CHAPTER 29 – The ATV and Daniel's Wedding

Much later, the men of the house returned home to find Michaela relaxing on the couch alone, watching MythBusters on the Discovery Channel.

As the guys filed in the door chuckling over something one of them had said, Michaela called over, "Welcome back," to which she received two similar grins.

Sully turned and pulled his son into his arms for a hug. "Thanks, son. We accomplished a lot tonight, don't ya think?" he asked. He pulled back and their look exchanged unspoken words, which encompassed all of the love and respect each felt for the other, their time together that night having heightened it all the more.

"Yeah, we did," Matthew replied with a grin.

Then he crossed behind his mom, bending down to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"G'night, mom. Night, Dad," he called over his shoulder as he turned toward the staircase.

"Night, son."

"Goodnight, sweetheart. Pleasant dreams," Michaela added, watching him for a moment as he made his way up the stairs. It occurred to her that the little boy she had begun raising seven years before was nearly a man – with the makings of being a very fine man, of which she and Sully would be extremely proud.

Sully sat down next to his wife on the couch and placed an arm around her as he began watching the program, trying to figure out if he'd seen that episode or not. She snuggled in close, breathing in his familiar scent as she nuzzled his neck. "You were gone a long time...I missed you," she purred softly.

"Missed you, too. But, me and Matthew had a good long talk."

"Oh? About anything in particular?" she asked casually.

"Nah. Lots of stuff...cars, girls, wives, bullies...stuff like that."

"Really," she answered, more of a statement than a question. She was dying to know what was said about 'girls and wives', but chose to let it be private between the two of them if Sully didn't choose to share.

"I think we needed this time together..." he added.

"I do, too. He soaks up time with you like a dry sponge. And you're such a wonderful father to him, Sully."

"He's a great kid...well, not so much a kid anymore..."

"He loves you so much – and appreciates you – as do I," she added with a touch of flirtation in her voice.

Sully turned his head toward her and gave her his dimpled grin, wiggling his eyebrows as he whispered, "You do, huh?"

"Mmm hmm."

"What do you appreciate?" he asked softly, his mouth within a centimeter of hers.

"Many things," she whispered, gazing into his eyes and aching for his kiss.

"Gimme a 'for instance'..." he teased, lightly brushing her nose with his.

"Mmm, for instance...I appreciate your love for the children and me...your care and concern for all of us..." she began, totally distracted by his nearness, his warmth and oh so familiar scent, and the thought of the pleasure he would undoubtedly give her in the very near future. Unconsciously her hands rose to caress his head and neck, her fingers slipping into his wavy hair, wishing he would go ahead and kiss her senseless.

"Yeah...?" he whispered with a twinkle, holding out for something more intimate.

"...I appreciate...what a fantastic lover you are," she murmured softly and was rewarded with a grin and a pressing of his lips to hers, but he immediately moved his mouth to her cheek and then her neck, chuckling silently when he heard her emit a softly frustrated sigh.

Finally after several minutes of totally ignoring the crazy antics of the guys on the show she had been watching - due to the mesmerizing ministrations of her husband/lover, Michaela whispered, "Sully?"

"Hmm?" he answered, his mind totally on the smooth skin of her neck that he'd been exploring with his lips and further down into her unbuttoned blouse, knowing he was causing tingles to fissure throughout her body as evidenced by her occasional sigh, soft moan, or quiver.

"I also appreciate your...enthusiasm...especially when it involves a certain...large and very comfortable shower..." she hinted breathlessly.

He pulled back and grinned into her eyes, which were glazed with unfulfilled passion. "I appreciate your enthusiasm," he murmured as he picked up the remote and shut the television off over his shoulder without taking his eyes from hers.

Then, he leaned in and gave her the first real kiss of the night. Michaela sighed in pure pleasure, kissing him back thoroughly as she melted into his embrace, thinking God I love his kisses!

After a minute, he stood and scooped her up into his arms, never breaking the kiss as he slowly carried her to the aforementioned shower.

The lovers spent the next thirty minutes 'appreciating each other's enthusiasm' before retiring up to their private haven to spend the rest of the night snuggled in each other's arms – each praying for the successful conception of their hoped for little boy.

OOOOOOOOO

Several days later, Michaela sat in the chair in Theresa's beauty salon. They had been discussing the fact that Sully's friend Daniel was getting married the following Saturday and several of their friends were planning on car-pooling to Denver for the day.

