People only come for free cake, anyway

Breakfast in the Krum household always started the same way. People would wander downstairs and collect their coffee. Some would head to the table and some would stand by the French doors and have a cigarette before drinking their coffee and wandering back upstairs for a shower. On the day of the wedding, much was the same except it was a lot less leisurely. The women of the family had taken it upon themselves to make everyone else’s lives hell and those who didn’t get their arses in gear would find themselves on the end of a nasty hex that would surely ruin the wedding photographs. Most of the men got on with it though and only a few of the particularly brave ones who thought that the wrath of their wives wasn’t as bad as it actually was. Those fools now sported anything from antlers to a pair of hooves.

Elijah had wisely stuck his head around the door and turned around again. There was no way he was going to fight his way through that just for a cup of coffee and a bit of toast. Instead, Elijah did the smart thing and retreated back upstairs. Since the Krums had been home, the manor had turned into a Bulgarian version of a Las Vegas strip club. Elijah had been relatively tame for once and he’d gone to bed without needing someone to keep him company. Occasionally someone would come with him and watch a movie with him on the television that Viktor had had installed but apart from that Elijah spent his nights reading until he Mira crawled into his bed at some ghastly hour. Then he’d turn off the light, bring her to him and they’d fall asleep. There’d been no shenanigans on his part since he’d been home; much to the surprise of nearly everyone.

Climbing the staircase into the ‘bridal wing’ Elijah went in search of his step-mother who, true to her character, was found with the dress pressed against her body, her face wrought with worry. Elijah leaned against the doorframe and observed the lean woman idly, taking in her thin frame and the beginnings of a baby bump that created a ripple in her virtually flat stomach. Elijah wasn’t entirely sure what he thought of having another sibling. He knew this was what Viktor wanted, what he needed, but he didn’t know what he thought about it – what he thought about potentially being replaced. He doubted that he was the right one to lead their family after everything he’d done wrong but he didn’t like the abrupt way Viktor had chosen to do it. Life was precious though and Irina was young. This was her first child and Elijah wasn’t going to begrudge her of that joy.

Irina’s eyes flicked up to Elijah’s reflection and she turned, her stomach becoming more apparent to the Animagus that was stood in the doorway. He could smell the child on her but he couldn’t say whether it was going to be a girl or a boy. She smiled sadly at him and her hand slipped to her stomach. Elijah noticed that it was something all women did and it was something he adored doing too. Mostly, he liked teasing the little people inside. He liked to tap their stomachs and listen for a reply of sorts. He didn’t know whether Viktor did that with him or Cecilia and he certainly didn’t know whether he’d do that with his third child. Elijah hoped he would father this child properly though. He didn’t want to see another Krum being brought up by a nanny. Elijah adored Stelladora but he shouldn’t have done. He should have adored his mother; not the woman that was his mother for all intents and purposes.

“What if he doesn’t like me?” Irina asked suddenly, looking back at herself in the mirror. “What if I get down the aisle and he decides he doesn’t want me anymore?”

“Why would he decide that?” Elijah asked, pushing himself off of the doorframe. He entered the room and walked over to where Irina was stood. She turned once more and abandoned the dress before launching herself into Elijah’s arms. He caught her easily and sighed in her ear before wrapping his arms around her, enveloping her in his warm embrace. “What’s wrong with you, Irina?” He whispered. “Come on...you’re fine, you are absolutely fine. I’m here, alright? You’re getting married today! My father isn’t that bad. Look, I’ll help you get ready...how does that sound?”

Irina sniffled and pulled back from him, her eyes wide with unshed tears. She quirked an eyebrow at him and Elijah smiled at her. Their bond had developed through letters. He wouldn’t exactly describe her as a mother figure but he liked the idea of a sibling bond and that was what it was between them really. He was as attentive and he handled her with as much care as he handled Cecilia with – if not more. Irina was a delicate little flower; a tiny fish in an open ocean filled with sharks. Elijah had been her friend in the end and it seemed fitting somehow; it seemed right that they were friends.

