Anime

((I guess I should have figured you'd make it look so extravagant. lol Didn't cross my mind one bit. XD Funny! I like it, though!))

Benjamin's eye's widened when he saw Preeya approach Henrietta so enthusiastically. You'd think she'd be sad about the whole thing. I guess not. Then again, she was always enthusiastic about everything. You have to wonder if she even comprehends the significance behind the Bible's versess or even the sermons on the holy book her father would preach. In all honesty, he was not hurt by the scenario. He did not know why, for sure.

He cocked an eyebrow when Preeya said to him, "How long have we been together, Ben? 6 years now? My father's the pastor."

"Preeya, you know those days are over, right?"

The brunnette nodded, still smiling, for some odd reason. "I know!"

Just like old times, huh? Benjamin did not even notice Henrietta show signs of jealousy until she pulled him closer to her, stating, "We are delighted to have you at our wedding. My fiancé and I would like to go in now. It's nice to meet you, Preeya. Any friend of my Ben's is a friend of mine."

As he stood at the alter, Benjamin could not help but wonder how Henrietta was dealing with the whole situation. The thought of it all was brought to a halt when the bride appeared on the other side of the aisle. He could not believe how beautiful she looked. Wow... The young man watched as Henrietta walked towards her. His eyes focused on hers the whole time.

The pastor began the vows. "Benjamin Ephraim, will you have Henrietta Claes, to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Benjamin did no know what the feeling was inside him. He just knew this was the moment of a new beginning, for both Henrietta and himself.

((I'm always one for drama, love :P Teehee))

"I will."

Henrietta's painted lips parted slightly at his words. Sure, she understood this was all merely an arranged marriage and that he had to marry her but his words - him promising to love her... It sent a longing through her chest and Henrietta found herself blinking back tears for some unknown reason. It just felt as if someone finally wanted her. For the first time, Henrietta was not the daughter nobody wanted or the strange girl who acted like a boy but fit in nowhere. For the first time, Henrietta belonged.

The pastor cleared his throat and Henrietta blinked her large blue eyes, feeling the anticipating stares of those around her. "Sorry?" she asked, confused.

"I said," the pastor began patiently, "Henrietta Claes, will you have Benjamin Ephraim to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?"

All heads were turned towards the long-haired bride as they waited for her answer. Henrietta pulled her eyebrows together before looking at Benjamin. Will I love him, comfort him, honour him, keep him and keep myself only for him? She searched his light brown eyes, looking for an answer, for the words she could not speak. Henrietta did not believe in the existence of such a God and she most certainly didn't think the human race was built for monogamy - after all, mother nature didn't care who you reproduced with as long as you did.

The silence stretched on - even the string orchestra stopped to listen. Henrietta parted her lips to speak but no words came. After what felt like a millennium, Henrietta dropped her sapphire eyes down to Ben's shoes, whispering in a barely perceptible voice of honey, "I will."

There was a collective sigh in the audience as the pastor gestured for Ben to take his bride by her right hand and repeat their vows. As Ben repeated his, Henrietta lifted her gaze to meet the warm hazel eyes of the man she would have to love for as long as they lived. Then, when it was her turn to repeat the words of the pastor, she turned fully towards him, her eyes looking deeply into his. Henrietta spoke softly - as if her words were only for Benjamin's ears.

"I will have you to be my husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; I will love you, comfort you, honor and keep you, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep me only for you so long as we both shall live."

The pastor continued to rattle on about rings and their significance but Henrietta no longer heard any of it. She watched Benjamin with an almost hunger, the veil between them feeling more like a suffocating wall. She fidgeted with her white gown, pressing her fingers tips to her dainty waist.

"You may now place your ring on your Bride's finger."

Before anything else could happen, Henrietta lifted her veil in a rush, pulled Benjamin desperately toward her - and kissed him. With their bodies pressed together, her sugar-coated lips pressed against his; the audience half gasping, half cheering at her sudden display of affection. It was inappropriate but at that moment, Henrietta cared about as much as she'd ever not cared about anything. Her lips felt much too cold and she needed the warmth of Benjamin's and to be bluntly honest, she didn't give a damn.

