Chapter Eight: Getting Ready and The Question
Beetle juice felt violated. He had just suffered a fate worse than death, and he was still feeling the after affects. He shuddered at the memory, and wished he could have done something different. For the experience had been too horrible for words.
"Aww Jr! You look so nice, when you've had a bath!" Bea said, as she pinched his cheek lovingly.
Beetlejuice glared daggers at her, and she smiled back. I know where Donny gets his smile. He thought with disgust. Why did I get saddled with a clean family? WHY!
Mrs. Juice pushed him towards the vanity, at the other side of the room, and made him look into the large mirror. Beetlejuice shut his eyes and refused to look at his reflection, when Donny came in.
"Why look at you Beetlejuice! You look like a new ghost!"
"I feel like a defiled ghost." BJ muttered to himself, fighting the urge to scream, and start throwing things.
"Ma, Ginger says she needs help getting Miss Lydia ready. And since you finished helping Beetlejuice bathe, I wondered if I might help him finish getting ready?"
"Of course you can dear." Bea said, and she bustled out of the room, heading to help Lydia.
Beetlejuice finally looked dejectedly at his reflection, and was surprised by what he saw.
The Ghost in front of him, looked liked a non- grimy version of his regular self. Without the bad smell, and constant mold, he looked quite handsome.
His hair was soft, and with the thorough washing it had just endured, it seemed much longer than before. He fell into fine waves, and when the sun hit it, it shimmered. It was a beautiful golden color, other than the dirty blonde it had been. His whole body looked clean. And if someone hadn't known better, he might've passed for a man, instead of a ghost that had been dead for, give or take several hundred years.
"I haven't seen myself like this in years." Beetlejuice said, shaking his head, remembering.
"You were always the handsome one, Beetlejuice. And you could charm anyone, into doing anything you wanted."
"I enjoy being dirty." He grumbled.
"I know. But Lydia deserves a clean husband; even if it's only for today."
"Lyds would never put me through this." Beetlejuice said gesturing to himself.
"But you want her wedding day to be memorable, don't you brother?" Donny asked.
"Yeah."
"Then just grin and bear it. That's what I do, when I'm not enjoying something."
"A lot of good it does you." Beetlejuice cracked. "This is awful!"
Donny ignored him, and walked over to him. He grabbed his Beetlejuices' hair and began brushing it. Beetlejuice screeched as the bristles combed through his hair.
"WHHHHHAAAAA!"
"I have to comb out the snarls, before I pull your hair into a ponytail. Please don't squirm Beetlejuice. It's already hard enough without you fighting me."
Beetlejuice scrunched his eyes closed, and fought back the urge to juice his brother right there and then. Lyds owes me one. He thought as Donny yanked the brush again and again through his wavy strands. Stupid Donny!
"OWWWWWWWWW!"
Lydia on the other hand was having the time of her life. Bea and Ginger had finished applying her makeup and were now helping her into her dress.
"You look beautiful Lydia honey." Ginger said, as she helped her adjust the shawl.
"Really?" Lydia asked looking down at the dress in awe.
"You are stunning my dear." Bea agreed.
Lydia turned around in a circle; and felt the dress swish with the movement. She smiled at how perfect it felt against her skin. Just like Beetlejuice. She blushed at the thought, remembering how he had touched her earlier.
"I can't believe it." Lydia whispered aloud.
"What dear?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
"It didn't sound like nothing." Ginger said, smiling kindly at her. "What's up?"
"It's nothing." Lydia said, trying to escape the question.
"Jr. kissed her this morning." Bea said smiling knowingly.
Lydia blushed, not knowing she should say; because it was true. Ginger looked horrified for a moment, before she changed her expression to indifference.
"How was it?" She asked cautiously.
"Perfect." Lydia said, before she had even registered what had just come out of her mouth. "His tongue. . . . Was so. . . . . unstoppable, sliding in and out of my mouth. . . . It was heavenly. . . . "
"Umm; Lydia, please don't tell us anymore." Ginger begged, looking like she was going to be sick. "I really don't think I can take it."
