I Now Pronounce You...
It was a horrific morning to wake too. The stormy clouds had beaten the Sun to it's place, and were shielding the ground from it's powerful light, casting shadow upon the land. Each one roared in pleasure, bolts of thunder striking the earth like the whip to the back of a slave. Monsoon rains ran across the window, causing the room itself to become dark and cold, and much less welcoming than before.
I awoke on my own that morning, the bed sheets cold and drenched with the cold sweat from my nightmares. All I did was open my eyes, met with the darkening grey and the feeling of being alone. The only thing I could hear was some fumbling in the kitchen. Chloe had been awoken from three in the morning and stayed awake with me for a few more hours, and then she had woken up early to make me breakfast.
The rather tired and ragged looking vixen stepped through the bedroom door, a plate in her hand and the smell of a slight burning falling through the door as it was opened. The dish placed by my head had a rather frizzled, blackened slice of toast and, on top of that, her heart shaped egg, the yolk broken and messy. She had obvious made the effort in her tiresome state.
"I'm not hungry..." I mumbled softly into the bed covers, tears filling my eyes and silently dripped down into the sheets.
I could see the desperation in Chloe's eyes, trying to keep me happy. My heart broke for her, her efforts in vain to try and drag me out of the deep, dank depression that held me prisoner.
"W..Well, we could go to the park later! Just have a walk after the rain has stopped!" she squealed, trying to appease me and bring me back to the land or the living, "Get a sandwich at the café! My cooking was always crap anyway!"
She gave a soft chuckled but saw nothing in my eyes. She moved the plate before sitting down beside me, "Sally...we cleaned you all over, even inside. You're warm, clean and with me. I...I can't bare to see you like this..."
The reason was that I still felt dirty. The act that filled me with pleasure, that showed me my unique place as a woman, the act that seemed like the perfect expression of love between a man and a woman...how could it be so disgusting like that?
"I...I feel wrong..." I sobbed, curling up tightly into the sheets.
With that, all Chloe did was stand. She pulled her apron off, leaving her smooth, clean body bare, "Then let's make you feel right..."
***
And then...that kiss. Like the first we had experienced. So long, so soft, a quite murr running through my throat to drive Chloe in more. Her tongue, so soft yet smooth slipping over mine and into my throat, to tease my own. Her body, naked and warm, grinding against mine, keeping me there. My eyes softly closed, returning to the darkness. To the look and Alex's face as I was on my knees. The pain...the jolt...the hate... The dirt rubbed into my face, the ways and positions I was used. He would not let me go, his grip tearing at my arms. I was trapped there and left alone. And then I opened my eyes.
We spent a day there, together. It's the first time I understood the term 'making love'. Every male I was with...he would thrust into me, using my body for his own pleasure. Sure, we would fit. Sure it was natural...but it was not love. I could not love anyone like that... That was not an expression of love. How could an expression of love also be the fuel for rape, for one night stands, unplanned pregnancies and prostitutions... How?
Chloe's body didn't fit mine. She was not a male, she did not have a penis. A female is genetically designed for a male, not another female. But...the pleasure...the utter pleasure we could experience was like no other. I had never felt so right. The perfect pleasure. The ultimate moment.
***
"Oh dear," said my Mother, looking through a large, ruffled book, the edges torn by time, "No, this will never do! You can't have a red dress! It must be white!"
I sat at the old oak table in the middle of the tiled kitchen. Everything was so clean in my parent's home, my grey and grizzled parents sitting either side of me as I just sat back with a sigh.
"Whatever you say, Mum..." I huffed.
"Oi now, Sal' me ol' girl!" began my father, "I don't want you all grumpy and moody so close to your wedding day!"
The day was only a week away, and the planning was done at the last minute, as was the modus operandi of the Wolfe family.
I gave him only a lowly growl, "I know, Dad... I'm sorry."
He gave only a smile to reassure me before returning to nursing his coffee with noisy slurps through his old, wrinkled lips. I could see the ruffled fur of his brow as he peered down at the wedding plans, over the cake and the food, a smile wiping across his mug before taking another glug of his steamy coffee. I decided to pluck up the courage as I rested my head on my paw, my tail wagging in a false sense of curiosity.
"Um Dad?" I asked softly, "What do you think about...two women getting married?"
I could see his grey, old eyes slip over to me with a inquisitive leer, "You mean...a double weddin'?" he chuckled after a pause.
My Mum knew what I meant straight away, "A wedding is a religious right for a man and a woman, Sally! You know that! God doesn't like...those sort of people..."
