The finest of the Sinnoh region and their Champion, accompanied by a few guests from Unova and Kanto sat around Lucian's dining room table. Sitting at an end was Lucian and beside him to the right was his wife-to-be, Shauntal. To his left, was Aaron. Beside Shauntal were Will, Bertha, and Flint. Cynthia sat at the other end of the table with Caitlin and Grimsley.
Lucian had requested that the lot of them meet at his home for dinner, as he had an announcement to make. The only ones who knew what it was about were the ladies at the end of the table. Throughout the evening, Cynthia and Caitlin gave knowing glances toward Lucian and Shauntal, which eventually piqued Will's interest when he noticed their glances. When the duo informed Will what was going on, it made sense to him why he and Grimsley were invited. He was quite amused and looked forward to how the subject would be brought up. Will would have to eventually give Shauntal a formal welcome to the family as his sister-in-law.
Despite the good news and excitement in the air, Caitlin seemed to be more observant than most to note that something was wrong with Shauntal. She seemed emotionally distant, mind wandering with so very little thought. Such was uncommon for an imaginative novelist. Caitlin's concern caused her to keep an extra close eye on her fellow Unovian Elite.
With the meal coming to an end, conversations started to become lively. Shauntal makes mentions that an earlier call to Iris resulted in them staying away for at least another week. She wasn't deathly ill, but the poor girl may have also gotten her Pokemon sick as well. As such, they are doing a complete detox of the Unova League. Which meant that they had to stay out of the building until they were finished with their deep cleaning. Grimsley volunteered to give Marshal a call in the morning to inform him so he doesn't have to pack his bags.
Following that subject, Lucian shared a look with Shauntal before he cleared his throat.
"I would like to thank you all for coming. There is a reason why I have called for you all to come." he took Shauntal's left hand into his own, "Shauntal and I are engaged..and we plan on getting married within two months."
There was a mix of emotions around the table, but the overwhelming support for them was apparent. Will leaned towards Shauntal, wrapping an arm around her waist as he gave her a side embrace.
"Welcome to the family, Shauntal. I'm sure you'll find yourself quite at home with us misfits." he spared a glance towards his elder brother, "She hasn't met our parents yet, has she?"
When Lucian shook his head, Will grinned, "Oh that should be fun. Do let me know when you introduce her. I'd love to see their reaction for myself."
"I suppose I could inform you when we meet with them. It probably won't be until next week, as they are both busy."
Shauntal glanced across the table to see Grimsley turn towards Caitlin as she whispered in his ear. By the look on his face, she couldn't imagine it was anything good. She opened her mouth to ask them what was wrong but was quickly discouraged when Cynthia spoke up.
"Congratulations, Lucian and Shauntal. I look forward to attending. I've already spoken to Lucian about this, but I've been asked to officiate the wedding, which I have no problems with. Though now that I think about the wedding; Shauntal, do you happen to have a wedding dress?"
"Hm?" Shauntal looks over to Cynthia but shakes her head, "Ah..no, not really."
"In that case, Lucian, would you mind if I took Shauntal for the day tomorrow? Your bride-to-be needs to be properly dressed for her special day," she says with a knowing grin, accompanied by a wink.
Lucian raised a brow, "I have no problems with it. So long as Shauntal is up for it." He looks to Shauntal, "You don't have to go tomorrow if you don't want to."
Shauntal's gaze was fixated on the table, hands still on her lap. It seemed like she was completely zoned out at the moment.
Lucian gave her a concerned look, "Shauntal?"
His voice didn't register with her. He used a more direct approach and reached a hand out to her, squeezing her hand softly, "Darling, are you okay?"
Feeling his hand on her own caused her to shake her head a little, "Hm? Did you say something?"
"Cynthia wants to take you out to get your wedding dress tomorrow, but you don't have to go if you don't want to."
Shauntal's eyes lit up as she turned to Cynthia, "I'd love to go! I haven't been shopping in such a long while."
"Then we'll make a day of it."
Lucian still had a concerned look on his face. Something was obviously bothering Shauntal and she hadn't told him. He had to figure out what was going on. Reading her thoughts was a last resort.
He looked to his guests, "Excuse us for a moment. Shauntal, could you come with me?"
She looked to her beloved, nodding, "Sure."
