One Love to Give
AN: Writers of episode one include: Sharon; AngelsInstead; Melissa; Min; and Lynnlee
Natalie stood at the mirror in the bridal room of the church. No matter how many times she primped, she still wasn't sure she looked the way she had dreamed it. Nora fastened the veil on her niece's head and thought of her own wedding about a year and a half ago. Smiling, she took her hands as Vicky admired her daughter from the other side.
"It could be worse you know? Your dress could have caught fire, the way mine did." Nora stated.
They laughed in spite of themselves and Nora told Natalie that she looks beautiful. Vicky walked over to Natalie and stood beside her daughter as she tried to calm her rattled nerves.
"Why don't you tell me what is bothering you because I've got a feeling it's more then just pre wedding jitters," Vicky stated.
"It's hard to explain. It's just a feeling I have."
"What sort of feeling?" Vicky asked.
"On that note, I think I am going to leave you two alone. I think you could use some mother, daughter time." She kissed Natalie's cheek and gave Vicky a hug, as Vicky mouthed the words 'Thank You.' Nora smiled as she shut the door and she turned to her daughter once more.
"You want to tell me what is bothering you or do I have to guess?" Vicky asked.
"I'm not sure if I can go through with this wedding. Isn't it wrong to marry someone if you're not 100 percent certain?"
"Why don't you tell me what you are having doubts about? Is it John?"
"I think in some ways it is."
"Because you still love him?"
"I don't know mom. I just want to make sure I'm not marrying Brody for the wrong reasons."
"Then maybe you should postpone the wedding."
"I… You know what? This is stupid. I'm just being silly."
"It's not silly if it's how you feel."
"No. No, you know what? I'm sure it's just pre wedding jitters. I'll be fine when I walk down the aisle and see Brody standing there."
"Are you sure?" Vicky asked.
"I'm positive. I AM marrying Brody today."
Before Vicky had a chance to question her further, there was a knock on the door. Jessica was standing on the other side wanting to speak with her sister.
"I think you two have a lot to talk about so I'll leave you alone. No bloodshed please."
They managed a shaky half smile as Vicky left and Natalie turned to her sister.
"So how much trouble are we still in?" Natalie asked.
Bo had just arrived at the church. He hadn't come with Nora because they were both part of the wedding party and needed to be in two places at once. He was hoping for a glimpse of his sexy wife when he had the misfortune of running into his brother instead. Clint was his usual hateful self—bribing and threatening the pour souls who had dedicated their time to make sure the wedding went off without a hitch. It wasn't like he had suddenly forgotten what the man had done to his wife and his sons but he figured it was in the best interest of the family if he at least tried to be civil. He forced a smile and walked over to his brother. "You are planning on behaving aren't you?" Bo asked.
"Now where's the fun in that? You should remember that from when you were seducing my wife."
He wanted to punch him so bad. Was the man ever going to shut up about Nora? It wasn't as if he was so damn innocent. He forced himself to hold his tongue and like a Godsend, she was there—those long, sexy legs speaking to him from where she stood. She wrapped her arm around his waist as if to stake her claim on him and gave Clint one of those—'you better shut the hell up now or there's going to be bloodshed' looks. Clint knew he was playing with fire when she suddenly became chipper. It was always trouble when she was chipper.
"Isn't it a glorious day today?" Nora asked.
Clint just threw up his hands and walked away as Bo called after him- "Behave Clint."
"What about me commissioner? Do I have to behave?" Nora asked.
"I don't think that dress is behaving at all. It should be illegal to upstage the bride."
"Why commissioner—are you flirting with the bridesmaid?"
"No, I'm flirting with my wife—and I'm afraid I'm going to have to arrest you for being too beautiful."
"Too beautiful huh? Define that for me please?"
"Sexy to the point of total distraction. How am I going to get through the wedding with you looking like that? You steal my breath Red. You make me want to drag you into some confessional and have my way with you."
