Title: White Christmas
Chapter 11 – Congratulations
Disclaimer: I don't own Susie or Jonesy or any of the other heelers. Everyone and everything else belongs to me
Dedication: To Shelby-thanks so much for all your ideas!!! Couldn't have done it without you! And of course Nat, Blaire, Manda, Mandy, Haylz and Chantal!
Summary: Six months after they return to Mt Thomas Susie and Jonesy prepare themselves for their wedding, and the birth of their first baby…
"So the big day is coming up hey!" Alex patted Jonesy on the back. "Are you excited?"
"Bloody nervous more like it. I haven't written my vows yet…I don't know if Susie wants the more traditional vows, or if she wants original vows."
"Well, I may be able to help you there."
"You're kidding right. What help could you be? You're about as creative as a leaf on a stick"
"Okay how's this for creative then. Let's see now…I'll be the pastor and you repeat after me…Will you answer me right now, these questions, as your wedding vow"
"What are you on about Alex?"
"Will you take her as your wife? Will you love her all your life?" Alex continued teasing Jonesy.
"Alex would you stop it? You're not making any sense."
"Will you have, and also hold, just as you have at this time told? Will you love through good and bad? Whether you're happy or sad?" Alex laughed his head off. "Oh this is gold."
"Where are you pulling this from?" Jonesy couldn't help but laugh.
"Well it just so happens I have a talent for poetry."
"Yeah right…where did you manage to pull something that good from?"
"The internet!" Alex and Jonesy laughed.
"What's so funny?" Joss asked.
"Nothing, Alex is just being a knob as usual." Jonesy rolled his eyes.
"Oh, righto." Joss replied. "So only a week till the big day."
"Please don't remind me. I am so not prepared."
"Oh, why not? Don't tell me you haven't written your vows yet?"
"As a matter of fact I haven't…"
"Wow…you should get moving on them. It's not easy thinking up wedding vows."
"How would you know?"
"I'm Italian, the amount of weddings we've had in my family I'm an expert." Joss replied.
"Oh really. You wouldn't mind helping me out then."
"Wait you'd trust Joss to help you out but you won't trust your best man?"
"I'm pretty sure Joss can come up with something better than a knock off of Dr Seuss." Jonesy replied.
"Who's knocking off Dr Seuss?" Kelly asked, walking into the room.
"Alex, he came up with some ridiculous wedding vows."
"Oh really. Like what?"
"Then if you'll take her as your wife, and if you'll love her all your life, and if you'll have, and if you'll hold, from now until the stars grow cold…"
"I think that's enough Alex!"
"Hey that's pretty good. Though I'm pretty sure if you used something like that Susie wouldn't be impressed." Kelly replied. "Hey Alex you should write that down, it's actually pretty good. Is there any more?"
"No! No more!" Jonesy cried.
"As a matter of fact there is more." Alex smirked. "Would you like to hear it?"
"Hell yes!" Joss laughed.
"If you'll love through good and bad, and whether you're happy or sad, and love in sickness, and in health, and when you're poor, and when in wealth."
"I'm out of here." Jonesy shook his head and started walking out of the room. Alex started reciting it louder so Jonesy could hear it as he was walking into the Mess room.
"And if you'll love with all your heart, from now until death do you part. Yes, if you'll love her through and through, Please answer with these words: I DO."
Jonesy could hear muffles of laughter as he walked into the mess room and closed the door behind him.
"Any luck with the wedding vows?" Amy asked as she walked into the Mess room a couple of hours later. Jonesy was sitting at the table with his head in his arms, fast asleep.
"Let's see what you've got." Amy walked over and picked up the piece of paper. And started reading it to herself.
"What is this…?" She asked herself when she got halfway down the page. "Who would write something…oh…ALEX!!!" Amy suddenly realised what must have happened while Jonesy was sleeping. She took the piece of paper with her and stormed out of the mess room and into the main office.
"ALEX KIRBY!!!" She screamed at him. "How could you be so inconsiderate?"
"Beg pardon?" Alex looked at Amy confusedly.
"Does this ring any bells?" She held the piece of paper up. "I, Evan Jones choose you, Susane Raynor to be my partner in life. In front of our friends and family gathered here I promise to love and cherish you throughout good times and bad times. I promise to try to remember to put down the toilet seat and to replace the toilet roll when it finishes. I promise to remember this day with love and roses and to look after you if you get sick. I will love you to infinity and beyond." She growled and pushed the piece of paper into his chest.
