Contemplative Sensitivity

The Wedding

Levi had to admit that Cecily looked stunning in her dress. It was an eggshell color (Niles' grandmother was unhappy about the pregnancy and the only way she'd pay for the dress was if it was an off white color), but it it was form fitting and the pearl necklace shone around her neck. It was still early on in her pregnancy--you could hardly tell she was brewing a babe at all. Cecily did look a bit green, but she beamed nonetheless--her eyes wet with tears yet to fall. Harold however, was a sobbing snotty mess as he walked her down the aisle. 

There they sat--Levi next to Erwin on the right side, and Mike, Hanji, Petra and Farlan sat on the left. There were only about fifty people in attendance (Cecily refused to have a huge guest list out of spite for Niles' grandmother's interference). Here, he was surrounded by friends and family and a few new faces as well as Cecily's biological cousin and aunt were in attendance. When Levi first lay his eyes on the woman called Cadence, he knew immediately that she didn't have much time left. Cadence was gaunt, and it seemed like even the gentle breeze hurt when it blew against her wan, sanguine skin. That was the reason why Cecily insisted they marry before the birth of the baby--Cadence wouldn't have lived to see it otherwise. 

"She looks stunning," Erwin whispered. 

"Indeed," Levi replied. 

It had been two months since that fateful trip. Since that fateful grocery store visit. Levi had yet to tell Erwin that he and John had once again crossed paths. In fact, Levi couldn't tell Erwin anything because the moment his brother returned, there was talk of the engagement and the pregnancy. It was finally Cecily's turn to have a proper moment. When Erwin asked Levi why he had decided to start talking again, Levi lied and said, "I just felt like it was time." He secretly asked Farlan, Hanji and Petra to keep Kenny Ackerman's name a secret. Levi himself wanted to swept in the joy of a marriage and new baby. 

"Dearly beloved," the minister begins, "We are gathered here today for the matrimony of two wonderful people--Cecile and Nile. These two have known each other for years. Nile claims that the first time he lay eyes on this beautiful woman before you today, he knew that she was going to be his wife. Thank goodness she felt the same way or this would have turned out a whole lot differently."

The crowd laughed. 

"Mike and Hanji are going to be next," Levi said slyly. 

"Why do you say that?" Erwin asked. 

"Mike and Nile had been talking about engagement rings for months now. In fact, its around this time that Mike was going to pop the question."

"Maybe he will during the reception." 

"Erwin, Cecily will kill him. Imagine going to prison on your wedding day?"

"They'd really send a pregnant woman to jail?"

Martha patted Levi on the shoulder. "Quiet, boys. They're exchanging the vows."

"Do you Cecily, take this man as your husband?"

Cecily clinked back tears. "I do. I always will."

"And do you, Niles, take this gorgeous woman as your wife?"

"As long as she stays gorgeous," Niles said slyly. 

"Quit it, bastard." Cecily had a smile on her face, but she hissed it like a viper ready to strike. 

The crowd laughed again. Levi had never been to a wedding before--he had no idea they could be fun. He looked around him. Niles and Cecily are having a baby, and soon Mike and Hanji will have their chance to say their I dos. The sister-brother group was changing, getting older, expanding. Yet, despite it all, Levi still felt the same. He still felt like the same four year old boy who was escorted through the halls of the Saint Carolina Orphanages. Sure, things had changed about him--he'd grown older, taller (with a limit) and his artistic skills improved greatly, but he still felt like something was amiss or rather he was missing something. 

He looked at Erwin from the corner of his eye, and suddenly felt and overwhelming sadness. One day, Erwin would at the alter--waiting for a beautiful woman to be handed over by her father. He'd be saying I do, soon. The melancholy he felt was quickly overtaken by panic. When Erwin'd get a bride, Levi would truly be all alone then. The thought he suddenly couldn't bring himself to bear. What if they never get the chance to meet Kenny Ackerman together? It'd crush him!

"Erwin."

"Yeah?"

"There's a man...who claims he's my uncle...and he wants to meet me."

Erwin sharply turned toward him, blue eyes huge with shock. Was it shock he saw? Perhaps fright? 

"I'd like you to come with me to meet him."

Erwin suddenly looked parched. So parched that a gallon of deer park wouldn't quench his thirst. The color had drained from his face. "When?"

"I was thinking Friday."

"Two days from now?"

"After school. You can do it, can't you?" 

"I--" 

"I know pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Dawk!!"