The Wedding: Rehearsal and Dinner, Chapter One

Author: Pinkcat4569

Spoilers: May refers to Series 4, 5

Rating: PG/Teen Adult language and situations. Innuendos

Description: The team heads to the coast, to a beautiful get-away for Abby and Connor's wedding, but Abby's brother is a no-show, the site coordinator is strange, and a storm blows in. Is this for-shadowing for the wedding?

Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters. For fun only.

Author's Note: Sequel to The Wedding: Lingerie Party, and earlier "The Wedding" stories.

1562, this chapter

Chapter One, The Wedding: Rehearsal and Dinner

Becker helped Jess out of the van, carrying her luggage. Matt and Connor did the same for Emily and Abby, and even Lester carried the bags for Mrs. Lester.

Abby sighed. "I wish Jack would have ridden down with us. He's not the most dependable," she said. "He's hardly visited since we've been...back."

"I know, but he'll come through. You're getting married."

"Am I?" she asked, with a laugh.

Connor smiled, and kissed her. "Everything's gonna be great."

She nodded.

"I hate that brother of hers," mumbled Becker. "If he lets her down..."

Jess giggled. "You are so cute when you're all protective. Don't worry. Abby's brother will definitely be here for the wedding. He just wanted to drive to the coast himself. Nothing to worry about."

"You don't know him," said Becker.

She smiled. "No, but I read the file, and believe me, he's not my favorite person, either. I almost missed out on meeting you because of him."

He smirked. "Good point. Maybe I should worry about Jack's safety."

"Maybe you should," she said smiling. "Come on, relax. This weekend will be fun."

"How long have you worked for the ARC? Things never go to plan, Jess."

"Becker, we're all off duty."

He rolled his eyes. "You just cursed us."

She laughed and kissed him.

They walked up to a large brown and brick building. It looked sort of like a mountain retreat, rustic in places, but intermingled with more modern designs, and hints of gold and maroon.

The grounds were extensive, with tennis courts, saunas, swimming pools, and several hot tubs.

"Nice," said Matt.

"At first I thought you brought us a to hippy nature retreat," said Lester.

"Me too," said Becker, "but than I realized Jess would never rough it."

She snickered. "I refuse." They laughed.

A middle Eastern woman, of about forty walked down the maroon stoned walkway, nestled between trees and floral displays.

"There's the venue's wedding coordinator."

"Venue? I do not understand that word," said Emily.

"Venue just means place. We're having the wedding here, so it's the venue," said Jess.

Becker raised his eyebrow. "Another coordinator? Jess, I'm impressed, handing off the coordination to another."

She grimaced. "I didn't have a choice."

Becker and Abby laughed.

"You promised, Jess, be nice," whispered Abby." Jess wrinkled her nose.

"Hello, I'm Zola, welcome to the Zahare Safari Park. I'm the wedding coordinator here. We are so excited for the Maitland-Temple affair."

"Safari Park?" asked Lester. Lower, so just the ARC staff heard he muttered, "Don't you lot get enough creatures?"

Abby and Connor laughed.

"Abby had her heart set on this place, how could I say no?"

She rewarded him with a kiss.

"That's nice," said Zola, smiling.

"It's not just animals Lester," said Jess.

"Oh, indeed not. The Lodge is a distance away from the animal park. Here we promise you a wonderful, pampered experience. We have lots of fun activities, and millions of ways to relax. You've truly chosen well for your wedding experience."

Jess rolled her eyes and frowned. "Straight from the brochure," she whispered. Becker nudged her, and she quickly adopted her smile again.

"However, the Moon Veranda, where we'll be holding the ceremony, overlooks the animal park, reminding you just how unique this place is."

"I know, that's what sold me," said Abby.

"The day we were here, we saw giraffes," said Jess.

"Ooh! I hope some are out tonight," said Mrs. Lester.

"If they are not," said Zola, "do not worry. Have you informed them of the perks of being a wedding party member or guest?"

Becker raised his eyebrow. "No. What are you girls going to do to us?"

Jess and Abby giggled.

"You're so paranoid!" cried Jess.

"Another reason we picked this place," said Abby, "was because the guests not only get smashing accommodations, but they get a private safari tour through the park."

"You're joking!" cried Mrs. Lester. "That's so exciting, isn't it James?"

Lester shrugged. "I deal with beasts day in and day out."

"You shouldn't have joined the government, then dear, and don't call our elected officials beasts."

