pamlaisly232

Epilogue

Victor and Victoria were married that very night. After their kiss, they went back into the church and had Elder marry them, and he was very glad to do so; they saw no reason to wait as they were already dressed and didn't want to be apart for another day. There were barely any guests, but that was just fine with them; even after all they've been through, they were both still somewhat shy. The wedding was prefect, even though their families weren't there. They were being married by a skeleton and they had to use the communion wine and that was for one simple reason: they were finally together again and that's all that mattered.

Speaking of their families, they didn't fair as well as our heroes did. Nell and Will came down with very bad colds from being out in the cold for so long and being the shitty people that they are, they, of course, blamed it on their son. Once they were better they cut all ties with him and never spoke to him again.

Victor, of course, was hurt by this at first, but he pretty quickly realized that they weren't worth it and he didn't need them anymore and likewise cut all ties with them, which means they never got to meet their granddaughter. Yes, granddaughter. Even though Emily was gone, Victor and Victoria never forgot her or her sacrifice and when they had a daughter, a beautiful little girl with his black hair and her brown eyes, they named her Emily to honor their brave beautiful friend.

Victoria's parents faired better then Victor's did, but not in the way that really matters; The shock and fright of seeing the dead gave them both minor heart attacks and once they were better, they wanted to get the fuck out of the village and never come back, but as they were still broke they had to go to their now rich daughter for money, which was very humiliating for them.

She briefly considered refusing them and just letting them rot in the poorhouse for she had never been able to forgive them for forcing her to marry Barkis, as well as all the other abuse and neglect they put her through, but unlike them she had a conscience so instead she gave them a small fortune to live off on the condition that they cut all ties with her and never spoke to her or her husband again. They readily agreed and she never saw them again after that day, which means they also never met their grandchild.

The one person who didn't abandon Victoria was Hildegard; once she found out what the Everglots had done, she quit and came to live with Victor and Victoria in the Everglot mansion (the only reason she stayed with the Everglots after they lost their money was because she loved Victoria far too much to leave her) and they made her Emily's godmother. Scraps also came to live with them instead of going back to The Land Of The Dead since Emily was gone and he never wanted to be parted from Victor again.

As for Pastor, the shock of being owned by the dead gave him a minor stroke and when he had recovered, he also got the fuck out of the village and never came back, and he was soon replaced by another priest and a much nicer one at that.

Now on to limbo. First Barkis, not much to say about him aside from after the dead dismembered the rest of him, he was cooked into a celebratory stew and eaten, and that was the end of him.

As for the rest of the dead, of course they missed their little princess, but she did visit them in their dreams on occasion just to let them know that she was safe and happy in heaven and that she loved and missed them. That always brought them some comfort.

Maggot and Widow became a couple; they had feelings for each other for years but could never act on them because Emily took up all their time. But now that she was gone, they could finally date, plus Maggot needed someone to keep him in line now that Emily was gone. Like the dead, they missed her terribly, but also like them she visited them in their dreams to let them know that their little girl was safe and that she loved them.

Victor and Victoria were the same. They were also visited by their dear friend and once their daughter was old enough to understand, she was also visited by the beautiful woman who she was named after. But even though the visits comforted the lovers, they never stopped missing her and for the rest of their long, long lives whenever they saw a butterfly or looked at the moonlight, they couldn't help thinking of her.

As for Emily herself... well as I said, she was perfectly happy in heaven. She never had to be sad or shed tears ever again for her little corner of heaven was filled with all the things she loved in life including her parents and all because she stopped taking the easy way out.

And so this tragic tale of romance, passion and a murder most foul ends how all fairy tales should. They all lived and unlived happily ever after.

The End.

credit to VioletRose13-Art for helping me write this and stormqueen93 for giving me the title and to WarAndPeacePlussLove for helping me fix this part

Chapter 23. Free at last

Once the door closed and everything had calmed down, Elder recorked the poison bottle and set the goblet upright again.

Victoria wrapped her beloved in her arms and rested her hand on his chest. "Oh Victor, I never thought I'd see you again!" She cooed, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Victor wound his arm around her and beamed down at her as she rubbed her hand up and down his chest, savoring her warmth as a tear of joy ran down his own cheek.

There was no doubt in his mind or his heart that she was his true love and now that he finally had her back he was never going to let her go again.

Watching them, Emily gave a bittersweet half smile. Such a beautiful couple, just like I've always read about.

They look so happy together and you know what? I'm happy for them.

They deserve to be happy and I'm not going to hold them back anymore than I already have.

I'll miss them terribly, but it's time for me to go, I'm finally ready to cross over.

Turning towards the exit, she began to walk away, the moonlight casting a glow on her again.

She could feel tears misting in her eyes again and didn't feel the need to try to hold them back anymore.

Why fucking bother?

They're the last tears I'll ever have to shed, at least I hope so.

Victor looked up and saw Emily leaving.

