FCSU #88 Four Weddings (and a Secret)
Abby was taken aback. Surely Vigilance wouldn't have gone to her father so soon after meeting her. What was going on here? Elden motioned for her to come closer. "We are matching up Vigil's brothers and nephews with your sisters he said proudly. We'll want at least one plural marriage, of course. But oh, I have something big planned." He doddered on. Abby didn't like the effect the show was having on her father.
"Tell me Abby, which of your sisters would you want to live with in this life and the next?" He asked with a laugh. Abby felt a knot in throat. Autumn. She thought. It had to be Autumn. She'd had it all planned out since childhood. They'd marry the same man and raise their children together. The girls would keep their husband in Elden’s good books so he could manage his businesses once their father finally retired. But it was dawning on her that that would never happen now. Autumn had to have graduated by now. She must have decided not to join her.
She made a half-hearted shrugging motion as she thought of her remaining sisters; Catie was sweet, but spoiled and would do anything to get out of chores. Nurie was immature, shrill and childish plus she was still technically in high school. She had just turned eighteen but hadn't yet finished her final year of study. Abby didn't want to share a husband with her older sister Charlotte and her four loud children. Her husband had been sent away by Royce and she'd become bitter and mean as a result.
She excused herself from the office and went to her room to pray. Her sisters were there giggling as they tried on their wedding dresses. Charlotte sat in the far corner quietly, writing in her journal. Only a few days later Elden ordered the girls to set up a wedding arch and chairs in his office. The original plan was to have the weddings outside but a sudden downpour ruined that idea. Now they scrambled to drag the ridiculous prop and wordly decorations inside before the sand turned to mud. Once they’d finished setting up Elden strode in to lead the family in prayer.
FCSU members didn't need arches for a wedding but Abby assumed the familiar signifiers would make their weddings more relatable to the townies. She and her sisters got ready in the kitchen as the rest of the family sat in folding chairs in the office. The grooms-to-be sat on a plush sofa to the side of the arch. Nina snuck in to help Nurie with her dress and hair. She seemed nervous as her mother spoke to her in a soft, reassuring tone. Across the room Charlotte was giving Catie and Carla a pep talk as Charlene couldn't be bothered.
Abby felt the sting of loneliness and shame, her mother was missing and no one would acknowledge it. She wished she had Allie-Jayne by her side to tame the flieaway hairs that she'd seemed to inherit from her. She wished again that Autumn was getting ready longside her, joking to ease the tension or sneaking in a peek at her big sister's wedding gown. Luckily Jayne was able to steal a few minutes away from the cameras and interviews going on in the office to encourage and comfort her granddaughter. "You look so beautiful! You must have prayed for this day for years." She cooed as Abby was on the verge of nervous tears. She missed her mom and her sister but Jayne was the next best thing.
Jayne was called into the office and the ceremony began. The first girl to be called was eighteen year old Catie. She was wed to Donovan Culton, son of David Culton and Dina Caliente. They quickly said their vows, kissed and were rushed out into the hallway for an interview.
Next up was Charlotte. Abby was elated when she heard Charlotte’s name called alone. That meant they wouldn’t be sisterwives! Charlotte walked up the aisle to meet Damien, brother of Donovan. As she approached the alter a man’s voice shouted “THAT’S MY WIFE!” In the doorway stood Jonathon Culton, her husband who’d been sent away many years ago.
He rushed to Charlotte’s side, taking her hands. He explained that he’d been reinstated by Elden and that he wanted to be a family again if she’d have him. His bride, who’d clearly been informed of this twist beforehand shouted “Yes, my love! I am your once again!” They were resealed in marriage by Elden and kissed deeply. Their children cheered from their seats. Damien was interviewed by the producers about being passed over for a wife. “Oh well, better luck next time.” He said with a cavalier attitude.
Finally Abby and Nurie were called together to meet their husband. Abby entered the office to see Vigilance waiting for her at the end of the aisle, just as she expected. He looked a little shocked to see two brides heading his way. Elden intoned the traditional wedding speech of the FCSU. Abby was grateful to her father for adding a more traditional touch to her ceremony. She felt validated in her choice to return to him.
She stole quick glances at her new husband’s face. His eyes kept darting at the cameras and his smile would falter a little. He turned his attention to her and his eye contact made her cheeks burn. She was relieved that Vigilance, like her, was a little older than the other bachelors at twenty-three. Finally, Abby heard the words “Go forth and multiply, you may kiss your bride.” He swept her up off her feet just like a fairytale and kissed her. She could hear her youngest sibings cheering.
But then Abby was called to step aside to witness Vigilance’s nuptials with Nurie. About one millions feeling surged through her body. This was supposed to be HER moment. HER story. She didn’t want to share. But then the guilt of her teachings set in: this is what she’d wanted her entire life. This is what she came back for. Becoming a sisterwife was her moment as well. She finally let a genuine smile grace her face just in time to watch her husband kiss her little sister. The three of them posed for photos all beaming like deer in the headlights.
Later that night once the producers and cameras left Damien, the jilted groom was rewarded for his performance with a bride of his own, sixteen year-old Carla. That part would not be aired on TV.
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