The shark man, Jaerel 'paced' back and forth nervously...Only hours remained before he would be wed to his love, Elizabeth. She was ever so much a free spirit, while he was a bit more...well, ordered. But the saying was that opposites attract. He wondered breifly if she was also worried about this wedding, Then he easily dismissed the thought. Her? Worry? Maybe when the apocalyspe hits.

He sighed, straightening his tie, The seaweed tuxedo was a bit uncomfortable, but it was the best he could get at the time. He continued to 'pace'. In reality simply moving about by brisk strokes of his tail, He ran down his mental checklist, parents here? Check. Catering? Check. Priest? Check. Best Man? Check. Organ player? Check. Ring? Ch- Wait... He looked in his chest pocket, and his jaw dropped "Oh crap I forgot the ring!" He looked around frantically...Maybe he could stall them long enough for him to swim home and get it...No, no...it'd take a while to get there and back, But he had to try..he had to do *something*. He glanced outside...motioning for the best man to come over... "Yes?" The merman asked. He shook his head. "Rob, Look...Stall them...Please, somehow...I've gotta go get the ring." "WHAT?! You forgot the ring?!" he hesitated, and in a small voice replied "....Yes." Rob groaned. "....Go get it before it starts!"

After finally managing to work his way outside of the 'chapel'. in reality an old greecian temple that was submerged long ago, He swam for his home. Mentally chiding himself for forgetting the ring. "Of all the things to forget..." He narrowly missed another merperson. Nearly careening into the rocky ocean floor...

An hour had passed, when he finally gotten to his home. He swam to his chest, Where he kept all his valuables, and opened it up, expecting it to be right on the top of the pile... The screams could be heard for about a mile...cries of "ITS NOT HERE!" When Jaerel had finished his search, it looked like someone had thrown a party and invited a manatee, everything was a mess, his chair overturned, his shiny rocks and bracelets that he'd found all over the cave floor. He finally forced himself to stop...Closing his eyes and breathing deeply... "Where...did...I...Put...it?"


Elizabeth frowned, as the best man told *another* of his jokes....the first few were funny, but now it seemed to be getting pretty stupid. Her long dress flowing behind her as she turned to look around the crowd...Hopefully to see some sign of Jaerel. She'd heard he had to do something real quick...She just hoped he hadn't gotten cold fins, But why would he? He loved her...Didn't he?

Meanwhile, Jaerel's father was busy examining the ring that his son had given to him... "I hope that he hurries up and gets back. The longer I hold onto this for him, the more likely I'll misplace it." He sighed, placing it back into his pocket. relaxing and waiting for the wedding to start.

Jaerel suddenly gave a cry of elation...He remembered where the ring was! He'd given it to his father an- wait...his father had the ring, and Jaerel wasn't at the chapel. He tore out of there like a humpback whale had confused him for krill. Swerving along the rocks, trying to catch the currents carrying the water towards the chapel. He could see the rounded top of it just ahead...Almost there. Alllmoooost theeee- He colided with a swimmer by. "Ow!" "Oof!" They both hit the bottom of the ocean floor. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" "Sorry!" He forced himself upwards, and towards the chapel entrance. Running straight into Elizabeth. "Ow!" "Not again!" She shook her head slightly, and blinked. "Jaerel? Where were you?!" "Ummm.....Tuxedo problems?" "....Fine, fine, C'mon! we've gotta get married!" He grinned, hugging her. "Right!"

He floated nervously nearby the 'pulpit'. anxiously awaiting her to appear...His father had given him the ring, thank goodness. It'd been the best treasure he'd ever found...it was so pretty and sparkly. She'd love it, he just knew it. He heard the organ kick in, a soggy rendition of here comes the bride being heard throughout the area. He forced his heart back down out of his throat, and forced himself to start breathing again, only to notice Elizabeth being led down the hall by her father...Who was smiling slightly. Her face was hidden slightly by a peice of cloth, But he could see those sparkling eyes behind it. Her father stopped when they got to Jaerel. Handing her off to him...He looked at Jaerel, and nodded once. He sat down next to Elizabeth's mother, who was busy crying her eyes out.

Jaerel suddenly felt a burst of confidence, as soon as he took hands with Elizabeth, He just somehow knew, it'd be ok. He looked towards the preist. Who nodded slightly, opening a book... "Do you, Lamp Shade Elizabeth, take this man, to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Elizabeth gulped slightly, Looking at Jaerel. Her face starting to show a bit of a blush. "I do." The preist nodded. "And do you, Jaerel, Take this woman, to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Jaerel felt like he was going to pass out. He suddenly heard the words "I do.". And wondered who said them, then realized that since the preist was nodding and continuing, he must have.

Jaerel's parents were hugging each other...Watching their little boy grow up before their eyes.

Elizabeth's parents were doing much the same, Her mother was begining to imagine what it'd be like to be a grandmother...

"If there is anyone, who opposes this marriage, between these two...Let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."

Silence.

"Then, I pronounce you, Man and Wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jaerel nearly fell over as he went to her, pulling the cloth off her face, and kissed her deeply...She giggled as he did so...

Their chariot awaited them, right outside. Dolphins harnessed to it and squeeking happily as they swam into it...They waved at their families and friends, as Jaerel shook the reigns gently, sending the dolphins swimming off.....He leaned over, kissing her once more, a banner floating gracefully behind them, proudly exclaiming: "Just Married."

The End