Chapter twelve: The wedding

Jackie couldn't believe that the following words actually came out of her mouth. "Well," she said slowly. "I can't invite my family, you're too hard to explain. Gwen's off with Rhys and I don't want to spoil their vacation, they get so little time together." Jack nodded in agreement. "And…we've not been that close since she realized that I'm alien. She'll probably try to talk me out of it."

"She might," Jack surmised as he rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "but let's not take that chance. So we'll have a private, quiet, intimate ceremony just like two ordinary people. Where do you want to get married?"

Jackie paused for a moment. "How about…outside…on the Warf?" Her smile brightened. "I like that idea because we're not too far from the base. And not to mention the water in the background would make for a stunning wedding photograph."

Jack nodded. "I'm liking that picture too."

"Tosh, Ianto and Owen would make perfect witnesses." She then stood up from Jack's lap. "Well, give me an hour and I'll be back."

"Jackie-

Jackie spun around and jabbed a finger in his chest. "This may not be your first wedding, but it is mine and I do not want a photo of me in this day dress when I have nice formal dresses waiting for me in my closet at home."

He chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Alright. I'll give you an hour. I'll have everything arranged and waiting for you."

"Thank you." Jack moved to kiss her, but she avoided his mouth. "See you in an hour and you can wait for more kisses from me when I'm...Mrs. Harkness." Jack laughed at her as she opened the door. "Tosh," she felt Jack's hand on her waist as they stepped through the door. Ianto looked up, his eyes wide with expectation. "Jack gave us permission to go shopping for an hour."

Tosh frowned in curiosity at that statement. "Shopping? What on earth for?"

Jack sidled up beside her. "She needs help finding a suitable…veil or something like that."

Tosh's eyes widened in curiosity. "A veil?"

"Come on Jackie," Ianto said with a huge grin on his face. "just say it."

Jackie blushed as Jack took a hold of her hand and held it up to show off the ring. Ianto clapped his hands. Tosh stared at them in amazement before letting out a screech of excitement. Owen came in through the door, looking very confused. "What's going on?"

"They're getting married!" Ianto said.

Owen frowned. "Not to put a damper on this Ianto, but….I thought you two were going out together."

Tosh paused in the midst of her excitement. "Yes, that's right."

"Oh, I broke up with her." Ianto explained with a smile. "I bumped into an old friend of mine who caused me to see that…Jackie and my relationship wasn't what it should be. So, I asked her to break up with me and she said yes. I couldn't be happier. Besides, we all knew that she belonged with Jack anyway."

"Ok," Jack said, slipping into his 'orders' mode. "Owen, see if you can find a preacher on hand. Tosh, go with Jackie and help with the shopping. Ianto, you and I are going to see if I have anything suitable. We meet back here in an hour. Alright, let's go!"

Jack went to sneak another kiss from Jackie, but she ducked. "Not until we're married." She went to pull the ring off, but it wouldn't budge. "Jack?"

He chuckled and reached for it and slid the ring off. "A specialty from the planet of Zasdbew. Only I can take this ring off your hand."

She smiled. "That's really romantic…in an obsessive possessive sort of way." She turned and headed straight down the stairs. "See you in an hour." Halfway down, she turned around. "And Jack…I'd like you to buy me the roses for my bouquet. You know what they mean, and, I've loved each moment you've bought me flowers."

Jack nodded at her. "I will."

She blew him a kiss and Jack grinned at her as she grabbed Tosh's hand and ran for the exit. It wasn't until they got in the taxi that Jackie realized that she'd left with Glee's cover of 'Marry you' playing loudly in the base.

Back in Jackie's flat,

"That is a…gorgeous dress." Tosh said as Jackie spun around in it. "It almost looks like a wedding dress."

"I know!" Jackie smoothed down the white material before grabbing a silk robe to cover her dress. The dress was simple, but breathtakingly elegant. It had two inch shoulder straps, a mildly, plunging neckline which stopped above rhinestone design. It had cost her more than three hundred pounds, average for a ballroom dress, but quite cheap for a wedding dress. "Tosh, feel free to browse through my closet. It is my wedding and I'd like for you be my bridesmaid.

Tosh's eyes misted. "I'm honored."

Jackie reached for her phone and shot off a quick text to Ianto. Tell Jack to get a small bouquet of flowers for Tosh, she's my maid of honor. Ianto responded with a thumb up. Jackie began applying her makeup very carefully. She had never been so excited and nervous in her life.

"Are you certain about this?" Tosh asked as she pulled out a knee-length forest green dress with flowing sleeves and skirt. "You're certain about marrying Jack?"

Jackie paused for a moment. "Tosh, I know that this is fast, sudden and probably very stupid, but…it just feels right. I know it."

"Well, Ianto is right that, you two were always the ideal couple. And even though this whole this going rather fast," Tosh smiled softly. "I'm glad to see you two happy again."

"Thank you Tosh." Jackie studied the dress. "That would look gorgeous on you."

Tosh hesitated. "I'm not so sure." She spun it around to reveal a bit of a plunging back. "I think it's too much."

"I insist you try it on at least Tosh. Please, humor the bride?"

A full hour later,

"I still can't believe you talked me into this dress!" Tosh said as they crawled out of the taxi.

"My wedding day," Jackie said. "humor me." she dug into her purse. "How much do I owe you?"

"No charge." The taxi driver said with a smile. "Today's 30th wedding anniversary and I wish you and your husband the very best of luck."

Jackie smiled as she reached over and planted a kiss on the older man's cheek. "Thank you very much!" As the taxi driver drove away, Jackie glanced around to see Ianto approaching them.

He looked very handsome in the suit he was wearing. His brow rose approvingly. "You look beautiful." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek before handing her and Tosh their flowers. "Jack's kinda getting anxious."

