The foursome arrived at the wedding site and quickly found seats near the middle on the bride's side. Elaine and Ian trotted off to mingle while Shawn and Juliet simply stood in their place taking in the beautiful scenery.
The ceremony was set up in a field near a cliff facing the ocean. The field was flanked by a dense forest of trees. There were ten rows of six chairs on each side of the blush and peach runner. The runner was tacked down at each row with a silk bouquet of blush and peach roses. The runner ended at a beautiful trellis style wedding arch which was covered in the same silk roses that the runner tacks were constructed from along with masses of silk ivy. White tulle draped the inside of the arch with a swag hanging from the top. The white wooden chairs were tied together with soft white and blush tulle on the bride's side and white and peach tulle on the grooms.
Juliet soon saw two women who were obviously in the bridal party. The maid of honor, Tara's sister Kylie in Peach, and a woman Juliet didn't know in Blush. They wore beautiful tea length dresses. The top was strapless. It appeared to be silk chiffon and was ruched over the entire bodice. The lower half was a flowing layer of satin that ended at the knee and two layers of silk chiffon, the bottom in a shade or two darker than the top. It was hemmed with a matching satin ribbon. Juliet directed Shawn's attention to the two party members and whispered, "They look beautiful." Shawn smiled warmly and kissed Juliet's forehead lightly.
'They're pretty, you're the one that's beautiful,' Shawn thought to himself as he watched Juliet.
Before long Juliet spotted some of her friends from high school as they made a B-line for her. Juliet snaked her arm around Shawn's and held his hand tightly as if afraid the women may snatch him away.
"Julie!" A tall brunette yelled as she ran towards the couple arms open wide followed by a petite, but striking red-head. She and "the ginger one", as Shawn had decided to dub her, hugged Juliet quickly. "Oh, my god! You look great!" The brunette exclaimed. She wore the perpetual smile of a professional cheerleader. The brunette then turned her attention to Shawn. "Well, Hello… Who is this?"
"Mindy, Christie, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Shawn. Shawn, this," she gestured to the brunette, "is Mindy," now nodding to the red-head Juliet continued, "and this is Christie. Tara, Mindy, Christie, and me were really good friends growing up," Juliet made the introductions.
"Hello, Shawn," Mindy's smile became genuine as they shook hands.
"Nice catch!" Christie non-whispered to Juliet as she shook hands with Shawn and smiled.
Shawn grinned, "Mindy, Christie, it's nice to meet you."
"So are you still a police officer, Julie?" Christie asked keeping the conversation moving.
"I'm a detective now, actually," Juliet smiled proudly, "That's actually how Shawn and I got to know each other."
"Really?! Are you a detective to?" Mindy asked shocked. He definitely didn't look like any cop she'd ever seen, but that didn't mean he couldn't be.
"Well, kind of, I'm the lead psychic detective for the SBPD," Shawn smiled.
"Psychic?!" Mindy and Christie said in unison as they shot dubious glances to Juliet.
"It's true," Juliet confirmed.
Shawn did a quick inspection of the two women as he raised his hand to his temple. Juliet smiled at the women as Shawn began. "Mindy, I'm getting, fox trot, tango, army, no, you're a dancer, no a dance instructor!"
"Oh, my god! That's right." Mindy gasped.
Shawn turned his attention to Christie. "And Christie, you're pregnant, about three months, am I right?"
"In a week and a half," Christie said a bit spooked, "Dean and I haven't told anyone."
Mindy shook her head, "I'm shocked, Julie. I always imagined you with a more main-stream lover. No offense, Shawn, but you have to admit; it's kind of out there."
"None taken and I make no pretense of being normal… In fact I take pride in being eccentric, and having really great hair." Shawn donned his most charming smile. The two women from Juliet's past giggled.
An official looking man in a suit took station in front of the arch prompting Christie to look at her watch. "Well, I should go find my husband. The wedding's going to start in a few minutes."
"Me too," Mindy smiled brightly. "It was so nice to see you again, Julie! Give me a call next time you guys visit Miami, and, Shawn…"
"Yeah," Shawn looked up from his date and smiled.
"Take care of Juliet. She's one of a kind," Mindy smiled.
"I Promise." Shawn squeezed Juliet's hand.
Soon the groom took his place beside the officiator under the arch. He wore a white silk and wool suit with a white tie. The only color to his outfit was his boutonniere, a pink and a peach rosebud encircled by white hydrangea.
