Subj: Consequences of Falling ch. 30
Date: 7/26/01 2:58:18 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Nicole

December 25, 1974, Chapel/Church, 5:00 PM

"I can't believe I'm in a church," murmured Angelique.

"You're in a consecrated house of God," whispered Quentin.

"And in a few minutes, lightning will strike the steeple and the entire thing will burn to the ground," joked Constance.

"That's not funny." Angelique did not want to admit it, but the image did amuse her. It would not surprise her if God did attempt to exact his revenge on the three of them in his house. Where else could he? But it was just as well if he did not. The actual torture for Angelique had been the last few days. She osculated between a drunken stupor to the painful aftermaths of both a hangover and the preparations for the union of Josef and Carolyn. Today was the payoff. The chapel looked lovely, filled to the brim with white roses and the aroma of beeswax candles. Josef looked exquisite in his tuxedo, the smile of false happiness seeming to seal the deal. If it were not for Constance and Quentin sitting on each side of her, she was not sure if she would be able to remain composed.

It was hard enough to watch Barnabas enter with Julia. By now he knew what Josef had done. He was probably going to hang their last argument over her head. She was not about to go back and apologize or cower at his feet to beg for mercy. She could live without intimacy, especially from the two of them. They would have to crawl back to her before she even considered them again. After considering how their lives would be progressing from this point out, she hoped they would be stocking up on kneepads.

"Here comes the bride," murmured Constance.

Carolyn walked slowly down the aisle, seemingly weighed down by the yards of white material that trailed her. The dress was elaborate, beading and design covering the bodice as the skirt flowed in satin. The veil was all lace, falling both in her face and flowing down her back. She seemed insanely happy, the light from her smile seeming to touch practically everyone from behind the veil. "She's beautiful," sighed Angelique.

"You're much more beautiful than her," said Constance reassuringly.

"And this will not last," added Quentin. "This will crumble away in about 6 months."

"I don't think they'll make it to 'I do," said Constance.

"Ridiculous. They'll at least make it 3 months and 6 is my maximum."

"Josef will find a way out of this. I say they don't make it to 'I do.'"

"Wanna bet?" asked Quentin slyly.

"You know it," purred Constance as they shook hands.

"What does the winner receive?"

"Anything she damn well wants."

"As long as he gets it, I agree to that."

Angelique could not listen to them. They did not take this as seriously as she did. That was to be expect: neither of them was watching their lover marry someone else. "You're not helping," mumbled Angelique.

"Sorry. What would?" asked Constance.

"It would help if this silly thing would hurry up and end!"

The three of them repressed giggles as the minister asked all to sit. The ceremony seemed to be going off without a hitch. At the moment the minister asked if anyone objected to the union, both Constance and Quentin turned to Angelique, their eyes seeming to demand some sort of action on her part. "I'm not going to object," she whispered awkwardly.

All eyes quickly shifted to the man running down the aisle. "I object!" he screamed. "She can't marry him."

Constance leaned in and asked, "Who the hell is this?"

"Joe Haskell," answered Angelique. "He's Chris' cousin."

"Isn't he supposed to be in Windcliffe?" asked Quentin.

"He was just released," said Angelique.

"After ruining a Collins family event, he'll wish he hadn't left," sniped Constance.

They quieted to listen to Joe beg Carolyn to reconsider. "I know you can't love him," he said.

"But Joe, it's been so long," said Carolyn.

"It doesn't matter," insisted Joe. "Can you say without hesitation that you want to spend the rest of your life with this man?"

Carolyn's silence said it all. Josef sighed and stepped away from the alter. "If you have any hesitation," he said, "we shouldn't go through with it."

"But I love you!"

"No you don't." Josef kissed her cheek and said, "I want you to be happy. If I have to step aside, I will." Carolyn did not respond. "That's what I thought." Josef kissed her hand and walked back down the aisle and out of the chapel.

The crowd almost immediately broke into frenzy, most of them jumping from their seats and attempting to leave. Angelique had shifted to one of the empty seats and Constance laid down, her head in Quentin's lap. "Maybe I wasn't really paying attention, but did Josef just do the right thing?" asked Quentin.

"He did," yawned Constance. "But he probably just forgot why he was here. It was best to just let her go than to make a fool of himself while wearing formal wear."

"Memory lapse?"

"You bet. Josef was notorious for memory lapses, wasn't he Angie?"

"I don't see how the two of you can be so cruel," said Angelique as she stood. "He has done the correct thing and you chastise him."

"No he didn't," insisted Constance. "We all know that Josef had no intention of marrying Carolyn. He got a lucky break."

"You're being much to cynical."

"She's speaking the truth," said Quentin. "Josef is a shrew...and he made me lose my bet."

"And you owe me big!"

Angelique ignored them as they talked over their bet. She slipped out the back, happily missing the crowd to find Josef. She found him sitting on the back steps. She tentatively took a seat beside him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I realize how hard that had to be."

"You have no clue," laughed Josef. "You can't imagine all of those people staring at you. I can't believe things went as far as they did."

Angelique bit her bottom lip, trying not to yell at him. She could not believe that Constance and Quentin had been right. "Well, it's a good thing you didn't marry her," she managed to mumble.

"I suppose so." Josef looked back to Angelique and asked, "Do you hate me?"

"I'm disappointed in you, but I suppose I always was. No, I don't hate you."

"But you still believe that we can't be together."

"No now."

Josef looked away quickly. He took off his tie and tossed it angrily into the grass. "Is there someone else?"

"God no!" insisted Angelique. "I don't really want someone right now. I need a breather from the dysfunctional relationships."

"Okay, but you haven't seen the last of me," cooed Josef.

"Why? You have no reason to come around anymore. Your fun is over."

"Oh Angie, you are so so wrong." Josef lay back onto the ground, a devious smile slowly spreading across his face. "I've got plenty reason to hang with my favorite girls. The fun isn't over; it's only just begun."

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.