“You’re going to help me get ready for my wedding?” Irina repeated, unsure as to whether she heard him correctly. When Elijah nodded, she laughed. “Really? But you’re...you’re....”

“Male?” Eli filled in for her with a smirk. Irina nodded weakly and Elijah let out a bark of laughter. “Yes, darling, well spotted. Now push off...go and get showered and made up. I’ll help you in a bit, alright?”

Irina nodded, smiled, and flitted across the room to the adjoining bathroom. Literally as soon as she shut the door behind her, the main one into the bedroom opened, revealing Esmeralda, Esperanza and the rest of the girls. Elisabeth was bunched in between them looking the most put out to find Elijah there, picking the wedding dress up off of the floor where Irina had more or less dropped it.

“What are you doing?!” Elisabeth screeched, storming into the room. Elijah blanched and stepped back, holding the dress up as if waving the flag of truce. “Get out!” She exclaimed.

And with that, Elijah was unceremoniously thrown out of Irina’s room and was marched back to his wing by two of the girls. Needless to say he felt incredibly embarrassed. Elijah soon summoned the House Elf, Blink, when they disappeared. He told her in explicit detail to go and wake up his sister if she hadn’t already woken herself, to sort out any guests and leave waking “Mistress Mira” up to him. Elijah thanked the elf and ducked inside his room. He ran over to the bed and jumped, lanching himself onto it. He was careful to land on his side but the landing was sure to wake up his fiancée.

For good measure though, Elijah leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

“Wake up, beautiful,” He sang, smoothing her hair away from her face. “Wedding day today...free cake..”

In the last months the Krum manor had become more of a home than her house, a mere field or two away. The houses looked similar enough, reeking of the same richness but there was just so much more.. love in this house. It was full of every sort of relative possible, busting around preparing for a wedding that Mira considered very much.. Krum. The baby bump was proof enough of why Viktor was marrying her, but Mira actually liked Irina. Their closeness in age was a tad frightening but it lead to common enough personality and ability to get along.

Besides being there for Irina, Viktor, and her parents, she was really there for Elijah. Mira had snuck into his room almost every night, if only to curl next to his warm body and sleep. His presence was deeply comforting and kept her content. Mira handled the chaos of the wedding well as any respectable Anderson woman would. So she was actually pretty exited about the day ahead. She would wear a pretty dress, bring Elijah as her "date", and most of all eat free cake.

But despite her excitement, Mira still had to be woken in the morning - like always. But this time it was not a annoying and ugly house elf, but Elijah. She was woken suddenly when the bed bounced from his jump and happily received his kiss sleepily. "You're perky this morning" Mira commented with a smile. She rubbed her eyes, trying to wake up quickly. She glanced around looking for a clock or watch in the unfamiliar room. "How much time do I have?" she asked. Like many girls, Mira needed quite a bit of time to make herself look perfect for pictures. Hair, dress, makeup. So much to do. Mira couldn't imagine how Irina felt.

Cecilia was woken by a house elf. This made her mad on it’s own, then she remembered what event was being held in the manor today. It was the day of her fathers wedding. Scowling at the little elf she said with a grumpy tone, “Get out before I throw you out.” She climbed out of her bed and slammed the door shut behind the ugly little thing before going into the bathroom.

Cec turned on the water to let it warm up as she got undressed and stepped inside. The shower clamed her down a little but not enough. After her shower she sulked into the closet. That is when the first smile of the day appeared on her face. Though she didn’t seem like it Cecilia really was happy for her father. She had picked out the perfect dress for this day. At first she had thought about wearing the one she had worn to the Yule ball just because she knew her father hated it, but then she had been shopping and found this strapless pink dress that came to about her knees in the front and then was a little longer in the back. She wore a pair of pink heels that were almost the same color as the dress. Over the dress she wore a little white sleeveless jacket. She accessorized with a simple pearl necklace and earrings then a pink ring. Sitting at the vanity she brushed her hair then put it up in a half pony tail straightening the part that wasn’t pulled back and curling the rest of her hair.

