Title: Surprise of a Lifetime
Disclaimer: I do not Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, or the mothership Law and Order Dick Wolf and NBC do. I also do not own Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire, Bridal Chorus, or Wedding; they belong to Johann Sebastian Bach, Richard Wagner, and Felix Mendelssohn respectively.
Author's Note: Jacques Francois Bessette appears in this chapter as the wedding photographer along was as appearances by Mike Logan and Carolyn Barek along with the crew from LO: SVU and the mothership Law and Order.
Genre: Romance/General
Beta'd by: superfelix
Rating: T
Chapter 3: Their Day
Pressing the vision into our hearts,
the day we no longer live apart.
One love to share, a dream come true,
the day we vow to say
"I do"
You're invited to the wedding of
Alexandra Samantha Eames
and
Robert Oliver Goren
on Fourteenth of February Two Thousand and Ten
at Half Past Twelve in the Afternoon
at the St. Brennan Catholic Church
8174 W. 87th Street
Manhattan, NY
Reception to take place at the Manhattan's Hilton Hotel Grand Banquet Room
RSVP Thirty-first of January at 631-555-2798
Alex had awoken the next morning in the hotel room in her childhood bedroom and smiled broadly…it was February 14 the most romantic day of the year and first day of the Chinese New Year; the day that she would become Mrs. Robert Oliver Goren had arrived. The day that she had dreamed of since the day they had gotten together.
When she gotten out of bed and had headed down to the kitchen she savored in her morning scent…coffee
"Good morning mom," said Alex when she saw Andrea preparing her favorite breakfast consisting of waffles and French toast.
"Morning, sweetie," said Andrea and then added, "Are you ready for your big day?"
"Of course I am mom. Hey where's dad?"
"He and the guys along with Lewis are getting Bobby ready. It is just us, Carolyn and Megan, and Liz."
As Alex and her mom chatted for a short time before the rest of them came downstairs to get the final preparations started.
Meanwhile Bobby had been up since 5am; his nervous energy had kept him up the most of the night but then again he never slept much either. One thing was for certain, he was super excited; in seven and a half hours he and Alex had chosen to become united as one.
At 6:45am, Lewis, along with John, Ethan, Jake, and Peter had arrived at Bobby's place to take to get a hearty breakfast before going to barber shop and then the church to get dressed.
While having Lewis made a toast using their coffee cups, "To Bobby may he and Alex be happy forever and always."
"Here, here," chimed the guys as they clinked their coffee cups.
By the time they arrived at the church, Bobby saw Jacques arriving as well.
He told the guys to go in first so he could go and talk with the photographer.
"Hey Jacques thanks for coming today," said Bobby giving Jacques a handshake.
"Not a problem. I am just happy to be here and help capture yours and Alexandra special day."
They talked for a little bit longer before they headed into the church.
While in the church the guys got ready and Jacques did the first round of pictures. One group picture, one picture of Bobby and Lewis, one picture of Bobby and Logan, one picture of Bobby, Ethan, Jake and Peter, and finally one of Bobby and John.
Meanwhile after Alex, Andrea, Carolyn, Megan and Liz had finished their breakfast and were off to the salon to get their hair and makeup ready.
When they arrived at the church and had settled in, and Alex was zipped into her gown they heard a knock on the door.
Alex looked at Megan nervously as she went to open the door. The last thing they needed is for Bobby to Alex in her gown as Alex was superstitious about not letting the groom seeing the bride in her gown for the ceremony.
They all sighed a big sigh of relief and they saw it was the wedding photographer
"Alexandra, you look absolutely stunning today."
"Why thank you Jacques. Allow me to introduce you to the people in the room."
After all the quick introductions, Jacques asked, "Is this a good time for photos or should we wait?"
"No, no this is a perfect time."
After Alex had her pictures with her bridal party as a whole, and then with each individual bridal party member and then with the flower girls Katelyn, Madison, and Margot and then with Nathan, and finally one with Andrea, Jacques left them to settle back into what they were doing before.