"What? I was just having a bit of fun. It's not like anyone was going to be hurt."
"Did you think of how Susie would feel if Jonesy accidentally read these vows out in the middle of the ceremony? Did you?" Alex looked at her guiltily.
"I didn't mean any harm. It was just a joke." Amy slammed the piece of paper down on the desk, making Alex jump.
"Alex a wedding is not a joke. It is a sacred ceremony between two people who love each other, not for mucking around. How do you think Susie would feel if she found out you were making a mockery of her big day?'
"I'm sorry alright. It wont happen again…gees why are you so edgy all of a sudden?"
"I'm not edgy…I just want everything to go perfectly for Susie. She's been looking forward to this day for months now. And if you ruin it I will never forgive you."
"I won't ruin it. I promise. It was just a joke and it won't happen again."
"Good." With that Amy turned and walked into her office.
One Week Later…
"Oh Susie you look gorgeous." Amy smiled when Susie walked out of the bathroom.
"Can you zip me up? I can't reach around." Susie laughed.
"Sure." Susie turned around and Amy zipped up her dress. "You really do look wonderful."
"I look fat." Susie complained.
"No, you don't."
"Look at me…I'm the size of a truck!"
Amy laughed and shook her head.
"No, you're not fat you're pregnant. And you look amazing." Susie was wearing a long, strapless, baby blue gown, which covered her eight month pregnant stomach and then fell to the floor. Her shoulder length, blonde hair was held in a bun on top of her head, with loose curls hanging down.
"You're glowing." Susie's niece Shelby smiled when she saw her aunty. "You look so beautiful."
"Thanks Shelby. You look really nice too."
"I love this dress." Shelby laughed. "It's so me!" She twirled around and the skirt flew out. Shelby and Amy were wearing matching metallic sky blue dresses which were boob tube style with spaghetti straps. The bottom of the dress was about knee length and it flowed as they walked.
"Aunty Susie!" A small girl ran up towards Susie, holding a disposable camera. "Wow…you look pretty. Can I take your picture?"
"Of course." Susie smiled at her other niece. She was so glad at least some of her family were able to make it to the wedding. Jackson and Shelly had gone on a second honeymoon, taking the kids along with them, Chuck was held up at the hotel and Macca and Amanda were over visiting Marty and his new wife in Vietnam. So Susie was left with just her Mum, her Dad, one of her brothers Michael and his two daughters Shelby and Alyssa.
"Oh Susie darling you look absolutely gorgeous." Ellen, Susie's mother walked into the room and smiled. "My little girl is finally getting married." A tear fell down Ellen's cheek as she carefully hugged her only daughter.
"Please don't cry Mum. You promised me there would be no crying."
"I'm sorry I just cant help it, you look amazing and you're getting married today…"
"I know Mum." Susie laughed. "You'd better get going. You've got to get the other girls to the park before we get there." Susie smiled.
"Oh, yes I'm sorry. Oh I'm so happy for you." She gave Susie another hug.
"Alright Mum I get the point. Careful or you'll smudge my makeup." Susie pushed Ellen away, laughing.
"Alright I'll see you there then. Come on Alyssa; let's go find your dad."
"Are you ready Susie?" Amy asked.
Susie took a deep breath. As she did so she felt a slight pain in her stomach. She ignored it and turned to Amy, a grin on her face.
"I'm ready." Susie replied. "I just need the flowers."
"I've got them!" Shelby handed a flower arrangement to Susie and a smaller one to Amy, and then she picked up her own and smiled.
"Let's go then." She said. "Okay. I'll let the boys know we're ready." Shelby walked out of the house to where Joss and PJ were waiting by two patrol cars, which had white ribbons tied to the front, just like wedding cars. The silver, stretch limo was waiting behind, the driver ready to open the doors for the bride.
"We're ready to go boys. Are you ready to lead the way?" Shelby asked with a grin. "Because here comes the bride!" She laughed.
"Sure are!' Joss tipped his police hat in response.
"Righto!" PJ replied and nodded his head. When he saw Susie step out into the front yard he gasped. "Wow Susie you look beautiful."
"Thanks PJ." Susie smiled at him. "I'm so glad you could make it down."
"It was my pleasure." PJ replied. "Are we ready to head off?"
"Let's go!" Shelby said excitedly and smiled.
"Susie couldn't contain her excitement and happiness as she, Shelby and Amy climbed into the Limo.
Meanwhile at the park…
"Nervous mate?' Alex laughed. Jonesy was pacing back and forth, waiting for the cars to arrive.