Once she deemed her self presentable Cecilia walked out of her room and through the house not really sure where she wanted to go until she had to go somewhere.

Cecilias outfit

This was going to be a day that changed everything in the family. Elijah’s father was marrying a commoner in the eyes of the Krum family. She’d been plucked off of a farm in northern Romania and told she was going to marry quite possibly the most influential member of the most influential family on the continent. It was truly a rags to riches story and she had every right to feel like Cinderella. Elijah could slip into his own personal fairytale behind the closed bedroom door. He was so at peace here. His emotions were forever conflicted but he was calm, collected and all of his troubles could easily be put to the side when he was with Mira. Waking her up was the best part of the morning. Often he’d just watch and wait but today there was little time for that. He was over-excited about the whole affair in his own little way. It was rare for things to be as calm and as relaxed as it was now. Elijah was going to take advantage of the atmosphere and make the most of it. He and Mira would get up in a minute...they could buy a little bit of time for themselves.

Elijah captured Mira’s lips again and smiled into the kiss. His hands dipped underneath the sheets and ran the length of her torso. He took a little risk, feeling braver than usual, and brought his hands underneath her nightdress. He fought 0ff a smirk as he kissed and Elijah slowly but surely brought Mira up into a sitting position. He led her legs around his waist and his hands fell naturally to her hips.

When his air supply began to run out, Elijah broke the kiss. He smiled at Mira contently and chuckled a little before reaching up and brushing her hair out of her eyes.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He whispered before chuckling again. “We’ve got forever, Mira. Forever and a day.” Elijah dipped his head into the crook of her neck and wound his arms around her, mumbling something about how soft she was. His hands danced across her skin, feeling every inch of her that was appropriate at such an hour. “Mmm...why don’t we just skip the wedding? There is much more fun to be had here than there is downstairs with them.”
Meanwhile, it was the twins that found Cecilia in the hallway. They shared a grin and came up behind her, looking their arms with hers before picking her up and hurrying her down the corridor. They swept her down the stairs and into the ballroom where some of the Krums were setting up the equipment for the music. The twins laughed and dropped Cecilia onto her feet before bouncing over to the stage. Nikolo rose from where he was sat, his arms crossed over his chest, and he ducked over to Cecilia, a sweet smile on his face.

“You look beautiful.” He complimented her.

Why was he so perfect? As he kissed her the world fell into place. The morning sleepiness fell away and was replaced with the haze of happiness that came from being so close to Elijah. Both were equally disorienting but she knew what one she preferred. He broke the kiss too soon for her taste, even if she was in need of air. Where his hands ran across her skin there was fire, the same with her lips. It tingled playfully and pleasantly. Not distracting but letting her know he was so close. 

Mira laughed at his words. "Of course it's more fun but I promise - I'll be equally pretty in my dress as I am without anything at all. We want everyone to know how lucky you are don't you?" she said teasingly. Mira knew she was beautiful but didn't often mention it. That would seem like she cared only about her looks (well it's true, but people didn't have to know it). Looks were everything to women like the Andersons and Krums. But the more time she spent with Elijah the less she cared about clothes and the more she cared about him. 

Mira was actually pretty exited about today. After her encounters with Sophia and Chase, and her and Eli's fight, she needed a good party. Dancing, drinking, and being constantly told how beautiful she looked would hopefully be enough to clear her head. Chase had given her a lot to think about but Mira wanted to forget for this moment. If she thought about their getting along too much she felt like her head would explode from the strangeness. 

Mira refused to think of things like this while with Elijah. She smiled up at the beautiful face of her husband-to-be. She couldn't wait for the morning of THEIR wedding. Hopefully it wouldn't be too far away.

