Chapter 32: The Wedding reception.
Despite the pounding in his head and the building pressure behind his left eye, John watched as his friends got married with a great sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. By the time the couples got around to signing the paperwork he knew that something was wrong and pretty soon, he'd have to sit down before he fell down.
By the time Woolsey announced that Dave and Ronon could kiss their bride's he felt as if he was going to pass out, he had no idea what was wrong, but he suspected that the doctors had missed something with their scans.
The crowd erupted in applause again and John felt so bad that he had to sit down.
Carson placed a chair behind him and then knelt in front of him. "Are you okay son?"
"We're not doing this here Doc."
Woolsey came up at that moment. "I will instruct people to head to the mess hall for afternoon refreshments and then you can use the conference room okay?"
"That sound great, thanks Richard?" John told him, the pain evident in his eyes.
Woolsey got to his feet and addressed the milling crowd. "Can everyone start heading to the mess hall for afternoon refreshments, you'll have the opportunity to congratulate the happy couples in there. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter."
"Jane I'm going to stay with John for a while, I hope you don't mind." Dave said with pleading in his eyes.
She nodded and told him that she would see him shortly.
Once the crowd had dissipated and there was only, Teyla, Carson, Jennifer and Dave surrounding John. Carson and Dave helped him to his feet and guided him to the nearest transporter. It was decided that they would head straight to the infirmary to try and work out what was going on.
The minute they reached the infirmary, John doubled over and grabbed his head; he would have fallen over if it wasn't for Dave and Carson's quick reflexes
"John, are you okay, what's happening?" Jennifer asked, grabbing his wrist and taking his pulse.
"I suddenly feel terrible Doc."
"What hurts lad?" Carson asked, with concern.
"My eye hurts, really bad Doc"
They managed to lay him on an exam bed, Carson had good look at his eye and sighed at what he saw. "Your eye is looking quite swollen again and I suspect that there may be some bleeding behind the eye."
"What about the wedding photos and the wedding reception Doc?"
"I will take some scans and you can lay here for an hour and if I decide that you are able to participate in the rest of the day's activities, I will let you know." Carson told him forcefully.
John looked at him with his best puppy dog eyes. "Doc I need to be there."
"This isn't a bloody negotiation son. This is your health were talking about. One hour in the infirmary and then we'll see. That is my final offer. Take it or you'll definitely be here for the entire night."
"You drive a hard bargain Doc."
"Now let's get you under that scanner, so that we can check your eye out." Carson suggested.
Ronon came in before they had a chance to move him. A little voice spoke from behind him. "Daddy, are you okay?"
When Torren saw John lying on the exam bed he rushed over and tried to climb up beside him.
"Don't worry, T.J Daddy's eye is very sore, I'm just going to stay in the infirmary and have a lie down for an hour."
John looked at Dave and Ronon. "Why don't you go and start having some photos. When I'm feeling better, I'll join you okay?"
"I think I'll stay with you for a while John, but Ronon why don't you go and start having some photos taken." Dave told him standing beside John's bed.
Ronon simply nodded and left the room.
He looked at Teyla and Jennifer as well. "You should go with him Teyla, you to Jennifer; I'm sure between Carson and Dave they can look after me."
Dave nodded and Carson told them to go. Once everyone except Carson and Dave had left the room, Carson helped John over to the scanner bed.
Carson mumbled to himself, as he looked at the results of the scan.
"What's the verdict?" John asked.
Carson sighed, "It's just as I suspected. You have a small bleed behind the left eye, but if you have a rest and take some pain med's you will be able to have your photos taken and attend the reception. I will want you back here for the next couple of days though to keep an eye on it to make sure that it doesn't get any worse."
"Why didn't you pick it up before now Doc?"
"If it was there it was so small that the scanner didn't pick it up and you must have knocked it at some stage and made it worse."
Now it was John's turn to sigh, as he remembered stumbling around in the dark and hitting his eye against the door frame the night before, so maybe that was what had happened. He wasn't about to tell Carson that though, because Carson would yell at him for not telling him earlier.
