Let's Celebrate? ((Payton))

[jillian]

As cynical as Jill was, weddings always made her smile. She couldn’t not smile at such a happy occasion. Granted, she didn’t do it much, but at least she wasn’t moping around like she thought she would be. How could she when there was so much energy? Joann had been up since seven, although the wedding wasn’t until six in the evening. She was just a ball of energy, and she couldn’t stop talking. Jill had to laugh at her nervousness a bit, but Joann quickly quieted her by reminding her she would be married someday. All Jill did was raise an eyebrow and shake her head, returning to her book. Jill had given up on the romantic wedding idea; maybe she would permit Joann to arrange a marriage for her. Actually, Jill wasn’t as cynical toward love as she used to be – but she wasn’t exactly ready to tackle all the other girls for the tossed bouquet. And if all wives to be were like Joann was at the moment, Jill wasn’t sure she wanted to get married.

Joann was running in and out of her bedroom, to her studio, to the kitchen, to the living room and then back into her bedroom only to repeat the same cycle. Jill looked up from her book for the seventh time that hour and shook her head at the older woman, “You know, you could make a very good bunny rabbit. You’re hopping about all nervous like. Why don’t you sit down? Calm down? Just, relax. It’s your last couple of hours being a free single woman. You will have to care what your feet look like now.” Joann laughed and nodded while breathing in deeply. She sat down on the couch, her posture perfect and her hands in her lap. Jill narrowed her eyes a moment and then shook her head before getting up and heading into the kitchen, “You look like an army doll. Relax does not mean step out of Stepford.” She put a cup of water in the microwave and set it for a minute, and then she rummaged through the pantry – trying to locate the tea bags. She snatched them out just as the she heard the water start to boil in the cup. Jill quickly took the water out and put the tea bag in it.

“I know, I’m just… nervous.” Joann admitted as she took the tea from Jill’s hands. Jill grinned and looked at the clock it was almost noon. She would have to urge Joann along in a bit. That wasn’t going to be too hard; Joann was actually already dressed and ready for the preparations. She wore her lounge about clothes and her hair was tied up in a loose bun so the stylist could have fun. Jill picked up her book again and closed it, before turning to Joann and crossing her arms. “What if I’m not ready for this, Jill? What if I’m just being spontaneous? What if I really don’t love him?” Jill sat down on the settee and put her chin in her hands. Joann’s eyes sparkled with nervousness and fright. Jill was definitely not going to get married if it did this to you. Something that caused you to think like that couldn’t possibly be good.

Jill sighed and smiled brightly at Joann, “You love him. You know you do. Every time you see him, hear his voice, or think about him; your heart starts to beat faster and you have this goofy smile on your face. Your eyes light up with happiness and joy, and you feel like you could just float away on a cloud of pure bliss. You can’t imagine your life without him and you think that if you had never met him you would have been stuck in a cluttered flat in London with me your whole life. He makes you happy and giddy and he makes you feel young again, makes you feel like you can do anything. You wouldn’t have it any other way, either. You’ll marry him, grow old with him, and die with him – because in your heart, you know it’s true.” Where did that come from? Jill blinked and sat back, her hands grasping the settee with a small grip. Joann had tears in her eyes and before Jill could stop her, she pulled the 17 year old into a hug.

“You’re right. I’m so glad you came, you’re keeping me levelheaded, Jillian.” She pulled away and looked at the clock. Then with a sigh, she stood up and set the cup of tea on the coffee table, “I should probably head up to the Manor. If you need me, the number is on the refrigerator.” She pecked Jill’s cheek and then grabbed up her purse, before heading to the front door. Joann was nearly out the door, and Jill was nearly in the clear when Joann poked her head in, “By the way, did you invite a guest to come with you?” Jill hadn’t told Joann about Payton, she figured it was better not to get into the whole “he convinced her to come” thing. Joann might feel a bit hurt by that small fact, although she did suggest Jill get someone to persuade her into going. Joann grinned at her silence, “Alright, but he better be a gentleman.” And with that, the door closed and Jill could hear Joann’s footsteps down the hall. Payton? Not being a gentleman? Like that could happen. Jill sighed and crashed onto the couch, feeling her eyelids close and her mind wander. Soon she was asleep.

When she awoke, it was four thirty. Jill launched out of the bed and raced into her bedroom, pulling open her wardrobe. Could she really get ready in thirty minutes? Payton was going to be there soon. Jill bit her bottom lip and pulled out her periwinkle blue dress. It went to her knees and there was a ribbon around the waist. It wasn’t strapless, but it had spaghetti straps and Jill had decided on wearing a white shawl over her shoulders as well. Her shoes were strappy sandals, the same colour as her dress. Quickly, Jill ran into the bathroom. She unclipped her hair and looked at the limp strands of brown. Fast thinking, she picked up her wand and waved it over her head – her hair twisted itself into an up-do with tendrils hanging down to give it a neat but messy look. She then applied her make up by way of magic, her eyes accented lightly by blue eye shadow and her lips glossed. This all took about ten minutes, but the trickiest part was next. Getting the dress on without harming her hair or her makeup. Jill unbuttoned her blouse and slipped out of her jean skirt, before slipping into the dress she had worn once.

She was done. Jill looked at the clock, ten more minutes to spare. She had moved as fast as she could, and she had made it with ten minutes. Jill smiled to herself and looked in the mirror. She really didn’t like dresses. She sighed, and picked up the small handbag she was going to carry with her. Heading into the living room and going around, straightening things. She finished the rest of Joann’s tea and then washed the dishes. All this time, five minutes had gone by. Jill wondered if Payton was an early bird or shows up late. She would soon find out. While she waited, she sat down on the settee and listened intently for a knock on the door.

