Heaven

44: Buttons

Reptilia- The Strokes

"What's going on, April?" Cass sighed, taking her hand.

"What do you mean?" She paced frantically.

"Babe, you called us all down here. What's up?" I kissed her cheek before sitting down. Ari opted to kiss April's lips before joining Caspar, Chris, and me on the couch. April took a deep breath.

"Fauna is getting baptized. I need to be there for her, and I was wondering if you guys would come with me."

"Yeah. Of course." I assured her.

"You know it's at your dad's congregation, yeah?" She sent me a questioning look.

"Yeah. You need us there." She looked skeptical. "I'll survive."

"Will you? Will you be okay tomorrow?" Cass asked once we were in our room.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Remember the first night we said 'I love you'? Remember why you were so upset? I didn't think I'd ever let you set foot in that place again."

"Well, you're going to have to." He sighed at that. "You can keep me as close as you need to. It's not like I'm going to go back and want to stay."

"We should christen the church," he smirked.

"No!" I laughed. "When would we even have opportunity? During services?" His smirk broadened. "Caspar Wesley Donovan!"

"I'm just kidding...."

"Are you?"

"Mostly."

That next morning, he walked into the room as I was buttoning my shirt. He stepped over and ran his hands over the exposed skin before doing up the rest of the buttons. He handed me my suit jacket and bowtie before getting dressed himself, considering that he was only wearing his boxers. He opted for suspenders and a regular tie. Ari was wearing a flowing yellow dress that I was sure was April's, and April was wearing a similar dress, but in pink, and with lace. Chris wore the suit he wore last time he had jury duty.

The car ride to the church was quiet. Cass didn't make a noise the entire time, expect for a questioning hum, silently asking if he could hold my hand. I laughed and nodded obviously. I understood, though. I'd assume I'd be more upset about this, too. But I wasn't. I was completely fine, actually. That was, until we stepped inside the building. I was hit with a wave of recognition and audibly gasped. My boyfriend lightly squeezed my shoulder, having let go of my hand before we walked in. I was sure everyone here knew about us, but he still seemed to think that letting go would protect me or something.
The entire population of the building started murmuring as soon as I walked into the main hall. I heard the whispered "Theodore" or "the younger Martin boy" more times than I cared to admit. Cass felt me freeze and placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to where our family was sitting. Mother and Jack were sitting on the other side of the church, and Father was up at the altar, ready to begin. The service was exactly how I remembered them: agonizingly long, courtesy of one Richard Martin. He'd go on for days if they'd let him. He knew what he believed, and he wanted everyone else to know it, too. April's dad, Greg, baptized his youngest, and we were dismissed. What I hadn't noticed until then was Grey, who was sitting in the back. My boyfriend followed my line of vision and tightened his grip on my hand. Grey stood to leave and my boyfriend turned to me.

"I'm going to go talk to him. I'll see you later." He pulled away.

"Baby, no-."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Then don't try to stop me."