Her fingers laced with his as he escorted her to his Study, closing the door behind him. Lucian gathered Shauntal in his arms as he laced their hands together.
"My love, you've been distant all day. I don't want to pry into your thoughts to respect your space but you're making me concerned. Talk to me. Did something happen?"
She was silent for a moment before her eyes were averted, "When we went our separate ways earlier to call our families to arrange a time to meet...I learned that my grandfather on my mother's side is in the hospital due to heart problems. It isn't likely he'll make it. My grandmother on my father's side passed last night. They're having her funeral this weekend. I'm in a bit of shock, to be honest."
His heart sank for her. He couldn't imagine losing so much family in such a short period of time. Lucian held her close, kissing her forehead.
"Oh, darling. I'm so sorry. I am here if you need a shoulder to cry on. It's okay to grieve for your family."
"That's the thing. I can't, at least. . .I physically don't feel the need to. I know it's an upsetting matter but I just feel too shocked over what happened to even break down. It makes me wonder if there's something wrong with me."
Lucian gently cups her cheeks, "There's nothing wrong with you, darling. This is all so much grief for your mind to comprehend. Are you sure you'll be fine to go out tomorrow? I cannot be there to offer you comfort should you need a shoulder."
"I know. Hmm..maybe you can ask your brother to come...if he's okay with it?"
"I think you can ask him yourself." He lowers his hands, reaching for the door as he saw his brother standing a few feet down the hall, leaning back against the wall as his arms were crossed, "Will, you can cease your spying and just come in now."
Will pushed himself off the wall, giving Lucian a low bow, "I wasn't trying to spy on you. I was merely concerned." He walks inside the room as Lucian steps to the side to allow him in. Pausing a few steps near Shauntal, he crossed an arm over his chest, pondering in thought.
"I heard what you said to Lucian. Are you sure you want me to go with you when you go shopping for a dress?"
Shauntal gave Will a nod. He looks to Lucian, "Do you approve of me going? I wouldn't want to impose."
"If it's her wish to have you there, then I don't mind. I trust you won't do anything irrational while you are there."
Will smirked, "Oh, you have far too much faith in me to promise something like that, but I will attempt to keep the chaos on my end to a minimum." A side glance is turned towards Shauntal as Will crossed an arm over his chest, "Would you mind if I brought a friend along? She knows a thing or two about fashion and could help you pick the best dress."
"Who's your friend?" Shauntal inquires, tilting her head a bit.
"Ah, you met her briefly before, I think. Her name is Karen. A lovely woman who won't sugarcoat anything. You could say she's an old partner in crime...so to speak. We have a history, though that's as far as I'll share for now. She has a knack for style, which I believe might help to find what you are looking for."
"Oh! Well, if you think she can help, then I don't mind."
"Splendid! I'll be sure to inform her when I return to the Johto region this evening." Will gives her a low bow, a hand pressed to his heart as he offers Shauntal a grin.
A day out shopping for a dress with Will and Karen sounds like a recipe for disaster, but at least her mind would be distracted. Lucian rubs the bridge of his nose as he glances at his brother, "Thank you for accepting her offer to join her shopping. I do hope you plan on keeping your promise by keeping the chaos to a bare minimum."
"Yes, yes...worry not. I will be sure to leave a memo for Karen and say that it is a personal request," Will muttered, rolling his eyes at the older Psychic. "Until then, I believe Grimsley and I will take our leave."
Giving a final bow, Will takes his leave, giving a knowing look to his brother. Once he was gone, Lucian just shook his head, laughing softly.
"To think, he would change his mind so easily. How amusing..." Lucian mutters softly.
His comment causes Shauntal to look at him quite confused. "Huh..? What are you talking about?"
"Hm? Ah, my apologies. I suppose I should explain. My brother gave me permission to glance into his mind to explain his comment earlier. Usually, Will is possessive of one partner and one partner only, much like me. However, it seems that his old friend and fellow Johto Elite has managed to convince both Will and Grimsley into a throuple, a poly relationship, as it were. How amusing indeed. It seems we are both at a loss for a beauty that can make us bend a knee."
As he spoke, Lucian went down to a knee and took hold of her hands once more, pressing a soft kiss to each hand. Shauntal blushed from ear to ear, flushed from the soft kisses on her knuckles.
