The Last Dance (Extra)

Yes, it's true, I've finally gotten around to writing a wedding chapter for The Last Dance.

I've truely missed writing about these characters, and I'd also like to thank everyone, new fans and old, for the great support you've given and continue to give the Last Dance. It's been done for months and still in the top 100, which shocks me everyday. Thank you, thank you, thank you. <3

The lovely cover page was made by KissMeStupid, and this chapter is dedicated to ella_enchanted, a fantastic writer herself, who's been with me from the beginning.

The Sequal to the Last Dance, Dancing with Deception can be found in the external link, just to be clear it doesn't revolve around John and Celia although they do make a few appearances. It's all new characters and an all new plot and I hope you'll all give it a chance =)

Comment and Vote?

Cheers,

xo.

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The Last Dance - Extra

Unroyal Wedding

I tilted my hand back and forth watching as the faint morning light bounced off a glittering diamond set in the middle of curling petals, admired how the delicate woven band changed from sparkling silver to a blushing red as if the metal were being repeatedly heated and cooled. I let out a sigh, being dazzled by the beauty yet again before pulling the wedding ring off my finger and hurling it at the door.

I paced across the floor, too nervous to sit still, too frantic to stop the barrage of insecurities that crowded my mind with every breath. Stumbling to the window I knocked into my bedside table, dislodging a pile of invitations and thank you cards. The thick sheets of parchment scattered across the floor, their dark curling letters mocking me with every brush stroke.

Throwing open the window the pale dawn light bathed the room in a rosy tint. I took in a deep breath and nearly choked on the heavy air thick with the smell of flowers. The castle seemed to be drowning in them and I longed for just a hint of the crisp cool breeze that had melted away with the last of the snow weeks ago.

Leaning against the sill my eyes passed over the room, taking in the mess of cards on the floor, the small gift boxes peeking out from under the bed and inside the closet, on top of tables or thrown in corners, some half opened while others remained pristinely unwrinkled and unwrapped.

The better to return them, I thought.

Reluctantly my eyes fell on the dress.

Silly to think I was ready to call off a whole wedding just because of a garment of lace and silk, when had I become so shallow?

But god, that dress.

The light blue fabric and soft grey lace should have made for a simple pretty dress, but the monstrosity before me was anything but. The skirts alone could have easily clothed a dozen people with so many layers draped over each other. Large dropping ribbons littered the waistline, sleeves and were even spread without pattern along the skirt. With its heart shaped neckline and delicate silver beads the bodice was the only redeeming quality, but even it was ruined by the filmy layer of lace overtop and another damned bow twice the size of my fist at the dip of the neckline. The whole thing was garish and overdone, as if a dozen hands had shaped it without agreeing on a design and insisted on using every scrap of lace, silk, and satin available to them.

I couldn’t help but compare it to the outfit I was wearing now. The birthday gift from my parents when I’d turned nineteen was a similar color palette, classy yet simple, and infinitely more tasteful. But it wasn’t as if I could go out like this, no instead I would be forced to wear the weeping soggy storm cloud of a dress.

Suddenly I felt shaky picturing the thought and sat down heavily on my bed. There was no way I could face my soon to be Kingdom with any sort of dignity looking like a melting frosted cake.

One day I would have a word with the palace seamstresses, all those layers of material were completely unnecessary, and contrary to popular belief, anything but flattering.

If a bride 'glowed' on her wedding day it was surely only because the cumbersome weight of the gown threatened to suffocate her.

I groaned aloud at the thought and buried my head in my hands.

It was awful, just awful.

A quiet knock sounded at the door, so faint I wouldn’t have heard it if I’d still been carrying on with my earlier rampage.

"Celia?" A soft whisper sounded from the other side. I rolled my eyes even as a flutter started up in the pit of my stomach.

Now I remember why I agreed to this farce in the first place.

I sighed, contemplating ignoring him anyway when the door handle was turned down from the other side.

Only John was ill mannered enough to barge into a room without waiting for permission. Even being a Prince didn't give you that right.

I leapt up and slammed the door just as it was opening and heard a muffled 'Oww' from the other side.

I realized I should feel bad, but I couldn’t help the slight chuckle that escaped.

Served him right, the fool… my fool.