"Do I now? We can do better then a confessional. If you only knew the things I want to do to you right now… Did you bring your handcuffs? You're going to have to arrest me for a lot more soon—so by all means-arrest me. Don't even read me my rights."
"Oh I'll read you your rights all right—you have the right to come with me right now—because I swear, if I don't get you out of this church in the next few seconds, we're going to get naked right here…"
"Oh God, you are sexy when you talk dirty…"
"I want to do more then talk dirty to you-"
"Then let's get the hell out of here and you can show me just how dirty you want to get…"
She put her hands out but he kissed her knuckles as he started dragging her out.
"We don't have time for handcuffs. I want to play with my wife and we're pressed for time."
"Press me baby, press me." Nora stated.
He laughed as he took her hand and they ran out the door. A few seconds later they were climbing in his truck and a few seconds after that, they were driving down a deserted street and parking.
They were vaguely aware of their surroundings but suddenly their mouths were seeking contact as they demanded possession. She was in his lap, never parting from his willing lips, as they urgently tore the clothes from their bodies as if their lives depended on it. Never in their lives had they ever experienced such unbridled need for a person as right at this moment. Passion exploded as he buried himself inside her warm wetness and they clung to each other in the bed of his truck. A moment later, he could feel her quiver beneath him as he continued to drive in and out of her… his name escaping her lips as she begged him for more.
They were only aware of the hour when they finally realized that both of their cell phones were going off—when they were still buried deep inside each other. He had tried to reach for his shirt but she pulled him back for one more kiss…which then led to her name on his lips as she pulled him back inside her.
Breathe. He had to remind himself to breathe…Had to force himself to part from her luscious lips…because when he kissed her, he never wanted to stop.
"Can you slow it down up there, little brother?" Kevin managed, as he fought to remove his leg from behind the seat.
Kelly, Joey, and Zane all looked back in the direction of the pitiful request to see Kevin still trying to extract himself from the backseat of the rental car.
"You just wait," he said, his voice deadpan as he watched a smile creeping on Joey's face, "You'll be old one day too."
"Oh come on, Kev," Joey said, walking back and nudging him playfully in the side. "Are you gonna let a little itty bitty flight like that wear you out?"
Kelly covered her mouth as she tried to stifle the giggles.
Kevin shot her a look. "Yeah, you're all perky too, aren't you? You aren't the one who was crammed into the inside aisle like an accordion. All because *somebody*," he paused then, glaring over at Zane, "needed a charging station."
"But Dad," Zane began.
"We know," they all said in unison, "Your iPod was dying."
"Please…Please don't say it again," Kevin sighed. "We've all survived the flight..even the iPod. Let's just hope everyone survives this wedding."
Joey nodded, allowing his arm to drape around Kelly's waist.
"You're not kidding," he grinned, only half joking as he looked back at his brother.
"Hi Dad," Joey called, rushing over to see his father who had wheeled himself into a corner. "What are you doing over here all by yourself?"
"I'm just supervising," Clint responded, leaning back slightly to survey the group behind his son. "Kevin," he breathed. "Son, it's so good to see you."
"You too Dad." He leaned in for a hug.
"You look great, Clint," Kelly said softly, kissing him gently on the cheek.
"And you're as beautiful as ever," he said, stopping short when he saw the young man standing beside her. "Is that?"
Kelly eased Zane in front of her, reaching up to jerk the ear buds from his ears. "He's probably changed quite a bit since you've seen him last," she smiled.
"I should say," he chuckled. "You've grown into a handsome young man," he said as he extended his arms.
Zane reached forward to awkwardly receive the hug. "Thanks," he mumbled.
Kelly and Kevin shook their heads. "Teenagers," they whispered.
Pulling away from the hug, a stray ear bud swatted Clint's cheek. "What's this thing?" he smiled.
"Sorry, Grandpa," Zane said. "It's the ear bud for my iPod."
Within seconds, the two were completely engrossed in a discussion about the new technology in music. Kelly smiled at Kevin, who took the opportunity to stretch out on a pew.