Benjamin's eyes widened at Henrietta's sudden move. Is this even rehearsed? He suddenly found his eyes closed shut as he returned the kiss. Oh, what the heck! For some unknown explanation, he did not mind. In fact, it was the sweetest he ever entered. Once they parted lips, Benjamin opened his eyes in a blush, a shy smile radiating from him. Clearing his throat as the blush disappeared, he placed the ring on his bride's finger, his smile remaining on his face.

Lodan smiled and looked at the relater. "I guess we will take the house. Uh my parents will want to talk to you about finances." He hated that he had to say that. He felt like a kid again. His parents letting him look at which lolly pop he wanted and when he chose he told the lady and his parents paid for him. She clenched his teeth and pretended it didn't bother him. His smile turned towards Holle. "Shall we go in and decide where everything is going to go? Or would you rather start wedding plans?"

"Your choice but my mother will be a complete control freak over it but she win't last long once I remind her of key facts. " She smiled at Lodan. She looked at him playing with her soft red hair . "The only furniture I'm bringing is from my room and my a sofa." She said only but she had a loy of funiture I. her room. She smiled at the thought of Ash in her closet.

Akiko blushed as he continued to ask her. How would she word it? A true love? It was something in fairy tales, wasn't it?

"W-well..... I just want a good, true marriage... One filled with real love..." She said, leaving out the kiss part. It was just something dumb. She smiled slightly and didn't meet his eyes. She was afraid how he'd react. She didn't want to be thought of as a kid... but her childish dream made it seem like she still was one.

Adam Leroux

If Adam wanted something, he'd be sure to get it, and make sure he got it, which was what he basically told her. If he was going to the leaps and bounds, he didn't fancy leaping back to pull her along every step at the way. He spoke before how she shouldn't be afraid to use her mouth and to speak her mind as she wished, though now it had begun to grow silent again as Adam wondered how she really felt inside. Before, she was looking into his eyes with sparkles in her own and complimenting him, telling him how great he looked. With the silence, it made him wonder if she was only following her fathers' orders, or doing herself.

It was the same question for him, though he was doing both, as following his fathers' orders, meant that he would be doing himself a great favour for the future, as well as having someone to tend to him, and charm him when he is in a bad mood. Many people stirred him up when they didn't do as he asked, when he knows exactly what he is doing. He wondered to himself, if he would ever find the girl for him, as there were those who glanced at him when he was about, but he had denied or kept his distance. Out of all the couples in the park, the blonde-haired gal had specifically spoken to him and saw him as attractive, even infront of the young man that was with her.

So there was no denying that he did have a tendency to shine above the rest. Akiko must of heard her compliment to him too, though she took no offence, merely nodded, perhaps agreeing, or was strong enough to see that the man she had been given was indeed gifted in charms and she couldn't start pushing the others away. Perhaps it was something she should be doing. Taking control. Afterall, he was hers, but how much did she truly want him, as he asked what she wanted, how there could be no secrets between them, and how he'd see about making what she wanted happen.

"W-well...", she begun to reply as her rosey cheeks shone as red as his hair which made him smile as he walked a little closer, "I just want a good, true marriage...". Well, the marriage would be the easy part, it was putting up with him which was the hard part, as he wasn't the easiest person to get along with, though so far, she had done well to get on his good side, before she continued, "One filled with real love...".

Adam perked up and raised an eyebrow, "Real love?", as he stood beside her again as the back of his hand stroked her cheek as he had done before, "Has the love I shown you, not real enough?", keeping such a straight face as he done so for keeping the tension as his other hand weaved through her hair. Keeping in mind, she was younger than him, he merely smiled inside as he moved his right hand to her shoulder while his left hand caressed her cheek, "Perhaps, I am not good enough for you afterall", he answered in a dull tone, as he pulled away from her and turned away.

That would surely spark her to say something at least, but the part that sparked to him was not what she said, but how she spoke her mind, how she lifted her head out of the sand, and despite not looking at him, she still was facing it. Brent was probably better at all this stuff, but he wouldn't let him get to him, and unless he himself shown something that would keep him and Akiko together, then Brent would no doubt try to barge his way in as he usually does.

