Begin 3
John looked at his captain as if he didn't understand what he said while his mind processed what he heard, then his eyes flew open wide and he looked down at his chest. He had indeed tied a bowline knot. As his face turned red he worked to untie his knot.
Cap smiled and loosened his own tie pulling it off of his head, and then dropped it over John's head just as he got his knot untied. Hank pulled the untied tie from around John's neck and draped it over his shoulder as he tightened up his tie around John's neck and straightened his caller. "So you have a bunch of in-laws that aren't happy about this wedding?" Hank made small talk as he worked to tidy up the groom in front of him.
"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one. They made such a fuss in the hearing earlier this morning that the judge ordered them removed from the court room. They've also been ordered to stay away from Elise until the wedding and the judge hasn't decided yet if he's going to let them in at all. But if he does I'd appreciate it if you hold me back. I really don't want to spend my wedding night in jail for punching out one of my brother-in-laws."
"I'll do my best," Hank offered as he pulled a comb from his pocket and handed it to John before pointing to his hair. "So tell me, what are Elise's chances of coming through all the surgeries she has ahead of her?"
John remained silent as he straightened up his hair using his reflection in the window, Cap let him stay silent as he used his reflection in the window to tie John's tie around his own neck and straighten it up.
When John was done he handed the comb back to Cap and began to formulate his answer. "First they have to get her heart rhythm stabilized. They're planning to use a new type of pace maker that in addition of setting a normal rhythm administers an electrical jolt when the heart gets too slow. It's still in the experimental stage but they're optimistic. Then they want to wait for at least six weeks and try some other anti-seizure medications before they go after the helmet chunk in her skull, right now the chances of the brain surgery success depend on the success of the heart surgery." "They're optimistic they can get the foreign material out alright but not so much about getting her completely seizure free, they'll just have to see what they find when they get in there."
"Well," Hank spoke as he dusted off John's suit and straitened the lapels, "Even if she has a seizure once in a while she still has a lot of life a head of her. Are you going to be alright with that?"
John paused and turned hurt filled eyes to his captain, then his look softened, "Yeah Cap, I can handle it. A few seizures couldn't make me care for her any less, I'll need to take the days off that she's in surgery but we're getting everything else set up so that I shouldn't miss any work. We're both planning on me being on duty tomorrow."
"So you're not planning any kind of a honeymoon?"
"No, we um, we can't really go anywhere, we'll probably spend our wedding night in one of the family housing units at the hospital tonight where they can keep her on a heart monitor. Then Elise will undergo the pacemaker implant once I'm off shift day after tomorrow."
"Not the most romantic of wedding nights."
"I guess not," John admitted but he wasn't about to admit that he was scared to have a physical relationship with Elise, If he got her heart racing that wouldn't be good just yet. Still making sure the marriage was consummated to prevent his in-laws from trying to break them up later was ever present on his mind.
"All I ask is that you keep me informed of everything that happens from here on out, don't you ever forget, my door is always open." Hank placed his hands on his paramedic's shoulders, "Congratulations John, and thanks for letting me be part of this big day."
The two men walked back to the girls shoulder to shoulder, both with their hands in their pants pockets as Hank bumped into John getting one of his classic crooked grins before they arrived.
"I'm sorry Ma'am but I couldn't talk him out of anything, I'm afraid it's up to you or you're going to be stuck with this tall lanky force of nature." Hank broke the silence around the bench where Elise was resting on several folded up jackets.
Elise looked at John with a tender smile as tears filled her eyes, "I can think of a lot worse things in life, I just hope I can make him happy."
John squatted down next to her and tenderly brushed his fingers down the side of her face, "You always have."
The doors to the court room were opened and the signal given to enter, John helped Elise to sit up and then slowly pulled her to her feet before reaching over to the box that had been set aside an hour ago. "These are for you," John offered as he handed Elise two dozen roses, with yellow and pink mixed together in each rose.
"You remembered," Elise exclaimed, "Peace roses are my favorite."
"Yep for the peace I feel in marrying you and having you at my side from now on, forever and always." John smiled as he placed his arm around Elise and pulled her close to him.
One of the roses had a broken stem just a few inches from the flower, Dixie knew just exactly what to do with it and broke it the rest of the way off before slipping what was left of the stem in the lapel button hole on John's suit jacket.
"Thank you," Elise said to Dixie with another warm smile and the gathered group began to enter the court room.
The Lawyer Mr. Brackett moved ahead of the couple and quickly set his briefcase on the defendants table and opened it up. Dixie also moved ahead of the couple and turned to walk backwards as she started snapping pictures. Emily Stanley was at her side doing the same as Hank took up a position on the other side of Elise from John and a step back. Ready to grab either one he thought might need grabbing. The three doctors were also close at hand replacing their suit coats and straitening their ties as they walked. There was no music, no little girls tossing flower peddles and no archway decorated with flowers.