Joey turned towards Kelly and smiled. "This might be a first moment alone since we left London," he whispered softly.
"I think you might be right," she smiled.
-
"Joey, sweetheart? Is that you?" Vicky's cheerful voice echoed throughout the church as she made quick work of the distance between the two of them. "Oh, Joey, it's so wonderful to see you."
Kelly smiled as she received a hug as well. "You look wonderful, Vicky."
"So do you, sweetheart," Vicky chirped. "I thought Kevin and Zane were coming with you?" she asked, her cheerfulness barely hiding her disappointment.
"Oh, they did," Joey answered quickly. "Zane is over there with Dad, giving him a lesson in IPod operation and Kevin is…" He gestured over to the pew where Kevin now lay fast asleep.
"It was a rough flight," Kelly smiled.
"I see," Vicky responded.
"So, where is my beautiful sister?" Joey glanced around the church for Natalie.
Vicky looked over at Kelly hesitating slightly. "She's uh…she's in the bridal room…putting on some finishing touches."
"Doesn't the mother of the bride usually help with that sort of thing, Mom?" Joey asked as he smiled at her.
"Typically, yes, honey, but in this case, I thought she and your sister needed some time alone."
"Jessica's in there?" Kelly responded surprised. "They're in there together…alone?"
Joey's eyes widened.
"Oh sweetheart, I'm sure it will be fine," Vicky whispered, glancing back in the direction of the bridal suite.
The sound of a glass breaking startled everyone.
"Sorry," a young girl said, as she quickly went to work sweeping up the broken glass under the watchful and disapproving glance of the caterer.
"See," Vicky replied, "It was just a glass."
Things had been awkward and strained ever since Jessica found out that Natalie slept with Brody and even though Jessica said she would be part of the wedding, Natalie didn't believe her. "I'm so glad you're here," Natalie said.
Jessica held tightly onto her purse. She had shoved the Paternity test into it earlier and now she debated whether or not she should take it out and show it to her sister. Jessica had been trying to decide what to do with the Paternity Test that fell into her lap for three weeks now. The Tess part of her wanted to use that test and destroy Natalie's happiness the same way that she destroyed hers, but the Jessica side of her knew that her mom was right. Natalie was always going to be her twin sister. They would always be a part of each other's lives and Jessica had been trying to decide if she could bury the hatchet or continue the war that had been waging.
Jessica sat down on the couch and had decided to ask the one question that she had avoided asking since she found out that Natalie slept with Brody. "Natalie, can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything," Natalie stated as she cautiously sat down on the couch next to her sister.
"Do you honestly love Brody or are you just with him because John found out he wasn't Liam's father and left you?"
"Jessica, it's my wedding day, I honestly don't want to get into another fight with you about this," Natalie stated.
"I don't want to fight with you either. I just need to make sure that you're happy with Brody. If you found out that John was really Liam's father would you leave Brody to be with John?" Jessica asked.
"There's no point in discussing this, because Brody is Liam's father, but even if he wasn't, my ship with John has sailed. I love Brody and I'm happy Jessica."
"That's all I needed to know. It hasn't been easy for me to see you and Brody together, but if you're honestly happy with him then I will try to accept your relationship with him."
"Do you mean it, Jessica?" Natalie asked.
"I don't like fighting with you. You're my sister, and I love you more than I hate you so I'm going to try my hardest to let it go," Jessica stated. She had finally come to a decision; she would keep Liam's paternity to herself so that Natalie could keep her family in tact.
"I love you too Jessica, thanks for coming here today. My wedding wouldn't be the same without you," Natalie stated as she hugged Jessica.
"I'm glad I came. I've got to go, I want to make sure that Ford found a seat before the reception gets started," Jessica stated as she left.
