Wedding

A Chapter by Elemiah

Charoum brushed uneasily at her wedding dress. The room she had prepared in was as gorgeous as the rest of the church. A small window was near the ceiling, and light delicately filtered through, highlighting dust particles in the air. It was almost surreal.

Several of Grigori’s business partners had come. At first she didn’t really want anyone else but herself and Grigori at the wedding, seeing the empty church changed her mind. Even though most of the rows and rows of pews would still be unfilled, it was better than it being completely empty.

She paced about the room, wishing the one whom had agreed to be her escort would arrive already. Surely it was time? Surely she had spent hours in the room, fussing with her hair and her dress?

She had no doubts as to what she was going to do. But she felt she might die of anxiety, of excitement. This was the day that her and Grigori would pledge themselves to each other. Pledge that they would remain together forever, letting nothing separate them.

She fussed with her hair for what had to be the millionth time. It needed to be perfect for her perfect day.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, making her jump.

“Miss?” A voice asked from the other side. She took a deep breath to keep from stuttering.

“Yes?”

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Her escort poked his head in, and his eyes widened slightly. She blushed slightly at the unspoken compliment, and silently wished Grigori would think the same.

He offered his arm, and she silently accepted.

His strides made her feel like they were walking too slowly, but logic told her it was a normal pace.

He paused at one end of a long carpet that led to Grigori. Surely the carpet didn’t have to be so long? She would pass out before she reached the end.

Music started playing. Piano? Her mind was buzzing too much to tell.

If not for her escort, she wouldn’t have been able to move. He moved her along with careful steps. An odd sudden sense of indecision came over her. These thoughts hadn’t been there before; why would they show up now?

She wondered if this was right. If this was where she wanted her life to be. If he was the one she wanted to spend her entire life with, if she was going to pledge her life to him. The answers were yes, so why did she feel as if was wrong?

The carpet was so long. It must have taken them hours to get across. Each step felt like an eternity. Each step brought her closer to her love. Each step she took brought her closer to completing her life.

Suddenly, the man’s arm slipped away, and she found her hand in Grigori’s. His fingers intertwined with hers. He was calm and warm. She wondered how she felt to him. Any sense that she had that this was wrong melted away at the feel of his hands.

“You look beautiful.” He whispered. She nearly melted. Thank goodness he likes it…

The priest spoke.

“We are gathered here today in the face of this company, to join together Grigori Nazarov and Charoum Talwyn in matrimony; which is an honorable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.” He paused, and in the silence, she could hear her heartbeat thudding loudly in her chest. For a moment, she imagined she could hear Grigori’s as well.

The priest turned to Grigori.

“Grigori, do you take Charoum for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?” The words sounded so loyal, so binding. It was pure.

“I do.” He sounded so calm, so confident. The priest then turned to her, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Charoum, do you take Grigori for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?”

Now the loyal, binding words were on her part.

“I do.” She managed, wishing she could speak more strongly.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Grigori gently grabbed her waist and pulled her close, before bending her backwards and kissing her.

It was the most wonderful kiss of her life. Perhaps, in reality, it was no different than the other kisses; but nonetheless, it felt exotic and passionate.

They kissed for what felt like hours, until Grigori pulled away, and stared deeply into her eyes.

“I love you.” He breathed, tracing his eyes over her body.

“I love you, too.” She whispered back. He lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the church. People were clapping. Outside, the sun shone brightly on them, as if giving them its blessing.

The world smiled upon them. This was their love.

Today is the beginning of my life…

It had to be after midnight, but they didn’t care.

“Where do you want to go for our honeymoon?” He cooed, pouring her a drink.

“Mm.” She mumbled taking a sip of the drink. “Hey- is this wine?”

“Mm-hmm. Do you like it?” He gently moved her into his lap, though it was a bit awkward with her dress.

“It’s okay, I guess…” She said, taking another sip. It burned a bit, but it soon filled her with a strange warmth.

It wasn’t long before she lost count of how many drinks he poured for her. All she knew is that she felt happy and fuzzy and warm. There was also a strange excitement. Excitement getting the best of her, she grabbed his face and kissed him, feeling the overwhelming desire to taste him.

Much to her surprise, he rejected her kiss, gently pulling away. She frowned at him and whined slightly. With a calm dignity, he delicately undid her dress, and carefully slid it off. He then folded it, and carried it to her room.

Still excited for sex, she jumped up and followed him.

Once he had set the dress in a safe place, he swept her into his arms and laid her down on the bed. Again, she kissed him, and this time he accepted.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go on a honeymoon?” He whispered, laying his head in her lap.

“Yeah…” She responded, brushing her hair. “I just don’t see the point in going somewhere else to spend time together…” He simply stared up her from her lap, enjoying the position, and the view.

Apparently satisfied with her hair, she set the hairbrush aside and looked down at him. He smiled up at her.

“You’re gorgeous.” He whispered, kissing her stomach. She blushed, and absently stroked his hair. Enjoying it, he snuggled against her stomach, and let out a deep, content sigh. After a few minutes of her stroking, a thought crossed his mind. I wonder…

“Charoum…do you think…you’re pregnant yet?” He didn’t particularly like asking the question, but there was no other way about it.

“I dunno…” She said somewhat absently, lost in his hair. “I wouldn’t know what to look for…” There was a faint sense of shame in her voice, and he sat up.

“We could get a test.” He said gently, hugging her.

“Mmkay…” She murmured, snuggling into his chest. Kissing her forehead, he gently moved away and gathered some clothes for her to wear. Although she didn’t need him to, she quietly enjoyed letting him dress her.

She also enjoyed watching him dress.

Charoum stared at the small pregnancy test in her hands. A small plus sign had appeared on it.

I’m pregnant.

She opened the door, and Grigori was standing there, looking fretful. Without a single word, she showed him the test.

“Charoum.” He whispered, pulling her into his arms. “Are you ready for this?”

“Yeah.” She whispered back, wiping at her eyes. He held her tightly for several long moments, before pulling away just enough to peek at her stomach. Almost as if he couldn’t resist, he reached down and touched it. He let out a long, gentle sigh.

“Our baby.” He whispered, amazed. She simply smiled against his chest, and tried not to let the tears out.

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