Love is Not Dead: Chapter Eight

Beetlejuice: Love is Not Dead

Chapter Eight

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Beetlejuice felt violated. He had just suffered a fate worse than death and was still feeling the after affects. He shuddered at the memory of his plight and wished more than anything that he could have done something different. For the experience had been too horrible for words.

"Aww Jr! You look so nice when you've had a bath!" Bea said, as she pinched his cheek lovingly.

Beetlejuice glared daggers at her and she smiled back at him sweetly. "I know where Donny gets his smile," He thought with disgust. "Why did I get saddled with a clean family? WHY!?"

Mrs. Juice pushed him towards the vanity at the other side of the room and bade him look into the large mirror. Beetlejuice shut his eyes and refused to look at his reflection, when Donny joined them.

Donny looked at his brother for a moment before he exclaimed, "Why look at you Beetlejuice! You look like a new ghost!"

"I feel like a 'defiled' ghost." BJ muttered to himself fighting the urge to throw a temper tantrum and cry.

"Ma, Ginger says she needs help getting Miss Lydia ready. And I thought since you finished helping Beetlejuice bathe. . . Well I wondered if I might help him finish getting ready?"

"Of course you can dear." Bea said happily, and she bustled out of the room heading to help Lydia's room.

As Bea left, Beetlejuice finally gave in and looked up dejectedly at his reflection and was surprised by what he saw.

The Ghost in front of him looked liked a non-grimy version of his regular self. And without the bad smell and constant mold, he was quite appealing to the senses.

His hair was soft and with the thorough washing it had just endured, it seemed much longer than before. The locks fell into fine waves and when the sun hit it, it shimmered. His hair was a beautiful golden color, other than the dirty blonde it had been. The Ghost's whole body looked clean and if someone hadn't known better, he might've passed for a living man, instead of a ghost that had been dead for several hundred years.

"I haven't seen myself like this in years." Beetlejuice said shaking his head in awe as he  remembered.

"You were always the handsome one, Beetlejuice." Donny agreed. "And you could charm anyone into doing anything you wanted."

"I enjoy being dirty." Beetlejuice grumbled.

"I know . . . But Lydia deserves a clean husband; even if it's only for today."

"Lyds would never put me through this." Beetlejuice said gesturing to himself to prove his point.

"But you want her wedding day to be memorable, don't you brother?" Donny asked.

"Yeah."

"Then just grin and bear it. That's what I do when I'm not enjoying something."

"A lot of good it does you." Beetlejuice cracked. "This is awful!"

Donny ignored him and walked over to him. Without a word he grabbed Beetlejuice's hair and began brushing it. Beetlejuice screeched as the bristles combed through his thick mass of hair.

"WHHHHHAAAAA!!!!!"

Donny frowned as his brother screamed. "I have to comb out the snarls, before I pull your hair into a ponytail or it'll be uneven. . .  Please don't squirm Beetlejuice. It's already hard enough without you fighting me."

Beetlejuice scrunched his eyes closed and fought back the urge to 'juice' his brother right there and then.

"Lyds owes me one," He thought as Donny yanked the brush again and again through his wavy strands. Stupid Donny!

"OWWWWWWWWW!"

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Lydia on the other hand was having the time of her life. Bea and Ginger had finished applying her makeup and were now helping her into her dress.

"You look beautiful Lydia honey." Ginger said, as she helped her adjust the shawl.

"Really?" Lydia asked shyly, looking down at the dress in awe.

"You are stunning my dear." Bea agreed.

Lydia turned around in a circle and felt the dress swish with her movement. She smiled at how perfect it felt against her skin. "Just like Beetlejuice. . ." She blushed at the thought, remembering how he had touched her earlier.

"I can't believe it." Lydia whispered aloud.

"What dear?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

"It didn't sound like nothing." Ginger said, smiling kindly at her. "What's up?"

"It's nothing." Lydia said quickly trying to escape the question.

"Jr. kissed her this morning." Bea said smiling knowingly.

Lydia blushed, not knowing she should say; because it was true. Ginger looked horrified for a moment, before she changed her expression to indifference.

"How was it?" She asked cautiously.

"Perfect." Lydia said, before she had even registered what had just come out of her mouth. "His tongue was so. . . so . . .  unstoppable, sliding in and out of my mouth. . .It was heavenly!"

