Music Recommendation: Eclosion- Tony Anderson
Lady Aubrey stood with Eve outside the chapel. Lady Aubrey said, "This seems like an old chapel, and not many use it." It was, after all, far away from the centre of the Hollow Valley.
"Vincent said his parents got married here. Viscount Eduard and Lady Katherina," Eve responded, watching the outer appearance of the church, which was made of black rock-like stones. She noticed the long windows, which had multicoloured paintings on them.
"They must hold this place very close to their hearts," Lady Aubrey nodded, and she also knew it must be expensive to hold a wedding here.
While the Moriartys and the members of Dawson's family were in Hollow Valley, not far from the town, Rosetta got her carriage to ride towards where the actual wedding was taking place.
"Milady, the marquee told me that the wedding was taking place in Brigade town," the coachman replied in nervousness as Rosetta had got him to turn around when the other carriages were not in sight. It was with great difficulty that she had gotten her mother to agree to let her ride alone, by explaining that she didn't want to ruin her beautiful gown by having more passengers in her carriage.
"There's no wedding taking place in Brigade town. You will see when we reach Hollow valley," Rosetta ordered the coachman.
"Then the other carriages? Did you hear it from the marquee or the marchioness?"
"The cat told me."
"Cat? M--milady," the coachman didn't want to be punished.
Before Rosetta had left her room, Timotei had appeared and revealed to her that her best friend Eve was getting married today and she didn't want to miss it. Right now, she changed into her evening gown inside the carriage.
Back at the town of Hollow Valley and in front of the chapel, before the music could start, Alfie stepped outside the chapel and informed with a bow, "Lady Aubrey, your presence has been requested inside the chapel."
"Now?" Lady Aubrey asked with a frown.
Eve said to Alfie, "Aunt Aubrey is walking me down the aisle."
Alfie replied, "It is just for two minutes, Lady Aubrey."
"I will go and see what this is about. I will be back in a minute," Lady Aubrey assured Eve and followed Alfie inside the chapel.
Eve turned away from the chapel doors behind which she had been standing. She looked at the town, where snow covered the trees, roofs and the ground. Because of the weather, and as it was early in the day, there weren't many people walking up and down this side of the town.
She wished her parents were alive so that they could witness the happiness she was being gifted with today. That not every mermaid and siren's life was meant to end cruelly. As she smoothened the front of her wedding gown skirt, she noticed the hem of her dress had twisted. When she went to bend and fix it, another pair of hands appeared.
"Allow me." Noah knelt to fix the hem of her wedding gown, and he looked up at Eve once he was done.
"Thank you, Noah," Eve thanked him when he stood up. She noted how the Duke wore a dark brown suit and a white in-shirt. His hair was neatly combed to the side, and the beauty mark below his eye was more evident than usual.
"You look as beautiful as any other day, Genevieve," Noah complimented her, and when he smiled, Eve noticed the corner of his eyes crinkle.
"Where is Anaya?" Eve asked him, looking behind him and noticed only the Head Council making his way towards the chapel from his carriage.
"She's inside. I had some work to finish and had to use another carriage," Noah explained, and Eve nodded.
"You have turned busier than before, Noah. It feels like it has been years since we met in the Meadow, hasn't it?" Eve fondly asked as she recollected the memory of them always walking on the streets to find each other by surprise, talking for several minutes.
"We have known each other for a long time," Noah nodded, and as heavy as his heart felt, it took a lot of strength to come here. He asked her, "Is no one here with you?"
Eve replied, "Aunt Aubrey was here, but she was called for some reasons and I am here now. She will be back in a minute or two," she carefully craned her neck to the side, her blue eyes looking around.
Noah looked at the woman who had been holding his heart until now. Her features were gentle yet refined. Her lips moved as she spoke about the weather, but he paid partial attention while he smiled and felt his heart ache.
"It is starting," Eve whispered in nervousness when she heard the music coming from inside the chapel that belonged to the xylophone, harp and the people hired to sing. She wondered what was keeping Aunt Aubrey in the chapel.
Realising she was still wearing her furry white coat, she quickly removed it and looked around before Noah stretched his hand towards her and said, "Let me keep it inside."
Eve nodded, murmuring a thank you and saw Noah step inside the chapel. Not a few seconds later, she saw Rosetta waving at her and running towards her.
"EVE!" Rosetta shouted with a broad smile, while she noticed the coachman running behind her, calling the vampiress.
"Milady, we should head back before it is late!" The coachman shouted.
"Rosetta, how did you come here?" Eve asked her, "Where are your parents?"
"They must be in Brigade town now," Rosetta replied, out of breath.
When the coachman caught up to the vampiress, he wheezed and said, "M--milady. We--we need to... back." But when he saw Vincent standing at the altar, he turned confused.
Rosetta said, "Go tell mother and father that I am here." And she turned back to look at her friend, "You look so pretty, Eve! I really love your dress!"
Eugene stepped out with Noah, and a shy smile appeared on Rosetta's lips. Rosetta said, "I am one of your maid of honour, aren't I? I cannot miss it." The vampiress had automatically decided it by herself.
"Miss Eve," Eugene offered Eve a bow, and during that time Rosetta nudged her head to her hand.