"Let me in Cece, they'll notice any minute now I've snuck away."

I knew the people he was referring to were the menservants sent to dress him in all his Princely glory for this painstaking day.

I kept a firm hold on the door and shook my head even though he couldn't see me.

"Don't you know it's bad luck to see the… bride… on her wedding day?"

I had to choke the word out and hoped he wouldn't notice, but it was obvious he had when the pushing on the other side of the door became more insistent.

"I know that tone Cece, and you're not getting out of this. I'm coming in."

Rather then let myself be smacked by the door I moved out of the way, causing him to nearly fall to the floor as he pushed against it expecting resistance.

I know I should have laughed at the sheepish look on his face, but instead I could only feel a prickling in my eyes and blinked furiously to clear them as I turned away.

The door shut softly behind me and I heard him approach and stop just behind me.

"What's wrong Cece?"

"Everything! This whole day's wrong John and we both know it."

"Really?" He said sarcastically. "And how have you managed to convince yourself of that?"

"You've heard the whispers John, everyone thinks it's some kind of joke my becoming Queen, and I've known it all along but they all just confirm it around every corner."

He opened his mouth to object but I cut him off.

"And then there's that awful dress, and… and you shouldn't be here!" I finished lamely.

He smirked slightly, “It’s not bad luck if you’re not wearing the dress Cece.” When that failed to get a response from me his expression turned serious. He stepped forward and placed his hands on my waist, pulling me nearly into him. Even now I felt a faint blush at his easy confidence.

"It's not everyone who thinks that, in fact it's only a few and no one pays them the least bit of attention.”

"But—“

"But nothing. This is about you and I, just the two of us, do you still want that?"

"Yes" I whispered, barely audible.

He reached for my hand, resting limp by my side, and twined our fingers together.

"Then nothing else matters. Wear your practice clothes to our wedding if that’s more comfortable, we can have a duel instead of a dance if that makes you feel any better, so long as at the end of they day you're mine and mine alone and everyone knows it" He said with a teasing grin.

I couldn't help but laugh, knowing that even with the playful voice he meant every word.

"I think that would cause a right scandal John."

"Perhaps they'll be so appalled they'll stay away from court for the next few years and give us some peace" He said thoughtfully.

I punched him lightly in the arm, earning a soft smile as he grabbed my fist up and brought it to his lips for a light kiss.

I felt my face heat up and really looked at him for the first time since he’d come in. He was wearing a dusky blue surcoat with a decorative gold trim of interwoven vines and a pale almost white gold sash that his sword hung from. He looked every inch the regal Prince, but the effect was offset by his lopsided smile and the thin crown sitting crooked on his molten gold hair.

Like so often lately I caught my breath at the sight, and though I knew he’d scowl at me if I said it out loud, there was no other word to describe him but beautiful.

I forgot whatever argument had been on the tip of my tongue and forced myself to look away before I lost my mind completely.

My eyes drifted around the room and I couldn’t help but glare resentfully as they landed on the mountain of a dress lying innocently at the foot of my bed. Just the sight of it had me feeling both overwhelmed and weary of the day ahead of me, pathetic.

John followed my gaze and walked over to the bed, picking up the tail end of the giant ribbon on the neckline and running it through his fingers before turning towards me, lips turning up into a slow smirk.

“Is this the problem then? It’s not so bad.”

“You joke about it, but I’m the one who has to wear the foul beast,” I replied bitterly.

His amused smile stayed in place as he shrugged. “It’s nothing that can’t be fixed.”

Before I could even ask what he meant I heard the distinct sound of cloth ripping and saw him holding the limp bow in his hand triumphantly.

“See? Better already.”

I was too speechless to respond, instead walking slowly over to the dress looking for damage, but only a few frayed ends of thread marked the place where the ribbon had been.

Well, if one could come off so easily surely the rest could as well, and the lace covering would be easy to rip away…

John clearing his throat loudly interrupted my thoughts and I turned to him with an automatic smile, only to see him lingering by the door turning something sparkling over in his hands.

I realized with a guilty flush that it was my wedding ring, the one he’d had made specially made for me.

“I dropped it.” I blurted out, not being able to stand the wounded look on his face.

It was a show of how far we’d come that he only raised an eyebrow in disbelief rather than getting upset and thinking the worst.

