Love in the Time of Matrimony

Part 2: The Ceremony

It seems last time was relatively well received. This time, however, is the wedding itself. I hope it turned out well. I'm admittedly a little apprehensive about it, but I hope you enjoy! Part 2 time!

Part 2

The Ceremony

The day of the wedding ceremony dawned bright, with plenty of sunshine and a breeze that rippled across the plains and forests of Pallet Town. The air buzzed with excitement, almost creating a sort of ordered chaos in the campsites that was held back by the Champions, themselves. Meanwhile, near the borders of a forest in the town, one that was all too familiar to Serena, was the wedding pavilion, with rows upon rows of chairs set up in front of it and stretching far back. The only thing breaking that seating up was the long carpet of royal blue that split it in two, leading all the way back, signifying where the wedding processional would begin and end.

Even in those early morning hours, some of the guests were looking to get seats that hadn't already be reserved for the families and close friends. It made Serena feel almost shocked, like this was actually happening. Right now. She was about to officially be married.

"Just relax, Serena," Shauna assured her, patting her on the back as she stared at herself in the mirror, eyes wide. Not that she was going to back down for a second; they'd been through too much, and done too much, to back out of something they had both been waiting for. It didn't stop reality from settling in, though. "You're ready for this. It's no different than a performance, right? You go up there and look as beautiful as ever, do what you need to do and walk away hand in hand...only with your husband instead of your Pokémon."

"Brai," Braixen agreed, nodding her head wholeheartedly. Serena swallowed, taking comfort from both Shauna and her Pokémon's words. Like with Ash's teammates, all of them waiting in the crowd, and Pikachu on his shoulder come the time for the ceremony, Serena had asked for all her Pokémon to be with her. Some would be near the front, but Braixen was to be right at her side with her other bridesmaids.

"Th-thanks..." Serena breathed out. Whipping her hair a bit, Serena looked back into the mirror while Shauna reached over and clipped it back with light pink clips, adorned with flowers on their surface. It accented Serena's face and her blue eyes, making her near shoulder-length hair not stick out too much. After doing that, Shauna moved along and set some things on the table before her. Just as Serena was about to take a look, the door was knocked on.

"Serena, is it all right to enter? Your father and I are here." Serena breathed again, and Shauna called for them to enter. The door cracked open and Serena turned to see her mother and father striding in, looking like the married couple they probably were before Y had left on his adventures. She was glad to see them like this, even if it was just for this and not a constant thing. That they could be here together for her wedding was enough for her. "No dress yet?"

"We don't want to ruin it," Serena admitted. Grace nodded, and then looked to the table. Y hung back, hands in his pockets as he was dressed in a suit with a light carnation upon it. He looked a little nervous, himself, as though embarrassed to be doing something so public again. Serena sent him an apologetic smile, but looked over to the objects on the table.

"It's looking like you're all set. Earrings from Shauna, the clips are from Miette for the ceremony, yes? And..." Grace said, trailing off at the end.

"My ribbon," Serena confirmed, touching to the fabric that had been through everything with her. "All for the good luck of the ceremony. Have you seen Ash?"

"Nope," Y said. "Though...I've been avoiding the lab and that whole area until the ceremony. Only because those two, Lionel and Aidan, arrived. I'm just trying to be careful. It may have been a long time ago, but I certainly don't want to mess up my daughter's big day."