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"Whatever's on your bucket list, I recommend you do it now,"
What am I supposed to do with these last remaining days? This world is turning to ashes outside, and most of my family is gone! Dahlia rocked back and forth in her crouching position. No bright ideas appeared in her icy mind. The only thing she knew for certain was she was most likely going to be lying in a bed, staring off into the distance, and bracing herself for the hopefully painless death that would soon await her.
"Well... on that super happy note, we've got a little announcement to make," Luther smiled as he and Sloane stood up, holding hands. Dahlia slowly looked up, wondering what they were so excited about. Wait, did Luther get her pregnant at a time like this?Β The couple looked at one another and giggled as the group looked at them, also wondering what was going on.Β "We're engaged!"Β Sloane lifted her left hand to reveal the ring, made out of a gold band and a tiny piece of moonstone.
While most of the family sighed and rolled their eyes at the couple's impulsive decision, Dahlia couldn't help but revel in her sister's happiness. The way she looked at the ape-man and the way she smiled at his presence was one of the few things that proved their undying love. And even if they had one or two days left till the end of the world, Dahlia could tell they were made for one another.
"Wait, you're getting married... now?" Allison blinked her eyes in disbelief.Β "Look, we realize the timing is less than ideal. But obviously, it's now or never. Am I right, Five?" Luther called out to the time traveler. "Don't drag me into this, please," he begged.Β "Whatever time we have left, we want to spend it with all of you. So, we're super pumped if you would join us in the banquet hall at 6 pm for a celebration of our love, and the official union of what's left of our two great families," Sloane grinned. "Dress code is Creative Black Tie,"
Maybe a wedding would be the perfect last hurrah for all of us. And frankly, after all the failed plans and the wild goose chase Ben has put us through, I need this escape. Dahlia spoke with her inner self. She watched as Luther and Sloane's PDA continued, all their side hugs,Β cheek kisses, and the occasional lightly bumping of noses. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ben was not happy about the union. Whatever, he's never happy about anything anyway.
"Oh, and before we forget! We made these for you guys!" the gravity girl gasped, grabbing a woven basket containing little jars. She handed them out to the group and on the sides hung tiny white and gold paper, reading in black ink.Β You'reΒ invited to the wedding of Luther and Sloane.Β "Wow, you made all these yourself?" Dusk asked. "Luther helped too. We stayed up all night," Sloane answered.
Dahlia could soon feel the icy feeling in her bones settle, and she felt like a normal person again. Her cold and bitter past seemed to fade away, and in the hours leading up to the wedding, she hoped to have one of those old girl's chats with the bride while they got ready. The excitement of it all was then interrupted by the sounds of voices and footsteps ascending the stairs. And to everyone's surprise, Klaus and Reginald got out of the madness unharmed.
"Dad? Klaus?" They all gaped. As they questioned how they made it back alive, everyone watched as Dusk dashed towards her boyfriend, hugging him as tightly as she could. "Gather round, children! Quickly now!" Reginald spoke,Β claiming that there was something important to discuss. But the group was more concerned about where Klaus had been. "The world's going to shit out there. What were you doing?" Diego questioned. "Reg and I got tangled up in a whole father-son end-of-the-world road trip kinda thing," the junkie explained.
Since when did they start hanging out? Dahlia wondered, recalling the conversations Luther and Sloane had about his sibling's upbringing and daddy issues. She wasn't the only one asking that question, as Ben questioned Klaus about it as well. "Yeah, we laughed and played in traffic. And it turns out I'm immortal now!" The fourth Umbrella announced. "Klaus, have you gotten into the bath salts again?" Allison questioned, having a hard time believing his story. But the 'dragon lady' came to her boyfriend's defense, saying regardless of the immortality, she was happy to see him.
