Demeter and Munkustrap sat with each other as they watched the kittens and Rum Tum Tugger. Demeter could only smile. Even though Tugger was conceited, he had a big heart. He was funny to watch though. Soon, Mistofelees would take his place with his magic. Then Demeter would really laugh. "What are you thinking about?" Munkustrap asked. She shook her head.
"Nothing really. What about you?"
"The last Jellicle Ball."
"That was a good one," she replied smiling.
"With a few glitches." Her smile slowly faded. He was right. Macavity came and catnapped Old Deuteronomy. Then he tricked the Jellicles into thinking that he was The Jellicle leader. But Demeter knew something was wrong. She jumped on him and they spun around until he revealed himself. He took her and tried to take her away. Munkustrap saved her though. And Alonzo, but Munkustrap was the one that really saved her. He and Macavity had a catfight. They were both wounded. Then Macavity escaped by burning the lights and the junkyard became dark. When Pouncival flipped on a flashlight, Macavity wasn't there. Demeter and Munkustrap found each other. That's when he told her that he loved her. She doesn't know now, though. Now, he's been distant from her. She had to force him to stay with her while the kittens were having fun with Tugger.
"Demeter, there's something that I have to tell you." She looked at him.
"Well, what is it?"
"I want to tell you why I have been behaving the way I have." He took her paws in his. "Demeter, I've been wanting to ask you something ever since the ball."
"Go on." He pulled something out from behind him. It was a box of velvet. "This is the reason why I have been behaving strangely. I'm afraid of what will happen." She took the box in her paws. She slowly opened it. A silver diamond collar shined in the darkness. She gasped at it as she gazed at Munkustrap.
"Demeter, will you marry me?" She was speechless for a moment. As if her future life had flashed before her eyes. She and her beloved together, kittens, everyone rejoicing, it was life she had always wanted. She laughed, throwing her arms around him.
"Of course!" She felt him smile as he stroked her back. He let go of her. He lowered his head and kissed her softly. She sighed in content.
"We need to tell everyone," he said.
"Right, you tell the toms," Demter suggested. "I'll tell the queens."
* * *
"Bombalurina! Where are you?" Demeter walked around the junkyard but couldn't find her best friend.
"Bomba!" she yelled.
"What?" said a voice really close behind her. She hissed in fright as she turned around. She took a deep breath and put her paw on her chest.
"Bombalurina, don't do that to me." She smiled.
"Sorry, now what is it?" Demeter hesitated, but then grinned up at her.
"Munkustrap and I are going to get married!" Bombalurina's eyes widened for a minute. She was also quiet for a few seconds.
"That's wonderful!" she exclaimed as she embraced her. "Oh, this is so fantastic!"
"And I want to ask you something," Demeter added.
"Anything." She took her paws in hers. "Bomba, I want you to be my Queen of Honor. You've helped me through what happened with Macavity and me for years. This is my way of really thanking you for everything that you've done for me." Bomba sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Of course, Demeter, I would be honored." They embraced each other as if they were sisters.
"I've got to tell the kittens now," Demeter said, grinning.
* * *
"Hey Alonzo!" Munkustrap called. Alonzo was busy with Cassandra. "Alonzo, get over here, I want to tell you something!"
"Alright! I'm coming," he gave Cassandra a small kiss, and then walked to Munkustrap. "This better be good." He smiled at his best friend.
"Alonzo, Demeter and I are getting married." Alonzo gasped. He held Munkustrap's shoulders.
"That's great!" he said. He put a paw to his cheek. "Oh, my Munkustrap is all grown up now." Munkustrap slapped the paw off his face.
"Alonzo, you're my best friend. Not Old Deuteronomy!" He laughed.
"One more thing to ask of you, my friend."
"Anything."
"I would like you to be the Best Tom." Alonzo's jaw dropped.
"Why…I would love to!" They rubbed heads.
* * *
Demeter laid on her stomach, purring in content. The kittens were delighted about the news. Victoria was going to be the flower queen, Electra the collar queen, and Jemima and Etcetera were the bridesmaids. All the other queens that Demeter told were ecstatic. Except Cassandra, she was always jealous about her with Munkustrap, even though she was with Alonzo. It must be a Siamese thing. "Hey there," said a sweet voice. Demeter turned and saw her future husband looking down at her.
"Hey you," she said, smiling.
"So what did everyone think of the news?" Demeter kept smiling.
"Oh everyone was happy about it."
"Who's your Maid of Honor?"
"Bombalurina, who's your Best Tom?"
"Alonzo." Demeter sighed heavily.
"What's wrong," Munkustrap said with concern. He stroked her back.
"There's one cat that we haven't told yet."
