as they entered into the vehicle.
"It felt like you ladies were taking so long to finish." Alex sat in the van for an hour and a half as he sat in his seat cold. He started the car and drove Téa and Serenity back.
"Well, it takes time for a bride-to-be to pick the right wedding dress." Sylvia told Alex. "Don't you remember when we got married? As it took you hours to get to our wedding."
"You know it wasn't my fault. I was gonna lose my job. My boss wouldn't let me off my shift." Téa sighed having to hear her parents argue during the drive. They dropped off Serenity and her son back at her home. When they drove off to drop off Téa, Alex spoke up to her.
"Téa, I think you should leave the wedding dress with us."
"Why Dad? Can't I just take it back with me?"
"Téa, it is always a tradition that the groom must NEVER see the Brides wedding dress or it will bring you and your spouse bad luck." Sylvia told her.
"Alright Mom." Téa gave her mother the dress to hold onto for tomorrow. The family stopped in front of Atem's house as they see his car in the driveway. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"You just have to come to the house in the morning." Sylvia told Téa. "Your father will come pick you up and we will get you ready for your big day." Téa nodded and left the van and watched her parents drive off with her dress.
'Now I have to go back to my parents in the morning to get my dress? Its going to be a LONG day tomorrow.' Téa unlocked her door and revealed to show Atem in the living room watching the news. She saw a Christmas tree with a variety of gold-colored ornaments. She walked in, locked the door behind her, puts her purse down, takes off her boots, but Atem heard her come in and went to her.
"Hey Téa. How did your day go?" Téa looked up seeing Atem in front of her while she was still untying her laces from her boots.
"It was fine. Got my wedding dress, but its with my parents until tomorrow. So, you have to wait till then to see it." Atem crouched down and smiled at her.
"Can't I just get a hint?" Téa knew he was trying, but she was strong not to tell.
"Sorry, no hints." They both stood back up and stared into each others eyes. "But, you can have this..." Téa could feel his breathing in her face as she began to feel a magnetic pull towards Atem as did he with Téa. Atem's lips were about to make contact with hers until he heard the doorbell ring. Atem opens it up and it revealed to be a mail carrier.
"I have a package for a Mr. Atem Muto?"
"Yes, that would be me."
"Sign here please." Atem signed the forms and was given a small package.
"What is it?" Téa wanted to take a peek at what Atem had received, but he made sure she wouldn't find out.
"Sorry, but you will have to wait until tomorrow."
"Okay, using my own words against me. I see your game." She pouted as she went upstairs. Before she could, Atem grabbed her arm and pulled her to him as their bodies pressed together. He suddenly leaned her back holding out her arm with his and locked lips with her. Téa was caught off guard, but couldn't resist his love for her as she returned the kiss. Atem pulled away and let her go.
"But, you do get that..." She was swooned by Atem as she went upstairs to take a shower. Atem sat down on the couch continuing to watch the news as something caught his eye.
"In other news, we have just been informed by the Domino City Police Department that Marik Ishtar is put on the loose yet again." Atem's eyes widened as he turned up the television volume and continued listening to the news. "Marik Ishtar has targeted many women throughout the town of Domino and has been put in prison many times for rape and abduction. Police say that he escaped through a tunnel that he made himself. Police Detective Akio Ignota says that Marik has been recently targeting a young woman who he requested to stay anonymous. If you spot this man in your area, please contact the Police immediately." Atem turned off the television and checked all the door and windows in the house seeing that they are all locked.
'Marik just doesn't know when to give up.' he thought. 'Marik is after Téa, I just know it. He probably knows about the wedding by now.' All of a sudden, it just came to him. Atem ran up the stairs and knocked on the bathroom door.
"Atem, is that you?" Atem sighed as he was glad Marik didn't get to her yet. 'Have to find a way to take Marik down for good without harming her and other women.'
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
It was 9:00 a.m. and Atem was in his black tuxedo with purple tie. He already knew Téa left with her parents as they told him they'll see her at the wedding. He got into his car and drove off to the church to get it ready as they both knew Christmas Day is here and everyone will barely be out on the streets. Atem drove up to the church and saw a few cars. He went inside and saw Serenity, Tristan, Kaiba, and Akio. Behind them was a crew to help make the scenery for their wedding.
"You showed up finally. You would be late to set up decor, but never for work?" Kaiba retorted.
"Let's save that talk for later. Right now, this place needs to have an atmosphere to look perfect. Let's get started." Atem said as he clapped his hands together.
"I should wait over by the door. Who knows when Téa might show up." Serenity took TJ and went outside towards the hallway. As she left, Akio tapped Atem's shoulder.