"Ahh...I don't know about that but..thank you?" she wasn't sure if she should take that as a compliment or not.
"In the meantime, my love...I believe it would be wise if you got some rest. You have a big day ahead of you in the morning."
"What about our guests? Shouldn't we see them out? I don't want to be rude."
Lucian traced her knuckles with the tips of his fingers as he found himself lost in her allure. He wanted to remain at her side, as he knew she was fighting a battle within her own mind. However, she did have a good point. It would be rude to leave Cynthia and the others in his dining area without a word.
Standing at his full height, he pulled her close, blessing her forehead with a soft kiss," Then let us bid them ado so that you may rest in peace."
Hand in hand, the pair returned to the dining area, reassuring all was well before making mention that they were required to cut the night short. Bidding all a pleasant evening at the door, they were soon left alone in Lucian's home once more. It wasn't long before Lucian led her back to their bedroom where they could change into their evening attire.
As they settled for the evening, Lucian held Shauntal close, spooning her from behind. His lips brushed against the nape of her neck as he gently pulled her closer by the hips into his own, "Shauntal, my love..."
"Hm.?" her voice was a soft whisper, almost as if she was on the verge of sleep.
"Were you planning on telling me about the passing of your grandparents?"
She remained silent. Not a word nor gesture to signify a response. Her lack of reply concerned Lucian.
"Shauntal..." he called her name once more, though there was a tone of worry.
She sniffled, "N-no..not really. It's not your burden to bear."
"Oh, sweetheart..." He shifted on the bed for a moment so he could make room for Shauntal to fall back on her back while he straddled over her. Taking a gentle hand, he cupped her right cheek as he leaned in to kiss her lips softly. He rested his forehead against her own as he whispered to her, "..we're a couple, darling. Sharing a burden is part of what goes along with the deal. I know I have expressed many of my own problems toward you in the past. It's only fair that you do the same. So if you ever have any worries or concerns, please do not fret and talk to me. I love you with everything I am. Let me be there for you in your darkest hour. I know you're in that beautiful head of yours, fighting on your own. I can see it in your eyes.."
Shauntal closed her eyes, feeling a tinge of a pinprick in the back of her head. It was as if someone kicked the levies for her emotions and she was unable to control the wave of tears that followed. She quickly covered her face, as if she were ashamed of showing such emotion around her betrothed.
Lucian frowned a bit, carefully lifting one of her hands from her tear-stained cheeks, kissing her hand softly, "You don't have to hide your emotions around me, love. You're safe to express yourself as you see fit. I love you no matter what."
Soft sobs were followed by sniffles as she saw a blurred Lucian above her. She lowered her other hand, swallowing a dry breath, "S-sorry. I'm just so used to dealing with things on my own and carrying heavy matters like that on my own shoulders. I-I'll try to be a little more open about things with you. It just...hurts so much. I'm alone and there's no one I can turn to. I'm..I'm the last of my family alive. I-I don't know what to do or how to feel.." her voice trembled as she broke down in his arms.
He carefully brushed away the new wave of tears that dared to stain the cheeks of his beloved, replacing the sadness and grief with kisses of love and adoration. A soft hand from the Psychic Elite gave her a moment of reprieve from her tears as he brushed the damp short strands away from her cheeks.
"Shh...It's going to be okay, darling. You are not alone, nor will you ever be again. Losing a loved one is certainly painful and I can't begin to imagine how much emotional pain you are going through right now but you will always have me at your side. I may not be blood, but we will be a family once we say our vows. As for that..small problem, I believe an adoption is always an option. We can have little ones running around here in no time, but only when you feel you are ready."
He kisses her cheeks once more, earning a faint smile from his love, "Come, I'll hold you close and if you feel the need to cry, you may do so upon my heart so that I may carry your grief with you."
Sniffling once more, Shauntal wrapped her arms around his neck so he could flip them over. Gathering her in his arms, Lucian made sure that she was comfortably over his chest so her head was resting over his heart. He then pulled the blankets over them, holding her close. Shauntal nuzzled her head against his chest, feeling the comfort of her beloved, feeling safe and soft. She hugged him tightly.
"Thank you...Lucian."
"You are very welcome, darling. Sweet dreams.."
Feeling drained from her cry spell, Shauntal drifted off to sleep with her love following after her.
