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Chapter 84
Ari P.O.V
I woke up the next morning, feeling nervous. I was getting married today. The thought brought a smile to my face. I was getting married! I rolled over to see Cari with her back to me, still sleeping. Luce and Faith were sharing the spare room. I sat up and stretched, and crawled to the bottom of the bed, where I stood up on the floor, and grabbed my watch. I looked at the time. Ten to seven. I put my watch down and snuck quietly out of the room, and onto the landing.
Mam's bedroom door opened, and she poked her head out. She smiled at me, and came out to give me a hug.
"Morning sweetie. How are you feeling? Nervous?"
"Yeah." I said, nodding, but hugging her back.
"Come on let's go downstairs, and get started on breakfast." she said.
We headed downstairs, and began cooking a full breakfast for all of us. The smell of cooking woke the other girls, and pulled them downstairs. They were all rubbing sleep from their eyes, and yawning.
"Alright, plan of action." I said, rubbing my hands together. "Breakfast first, and then bath or shower, then some T.V. Then, at nine, mam's booked a beautician. We can have facials, waxes, and of course she'll be doing our make up, and nails too if we want them done. Then, while she's still here, our hairdresser will come, to do our hair. After hair and make up, it's a light lunch, and then we get dressed. At twenty to three, the cars will be here to pick us up. Oh, and my dad should turn up at some point between the time the hairdresser arrives, and we have lunch." I said, running through it, and starting to get hyped up.
"Ari, calm down. Take some deep breaths, and calm." Cari said, placing her hand on my shoulders.
I took the deep breaths to calm myself, and then grabbed myself a plate of food, and went to the dinning room, and sat down and began to eat. I wouldn't have a large amount to eat after this, until the party, when there'd be a buffet. Luckily there would be a selection of hot foods as well.
I was the first to have a bath, while Cari was downstairs, having a shower in the downstairs shower room. When I got out, I dried myself off, and put on a clean pair of pyjamas, before blow drying my hair.
Called downstairs, letting them know that I was done, so someone else could hop in the bath, or shower.
When I walked downstairs, I sat down on the couch, and noticed that Cari and Luce had already finished up, and only Faith and Mam were left. On T.V, the girls had Torchwood re-runs playing. I settled back, and started to watch. Soon enough, there was a knock on the door. Mam got up, and went out of the room, to let Sophia and her team in. Sophia had two girls with her, who were going to be helping out, and hurrying the process along.
I son found myself in a chair, having my legs waxed by Sophia while Emily and Julia worked on Cari and Luce. There was another knock on the door. I frowned. It was far to early for Michael to be here to do our hair yet.
Faith was the one to get the door this time.
"Mark! Paddy!" She practically squeeled.
"Come in guys!" I called.
They walked in, and I saw that Mark had gotten even more muscular since I'd seen him all those months ago. I smiled at the two guys that I viewed as my brothers. They came over and hugged me.
"Our little sister is growing up Paddy!" Mark said, wiping a fake tear from his eye, but it was enough to set me off, crying.
"No! Don't cry! Hey, what is it? What's wrong?" Paddy asked. He and Mark caught me in a group hug.
"Out of the way!" Mam said, pushing them, literally, out of the way to get to me. She caught me in a tight hug, and stroked my hair. "Shh now, it's going to be fine."
I calmed eventually. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"I know. It's normal. I cried before, and during, my wedding, and Zoe cried before and during hers, too. You're just happy."
I nodded. She was right. I was really happy, and the littlest thing was setting me off.
"Done." Sophia said. I looked down to see she had finished waxing my legs. I sat back properly, and then stood, allowing Faith to come and sit down. I sat down on the sofa, and Paddy and Mark sat down on either side of me.
"So, Mark, how's the Army treating you?" I asked.
"Well, it's hard, but I'm enjoying it." He said.
"He's the craziest one there." Paddy said, snorting.
"I could have guessed that." I said, smiling. I narrowed my eyes, and looked at Mark. "When are you going to propose to Faith?"
"The next time I get off." He said. "I'm not going to do it this time, cause it's your wedding and all."
I nodded. "Alright. But don't get yourself blown up till you tell her how you feel, and where you want the relationship to go."
"Jeez, I'm still in training!" he said.
"Wouldn't put it past you to get yourself blown up." Paddy laughed.
"Ari, come on, come back, it's time for your facial." Sophia said.
"Kay." I said. I stood, and walked back to the chair. It took a while, but soon, Sophia was asking me what I wanted my make up to be.
"Light, so you can just see it's there. Not too much, and no eye liner at all."