"Do you mind if I talk to you in private for a minute?" Atem nodded as he turned to Kaiba. "Look Kaiba, is it alright that I borrow the Groom for a second? It's important."
"Make it fast. We have work to do." Kaiba and the workers began to set up decorations around the chapel as Akio and Atem went near the door.
"What is it Akio?" he asked.
"You saw the news last night?"
"Of course I did." He told Akio in a serious tone. "How is Marik even escaping out? He's like a snake that can never lose its venom."
"Not to worry." Akio replied. "I got a hunch that he already found out about the wedding today. So, this wedding will be a trap to lure Marik out of hiding. I got people that will be inside and outside the chapel keeping a close eye out for him. Until then, keep this inside your tux." Akio pulled out a pistol for Atem.
"Okay, but we have to be careful. Even IF he shows up, we have to be careful."
"He could be anywhere. Or anything!" Akio gave the gun to Atem and he hides it inside of his coat pocket.
"I'll keep an eye out for him if he decides to show his face."
As the day progressed, the entire chapel room had looked like a snowy mountaintop. The guests had already arrived waiting for the wedding to begin. Atem and Téa's closest friends and family members were in the front rows as Tristan stood next to Atem being The Best Man for his wedding.
"Feeling nervous?"
"Just a little." Atem held his inside pocket with his pistol inside.
It was already moments away for the wedding to begin as Téa was still in her small room preparing some last touches with her hair. Sylvia assisted her as Téa's hair was wrapped in a bun with her bangs out in front. She was already in her wedding dress as someone knocked on her door.
"Come in." The door opened to reveal it was her father, Alex.
"Come on you two, we have to start now." Téa and her mother left the room as she finished putting on her white choker. Her father took her daughter by the arm as she wrapped it around him. Sylvia gave Téa a bouquet of roses and went on ahead to tell Akio to start.
"Okay, here we go." He had an input microphone on the collar of his tuxedo. "Everyone in position?"
"SP 1, ready!"
"SP 2, in place!"
"SP 3, standing by."
"Okay, let's do this..." Akio began to play the Wedding March music on the grand piano as the doors opened to reveal Téa and Alex walking down the aisle. Everyone stood up and watched them walk. Atem saw them walk down the aisle seeing how magnificent Téa looked in her wedding dress. The two approached Atem as Alex released Atem and gave her hand to him.
"Please take good care of my daughter." Atem nodded yes to Alex as he sat next to his wife. The Pastor stepped forward as the soon to be couple stood across each other.
"Dearly beloved, friends, family, co-workers, we are gathered here today on the holy day of the year, Christmas, to bring these two young lovers together in holy matrimony. They say that when the church bell rings, an angel gets its wings. Now then, the bride and groom have written their own vows as they are now about to say to each other. Atem, you may start."
Atem took her hands and placed them in his. "Téa, when I first laid my eyes on you, it was like I saw one of those women who would fall head over heels for me because I had money and good looks." Everyone laughed from that remark. "But, when you came into my life, you liked me for who I was. After that day, we became inseparable. Téa, today when we stand in front of the lord himself, I promise that I will take care of you and only you. Whatever encounters that we face, we can face it together." As Atem finished, everyone applauded as the Pastor silenced everyone.
"Now Téa will speak her vows to Atem." The Pastor nodded to Téa so she would start.
"Atem, since the day we met, it was like I met my guardian angel who would watch over me wherever I went. Throughout our past encounters with Marik these past couple of months, you were always there for me when I needed you the most. And I promise to be there for you. I will give you the strength and inspiration to keep both of us going. Even when our backs are against the wall, I will always be there for you, no matter what." The pastor suddenly had a gleam in his eye.
"Now, if anyone here has any reason these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." There was complete silence throughout the entire room as nobody objected. "No? Well, allow me!" The Pastor threw his book at Atem's face hard, causing him to fall backwards. Tristan managed to catch him as The Pastor grabbed Téa and covered her mouth.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Atem yelled.
"Like you should know..." The Pastor has on a mask and revealed to be Marik.
"What the hell?! What will it take to keep you down?!" Tristan yelled as he helped Atem back up on his feet.
"Your bride is coming with me, Atem." Atem pulled out his pistol, but Marik pulled out his pocket knife and pointed it towards Téa's throat. "Don't even try it! If you shoot me or if any of you here tries to take me down, I will slice her neck and kill her right here." Atem and Marik stood there waiting for one of them to make a move.
Oh my Craps! Well, I have to end the chapter here. What's gonna happen to Téa and what can Atem do now that he and Marik are at a stalemate? Just leave the reviews that you guys leave so much and I shall bring you the finale! See You Next Time!