Cecilia jumped when she first felt the twins arums linked with her own. But then they had to do something that would make her mad. As they carried her down the stairs she begged “please put me down.” of course they didn’t listen and instead set her down in the ballroom in front of Nikolo. She smiled up at him and said “Thank you and you look very hansom.” she pushed her bangs out of her face and behind her ear biting the inside of her lip. There was a small twinkle in her eye as she looked up at the Dutch boy who stood in front of her. It was plain for anyone to see that she like him. Though if they where to ask her she’d lie then find a reason to get away from them.

Elijah was convinced his bed had been made for Mira to lay in it. She looked so perfect there, her white-blonde hair splayed out on the pillow and her torso obscured from his view by the royal blue satin covers. Her presence did things to his senses he’d never understand but he was willing to revel in it. No, he would revel in it. He did revel in it. This woman was a vixen, a minx. She had clearly been built in mind for him. She’d been built so she could handle someone like him. She was more than just the broodmare she’d been brought up to be; or rather, born to be. Though she’d serve their family the way every other Krum woman did, Marina had ensured that she was much more than just someone for him to sleep with and reproduce legitimately with. No, Marina had made it so Mira was someone Elijah could fall in love with, someone that he wanted to marry – and he did. Deep down.

Until then, he wasn’t sure. He knew that it was right but he didn’t know if he personally wanted that. He did, of course he did, but he...he didn’t at the same time.

His confliction was clear.

As nice as it was to have Mira in a dress, Elijah preferred her in his bed without anything at all. The sexual attraction was most definitely present in Elijah but whether he loved her the way he was supposed to was still a great mystery to him and to the family. He had to admit though, it was going to be interesting to see her all made up with fresh, new eyes.

“Hmm,” Elijah kissed Mira gently on the lips and smiled. “I’ll go and get Fauve and Thierry dressed.” He kissed her on the forehead and sprang from the bed. He hopped out of the door and closed it behind him before heading across the hall to the nursery that had been installed in his wing of the house.
Nikolo cleared his throat, a light blush on his cheek and smiled gently before turning his eyes towards one of the Krums that was sat at a white piano, testing each key to check if it was in tune. Another one, possibly her sister, was making sure that the flower arrangement was correct and looked good. Nikolo didn’t see why they needed to be so particular but he’d been learning that it was a bad idea to disagree with a Krum – especially a Krum woman. Suddenly though, the test was over and they began to play. Some of them had cigarettes between their lips. That was something else Nikolo saw with their family – they all smoked; all of the men at least.

“Do you play an instrument, Cecilia?” Nikolo asked shyly.

"Bye, love!" she called happily has he sprung away from the bed and shut the door. She remained laying there for a moment just to make sure he was really gone and then jumped out of the bed herself with a giddy laugh. Weddings put an almost indescribable happiness in the air that was highly contagious. Mira felt more in love than she had in a long time. Today was sure to be amazing. Probably.

Mira hurried across the room to the wardrobe, very aware of the window on the other side of the room that would surely expose her naked body to the world if anyone was looking in. Mira made it to the closet safely and opened the large double doors, exposing an expanding charm and a whole room of space. There were rows and rows of hangers, but only a few were occupied. There were several outfits of normal day clothes, several wizarding robes, some PJs (not that she needed them), and a few dresses for various rehearsal dinners and the wedding.

Mira stepped into the epic room and grabbed her dress for the wedding. The dress was so pretty and simple, but looked really good on her. Mira was exited to see how everyone - especially Elijah - would react. Weddings are so fun! She slipped in a pair of underwear and slid on the dress. Pulled on a pair of shoes and ran her hands through her hair to mess it up in a pleasing way. She stepped out of the closet and closed the doors behind her. Mira looked at herself in the mirror and, pleased with what she saw, she walked out of the room.

Mira headed to the bridal suite where Irina was with her bridesmaids. She knocked on the door softly, and opened it. "How's the bride?" she said with a giant smile. Even though the marriage meant nothing she was still exited for her friend.