"By why not?" countered I, "If we are all God's children, should he not love us all equally?"
My Dad only snorted, "But those things choose their lifestyle!!"
Things? I was...a thing? "By science has shown evidence that homosexuality is in genetics and not a choi..."
"Sally, please!" barked my Mother in a rather husky tone, "What are all these questions for?"
The sudden outburst made me jump in front, almost tipping my chair back as my ears dropped to my skull, "Just...I dunno, I'm sorry..."
All my mother did was shake her head, getting up from the table, "Sally, you're a silly girl you are! Hehe, would you like a cuppa tea, dear?"
***
I was a thing to my parents. But I couldn't help my feelings...could I? Chloe showed me so much. She took me away from abuse and pain, she took me away from that monotony of everyday life and saved me from the bondage of pregnancy. She was my angel...my guardian. In her arms, no darkness could touch me, hearing the pounding of her strong, independent heart. And in her kiss...the warmth male but the tenderness of a female. I felt happy with her...
So it was not soon before we were together again, walking down the high street where we had been many times on our shopping trips. The Sun was bright in the sky, giving a gleeful beam which glared across the tower concrete and glass. Birds chirped and swooped softly overhead, gloating of their true freedom. People would walk by without a care in the world, not giving the two of us a second thought, Chloe trying to keep up with my trodden stride.
"Sally, wait up! My legs are shorter than yours!!" she giggled, trying to brighten the rather solemn mood I was in.
"Sorry Chlo'," I sighed, slowing down to let the bouncy victim get to my side.
Chloe was always the resounding optimist, tearing me from my funks and bringing the light back into my laugh with her golden smile and sometimes rather lewd gags. Just looking to my side to see her smile brought one to my face.
"That's better, Mrs Gloomy!" she chuckled.
"Soon to be Mrs Wood..." I huffed softly, bringing the mood down again.
"Not if I swing through the window of that church and nab ya at the last second!" she sniggered, making the action of her swinging on an invisible rope. I knew she was joking but...it made me smile, thinking about her in shiny armour carrying me away in a flourish of giggles and kisses. But...secretly I wanted that to happen...
Soon we stood outside the shop where I was to be fitted for my dress. It was the usual British style, the cracked wood wiped across with cheap, white gloss paint, very quaint and small. With Chloe in front, I stepped inside to find the rather young, bright face mouse girl behind the counter.
"Oooo, she's cute!" whispered Chloe.
I gave her a little huff to tell her to behave before the girl skipped up, her smaller frame soon zipping in front of me, "What'll it be, ladies?"
"I'm Sally Wolfe," I began, "And I called you up about a wedding dress fitting?"
The mouse girl cutely tilted her head, her ears twitching in curiosity before she scurried back to the desk. She picked up her large glasses and peered sharply through them, running her digit down the page, "Miss Wolfe...Miss Wolfe...Ah, here you are!!" she chuckled, pulling out a picture.
She handed the picture to us, and I saw Chloe push her tongue out, "It's so boring!"
"It's what's my parents want..." I sighed.
"Is it what you want?" she asked in a soft tone.
To be honest...no. We were having the wedding in a church, which I didn't want! We were having this boring dress and tuxedo. We were having a vanilla sponge cake, and I wanted chocolate!!! Was this even my wedding.
Suddenly, the rushed warning of the old brass bell on the door and the slam of the ancient wood made us both turn tail to see the hulking sight of Alex at the door.
"What, you don't tell me?!" snarled Alex angrily, "I'm the fucking groom!"
I blushed brightly, "It's not traditional for the gro..."
"Like a give a shit!!" he snarled, "You are you fucking lesbian bimbo friend here are through!"
I could see Chloe's fist clench as she bared her fangs. But I grasped her hand, kissing her cheek softly, "Chlo'...please do what he says..."
The vixen sighed and gave a nod, telling me she understood and turned to leave. Before she left the doorway, she gave a heavy growl, scary even for the little vixen, "You're a disgrace to your gender, Alex. If you touch a hair on her head, I'll rip you in two..."
Alex stomped forward, snarling dominantly, only for Chloe to bark back, giving him more to fear before she walked away. I would notice that Alex's eyes would follow the vixen down the street until she left, then his fingers would wrap into my hair and jerk my hair back. I snarled out in pain, the tearing hair fibres causing me to gasp in displeasure. I could feel his muzzle work down to her cheek, growling and huffing into my ear like a wolf to it's prey.
