Chapter 11
Eleni: Sorry, I've been distracted. Too few hours per day, too few days per week. This is a shortie...longer one to follow.
Bobby sat down at his desk in the clinic with the phone to his ear, dumbfounded. "You are getting married? You've been there a week. You went to talk to her."
"We did, aside from playing soccer, lacrosse, and polo with the nieces and nephews, turkey hunting with her brothers, skeet shooting with her father, riding beautiful horses, all we've done is talk, nothing more intimate. Kissing is permitted, thankfully."
"Aren't you rushing the ceremony? You've been engaged less than 24 hours." Bobby never expected to see Les settle down. Well, not until recently. How ironic. Ranger and Stephanie have been dancing around each other for four years and Lester…..Lester of all people surrenders in four months!
"Neither of us wants a big production. She did the full event with her first marriage, she wants something low key for the second."
"Las Vegas is low key? You could have gotten married here at the Court House."
"It's lower key than having to deal with my family, Ranger's family and all of you trying to squeeze into the Judge's chambers. This is more low key than some big Cuban production in Newark with multi-thousand dollar dresses, a dozen bride's attendants, tuxedos with pastel cummerbunds. Charlotte says she's already been a Bridezilla. She will not do that again. We'll do a small church wedding later for the Santos/Manoso/Rangeman clan when we get back."
Bobby laughed, "The guys here will kill you for not having a bachelor's party. Of all people to skip out on a wild party, who thought it would be you, Party Boy? Plus your family will kill you since they can't over-plan the endless bridal showers."
"Bobby, Charlie doesn't need or want another bridal shower. She has the fully furnished big house in Colt's Neck. Plus since Diamonds, she is firmly off clubs and loud music."
"I have to ask, don't bite my head off. Do you know how much she is worth?"
"Stop there!" Lester forcefully said. "I've already told her and her family I don't care. I don't want airplanes, yachts, condos around the world. I want a family. I'm tired of being a Don Juan, seducing women without giving a fuck about anyone but myself."
"Please tell me you didn't say it that way to her family."
"Hell no, but then Rolf is a West Pointer and has probably heard worse. Oh, by the way, he's friends with George Anders."
"The General? Oh shit. Are you going to tell Ranger?"
"No way."
Bobby shook his head, "OK, Las Vegas, tomorrow if Tank will let me off."
"We'll pick you up tomorrow morning about 09:00 at the airport."
"What airport and what airline?"
"Mercer County and private family jet."
Bobby flashed back to his computer run on Charlotte to find her next of kin. Yeah, they probably have a family jet. "I assume you don't want your tuxedo. What suit do you want me to bring?"
Bobby was still laughing when he went up to 5. Tank's office door was open. Bobby knocked on the frame, walked in and shut the door.
"Problem Brown?" The big man didn't bother to lift his eyes from the computer screen or remove his reading glasses.
Bobby hid his smile, "I'm taking tomorrow off to attend Lester's wedding."
"Very funny, ha, ha."
The smile came through, "For real. He called and said he and Charlotte Williams were getting married tomorrow. I don't think he had a head injury, he's speaking coherently."
"The girl from the bar...the Bourbon Queen?"
"Charlotte Sorenson Williams, yes the same."
"Where? Here, Newark, Kentucky?"
Bobby laughed out loud, "You aren't going to believe it…Las Vegas."
Tank huffed and looked over the top of his granny glasses, "You sure he wasn't drunk?"
"Nope. He said they'll have a church wedding later for his family and any of us who are still talking to him."
Tank removed his glasses and leaned back, brought his huge arms up and laced his fingers behind his head. He had a small smile, "Oh the guys are going to be pissed not being able to throw him a bachelor's party. Then again it's probably a good thing. I'd have to bail half of them out of jail."
"Do we tell Ranger?"
"Is Les telling his mother?"
"I don't think he's thought that far along. This is a spur of the moment decision."
Tank laughed out loud, "Well, if the Newark family doesn't know, why ruin the surprise? If his mother doesn't kill him, the Manosos will. What do you want me to tell the men?"
"It would be best if you said nothing about the wedding. Tell them I've gone to tend Les. He needs support."
"Yeah, they'll buy that. You realize women between Philly and Princeton will be in mourning once the word gets out."
"Yeah, and the guys will be celebrating. Les will no longer be on the playing field."
As Bobby turned towards the door, Tank asked, "Is he marrying the money?"
"He says he doesn't know or want to know how much she or the family is worth. He wants a family."
"Family? Are you sure he doesn't have a head injury?"
Bobby laughed as he left Tank's office.
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Bobby walked into the aviation terminal with two suit carriers over his shoulder. Since no regional carrier was due, the terminal was almost empty. Only one other person was at the gate. Bobby stopped short, he knew the tall, dark-skinned lady. "Jackie?"
