Chapter Forty-Four The Ceremony
Bastian
Bastian had paid for an early check-in at the Stone Chalet, so they checked out of the Weber and moved to the Stone Chalet before ten. They checked in and got settled away in the Garden Room. “You didn't do anything by halves, did you? Mirabelle smiled as she took in the large room and king-sized bed.
“You know me better than that.” Bastian leaned down and kissed her neck. “Let's start getting ready. We're meeting everyone in the...” Bastian pulled out the program he’d stolen as they walked past the room where the wedding was being set up. “Fellowship Hall? Well, there's irony for you.” He chuckled to himself, enjoying the irony. “At two-thirty. The ceremony is from three to four. Really? What could they possibly have to say that it will take an hour?” he looked up at Mirabelle, watching as she dug out her shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for her shower.
“Lots of prayers, I would imagine.”
“Yes, I'm sure that will save their souls.” Bastian rolled his eyes. He was not a religious man and didn’t like sitting through services. “Moving along,” He cleared his throat. “Cocktail Hour is between four and five, and then the reception starts at five and runs until seven, at which point the dance starts.”
“That’s a pretty standard wedding progression.” Mirabelle grinned and kissed his cheek as she passed on her way to the shower. “It’ll go by much faster than you think.”
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Bastian was standing in front of the mirror a few hours later, tying his bowtie, when Mirabelle stepped out of the bathroom where she had gone to finish dressing. “Mira.” He whispered. The black silk dress he had picked out fit her perfectly. The sleeves didn’t entirely cover up all the scratches, so Bastian removed the bandages and, after looking them over, decided they were okay to go uncovered. “You look incredible.” He murmured, making her giggle and twirl for him. He saw she had done her long caramel hair in a complicated knot before it descended her back in a wavy ponytail. Her makeup was simple, highlighting her eyes with a soft pink lip.
“Thank you. As always, you picked the perfect dress.” She came over, finished tying his bowtie, and held out his jacket. He turned and let her help him get it up over his shoulders. “It's almost criminal how good you look in a suit.”
“Pays to have a good tailor.” He smiled at her. Bastian looked her over again, feeling his cock twitch at the sight of her looking so beautiful, and looked at his watch. “I'm almost tempted.” He began to back her toward the bed. “To see how fast I can make you scream my name.”
“Yeah?” Mirabelle looked up at him through her lashes as they bumped against the bed. “Think you can do it in three minutes? Cause we have to be in the Fellowship Hall in five.”
“I think I could.” He leaned down so his lips were next to her ear. “Are you challenging me?” He whispered. He was ninety percent sure he would win.
Maribelle closed her eyes, and he saw her shiver in anticipation. “Maybe,” she whispered.
“Maybe?” Bastian pressed his lips to her pulse point just as someone knocked on the door. “Damn it!” He swore, slowly straightening up, disappointment washing over him. He knew who was at the door; he’d just forgotten that he was coming.
“Who knows we're here?”
“Benji.” He said as he opened the door. “Hey, come in.” he stepped back, and Benji walked in, smiling at Mirabelle.
“Sorry to interrupt. Mira, you look incredible.” He came in and set his laptop bag on the desk. “Everyone is waiting in the hall.
“What's going on?” Maribelle looked between them in confusion.
“Lila and I couldn't get a room here; they only have twelve plus the cottage, and it's been taken over by the bride and groom's families. You guys booked before this room was snapped up, too.” Benji explained as he turned back to face them. “Luckily, I can come here during cocktail hour and make sure the file gets sent out.”
“When did you two plan this?” Mirabelle laughed in surprise as they left the room.
“While you were in the shower.” Bastian took her hand and put it in the crook of his arm as they followed Benji down the hall. “When you said, “Free of drama,” I realized she might not send it since she hasn't yet, and she might be a little busy with pictures and other wedding things and forget. Benji will send it to all her contacts, not just the ones she picks and chooses.”
“You two are something else.” Maribelle chuckled and squeezed Bastian's arm.
“Gorgeous; you said we had to bring her down, so we are.”
