January 1, 2004
Coralis sat in a church between Frank and Audrey, listening to the pastor perform the wedding ceremony. Part of her wanted to sit next to her flyball team members, who sat near the back of the church on the groom's side, or next to Erik and Henry, who sat behind her team, but she knew that her place was on the bride's side, with the family who was also about to become hers.
She didn't want to think about her own upcoming wedding and was happy that this day was all about Sebastian and Stephanie. She was merely there as a witness and spectator. She wanted to forget about everything else, and merely be a woman watching her friends getting married, but she couldn't stop herself from worrying about what could happen.
She knew that High Mage Finnas was sitting at the back of the church, but she didn't want to look in his direction so it wouldn't raise suspicions. Thankfully, the majority of the people in attendance knew about the supernatural. Stephanie's coworkers were werewolves and most of her family knew about what Sebastian and Coralis were.
After the ceremony, they gathered in the reception room of a hotel downtown.
"You were right. I think doing it on January 1st is the best way to start the year," said Coralis, hugging Sebastian. "Congratulations, I'm happy for you."
"Had to start the year with a bang," said Sebastian, looking at the people entering the reception room. "We must stay hopeful that it will be a good year for us."
"Congratulations, brother," said Erik, patting his shoulder.
"Of course, the three musketeers are here," said Stephanie, grinning.
"Eeesh, haven't heard that name in YEARS! You spoke with Victoria, didn't you?" said Henry while Sebastian and Frank laughed.
"Vic referred to you guys like that when I picked her up the night I proposed to Coralis. When we walked back to The Northerners' box after she got branded, my sister started using it," said Frank, his hand lying on Coralis's lower back.
"Of course, she did," said Erik.
"I haven't heard that nickname in a very long time, not since you graduated," said Coralis.
"So she did call you guys like that," said Frank.
"Every time she saw us together around school or referencing the four of us. Gus hated that name, I bet he'll be happy to hear that Victoria substituted him for Sebastian. Sorry about that, brother," said Henry.
"I don't mind it. My beautiful wife told me about Victoria calling us the three musketeers after you guys left the next day and showed me where the reference came from. I could honestly visually see the analogy, especially when thinking about the branding ritual the previous night."
"It is very fitting. I'll keep using it," said Stephanie.
"Victoria didn't say anything to me about it, but knowing her, if she started calling us like that again, replacing Gus for you, it's a good thing that you don't mind it. You do need to get used to it, especially if your mate now uses it too," said Coralis as High Mage Finnas approached them.
"It was a beautiful ceremony. I will stay at the reception until everyone leaves, to make sure no one attempts anything. We can't be careful enough these days," said High Mage Finnas, turning to Coralis. "Blue, I will attend yours too."
High Mage Finnas walked away and Molly joined them.
"HM Finnas personally attending our weddings, I guess that's how we know we made it in our world. Noticed how he didn't call you by your full name as all elders usually do?" said Sebastian while Molly hugged Stephanie.
"You are also abbreviating his title. I guess it's a sign of the times we live in," said Coralis as Molly turned to hug Sebastian.
"I don't like this political climate. Between these walls, today, let's forget about all of it and make it a happy day. We need all the happy moments we can get," said Molly.
They dispersed a few minutes later. Sebastian and Coralis went to talk to their flyball teammates, before they sat down to eat, while Stephanie went to talk to her coworkers. Frank went with her.
"Frank, Collins mentioned to me that he would like to attend your wedding, if possible, with his wife, sons and second. I don't think I need to tell you why he is fond of… your future wife, but he said he wants to be seen standing on the right side of history and that she needs to know who's on her side," said Emma.
"I can't say no to that, I like his reasoning."
Stephanie looked around, trying to see if there were any unknowing humans near them.
"She might be an orphan and I'm sure she is hoping to have a small wedding, banking on the lack of family on her side… but honestly bro, I think you are going to have more people at yours than mine."
"I'm sure you're right. She's not delusional about that. She realized she wouldn't be able to get away with something small the moment Hendrick told her his family wanted to come."
"Hendrick? Do I know them?" said Clarissa.
"Probably not, at least not personally, but you might have heard of him. Depends how well you know… about the historical people," said Stephanie.
Frank laughed.
"Historical people? I need to remember that one when referencing their kind in public. Good one sis."
Emma and Jessica started laughing when they understood Stephanie was talking about vampires.
"I think I've heard of him. If he is who I think he is, I don't think it's surprising that she would be that close connected to him and his family."
"You should see the sculpture they sent her when she moved in with me. They consider her like family."
At the end of the night, when in their hotel room, Frank told Coralis about Alpha Collins wanting to attend their wedding with his family and his beta. He also told her about his sister's comment.
"I gave up on the hope to have a small wedding when Veronica confirmed she'd be there with her family and my panthers started calling me about it. Naturally, the flyball team also wants to be there, so at this point, I'll just deal with it like I told you in the car after you picked me up from the airport," said Coralis, as she was stripping her clothes off of her, enticing Frank.
She was about to remove her underwear when her phone rang, displaying an unknown number.
"Of course, just as the fun started," said Coralis, rolling her eyes.
"I guess it's better now than when we're in the middle of it," said Frank, who sat on the bed, watching her.
"I'm listening."
She heard silence at the end of the line and faint breathing.
"I'm listening," she repeated.
"Am I talking to Coralis Golmar?"