A/N: Thank you for the reviews. I can't promise happy endings for everyone. Just a forewarning. I tried to make this story as realistic as I possibly could. Anyhow, cheesy, fluffiness up ahead! One more chapter after this one and then the Epilogue. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1
Chapter 7: No Justice, No Priest, No Rabbi
"Oh, I'm so nervous."
"Tony, relax," Jake reassured. "It's the bride's job to be nervous."
"I can't help it, man," replied Tony, before grabbing onto Jake's arm. "What if she runs?"
Jake shook his head in disbelief at his friend's paranoia. The two were standing in the lobby of the hospital. Thankfully, it was pretty empty except for a few nurses coming through the halls.
"Sam's not going to run. And even in the slightest chance she does, where is she going to run to? We're in a hospital!"
"You're right," Tony conceded. "I'm just overreacting."
"Yeah you are and you know what else you're doing?"
"What's that?"
"Cutting off my circulation. Let go of me."
Releasing his death grip on Jake, Tony gave him a tight smile and carefully patted the leather jacket down.
"Sorry," he whispered.
"It's okay."
Unable to stand still, Tony began walking back and forth when Matt and Jenny came through the doors.
"Why are you guys here alone? Where's the Justice of Peace?" Tony demanded.
"We couldn't find one," Matt explained. "Apparently City Hall is booked until mid-September."
"September?" exclaimed Tony. "Oh, this is a sign. Sam and I are doomed!"
"Tony, relax, we'll think of something," Jenny said reassuringly.
"Oh yeah sure, I'll relax. Sam is going to arrive at the hospital chapel soon, to be joined to me in wedded bliss and we don't have a freaking Justice of Peace! I'm so relaxed!"
He resumed muttering to himself while he madly paced around in circles.
"He's a wreck," Jenny commented.
"And I had to deal with that for the past hour," grumbled Jake. "So, no Justice of Peace, huh?"
"No justice, no priest, no rabbi," replied Matt.
"That sounds like the beginning of a bad joke."
"Hey, we tried. So what's Plan B, Jake?"
"Me?"
"You're the best man, think of something."
"Whoa, I signed up to give a short but embarrassing speech and that's it. Besides, you're the one that always came up with the ideas."
"Great, so we don't have someone to officiate the ceremony and we don't have a backup plan."
"Calm down, at least we have the rings," said Jenny. "You did pick up the rings, right Jake?"
Both Matt and Jenny stared at Jake.
"Uh oh."
"Oh man," Matt groaned. "Tony's right, Sam and him are doomed,"
"Not if I can help it," Jake replied firmly. "Tony?"
Stopping in mid-stride, Tony turned around.
"When's the wedding supposed to start?"
"Fifteen minutes but…"
Tony didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as Jake made a mad dash out the front doors, dragging Jenny and Matt with him.
"I can't believe this is actually happening," Lorena squealed. "I love weddings."
Tiffani smiled as they both eagerly waited in Lorena's loft.
"Are you sure your client won't mind that Sam is borrowing her dress?" she asked.
"It's no big deal, she won't know the difference."
"And the dress is a few sizes too big."
"Don't worry," she replied before knocking on the bathroom door. "C'mon Sam, let's see it!"
"I'm not coming out!"
"It's okay," Tiffani said. "Lorena's a pro. She'll have you looking perfect for your walk down the aisle."
The door slowly opened and Tiffani and Lorena were rendered speechless.
"I look like a deflated Goodyear blimp!" Sam whined.
"Well, you're a really pretty blimp," replied Lorena, which only caused Sam to cry even louder.
"Tony's not going to marry me, if I look like this!"
"Of course he will, Sam. Tony will marry you even if you show up in a potato sack."
Sam sniffled and then widened her eyes in horror.
"I don't want to get married in a potato sack either!"
Armed with a determined look on her face, Tiffani turned to Lorena.
"How fast do you think you can fix the dress?"
"I'm way ahead of you, Tiff."
Lorena whipped out a sewing kit and began to tuck and pin the dress while Tiffani tried to comfort Sam. Within a few minutes, Lorena stood back to assess her work.
"Well, it's an improvement," Tiffani said encouragingly.
Carefully waddling to the mirror, Sam looked at her reflection.
"Oh great, now I look like a deflated blimp being used as a pin cushion!"
"If you quit complaining and change, then I can actually fix it for you," Lorena replied.
It took all about a fraction of a second for Sam to dash into the bathroom, slip out of the dress and hand it over to Lorena.
"Do your magic and do it fast," Sam demanded.
Grinning, Lorena sat down at her sewing machine and began altering the gown.