((Yipes! It’s long!))

[payton]

Me made sure to leave the Moore flat and head in pleanty of time to reach Jill's place by five, and to have time to stop and pick up a few things along the way. He managed to get the entire afternoon off work, and he thought his attempts to clean himself up worked out rather well. He managed to drag out and magically clean and press a grey suit with thin blue stripes he had gotten the year before, which he wore with a cream colored tie with very subtle blue and orange stripes--just because he had mentioned not wearing that particular color.
His first stop on his walk to Jill's house was at an italian restaurant he had been to once the summer before. He stepped in threw the doors and spoke to the host about reservations for a late dinner. His next stop was at the his faithful florist, who he managed to stop by often enough to see that the owner knew him by name now. Payton found a reason to buy flowers for something at least once a month these days.

He reached Jill's door just before five, and waited at the doorway, leaning against the wall beside it to hold what he had bought on his venture over out of eyesight. Flowers should always be a surprise. Jill must have been rather close tot he door because she was there soon after he knocked. He flashed her his normal bight friendly smile, and his eyebrows raised just a bit when he saw that she really was wearing a dress. "You've surpassed even my expectations." Still grinning he leaned forward and placed an innocent kiss on her cheek. "You look beautiful." Still smiling he paused for a moment before pulling the flowers out into view. It was a blend of pale blue iris, baby's breath and yellow roses.

[jillian]

There was a knock on the door and Jill almost launched off the settee. She straightened her dress and then pulled open the door to see Payton standing there in a grey suit. He looked very nice and Jill smiled as he complimented her and kissed her cheek, "Thanks. You look great too. Don't tell me you went out and bought a new suit, Payton. You could have just shown up in jeans and I will feel pretty bad if you bought a new suit for this occa-..." At that moment he had pulled out flowers, and Jill's smile grew. She took them from him and smelled them. "Thanks, they're beatufiul. I'm just going to go put these in some water, come on in." Jill pushed open the door a little bit wider and then stepped inside, smelling the flowers again. She walked into the kitchen and reached up on top of the fridge, taking a glass swirled vase down. She filled it with water and put the flowers in it, before adding the fertilizer that was stashed away in a drawer. Joann loved flowers, so she had everything that was needed.

She walked back into the living room and set the vase on the coffee table. Jill then looked at Payton and smiled, "Well, we should probably go. We can take a taxi, unless you happen to have a liscence and you own a car. But it's a twenty minute ride or so there. It's at Terrance's manor. Wherever that is." Jill picked up the small purse she had and checked to make sure she had the keys with her and some money just in case. They were both there, and now it was time to face the wedding. She bit her lip, smiled warmly at Payton, "Ready?"

[payton]

Her expression when she saw the flowers made his own smile widen a bit more. Jill told him that night at Beltane that she would go to this wedding on the condition that he come with her, and he intended to use that one condition to make sure this day turned out as pleasant for her as possible. When she told him to come in, he stepped just inside the door frame, closing the door behind him and watched Jill go off to take care of the flowers. "To answer your question from before, I actually already had this suit in my closet, thought if I hadn't I would have gotten one to wear today anyway." He paused for a moment, waiting for her to come back before he finished. "You look far to pretty in that dress to be escorted by someone wearing something less." He flashed her another smile as she finished getting everything ready and tried to explain what they were doing to him. When she asked if he had a license and a car he shook his head. "I'm a wizard in one of the largest cities in the world. The only license I need is my one to Apparate, but I guess if its a muggle wedding we should probably not magically appear? A taxi will be great." He smiled at her again, knowing that she didn't feel fully comfortable with this wedding, but she was trying her best to be supportive anyway. He took a step back and pushed the door open again before reaching out and offering Jill his hand.

[jillian]

He complimented her again and Jill smiled and shook her head, she didn't know how to take many compliments. Sure she had been complimented many times before but still, she would smile, nod, and say thank you. She wasn't used to so many compliments, even if he had only given her two so far. "Thanks, but I think I'm going to look a bit dreary compared to you. You're all smiles and I'm all... not smiles." She fidgeted with the clasp on her purse and then smiled again, trying to be all smiles. It was a bit hard for her, she was here to support Joann but she didn't know if she liked this Terrance guy just yet. And there was still the whole, where will she live? thing. But that would be settled after the wedding. She didn't know exactly when after the wedding, but after the wedding.

Payton said he only had his license to apparate and that they should probably take a taxi; "You're right, if we showed up out of nowhere with just a 'pop' I'm sure people would talk. And then the ministry would be angry and think, what a lovely wedding gift. Oh, no! A wedding gift! I forgot a wedding gift!" Jill shook her head and put her head in her hands briefly before looking at Payton again, "Joann's going to think I'm a horrible person. What kind of best friend gives nothing for a wedding gift? This isn't good. This isn't good at all. Maybe....I can just get a her a gift afterward and send it to her on her honeymoon? Yes, that'll work. OK, that's settled."

Jill sighed deeply and took Payton's hand, she could do this. This wasn't anything to worry about. It was a wedding. A happy occasion. One that should be enjoyed, not scowled at. Jill looked at Payton and smiled before heading out of the building out into the streets. It was actually a nice day. Jill quickly hailed a taxi and got in, giving the cabbie the address. It seemed like such a short ride, and they finally saw the manor. It was large and had a lot of land. You could just barely see the wedding decorations behind the house. People were milling about, Jill could hear laughter and chatter floating about. The taxi pulled to a stop and she thanked him before paying, then she breathed in deeply and looked at Payton, "It's funny. I'm not the one getting married, and I'm nervous..."