As it was nearing the start of the ceremony Alex who was been calm all morning was still tranquil.
After the time honored traditions had been completed, the bridal party had gone to take their places both Alex and Andrea were startled by a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" asked Andrea.
"It is I," said John in a very fatherly voice and the two breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is the bride ready? Because the bridegroom is starting to get a little anxious now."
"Okay I am ready dad," said Alex then looking at Andrea and said, "Well looks like it's time!"
Andrea nodded and then went to take her seating place leaving Alex a few minutes to herself.
It wasn't long before she was ready. She grabbed her bouquet of roses and lilies and opened the door.
"Baby girl you look absolutely beautiful. The groom won't know what hit him. Ready?"
"Yes I am."
While the guests were waiting for the ceremonies to start Olivia turned to Elliot and Casey and said "It is amazing how quickly they got everything together."
"I know what you mean," said Casey, "I probably would have gone nuts with that short amount of time.
The rest of the crowd went to chat and catch up with the crew from Manhattan 2-7 division.
Meanwhile Bobby stood at the front of the altar calmly waiting. He had on a two-button notch lapel with microfiber white point collar shirt, Herringbone Gold vest and tie, shiny black shoe and black/gold stud and cufflink set. His best man Lewis wore a Two-Button Notch Lapel matched with a Herringbone Gold vest and tie and the groomsmen Mike Logan and Alex's brother Ethan wore matching Three-Button Super 100's Notch Lapel matched with Herringbone Gold vest and tie.
As Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire" was being played as the bridal party processional music, the church door opened as one by one each member of the bridal party made their way down the aisle all in Persimmon dresses. Liz and Megan sported spaghetti crinkle chiffon long babydoll dress with a beaded bodice and a wrap the maid of honor. After the bridesmaids came the maid of honor Carolyn in her strapless satin ball gown with criss cross ruched bust and beading. The bridal party was followed by the ring boy, Nathan who looked adorable in a suit that matched the groomsmen. After Nathan reached where Peter was standing, the by angelic flower girls Katelyn, Madison, and Margot in their matching ivory satin princess A-line gown with spaghetti straps and lace up back with Persimmon band and hem made their way done throwing a mixture of rose, lily, and camellia petals.
As the bridal party had taken their places, the ushers and Alex's brother Jake and brother-in-law Peter closed door briefly, Alex with John to her was as ready as she will ever be when the door opened again when the Bridal Chorus began to play. When Bobby saw Alex it felt as if a rug was pulled from under him. Alex looked breathtaking in her soft white strapless organza A-line gown with cascading apron back and bow with apple as the color trim.
As Alex made her way down the aisle, she smiled at Bobby, her family and friends, and as all the guests smiled back.
When Alex saw Bobby in his tux she felt her heart pound in her throat, wowie he looks so hot and yummy in his tuxedo.
After Alex and John reached the altar the minister stepped forward and asks, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"I do," answered John.
Then John opens the veil gives Alex a kiss before closing it.
As John gives Bobby Alex's hand he tells Bobby, "Please take care of Alex."
"I will John," replied Bobby.
After John takes his seat next to Andrea, Alex has Carolyn hold her bouquet Alex and Bobby joined hands with Bobby as the minister began the service.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today in the presence of God in joining Robert Oliver Goren and Alexandra Samantha Eames in holy matrimony. What they are doing today is not to be taken lightly. If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Silence reigned for a few minutes and the minister continued the service.
"Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we ask you for your blessing on this union of these two people. We pray that their lives are long and happy and the union is fruitful. In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
"Amen."
"Now, Alexandra and Robert are standing here today because a person in their life introduced them.
The minister paused when Alex and Bobby turned around and looked at Deakins and smiled at him.
The minister at that time continued service with the time-honored wedding ritual.
Following the sacraments he added, "At this moment Alexandra and Bobby would like to exchange vows they wrote them selves. Go ahead Alexandra."
Alex looking deeply into Bobby's eyes and began her vow.
