A DEADLY NUPTIAL

39

"You were risking your life Josephine," he lifted my chin to look me in the eyes. "I'm just glad this is all over." I said wanted to end this topic.

"Me too." There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," said Dark. Alex and Lorenz came in holding Canzu and Neil. I beamed at the sight of my babies. I held Neil while Dark held Canzu.

"We just came to bring you Neil and Canzu."

"Thank you so much," we hugged as they departed leaving us alone as a family. I looked up at Dark smiling.

"What?" he asked.

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"Impossible," I said giving him a sweet kiss. We had both been through hell and back, but here we were together. I couldn't help but think "I'm His Mrs." and I would always be his Mrs.

I walked along the airport sidewalk in my worn out Harvard sweatshirt, dark skinny jeans, and my favorite pair of cowgirl boots. I know I wasn't in Texas but you could never go wrong with cowgirl boots. I was waiting for Josephine to pick me up. Tomorrow was her reliAlexus wedding ceremony with Dark along with the twins's baptisms.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text message. "Sorry I can't pick you up. I sent someone else. ;) "

What did she mean by that?

Right at that moment a black Ferrari pulled next to me. The window rolled down, "Hey I came to pick you up."

It was Casper. Great. The guy I had been avoiding for the past 3 months. I sighed heading to the trunk to put my luggage in. The trunk opened. I expected him to come help me, but then again he wasn't a gentleman, so what could I expect? I slammed the trunk shut hoping into the passenger seat.

"Thanks for your help I really appreciated it." I said sarcastically not bothering to greet him.

"Seems like you haven't changed a bit," he chuckled as he began to drive.

I scoffed looking at the window feeling awkward.

He cleared his throat.

"So how are you?" He asked clearly also affected by the awkwardness of the situation.

"Fine, how about you?" I asked trying to be nice.

"Also fine."

There was another silence.

"So we listen... we never talked that night."

"I have no clue what you're talking about." That was a lie. I knew exactly what he was talking about. The masquerade ball three months ago where Casper had been my first kiss.

"You honestly don't remember?"

"Nope," I responded popping my p.

We were now stopped at a red light.

"Well maybe you need a little reminding,"

He grabbed me by the back of the neck taking claim of my mouth in an instant, and just like that it was over. The light had turned green, and he drove calmly like nothing had happened.

Damn him. It infuriated me how he took advantage of me. After my face wasn't flushed anymore I smacked his arm.

"Ow! What was that for!" He yelled.

"Who do you think you are kissing me?! Just because you stole my first kiss doesn't mean you can kiss me whenever the hell you want!"

I fumed in my seat with my arms crossed.

"I was your first kiss?" He asked clearly surprised.

"Is that all you got out of that!" I turned to face the window again.

He smirked then chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"I can't believe I was your first kiss, then again you're a nerd."

I smacked his arm again, "Hey why are you such a jerk! I've never done anything to you!"

"Quit with the smacking! And yes you have! Do you not remember when you spilled whiskey on my pants!"

"Is that what this is about? Just because I spilled a stupid drink on you! That doesn't give you a right to mess with my feelings! At the ball you acted like such a gentleman. To think for as second just a second I had feelings for Prince Charming!"

"Lily.."

"Don't say anything. I don't want to hear it."

That shut him up as he continued driving and not another word was said. We arrived at Josephine and Dark's house, well more like another mansion that still seemed to surprise me. I got out of the car slamming the door shut not bothering to get my suitcase. I was still feeling pissed, but that soon Josephineted once I saw Josephine and Dark.

"Lily!"

"Josephine!" I exclaimed hugging her back, "it's so nice to see you! Where are the twins?!"

"They're in their nursery."

"Dark, how are you?" I said greeting him with a hug as well.

"Fine, how about you?"

"She's feisty today," answered Casper from behind me.

"I do not need your input Casper," I snapped at him. My blood boiled and perhaps being on my monthly was not helping either. Especially with the long trip I did not need this. At that moment I snapped.

"Josephine, next time you can't pick me don't send him. I would rather take a taxi any day."

