The Wedding

I woke up to the sound of birds singing just outside of my window. That happy and carefree tune made my stomach turn. As I reached over and pulled the shade up I could see it was a beautiful sunny day, a perfect day to get married. It would have been a perfect day all around, had it not been for…well…that was all done with. Today was a good day to move on, after all Sarah's wedding would be later this evening.

Before I could even put my feet on the floor the telephone rang. I stared at it holding my breath as I picked up the receiver.

"Are you just about ready to go? We have a lot to do today," my mother said, on the other line.

I sighed as I told her I'd be right over. And so it began. There was a trip to the salon, and pre-wedding things to do over at my parent's house while the bridal party got ready and then we'd be meeting everyone else at the country club for the wedding and reception.

I managed to smile and not draw attention to myself as the day carried on. I was quite proud of myself for pulling it together. It took every ounce of strength I had to mask the immense pain. Since that night I'd felt a wide variety of emotions. At first I was completely distraught, and then I was angry now I was depressed and felt somewhat gullible. The pain was still ever present, but today I could not allow it to get to me. Tomorrow would be another story. After the photographer was finished with his pictures and the whole business of my sister getting married was behind me—in the comfort of my own apartment—I was going to fall apart. After that I would go back to my therapist's office and try to fix it all, as if a magic solution would even be possible. It wasn't as if this was some new pain, it felt like Jesse all over again. I had to stop these creeping thoughts and remember why I was here. As I looked around the country club I was completely taken back.

I was entranced by the lovely setting. Sarah's taste in style was never lacking, that could always be counted upon. The place looked like something out of a romance. I smiled meekly at my mother who was taking in the same scenery. She came over with a concerned look on her face when the caterer came over to speak with her. She excused herself and I was left to my own devices. The ceremony would be starting soon and everything in the reception area looked pitch perfect. There were wine barrels everywhere and soft candle lighting; it was going to be a great reception.

"Maggie, we need you in the other room." Sam said, poking her head around the corner. As I followed her through the different rooms we walked by the area where the ceremony would be held. It was quickly filling with people looking for seats. There was supposed to be over three hundred people at this wedding today and I sighed as I followed Sam into the changing room. This was Sarah's idea of 'no big deal'.

Sarah was already in her dress and looked exquisite. She had a glow of happiness around her and I envied her for that. For now all I could do was be happy for her.

"You look so radiant," I said feeling a tear in my eye.

"Thanks Maggie," she said reaching out for me. She hugged me and my mom snapped a picture in the background.

"It's time ladies," the coordinator said coming in. We got into our positions and began the walk down the aisle. As I held onto the groomsman's arm I looked around at the many guests watching the events unfold. Everyone looked so well dressed and happy. As we approached the end of the aisle I looked for the groom. I'd never officially met him and was interested to see what he looked like. I gasped as I looked down the aisle and saw him. Some of the guests looked up at me concerned. I smiled politely as I regained my composure. It couldn't be; how could this be happening?

It was Dr. James Wilson. He was marrying my sister? How was this possible? As the groomsman and I parted ways I looked over at James's guilty face. I shook my head and stood there anxious for the ceremony to start. I felt awkward and wondered how this could get any worse. Just then down the aisle with another of the bride's maids came Gregory.

My mouth gaped open and I could feel the flight or fight reflexes starting to kick in. What the hell was going on here? Had the whole world gone mad? Gregory looked at me, his eyes locking on mine then his gaze shifted away for a moment and focused on James. He looked genuinely surprised to see him there. When he reached the end of the aisle he stood next to James and began talking softly.

"What are you doing here?" Gregory asked James.

"Getting married, good of you to come."

James smiled smugly like the cat that swallowed the canary. Nothing was making any sense and I didn't know what to do. The wedding march started and Sarah appeared in the door way. All eyes shifted to her as she made her slow entrance. Greg walked the few steps toward me and stood there in front of me as if trying to gauge my reaction.

"Please just leave me alone." I pleaded.

"We need to talk," Gregory said.

"Not a good time for me. Will you get back over there?" I hissed.

"Not until you talk to me."

"House," James whispered.

Sarah looked right at us as she finished walking toward us. She carried on as if nothing was wrong. That was strange. She stood in front of James and they locked eyes immediately. They really were in love; there was no doubt about that.