"I bet he is." She laughed lightly as she readjusted the single, peach rose in her hair. "where's Owen?"

"Oh, he's the witness." Ianto explained. "I'm the, best man."

"Well, I don't want Owen to feel left out so, could you run ahead and ask him to walk me down the 'aisle' if he doesn't mind?"

Ianto laughed. "Not at all. Follow me."

Tosh adjusted her camera before self-consciously touching the back of her dress. "Tosh," Jackie said with a teasing note of warning in her voice. "you look beautiful, trust in yourself. Confidence is a very attractive quality."

Tosh smiled uneasily as she and Jackie descended the stairs to the bay. Before they rounded the corner, Ianto stopped her. "Wait here, and I'll go get Owen."

Jackie nodded and bobbed her head. She inhaled and exhaled in excited terror as she heard running footsteps. Owen, while he wasn't in a suit, had at least gotten a green button down shirt and a silver tie. His brow arched. "You look…lovely." Then he saw Tosh and Jackie smiled as his eyes did a double take. "You too Tosh."

Tosh flushed. "Thank you Owen."

Jackie reached for Owen's arm and gripped her bouquet. "I'm ready."

Owen inhaled and adjusted his coat. "Right."

Tosh got in front of Jackie and began walking. Jackie smiled as Owen inhaled sharply at the sight of Tosh's exposed back. Owen had just needed a bit of a jostle in noting that Tosh was a single, very attractive woman and this dress had accomplished just that task.

Their feet clacked on the wooden boardwalk. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and the wind caused her skirt to dance merrily around her ankles. She saw Jack first before he turned and saw her. As if sensing her, Jack turned towards and she felt a flush of pleasure fill her as she took in the sight of the man who was going to be her husband. Jack wore black slacks, black suit top and a solid black shirt. The only splash of color was the red rose tucked into the coat lapel with a sprig of white baby breath.

Jack's mouth dropped open in shock as he looked at her. "Oh God. Just…when I think you could never be more beautiful…you go and do this to me."

Jackie blushed as Jack reached for her hand, holding onto her hand tightly while the minister spoke those familiar words of the ceremony. Then, it came time for Jack to speak his vows to her.

He inhaled deeply and reached for her other hand to hold tightly. "In the presence of our friends, I claim you, Jacqueline, as my life mate." Shivers shot down Jackie's spine at those words. "I belong to you and I offer my life for you. I give to you my protection, my allegiance, my heart, my soul and my body. I will lay down my life for you in less than a second." Because Jack couldn't die, these words really hit her hard, especially since jack always felt such pain as he was brought back to life. She knew he could and would lay his life down for her. "Your life, happiness and welfare will be cherished and placed above my own for all time. Because of you, I laugh, I smile, and I dare to dream again. I will always be the person that you can trust, talk to and always understand. These promises I give you today and all of the days that we have together." Jack turned towards Ianto, who handed him the wedding ring. "Take this ring as a sign of my faith and commitment as our journey begins today."

Jackie nodded through watering eyes as Jack slid the ring on her trembling finger. This time, the ring molding itself to her ring finger wasn't as weird a feeling as it had been earlier, it was warm and it gave her a sense of belonging to someone. Jack pressed a kiss to her hand before rubbing his thumb over her fingers.

Jackie cleared her throat. "Jack, I take you to be my lifetime partner." She inhaled deeply before confessing honestly from the heart. "I used to be afraid of falling in love, of giving my heart away. Because…how could I trust any man to love me, to give to me love when I myself have never known it? Then," Jackie gazed deep into his blue eyes and almost lost herself. "I met you Jack and you…opened up my frightened heart and taught it to love with such a…frenzy that it's almost frightening for me at times." Jackie's voice broke and she inhaled sharply to try to compose herself. Jack reached out and rested his hand comfortingly on her neck, brushing her neck with his fingers. Jackie reached up and took his hand. "A long time ago…you were just a dream and a prayer that I thought would never come true or be answered. God chose you to be the man who would open my heart and give me the love I'd been waiting for. I swear, that I will share and support your hopes, dreams and goals. Everything I am, is yours, from this moment forth, you will be my constant friend, and my one true love. Jack, I commit myself to you as your wife."

Jack stepped forward and pressed a kiss on her forehead as she fought back the tears. "Thank you," he whispered. "for choosing me."

She blinked and clutched his hand tightly as the reverend spoke the final words. Jackie had lost herself so completely in the moment until the words, "I now greet you with them as husband and wife. And now, you may kiss your bride." were heard above the sound of the waves.

Jack paused for a moment before moving in slowly, making everyone, including Jackie wait patiently for the kiss. He stroked her chin with the back of his hand before cupping her face in his hands. He leaned forward slowly, noting her pulse throbbing under his touch. He studied her for a moment before he claimed the kiss from her. That's when they shared their kiss as husband and wife. The kiss was as pure and beautiful as sunlight streaming into a dark, wood forest.

She felt him pause momentarily, as if he too were by surprise of how different her mouth felt on his. This first kiss was like a magic whisper and he was kind enough to provide her with another taste. The second kiss was breath mingling with skin, very potent. The third kiss, he applied a more pressure to her lips as his hands slipped down her shoulders and around her waist as he pressed her tightly against his chest. Jackie faintly registered Tosh snapping a picture of them as her arms crept up around his shoulders. She faintly noted her colorful bouquet being crushed between the two of the two of them. Jackie released the bouquet so she could place her hand on Jack's pulsating heart.

After a few moments, Jack broke the kiss and gazed at her with a huge grin. "Hello Mrs. Harkness."

Jackie laughed as happiness bubbled up in her chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground and she clung to him as everyone around them applauded. "Hello yourself, Mr. Harkness."

sandysan2013 : I guarantee that Ianto and everyone will have a happy ending.