I walked past them heading to the room I always stayed in when I visited, but once I heard the twins I changed my route knowing they would calm me.

Casper's POV

"What did you do to her?" Josephine asked glaring at me.

"I didn't do anything," I said trying to act innocent.

She was not stupid. She had her hands on her hip giving me a look.

"I don't know what you did, but you are going to go upstairs and apologize. I don't need my best friends fighting the day before my wedding."

"Yes ma'am." I sighed heading up to look for Lily.

I headed up stairs passing the nursery when I heard Lily's voice.

"Who's a cute baby? Neil you're such a stud."

I chuckled opening the door to find Lily sitting in the rocking chair with Neil is her arms as Canzu kicked her tiny legs in her crib.

She sighed seeing me watching her.

"Can I not be left alone for a minute?"

"I just came to apologize."

"I don't need your apology."

"Well Josephinedoes, and so do I. So I just want to say I'm sorry for being such a jerk."

"Apology accepted. You can leave now."

"Not so fast. I want to make it up to you. Be might my date tomorrow."

"What? No way."

"Why not?" I asked my ego taking a punch. I had never been rejected before.

"I can't stand being 5 minutes with you let alone hours tomorrow."

"Come on it won't be that bad. I'll show you the side you've never seen before."

"Well, if you insist," she sighed.

* * * The Next Day * * *

I woke up to the banging on my door.

"Who is it?" I yelled.

"Me!" yelled Josephine, "Get up! We have to get ready!"

How was she this cheerful this early. Clearly the alcohol from last night had not affected her like me.

I groaned climbing out of my comfy bed. Opening the door to find Josephine gleaming with joy.

"Why are you so happy this early?"

"I'm getting married silly!"

"Right, how could I forget?" I mumbled.

"Don't look so down! I have a surprise for you!"

Surprise? That always got my attention.

"What is it?"

"Ah,ah,ah," she said waving her finger back and fort, "you won't see it until we get to the boutique. We're going to get ready there while Yusie takes care of the twins."

* * *

We arrived at Josephine's wedding boutique which brides also used to get ready for their big day.

Josephine practically skipped inside kissing her stylists on both cheeks talking about her big day. I took my seat next to her flipping through a magazine in order to stay awake. I was flipping through without really looking at the articles when a picture caught my eye. It was Casper leaving a nightclub with a blonde bimbo the night after the ball 3 months ago. I felt a pang in my chest.

Why did he want to talk about that night when clearly he was enjoying the night after with someone else? I hated how he messed with my emotions. I regretted telling him he had been my first kiss and that I had feelings for him. For a moment I thought he was different, but he was like a rich player. The kind I hated.

"Lily, what's wrong?"

"Hmm?" I asked looking up.

"You seem upset," she asked clearly concerned.

"It's nothing. You know how I hate celebrity gossip." I smiled hoping she would let it go.

She laughed, "I don't understand why you read the magazines if you hate them."

I shrugged.

An hour later we were all done. We being me, Alexa, Lorenz, Alexa, and Josephine who looked down right gorgeous and she wasn't even wearing the dress yet! We went to the changing rooms all changing into our bridesmaid gowns. I was going to wear an old dress I had since I couldn't afford anything right now. The theme was Josephineon and light brown.I headed to my changing room finding a dress bag with the company logo on it. I unzipped it revealing a short Josephineon dress with a pair of heels and clutch. It was beautiful.

"Do you like it?"

I turned around to find Josephine watching me.

"I love it! But.. How did.."

"I know you needed a dress and didn't plan on telling me?" She said ending my sentence.

I simply nodded.

"A little birdie told me you started living with your parents again and that you even had to sell your car."

"It was my dad wasn't it?"

"Don't be mad Lily," she said with those big brown eyes.

I gave her a smile, "I could never be mad at you Josephine." I picked up the heels. "How do you know I can walk in these?"

"That little birdie also told me you've been practicing."

I groaned remembering all the times I happened to fall right in front of his office.

"Well, I'm going to let you change. I have to change as well."

"Ok, see you in a few."