When I stayed silent he let out a loud sigh. “Well, I suppose I should go call the whole thing off if you don’t really want to do this…”

My mouth dropped open in shock and without hesitation I rushed over to take the ring out of his hands and slip it on. “I do.” I insisted fiercely before noticing the self-satisfied expression on his face.

I frowned indignantly as if he’d tricked some kind of confession from me and punched him in the arm.

I wasn’t sure if it was more annoying that he didn’t seem to feel it or that he let me go through with the action when I knew perfectly well he could catch it before getting hit.

But just as fast the annoyance was replaced with surprised when he took a small step forward and leaned down to kiss me. It was soft and sweet and took all the fight right out of me, and as always, ended too soon.

When he moved away I sighed and let him pull me down to sit next to him on the bed.

I was suddenly and highly aware of our surroundings, and the fact that the door being shut would most definitely be taken as inappropriate if anyone knew we were together. I shuffled over slightly putting space between us, and noticed John do the same as we exchanged an embarrassed smile.

He cleared his throat again and shifted around to face me.

“So what’s the real problem?”

My hand immediately moved to the bracelet on my left wrist, twisting it around and looking at the milky opals rather than face John, ashamed of what I had to say and rushing thought it.

“I hate that we have an audience for something so… personal. And I really thought I’d be used to the attention by now, and I swear I will be some day, but I just… don’t want to share this, or you.” I mumbled.

When he didn’t respond I forced myself to look up at him and saw another self-satisfied look on his face, though I had no idea how what I’d said could have prompted it.

Noticing my confused expression he smiled and held his hand out, waiting for my to place mine on top before lacing our fingers together. And now he was the one not making eye contact, playing with the same bracelet he’d given me almost a year ago.

“If it wasn’t obvious, I’m completely yours, no sharing allowed. And as for the wedding, you don’t have to share that either, not exactly that is.”

Distracted by the blush coloring his cheeks it took a moment for the second part of what he’d said to sink in, and when it had I was completely baffled.

“What are you talking about John? Most of the Kingdom’s turned out for this.”

Instead of answering he jumped to his feet and headed for the door, forcing me to get up as well and follow behind since our hands were still intertwined.

He opened the door only slightly, peering down the hallway in both directions before tugging me out behind him. He refused to say a word about where we were going or what he was doing even when I begged for an answer, but it was obvious soon enough by the empty corridors where we were headed.

There was only one wing in the castle closed to guests until just before the ceremony, and that was the one leading to the ballroom where it would happen, the very one I was being dragged down now.

I stopped abruptly, refusing to go further without an explanation, but he only looked amused.

“You know how this ends Cece, either you walk or I carry you.” He said it playfully, but I knew the threat was meant. With a huff I dropped his hand and squared my shoulders, ready to walk past him looking indignant. Of course he ruined the attempt by giving an exaggerated comical bow as I passed him and I couldn’t help but laugh.

He caught up in two steps and linked his arm loosely through mine, walking leisurely beside me down the hall, and I couldn’t help but think it was entirely unfair how easily he seemed to handle me these days. Had I grown too predictable?

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, seeing the content set to his features, the unconscious smile…

No, it wasn’t about being predictable; he was just secure in the fact that I loved him.

I almost, almost, didn’t notice the double doors now visible at the end of the hallway, but when I did my footsteps slowed down considerably.

I stopped altogether in front of the ballroom doors. Unlike before the High Ball I had avoided the place for weeks ever since preparations began. And though I would be walking down those stairs yet again in a matter of hours, I found myself unready to face what lay inside.

“Can you please tell me what you’re doing now John?”

He reached down to take my hand again, squeezing it reassuringly before whispering, “Trust me.”

I barely flinched when he pulled open the door, waving me in ahead of him. I took a deep breath and let it out before stepping in, and could do nothing but gasp at the transformation.

A long pale grey rug ran down the entire length of the ballroom, starting at the top of the stairs and ending at the other end of the room were a trellis covered in blue Lenten roses wound around the arch. The stairs banister was woven throughout with the same flowers, and along the walls were drapes in soft blues and lilacs. Golden lanterns hung along the walls in every alcove made by the drapes, and sparkling chandeliers had been lowered from the ceiling giving the whole ballroom a demure yet airy feeling. I knew once the hundreds of candles had been lit and placed the room would glow like the sky at twilight.

