CHAPTER 40- Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
After a day at the amusement park, we went back into the hotel and ate dinner. We ordered a room service and gathered at Giotto's room to have a movie marathon.
At the middle of the movie Elena stated that she wants to confess something.
"The truth is we didn't come here just to have fun, actually the reason why I told you to come here is to attend the wedding of a friend of mine", Elena said and we all gave a 'What?'
"She's getting married tomorrow and they are so poor that they can't afford a church wedding so I volunteered to do it, so all the preparations are ready. The only thing remaining is the attendees of the wedding. The girl's family doesn't approve of her marriage to the boy that is why they disowned her. The boy on the other hand lives alone and has no living relatives anymore that is why only a few of their friends who has the money to be here in Italy can attend and they are only 6", Elena explained. "My friend wishes for simple wedding but a happy one. So I would like to ask all of you to become the bridesmaids and the groomsmen".
"Well, that's quite a sad story, why don't we all help out then", I replied and Elena hugged me saying thank you. "I'd personally like to see this girl myself Elena, can I?"
"I think she would like to meet you too"
"Elena, you didn't tell me you'll be bringing here the Princess of the Cielo family and the Great Sky Princess of the Vongola", the girl who is going to be wed said and bowed down to me.
"Tsunayuki-sama my name is Beth, it's my greatest pleasure to meet you", Beth said and continued to bow.
"No need to bow down Beth, I would like to personally meet someone who is a close friend of Elena", I replied and Elena smiled.
"Elena-sama and I have been friends for 5 years, we met at a ball and then we got along", Beth said and offered us some drinks in which I politely declined.
"Ah, it's alright we'll be leaving after a few minutes, I know that Elena would still be preparing you for the wedding and the others and I also need to get dressed", I replied. "But I can tell, this man you're going to be wed to, I have a feeling he is a good man"
"He is Princess, and I never regretted leaving my family, he's everything I can dream for and I know this sounds really cheesy, but I never expected to love someone like this for my whole life"
"Don't feel sorry, it's just normal for people to feel like that", I said and stood up. "I'll leave you with Elena then; we'll be waiting for you at the church"
I left the room and looked outside, it was 7 AM and the wedding will start at 9 AM. I hurried back to the hotel and found all the girls at my room.
"Hime-sama, let's get dressed now", Hayate said and we all fitted into our bridesmaid dresses. After 10 minutes, we did our make ups ourselves and by 8:30 we are all set and went downstairs where a limousine was waiting for us and went inside.
The boys are already at the church helping the groom prepare. If I remember well, his name is Niko, and Giotto told us earlier that they are going to meet the groom and talk to him.
When we arrived at the church, the boys together with Niko are already there and Niko is talking with Giotto.
The place is really beautiful and I can see that Elena really did a really good job in organizing the wedding. The church was decorated with daisies and chrysanthemums and the aisle was lined with pillars decorated with vines. The altar is also decorated with flowers. Over-all it was really a dream wedding.
"Tsuna you're already here?" Takeshi said and I just nodded. While I was looking at the whole area, the others went to the powder room to reapply their make-ups.
"Uh huh...the girls and I already arrived but they are still outside", I said and took a glimpse of the groom. Seeing his face, I can really see that he is the perfect man for Beth. "Nice to meet you Niko, I'm Tsuna by the way"
I extended my hand toward Niko which he grasped and we shook hands.
"I never thought that I would actually meet the Vongola Boss, the Vongola Guardians, and the Arceo. It's a pleasure to meet you Tsuna-sama, the Sky Protector of the Vongola", he said and bowed down to me.
"No need to bow to me, and drop the sama too, just call me Tsuna", I said and patted his shoulder.
At that time, the guests invited by Elena start to arrive and the boys and the others went to greet them. I on the other hand went outside, spotted the car in which Elena and Beth are staying and knocked at the window.
Elena opened the door and told me to go outside and there, I saw Beth in her wedding dress. As expected of Elena again, to actually dress Beth like a princess.
