Their wedding in the window was a huge success. Nearly everyone in the city came to witness the marriage of Emmy Hesire and Johnathan Switzer,
(respectively window dresser and Vice President of Prince & Company). Finally after all this time, Jonathan's dream had come true.
Hollywood and Mrs. Timkin congratulated the newlyweds but it was hard to console Hollywood, who lamented on his own lack of a love life. "I'm sorry!" He
sobbed. "I shouldn't rain on your happiness like this!"
Emmy, being Emmy smiled and put a gentle hand on Hollywood's shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll find someone soon. I promise."
"You're an angel." Hollywood replied, accepting Emmy's sympathetic hug.
"Yes she is." Jonathan agreed. He kissed his wife, but it only served to bring Hollywood to tears again. "And you're a prince, Hollywood."
"Hollywood immediately stopped crying and looked at Johnathan incredulously. "Moi?" He asked, pointing to his chest.
"Yes, Moi-I mean you. Are you kidding? I owe you my life."
Hollywood brushed Jonathan away. "I couldn't have done any of this without you, Hollywood. I owe you the world."
"Nonsense. You don't owe me anything. But we'll talk."
Jonathan and Emmy laughed.
"Okay kids, the party's over." Mrs. Timkin announced. "The newlyweds should spend some time alone!"
"Whoo!" Hollywood shouted. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about!"
"The wedding night… right. God, I completely forgot about that."
Everyone stared at Jonathan in disbelief and he laughed nervously. "I-I mean… of course I remembered, but I just didn't think about where or when it would
take place. I guess we could go to my place." He turned to Emmy and touched her cheek. "I mean our place."
"What? That dump will never do!" Hollywood said.
"Dump? Hollywood, you've never even been to my apartment." Jonathan retorted. "It's not exactly a mansion but I happen to like it."
"I'm sure you do. "Mrs. Timkin said. "But Jonathan, this is your wedding night! It has to be special!"
"I agree, but-."
"You'll spend the night here."
"Here? In the store?"
"Of course! This is where it all began, isn't it?"
"Well, yeah, but-."
"Then it's settled. You can sleep in the bed of your choosing in the bedding department. Just give me a little while to get things set up. You'll have the whole
store to yourselves. In fact, we're going to be closed tomorrow to give you some privacy."
"Closed? But won't you lose a lot of business? I mean, the store has been here for a hundred years and you said it wasn't doing so well before."
"That's true, but now it's flourishing! What's one day? And besides, we'll reopen the next afternoon with our biggest sale ever; Celebrating Johnathan and Emmy
Switzer."
"Oh, I like the sound of that!" Emmy said.
"I like it, too." Johnathan said, kissing Mrs. Timkin's cheek.
"Well, you both deserve it and I promise it'll be the most special night of your lives! But in the meantime, there's a reception for you in housewares."
(Later in Housewares)
"Mrs. Timkin, you didn't have to do all of this." Jonathan said. He looked around the department in awe. It had been completely transformed with congratulatory
signs, streamers, ribbons and bows.
"Well, I wanted to. No couple is more deserving." Mrs. Timkin replied. "Now let's start the party!"
The party, as it turned out was a rousing success. Mrs. Timkin stood in front of the guests (which included Jonathan's parents, relatives and the entire staff of
Prince and Company) and held up her champagne glass. "A toast to the newlyweds, Jonathan and Emmy. I wish them a lifetime of happiness."
When the party wound down, Jonathan and Emmy thanked Mrs. Timkin and their guests profusely. And then the store was theirs.
(That night)
Jonathan never dreamed that spending the night in a department store could be so much fun. They danced to their heart's content to music from the huge
stereo system; laughed, told each other their deepest, darkest secrets, and most of all, loved each other. True to her word, Mrs. Timkin created a magical,
romantic haven for their wedding night. And the next morning as they reluctantly left the store, Mrs. Timkin gave them a plane ticket to Acapulco as a wedding
gift.
Emmy was no longer a mannequin, but the most beautiful and wonderful woman that Johnathan had ever known. He was eternally grateful that he'd created
her, but even more so that he'd seen her in the window of Prince and Company on that rainy night.
Fate was a magical thing.
THE END