Sophia nodded, and got her make up. She applied a light foundation.
"What colour eye shadow?"
"Purple." I replied. "Light purple."
She got out a light purple eye shadow, and started to apply it to my upper eye lids. She put a thin layer of clear lip gloss, and then, mascara, just as there was another knock on the door. Paddy opened the door this time, and there stood Michael.
"Oh, hello handsome!" He grinned at Paddy. "I'm here to help the bride to be and her girls get ready."
"Err, alright." Paddy said, clearly unnerved.
Michael laughed.
"Just ignore him Paddy, he loves to push other guys buttons." I called.
Michael entered the house, and then the living room. "Arianwen! May I say, you are looking stunning already, but something needs to be done about your hair. Now, are we still going to do what we discussed before?"
"Yeah Michael. Go for it."
"Good, now, you have those two clips? Good. Now, we'll start with you." Michael said, and he plugged in his straigteners and curling irons, and any other electrical equipment he could need. He stood behind me, and started work on my hair.
He was halfway through, when dad came in, carrying the suit bag that held his suit. "Dad!" I said, smiling brightly.
"Arianwen, how are you doing today?" He asked.
"I'm fine, just a little nervous."
"Are you sure that you want to go through with this?" He asked.
"Positive dad." I said. "I'm a hundred percent sure."
"It just seems a little rushed to me." He said.
"I know, but my relationship with Victor… it's just so right. Our feral sides recognise each other as mates. It was bound to end up like this."
"Just so long as you're happy." He said, hanging the bag up on the door.
No P.O.V
Victor was pacing anxiously in his room, Logan and Mort watching him. His shoulders were tense as he walked, and he was constantly growling and or muttering something.
"Victor, calm down." Logan said.
"I am calm Jimmy." Victor said.
"No you're not." Logan said.
"What if something happens? What if she doesn't show?"
This was the first time Logan had seen his brother this nervous about anything, or letting out any emotions that he would claim belonged only to frails.
"Victor, she'll be there, trust me. I mean, you have her already. Why are you so anxious?" Logan asked.
Victor knew what his brother meant. He'd claimed Arianwen as his mate. If she disappeared, he'd just hunt her down, and claim her back, like the two times she'd been kidnapped. No matter what happened, that would be what he'd do.
"I don't know, Jimmy. I guess I just never thought I'd ever do anything like this. Do you have the rings?"
Logan reached into the inside of his jacket, and pulled the one large ring box out, and flipped it open, to reveal the two rings. Victor nodded, satisfied, and resumed pacing.
"Victor, relax. In just a couple more hours, you'll see Arianwen again, and there will be a Mrs. Creed." Mort said, well aware that the blonde Feral giant needed to be calmed down before there was extensive damage dealt to the room.
Victor just continued to pace. He looked at the clock on the wall and muttered under his breath again.
"Victor, go take a shower and cool off." Logan said, standing up, suddenly.
The abrupt movement caused the older Feral to growl, but Logan just growled right back. Victor glowered at his brother, and then stalked to the bathroom, to take a shower. He just hoped what he sent to Arianwen reached her in time.
Ari P.O.V
Cari kept her hands over my eyes as I was guided to the large mirror that Sophia had brought with her. Cari removed her hands, and I opened my eyes, and gasped. I looked so different. Better than I thought I would. My hair was curled into tight ringlets, and held back from my face by two Celtic knot clips, each with an amethyst in the centre. Other than that, my hair was loose, and it cascaded down my back.
My dress was strapless and white silk. The top of it was corseted and had a light pattern in Celtic knots and the white satin ribbon laced the bodice up at the back. The skirt flared out at the waist, and came to my knees. There was a tulle underskirt, that could just about be seen poking out from the skirt. There was a Celtic design etched onto the bottom of the skirt. I was wearing skin coloured tights under the skirt, and my shoes were high heels, and the straps went halfway up my calves, criss-crossing, like the design of roman sandals. My shoes were white satin. I was wearing white gold choker, with an amethyst teat drop, resting on my chest. I had mam's silver bracelet on. It had clear crystals imbedded in it. So, the dress, shoes ,necklace and hair pieces covered the something new, and the bracelet covered something old and something borrowed. Something blue was covered in my bouquet of flowers. I had deep red, and ivory roses, that were tied with a deep blue satin ribbon.
There was another knock on the front door. Mam went to get it. "Yes?" She asked.
"I've been asked to deliver this to the… um, soon to be Mrs. Creed?" A guys voice asked.
"I'll pass it on." Mam said.
"The note is apparently for her eyes only." He said.
