Chapter Seven, The Wedding

"Congratulations!" Zora cried, hugging both Abby and Connor. "Usually, I take you back to the Lounge to wait, and then you and the wedding party come back into this room once the guests are set. But this is your show. What would you like to do?"

Abby smiled. "Are you sure those butterflies didn't bite you or something?"

Zora laughed. "No, indeed not. Do you want to make an entrance?"

"No," said Connor. "Let's just mingle and have fun. You know: party!" he cried, wriggling his hips.

Zora and the others laughed. "Sounds good. I'll open the doors," said the much loosened event coordinator.

Abby and Connor sat at the head table, and the others sat next to them: Connor and Abby in the middle, Becker and Jess to the right, Matt and Emily to the left.

Joining them at the table were supposed to be the Lesters, and the minister and Eleanor.

Instead, the minister was filling in as bartender.

"I had no idea you had this hidden talent!" cried Lester with glee.

The minister laughed. "Everyone needs a back-up plan. If I ever retire from public life, I want to own my own pub."

"Well, you have one customer lined up already," said Lester. "Cheers!"

The minister laughed. "Cheers. Who's next?"

As her husband served the drinks, Eleanor made the rounds, chatting and helping Andre serve the appetizers.

"I love a casual affair," said Eleanor. "They're much more pleasant."

Mrs. Lester nodded, sitting beside several soldiers. "I have the best seat," you know.

The soldiers cheered and toasted to her. "Oh, my. I must commend James on his young men...and women, dear."

Nicole giggled and laughed.

"I like the guests sitting loose like this," said Abby. "It's informal and easy."

"Just as well," said Jess. "The name cards were burned by the butterflies."

Becker laughed, "You're taking it awfully well. I know how you like your plans.."

"Perspective, Captain honey, it's all about perspective," said Jess, sipping champagne.

"With a splash of alcohol," he said with a smirk.

"Hush, you," she said, smiling.

"Congratulations, Abby, Connor," said Nicole Bilson, shaking hands, and kissing their cheeks. "We have to go," she said, gesturing to the soldiers behind her. "We are on duty. Anyway, I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, Nicole."

"Cheers, Nicole," said Connor.

She moved off, letting the others congratulate the newlyweds. As she waited, Vale winked at her.

She smirked, walked over, and kissed him briefly on the lips.

"Bye," she said, casually, then left with her comrades.

Vale looked after her, then at Jess and Becker. "What was that?" he asked, dumbfounded.

Jess and Becker burst into giggles.

"It was just a friendly goodbye," said Jess, laughing.

"No, Jess. Bilson hits me in the shoulder, that's a friendly goodbye," said Vale. "What did she mean by that?"

Becker laughed. "Did she get in your head, Vale?"

"What? In my head? No. Not at all," he said, with a lame chuckle.

Jess and Becker laughed. "Brilliant. That's the only way to handle someone as brash as Vale."

"Yep," said Jess, giggling. "Be more brash."

"Hey, Abs, wanna dance?"

"Sir, hubby," said Abby. Connor smiled and kissed her.

"Hey! DJ! Play some Temple music!"

"If I must," said the dj, rolling his eyes. He took the microphone and cooed into it, "All right all you party guests, time to pay for being acquainted with Connor Temple. This is from his hit list."

Mrs Lester stared. "James! How did you become the DJ?"

All the ARC staffers laughed.

"By being too friendly with the bartender and his wares," said Matt.

"Watch it Anderson. I'm not hardly drunk yet," said Lester, spinning tunes. "For instance I can still hear this music. Good lord."

Connor danced spastically as his beautiful bride spun around him, her ruffles spinning with her.

"What the hell is this?" asked Becker, standing still on the dance floor.

Jess grooved around him. "The Cantina music from Star Wars."

Becker rolled his eyes. "Typical."

Jess laughed. "It's not so bad, besides, I'm here, shaking and wiggling in your direction!"

He raised his eyebrows, watching her. "True. Continue."

She giggled, and grabbed his hands, forcing him to at least sway with her.

"You are not dancing," said Zora to Matt and Emily.

Matt sat, sipping champagne. "I refuse, at least until they play something less...sci-fi."

Emily smiled. "They will. I have paid the DJ to play a waltz as the next song."

"You slipped Lester money?" asked Matt, amused.

"Of course."

He laughed loudly.

When the Cantina music ended, a slow romantic, ballad played.

"This you will dance to," Emily told him.

Zora smiled as Matt gave no resistance, took her in his arms, and glided around the floor with her.

"You aren't complaining," said Abby, hanging tightly to Connor. "This isn't one of our selections."

"You're blowing in my ear," said Connor. "That's why."

She giggled.

Jess, even in high heels, still came only to Becker's Adam's apple. She didn't mind the height difference at all.

"I love this uniform," she said, running her hands under the jacket.

"Jessica, keep it PG. For now," he said, with a grin.

She grinned back. "I can't help it. You're just so damn sexy."

Becker giggled. "Thank you, but it isn't fair. I love your dress, but it would be unseemly to suddenly grab at a leg."

She giggled. "I'll have Lester play a salsa. We can do all kind of sexy leg moves."

Becker was speechless. "Uh...you look so innocent."

She burst out giggling. "I'm not."

He smirked. "I know. I like that, a lot."

She giggled more, and cuddled into his chest. They slowly swayed, not hearing any music. Or when the music changed

"Uh...guys, it's a fast song now," said Vale, dancing with Jina.

"Yeah. Let me get their attention. Hey, you guys, any bets on who's the next to get married?" she asked. "You're pretty high on the list," she said.

They waited. Nothing.

Vale laughed. "They didn't hear either of us."

"Yeah. They're next, or maybe them," said Jina, gesturing to Emily and Matt, snuggling and kissing in the corner. "Gone. Both sets of them. Completely gone."

Also on the dance floor were Eleanor and Chef Bernie. "You can dance, Chef!"

"The only exercise I will allow myself to indulge in, Ma'am, is the occasional dance," he said.

Eleanor giggled as the plump, but utterly content man danced her around the floor.

"Hello, guests," cooed DJ Lester. "I'm sorry to break this up, but Andre informs me that its time to chow down!"

Mrs. Lester shook her head. "You are not buying a professtional DJ booth, I hope you realize that, my darling."

"Oh, but dear, it would be so fun," said Lester. "And think of the social engagements!"

The couples laughed as the Lesters debated the value of DJ equipment, and as they all took seats to eat.

The head table was abandoned as everyone mingled together, giggling and eating.

"Delicious!" cried Abby.

"Oh my. This is not typical wedding food!" said Grandma.

"Where's the chocolate?"

"After dinner, maybe?" asked the chocolate lover's boyfriend.

"Why be so rigid? Bring on the chocolate now!"

Abby collapsed in giggles, and nodded to Andre, who fetched chocolate truffles.

"Don't forget we have the cake," said Becker. "Pace yourself, sweetie."

"Yeah, especially since you forced us to make a layer of it chocolate," said Connor, smirking.

"I did not! You like chocolate, Connor Temple!"

Connor laughed and nodded.

The guests dined on leg of lamb, Kobe beef, and lobster.

"You went all out, didn't you?" asked Mrs. Lester. "Dear, give them both raises."

"Sweetheart! Butt out!"

The couple giggled, but the groom raised his glass. "Cheers Mrs. L."

Mrs. Lester smiled and raised her glass. "Cheers, dear." She winked at them, and mouthed, 'raise.'

Lester groaned, turned from his wife, and drowned his sorrows in lobster.

End of Chapter Seven