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You and I

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Literature Text

You and I

Setting: Franky's Room in the Penguin Band's Igloo
Date: June 30th, 2013
Time: 5:04 AM PST
(Point of View: Franky)

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I woke up with a jolt, sitting halfway up and looking at my alarm clock. It's only five. I still have awhile more to sleep, but I'm just not tired. I want this day to start now.

I looked at my yellow puffle, Lily, who was sleeping in her puffle-bed peacefully. She wasn't having any trouble sleeping. She never does.

Must be nice to be a puffle.

I sat all the way up and stayed sitting for a minute, then got out of bed. I put on my green hoodie and zipped it up over the blue t-shirt I'd slept in.

I quietly pushed open my bedroom door. Nobody was up yet, so I waddled out to the kitchen and put on my purple-and-gray high tops. Then I went outside, closing the door behind me.

I didn't go far-- in fact, I only waddled a little ways down our street before stopping and sitting on a bench. I just need some fresh air and I want to clear my mind.

I played with my zipper on my sweatshirt for a few minutes, changing my position on the bench every now and then.

12 hours from now, I'll be married.

That's so scary.

The whole concept freaks me out a little. It's not the committing-- that's easy for me. It's just that I have a weird situation; I'm not going to be able to live with my wife. I love living with the band and all, but sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to live somewhere else.

However, I've lived with the guys for 7 years and I'm not about to change that.

Cadence isn't mad about it. She's disappointed, but not mad. She understands.

There were a few clouds in the sky, but it was still kinda dark out. 5:00 tends to be when the sun starts peeking out and the world gets brighter. It was cool outside right now, but it felt like it'd be warm today.

I looked at my shoes. My flippers are big.

I think nonsense when I'm nervous....

-----------
Setting: Cadence's Room in her igloo
(Point of View: Cadence)
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I rolled over again, trying to get myself into a comfortable enough position to fall asleep. Nothing was working-- I'd been awake since 4:30 tossing and turning like this. It's not that I'm hot or cold or sick-- it's that I'm nervous.

I never thought today would be this nerve-wracking for me. You'd think it's simple. You gather with some of your close friends and family outside, this pastor dude comes and has you say some stuff to each other, and that's it, you're married. But oh, it's so, so much more complicated than that.

There's so much to get ready and all these little details you need to pay attention to. The biggest lurking detail right now is my dress. I want to get myself ready, but Dot, Cece, Rocky, and PH have insisted all week that I let them come over for a little while to help me with my makeup and such.

It's nice of them, but sometimes I just want to do things like that on my own.

I sighed, sitting up and looking down to the end of my bed. LOLZ was wide awake, looking at me with big eyes. I grinned, holding out my flippers to her. She made her way over to me and let me hug her. I rocked back and forth on my bed.

The biggest issue with this wedding is the press. These days, they're everywhere. If one of them finds out, plenty of other penguins are right behind them with the story. My worst nightmare is that the press ruins the wedding. It'd be horrible. This is my and Franky's day, not the day we do interviews and pose for photographers (who aren't our friends). It'll really annoy me if that happens.

The reception is going to be behind my igloo. Everything was set up; the guys had helped me on Friday and yesterday to put up the [few] tables and chairs that were going to seat out guests. There weren't very many penguins coming to the wedding-- our closest friends and limited families. I was pretty sure the guest list added up to 30 penguins or something.

I just hope everything falls into place the way it's supposed to.

-----------
Setting: The Penguin Band's Kitchen
Time: 9:05 AM PST
(Point of View: Franky)
------------

I sat at the table, hiding my head in my flippers. A few seconds later, I felt a flipper on my back.

"You okay, buddy?" Stompin' Bob asked me softly.
"Just thinking a lot," I replied. "My mind's sorta racing."
"About what? You don't need to stress out."
"I know.... just thinking."
He rubbed my back. "Alright."

The truth? My mind was racing about something totally ridiculous.

Someone once told me that marriage is the beginning of the downfall of a band. Once a member gets married, they start drifting apart and eventually the band all go their separate ways. It's scary to think about. I would never make it without the guys. I might go crazy. They're the best friends in the entire world and I wouldn't be able to stand losing them. I can balance Cadence with them; I've been doing it for 6 years already.

