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Cherri Bomb still couldn’t get over how it seemed so fast between her arrival in Heaven and now. She had just been redeemed and spent most of her time reconnecting with souls from which she had been away for so long. Her parents and Sir Pentious were the primary ones, as she dearly missed them.
Not long after, Sir Pentious caught her up on what had been happening in Heaven before surprising her with a proposal. She readily accepted such. It wasn’t until later that the former Sinner learned from her father that her now-fiance tried to go the traditional route of asking her parents for her hand. The Winner, Eugene Kraft, understood the sentiment, but he personally believed her consent was the most essential part rather than his blessing. But to make the cobra Winner happy, he and his wife, Helen, gave their blessings. Cherri teased him about still being an old man while Sir Pentious argued he was being practical, especially with what he had planned.
Along with what traditionally went with a wedding they were used to, Sir Pentious wanted to incorporate some rituals from his Indian side. He was able to reconnect with his mother, Uma, who told him of the weddings she grew up witnessing in her home near Madras (now known as Chennai). Cherri Bomb accepted this, as she found it unfair that he came from a time where he wasn’t allowed to learn about his maternal heritage due to it possibly interfering with his rearing as a British subject. Being the anarchist she was, even though she was in Heaven, she was more than happy to give a V sign to those who refused to see the importance of such to her fiance.
If Cherri Bomb thought getting ready for her wedding would be simple, she was clearly wrong. Meena, Amala, Kiran, Geetha, and Thamarai, five women meant to help with the wedding, woke her and her bridesmaid Molly up early in the morning. This was for a purifying bath for the ceremony. Cherri was about to remove her pajamas when they told her it would be a different kind of bath. They gave her a red and yellow outfit to wear. The Cyclops was left alone with Molly to change into it.
She arrived to see a makeshift swing that was made and decorated with marigolds and banana leaves. Her parents, who were dressed in red, led her to the swing. Prayers and blessings were recited before Cherri finally got bombarded with what she would be bathed in: a mix of turmeric powder, sandalwood, oils, milk, and water. She had the haldi paste and sandalwood rubbed into her skin. After that, she was finally left alone to change into her wedding gown.
“I wonder if Pent also had to go through this,” she laughed as Molly helped her into her simple white wedding dress.
“Probably,” Molly noted. “I just know this wedding will be much different than the one I had or have been to.”
“Well, my groom-to-be deserves to learn about the culture his mother was a part of,” Cherri argued. “Ms. Uma told me her in-laws would verbally and physically abuse her if she did anything that wasn’t becoming of an English gentlewoman. And Pent’s father was a bloody mongrel who didn’t come to her defense.”
The spider Winner blinked in response to Cherri’s swearing.
“Emily told me I would be fine as long as I didn’t say words most know in the English language to be bad,” she explained.
Molly nodded as she did Cherri’s hair, which was still a little wet from the bath. She brushed it at first before using parts of her hair to make Celtic braids. Other than such, Cherri wanted her hair long and loose for the ceremony.
“I hope that the prayers ensure that the wedding continues to go well.”
“Yeah, I certainly hope so, Cherri agreed as she continued to get ready.
She knew Saint Thomas, the apostle her future mother-in-law, Uma, knew personally because he was the patron saint of India, would be waiting to give further blessings.
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Sir Pentious was delighted with how preparations were going for the wedding celebration. He was especially delighted that his mother had companions who introduced him to the culture she had grown up in.
“I can tell you’re pretty excited for the big day,” he heard from his best man, Anthony (formerly known as Angel Dust), who was redeemed like him.
“Of course I am. I am so happy to finally be with Cherri Bomb,” he said.
“And I know you’re happy you finally get to have sex with her,” the spider joked.
Sir Pentious blushed.
“Was that necessary?”
“Hey. I’m just pointing out that they don’t care about married couples doing that here,” Anthony continued. “I know Husk and I are one of the ones that do.”
That was when the husbands of the five women who participated in the wedding ceremonies entered the room. He thought it was neat that some traditions in his mother’s home country involved women, like the wives of the men before him.
“Vanakkam,” they greeted.
“Vanakkam,” the cobra Winner said back.