"So, did you get a chance to talk to Sly?" asked Tiffani hesitantly.
The smile on Lorena's face fell.
"I, uh, swung by his room," she said, keeping her attention on the dress. "But his dad and Mark and Cate were in there and I didn't want to disturb them. I'm just so thankful he's okay. He looks a lot better."
"He does," Tiffani agreed. "But you should talk to him."
"There's really nothing left to say," Lorena replied, before changing the subject. "So how are things with you and Jake?"
Tiffani blushed.
"Yeah," Sam said in a sing-song manner. "You two seem to be getting cozy again."
"It's the best."
"It's about time. I was getting sick of the two of you running around in circles. Has he proposed?"
"Sam!" Lorena chided.
"What?"
"No, Sam, he didn't propose. We've decided to take it slow."
The second the words came out of her mouth, Jake came crashing through the door, followed by Matt and Jenny.
"Speak of the Devil," mumbled Sam.
"Sam, get out," Jake growled.
Sam snapped her mouth shut as she ran down the stairs.
"What's going on?" Tiffani demanded.
Taking her hand, Jake shoved a ring onto her fourth finger.
"So much for taking it slow," muttered Lorena, her eyes never leaving her sewing.
"It's a little big," Jake said to Matt.
"Well, that's just great. It's not like we have time to size it."
"Is this the ring for Sam?" asked Tiffani in a whisper.
Jake nodded his head as Tiffani held her hand up and watched the light dance off the silver wedding band.
"It's beautiful," she beamed.
"It doesn't fit," replied Jake, disappointedly. "You have the same size hands as Sam right?"
"I think so."
Sliding the ring off her finger, Tiffani handed it back to Jake.
"You could get it sized after the wedding," she offered with a small smile.
"And have Sam thinking that Tony thought her fingers were fat?" Matt replied, grimacing. "I don't think so."
"Wait, I have an idea," exclaimed Jenny. "Jake, I'm going to borrow your motorcycle."
"Okay…" he said, before her words sunk in. "Hey, hold on a minute, just what do you want with my Harley?"
She grinned playfully, not answering his question.
"Lorena, wrench?"
"Under the sink."
"Thanks."
Grabbing the toolbox, Jenny disappeared out the door before Jake could say anything else.
"Garrison," Jake threatened, digging a finger into Matt's shoulder. "If your sister destroys my bike…"
"Go rip out her spleen, not mine!"
"Okay, enough, today's supposed to be a joyous occasion," Tiffani scolded. "There will be no destruction of anyone's body parts."
"I'm done!" Lorena screeched.
Jake covered his ears and glared at Tiffani.
"You were saying?"
Rolling her eyes, Tiffani looked at the dress Lorena was holding up.
"Wow, how did you fix it so fast?"
"I'm a pro," replied Lorena with a wink.
Taking the dress, Lorena ran down to find Sam. Tiffani couldn't help but glow as she turned to Matt and Jake.
"This is so exciting," she beamed.
"Maybe for you it is," said Jake despondently.
Frowning, Tiffani looked between the two guys.
"What's wrong?"
"We don't have anyone to perform the wedding," Matt explained.
"And being an idiot of a best man, we don't have rings either," added Jake.
"We do now!"
Jenny had reappeared with two silver rings in her hand.
"Where did you get these?" asked Matt.
"Jake's motorcycle."
"You took washers from my bike?"
"Relax, I'll have them replaced by the end of the day. I promise."
"You better."
Taking one of the rings from Jenny, Tiffani slipped it onto her finger.
"It fits!"
"Great one problem solved, we still need someone to do the ceremony," Matt reminded.
Tiffani's eyes lit up as she snapped her fingers.
"I know that look, what do you have in mind?" asked Jake.
"You'll just have to see when the time comes," Tiffani replied.
"Then all that's left is the bride," said Matt.
"Did someone say bride?" Lorena asked as she re-entered the room.
Everyone turned as Sam stepped out from behind Lorena. The strapless gown now fit snugly against Sam's delicate figure. Lace detailed the bodice and rhinestones glittered in a floral pattern all the way down to the hemline.
"Oh my goodness," Tiffani gasped.
"Sam, you look beautiful," Jake said with a smile.
"Absolutely stunning," added Matt.
"Yeah, Tony's not going to know what hit him when he sees you," Jenny exclaimed.
Tears shone in Sam's eyes as she hugged all her friends.
"Thanks guys, I owe it all to you, Lorena. It's perfect."
"Hey, it's just a dress. It helps when the girl wearing the dress is gorgeous all by herself."
