Title: Closing Time
Chapter Completed: October 13, 2003
Arianna paced along the eccentric living room, her pretty white wedding dress bunched up in her hands so it didn’t drag on the floor. How long was it going to take them to notice that one of the brides was missing?
“Arianna?” Lewis called in curiously from the kitchen.
A smile spread on her face, she relaxed. “I’m in here,” she started a giddy trot to meet him.
He let out a relieved sigh at finding her, grabbing on to her upper arm he pulled her to make her follow him, “Oh good…come on…we gotta go.”
The bride scoffed, pulling back from him. He hadn’t realized anything. “No,” she stubbornly stood her ground, crossing her arms over her chest.
He really didn’t understand, “If we don’t get there and get married you won’t get the company.”
Arianna sighed heavily, “You don’t get it do you?” She through her hands up at his confused face. “There is a reason why I wasn’t at the chapel…”She waited for him to get it.
Instead Lewis slumped slightly, “You don’t want to go through with it, marry me for a year.” He pouted – all defeated. All his self doubts rising to the surface.
She smiled and softly shook her head, sort of like one would with a sad child. “No, no,” she shuffled over to him, still careful of her dress. Placing her hands on to his cheeks to pull him closer to her, she explained, “There’s a completely different reason.” She used her position to press her lips to his. The contact surprised him, but this time as the soft skin pressed to his, he kissed her back.
His hands moved around her waist, resting on the small of her back, covering the crisp white gown. He pulled the girl closer to him – the worry of a wrinkled dress not concerning the pair – as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers playing in the sandy trusses of his hair. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue moved into hers. This certainly wasn’t a kiss for the altar, in front of god and all that.
When Arianna pulled back, in a desperate need for air, she saw the hazy, happy look in Lewis’ eyes. He leaned his forehead against hers and smiled. He liked this, and could totally get used to it
“Do you get it now?” her tone only slightly teasing and slightly husky.
That confused look graced his face again. That little bit of tongue action had completely clouded his mind and destroyed his short-term memory.
“I wanted to prove something to you,” she spoke slowly, still smiling up into his eyes, “I like you.”
The janitor’s smile was goofy, like he was drunk on the whole situation, and he kiss her again. He was telling her the same thing.
But again she had to pull away, still having to finish her point, “If we weren’t getting married, I’d love to date you.” She sighed happily against his taunt frame.
His eyes shot open. “We gotta go,” his agitated movements stirred her.
She looked at him confused. Like it was easy to forget the current arrangement surrounding their nuptials.
“Gotta go, or you’ll lose the family company,” he repeated, remembering the lawyer timing them at the chapel.
X x X x X
The lawyer sat in the front pew, ominously tapping his watch face as the time slipping away. There was just a little over an hour left.
Drew let out a tense breath. All the guests, the few there were, were beginning to get restless.
“Drew, what’s taking so long?” his mother asked in her nervous manner, as all the mothers gathered near the altar. In attendance was both Oswald and Lewis’ mothers, forming an advancing circle around the other groom.
“She wise up and leave while she still could?” Mrs. Kinseki nodded to herself; sure she had found the explanation. Because no woman in her right mind would go through with it.
“What is it with you two?” Oswald’s mother slapped him upside the head. Punishing him for Kate standing him up that wedding, and now for this seemingly ended one.
“Ma,” he whined, rubbing the spot on his head.
“No it’s fine, really Mrs. Kinseki,” Drew began smoothing things over, “There’s just a…delay. Nothing to worry about.” He stretched a fake smile on his face. “Everyone just needs to sit down and we’ll be on our way in no time,” as he ushered them all back to the pews he watched the hall doors.
Frantically running back and forth across the open door, was Kellie. She was busy checking on Lily and keeping an eye out for the other couple. If she knew being a maid of honour was this involved she would have worn more comfortable shoes. She gave the thumbs down to Drew. There was no sign of Arianna and Lewis.
X x X x X
The rush to the altar was going slowly. Who’d have thought there’d be a traffic jam on the way to the chapel?!
Lewis hit the steering wheel with a fist, letting out a frustrated groan, “We’ve gotta hurry.” He checked his watch; time was slipping by.
“Is there any other way to get there?” Arianna bite her lip as she stared expectantly at her to be husband.
He sighed at the bumper pressed against the front of the car and another at his rear. He looked around for an escape, and spotted it. “Come on,” he pulled her out the driver’s side door.
She gave him a confused-crazed look, “where?”