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Mirabelle
They met up with everyone else in the hall. When they were done with hugs and greetings, they headed in to find their seats in the ballroom, which had been set up with chairs and an arch at the end of the aisle. Maribelle looked around the room with interest. Casey clearly shared Eddie's love of primary colours; all the flowers and decorations were in red and purple, and she could see why Casey had complained about things not matching; the two shades of the colours she had chosen were clashing terribly. She noticed several people seated on the other side of the aisle were glaring at her and Bastian, so she smiled at them warmly. A very pregnant woman returned her smile and winked before facing the front.
They filed into the second row, with Peter and Caroline at the end, followed by Lila and Benji, then Bastian and Maribelle, Robert and Eleanor, and Francesca and Victor. It didn't escape Maribelle's attention that by putting her and Bastian firmly in the middle of them, they were sending the message that they were part of their family and protected by them. She leaned over Robert to Eleanor and nodded discreetly at the pregnant woman. “Is that the stepmother?” Eleanor glanced to where Mirabelle gestured and nodded.
“Yeah, why?”
“I think she's on our side.” Mirabelle smiled as she sat back.
“You'd be surprised, Mira.” Benji grinned at her. “With the Bride and Groom out of the Weber last night, the bar was full of little groups. Your side of the story has spread, and a lot of the people still here are very invested in the drama.”
Music started to play, and Eddie and his five groomsmen filed out to take their places in front of the church. She watched as Eddie looked along the row, his eyes pausing on Mirabelle and Bastian in the middle of his family, and his face closed off. She noticed that all the groomsmen looked either upset or angry and were all looking straight ahead. She didn’t have very long to dwell on that thought; the music started, and everyone turned in their seats as the bridesmaids began walking up the aisle, wearing dresses that Maribelle assumed were supposed to be an ombre rainbow fade from red to purple.
“Is this an instrumental version of Lips of an Angel ?” Maribelle whispered to Bastian. He tilted his head and listened.
“Yeah, I think it is.” He snorted softly. “Looks like they've decided to embrace their beginnings.”
The music changed to a very classic Here Comes the Bride when the last bridesmaid reached the top of the aisle, and Mirabelle noted there wasn’t a flower girl or ringbearer. Looking around again as she stood up with everyone and turned to watch Casey walk up the aisle with her father, who looked like he sucked on a lemon, she realized there weren’t any kids at all. She hadn’t realized it was a childfree wedding, not that it mattered to her, but she could not remember seeing it on the invitation and wondered briefly if it was an attempt to trip her up, then shook the thought away; Eddie would have known she wouldn’t show up with a kid. She turned her focus back to Casey.
She had to admit Casey's wedding dress was stunning, with off-the-shoulder long bell sleeves, a high waist in white silk, and a tulle and silk skirt flowing down over her baby bump. She held a bouquet of red roses and purple lisianthus, which threw off the look a little but wasn’t as horrible as Casey had complained about. Mirabelle turned to look at Eddie and saw he was looking at Casey and smiling broadly. He had been very nervous on their wedding day, almost vibrating out of his suit. Of course, she now knew Eddie had slept with Casey for the first time the night of their wedding, so he probably had been very worried Mirabelle would find out.
When they reached the top of the aisle, her father put her hand in Eddie's and turned to sit with his wife, deliberately avoiding any further contact with Casey. The officiant raised his eyebrow but didn't mention anything; he just got started. “Dearly Beloved, we have gathered here today...”
Maribelle tuned it out. She had done the church wedding with Eddie, and Bastian had done it with Ana. She would like a beach wedding this time, keep the ceremony short and to the point at sunset, and the reception would be a big barbecue. She glanced over at Francesca and Victor, trying to picture them partying it up on the beach, and grinned. She was pretty sure they'd do it for her. And if not for her, Francesca would for Bastian.
The ceremony was long and tedious, and she could see everyone was bored and restless by the time they reached the vows. Bastian reached out and put his hand on her knee, which had started to bounce anxiously. “You good Bunny?” He murmured.
“Something about watching them promise to be faithful to each other.” She murmured back. Robert let out a soft snort next to her and gave her a side glance and a slight grin.
Bastian squeezed her knee. “Not too much longer now.”