Brian had been strangely quiet throughout most of it, until Laura wanted to change the vows to read, "For all Eternity" instead of "Until death do us part." He and Maurine tried to convince her that this wasn't typical in a Christian wedding. Fortunately for him, it was Maurine who suggested that Laura surely wouldn't want him moping around alone if she died suddenly, and thus it was her who received the evil glare of death. Laura stopped just short of saying, "Of course I would!" and agreed to discuss the matter later with Brian.

Mary and Emily, meanwhile, had stood there looking at each other with wide eyes, both of them knowing just why Laura wanted the vows changed. The Eternal Youth spell specified that the spell-caster be sealed to the youth-giver for eternity, not just until one of them died in a tragic car wreck.

They found their table, and Mary squeezed in next to Dr. Sutherland, with Emily sitting down on her other side.

Mary: "Is it safe to socialize now?"
Anthony: "I think so, but you'd better keep your voice down just in case."
Mary: "How are you, Dr. Sutherland?"
Anthony: "Call me Anthony, we're not in the hospital. And I'm fine. How are you doing?"

Mary smiled. Dr. Sutherland had gone to great lengths to make sure Mary was comfortable during her hospital stay, which included making sure that Emily was comfortable, as well. The last time she had spoken to him was upon her discharge, when he had strongly recommended that she continue to see his colleague, Dr. Merriman, a psychiatrist. His concern for her had been touching, especially since James had walked out on her and she hadn't been speaking to Markus. Tristan came to visit once or twice, but he had spent most of his time with Emily.

Mary: "Good! I still get a little tingle in my toes when it gets cold out, but other than that I feel great."
Anthony: "Excellent. I didn't realize you two knew Laura."
Mary: "Emily and I went to college with her."
Anthony: "I'm glad she reconnected with you. She was devastated when her other two bridesmaids weren't going to be able to make the wedding due to the sudden change in date. Emily, how are you doing?"

Emily: "Great. I have a medical question for you, though."
Anthony: "Yes?"
Emily: "Say a person wanted to fake a severe allergic reaction to a particular type or color of fabric. How would she make it convincing?"

Before Anthony could respond, Laura stood up and began clinking against her glass with a dinner knife.

Laura: "Can I have everyone's attention? Thank you. Brian and I just wanted to tell you all how happy we are that you are all sharing our special day with us, and we have gifts for everyone!"

Laura gathered up several gift bags and began passing them out to everyone. While Emily and Mary waited for theirs, they watched Anthony open the various packages contained in his bag. There was a pocket watch, a pair of cufflinks, and a silver flask.

Mary: "Damn, I hope we get one of those!"
Emily: "Um, Mary?"

Mary turned to Emily, who had just opened her bag as Laura handed one to Mary. From amidst a mass of pink tissue paper, Emily did indeed pull out a flask.

Laura: "What do you think?"
Mary: "Wow, it's so…"
Emily: "Pink. Is this leather?"
Laura: "Yes! Aren't they adorable? I even had your names engraved on them!"
Mary: "Fabulous. We'll treasure them always. Especially tomorrow."

Laura wagged a finger at Mary and shook her head.

Laura: "Now, now, no drinking before the ceremony! You'll need clear heads."
Emily: "Of course."

Laura smiled and took her seat just as the salad course came out. The meal passed much more quickly than the rehearsal had, and was peppered with plenty of animated conversation from Anthony and the other two groomsmen. Emily and Mary attempted to ask probing questions about Laura and Brian's relationship, but none of them were eager to discuss the subject and the conversation would quickly turn back to what they would fill their flasks with to get through the ceremony the next day.

Before they knew it, waiters were setting down plates of dessert in front of them. Mary picked up her dessert fork, but before it could make contact with the luscious chocolate concoction before her, Laura had scooped both hers and Emily's away.

Mary: "What the hell?"
Emily: "Hey! Give that back!"
Laura: "Girls, remember you have dresses to fit into tomorrow! There will be plenty of cake at the reception."

Mary took a deep, slow breath, feeling the rage building inside of her. Emily looked at her worriedly and put a hand on her back.

Emily: "It's okay, Mary. It looked rotten anyway."
Mary: "She took my cake."
Emily: "She took mine too."
Mary: "Why would she take our cake?"
Emily: "Because she's an evil demon woman, remember?"

Mary: "This is beyond evil. She must be stopped."
Emily: "Agreed. We'll stop her tomorrow. Just be patient."
Mary: "Remind me why we can't stop her now?"
Emily: "Because anything we do at this point will get us arrested. We're not stopping her so much as we're stopping the ceremony."
Mary: "But she took our cake. Anything we do to her would be justifiable. I'm sure we'd get off with a warning."
Emily: "You're probably right. You hold her down, I'll start ripping her hair out, okay?"

Mary cracked a smile and sighed, releasing the anger and irritation that had built up inside her.

Mary: "That's why you're my best friend, Emily. You always know just what to say."
Emily: "Come on, let's get out of here."
Mary: "Good plan."