the walls come crumbling | a wedding short in 3 perspectives

[Charlotte Schraeder]

Charlotte Schraeder was an absolute vision. She stood in the bride’s room, facing a mirror. She may have looked a vision, but she certainly did not feel like one. Her mother fussed over her veil as she stood, stiffer than a board. Mattie Mae was holding her hand next to her - Charlie glanced over at her little sister for a moment and offered her a half-hearted smile. She hadn’t really had a chance to talk to her little sister about anything - just that this wasn’t her choice and that she’d do everything in her power to make sure that Mattie wouldn’t have to go through it, too. The blonde hadn’t told anyone about the conversation she had with Tommy a few weeks earlier. It was something weighing on her chest like an anchor, keeping her sucked to the bottom of the ocean.

The flowers were perfect, the ceremony space. Charlie had insisted on getting married at the Plaza - since it was such a lavish affair and surely paps from the Prophet and Witch Weekly would be there, it would make sense for them to make it as grand as possible. That, and Tommy wanted to waste as much of Mickey’s money as he possibly could. Even though she knew this wasn’t going to end in an actual marriage, she couldn’t help but be sad about it. Having to plan and go through with something she really had no choice in the matter, only for it to end in a teased volcanic eruption. You know the type - where it bubbles and boils and then just dribbles down the side.

”It’ll be fine, Charlie,” her mum’s voice was soft, but Charlie could tell that she wasn’t happy about it either. It had been her father that had made the deal - Charlie often wondered if Mickey threatened him with something, as that wasn’t like her father at all. But she didn’t ask, and he didn’t tell. No one did. It was still a mystery to Charlie why she was being sold off like a prized pig at a country fair. ”You say that, but you weren’t forced to marry dad,” she said, still looking at herself in the mirror. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft curls, and her make-up was done as if a professional had stepped in and did it for her.

Someone from behind them said that it was time, and with one pat on her shoulder (the Schraeders never had been a very huggy family), her mother walked off to find her father. Mattie Mae still held her hand, and the two walked out toward the aisle where Roxanne was already heading down the aisle. Mattie Mae was next, and then Molly. The two had talked some, but it still felt strained, as if there was something between the two of them preventing them from telling the whole story. Charlie loved her friend, and hoped that once all this fizzled she would be able to get back to the relationship that they’d had before Tommy.

Charlie took the aisle by storm - well, she wished she could have. The sooner she got to the end and met her not-groom, the sooner she could rip the veil off and head home. But she put a smile on her lips and walked, her feet feeling like they were going to give out beneath her. After what felt like hours, she finally reached the end of the aisle, meeting Tommy at the end. He didn’t take her hand, he didn’t offer an arm. The room was… buzzing with an uncomfortable vibe that Charlie wished would just evaporate and make this whole thing so much easier on everyone.

The officiant droned on about marriage and the importance of two souls becoming one, and Charlie would be lying if she said she had been listening the whole time. She was starting to get really uncomfortable, her heart thudding in her chest as she didn’t know when or where Tommy was going to have the wedding be, abruptly, ended. She was shaking a little and wondered if perhaps she might pass out, but she stood her ground. She rocked from one foot to the other to keep the feeling in her legs, and looked everywhere to the side of Tommy’s head so she wouldn’t have to look him in the eye. He was probably staring at the beautiful blonde behind her, anyway.

”Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Charlie looked at the officiant, and then to Tommy. The look on his face was absolutely menacing… or was it… pleased? Charlie was just thankful she wouldn’t have to look at that face for the rest of her life, as somewhere in the crowd, someone called out their objections.

wedding vibes
wedding vibes

[Molly Walker]

There's the silence, there's my last chance.

Today was the day. Molly’s stomach was in knots and the blonde was borderline nauseous. It was a surprise that she was still a part of Charlie's wedding party after all the commotion that had happened the weeks leading up. Char and her had barely spoken and every time she tried, a one word response was returned. Still, here she was standing next to Roxanne, watching Charlie’s family fuss over her dress. All she wanted to do was tell her friend how beautiful she looked but instead she stayed silent, staring at her shoes until she got word that they were about to begin.

