Evolved Episode 30: Wedding Day

Zach leans his paws on the desk and stares down. His chest heaves and there’s sweat trickling from his head. Tom sits in a chair next to the desk. He fixes his red bowtie and takes deep breathes. Nick and Alex enter.
“Hey, guys,” Nick says. He notices them. “What’s the matter with you?”
Zach stays in his position. “Nervous. We’re both nervous.”
Nick places his hand on his back. “Don’t be. Just relax.”
Tom pulls his bowtie. “I think I’m going to pass out.”
Alex puts his claw on his shoulder. “It’ll all be okay. I bet the girls are nervous too.”
Zach adjusts his black tuxedo to his comfort. “I want this day to be a happy memory.”

***

Melissa fixes her white dress and places the veil on top her head. “This is it, Nerelia. I can’t wait to be with Zach for my whole life.”
Nerelia smiles. “I feel the same way with Tom.” She takes a deep breath. “I can’t believe it.”
Melissa turns to her. “Nervous?”
“Y-yes,” Nerelia says.
“Me too.” Melissa places her paw on Nerelia’s shoulders. “It’ll all be okay, though. Just relax and think wonderful thoughts.”
Nerelia looks into her eyes. “Think wonderful thoughts,” she repeats.
Melissa nods and smiles. “Come on. Let’s get going.”

***

Sheldon waits in front of the big statue of Team Young as they were when they were young in Mandelberg Park. His paws grip a book. “This will be a happy day. And here come the grooms.” Zach and Tom walk toward him with Nick, Alex, Reggie, and Nicky behind them. “Ah, good to see you good Pokémon. You look great.”
Zach smiles. “Thank you, Sheldon. As do you.”
Tom looks around. “Hey, isn’t Caitlin here too?”
Sheldon nods. “She is here. She’s one of the bridesmaids.”
“Mimi’s a bridesmaid too,” Reggie adds.
“I also saw Carly and Mooncheeks here as well,” Nicky says.
Reggie turns to the Shiny Lucario. “Is Sarah a bridesmaid?”
Nicky shakes his head. “No, she’s the flower girl. She’ll be walking with Cleargaze as he delivers the rings.”
Zach notices an Ursaring coming up to the boys. He smiles. “Mom! So glad you can make it.” He wraps his arms around her.
Lily accepts his hug. “I’m just so proud of you!” Tears drop from her eyes. “My little baby’s all grown up.”
Oliver snickers. “Talk about motherly love.” Zach lets go of her.
Sheldon looks past the grooms. “Here come the brides! Oliver, that’s your cue.” Oliver nods, turns to the organ and plays ‘Here Comes the Bride’ on the organ as Melissa and Nerelia stroll down the aisle between the rows of seats where all the Pokémon sit. In front of them, Sarah throws flowers from her basket into the air and they drift to the floor. Cleargaze follows, carrying a pillow with four rings. The groomsmen stand beside Zach and Tom on the right side. Behind the brides, Carly, Mimi, Caitlin, and Mooncheeks follow them, wearing white dresses. Both brides stand beside their grooms.
Zach lifts Melissa’s veil and smiles. “You look beautiful.”
Melissa smiles as well. “You don’t look to bad yourself.”
Tom does the same with Nerelia. “Are you ready for today?”
Nerelia nods. “Let’s do this.” The groomsmen give off smiles to them. The bridesmaids stand beside the brides to their left. Lily wipes away her remaining tears and smiles. Oliver comes to the climax of the song.
Melissa notices Zach’s paws clenching. “Nervous?” she whispers.
“Very much,” Zach responds. “I’m okay, though.” Melissa smiles. Everyone turns their attention up forward.
Sheldon opens his book and clears his throat. “We are all gathered here today to bring together two good couples into a long lasting era of love. I wish I could call upon Commando to aide me in this ceremony, but he is standing right here, waiting to be wed. I would also like to take the time to thank you all for coming here and to witness these two couples on their day of happiness. For today, these young Pokémon have proven that their love can last for a very long time and decide to join their hearts in dire times to come. Now, if there is a reason that both these couples shouldn’t be wed, please rise and speak up.” There is no sound. “All right. May I ask both the grooms and the brides to join paws?” Zach and Melissa join their paws as well as Tom and Nerelia. “Now, I must inform you both that a wedding is not just a ceremony. A wedding is a bonded contract between the one you dearly love. You must promise that you will be caring and loyal to each other. Zach the Lucario and Melissa the Lopunny, do you promise to take care of each other and love each other for the rest of your loves?” Zach and Melissa nod. Sheldon turns to the next couple. “As well as Tom and Nerelia the Dewotts?” Both the Dewotts nod. “Okay. We will now begin the exchanging of rings. Cleargaze, if you will.” Cleargaze steps forward and presents Zach and Melissa with their rings. The Sableye turns toward Tom and Nerelia and presents them with the other two rings. Zach slides Melissa’s ring on her finger. Melissa does the same on Zach’s finger. Tom and Nerelia copy the moment with their exchange. Both couples turn back to Sheldon, who smiles. “Good. Now comes my question.” He faces Zach. “Zach the Lucario, do you take Melissa the Lopunny to be your wife?”
“I do,” Zach says.
Sheldon looks at Melissa. “And do you, Melissa the Lopunny, take Zach the Lucario to be your wedded husband?”
Melissa smiles. “I do.”
Sheldon faces the Dewotts. “And now, I must ask you two. Tom the Dewott, do you take Nerelia the Dewott to be your wife?”
Tom nods. “I do.”
“And Nerelia the Dewott, do you take Tom the Dewott to be your husband?”
“I do,” Nerelia answers.
Sheldon closes his book. “Then, by the power of Commando and the forces of love, I pronounce you husbands and wives!” His smile extends. “You may kiss your brides.” Tom grabs Nerelia and forces his lips onto hers. Zach and Melissa join together for theirs. The crowd claps and cheers.
Nick wipes a few tears from his eyes. “It’s so beautiful to see two happy couples.”
Alex claps. “Yeah! What happy couples!” After their kiss, Zach and Tom turn to a glass rolled in a cloth napkin set in front of them. They each step on their own glass, breaking them into shards.
“Mazel Tov!” The audience shouts. Zach walks with Melissa down the aisle with Tom and Nerelia doing the same. The groomsmen, bridesmaid, Oliver, Cleargaze, Sarah, Sheldon, and everyone else follows them.

