Disclaimer: See prologue chapter

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Chapter 53

The Wedding

It was here, the day that they had been waiting for – the day everyone had been waiting for (and more than even they realised) almost unconsciously from the moment they had realised that they had feelings for each other.

More strangely enough, when you would expect nerves to be the order of the day, the only ones not affected by them were the bride and groom themselves.

The groom was standing at the head of the dock, looking out over the lake. His hands were in his pockets (even though he had been threatened several times already since he had changed). He was also humming under his breath, quiet smile lighting up his face.

His two groomsmen were the same and different in their reactions.

The elder was happy for his friend that he was finally getting the girl he deserved but at the same time, it was his sister that was the girl in question. As much as he wanted to be here by his friend supporting him, he still wanted to be with his sister as she was escorted to him. It was only because it was her wish that he remained where he was – stayed there because it made her happy and on this day, her day, her wishes and desires were the only important considerations.

Behind them both, the youngest was laughing quietly at both of his friends. He knew without a doubt the thoughts that were going through the eldest's mind and he was equally sure he knew what was going through the middle's mind. What he was definitely sure of was that both their thoughts were of the petite girl who had claimed him as her twin.

He raised his hand and squeezed the eldest's shoulder in silent comfort, grinning as he smiled back at him. He then nodded to where their middle member and today, the most important member of their trio, stood on the edge of the dock and the eldest nodded.

As one they moved together to stand behind him, resting one hand on his shoulder. He looked at each of them, the happiness in his eyes sinking into them as they smiled back at him. They were, finally, ready.

Slowly the remaining guests filed quietly onto the dock, indicating that the time of the ceremony was growing closer. Behind them were the non-family members of their lives and behind them, the minister's family, clearly subdued and a little awed by the people standing in front of them.

The minister himself walk slowly down the centre of the aisle to stand in front of the altar and opened his book.

A quiet cough from the youngest groomsman (who had been quietly keeping an eye on timing and positions) brought all three of them from the head of the dock to stand in front of the elder man. They then moved into position beside him and as one, turned to look down the aisle, waiting for the sight they had been waiting to see since the sun had broken over the horizon in all its glory that morning.

And when she arrived, the sun was out-shone.

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A last few brushings of the hair, flowers fastened firmly in place. Dresses in place and without a wrinkle, make-up smoothly applied. All was ready in the bridal cabin.

First to descend slowly was Deanna.

Her hair was swept up in loose curls that fell from the top of her head to the middle of her back. It allowed a person to clearly see the sweetheart neckline of her strapless dress that rose from an empire waistline. The skirt was a-line to her knees. It was dark bronze in colour and complimented by the alstroemeria and baby's breath on her wrist.

She also wore simple bronze ear-rings and necklace that not only complimented her dress but suited her skin tones.

Caitlyn followed her, only stopping at the bottom of the steps to deliberately and slowly put her shoes on and earning laughter from both inside and outside the cabin. (There had been an on-going argument as to whether or not shoes would be worn now that a carpet had been place on the dock to prevent splinters but the two younger girls had been shouted down). This had been Caitlyn's small rebellion in response on her behalf and Mitchie's.

Straightening up, Caitlyn's dress came into view. It was a lighter shade of bronze to Deanna, suiting her lighter colouring but there were differences. Her dress had short three quarter sleeves and a square neckline but still the empire waistline with the a-line skirt falling to her knees. She was wearing a simple topaz tear necklace with matching ear-rings.

Although she had the same style wrist bouquet as Deanna, thanks to the varied shades of alstroemeria, Caitlyn's was made up of different colours and was not quite as large.

Both bridesmaids' jewellery had been their bridal gifts from Shane and Mitchie, especially chosen for them. (He had been allowed to know the colours of their dresses but not the style and cut).

Alexander and Steve stepped out of the cabin next, dress simply in black suits with bronze ties that matched the girls' bridesmaid's dresses, the latter matching his foster daughter's dress and the former his granddaughter-in-law's.

Steve also held Mitchie's cascading bouquet of red and white roses with baby's breath and ferns

All four turned to the open door, waiting for the most important person of the day – the bride.

Mitchie stood in the doorway, posing slightly for the silent photographer whose crew had been taken photographs the entire to document the wedding for them.

As she had been shown in the picture she had been given on deciding her dress style, Mitchie's hair was flowing down her back but her curls had been made more obvious. It was pulled back at the sides but instead of the slender Alice band diamond scattered tiara, it was held back with diamond encrusted combs, a further present from her grandmother. It also revealed diamond drop ear-rings that matched the necklace she was 'borrowing' from her as well.

Her gauze like sleeves reached a point of the back of her hand, tight to her arms and was attached to the off-shoulder sweetheart neckline. The main dress flowed from an empire waistline, ribbon tied behind her back and trailing down her back, to just above her ankles in an a-line skirt with a slight train and instead of the ballerina pumps, she now wore the shoes from her other grandmother.