Giving her just a few moments to react to his movement and as well as giving him time to make his next move, he then turned quickly as his right hand held her waist and brought her close, while his left finger touched her lips so she couldn't say anymore, as Adam smiled. "..or maybe..", continually from what he had said before, "My little princess...wants her Prince Charming". His face instantly changing as he said such words, as his cheeks raised and his face grew brighter, and his smile re-appeared with a glow in his eyes, as he then descended down, removing his left finger, and sealing her lips with his own. Adam was true to his word.

"Real love?" He questioned as he raised an eyebrow. He moved close to her and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand."Has the love I shown you, not real enough?" He asked as his other hand weaved through her hair. Her face quickly became even more hot and red. He then smiled and moved that hand to her shoulder.

"Perhaps, I am not good enough for you after all" He said dully as he let go and walked away. Her eyes quickly widened as she froze but then ran after him.
"No! That's not it... I'm sorry. I-..." She started before tearing up.
"You're amazing... I just.. I'm just afraid... I'm afraid that I'm just following orders and am not really-" He then quickly turned around and his right hand held her waist and brought her close as he put a finger to her lips and quieted her. He then smiled.

"..or maybe.." He said as she hung on every word. "My little princess...wants her Prince Charming" He finished, a smile grew on his face and he removed his finger and kissed her.

Her face immediately went even more red, if that was even remotely possible, as soon as his lips met hers. Her eyes fluttered and then closed as all her fears washed away and she just embraced the moment. Her heart beated louder and she was sure that he could even hear it. She was not used to this. This kiss was completely new grounds to her and she knew that she never wanted to be away from him ever again once it started. She wanted to be with him.

Adam Leroux

Adam was a risk-taker, and as such, he just trolled on forward, hoping that the outcome would be favourably to him. Sometimes, a little push was needed in order for things to move forward. So far, his risks had worked out well, most of the time. This one however, was a large one, and if it didn't work out, then his future was bleak while Brent's would be bright, and he couldn't have that.

His risk this time was turning and walking away, which left two options; either she would follow or she would run away, and if she ran away, then he'd have to chase her, and even that had its risk as she could tell her parents and then they'd arrange another marriage for her, whether they'd return to the Leroux's and arrange with Brent, or to someone else who could be worser than him, and people saw him as bad. Ironic eh? Thankfully, he heard her sweet voice and the sounds of footsteps on the grass as she came over to him, "No! That's not it...I'm sorry. I-...".

Well, she had found her voice to say "No!" in such an exclaimation. There was a feisty one inside that innocent angel after all, before her tone then changed as if she was crying. Please say she wasn't, he couldn't be dealing with this now, "You're amazing...I just..I'm just afraid...I'm afraid that I'm just following orders and am not really-". It was enough talk, enough upset. She was to be his bride, and he'd make sure she felt as if she was in heaven as he kissed her. His right hand supported her by holding her waist, while his left hand that originally covered her mouth with his finger, weaved under her arm and held her back. If she were to try to fall back, she would not, as she was safely cradled in his arms.

Opening his eyes and pulling back just a tad, he then asked with a smile, "So what was it...you was telling me before?", as his right arm left her waist so his right hand could wipe her tears, before returning to her waist. "So am I...good enough for you?", he asked, "If you cannot speak...you know, actions...", tilting his head to kiss her right cheek, "...speak louder", tilting the other way to kiss her left cheek, "..than words", returning to his original posture.

Then Adam returns to his original nature, and turns his cheek purposively, so she would have to take action and turn it, "But then again, if I'm not good enough, then you can easily push me away". Despite his face being turned, his eye looked to her from the corner to see what she would do. The next move was hers, since he had done all the work so far. If she wanted him, then she had the chance to take him for her own, as he did with opportunities at work. Like in chess, his move was over, and now it was her move. Will she knock him off the board? or check-mate?