“Hello, Misters Ezhil, Kishor, Nirmal, Anil, and Sampath,” Anthony greeted.
“Your mother wanted us to inform you that it is time to head to the bride’s home,” Kishor stated.
“Good thing we are ready,” the groom said with a smile to the horse Winner.
He moved as fast as he could to the front of his mother’s home. However, his mother, also a cobra, stopped him.
“Niruttu, Nagendra,” Uma insisted.
This allowed everyone else to catch up, and everyone saw Uma smoothing out her son’s tunic.
“Good, now we can go,” she said.
As Sir Pentious followed his mother, he felt delighted and at ease about this wedding ceremony. When he was alive, he had to wear a formal suit his father and grandfather selected, just like how they selected his wife, Margaret Katherine Irving. Here, he had a choice in both his bride and clothes. The veshti he wore was comfortable and definitely fit a wedding with its white and gold colors. And it matched him with his new colors as a Winner.
The walk wasn’t long, and he was delighted to be greeted by Eugene and Helen.
“We’re happy that you made it here safely,” the male Cyclops Winner stated.
Sir Pentious was then led into the house, where he saw a water basin. Since Cherri didn’t have any brothers, Eugene took the task of washing the groom’s feet. Helen held the bowl for her husband as the end of Sir Pentious’ tail was ceremoniously washed. After helping the Cyclops up, the cobra continued into the home.
He then saw Kiran and Thamarai just outside the threshold of the room where the ceremony would take place. The elephant and tiger Winners smiled before circling around a tray of light. This ensured that the redeemed Sinner knew only peace and happiness in his married life.
Saint Thomas greeted him with the blessed rings, which Sir Pentious would exchange with Cherri Bomb later in the ceremony. He continued saying blessings as they waited for Cherri to finally enter the room.
The strawberry-blonde Australian finally entered. The Victorian was delighted to see how lovely his bride looked. She wore white like him, but it would soon be covered with the red saree that would be put on her. Even so, he thought she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world.
Saint Thomas spoke up again before he lit a fire that would burn away from them. The soon-to-be-married couple knew this would play a significant role in a future part of the ceremony.
The two were then seated on a makeshift swing while the family sang traditional Tamil love songs. Eugene, Helen, Anthony, and Molly’s pronunciations were imperfect, but the Indian Winners knew what they were trying to say.
After the song ended, Eugene sighed as he helped his daughter out of the swing. Everyone recognized this as the bride's giving away, but it would be done in a unique way.
The redhead sat down, and Cherri was handed a coconut before she sat on her father’s lap. He guided Cherri’s hands to pass the coconut to Sir Pentious, who accepted it. The blonde Cyclops sprinkled holy water over such.
The saint then recited the names of the two’s grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents. All of them except for Sir Pentious’ maternal ancestors had English names. Sir Pentious was unsure where they were but would be delighted to run into them in Heaven. Especially the ancestor his mother got his name from, his great-great-grandfather, Nagendra Sharma, a Telugu man from Amaravati who married a Tamil woman, Aparna, from his mother’s birthplace.
“I hope you like it,” Sir Pentious said as he passed the red and gold saree his mother had made for Cherri Bomb to wear for the rest of the ceremony.
“It’s beautiful,” Cherri Bomb said.
“Let me and the others help put it on,” Geetha offered. The hen Winner turned to Meena and Amala, a cow and mare Winner, respectively, and they followed Cherri to a more private room.
Cherri Bomb allowed her white dress to be almost entirely covered by the red and gold saree, and she now felt she fit in the ceremony.
She returned and walked back up the aisle to some chairs where she and Sir Pentious would sit. Once the Cyclops plopped onto the chair, her cobra husband put a thali necklace on her. Some musicians from the congregation Saint Thomas led played the drums and pipes while everyone else threw flower petals and rice grains.
“Now, that’s one thing I’m familiar with,” Cherri laughed as she and Sir Pentious were covered in both. Her now husband laughed as he sat in his chair.
Saint Thomas stood up after the throwing of such. They were led to the fire, where they would circle, hold hands, and recite their own version of the seven sacred vows of marriage.