"Wait! I made a promise!" He said, letting go of Victoria and following her with his hand held up.

Even though he had Victoria back, he was still willing to die for her for two simple reasons: she was his best friend and he loved her.

His kind words melted Emily's heart and made the tears flow down her cheeks.

He has such a pure heart, I think I'll miss him most of all.

She turned around and smiled at him her eyes gleaming.

"You kept your promise, you sent me free." She assured him lovingly.

She removed the ring and taking his hand one last time, placed it in his palm and gently curled his fingers around it so it was held tight in his fist.

Oh, how I'll miss the feel of his warm smooth skin.

"Now I can do the same for you." She finished kindly.

It was true he had set her free in more ways than one, but also not in the way she used to think he would.

When she made that vow five years ago, she thought that her unfinished business was that she needed to find true love and get married, but that wasn't true.

Her real unfinished business was learning to be selfless which she learned by finding true love, but not the kind she had expected to find.

Victor was the only one smart enough to see her flaws and brave enough to force her to confront herself for who she really was.

A naïve, stupid, selfish, spoiled brat who loved and trusted too easily and was shackled by her own ego.

He had also been the only one who understood her pain.

And even when she didn't believe him and kept trying to push him away he had been selfless and stuck by her the whole time until he won her back.

And in doing so had taught her to be selfless and given her something real to fight for instead of clinging to a dream like she had been for five years.

This had been the true love she needed all along, not a husband or a lover but a best friend who had set her free from her own ego.

He also set her free from Barkis which had been the other part of her unfinished business and now she could finally go to heaven like she had always wanted to.

She loved him enough to let him go and be with the one he really loved.

He set her free with his selflessness, and now she really could do the same for him.

Then she bravely turned around and started walking again.

Sucking in an unneeded breath, she held up her bouquet and walked towards the door.

Her hair and veil blew in the wind as she focused on the moon which looked brighter and bluer than the night before and she knew why.

The beautiful light it was casting wasn't just moonlight anymore; it was the light.

The one that would take her to heaven and she felt herself being pulled to it, like a moth to a flame.

The fluttering in her chest had returned but this time it felt different, this was gentle, comforting, even liberating.

The lovers watched her go, robed in each others arms.

Victor was sad to see her go for he knew he would miss her very much.

But at the same time he was very happy for her because he knew she would be out of pain and at peace.

He thought back to his conversation with Widow, about how he said he would try to give her what she always wanted and the happiness that she deserved and now that he thought about it, he had done just that.

He knew from her song that she hated feeling and being in pain and now that her soul was about to be free, she wouldn't have to feel that anymore and would be getting the happiness she deserved.

He also felt very proud of her for choosing to let him go instead of taking him up on his offer. That kind of sacrifice took great kindness and courage and he'd be forever grateful to her for it.

Maggot climbed up onto an old lady's shoulder to watch his best friend leave.

His feelings were the same as Victor's.

He was sad to see her go and knew he would miss her terribly, but at the same time he was happy for her because she wouldn't be suffering anymore.

She had always been his little girl, but he had to accept that she was a woman now and he had to let her go.

Pausing in the doorway, Emily turned and looked over her shoulder, tears trickling down her cheeks.

Victor and Victoria started back, holding each other and looking like the figures on top of a wedding cake.

Then Emily smiled a bittersweet smile and decided to give them one last gift to remember her by.

After all, it's not like I'll be needing this up in heaven.

Turning back around, she held her flowers in front of her and tossed them back over her shoulder.

The bouquet sailed backwards and was caught by the little old lady.

She gasped and then saw Maggot on her shoulder.

He gave her a cocky smile and chuckled.

She freaked out and threw the bouquet backwards.

Victoria caught the roses this time.

She turned to Victor who put an arm around her waist then they both turned and looked at their friend one last time.

Emily smiled back at them, feeling her eyes getting moist again.

I've got to get out of here before I start bawling or I'll never be able to leave. She thought, then she turned and stepped out into the night.

Feeling the cold, fresh air on her face for the last time, she held her arms out at her sides and looked into the moonlight.

The fluttering spread all over her body, making her skin tingle.

But she wasn't scared at all, instead she felt perfectly happy.

Beaming, she closed her eyes and exhaled the breath she had been holding all this time and as she did her soul was finally free.

Instantly her body dissolved into millions of beautiful blue and white butterflies that flew up to the moon.

Victor and Victoria came out and saw the butterflies flying up into the sky.

Smiling, Victor wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close and they leaned their heads together.

They watched as the butterflies flew into the moonlight, knowing that their friend was finally at peace.

They held each other until the butterflies disappeared then they broke apart and gazed at each other longingly.

Victoria gently dropped the flowers and wrapped her arms around Victor again.

"I love you Victor." She beamed.

"I love you too, Victoria." He replied and leaning down, pulled her into a dreamy, passionate kiss.

