Ch. 17-Wedding Bells: Part 1

"So how was your swim and run with the pack you two?" I asked after Davin dropped off Calictus and Cyrena.

"It was wonderful mom, I found some very nice apple seeds," Cyrena replied.

"That's great Cyrena we can plant them in the garden this weekend."

"Yes!  I was hopping you would say that."  Cyrena had picked up some gardening skills from Alena and planed to put them to use improving the quality of fruit from the seeds.  She couldn't wait to taste the fruits of her labor in a tall stack of apple pancakes.

"And what did you find on your hunt Calictus?"  I prodded since he seemed to be preoccupied with something in his pocket.  Calictus was a bit of a loner and tended to stay in the background instead of interacting with others if left to his own devices.  Except when it came to his little friend Penelope it seemed.

He looked up from his pocket and grinned at me.  "I found Lenny."

"Oh I'd love to see him," I said thinking Lenny would be a cute little gold fish he'd fished out of a pond.

Calictus removed Lenny from his pocket and held him right up to my face to lick my nose.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

Lenny was a lizard, an ancient dragon to be exact.  Calictus informed me that Lenny was a rare find and rattled off a number of facts about the scaly little creature as I rushed to scrub my face.  I could not refuse him when he asked to keep the little monster since the boy's room already had a lizard terrarium in it.

I did not like Lenny but he seemed to like me.  Every time I entered the room he would climb from his branch to tap at the glass of his enclosure.  If he ever got out I was going to stay with Alcander and Wendi until he was found and locked back up.

"Come on Lenny we're going to a wedding today.  It'll be a bit crowded but my big sister is the best cook on the island and because today is Alesia's wedding there is going to be so much food we'll be able to eat as much as we want!"

The weather on the day of Alesia and JC's wedding was beautiful.  Both the girls had opted out of having bachelorette parties since both weddings had been pushed back twice already.  Alesia's because of JC's trouble getting home and Alena's because of increased work hours for herself and Armondo.  

I drove everyone to the venue in the motive mobile to make sure everyone was feeling their best since the photographer's would be out in droves.  Trenton's salon had really taken off after Alcander's wedding and with Alesia and Alena's wedding under his belt as well he was sure to achieve his dream of becoming a fashion phenomenon.  

The record company couldn't miss the opportunity for a photo shoot  with their up and coming star on her wedding day.

Before the first guest could arrive JC and Alesia were hustled off by photographers for promotional shots for her up coming album and tour and interviews with the fashion magazines.

The photo shoots ended when Octavio arrived and announced that only family, friends, and venue staff were permitted for the remainder of the wedding.  Given his history with obnoxious shutter bugs it didn't take very long for them to pack up and leave. 

Once all the guests were seated Octavio escorted Alesia down the aisle to her groom.

"For a guy that was born to a family with everything I would be nothing if it weren't for you Alesia.  Being with you brought out a side of me I would have never discovered on my own."

Piano music started playing softly in the air as JC began singing a love ballad to Alesia.

You light up my life 

You give me hope 
To carry on 
You light up my days 
and fill my nights with song 

Rollin' at sea, adrift on the water 
Could it be finally I'm turning for home? 
Finally, a chance to say hey, 
I love You 
Never again to be all alone 

Half way through the song a moved Alesia joined JC as they conveyed their love for each other through song.

You light up my life 
You give me hope 
To carry on 
You light up my days 
and fill my nights with song 

You light up my life 
You give me hope 
To carry on 
You light up my days 
and fill my nights with song 

It can't be wrong 
When it feels so right 
'Cause You 
You light up my life

(You light up my life- Joe Brooks)

"I had my doubts about the boy," Octavio whispered softly in my mind as not to disrupt Alesia and JC's touching duet.

"I admit that I was wrong about him, I mean look at the way he looks at our daughter.  He worships her as I worship you Aphrodite."

"I envy that he is able to marry his goddess and make her his wife," he said looking at me with such longing my heart ached.

"Oh Octavio..."  I was so overcome with emotions that were coming from him that I rushed off so I wouldn't ruin the happy couple's moment with my hysterics.

Concerned at her mother's sudden exit and command not to follow Alena went over to her father.  "Dad what's the matter with mom?  Why did she run off like that?"

"I think perhaps I said too much," he replied wistfully.

 After a few tissues and deep breaths I was able to return to throw rice with the rest of the guests and witness the couple's first kiss as husband and wife.

Again being the proud papa that he was Octavio showered the couple with heart shaped flower petals.

"So all that stuff you sang about that poor CJ guy from your album, you'd never do anything like that to me would you?  I mean wondering the desert for eternity with nothing to drink but the tears of a heartbroken ex who refuses to cry for him seems a bit harsh."   After listening to Alesia's entire album including the break up songs JC had never been so aware of the fact that she was perfectly capable of making all the things she sang about come true.

"I don't think you'll have to ever worry about that now that we're a happily married couple.  Though I would advise you to think long and hard before ever using the "d" word in our relationship."

JC threw back his head and laughed drawing his beautiful bride into his arms.  "I wouldn't dream of it Mrs. Clemens."

Once again Alena baked wonderful looking wedding cakes.  Alesia and JC were delighted by the two triple tiered cakes.  There had been quite a turnout for the wedding so the two cakes were a must have.  JC was one of eleven children and his family had shown up en masse for the wedding.

The two of them looked so lovely as they thanked family and friends for coming to celebrate their big day.  I was  going to miss the two of them so when they left on tour.

JC scored big brother-in-law points with Cyrena when he offered her the first slice of cake.

After food and cake Alesia took to the stage to entertain the guests.

"This song goes out to my wonderful, wonderful husband.  I love you Mr. Clemens!"

Alesia put on a fantastic performance.  Her love of music and JC radiated from her entire being.  The fans at her shows were going to be in for quite a treat when she took the stage.

The party continued well into the evening before Mr. and Mrs. JC Clemens left for their two week honeymoon.  They threw a wonderful house warming party at their new beach house when they returned for Alena's wedding. The small play ground off to the side of the house was adorable and made it obvious that the two would not let their music careers slow their plans to start a family.    After the wedding Alesia and JC would go on a six month tour with Octavio.

Since his comment at Alesia's wedding I had not spoken to Octavio.  It had been a little awkward avoiding him at the house party but the place was big enough and with little Kelly and his parents there I managed it . 

Later as I soaked in the hot tub I thought about what he had said. I was on vacation and in the middle of trying to destroy the philosopher's stone.  Why would Octavio say something so outrageous?  My last marriage was ancient history and I hadn't looked back since.  Though Mrs. Aphrodite Soto did have a nice ring to it and Mr. Octavio Divine was better still.  Would taking another knock at marriage be so bad?

 Ha! Who am I kidding?  I am the goddess of lip locking love!  I've got too much love to give to be tied to only one relationship.  I loved Octavio dearly but he would just have to come to terms with that.  Anyway when the right one for him came along I'd be just a fond memory for him.  Until that time came I'd just have to make sure he didn't get too lonely.