Hellfire On The Other Side

Chapter 35

   Clara was pacing some running her fingers through her hair. Charlene walks over to Clara and says, "I know that you're nervous about this wedding. Trust me, so am I." She giggles. "I'm glad that Shane decided to keep the men in New Orleans while we're here in Paris. I don't know about Claytin, but I know that Shane would be so desperate to see me!" "Oh, I am not nervous about the wedding. I am technically already married to Claytin. I am worried about the coronation right afterward when I officially become Princess Clara Frollo of the Court Of Miracles," Clara said as she slowed her pacing. Charlene takes Clara's hands. "Deep breaths," she says. "Claytin can guide you through the process. He's your right-hand man!" "I know, it's just, a few months ago I was a full-fledged villain and now, I am going to become a princess of my father's greatest enemies people." Charlene nods. "Yeah, it's so crazy to think about. It seems like it was so long ago that you were a villain. I guess time slows down when you're stressed out!" she jokes. Clara gave a short laugh. "Then my life will be slow forever." She fidgetted with her engagement ring, which she had gotten back, she refused to tell anyone how though. Tina stands next to Charlene. "Everyone's almost here. We're just waiting for Verity, then I'll call Shane and he'll bring all of the guys here," she says. "Char, any updates on Verity?" Charlene shakes her head. "Sorry, nothing new yet." Clara looked over to Adrianna who was playing with Roma and smiled. "I wonder what the men are thinking." 

   Meanwhile, in New Orleans, complete disorder at Tiana's Place. "How are you not ready yet?!" Shane yells. "Two of you are souls! All you have to do is snap your fingers, and you'll change into tuxedos! Naveen, if you don't know how to tie a tie, just use a clip-on! Eli... just, no. That suit's too small for you." Shane leans against the wall and groans. "I'm so glad that you're helping me, Claytin," he says sarcastically. Claytin laughed, "I find this very entertaining and I'm a jester. Plus I am waiting for Clara's panic call. I'm surprised she hasn't called yet." Shane removes his cap. "Yeah. And you locking my phone and charm away was very smart of you. Lord knows I wouldn't hesitate to try and talk to Charlene. I'll just have to let my imagination run wild. I bet she looks like a goddess," he says. "It is hard enough making sure you don't use your shadow travel thingy to go and see her," Claytin chuckled. "Oh, and one more thing. I know you two tease each other a lot but I really need you to hold off for at least a few days, on the whole, her becoming a princess and all. She is in major stress about it and no matter what I say, her nerves aren't calming down about it." Shane nods frantically. "Got it," he says. Claytin checked the time, "We should probably go soon. At this rate, the wedding won't start until a week from now. And I am pretty sure Clara can't wait that much longer. She is a ticking time bomb." Shane puts his cap on. "Not until I get the call from Tina," he says. Not long after, his phone rings. "It's from Tina. We gotta go." Claytin nodded, "You remember where the Court is?" Shane nods. "Everyone, gather round! If you're not ready by now, it's your own fault!" he announces. 

   The men gather around Shane, then he snaps his fingers, taking them all to the Court. Claytin immediately saw Clara pacing some. "I should go take care of that." he rushed over to her and started talking to her calmly in french. Shane covers his eyes to avoid accidentally looking at Charlene. Tina taps his shoulder. "Don't worry, Charlene is putting the finishing touches on her look," she tells Shane. "Thank goodness!" Shane exclaims. After a minute, Clara was calmed down. "You look amazing," Claytin said. "Thanks, you too..." Clara responded. "Tina, I'm so nervous! And excited! And... I don't know! There's too many emotions at once!" Shane says. "You'll be fine, Shane," says a familiar voice. Shane turns around and sees Verity. "Mom? How did you get here?" He asks her. "Same way you did, Shane. I teleported here," Verity answers. "Now, when were you gonna tell me that you were engaged?" Shane chuckles awkwardly and scratches the back of his head. "Well well well, if it isn't Verity? How you doing V?" Roma said, laughing as she came up behind her. Adrianna ran over, hugged Shane and then went off to her parents who were talking. "I'm doing great, Ro! But look at you! You haven't aged a day!" says Verity. "What's your secret?" "Uh, being dead for thirteen years. I have to point out, you didn't contact me once in those years even though you can talk to the dead!" Roma said crossing her arms sarcastically. "I had a son to take care of," says Verity. "Never a moment's peace with him." She laughs. "I've only been back a few months and I can already tell," Roma laughed. "You do know that I can hear you both, right?" says Shane. "Oh, we know," Roma said patting his shoulder. "I never thought I'd see Shane Facilier, a groom," Clara laughed coming up to him with Adrianna and Claytin. "Hi Verity, it's been too long," Clara said smiling. Verity gasps with delight. "Little Clara Frollo! Aww! You're not so little anymore, are ya?" she says. Claytin bit his tongue to stop laughing. "Oh shut up Claytin!" Clara said elbowing him. "But nope, not little anymore, definitely not little..." Verity hugs Clara. "Shane told me about your hero's awakening. I'm proud of you, Clara." "Thanks, it's good to know someone is," Clara said. "Clara, we are all proud of you, you know that. Stop thinking about him," Claytin said. "I know, I know. It's challenging when I just saw him yesterday," Clara replied rolling her eyes. "You're not talking about Crusty Claude, are you?" Verity asks. "She hasn't shut up about him in two weeks," Claytin sighed. "I don't talk about him all the time..." Clara said. Claytin raised an eyebrow, "And I quote, my father texted me again. Got to go my father texted! I really wish my father would keep to once a week instead of basically every day," Claytin said in a mocking voice. "Oh shut up, I am making sure idiot over here doesn't get hurt after he did that spell. Otherwise, I'd be blocking him!" Clara said. Shane cuts in. "Can we just get this ceremony going or what?" "Yeah, when Char comes out, we are waiting for her now," Clara laughed. Shane groans. "Why does she have to be so fashionable?!" Tina receives a text from Charlene. "She's ready!" she says. "You can relax now, Shane." "We sure we can't have any alcohol here?" Clara asked. "Positive!" Claytin said kissing her cheek. "Dang it..." Shane smiles. "So, Claytin, shall we head to the altar?" Claytin nodded, "See you soon, princess." "I will stab you," Clara muttered. "Clara, really?" Roma said rolling her eyes. Clara took out her dagger and twirled it in her hand. "Always." "Did you really put a spot for your dagger in your wedding dress?" Claytin asked laughing. "I wouldn't have it any other way." Shane takes out a pen. "A real hero's always prepared," he says, transforming the pen into his cane. "Alright, I am going to go find Charlene, you two go to the altar and wait I guess," Clara said putting her dagger away. Suddenly her phone went off. "You know? I am going to break this thing." She turned the phone off and tossed it to Roma who had signaled for her to throw it.