Author's note: Thanks to Susan K who gave me the idea for the bubbles and the 'Honeymoon Kit' – to which of course, I added my own twist.
"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is by Diana Ross, "When I Fall In Love" is by Nat King Cole and "All My Life" is by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt.
I know what's beautiful looking at you.
In a world of lies - you are the truth.
I want to make you see just what I was.
Show you the loneliness and what it does.
You walked into my life to stop my tears.
Everything's easy now I have you here.
Everything you ask for - nothing is above me.
I'm shining like a candle in the dark when you tell me that you love me.
The garden of Marie and Logan's house looked like something out of a fairy tale come to life with white linen covered tables, chairs wrapped in gauzy fabric and adorned with a pink ribbon bow and centerpieces of crystal vases bursting with roses in various shades of pink. The white gazebo at the end of the garden was decorated with hundreds of pale pink roses and lily of the valley. A white runner had been laid from the back patio doors all the way to the gazebo where Logan, looking handsome in a dark charcoal grey Hugo Boss suit, waited nervously for his bride. Just then there was a soft meow and Logan looked down to find Rogue wrapped around his ankles, so he bent down to give the kitten a quick rub behind the ears. Even she was in the wedding spirit with a pink silk ribbon tied around her neck in place of her usual collar.
Scott, looking rather dashing himself in a dark navy Armani suit, waited at the top of the patio steps, ready to escort his sister down the aisle. He signalled for the music to start.
The soft melodic tones of "Watermark" by Enya began playing and Jubilee and Kitty came out of the house first and began the slow walk down the white runner – each looking radiant in whisper soft pink sleeveless, floor-length silk Versace gowns and carrying bouquets of delicate pink and white baby roses. Once the girls had taken their places by the gazebo the strains of "Here Comes the Bride" started and Marie appeared at the opening of the patio doors to be greeted by Scott. She was a breathtaking vision, in a white Monique Lhuillier gown with a low-cut neckline that showed just a hint of creamy cleavage and dipped low in the back, the floor length gown was fitted enough to showcase her still slim figure. Instead of a traditional veil, she wore her silky chestnut hair piled on top of her head with Swarovski crystal beads woven throughout that were twinkling in the bright sunlight. Carrying a bouquet of cascading white tea roses, Marie looped one arm through Scott's and they stepped off the patio onto the white runner. Logan felt himself catching his breath as he watched her slowly ebb her way toward him, her smiling face a radiant beam of light.
God, he looks so good in that suit. I can't believe we're really getting married.
Damn, she's beautiful. How the hell did I get so lucky to have her in my life?
Tinkerbell looks so happy. I'll hunt him down and kill him if that ever changes.
I can't believe my darling Scott is actually doing this willingly – will miracles never cease?
When they reached the end of the aisle, Scott shook hands with Logan, kissed his sister on the cheek and then placed her hand in Logan's and together the couple stepped into the gazebo. Scott followed, acting also as the best man. From her seat in the front row, Ororo, in a pale lilac Dolce & Gabbana dress gave her husband an approving smile – which he returned with a playful wink.
"Dearly beloved, we are here today to celebrate the joining in marriage of Logan Alexander Roberts and Marie Elizabeth Summers."
"Marie – your pledge to Logan."
"I, Marie, take you, Logan, to be my husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be 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 our friends and family my pledge to stay by your side as your wife in sickness and health, in joy and 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 all of 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 all the days of our lives."
"Logan – your pledge to Marie."
I, Logan, take you, Marie, to be my wife, knowing in my heart that you will be 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 our friends and family my pledge to stay by your side as your husband in sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, honor and respect you, provide for your needs as best I can, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you all the days of our lives."
The minister took the rings from Scott and performed the traditional blessing of the rings ceremony.
"These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken. Bless these rings that Marie and Logan, who give them, and wear them, may ever abide in God's peace. Living together in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives."
"Logan, place the ring on Marie's finger."
"Marie, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed."
"Marie, place the ring on Logan's finger."
"Logan, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed."
"In as much as you have pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder. Logan, you may kiss your bride."
Logan and Marie melted into a passionate kiss to the cheers and whistles of their friends and family. As the newlyweds came back up the aisle they were greeted by everyone blowing liquid bubbles at them.