Natalie sat in her room thinking about what Jessica had said. She pulled out the picture of John that she always carried in her wallet. John was the love of her life and there would always be a part of her that always loved him but she also loved Brody. Natalie knew what it was like not to grow up with a stable family and she promised herself that she would give her child the stability and love that was lacking in her childhood. As much as she loved John she couldn't get over the fact that he had just walked out on Liam the second he found out that he was no longer his son without a second thought. Brody was a great dad and would give her and Liam what they needed most- love and security. She threw John's picture in the trash, she had to let him go and give Liam the family he deserved.
"Hey there sexy," Jessica stated as she spotted Ford in a suit and tie walking towards him. Ford cleaned up good and he looked much better then the hotdog suit that Jessica had last seen him in.
"Hey there baby," Ford said as he grabbed her and pulled her into a scorching kiss.
"Where are Nate and James?" Jessica asked.
"Nate, Dani, James and Starr are going to be here soon. Come sit with us until you have to do your bridesmaid thing."
"Okay," Jessica said as she grabbed his hand and headed to the chapel.
Todd walked into the church wearing his finest clothes. He wasn't much for weddings or get-togethers such as this, but he kept telling himself he was doing this for Vicky. He certainly wasn't here today on behalf of the bride whom he could barely stand. If he hadn't shown, there would be no love lost between himself and Natalie. He had no sooner walked into the church when he was approached by Vicky. "Hey, Sis," he spoke, giving her a little smile.
"Todd, I'm so glad you came," Vicky said to him with a smile.
"Ohhh yeah, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I just love weddings and funerals," Todd quipped.
"It reminds me of all of my own ill-fated marriages," Todd added as he saw both of his exes coming through the door.
"Ohhh, there are my blushing ex-wives right now," he went on to say as Tea and Blair approached. "Hello, Tea and Blair."
"Hello, Todd," said Blair as they met up in the aisle.
"Glad to see you both," Vicky said to Tea and Blair as she gave each of them a hug. "Sorry to run, but I must be getting back to Natalie now."
After his sister was out of ear-shot, Todd remarked snidely, "Give my sympathies to her husband-to-be."
-
"You're the last person I wanted to see today," Tea said coldly to Todd.
"This IS my niece's wedding," Todd responded.
"You shouldn't show your face anywhere. You murdered my husband," Tea snapped.
"As much as I hated my loathsome twin, I did not murder Victor," Todd said with a heavy sigh.
"Do not speak ill of the dead," Tea hissed.
"Will you two just stop it?" Blair spoke up. "This is not the time or the place."
"She started it," said Todd defensively.
Tea glared at Todd as Blair did her best to pull Tea away to avoid a huge scene.
As Blair was escorting Tea away toward a pew, she saw John walking into the church out of the corner of her eye. Suddenly their gazes caught and held. She did not fail to notice that he had that sexy, little smirk upon his face. But their moment ended when Todd approached John, asking if John had located Victor's real killer yet. "Nope, I'm still working on it," said John as he tore his gaze away from Blair.
Todd wasn't impressed with John's answer. "If your lame police officers would just spend half as much time finding the REAL killer as they've spent arresting me, I think this murder mystery would have been solved already."
"Will you shut up, Manning?" John grumbled.
Todd just gave John a little grin. "No hard feelings," responded Todd as he walked away to find himself a seat.
With Blair's urging, Tea too had taken a seat. As Blair held her hand, Tea gradually began to calm. "It's gonna be alright," Tea promised Blair.
Starr Manning stepped out of James Ford's car, they were going to Natalie and Brody's wedding together. After she stepped out of his car she fixed her dress so that it fell right, in her hand was a matching clutch.
James Ford scrambled out of the car and went around the side to meet Starr," Have I told you today how extremely sexy you are looking?" he asked.
Starr smiled at him," I don't know," she said," Have you?"
He put his arm around her, "You are the sexiest woman here today," he said as they walked through the parking lot together.
"Thank you," she said as she walked along side of him her heels clicking on the pavement as they headed towards the front doors of the church, guests were already starting to file in.