"Here," said G-Billy, placing a plate in front of me. I looked down. A fried egg and some toast.
"Thanks," I said, picking up the fork he'd put next to it and starting to eat.
I looked over at Stompin' Bob as I ate. He was giving me a weird stare. I returned the look for a second, then started laughing.

"Why are you giving me that look?" I asked, resuming my eating.
He shrugged. "I don't know."
I grinned, rolling my eyes.

"So give us the scoop, Franky," said G-Billy, sitting down at the table with his own plate (Stomp had one already). "How do you feel right now?"
"Nervous," I said. "Really nervous."
"Why? What do you think will go wrong?"
I shrugged. "I dunno.... I think my biggest fear right now is the freakin' paparazzi. They're on every corner. They follow you everywhere. I hope they won't.... find us."
"We just have to teleport there instead of waddling. That way you can avoid them on the way."
"True, but what about during the service?"
"Buddy, I'm pretty sure they have some respect. They wouldn't interrupt a wedding service."
"You think?"
"I know. Trust me on this."
"Okay..."

Just then, Petey K came out of his room. Like the rest of us, he wore sweatpants and a t-shirt. Unlike the rest of us, he had on a blue beanie and his glasses.

He slid into the chair next to G-Billy. "Hi, guys."
"Hi, Petey," I said. Stomp was mid bite, so he waved as he chewed. G-Billy gave him a breakfast plate and smiled at him as he started to eat.
"You excited, buddy?" he asked.
I nodded. "Nervous, though."
"I wish you the best of luck. Women can be very dramatic," he replied, grinning at G-Billy.
"So true. So very true," Stomp said.
I shrugged, half-nodding. "I guess. Cadence doesn't give me that much crap, though. If she has something dramatic to say, she usually goes to her female friends."
"Wish all girls were like that," Stomp replied, grinning.
I pat his shoulder. "There, there."

----------
Setting: Cadence's Bedroom
Time: 11:21 AM PST
(Point of View: Cadence)
----------

"Ten more minutes of freedom, LOLZ," I said. "Then the Fashion Brigade arrives."
LOLZ looked confused. I shook my head. "Nevermind."

I spun around in front of my mirror. At the moment, I was wearing my scarf, my gray shirt with the purple undershirt, and my sneakers. I was going to change soon.

All the girls were coming at 11:30. The wedding starts at 1, and there’s plenty of time for me to get ready. It shouldn’t have made me nervous-- I dress up all the time for important events. But this, this was the event of a lifetime.

I went into my kitchen and sat at the table for the next ten minutes, then there was a knock on the door.

I got up and waddled over to answer it. It was Rocky and Cece. They had on matching dresses in different shades of purple-- Rocky's was violet and Cece's was close to the color of the purple part of my hair. They managed to look stylish and classy at the same time. All four of my bridesmaids had the same dress for today, but in different individual shades. Dot had helped me figure the dresses out.

I grinned. "Hey, guys! You look awesome!"
"Thanks!" Rocky said, and Cece grinned.
"Come in!" I let them in and closed the door. "I love your dresses. They're so cute!"
"Thanks... again!" Rocky said.
"Where's your dress?" Cece asked.
"My room. I'm gonna wait for Dot and PH to put it on."
"They better hurry up, then..." Rocky said with a grin.
"They will." I grinned back.

I sat down at the table. Cece sat next to me, and Rocky across from us.

"Girl, you really gotta chill," Rocky said.
"What? Why?" I looked up at her. "Do I look nervous?"
"Super nervous," she said, as Cece nodded. "Anything we could do to help?"
"I don't know... does either of you have a mirror?"
"A mirror? Um...." Cece unzipped the small purple purse she had in her left flipper. "I have a really tiny one." She held up a makeup-size mirror.
"That'll work."
She gave me the mirror, and I looked at myself. My face was flushing deep pink. I sighed, giving it back to Cece and taking a deep breath.
"I really need to chill, you're right...." I said.
Cece put her flipper on my shoulder. "You'll be fine."

Another knock on the door. I got up and waddled over, opening it.