"Mmmhmm, Old Deuteronomy."
"I want to ask him if he would give me away. I mean, he's always been like a father to me. My own father wouldn't care if we got married. But, I'm afraid Old Deuteronomy say no."
"Now why would he say that?" Munkustrap asked, chuckling. She rolled over to see his face.
"I'm not you, Munkustrap, I'm not that loyal to him. I love him with all my heart, but I can't be like you. I can't protect him against Macavity. I don't even think he cares about me."
"Shhh, don't say that. Of course he does. He cares about all the Jellicles." He held her face in his paws. "I know he'll say yes. And when he does, I'm going to look at you and say 'Told ya so!'" Demeter laughed. She curled up next to him. He wrapped his arms around her stomach.
"Tomorrow I'll ask him," she said.
* * *
Demeter stood in front of the great Deuteronomy. His back was to her and he didn't notice she was there. She cleared her throat.
"Old Deuteronomy?" she squeaked. The big cat turned. He smiled at her.
"Demeter!" he said. He walked up to her and gave her a hug full of love and care. She grinned into his fur. He let go of her, looking down at her. "It's so good to see you," he said.
"Thank you," she replied. "Old Deuteronomy, Munkustrap and I want to tell you something. I told him, though, that I wanted to tell you myself."
"Of course, go on."
"We're going to get married, and I was wondering if you would give me away." Uncomfortable silence filled the room. She knew he was going to say no. She could feel it.
"Demeter," he said in a low voice. "Is this what you want?" She nodded. He made a hearty laugh.
"Then I would be delighted!" He hugged her again. She giggled.
"When's the wedding?" Demeter shook her head.
"I don't know yet. Munkustrap and I need to figure that out. As soon as we know I will tell you."
"Thank you."
* * *
"He said 'yes'?" Munkustrap asked when Demeter finished telling him what happened. She nodded happily.
"Told ya so!" he yelled, pointing an accusing paw at her.
"Shut up," she hissed. He was still laughing at her. So she pounced on him and playfully bit his ear. They wrestled across the junkyard as the other cats were staring at them. Munkustrap tickled her stomach. Demeter laughed until she was coughing. She poked his side.
"Oh, no not there!" he said choking on laughter. She poked him harder and harder. He bit her neck and kept biting it until…..
"What's going on here?!" The two cats stopped whatever they were doing. They both looked up to see Jennyanydots staring down at them.
"What is going on here?" she said, placing her paws on her hips. Munkustrap grinned embarrassingly.
"Hi."
"Don't 'hi' me. Demeter, please explain." Demeter got off of Munkustrap.
"We were just playing, Jennyanydots, we didn't do anything wrong."
"Of course not!" she said sarcastically. "You're just not planning for your wedding. You and I, young queen, have a lot of work to do." She grabbed Demeter's paw. "Come, come. Munkustrap, I suggest you get started too."
"Yes, Jennyanydots."
"Very good."
* * *
Macavity growled at his messenger. "Are you sure?" The messenger nodded.
"She told me herself, sir." He rubbed his chin. This could be a perfect opportunity to get revenge on Munkustrap and Demeter. He looked back at the cat.
"When is the wedding?" The messenger shook her head.
"I don't know, soon. I will inform you when I find out."
"Thank you, my dear."
* * *
The day had arrived. Munkustrap straightened his collar. A paw softly touched his shoulder. He turned around and saw Old Deuteronomy.
"I'm so proud of you, son," he said. "I don't think anyone is as proud of you as I am."
"I kind of wish Grizabella was here to see this," he said sadly.
"She is, Munkustrap, she is." He pointed up to the Heavyside Layer. Munkustrap smiled. Alonzo came up to them. He bowed before Old Deuteronomy.
"Your daughter is waiting for you," he said.
"Thank you, Alonzo." He turned to Munkustrap. "This is it, my son." He held his paw and then walked away.
"Come on," said Alonzo taking him by the shoulder. "It's time."
* * *
The bells rang and the kittens were walking down the aisle. Victoria was throwing small flowers around and Electra was just walking down with a pillow of two collars. Jemima walked down next, followed by Etcetera. Then beautiful Bombalurina walked down. Demeter would be next. Munkustrap cleared his throat. Rum Tum Tugger tapped his shoulder.
"You nervous?" he whispered.
"Not entirely," Munkustrap lied.
