I cannot tell you how excited I am to receive reviews! I can only compare the joy to having my baby praised while I am bring it out. I'm bursting with pride and goofiness (excuse my randomness). Alas! I will try to improve my problems.

*Almost forgot, today (12-24) I'll be killing a certain character. Be ready.

I share in the joy of my friends
While the air is filled with songs
To love, to love and a wedding
Blessed are the lives of friends
I share in their smiles quite often
For their humour is a narcotic
It infiltrates almost every thought
Induces many a joyful memory

Excerpt from To love and a wedding

By Matthew Holloway

After a few frightening minutes, Sophie had left the corridor, and Tessa sneaked back to her room. Closing the door firmly behind her, she realized what she had done. She had followed the footsteps of her aunt Harriet. Not that she could possibly bear a child, but still, she and Jem had committed the deed out of wedlock. Swallowing hard, she put on her dress. Hold your head high, she thought, and she walked out of her room.

The next few days passed in a blur, every single detail of the wedding demanded her attention. Sometimes, she and Jem would sit down and talk, but no more did they do. Will was nowhere to be seen, and usually when it required his participation, he would simply hide a corner, making small talks, avoiding her completely. Maybe he thought the kiss that night was just a dream, and maybe that was for the best.

The night before the wedding, naturally it was the night for bachelor or bachelorette party. Jem had no friends, so the responsibility fell on Will, who seemed giddy the entire day for a change. The best man dragged the unwilling Henry, a confused Gideon and even poor Cyril to somewhere "only men can go". He was even singing a song about his plans.

Hey good o'lads, think of where we are going

Perhaps to a casino we go

And spend all night gambling

Hey good lads, think of where are we going

Perhaps to a club go

Where they have pretty girls dancing

But rest assured, my lads, tonight you won't be bored

For we aren't coming back

Till all wine is poured

"Stop it, Will. Just calm down…" Henry intercepted, but was caught mid-sentence, fascinated by his own collar.

"Have fun!" Tessa and Cecily shouted down the Institute's doorsteps. There were only she, Sophie, Cecily and Charlotte, who could not go anywhere far on foot even if she wanted, since Cyril was gone and there was no one to drive the carriage. They were stuck with the small Lycanthrope pub near the Institute.

"Four cups of beer, please!" Charlotte shouted for the bartender.

"Ma'am! You shouldn't be drinking!" Sophie protested.

"What? Of course I can!"

"No you can't, just stick with milk or something," Cecily said, turning to the bartender, "Three cups would suffice."

Tessa took one of the cups hesitantly.

"Don't be scared. It won't bite. I'm sure you'll like it," Cecily said. Tessa took a sip.

"It's bitter!" Tessa exclaimed. All her companion laughed with her at her own ignorance.

A sip followed the other, people, candlelight light and moonlight began to blur together.

Bright light was trickling through her eyelashes into her eyes, and the next thing she knew, she was in her bed back in the Institute. Oh my head, she thought. Taking a tentative step, she stretched and had to race to the bathroom. She threw up until she was spitting bile out of her mouth. Alcohol, she shook her head, never again. That must the reason why aunt Harriet said no decent woman should drink more than she needs. She quickly grabbed clothes to cover her bare body, and tried to tidy up her room, which looked like the aftermath of a struggle. What had went on in her room last night? Through her cloudy mind, she could only recall bits and pieces of really loud singing, a lot of staggering, a clockwork-like person staring and, Will? Tessa understood the first three, they were typical signs of drunkenness, but the latter part must be a dream, and a dream that she was not supposed to dream. She had to concentrate, for it is her wedding day.

She sat down and half-consciously massaged her soreness. The images of Will flooded her mind. Will looking sad yet determined. Will looking confused. Will looking like he was ready to go to hell for something. Then Tessa felt a current warming her to the tips of her being. Thinking about Will has always had that effect on her. She knew butterflies would never be sufficient for what they have. She bit her lips and corrected, what they almost had.

Tessa felt that she must have been missing something, something important. She knew with time, she will eventually remember. Something…

Knock. Knock.

"Miss Gray, ready for your big day?"

Tessa flew the door open. Sophie and Cecily's face were a bit red, perhaps from the alcohol from last night, but she looked more freshened than Tessa herself felt like. With just a bit of breakfast, they started the agonizing preparation for the wedding. First, they concentrated on her hair, then her dress and her face. They pulled and curled until Tessa felt like all her hair were about to fall out. Then they polished and piled up powder on her face and forced her into a corset that she could barely breathe. Finally, they announced her ready.

"Something old, something new; something borrowed, something blue," Sophie muttered.

Her veil was old, for it was Charlotte's, and her clockwork angel was old as well; her wedding dress was new. Cecily had also borrowed her a blue ribbon running around her waist.

"You're good to go," pronounced Charlotte, and they all wished Tessa good luck.

Arriving at the church, Tessa started to feel very nervous. Her palms began to sweat immensely, and she had to suppress the urge to bite her nails.

"You'll be fine, Tessa. Nothing can go wrong," Charlotte said soothingly.

"Don't be so sure, Charlotte." Tessa whispered, she could barely keep down her nerves.

"Well, I am sure. Shall we?" Tessa nodded, and Charlotte took her hand, and led her into the church. Tessa had no family left, and since Charlotte was the only person that Tessa felt like a parent figure, she was to bring her down the aisle.

Nice and easy, Tessa thought. Walking down the aisle whilst most of the Enclave, people who had slaved hundreds and thousands of demons, it was nerve wrecking. The only thing that kept her steady was Jem, who was looking exactly like an angel, radiating light and hope.

Arriving at the altar, the priest started the long ceremony, but Tessa paid no attention to it. She was preoccupied, looking into Jem's eyes, and was smiling in utmost content.

"Should anyone here present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace," the minister said.

"I object!" A voice exclaimed.

Tessa was confused. She looked at Will. He was looking pale, but he held his tongue.

Then, the door to the church flew wide open.