Remington reached to take Laura's hand in his as they sat at a table in the florist's shop. Laura was flipping through a book of photos but nothing was jumping out at either of them. They both looked up as the attendant walked toward them.

"Mr. Steele," the young woman said, "Miss Holt…"

"Mrs. Steele," Laura corrected, as her husband smiled.

The attendant looked puzzled and Laura explained.

"We eloped," she said. "The wedding is more a formality for our family and friends."

"Oh," the young woman said. "That's really nice. Now, I have some examples for you. Mrs. Holt said you wanted roses…"

"No," Laura said. "No roses. Roses are too… traditional…"

"Lilies, I think," Remington said as both women looked at him. "My wife is partial to lilies."

A bright smile spread across Laura's face.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "Lilies. Cala lilies."

"Miss?" Remington said to the clerk, realizing he'd never gotten her name.

"Carly," she answered. "You can call me Carly."

"Wonderful," he said. "Carly, can you put together some examples for us… a mix of different lilies? White with just a hint of pink for the bride and a mix of pink and white for the bridesmaids."

"Certainly, Mr. Steele," Carly answered, handing them another book. "Why don't you look at these while I work on putting something together?"

"Thank you, Carly," Laura said, taking the book. She turned to Remington as Carly disappeared into the workroom in the back of the store. "You are just full of surprises," she said.

"What?" he said with a grin.

"Lilies," she said, shaking her head. "That's perfect. You're perfect." She leaned in for a kiss. "What a wonderful idea. I had no idea you'd be so into wedding planning."

"Laura," he told her, "I want this wedding to be perfect for you… for us. It's an outward statement of everything we mean to each other. Nothing less than perfection will do," he said with a smile and leaned over to kiss her again. "Of course I want to be involved. I just want to be involved when your mother and Frances aren't."

"Good idea," she said with a smile. "Wish I had that luxury."

He put his arm around her and pulled her to him.

"I thought they were getting better."

"They are," Laura admitted. "It's at least now resembling a wedding and not Quo Vadis."

"Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr et al, MGM 1951. Very good, Laura."

"Oh my god," she said with a grin. "Now I'M doing it."

"Just goes to show how right we are together, Mrs. Steele."

"More like the fact that that I know when I'm licked," she answered.

"How's that?" he asked as he kissed her cheek.

"You know that old saying, If you can't beat em, join em'?" He nodded and she went on. "Well, I learned a long time ago it was the only way to survive with you," she said with a wink and a smile. "But now I'm doing it unintentionally, too!"

They laughed as he held her close. They continued to flip through the book that Carly had brought them.

After choosing the bouquets, flowers for church and centerpieces for the reception, the Steeles thanked Carly and left for their next appointment.

--

"Laura, tell me again why we're going all the way to Glendale for a cake," Remington complained as the scenery sped past him.

"Because," his wife answered from behind the steering wheel, "Portos is the best bakery in the city. Their cakes are not only absolutely delicious, they're incredibly beautiful."

"Whatever you say, love," he said, leaning back in his seat.

"Remember that benefit we went to at Bel-Oaks a few months ago?" she asked. "The one the Harts hosted? You went on and on about the pastries…"

When he would have protested, she went on.

"In fact, you nearly accosted the poor caterer trying to get the recipe…"

"I didn't ACCOST, Laura. I merely inquired…"

Laura rolled her eyes.

"Anyway," she said. "That event was catered by Portos."

"You've convinced me."

They spent the rest of the afternoon tasting cakes and going over designs. After much going back and forth, they decided on a three tiered, dark chocolate cake with raspberry filling and ivory butter cream frosting.

"I was afraid I was going to lose you back there," Remington said to his bride as he drove them home from the bakery.

"Never," she replied with a satisfied smile. "You're stuck with me."

"A fact for which I'm forever grateful," he said. "But I know that if there were ever cause to worry, it would be over a devils food torte." He winked at her and turned his attention back to the road.

"Mmmmmmm…" she let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "You might be right about that."

--

"So Mr. Steele," Laura said, setting her purse on the credenza as they entered the apartment. "What did you have in mind for the rest of the day?"

Never one to use words when action could say everything he wanted to say, Remington took her in his arms. He held her close and kissed her with an equal mix of reverence and desire.

