Young Guns: Fire and Steel

Chapter 26: Till Death Do Us Part

((Author Note: Again there may be some trigger warning. Mentions of attempted rape and verbal abuse. Nothing too detailed though.))

Early the next morning, Kristal woke with a frown. She had suffered from a large headache most of the day the prior. Even eating and drinking water didn't help much, if at all. As much as she hated her small claustrophobic room, she had confined herself to it for the rest of the day.

The men had gone to celebrate the last evening of Charlie's bachelorhood, by giving him a send off party. A party Kristal was sure would have the boys drunk and in a senorita's bed before midnight.

Not that she cared... and yet she did. She felt the boys deserved so much better than their one night stands, if that was even what they were doing. They deserved happiness like what Charlie found.

But didn't she deserve it too?

Shaking her head, she pushed that thought back. Thinking along those lines only made her thoughts war with themselves and she didn't want to add to the headache she already had.

Once she was fully awake, she went to the Maxwell kitchen for some much needed coffee. Deluvina was a sweet woman and Kristal took a liking to her almost immediately. Maybe it was because the woman was Navajo, and then raised by Apaches until sold to the Maxwell home that made Kris feel at home with her. She felt a kinship with the woman who was only a few years older than her.

After chatting with Deluvina over coffee, Kristal made her way to the room she had left Manuela and her friend and cousin in the day before.

Knocking on the door, Ynez answered and then pulled her again, once again unceremoniously. "I think I'm starting to get used to y'all pullin' on me," she teased lightly as the door shut behind her.

The plump Ynez smiled shyly, "lo siento Krisita... I just not want anyone to see Manuela just yet."

The woman who was to be wed that day turned around with a wide smile on her face. The dress was beautiful on the young woman. Her smile was radiant as it lit up her features causing her to glow with happiness.

The image of Manuela and the pure joy the bride emanated filled Kristal with immediate elation. Was this how love was supposed to look? Or was this how it started and it just became bitter and hateful as time went by? Still, Kristal had to admit Manuela was stunning and Kristal hoped that the joy the bride was giving off would last forever. Manuela's delight was infectious. It made a part of Kristal, a rather small part, but still a part of her, wish for this to happen for her some day too. She quickly shook her head, knowing it wasn't going to happen to her... ever. It just wasn't in the cards. Not that she wanted it to be, right?

"You are the prettiest bride I've ever seen." Kristal admitted aloud. "Yer so happy that ya look all glowing.

"Gracias amiga," Manuela said softly, her cheeks turning a soft shade of crimson. "I feel pretty."

"You should 'cause ya are. It's a big day." Kristal then looked around. "Where's Senorita Maxwell?"

"Right here..." Paulita said out of breath. She too was wearing a beautiful dress of gold, green and purple. It was elegant and fell off the shoulder to give a tease of flesh.

"You look..." Manuela paused taking in her friends ensemble, "...lovely Lita," the bride finally acknowledged, her countenance falling just a little, her gaze trailing over her friend's elaborate dress. It was clear she felt overshadowed by Paulita's grandeur and wealthy dress.

"Well, I hope so!" Paulita said swaying from side to side, sashaying her dress, oblivious to Manuela's change in demeanor. "I need to catch Chivato's attention somehow. I hear he like it when señoritas show some skin." The young woman was gloating and it annoyed Kristal.