This time he was the one to put his tongue in first and she was quick to follow.

Victoria locked her arms around his waist, pressing herself as close to him as she could, her eyes closed again.

Victor put one hand at the small of her back and treaded the fingers of his other hand into the hair under her veil, locking her warm little body to his.

As they kissed for what felt like ages, he thanked Emily over and over again in his head for her sacrifice for without it they never wouldve been able to have a nice moment all to themselves.

One thing was for sure, it had certainly been worth waiting for.

credit to VioletRose13-Art for helping me write this and stormqueen93 for giving me the title

Chapter 22. Barkis Gets What He Deserves

"Oh, how touching!" came a deep familiar voice. The three of them turned to see Barkis walking into the church, he sniffled and pretended to wipe away a tear. "I always cry at weddings!" He jeered, dramatically clasping his hands.

Victoria stepped back and gasped in horror. Shit I was just beginning to think he had given up! She panicked. Instinctively, she grabbed Victor's hand for comfort and he wove his fingers with hers again, a gesture that she hoped didn't hurt Emily's feelings.

"Our young lovers together at last!" Barkis continued, walking towards them, first holding out his skinny arms then rubbing his hands together.

Surely now they can live happily ever after!"

He stopped right in front of them.

"But you forget... she's still my fucking wife!"

He roared, roughly grabbing Victoria's arm and yanking her to him, ripping her hand from Victor's.

"And I'll not leave here empty-handed!"

The roar of his voice triggered something in Emily's mind, something long repressed.

No, it can't be!

But as she studied his furious face she knew him at once and suddenly felt like she'd been struck by lightning, it was him, the man from her nightmare, the one who's face was always cloaked in shadow, her ex, Barkis the one who had stolen her money AND her life!

She didn't know how she could've forgotten such bulbous ugly features; when she was alive she'd fancied him handsome, but she now knew it was only because he stroked her ego just like everyone else had and that made him handsome in her eyes, but now she could see him for what he was, as ugly as he was evil.

He hadn't changed much in five years expect that he was older now and his once dark hair had gone stark white. What struck her most was his eyes: those round beady eyes the same color as hers, the very ones she remembered spitting the blood from her head wound into after he disrespected her. "You!" She gasped, her pupils turning to pinpoints in shock.

Barkis froze at the sound of her voice. I know that voice, but it can't be. She's been dead for five years! But as he stared at the corpse in question he couldn't deny it, her hair, skin, and eyes had changed color, but he would know his ex's dazzling features anywhere. "Emily?" He gasped, looking just as shocked as her.

Victoria gasped softly and looked at Emily. Bloody hell, these two know each other? But how? Oh my god, he must've killed her and stole her money! No doubt like he planned to do with me! That poor girl. No wonder she wanted Victor so bad, and yet she's willing to let me have him! How wrong I was about her. She may be a corpse, but she has a kind, loving heart!

"You!" Emily snarled, her shock and horror morphing into the same soul-consuming fury she felt the night before.

"But-but... I left you!"

"...For dead!" she hissed venomously, making everyone gasp.

"This woman is obviously fucking delusional!" Barkis yelled.

Emily scowled at him, her hands balling into tight fists.

Barkis began to drag a frightened and struggling Victoria away, then he pulled the sword out of Bonaparte's chest and held it to her pretty little neck. "Sorry to cut things short, but we must be on our way."

"Take your hands off her!" Victor growled, bravely stepping forward. He wasn't sure what had come over him, but he did know that the sight of his beloved in danger made his blood boil and he was willing to fight for her. If that wasn't reason enough, he knew that this bastard had taken the life of his best friend and that only fueled his rage and determination.

"Do I have to kill you to?" Barkis sneered, lowering the sword from Victoria's neck.

While all this had been going on, Emily had been standing in the background watching in silence. Holy fuck, where did THAT come from?! Since when did he become such a badass?

But then she realized Victor was challenging Barkis to a duel and panic tightened her chest again.

What the fuck is he thinking?!

He doesn't stand a chance in a fight!

Barkis will fucking KILL him!

She wanted to run forward and stop him, but it was like her feet had frozen to the alter.

A scream suddenly broke through her thoughts and she saw that Scraps had bravely bit Barkis's leg, giving Victoria enough time to get away and run to her.

Victor saw Barkis kick Scraps off his leg and felt a hot flash of anger coarse though his chest.

Nobody hurts my dog! I am going to fuck him up!

"Victor, catch!" Plum yelled throwing him a weapon.

He caught it, but when he saw what it was his anger turned to panic.

A fork?

Are you fucking kidding me?

The bastard has a fucking sword!

How the hell am I supposed to fight with a fork?!

"Sorry."

Before he even had time to think, Barkis swung at him growling, the sword clanging loudly against the fork.

He swung at him again, but Victor managed to dodge him which sent Barkis tumbling into the table, almost knocking over the goblet of poison.