"You ready? The others are already waiting for the bride to appear and besides Niko is already waiting for you at the altar", I said and Beth blushed. "You do have the Something Four right?"
"Something Four? What's that?" Beth asked me and even Elena was curious.
"Well, Something Four are items which the bride needs to wear so she can have a bright marriage life. This tradition originated in England wherein the bride must have a Something Old, Something New, Something Blue, and Something Borrowed", I explained.
"Well, the gown, veil, and the shoes I am wearing now are new, so they must be the Something New; Elena let me borrow her diamond bracelet and earrings so they are the Something Borrowed; the garter is color blue so it's the Something Blue; but I don't have a Something Old", Beth said.
"What about I'll lend you something that is passed on the generations of my family that can be the Something Old", I said and started to unclasp the necklace I am wearing decorated with the eight gems and the Vongola and Arceo coat of arms in the center.
"This necklace was worn by the First Generation Sky Protector of the Arceo on her wedding and this is passed to the female of the next generation of our family. I know that Sheila would be happy to lend it to you", I said and clasp the said necklace around Beth's neck and it fitted perfectly with the dress.
"But Princess...I...can't wear this", Beth reasoned and I just laughed.
"No worries, it suits you and I really can't bear seeing a bride not wearing all the Something Four. Something Old symbolizes the love of family, Something New symbolizes the hope for the future, Something Blue symbolizes the love for nature, and Something Borrowed symbolizes friendship", I said and went out of the car and Elena followed my action.
"Let's go Beth, I'm sure the others are waiting to see the bride", Elena said and slowly Beth went out from the car.
We all begin to line up, the guests are seated at the pews of the church and the priest is already in front. First in the line is Niko followed by Daemon and the others boys. Daemon is the best man as Elena is the maid of honor. The flower girls and bearers then walked on the aisle holding the pillows and throwing rose petals.
Finally it's the girls turn and they all walk in pairs towards the aisle. First pair is Viole and Chrome, next is Rhea and Laela, and lastly Arisa and Hayate.
I and Elena on the other hand decided to accompany the bride and hold the long train of her wedding dress.
As the doors opened for the bride to enter, everyone gasped and the wedding march began to play. Slowly, Beth walked towards the aisle with us behind her and as she went near the altar, we let go of the train and went to stand at the sides.
All attention were on the bride and groom as they joined hands and faced the altar hand in hand. Now that I notice it, isn't there supposed to be a singer on a wedding but I didn't see one. I thought that maybe the singer is just late or is just part of the crowd.
An hour later, the vows were said and Elena and the other girls cried. Why? Because they were touched by the message of the vows, and I will admit it is really good.
Of course the exchanging of rings happened next and I began to look around again, if I remember, the singer will be singing the wedding song next but I can't see anyone preparing. As the crowd clapped for the couple I excused myself and talked to Elena.
"Elena, where's the singer?" I asked and Elena paled. "You do asked one to sing right?"
"Hehehe, I think I forgot that part Tsuna", Elena said and its my turn to pale.
"You're serious? The singing will be next Elena, what should we do?" I asked and Elena grinned.
"Well, that's not a problem, you're here so go there and sing", Elena said and pushed me towards the direction of the microphone.
"Elena...but what am I going to sing?"I asked and Elena gave me the microphone.
"Here, I prepared the lyrics", Elena said and gave me a paper containing the lyrics and the title of the song.
"My Most Important Treasure huh?" I whispered. "And whose going to do the music?"
Elena went back to the crowd and grabbed Giotto who was shocked to be dragged.
"Giotto, here's the music sheet, you have two minutes to master the piece and play it afterwards", Elena said and shoved the paper to Giotto.
"Care to tell me what's going on? On second thought I think I can guess, you didn't prepare for the song", Giotto said and Elena glared at him.
"I'm sorry if I forgot but I really am so busy, so why don't you both practice the piece because there are only 2 minutes left", Elena said and Giotto and I both begin to scan the paper.