"Can you use the healing compound Doc, Woolsey is leaving the day after tomorrow and I really need to be on my feet?"
"I have told you before that we can only use the compound on severe or life threatening injuries, because we still don't know the long term effects. This should right itself with a couple of days rest and if it doesn't we'll consider using the compound then."
"Whatever you say, Doc."
"Let's get you settled and give you some pain meds." Carson suggested with compassion in his eyes.
Once he was settled, Carson put and IV in his hand.
"Hey Doc, what's this for?" John grumbled.
'I'm putting some fluids into you, you look a bit pale and dehydrated." Carson explained.
"Now lay back and try and get some rest." Carson told him, injecting some pain medication into his IV.
John closed his eyes and within five minutes he was asleep.
Carson cleaned his things up and Dave sat next to John's bed. This was supposed to be his wedding day and here he was stuck in the infirmary with John again.
An hour later when John awoke Carson was by his bedside, looking serious.
"Hey Doc, how long was I out." John muttered.
"About an hour, laddie."
"Great can I get dressed and go to the wedding reception now?"
"Aye you can lad, but I want you to take it easy tonight, if you knock that eye again, you may cause permanent damage, perhaps after the photo's you can wear and eye patch to try and protect it a little. You have to start looking after yourself now, as you are the leader of Atlantis and we can't afford to have you off your feet every couple of weeks.
"Can I go now," he whined again?
"Off you go lad and when the photos have been taken I want you back in the infirmary I'll put an eye patch on.
"Cool I'll look like a pirate then," he quipped, sounding like a little kid.
"Off with ya, before I change my mind ya cheeky bugger." Carson joked.
John grabbed Dave's hand and quickly left the infirmary, before Carson had a chance to change his mind.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
About half an hour later they found the others, finishing up their photos on the balcony overlooking the mainland. The sun was shining, the sky was a glorious blue and the weather was warm
Torren bounded up to John and held up his arms to be picked up.
"Daddy." He yelled into John's ear, once John had picked him up.
"Hey pal, there's no need to deafen me."
"Let's get a photo of Dave and Jane together?" Lt Jenkins; who had been hired to take the wedding photo's suggested and there was excitement in his voice.
Dave came and stood next to Jane and they smiled as the photo was taken. The mainland in the background set the photo off nicely.
"Now I want General Sheppard, Telya and Torren to join the couple and we'll take another photo." Lt Jenkins instructed.
John went and stood next to Dave and Teyla stood next to Jane and the photo was taken.
This went on for the rest of the afternoon. There were photos taken of the bride and groom on their own, photos taken of the groomsmen and photos taken of the bride's maids and groomsmen together. There were photos taken of the bride with the groomsmen and the groomsmen together and then finally one with the whole wedding party together. One was even taken of Maddie and Torren together.
Once Dave and Jane had finished having their photos taken, they had to do it all over again with Ronon and Amelia. Finally the photos were finished and it was time to start heading to the mess hall for the reception.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John and Carson left the rest of the wedding party and headed back to the infirmary. Carson insisted on checking on John's eye again and if it hadn't deteriorated too much, he would make John wear and eye patch and he could go to the reception. If it was getting worse, John would have to stay in the infirmary and he wouldn't be allowed to go to the reception.
John hopped on the scanner bed and lay down. The pain wasn't too bad at the moment, but he suspected that was because the pain meds were working really well.
Carson ran the scanner across him and made his usual tutting noises.
"How's it looking this time Doc?" John asked feeling a little worried.
"Well it's no worse than it was before, but it's no better either, so I'll give you and eye patch to wear and after the reception you'll definitely have to spend a day or two in the infirmary so that I can keep an eye on you."
"Whatever Doc, but remember Woolsey is leaving in two days, so I will have to be back on my feet by then.
"I will speak to Woolsey if your eye is not better in a couple of days. Perhaps he will be able to stay on a bit longer." Carson suggested.
"Sounds like a plan Doc, but can I go and to the reception now."
"Aye lad, I'll cover you eye up and give you an eye patch and then you can play pirates," Carson teased.
John gave him a deadpan look to let him know that he wasn't amused, "Funny."