When Eve's eyes fell on Eugene's ring on Rosetta's finger, her eyes widened. Was this why Aunt Aubrey had found Eugene to be missing from his bed last night?
Soon Clayton and Allie stepped out of the chapel. The Head Council said, "Everybody position yourself. The wedding is starting."
Vincent had got Clayton to be his best man, who now stepped back inside the chapel, walking down the aisle with Allie. Rosetta said to Eve in excitement, "I will see you inside, Eve," she offered a small bow to Noah before hooking her hand around Eugene's arm and stepping inside.
Eve softly chuckled at Eugene and Rosetta being together. Everything had indeed fallen into its right place, where everyone was happy. But Aunt Aubrey was still missing, and Noah stretched his hand towards her once again when she was about to crane her neck. It was only two seconds later did she realise.
"You are walking me down the aisle?" Eve asked with a hint of surprise, as she hadn't expected Noah to do it.
[Music Recommendation: Twinkling Lights (reimagined)- Auni]
Noah had no plans to do it until he received the letter from Vincent that had read--
'To the Duke of Woodlock, Noah Sullivan.
As you are already aware, Eve and I are getting married this Thursday. But this isn't an invitation, but a request from me to you. She lost her family when she was young and doesn't have any male to walk her down the aisle. You have known Eve for a long time, and I know you care very much about her as much as she does about you. On the wedding day, I want you to walk her down the aisle, not as a father but as a friend she cherishes. If you can't, that is fine and I will arrange for someone else to walk her on her important day.'
In the beginning, anger had bubbled in Noah's mind after reading the cruel letter that Vincent Moriarty had written. Even though he had never expressed to Eve about his feelings, the vampire was well aware and felt like he was only rubbing salt over his wound. But as hours passed, Vincent's request made sense.
It was because he knew Eve more than anyone, as he had spent time getting to know her and had cared for her until this very moment. She looked extremely happy and it made him happy seeing her like this. And as she would marry Vincent, to belong to someone, this would be him handing over her care to the pureblooded vampire.
"Shall we?" Noah asked and Eve nodded, putting her hand around his arm.
Though the chapel looked old from outside, the inside held small chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, brightening the place even more. There were intricate paintings on the ceiling, and it looked beautiful.
Eve walked next to Noah, entering the chapel, and they started to walk down the aisle. The guests had stood, watching her walk, and she felt very aware of the gaze. The guests murmured praises amongst themselves about how she looked. When a slight nervousness started to enter her skin, her eyes fell on Vincent, who stood at the altar, waiting for her.
Vincent looked ridiculously handsome in the black suit and had combed his silver hair backwards. His dark red wine-like eyes watched Eve walk towards him, and there was a faint smile on his lips.
Eve didn't look away from Vincent as it gave her the courage to walk now. When she finally arrived at the altar, she let go of Noah's arm, and he leaned forward before kissing her cheek. He pulled away from her, and looked at Vincent,
"Take good care of her."
"Always," Vincent smiled, stretching his hand towards Eve and she took it in a heartbeat. She took two steps and now stood in front of him.
The priest came forward with a book in his hand, who was wearing his coif. The guests sat down, and the priest said, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God-- to join this man and woman in a holy matrimony..."
Vincent couldn't get his eyes off his bride, who looked gorgeous and no word would do justice to what he wanted to tell her except for his actions. He squeezed her hand and felt her heart skip a beat, bringing a grin to his lips. Though Eve was already his, the pureblooded vampire knew how much a marriage ceremony meant for her, and he would walk anywhere she wanted him to with her.
Eve's cheeks turned warm, noticing how Vincent stared at her, while his lips held mischief that promised things for when they were alone. She was finally here at the altar with him, getting married to the love of her life, and she took a deep breath when she felt her heart and chest fill up.
The priest continued to recite the words from his book in his hand, "....before God-- because marriage is one of His most sacred wishes-- to witness the marriage of Vincent Moriarty and Genevieve Barlow."
After a minute, the priest turned to Vincent and asked, "Vincent, do you take Genevieve Barlow as your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish her with all your heart, for as long as you are alive?"
"I do," Vincent responded without a gap.
The priest then turned to Eve and repeated, "...to cherish him with all your heart, for as long as you are alive?"
"I do," Eve replied with a smile.
"You will now exchange rings as a symbol of your commitment and love which you as husband and wife have promised to each other," the priest said, and they brought the rings forward.
Eve was the first to put the ring on Vincent's finger, and he did the same by pushing the ring onto her ring finger. Everyone watched the stunning couple, while holding their breath.
"Having witnessed your vows before God, Vincent and Genevive, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!"
Vincent curled his hand around Eve's waist, pulling her firmly before he leaned forward and kissed her lips. It was a sweet, toe-curling kiss and as she kissed him back, Eve felt the butterflies in her stomach finally release and fly. When he pulled back, a broad smile etched on his lips, and she whispered,
"I love you, Vince."
"And I love you back, my beautiful girl. With all my heart that belongs to no one else but you," Vincent said to her.
Everyone who stood at the altar couldn't help but be happy for the couple, and the guests clapped to congratulate the new couple. The priest said,
"It is my pleasure to introduce you to you for the first time. Mr. Vincent and Mrs. Genevieve Moriarty."