"Hey, girl!" Dot said, waving. She had on a deep purple dress that was just dark enough not to clash with the lighter purple of her skin. Behind her, PH was standing with one flipper behind her back. Her dress was lavender, which she wears a lot anyway. She waved to me as well.
“Guys!!” I smiled. “Oh, those dresses are so pretty on you!!!”
“Thanks, Cadence,” Dot said, smiling back. At the same time, PH thanked me. They looked at each other and laughed.

I let them in and closed the door, then waddled back over to the table. Rocky grinned and said, "Guys, you look amazing."
"Thanks, Rocky," Dot said, grinning. "You guys look awesome, too."
The three of us sat down. "The gang's all here," Rocky continued, smiling.
"Woo!" Dot raised one flipper in the air and then dropped it.
I smiled a little, then put my head in my flippers, letting out a long breath. "Why am I so nervous right now?"
"Cadence, how can you play sold-out venues and sing at the EIMAs, but be nervous about this?" Cece asked. "This is supposed to be a special day... a day about love, not... nerves."
I shrugged. "I really don't know."
"Just be calm...." PH said.
"I'm trying," I replied, grinning.
"Let's see this dress!" Cece cried.

-------------
Setting: Franky's room in the Penguin Band's igloo
Time: 12:22 PM PST
(Point of View: Franky)
------------

"Are you ready, buddy?"
I took a deep breath, looking around my room. Sort of, Petey. "Yeah, just a sec..."
"Alright, take your time," came the reply from the living-room.

I picked up Lily, who was sitting in my lap, and gently placed her on the bed. Then I waddled over to my dresser. I don't have any mirrors in my room, so I had no idea how I looked.
I mean, I had somewhat of an idea. I was wearing a black tuxedo with a white collared shirt and a blue tie. I'd tried it on so many times that it felt familiar, but I was still antsy. Tuxes aren't exactly the picture of comfort.
I waddled to the wooden door separating my bedroom from the living-room and leaned the right side of my head against it. I knew that the guys were standing right outside of the door.
I twisted the doorknob and stepped out. The three of them were standing there (as I had known), each wearing a black blazer, white shirt like mine, purple tie (to match the bridesmaids, I think), and dress pants. Their own selves shone through, though-- Petey had on a beanie to match his tie, and
I noticed that each of them had one of those things I couldn't remember the name of on their suits... like corsages, but for guys. Each of them were yellow roses.
The reaction was what I expected. "There's our wedding boy!" G-Billy exclaimed, crossing his flippers and beaming.
"It looks great, buddy," Petey added, smiling widely as well.
Stomp just grinned.
"Here, I have this." Petey held up another yellow rose with a bunch of little white flowers around it. It was fancier than theirs. "Don't worry, you don't have to wear it on your head."
I laughed a little despite my nervousness.
He waddled over to me and fixed the flower expertly on the lapel of my jacket. Then he straightened my collar and clasped his flippers together. "Oh, buddy, I'm so excited for you."
I tilted my head to the side pointedly. "Don't cry, Petey."
"Maybe not now, but just wait." He grinned and stepped back again.
"It's okay, Petey. Don't cry." Billy put one flipper on his shoulder. Stomp, though still smiling, exchanged a glance with me, and we both rolled our eyes, then laughed.

"What do we do now?..." I asked.
"Well, we have to be there at 12:40, but it's only..." Stomp turned around and eyed the clock on the wall. "... 12:25."
"Oh." I was just realizing how close the wedding actually was. After a short silence, I burst out, "Can somebody help me, please? I shouldn't be nervous!! Does it make me a horrible penguin that I'm nervous right now?"
"No, Franky, it's in your nature..." Stomp replied, shaking his head for emphasis. "It's just how you are."
I frowned and took a long breath. "I need to calm down." I waddled over to the couch and sat down, playing with the yellow feathers on the back of my right wrist. A few seconds later, Stomp joined me on the couch, and Petey and Billy sat on the floor in front of us.
Stomp lightly rubbed the back of my neck and I smiled a little. Stomp's going to be my best man. He's always been like a big brother to me, always calming me down when I'm nervous and being there for me whenever I need to talk. As he dropped his flipper, I leaned back and closed my eyes.
"Why is the youngest of us getting married first?" Billy remarked.
"I don't know," Stomp said, chuckling to himself.
I opened my eyes and shrugged.
Petey held up his phone. "We need to take a few pictures."
"Oh, God." Stomp raised one eyebrow.
"C'mon, all in." He turned himself around sat against the front of the couch. Billy did the same, and he turned on his camera and flipped it around so his face was on the screen. "Time for a pre-wedding selfie."
"You're an idiot," Billy said, but he was smiling.
Petey turned his phone on its side and angled it up so all four of us were in the frame.
"Say.... cheesy purple ties!" Billy cried as Petey took about a million pictures, then put his phone in his pocket.
"You know you love them, Billy," Stomp said, grinning.
"One of those is going online," Petey announced.
"Great," I said, grinning.