Once inside of the church, Starr and James found themselves some seats in the empty pews, and sat down beside each other. James reached over taking Starr's hand into his as he looked her in the eyes. "I was thinking that after the wedding we could do something together," he said.
Starr looked at him," I promised Hope that I'd watch a Disney movie with her," she said, "But you are more than welcome to join us! I think she'd love it!"
Disney Movie? That was the last thing that he wanted to do he wanted to get Starr alone. "Oh Disney," James said, "Yeah Sure."
Todd who had been walking through the aisle looking for a seat had spotted James and Starr seated together. He walked over to them and Starr looked up seeing her Dad and smiled brightly.
"Dad hey," she said as she stood up.
Todd smiled, "hey Shorty," he said and gave her a hug, "You didn't bring Peanut?"
"Not to this one," Starr said, "she's with a babysitter." She hugged him around the waist. She was so glad to see him. "You can come over after the wedding; Hope wants to watch a Disney movie. James will be there too."
It was then that Todd noticed James was sitting next to Starr, "Oh You brought IT!" he said as he glared at James.
Starr was seating herself back down, "Dad please be nice," she said, "he's my date today."
Todd sat himself directly in-between James and Starr, pushing James over just a bit as if to put room between his daughter and the Ford kid. "I'd love to come over for some Disney with Peanut and You," he told Starr.
John saw Brody and little Liam out in the hallway. Liam was fussing a little bit and Brody had stepped out of the Chapel to sooth him. John stared at cute little Liam who was all decked out in a little tux and his heart tore inside of him. John had tried to cut Liam out of his life, but he had found that he couldn't cut him out of his heart. There was just something about that little boy that had always gotten through John's touch exterior and every time he saw him he couldn't help but think about what his life could have been like if he was still his son.
John walked up to Brody and held out his hand, "I just wanted to wish you and Natalie all the best in the world."
"Thanks," Brody mumbled as he took John's hand and shook it. Brody hated lying to John and Natalie day in and day out, but he couldn't lose Liam and Natalie now. He loved Natalie and he would never abandon Liam and her the way that John had. He told himself that he was protecting his family from John. He didn't know how to love anybody so it was in Liam and Natalie's best interest if he never found out that he was Liam's father.
"I got to get back inside, the wedding should be getting started any time now," Brody stated as he walked back into the chapel.
She was kissing him passionately as they stepped out of the truck.
"I love you," Nora stated.
"I love you back."
She was now straightening her dress as Bo admired her. Destiny walked in at that moment and smiled at their obvious rumpled clothing.
"You might want to fix that shirt. It's buttoned wrong," Destiny stated.
"What can I say? I got a little carried away," Bo said with a grin on his face.
"More like distracted by the looks of things," Destiny replied.
Nora laughed as she helped Bo with his shirt and straightened his tie.
"You look smashing," Nora said to Bo.
"And you look beautiful," Bo replied.
"If you two don't knock it off, you're going to upstage the bride and groom," Destiny said.
"There will never come a day when I don't love flirting with my wife."
"And I love it when you flirt with me…I also love to flirt back."
She kissed him one more time and fixed her lipstick.
"You two make it look like your first date… I am so afraid I'll never get that feeling again with Matthew."
"You will. Matthew has come this far. He'll come back to us. You ready for this baby? Not too much longer now," Nora stated.
"I know. A part of me is excited… a part of me is scared to death," Destiny responded.
"That's normal."
"Yes, very normal. But I think if we don't get in there right now they are going to send out a search party."
"Especially since we're part of the wedding party," Bo joked.
She laughed as they all walked inside and went to their separate corners.
Rex walked into the church holding Shane's hand. He went straight to the Bridal room so that he could see how Natalie was holding up.
"Who is it?" Natalie nervously called out.
"It's okay Natty; it's just me, Rex. Can I see the Bride or is that bad luck too?" Rex teased.
"I'm so glad you're here," Natalie said as she opened the door and let Shane and Rex in. "Have you spoken to Roxy yet? She was supposed to be here an hour ago and I'm starting to get worried. I can't get married without my Matron of Honor."