"You...you fucking little cunt!" he hissed in a sharp tone, "You will be MY wife! Not some lesbo vixen bitch! That's how nature intended! Stop being a little whore and just ACCEPT it!" With a forceful shunt, he sent my head forward again before storming out of the store.
***
It took a while to recover, my neck wrenched and the dark words plaguing my mind. It really did seem like I didn't have a choice. If I did marry Alex, my parents would be happy and I wouldn't be hurt...but I wouldn't be happy. And if I didn't marry Alex...well, I didn't want to think about that. After talking to the shop clerk and wiping my tears away, I was off, my muzzle buried in my scarf in deep thought of my fate.
"Hold still," came a simple yet soft command from the side.
I gave a little blink before looking around, a rather grizzled, young wolf sitting on the bench by my side. He was in his mid twenties, his brow heavy in concentration, his deep, intelligent eyes flickering from my figure and down to the notepad in his hand. He had a heavy, broad shoulders, like a rugby player, yet a slim physique like a tracker runner. One could consider the handsome gentlemen a model, if it were not for the simple fact he was sketching, his tongue softly poking from the side in curiosity. This mysterious wolf, his rebellious pony tail flicking back, made me step forward, a faint smile on my face.
"Um...okay? What are you doing?" I asked softly.
"I'm sketching you, beautiful. I only sketch those I find attractive," he stated, still scribbling down my figure. His tone was respectful and rather truthful.
"Oh...I'm not into guys," I replied, in a rather comfortable way as if saying it was natural.
"I never said you had to be, darling. Now, may I be graced with a name for such a beautiful face?"
"Sally Wolfe," I retorted.
"And my alias is Exile, but you call me Nick. Friends call me Nick!" he chuckled before turning back to the serious artist persona I was greeted with.
"Well, thank you very much, Nick!" I proclaimed, enjoying the very welcoming presence of the rather eccentric looking artist.
His eyes were still at work, not scanning my body like some pervert, just checking out my features to transfer to his art. He would mumble something to himself, his ears flickering as the scribbling went on. Finally, he smiled to himself.
"Well, I've always thought of it this way..."
He handed me the pad. Two little sketches were on the crisp, white paper, one above another. The bottom one was the perfect picture of me, my curvy, plump form within a beautiful wedding dress. I was next to a large male in a suit, only a tuxedo...and my face was struck with sadness, gloom and tears. On top, the same picture of me, but a bright smile on my muzzle. Happy on content, I was next to a more curvy figure...Chloe in a wedding dress.
"...why does it matter how many wives there are on the altar if there aren't two smiles? Have a great day..."
With those rather powerful words, the male gave a sweet smile before striding away into the crowd.
***
Those words stuck with me, those sharp, powerful words... I was caught in this world of chaos, caught between this new found world and the beauty of all Chloe had shown her, and the old world of Alex, normality and making my parents happy. It was insane, I couldn't concentrate on anything I could do. I was depressed with Chloe, when my mind was begging to smile for her. Yet, with Alex I was forcing on a smile, even when my heart was heavy with depression...
And then, like that, the day was there. It seemed like only yesterday I was looking into the mirror and questioning what I want, then it was me staring into my mirror in a wedding dress. I hated it. It was a disgusting display of tradition, picked out by Alex himself. It had long sleeves, and the dress itself was long and covered my legs, with a shining pendant in the middle of shining gold. I hated it.
I could hear people packing into the church, most of friends I never really liked and of Alex's friends that...'liked' me. I felt pathetic, used and just...a piece of eye candy. With a heavy sigh, I sat down by the dressing table, the veil on it's stand in front of me. I hate veils... But...there was...something there. Amidst all the white and gold and perfect, varnished oak, a box sat. A red box. There was a label on it, why hadn't I noticed that before... I padded over, taking the label in hand, flipping it to read the label. 'You always looked good in crimson! Xxx' Within the box sat a bucket. And within the bucket was a thin, watery dye solution, crimson in colour. With a smile, I knew what I had to do. With the scissors on the table, I began my work.
***
The traditional music began, the organ blaring loud as a well dressed Alex stood at the altar, his eyes filled with impatience...and lust. Eyes which quickly turned to rage when he saw me. My dress was now a deep, blood crimson, beautifully cutting through the boring black and white. The pendant was gone, and the dress was now a lot shorter, the sleeves gone to allow only straps. The veil was nowhere to be seen. A proper punk bride. My father took my arm, his face rather of joy than of anger.
"My, my, what a dress! Did you make it?" he asked.
"Uh huh, did a bit of remodelling!" I giggled.
