Chapter 21

The next day we got up and he threatened not to get up unless I gave him a kiss. I was pretty sure a kiss was going to lead to something else but he was very sweet, he just gave me a long kiss and a pat on the butt and then got up.

I had to leave fairly early to get my hair and makeup done. Dianne and I went together. Cuddy stayed back at my house with House and Wilson. "I'll keep an eye on them and the whiskey bottle."

As I was leaving, a car with Hadley, Foreman and Chase pulled up at the curb. I rolled down my window and asked, "Hi! How are the accommodations?" All of the out of town guests had the option of staying at the Del (at a discounted price) or staying at the Marriott on Coronado. The team was staying at the Del.

"The hotel is incredible, absolutely beautiful. How are you holding up?" Hadley asked.

"Great, I'm off to get my hair and makeup done. Lisa, James and Greg are inside, just go on in. I'll be back around noon." We all waved at each other and I took off.

The hairdresser styled my shoulder length hair into a chignon with some wispy curls that came down in the back. The makeup was subtle, a brown eye shadow and liner, coral lipstick, perfectly shaped eyebrows (painfully shaped I might add) and makeup which smoothed out my facial coloring.

I arrived home and everyone to a chorus of oohs and ahhs except from Greg. "Don't you like it?"

"I'm waiting for the final package. Giving you too many accolades will just cheapen them this evening."

"You're crazy." I kissed him, "I love you."

"I love you too."

We all sat down and had pizza which they had ordered before I got home. The pizza was chased with a couple of beers and margaritas. Obviously, I stayed sober. After lunch I grabbed my gown, my underwear, my accessories and left with Dianne for the hotel. We checked into our room and started to prepare. The photographer showed up and caught us in our underwear. We put on robes and let him in. The first photo was of us in our robes, our heads leaning on each other. Blythe came up to help. She looked very pretty in her "Mother of the Bride" style dresses. Despite being conservative, it was very sophisticated and made her look much younger.

"You look gorgeous." I told her. She smiled in return.

The florist stopped by with my bouquet which was very pretty. Lots of white calla lilies with a steel blue satin ribbon like the one on our announcements. The bouquet was simple, but beautiful.

I was very nervous when Blythe and Dianned pulled the cover off of my gown and I realized it was time to step into it. After some assistance, the gown was fastened and smoothed in place. I only had a little caplet with a small veil over my face. Blythe pulled me aside and said, "You need something borrowed so I brought this bracelet for you. It's all diamonds. It was given to me by John on our thirtieth wedding anniversary."

The bracelet was absolutely breathtaking and must have cost a small fortune. "It's lovely, I'll be very careful with it. Thank you Blythe." I reached over and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm sorry that your mother isn't here to tell you how beautiful you look. You make a beautiful bride. I'm very happy Greg chose you, you've been good for him."

I have to admit I was a little choked up at the thought of my Mom not being at the wedding, but I was really grateful for her kind words.

It was 3:30 p.m. and everyone but Dianne and I went downstairs to take their places. We stayed back for a few minutes to have photos taken and to do some last minute preparations. Greg and James were in black Armani dress tuxedos with matching trousers, wing collar shirt and white vest and tie. Greg had wanted the top hat and cane but we talked him out of the top hat. Everyone had taken their places and Walter, my parent's old friend, was waiting patiently at the door when I came down the elevator. Walter is about my height, 5'4" and very sweet. He gave me a kiss and told me that my parents would be proud. We then walked over to the doors that led to the garden. The lawn was lined by white folding chairs with white linen chair covers, each with a friend or family member in it. It was a nice afternoon. Being on the ocean it was cool, but not cold. The heaters helped to keep everyone comfortable. The quartet started to play Pachelbel, our cue to start the procession. I could just see James from my perch, but not Greg, he was blocked by the gazebo. Dianne walked up the aisle, her tall figure looking graceful as the skirt whipped around her legs. She took her place. The wedding march started and we exited the building to the garden. I heard a lot of "ahhs" and smiled as everyone stood up. Turning down the main aisle I finally saw him. Greg looked gorgeous, his grey tipped hair and closely cut beard made him look so debonair . His blue eyes were positively shining and the cut of the tux made him a striking figure. He was more than handsome, he was beautiful.

I walked up to within six feet of him, Walter announced that he and his wife were giving away the bride as Greg extended his left arm to bring me up to the bower. He continued to hold my shaking hand, squeezing it to let me know everything was fine. The ceremony started and I have to admit that, to this day, when I watch the DVD I still don't remember the ceremony until we both said our vows and then offered each other some words of love. When the time came for me to speak, my voice quivered. Greg smiled kindly at me as we continued to hold each other's hands. I looked into those beautiful blue eyes and began.