[payton]

He tilted his head and watched Jill for a moment after she said that she looked dreary next to him. It was true that he had a wide grin on his face, but then there were few moments when he didn't. As Jill moved around, you could see the fact that she held a bit of worried tension, but it did not changed the fact that she looked beautiful. After a moment he shrugged, his eyebrows raised a bit as they always seemed to do when his mind had wandered off to some idea he had yet to share. "Won't worry, by the end of the day with me you'll look happier than the bride." He still grinned as he watched her for a moment, and followed her through a moment of panic when she realized that she didn't have a gift for Joann. "Well, you know, you could do that, or there is the fact that I already put your name on the card for my gift." At the time it was just to make sure that Joann had some connection to who he was. After all he had never met her before, and he didn't know what Jill had said about him if she had said anything at all. It seemed safe at the time, and would hopefully give Jill a bit of extra credit at the end of the day. "Its nothing big really, its just to have fresh flowers delivered every two weeks for a year. I thought it seemed rather nice for newly weds." He pushed for a moment, shrugging, before Jill took his hand and they headed out and onto the street. He let go of her hand and let her hail the taxi, but once they were inside, he clasped his fingers around hers again. He wanted her to stay calm and be strong, and sometimes it was hard to do that when you felt alone.

When they finally reached their destination, his gaze focused on Jill, and she admitted that she was nervous. He sighed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Someone you love is doing something big, of course your a bit nervous. Your tied to Joann, so her future effects your future." He gave her a supportive smile, leaning forward to place a brief kiss on her cheek before flashing her a very Payton don't-worry-everything-will-be-fine smile. After another moment's pause he released her hand and opened his door, stepping out into the sunshine. After waiting a moment to let his eyes adjust to the sun, he held the door open for Jill, and reached a hand down to help her out of the car.

[jillian]

Jill breathed in deeply, nodding to what Payton was saying and then flashing her a calming smile. It worked, she breathed in again and then looked forward as he opened his door and stepped out, holding the door for and reaching his hand down to help her out. One more deep breath, and Jill reached for his hand, using him a little to steady her wobbling legs. She looked at him, gave him a smile, and then said, “Thanks for being here with me; I think if you weren’t here I mightn’t have made it as far as this. I probably would have gotten outside to hail a cab and then spun right around.” She didn’t doubt it one bit. And the fact that he hadn’t laughed out loud at her nervousness or the fact that she was nearly shaking in her heels from her fright, showed how thoughtful he was being. If the card and gift didn’t already show that.

They walked toward the door of the manor which was opened for guests to walk through. The entrance way was large with columns supporting another level. The floor was a light wood with a gloss finish and the walls were yellow with a white border. There was a large chandelier in the center and chairs were scattered here and there for people to sit in. A podium stood in the center where the visitors book was set and that’s where Jill headed first. She looked at Payton and sent him another small smile before picking up the gold pen that was next to the book and signing her name. Then she handed the pen to Payton and looked at all the guests. She recognized no one. When Payton was finished, she grabbed his hand gently again, feeling as if she let go for too long she would simply float away. The grand ballroom where the reception was going to take place was beautifully decorated from what Jill could see, but she knew the ceremony was being held outside. Luckily it was a nice day.

Outside there were close to around 400 chairs, and that made Jill queasy. Apparently there were going to be a lot of people at the wedding, the manor was so large though that she didn’t get to see exactly how many. The chairs were split up, 200 on each side of a large white velvet carpet that ran from the house to the arched hoopa with white roses intertwined around it. There was an orchestra to the right in a gazebo and there was a tent covering all of the set up. Jill’s eyes were wide and she whispered, “Yep. Wedding’s have grown since the last time I’ve been to one. Um, let’s sit near the middle of the left side… right? Left side? Bride’s family is on the left…” Jill looked over and saw Joann’s cousin that she had met once, “Yep. Left.” Slowly, Jill started to a couple of seats near the middle. She sat down and sighed, looking around. People were slowly filing in and there was a lot of chatter. She smiled at Payton, “I don’t even know half of these people. I wonder if Joann does.”

[payton]

He grinned when she thanked him for being there. He gave her hand another squeeze and stepped forward, letting her use him for support "I don't mind a bit, I think I rather like feeing useful." Still smiling brightly as they slowly made their way "And I think I have more faith in you than you have in yourself. I bet you could have made it a bit further than the street to hail a cab. You would have at least gotten into the cab." He glanced over at her, giving her a light bump with his shoulder just before they stepped inside. The room was beautiful, he would at least give Joann that. He was use to the crowded London, designed for 3 people which somehow managed to hold all 14 Moore's when school was out, well really thirteen Moore's and Rowen, who his family had taken on completely and accepted as family even if he wasn't.

He stood by Jill, waiting for her to sign the guest book before he took the pen she offered to him and scribbled his name underneath hers. After he set the pen down he felt Jill slip her hand back into his and he glanced over at her with a reassuring smile before they started off towards where the ceremony was going to be held. When they reached the rows and rows of seats, it was east to see that the wedding was going to be enormous. He glanced over the slowly forming crowds, listening to Jill work out exactly what side they were suppose to sit on. After she had concluded that it was the left he nodded in agreement and moved forward with her towards the seat she had chosen. After they settled down he glanced across the seats, rather sure that he wouldn't know anyone here either. "Well, I would hope she knows at least all those here for her, but then with big weddings, normally theres a lot of family no one really knows." He he shrugged, giving Jill an easy going smile. "I think I would prefer a smaller wedding. I mean, big weddings are wonderful and beautiful and all, but, I think I would prefer to share the moment with just the people in my life who I really love."

