Chapter 32
Once again the bridal party up front turned to look back at the house and out came another bride. Collette came down the aisle until she reached Vince's side, and they stayed on AJ's right.
Chaplin Turner began the ceremony, "Dearly Beloved as you can see we are gathered here today to join these three lovely brides with their handsome grooms." A few moments later he pronounced them husbands and wives and told the grooms they that they could kiss their brides.
All the couples seemed to have a hard time breaking the kiss until their guests began to applaud. Everyone gathered around the couples to offer their congratulations.
The caterers were there with roast beef, baked chicken, broccoli with cheese casserole, and scalloped potatoes. They had set up on the patio and tables were being set up with the chairs moved around them.
The photographer was running around getting a lot of candid shots and gathering up people for formal shots where ever he could.
Akaliiani had ordered three separate cakes so each couple would be able to cut their own so they could get pictures of them feeding each other. She'd had a bright idea when the double became a triple wedding. Instead of ordering all three cakes the flavor that she and Mac had liked best, she had ordered the third cake in the second favorite flavor so the guests would have a choice.
The band had set up for the dancing and had offered the use of their microphone for toasts and the like. AJ was the first to step up.
"Friends and family, I don't really have a toast to offer at this time, but instead an announcement to make. Mac I know you have been waiting to hear if there was a spot for you in the JAG office in Hawaii. Well, it took a while to get everything in place, but I can tell you that you will have a job when you get to Pearl. The reason this took so long was that the position we have for you was not suitable for a Colonel." AJ took a pause then asked, "Mac will you come forward?"
When she was standing in front of him she was surprised when Trevor handed the Admiral a familiar box. AJ opened it as he was saying, "I would like to be the first to congratulate you Major General Sarah Benet. I am guessing you would like your new husband to perform the salute?"
Trevor took a step closer with a smile on his face, until Mac said, "If I'm not out of line, I would like you to do it Sir. You have been such a positive influence in my life and it is very hard to leave JAG."
AJ tossed a look at Trevor to see what his reaction to this was only to find him smiling and nodding. He understood this request his new wife had made, "Well then it would be my pleasure Mac," AJ stated and kissed his former Chief of Staff on both cheeks.
She whispered to him, "Thank you Sir," when he was close enough that only he could hear.
He whispered back, "It was my pleasure, Sarah."
When Mac started to step back after the kisses and taking the new insignias that were in the box AJ handed her, he stopped her. "Would you like to know the position you will have to go along with your new rank?"
Grinning sheepishly Mac nodded and said, "I guess that might be a good idea."
"Everyone you are looking at Major General Sarah Benet, the newest JAG of the Pacific."
There were many gasps from the guests gathered around but none was louder than the one from Mac herself.
"Really?!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, really," AJ assured her.
She turned to Trevor who was still at her side and questioned, "Did you know about this?"
"Yeah," he told her.
Then everyone began to come forward to congratulate Mac.
Dinner was a big hit and then it was time to cut the cakes. Once again it was a chance for the photographer to get some traditional shots of the reception.
To be continued…..