"Well it's great to see you smiling again, sweetheart!"
It was nice really, to see my dad smile, to see his heart brighten to my eccentric ways! I could see the hate in Alex's eyes, burning brightly in his eyes that I could embarrass him so. Oh how sweet it was... The walk down the aisle seem to take forever. On one side, the hungry male eyes of Alex's friends, the grunting and patting of bulges. On the other, snide family members and friends I had not seen in a while...and for good reason. This wedding was not for me at all...
My Dad softly kissed my hand with that old smile of his before Alex's fingers wrapped tightly around my wrist, tugging me to his side. "What do you think you're playing?" she snarled into my ear, "You know how much that dress cost me?"
"Get bent..." I huffed, watching the Minister stand before us.
"We are here today," he began, "To watch the union of two people, to display their love in the eyes of God. Now, I must ask. Is there anyone present who does not, for whatever reason, believe in the union of these two individuals."
And then, as painful and cliché as it was, the huge oak doors of the chapel swung open. Those baggy cargos in dark chocolate, the grey vest with 'Free hugs' on the front and that...well...dopey crash helmet, with the scratches from the first day we met. There she was...in all her glory...my Chloe... She said nothing, only getting herself going, her feet kitted with her best rollerblades, ebony black, skating down the aisle. Slam!!! Using her full weight, she smashed into Alex's back, sending him flying into the alter.
"God damn it, this will not stand!! I will not let her marry this man!!!" snarled Chloe, helping herself up.
Chloe was not happy, I could see her heavy brow. I looked to her, my eyes bursting with adoration and relief. This was becoming my kind of wedding! But, that lumbering figure. A heavy fist held high, Alex lunging for the back of Chloe's head. I pushed her away, before slamming my fist into the bottom of his jaw, sending the huge male back against the altar, curled up in pain.
"Did I forget to mention?" I snarled, "Chloe too me to Judo!!!"
The whole congregation fell silent, the gasps and shrieks falling flat as a group of the males ran over to their fallen comrade's side. I started to feel slightly embarrassed, Alex complaining of a broken jaw and Chloe standing there silently.
"You fucking bitch!!!" cried Alex, pulling himself to his feet, flicking away his friends, "All you had to do was stay the fuck quiet!"
"Alex!!!" gasped my parents, my Dad standing from the pew, "I will not have you say things like that about my daughter!!"
"Shut it, old man! Your pathetic whore of a daughter..."
With that, Chloe spun around, her foot slamming into her belly, making him gasp horribly as the wind was knocked from him. The male, once again, was sent backwards, slamming into his friends, knocking them down like bowling pins.
"Sally..." said my Mother softly, "Why didn't you say anything...you can't..."
"ENOUGH!!!" I snarled, the church going once again silent as my voice bounced around the ancient stone walls.
My eyes darted around all the bemusement...all the judgement...
"I have had ENOUGH with being bossed around. I've had enough with being told what to feel, and what to do, and...WHO TO FUCK!! I am a grown woman, I have my own life to lead. When I was with Alex...all I knew was working nine to five, going down the pub and waking up in a hung-over, bored, sore mess. And then it started all over again. Life to me was born, baby, die. And then I bumped into Chloe." I looked over to the smiling vixen, tears forming in her eyes as I grasped for her hand, "She showed me so much. She taught me rollerblading, diving, wave boarding, dancing... She gave me freedom. She showed me a life without monotony. But...still it was not right. She held my hand. She told me things were going to be alright and fought all my battles." I turned to her, "Chloe, I'm grown up...I can take care of myself! You don't have to worry about me all the time!"
I could see the bright, proud smile on Chloe's face as she gave a nod, "So Sally...you're not getting married to Alex...how about marrying me one day?"
I could see the coy look in her eyes, no shock or gasp from the congregation. Because it was natural. Like it was too me. It was no longer evil or disgusting. It was no long unknown or misunderstood. It was all about love.
"Maybe..." I giggled, poking her nose, "Not today so...maybe!"
"Good enough for me!!!" she giggled, licking her lips and jumping at me, pulling me into a deep kiss.
The chapel roared into applause, standing up and thundering with praise for the beautiful scene that was there. No hate. No shame. No horror. It was love...just love.
"So!" chuckled my father, advancing with my Mother on hand, both smiling brightly, "Are you going to introduce as to this girl?"
I blushed immediately, giving a little nod as I wrapped my arm around Chloe's hips, "Mum...Dad...this is Chloe Vickers...my girlfriend!"
Chloe extended a paw to the pair, "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs Wolfe!"