“You will offer food and help in every way. I vow to cherish you and provide for your welfare and happiness,” Sir Pentious began.
“I will take care of the responsibilities, including, but not limited to, those related to the household, food, and finance,” Cherri Bomb responded.
They completed the first rotation.
“Together, we will protect our home,” he continued.
“I will be your courage and strength and rejoice in your happiness as long as you love me faithfully,” she continued.
Second rotation done.
“May we live a life rich in blessings and prosperity,” he continued.
“I will love you faithfully, for you are the only one who matters in my life,” she continued.
Third.
“You complete me, and I hope our family remains virtuous.”
“I promise to bring pleasure and joy in every way possible.”
Fourth.
“You enrich my life, my best friend and greatest well-wisher. May God bless you.”
“I will love, cherish, honor, and trust you for eternity. We will share in happiness and sorrow.”
Fifth.
“My heart is full of happiness, and I hope to always feel like this.”
“I will always be by your side.”
Sixth.
There was silence for the last rotation.
“We are now one. You are mine, and I am yours forever!”
“As God as our witness, we are indeed one. We will love, honor, and cherish each other for eternity!”
Cherri then put her foot on a granite stone so Sir Pentious could put on the last of the wedding jewelry: a toe ring.
After that, they finally exchanged the rings that went on their fingers in Saint Thomas's and everyone else's presence. They looked at the apostle, who nodded his approval. With that, the two gave each other a chaste kiss.
Kiran and Thamarai performed one more circling of the light tray. With that, the bride and groom were finally allowed to leave the ceremony room and head outside.
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In the backyard of her parents’ home, Cherri and Sir Pentious were surprised by the array of wedding presents for them. Most of them were what Cherri saw in a gift registry when she was alive: kitchen appliances, decorations for the home, etc. Things changed when Eugene and Helen came up with some items.
The blonde Cyclops Winner passed her son-in-law a suitcase. He accepted it and opened it to see some clothes in it. Half of the suitcase contained the Victorian jackets and shirts he was used to. The other half had more modern shirts and jackets that Cherri and her family felt Pentious would look good in.
“I’ll definitely look dapper in these,” he said with a smile as he picked up one of the clothing items.
After picking up the third shirt, a box fell out onto the bench he and Cherri were sitting on.
It was a diamond ring.
“It’s absolutely lovely,” the cobra Winner smiled.
He gave his mother and father-in-law a hug, which they accepted.
Sir Pentious still couldn’t believe that, by marriage, he finally had a caring male figure to look up to. He never imagined they would come in the form of a redheaded Australian Cyclops Winner, but he was happy to be treated as a son by Eugene Kraft.
Since Cherri Bomb and Sir Pentious were due to have the reception at the latter’s home, it was time for the sending-off meal. Sir Pentious’ mother and the couples who helped with the ceremony left to prepare for such.
Eugene was more than happy to show his skills on the Barbie, though he couldn’t grill what he usually did. This was out of respect for Sir Pentious’ Indian friends, who, despite being Christian, still refused to eat foods like beef. So, it ended up being a seafood grill instead.
Helen meanwhile made some desserts like Pavlova and prepared a lovely fruit bowl filled with fruits Cherri recognized from her childhood: quandong, Davidson’s plum, lemon aspen, and desert lime.
Those who headed to the reception helped package the remaining food, which many saw as an appetizer for the feast. Angel Dust and Molly were especially helpful in this, as they would occasionally help in their mother’s restaurant.
As things began winding down, the Cyclops former Sinner hugged her parents goodbye.
“We’ll visit in three days,” she reminded them.
“We know,” her mother said. Despite this, she still shed tears.
“See you later, Mum and Dad,” she waved as she headed to her husband.
Sir Pentious took her hand in his hand, and they joined the parade of people heading to her new home.
After they reached the home, Uma greeted them with a lamp and waved it in front of them as she sang. The women from earlier joined in her singing. Once she was done, the newlyweds were allowed to pass through the threshold.
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Numerous people were present at the reception who weren’t there for the ceremony. As a result, there was more of an equal mix of those in Western and Indian dress, respectively.
