"You've lost your mind, Ace." The hush of her voice, sent chills down everyone spines
"Quite on the contrary, Aunt," He whipped his head. "I've never been more in control of my mind."
"Over my dead body will I allow you turn my father's funeral into a mockery!" She warned, her bare teeth clacking.
He forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Be careful what you wish for."
"Enough!" A shriek silenced the both of them.
Everyone except Fay, who was oblivious of everything happening around her. The more she looked at the lifeless man in the casket, the more the tears poured down her face.
She had not been allowed to see her parents in their coffin. They said she was too young. This to her was the closure she never got.
But as she cried, mindless of her environment, a loud cane wielded by an old woman strolled forward.
"Grandma." Ace muttered, going to her.
"Stay back." She pointed the cane at him, before he could close the distance between them.
He did as she said, and remained at the exact spot he was. He knew if he moved his head to the side just a little, he would meet his Aunt's gloating gaze.
"I thought you would allow him ruin father's funeral." She said.
"No one is ruining anything," The frail woman's shaky voice replied dismissively. "Ace?" She called.
"Grandma." He bowed slightly to show respect.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Grandpa wanted to see me married, and I'm just fulfilling his wishes." His explanation was short, and straight to the point.
His aunt snorted, but he ignored her, focusing on his grandmother instead.
"True," She bobbed her head slowly. "But to barge in this way and demand for it to be done seems disrespectful, no?" She asked calmly.
In the past, she had been accused of treating him differently. Spoiling him even. They claimed he could do no wrong in her eyes. Whilst that was largely true, she had decided to dial it down for his sake. Not too many people were happy with how much she adored him.
"I didn't mean to be disrespectful grandma. I just wanted to fulfill grandpa's desires." He apologized.
"What a load of BS! Don't tell me you believe the swindler, Mum. This is typical Ace. An immature brat. How can the most selfish person in the family who never heeded to Dad's words while he was still alive, suddenly do a 360? I'm not buying it." She shook her head.
Ace kept a straight, unfazed face, but deep down, he seethed. Aunt Celine had once again planted a seed of doubt concerning him. She was a pain he couldn't wait to get rid off.
He looked up at his grandmother, who looked like she was caught between pleasing her daughter, and doing right by her precious grandson. He didn't like to see her this distressed. Mainly because even if she decided otherwise, it wouldn't change anything. If he couldn't wed Fay tonight, he would tomorrow.
"And you're sure you're doing this for your grandfather?" She finally asked, after a silence that seemed neverending.
In his heart, he smiled. It wasn't a go-ahead, but that sounded encouraging. "Absolutely sure grandma."
"Alright, you have my blessings then." She smiled.
"Never!" Celine blurted with rage. "How can you give him your blessings Mum?"
"Enough Celine! Everyone knows how much your father wanted to see Ace married. Think about it, what better way to honor his wishes than for him to get married where his grandfather can see him? I won't hear another word from you!" She banged her cane on the ground, signalling the end of the conversation.
Celine quivered, as her cold sharp eyes blazing with anger, came to rest on Ace. He held it, unwavering, a smirk threatening to form along the lines of his face. He settled for a wink instead, which sent her rage flying off the roof.
"Are we going to get this funeral turned wedding started already or what?" A voice yelled.
He recognized it as belonging to one of his cousins, and genuinely smiled. Turning around, he walked straight to his bride to be who was still weeping.
"How mucn can a person cry?" He wondered internally for a few seconds, before bending behind her.
"Hey." He touched her shoulders, and she shuddered in surprise.
"Wha---"
"Shhhh." He hushed her, stroking the back of her head gently.
She was greatly confused by his actions, and this made her want to shed a few more tears.
"I'm going to tell you something, but you can't freak out, okay?" He said, leaning into her, and whispering.
Everyone's gaze were on them. The need to know what the delay was about became so great, restless murmurs ensued.
"Okay." She sniffled.
"We're getting married right now. See the priest behind us? He'll be officiating the ceremony." He said.
Her eyes widened, but her voice remained calm as promised. "I'm putting on a black dress, and it's a funeral." Was her rebuttal, and it tickled him.
"Let's call it killing two birds with one stone. You said you were all in before. Are you going to bail out on me now?" He whispered directly into her ears.
His hand stroking her head like that, was messing with her senses. If she was asked, she couldn't state why she was crying mere minutes ago.
"Man, we don't have all night!" A restless voice screamed.
"Are you in or out?" He pressed gently.
"I'm in." She said.
"Good girl." He kissed the back of her head.
Those words and action sent shudders down her spine, and as he raised her up, she didn't want him to ever let go.
"What is wrong with you Fay?" The voice in her head panicked.
His hands moved to her back, turning her to face the crowd. Her heart instantly began to beat, feeling everyone's eyes on her. She was not used to being the center of attention. Not in this manner either..
"Here child." The priest said, offering her a handkerchief.
"Thank you." She said with a slight bow.
Ace surprised her by collecting the handkerchief from her, and helping her clean her face. "There, all done." He said, stroking her cheeks.
"What is going on here!" Her mind screamed at how affectionate he was being. A better actor than most actual actors on TV.
It was too easy to get lost in the act, but she had to remind herself it was just that; an act.
The people in the crowd watched in stunned silence. Everyone who knew Ace knew he was never this showy with his personality or a woman. Especially a woman.
They all thought she must be pretty special to have stolen Ace Atticus heart.
"Are you ready?" The priest whispered, and they both nodded.
"We're all gathered here to witness the marriage between Ace Atticus and----?"
"Fay Landon." Ace was way ahead of her.
This was another shock for her. He knew her full name.
"Fay Landon." The priest continued.
Soon it was time to exchange rings. Ace had not thought up to that point. The priest sensing their hesitation skipped past it, to both their reliefs.
"Ace Atticus, do you take Fay Landon to be your lovely wife-------------Til death do yo You part?"
"I do." He answered without skipping a beat.
The crowd roared with excitement.
The question was repeated for Fay, but she didn't answer immediately. Her silence instantly steered mumblings from the crowd.
While the conversations went on, she was lost in her head. The weight of what she was about to do had suddenly hit her, and she was scared. Afraid of what her Aunt would do when she found out. Afraid of the world she was being thrown nto. A world that was clearly miles above her. Afraid that this act would blow up in their faces, and she would suffer for it the most.
"Miss Fay." The priest called again.
The mumblings had grown from just that, to audible remarks. Ace eyes caught his Aunt smirking, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Fay." He reached out to grab her, and she jerked in surprise.
Raising her head, she discovered everyone was staring at her, waiting for a response. "Of course, I do." She forced herself to say, even feigning a smile.
Ace shoulders visibly relaxed, and the crowd clapped.
"You may now kiss your bride."
Her eyes went up to his, as she bit her lip, unsure of how to proceed. He let out a low chuckle, and closed the gap between them.
"Don't think." He whispered, leaning into her.
His head dropped, and right before his family, dead grandfather, the priest, and God, kissed her fully on the lip.
Everyone stood to their feet, cheering them on with claps, and howls, when the door suddenly pushed open.
"Ace Atticus!" A voice belonging to a woman screamed.
His head quickly pulled away from Fay, and as he moved it towards the direction his name was called, he froze.