Minutes later, Michaela drifted into deep thought while her friend trimmed the ends of her hair.

"Michaela?" the woman prompted when she didn't receive an answer to her comment about how quickly Michaela's hair grew, but the doctor still didn't answer. Theresa gently touched her arm. She looked up, slightly startled.

"Hmm?"

"Are you alright?" her hairstylist/friend asked. Michaela considered saying nothing, but finally admitted with a soft sigh, "No..."

After a few moments, Theresa put two and two together. Just the two of them in the shop, the woman asked gently, "You got your monthly, ?"

Michaela took a deep breath and looked into the sympathetic dark eyes of her friend. "Yes," she admitted softly. "I keep trying not to let it upset me...to not think about it, but...that's difficult. We've been married four months now..." she added, trailing off with a shrug.

"I know," the other woman nodded, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. "But these days, I only think about it when I am awake." Theresa quipped and the two women shared an empathetic smile.

"I've been putting off going back to Dr. Bernard...I just don't want to go through fertility treatments – or put Sully through them..."

Theresa nodded in total understanding, thinking of all the time and money she and Jake had spent in pursuit of the ever-illusive baby.

"It has not been all that long, Michaela...it will happen for you...just relax and try to be patient," she offered, although knowing that was much easier said than done. "Besides...you do have four children already..."

"Yes, I know..." Michaela acquiesced. "I suppose it seems greedy, but...I want so badly to have a baby with Sully...a baby of our own. I...I've never given birth...and I want to feel Sully's baby growing within me..." she added softly, longingly. She looked into her friend's eyes again, in truth a little shyly as she had never voiced such intimate thoughts with anyone other than her husband and her sister. But somehow she felt such empathy with Theresa in this moment.

The other woman nodded in complete understanding, picturing her own dream baby – a little boy with black hair like hers, but with his father's big blue eyes and handsome smile. The hope of that was what kept them from taking the advice of so many and trying to adopt.

Michaela looked down at her fingers twisted together in her lap and continued wistfully, "I just feel so sorry for Sully. He has so many hopes and expectations. When I thought I was pregnant before and made the colossal mistake of telling him, he was so happy he was beside himself." Pausing, she glanced at her friend. "Theresa, what if... what if it never happens?"

"I am sure he would understand," Theresa offered, for lack of anything else to say.

"But you haven't seen the light in Sully's eyes," Michaela argued wistfully, picturing her husband's precious blue eyes sparkling animatedly when he thought they were having a baby.

"No...but I have seen it in Jake's..." Theresa murmured, a catch in her voice as she thought of her own husband and the many times they had been disappointed. She put an arm around Michaela and shared a look that spoke volumes about the fierce desire within them both to please their husbands – to be the cause of seeing smiles of joy on the faces of the men they loved.

Returning home fifteen minutes later, Michaela walked in the door and heard voices laughing and talking somewhere upstairs.

"I'm home!" she called. "Where is everyone?"

"Up here, sweetheart!" Sully called down. When she reached the top floor, she followed the voices to the girl's room where she found Sully sitting at the computer, the kids surrounding him.

"What's going on?" she asked with a grin, opening her arms to Brian as he rushed to her.

"Dad found an ATV on Craigslist that he's gonna buy for us!" the little boy gushed.

Michaela, her mind instantly recalling dozens of news reports about children and young people who were killed or paralyzed riding all-terrain vehicles, immediately sought Sully's eyes. "You're buying an ATV?" she asked in quiet surprise.

"Brian!" Sully gently fussed, "I didn't say that...I only said I'd talk to mom and see what she thought..."

"We'll be careful on it, Mom. You don't have to worry about that," Matthew offered.

"Those things are so much fun, Mom! We can all ride it!" Hannah interjected.

Michaela didn't respond, merely kept her gaze steady with her husband's. "I didn't know you were in the market for an all-terrain vehicle..." she began, more a question than a statement.

"I'm not..." he began, glancing at Matthew and suddenly feeling backed into a corner. He had only just come in the room in response to the excited chatter of the kids calling him to 'look at this!'

"But, you're thinking about it...?" Michaela continued.

"Well...yeah...I mean I've thought about gettin' one before – especially in the winter when there's tons of snow all around and hours of shoveling ahead of me." At her confused look, he went on, "See, you can put a snowplow on the front of one of these and really go to town with it. Heck, we could plow people's driveways and such, too – maybe make a few bucks," he added, really beginning to warm to the idea.