"Wow," she said breathlessly as their lips parted.

"I've wanted to do that all day," he told her.

"Then why haven't you?" she asked.

"Decorum, Mrs. Steele."

"We're newlyweds, Mr. Steele," she said, grinning. "We have an excuse."

This time, it was she who pulled him to her and before either of them was cognizant of what was happening, they were standing at the foot of their bed-- a tangle of arms and legs as they each worked to remove the other's clothing.

--

"May I help you?" Mildred asked the dark-haired woman as she walked into the office.

"You must be the amazing Mildred Krebs," the woman said. "Honey, I'm glad I came before you," she went on, "because you're one act I wouldn't want to follow!" She reached out to shake Mildred's hand. "Bernice Ryley," she said. "Née Foxe."

"Oh, Bernice!" Mildred exclaimed. "Laura's told me so much about you."

"It's all true," Bernice said with a smile. "Is she in?"

"In her office," Mildred said, nodding toward Laura's door. "Let me announce you."

"No," Bernice said, stopping her. "Let me surprise her."

Bernice turned on her heel, walked over to Laura's office door and opened it.

"Mildred," Laura said, without looking up. "Will you bring me the Braxton file, please?"

"Still a workaholic, I see," Laura's visitor said with a smile.

"Bernice?" Laura questioned, finally looking up. "Oh my god, Bernice!" She stood up and walked around the desk to hug her friend. "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't think I was going to let you marry Skeeziks without me," she said. "Did you?"

"I can't believe you're here," Laura said.

"And I can't believe you're surprised," Bernice said. "This is me, Laura. I've been listening to you moon over this guy for five years! Did you really think I was going to miss the big payoff?"

"But I didn't think you could make it," Laura said. "What about Eddie's tour?"

"It's still going on. He's in San Francisco right now, and I'll meet him in Seattle after the wedding."

"So you're here all week?"

"At your disposal. And none too soon, apparently. You're getting married next weekend and you're here working. I bet you haven't had a proper girl's night out in months, let alone a bachelorette party."

"My sister gave me a lovely shower," Laura said in faint protest.

"Laura," Bernice said, fixing her with a glare. "Come on, I'm taking you out."

"Bernice, I can't. The world doesn't stop just because we're having a wedding. I've got work to do."

"From everything you've told me about the indomitable Miss Krebs, I'm sure the paperwork is in good hands. Come on, let's go."

"Bernice, I really can't."

"Get your hat," Bernice insisted. "Get your purse and come with me."

Laura barely had a chance to straighten the file on her desk before Bernice had her by the arm and was dragging her out of the office. And she was practically giggling as Bernice dragged her past Mildred's desk.

"Mildred," she said. "Tell Mr. Steele I've been kidnapped," she told her between fits of laughter. "No, on second thought, just tell him that he's on his own for dinner and I'll be home late."

--

"Mildred," Remington said. "I'm disappointed." He was pacing the office as he spoke and didn't notice the crestfallen look on Mildred's face. "You let my wife leave with that… that…. woman."

"Chief, I…"

"And now, they're out there…"

"I don't think Mrs. Steele would do anything to get into trouble."

"It's not Mrs. Steele I'm worried about, Mildred," he said. "It's Mrs. Ryley. Our Miss Wolfe always was a bad influence."

"I thought her maiden name was Foxe."

Mildred watched him continue to pace the room like a caged tiger. She knew that he knew that Laura was perfectly fine out on the town with her friend. He just wasn't used to not being with her. She continued to watch as he continued to pace, until finally he stopped. He seemed more at ease when he smiled and looked at her

"Mildred, I seem to be at a loose end this evening," he said. "I find myself without a lovely dinner companion. Would you care to join me?"

"Oh, Mr. Steele," she said, blushing slightly.

"Please, Mildred," he said. "You wouldn't make me dine alone, would you?"

--

"Wow," Bernice said with a smile, sipping a glass of wine. "You're really happy."

"I am," Laura answered with a bright smile of her own.

"Who would ever have thought?"

"Not me," Laura answered, shaking her head.

"I think you did," Bernice said as Laura looked at her questioningly. "I think you knew from the very beginning. That's why you kept him at arm's length for so long."

