Wedding up! :)
(By the way, I'm cutting out the readings/hymns.)
You smile up at Abby who's stood on the cushion in the dressing room, Jess supplying the finishing touches to the woman's dress. The bodice has white flower petals stitched to it and the skirt is feathery white and soft lace, complementing Abby's figure perfectly. Her hair's pulled up in a fancy bun and, to mirror her time keeping, she's wearing an expensive, fancy, silver watch on her left wrist. Jess has given her a pair of dangling silver earrings and you gave her a silver bracelet to wear on her wrist. "Nervous?" you ask, stepping back to allow Jess to scuttle around the hem.
"As nervous as I should." she smiles down at you before retuning her gaze to the mirror infront of her. "But no where near as nervous as you."
"Excuse me?" you raise your eyebrows at her and you hear Jess laugh from your feet.
"It's true." she smiles, standing up. "We were worried that we'd have to restrain you." you slap Jess' arm playfully before Abby pipes up again.
"The two of you should get ready." she smiles, indicating to the two of you still in trousers. You nod, indicating for Jess to go first. Grabbing her dress, the woman disappears around the screen. "When's Becker dropping Megan off?"
"Once he can persuade Connor that she's not staying with him." you smile and Abby laughs. It's true though. Connor's developed an obvious attachment to Ben and Megan, bringing up every excuse in the book to hold them. "The sooner the two of you have a kid, the better." you smile and Abby laughs, throwing the empty pincushion at you. Jess re-emerges halfway through your playful banter and it takes a while for the pair of you to notice her. When you do, you wonder how you missed her. "Wow." You widen your eyes at the woman stood nervously by the screen. Jess is dressed in a shockingly bright yellow dress that ties over her left shoulder. The waistline in pulled in by a thick, diamanté belt and she's pulled the front few strands of her hair back off her face. She's wearing the silver earrings and the bracelet that Matt got her as one of his many spontaneous gifts.
"You look great!" Abby grins. "Chang of plan- you go down the isle first." Jess laughs before catching the serious look in Abby's eyes. "We're doing this the European way, not the American way. You next." Abby orders, turning to face you. You not, picking your dress off the hanger. Once behind the screen, you slip the red fabric over your head. It's got broad shoulders and a square neckline. The top of the dress folds over the top of you still round stomach. You've lost a little weight, but the twins were only born a week ago. You slide the gold bangles onto your right wrist. Stepping out from behind the screen, someone knocks on the back-stag doors.
"I'll get it!" you offer, moving to get the door.
"Take her!" Becker says, thrusting Megan into your arms. "Before Connor realises she's gone!" he grins, disappearing to probably rescue Ben. You smile at his retreating back, turning and closing the door.
"Lets get you dressed then." you smile, turning to the carrier bag that contains Megan's dress. It's white with red roses on it and the skirts held put by a flexible hoop. It would look better on a girl that could walk and was at least two. Frowning, you rip the hem ever so slightly and pull the plastic hoop out. "Perfect." you smile down at her. There's a knock at the door and Lester slips in, his usually smart suit being replaced by an immaculate suit.
"We're ready to go." he smiles, helping Abby off the stool and into her shoes. A slow wedding march starts up and you glance back at Abby, sending her a smile. You hold Megan in your arms, balancing the flower basket in the crook of your right arm. As the wooden doors open, allowing you access to the hall, you hand your daughter a handful of red rose petals. Megan drops them almost instantly, not yet old enough to figure out how to hold something in her hands. This earns several 'Aw!'s as you start to walk. The flower girl walking down the isle at the start of the ceremony is unusual, but Abby obviously wanted it to be that way. You get halfway and know that Jess has started to walk down the isle. A few feet later and a mummer rings through the crowd as Abby makes her entrance. You reach the front of the church, sliding into your sear between Jess and the seat reserved for Becker. Becker's currently sat at the back of the church with Ben, ready to make his entrance with the rings later on. Jess slips into her seat and you give Connor a reassuring smile, hoping that Matt's been doing his job properly in reassuring him. Matt's stood behind Connor and slightly to the right as the best man. As Jess sits down, he turns to give her a loving smile. You watch with baited breath as Lester hands Abby's hand to Connor and you let it out as Connor doesn't take up off the isle.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to bind Abigail Maitland and Connor Temple in holy matrimony." you raise your eyebrows at the fact that the vicar called Abby 'Abigail.' and wasn't kneed in the nuts. "If anyone knows of a reason these two should not be wed, may they speak now or forever hold their peace." There's an uneasy silence where the only sound in the rustling of fabric. The vicar nods, turning back to the two infront of him. "The vows you are about to take are to be made in the name of God, who is judge of all and who knows all the secrets of our hearts: therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now." Abby and Connor shake their heads and he smiles. "May the congregation please stand? Connor Temple, Do you take Abigail to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." Connor answers, his voice strong but his eyes are shinning with tears.