[jillian]

Jill grinned at Payton and then sat back in her seat, though still with good posture. “Me too, if I ever get married. Little but extravagant. I guess I’m a little girl at heart, still. You know, the one who dreams of being a fairy princess and living in a sparkling pink castle?” Her grin widened and brushed a white fuzz off her dress. She couldn’t sit still, and it was bothering her. She was never this restless, this antsy. Jill breathed in calmly and then out calmly. She looked at her dress watch and that was when she realized everyone were in their seats. Oh, it was about to begin. There was the processional music. Jill closed her eyes, wiped one more white fuzz off her dress and turned her attention to the grand double doors.

They opened to reveal a man who looked to be about Joann’s age, with an older woman dressed in a lovely crème gown on his arm. The man must have been Terrance, Jill was certain of it. He walked the woman to her seat and then took his place at the altar. Then bridesmaids and groomsmen made their way down the aisle and took their places. The bridesmaids all wore a dress the colour of hibiscus. It was chiffon drape Neck Empire dress with a flower cluster and split front. In simpler terms, a full length pink coloured spaghetti strap dress with a cluster of flowers on one of the straps. Jill remembered looking through one of the magazines at the studio and seeing the dress, she thought they weren’t exactly best for a wedding – and wondered who on Earth would want that, but there was her answer. Joann.

When the flower girl appeared, Jill’s heart melted. She was the most adorable little girl ever. She wore a white dress with a champagne coloured sash tied in a bow on the left side. Her hair was in curls and there was a white ribbon holding them out of her eyes and she was actually placing the petals down on the carpet instead of throwing them everywhere. She reached the altar and then took her spot, followed by the ring bearer who was a little boy scowling which was cleared as to why when he got to the front and immediately messed up his hair.

The wedding march started and everyone rose. Jill felt her knees wobbling and she took another deep breath. Was it unnecessary for her to be this nervous? Before she could think more on it, the doors opened to reveal Joann and her father. The moment Jill saw her, all worries and nervousness disappeared. Joann was breathtakingly beautiful. She wore a traditional white wedding dress, but this one had beadwork on the bodice. It was a princess cut gown and the straps were three fingers wide but translucent and also had beadwork on them. Her red hair was down in soft waves and she wore a tiara and a veil. She made her way down the aisle and then she was at the altar.

Everyone sat, and Jill kept her eyes on Joann and Terrance the whole time. The ceremony wasn’t a long one. They said their vows, exchanged their rings and then lit candles. The priest blessed their marriage, and then they kissed. The recession then started and when everyone was in the wedding was back inside the house, Jill looked at Payton and grinned, “You know, I’m actually happy for her. Maybe I’m not as selfish as I thought I was. You helped a great deal though,” she reached over and kissed him on the cheek, “thanks.”

She stood and grinned at Payton, “Shall we go give our congratulations to the married couple? We don’t have to stay for the reception; actually, I’d rather not. I know Joann would find a way to get me in the bouquet toss, and I’d rather stay away from that bunch of flowers.” Jill looked at him out of the corner of her eye and then quickly added, “We can if you want though. I hear they are supposed to have amazing deserts and such…” She said all this as she made her way to the entrance way, where she was sure everyone would be offering to give Joann and Terrance their best wishes. And sure enough there they were. Jill squeezed Payton’s hand gently and then waved at Joann who immediately picked up the skirts of her dress and made her way over. Jill found herself in a crushing hug and couldn’t help but laugh, “You look amazing. How does it feel to be married?” Joann laughed and let go, holding Jill at arms length and dropping her arms and turning to Terrance, threading her arm through his. She really did look happy.

“I feel old, that’s what it feels like. Old.” Joann grinned and then shook her head, “No I feel like I’m five and just received my first Barbie.” Terrance laughed and held out his free hand for both Payton and Jill to shake, “Terrance Jones, I assume you’re Jillian? I’m sorry we’ve never met before – but every time you were in town I was out of it. I’m afraid though, I’ve never heard of your…friend?” He looked at Joann with a tilt of his head and she giggled like a school girl. “I didn’t know she was bringing a boy, Terrance. I figured it would be someone from her school.”

Jill looked at Payton and then looked down, “He is someone from school, Joann. Joann this is Payton Moore, Payton this is the infamous Joann…Jones is it, now?” Joann nodded excitedly and then shook Payton’s hand. She smiled brightly at Jill and then turned her attention back to Terrance, “It appears your mother would like to speak to us, darling.” She turned to Jill and Payton, “Thank you for coming, it tore me up when you said you mightn’t be able to make it.” She kissed Jill’s cheek and then waved goodbye at Payton, “Oh, by the way, there isn’t any reception. Our flight to the Bahamas was switched to an earlier one so Terrance’s mother thought it would be wise to cancel the reception, after all what’s a reception without a bride and groom at the head table?”

“Anyway, we’re leaving in about…well… now apparently. I’ll call you as soon as I can, Jill. Oh, and it was nice to meet you Payton. It’s nice to see Jill’s meeting new people, that or keeping old people from me.” Then like someone walking on cloud nine, Joann and Terrance ran out of the manor to the limousine that was waiting in the driveway. Jill looked at Payton and shrugged. Sad thing was Joann was like that before she got married. She smiled at the thought.