The fifty wedding guests were now enjoying hors d'oeuvres and cocktails before dinner was scheduled to be served. Scott was dashing about acting like Steve Martin in 'Father of the Bride' trying to ensure everything was perfect for his Tinkerbell's special day. Ororo just watched in amusement as he repeatedly harassed the beleaguered wedding planner and gave a small prayer that they had eloped. Dinner was finally ready to be served and everyone made they way to their assigned tables. The dinner menu consisted of Caesar salad, bacon-wrapped filet mignon (to satisfy Logan and the rest of the carnivores) or orange-glazed chicken served with fresh asparagus and baked potatoes and a dessert bar that featured an assortment of treats with heavy emphasis on anything chocolate as per the bride's request.
Towards the end of the dinner, Scott stood up and tapped on his wine glass with a spoon to get everyone's attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. I would like to propose a toast to my sister and new brother-in-law." Turning to face Logan and Marie he raised his wine glass and said:
"It fills my heart with joy to see my sister so happy and the fact that Logan is the cause of that happiness…. well, it still stuns me and yes, Agnes, I'll make good on our bet." A burst of laughter went up from the crowd. "I adore my sister and want only the best for her…unfortunately, Logan is what we had to settle for." There was more laughter from the group. "But seriously, I wish you both only joy, laughter and happiness – may you always be each other's best friend as you journey through life. I wish mom and dad could have been here to share this special day with you, Tinkerbell. I know they're honored that you chose their wedding date as your own and they're looking down on us and smiling." Scott turned to the assembled group "Please raise your glasses to Logan and Marie."
"To Logan and Marie!" The guests all shouted at once, followed by the sound of glasses clinking together.
A dance floor had been laid at one end of the tent and a deejay was ready to get the party started. Nat King Cole's soothing voice filled the air as Logan and Marie took to the dance floor for the first time as husband and wife, wrapped in each other's arms they swayed gently to the music.
When I fall in love, it will be forever or I'll never fall in love.
In a restless world like this is, love is ended before it's begun.
And too many moonlight kisses, seem to melt in the warmth of the sun.
When I give my heart, it will be forever. Or I'll never give my heart.
And the moment, I can feel that, you feel that way, too.
Is when I'll give my heart to you.
When the song ended, Marie stepped up to the microphone and announced:
"As my darling brother and his beautiful wife chose to elope instead of letting us throw them a proper shin-dig, they didn't get to have a 'first dance' … so I'd like them to come out onto the dance floor now and correct that mistake."
She signalled for the deejay and Scott and Ororo began slow dancing to the Aaron Neville/Linda Ronstadt song, "All My Life".
Am I really here in your arms, it's just like I dreamed it would be.
Feel like we're frozen in time, you're the only one I can see.
Hey, I've looked all my life for you and now you're here.
Hey, I'll spend all my life with you.
Logan then had the deejay play a medley of songs dedicated to Marie that included:
"Angel" by Lionel Ritchie, " Amazed" by Lonestarr, "I Finally Found Someone" by Bryan Adams & Barbra Striesand, "The Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John, "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain, "You Are So Beautiful" by Jim Croce and "2 Become 1" by the Spice Girls.
Then Jubilee and Kitty decided to have some fun and requested the deejay play "It's Raining Men" by the Weather Girls and then dragged as many of the hapless men as possible onto the dance floor for an impromptu bump and grind session including poor Ralph, Agnes' husband. Mrs. Anderson tried to stuff a dollar bill down Bobby's pants and had to be pried off him much to the embarrassment of the young man. Jubilee's date really got into the spirit of things and after removing his shirt, had to be restrained from taking off anything else. There was the traditional tossing of the bouquet, caught by Kitty and the garter toss, caught by Bobby and the cutting of the cake with Logan being polite and not smearing any on Marie, who wasn't as polite and smashed a piece into his nose, much to Scott's delight.
The partying continued with everyone dancing and having a rocking good time until well after 2:00 am when Logan and Marie finally left for their honeymoon night at the Plaza before leaving the next day to go to Santorini, Greece for two weeks. The party was a dazzling success despite Scott's stressing out and nearly causing the wedding planner to have a nervous breakdown. In the limo on the ride to the Plaza, Logan and Marie discovered a special gift from Jubilee and Kitty – a 'Honeymoon Kit' containing Godiva chocolates, tropical scented massage oil, a small bottle of Asti Spumonti, a book entitled "The Honeymooner's Guide To Sex" and a package of condoms with a note attached that read: Oops, too late!
**Next chapter – The Honeymoon