The Righteous Path

White Wedding

The day was hot for Portland, nearly 95 degrees. Lilith stood out front of the golf club, anxiously awaiting Air's arrival. She kept clicking the clasp of her clutch, nodding and smiling at guests as they arrived. In the back of her mind, she worried if he would stand her up, that worry growing with every car that came and went. A black Bentley pulled up, from the back a painfully attractive man exited. He stood and adjusted his black velvet tuxedo jacket, his tailored slacks accentuating the length of his legs. He wore black rimmed glasses with nearly circular lenses, his chin covered with stubble, his grey blue eyes bright. Lilith eagerly waved at him, a smile stretching across his face when their eyes met. With long strides, he moved to her, his hand slipping into his pocket. A moment later, he pulled out a phone, raising it up slightly.

"Do you mind? The guys insisted." He said, his gaze roaming her body. She wore a full length, strapless grey chiffon dress with a beaded waist, modest in its cut. Her hair was curled and pinned up with jeweled bobby pins and her eyes shimmering with glittered gold eye shadow. His eyes finally rested of her lips, which were bright red. She smiled for the picture, only allowing it because it gave her more time to take in his beauty. He looked like he could be her father, granted a young father. Something about that added to the excitement of being with him. She grinned at the thought. "You look stunning, as always." He smiled, holding his arm out for her, which she happily took.

"Oh, so what do I call you?" she asked, realizing that could become an issue.

"I usually go by Aaron with humans." He replied, glancing down at her. The phrase made her a bit uncomfortable, forcing the acknowledgment that he was in fact not human.

"Alright, Aaron." She smiled, pushing the thought aside. She was determined to enjoy his company, the first outing she had ever had with one of them.

The wedding ceremony felt long, Lilith trying to remain interested. Her mother cried while her father sat stoically throughout the one-hour event. The reception was held in the Rose Pavilion on the grounds. As she had feared, once the pair had arrived, her father rushed them. He hugged Lilith, then offered a hand to Air.

"Dad, this is Aaron." Lilith said, motioning to Air.

"Hi Aaron, I'm Lily's dad, Scott." He introduced himself, shaking Airs hand forcefully. She rolled her eyes, hating to be called Lily. "So, Aaron, how did you meet my daughter?" He asked, putting his hands in his pockets and straightening his back as to look more imposing. Her father was not imposing though. He was what one would expect a middle aged, upper-class cis white man to look like.

"I met her in the research lab at Cornell. I happened to be out here at a symposium, so I was able to attend this lovely event as her guest." Air said casually, a pleasant smile on his lips. His hand rested on Lilith's back, his touch making her heart jump. It was the most possessive he had ever been and though she knew it was for show, she enjoyed it.

"Ah, I see. What do you do at the University?" Her father was clearly weary of Air. She couldn't blame him. From her father's perspective, this man appeared to be much older, thus more experienced than his naive, innocent daughter.

"I'm a professor of inorganic chemistry." He said, causing Lilith to blush and tense. Why would he say that? Couldn't he say he was an assistant or something! She thought, biting her lip.

"A professor." Scott paused, looking at his daughter with slightly widened eyes. The look clearly said we will talk later about dating your professors. "Well, I must say, I haven't heard Lily talk about you." Her father continued grilling him, his eyes looking over the tall man. Lilith avoided her father's gaze now, mortified.

"The Lilith I know is fairly reserved. I'm sure she was waiting for the right time." Air responded so smoothly even Lilith could believe his lies. Mercifully, the bride and groom were announced, which meant returning to assigned seats. They were placed at the table next to where the parents and grandparents were seated. The reception was enjoyable, and she was even able to get Air to dance. The night was over too quickly though, and they ended where they began, in front of the golf club. The black Bentley pulled up again, waiting for its passenger.