Cecilia looked over at her family who where walking around making sure everything was perfect for her fathers wedding. “Elijah got all of the talent though I’ve attempted to learn to play the piano. That just wasn’t my instrument though.” Cecilia looked up at him she didn’t mention the fact that she was interested in many instruments she just wasn’t good at the ones she attempted to play. “you want to go some where else for a few minutes?” she asked then kind of wished she hadn’t asked. She was afraid he’d say no. she bit the inside of her lip waiting for his answer. If they did go somewhere else they’d just go out side for a few minutes. They would hopefully bet away from her family.

It didn’t take long at all for Elijah to get Fauve and Thierry dressed. Thierry was a striking resemblance to his mother and Fauve looked more like Vivienne every day. As he finished plaiting her hair, he ran a brush through Thierry’s. Very little could settle it though and Elijah had run his fingers through it a few times to at least make it look like a deliberate mess. Ones the robes were on, Elijah ushered the children out of the room, deciding to do a quick clean up before leaving himself. He found his grandmother in the hallway, her silver hair thrown up on top of her head, the curls of which still seemed to reach her mid-back. She smiled sadly at him and began to straighten Fauve and Thierry out, both of whom looked as if Elijah had merely pulled the clothes onto them and not put effort into making them look presentable - which he had.

“They’re still young,” His grandmother reassured him. “It’s inevitable that they’re going to get messy. People are going to start arriving soon and we’re all migrating down into the grand hall for breakfast. The bride won’t be there of course but your father will be.” Elijah nodded once. “You’re expected to be there, Elijah - Mira too. See if you can find that sister of yours too. Has she stopped with her self-destruction yet or is she still carrying on under the pretence of mourning my daughter?”

Flinching, Elijah took Fauve’s hand in his, still grateful that she did not understand the woman’s harsh words. Thierry, however, was a different story and so, to calm him down, Elijah placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

“We all have a right to grieve.” Elijah responded carefully. “In whichever way suits us.”

“Not that you did!” She retorted with a shrill laugh. Elijah scowled openly at her. “No, you just ran off with your girlfriend and look what happened there!”

Elijah sighed heavily and leaned down to Thierry’s height. He whispered in the boy’s ear and he grabbed Fauve’s hand before leading her down the hallway. Elijah whispered that he’d be along in a moment and once they were safely out of earshot, he rounded on his grandmother.

“Do not start today, Anka. Do not start ever. If you insist on causing a scene then go home. I refuse to put up with it and Viktor certainly won’t so just don’t - alright?”

And with that, Elijah turned and strode back down the corridor though, he didn’t get far enough to obscure her words - “You can’t even call him ‘father’.”

Downstairs it was safer. Elijah found that his cousins were emerging from the ballroom that they’d disappeared into that morning and they all smile brightly at him. He managed to return it without too much trouble and he wandered into the grand hall where a large table was set out. People were already taking their seats, glasses of Pumpkin Juice at their elbows, and were engaged in conversations. They all looked beautiful. Elijah’s quick shower and change in the separate bathroom in his wing before going to get Fauve and Thierry had left him feeling rather scruffy. As soon as he entered the room though, Stelladora was sorting him out, running her fingers through his hair and straightening his robes.

“You’re a mess Elijah Nathaniel Krum,” She scolded him as she clasped the gold clasp on the front of his outer robes together. “What on earth would Micah say if he saw you now?”

“I try,” Elijah quipped with a smile. “He’d be alright.” Stelladora scowled at him. “Alright, so he’d snap. Where is he anyway?”

“He’s helping the House Elves with the cake. Your sister is talking to some boy in the other room. Shouldn’t you be doing the right honourable thing and cutting them off?” Stelladora told him.

“Honourable?” Elijah queried.

“Sure, honourable. You need to grab them for breakfast anyway. Go!”

So, Elijah did as asked and switched rooms. He approached the couple with a light smile on his lips and tapped his fingers against Cecilia’s arm. He kissed her cheek and smiled, murmuring, “You look lovely,” in her ear. He straightened up and looked at the two before adding, somewhat regretfully. “Breakfast is ready.”