The entire dress was made of ivory silk and she just seemed to glow in the late afternoon sun.

Her father and her grandfather held up hands to her, assisting her down the steps. As she stepped off the bottom one, she kissed first Alexander and then Steve on the cheeks before linking her arm in theirs. Steve then handed her, her bouquet.

Indicating for Deanna and Caitlyn to walk before them, they began their journey down the canopied path. The bride was on her way.

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Caitlyn and Deanna stood at the head of the aisle as everyone fell silent, then as a single guitar started to play they began to walk down the aisle.

They reached the end where their halves stepped forward to greet them with a kiss to the hand before escorting them to their places opposite Shane and returning to his side. Everyone once more returned to looking up the aisle where Mitchie now stood with her two escorts.

The tune on the guitar changed and became familiar to everyone around them as an acoustic version of 'This is me' was slowly played as her wedding theme. Slowly they walked down the aisle with a steady pace, both men beginning to feel reluctant to hand-over the beautiful girl that they were escorting – much like every father who has truly cared for their child since the introduction of the wedding ceremony.

Yet with every step that they took down the aisle, Mitchie seemed to take on an ethereal loveliness that quite simply outshone the evening sun. At the end, Deanna stepped forward to take her bouquet, allowing Steve and Alexander to kiss her hands and then her cheeks before, to Mitchie's surprise, Jason stepped forward to take her hand to lead her to Shane.

Jason took both her hands in his and bent forward to kiss her nose, making her and those watching laugh. He then placed her hand in Shane's, covering them both with his own. "You know..." He said softly so only those three could hear.

Shane actually rolled his eyes as he held Mitchie's hand in his. "Jase, I know."

"Can we get married now?" His sister murmured as she freed one of her hands to touch his cheek softly. "Jake?"

"Love you Mitch." He bent and kissed her cheek, then returned to his place next to Nate.

"And now we shall begin..." The minister spoke clearly, understanding that there were dynamics here that he had no understanding of. He took them through the traditional beginnings of the ceremony, earning a laugh he said. "Now I would ask if there was anyone here who had any objection to this marriage between Michelle and Shane but I'm afraid of the answer I would get with the amount of jokesters that I know are present."

He then continued, "I know that Shane and Mitchie have written their own vows, so Shane..."

Shane turned to face Mitchie, taking both of her hands in his. "Mitchie, from the very first moment that we met, you started to change me. You were the first person who called me on my behaviour and it soon made me realise that there was something special about you. You helped me find my music again and brought me back to my family and friends. In you I found what I had lost and with you I am more than I ever thought possible. I promise you that I will honour you, protect you, sing with you..." They both smiled at this. "Be there when you are sick, and love you as I have done from the day I met you until eternity and beyond."

"Mitchie, if you would." The minister said softly as Shane wiped a tear away from her cheek.

"Shane, I never thought that when I met the infamous arrogant pop-star known as Shane Grey, that he would be the key to unlocking the many mysteries that were in my life at that time. You helped me get my memory back, brought back my beloved brother and family and then gave me your heart as well. Like you, I found what I lost in you and with you, I am so much more than I ever thought possible as well. I promise that I will honour you but I will also give you a kick in the pants if the old you ever tried to come back again..." That brought a laugh from everyone. "In sickness I will look after you as you have already do and love you more tomorrow than today until eternity and beyond."

"The rings please," The minister asked, looking over to Jason and Nate. Both reached into their pocket and pulled out rings placing them on the bible the minister held out to them. He held his hand over them and blessed them before looking at Shane and Mitchie. "Now normally I would ask the bride and groom to do this individually but sun is almost at a certain point, so if you will both take the relevant ring and say together..."

As one, placing their plain white gold rings on their left ring finger, Shane and Mitchie spoke the words that would join them as husband and wife: "This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. The most precious metal symbolizes that your love is the most precious element in my life. The ring has no beginning and no ending, which symbolizes that the love between us will never cease. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wedded partner. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours."

The minister then covered their hands. "Mitchie and Shane have with these words joined their lives together. As an ordained minister and a registered official, I announce that they are man and wife."

He looked over his shoulder slightly and found the sun setting just as they had wanted then turned to them again. "Shane, you may kiss your bride."

Shane needed no further encouragement. He pulled her into his arms as hers wrapped around his neck and kissed her with every ounce of sentiment that he was feeling.

It was only a tap on his shoulder from Jason that had them stopping even as all around them, they could hear clapping and cheers. As soon as they had parted, one arm still around each other, the minister held up his hand to quiet everyone and then made the announcement the whole world seemed to be waiting for.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you for the first time, Shane and Mitchie Grey."

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What more can I say.

Oh actually yes there is something: THERE WILL NOT BE ANY DRAMA, I SAID THAT RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING, THEY'VE HAD ENOUGH DRAMA!

Ok enough said

Looking forward to seeing what you have to say ;op