"I'll call her Natty," Rex said as he pulled his cell phone and began to dial. Once Rex dialed the number they heard the ringing phone from outside the Bridal room.
Rex opened the door to find Roxy stumbling outside of the room.
"Roxy, there you are, I was so worried about you," Natalie said. "Whoa Roxy, how much did you have to drink?" Natalie asked as Rex helped her into the Bridal room and shut the door.
"Roxy, did you have to show up drunk on Natalie's big day? You're the maid of honor and you smell like a mini bar," Rex lectured as he poured her a cup of coffee. He knew that it probably wouldn't make a difference but he had to try something.
"I'm the matron of honor and I had to celebrate my Natalie getting married. I was so happy for you until I found out what a big disaster it will be."
"Disaster? What are you talking about?" Natalie asked.
"Listen, I went to see Delphina on my way here to see if she could help me locate Morris."
"Morris?" Rex asked.
"Yeah, I've been a mess ever since my porcupine Morris disappeared. He was the best friend I've ever had. So I went to see Delphina to see if she could pick up on his scent and while I was there I asked her about your wedding," Roxy stammered on.
"What did she say?" Natalie nervously asked.
"She said that Marty would show up with a bomb, or was it a secret. I don't remember now, but it wasn't good. Not to mention we all know that your heart really lies with Mcpoet, no that's not it, Mcdreamy, that's not it either. I know now, your heart belongs with Johnny boy Mcbain." Roxy said as she slid to the floor."
Come on Roxy, drink this cup of coffee it will help sober you up. Don't worry Natalie; I'll walk Roxy down the aisle if I have too. You're wedding's not going to be ruined by anyone.
"What about Marty?" Roxy asked.
"You're not helping Roxy. Marty's not going to show up and even if she does she'll be arrested on sight. No one's going to ruin your big day Natalie, I promise."
There was a knock on the door. Rex opened the door to see Clint sitting in his wheelchair. "We should get started honey; the guests are starting to get a little restless." Clint stated.
"Okay, now that Roxy is here, I'm ready," Natalie said trying to put all the fears and doubts that Roxy had stirred up to rest.
Everybody had taken their seats. Clint escorted Natalie down the aisle when the wedding March began. She locked eyes on Brody as she walked down the aisle and all her fears subsided and she knew that she could marry him. Brody was her rock, her best friend and the father of her child, but more importantly he was the man that she loved.
"Do you, Brody Lovett, take Natalie Buchanon to be your lawfully wedded wife in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health until death do you part?" Reverend Andrew Carpenter asked.
"I do," Brody stated as he stared into Natalie's eyes. He had never loved anybody the way he loved Natalie and Liam. They were his family, they were his everything.
"Do you Natalie Buchanon take Brody Lovett to be your lawfully wedded husband in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
"I do," Natalie stated.
"Does anybody have any objections before I continue?"
There was silence as Brody and Natalie looked around to see if any of their guests would object to their union.
"Since there are no objections I now-"
"Wait, I object," Marty interrupted as she ran into the chapel shutting the doors behind her.
"Marty what are you doing? Haven't you done enough to wreck my life?" Natalie asked.
"Careful, she's got a bomb…or is it a secret that is like a bomb," Roxy slurred.
"You're right Natalie, I have caused you enough pain and you don't even know the half of it. I need you to know the truth about what I did before you marry Brody. If you still want to marry him afterwards I won't say a thing," Marty pleaded with Natalie.
"Like anybody's going to listen to you, John, arrest this nut job so that we can get married," Brody stated. Marty had the power to take his family and his life away from him and he was terrified that if they didn't stop her, she would tell Natalie everything that she knew.
"Wait, I want to hear what she has to say. What did you do, Marty?" Natalie asked.
"Liam is John's son not Brody's. I switched the paternity tests and made it look like Brody was the father." Marty stated relieved that Natalie and John finally knew the truth about what she had done