"I wanted to explain some things." Greg said.

I ignored him as I felt a soft tear roll down my cheek. I excused myself quickly, speed walking down the aisle wishing I could just disappear. I walked back into the barrel room and took a deep breath thankful to at least be alone. Just then I heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind me.

"Leave me the hell alone!" I shouted.

"No, you love me." He said. With the sudden turn of events I hadn't even noticed how amazing he looked until right now. Somehow his tux matched the rest of the wedding party. The black tux and blue button up shirt really made his eyes come out and I could feel myself getting lost in them. There was a nagging longing tugging at my heart, I snapped out of it and quickly; I was not going to give in this time. I was through, done with him and I'd tell him so.

"I don't love you any more."

"Yes you do." He said, sounding like he was trying to convince the both of us. He ran a hand through his grey hair as he stood in front of me squarely looking down at me with his sharp eyes.

"You broke into my therapist's office. You read my file and used it against me. How long have you known about me?" I demanded. I folded my arms across my chest waiting for an answer.

He sighed looking away, with a guilty expression. "Around two years."

"What?" I felt so confused about everything that was happening that I was sure I was dreaming. Everything was too strange to be real.

"That's not possible, we've never met."

"I was working the night your husband died. I was leaving when they told you he was gone. I walked right by you. The whole thing was talked about all through the hospital for weeks. The dean of medicine actually changed hospital policy and protocol after that."

"I don't understand; if you knew me-"

"I didn't realize it was you until after that night at the café with Wilson. He figured out who you were before I did and after he figured it out, he forbid me to see you. He said it wouldn't work and we'd only tear each other apart."

"Well he was right wasn't he?" I asked sarcastically.

"No he wasn't." Gregory said, taking a step toward me.

I looked up at him hopelessly. "Please don't do this. We're not right for each other, we never deal with our problems. The only thing we do is sleep with each other, which is great but it's not enough."

"Not anymore. Let's talk. Let's talk about all of it." He said rubbing the side of my arm.

"It's too late. The night Jesse died was awful; looking back I never thought I would feel that lousy. Everything we went through and the things you said...it was just as bad. Even if you love me, I don't know that I could ever believe you."

The doors burst open as the guests arrived.

"And now I've missed my sister's wedding. I have to go." I said turning and walking away. I took my place with the wedding party standing in a long line as family and friends came through to wish the bride and groom well. I was glad when no one asked about my episode during the ceremony.

"We need to talk." James said as the line began to thin out.

"We do?" I asked confused. "Why?"

"It's about House," he said smiling and waving at the guests.

"We're through," I said.

"He's in love you," Wilson said. "I also have a confession to make. Can you walk with me?" He asked seeming a little anxious.

"Uh, sure," I said feeling confused.

The wedding party left the room to take the wedding pictures. The guests started on the buffet as the d.j. began playing his set.

"I'll be right back honey," he said to Sarah, which was kind of strange.

"Sure thing darling," she answered.

As we turned to walk away she called to me. "Maggie."

I turned to see what she wanted. "Try to keep an open mind." She said. I looked at her baffled as I turned back around to walk with James.

"You know I wanted to thank you." He started.

"Me? Why?"

"If it wasn't for you I would have never met Sarah."

"How am I responsible for you two meeting?" I asked.

He sat down on a concrete bench and I followed suit desperate for answers to the strange things that had been happening all day.

"After everything happened that night, the night Jesse died, I did try to find you. Jesse didn't leave me any of your information, the only thing I had was a possible grief counselor. House broke in trying to help me and that's how I found out where the funeral was being held. I showed up there hoping to speak with you. By the time I got there though it had long been over. The only one there was Sarah; she was taking care of some of the funeral arrangements."

It made sense, she paid for a great deal of the services and get together afterward.

"We got to talking and hit it off. I didn't go there looking to pick anyone up, it just kind of happened. I only just recently found out who she was to you when we got engaged." He said.

"How does Gregory factor into this?" I asked.

"Well you both had been hurt by a loved one. He came out of a pretty bad relationship a few years ago and lost himself for awhile. Her name was Lisa and he'd never loved anyone as much as her up until that point and he went for it whole heartedly. It was an ugly break up and I kind of thought he would loose it after that. After Sarah and I made the connection that you were her sister I began thinking about him and how much you had in common with each other. It was then that the plan was born." He said looking guilty.

