Here is the next chapter. There are parts that are pulled from the methodist hymnal, for marriage. I haven't written a wedding scene since my Harry Potter fanfiction days. Enjoy and please review. Amber
Chapter 13
Callie woke up at Vanessa's house the morning of December 19th. She was getting married today. Beside her was her aunt. Callie sat up carefully, not to wake Emma. It was after all five AM. Callie had insisted that Laura stay with Frank. She had her aunt, Andrea, and Vanessa. Ginny, Liz, Jill, and Chrissy would be here at eight. Rick would come at 2:45 to ride to the church. Callie went downstairs and found Andrea in the kitchen drinking coffee and reading the paper. "Good morning Andrea."
She looked up. "Callie dear. Good morning. Excited."
Callie poured herself some coffee. "Yes. We have are nail appointment at 10:30. Laura is going to meet us there. Then we have hair at 1:00, and makeup at 3:00 at the church. The photographer will arrive at 4 to take pre-wedding photos."
Andrea was Callie's mistress of ceremonies. She chuckled. "It's going to be beautiful darling. I'm happy for you and Frank. Do you feel any resentment doing this early?"
Callie took a sip of coffee. "A little at first maybe. But since Frank bought the ring four months ago that made a difference. We probably would have gotten married our sophomore year of college anyway."
Emma Beaudry came downstairs and kissed Callie's cheek. "You should have awakened me dear."
Callie put her head on her aunt's shoulder. "I wanted you to rest."
At eight Vanessa came downstairs. "Morning! I need coffee." The doorbell rang.
Sam called from the den. "I'll get it."
Moments later, the rest of the girls arrived. Callie hugged them all. There was a lot of giggling, and talking. Callie was laughing at something Jill said. Then like a good bride she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "I have gifts for all of you. You too Andrea and Aunt Emma."
The gifts were matching plaid shirts. They were monogrammed on the back. Callie's said Bride, Vanessa's maid of honor, Ginny, Jill, Liz, and Chrissy's said bridesmaid, Emma's said Aunt of the bride, and Andrea's Sid Mistress of Ceremonies. Above those titles were monogrammed initials. On the front left pocket, it had the date and Frank and Callie inside a heart. Callie had done the same for the groomsmen and Laura and Fenton. The next gift was jewelry for everyone. She got Laura, Gertrude, Emma, Frank's grandmothers, and Andrea diamond and ruby bracelets. For the rest of the girls she got them matching ruby and diamond pendant necklaces with matching earrings. They'd wear these during the ceremony. Callie purchased for the men (Frank, Joe, Biff, Phil, Chet, Tony, Rick, Frank's grandfathers, and Fenton) matching cuff links. The jeweler who designed all the jewelry worked double time to finish everything before the big day. They all changed into their new shirts and headed to breakfast.
Frank was dressed in his black tux with a gray vest and gray and black striped tie. The groomsmen, Fenton, and Rick wore crimson vests and crimson and black ties. They were taking pictures. His mother adjusted his boutonnière as the photographer took a picture. Laura kissed his cheek. "I love you honey."
Frank kissed her cheek in turn. "Love you too mom."
She looked beautiful in a crimson ankle length dress. Emma who was lighting the unity candle for Callie was wearing crimson as well. Callie had asked them to match. Laura's voice penetrated his thoughts.
"She looks absolutely beautiful."
"Why do you get to see her and I can't." Frank pouted.
Fenton chuckled. "It's traditional."
His grandfather Franklin Douglas Hardy clapped him on the back. "When you see her don't faint."
Joe laughed. "I'll keep him on his feet Pop."
Laura's mother Sarah ruffled his hair. "Good boy."
Joseph Rossi, Laura's father, asked Frank. "Are you nervous?"
Frank, who has just taken a picture with his father adjusting his cufflinks, shook his head. "No, we would've gotten married probably our sophomore year in college. I love her so much. I'll do anything for her."
Phil smiled. "Good answer. Going to miss you at MIT the first semester, but you'll be bonding with your baby."
Frank smiled at the thought. He wondered if it was a boy or girl? He didn't care as long as he or she was healthy.
His Aunt Getrude hugged him. "You look very handsome Frank. I gave Callie something borrowed for today. My great grandfather's monogrammed handkerchief."
Frank smiled at that. "Thanks Auntie."
