Holly had been expecting it. She had always known that Trouble would propose to her. But it was a totally different experience than she had expected. He had dropped down on one knee. She had been expecting that. But what she hadn’t been expecting was the ring. It was absolutely huge. A diamond surrounded buy smaller diamonds. It was elevated slightly from the small stones, and glistened radiantly. Holly had said yes. Trouble had breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s good.” he had said. “The ring was my grandmother’s. She gave it to me.”
So now, seven months later, she and Trouble were just starting to plan the wedding. They had been saving up their money from Section 8. They had a budget of $25,000. Holly was thinking of people to invite. She realized she really didn’t have any friends or family she still stayed in contact with.
“Trouble, I don’t have someone to walk me down the aisle.” Holly said. Her dad had died when she was 80.
“Oh. Do you have any grandpas?” Holly shook her head. Trouble had an idea.
“My dad could walk you down.” Holly nodded.
“Sure. You can ask him tonight. Who do you think we need to invite?” Holly asked. Trouble thought for less than a second.
“Mom, Dad, Grub, Foaly, Chix, and possibly Lily. She’s your friend, right?” Holly nodded. She and Lily had gotten their nails and hair done together a couple times.
“Then there is the rest of my family.” Trouble began listing off names. Holly wrote them down.
“Mulch.” Holly said.
“Oh! What about Artemis! He’s your friend. And Butler and Juliet.” Holly did nothing. She was not inviting Artemis Fowl to her wedding.
“No. I’m not inviting Artemis Fowl to my wedding.”
“Why not? He’s your friend!” Trouble said.
“He’s a Mud Man, and an aquitance, not a friend. There’s no way that we can get him down here for the wedding without causing general mayhem. He’s not coming. Period.”
“Alright. Is that it then? That’s a small list. Only ninety-seven.” Holly nodded.
“That’s a good thing. The wedding planner said $100 for every person. That’s only $9,700 for all the guests. Lily and I are going shopping for my dress tomorrow. That’ll be about $1000. So we’re at $10,700. That’s not counting the church. And the resteraunt for the reception. I was talking to Foaly, and he said that the Gillion Church is free, so that will be nothing. We can have the reception at Haven’s Fine Dinning. That’ll be another $7,000. So our total is…” Holly ran some calculations. “About $17,700. But we need the ring. We should pick that out tomorrow.” Trouble nodded.
“We could go to Goodman’s. I hear they have great quality in diamonds and silver.”
“Are you sure you want a silver setting? We could do gold.” Trouble said.
“Why do you want me to do gold?” Holly asked.
“Silver and gold are tacky. Wait here.” Trouble jumped off the couch. He came back with a wrapped box.
“This is an early wedding present.” Trouble said, sitting down again.
“Oh, thanks.” Holly ripped open the gift. Inside was a jewelry box. She opened the case.
“Gosh, Trouble. This is amazing!” Inside was a gold necklace. A diamond pendant hung loosely. There were earrings included.
“Oh, it was nothing.” Trouble obviously was lying. It had probably taken a huge amount from his savings account.
“I can’t believe there’s only two months left. I am so excited.” Holly looked at the clock.
“Gee, Trouble. I’ve got to go home. It’s almost 12:00!” Holly exclaimed.
She walked out of Trouble’s house, and down the street to her own.
Artemis Fowl was very bored. Not only because the power was out, so he didn’t have any computers and his laptop wasn’t charged, but because Holly hadn’t called him in ages. Artemis was in his almost dark room. Fowl Manor had storm lights, but the light bulbs were burnt out. Something he would have to talk to Butler about. So Artemis was sitting on his bed, with his ring phone positioned before him on the deep red silk comforter. It didn’t ring.
“It never will ring. Not ever again. I did something to offend her.” he said out loud to the phone. It did nothing. Not that he thought it would. And then it did. He jumped when it rang. He grabbed the phone so fast he dropped it on the floor. He grabbed it again, and hit the button.
“H-Hello?” he asked, regaining his breath. It’s a sad statement when you loose your breath while trying to get a telephone.
“Hey, Artemis. Sorry I haven’t called for the past seven months. I’ve been really busy.” Holly said.
“Hello Holly. We have a power outage here. And my laptop isn’t charged. What’s been happening?” Artemis asked. He waited through an uncomfortable silence.
“Holly? Are you still there?” Artemis asked.
“Yes, I’m here. But I’ve got to go soon. I’m really busy.” Holly sighed, and tried to tell Artemis.
“Well, congratulations. When is the wedding?” Artemis knew he wasn’t invited. Holly had explained to him that it would be to hard to get him down there. Artemis didn’t care. He had always felt Holly more as a comrade than a friend, but he couldn’t help feeling some sort of attraction to her.
“Next week, on Sunday. I still need to get my dress, and my ring. And Trouble’s ring.”
“Oh, Holly, I’ve got to go.” Artemis hung up.
Trouble came over the next day. He rang Holly’s doorbell. She ran to get it.
“Hey Holls. Time to get the rings.” Trouble led him out to his car.

Some other stories by Minerva Paradizo:

• My Most Random Yet...
• Can't I Get A Watermelon Pie?
• Holly is Having A Seizure, Artemis Realizes He Cannot Handle Stress, and He Has No Cell Phone Reception
• Update!
• Dangerous Waters