***

Everyone gathers under a large tent with tables and chairs set up inside. Zach and Melissa stand on one side of the cake. Tom and Nerelia on the other, each holding a knife ready to cut. The knives ease into a tall, white cake that sits on a white cloth-covered table. Both couples move to their table with Lily, the groomsmen, the bridesmaids, Oliver, Sheldon, Cleargaze, and Sarah.
Lily smiles. “Congratulations to both couples!”
“We are so proud,” Mooncheeks says.
Zach chuckles. “Thanks, guys.”
Reggie swallows a piece of cake down. “Not bad cake. It’s good.”
Mimi giggles. “Did your face want some, too?”
Reggie narrows one eye. “Why do you say that, Meems?” Mimi points to the blotch of icing on his cheek. Reggie notices it. “Oh.” He wipes it away with a napkin.
“Why don’t you have some more?” Mimi takes some of his cake and wipes it on his face.
“Mimi!” Reggie prevents her from putting most of it on him. Everyone laughs.
“Well, there’s another happy couple,” Nicky adds. He chews on his piece of cake.
Cleargaze turns to Nick. “When will you get married to Mooncheeks?”
Nick blushes. “You’re worried about that now? But, I didn’t date her enough yet.”
Mooncheeks laughs. “He’s only kidding, Honey. That time will come eventually.” Alex turns down to his piece of cake and sighs. Nick puts his hand on his shoulder.
Oliver faces the couples. “Well, good luck on your marriages, all four of you.”
Nerelia smiles. “Thanks, Oliver.”
Caitlin stands from her chair and points. “Look, everyone! The fireworks are starting!” Colorful explosions sound in the distance as the Pokémon turn and view them.
Melissa snuggles close to Zach. “Oh, Zach. They’re beautiful.”
Zach wraps his arm around her. “The best part is, I get to watch them with you as your husband.” Melissa plants a kiss on his cheek before they turn to view the fireworks.