"We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between Sarah and Edward, by joining them in holy matrimony," the priest began soothingly. "Sometimes, all we need and desire is to love and to be loved and that desire is what brought us together. Sarah and Edward, your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your souls that have already been united as one in your hearts."
A pleasant breeze from the north rustled in the surrounding shrubs, cooling the guests and family members who were seated on either side of the walk leading to the gazebo where Edward, Sarah, and the priest stood.
"Do you, Edward, take Sarah to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?"
"I do."
"Do you, Sarah, take Edward to be your wedded husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love him faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?"
"I do."
Lucifer watched with a mix of irritation and exhaustion as the ceremonial vows proceeded up till Edward and Sarah kissed. As expected, he was the only one among the entire crowd who felt that way. Lila was almost teary as she squeezed his hands tightly. Everyone else began to clap and cheer the union.
"What is wrong with these people?" Lucifer wondered only in his head.
"Two people in love are getting married, were you expecting wails and tears?"
Lucifer chuckled.
"Doctor, you and I both know the love that you humans profess for each other is nothing but lies. These two might be foolish to believe they are now but they will realize how much they've been deceiving themselves sooner or later."
"I mean, look at General Murphy and his wife," He gestured with his head towards Robert and Barbara who were seated in the first row. "Do they look happy to you? Even Hank and Edna are bored of each other and it's only been what, six years?"
"So what? We just stay clear from human connection because we're imperfect?"
Lucifer scoffed. "I don't believe that's possible. You, humans, are pathetic and can't help yourselves."
"Is that how you see Lila and me?"
"Well--"
"Does it mean you don't love her?"
An awkward silence engulfed Lucifer for a brief moment.
"I told you before, doctor, the prince of darkness isn't capable of love."
"Well, if you think you aren't capable of love then perhaps you're just like us. Maybe not as fragile as we are but if you're just like us then perhaps you could learn to love, don't you think?"
Lucifer's attention became drawn as the whole crowd soon rose to their feet.
"Come on babe, let's head over to the reception," Lila said, waiting for him to rise as she held his hand.
They all moved on to a hall finely decorated with cloths and balloons of lavender and white. A DJ on standby played music through his speakers, filling the entire room. The next half an hour flew by with a few dances with the women in Lila's family- starting and ending with Lila before proceeding to have a lot of cocktails. Edward's groomsmen seemed to be the kind of crowd as he shared in their jokes and incited their overdrinking. That, however, seemed to be an issue much later.
"Hey babe, this is Jerry," Lucifer said immediately he sighted Lila and Edward approaching him. "Jerry, show them your tattoo."
Jerry was fat and for some reason smelled like a wet animal so just as he was about to take his shirt off, Lila yelled in disapproval.
"No, don't... Henry, we need a huge favor."
"Oh, I'm all about favors," Lucifer grinned. "Tell me, what do you desire?"
"My best man is drunk, and so is most of the guys. Can you help me say a few words?" Edward asked.
Lucifer burst into a round of laughter.
"Oh, you're not joking." His face straightened as soon as he realized they weren't joking. "But I barely know you."
Lila and Edward sighed.
"And I, for one don't think this union is--"
"Lucifer, stop it now." Henry barked.
Lucifer fell silent immediately. He squeezed his fist as he tried to control his anger. How dare he shun me?
"You know what? Sure, why not?" Lucifer forced a smile.
"Oh man, thank you so much." Edward hugged him.
"Thank you so much, babe." Lila kissed him on the lips.
"Mhmm mhmm," Lucifer voiced underneath.
"Come on Henry, it's almost time." She added before walking away with Edward.
"Sorry Jerry, but this is where we cut our conversation short," Lucifer said and followed the duo to the table where the entire family gathered.
"Good evening everyone," He announced, clanging a fork against his wine glass to draw their attention. "My name is Henry Bates and uh, the groom has asked me to say a few words."
"First of all, I'd like to mention what a great day it has been so far. According to what I heard, this was all Sarah's doing- and she did a splendid job, I might add." He gestured to Sarah with a smile. Then he paused for a little effect.
"I haven't known Edward for a long time so there isn't much I could say about him even if I tried. But, I can see he is a good man and it's clear he cares for Sarah as she does him too. A lot of you might mistake it for love but who's to blame you? I mean, what is love if not a lie that humans have exhausted since the dawn of time in search of some connection and purpose in life? You say you love each other but the passion dies after the honeymoon, and then the commitment and devotion goes out the window too."
Confused whispers began to spread across the room immediately after he took a pause. Lucifer could sight a few older people frowning at him, including Robert.
"But someone said to me, should we, therefore, shy away from human connection because we are imperfect? Thinking about it, I wondered: why should we deny them a chance when perhaps they could learn to love and cherish each other as they promised they would? Even if they fail at it, at least they tried, right?"
"So," He raised his glass to the air. "Here's to being fools in love! Edward and Sarah, I do not only wish you a lifetime of happiness as you try to fulfill your vows, but I also hope it is worth it... To Edward and Sarah." He cheered finally. Half the crowd was still perplexed. The other half was too drunk to understand what he meant but decided to join in the toast as well.
"To Edward and Sarah."
** ** **
"You did good today, Henry." Said Lila.
"You mean the speech? I don't think anyone liked it- the ones who were still sober that is." Lucifer replied.
The two of them had retired to their rooms shortly after most of the guests left. Lila was on the bed taking her shoes off even as she admired Lucifer's physique while he took off his jacket.
"But still, what you said will keep a lot of couples on their toes for a while, including Sarah and Edward."
"Mhmm," Lucifer paused to give her words a thought as he turned k face her. "I guess you're right."
She soon got up
"Who told you the quote you made, by the way?"
"Just some guy I know. Why do you ask?"
"Mhmm, because it sounds like something you would say."
For a moment, Henry wondered if Lila was starting to suspect something was off. So did Lucifer.
"Well, maybe I was just being modest."
Lucifer's gaze swayed from her eyes to her lips, his eyes as seductive as ever. Lila met his kiss halfway, pressing her lips onto his before slowly parting them, making room for his tongue to devour her mouth. While Lucifer reached for her chest, fondling the cup of her breast passionately, her hands made their up his chest, tracing his firmness all the way to his neck before dropping them down his crotch.
"Miss Lila, it seems you're you thinking the exact thoughts I had all evening."
They both chuckled as she reached for his zipper. Henry, on the other hand, wasn't pleased.
"Lucifer, we never agreed on this."
"Lucifer! Lucifer!"
He yelled as much as he could but Lucifer ignored him.
"Oh, it seems our little soldier is ready to battle tonight," Lila giggled.
Lucifer grinned and lifted her on his arms, causing Lila to giggle a lot louder. She locked her legs around his waist for more balance.
"Correction, my little devil," He said as he carried her to the bed.