I was left in my dressing room trying to take calm breaths. I looked at the ceiling blinking to try and stop the tears that were threatening to fall. I didn't want Josephineto see me breakdown on her wedding day, so I tried to relax and put on the dress that was probably higher than my check I currently received by working at the university library. It wasn't much, but it helped.

Money had always been a problem in my household. I hadn't been born rich like any of my friends. I made my way through life being smart. I recovered scholarships which is how I met Josephineand Lorenz. I had been granted a scholarship to attend their private high school even though I lived across the country in Massachusetts. My parents had decided it was the best for me, so I spent 3 years apart from them as I had graduated early. My father's company was going bankrupt, but recently had invested in a company that was helping us get back on our feet. My mother was another story though, she had been born in an upper class but when she met my father it was love at first sight. She left her family that basically disowned her knowing my father didn't have much money. She swore she didn't need money to be happy; she only needed his love. That was bullshit. As the years passed that love she once claimed was getting stronger was getting weaker. I didn't have a good relationship with her. She always resented how I was born a girl. I wasn't the bouncing baby boy that could have earned her her place back in her family, and allowed her to receive the family fortune. I was the worthless girl that grew up without her love. I had my father's love which was enough. My fingers clutched into the lacy fabric in hatred. I let go not wanting to ruin the dress that wasn't even mine.

I slipped on the satin material zipping it up from the side and slipping on my tall heels. I gulped. Hopefully I wouldn't make myself look like a fool.

"Lily, you ready?"

"Yeah!" I yelled opening the door.

"Damn girl, you look hot!" Lorenz exclaimed.

"Thanks! So do you!" Her dress was also Josephineon but it was one shoulder, Alexa's had a plunging v neck, and Alexa's was off the shoulder straps.

"How do I look?"

We turned around to see Josephine looking like a goddess in her wedding gown. It was a lavish Luxe Taffeta fit-and-flare wedding dress with a romantic removable lace overlay, dramatic low back, sexy V-neck neckline and a light brown French-wide satin sash that complimented her eyes.

"Josephine!" We all shrieks hugging her.

"Guys! You're going to ruin me!"

We instantly let go not wanting to ruin the perfect bride.

* * *

We arrived in our limo at the enormous cathedral where the ceremony would be set. Everyone was already inside seated. Dark was surely already waiting at the altar.

The groomsmen were waiting at the entrance. We lined up in pairs like we had rehearsed. Alexa and Mike who were currently dating would go first, then me and Casper, Alexander and Lorenz, and lastly Josephine who would enter by herself moments after us. I was praying to god that wouldn't trip going down the aisle when a same hand squeezed mine. I looked down at my hand and Casper's then looked up at him.

"You're going to do fine," he said looking straight ahead raising my hand and placing a kiss.

How did he know that's what I was thinking? My sweaty palms gripped the bouquet of Josephineon colored roses and baby's breath. The music began an we walked down the aisle. I looked up concentrating on my destination. The altar then to the left where I would take my seat in the first pew. We made it safely thankfully.

As Josephine entered I felt like crying. She and Dark looked so in love I was jealous. I was 19 for crying out loud and was still single. I never had a boyfriend before let alone love someone. 3 months ago I could had said I had fallen in love with my Prince Charming but he turned out to be my best friend's "ex-fiancée". Casper Honks. The only person to ever get me riled up all the time. When ever I was around him I was a smart ass and yelled. Normally I was the quiet bookworm that kept her opinions to herself, but with Casper I couldn't keep my mouth closed. He seemed to have that affect on me.

The ceremony was beautiful. As was the reception back at the Johnston estate where Dark and Josephine had first gotten married. The ride there had been awkward though. I had managed to keep my mouth shut as Casper drove us there. He seemed to notice also.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You seem kind of out of it."

I shrugged. I didn't want to have another argument, besides why should I get jealous over that blonde bimbo? Wait did I just think jealous? I was not jealous. Was I?"

"Lily,"

"Hmm?" Man I was out of it.

"We're here."

"Oh." I unbuckled my seatbelt opening the door, but Casper was already there to help my out of his luxurious sports car.

"You look beautiful," he complimented .