"But...Sully, all-terrain vehicles are so very dangerous..."

He nodded, "They can be – if handled recklessly."

Then glancing at each child and Matthew, he continued, "If we did get one of these, there would be some VERY strong rules that go along with it – strong as in – violate the rule once and you permanently lose your riding privileges. You savvy?" he stated sternly.

"Sure Dad!" "Of course!"

As the kids launched into excited discussion, Sully met his wife's eyes again, seeing intense worry and concern reflected there.

"Give us a few minutes, guys," He instructed the kids, standing and ushering them all out of the room and shutting the door.

Alone, the parents looked into each other's eyes, Sully pulling his wife into his arms and locking his fingers at her waist.

"Are you sure about this?" Michaela asked softly, striving to quell the 'worried mother' mentality coiled tightly within her chest. She gazed up at him, her fingers absently playing with a button on his shirt.

"What'dya mean, 'sure'? We're just talkin'..."

Michaela shook her head, a small smile teasing her lips as she searched his eyes, which were right then very much resembling her vision of their future little boy's blue eyes – childlike excitement lurking in their depths.

"When I walked in the room, your expression greatly resembled a child on Christmas morning," she teased softly, her opposition to the idea crumbling like a sand castle in the face of his exuberance.

"Aw well...I admit...it is kinda excitin'. I've wanted one of these things for years, but...never could afford it..." he answered hesitantly.

Michaela nodded. "I see." Searching his eyes again, she asked, "So...tell me about this one you found."

Instantly animated, he released her and eagerly sat down at the computer again as he clicked on one of the pictures, enlarging it so she could see the details.

"Well, it's a 2004 Kawasaki Brute Force 650i. The guy says it has lots of torque and excellent handling, and a great thing about it is many after-market parts are out there for it. It has a liquid cooled four-stroke engine and the guy says he put dual carburetors on it..." he added as he turned to look at her, pausing when he saw her gazing at him with a totally blank expression.

Chuckling, he said, "Um, it's real strong, which you need for pushin' snow, parts to fix it will be a little cheaper cause we won't have to buy name brand stuff, and the engine will be less likely to overheat than some models...plus it'll use the gas more efficiently." She nodded, feeling more in the conversation. "It's got a good, wide wheelbase, so it'll be more stable for the kids to be on than some other models," he added for good measure.

Gazing at the photo of the blue ATV, she asked, "How much is it?"

"The guy only wants $500.00 for it."

"Five hundred...is that good?"

Sully chuckled again, "You bet. These things usually go for around two grand or so."

"Then why does he want so little for it?"

"Well, cause it needs work," he explained, clicking on another picture.

"It doesn't run?"

"Yeah, it runs...just kinda needs a tune-up and stuff." At her look, he added, "Don't worry, Robert E. can fix anything that's above my head."

Nodding, she moved his hand from the mouse and clicked on the next picture. Casting a sideways glance at him, she murmured nonchalantly, "So, when can we go see it?"

Sully laughed out loud and leaned over to give her a big kiss on the lips. Just then, the door burst open and all four young people came spilling into the room, having been listening to their parent's conversation through the keyhole.

"Yay!" the younger ones squealed. Matthew just chuckled, gazing in amazement at his father.

"I knew you could talk her into it, Dad." Sully chuckled as Michaela shook her head, her face pinkening.

"You get the first ride, Mom!" Brian offered, thinking that would surely seal the deal.

"Oh, I...I don't know about that..."

Sully leaned close, wiggling his eyebrows as he murmured softly, "Ridin' on an ATV with your arms wrapped around me...I like the sound of that."

"Sully!" Michaela gasped in embarrassment and the kids giggled, though in reality, she liked the sound of that herself.

OOOOOOOOO

"Dang it!" Daniel fumed as he tried for the tenth time to tie his bow tie.

Sully, having just finished tying his own, laughed and reached over to brush his friend's hands aside. "Here, lemme do it."

Daniel flashed a lopsided grin down at his best friend, who was several inches shorter than himself. "I'm all thumbs today."

Sully aimed a ribald glance up into his friend's eyes. "Just as long as ya ain't 'all thumbs' tonight." Daniel chuckled and began to shake his head. Sully yanked on the ends of the tie. "Hey! Hold still, will ya?"