Getting up, the two of them kept fighting passing the two frightened girls, who stood huddled together on the alter.

Watching the fight, poor Victoria began to shiver and whimper with fright, certain she was going to lose her love for good this time.

Seeing this, Emily wrapped a comforting arm around her and pulled her close, not knowing what else to do.

Meanwhile back at the duel, Victor was somehow able to dodge every thrust of the sword so Barkis only managed to slash the pillar.

Then hiding behind the pillar Victor reached around and jabbed Barkis in the ass, making him squeal like a little girl and swipe at Paul and a another cook.

"Ah, Sacre bleu!"

More thrusting, clanging and dodging commenced.

"I say, you're not playing fair, sir."

remarked the Half Man, only for Barkis to spilt him in half with the sword.

Victor ducked another swing and Barkis got the sword stuck in one of the benches.

Then Victor actually managed to slice Barkis's coat with the fork, but then quickly realized what he'd done.

Growling, Barkis tried to disarm Victor, but the clever boy quickly hid under the bench.

Barkis stabbed the wood twice, until the boy used the fork stab him in the foot.

Barkis screamed and fell, causing the benches to topple like dominos.

Emily put her boney arm around Victoria's shoulders and pulled her back as the benches fell.

Then Barkis knocked the fork from Victor's hand and kicked him to the ground, ready to stab him.

The girls gasped and without even stopping to think, Emily ran forward and threw herself in front of Victor.

The blade pierced her ribs and made a wet squelching sound.

Which caused everyone to gasp in horror.

Glowering, Emily pulled the sword from the hole in her side and brandished it at Barkis.

The flash of the shining blade mirrored the flash of her livid eyes.

"Touché, my dear." He smirked, obviously thinking she was fucking with him.

"Get out!" Emily growled, her features twisted with rage and her low voice brimming with glacial fury.

Getting up, Victor drew Victoria against the wall and shielded her with his arm.

A stark contrast to Barkis who had preferred to shove her out of the way and hide under the table like a coward.

But Barkis, not being able to accept the fact that he had gotten his ass kicked by girls twice in one night, wasn't scared of Emily or the fact that she was pointing a fucking sword in his face.

Oh you think you're tough, little girl?

Well, I bet I can still make you cry.

"Oh I'm leaving."

He chuckled cruelly and walked away from her and up to the alter.

The sword and her piercing eyes following him the whole time.

Feeling she had gotten her point across, Emily lowered the sword.

Barkis grabbed the cup of poison and held it up with a smirk.

"But first a toast to Emily!

Always the bridesmaid!

Never the bride!" he mocked.

His words struck a raw nerve in Emily.

The sword fell from her hand and clattered to the floor.

Her angry expression started to crack.

Barkis saw her face crumpling and knew he hit her hard.

Just as sensitive as ever.

Sensitive, weak and pathetic, just like all women.

Although I must admit, she was my favorite victim.

One more insult and she'll be a beautiful sobbing mess.

Ah, it's always so much fun to watch women cry.

"Tell me my dear.

Can a heart still break once it's stopped beating, hm?"

he snickered, smoothing back his hair.

That did it.

Emily's lip trembled and her eyes flooded with tears.

But she was determined not to let them fall or break down.

Because she knew that was what he wanted.

And she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

She even tried to put her mask back on, but it didn't work.

His cruel laughter filled her ears and in that moment, she was a little girl again.

"Let me at him, let me at him!

No, don't hold me back!"

Maggot snarled, ready to fuck him up for hurting his best friend.

The others were right behind him.

"Wait!

We must abide by their rules.

We are amongst the living."

Elder said wisely, holding everyone back.

"Well said."

Barkis sneered down at his tearful ex.

Poor Emily felt her lashes getting damp and bit her lip so hard that if she had still been alive she'd be tasting blood.

Unable to do anything, she could only watch through her bejeweled eyes as he drank the poisoned wine.

He tossed the goblet away with a clang, and sidled off the alter to the back door.

All hope of revenge and justice lost, the poor girl let a little tear spill down her cheek, not having to worry about him seeing anymore now that his back was turned.

But then a miracle happened. Barkis clutched his chest and slumped against the door, choking.

"Not anymore!" Maggot snickered.

Gasping Barkis turned around, revealing his new blue skin and the fact that he was now dead.

Suddenly, Emily felt some contradictory emotions.

Of course she was overjoyed and relieved that the fucker was dead and couldn't hurt anyone anymore.

But at the same time she was worried and a bit frightened of what they would do to him.

Mainly because she didn't want to be caught in the middle of it.

So she quickly got out of their way and joined Victor and Victoria.

And it was a very good thing that she did because otherwise she would've gotten very messy.

"Yep, you're right.

He's all yours." Elder said, letting everyone go.

Cackling gleefully, the angry dead descended onto Barkis with Bonaparte fingering his sword in a suggestive manner.