“Come on,” he repeated, pulling her again toward his bright idea- a city bus.
The pair ran across three lanes of back-to-back cars in a mad dash for the bus. Silently praying it didn’t leave before they got there.
Lewis slammed himself against the bus’ front, making it stay and allowing the bride to squeeze through a set of cars in her white dress.
The driver was more then surprised to have a pair of wedding cake rejects throw themselves at his bus. He opened the door in a burst of mechanical air; “You two need a ride?”
Lewis nodded, slightly winded as he helped his bride up the stairs.
“Late for something?” the driver bit at them.
“Just a little,” Arianna laughed at the whole situation: Standing on a city bus in her wedding dress, being the centre of attention to a dozen or so commuters.
“Think we could step on it?” Lewis sneered, dropping change into the fair-box.
X x X x X
“Ten bucks says the brides took off,” Mimi slammed a bill down on a pew.
“I’m in on this,” Larry fished a matching bill from his pocket to bid himself.
Drew shook his head, “That’s not what’s happening.” He was more then a little frustrated. And the delay was giving him too much time to think.
“Yeah,” Oswald stepped in, “Lewis only went to bring Arianna back.” He really thought he was helping.
“Thank you pea brain,” Mimi swooped up the small collection, “And to think, I thought this wedding would be a waste.”
In the bride’s room Lily was pacing nervously. Maybe Arianna had the right idea with leaving. The longer she waited, the less sure she was about the whole marriage.
She stood unblinking at the mirror.
“You look beautiful,” Kellie assured her, no matter how much she hated to.
“Huh?” the bride turned to the barmaid, stirred from her thoughts.
“You don’t have to worry, you look amazing,” Kellie again assured, adjusting her veil, “You’ll knock Drew off his feet.” She told her with a sigh.
Lily looked at the other woman with gentle concern, “You care a lot about Drew don’t you?”
Kellie felt her mouth go dry, “Of course…we’ve been friend’s forever.” She spread a sad smile on her face.
“Right,” Lily nodded, taking it all to heart.
Back in the chapel Drew was nervously pacing across the altar.
“We do need to get on with it,” the minister checked his own watch, “I have a funeral after this, and need to get into the state of mind.” He watched the man pace.
“Right,” he nodded, giving another look at the doors for a sign from Kellie. None. He looked to the lawyer – he was watching his watch. A little under thirty minuets.
“Shall we begin then?” the minister pressed.
Taking a deep breath, and looking wistfully at the door he agreed.
The guests were all seated, again, and the small yet sufficient wedding party stood at the altar: Steve at his brother’s side, and Oswald beside him.
They waited expectantly for the soft music to announce the bride. And that came. The recognisable tune, used over and over again, started, giving start to the usual precession. Kellie began the walk in the even stride, smiling at the waiting groom at the other end of the aisle.
Drew couldn’t help smiling at her either.
Lily entered with much heavier steps. She walked tot he altar without so much as a smirk, taking her place.
The minister cleared his throat to begin the nuptials. “We are gathered here today…”He started the usual speech. But Drew nor Lilt were really paying attention. They were both waiting for a specific part.
“…does anyone have just cause why these two should not be wed…”
“I do,” both bride and groom replied.
“It’s the wrong time for that buddy,” Oswald patted his friend’s back and shook his head.
“I know that,” he swatted him away, “But I don’t…”
“Wanna get married,” Lily finished for him.
“Right,” he agreed, a relieved look coming over his face.
“Me either,” she drawled happily.
“Perfect,” Drew beamed, pulling the no-more bride into a hug, “You’ve made me so happy.”
“Is anyone going to get married here today?” the minister questioned, obviously frustrated for being kept so long for nothing.
The church doors flung open as Lewis rushed in, pulling Arianna behind him.
“We are,” he jogged up to the altar, casting a quick glance at the lawyer. There were ten minuets now.
“And could we make it fast?” she smiled at the minister, still catching her breath.
The pair looked rumbled from their excursion. Running around city-street and taking the bus had a way of taking the glamour out of wedding attire.
“Sounds perfect!” the minister closed his bible, and prepared for the quickie version. “Do you take him, and you take her?” he pointed to the appropriate people: getting agreeing nods. “Good, then I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
Arianna smiled and stretched her neck enough to reach his lips for the matrimonial kiss.
Lewis happily pulled his new bride closer in his arms.
Oswald sniffed, wiping under his eyes; “It was so beautiful.” He whimpered and leaned against Steve, who comforted the weepy man.