"Just a bit." Jonesy replied.
"You'll be right mate." Alex smiled. "After all you're just marrying her cause you knocked her up aren't ya." Alex laughed.
"What?" Jonesy suddenly realised what Alex said. "No I really love her Alex. I proposed to her before I even knew about the baby. I love her so much…"
"Hey I was just kidding…gees."
"Hey look here they come!" Jonesy looked up and saw the two patrol cars pulling up at the edge of the park, followed by the long, silver limo carrying the bridal party.
"You ready mate?" Alex asked.
"Definitely." Jonesy grinned. He watched as Shelby and Amy climbed out of the limo, and then turned to help Susie out. "Wow." He smiled when he saw how beautiful Susie looked.
"You look amazing." Jonesy said to her when she was finally standing beside him.
"So I've been told." She laughed. "You don't look so bad yourself." She winked.
"Dear friends and family, with great affection for Evan and Susie we have gathered together to witness and bless their union in marriage. To this sacred moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure and a gift from God to share with one another. They bring the dreams which bind them together in an eternal commitment. They bring their gifts and talents, their unique personalities and spirits, which God will unite together into one being as they build their life together. We rejoice with them in thankfulness to the Lord for creating this union of hearts, built on friendship, respect and love. Please join me now in our opening prayer."
There was silence as the priest spoke. Susie and Jonesy stood together holding hands, not taking their eyes off one another.
"God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the significance of this wedding day we thank you. For this important moment in an ever growing relationship we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. In Christ's holy name. Amen."
"Amen!" Everyone replied as the priest finished the prayer. "At this point I would ask you all to please take your seats as we begin the ceremony." Everyone took their seats and the priest began the ceremony. "Evan Jones and Susane Raynor, you have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry each other today. You are entering into a sacred covenant as life partners in God. The quality of your marriage will reflect what you put into nurturing this relationship. You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind, and tender relationship. We bless you this day. It is up to you to keep the blessings flowing each and every day of your lives together. We wish for you the wisdom, compassion, and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you can both grow in love.
"Evan, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?"
"I do." Jonesy replied.
"And Susane, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?"
"I do." Susie grinned.
"Very well. The bride will now read aloud her vows."
"I, Susane Raynor take you, Evan Jones to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honour and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
"Evan, would you now read aloud your vows."
"I, Evan Jones take you Susane Raynor to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special day, I give to you in the presence of God and these witnesses my sacred promise to stay by your side as your husband in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
"Now for the exchanging of the rings…" Susie's father handed the wedding rings to the priest. "The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you Evan, may place a ring on the finger of your bride."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Jonesy slowly placed the ring onto Susie's finger.
"By the same token Susane, you may place a ring on the finger of your groom."
"Evan, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Susie had tears in her eyes as she placed the ring onto Jonesy's finger.
"Now that Evan and Susie have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I pronounce them to be husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. You may kiss the bride."
The guest stood and cheered and applauded as Jonesy leant in and gave Susie a gentle kiss on her lips, symbolising their union as Husband and Wife.
"Jonesy placed his arm around Susie and as they walked through the crowd towards the limo they were covered in confetti and rice from their guests.
"Well I guess it's official now…you're my wife." Jonesy smiled as he helped Susie into the car.
"I guess that makes you my husband." She replied. As she was climbing into the car she suddenly felt something wet trickling down her legs.
"Oh god." She whispered.
"What is it?" Jonesy asked.
"It's nothing." Susie replied as she sat down and Jonesy climbed in beside her. He closed the door to the Limo and as soon as the car had taken off Susie turned to Jonesy.
"Jonesy…" She said a worried look on her face.
"Yes Susie?"
"DO you think maybe we could make a detour on the way to the reception?"
"Sure, where would you like to go?"
"The hospital." Susie replied calmly.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"I think my water just broke." Susie replied.
"Oh god…"
"Jonesy you need to get me to the hospital."
"Alright…just breathe okay I'll get the driver to take us there straight away." Jonesy tapped on the window between where he was sitting and where the driver was. A few seconds later the screen came down and Jonesy leant forward.
"Can you please take us to the hospital…my wife has just gone into labour."
"Are you sure?" The driver looked in his rear view mirror and saw Susie curled up on the seat, clutching her stomach.
"Of course I'm sure. Now drive!' Jonesy ordered.
"Yes Sir!" The driver obeyed their instructions and quickly changed directions, heading for the hospital.
