Vivamus, Moriendum est (Rorschach x oc)

16. Giving Love a Bad Name

Mary's P.O.V.

It had taken a lot of time and effort, but we finally were able to stuff Geraldine into her dress. I made sure to stick her with a few pins along the way.

The dress was enormous. With lots of beading and a long train the thing weighed a ton. It appeared to be modeled after a gown that some kind of empress of the past century would have worn to her wedding.

I found myself quite sour over the procession down the aisle. I should have walked with Walter. Instead, I'd be led down the aisle by Rob. Fred would be taking the place of our father being the next oldest brother. Liberty would walk with her own husband Bill and Belle with Lenny. Geraldine's college girlfriends would walk with John's friends. 

They'd go first. Then Belle, then Liberty, and I was second to last with Rob. Having been named maid of honor and all. Some of John's younger cousins would be the flower girls and ring bearers. And a few of them would carry Geraldine's veil and train. 

I stood with Rob at the back of the line. He seemed cheery enough. I wondered if he knew the family secret that had just been leaked. 

As Liberty made it to the podium, I plastered on a fake smile and allowed Rob to lead me down the aisle. The music was dull, much like the funeral march for Leo. 

I kept my gaze directly in front of me. Not daring to look at anyone directly should my facade break. Halfway down the aisle I caught on the little red carpet that had been laid out. I tumbled to the ground nearly taking Rob with me. That earned a few laughs. I joined them to save face and speed walked the rest of the way, dragging my brother.

I took my place in front of Liberty. Just across from John. Rob went farther down the line. I should have walked with the Best Man I suppose. Though Geraldine had been adamant about the family staying together. Keeping all the big roles among family. That was the one thing she did right. The best man John's best friend would stand behind Fred. Geraldine wanted all her siblings on the podium with her. 

I wondered if she had planned to ruin her wedding. Her image. I planned to scowl at her as she climbed the steps. 

The music picked up a bit to a cheerier tune. Geraldine emerged and to my disappointment she did indeed float down the aisle. Everyone stood as she took her first steps. The sun rose behind her, and the sight admittedly was beautiful. Straight out of a fairytale book. How disappointing for something so beautiful to come from such a foul affair. 

The jewels of her dress glittered as the soft rays of the sun shone behind her. Making my sister to appear to be quite literally glowing. 

As she reached her groom I did indeed scowl at her. I was met with a confused glance before she happily faced John Malarkey. I didn't pay much attention to the ceremony. It rather bored me. Not as bad as Fred's wedding had been. Though still terribly dull. I did notice however, that Geraldine's hair was now much lighter. Lighter than mine even. I had noticed that her hair seemed off when I tied her corset and putting her in her dress. Though the stress of that situation made the detail unremarkable. Noticing now I smirked. She had dyed her hair blonde. Pathetic. All this for a man she betrayed.

As the Priest asked for objections my feet had turned to lead. They ached terribly and I wished to remove my heels and perhaps beat myself over the head with them. It would at least bring the feeling back to my body. Sheer boredom had caused me to go numb. I long cast my bouquet of flowers to the floor. They were excessively large which made them heavy, and my nose had started to itch. 

Daffodils always made my nose itch. But no make your sister who's allergic to them carry a huge pile of them right under her nose! It's for the aesthetic! Geraldine had said. Nope, far too much yellow for me. Yellow dresses, yellow flowers. Too much yellow.