"Bobby, what a surprise!" She moved closer to him as he laid down the suits over a chair so he could pull her into an embrace.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"My best friend is getting married in Las Vegas and I'm flying out to be her witness."
"Would your friend be Charlotte Sorenson Williams?" Bobby asked.
"She was my roommate in college. How do you know her?"
"I'm heading to the same wedding! Do you know who she is marrying?"
"No."
"Lester Santos!"
Jackie started to laugh, "Lester the Player?" Then she stopped. "They are actually perfect for each other. I think Lester has met his equal."
"What?"
"Free spirits."
"You aren't referring to liquor spirits are you?"
"No, Charlie and her family live life to the fullest."
"I thought she was pretty straight laced."
"Charlie? Well, she was raised with a pretty strong moral code. She and her first husband saved sex until the wedding night, but then, geez, we'd have to pry them apart. I'm sure he went back into combat just for a rest. As for her family, you will never meet a more loving family filled with respect, honor, charity; and happiness. It would be a privilege to become a member."
"I've met the mother, Kristen. Quite an intelligent and strong-willed lady."
"When? Oh, when Charlie was stabbed. I didn't know you were involved in the case."
"Rangeman provided security…..after the attack. Les met Charlotte the night of the stabbing. From the moment they met, they were google-eyed over each other."
"I didn't get to Trenton to see her in the hospital, we talked on the phone. She did mention a mighty handsome doctor was looking in on her and maybe I should drop in and meet him."
Bobby smiled and kissed Jackie. "I would have been jealous."
Jackie continued, "If you remember there was a squadron of storks due then. I was busy catching babies. She did say she met a nice guy. No way I would peg Les as the "nice guy." I can't wait to see Lover Boy truly in love."
"It's been strange to say the least."
"Bobby, Charlie initially paid part of my college after my parents passed away. She was also helping fund me in medical school until her parents found out. They put an end to it and took my bills upon themselves. I've tried to pay them back but they won't hear of it. My sister Janelle is married to Ben Sorenson, Charlie's older brother."
Bobby vaguely remembered Jackie talking about her two other sisters, the accountant Janelle and Jolene the attorney. The three women emigrated from the Bahamas to attend college and have done quite well for themselves.
The big jet, a Bombadier BD 700 Global Express rolled up to the terminal with the Hunter's Bow logo clearly displayed. "It appears our chariot has arrived. Wow, I was expecting something a lot smaller," Bobby said.
"There are a lot of Sorensons, my dear. This holds just a few of them." Jackie and Bobbie went out onto the tarmac arm in arm.
Charlotte came bouncing down the stairs and stopped. Lester was right behind her.
"Jackie? Dr. Brown? Do you already know each other?"
Jackie smiled, "Charlie, this is the man I've been telling you about for months."
Lester looked stunned, "Ah, hi Jackie, nice to see you again."
"Les, Jackie was my college roommate. Janelle, Ben's wife, is her sister." Janelle emerged from the plane, squealed and came down the steps. "Jackie!"
Lester looked at Bobby with total surprise across his face. "Did you know?"
"Not until a few minutes ago."
Jackie and Bobby found two seats and settled in for the four-hour flight to Las Vegas. Once they were in the air, Charlie introduced Bobby to the rest of the family. When he returned to his seat with Jackie he shook his head, "The men are rather large. I saw someone who looked like The Rock and he wasn't the largest."
Jackie leaned over and kissed Bobby, "Big people with big hearts. They are amazing."
"Are there any children?"
Jackie laughed, "Oh yeah. Wait!" Jackie stood and whispered to Charlotte, "Who's minding the children?"
"Nannies, in-laws, and sleepovers. The kids are crushed they couldn't come along."
Returning to Bobby, Jackie smiled, "Twenty-four with two in waiting" using her thumb to indicate the pregnant woman in the back.
"She's not due soon, I hope."
"Another nine weeks. Ray, who you mistook for The Rock is a physician, internal medicine and then I'm here."
Mrs. Sorenson was busy finalizing the wedding plans when Rolf leaned over, "Looks like Jackie and Bobby already know each other and have something going." Kristen looked up. "Good, maybe the festivities will rub off on them."
"You are ever the matchmaker, woman."
"I want my children and their friends to have what we have."
"You've done a good job so far."
Ben had secured hotel accommodations for everyone by booking multi-bedroom suites. Tristen procured the tickets for 4, figuring Jackie and Bobby would be joining the fun. SlotZilla was scheduled for 7:45 pm and the assault on the Stratosphere would begin a 9 pm ending with the last jump of the night at 11 pm. There was still time for three other Stratosphere rides, which would be a surprise for Charlotte. The rest of the family took it upon themselves to get Les, Charlie, Bobby, and Jackie to the various events. Rolf and Kristen lagged behind admiring the efficiency of their children and their spouses.