Sam smiled as she wrapped her arms around Lorena.
"Well, what are we standing around here for? Let's get moving," she ordered. "I have a man to marry!"
Standing alone in the small chapel, Tony took in his surroundings. Jenny and Cate just left a few minutes earlier after finishing the final touches on the decorations. Pink and white ribbons were strung between the pews accented by daisies. Getting down on his knees, Tony faced the small crucifix at the front of the chapel and bowed his head.
"Dear God, thank you for taking care of my dear friend Sly, thank you for my incredible second family and thank you for my beautiful Samantha," he paused before quickly adding. "Just make sure she doesn't run today. Amen."
He quickly got to his feet as he heard Mark and Jake walk in. The two gentlemen were dressed in matching black suits.
"You," Tony said accusingly, pointing a finger at Jake. "You're my best man and you left me high and dry. What gives?"
"Look, you can't blame me for anything. You were driving me crazy, so I had to leave," replied Jake.
"That's not true, you forgot the rings," Mark said.
His comment earned him a menacing glare from Jake.
"Uh, I mean…"
It was too late, Tony looked like he was about to have a heart attack on the spot.
"Tony, I have the rings, now. See, look!"
Jake held the two bands in front of Tony's eyes. Letting out a sigh of relief, Tony dropped a hand on Mark's shoulder and stared at him hostilely.
"Winkle Two, if you ever and I mean ever, scare me like that again…"
"Won't happen," replied Mark hurriedly, carefully removing Tony's hand from his shoulder. "Never ever."
"Good, that's good," Tony relaxed. "Now, where's the pastor?"
"We don't have one," Mark blurted out.
"What did I say about never scaring me?"
Grabbing Tony before he could strangle Mark, Jake stared straight at his friend.
"Get a grip, Tony," Jake said evenly. "Tiffani has the pastor thing covered, I've got the rings and Sam isn't going to run. You need to chill out before I give you a real reason to panic."
Tony took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"You're right. I have nothing to be nervous about. Thanks, Jake."
"Hey, no problem, what are best men for."
The two exchanged a hug.
"What are you doing standing over there, Monkey Boy?" demanded Tony.
Sheepishly, Mark joined his friends as they both threw an arm around him.
"Awww, now this is Kodak moment!"
The three turned around and saw Sly, dressed in a white robe, being wheeled into the chapel by Tiffani.
"Sly, my man," Tony greeted. "Good to see you awake and well."
"Thanks, wouldn't want to miss your wedding for the world."
"So, uh, Tiff, where's the pastor?" asked Tony eagerly.
Sly and Tiffani exchanged smiles.
"You're looking at him," Tiffani replied.
Tony chuckled as he looked between Sly and Tiffani. Soon all of them were laughing.
"No, seriously, where's the pastor?" Tony repeated.
"Can I get a Amen?" Sly preached, drawing out the 'A.'
Holding his arms out, Sly grinned up at Tony. Tony gawked dumbfounded at Sly, unable to put together a coherent sentence.
"S-Sly?" sputtered Tony. "No way!"
"Oh why not, Tony?" Tiffani countered. "Who better to marry you and Sam than one of your dearest friends?"
She pouted at Tony with Sly mimicking her actions.
"Well, when you put it that way," Tony consented. "Sylvester, would you do us the honors?"
"It would be my pleasure, Antoine."
Taking the wheelchair handles from Tiffani, Tony and Mark positioned Sly at the front of the chapel. Tiffani smiled as she turned to Jake.
"That was your big idea," he said in disbelief.
"Hey, I'm quite proud of my big idea," she defended.
"I never said I was disagreeing with you."
"I know. It's just fun making you squirm a little."
Jake narrowed his eyes at her but playfully drew her into his arms.
"You look amazing," he commented.
She was wearing a rose-colored dress with her wavy hair partially pinned up by a daisy.
"You don't look too bad yourself," she replied, blushing.
As he tucked a loose curl behind her ear, Jake brushed his lips against hers in a soft kiss.
"Just think, sometime in the future, it'll be us exchanging vows."
Grinning from ear to ear, Tiffani tapped Jake on the nose.
"I can't wait," she giggled, before unwillingly removing herself from his grasp. "But right now, I should be with the current bride."
"How is Sam doing?"
"She's freaking out."
"Tony is too."
Tiffani laughed, shaking her head.
"Promise me we won't be like this on our wedding day," she said.
"I promise, as long as you promise me you won't run."
"What?"
Chuckling, Jake kissed the back of her hand.
"Nothing. I'm just glad you're back in my life."
"Me too."
TBC