The Bailiff informed them that the judge would be a few moments and invited them all to have a seat. John helped his bride in to a chair and then claimed the one next to her with her hand in his as she gave the flowers in her arms a sniff of appreciation and enjoyment as she squoose John's hand and rubbed his thumb with hers.
After about five minutes the doors to the court room opened again and in walked three more uniformed bailiffs followed by a small crowd of nearly a dozen people, who quickly gathered on the other side of the court room with glares at the happy couple and everyone with them.
It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that these were the unhappy in-laws and Hank could see the hairs on the back of John's neck standing up as he reached forward and placed a calming hand on his crewmember's shoulder.
As soon as the newcomers were settled in their chairs the lead bailiff called for everyone to rise as the judge came through a back door.
John and Elise were motioned forward as the Judge asked if there was anyone they wanted to stand with them. Elise looked to Dixie and John made eye contact with his Captain, the two people stepped up to the side of the person who had given them a beckoning eye.
Mr. John Roderick Gage, do you take this woman, Miss Elise Rose Holbrook to be your lawfully wedded wife willingly and without coercion of any kind?"
"I do your Honor," John answered quickly.
According to the papers in front of me you have signed a prenuptial agreement declaring that if you two are to file for divorce you have no claim to the savings, investments or real estate holdings that currently belong to Miss Holbrook. Do you understand that you have signed those rights away?
"Yes your Honor."
"I also see that in the case of her death prior to yours that her holdings are to be divided up among several charities with the exception of a burial plan that you will be in charge of. Do you understand your rights and responsibilities concerning this matter?"
"Yes your Honor."
Hank noticed the calmness of John's mannerism as he answered the judge, it was clear to him that none of this was news to him he was well informed.
"Miss Elise Rose Holbrook do you take this man, John Roderick Gage to be your lawfully wedded husband, willingly and without coercion of any kind?"
Elise took one last questioning look at John, then licked her lips and turned her gaze to the judge, "I do your honor."
According to the papers in front of me you are to rely on funds from an Injury settlement and a disability insurance claim to pay for the medical treatment and monitoring that you require and that John Roderick Gage is not to be held financially responsible for your medical bills. Is that correct?"
"Yes your honor."
"You also have signed a medical power of Attorney over to Mr. John Roderick Gage, allowing him to make any and all decisions on your medical treatment should you be in any way unable. Is that correct?"
"Yes your honor."
"Do you realize that Mr. Gage will have similar rights as your lawfully wedded husband and that this form was not necessary?"
"I do your honor, but I wanted to be extra sure that those rights are not taken from John, I trust him to make whatever decision is best for me and in accordance with my wishes, we have talked at length about this and he shares my feelings on the quality of life as opposed to the length of life. He is also very knowledgeable in medical matters and will be able to understand whatever the Doctors tell him."
"From the statements made in the earlier hearing your medical conditions are potentially life threatening and you have left a living will stating that you do not want to be on prolonged life support. According to the medical information that was shared in this morning's hearing a certain amount of Life support will be required to get you through some of the treatments ahead of you. Do you understand that with these papers you've signed and this union, that Mr. John Roderick Gage may have the final determination to remove you from life support?"
"I do your honor, and I trust him to make the choice I would if I were able to."
"Do you John Roderick Gage accept these responsibilities?"
"I do your honor," John again spoke without hesitation but this time Hank could hear the catch in his voice and knew this was not what he wanted to be reminded of during his wedding. He couldn't blame him either.
"Is there anyone here who can show just cause why this couple should not be united in matrimony?"
That did it, the flood gates were opened as everyone on the in-law side started to speak at once.
John pulled Elise close in a protective hold and Hank without a second thought took hold of John's upper arm and swung around in front of him putting his arm out and in the area of Elise's shoulder to offer any protection to her that he felt was needed. The Bailiffs all quickly moved to the other side of the court room as the judge began pounding his gavel on the desk.
"Order, Order, I will have silence or every one of you will be removed and held in contempt of court," The judge hollered. The threat worked and the room returned to a resemblance of order.
"Since I did not hear anything that was not dealt with in the earlier hearing and since there is a medical power of Attorney that is in place and binding regardless of whether this marriage is confirmed, I rule that all objections are over ruled. By the power awarded me by the state of California I pronounce this couple John Roderick Gage and Elise Rose Holbrook husband and wife and that status will be reflected on the records of this court on this day." "Mr. Gage you have my permission to kiss your wife."
Hank watched and Dixie and Emily started snapping pictures as John timidly gave Elise a peck on the lips and then carefully moved in for a slow and passionate embrace. Standing at his Paramedic's side Hank noticed his fingers on Elise's wrist and knew he was carefully monitoring his bride's heart rate and how his actions were affecting it. It was going to be an interesting wedding night Hank had no doubt and Hank felt for his man.