Silvia's wedding ceremony was finally over, thank the gods. My heels were only half an inch and still they hurt like crazy. The bridal party walked back to the dressing room to get ready for the reception grand entrance. I was paired with my brother Cyrus for the bridal stuff. The bridesmaids were dressed in lavender dresses while the men had on olive green dress suits with purple flowers pinned to the pockets.
A sigh of exhaustion fell from my lips as Cyrus and I stood next to each other. Olivia Greystone and Curtis were standing in front of us. They seemed to be getting along better than our sister Mary-Anne and Jacob's friend Mason Clark. Mason was about five years younger than Mary-Anne, yet he seemed completely infatuated with her. Before we all walked out for the ceremony he was bragging about his father, a knight in Emperor's service. He kept hinting to his ability to protect and provide for his future wife, which had Mary-Anne rolling her eyes. And in a similar fashion making the rest of our complexion's turn a shade closer to the men's suits.
"Can't believe I'd ever say this, but I'm jealous of anyone deaf who can't hear Mason's flirting. He could turn a whore to the clothe." Cyrus muttered to me.
It was extremely hard for me to keep a straight face, but I managed. Somehow.
"You never know, haha, Mary-Anne could be into younger men." I added jovially.
He gave me a disgusted look, "Cat, she's older, not tasteless. One does not hopefully loose all sense as they age, at least I hope not."
I gave him a playful look as I took his arm. The wedding attendant was about to start announcing us as we walked out.
"Hmm. You better hope not. Otherwise we may yet to call him family. I do think it would make dinner more interesting hehe." I whispered to Cyrus.
"Ha, Mary-Anne would kill him somehow a week into the marriage. And speaking of men, how was your friend that you were mouthing to earlier? I saw you two silently conversing before mother shushed you." He inquired with a teasing air.
I'm sure there was a silent blush on my cheeks as I playfully smacked Cyrus's right arm.
"Whatever nonsense are you spouting brother? That was merely...a new acquaintance I happened to met at the bookstore. We share a love of books is all. Alice Vernal in fact." I replied.
His eyebrow went astonishingly high as a look was sent my way.
"He reads Alice Vernal? The fantasy romance novelist?" He asked.
I was stunned silent momentarily as I realized I completely forgot what kind of novels Alice Vernal writes. I snapped out of it relatively quickly though.
"Yes, he does. I was shocked too. But I guess it's true you never should judge a book by it's cover." I replied with wise air.
His look was still doubtful as we approached the entrance to the reception area. The attendant who was announcing the bridal party was a friend of Jacob's mother. From what we were all told, he was an actual wedding planner. He seemed to be in his mid-forties with a straight mustache, black slicked back hair, and a little bit of a pot belly. He was rather nice and cheerful though. He also didn't have a problem with people poking at his height, rather he took it in good humor and would even joke with them. I guess when you stand at four foot and seven inches, you have to learn which battles to fight and which to let go.
"And now," He started, "The first entrances from the bridal party, Introducing siblings Cyrus and Catalina Windsworth!!! What an adorable brother and sister everybody, please lets give them a hand!"
Cyrus and I waved at people, me clinging to his side even though I was older, as we made our way over to the head table. We separated and went to our assigned seats. After everyone else it was my sister and her fiancé-I mean husband's- turn to enter. The wedding planner had an enormous grin on his face as he looked out toward the seated crowd.
"And now, if everyone would please, I'd like you all to give a big round of applause for Mr. & Mrs. Carter!!! Come on in!!!" He hollered.
The applause was deafening as Silvia and Jacob entered the room, waving at everyone that they could see. The loud atmosphere was a bit too much for me, causing me to flinch a bit.
After a majority of us had gotten our meals and were seated once again the wedding planner took center stage.
"Alright everyone! Now that we are all seated again and the bride and groom are basically done eating, it's time for some wedding games! The first one will be the shoe game." He announced.