"Thanks," I mumbled. That's probably what he told every girl he met.

We entered through the mansion going to the backyard where a huge pavilion had been set.

"Umm, I'm going to use the restroom I'll see you at the head table."

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you?"

"Yeah, go ahead." He looked at me before going outside.

I lingered inside the house reliving moments I had with Josephine, Lorenz, and Alex. The last time had been Christmas freshman year where I had spent Christmas with Josephine and her family. I smile remembering the fairy tale books her mom would read to us even though we were already in high school. I felt tears to to rise, but I didn't want to cry, so I quickly left going to the backyard where people were already mingling here and there.

I spotted Casper by one of the fountains in the gardens, but stopped in my tracks when I saw he was laughing with a different blonde. I decided to walk past not wanting to intrude on anything. He clearly noticed, calling my name, "Lily!"

I ignored him continuing until he caught up grabbing my arm, "Hey wait up! Didn't you hear me calling you?"

I pulled my arm back, "Oh, did you? I didn't hear you," I said sarcastically sweet continuing my path. He jogged trying to keep up with me.

"What is up with you?"

"Nothing." I snapped then saw Josephine look concerned probably seeing my furious gait. I stopped and turned to Casper who had also abruptly stopped. I smiled sweetly earning me a puzzle expression from him.

"Casper," I said smiling like I was having the time of my life, "try and act happy before Josephine starts questioning us."

"Hey guys, what's going on over here?"

She asked once she came over.

"Nothing, why?" I asked smiling.

"Did Casper do something?"

"What? No, Casper didn't do anything. Right Casper?"I said nudging him in the ribs.

"That's right. We were just arguing a little because we didn't know how you would take the news."

"What news?" She asked. I also wanted to know. Not having any idea what he was talking about.

"That we're dating."

"What! Really?! That's great! I always knew there was something between you two." She smiled hugging us both tightly. "This is the best present from you two! I have to go tell Dark!"

I smiled trying to match her happiness. As soon as she left I turned around glaring at my "boyfriend".

"What?" He asked innocently, "I had to come up with something since you put me on the spot."

I raised an eyebrow clearly not satisfied with his answer. I walked to the table with him in tow. Today was full of surprises.

The dinner went well. I had minimal contact with Casper as Alexa was introducing him to people from the company. The first dance was a year jerker as there was no father daughter dance or mother son as both set of parents were deceased on both sides of the family. They were still happy though,so happy it made my heart hurt. I was such a romantic it was ridiculous. Everyone joined the bride and groom which meant I had to dance with Casper.

I put my hands on his shoulders as he put his on my waist. I hoped this looked like we were dating. Close but not too close. It was a slow dance that seemed to go on forever. I was already getting sleepy. It wasn't even close to ending, and I was tired. I rested my head under his chin as he took my right hand in his.

"Lily."

"Hmm?"

"We should move off the dance floor. They're about to throw the bouquet."

I let go of him immediately feeling cold, but that didn't last long as my cheeks burned as everyone stared at us. Alexa soon joined me though, leading me away from Casper and where Josephine was about to throw the bouquet. I didn't even want to catch it, it would only give me false hopes. As I turned around to walk away I heard screams and shrieks. I turned to see what the fuss was all about but instead was a target for the bouquet. Thankfully my fast reflexes caused me to extend my arms catching the bouquet. Girls swore under the breath as I stood there shocked. I didn't know what to do. Should I be happy? Josephine and Alexa hugged me tightly, so excited had received the bouquet. They nudged me asking when the wedding was going to be. I laughed it off saying, "No time soon."

I watched from the side as the Casper got in the group of men eager to catch the. Hoping to escape for a while I headed towards the gardens passing Canzu as Canzu's graves. I talked to them knowing they could hear me. I told them how much I missed them. I let the tears fall this time not caring what I looked like anymore. After my sad moment I went to the rose garden sitting on the concrete bench that was place by the fountain Casper had stood by earlier.

"There you are!"

I immediately recognized that voice. It was Casper. I stood up wiping the tears, so he wouldn't notice. Too late.

"Were you crying?" He asked concerned.