Daniel obediently halted his movements and stood patiently, his head tilted slightly back, eyes aimed at a picture on the wall beyond the top of Sully's head. When Sully finished and stepped back, Daniel turned back to the mirror, relieved to have that aggravating chore finished.

Catching a glimpse of Sully's left hand, he quipped, "What's going on, man? I heard you swear to Michaela you'd never take that band off your finger...?"

Sully's gaze lowered to the Band-Aid on his ring finger. Meeting his friend's eyes, he sheepishly admitted, "Would you believe I got a stupid paper cut right above my ring? It bugged me for days and even got kinda infected, so Michaela made me take the ring off till it heals. It's on a sturdy chain around my neck at the moment – put there by my loving wife!" he added with a chuckle, plunging a finger under a part of the chain at his neck and pulling it up to prove his point.

Daniel chuckled at that, knowing how much it had bothered Sully that Michaela had to remove his wedding band when the rattler struck him.

Nervously fiddling with his hair and glancing at his best friend, he asked, "Were you nervous the day you married Michaela?"

Sully thought back to that beautiful May morning four months before and saw himself gazing in the mirror trying to secure his own bow tie – and failing miserably.

"...Not nervous, more like anxious. I just wanted it to be over so we could...get on with our lives," he explained diplomatically. Then Daniel saw the mischievous glint in his friend's eyes and laughed raucously.

"Mmm hmm, you wanted the wedding to be over so you could get on with the honeymoon, you mean...or more specifically...the wedding night."

Sully chuckled and lowered his head, then glanced back into his friend's eyes. "Well...that, too." At that, they both burst out laughing in familiar camaraderie, the nervousness of moments before melting away with their mirth.

As their laughter began to subside, Daniel looked up from tying his tuxedo shoes, "You remember that night all those years ago, on the road somewhere in Nevada, we camped out in the open...and sat around the camp fire, talkin' about what our 'dream girl' would be like?"

Sully smiled, remembering that night very well. "Sure."

"Did your wish come true?" Daniel asked his friend with a knowing grin.

Sully paused in the act of tying his shoes and tipped his head back, picturing his gorgeous wife. "Daniel...I am so blessed...Michaela so far exceeds my wildest dreams...I know I'm the luckiest man in the world," he murmured softly and oh so sincerely.

Daniel smiled and nodded as he thought of the lovely woman who was about to become his wife. "Me too, man. Me, too."

Suddenly feeling serious and sentimental, Daniel met Sully's eyes once again and murmured, "Thanks, Sully...for standing up with me. When I first thought about asking Sarah to marry me...the only guy I wanted for my best man was you...but it seemed like an impossible dream. I'm so glad that we..." he stumbled to a halt, the eyes that were holding Sully's speaking the rest of the words.

Sully nodded, understanding and feeling just the same as his friend. "Me, too, Daniel. Cloud Dancin' was right." At Daniel's look, he added, "Before you came to the house on Michaela's birthday...there was like this big scar on the inside of me – and no matter how much I tried to ignore it and cover it up, it was just there, in the way – messin' things up." Grinning fully, he added, "It's gone now – totally gone, like it was never there."

The two friends stood and faced each other, and then simultaneously went into each other's arms in a guy hug. Then pulling back, Daniel turned to the side and surreptitiously swiped at his eyes with the back of one hand and softly cleared his throat.

"So, finish telling me about you buying an ATV," Daniel offered, reaching for the vest to his tuxedo and tossing Sully's to him.

"Aw yeah, man, you oughtta see it. It's one sweet machine," Sully commented as he shrugged into the vest. "And the guy sellin' it threw on all kinds of goodies – includin' a snowplow, thank God, so I won't have to fork over extra for that. Still gotta get helmets for the kids and Michaela though. The guy threw in two with it, so one of them fit Matthew great."

"Yeah? What is it again? An '04 Kawi?"

"Yep. Man, it'll take anything you can dish out. That thing is strong. It surprised me. I took it out back of Robert E.'s shop and cranked down on it, and it 'bout put me on my..."

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the Sunday School room, in the basement of the church, which doubled as the groom's dressing room for weddings.

"Come in," Daniel called, smiling but rolling his eyes as the wedding photographer strolled in. "Oh no, here we go. Man, I hate having my picture taken."

Sully laughed out loud at that. "Man, you better start likin' it, at least today, cause that's a constant when you're gettin' married."

The photographer grinned. "This your best man, Mr. Simon?"