There was a knock on the door. Chet answered it. "You have to be Callie's aunt!l"
"Emma Beaudry. I was asked to come for a minute."
The photographer smiled. "Yes, I want you to stand beside Frank here and point your finger at him. It's to suggest, take care of her or else."
Emma laughed. "Alright but I know he will. But I am an actress."
Frank kissed her cheek. "You look lovely."
Emma wiped a tear. "Thank you dear."
Fenton looked at his watch. "It's almost time."
Frank was standing at the front of the sanctuary listening to Canon in D. The groomsmen came down in a group. Fenton was sitting next to Laura waiting for Callie to appear. He had been touched that Callie wanted him and Rick to walk her down the aisle. But he talked to her and encouraged her to just use Rick. He was her brother. Chrissy, Jill, Liz, and Ginny had already taken their places. Vanessa was walking down the aisle now. She winked at Frank as she passed. Then the organ changed to "Here Comes the Bride, and Andrea Bender opened the double doors and Frank got to see Callie. His knees almost buckled. She was absolutely stunning in a mermaid styled wedding gown. Frank couldn't keep his eyes off her as Rick walked her down the aisle towards him.
When they made it to the front. Pastor Bert gave the usual greeting. "If any should object to their union, speak now or forever hold its peace." After a brief pause he continued. "Who presents this woman in marriage?"
Patrick, his voice full of emotion said. " On behalf of all that have gathered here, and of all those not able to be with us today, I do." He lifted her veil and kissed her cheek. "Love you sis."
"Love you."
Frank finally took her hand. They stood facing Pastor Bert.
Pastor Bert said. "Friends, we are gathered together in the sight of God to witness and bless the joining together of Frank and Callie in Christian marriage.
The covenant of marriage was established by God,
who created us male and female for each other.
With his presence and power Jesus graced a wedding at Cana of Galilee, and in his sacrificial love gave us the example for the love of husband and wife.
Frank and Callie come to give themselves to one another in this holy covenant."
"I ask you now, in the presence of God and these people, to declare your intention to enter into union with each other through the grace of Jesus Christ,
who calls you into union with himself as acknowledged in your baptism."
"Callie, will you have Frank to be your husband,
to live together in holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him
as long as you both shall live?"
Callie her voice clearly said. "I will."
"Frank , will you have Callie to be your wife,
to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her
as long as you both shall live?"
Frank smiled and answered. "I will."
The ceremony progressed. Laura smiled proudly. Her eyes full of happy tears. She squeezed her husband's hand as they exchanged vows and rings. Callie sang a beautiful song called A Thousand Years while playing the guitar. A few minutes later after exchanging vows and rings she sang the Lord's Prayer. Callie had always been a beautiful singer.
Pastor Bert said to Frank and Callie. "God the Eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home. Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do. Ladies and Gentlemen I'm pleased to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Hardy. You may kiss the bride."
Frank pulled Callie into his arms and kissed her. For a moment it was just the two of them. No one else. They broke apart a few seconds later to a storm of applause. Together they walked down the aisle together as man and wife.
Frank and Callie ran away to the Hyatt honeymoon suite. Everything had been perfect. Ginny caught the bouquet and Frank made sure Rick caught the garter. He immediately upon entering the room loosened his tie and took off his jacket and vest. Callie was carefully removing her jewelry. Frank couldn't stop staring at her. She was so beautiful. The back of the gown had a corset. That had to be a bit uncomfortable for her. He came behind her and untied the bottom and loosened the corset. He leaned over kissing her neck. "Are you happy love?"
Callie turned and faced him. "Very happy. It sucks that we have the FBI agent standing outside our door because of my dad. But I wouldn't be anywhere else." She unbuttoned his shirt.
Frank felt his loins stir. She was stunning and perfect in his eyes. He leaned down and kissed her.
She slid out of her dress. She broke the kiss. "Let me hang this up. I'm getting into something more comfortable."
Frank followed her lead. He took off his tux, staying in his white tee shirt and boxers. He went to the edible arraignment in the room. He found the sparkling apple juice he'd left earlier on the table now on ice. The staff had promised to set it up for him. Frank ate a strawberry while he waited for his bride. She came out of the bathroom wearing a white baby doll style lingerie.
Callie raised an eyebrow. "You're overdressed for the occasion husband."