"Shiver mi timbers," John couldn't resist saying ten minutes later when Carson had covered his eye up and given him an eye patch.
"Let's get going and if you make any more comments like that you will be back in the infirmary.
John followed Carson out of the infirmary, all the while laughing at all the pirate jokes he could tell.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dave arrived at the mess hall about the same time as Carson and John and he almost laughed when he saw the eye patch that John was wearing.
"This isn't a fancy dress party John," Dave joked.
Before John had a chance to say anything, Lorne announced his and Teyla's name, so he just poked his tongue out at his brother, before grabbing Teyla's hand and heading into the mess hall.
Dave watched as the groomsmen and bride's maids were introduced and then Lorne introduced Ronon and Amelia.
Finally Lorne announced their names. "and finally Introducing, Mr David and Mrs Jane Sheppard."
The entered the mess hall to the cheers of the waiting guests. They both blushed and went to sit down at the head table. Teyla sat next to Jane and John sat next to Dave.
Ronon and Amelia sat at a separate table with Jennifer, Jeannie, Rodney and Carson.
The hall was decorated in Satedan lilies and earth roses. There was on long table set up on the wall opposite the door; where the best man and Matron of honour sat with Dave and Jane; Ronon and Amelia's table was close by. Next to the head table was a table with the wedding cakes. Along one side; the side that was overlooking the ocean, was a long buffet style serving station. In the middle of the floor a dance floor had been set up with a DJ at the end. Around the dance floor tables were set up. Each table seated eight people.
Jack and Sam were looking after Torren for the evening, Maddie was with Caleb and the twins were with Marie fast asleep. Dave saw the relief in Teyla's eyes when she realised that her children were content.
Lorne; who was the MC, stood up and announced that dinner was ready and that they could help themselves, once the bridal party had got their food.
John looked at Dave. "Would you like me to get you something to eat?"
Teyla did the same for Jane.
They had chosen a buffet style meal, so that as many people as possible could attend the wedding. The food consisted of all the regular dishes that were served on Atlantis on a daily basis. General O'Neill and stargate command had also provided plenty of alcohol for the occasion.
Dave and Jane were in the midst of a quiet conversation when people started to bang their glasses with their spoons.
Lorne stood up and addressed the bride and groom. "You guys know what that means don't you?"
Jane brushed her lips against Dave's and he kissed back more forcefully, before the crowd erupted into applause.
Dave looked up after a few seconds and saw that Ronon and Amelia still had their lips locked.
Ronon and Amelia continued and Lorne stood up again. "That's enough for now guys."
Ronon and Amelia pulled apart and continued to look into each other's eyes. The meal continued and the guests began to come up and congratulate the couples.
"Congratulations, I always knew you would get together." Radek told Ronon and Amelia, shaking Ronon's hand and kissing Amelia on the cheek."
"Congratulations, you look very happy together and I hope you have a long and happy marriage." Woolsey said, shaking Dave's hand and gently touching Jane on the hand.
"About time you two got together." Marie said, giving Ronon and Amelia a hug.
Sam came up and hugged Jane while Jack slapped Dave on the back. "Welcome to the club guys, I hope you'll be as happy as Sam and I are." Jack told them, and grabbed Sam's hand.
"Congratulations." Sam told them.
This went on for the rest of the meal. There were people that Dave and Jane barley knew offering their congratulations. They were beginning to grow weary when Lorne stood up and announced that it was time for the speeches.
"Now we've come to the time in the evening, where we honour the happy couples with speeches. The first person to speak will be the best man, Dave's brother John Sheppard."
Everyone cheered as John stood up.
John stood up and smiled at Dave, "For those of you who didn't know, Dave and I didn't speak to each other for almost five years. We reconnected at our father's funeral almost three years ago now; at that point we began to build a relationship again, which was difficult, as I was living in another Galaxy. We have spent quite a bit of time getting to know each other over the last few years, unfortunalty it hasn't all been good. Dave I just want you to know how proud I am of you.
In the last few years, I've gained a sister as well; it has been wonderful getting to know you Jane. I can't think of two people who are better suited to each other. I love you both and I wish you, every happiness for the future."