"Umm . . . Lydia please don't tell us anymore." Ginger begged, looking like she was going to be sick. "I really don't think I can take any more."

"I'm sorry Ginger." Lydia apologized. "I shouldn't have gone into details, but it was so amazing."

"It's alright dear." Bea patted her on the shoulder gently. "You've waited years for that kiss. I'd be worried if you weren't a little excited."

"You knew all these years?"

"I may be dead my dear, but I'm not blind. I could see instantly that you two were crazy for each other. I knew it was only a matter of time before something wonderful came of it."

"Then you saw what most of us didn't." Ginger admitted. "This came as a complete shock to me a Jacques."

"Believe me, it was a surprise for me too." Lydia said with a giggle.

Ginger hugged her, wrapping all eight of her legs around her torso and kissing her forehead tenderly.

"If you love him Lydia, then I will not question it. As long as he makes you happy, I have no complaints."

"I am happy with the way things have turned out." Lydia replied as she hugged the tap dancing spider. "I really do love Beetlejuice."

"Then I will never question your motives again Lydia honey. . . I wish you and Beetlejuice the world."

"Thank you both." Lydia said in a whisper.

Bea came over and joined them, making it a group hug. "Whatever happens we're here for you Lydia dear. Never forget that."

"I won't forget, Bea." Lydia promised her.

"After today, I'll never be alone again. And I won't ever have to leave Beej again." The thought made her smile. Her life couldn't have ended on a better note. Nothing would have made her happier.

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"Beetlejuice," Bea said peeking her head into the small dressing room. "Are you ready son?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." He answered back sharply.

Bea smiled at her eldest son, pure joy clouding her face.

Beetlejuice was wearing a black and red striped tuxedo that matched the pattern of Lydia's dress. Not to mention his golden blonde hair was pulled back into a long ponytail that hung down to his shoulders. The Ghost would have looked picture perfect, had it not been for the scowl that seemed permanently etched on his mouth and the deadly gaze coming from his yellowish-green eyes.

"Come on dear." She said opening the door wider, so he could leave with her.

The Ghost with the Most entered the hallway and nearly died all over again. If his heart had still been beating it would have stopped. For standing at the other end of the hall, was Lydia Deetz; waiting for him. The biggest smile he had ever seen rising on her full lips.

"Beej!"

"Babes," He said crossing the hall to join her. "You look. . . Beautiful Babes!"

Lydia blushed a light pink and thanked him. "You don't look so bad yourself BJ." At her words Beetlejuice felt his heart melt and he felt courage surge through him. Now was the time to ask her the big question. He cleared his throat and began, "Umm. . . . Lyds. Before we head down stairs I need to ask you something."

"Is it that life changing question you wanted to ask me before?"

"Yeah."

"What is it Beej?" She asked looking him straight in the eyes, without blinking.

He carefully got down on one knee and looked up at her. He had practiced a speech to say, but now that he needed it, it left him. So he ended up saying the first words to come to mind.

"Lyds will you marry me babes?"

Lydia took his face in her hands and kissed him passionately. Tears of happiness running down her face, as she did. And as she pulled away she began to laugh.

"Yes Beetlejuice! Yes, yes, yes!!!"

He smiled at her and stood up to hug her. "I love you Babes."

"I love you too Beetlejuice."

"Please don't say the B-word again Lyds. You've already said it twice and I don't want to go anywhere."

Lydia laughed, "Sorry BJ. I'm just so happy, I forgot."

"I hate zoo enterupt you to, but it iz time." Jacques said, coming up the stairs. He was wearing a dark blue tux and didn't look too happy about it.

"Lay off bone-brain." Beetlejuice said, still smiling at Lydia. "We're busy."

"Mental iz 'etting azxious. He vill 'ave zee guards come and drag you two zee alter, if you don't come now." He warned, them.

"We'll be right down." Lydia said, giving Jacques a reassuring nod. And Jacques headed back into the ceremony, cursing under his breath.

"This is your last chance Babes." Beetlejuice said, stroking her cheek, lovingly. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I've never been more absolute about anything in my life."

Beetlejuice smiled, and extended his arm to her. And she took it. The two walked down the stairs, and into the ceremony.

They walked down the long aisle that led to the front, towards Mental, who stood at the very end. When they stopped just in front of him, Beetlejuice kissed her hand, and whispered, "It's show time!"

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