Screaming in terror, Barkis tried desperately to open the door.

But he was stopped when Plum took the sword from Bonaparte and slashed open his throat.

A crimson fountain spurted from the wound and spattered across the door.

While Barkis screamed, choked and drowned in his own blood, Alfred reached into his gaping mouth and ripped out his tongue; arguably the true source of all the pain he had caused.

The blood stained his skull.

Bonaparte grabbed a leg and yanked hard, ripping it straight out of the socket, spraying more blood across the stone floor.

Then he did the same with the other leg soaking the floor in more blood and putting Barkis at their mercy on the floor.

Now with full access, the dead tore into him like feral zombies.

Mayhew tore off both arms and Plum disemboweled him, laying the bloody entrails on the floor.

Then all together, they tore out his hair by the roots and Bonaparte severed his head with his sword, and then they all emptied that out too.

Meanwhile our three heroes were huddled together against the wall.

Emily watched in horror her already huge eyes like teacups and her mouth hanging open.

Holy fuck!

In the five years I've known them, I NEVER thought them capable of this kind of violence!

Thank god I thought to get out of the way or his blood would be staining my hands... as well as everything else.

She felt sickened, but somehow couldn't make herself look away.

Victoria on the other hand most certainty could.

Horrified, the poor girl clutched her beloved's arm, leaned against his shoulder and covered her eyes.

Victor was the only one who barley reacted.

Probably because after all of the horror he had witnessed in the past two days, he was basically numb to this kind of thing by now.

The others gathered up the pieces of Barkis and headed through the back door to go back to limbo.

Plum was the last to go, pausing in the doorway briefly.

"New arrival." she announced, then closed the door and followed the others.

credit to VioletRose13-Art for helping me write this and stormqueen93 for giving me the title and fixing the dismemberment scene

Chapter 21. Breaking The Cycle

Victoria marched indignantly down the front steps clenching her fists; she had no idea where she was going just that she had to get away from the house and him.

Her hand ached from the punch, but that didn't take away from the fact that hitting him had felt really good and hoped she'd left a bruise.

The sight that greeted her made her gasp in shock, the living and the dead were together and getting along.

When the hell did THIS happen? She wondered.

But then she saw something that made her wonder even more; the dead were all headed towards the church and carrying a giant white cake decorated with skulls.

Well that's very odd. Is one of them getting married?

Wait a minute... If they're here, then that means Victor must be here to! I've got to see him again!

And with that she began to follow them.

Meanwhile at the church, Pastor Galswell was trying to scare off the dead but failing.

"Be gone, ye demons from hell! Back to the void from whence you came!

You shall not enter here! Back, back!" he roared, waving his arms and brandishing his staff.

"Keep it down. We're in a church." One corpse calmly replied, and with a call of "Evening." all the dead and living walked straight into the church and right past a flabbergasted Pastor Galswell, knocking over his staff in the process.

As everyone took their seats the music started and everyone turned toward the door.

As the kids threw flower petals onto the floor, Emily slowly entered, glowing in the moonlight and looking like an angel.

She was looking down at first, but then she raised her eyes and smiled in a way that could be only described as bittersweet.

Her perfect happiness had disappeared again and the fluttering in her chest had returned stronger than ever; she could feel the wings beating against her ribcage.

She kept trying to tell herself she was just being a silly goose for feeling this way on her wedding night, but it wasn't working, for there was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind that almost felt like dread.

Normally she would've blamed this feeling on Maggot, but she couldn't now because he wasn't even in her head.

What the fuck is wrong with me tonight? I should be wallowing in bliss, not worrying.

As she kept walking she held up her bouquet and focused on Victor who was staring at her in awe, a sight that made her troubled heart melt.

When she reached the alter he extended his hand to her and walking up the steps she took it in her own, the comforting warmth of his hand against her cold skin soothed away the annoying butterflies and made her heart feel lighter. She would miss his warmth, but she was sure after a while she would get used to him being cold-skinned like her.

"Dearly beloved and departed, we are gathered here today to join this man and this corpse in marriage." Elder Gutknecht said warmly.

As he spoke, Emily glanced at Victor out of the corner of her eye and laced her fingers with his again, trying to get as much contact as possible.

She was sure as soon as she let go of his hand, the butterflies would return and she didn't want that as the feeling troubled her.

Without knowing it, she put her mask on again, even though she swore she never would.

The interlocking fingers was something she read about once in a romance novel and since then, she believed it was something couples should do which is why she insisted on doing it with Barkis.

He allowed it, but she now knew he had only been tolerating her to get her money.

The memory of him sent a cold shudder through her, which Victor must've felt because he tightened his grip on her hand, which managed to calm her down.

Meanwhile, Victoria had finally made it to the church and was now walking up the steps, but when she reached the door the sight that greeted her made her gasp again with her white-gloved hand leaping to her mouth; standing at the alter was her beloved Victor.