------------
Setting: Cadence's bedroom
(Point of View: Cadence)
------------

I was standing in front of the mirror in my bedroom, allowing myself to be just a little vain. PH appeared behind me, smiling widely. "Cadence, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, PH," I replied, smiling.
"Do you feel it?" she continued, standing next to me.
"What do you mean?" I looked down at myself. My wedding dress was strapless and had a round skirt which went down to the floor. The bottom was made of tulle, and had little clear sparkles on it. The sash was made to look like it was tied, even though it had been that way when I got it. The slack hung down a little, but not so much that it was dragging on the floor. I had a headband in my short hair made of the same material my sash was made of. Around my wrist, there was a really pretty corsage made of a pink carnation, a yellow rose, little white flowers, and a few pearls.
"I mean, do ya feel like you look pretty?" PH asked.
It took me a second, but I nodded. "Yeah... but why?"
"I dunno, I guess I'm just wondering." She knelt and scooped LOLZ, who was at our feet. "How're ya doin', mate?"
She and I were hanging out in my room. Since I wasn't supposed to show up to the wedding until exactly 1:00, we were lingering at my igloo, talking and (in my case) stressing. She kept telling me that there was no need to be worried, but that wasn't helping. Dot, Rocky, and Cece were already at the place, setting up or greeting guests or whatever else they do. I wasn't sure.
LOLZ made a cute little puffle noise, then jumped down from PH's flippers and went to go chew on her toy microphone. PH grinned, crossing her flippers.
"My God." I put one flipper on my forehead, turning to her. "Do I look pale to you?"
She shook her head. "No. A little pink in the face, but not pale."
I put my flippers on her shoulders. "Help! What do I do?"
"You calm down," she replied, smiling. "You're gonna do great, mate."
"Thanks." I sighed and looked at the floor. "What time is it?"
"It is... 12:52."
"We might wanna get going."
"Yeah, we should go..." She pushed down one side of the brown hair on her head. She was wearing a light purple daisy-like flower in her hair that matched her dress. "Are ya ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
She grinned. "Ace."

We left my igloo and went out into the beautiful summer day. The sun was shining and there were only a few wispy clouds in the sky. It was just warm enough to not be uncomfortable.
"Wait.... there's a much easier way to get there," PH said abruptly as we were waddling.
"What?" I asked.
"Instead of facing the possibility of getting crowded on the way there..." She drew out her EPF Spy Phone and entered something into the keypad. "There's this handy little thing called teleporting."
"Why didn't I think of that?" I asked, rolling my eyes and laughing.
"Hold on," she said, lifting her left flipper. I took it and she pressed a button, then in a flash of bright light, we were standing in a shady patch of woods. There were trees everywhere. I could hear penguins talking a few yards away, in the little clearing that was hidden by trees.
“Okay, we’re here,” she announced, laughing to herself a little. “Are ya ready?”
I let out a breath and smiled. “I’m ready, I’m ready.”
“I’m going to go get your dad,” she said after a second of silence.
“Okay.”
She pushed through the trees and I heard her say hello to the penguins gathered at the venue. I hadn’t seen it yet. I was really hoping it was pretty. Then again, I’m sure it is.