“Well…you’ve done you’re duty, Mr. Moore. You kept me from going completely insane during the ceremony, and there doesn’t seem to be a reception. I’ve been embarrassed by my best friend and now I think I’m going to egg her house…oh wait, that’d be my house too and it’s not even a house, it’s a flat. There goes that plan.” She smiled and looked down at her hands which were clasped tightly around the purse she was carrying.

((Joann's Dress. Flower girl's dress. Bridesmaid's Dress))

[payton]

As they sat, waiting for the ceremony, he could feel the nervous tension growing in Jill, and when the moment finally came that they saw a man who appeared to be the groom he thought Jill may just jump herself right out of her seat. He squeezed her hand, which he still held tightly, and pulled it closer to himself, wrapping his other hand around it as well. He glanced over at her, giving her a soft smile, thought she seemed almost too distracted to notice. He sat with her for a few more moments before the moment of truth came and Joann made her first few steps into the room. With her entrance it seemed that Jill’s worries disappeared, and he squeezed her hand again before turning his attentions towards the ceremony.

Once the vows were exchanged and Terrance had kissed the bride, he looked back at Jill to see that she seemed honestly happy. He smiled when she started to say that he had been a help, but his eyebrows raised in slight surprise when she placed a kiss on her cheek. She didn’t give him much further time for reaction, and she soon rose to her feet and asked if they should congratulate the happy couple. “But of course.” He commented as they started to make they way through the crowd, Jill rambling on as they went. She had defiantly relaxed a bit as her happy babble now was nothing like what he had been listening to back at the flat when he had first arrived. As they walked, he still held her hand in hers, though now his hold was softer than he was before when she needed him to keep her from turning around and going straight back to her flat. The next thing he knew Jill had spotted Joann and waved to her, and the woman came over to greet them. Joann seemed to him exactly how he had pictured her from what Jill had told him. He smiled at Terrance, shaking the man’s hand. He smiled when the groom paused over his name, and glanced over at Jill when Joann said that she didn’t know that Jill was going to bring a boy. His eyebrows raised as he glanced from Joann to Terrance, both who had a look about them as if they were wondering exactly what the relationship was between the two of them. He glanced over a Jill, smiling softly, and shrugged, as if he was answering a question that hadn’t been asked. Jill handled the introductions and he looked back at Joann, giving her his traditional friendly smile that always seemed to break the tension, not that Joann needed it to feel comfortable around someone she had just meant. “It’s a please to meet you Joann, Jill’s told me quite a bit about you.”

After Joann had explained that the reception had been canceled, and she and Terrance were off to catch their honeymoon flight he glanced back a Jill. “See, that is where it pays to be a Wizard. No need for annoying things like planes and flight changes that interfere with party plans. And just to clear things up, it was a pleasure to attend not a duty.” Grinning at her he took his hand in hers again, brushing off the theory that he had kept her from going insane. He made sure she attended, but he gave her full credit for managing to keep hold of her sanity. He waited for a moment, listening to her ramble on about egging Joann’s flat for a moment before her shook his head. “I think you’ve been spending a bit too much time with Joann. She’s starting to rub off on you.” He laughed, squeezing her hand. “I have much better plans in mind than defacing your home.” He had a grin plastered on his face and his eyebrows raised with all the ideas he wasn’t ready to share with Jill quite yet. Still holding her hand he made their way back from where they had come, deciding that would be the easiest place to disappear unseen. Once he found a hidden corner, abandoned by all other guests, he turned around to face Jill. “You have your Apparation licence right?” Not waiting for an answer, they were gone, Apparating there way to what he had in mind to occupy the time a reception would have filled.

The destination he had taken them too was Diagon Alley, a far different place from the muggle wedding they had come from. After a moment to try and regain himself he grinned at Jill again, his eyebrows still raised. After a paused where he was focused on Jill he turned and glanced down the alley they had landed in, trying to figure out where out which direction they needed to head in. Before long they were off again, his hand still clasped around hers as they made there way down one street, then turned down another and another. As they walked, he made sure not to tell her where they were heading, instead he just smiled at her, his obvious eagerness growing once the faint sound of music could be heard in the air. When they finally turned around once last corner they came onto an opening crowded with people similar to their own age, and a familiar song blasting through the air as they walked under a sign that said ‘The Weird Sisters: Playing Today!’

Payton weaved carefully through the crowded opening, trying to get closer to the stage. It was actually easier to get through that one would have thought, but then people often stepped aside and sent the pair strange glances, explained by the fact their attire was for a wedding not for a rock concert. Still holding on to Jill to make sure they were separated he led her as far into the crowd as he could manage before finally stopping and turning to her a rather clever grin on his face. “I think Joann would approve of celebrating her marriage at a Weird Sisters concert.”


((OOC: Sorry about last night, Love. My DSL went all spottie again and I didn't get the cables straightened out again until morning.))

[jillian]

Jill smiled at Payton's remark on being at the wedding with her a pleasure not a duty. She didn't know how he did it, but he alwasys eemed to turn anything she said that was negative about herself into something positive and sweet. He was leading her to a vacant corner and asked if she had her apparation license. Before she could answer, however, the familiar tug in her stomach told her they had already apparated. In moments they were somewhere else that Jill recognized as Diagon Alley. It was a plce she knew well, having gone there every year and then some during the year when she had run out of supplies. There was a moment in time when Jill knew this Alley like the back of her hand, but that time had passed. It had slipped from her memory when she just started buying everything in bulk so she wouldn't have to return as often. It had actually gotten to the point where she needed to follow a map on her annual visit for new books. Suddenly, she felt the realization that this was her last year at Hogwarts. There were only six more days left, and then she was graduated. Gone. Forever.