John then turned towards Ronon, "The first time I met Ronon, he tied me up and threatened to kill me, but even in that moment I sensed he was a good man and he was looking for a second chance. I chose to bring him back to Atlantis and help him that day and it was the best decision that I ever made. In the time that I have known him Ronon has been a loyal friend and as close as a brother to me. I can think of no one better to spend their life with him than Amelia. I want to wish you both every success and happiness in the future.
John sat down and the crowd applauded again.
Lorne stood up again. "Now it's time for the Matron of Honour, Teyla Emmagan-Sheppard to make her speech."
Teyla stood up and looked at the couple. "When Jane came to Atlantis two years ago I sensed that she found it overwhelming, so I befriended her. I showed her around and within the first week we shared many meals together. Eventually I introduced her to my friends, including Dave and at that point Dave decided that he was going to drop Torren off at Day-care every day."
Everyone had to laugh at that comment and Dave looked a bit embarrassed.
Teyla continued. "In the last couple of years these two have become some part of my family." She looked at them both. "I love you both and wish you every happiness in the future."
Teyla looked at Amelia, "and Amelia, when I first met you three years ago, I knew that you were going to become one of my closest friends and when you and Ronon decided to get together I couldn't have been happier. Ronon is like a brother to me and by you marrying him, you have become my sister. I love you both and I wish you every success in the future."
Teyla sat down and everyone cheered.
Before Lorne had a chance to say anything Carson stood up. "It has been my honour to give Jane away to day. I know that she would have liked her father to be here, but unfortunately he passed away a few years ago. Jane I just want you to know how much you have become like a sister to me and I am so happy that you have found someone to share your life with." He turned and looked at Dave with stern look, "and Dave if you ever do anything to hurt her I will hunt you down and get Ronon to kick your butt."
Everyone chuckled, as Carson sat down.
Lorne stood up and spoke to Carson. "Thank you for that speech Carson?" He continued on speaking to the whole room. "Unfortunately Amelia's father had to head back to earth, so he won't be able to make a speech tonight, so I want to raise a toast to the happy couples and wish them long and successful marriages." He raised his glass and the rest of the room raised their glasses as well.
"Now it is time for the brides and grooms, to have their first dance. Once the bride and groom have had their dance, the bridal party will join them. After the song 'My heart will go on' has finished, the dance floor will be open to everyone."
As the music started to play, Dave and Jane walked to the dance floor, with Ronon and Amelia close behind.
Dave held Jane's shoulders and placed her forehead close to his. While looking in her eyes he told her, "just hang on to me."
Dave put his hands on her shoulders and placed his forehead close to hers, they stood there like that for the entire song barley moving. People joined them on the dance floor and they didn't notice. For the entire song they were the only two people in the world.
The song finished and Carson cut in, "may I have this dance Jane."
Jane nodded and held on to Carson, while Dave headed back to his table. Dave sat and watched his beautiful wife dance, he couldn't wait until later when they would be off on their honeymoon and they would be alone together.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John sat and watched to couples dance and he knew that he should probably ask Teyla to dance, but his head was pounding and his left eye was being knifed again. "Are you okay John?" Carson asked coming to sit next to him.
"I'm fine Doc. I just need to sit down for a while."
"Are you in any pain?" Carson asked him, with concern.
"Doc I said I was fine." John told him forcefully.
Carson backed off at that point and just sat next to John looking on.
"Doc I don't need a baby sitter go and enjoy yourself." John told him, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Great I think I'll go and dance with Rebekah we haven't really seen much of each other lately."
John smiled. "Enjoy."
John watched people dance for the next half an hour; he was really enjoying himself when Teyla came back and sat next to him.
"How are you Honey?"
"I'm having a really great time sweetie. Just look at Torren and Maddie dancing? They've been hanging out together all evening."
"I know they seem to be enjoying each other's company. It is a shame that Sally is back on earth with her mother and brother. I am sure she would have enjoyed being here."
They didn't have a chance to comment further, as Lorne stood up and spoke. "Now it's time for the cutting of the cake. Can the brides and grooms make their way over, to the cake table please?"