"Plan? What plan?" I asked.

"Well Sarah and I thought that we would set you up with him. Unfortunately we knew that neither of you would go for that. Plus House hates weddings, he doesn't believe in the institution of marriage. I had to find a way to throw him off the scent of my getting married so Sarah and I could proceed with the wedding."

"So you used me?" I asked feeling my stomach turn.

"No, not at all. We really thought you guys would be good for each other. We just had to be careful in how we arranged everything."

"What do you mean?"

"When we first decided we would give it a try I had to come up with some reason to make him go out with you. I'd been betting him for a month to go out with random interesting women, none of which I knew he would get serious with. I know your therapist Dr. Snider, I refer a lot of patients to her. She agreed to coax you into dating again. I paid your neighbor, whose kid happened to be sick anyway, to have you go into the clinic on a day I knew House would be working. When you walked in I bet him that there was no way he could get you to come out on a date with him. It worked well enough and he began going through his usual signs that something was going on that he didn't want to talk about."

"After that night that I saw you at the café, I knew he was falling in love with you. He wouldn't meet with you after a day like that if it wasn't somewhat serious, and he hadn't introduced us which was another good sign. I only meet the ones he doesn't care about. I decided to push a tiny bit harder that night by telling him he couldn't see you for 'ethical reasons'."

"Then there was the business of getting him to the wedding to be my best man; because while everything was happening with the two of you I was making plans to get married. I knew I wouldn't have a large window to work with so the wedding had to come together quite quickly. If House got wind of it, he'd start canceling the D.J. or sending the flowers somewhere else, juvenile things like that. So Sarah left several messages at your house that she assured me you'd never check that would be there for him to hear. There was a conference scheduled in New York that I knew House wouldn't go to, but if you were at the same hotel doing wedding things with you family he was sure to go. He has this weird thing with stocking people and showing up at random places. With him gone I could finish everything I needed, have a bachelor party and be ready for the wedding.

Despite his profound hatred for weddings he's here right now. He's here because he wants to be with you and I really think you guys should give it another shot."

I sat back absorbing all of this new information. "That was some elaborate plan. But how did you get him in the tux?" I asked.

"That was easy; I left one out in his size. I knew once he got here he'd be looking for a way to blend in."

"Did you plan on us having the fight too?" I asked.

"No, I thought you guys were fine until last week. I was worried the whole thing would fall apart, but everything came through in the end, except for the fight. Which is why I really think you should talk to him." James said getting up.

I nodded not moving.

"I have to get going, but I'll see you in a bit?" He asked.

I nodded again, my mind still racing.

"There you are," Greg said walking by James. He eyed him curiously as he sat down next to me.

"Good luck House," James said.

"What have you guys been talking about?" He asked, as James disappeared around a hedge and out of sight.

"You're apparently so clever you tell me." I answered.

"Was he telling you about how he set us up and planned this whole thing?" Gregory asked.

"Except for the fight yes. How do you know that?" I asked.

"Wilson is not as smart as he thinks he is. I've known for quite awhile. Did you like my surprised face?" He asked mimicking the same face I'd seen at the ceremony.

"I'm speechless," I said.

"I figured it out the night at the café. He was off, even for him. When I disappeared for a few days that's where I was."

"I don't think I'm clever enough to keep up with your circles." I said. I felt like I was in a Colombo rerun. Everything seemed to make sense now except for one thing.

"Wait, wait, wait. If you knew what he was planning, why did you go along with it?" I asked as my eyes narrowed.

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always had. I want you." He said.

"You sure know how to win a girl over." I teased.

He smiled devilishly at me. "You ain't seen nothing yet." He slid closer to me and reached out for my face cupping my chin in his hands. He brushed his lips against mine as I saw the annoying flash of a camera.

"Sorry," my mom said leaving.

Suddenly I felt lighter than air, everything that was bringing me down and causing me heart ache was just gone. There really was a magic cure, and it was him. He was the answer I'd been looking for.

"So do you dance?" I asked.

"Not usually, but I think I could manage with the proper motivation." He said getting to his feet.