Morticia stared at her reflection in the large antique vanity mirror. Somehow she seemed paler, and there was a constant puffiness around her eyes. Results of losing the only man she could love. Gomez was constantly on her mind. She would replay their conversations, imagine his face breaking into that devilish grin, and pretend that he was by her side. When she was alone she would let her hands roam over her body, imagining that they were his. The way he touched her set her soul aflame, making her realize she had not truly lived until she was with him. Gomez had taken her from her dull reality and gave her an entire world that was just theirs. A tear slid down her cheek as she mourned the loss of their intimacy. There was a quick couple of knocks at the door, forcing Morticia to wipe at the manifestation of grief that glided down her smooth skin. It was in vain, mama had entered after the two short knocks and saw her daughter's hurried action.

"Morticia," Hester closed the door, and stood behind her child. "You have nothing to worry about. Tonight will not be as frightening as it seems."

Morticia's eyes grew wide, her mother's words creating a new wave of terror in her already tormented mind. She had ignored the fact that her wedding day was followed by her wedding night. Fear clawed at her ceaselessly bleeding heart with the idea of giving herself to Balthazar. With Gomez, there was a raw need to be together. It was as if he was air and she had been drowning in shallow water all her life; Her body was not her own until he had possessed it. Now that she had tasted paradise, her marriage was a sentence to doom in hell.

Hester was tenderly brushing Morticia's dark silken tresses, taking extra care in the delicate curls that formed at the bottom of her long strands.

"You should be more excited, you are about to gain a new fabulous life. When I helped your sister, she couldn't sit still." She sighed. "I guess it's just a reminder of how different you are."

Hester was talking to herself, Morticia didn't hear anything her mother was saying. Instead, her attention was once again focused on her reflection. She barely recognized the melancholy face staring back at her. With her hair down she usually felt more alluring, but not today. She was lost, and her only salvation was a man destined to torment her with their insatiable longing.

"Morticia!" Hester's voice broke through her wall of thought.

"Sorry, mama. What did you say?"

"It's time to change into your dress."

Morticia nodded and stood to follow her mother towards the bed where her gown was laid out on the quilt. Anxiety overwhelmed her at the sight of the wedding dress. As soon as the satin and lace caressed her skin, she would be trapped in her fate. Panic took hold of her tongue, and without control she blurted out a deceivingly simple sentence of unabashed truth.

"I don't love him!"

Morticia watched her mother, waiting for her response to the confession. Hester's face was unreadable, her eyes staring into Morticia's tear filled blue pools. Unexpectedly, Hester wrapped her arms around her willowy daughter offering comfort in her warm embrace. It was all the permission Morticia needed to give in to her sorrow, letting her body surrender to the sobs that had been patiently waiting beneath her aching heart.

"There, there child." Hester squeezed Morticia a little tighter. "I know you are nervous. You must trust that I know what's best for you, Morticia."

Her mother's words did not reflect her loving actions. When Hester had enveloped her against her body, Morticia thought she was given a key to her freedom. Now she felt as if she was a prisoner led out of her cell and straight to her execution. The few steps between confinement and doom were laden with the false hope of release. Morticia pulled away, shocked. Hester took the bridal gown in her arms, and readied it so Morticia could step in with ease. Morticia did not move.

"But,"

"Morticia," Hester cut her off. "You will be very happy with Balthazar. If love is important to you, it will come in your time together. It is not instantaneous, you cannot meet someone and suddenly claim you are in love. It comes with time and hard work obtaining it."

"I don't believe that, mama. I know it can happen quickly, and force you to submit to its will."

"Is this about Gomez?"

Morticia's heart stopped. Her entire being was frozen in time, unable to go back but too scared to go forward.

"Oh please, Morticia. I'm not blind or oblivious. Everyone noticed how chummy you two were. That's not love, child. It is simply that you are the same age, you are a very pretty girl, and Gomez feared commitment. He was always a boy that wanted what he couldn't have. Your sister will do him good. Now that he and Ophelia have returned from their honeymoon, do not be surprised if he doesn't notice you at all."

Morticia felt nauseas. Her mother's words hurt more than a physical blow. Gomez had shown her what it meant to love, and now her precious memories with him were being tainted by doubt.

"Step in, Morticia. We need to get you dressed."

Morticia obeyed. The beautiful gown was pulled up around her porcelain body. As soon as her arms were encased in the long lace sleeves, Hester began to button each badger tooth button that lined Morticia's back. She could feel the fabric being joined together then falling back against her skin. With each closure, Morticia buried herself deeper in her mind. The only way to protect herself, was to hide away in plain sight.

"Alright, turn around." Hester examined her daughter's appearance before nodding in approval. She retrieved a black lace veil from the pillow and draped it over Morticia's luscious hair to cover her blank but hauntingly beautiful face.

"One last thing." Hester grabbed a bouquet of thorns that were tied together with a crimson ribbon. She looked pleased as she moved Morticia to look in the mirror. She thought she did not know her reflection before, but now a completely strange entity had replaced any resemblance of her. She tried to at least admire her dress, but she had chosen it with Gomez in mind. Now she feared the emotions she hoped to stir in him, would be awakened in her betrothed.

"Let's go, Morticia."

Hester was holding the door open, waiting for her daughter to exit the room and climb down the stairs to the ceremony. Morticia hesitated, her feet trapped against the floor. Her mother was growing impatient, motioning for Morticia to leave while she anxiously looked in the hallway. Her heart lost the battle against her mind, her mother's discouraging words about Gomez convincing her that she had no reason to fight her impending fate. Tears filled her eyes, and threatened to fall as she took her first steps in her death march.