"I have no doubt Hunter's Bow will be in capable hands, Kristen. I might have to think about retirement."
Kristen laughed, "No, you love working and the family loves working with you. You balance work, family and me beautifully."
He threw his arms around his wife, "You are always first: wife, family, and then work."
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Once Les and Charlie were checked into their giant suite at the Bellagio shared with Rolf and Kristin and Bobby and Jackie, Charlie asked Lester, "Do you want a ring?"
"Ah, I haven't thought about it." Truly, Lester never thought about wearing a wedding ring in his entire life.
"Will it interfere with your work?" Charlotte seemed concerned.
Les looked at his hand, "It would depend on the ring. It might be handy to ward off the women of Trenton."
Charlie smiled, "Women you have cultivated, dear. Now you'll have to weed your garden."
"I've got the winning rose right here," he said as he kissed her head.
"I'm sure glad you didn't call me a tomato."
Les smiled, "Yes, I'd like a ring."
"Good, let's take Bobby and Jackie along." Kristen Sorenson wasn't the only one to note the body language between Jackie and Bobby on the flight across the country.
The jeweler immediately admired the natural emeralds in Charlie's ring. "They are rare and extraordinary. Will there be a wedding band?"
Charlotte flustered, "Oh I don't need one. This is more than enough."
The jeweler, an older man looked her in the eyes, "My dear a nice diamond band would go well with that ring and protect the precious emeralds."
"It wouldn't hurt to look, Charlie," Les said, remembering how difficult it was to find the emeralds. Diamonds are far more available.
"No, Les, we came to look for a ring for you."
"We will look at both." Les gently took control.
The jeweler quietly said, "We can custom make anything you want."
"No, we are getting married in a couple of hours," Charlotte said as she perused wedding bands.
Quietly unseen by Lester but observed by Charlie, Bobby and Jackie were also looking at rings. Bobby and Jackie walked over to Les and Charlie, "Would you be offended if your wedding becomes a double wedding?"
Les looked lost, Charlie instantly understood. "Of course not! What a wonderful idea! Jackie are you sure you don't want a full-blown wedding?"
"Oh, Lord no! I don't have a family to impress, I've always wanted to elope and what better way than to elope with my best friend, you, Charlotte. No, wait, that didn't sound right." They both laughed.
"What about Jolene? Shouldn't she be here?"
"It's too late now. We'll surprise her with pictures."
Lester now understood, "Bobby?"
"Jackie and I have been talking about engagement and marriage for a while. As Jackie said, why not elope with my best friend, you, Les?" Lester slugged him in the shoulder.
Charlie contacted her mother to tell her about Bobby and Jackie. Her mother's squeal of delight came loudly through the phone. A call for a second marriage certificate was made.
The jeweler was pleased. The foursome came in for a man's wedding ring but left with two men's rings, two diamond bands and a pearl necklace and earrings from Bobby to Jackie.
Though both women had brought a dress with them, they saw a boutique and looked around. Lester and Bobby stayed in the gallery, sitting waiting for their betrothed. While they waited, they ate ice cream cones. The absurdity got to both of them and they started to chuckle, "Don't you dare tell anyone about this," Bobby laughed.
When the ladies emerged they each had a dress bag and a large shopping bag. "Gentlemen, would you return these to the hotel while we ladies find one more item. We will be back shortly." The men complied and the women ran to a tourist shop for t-shirts and shorts. "Oh, our men are going to kill us," Jackie laughed as they returned to the hotel.
The nondenominational chapel had limited seating and was packed with Sorensons. Every member of the family had cell phones, providing multiple angles for the nuptials. Magnus and Tristen were already planning how they'd incorporate the entire night from everyone's cell phone into one video.
Since Bobby and Jackie were also getting married, new witnesses were needed. There were plenty of prospects. Ben and Janelle did the honors since Janelle was Jackie's older sister, Ben was Charlotte's older brother.
As Charlie and Jackie walked down the aisle on Rolf's massive arms they got the giggles as every Sorenson in the audience was filming the wedding on their phones. "I'd love to have a picture of them filming us," Jackie whispered. Rolf chuckled.
The ceremony was quick and no wedding reception, their SlotZilla reservations were coming up and everyone needed to change clothes. Ben told the marriage party. "Drivers will be standing by."
The four newly married emerged from the hotel wearing cargo shorts and sporting t-shirts proclaiming "Just Married Viva Las Vegas."
Bobby mumbled to Lester, "Les, what have we done?"
Les laughed, "Hang on Bobby, it's liable to be a crazy 50 years."
A/N: A more detailed description of the festivities will come when the video is viewed by Rangemen.
