Eutopia (Lloyd Hansen AU)

5

Autumn studied herself in the mirror after Eva had finished her hair and makeup. Her ivory lace 1950's style tea dress with cap sleeves, flattering her figure. 

Thankfully the wedding dress along with the hair and makeup wasn't as dramatic as she had imagined, and now as she stared at herself, a perfectly poised and finished 'product' of Eutopia, she knew that today would be the start of the rest of her life. 

Mrs Hansen. 

Even now the chills were running down her spine. 

A life of servitude, but not in the way that she had wanted it to be. Autumn had never had any intention on becoming anyone's wife so soon in her life, nor had she planned on giving up her days to spend it cooking, cleaning and - heaven forbid - raising children as part of some messed up 'promotion'. 

She wanted to laugh at her own stupidity, for getting herself into this mess and actually believing that she could see the mission through for Fitzroy. But at the same time? She wanted to cry.

"There, pretty as a picture". Eva smiled as she now admired her work in the reflection. "Mr Hansen won't know what to say - which is hard considering that he usually does for any situation". 

Autumn shook her head. "I doubt that he'll even notice me. I wouldn't be surprised if we skipped the boring parts and just went straight to the vows so he could get back to work". 

"He noticed you at the bidding. He's never held any interest in it since the project started up. It seems that you are special Autumn". Eva now told her. 

"I don't want to be special, and I certainly don't claim to be. I don't want to be his possession". 

Eva smiled sadly. "From the moment you came through those gates? You were his from the start. The same goes for any woman who enters here. We are the property of our husbands once those gates are closed". 

She brightened almost automatically, as though a switch had flicked itself on in her mind, switching her mode from sympathetic to her current mood. "Come along now. We need to get you to the church and married. The sooner the better right?" Her dazzling smile on ruby red lips that could rival any Hollywood starlet, now slightly scaring Autumn. Even though she dared not show it. 

**

Accompanied by two of Lloyd's guards (Autumn wasn't sure what else she expected), she was driven the few blocks to the church in town, getting out of the car and ushered inside to where Lloyd was waiting for her along with the officiant - both of whom looked rather impatient to be waiting for her arrival. 

Autumn didn't want to look at Lloyd as she now stood beside him, the ceremony beginning with the very few people in attendance to witness it. Lloyd's men being the select few as well as Eva, who sat at the front watching on nervously.

Weddings here seemed to be quick and less of a celebration with friends. 

It was an act of convenience. And one that had to be undertaken to ensure the project thrived. 

Just as birthing children for it was even more so. 

Now as Autumn repeated her vows, her voice shook, just as her hand did so when Lloyd went to slip the ring on her finger. The main question being asked loud and clear. 

Did he promise to love her forever? Kepp her from harm and all of that shit until death do they part? 

He did. 

 Autumn was then asked the very same question, and she felt her entire body freeze up. "Autumn?" The officiant now looked concerned, trying to snap her out of whatever trance she'd gone into. "Autumn? Do you?" 

It was like for a few moments she couldn't make herself speak, or even move for that matter. She was simply locked in the very spot that she stood, her body automatically trying to turn itself into defense mode. 

You have to do this. Whether you like it or not, if you don't get yourself back to reality then he won't hesitate to kill you, even if you are in a church. Her mind advised her while she silently battled with her body to just get back to normal. 

Her eyes went to Eva who looked worried and nodded her encouragement to her. 

That was enough to snap her back into reality, and she now looked at Lloyd with terror in her eyes. 

And in his own? 

They were warning her...

"I do..." She finally managed to make herself say the words even though she didn't want to. 

"I now pronounce you man and wife...you may kiss the bride..." 

Her body tensed up again as Lloyd now leant in and kissed her. 

It wasn't passionate, but it didn't feel like he thought it just another chore either. It was a normal kiss and that was that. Job done. 

She was now his wife. 

Mrs Autumn Hansen. 

And as the wife of the man who was at the head of project Eutopia, the women would look to her as some kind of role model. 

No pressure...

"Come along Mrs Hansen". Lloyd now said, taking her hand and all but pulling her along and out of the church. "Let's take you home".