Dave and Jane followed, by Ronon and Amelia headed over to the cake table.
Both cakes were made by Corporal Higgins, Dave and Jane's was a three tear traditional fruit cake. The cakes were square and the icing was white with pale peach piping around the edges. The pillars in between the tears were champagne glasses and on the top stood a figure of a bride and groom. It was very similar the cake that John and Teyla had had on their wedding day.
They were given a knife. They grabbed it together and cut the cake. The crowd cheered and applauded as Dave and Jane's lips met. Eventually they pulled apart and went to sit down.
Ronon and Amelia's cake was a three vanilla sponge cake. The cakes were round and the icing was pale blue, with darker blue piping around the edges. The pillars looked like ancient Greek columns and on the top stood two figures in battle. One looked remarkably like Ronon and the other like Amelia.
They were given a knife. They grabbed it together and cut the cake. The crowd cheered and applauded as Ronon and Amelia's lips met. Eventually they pulled apart and went to sit down.
The cake was cut up and the guests were invited to go and help themselves to a piece. Carson decided that John wasn't looking to well by this time so he decided to take John and Teyla a piece.
"John I think it's time for you to go to bed." Carson told him, grabbing his hand and his taking pulse.
John looked at him. "I'd have to agree with you Doc. I feel as if someone is stabbing me in the eye."
John and Carson sat watching the proceedings for a while longer, before Lorne stood up and grabbed the microphone. "It's getting late and the brides and grooms are about to leave, but first Jane followed by Amelia will throw their bouquets, so If you're a single lady and you'd like to get married, come onto the dance floor now."
Jane turned her back to the dance floor and threw the bouquet over her head. Turning around she saw that Rebekah Urwin; Carson's girlfriend had caught it.
Amelia threw her bouquet and Rebekah caught it as well.
Rebekah looked at Carson and blushed. Carson just looked awkward and embarrassed.
"Congratulations, to Dr Rebekah Urwin. We'll have to keep an eye on you in the future." Lorne teased. "Now the happy couples are going to leave, so let's have one last round of applause for Mr David and Mrs Jane Sheppard and Mr Ronon and Mrs Amelia Dex.
The crowd applauded, as Dave and Jane and Ronon and Amelia left the room.
Once the couples had left John and Carson sat together for a few moments, before standing to their feet, Teyla grabbed hold of John's hand and they left the room soon after.
Ronon and Dave met them outside of the mess hall. Dave had Torren with him.
"Torren wanted to say goodnight to you John." Dave told them.
"Goodnight Daddy I love you." Torren told him
"Goodnight Pal I love you too."
Torren held up his arms for his mother and Teyla picked him up ready to take him back to their quarters. Marie was going to bring the twins by later.
"I love you Momma." Torren told her, hugging her around the neck.
"Dave, Ronon what are you doing here why don't you head off and spend time with you new wives," John stated as firmly as he could, given the pain that he was in?
Carson spoke up before anyone could say anything else, "now if you don't mind I need to check on my patient and get him to bed."
John just rolled his eyes, which probably wasn't a good idea, because it intensified the pain in his left eye.
Arriving in the infirmary, Carson gave John a set of scrubs and helped him settle into bed, he then checked John's eye out and made his usual tutting sounds, "I'm going to give you a strong pain killer tonight, so that you can get a good night's rest. I will check on you tomorrow and hopefully the bleed will have slowed a little. I will then determine how long you need to stay here and whether there is anything else we need to do for your eye."
"Thanks Doc," John whispered, as Carson injected a pain killer into his shoulder.
"Get some rest Laddie and we'll see how things are in the morning," Carson suggested, before leaving the room.
Once Carson was gone John settled down into his bed, he really hoped that this would be the last time he ended up in the infirmary for a while. He had responsibilities now, he was the leader of people, a husband and father and that was a lot of responsibility. Thinking about it made his head hurt, so he tried to put the thoughts out of his head and before too long he fell into a deep sleep.
TBC…
I'm sorry I felt as if John needed to end up in the infirmary one last time, before he takes over the leadership of Atlantis.