"Guys, guys," Julie chanted as she bounced back onto the patio, holding Nick's hand as she dragged him outside with her "guys, guess what?"
"What's up Jules?" Russell asked.
"Nicky and I are getting married," she chanted.
"Oh honey we know," Barbara said not wanting to squash Julie's happiness at stating the obvious.
"No we're getting married today!" Julie emphasized now.
There was an uproar of shouts of joy mixed with confusion.
"How?" Where?" Who's doing it?" What about cake and flowers?"
"That's where you guys come in," Nick explained "we already have dresses and suits picked out, we have all the flowers we need (he motioned to the flourishing garden the Russell's had) we've already had dinner, the most important people in the world to us are already here, what more do we need?"
"Someone to officiate," Julie added looking around at her friends with hopeful eyes.
"I'll do it," Ecklie said plainly, standing up from his spot at the patio table.
"You will?" Morgan asked incredulously, shocked at her father's sudden interest in affairs of the heart.
"Of course," Ecklie said "I was uh, asked to become ordained for some city council members wedding last year so why not help out?"
Julie smiled but Nick was slightly taken aback but happy at his former boss and one time stick in the mud's change of heart.
"Thank you," Julie beamed at Ecklie who waved his hand as if it was no big deal.
"All right I guess we have everything we need," Nick said "just give everyone a few minutes to change and-
"A few minutes?" Morgan howled "no way, Julie needs more time than that, we have to get her dress and makeup and hair and-
"O.K how about an hour?" Nick suggested "grab anything you need to get ready and be back here in an hour, if that's o.k.?"
He looked at Russell and Barbara now for confirmation on the use of their home for their impromptu nuptials.
"An hour is perfect!" Barbara said leaping up from her seat now "Jules honey I have a great idea for your hair."
"Wait for me," Morgan cried jumping out of her seat to follow Barbara and Sara as the dragged Julie inside to doll her up for her special day.
Julie barely had a chance to say goodbye to Nick but she managed a wave over her shoulder, grinning at all that was about to happen.
From that moment on it was pure chaos. Nick drove home to retrieve the suits and ties for the guys as well as the rings, a CD with some of their favorite songs picked out for dancing later and a few other miscellaneous items. Julie's dress was secure with Morgan who raced home to retrieve it, carrying it through the house like it was made of gold, holding it up high to avoid it touching the ground or anything else in its path.
"Move," she shrieked when Hodges got in her way on the stairs going up to the Russell's master bedroom where Julie was currently waiting. Barbara was helping to curl her hair, delicately making it wavy one strand at a time when Morgan entered.
"It's here," she called, laying the carefully wrapped garment on the bed.
Julie had opted for a non traditional dress; pale pink with lace and no train. The hem fell to her knees which she loved but was pleated and flowed smoothly when she moved. The fabric was silky and cool against her skin so she could move around comfortably. It was perfect in every sense of the word.
After ducking into the bathroom and slipping into the dress, she twirled in front of the floor length mirror attached to the closet, admiring the dress and her hair that bounced when she moved.
"Here sweetie," Barbara ushered her back to the vanity where she delicately placed a silvery headband and some clips here and there amongst her curls.
The way Barbara was tending to her made Julie feel a mothering presence she hadn't had in years since losing her parent's then finding out she had been adopted only a short time ago. It was an odd mixture of sadness with a longing to be taken care of or at least have some older adult figure in her life helping her in times like this.
When Barbara was finished, she turned the chair back facing the vanity mirror and smiled.
"There," she concluded "how's that?"
Julie hoped the mascara Morgan put on her was waterproof because tears welled up in her eyes when she saw her reflection; she never thought to take this much time with makeup or her hair and yet she found her own face unrecognizable, so happy in the moment, grateful for the support of her friends around her unlike the times she was alone as a child, or in Seattle. Her first two weddings had nothing on this third one.
"It's perfect," Julie sighed glancing up at Barbara tearfully "thank you so much."
"Anything for you Julie bean," she said using her nickname she saved for sentimental moments like these.
"Aunt Julie you look so pretty," Katie gushed from her seat on the bed where her mother, Russell's daughter Maya was adjusting her camera to take photos of the ceremony and everything that was about to happen.
"Oh thank you sweetheart," Julie praised her "listen, could you do me a big favor and go get your grandpa? I want to ask him something."
"Okay," Katie said, hopping off the bed and racing down stairs.
"We'll see you in the garden," Barbara said as she, Morgan, Sara and Maya left the room, Morgan doubling back to tie a pink lacey fabric bracelet on Julie's wrist to accessorize and match her dress.
When Katie bounced eagerly up to Russell in the kitchen, he half expected her to just want to play a game but her request to go upstairs and see Julie startled him slightly. He took her seriously and ambled up to the master suite, knocking gently on the door first.
"Hey Jules," Russell said entering the room dressed in a suit and tie "Katie said you wanted to talk to-
He paused in mid sentence, as she rose from the chair by the vanity, smoothing out the hem of her dress nervously. He was struck by her beauty in the moment. The dress she had chosen was a soft pale pink color. It had a lacey flower design top and pleated bottom hem that fell to her knees, a staple length she wore often. Her hair was wavy like he had seen so many times before but Barbara had placed little silver clips here and there amongst her curls, holding in place the wiry flower headband tucked under strands of her hair, the silver clasps and white jeweled flowers sparkled in the sunlight.
"Wow," he breathed "you look-
But words failed him again. She smiled and said "Thanks D.B" Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything," he replied.
"Will you give me away?" she asked, swaying on her toes, piercing him with a reproachful gaze.
"Jules," he said taken aback by her traditional request "I- I don't know what to say, are you sure?"
"We've known each other for years," she explained "my father died years ago, I don't have anyone else and-
She paused now, searching for the words to tell him how much his friendship and support meant to her over the last fifteen years.
"Yes," he agreed "of course I will, I-
He stopped talking yet again; picturing her lying in that hospital bed, barely alive, covered in bruises from the attack, and his heart ached. But here she was, standing in front of him with that silly grin and those bright eyes. She was so full of life and love to give.
"I'd be honored," he concluded and she beamed, tears filling her eyes.
"Thanks," she said relieved that he had agreed.
"No Jules," he said extending his arm out for her to link with "thank you"