Once the priest had introduced the newly wed couple to the guests as "Frank and Nicole Reagan" to more clapping and cheering, Frank offered his arm to his new bride and they made their way down the aisle, followed by Sybil and Henry. Once they had disappeared out of sight, the priest announced that everyone was invited to the home of Anthony and Sybil Rosseni for the reception.

The Rosseni's had insisted on hosting the reception the moment they learned of the engagement. Frank had been somewhat apprehensive about the idea, but did like the more private setting, and didn't want to cause any hurt feelings between them. He had considered hosting it in his own home, but knew even with hiring a catering service, the pressure of it would be too much for Henry. While he agreed to the use of the Rosenni's beautiful home, he insisted all expenses be billed to him.

After posing for numerous photos inside the sanctuary, many including the family, Frank and Nicole headed to the Rosseni's in the SUV. Henry accepted a ride with Jamie, saying he was looking forward to going for a spin in the old Super Sport. Also riding with Jamie was his partner, Officer Eddie Janko, who had been included in the guest list at the urging of Nicole.

When Jamie had offered to pick up Miss Janko, she had replied with "It's just a ride to the wedding, though, and not a date, right?"

"Oh, abolutely. Just a ride. Not a date," he had quickly replied.

"Okay, then I won't have to worry about you trying to kiss me goodnight or anything when you bring me home, right, Reagan?" she had teased him.

"Oh, no, that won't happen. Just a ride, nothing more, I assure you." He had blushed as he assured her she had nothing to be worried about.

When Frank and Nicole walked out of the church, they were surprised at what they saw — a large number of motorcycle police officers waiting in front of the SUV to escort them to the Rosseni home.

"What's this about? I didn't order any escort." Frank said.

"No, sir," Jerry replied. "Just several off-duty officers wanting to show their respect and offer their services for the short drive. I believe Lt. Gormley approved it."

"They love you, Frank," Nicole said as he helped her step into the backseat.

"Not always," he replied as he climbed in behind her as she slid to the middle of the seat.

"Well, today they do, and so do I, Commissioner Reagan."

"Love you, too, Mrs. Reagan, and not just today." He leaned over and kissed her before buckling his seatbelt. Jerry flashed his lights for a second to signal the motorcycle patrol ahead, and then followed them as they made their way through the streets of the city, with Jamie, Danny and his family, and Erin and Nicky following closely behind in their own vehicles.

XXXXX

When they arrived at the Rosseni home, they found the party in full swing.

"I think we could have skipped this and moved on to the honeymoon and no one would have noticed," Frank whispered in Nicole's ear, as he stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist.

"And miss the fun?" She turned her head back toward him as she wrapped her arms over his.

"I was thinking of tonight's fun." He kissed her just below the ear, and then her neck.

"I'm looking forward to that myself," she said, smiling, enjoying the tickle of his mustache.

"Frank. Nicole. Congratulations," the mayor said, as he and his wife approached, interrupting their romantic moment.

Releasing Nicole, Frank extended his hand.

"Mayor Deets, Mrs. Deets. It's a honor to have you both here."

"We wouldn't have missed it for the world, Frank. Lovely ceremony. Nice party. Seems my opponent knows how to entertain."

"It seems he does, sir." Frank added nothing more, simply smiled his usual big smile, not wanting to get too deep into discussion of Anthony Rosseni with the present mayor.

"I was beginning to wonder if you were going to be a no-show today. It's not like you to be late for anything, Frank."

"Yes, well, there are times that it can't be helped, and unfortunately this was one of those days. But I made it, and here we are now, with plenty of food and drink for all. Please help yourself, and enjoy."

"We will do that, Frank. Shall we, my dear?" Mayor Deets said to his wife, and they headed toward the bar.

"So, Dad, why were you so late?" Jamie asked.

"There was an accident on the bridge that had traffic stopped. We couldn't get through."

"Come on, Dad, you're the commissioner. What do you mean, you couldn't get through?"

"I think he was having cold feet," Danny teased.

"Danny!" Linda exclaimed, as she hit him on his chest with the back of her hand.

"I did not have cold feet! It's all Pop's fault. He forgot the ring. We had to turn around and go back!"

"You forgot my ring, Frank!" Nicole exclaimed.

"I didn't! Pop did!"

"Actually, not true, Francis. I had it in my pocket the whole time," Henry said in his own defense.

"So, why did you turn around and go back, if Pop had the ring?" Danny asked. " Cold feet, I'm telling you."

Frank opened his mouth to protest, but stopped, realizing he was not going to win this one.

"The important thing is, as I just told the mayor, I made it to the wedding, with the ring, and we are now married, and I couldn't be happier," he said, smiling at his bride.

"Good save, Francis."

Yes, good save," Nicole teased.

"So let's see this ring that caused such hassles getting here," Linda said, reaching for Nicole's left hand.

Nicole held out her hand for all to see.

Taking it in her own, and turning the wedding band for a good look, Linda said, "Wow! Will you look at that, Danny. The band even has diamonds all around it."

"Yeah, well, don't get any ideas, Linda. Remember, he has the big office downtown with the big paycheck to match. I, on the other hand, am at a much lower pay grade."

Everyone chuckled, including Nicole. She knew Danny was just having fun, but she was also well aware that the man she had just married carried a heavy burden of responsibility along with that downtown office and big paycheck. She was looking forward to their honeymoon, where he would be away from all the pressures of it, for at least a few days.

Nicole and Frank made their away around the large room, mingling with the guests, eventually getting separated from each other. Nicole had been chatting with her agent, Kerri Lane and her husband, when she turned to see Jamie and Eddie standing behind her.