"You might be right," Laura admitted.

"I know I am," her friend asserted. "Laura, I was there. I never understood how could hold him off like that. You must have a will of iron. I would have been all over him in a heartbeat."

"I noticed," Laura said with a laugh.

"Hey, I backed off when I saw which way the wind was blowing. But seriously, the man is gorgeous."

"I know," Laura said with a triumphant smile.

"So, was it worth the wait?

"Yes," Laura said quickly. "And no."

Now it was Bernice's turn to look puzzled.

"It's absolutely been worth it," Laura said. "He's worth it. But I do wish we hadn't waited so long."

"I don't know... maybe waiting really was a good thing. I mean, from everything you've told me, he's not exactly the same man he was when he first darkened your doorstep."

"That's true," Laura agreed.

"And you've definitely changed…"

Laura nodded with a smile.

"So…" Bernice went on. "If you had gotten together back when you just wanted to scratch your itch, then that might have been it."

"All heat and no substance," Laura mused.

"Exactly," Bernice said. "And we wouldn't be here right now, laughing like schoolgirls and getting ready for your wedding."

"It is incredible, isn't it?"

"I'll say," Bernice said, raising her glass.

--

"Mr. Steele," the maitre d' said. "Your table is ready. Right this way."

"Thank you, Claude," Remington said as he and Mildred followed the man to the table.

"Where is the lovely Mrs. Steele this evening?" Claude asked.

"Ah," Remington said. "She's dining with an old friend… preparing for the wedding."

"Oh, very good, sir. Chef Ethan is very much looking forward to catering the event."

"We're looking forward to It as well, Claude. Could you bring us a bottle of Dom Perignon?" Remington asked. "'76 if you have it."

"Yes sir," Claude answered as he walked away.

"Mr. Steele," Mildred said. "Isn't that a little extravagant?"

"Nonsense, Mildred. This is a special occasion."

"It's just dinner, Chief."

"Dinner, yes," he said with a smile, "but not just. You see, Mildred, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

--

"So, what does Murphy think?"

"Oh Bernice, you know Murph."

"Well, the last time I talked to him, he seemed pretty happy. He's got a pretty serious girlfriend, right?"

"Yeah," Laura answered. "He does seem happy, and I think he's happy for us, too."

"I'm sure he is," Bernice said. "He's always just wanted you to be happy."

"He still doesn't really trust Remington, but he's trying."

"Remington?"

"What do you want me to call him?" Laura asked with a laugh, "Skeeziks?"

Bernice laughed out loud.

"Works for me," she said. "Seriously, Remington?"

"That's who he is," Laura said with a shrug of her shoulders. "We've talked about it, and that's how he thinks of himself. He's Remington Steele. It's a mouthful, but I'm getting used to it."

"I'll bet you are!"

"Bernice!"

"What?" Bernice asked with as much innocence as she could muster.

"You're terrible."

"Yeah, whatever," Bernice jibed. "You know I'm good."

"Hey," Laura said abruptly, as if something had just occurred to her. "Where are you staying?"

"At the Bonaventure."

"That's silly," Laura said. "I mean, why should you pay for a hotel?"

"I'm not sleeping on your couch."

"I wasn't offering," Laura said. "But my loft is just sitting empty. It would give you more room than a hotel… and the price is right."

--

"What is it, Chief?"

"Mildred," he said softly, looking as much like a little boy as she'd ever seen him. "This wedding is about outwardly sharing our union… about Laura and I blending our families…" he went on as Mildred nodded. "You know that both Laura and I think of you as family."

She smiled, but said nothing.

"There's a point in the ceremony that signifies that blending of families. It's called the Unity candle, and it's where a member of Laura's family and a member of mine each light a candle…"

Mildred's eyes welled up with tears as he continued to explain.

"… And then Laura and I use those candles to light one together that signifies our union and the blending of the families," he paused and let out a long sigh before continuing. "Abigail will be lighting Laura's candle for the Holt family, and it would mean a lot to me if you would represent mine."

Tears were streaming down Mildred's face as she smiled up at the man she thought of as a son.

"Oh, Mr. Steele," she said. "I'd be honored."