"Alright." Mam said. "Thank you." The door closed, and mam walked back into the room, holding a single lavender rose in her hand along with a folded piece of card. She held both of them out to me. I passed my flowers over to Cari, and accepted the single rose, and card. I unfolded the piece of card, which was addressed to 'The soon to be Mrs. Creed'
My Arianwen,
I know that this will sound completely out of character for me, but I wanted to give you something on the morning of our wedding. A purple rose symbolises that for the person sending the rose it was love at first sight when it comes to the person they're sending it to. Now, even though this is true, I'm not always the best at expressing my feelings. For so long now, I've seen that as things only frails did, but then you came along. There is also further significance to this rose. Purple is a royal colour. I read that sending a single purple rose means I find you majestic, opulent and special. And you are all those things, Kitten. I hope you will carry this rose with you today.
I can't wait until I can see you again, and I am able to call you Arianwen Creed.
Love,
Victor Creed.
P.S. This note is for your eyes only.
I folded the note back up and looked at the rose, smiling.
"Well?" Cari asked.
"It's off Victor. He wants me to carry it with me today. Hey, Michael, is there any way that you could place it in my hair, so that it can be seen from someone looking at me face on, but not change my hairstyle to drastically?" I asked, trying to keep the tears of happiness back.
"Of course, Arianwen." he said, smiling. He took the rose from me, and picked up a couple of hair pins. He placed the rose between a couple of curls, from what I could see in the mirror, and secured it in place with the pins. "There. Beautiful." He said.
"Thank you." I said, smiling at him in the mirror.
"It's not a problem." He replied.
"The car's are here." My dad said. "It's time."
I started breathing in and out rapidly, and I felt my ears and tail start twitching agitatedly. Cari was once again in front of me, her hands on my shoulders.
"Ari, remember what I said earlier. Deep breaths. Stay calm."
"What if he's not there?"
"He will be. Trust me. Victor Creed isn't one to back down on anything. You and I both know that. Now, me, Faith, Luce and your ma are going to get in the first car, and Paddy and Mark are going to drive up in Paddy's car. Then, after we've all gone, you'll get in that other car, and when you get there, you are going to get married, understood?"
"Loud and clear." I replied, taking the deep breaths.
She nodded. Her hair was in a partial bun, with half of it falling down, framing her face. She was wearing a red halter neck dress that had simple beading at the top.
Faith was in a strapless forest green dress that fitted her perfectly and was made of satin. Her hair was curled very lightly, and allowed lo fall loose.
Luce was in a long blue summer dress that had a brooch that was in the shape of a sparrow at her bust. Her hair was straight and pulled to one side and held over her shoulder.
Mam was in a gold outfit that consisted of a long skirt, a beaded top, and a bolero jacket. She had a gold coloured fastener in her hair, which she had a perm done yesterday.
Mum, Cari, Faith and Luce each gave me a hug, and wished me luck, Cari handing me back my bouquet before they left. Paddy and Mark also gave me hugs, and wished me luck, before they too left. Sophia, Emily and Julia left, followed closely by Michael. Then, it was just me and dad. We waited five minutes, as told, and then dad held his arm out to me.
"You ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I said, taking his arm. Dad led me out of the house, and that was the first time that I noticed that many people I knew had gathered outside to take photos, and see me leave. Many people called out good lucks, as the driver opened the car door. I slid into the car, and dad sat down next to me. The driver closed the door, and walked round to the drivers side door. He put the car in gear, turned on the engine, and began to drive.
I was well aware of everything around me as we drove, right down to the necklace Vic gave me that I had tied round my thigh. I tried to keep my breathing steady, and kept a tight grip on dad's hand.
"It's not to late to back out, you know." Dad said.
"I don't want to back out." I said.
"I know you love him, but I still think that you've moved this along a little fast."
"Dad, please, you don't understand. Victor's the only man I could ever muster up these kind of feelings for. He loves me, and I love him. Our Feral sides will recognise no one else as mates, and I will not reconsider my decision to marry him today and become Arianwen Creed."
"It's just, I don't want to see you getting hurt. Apart from the fact that he can teach you about your mutation, is there anything else he can give you?"
"He's not short on money, if that's what you mean, dad. You know my apartment? He bought that. And he refuses to let me pay the bills. He pays for them all. It can get quite annoying sometimes. But still… he supports me with whatever I want to do, he told me honestly what he thought of my book, and I've sent it off to a publishers."
"So, he's currently in a well paying job, will it last?"