"Abigail Maitland, will you take Connor Temple to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." Abby replies, her voice wavering.
"Repeat after me." the vicar smiles at Connor. "I, Connor Temple,"
"I, Connor Temple,"
"Take you, Abigail Maitland,"
"Take you, Abigail Maitland,"
"To be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward;"
"To be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward;" Connor's voice is becoming thicker and more accented.
"For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,"
"For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer," you know that Connor will be bullied for crying in a few weeks time.
"In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and this is my solemn vow."
Connor has to take a deep breath before repeating it. "In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and this is my solemn vow." The vicar smiles before getting Abby to repeat the same, changing the names appropriately.
"Then may the rings be brought forth and placed infront of God, as a symbol of their love." you all rise to your feet as Becker walks down the isle, Ben and ring cushion balanced on his arms. Matt removed the rings, placing them on the open bible. Becker slips in next to you.
"Cause I didn't feel like an idiot." he mutters and you smile, leaning a head on his shoulder.
"Heavenly Father, by your blessing, let this ring be to Connor and Abigail a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they may have made this day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Connor, then shaking, slips Abby's ring onto her finger, shaking as he recites his lines.
"I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Abby's crying as she slips Connor's ring onto his finger, repeating Connor's words.
"By the God, Father, Son and Holy spirit, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." the church erupts into applause as Connor and Abby meet in the middle for a kiss. The vicar indicates for everyone to kneel and you do so with Megan in your lap and Ben in Becker's. "God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully grant you the riches of his grace, that you may please him both in body and soul, and, living together in faith and love, may receive the blessings of eternal life. Amen. Heavenly Father, maker of all things, you enable us to share in your work of creation. Bless this couple in the gift and care of children, that their home may be a place of love, security, and truth, and their children grow up to know and love you in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: reign in the home of these your servants as Lord and King; give them grace to minister to others as you have ministered to men, and grant that by deed and word they may be witnessed of your saving love to those among whom they live; for the sake of your holy name. Amen." It doesn't surprise you, as the Vicar leads you all in the Lord's Prayer, that Connor and Abby chose to do the whole religious thing. "God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen." However, you do notice that they've opted for no hymns. They get to their feet and Lester follows them and the Vicar down the isle as a witness to Abby and Connor's signing of the register.
"I never realised how long this all was!" you say, turning to Becker and the crowd breaks into chatter.
"It felt like a lifetime." Becker mutters, bouncing Ben up and down as he starts to whimper. "C'mon little man. Quiet you." Abby, Connor and Lester re-enter the church and the room bursts into applause. Getting to your feet, you carry Megan back up the isle, spreading more flowers. Abby and Connor follow behind you, his arm around her waist. Jess and Matt follow next, arm in arm. Finally, Becker and Lester following, Lester carrying Ben.
Once outside and away from the church, you squeal, launching yourself at Abby and Connor, careful not to squash Megan in the process. "You did it!" you cry as the others join you. "You actually did it!" you hand Megan to Connor as a sort of 'Congratulations! You didn't run away!' trophy. Connor clutches her to him and Abby laughs at his obsession with your daughter. Congratulations are all exchanged before the Photographer breaks you up.