He was facing away from her, but she could tell he was wearing a very fine new suit. And the tall figure next to him was also facing away, but she could tell from the beautiful gown, veil, and the bit of blue hair peeking out from the top of the veil that it was the beautiful corpse who had broken into her room last night, scared the shit out of her, and dragged Victor away with her.

She wasn't sure why they were there since the girl had said she was his wife, but after escaping her monstrous new husband, this was the last thing she wanted to see.

With her sharp brown eyes, she was able to see that the couple were holding hands, their long fingers twinned together in the same way he had done with her the night before.

In that instant, Victoria knew that Victor wasn't there against his will for she didn't think he would do something so inmate with someone he didn't love.

Even though she no longer felt any fear, resentment or jealously towards this mystery girl, knowing that her true love loved another broke her heart.

"Victor?" She whimpered, tears filling her eyes.

A skeleton turned and shushed her.

Poor Victoria wanted to run away sobbing and never come back, but she knew she couldn't because Barkis was bound to come looking for her.

So choking back sobs, she quietly crept into the church and hid behind a pillar, the tears now rolling down her cheeks.

"Living first." Elder Gutknecht said to Victor.

Victor turned and looked at Emily. She looks like an angel. He thought happily, letting go of her hand.

Surprisingly enough, he didn't feel nervous at all this time, he lifted his hand.

"With this hand, I will lift your sorrows."

He picked up the gold goblet and held it out to Emily.

"Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine."

Elder Gutknecht turned to Emily, "Now you."

Emily beamed at Victor as she set her bouquet down on the table; she had dreamed about this moment so many times and now it was finally happening.

She could feel tears of joy welling under her lashes and was sure her mascara was going to run again, but she was so happy that she didn't give a fuck if it did.

Her mask was off now and her perfect happiness had returned. "With this hand, I will lift your sorrows."

She repeated, her happy voice echoing through the quiet church.

She picked up the tall red bottle of poison. "Your cup will never empty."

She poured the rich, ruby wine into the cup. "For I will be..." But then her eyes drifted over Victor's shoulder and what she saw made her gasp and set the bottle down on the table with a clang, her sunshiny smile fading.

Victoria dressed in white was hiding behind a pillar behind Victor, her tears catching the light and for a few seconds their eyes locked brown on black.

Suddenly, Emily felt like she had been doused in ice water as the weight of everything came crashing down on her.

What the hell am I doing?!

I'm doing exactly what I said I wouldn't, taking away the thing I love most about him, his life!

And for what? For my own selfish, fucked up reasons!

That's all my afterlife has been, making everyone fulfill my own selfish desires over and over again for FIVE FUCKING YEARS!

No wonder I've been stuck in limbo for so long! I've been a prisoner of my own ego!

Now I'm taking away from him the one thing I didn't have, a choice!

AND I'm forcing him into a marriage that would make us BOTH miserable!

He doesn't love me like I love him and I don't think he ever will; it's HER he loves, it's HER name he cried out as I dragged him away last night.

He even told me that he only loved me as a friend and that's not enough for a good marriage!

He loves me the way I love Maggot and Widow.

Yes he kissed me, yes he told me he loves me, yes he said his vows to me and put the ring on my finger and was the only one who understood my pain, but I'm not going to hold him to any of it.

He gave me what I needed, true love, a pure selfless love.

Not the romantic kind, but that's not what I needed; this is and that's good enough.

Now I know what the butterflies in my chest were, a warning.

I remember now, the last time I had this feeling was on the night I died; but at the time I thought it was just my heart fluttering with excitement, if only I heeded the warning then maybe I'd still be alive.

But I'm not going to make that same mistake again.

If he could be selfless for me, then I can do the same for him AND for her.

After all, he's the one who made me selfless.

He was right all along, we ARE too different!

She broke from her thoughts and realized everyone was waiting for her.

"I will be..." She faltered, her voice now shaky and sad, she saw Victor mouth the word 'yes'.

"Go on, my dear." Elder Gutknecht said kindly.

"Your cup will never empty..." Emily felt her chin start to quiver, but she blinked and tried to hold back her tears.

She tried again, sounding even more sad. "For I will be..."

Victor was confused by Emily faltering.

Was she nervous?

That seemed very out of character for her as he'd never seen her nervous, But that was the only explanation that made sense so he decided to help her out.

"I will be your wine." he finished for her and raised the cup to his lips.

But Emily quickly slammed her hand over the cup and pushed it down, the bone clanking loudly against the metal, finally breaking the toxic cycle she'd been locked in for her whole life AND death.

Victor turned and gave her a confused look.

Emily heard her friends whispering about her, but her heart hurt so much she didn't care.

The pain she felt now was more surreal and intense then the heartbreak from before, this felt like when she'd been stabbed in the ribs.

"I can't!" She whimpered, her voice raw with pain as she lost the battle with her tears.