"It'll be alright Suse, we'll get you to the hospital in time, just breathe."
"I am breathing!" Susie cried.
"Could you go a little faster please?" Jonesy called to the driver.
"I'm going as fast as this thing will let me." The driver replied. "Not to worry sir we'll be at the hospital in a jiffy." As they turned the corner Susie leaned into Jonesy and squeezed his hand tightly as she had her first contraction.
"It's alright Suse, just hold on a little longer." Jonesy ran his hand along her forehead and held her hand for support.
When they arrived at the hospital Susie was immediately taken to the delivery room.
"I'll be there in just a second, I just have to call Alex and get him to postpone to reception for a while." Jonesy explained. "Don't worry I will be right there."
"Please hurry!" Susie gasped for breath as she had another contraction and was wheeled into the maternity ward.
Back at the Imperial…
"What's taking them so long?" Alex asked.
"I'm not sure. Maybe they just wanted to spend some time alone before they came here?" Amy answered.
"Yeah, maybe." Alex replied. Before he could say anything else his mobile started ringing. He pulled it out of his pocket and when he saw the called ID as Jonesy he picked it up immediately.
"Where are ya mate, everyone is getting worried. If you're not here soon all the food will be gone…"
"We're at the hospital."
"What?"
"Susie went into labour…she's being prepped for delivery now." Jonesy explained. "I cant talk long I need to get back to her. Can you just let everyone know the reception needs to be postponed for a while…"
"Ah okay…." Alex replied.
"Great, I have to go."
Jonesy hung up, leaving a stunned Alex with a dial tone.
"What's going on? Was that Jonesy?" Amy asked.
"Yeah, apparently Susie's gone into labour. She's being prepped for Delivery now."
"Oh God!" Amy cried. "We've got to get over there…"
"I was just thinking the same thing. You let Chris know; I'll try and find Susie's parents." Alex quickly snapped into action and pretty soon the whole wedding party knew about Susie and they were all on their way to the hospital.
"We're looking for Susie Raynor-Jones." Alex said to the nurse as he and Amy rushed into the emergency room.
"Ah yes, the bride with the baby, she's been rushed into delivery. If you'd like to make your way up to the waiting room in the maternity ward…"
"Thanks." Alex rushed off. A few minutes later all the other guests started pouring in through the hospital doors.
"Where's Susie, where is she?"
The stunned Nurse looked at all the people in their best clothes and assumed they were all with the wedding party so she directed them up to the maternity ward.
"Jonesy!" Alex cried when he saw his mate walking through the corridor.
"Alex, Amy, what are you guys doing here?"
"Well we had to come. Susie's having the baby."
"Where's everyone else?"
"They are all on their way here now." Amy replied. "As soon as they heard it was a rush to see who could get here first." She laughed.
"Well there's not much we can do. We're just waiting for her cervix to dilate. That could be a couple of hours, it could be more."
"It doesn't matter, we'll wait." Alex replied.
"Well I'd better get back in there, Susie needs me."
"Yes she does mate. Go!" Alex pushed Jonesy towards the delivery room and then he headed towards the waiting room to wait with everyone else.
Four hours later everyone was still in the waiting room, some were sleeping, others were pacing and the rest were just sitting patiently when Jonesy burst out.
"Jonesy!" Alex cried and suddenly everyone was alert and turned to face him.
"So?" Amy asked.
"It's a girl!" Jonesy replied, he didn't have much of a chance to say anything else before he was rushed back into the delivery room.
"What's going on?" Alex wondered.
"I don't know…" Amy looked around at Susie and Jonesy's families. They had started murmuring about the new addition to the family.
Jonesy rushed out again, an ever bigger grin on his face.
"What's going on Mate?" Alex asked.
"It's twins!" Jonesy cried. "A boy and a girl!"
"Aww how cute." Shelby smiled.
"I knew she looked way too big for there to just be one in there." Alex commented with a smile.
"So do they have names?" Ellen asked.
"Dylan Joanna and Caleb Aaron Raynor-Jones." Jonesy smirked proudly.
"Can we see them?" Shelby asked.
"Only two at a time." Jonesy replied.
"Congratulations Mate." Alex smiled. "A Wedding and twins all in one day…I think you deserve a beer."
"I think I do too." Jonesy replied with a laugh and he and Alex walked in with Amy to see Susie.
Well that's it…it's finally over. Thanks so much to Shelby for her fantastic ideas and support…couldn't have done it without ya! I am planning a sequel…but not for a while…right now I got to go to bed…tata!