I took another deep breath and paced back and forth. This is it. This is one of the most important and happy days of my life. It’s starting now. Franky and I are finally going to get married.
PH’s head popped up again within the trees, and my dad’s appeared right next to hers. “Alright, I’m going to go take my place. I’ll get somebody to come back when we’re ready. It might be me, actually.”
“Thank you, PH,” Dad said, smiling and stepping fully out. I ran over to him and hugged him as tight as I could.
“Hi, Dad,” I mumbled into his shoulder, beaming and squeezing my eyes shut. He was wearing a black suit, and it was one of the few times when he wasn’t wearing his trusty black pirate’s hat, so his bald, red-feathered head was exposed. He looked kind of weird without the hat, since he barely ever took it off.
“Ahoy, Cadence,” he said back to me. I felt his long black beard brushing against my back. It tickled, but I didn’t care.

He let go of me and looked at me, both flippers on my shoulders. “Ye look beautiful.”
“Aw, Dad,” I said, shaking my head and looking at the ground. “Don’t make me cry.”
“I never thought this day would come,” he continued. “I’m giving ye away.”
“You’re not giving me away,” I cried, smiling. “Nothing’s going to change. You’re always going to be my dad.”
“I know.” He sighed and adjusted his black tie. “Yer a grown girl now. It makes yer dad sad. And it makes me feel old.”
I laughed. “You’re not old.”
“Are ye ready?”
I closed my eyes, inhaled, and nodded, opening them again. “I’m ready.”

------------
(Point of View: Franky)
------------

“Oh, God. Wh-What do I do, Stomp? I’m sh-shaking.” I lifted one flipper to demonstrate. Stompin’ Bob, standing next to me, sighed.
“That’s normal, Franky. You’re nervous. Just take a couple deep breaths.”
“I’m tr-trying. I can’t s-stutter during my w-wedding v-vows!” I was very nervous. But why? The ceremony would be starting any second. I couldn’t wait to see Cadence, and I couldn’t wait for it to get going. It’s almost like a show. A much more important show, of course. But it felt like the same kind of thing. I shake. I stutter. I try everything I can to stop being nervous, but the only thing that cures my nerves is getting the event started.
Stomp put his flipper on my shoulder. “You got this, buddy.”
“I sure hope I do…” I looked down at my flippers. I was standing in front of Aunt Arctic, who was going to officiate. She was under a trellis thing with a bunch of flowers on it. To my left, Stomp was standing, and next to him, Billy and Petey. PH, Dot, Rocky, and Cece were to my right, and there was a little space next to me for when Cadence got up to the trellis. In front of me were a bunch of folding chairs. Everybody was here, all dressed up and watching me. Literally. There were at least thirty (or however many penguins were here) pairs of eyes, all on me. I’d had way more, but in the past, it had always felt like they were paying attention to the penguins with me, as in the band. Now it was just me. Now I knew how solo artists felt in sold-out venues.
I looked through the faces. Gary. Rookie. Jet. Sensei. Polo. Billybob. Happy. Spike Hike. Moose. Max. Alissa. And a few others. There really weren't very many penguins here, but the number of guests didn't matter.

“Okay.” I was sort of talking to myself now. “Okay. Fr-Franky, you’ve got this. Just t-take a deep br-breath and calm d-down. You g-got this. Stop st-stuttering!”
“Are you alright, Franky?” Aunt Arctic asked me from behind me. She looked excited, but a little concerned for me.
I turned around and nodded. “I’m f-fine. Sorry, AA.”
“Don’t be sorry. I was just as nervous on my wedding day.” She smiled warmly. “You’re going to be so happy when it begins.”
“I kn-know.” I nodded again and turned back around.
“Hey, you!” Petey K leaned forward and grinned at me. “A little nervous over there?”
“M-Maybe a little,” I lied, grinning.
PH had disappeared for a second. She came running back and slid into her spot to my left. “Showtime, mates.”
Oh, man. I took a shivery breath. Here we go. Be calm, Franky. This is not stressful. Well, yes it is. But not bad stressful. Eager anticipation-stressful. If that makes sense. Nothing makes sense when I'm nervous!!

"Ready, buddy?" Stomp asked, exchanging a quick glance.
I smiled. "I'm r-ready."

