Blood red love by Dripping Creativity
119

Aiden and Liam were the first to walk down the aisle, closely followed by Lilly who was making sure they kept moving in the right direction. Charlie was being walked down the aisle by both Tyson and Huxton. Tyson had told her she could choose to just walk with Huxton, that he wouldn't mind. But to Charlie it was important it was both of them. Since Tyson had started dating Huxton he had been just as much of a brother to her as Huxton. She wasn't about to choose between them, and she had two arms, one for each of them. The doors in front of them opened and Charlie took in the sight in front of her. The sun room had been turned into an indoor garden. The glass ceiling let in the late summer sun, the chairs for the guests had been decorated to look like they were overgrown with vines and flowers, the aisle itself looked like a garden path that led up to two trees that formed an arch. Just in front of the arch, Vidar stood looking back at her. The emotions which ran through Charlie as she looked at Vidar were too many and too powerful to put into words. He looked sexy and handsome in his dark suit.

'You take my breath away,' he linked her. Charlie felt her smile turn up a notch and she started walking towards Vidar with Tyson and Huxton. Next to Vidar, Caine stood. He also looked sexy in his suit and Charlie was happy he was healed. He smiled at her as their eyes met, but there was a sadness mixed in with his happiness. Charlie understood, but for the moment she focused on the happy part. As Charlie and her companions got closer, Vidar stepped out and met them. Both Tyson and Huxton shook his hand before they kissed Charlie's cheeks and sat down next to the clan on the bride's side. Vidar gave Charlie a brilliant smile that caused her knees to go weak. He held out his hand and she placed hers in it. Together they walked the final few steps up to the ordained demon. As he started to recite the ceremony that was a mix between different religions and old customs, and which Charlie had found suited her perfectly, she stopped listening and all her focus was on Vidar. 'You are radiant' he linked her.

'So are you,' she told him truthfully. They both managed to focus in time for their vows and the parts of the ceremony where they needed to play an active part. When the demon tied their hands together with a burning rope which didn't burn Charlie's skin, she thought she could feel the binding on a soul level.

"Vidar and Charmeze are now tied together by the holy fire as they have been tied together by their love. It's time to seal the magic with a kiss,” the demon announced. Vidar's smile changed into a grin as he used their tied hands to pull Charlie in for a kiss. Charlie enjoyed the kiss as their families and friends cheered. The demon kindly removed the burning rope from their hands and sent them down the aisle. As they walked towards the doors where Charlie had entered, petals of pink flowers rained down on them as their guests threw handfuls of petals at them. Charlie laughed and Vidar smiled and looked at her. She felt grateful this would be the memories she would carry with her from her wedding. The reception was only an elevator ride down. People mingled and Charlie loved the fact that all humans in attendance were clued in, there was no need for anyone to hide their true nature. With a glass of champagne each, she and Vidar mingled with their friends. Everyone congratulated them and wished them well. When Vidar's parents walked up to them, Charlie got a warm hug from his mother.

"You have to come and visit us when you return from your honeymoon,” she said.

"Mother, we have been travelling quite a lot lately. We will need some time to settle down," Vidar told his mother.

"Of course, dear," his mother agreed. Then she smiled at Charlie. "Call me when you have time and we will make plans.” Charlie laughed and agreed.

'I can't remember the last time my parents invited me to stay with them. I think my mother loves you more than she loves me,' Vidar linked Charlie as they moved on.

'Don't even tease about something like that,' Charlie said and poked him in the side.

"Yes, baby," he happily said out loud and kissed her cheek.

"If it isn't Charmeze,” Henry said as he came walking. He had put emphasis on her name.

"It's a lovely name, and unique. It would have taken us a long time to guess it,” Nasir said as he joined them.

"I guess that puts an end to our little game. What a pity it ended in a tie,” Charlie told them.

"Oh, we don't have to stop. We need to settle this. You must have a middle name," Henry objected. "I do," she confirmed.

"There we go. What is the first letter?" Nasir asked and Vidar chuckled.

"It's 'A'," she told him. Charlie was amused by the joy the topic seemed to bring to her two friends.

“Adina?” Henry immediately asked. Charlie laughed and shook her head.

"Ayla?" Nasir asked.

"No, that's not it either," she said.

"What are we talking about?" Adisa asked as he came walking with Jun and Liwei.