"I apologize," he said, smirking at the team, who knew the truth about the beasts he mentioned. "Just how 'smashing' are these rooms?"

Zora chuckled. "You each get your own luxury cabin."

Jess giggled."Rooms. When Jess Parker plans a first rate event, it is beyond first rate. Remember that next time, Lester."

Mrs. Lester giggled, and nudged Lester. "You should learn not to underestimate your staff."

Lester grumbled and glared.

"The hotel staff will help you to your cabins. Settle in, relax, and then we'll bring you back to the Lodge and do a quick run down of the ceremony."

They were driven a short ways behind the lodge, where dozens of cabins were located.

The driver said, "The two front cabins are our dormitory cabins, we call them that because they're more like hotels. The guests stay in rooms. You are in our special private cabins. They are really mini houses. With their own kitchens, living quarters, and technology suites."

The driver continued. "You can still use the lodge, of course, but now you have the option of a very private stay. You can catch your own fish and cook them in the cabin. There are also markets and stores in the next town, about five miles away."

Becker smirked. "So after the shindig tomorrow, we can hole up in the cabin, alone."

Jess smiled. "That's the idea," she said, snuggling up and kissing him.

"Can you save it for your private cabin, please?" asked Lester.

They giggled.

The driver dropped them off at four cabins, all in a row.

"The last cabin is the Honeymoon Condo," said the driver. "It's special. We have welcome gifts inside the cabins for all of you, but something special awaits the happy couple. Congratulations," he said, and drove off.

Abby and Connor walked in to a cabin decorated in a modern but natural style. It was spacious and airy, and decorated in browns, oranges, greens, and yellows. The first room had a comfy lounge area.

"Our home for the next few days," said Connor. "Nice. Ooh, Abs, champagne."

"And chocolates. Poor Jess," said Abby.

They giggled, and sat down for a snack.

Jess and Becker were in a similar cabin. The only difference really was the honeymoon cabin had a private hot tub out back, and a massage bed.

Jess sat her bags in the bedroom. "The bed's nice and large, and so soft," she said.

Becker came in and winked. "That will come in useful." He dropped down beside her, kissed her, and gently pushed her back on the bed.

They kissed, and fondled.

"I could get used to this," she said.

He laughed. "Maybe we should arrange a longer stay."

Jess giggled. "It would be very easy to do that," she said, giggling.

"Ooh, Miss Parker. You're corrupting me," he said, kissing down her neck.

"Who's corrupting who, Captain?"

He giggled. "Right, we're both bad."

He laughed. "Come see our welcome gift."

After a while lounging and kissing in the bedroom, they eventually made their way to the kitchen.

"Oh, our welcome gift," said Jess. She looked over the fruit basket with the bottle of sparkling cider. "Nice, but no chocolate."

He laughed. "Oh, no. Major blunder on the Park's behalf."

"I know. It is. Now if I was the coordinator..."

"Jessica..."

"Right. Sorry. No hogging the strawberries," she said.

He smiled, and lifted one to her mouth. "I'll share."

She giggled, and took a bite.

Matt and Emily, were investigating their welcome gift too.

"I like the concept of many kinds of fruit all together," said Emily. "The wine, however is not up to standards."

Matt laughed. "It's not wine. It's sparkling juice."

Emily, pouring him a glass, said, "I know. I was joking. I am relaxing, and 'un-winding,' is that the correct word?"

"Yea, un-winding," answered Matt. "You're doing it well, too."

"Thank you," said Emily, lounging on the sofa, her feet on the coffee table.

Matt said, "This is nice. I'm really looking forward to the next few days. We can do some fishing, play tennis, and relax in the hot tub. A lot." He smirked.

Emily smiled. "That sounds nice, however, I want to spend sufficient time in bed, with my new lingerie and our...bedroom things."

Matt giggled. "Oh...yeah," he said, clanking his glass to hers. "Definitely."

Lester came out of his bedroom, half-dressed, tired, but very content. "You were a naughty girl, darling. You know I can't resist a teddy."

Mrs. Lester, came out, disheveled, but also very happy, wearing her new robe, and nothing else.

"I do. Yes, I was naughty, and it was worth it."

Lester looked over at her, and smiled. "We should tell my staff how their boss and his Mrs. spent the morning."

"Don't you dare! Besides, I'm sure we weren't the only ones."

"Ew. Sparkling juice, darling?"

"Yes, thank you. I am parched."

They sat on the sofa, smirking.

End of Chapter One