"So what was it...you were telling me before?" He asked as he pulled back. He quickly wiped her tears which she barely remembered even being there. "So am I...good enough for you? If you cannot speak...you know, actions..." He said as he kissed her right cheek and she blushed again as his lips brushed her cheek. "...speak louder" He said and then kissed her other cheek. "..than words" He finished, leaving her like a tomato and returning to his usual pose. He then turned his cheek and looked at her. "But then again, if I'm not good enough, then you can easily push me away"

She was hesitant at first, but she slowly walked up to him. Getting on her tip toes, she quickly delivered a peck to his cheek.
"You're perfect..." She whispered and then got off her tip toes. She could only stay up so long. She looked up at his eyes and gave a smile. She knew her face was hot, but she wasn't going to be embarrassed right then.

"Well we can get your stuff packed and over here then work on the wedding for a while." He told her then quickly added his after thought. "My parents made me pack my stuff and put it in the tuck already. I barely found this to wear this morning." He looked down at his jeans and simple shirt. "Or we can do all the unpacking first and start on wedding stuff after." He turned towards her now they were standing alone on the porch now.

"How about we share wedding ideas whilst we unpack? ".She smiled. "Or is my mother right when she says only women can multitask?" She teased. There was no point being sour she might as well try to fall in live maybe she could it would make her life so much easier.

Adam Leroux

Adam wondered what his woman would be like, and this was way before he was told about the whole arranged marriage thing. He had snobby women under him, gossiping agony aunts, the cat-scratchers, though wasn't sure what type of women he'd fancy. Maybe a rose, was his thoughts, beautiful on the inside, then thornes for when she decided to get feisty, though hoping that he didn't go on her wrong side.

Now as he thought about it, maybe the best woman that could be for Adam, was one that could listen, one that could support him, to be someone who could welcome him home, to make a smile from a frown. It seemed from all he had experienced thus far, it was Akiko that had best fit the bill, even if she was a little young, a little timid, a little quiet, yet she was learning.

Being part of a rich family wasn't easy, and he could understand that. Not only that, but being an only child, not to mention being a female, meant she probably had alot of pampering, to make sure she turned out how her parents' planned. A nice result, yet it meant she needed a strong husband to keep fending for her, so as a result, she would need training. Already he had told her about himself, how he started, how they were alike, and so far his advice has been taken as she had buckled up her courage to speak her mind as he said she should do.

However, when she started to doubt, speaking of real love, and then him asking if how much he has pampered her already wasn't enough. The girl wanted more, and he gave it to her. He asked her to tell him what she wanted and he'll bring to pass and he had, and was speechless ever since he sealed her lips. The only part she played was blossuming her cheeks while Adam was playing the role of a romantic which he didn't do so often. The films helped, but as he stood with her, he couldn't imagine being paired with anyone better.

They'd sent an angel to comfort him and he was sent to help her grow, to finish the work that her parents started. Afterall, as a young lady, you had to be obediant he asked, but when ladies grew, they tended to follow their heart's desire and speak to their hearts' content, and the last thing he wanted was his wife to turn into those in the office, or he would really lose it. He'd test her, to see if she desired him to be with her, as he turned his cheek and spoke words in order to bring forth a reaction.

That reaction, was a peck on his cheek, no doubt taking his advice since she was speechless and instead performed an action instead, before he heard her speak again, "You're perfect...". Adam turned back to face her as she smiled at him. Despite her face being bright red, she still shone her smile and weren't hiding it, which that in itself, made him smile inside. However, if she thought she would win him over with a small peck, in which case she would probably be right since he still felt warm from it, then she had to do more. After she told him how perfect he was, he then smirked, "Well, I could of told you that", in which his smile appeared.

Afterwhich, he then asked, "But....how perfect am I to you?", before comparing himself to one of the sweetest berries ever, "A cherry is a perfect red, yet it does not last very long.....so how long do you want this cherry for, my sweet little flower?", he asked, closing the gap between them, before pouting his lips. They were indeed meeting for the first time and so far, the meeting went well, and despite his own doubts at the start and Akiko's own doubts, he strangely felt himself being pulled in. He could imagine coming home miserable from work, and then all the miseries of work disappear when she came to him. Yes his original intentions was about doing his fathers' will, the same thing she also doubted, but now as his feelings grew, he wondered if she would return them, if she would step up to the mark, to be the wife of Adam Leroux......