"As we now know Charlie's real name, we are guessing her middle name. It starts with an 'A'," Henry told him.

"Fun!" Adisa said.

"May I join as well?" Liwei asked.

"It's open for all," Charlie said.

"Akina?" Jun asked.

"Sorry, no."

"I'm going to stop you here. You have some thinking to do and I need to steal my wife away,” Vidar said. He guided Charlie away from the clan and towards Huxton and Tyson that were talking with Jenni and the demon officiant. 'How long do you think it will take them to guess the right answer?' Charlie linked him.

'That your middle name is Ann? After learning your first name it will take them years. They will research the most exotic names before they try a simple one like that,' he said and he seemed very pleased about it.

The dinner had been amazing, the party had been a success and Charlie's legs were about to give out from all the dancing.

"I think it's time to round the evening off," Vidar said as he nuzzled into her neck.

"I think you are right," Charlie told him as she realised it was well after three in the morning. They had a flight to catch in a couple of hours. They were spending their honeymoon in the Caribbean, on a small island Vidar owned. It would just be the two of them for two weeks. “I need to say goodbye before we leave,” she said. Vidar understood and nodded. He took her out on the terrace and the soft sound from the river was soothing after a night of music and talking. Here and there groups of people stood. But Vidar took her to the far end that was more secluded. Caine stepped out of the shadows and it was only that Charlie had scented him that made her not jump.

"I'll go and tell your brothers we are leaving," Vidar told her and kissed her. He smiled and nodded at Caine.

"All danced out?" Caine asked. Charlie chuckled and nodded.

"Yes, and our plane leaves in less than four hours," she added. He nodded. "How about you?" she asked.

"I'm all packed up and ready to go," he told her. Vidar and Charlie had the talk with Caine as soon as he was fully healed. It had been a tough conversation for Charlie, as it had been for the two men. But Caine had realised that Charlie was right, he needed to go out on his own. For once he didn't refuse when Vidar offered him part of his business. Cain would be going to Thailand in two days time.

"I'm not happy to see you go. But I am happy you get to do this. Please take care of yourself, and don't be a stranger, keep in touch," she said.

"I will," he promised.

"Good. I don't want you to forget about us,” she added. Caine gave her a lopsided smile.

"I can never forget the two of you. Vidar has saved my life in more ways than one. And you. You are my morning star, Charlie. You herald the coming of summer, of new hope and warmth," he told her and brushed a lock of her hair out of her face. Charlie took the extra step needed to embrace him and drew him in tight. She felt a single tear escaping her eye and she took in his scent, not knowing when the next time would be.

"I love you Caine, please don't forget it," she told him and she felt him freeze for a moment. Then he relaxed and kissed her hair.

"I love you too, Charlie. Please take care of Vidar, he needs someone to look after him," Caine said and relaxed his grip around her. Charlie chuckled as she drew back from their embrace and nodded.

"I will do my best. But he is stubborn."

"That makes you equal," he pointed out.

"Equally what?" Vidar asked as he joined them again.

"Stubborn," Caine informed him.

"I'm not stubborn at all," Vidar objected and all three chuckled. Vidar used his thumb to caress the trace of the single tear away from Charlie's face. "Are you okay?" he asked in a serious tone.

"I am," she told him. Vidar turned to his friend and the two men hugged.

"Let us know when you have arrived. Stay safe and don't be reckless," Vidar said.

"I will, and have I ever been reckless?" Caine asked.

"You never know. Remember, we are just a phone call away."

"I will, my friend. Thank you, for everything," Caine said.

"It's me that should be thanking you,” Vidar insisted. There was a moment of silence, when all three of them looked at each other. Then they all collected themselves and Vidar wrapped one arm around Charlie and with a nod, he guided her towards the ballroom. Inside, they said goodbye to their guest and when they left the hotel, Malcolm was ready to take them home.

"Are you really okay?" Vidar asked in the car.

"I am, and I'm not at the same time. I think I will feel alot better when I'm on an island with you and I can relax,” she told him.

"I like the sound of that, have you bought any new bikinis?" he asked. Charlie laughed, it felt nice.

"You said it was a private island, I haven't packed any bikinis,” she joked and she saw the lust ignite in his eyes. Charlie was sad to let go of Caine, but she had Vidar. And she had a long life ahead of her, she was sure Vidar's and her path would cross Caines again