And then Cadence appeared with Rockhopper at her side.
Now, I know the groom of a wedding is supposed to look all sophisticated and calm and poised at the front of the aisle, but as I was standing there, I was probably not doing that. I was mostly just gaping at Cadence and trying to conceal the blush flooding my yellow face.
She looked absolutely stunning. I couldn't put the way she looked into words. For weeks, I had been begging to see her dress, but now I was happy I had waited... it made the impact so much more special and amazing. I usually like to think that nobody's perfect, but in that moment, there was no doubt about it. Cadence was perfect in every way.
I saw her take a breath. The two of them seemed to be waddling slowly, which was understandable, but I also really wanted her to get up to me. She met my eyes and smiled widely, but I was already smiling back. Rockhopper looked proud but a little sad, which was also understandable. He had on a suit similar to what I was wearing, except his tie was black, the same color as his eyes. He caught my eyes, too, and gave me a little nod. I couldn't smile any more widely.
I put my flippers in front of me and twisted them together, no longer nervous. All emotions except happiness and love had melted as soon as I saw Cadence.

When the two of them reached me, Cadence unwrapped her flipper from around Rockhopper's elbow and he 'handed her off' to me, which I could tell was kind of hard. She was his only child, and this was probably a moment he had been anticipating for 22 years, since she was born.

Rockhopper was the only one of our parents who was here. Her mom had been dead for years, and my dad died before I was born. I hadn't seen my mom for years either. I didn't want to think about the past, though. Today was all about the future.
"Good luck to ye," Rockhopper said to the two of us before he waddled to his spot. I met Cadence's eyes again and was about to say something when I decided that I shouldn't; this was a formal ceremony. I tried to let my face do the talking, which wasn't so successful. I think she got the message, though.

Aunt Arctic looked between the two of us, me on the left and Cadence on the right. Lowering her voice so just the two of us could hear, she said, "Are you ready?"
"Yes," we both replied at the same time.
"Okay." She smiled warmly, then raised her voice to presentation level and looked out at the group of penguins. "Welcome, everybody," she began. I took a subtle breath. "We're gathered here today to witness one of the most important days of the man and woman standing before me's lives. Their marriage."
She paused.
"Before we begin the ceremony, I would like to thank Cadence and Franky for giving me the wonderful opportunity to officiate this special event, and to give my congratulations to them."
"Thanks, AA," Cadence said.
At the same time, I said, "Thank you."
She smiled. "And now we'll begin."

"The bride and groom have prepared vows to exchange with each other," she continued.
Cadence would go first. Aunt Arctic stopped talking, and her look became patient as she clasped her flippers in front of her. As we had practiced, Cadence and I joined flippers, and she began.

"Franky..." she began. "You mean everything to me. You are the sweetest, most honest, most dedicated man I will ever know, and I am thouroughly honored to be becoming your wife today. I promise that, no matter what, I will be here for you and support you in everything you do, and I will always love you unconditionally."
I swallowed. Don't cry, Franky. Hold it together. I squeezed her flippers tightly, and she returned the squeeze.

Now it was my turn. I had practiced this so many times-- in front of the mirror, in front of the guys, holding a picture of Cadence up to my face. But it was so different now that it was the real thing.
Another deep breath, and I started.
"Cadence, I've loved you since the second I saw you for the first time. You've been supportive and loving through all of my crazy twists and turns, and I promise to do the same for you for the rest of both of our lives. Through anything and everything, I'll be here, and I'll love you with everything I have forever and always."

Maybe it was short, but it made her tear up. I couldn't control the happiness inside of me.
I looked at the front row of penguins for a split second and met Stompin' Bob's eyes triumphantly. I didn't stutter, Stomp!! I didn't stutter!!!!
He was grinning widely, and holding the small black box that contained our rings in his flippers.
Then I looked right back at Cadence, who had a hint of a smirk in her eyes because she probably had seen what I'd just done. As Aunt Arctic started talking again, I lifted my shoulders the tiniest bit.

"Now the bride and groom will exchange rings." She looked at Stompin' Bob, who stepped forward and produced the box, handing it to her. Smiling and nodding, she took it and he returned to his spot.

She opened the box. Under the lid sat our rings. I had seen them, but they looked different-- more shiny and just more special-- today. Cadence's had a small diamond in the middle of it and mine was plain gold. Each of them had a purple gem on the inside part of them. They were simple, but that's what we had wanted.
We took each other's opposites (I took hers and she took mine) out of the box. I would put hers on her flipper first, and she knew that. Extending her flipper, she gave me a big smile. I smiled back and slipped it on. Perfect fit. The same happened with mine. When we were finished, Aunt Arctic closed the box and Stomp retrieved it in the same way he had given it to her.