"Eddie, I"m so glad you came," she said, giving her a hug.

"Thank you, ma'am, for including me. I'm honored to be here."

"You're welcome. And please. Nicole, not ma'am."

"Yes, ma'am, I mean Nicole."

"I almost didn't recognize you out of uniform," Nicole said, touching Eddie's long, loose curls. "She's quite beautiful, Jamie."

Blushing, Jamie replied, "Yes, she is."

"Aww, shucks, you're both too kind," Eddie replied, also blushing.

"Well, I think I will refresh my drink," Nicole said as she held up her empty wine glass, "and then see if I can locate my handsome husband. You two enjoy yourself. There is so much food!"

"There won't be if Eddie gets close to it," Jamie said.

"Jamie!" Eddie hit him with her clutch purse.

Nicole smiled at them. As she started to walk off, she stopped close to Jamie's side, took him by the arm, and whispered to him, "Don't be foolish and let this one get away."

"There you are, Nicole! Where is Frank? It's time to cut the cake, my loves!" Sybil said. "I couldn't find either of you. I was about to search the bedrooms!"

Laughing at her dear friend's insinuation, Nicole replied, "No need. I'm right here, and I see Frank coming our way."

"I just can't keep up with you, Mrs. Reagan," he said as he approached.

"I was just thinking the same about you, Mr. Reagan. Sybil says it's time to cut the cake."

"Good. Do we get to leave after that?"

"A little antsy in those pants, are we, Commissioner Reagan?" Sybil asked him.

"Sybil!" Nicole exclaimed. "Let's go cut that cake."

Anthony got the attention of the guests, asked them to gather around. He offered a toast for the bride and groom, and then turned it over to them.

Nicole and Frank first posed for the hired photographer, both holding the knife in preparation to cut the first piece of the multilayered traditional white wedding cake accented with pink roses. Then they cut that first piece, and fed the first bite to each other with their hands, making a mess, to the great pleasure of the guests. Once they had both wiped their hands and faces clean, Frank asked, "Now can we go?"

Nicole insisted they stay a while longer. Frank was relieved when she finally whispered to him that it was time to leave.

The guests gathered outside to see them off.

"Your chariot awaits, Nicole," Jamie said as soon as she and Frank stepped outside. "I washed and polished it for you this morning."

"Thank you, Jamie. It's beautiful. Perfect! I love it," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Blushing, Jamie replied, "You're welcome."

"So, Jamie, are you responsible for the added decoration as well?" Frank asked.

Laughing Jamie said, "No, dad, your grandkids get credit for that."

"Don't you love it, Grandpa!" Nicky said, beaming from ear to ear.

"I do," Frank said. "Thank you, sweetheart." He hugged his granddaughter, then kissed her on the cheek.

"Sean and I helped, Grandpa," Jack said.

"Then thank you, too. Do you two want a hug as well?"

"No way!"

"Then how about a handshake?"

"Come on, Frank," Nicole said. "A high five, right boys!"

"Right!" they both said as they high-fived with her.

Pleased with the connection Nicole had made with his grandchildren the past few months, Frank moved closer to her, kissed her on the head, smiling as he looked out at her "chariot".

Parked in front of the Rosseni's home sat Bessie, Frank's old blue Chevy pickup truck. A large sign painted with the words "Just Married" stretched across the tailgate. A long line of tin cans was attached to the bumper.

"How many tickets do you think that will get me on the highway, Pop?" Frank whispered to his dad, who had just walked up next to him.

"Don't worry, Francis, you can see that they go away when you return. It won't be the first time you bent a rule," Henry replied, proud grin across his face.

"Very funny, Pop."

XXXXX

It took Frank and Nicole three hours to arrive at their honeymoon destination in Bessie. Frank had left the choice to Nicole, anywhere she wanted to go, but had informed her he felt he could only take a week off, that there was just too much going on in the department to be away any longer. Not wanting to go anywhere that would require much travel or airport time, Nicole had selected the one place she knew was close, a place where she and Frank could be alone, to relax and get away from everything, a place where Frank could fish. She chose a place they had been to before — Frank's cabin in the Catskills. They would spend the next six nights at his cabin, with plans to return to the city on Saturday afternoon, in time to have dinner with the family on Sunday, and Frank return to the office on Monday.

For this first night, though, Nicole had chosen a different cabin — the small rental cabin on the water she and Frank had shared months before, after they had arrived at Frank's cabin for a weekend getaway only to find it already occupied. She had checked into the rental cabin that evening using her name, while Frank had waited in the truck. She was looking forward to them checking in together this time, as Mrs. and Mrs. Frank Reagan. And there would be no talk this time during the drive of Mary, or Daniel, or any other past loves. This evening would only be about them, and their future together.

Once they were settled inside the cabin, Frank took Nicole in his arms.

"I missed you last night," he said, in between kisses.

"I missed you, too," she replied, her hands around his neck, her fingers caressing their way through his short hair.

"Last time we don't share a bed. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

Frank reached up to the top of her dress, slowly worked the zipper down the length of her spine. He then cupped her face in his hands, kissed her, and said, "I love you, Nicole, more than I have the words to say, and I love this dress, almost as much as the black one." He removed the dress from her shoulders, allowing it to puddle on the floor around her. The sight of her bare breasts aroused him even more than he already was. He scooped her up in his arms, and carried her into the bedroom.

With one arm around his neck, she touched the side of his face. "I love you just as much, Frank."

Her high heels hit the floor, one right after the other, just as they reached the bedroom.

The End