When they were done apparating, she took a moment to catch her breath and force her stomach from being topsy turvy. Jill didn't exactly enjoy apparating as much as most did. It was most likely because of the feeling she got afterward. She wasn't overly fond of that feeling. It reminded her too much of a horrible embarrassing event. Or the feeling of an upcoming something that has you all excited. That feeling of your stomach being in knots and like you're going to pass out. By the time she had completely regained her composure, Payton was leading her through Diagon. She barely even realized he was still holding her hand - and in turn she was holding his. It was almost natural now, and Jill would probably laugh about it later on. How she was so comfortable with Payton holding onto her hand, but she couldn't get the courage to talk to anyone, ever. She wondered how it was that Payton could make her feel so comfortable, when she couldn't feel this way around anyone she'd known for years. It was mind boggling.

Payton led her toward some music that Jill instantly recognized as The Weird Sisters. He continued to lead her toward the stage as far as he could. Jill was aware of the stares they were getting from most of the listeners, but she actually didn't seem to care. Payton then stopped and turned with a grin on his face, saying he thought Joann would approve of them celebrating by means of a concert. Jill laughed and shook her head, "If Joann knew who The Weird Sisters were, then maybe." She had to shout over the music to be heard, and that's when the song changed. The familiar notes washed over her and her smile grew, "I love this song."

((No worries. I know your internet has been wonky lately. ))

[payton]

He grinned at Jill and lifted his head up for a moment to take in the lyrics. It seemed like forever since he had heard the Weird Sisters, mainly thanks to Dillion who seemed to have his wizard wireless more than he did. After a moment he looked back at Jill, and stepped towards her, lifting the hand that held hers up so that she could spin around in front of him. “I think music and dancing is absolutely required after a wedding. Since our reception was canceled we are just making sure we get to do it somewhere else.” Flashing her another grin, he jumped and spun around himself. It wasn’t the first time he had danced with Jill, but Beltane had been organized dances; the Weird Sisters called for anything but. He had to admit that it felt good to just dance.

Payton spent the rest of the song and into the next jumping, spinning and dancing around as random as the song called for. As he moved he managed to release Jill’s hand only in the rare moments when absolutely necessarily, picking it up again almost instantly. The songs seemed to fly by, and soon a third song came and went, followed by a fourth. As the fifth one came up, the band eased into a slower song, giving the band a bit of time to rest. When the song wound down, Payton’s moves did as well, and he put more of his attention on Jill and stepped in closer to her, an arm slipping around her waist to pick up the steady steps of a slow dance. “I guess its fitting we have something more likely to be played after a wedding, but then with Joann, maybe the earlier songs were more likely.”

[jillian]

Jill laughed and twirled around to face Payton. She didn't know how much dnacing she had planned to do at the reception; heck she hadn't planned on going to the wedding at all. But somehow Jill didn't think Payton would have allowed her to sit out and watch everyone else dance. And Payton made that quite clear when he said music and dancing were absolutely required after a wedding. Jill jumped around with Payton, just letting it go and having fun. She rarely ever just let things out like she was now. She was jumping up and down and singing along with the songs. She didn't own any music by The Weird Sisters, but once Jill heard a song she liked she committed it to memory - so plenty of their songs she knew by heart.

When the song slowed down, Jill felt Payton's arm around her waist. She calmed her breathing from the wild jumping around she had done, and relaxed in Payton's arms. When he made the comment about Joann, she laughed. "She would request a song like the ones earlier, most definitely. But I don't think Terrance's family would much like them. They strike me as the Mozart tea-type. That's not exactly Joann." It was hard to picture Joann wearing a nice teatime dress, sipping tea, and commenting on Mozart's music. Then again it was hard to imagine Joann in anything except her paint splatter sweat pants and ratty t-shirts. Seeing her in a wedding dress was shocking, now that Jill thought back on it. Joann rarely ever looked neat and tidy, where as Jill was fairly certain - that's all Terrance ever looked like. She found herself suddenly wondering how they met and what in the world had attracted Joann to him.

Jill looked at Payton and smiled, "It was a good wedding, wasn't it? You see all these movies with disasterous weddings and you can't help but fear that's what it's going to be like. Dogs running through the cake, or the bride getting pushed into a lake or something. It's all very funny, but also very frightening. After all, it is supposed to be the best day of your life, isn't it?" She paused a moment and looked off into the distance before continuing, "I've no doubt it was the best day of hers."

[payton]

The steps to the song came steady and easy for him, and so automatic he moved with out thought. He smiled at Jill when she said that Joann would have requested the songs they heard earlier, and he nodded in agreement. He had only met her for that one brief moment, but it was easy to tell that she would have been a Weird Sister's fan if she had been magical and she certainly would have preferred the songs they had just been rocking out to the more slow song that played now. "Yes, Joann seems far more rock-and-roll than she does classical, though I stand by my statement that a song more like this is required after a wedding. Its necessary to have at least one slow song." After he finished Jill looked up at him and smiled and he couldn't help but smile back as she started to talk about how the wedding really was nice. "It was a beautiful wedding, everything was wonderful and Joann looked so happy, which is how it should be. Thought I have a feeling Joann would have thought it more entertaining than funny if she was pushed into a lake or something along those lines." Flashing Jill a bright grin, he stepped forward, releasing Jill into dip for the last few beats of the song before pulling her up again.