Cadence and I joined flippers again. Here came the most important part.
"Do you, Franky Jones, take Cadence Sanders to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." I had been waiting to say that for a very long time.

"And do you, Cadence Sanders, take Franky Jones to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Cadence said. No hesitation, just a deep breath after she said it and another big smile. I was used to seeing Cadence in the spotlight, but never like this. This was a whole new view.

"Then by the power vested in me by the island of Club Penguin, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

I couldn't really explain the emotions in my heart at that moment.
"Franky, you may kiss your bride."

I recalled the advice G-Billy had given me the night before. Be patient with the kiss. Don't attack her. So I did that, squeezing her flippers tightly and leaning forward. Our heights were almost equal. The penguins around us let out a loud cheer as I closed my eyes and kissed the penguin who I knew that I was destined to be with.
This is perfect.
This is the most amazing day of my entire life.

------------
Setting: Cadence's backyard
Time: 2:03 PM PST
(Point of View: Cadence)
-----------

Ding, ding, ding. I looked up abruptly, looking around for the source of the noise. It was Stompin' Bob, a few seats away, tapping on his water glass with his fork. I smiled and glanced at Franky next to me, who mumbled something and then grinned to himself. We were sitting at our own little table, but the other two tables were close to us. The reception had been going on for only about twenty minutes, but lunch-slash-dinner (I wasn't sure exactly which) had already been served. I had just been talking to Franky about the ceremony, which we still had a million things to say about even though it had been an hour since it had started. That didn't matter. I was sure I would talk about it for days and weeks and months and years.

Stomp stood up, adjusting the purple tie he was wearing. "Hello, everyone," he said, looking around. The group of penguins was even smaller when everybody was sitting at tables. My backyard was the perfect place for this reception. I had known it would be.
Franky took my flipper as Stomp started, "I'd like to begin by congratulating Cadence and Franky, of course." He clapped, and the rest of the group applauded with him. From his left, G-Billy let out a whistle. Franky and I laughed.
After a few seconds, he continued. "When I first saw these two together, I knew this day was coming eventually. Let me tell you guys a story."
"Oh, God," Franky said, laughing again.
"When Franky joined the Penguin Band, he was fifteen. As a sort of welcome, me and G-Billy and Petey K showed him around all the places on the island that not many penguins know about. One of those places was the Nightclub Rooftop. And the day we decided to show him that, wouldn't you know.... Cadence decided it'd be a good day to go repair the broken turntable up there." He paused, giving everyone a smirk. "So we got there, and the second Franky saw Cadence, he hid behind me."
The way he said it made everyone laugh.
"Just hid. Like, 'Oh, my gosh! What do I do? That girl is cute. What? I've never liked a girl before!! Ahh! What do I do?! I'm going to hide behind Stomp because he's really tall'."
I covered my beak with my flipper, laughing loudly. This was true-- the day I met Franky, he had been hiding behind Stomp before I saw him.
"And Cadence said hi," Stomp said, "and then we announced we had a new band member, and she said, 'Where is he?', and a beet-red Franky emerged from behind me."
Franky was nodding and laughing next to me.
"They introduced themselves to each other, and we all saw it. Right then. The chemistry. The blushing. The second we waddled away from Cadence, Franky said, 'Guys, does she have a boyfriend?...'"
More laughing. This was funny. Franky's so shy; it's so true.
"And the years went by and they got closer and closer. Then Franky decided it was time. And now they're married and I couldn't be happier for them. Guys... You all know Franky and Cadence. They're kind, talented, remarkable penguins. This is a match made in heaven, my friends."
Petey K lifted one flipper, then dropped it. I wasn't sure what it meant, but it made Franky laugh softly.
"And I'm honored to be making this toast on this incredibly special day." He lifted his water glass. "Cheers."
"Cheers," echoed everybody in the room. Stomp sat down and everybody applauded. I picked up the glass of champagne in front of me, then clinked it with Franky's. We both took a sip at the same time. He caught sight of something at the table to our left, and laughed.
"Stomp toasted with his water glass," he said.
"I know," I replied, laughing. "It's pretty ironic that he did the toast because he doesn't even drink...."
"Yeah." He grinned and lifted his fork, which had a piece of fish on it. "This is so good."
"I know, right?" I looked down at my plate. It was beautiful. There was some kind of a purple cauliflower thing under the fish, and the plate looked like it came out of a 5-star restaurant.