Members of the congregation of Saint Thomas made the dishes for the feast, which were prepared buffet-style. The food consisted of Indian dishes. Cherri Bomb and Sir Pentious were the first to get what they wished.
The sweets and banana dishes were first set out. Cherri Bomb chose the caramel payasam, while Sir Pentious took the Kesari bat. They got some bananas and extra ghee for their respective dishes.
After everyone had gotten the sweet dishes, the last sweet dish was brought out: their wedding cake.
It was flavored with macadamia nuts, covered with white chocolate icing and golden syrup, and decorated with gum nuts and Banksia flowers.
The two got up, cut the cake, and fed the slices to each other. They then washed it down with champagne and returned to their Indian food.
“I’m glad we were able to find some ways to weave traditions from my culture here,” Cherri smiled.
“I’m sure the guests would be surprised by how many nuts are in the food,” Sir Pentious smiled.
“Well, people back down thought we were nuts for deciding to stop being rivals and start being lovers. I think of it as a way of laughing at those who saw our relationship as impossible.”
“Fair point. But don’t think we won’t stop competing just because of such.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The Cyclops former Sinner immediately imagined she and Sir Pentious would play fight a lot during their marriage, all with the knowledge that they would passionately show their love for each other once they were done. She was already fantasizing that they would play wrestle over who would be on top before consummating their marriage.
“I see the gears turning in your mind,” her husband noted.
“You’ll like what I have planned for later,” she responded.
They continued eating, hoping there would be enough room for them to have the rest of the food.
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After partaking in the soup, rice, stir-fry, and fried vegetables, it was time for them to dance.
They chose to do their first dance as a married couple to a Tamil song called “Saarattu Vandiyila.” It was pretty energetic, and the two had fun showing that they wouldn’t stick to a traditional waltz.
Indian music provided the first half of the music for the dancing part of the reception. The rest were songs from the 1980s.
Cherri and Pentious took to the floor for the first song, “Like a Prayer” by Madonna.
Since Cherri Bomb grew up when the song was seen as controversial because of the music video that the Catholic pope at the time condemned, she was surprised that Heaven allowed such a song to be played at the reception. However, because the music video brought up interracial relationships, the two agreed it would be a fitting song. The Cyclops demon assumed that’s why Emily okayed the song.
“You look magnificent in the saree my mother made,” Sir Pentious said to his wife at one point.
“Thank you. You look handsome in your garb, too,” Cherri Bomb responded to her husband.
“I hope spending time with my mother’s family won’t last too long,” he admitted.
“Hmm? And why’s that?” she asked.
“I finally want to do what we should’ve done that one night, but it didn’t happen because I was so nervous that I didn’t know how to phrase it,” he continued.
She smirked at that.
She still remembered when he tried to hide his feelings by saying he would do certain things with everyone. What she was thankful for was that he wasn’t hurt when he fumbled badly when he was trying to ask her to have sex with him. One of the first things she learned when she arrived in Heaven was that Sir Pentious was able to explain to those who dragged him into the sex room what he actually meant. It took a while because there were so many people in there.
“Yeah, now we can ‘do a sex’ as you said that night,” she noted.
They heard snickering, only to turn to Anthony, Molly, and Husk. The two spider siblings were laughing while Husk shook his head. They definitely reacted to such better than some of the other people at the party would’ve.
Cherri Bomb perked up when she heard “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar.
“Funny how this song still fits despite us no longer being archrivals,” she laughed.
“I promise you’ll be getting a different kind of shot tonight,” he said.
“Well, I can’t wait until you can fire away.”
The two smiled at each other, delighted they could still have such playful banter as a married couple.
The party eventually wound down, with the last high being when Cherri watched her friends from Australia sing along to “Down Under” by Men at Work.
Uma let them know they could head to their wedding bed, which they took the opportunity to do. Ironically, the song that came on while they made their escape was “Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money.
Sir Pentious picked Cherri Bomb up when they reached their now-shared room so he could carry her over the threshold. However, once the door was closed and locked and Cherri was set down, there was now a look of playful challenge in the Cyclops’ eye.
“Ready to see who tops, old man?”
“I sure am, Missy.”
“That’s Mrs. to you now.”