Chapter 18                  

          One month. That’s how long Felicity had been in Heaven for. For her, that one month had started to feel more like a whole year. But during that month, more was going on each day than she could imagine or keep up with.

          Every day she spent training, learning to fight and harness what gifts they all claimed she would soon be granted when her transformation was complete. However there was a complete difference from being told something than actually experiencing it and Felicity honestly just wanted this ‘transformation’ to be over with.

          Dylan told her that her transformation would most likely be sprung on her randomly, so she had to be prepared.

          If she wasn’t training, she was being burdened with all the tasks of planning a wedding. Luckily she had Charity, who was quite fun to be around, but was also a pain in the neck when it came to the wedding planning. Felicity took her advice, however, because to be honest, she wasn’t that excited for the wedding. How could she be? Her heart wasn’t in it.

          No, her heart was on Earth with Tristan. She could picture him now, living a normal human life. He’d marry someone some day and have adorable kids that look just like him. He’d grow old too and one day he’d join her up in Heaven. But by then she’d already be married, he would have most likely forgotten about her, and everything would be too late.

          Felicity had barely gotten a lot of time to spend with her betrothed. However, the time she did have with Aden, she enjoyed. He was wonderful to be around. His humor put her to ease and as much as he wasn’t thrilled about going through with a marriage that didn’t involve love, he was most certainly more optimistic.

          At nights, they would sneak off to the library. They would find different books and talk about them, something she enjoyed doing because reading had always been one of her favorite things to do. They’d get in debates over different characters and plots from every author and she couldn’t help but admire him for their similarities and attempt at creating a relationship. Still, their relationship never left the friendship zone.

          Felicity was interrupted from her reverie by Charity. “Ready to go bride-to-be?” Charity’s smile was gleaming.

          Felicity forced a small one and a nod.

          Charity took her by the hand and together they walked out of her room. “Your dress is waiting in a room just up the hall. Now I know you haven’t seen it, but I promise you will just adore it!”

          Felicity didn’t feel the same excitement Charity did. Instead she felt this pit in her stomach growing deeper with every step she took towards that room. She hadn’t put in a word about her dress. Charity told her she’d get her the best one she could find and Felicity trusted her with that. The real reason she didn’t have a say in it was because she didn’t want one.

          They walked into a room – one that was being used as a makeshift, yet gorgeous, changing room. The wedding was less than two hours away.

          “We have to get you into hair and makeup too! You have such long beautiful hair; I think we need to keep it that way. Not pin it up too much, you know?” Felicity just nodded.

          On their way to the vanity counter on the other side of the room, Felicity spotted the bag that held her wedding dress in it. “We’ll wait till you get your hair and makeup done before we put you in the dress.”

          Felicity continued following her to the chair in front of the mirror and let Charity get to work.

          Not too many words passed between them. Deep down, Felicity was sure Charity understood her lack of attention to the wedding. Charity knew that Felicity didn’t like it at all. She knew that being forced to do something like this was not making Felicity happy, but with the weight of the world and this prophecy on her shoulders, there wasn’t much she could do.

          After about an hour, Charity revealed the dress to Felicity. Even under the circumstances, Felicity couldn’t help but smile as she saw the gorgeous gown Charity had had made. “Oh, Charity! It’s stunning!”

          “Well, try it on, try it on!”

          Felicity was back in a moment, wearing the beautiful dress and standing in the mirror, completely amazed at what Charity had done. Felicity’s hair, typically wavy and unruly, was tamed into long and big curls of auburn. Her eyes shone brightly against the black eyeliner, thicker on the top, but thin still overall. Her eyes seemed to sparkle.

          But what completely took Felicity’s breath away was the dress. The bodice clung tight to her small frame, narrowing at the waste, and showing off all of her curves. The skirt of the dress had a small poof, enough to make it stand away from her hips and resemble a dress such as in a fairytale. It sparkled everywhere and Felicity felt herself come alive in the dress.

          “Oh, Charity,” she mumbled, mesmerized. “I don’t know what to say.”

          Charity walked up to her and placed her hands on her shoulders. “You don’t have to say anything.” Before Felicity could protest, Charity stopped her. “No, really. You’re making a huge sacrifice, Felicity. If I could stop this any way I could, I would, but I can’t. Just consider this a small token of gratitude for what you are doing for me – for what you are doing for all of us.”

          Tears brimmed in Felicity’s eyes as she embraced her newly found friend. When they pulled back, Charity’s eyes were reddened with tears. “Look at us,” she said breathlessly, adding a small laugh to the end. “Crying like this. Besides, you can’t mess up your make up!”

          Felicity let out a small laugh.

          Just then, a knock came to the door. “I’ll get it,” said Charity while wiping away a few tears and making her way to the door.

          She returned with a small package in her hands. “This came for you,” she said, handing the package to Felicity. “My guess is it’s probably a pre-wedding gift from Dylan or someone.”

          Felicity stared down at the package. “How thoughtful.”

          Charity smiled before saying, “Well, I should probably go check on everything. The ceremony starts in about twenty minutes! I’ll see you out there!” She kissed Felicity’s cheek and then made her way out of the room.

          Felicity took one more look at the neatly wrapped package before pulling open the card.

          Sending you the best wishes on this special day.

          The card was unsigned. Felicity thought that odd, but discarded the thought as she began unwrapping the small package. Inside was a small disc with the label ‘Watch before ceremony’.

          Felicity pulled open the laptop computer and popped in the disc. Nothing popped up at first, but suddenly, the image was that of a dark room. Felicity eyed the video cautiously. “What?” she asked aloud but to herself.

          Suddenly, jade eyes appeared on the screen and Felicity sucked in a breath from the haunting look they possessed. “Congratulations, Felicity.” The voice was sinister. “I have someone here who would also like to send their congratulations.”

          The camera was then focused on a man with a sack over his head. Felicity had a feeling of premonition creeping up her spine. The sack was pulled back and Felicity gasped. “No!” she cried out.

          Tristan. Her Tristan was sitting in the chair, his face black and blue. “Tristan!” Her voice came out in despair.

          “Let’s see who you really love,” said the woman with the jade eyes. “If you want to save your beloved Tristan, you better come and get him.”

          Felicity watched wide eyed as the woman struck her first at Tristan and sent him and the chair flying backwards. Felicity reached out, as if she could miraculously save him, but he landed on the ground with a thud.

          Felicity closed the laptop, jumped from her seat, and tried to fight back the steady flow of tears running down her face.

          She heard the music then, soft and slow. Her wedding had begun.