"Don't worry, Munk, everything's going to be ok." The music started and the most beautiful queen walked down next to Old Deuteronomy. Demeter's fur was decorated in small jewels and her head was covered in a veil. She smiled when she saw Munkustrap. Old Deuteronomy let go of her and gave her to Munkustrap. He winked at him. Munkustrap winked back. Gus the Old Theatre Cat recited the lines of marriage. Electra gave him the collars. Munkustrap slid Demeter's around her neck. Demeter slid Munkustrap's around his neck. Finally, Gus announced Tom and Wife and that he may kiss the bride. Munkustrap lifted the veil from her face. He took a short look at her before kissing her with all the passion he had for her. All the cats cheered. Suddenly….the doors busted open and rats scattered all over. Victoria screamed as some of them climbed onto her. Following the rat swarm was Macavity. He smiled at all the cats.
"What?" he said. "Nobody is happy to see me? It's been too long, my dear Demeter." He looked at Munkustrap. "Ah my old friend, are you taking Demeter away from me? Surely, you're not, because you know what I can do." He jumped over everyone and clawed Munkustrap. He was unconscious before he hit the ground.
* * *
"Munkustrap! Come on! Wake up!" A paw hit him across the face. He woke up and saw Alonzo looking down at him. Munkustrap quickly stood up but winced in pain. Alonzo held his chest, slowly laying him down.
"Where's Demeter?" he asked. Alonzo lowered his head in shame. Munkustrap grabbed his collar and pulled him closer to his face. "Where…is…my wife?" he growled.
"M-Macavity took her! I'm sorry, Munkustrap. We tried to save her. Someone must have told him about the wedding." Munkustrap let go of his collar and stared into space.
"Help me," Munkustrap said, holding his arm out. Alonzo took his arm, hauling him to his feet. Munkustrap then noticed the rest of the cats. Some were bleeding, some were unconscious, and some might have been even dead. Munkustrap sank to his knees. This couldn't be happening. Not on his wedding day! No. He growled. "Demeter!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.
* * *
Demeter woke up in pain. She felt her back. Nothing seemed to be broken. Her eyes searched around. She knew exactly where she was. Macavity's lair. She struggled to her feet. She took another look around. There was only one door. She didn't even want to see if it was locked. She knew it wasn't. She was going to stay here until he would come to get her. The door opened, but it wasn't Macavity who walked in. Demeter gasped at the cat.
"Cassandra!" she shouted in horror. She smiled at her.
"Hello Demeter, how are you feeling?" Demeter straightened her fur.
"I've been better. How are you?"
"Oh I'm doing fantastic thank you." Demeter slowly shook her head.
"Why Cassie? Why are you doing this? I didn't do anything to you." Cassie stride to her and held her throat.
"You DID do something to me! You took Munkustrap away from me. He was mine! You hear? MINE!" Demeter gagged under her strong paw.
"You-you h-have A-A-Alonzo. Why g-go after Munkus-Munk-Munkustrap?" Cassie gripped her throat more tightly.
"I was going to have him, before you came along! Alonzo just happened to show up. He's temporary."
"Munkustrap….will…never….answer….to you."
"CASSIE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Cassie turned and Demeter saw Macavity. He looked a little different. He actually looked-groomed. Cassie immediately let go of Demeter's throat. She collapsed, coughing and gagging, She heard the door slam. She looked up to see Macavity. She hissed at him before crawling to a corner. Macavity squatted down in front of her.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"Oh please! You've already hurt me! You practically took my whole life away from me! Just leave me alone!" She turned her head to the wall. She felt a paw touch her chin and turn her face. She found herself looking at Macavity. His face seemed to be coming closer and closer. He kissed her quick enough that she didn't have time to react. She just stared at him.
"Please Demeter," he said in a soothing voice. "Stay with me." Demeter spat in his face. He roared and wiped his nose. He gripped her throat and pinned her to the wall.
"I can give you anything you want!" he growled. "ANYTHING!"
"Then I want my life back!" she shouted. He brought her face closer to him.
"This IS your life! Whether you like it or not."
Munkustrap sat on the altar, hiding his face in his paws. Everyone was okay. That was sort of the important thing. But his Demeter was gone. He would probably never see her again. He shook his head. He wasn't going to let that happen. He was going to save her.
"Munkustrap?" Munkustrap lifted his head. Jemima looked down at him with sad eyes.
"I'm so sorry." He nodded slightly. She knelt down in front of him and put her arms around him. She knew that he needed some care right now. He held her tightly, grateful that she cared. He knew that everyone cared, but Jemima was the first one to come up to him. Then one by one, all the other cats came up to him. They hugged him, kissed him, telling him that they were going to do everything in their power to help him find Demeter. Old Deuteronomy came up to him and just held his face in his paws. He helped him up and turned to the other cats.
"We are going to find Demeter!" Old Deuteronomy's voice boomed. "This wedding will go on! There is nothing that is going to stop that!" All the cats agreed.
"So…." Plato started. "What's the plan?"