"I'm sorry Ginge. I shouldn't have gone into details. But it was so amazing." Lydia said apologizing.
"It's alright dear." Bea patted her on the shoulder gently. "You've waited for that kiss for years. I'd be worried if you weren't excited?"
"You knew all these years?"
"I maybe dead my dear, but I'm not blind. I could see instantly that you two were crazy for each other. I knew it was only a matter of time before something wonderful came of it."
"Then you saw what most of us didn't." Ginger said. "This came as a complete shock."
"Believe me. I feel the same way." Lydia said with a giggle.
Ginger hugged her, wrapping all eight of her legs around her. And kissing her forehead gently.
"If you love him Lydia, then I will not question it. As long as he makes you happy, that's what counts."
"I am happy with the way things have turned out." Lydia said quietly as she hugged the spider tap dancing spider back.
"I do love Beetlejuice."
"Then I will never question your motives again Lydia honey. And I wish you and Beetlejuice the world."
"Thank you."
Bea came over and joined them, making it a group hug. "Whatever happens, we are here for you Lydia dear. Never forget that."
"I won't forget, Bea." Lydia promised her. After today; I'll never be alone again. And I won't ever have to leave Beej again. The thought made her smile. Her life couldn't end on a better note, than it was. It was impossible.
"Beetlejuice," Bea said peeking her head into the small dressing room. "Are you ready son?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." He replied.
Bea smiled at her eldest son, pure joy clouding her face.
Beetlejuice was wearing a black and red striped tuxedo that matched the pattern of Lydia's dress. And his golden blonde hair was pulled back into a long ponytail that hung down to his shoulders. He would've looked picture perfect, had it not been for the scowl that seemed permanently etched on his mouth. And the deadly gaze coming from his yellowish-green eyes.
"Come on dear." She said opening the door wider, so he could leave with her.
The Ghost with the Most entered the hallway and nearly died all over again. If his heart had still been beating, it would have stopped. For standing at the other end of the hall, was Lydia, waiting for him. The biggest smile he had ever seen, rising on her face.
"Beej."
"Babes," He said, crossing the hall, to join her. "You look. . . . Beautiful."
Lydia blushed a light pink, and thanked him. "You don't look so bad yourself BJ." At her words Beetlejuice felt his heart melt. And he felt courage surge through him. Now was the time, to ask her the big question. He cleared his throat and began, "Umm. . . . Lyds. Before we head down stairs, I need to ask you something."
"Is it that life changing question you wanted to ask me before?"
"Yeah."
"What is it Beej?" She asked looking him straight in the eyes, without blinking.
He carefully got down on one knee and looked up at her. He had practiced a speech to say , but now that he needed it, it left him. And he ended up saying the first words to come to mind.
"Lyds will you marry me babes?"
Lydia took his face in her hands and kissed him passionately. Tears of happiness running down her face, as she did. And when she pulled away she began to laugh.
"Yes Beetlejuice! Yes!"
He smiled at her, and stood up, to hug her. "I love you Babes."
"I love you too Beetlejuice."
"Please don't say the B-word again Lyds. You've already said it twice, and I don't want to go anywhere."
Lydia laughed, "Sorry BJ. I'm just so happy, I forgot."
"I hate zoo enterupt you to, but it iz time." Jacques said, coming up the stairs. He was wearing a dark blue tux, and didn't look too happy about it.
"Lay off bone-brain." Beetlejuice said, still smiling at Lydia. "We're busy."
"Mental iz 'etting azxious. He vill 'ave zee guards come and drag you two zee alter, if you don't come now." He warned, them.
"We'll be right down." Lydia said, giving Jacques a reassuring nod. And Jacques headed back into the ceremony, cursing under his breath.
"This is your last chance Babes." Beetlejuice said, stroking her cheek, lovingly. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I've never been more absolute about anything in my life."
Beetlejuice smiled, and extended his arm to her. And she took it. The two walked down the stairs, and into the ceremony.
They walked down the long aisle that led to the front, towards Mental, who stood at the very end. When they stopped just in front of him, Beetlejuice kissed her hand, and whispered, "It's show time!"