Dinner was delicious. Franky and I talked the whole time, received multiple congratulations from penguins passing by our table, and ate. It was perfect. I didn't stop smiling the entire time.

When everybody was finished eating and the plates were cleared, Petey rose from his seat and waddled to the table at the far end of the tent. It had some speaker equipment on it. He would be playing the role of DJ.
He was probably well aware that most of the penguins were watching him, because he lifted both flippers and cried,
"Who wants to see Cadence and Franky have their first dance?"

More cheering. I smiled. This moment was really important to me for many reasons. One, I like dancing anyway. Two, the first dance is always important. Three.... Franky and I wrote and recorded our wedding song.
It's called "You and I". On the day after we got engaged, we got the idea. In less than an hour, it was written and sounded really good. A month later, we recorded it, and it had been kept on a CD in Max's recording studio ever since. Now was the first time I'd hear it since late April.

"Now, this song..." Petey started as Franky and I got up and waddled around our table. There was an empty space in the middle of the tent for dancing. "... This song is very special. Cadence and Franky wrote, recorded, refined, and poured their souls into it. We all know how important music is in this marriage."
I smiled. "True that," I said. Franky grinned.

"So if they will kindly step onto the dance floor, and I will start it..."

Franky waddled into the open space and held out his flipper. I smiled and took it, and pulling him close, whispered, "Hey."
"Hi," he replied, laughing a little.

Then the music started.
It was a somewhat acoustic song, slow and mellow and heartfelt and calm. The lyrics were very true and very real. It was weird to hear myself singing, but it made me feel special. Not many penguins write their own wedding song.

"I love you, Franky," I said softly as we moved around the space, keeping time with the music.
"I love you, too, Cadence," he replied, touching the tip of his beak to mine. "So much."
"Me, too." I paused. "I'm gonna cry..."
"Don't cry," he replied, laughing softly and kissing me. It was just short enough so it was meaningful, but not obnoxious to the penguins watching.

We were as close as could be. I felt like I should be talking, but didn't really want to. I just looked into his big black eyes, and he looked back into mine. There was nothing more that I could have ever wanted. Franky is mine and I am his. And I love him more than anything else in the world.

The song finished softly, with the lyrics that we had come up with together on a snowy March night just a few months ago.

Through the good, through the bad,
You're here for me, and I'm grateful for that,
Beyond any way I can express,
I will be here beside you just like you are with me,
Until the end of time.
There's only one thing I need for the rest of my life...
It's you and I.


------------
This literally took me a year to write. It shouldn't have, but it did. I started it last June, then got serious writers' block-slash-procrastination for 11 months, then started writing it again earlier this month. Now it's done. 

This is the world's longest oneshot, I swear... XD I thought it would be shorter, but there's so much to write. And I didn't want to make it more than one chapter. That would've just been a recipe for more procrastination.

Now.
Let us all take a moment to Fangirl.

AHH OH MY GOD CADENCE AND FRANKY SHIPSHIPSHIP FEELS YASAAAAY :iconishipthemsohardplz:

Sorry. XD Had to. 

I hope you guys like this, I worked really hard on it when I was actually working on it. XD

Let's see if anybody can figure out why Stomp doesn't drink....

Summary timeeeeeee! 
Cadence and Franky's wedding day is finally upon them, and they could not be happier. 

Terrible summary. Kinda good story. XD

That's all. FEEEEEELS!

Cadence, Franky, Stompin' Bob, G-Billy, Petey K, PH, Dot, Rocky, Cece, Jet Pack Guy, Rookie, Gary, Sensei, Aunt Arctic, and Rockhopper belong to Club Penguin
Billybob, Happy77, Spike Hike, Businessmoose, and Polo Field belong to themselves
Max, Lily, and Alissa belong to me
Story belongs to me!!! :iconheartlaplz:
© 2014 - 2024 oldpbfan21
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Aqua88790's avatar
Or we can go see Petey's HOH room