"Bobby who would have thought when we began working together at MCS exactly a decade ago that we would be standing here today? It is hard to imagine that I almost gave up on you but I am glad I didn't. From the time we clicked our friendship began to form a special friendship and as time went on our bond grew. Bobby, you are my knight in shining armor especially after time I was kidnapped and the time when the Mulrooney case shook me to my core. I am also glad we hung on we hit a few rough patches. My vow to you is that I will always be there no matter what comes our way, we can face it together. I love you Bobby with all my heart and all my soul."
Bobby smiled and as he said his vows.
"Alex, my love you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I am glad that you decided not to give up on me because from that very first day I had fallen in love with you. I held back in telling you because I thought it would be best form a friendship first. Alex, you are my rock especially during the hard times I went through, with my mom's death, finding out who my real dad is, my suspension and all the other things that happened. Everything about you amazes me. My vow to you is together we will face head on whatever life throws at us. I love you Alex with all my heart and all my soul."
After a brief pause in following the touching vows the minister continued the service as he looked at Alex and asked, "Do you Alexandra Samantha Eames take Robert Oliver Goren to be your lawful wedded husband to have and to hold, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, for richer for poorer and to forsake all others until death do you part?"
Alex with of tears of happiness shining in her eyes replied, "I do."
He then turned to Bobby and asked the same question, "Do you Robert Oliver Goren take Alexandra Samantha Eames to be your lawful wedded wife to have and to hold, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, for richer for poorer and to forsake all others until death do you part?"
Bobby beaming and answered, "I do."
After a few seconds of silence, the minister spoke once again.
"It is now time for Alexandra and Robert to exchange rings; may I please have the rings?"
Nathan then stepped forward and the minister picked up the rings that two of them had picked out.
Blessing the rings as he then said, "Now in the exchanging of the rings it signifies love that is continual and never ends."
The minister then turned to Alex and said, "Alexandra would you please take this ring and as you slid it on Robert's finger, and repeat after me, "And with this ring, I thee wed."
Alex smiled as she got the ring, slowly slid the ring on to Bobby's finger and said, "And with this ring I thee wed."
The minister then turned Bobby and said, "Robert would you please take this ring and as you slid it on Alexandra's finger, and repeat after me, "And with this ring, I thee wed."
Bobby with a boyish grin on his face got the ring, slowly slid the ring on to Alex's finger and said, "And with this ring I thee wed."
"Alexandra and Robert have showed their love and loyalty to each through their vows. With the powers vested in me in the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Robert you may kiss your bride."
Bobby smiling widely opens the veil, tilts his head to his right, placing his hands at the back of her head and a gentle kiss on her lips which lead a deeper kiss as Alex wound her arms around Bobby's neck. As they kissed the guests clapped and continued even after they stopped.
While the ceremony was taking place Jacques did his best in taking as many breathtaking pictures as he could.
The minister then said to the guests, "May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Robert Oliver Goren".
Right as the minister made the final announcement, the guests clapped and cheered as the Wedding March began to play.
Right before everyone proceeded to the reception area, Jacques took many pictures of the newlyweds with the bridal party and groomsmen and then with the in-laws separately and then all together.
The reception was a grand occasion and the bride and groom enjoyed themselves to the fullest all the while receiving multitude of congratulations.
While the reception was taking place Jacques did his best in taking as many breathtaking pictures as he could.
As the reception continued on, Alex and Bobby completed the last of the wedding customs which included of tossing the bouquet which Carolyn caught and the tossing of the garter which Mike caught; when Alex and Bobby saw the way the two lucky recipients looked at each other they knew that it wouldn't be long before it would their turn.
A half hour later the newlyweds ran out of the reception hall as they were showered by rice. They were on their way to a two week honeymoon in Lake Tahoe where Bobby had lots in store for his darling wife.
A/N 2: Thanks for reading for Chapter 3 of "Surprise of a Lifetime". Chapter 4 to follow, and as always reviews are appreciated.