"Yes dad, trust me. Apparently his line of work isn't one that makes you redundant. Each job he does pays extremely well. But even if he was poor, and had no job, I'd love him all the same. He loves me, and that's all I need. You don't have to worry about my financial stability when I'm with him. And you don't have to worry about him hurting me. Victor will make sure to do everything he can to protect me and keep me safe. You've seen the fuss he makes when I've been hurt."
Dad nodded. "I guess that it's just hard for me to let my baby girl go." he said.
"I'll still be your little girl. I'll just have another mans surname and a wedding band on my finger."
He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and hugged me. We spent the rest of the journey in a comfortable silence. When we got to the registry office, the driver opened dad's door, and dad got out. He held his hand out to me, and I took it, and slid out of the car, and stood up with dad's help.
A woman from the office came, and led us to the gardens, and down the path that led down to the band stand. There was a large, neatly trimmed hedge keeping my view of the band stand hidden, right until I reached the steps, and even then I still couldn't see the place where Victor would be. Dad and I stopped, until we heard music began. Dad led me up the steps, to the centre of the band stand, between the chairs, and down the isle. I saw Victor, standing there, waiting for me at the end of the isle. His suit jacket was black, and he wore a crimson red rose in the pocket of his jacket, and a black waist coat. His shirt was also crimson red. He had his long hair pulled back. I could see his chest rise and fall slightly faster than normal, but I doubted that most of the others nodded. Cari and Logan would have, and perhaps Mort.
I noticed as I passed that on my side, there was Mam, Zoe, Autumn, James, Cari, Faith, Luce, Paddy and Mark and my parents siblings and my nine cousins, as well as my god parents, Jane and Luke Sorin and their two sons Adam and Jake and their daughter Louisa, who I had been close to when I was a child. On Victor's side, there was Logan, who was standing beside him as I walked towards him, Mort, Mystique and even Magneto.
I smiled widely as I walked down the isle, and was well aware of the flashes of cameras, both from the professional photographer and others who had cameras. Dad gave my hand a quick squeeze, as I took Victor's hand, and dad stepped back. Then, the wedding began.
Father John began talking, and I smiled the whole time. I was starting to get nervous as it came to the time for the vows. Victor and I turned to face each other. Victor was the first to go.
"Arianwen, you were human when I first saw you. I had to take a second look to confirm what my instincts told me. I sensed your mutation right below the surface, and was relieved. Not about the fact that you weren't human, but that you were going to be like me enough that I wouldn't have to say goodbye to you one day, when you passed on, and I had remained the same age. You've given me so much, Kitten, and helped me gain back things I lost years ago. As I came to know you, I wanted to protect you and to know you further. And I never wanted to let you go, a feeling that's only gotten stronger over time, and will only continue getting stronger. Another feeling that will only get stronger, is my love for you. I will never stop loving you, Arianwen." I blinked back the tears rapidly.
"Victor, when we first met, I had no idea what the future held for us. All I knew was that the mysterious illness that the doctors could find no cure for was the beginning of something amazing. You guided me through my mutation, and taught me how to harness it, and use it to my advantage. And when we got together, I was so happy. You make me feel so beautiful, and unique, I can't thank you enough. I want to be yours now, and forever. I love you, Victor Creed." I said, tears welling up in my eyes.
When I finished, one of the tears spilled over, and slid down my cheek. Victor tenderly wiped it away. Father John then continued the ceremony. He called Logan forward with the rings. Logan handed the two bands to him. John held the two bands, and then held Victor's ring out to me. I took it. The ring was plain white Clogau welsh gold, with the engraving 'Am Byth', meaning forever on the inside.
"Do you, Victor Creed, take Arianwen Tigris Evans to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I Victor Creed, take you, Arianwen Tigris Evans, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you, and honour you all the days of my life."
I kept eye contact as he said it, and I slipped the ring onto his finger. Victor took my ring from John. It was also Clogau white gold, but mine had flower engravings on the outside, with diamonds. The same engraving was on the inside as on Victor's.
I said my last vows, and Victor slipped the ring on my finger. I could see his grin getting wider, and I knew mine was too.
"You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. That God has joined, men must not divide. Amen. I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Victor's grin widened even further, and I saw a glint in his eyes, that I recognised as both triumph and happiness, and I felt his hand under my chin, as he tilted my head up even further, his other arm wrapping round my waist, as he pulled me into him, and kissed me deeply. I was vaguely aware of the sound of clapping, but was far more focused on Victor.
When we broke apart, John led us over to the small table that had been set up to one side, and we signed the register and certificate, along with Cari and Logan. Then, it was time to head for the hotel that the reception would be held at.
A/N: REVIEW! What do you think? Next chapter will be the reception, and the wedding night. PLEASE REVIEW!