Dark Escape [SC & Kawashima Thunder]

[sleeplessCartoonist]

He leaned against the car when Nicole left, quietly smoking a cigarette as he thought. Everything was set, and he would be married in a few hours. And then, a bit after that, they'd leave for there honeymoon. They had packed their bags earlier, enough to last them the few days they would be gone, and he had saved up enough money for them to have a nice time at the small, peaceful town. Dropping and stepping on his cigarette with his heel, he then started towards the church, pushing his glasses back up his nose. He had to make sure everything was perfect for the wedding, and he'd force himself to look as happy as he could despite the slowly swelling anxiety.

 

[BloodThunder27]

The Bridesmaids were happy to see Nicole, as the second she had shown up, they got straight to preparing her for the wedding. At least five Bridesmaids, two of then being her maternal cousins, were both respectively working on her hair, while the other started putting her make-up on.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

When he walked into the church, he glanced around, figuring that all of the decorations were properly set up. A couple of his groomsmen were waiting around and glanced up when he entered.


"Everything's set up, we've got the cake and everything." one of them, David, said. "Charley said he'd be over in half an hour, and the rest of the guys should be here in an about an hour."


"Sounds good to me. We've got music, food, flowers, cake... photographer?" Jason said as he looked around the church, approaching the two men.


David nodded, sitting back. "Yep. She came around about an hour ago and was setting up her camera and stuff. She left to go get us coffee, but I guess you won't be getting any..."


He shrugged. "That's fine, I had some coffee back at home." he said with a sigh.


"So... you're getting married today." the other said, looking around. "Kind of weird..."


"Oh, tell me about it." he said with a sigh, sitting on one of the front pews. "It still hasn't sunk in."

 

[BloodThunder27]

As the Groomsmen conversed, Nicole's Maid of Honor, Kira, who is her older cousin by ten years on her Dad's side of the Family, overheard while talking to two Junior Bridesmaids. Nicole had gotten the best of two things, even though it hit her like a bomb. Although Kira wanted to talk to Jason concerning Nicole's pregnancy, she decided that it should wait until after the ceremony and possibly before the reception. Before she can say something, one of the other bridesmaids came out to ask her for help with getting Nicole's Wedding Dress, mainly because they didn't want to ruin it. After getting her Wedding Dress on, Kira noticed that Nicole seemed a little unhappy. Seeing that the other eight bridesmaids had left to attend to other important things concerning the wedding, Kira decided to talk to Nicole one on one. "Everything okay?" Kira asked. "Kind of. No, not really." Nicole sighed. Now was probably one of the worst times to cry because her cousins, Rosalyn and Liliana, had just finished working on her make up. "Would you like to talk about it?" Kira asked, worried because she didn't want any outside thoughts impairing Nicole at the alter. Both women sat down on a bench in the room, because Kira didn't want to make Nicole stand too much, since she will need it at the alter. "Well..." Nicole looked down at her belly. By this time, her baby has calmed down thanks to Liliana. "Its about the baby, isn't it?" Kira asked, worried. "Yeah, it is..." Nicole sighed. Kira moved a little closer. "Why, how are you feeling?" Nicole didn't know where to start, but she felt unappreciated, overwhelmed and, to some extent, unloved.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

He spent a few minutes talking with his friends before continuing to help make sure everything was set up. A while later, his best man, Charles, an old friend from high school, had shown up, followed by two more of his groomsmen. He had gone through a list a few times, and when he was sure everything was perfect, he sat down again.


"Geoffrey should be around any minute now." one of the groomsmen said, checking the time. "And guests, in about half an hour."


"Sounds good." Jason said, standing and running a hand through his hair, glancing around. Another hour or so and the ceremony would start, and he'd have to start greeting everyone.

 

[BloodThunder27]

Nicole was still a bit quiet. "Its alright, you can tell me." Kira told her, concerned for her cousin's well being. "I know I shouldn't be saying this, but its been on my chest since I got pregnant." Kira was a little shocked. "Why, what's wrong?" Nicole looked at her Maid of Honor. "I...Kinda feel like...He has no interest in the baby." Kira was shocked. "How so?" Nicole frowned. She didn't know where to start, because it saddened her so much. "Like, he hasn't really tries to bond with the baby." Kira tried to comfort the bride, to some avail. "Well, I can talk to him if you'd like. Now c'mon, let's not keep your maids waiting." Kira helped her up and they left the dressing room.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

The last groomsman arrived after a couple more minutes, and soon, guests began to file into the church. Jason stood by the front, greeting people and accepting a few presents here and there. On his side of the family, he only had his parents, brother, and a couple cousins, and their congratulations wasn't especially warm. When just about everyone had arrived, Jason returned to his spot, still glancing around to ensure that everything was in order.

 

[BloodThunder27]

After her Father arrived, all of Nicole's Family Members have finally arrived. On her side of the Family, there were her Parents, her Brother, her Aunts, Uncles and many cousins. She did indeed come from a large family. While everything was getting finalized, Nicole became the center of attention, especially around her many bridesmaids. She was swarmed with questions about her baby, which did make her happy. As Jason conversed with other guests, Kira walked up to him and asked to talk to him one on one.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Jason glanced up as Kira approached, turning quickly to the people he was talking to. "I'll, uh, catch up with you guys later, okay?" he turned back to her, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, of course. We can go off to the side, if it's really private..." he paused for a moment, eying her and frowning. "Is everything alright? Nicole's fine, right? This isn't about her, is it? Well, it... probably is, actually..." Jason pushed his glasses up his nose, still eying Kira warily.

 

[BloodThunder27]

"She's fine, its just you I'm worried about. She's talked to me when our cousins and I were helping her get ready for the Ceremony. I'm actually worried." Kira expressed her concerns. "She's told me that she feels like...You have no interest in the baby." She had a tight grip on her temper, but didn't lash out for Nicole's sake. "Like you don't take time to bond with the baby. Its your child too. Its your son she's carrying. I mean, I know you feel overwhelmed and this ended up happening because neither of you were careful, but the baby means a lot to her. The same should go for you. Jason, my cousin loves you very much and has faith in you becoming a Father, but has her doubts about being a Mom." Kira went back to normal. "I mean, sure its a little...New, but everyone's here if you have any questions."

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

He stared blankly for a few moments, before clearing his throat. "...no interest in the baby? Because I don't take time to bond with... the fetus?" he asked, eying her, before sighing. "Yeah, listen, when the baby's born, I'll bond with it then. I'm pretty sure fetuses don't really recognize their dads or anything." he adjusted his glasses. "Of course the kid means a lot to me... I'm doing what I can to prepare for this. But I think the least of your concerns is... me not attempting to bond with my unborn child." Jason shoved his hands into his pockets, frowning slightly. "Tell her I think she's gonna be a great mom. And I'll do what I can to be a good dad. Alright?"