"What's wrong?" Victor asked gently and began to turn around, but she gently cupped his cheek in her hand and made him look at her.

"This is wrong!

I WAS a bride, my dreams were taken from me.

Well now... now I've stolen them from someone else!"

She sobbed, a huge jeweled tear seeped from under her lashes and rolled down her tattered cheek.

"I love you, Victor..." She sniffled, taking one last look at his face through her tear glossed eyes (he looked ready to cry himself).

"But you're not mine!" She wept, her voice breaking, then letting go, she sniffled back her tears and held out her hand with a sweet smile.

A child no more, but now a woman.

Victor turned to see what she was looking at and what he saw made his heart leap.

Victoria had been there the whole time, hiding behind the pillar, looking beautiful in her wedding garb, her cheeks stained with tears.

"Victoria!" He whispered, wanting to cry with happiness.

His love came from behind the pillar and walked towards them as the people in the crowd gasped.

Walking up the steps she took Emily's outstretched hand without a hint of fear, then Emily laid Victoria's hand in Victor's.

The three of them looked at each other, both feeling very proud of Emily; from the look on her face they could tell Emily was proud of herself too.

But sadly like every beautiful moment between these two, it wasn't meant to last.

credit to VioletRose13-Art for helping me write this and stormqueen93 for giving me the title

Chapter 20. Victoria Stops Taking People's Shit

Meanwhile back upstairs, the gloomiest and most boring wedding reception in history was taking place. The party and people were deader than the actual dead; hell, one man was even sleeping while the others just sat around staring at nothing or picking at tiny roast chickens, which were almost the size of pigeons or even canaries.

"Oh, dear." Poor Hildegarde sobbed, coming though the door carrying the tinniest wedding cake in the world. She hobbled around the long table and set it in front of a smug Barkis and a still catatonic Victoria.

Victoria hadn't touched her food for she had no appetite nor had she drank the tiny bit of wine in her glass, which was actually a very good thing for Barkis had gotten impatient and decided to poison her early.

The ache in her chest had spread to her throat and formed a hard knot. Maybe I did catch pneumonia after all. With any luck, my heart will stop and I'll just drop dead. I hope so because I'd much prefer death to being married to this fucking monster! She thought sulkily.

"Quiet down now, everyone!" Barkis called, waking the sleeping man up.

"Thank you!"

"Elegant, cultured, radiant! Victoria has found a husband, with all these qualities and more!"

The little bitch hasn't touched her wine yet.

No matter.

Once I'm done with this speech, I'll make a toast and then she'll have to drink it and if that doesn't work I'll shove it down her fucking throat.

By the way, those stupid servants really need to hide the rat poison in a better place because it was much too easy for me to get a hold of it.

What a fucking joke. He's none of those things. He's coarse, rough, and ugly! Hell, I think I would rather be married to the beautiful corpse who broke into my room last night and stole my true love than to him! Oh well, at least Victor's better off than I am... Victoria mused.

"Serendipity brought us together, and no force on earth could tear us apart!" Barkis finished. And no sooner had he said that than the fireplace behind them erupted into green flames, bathing the dreary room in an emerald green glow.

The dead exited the fireplace and slowly approached the parents, but as BJ came up behind Finis, his eyeball fell out and landed in the soup.

"There's an eye in me soup." Finis remarked calmly, picking it up.

And then, all hell broke loose! Everyone screamed and jumped up, knocking over one of the tables and running away. Barkis backed away in terror, while Victoria stood still, gasping and looking shocked but still relatively calm.

One old lady backed right into Bonaparte and got poked with his sword. "Oh, sorry!" He said holding up his tiny hands.

Then Barkis shoved Victoria out of the way and hid under the table like a coward.

Wow. I can't believe I was afraid of him.

He's nothing but a bloody coward! I'm a girl and I'm FAR braver and tougher than him! Victoria thought; she knew she should have been scared, but she wasn't probably because being married to Barkis was far scarier than seeing dead people.

And besides, she had already seen a sentient corpse last night and while she had been scary she was also very beautiful and it wasn't like she had physically harmed her.

She sat back down at the table and noticed that somehow the poisoned wine in her cup had been knocked over and the dark liquid was now staining the white tablecloth. She had no idea how much danger her life had been in.

Meanwhile, Maudeline was standing on a chair and cowering in fear as Scraps barked at her.

"Fetch me musket!" Finis ordered.

"Fetch your own damn musket! I'm off!" Emil retorted, putting on his hat and getting the fuck out of there.

"Coming through! Coming through!" Paul said, crawling out from under another lady's dress.

Meanwhile, Barkis was cowering under the table as the skeleton children laughed at him.

Then Maggot found the man who'd been sleeping and crawled up his arm.

"Excuse me. You don't know me, but I used to live in your dead mother." He grinned, scaring the shit out of the poor guy.

"Hey, hold on there! I love a woman with meat on her bones!" BJ chuckled, going after a buxom lady.