I only got to admire it for a second more before John was pulling my hand, leading me across the floor to the courtyard beyond.

The sun was still low in the sky, dusting the leaves in shimmering gold sunrays, adding a faint blush to the stones that lined the trail.

We were halfway down the path when I finally noticed the small crowd gathered under the heavily laden branches of the cherry blossom tree. They were talking amongst themselves and hadn’t noticed us yet, our friends and family.

“John what—“

The words died in my throat as I noticed the minister sitting on the edge of the bench with a thin leather volume in his hands, and now I knew exactly what this was.

"I had a feeling you would feel that way about the wedding, which is why I made other arrangements." He finally explained, looking proud at the gathering ahead of us.

"What about everyone waiting?" I whispered, hardly daring to believe it.

"They'll have their ceremony don't you worry."

Before I could ask what he meant he reached up to remove the gold circlet hidden in his hair. “This is just for us, I’m not any kind of Prince with you anyway,” He said ruefully.

I looked back at the tree. All the people who meant anything to me were here, and this, unlike the grand ballroom we had our backs to, was perfect.

Not knowing what to say I threw my arms around him instead. He chuckled quietly, murmuring into my hair, "The things I do for love."

I pulled back, looking him in the eye when I said, “I love you too.”

When he moved back it was to pull a chain out from under his surcoat and I noticed with a start the little ring hanging off of it was mine, the gift I’d given him forever ago. “I know.” He whispered.

He winked at the surprised look on my face and then, to my bewilderment, placed his crown on top of my head.

Before I even had a chance to protest he put a finger to my lips. “Today you get to be my Princess, let me enjoy it.” He teased.

I leaned up to press a kiss to his cheek and loved that something so simple could still make him blush.

Then, after telling me to wait where I was, he walked down the path, announcing our presence and sending my father in my direction.

And that was when it really hit me, this was really happening. I looked down the path to where he stood near the end, smiling when he winked, and suddenly I found I wasn’t nervous at all.

***

“…and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

It felt like a dream, the words swirling through my head in a dizzying rush that made them incomprehensible, because all I saw was John, the sparkle in his eyes, the slight upturn of his lips like a secret held between us, and it was all I could see, as if the rest of the world had just disappeared.

“I will”

I heard myself saying the same, and finally I was glad of all the time spent learning what actions to take when, because all thoughts of protocol had fled my mind with just a glance from him.

We were led forward, and I was grateful for the steady presence of my father beside me as more words were spoken, and my hand was placed in John’s, and just in that simple touch I really understood it, that getting married meant always having a hand to hold, and just that was worth it.

“Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember… Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Posses one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly…”

Now the rings were being exchanged, and I heard the vows spilling from my mouth mirroring what John had just said, and what had sounded so rehearsed in the quiet hours of the night before now resonated through me like a thousand harps plucked at once, and I could feel every word.

Then a chalice was passed to us, held up for one another to drink.

“…May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you.”

Belatedly I heard the sound of applause, and it was like walking up from a dream, or taking my first breath after holding it in.

John turned to me with a radiant smile, like he couldn't believe his luck, and truthfully neither could I.

"Finally" He breathed, pulling me close to his side as our friends and family rushed to engulf us, many of them muttering the same.

“It’s about time Prince Blockhead!” Luke yelled cheerfully.

“He’s your responsibility now Cee, don’t even think about giving him back.”

I laughed as John tried to smack David around the head, only landing a glancing blow when he ducked out of the way.

“You know, this would be a great time to defend your husband Cece,” he said with a fake wounded look.

Husband.

The word sent a surprising thrill through me and I fought to hold back a smile, instead giving a dramatic sigh, ready to humor him. “He’s not a complete Blockhead Luke, he was smart enough to marry me after all.”

“I wouldn’t give him too much credit Cee, we all get lucky sometimes” Mason threw in.

John rolled his eyes, but his smile only grew wider as the boys laughed and slapped him across the back offering congratulations.

“It’s hardly fair Cee, you were the last of us to turn nineteen yet somehow the first to get married” Mira said with a pout, her eyes teasing.