He stood there for a moment in the silence, smiling at Jill, before glanced a bit beyond her to the large clock that ticked above Gringott's bank. It was just about time. His attentions turned back toward Jill his smile grew even wider. "Come on." Still grinning he leg his hand slide down to clasp around hers again and he started to weave his way back through the crowds. As they left the area focus around the stage which had been set up for the Weird Sisters he lead Jill back down an alley where at least they wouldn't be quite so disturbed. "It's faster if we apparate again." Giving her no further explanation, he immediately apparated, and moments later they were at an abandoned alley back in muggle London. After taking the few moments to regain himself, he glanced up, trying to remember exactly where he had to go from here. He looked back at Jill, flashing her another smile before starting to head her down the alley, and back up one of the streets. They only walked for a few more moments before he pulled her toward a scalloped edge awning which hung over a door to a brick building. Once inside soft violin music filled the air and it was obvious that there attire was much more suited to the Italian restaurant he had led her into than the concert that had come from. Still holding her hand Payton stepped forward to where a hostess stood, leaning over a black leather bound book. "Reservations for Moore" he said once she looked up, and after checking the list she nodded to him before replying "One moment please" and disappearing behind the back. After pausing for a moment, he turned back toward Jill, giving her the easy going smile he did back when they were still at Hogwarts. "I didn't want you to have to eat dinner alone tonight."

[jillian]

Toward the end of the song, Payton dipped Jill, and when he brought her back up his smile grew and he started to guide their way through the large crowd. Jill clasped to his hand, not wanting to get lost – this time because people weren’t separating to look at them it was much harder to actually get through. He led her to an alley, said that it would be faster if they apparated again. Before she could say anything or even nod, they were off again. And that feeling appeared in her stomach again, she really didn’t like that feeling. When they appeared in a different alleyway, Jill put her free hand to her stomach and closed her eyes. Steadying herself, she walked with Payton to the mystery place he was leading her. He was just full of surprises. Hadn’t she told him, her and surprises didn’t go over well? Then again, it was spontaneous – so maybe it was good for her. Maybe he planned it that way, who knew? Jill smiled softly as they entered a building. Soft music played – which eased Jill’s pounding head from the concert they were at previously.

He spoke to the hostess, and when he turned to her explaining the restaurant, Jill raised her eyebrows. She smiled after a moment and tilted her head to the side, “I wouldn’t have eaten it alone anyway, I was going to be joined by the lovely people on the telly. You know, they’re very fun to talk to. I’ve spent many nights eating dinner with them.” She looked around the lobby and smiled softly to herself. It was a nice place, and they were definitely dressed for a nice evening dinner than a rock concert. “How do you know of this place? Come here often, do you?” One question after another was the way it had been practically all night, Jill didn’t know if that was a good thing. She brushed it off and continued to look around the place. She brought her hand to her stomach again and shook her head slightly, either she was really hungry or her stomach was still in knots because of the apparating. The hostess came back and smiled at them, “This way,” and she headed toward a table. Jill looked at Payton with a cool smile on her face.

[payton]

He laughed when she informed him that she would have kept company with the nice people in the telly if he had not taken her here, and he simply shook his head. "Well, I'm sure they would have been charming company, and that this place will be hard pressed to hold up to that standard...but I'm sure you can go visit them in just a bit. I will even come explain to them that I was the one who dragged you away if I must." He grinned at his words, his eyebrows raised in true Payton fashion, as he knew he was serious about that even if he he hadn't told Jill. He didn't really want her to spend the night alone either. Jill's world seemed to be turned upside down by the announcement of Joann's wedding, and tonight of all nights he wanted her to know that she had people other than Joann who would be there for her.

While they stood waiting for their table, Jill started to ask him questions, which he was not completely surprised by. Jill was a skeptic, its just who she was, and she wouldn't let even him slip by the gates. "Actually its not to far from the Moore residence, right on my way to your place really. So I've been here a few times, when an elegant dinner was called for." He paused for a moment, glancing around the room, which the owners had tried to maintain a very Italian appearance. "Besides, I figure its a glance into my future." He flashed Jill another grin, his eyebrows raised again, just before their hostess returned to lead them to their table. She lead the pair across the restaurant, toward a table for two set up near the back, complete with two lit candles and flowers on the table. Once they reached their table, the hostess nodded before commenting "enjoy your evening" and disappeared back toward the front. Payton glanced over at Jill before stepping forward and pulling out one of the chairs for her, and after she was seated and her chair pushed back in, he went around and took his own seat, and leaned over the table a bit. "Everything here is divine. Their head chef actually worked in the place I want to apprentence...well, one of them, but the place I would choose first if they will take me." He paused for a moment, thinking it was perhaps serious talk and a bit too focused on him considering tonight was suppose to be about Jill. Thankfully his thoughts were soon interrupted as their waiter came to their table, and handed them each a menu before taking their drink orders and soon disappearing. "So...when was the last time someone took you out to a nice dinner? Because in my book it should happen at least twice a year."

[jillian]

Jill followed, well not really followed, Payton to the table the hostess lead them to. She sat down in the chair he pulled out for her, and then waited for him to sit. She listened to him talk about the chef and how he worked at the place Payton wanted to apprentice. A soft smile stayed on her lips as he spoke, and she held his gaze. But when their waters were brought, she turned and smiled at the waitor. Giving her order for her drink, a simple tea, and then took a sip of her water. She realized she was very thirsty - but that small sip seemed to quench her thirst for the time being. Payton asked when was the last time she had gone to a nice evening dinner, and Jill brought her hand to her cheek in thought, "This isn't including chinese Joann has ordered in, then?" She laughed lightly and then put her arms crossed on the table in front of her, "Well, would be when I turned thirteen, I think. So four years ago. Joann thought it was something huge to celebrate - becoming a teenager and all, so we went out to eat in a very stylish and forthcoming restaurant. That was a disaster though, I spilled my drink all over my dress. We ended up eating ice cream in our pajamas in front of the telly and playing twister the rest of the night."