Roxanne was first, then Mattie Mae, Molly was last before the bride. As soon as Charlie’s sister got a little further, she caught a glimpse of Tommy at the end of the aisle. The nausea was almost enough to make her pass out, she placed her fingertips to her mouth briefly before taking her first step down the aisle. Eyes were averted down as she walked, not daring to make eye contact with Tommy or anyone, really. If only she could run off and curl up in a cave or something. This was enough anxiety for a lifetime. Molly’s only thought was, her face better not end up in Witch Weekly.

She reached the front and stood next to Mattie Mae, right behind Char. Taking the bouquet, she stepped back and kept her head down, only looking up at minor cues from the officiant where she needed to sign papers and such, but that wasn’t until later so she had time to check out. It was nearing the end of the ceremony and Molly hadn’t heard a damn thing. The blonde had taken to counting the diamonds on her shoes, 453 to be exact. And then those words that everyone held their breath for…

”Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

There was a silence that felt like an eternity. This was her last chance, if she ever wanted anything to ever happen. No. She couldn’t do that to Char…but this would save her right? Stop her from marrying a man she doesn’t want. It’s been too long, she had to do something, it was now or never. Molly took a step forward, hands shaking wildly. Her lips began to part until she heard a shout from in the crowd. It felt as if all the breath had been sucked from her lungs as she fell back into the line of bridesmaids. Horrified looks from everyone in the room, Molly looked up for the first time and met Tommy’s dangerous eyes with her icy blue ones.

Under the bouquet in her hands, her fingernails dug into her arm. It was over. People were arguing about who this person was, Tommy and Roxanne looked pleased, Charlie looked relieved. The Auror’s eyes flicked from person to person. Maybe she could aparate out of here without anyone noticing?

Tagged;;Tommy Darling  Charlotte Schraeder

[Tommy Darling]

This whole dog and pony show was unnecessary. Tommy could have been done with this whole thing ages ago...but he wanted to torment Mickey before he completed his plan. And he was going to waste his father's time, effort, and money to do it. The entire time, he played the doting fiancé to his family...always advocating for "what Charlotte wants" and "ensuring she has the very best".

His sister knew better...but everyone else seemed to buy it.

Hook, Line, and Sinker.

So as the music began to play...and the wedding party began to enter, Tommy stood at the front of the crowd, hands folded in front of him and poker face in tact.

Roxanne. His sister. One of the only people he genuinely gave any semblance of care about. She was gorgeous and he felt the corner of his lips twitch up as he watched her.

Mattie Mae. His fiancé's sister. He didn't know her. He wasn't sure he had ever even met her yet. Still, he softened his gaze as he watched her...offering her the illusion that he wasn't "that bad".

Then...

Molly. His back straightened slightly as he saw her. She was stunning. If only she were the one wearing white today. Had she been of pure blood, he probably could have arranged it that way. But that's not where the cards were lying just yet. She barely looked at him and while it was annoying, he kept his poker face strong.

The crowd stood and he fixed his eyes to the back of the room.

Charlie.

She looked hot. He'd give her that much. And had Mickey not ordered this and had she not been Molly's best friend, maybe he would have gone along with things and married her. He was sure it would have had it's perks. But he wasn't about to do anything that Mickey wanted him to do.

The officiant went on and one for entirely too long and eventually, Tommy cut his eyes sideways at him, indicating he better move it all along.

And move it along, he did.

Speak now...

Tommy's eyes stared past Charlotte to Molly. Her panic...the way she was stepping forward.

She was actually going to do it.

But suddenly, he heard another voice. Dammit. They must have been worried time was running short. But at least it was done and he had the satisfaction of knowing that Molly had intended to do it. Their eyes finally met and Tommy couldn't help the satisfied smirk that overtook his features.

The crowd was roaring at this point. Mickey was livid as he searched for the source of the objection. His lackey had already apparated out and it didn't matter anyways. The objection was already called and by law, there could not be a wedding today because of it. He moved to place a hand to Charlie's back...still in character.

"We should get you and your bridal party back to your room until this gets sorted."

Mickey nodded upon hearing the words...still stupidly believing Tommy wasn't behind this.

The eldest Darling son turned his eyes back to Molly and the girls...

"Come," he said simply, his eyes lingering on the stunning blonde he'd been kissing not even a month ago.

That was the end of the circus...now he just needed to complete his plan.

Now Mickey needed to die.

The Fit