After the thunderous clap, all eyes went to our direction and the groom and the bride gave a smile. Giotto started to play the melody of the song expertly like he didn't just got it minutes ago. I on the other hand nervously looked at the paper and began to sing the song and call out for Tsuki.
Whenever we saw each other all we did was fight.
But those were also wonderful memories.
The song, I don't know how but the lyrics are very fit for the story of Aeris and Sheila. Coincidence maybe?
You taught me so much; I'm not scared anymore.
No matter how difficult I can grab hold of happiness, so…
I looked at the couple and they both gave me a teary smile. I must admit the song is really a sad song...sad for a wedding but still the lyrics are so good.
I'll go by myself, even if it looks painful,
I'll always carry on the dream I had with you.
Being with you was so wonderful; There was no one else.
But when I woke up in the morning, you weren't there.
I felt that we could play forever.
But I know that's just what I believed.
I don't regret being born any longer.
Like the feeling after a festival, it's sad but let's move on little by little.
I'll go anywhere, you know that.
I'll show you that I can grant your dream of happiness.
Even if I'm separated from you, no matter how far,
I'll be born with the new morning.
I'll go by myself, even if I want to die,
I can hear your voice; I mustn't die.
Even if it looks painful, even if I'm crying in sadness,
Deep in my heart I feel your warmth.
This time the notes shift an octave higher and I also used my high voice. Being a singer really is a hard work.
Time changed as it ebbed and flowed.
I can't remember what happened anymore but,
If I try and close my eyes I can hear someone's laughter.
Somehow that's now my most precious treasure.
Giotto finished playing the piano and a thunderous applause where both given to us and the couple went to our direction. In Beth's case she hugged me and Giotto and Niko just shake hands.
Before I know it I was dragged to the altar and the wedding pictorials started. There were a lot of pictures taken most especially the group pictures.
"Tsuna, the necklace Beth is wearing it's yours right?" Mukuro asked and I nodded.
"It suits her, so I lend it to her for this occasion", I said and continued to look at the couple.
I closed my eyes and when I opened it the scenery changed and I was inside a familiar church in Italy. When I looked at the place, it was grandly decorated with lilies and roses. It was a wedding fit for royalty.
When I looked at the altar, I was shocked. In front of me is no other than Sheila and Aeris with the others having their wedding group pictures taken.
Beside the other Guardians and Protectors are little kids that I know are the kids. Currently the one being pictured was Sheila and Aeris hugging each other and from afar I can really see their happiness and love for each other.
I looked at Sheila's wedding dress and when I went to her neck I saw the necklace dangling perfectly. After the couple pictures were taken everybody joined the picture taking with the married couple at the center. I must admit, the Sheila I am seeing now is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen- a perfect woman.
I can't help but let some tears escape from my eyes because of the touching scene. If only...
Suddenly, I felt a pair of hands went around my neck and clasp something and I was filled with warmth. It was that time that my consciousness returned to the present happening and I saw Beth in front of me and the others looking at me worriedly.
"Tsuna-nee are you okay?" Laela said and I quickly got a handkerchief and wiped the tears away. I looked at my neck and saw the necklace clasped around my neck.
"Thank you for letting me borrow the necklace Princess, it was really a great pleasure", Beth said and I just gave her a smile.
"It's okay and I'm glad someone wore it for a wedding, I know that she is really happy", I said and touched the necklace.
"Who'll be happy Tsuna?" Rhea asked and I closed my eyes and opened them again and looked at the aisle.
"Nothing", I quickly said. "Let's go to the reception now"
In the recessional, the first to go is the bride and the groom, next is the maid of honor and the bestman, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen and then the others.
So following this order, the first is Niko and Beth, then Elena and Daemon; next to them is me and Giotto, Hayate and G, Arisa and Takeshi, Lampo and Rhea, Knuckles and Laela, Kyoya and Chrome, and lastly Mukuro and Viole.
Before we exited the church, I looked back at the aisle and saw Aeris and Sheila also going down the aisle with the people showering rose petals to them.