"Yep," Daniel nodded, making the introductions.

"Ok, I see you already have your ties tied, but reenact it for me, alright?"

The friends chuckled and assumed their positions of a few minutes before, but Daniel murmured softly, "Minus the conversation, though." They both laughed out loud, heads thrown back with mirth, and the photographer snapped a great shot, which would turn out to be one of Daniel's favorites when he and Sarah saw the pictures.

Daniel and Sully – together as best friends again.

OOOOOOOOO

"I'm so nervous," Sarah whispered to her best friend as they tried yet again to pin her veil in place.

"There's nothing to be nervous about, Sarah," blond haired Catherine soothed as she worked. "You're about to marry the man of your dreams and live happily ever after. Be excited, yes, but not nervous," she added with a grin.

"Oh what if I forget the words to the song...or trip going down the aisle...or..."

"Shhh. None of that is going to happen. Everything will be fine, you'll see," her friend encouraged.

"I'm so glad you're here, Catherine. I've missed you so much these five months – I'm glad you're back!"

"I am too. New York was exciting and fun...but when it comes right down to it, there's no place like home."

Sarah took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"So, who is this guy again, Daniel's best man?"

"His name is Sully – well, that's his last name, but it's what he goes by. I've only met him once, about four months ago, but he's very nice. He and Daniel used to be best friends a long time ago, then had a falling out, but patched things up."

Catherine nodded, standing back and inspecting her work. "There. That's done – it looks great."

"Thanks," Sarah whispered, meeting her friend's eyes in the mirror. "You're welcome," Catherine whispered back, then the two long time friends turned and went into each other's arms.

"Everything's going to be fine," Catherine repeated. "And you know I'm seething with jealousy, don't you? You've found your man – I'm still looking for mine...still hoping he's out there, somewhere...looking for me.

"Tell me again what your ideal man looks like," Sarah requested, pulling back and momentarily squeezing her friend's hand. Catherine smiled dreamily, closing her eyes and envisioning the man she had yet to meet. The mythical man in her imagination she had dreamed about countless times. "Mmm, he'll be just a little taller than me, about 5'11 – you know – just right for us to fit together? He'll have honey colored hair...and blue eyes that can just make you melt...and a soft, sexy smile..."

Sarah laughed and shook her head. "That's funny...it sounds just like..."

At that moment, they both heard a knock on the door of the bride's changing room. "Come in!" Sarah called.

The door opened and Sarah's mother and two aunts came in to help the bride finish dressing, effectively ending the conversation.

OOOOOOOOO

"Cloud Dancing! Snowbird! Over here!" Michaela called across to the door of the church from her seat on the groom's side. The couple made their way quickly toward her.

"I am sorry we are late...we happened upon a rather large traffic jam," Snowbird apologized as she greeted her sister-in-law with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Cloud Dancing did the same.

"Is Sully with Daniel?" he asked as they took their seats.

"Yes, I'm sure he is," Michaela answered, and then added with a grin, "he wasn't thrilled that he had to wear another tuxedo so soon – and this one is burgundy."

"I'm sure Daniel – and Sarah – appreciate the sacrifice," the Indian said with a matching grin, knowing how his brother hated to get that dressed up.

"Come to think of it...why aren't you in the wedding?" Michaela teased, remembering how he had untied and left loose his bow tie the very first chance he got at she and Sully's reception.

The Indian chuckled, "Thankfully, this is a much smaller wedding than yours. Besides Sully, I think there are only two more male attendants, and they are both brothers of the bride."

"So...you lucked out then, right?" Michaela couldn't resist adding with a knowing half grin.

"Lucked out? He was probably praying he wouldn't have to wear "one of those suits" again!" Snowbird chimed in as the three chuckled in comfortable companionship. Unable to resist, Michaela added, "Obviously, they didn't have my mother calling the shots," sending all three into chuckles again.

After chatting quietly together for several minutes, Michaela looked toward the front of the church and watched as Daniel and Sully made their way in from the side, along with the Pastor. They positioned themselves and she saw Sully begin scanning the crowd for her.

She couldn't take her eyes from him and the handsome sight he made as he actually outshone the groom, at least in her eyes. She thought he looked stunning in the burgundy tux with a mauve colored vest. It looks marvelous with his honey hair and tanned face. Daniel was wearing a white tuxedo with the matching mauve vest and although he was a wonderfully handsome man – tall and blond – her eyes were glued to the man at his side.