"It's time for photos!" he smiles, raising a camera. You realise that he's been there the whole time, from the first few steps you took down the isle, to Connor and Abby exiting the church.
The first few are of Abby and Connor, then a few of the newly weds with the twins. Then there's one of all the girls and all the boys separately, followed by several odd ones that involves Abby and Connor being lifted in the air and kissing whilst being held up and one with all the women over the boys shoulders. Once this has been done and you've regained as much dignity as possible, you begin to head to the reception.
Abby and Connor wait by the entrance, greeting everyone as they file in and take their places around the edges of the dance floor. Abby and Connor finally arrive 'After all these years' by Jim Brickman and Anne Cochran starts to play. You can't help but notice just how brilliant this song is for them. It's no secret that Connor was in love with Abby as soon as he met her. You smile, leaning into Becker once the twins have been placed in their carriers. Becker pulls you close and you can see Jess' eyes begin to mist up.
After a few seconds, Connor pulls Abby closer to him, wrapping his arms tightly around her waits. Abby responds by wrapping her arms around his neck. You can see the pair start to blink back tears and you smile. Across the other side of the room, even Lester's looking a little emotional.
As the song draws to an end, Connor pulls Abby to him, pressing their lips together. The hall erupts in cheers and wolf whistles as Connor dips Abby, causing her hair to come slightly loose at the back. As the dancing continues, you think you dance with everyone at least twice. Even Megan and Ben are danced with. After a while, guests start to filter to their seats and you slide into yours between Jess and Becker. Matt gets to his feet and you can tell, judging by the glint in his eye and Connor sinking in his seat, this should be good. "Firstly, congratulations to the newly-weds. Also, congratulations to myself and Becker, who managed to get the groom here on time, dressed and sober. I'd also like to add that Connor, you are a lucky man. You've married Abby, who's beautiful, smart, funny, warm, loving and caring, and she deserves a good husband. So thank God you married her before she found one." he smiles over at Connor whose sinking lower. Abby's grinning and pulling him back up. "Of course, there was some issues this morning with Connor not being able to decide what eye-shadow to wear, but I think we got it sorted in the end. To the newly-weds!" Matt grins, raising his glass.
X
You jump as a woman taps Connor on his shoulder, congratulating him with a smile. You're sure you've never seen her before, taking in her Icy Blue dress and matching waist bow. Her steel blue eyes flash and she tucks a strand of dark hair behind her ear and it clicks- it's Frankie. She smiles tightly at Abby before standing aside to allow Lyra to congratulate the pair. She's in a lilac dress that actually suits her but she doesn't look to happy to be there. "I could've sworn they weren't here earlier." you murmur in Becker's ear.
"They weren't. I scanned the church." Becker replies in an equally low voice. You smirk at the soldier in Becker always working. When Alex steps up to congratulate them, you notice she's the only one in black. Her floor length dress has a slit up to her thigh on its left and two whie bands running diagonally towards it.
"When the bouquet toss?" she near demands.
"Now." Abby replies bluntly, stalking toward the centre of the foor.
"You joining in?" Becker asks and you laugh.
"Not likely. I've had it once before and don't intend to have it agai-" you're cut off as the bouquet hits you in the chest and you blink a few times. People are clapping and you realise, with horror, you've caught the flowers. That's not the words part- that's still to come. Connor twangs Abby's garter into the crowd and it lands in Lester's hands. His eyes meet yours across the room and an under standing passes between the two of you- he comes near you with the garter, you kill him. Silently, he hands it to the nearest person to him. Benjimin grins, taking your hand, apologising to Becker and leading you over to the seat. He sits you down, slipping the dress up your leg. He slides the garter up your thigh, and you desperately try to ignore the wolf whistles. Once the ordeal's over with and Benjimin's helped you back into the crowd, you head back over to a rather stony faced Becker, pressing your lips against his. "I love you." you murmur, smile into his lips.
"I love you too." he smiles back, pulling you close.
That's when all hell breaks loose.
Okay! Dresses are up on my profile and the final chapter's in progress :)