Silvia and Jacob made there way the chairs two attendants brought out for them as Mary-Anne walked to the side to grab the box with their shoes in it. Jacob's was a plain black shoe while Silvia had chosen a light blue one from her collection.
Olivia nudged me as she nodded toward them.
"Who do you think they will pick more for these questions, themselves or each other? They're both very similar in certain aspects." She mentioned.
I had to think about it for a minute, as but my sister and Jacob like to keep up appearances to an extent. But they've also had a few glasses of wine and it would be surprising if they didn't relax a bit.
The shoe game lasted for a bit and we got some good laughs out of their answers. But, I was getting so tired. Hopefully the dancing portion of the evening won't take long. And if it does, well there's a nice chaise lounge chair in the bridesmaids dressing room that would be perfect for a nap.
As these thoughts are crossing my mind couples are starting to pair up and make their way to the ballroom. I'll have to do the second dance with my brother since the bridal party is suppose to join them on the floor. Hopefully I can sneak away after that.
Cyrus is was walking toward me with a grin plastered across his face, making my exhaustion double ten fold.
"Cat! Are you ready to swing?" Cyrus bellowed cheerfully.
If apprehension had a face, it would be mine at this moment. I still remember the last time I danced with Cyrus and was so nauseous after I ended up throwing up later in the parlor.
"Cy, you know I love you, but I've got to ask that this time I be allowed to keep my feet on the floor?" I begged.
"Haha, Cat, come on, my dancing isn't that bad! I promise though that I won't go crazy this time alright?" He held his arm out for me to take.
I hesitated only a bit before finally taking his arm and being lead out to the dance floor. I gave him a nervous look as I took his hand and assumed the proper dancing position.
"Cyrus, no swinging." I emphasized.
His cheshire grin only widened as the song started up. The tempo was going faster as Cyrus started adding more turns to our dance. More turns than everyone else was doing it seemed. My feet steadily leaving the floor more and more throughout the song. Luckily, Curtis and I had anticipated this and practiced the weeks before hand to avoid any embarrassment for us. Or mainly to avoid embarrassment for me. I'm keeping up with him better though than I have in other similar situations thankfully. I'll have to repay Curtis later.
The song finally ended with my brother and I bowing toward each other. That stupid grin was still plastered on his face.
"See Cat? You didn't throw up this time. Actually, I think maybe you've even gotten much better than the last few times? Strange. "He pondered.
My arms crossed as I gave him a slight irritated look.
"That would be more from the help of Curtis than me. He thought we should practice for your chaotic dancing style ahead of time." I explained more politely than what I was feeling.
"Brother! Brother Cyrus! Please dance with me next! It looked so fun when you were dancing with Cat! Please?" Lucy begged.
She had come out of no where, as it seems all young children are able to do at her age. I was more than happy to let Lucy take over.
"Ah, perfect timing Luce! Cyrus was in need of a new dance partner as I think I've had my fill of dancing for the evening." I beamed.
Cyrus shrugged before leaning over and picking up Lucy like she was still a toddler.
"Maybe you can handle my "chaotic" dancing better than Cat, eh Lucy?" He asked her. The smile that over took her face was comparable to the sun as she hugged him from her perch in his arms.
"Ofcourse big brother Cy! I want you to swing me around! It looks like so much fun!" She squealed.
The two took their places on the ballroom floor, Cyrus placing her little shoes on top of his as the dance started and he began turning them. They both looked happy with large smiles as they danced together.
I'm glad Cyrus has at least one person that can handle his "dancing" style.
My fists where clenched together as I made my way around the ballroom to the garden pavilion to rest. I was walking down the gardenia lined path toward the gazebo when I spotted him. He was sitting on the bench in the gazebo with his head tilted back over the back of the bench. His eyes were closed but opened upon hearing my soft steps.
Pink eyes glanced my way out of their corners before giving me their full attention. A soft smile emerged as he looked at me, his head still slightly tilted.
"Well well, if it isn't the non-smiler. I was wondering when I'd get to see you today." He said with that laid-back smile still on his face.