Then, Sully's eyes found hers and she gasped involuntarily at the intensity in his gaze. His lips curved up in a pleased grin and at that moment, she knew he was thinking about what he had felt that wonderful day four months before as he had stood waiting for her to walk to him down the aisle. She smiled back and nodded to let him know she was on the same wavelength.

After a few moments, as beautiful music began to play, the attendants began to stroll down the aisle, the ladies in lovely full length, off the shoulder mauve silk dresses, the men in burgundy tuxes. Then the moment came and the first notes of the bride's processional sounded and the people stood.

Although Sarah was a breathtaking bride in her full length, lacy white dress and sheer veil - Daniel unable to take his eyes from her as she approached him and everyone else's eyes glued to her – his best man only had eyes for his wife halfway down the rows of seats. Hearing that familiar music, both Michaela and Sully felt that same feeling of nervous anticipation fill them and for those few moments, they each forgot their surroundings as they relived their feelings on one of the happiest days of their lives.

Then Sarah reached Daniel and the ceremony began. With an affectionate smile and wink at his love, Sully turned his attention to his duties.

Across the altar from him, a beautiful blond stood staring quite openly at Daniel's Best Man. When she had taken her place near where the bride would stand, Catherine had glanced across at Daniel and smiled, then her eyes had landed on the most gorgeous man she had ever seen – indeed – the man of her dreams she had described less than ten minutes before.

Now the young woman stood transfixed, unable to drag her eyes away from him as her heart raced. Sully felt her gaze and glanced at her, a little uncomfortable at the intensity of her look, but he immediately directed his gaze away and chose to ignore it as he concentrated on the proceedings.

Several moments into the service, the pastor announced that the bride and groom wished to express their love for each other in song and as the music began, Sully couldn't help but turn and lock eyes again with his bride of four months. It was the same song Daniel and Sarah had sung at their wedding! Instantly transported back, Sully listened to his best friend sing the beautiful words –

It's always been a mystery to me...How two hearts can come together... And love can last forever... But now that I have found you I believe... That a miracle has come... when God sends the perfect one... So gone are all my questions about why... And I've never been so sure of anything in my life...

- and his eyes began to tear up as he remembered how breathtakingly beautiful Michaela had been, gazing up at him with tears shimmering in those mesmerizing two-toned eyes. Suddenly afraid he would commit a huge faux pas, Sully forced himself to turn and pay attention to the couple who were about to pledge themselves in marriage. Michaela reached up and gently brushed a stray tear from the corner of one eye as she did the same.

The young woman across the altar from Sully noticed he had gotten choked up and she smiled, thinking what a sweet man he must be to get emotional at his friend's wedding.

When the song ended, thankfully for Sully, the ceremony went on; Sully produced the ring at the appropriate time, the vows were exchanged, and finally the pastor pronounced that Daniel and Sarah were man and wife – after which he instructed Daniel to kiss his bride.

Then they were all laughing and clapping, Sarah taking Daniel's proffered arm and starting down the aisle. Sully stepped forward and smilingly offered his arm to the lovely blond. Her blue eyes twinkling in pleasure, she accepted, slipped her hand in the crook of his arm, and began the walk, glancing at him repeatedly and unashamedly – her look one of obvious interest.

Michaela had been applauding along with everyone else, had leaned over and exchanged words with Snowbird of how lovely Sarah looked and how loving the couple seemed. Then as she turned back, she noticed the maid of honor strolling down the aisle clutching her husband's arm...noticed him grinning handsomely and saying something softly to the lovely blond...noticed the blond gazing at him in obvious attraction, and instantly felt red hot jealousy course through her veins.

Michaela, my goodness, get hold of yourself! She scolded herself, turning her head and glancing at Snowbird standing next to her, thereby missing her husband as he strolled past and looked her way, intending to blow her a kiss. The brief moment was gone and, disappointed, he continued on out of the sanctuary.

OOOOOOOOO

"Ok, bunch together a little...and big smiles everyone," the photographer instructed the entire wedding party.

"Great! Now I want all of the attendants together – Best Man and Maid in the center, please." The named people obeyed as the bride and groom stepped away. Sully moved to the center, taking Catherine's hand and helping her into position.

"Thank you," she murmured, turning her head to gaze for a moment up into his sparkling blue eyes.

"You're welcome," he answered politely, glancing at her with an unknowingly heart-melting smile before turning his face toward the camera.