Reginald caught a glimpse of Sloane's basket and the tiny jars that had been given out. His monocled gaze shifted to the Icy Sparrow and he walked over to her and snatched the invitation from Dahlia's hand. "Why are you playing with jars?" he inquired.Β Sloane and Luther looked at each other a bit hesitant. It was easy to tell their siblings, but they both knew telling their father would be a different story.Β
"These are invitations. Luther and I are getting married," the gravity girl responded, holding out a jar for him to see. Klaus smiled and whispered congratulations to the couple, while Reginald looked rather disgusted. "All of space and time is collapsing, and you lot are planning a wedding?"Β Luther stammered over his words as he lied saying that space was limited and that it was per plate situation. "Is this how I raised you? To fiddle while Rome burns?" Reginald objected.Β
Klaus placed a hand on the old man's shoulder, seemingly whispering for him to calm down. "Quiet, I'm on a roll," Reginald hushed. "Dad, have you been taking your pills?" Sloane asked. Dahlia's eyes widened at the mention of them. Ever since Pogo left the academy, he left instructions to give their father certain pills during the day and night. And they seemed to slow Reginald down. Dahlia hadn't seen him so energetic in a long time. And when he was energetic, bad things happened.
"As a matter of fact, I haven't. You thought you could dope me up and slow me down, take control of my affairs and squander my fortune. Well, Klaus here was good enough to wean me off that wretched poison." Really dude? You might as well have summoned the devil!Β "Why would you do that?!" Sloane shook her head, her eyes widening. "He's the only one doing any thinking. All of you could learn a thing or two from this impressive young man,"
Dahlia's hands clenched into fists. Never in her life had she ever thought about hitting Reginald, but after that stupid comment, he was really pushing her anger to its limits. "As for the rest of you, your training is to resume post-haste. We're running out of time, we have a mission to complete," Reginald continued. "I'm ready! Let's do this," Ben spoke up, standing by his father's side. Reginald glanced at the blonde, silently asking if she was ready. But Dahlia folded her arms across her chest and shook her head no.
"Let me guess, you're talking about Project Oblivion?" Five spoke up. The monocle turned his head, asking him how he knew of that. "I heard it all from Pogo. He confirmed what I always suspected about you," Five explained. Reginald asked him what it was, and Dusk replied, saying that since his plan of sending the Sparrows into the unknown didn't work, he was going to risk all their lives by sending them on a mission to death.
"You're going to take his word over that of your own father?" the old man looked rather offended. But Dusk scoffed and stood next to Five, not breaking eye contact with Reginald.Β "I'd take his word over yours any day of the week," He went silent, unable to utter another word.Β "Nobody wants you here, Dad. It would be best if you left," Luther said sternly. "Hey, you don't speak for all of us, big guy," Squid Boy hissed.
"Pops, how about we have a nice cup of tea in the White Buffalo Suite?" Klaus suggested, grabbing his father by the arm. And as they walked towards the staircase, he once again congratulated Luther and Sloane on their nuptials, telling them to send the registry. The engaged couple passed out the last few jars, trying to gather their happy thoughts. And once the last jar had been given, they went to a few of their family members, asking for some favors.
After speaking with Dusk, Sloane walked over to Dahlia and took a seat next to her. "I'm really happy for you, Sloane. You and Luther deserve each other," Sparrow Eight smiled. "Thanks, D," Sloane grabbed her hand and lightly squeezed it before asking for a favor. "Of course, what is it you need?" Dahlia questioned. "Besides needing help finding a wedding dress, I realized my wedding wouldn't be complete without my sister being a part of it. Lila's already a bridesmaid, but I was wondering if you would like to be the flower girl?"
Dahlia's mouth hung slightly agape, and she was extremely flattered by the thought. "So, what do you say?" Sloane inquired. Dahlia snapped out of her state of shock and immediately started nodding her head yes and grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "I would love to!" she answered, pulling Sloane into the biggest bear hug she could give. When the two pulled apart, Dahlia stood up and pulled her sister off the floor.
"Come on! Let's go look for dresses!" the gravity girl said excitedly, as they walked over to one of the little dress shops to begin their search.
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