Her smile grew at the memory, and the wilted a bit when she realized there weren't going to be any nights like that anymore. And then the reminder that she had no where to live flooded over her and her smile completely faded altogether. She would love to keep the flat, but she couldn't afford it on her own - as much as Joann couldn't keep one job, she did pay for half of the rent. Jill sighed and took another sip of her water, leaving her fingers on the glass and staring at the water droplets. She lifted her gaze to Payton again and forced another smile on her face, which relaxed after a bit into an easy going one; "I'm a little behind on the fancy dinners. I love them though, I like getting dressed up and going out to places - but there are nights I would much rather eat a pint of ice cream and play twister. My thirteenth birthday being one."

[payton]

Still smiling, he shook his head when she said that Joann ordering chines in didn't count. There were nights when ordering in fit the fill perfectly, but it wasn't quite what he had in mind when he asked the last time Jill had been out for a nice dinner. Jill then continued on to tell him that it had been four years ago, when Joann took her out for her thirteenth birthday. He would give Joann the credit that it was a good idea, even if the evening turned out very different that it had been originally intended. He grinned at the thought of Jill and Joann spread out in front of the telly, twisting their way across the game board with open tubs of ice ream on the floor near by. It was a rather charming image, and one that would fit in most perfectly at his own house. As his gaze remained on Jill, he saw that a few moments later her smile faded, and he tilted his head, still focusing on Jill as he tried to figure out what was wrong. He told himself that today he would make sure everything was wonderful for Jill, and if something was bothering her, then it needed to be addressed. He signed slightly as Jill tried to put on a brave face and told him that while dinners were nice, she sometimes preferred to just stay in and eat ice cream and play twister in front of the telly. "You know...most nights I think I would agree with you on the ice cream and twister...it comes in a close second to bad movies and popcorn."

He flashed her another smile, before their waiter returned to take their orders. After glancing down the menu again, Payton told him the man what they would like for dinner, before glancing back at Jill, her faded smile from before still fresh in his mind. He had a feeling it was about Joann, and how her marriage now changed her life. He stayed quiet until the waiter left, returning to the kitchen to deliver their order to the kitchen. After he was gone, Payton reached across the table and tapped his fingers against the back of Jill's hand which rested on the table. "You know your brave smiles don't fool me."

[jillian]

Jill smiled and nodded, "Bad movies and popcorn are good, especially on nights that your stomach's all in knots. Sad to say, Joann doesn't have many bad movies. But maybe we should raid her stash just in case, I haven't looked at every movie she owns - there are lots of them. We usually watch the cheesy romance ones, Joann can practically quote Sleepless In Seattle. Though, that's actually one of the romance movies I can stand... being the cynic I am. I think, Joann's gotten to the point where watching romance movies with me is pointless because I'm always pointing out the negative." Jill blushed slightly and looked down, "There are just things that seem too false to be true." She was still slightly cynical toward the whole romance thing, although Payton had pretty much helped her realize that true love might be there, whether he meant to or not, she still couldn't believe there was one person for everyone out there. What were the chances of that? They couldn't be extremely high. And if they weren't high, then falling for someone was chancy because they might not be 'the one.'

The waiter came back and was told what they wanted, and when he left to take their order back, Payton tapped her hand with his finger and said her brave smiles didn't fool him. She looked at him a moment and smiled softly, of course they didn't. They hardly fooled anyone. Jill wasn't a good liar, or whatever she was being by trying to hide her worry. Joann had often called her a window pane because you could see right through her when she lied. She didn't like deceiving those she cared about, it felt really wrong to her. Jill shrugged and traced her finger along the edge of the glass her tea was in. "I didn't want to ruin this evening, it's been amazing so far and I hope it gets better. But I can't help but worry about the flat and such, it's home. I don't want to have to leave it, but I can't afford it on my own and Joann would surely be moving out with Terrance... it's just something that adds to the stress of me... I'll deal with it though, everything should work out... should being the keyword." Funny how she could be the optimist about life but the cynic about romance and love. She was a walking something or other.... Jill smiled calmly and then took a sip of her tea, it was rather good actually.

[payton]

He sipped his drink and listened to Jill talk about Joann’s movie selection and how perhaps they should raid it. A grin broke out across his face at the idea, thinking it would be quite a good way to spend an evening. It had been some time since he had stayed up all night watching movies and making himself sick on popcorn and soda pop. “Sleepless in Seattle is quite the classic, but too good for a bad movie marathon, I agree. But if you need some education in the appreciation of the romantic classic’s it’s a topic my mum made sure I was well educated on.” Flashing her another smile he shrugged slightly, his eyebrows raising at the thought of him explaining romantic movies to Jill. In most people’s minds it would be the reverse that made more, sense, simply because girls were suppose to know such things, not boys. That was perhaps what made them the most interesting pair. Jill was the cynic while he was the romantic, yet somehow it worked well between them.

Their orders placed he watched Jill, waiting for her reply to his comment on how her smile didn’t fool him. Reluctantly it seemed she admitted that it was something that she had mentioned before--it was her concern about where she was going to stay now that Joann was married. After having been to Terrance’s home it seemed more than logical for Joann to move in there with him, which may leave Jill in an interesting situation. He paused for a moment, his eyebrows raised as they always did when ideas not yet to be said were flooding through his mind. “Well, if you want to keep the flat, and you can’t afford it alone, then you will simply need to get a new roommate.”