The photographer took the shot, and then instructed, "Okay, now everyone clear except the two in the middle."

They obeyed, leaving Sully and Catherine standing together. "Put your arm around her...and look happy you two – your best friends just got married!" Then thinking he was making a funny prediction, he added, "Maybe you two will get shot with Cupid's arrows and be the next couple."

Catherine immediately reacted, turning to gaze up at Sully, enraptured at the thought. He turned his head to meet her gaze just as the photographer snapped a shot. "Great candid!" he exclaimed. "Now face forward, please."

"All right, now I want the bride and groom with parents..." he instructed. For the next twenty minutes, the photographer took picture after picture, the Best Man and Maid being paired time and again. More than once, Sully saved Catherine from tripping on her long skirt as she negotiated movements on the steps of the altar platform in her silver high heels or helped her straighten her hair when the photographer mentioned a problem. Once, he got his cufflink caught in the off-shoulder top of her dress and both were laughing self–consciously as he worked to release it, the photographer surreptitiously snapping photo after photo, thinking he was capturing the beginnings of true love. The final photo, the bride and groom with Sully and Catherine - by then everyone tired to the point of acting silly - showed the Best Man and Maid holding two fingers up behind the newlywed's heads and grinning at each other in conspiracy.

When the photographer finally said he had enough shots, the harried group sent up a heartfelt shout of camaraderie, each one high-fiving the next. As Sully and Catherine turned toward each other and high-fived, the photographer snuck one more shot.

OOOOOOOOO

"My, they seem to be taking a long time," Michaela remarked to Snowbird as they sipped on punch at the reception in the fellowship hall of the church.

"Oh, it's only been about thirty minutes. You know how long it takes to take all of those pictures," she added with a grin, referring to the seemingly endless picture taking at Sully and Michaela's wedding.

"I suppose," Michaela replied softly, gazing longingly at the door, wishing her husband would come through it.

"Michaela...is something wrong?" Snowbird asked intuitively.

Michaela glanced at her, intending on denying, but seeing the expression in her friend's eyes, she pressed her lips together and shook her head. "It's nothing."

"What's nothing?" her friend gently insisted.

"I'm just being silly..."

"Silly about what? Come on, friend...spill it," she ordered playfully.

"Oh...it's just...did you notice Sarah's maid of honor?"

"The blond? Yes, she's very pretty," the Indian woman responded, moving back to let several people pass by.

"Um...did you notice her...well...looking at Sully when they were going down the aisle?"

Snowbird smiled, having noticed the unabashed hunger in the young woman's eyes as well. "Yes I did," she admitted. Then realizing what Michaela was getting at, her eyes widened.

"Michaela, surely you're not thinking Sully would respond to that! He only has eyes for you, you know that!"

Michaela nodded and smiled at her friend, in truth, agreeing with her. "Yes...I do know that. I just...can't explain it. I saw her gazing at him and him smiling back at her and this...red hot jealousy just surged through me, it nearly took my breath away," she admitted softly, glancing down at her fingers tightly gripping the cup of punch, for which she had suddenly lost her taste.

Before Snowbird could answer, she continued, "You see...I know how incredibly handsome he is...and of course other women are going to think so, too. That even pleases me a little...pride in my man's appearance...but I guess it was seeing someone younger...and prettier...than me blatantly ogling him – and him smiling in return..."

"Michaela – first off – she is NOT prettier than you. A little younger, perhaps, but not prettier." At her friend's short negative response, she went on, "Don't you know how beautiful you are, Michaela? Your face, your eyes, your hair, your figure...my friend, you have nothing to worry about."

Grinning, she continued, "And even if Sully were not totally head over heels in love with you – which he IS – you would still have no need to fear him looking elsewhere. He's like a needle on a compass that points true north. He's always looking at you. He always knows when you're near, his eyes searching you out just to gaze at you. And by the way...I noticed he was doing that even during the wedding a little while ago," she added for good measure and a teasing smirk.

Michaela chuckled and nodded, taking a deep breath and relaxing as she allowed her friend's words to soothe her. "Yes, you're right," she admitted softly.

Just then, the doors to the fellowship hall swung open and the crowd cheered for the bride and groom as they came through, followed closely by the wedding party – each one laughing and chuckling over some private joke between them having to do with the endless photographs.

Michaela looked the group over, immediately spotting her husband...with the blond holding tightly to his arm.