(OoC: You alive, snipergirl?)

"Well, I could of told you that" He said back as she tried to hold her ground. Of course he knew that. He smiled as he continued.
"But....how perfect am I to you? A cherry is a perfect red, yet it does not last very long.....so how long do you want this cherry for, my sweet little flower?"

"I want it to last as long as it can.... no..." She said as she shook her head while looking down. She knew deep down that it wasn't the answer she felt. That was her timid self answering a question without stepping out of her shell. She had to step out. Her heart wouldn't allow her to shy away now. She had to say her feelings. She looked up at met him straight in the eyes.

"No... That's not it.... You're the only man who has ever spoken a kind word to me. The only one who has gotten to know the real me and allowed me to speak my mind... To be my own person.... The only one who has made me feel this way.... What I really want is for my cherry to last forever.... That is... if he feels the same way." She finished with a bright smile.

Adam Leroux

After all this time, he never thought they'd be someone for him, especially with Brent stepping in his way, and then the worry that having a woman around would just spoil everything. He had his guesses, had his thoughts about the ideal woman, yet he couldn't believe that his father had actually found someone perfect for him. Infact, he was no longer thinking about the prospects of being heirs of two grand estates, but her, which was an odd feeling. Usually, it was about how to do this, how to improve that, how to do the right thing. He had left with wrong intentions, and now he hadn't felt, so right, oddly enough.

"I want it to last as long as it can....no...", Akiko responded. Since Adam was in his good mood, he didn't flinch from his smile, even if her response wasn't what she was expecting, but the key part what he saw was her disagreeing with what she had said. He couldn't decide if he was a good influence, or a bad influence on her, before she looked back up again, "No...That's not it....You're the only man who has spoken a kind word to me. The only one who has gotten to know the real me and allowed me to speak my mind...To be my own person....The only one who has made me feel this way....What I really want is for my cherry to last forever....That is...if he feels the same way".

Adam's smile softened, as he recalled what she said to him earlier, "...I'm sorry for being so young...I bet you weren't expecting someone as young as me....But I'll try my hardest to be the best bride I can be and follow your orders to the letter". Comparing her to how she was when they first met, and to now, she had certainly grown up. How many 15 year olds get the chance to marry someone as handsome as him...and how lucky he was to have someone as sweet, loving and caring as her.

The word that stuck to mind, was the word "only". He couldn't believe that he was the only one that had treated her in such a way, but what mattered now was that she was the "only" one for him, and he the "only" one for her, "Spoken like a lady", he responded with his smile, so she could see that he didn't regard her for her age, but for who she was inside.

He then proceeded to answer her, as he moved his left hand to caress her cheek while his right hand remained at her waist, "You know, you need to be soft and gentle with cherries. Squeeze them too hard and they won't last forever", as his thumb gently stroked her soft skin. Adam then looked into her eyes, "However, if there was anyone I wished to spend the rest of my life with, it would be you".

Smiling softly towards her, he then spoke again, "There has been very few that have showed any affection towards me. Most people judge me too quickly and don't give a chance to see the real me, but you have. I never thought I would even find someone to love, but I love you Akiko", as he once again descended towards her to meet her lips, curious if she too would meet his lips since before she was shy. It didn't matter really, though they still had to go through the whole ceremony and dividing the time with each other to cater for their family, friends and guests, as well as the photoshoots.

Let's not think about too much just yet. For now, Adam cared only for the here and now and being with her.

Lodan laughed and nodded. "Alright I guess I can try." He said heading back to the car. He opened her door for her and smiled at her. "I hope you are ready for my ideas. I have big plans." He smiled slightly showing some of his teeth. "When I was a kid I loved the circus and I saw this really cool clown wedding and I thought it could give us some ideas." He told her and made it sound like he won the lottery. "I even still have it on video!" He sounded even more excited.

She smiled. "God we could be more alike then we think!" She thanked him and got in the car. Her mind whizzed her mother had a country wedding her sister a big white wedding. The thought made her smile. She was looking forward to looking at dresses yes she was fom boy at times but she did like dresses. She also,liked being diffrent so she was not going to have a wedding like her mum or sister.