Daylight (Michael Gray x OC/Bonnie Gold x OC)

I look at you and I see nothing

"What the fuck are you on about?" Michael exclaimed, slamming his hands down on the table in front of him. Angry flames sparked in his eyes as he looked to his mother in hopes she was joking. He knew there was no way that she was. This was too serious to joke about.

"She's a nice girl, a pretty girl-

"I don't care if she's the fucking queen of England! You can't just marry me off without me getting a say!"

"Listen to me," his mother practically begged, something she wasn't very knowledgable about. "Her family runs the races. They're the ones that give us the odds and now they need protection."

"A touching story but still not my problem."

"It's about to be your problem and you'll have an even bigger problem if you don't shut up and listen to me. They just want what the Lees have. When Esme married John, they became family and now we protect them like family. The Burns need protection."

"They need it so much that they're willing to give up their daughter for it?" Even though he was still livid about being engaged without his knowledge, a part of him ached with pity for the young girl whose life was being thrown away for the sake of business. Both of them were practically children and barely knew how to live on their own, let alone live with one person forever. Polly paced back a forth with a cigarette between her fingers and slid the case across the table for her son to take one. They both needed a way to take the edge off of the thick tension in the room. They stood silent for a moment before she spoke again.

"I know this is hard. Trust me, you were the last person I wanted to do this. But like it or not, while you are a Gray, you are also a Shelby. When you're a Shelby, you make sacrifices. Every single person in this family has sacrificed their life for the sake of the rest. At least this way, you won't have to walk away with a bullet in your chest...as long as you're nice to her."

Michael cracked a smile, causing his mother to grin as well. "Please, Michael. She will be a good wife for you. I hate this but our business is what keeps us safe and I would rather die than lose you again."

Polly was right. He hated the idea of marrying a girl he didn't choose but he hated the idea of disappointing his family more. His mother needed him, his cousins needed him, the business need him. He hoped that girl was pretty.

Charlotte sat silently as she was primped and pressed in wedding decorations. Her mother pinned her hair back painfully tight, stretching her face out as if she was made of elastic. Her aunt applied coat after coat of red lipstick to her lips. She hated red lipstick. She hated the way it stained white cloths and the way it looked on her. Her aunt smiled and set the lipstick in her hand.

"My wedding gift to you." The word burned through her like a flaming arrow. She was getting married to a gangster. She was getting married to a gangster she didn't know. She was getting married to a gangster she didn't know so that her parents could keep their business secure.

She stood in front of the mirror, running her hands down her wedding gown. It was her mother's dress and she hated it. It was too long for the current fashion and it was too cinched in the waist, taking some of Charlotte's breath with the lack of fabric. The lace was too much for her liking, she would've liked something more simple if she had the choice. She didn't like the chunky pearls hanging around her neck and she hated the ring around her finger most. Another relic of her mother's. The diamond was too big and the band was silver. She preferred gold. 

Her mother appeared behind her and hugged her around the waist, smiling proudly "I know this isn't how you wanted it to go but this may be a blessing in disguise. He's a nice boy, a handsome boy and he'll provide for you. With him, you're safe."

Charlotte doubted every word she said.

She stood beside her father, arm linked through his as her stomach leeched. She didn't have any hope that the Gray boy was handsome and much less hope that he was nice. Or maybe he was, they always give up the nice ones. Michael stood at the altar, hands shoved in his pockets and his jaw clenched. He couldn't contain the knots growing tighter in his stomach as he looked to Tommy who gave him a slight nod from the pews. They heard the dreaded bridal walk song blast on the organ, it sounded more like a death march than a walk towards a wonderful life. The doors opened and Charlotte tried not to wither under the stares of the entire Shelby family, she couldn't tell if they were welcoming her or ready to tear her apart in the blink of an eye. She got so lost in her fearful thoughts that her father had to tug her forward to get her to start her walk down the aisle. She stumbled slightly and she wished she would've died right there on the spot, hopefully her new family could take care of that for her but much to her dismay, no bullets went flying her way. Michael chuckled slightly as she tripped, she actually was pretty. He liked the way the sun made her red hair look lighter and her red lipstick brought attention to her full lips. Charlotte could see him clearer the more she walked and she didn't hate the sight of him. His suit was sleek and looked nice on him. His hair was neatly gelled to the side and his jawline was very pronounced. At least, he was handsome. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally made it to the altar. Her father kissed her briefly on the head and pushed her to stand next to Michael. They could see each other's eyes now. Charlotte couldn't quite tell what color his eyes were with how they were shadowed but they seemed nice, not exactly welcoming but nice enough. Michael saw the way her green eyes shined in the light but he didn't feel anything. He didn't feel his chest tighten or butterflies in his stomach. Nothing more than what he usually felt when he saw a pretty girl. And he didn't feel the need to stare into her eyes like he read about it fairy tale books, he preferred brown eyes. They offered each other sympathetic smiles and focused their attention on the preacher. Dread filled their thoughts as they repeated vows and said they're I Do's. 

"I know pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gray" Their hearts sunk, it was over. They were done. There was no way out.

"You may kiss the bride" They turned to face each other, neither smiling and pressed their lips together, family members cheering and clapping in the background. It was a nice kiss, sparks didn't fly and fireworks didn't go off but they enjoyed it enough. They could make do with kissing each other again.