Lily jumped in before I had a chance to respond. “And to a Prince no less, how are we ever to compete?”

“Easily I’d say, aside from being a Prince, John’s not much of a catch.”

John left my side to go punch David, and in seconds all the boys were laughing and play fighting. I shook my head at them and looked past my friends to see my parents and John’s waiting on the side. The mother’s looked teary and the Father’s tried to hold it back, but I could see the King looking at his son as if he was seeing him for the first time.

I walked over to my parents, being pulled into a fierce hug by my mother before being traded off to my father.

“That boy would give you the world,” He murmured.

“I know dad” I said, following his gaze back to where the boys were still fooling around, trying to push each other to the ground.

He turned back to me, and I could see the tears in his eyes. “And I know you’d do the same for him.”

My gaze drifted back to John, our eyes meeting for a second before he fell forward. “Yes, I would.”

“Good. Take care of each other.” I nodded, feeling a little teary eyed myself as my father gently pushed me towards the King and Queen.

They acknowledged me with bright happy smiles, and we all just stood facing each other for a while, as if no words needed to be said, but when the King spoke up it was far from what I was expecting.

“We’ve always wanted you for him.”

I blinked in surprise as the King’s smile widened lighting up his features, and I finally saw where John got it from.

“You have?”

“Of course dear,” The Queen said softly, “You’ve always been family.”

Uncle Jeoffrey nodded his agreement and abruptly pulled me into a great bear hug. I noticed over his shoulder that John had made his way over to my parents.

I watched him and my father talking as if they were old friends rehashing memories, which seemed odd since I’d never seen them talk before. When John noticed me looking he gave my parents a hug and walked over, his smile getting brighter with each step.

His mother threw her arms around him tightly and the King joined in on the hug, a show of emotion they rarely ever shared with each other.

When they pulled back the Queen had to dab at her eyes with a cloth and the King nodded at his son in approval.

His voice was rough with emotion when he said, “Well done son,” and slapped him on the back, causing John to almost pitch forward face first. I had to slap a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing at his expression, the same as it had been when we were kids and his father had done the same, only now everything was different.

He straightened up and wrapped an arm around my waist, shaking his head at my giggles as he led us away from his parents and towards the cherry blossom tree. “My wife will forever be laughing at me,” He muttered quietly.

I turned my head to kiss his cheek again and he placed his hand under my chin, placing a soft kiss on my lips before we were surrounded again.

Wine glasses had turned up from somewhere and joking toasts started being made, most of them making fun of John, and all of them coming from the boys.

He tolerated them without protest and grinned whenever I said something in his defense, and I thought again how perfect this all was, just us, our friends and family teasing and making fun of each other.

It was just nearing afternoon when our gathering broke up, though it felt as if we’d spent the whole day here. Everyone went off in different directions, having to check on last minute preparations for the wedding the rest of the Kingdom was expecting.

I’d almost forgotten about that.

"You mean its still happening?" I asked, remembering abruptly the palace full of wedding guests waiting for a ceremony.

"Well, we can’t very well send them home, or deny them the chance to see their Prince getting married, so we’ll just have to go out there and fake it." He replied cheerfully.

My mouth dropped slightly open in alarm.

"John we can't fake it!"

"Why not? They wont know the difference, it will be the same thing really, only we'll know we're already married,” He said with a conspiratorial wink.

"Only you would think of something like this,” I said with a rueful smile, stopping to look at him outside my door.

"Anything for you Cece" He said with an easy smile before pulling me closer him to once again and sighing contentedly.

I walked into the room, suddenly undaunted by the greeting cards littering the floor, excited about opening the rest of the wedding gifts that were scattered around the room.

Of course there was still one little problem…

As if reading my thoughts, John walked over to the bed to grab the gown, and pushed it into my hands with a laugh.

"Here, put on the ugly dress or I'll force you into it myself, I can do that now you know" He teased suggestively.

I pushed him away, blushing furiously as he lost his balance and collapsed on the bed, laughing at my reaction. Some things would clearly never change, and yet, I couldn't bring myself to mind.

The End

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The Sequal to the Last Dance, Dancing with Deception can be found in the external link, just to be clear it doesn't revolve around John and Celia although they do make a few appearances. It's all new characters and an all new plot and I hope you'll all give it a chance =)