"Greg, since I first read of her relationship with her husband, I've always envied the love that Elizabeth Barrett Browning shared with Robert Browning and described in the following poem:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

I had quoted it from memory, a tear flowing down my cheek as my heart welled up with happiness.

It was Greg's turn, "Morrigan, I chose Bob Dylan to express my feelings about you."

I've said goodbye to haunted rooms and faces in the street,

I love you more than ever and I haven't yet begun.

When I was deep in poverty you taught me how to give,

Quenched my thirst and satisfied the burning in my soul.

Eye for eye and tooth for tooth, your love cuts like a knife,

The tune that is yours and mine to play upon this earth,

What's lost is lost, we can't regain what went down in the flood,

But happiness to me is you and I love you more than blood.

I had asked one of my favorite judges to preside over my wedding and he had done a great job. When he announced that we were man and wife, he said, "Now you can give her that kiss."

Greg reached over and kissed me deeply with just a little tongue. When we stopped kissing, he pulled me to him and said, "I've never seen you look more beautiful than tonight except for the first time we made love, oh and the look of on your face when you found out you were pregnant."

I smiled and kissed him briefly in appreciation. We turned and the audience clapped. The photographer seemed to take a photo of us in every position and permutation possible before we moved into the Crown Room for more. I was grateful because it was starting to get nippy outside. The decorations in the Crown Room were spectacular. The entire room was dripping in small little lights like floating stars. Each table had a centerpiece of roses, orchids and a crystal bowl of floating candles. There were candles everywhere. I felt like I was living a fairytale; it was breathtaking.

We formed a receiving line which seemed to go on forever, but Greg was having fun reaching behind and grabbing my butt when he got bored. Everyone remarked about how beautiful I was (doesn't every bride hear that?) and how beautiful the Crown Room was. Wilson and Dianne were having fun in the receiving line teasing each other. Hadley was the first of the team to come through.

"Congratulations, I hope you will be happy together." Hadley kissed him on the mouth lightly. Any deeper and I would have had to take her down. But then she turned to me, shook my hand and kissed me on my cheek. Chase gave me a huge kiss on my lips just to piss House off. Foreman gave me a kiss on my cheek.

By the time we sat down for the meal, our choices being either Filet Mignon, Salmon or Vegetarian, my feet were swelling and I was starving. The food was delicious and judging from the silence as we all ate, I think everyone was enjoying it.

When asked to give the Best Man's Toast, Wilson stood up and chuckled to himself. "Being Greg House's best friend is a job. It requires long hours, hard work and little payback, but for some reason, I'm still here. I tried to figure out why Morrigan and I are both still here and I realized that we both know that Greg will not sugar coat the truth and that his bluntness can be both a blessing and a sword. But no matter what, we always know where Greg stands. And even though he has his prickly side, he has, underneath, an even more prickly side." Laughter. "Actually, underneath, Greg cares and he can do phenomenal things when he lets that side come out. He saves lives, he helps friends, he saves marriages and he finds love. I'm glad that he found Morrigan because she brings out the good side in him. So for everyone's sake, I hope they are happy and I hope that Greg realizes what a catch he has in Morrigan and treats her well. Morrigan, since you're Irish I thought I might end with an Irish blessing: May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door. Ladies and Gentlemen, to Greg House and Morrigan Palmer."

Everyone raised their glasses and toasted us. I let myself have a little champagne with the toast. There was a tradition with my group of friends, we drink champagne out of the bride's shoes. Ok, I know it sounds disgusting, but the alcohol kills anything that could have killed us. So when my friends got up in front of the crowd and tried to get me to drink what would have been a full glass of champagne out of my slippers, I balked. They looked at me funny.

Dianne said, "Morrigan, you're usually the first to start this...what's going on here?"

The whole crowd was watching.

"I just don't want to drink anymore tonight. I want to keep my wits about me."

"Oh, you're not going to get away with that!" Dianne admonished, taking the slipper she held it to my lips trying to get me to drink.

I pushed it away. "I can't."

"Oh my God, you're pregnant, aren't you?" Dianne yelled out.

Everyone looked at me. I looked at Greg.

"Hey, you're the one who chased me half way across the universe trying to get my man-juices." Greg reached out and pulled me over to his side and said, "We weren't going to say anything so soon because it's so early, but if everything goes right, Morrigan and I will be parents in August."

There was a lot of clapping and whooping from our friends and family. Our wedding was talked about for months. It was the perfect blend of great food, dancing and funny anecdotes. We even walked in on a couple making love in the women's restroom.

Dear Readers, Are you still there? LOL I hope you are enjoying this. It's almost over, just one more chapter! Please review if you can! Thanks.