Chapter 3: The Big Day

Syaoran was tying his necktie into a large bow. 'Madison is a genius,' he thought. His tuxedo was hand-tailored white gloria (which
is a stiff fabric like taffeta, but glossy like silk), with green leaves embrodied on the outer border. The shirt had classy stripes and a
soft collar. The jacket had old-fashioned 'tails', which sort of accented the stripes. His short, white gloves were the only things that
didn't have leaves, besides his shoes, which were white leather loafers.

"Hello, Syaoran," Meilin said, stepping into the room.

"MEILIN?" Syaoran nearly yelled, turning around to face his cousin.

"Yes, me," she replied.

"What are you doing here?"

"I... I want to marry you, myself. I know that..."

"A little late, Meilin."

"I know, but..."

Then she kissed him. Syaoran pushed her away, disgusted, and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Meilin, get a hold of yourself. I don't love you in the same sense that you think you love me in. And this isn't a movie or a soap
opera." (Right, it's a story. Ha!)

"But... I love you --"

"No, you don't. You still have that old crush on me, and you're probably thinking that a crush is love. It's not,"

Tears started to run down her cheeks. Real tears, not fake ones. At this Syaoran's heart softened.

"Listen, Meilin. You're a good person. Somebody is going to fall in love with you, and you will fall in love with him. I know that it
might seem impossible now, but believe me, it'll happen. And I'll always be there when you need me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I
have to wash my face and get to my wedding."

"Good luck..." she whispered as he closed the door...

* * * *

Syaoran ran to the grove and quickly started greeting people. "Why are you late?" Eriol whispered to him. "A -- a bit of trouble with
Meilin." Syaoran replied. By his expression, Eriol instantly knew what had happened. "Good thing you haven't taken your vows
yet."

* * * *

Sukura was getting ready in her room, while the bridesmaids, the Maid of Honor, and Nakuru (the limo driver) waited outside.
Sukura slipped on the handmade Chinese silk dress, unable to believe that this was the day of her wedding. The dress had the
embroidery of leaves along the outline, like the groom's. Her veil was held with a headband that had a pair of wings on the sides.
On the upper part of the dress a white poncho with the 'leaf-outline' tumbled down her chest, with a green bow on it that another
wing charm on it. Down the center a green stripe ran and stopped short like a line of buttons suddenly halted, revealing an
attached piece of white material. The petticoat underneath was of fine Korean lace. The dress was long, and a little bit poofy, but
overall straight. A pair of long gloves covered her arms, as the dress was sleeveless. The gloves were fingerless so that the ring
could be placed without removing the glove. She picked up her small bouquet of cherry blossoms, which were tied with a short
white scarf with the leaf outline. A little bit of pink, glittery lip gloss and the job was done...except for her shoes, which were white
high heels -- not too high -- that were outlined with the leaf pattern. (To see a picture of the dress and the tux, go to Piggy Ho Ho's
wedding fanart on pg. 3 of 'My Fanarts'.)

Upon her entrance, she was met with various praise.

"Oh, Sukura, you look wonderful!"

"You're like a work of art!"

"Gorgeous!"

"The 8th wonder of the world!"

"Angelic!"

"Oh, come on, I don't look that good."

"You do!"

The bridesmaids and Maid of Honor were dressed in pale pink, simple evening gowns with double spaghetti straps and pink
chiffon sashes with (in the Maid of Honor's case) ivy vines on them. The groomsmen were to be in green tuxes with white shirts
that were styled like Syaoran's, only the colors were reversed, but the Best Man would be the only one with the leaf-outline in white
on his tux.

Picking up the father of the bride in the white limousine, they drove to the park, and walked to the little grove. Tori and the priest,
Father John, were engaged in conversation. (This is going to be an English wedding.) The whole place suddenly hushed when
Sukura and co. arrived. Sukura took a deep breath, and looked at Syaoran. Slowly, Madison and Eriol started to march up the aisle.
Clutching her bouquet, she and father marched down the aisle. When they came to the 'altar', she kissed her father on the cheek
and whispered, "Thank you, Dad." Then letting go of his arm, she walked up to Syaoran. As the priest said the opening prayer, the
wind picked up. Finally, Father John said, "You may be seated," they were seated. The Maid of Honor got up to read the first
reading.

"A reading from the book of Proverbs:

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.

Her husband, entrusting his heart in her, has an unfailing prize.

She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life..."

(And I'm not gonna type up the rest.)

The gospel was the wedding feast at Cana. Finally, it came time for the vows.

"Do you, Li Syaoran,

Hereby take this woman,

To be your lawful wedded wife,

To hold and to cherish,

Through sickness and in health,

'Til death do you part?"

"I do."

"Do you, Sukura Avalon,

Hereby take this man,

To be your lawful wedded husband,

To hold and to cherish,

Through sickness and in health,

'Til death do you part?"

"I do."

"Exchange the bands,"

They did.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."