Meanwhile the parents were cowering on the stairs. "Finis, who fucking invited these people? They must be from your side of the family!" Maudeline exclaimed, clasping her hands.

"Certainly not! Why, if my Grandfather Everglot could see this, he'd be turning in his grave!"

"Finis." came a deep voice that made them turn around and lo and behold, there he was right in front of his picture. "Where do you keep the spirits?" He asked, holding a wineglass.

Then the pair screamed bloody murder and ran the fuck away, never to be seen again for the rest of the story, well at least not until the epilogue.

Then everyone ran out into the streets and the town crier made his last announcement of the story. "In other news, THE DEAD WALK THE EARTH!" One lady screamed and another guy was chased by skeletons.

Everyone was cowering in fear expect for Old Lady Gertrude. "Get back! Don't try and sneak up on me! Get back!" She yelled, swinging her walker around wildly. "I'll give you such a wallop!"

A cute little tow-headed boy was hiding behind his mother's skirts until Mayhew and another corpse in a tall hat approached, then something surprising happened. The lad stopped hiding and ignoring his mother's protest, bravely walked up to the man.

"Yeah." The man rasped and bending down he picked up the sweet boy and held him in front of him.

"Grandpa?" The little boy squealed and then the two of them warmly embraced.

Meanwhile Alfred and Gertrude were having a misunderstanding, Gertrude was hitting him on the head with her walker and cursing at him while he was trying to woo her. "Bounder!"

"Sweetie pie!"

"Monster!"

"Buttercup!"

"Cad!"

"Gertrude!"

That finally got her to stop and recognize him. "Alfred?" She asked adjusting her glasses. "You've been dead for 15 years."

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!" He purred, swinging her into a dip.

"Ethel!" exclaimed the man the skeletons had chased, hugging the third lady corpse.

Mayhew shook hands with his old friend, The Fish Cutter and Scraps sniffed another dog.

Meanwhile back inside Victoria was still sitting where we left her when her husband finally climbed out from under the table. Damn, I was enjoying the silence. Now I've got to listen to him again. she thought, narrowing her eyes.

"Right, that's it. We're going to take whatever money we can and get the fuck out of here!" He exclaimed, stalking over to her other side.

"Money? What money?" Victoria asked, looking at him in confusion. What the fuck is he talking about?

"Your fucking dowry, it's my right!" Barkis growled, scowling down at her.

Oh my god, he thinks WE'RE the rich ones!

Oh boy is he getting fucked over!

Victoria wanted to laugh at this realization, but she still felt too miserable to even try.

"But, my parents don't have any money. It's my marriage to you that will save them from the poorhouse." She calmly explained.

"Th... The poorhouse!?" Livid, Barkis grabbed Victoria like a ragdoll, his iron grip leaving bruises on her arms. "You're lying! It isn't true! Tell me that you're fucking lying!" he roared, shaking her so hard her head flopped back and forth.

And with that Victoria snapped.

All of her pent-up anger, at him, at her parents, at this whole fucked up situation enflamed her body.

I'm done. Done being nice, done being proper, done being a pushover, and most of all, done trying to be a perfect lady!

All my life I've let people walk all over me and always did as I was told and for what? Nothing!

Well no more! I've lost everything!

My parents hate me and have apparently washed their hands of me.

I'm shackled to a monster who's apparently as broke as I am, and on top of all that, my true love who's the one I really want to be married to is already married to a dead girl and by now is probably dead himself!

What more do I have to lose? I'm done letting people push me around!

"Did things not go according to your fucking plan, Lord Barkis?" She spat, not feeling scared at all in spite of her current position.

Summoning all her strength, she roughly shoved him off her. "Well, perhaps in disappointment we are perfectly fucking matched!" She seethed cuttingly, her eyes bright with rage.

She turned to leave, but then she remembered wanting to punch him the day before after he mocked Victor.

She hadn't been able to do it then because her parents were still in the room and she would've gotten in big trouble if she had, but no one was there to see it now.

Turning back around, she marched up to Barkis and socked him in the arm as hard as she could, then she turned on her heel again with her veil rippling as she did so and stormed out of the house.

Barkis gasped and stared after her livid and shell-shocked at what just happened.

I've been cheated!

That's not fair!

I'm the one who's supposed to do the cheating!

They're just as broke as me which means this whole thing was just a fucking waste of time!

But if I can't get the money, then I'm at least going to get the thrill of killing that little brat!

After all, someone's got to pay for this betrayal and she just sealed her fate!

The poison's gone so instead, I'll slice open her pretty white neck and watch her drown in her own blood!

It's what she deserves for making a fool of me! he thought, growling with fury.

Then he proceeded to take out his anger on the table, ripping the already torn tablecloth to pieces and flipping the whole table over.

credit to VioletRose13-Art for helping me write this and stormqueen93 for giving me the title