A couple of minutes later, once all guests were quietly seated, the processional music began. There was a woman at an electric piano to one side and a man with an acoustic guitar to the left. The families of the bride then the groom were escorted down the aisle to Greensleeves. The song seamlessly flowed into Storybook Love as, first, the flower girl, sprinkling white rose petals down the runner, emerged in her winter white sundress, flowers a ring of white hydrangea atop her mass of blonde curls. She was followed by the diminutive ring bearer in all white. Juliet stifled an 'awww factor' giggle as the tiny little man toddled down the aisle concentrating intensely on the pillow gripped in his tiny hands. Then came the six bridesmaids, escorted to the front by the bridal attendants in white suits with silk ties and boutonniere's to match the color of their partners dress.
There was a ten second pause between the end of the attendant's procession and when the musicians began playing Canon in D. Everyone turned around to see Tara be escorted down the aisle by her father.
Tara's dress was simple and elegant. The basic design of her dress was very much like that of her bridesmaids. The most profound differences besides it being white, was the delicate beading work on the bodice. Also, the skirt portion was a floor length free flowing piece that hung delicately over her hips. There was very little evidence of a train. She wore a ring of pink and peach hydrangeas in her hair and some white hydrangea were placed strategically in the soft blond curls that fell down her back. She sported a large bouquet of blush and peach roses interspersed with white hydrangea.
Juliet's eyes glistened with tears. She was always such a sap at weddings especially when the bride was as breathtaking as Tara was today. Shawn must have noticed her tearing up because he squeezed her hand and rubbed the top of it with his thumb. She squeezed back and smiled to herself.
As the two reached the end of the aisle Tara's father kissed her lightly before going to sit with his wife. The officiator, Darren, began telling a story of watching his nephew Michael, grow up. Shawn heard Juliet sniffle as the man began talking about the love he'd watch develop between Tara and Mike. Elaine took hold of her daughter's free hand as Shawn handed Juliet a tissue and encircled her shoulders with his arm. Shawn played with the skin at the base of Juliet's skull sending a shiver running down her spine. He chuckled softly as he moved his hand to her shoulder, "Sorry," He whispered.
Juliet looked to him and smiled. He reached his free hand up and wiped away a stray tear before returning his attention to the three people at the head of the crowd. Juliet laid her head on Shawn's shoulder as the Mike's uncle stated that it was time for the vows.
Juliet felt Shawn sigh as he lazily repeated a figure eight on her arm just below her shoulder with his finger. Elaine let go of Juliet's hand to find a tissue in her clutch. Juliet took this opportunity to retrieve Shawn's other hand and entwine her fingers in his as it lay across his lap. She felt him smile and then kiss the top of her head making her smile as the real ceremony began.
"So, Tara, do you really want to marry Michael?" Darren asked cocking his head to the side and squinting playfully. The audience all chuckled at that all except Shawn who simply approvingly nodded and smiled.
"I do," Tara replied with a trembling half giggle.
"And, Michael, do you really want to marry Tara?" A few more chuckles from the peanut gallery.
"I do," The man stated breathlessly as he wiped a tear from his soon-to-be wife's face. It was Juliet's turn to sigh.
"Then repeat after me, Tara."
Tara did as instructed repeating word for word: "I, Tara Renee Beakman, take you, Michael John Grayson to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live."
Juliet heard Shawn sniffle and looked up to see a tear streaking down his face as Michael repeated his vows making Juliet grin.
"What? It's my allergies?" Shawn tried to persuade her.
Juliet simply smiled and laid her head back on his shoulder.
Darren was speaking again, "The wedding band is an outward symbol of the bond these two have chose to form. May we have the rings please?"
As Darren said please the diminutive ring bearer bolted up to the stage pillow in hand. He reached up with it toward Tara. She bent down gracefully and untied the ribbons holding the rings before kissing the toddler and facing him toward his parents. He ran back happily squealing spawning another peal of laughter from the assembly.
"Michael, place the ring on Tara's finger and repeat after me," Darren instructed.
"Tara, I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I have, all that I am, and all that I will ever be. With this ring, I gladly marry you and look forward to the road ahead," Michael finished his voice trembling as a single tear slalomed down his cheek.
Tara followed suit barely able to talk through the tears of joy cascading down her cheeks.
There was a pause. Shawn moved his arm back down to his side and took Juliet's hand in his giving it a firm affectionate squeeze. Juliet sat straight smiling.
"Tara, Michael, having stated your vows and exchanged rings in the presence of family and friends it is truly a pleasure to announce that by the authority given me by the state of California that you are husband and wife!" Darren nearly roared with excitement.
The couple stared at him questioningly for a long moment.
"Well, what are you waiting for?! Kiss your bride, Man!"
The assembly clapped loudly as the two engaged in a lingering kiss. Once they separated the couple turned toward the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm happy to present Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Tara Grayson!" Darren roared above the clapping.
The Bee Gees "Wedding Day" began to play and the newly united couple ran down the aisle beneath a shower of birdseed.