Rose excitedly attempted to put on her shoes, struggling to fit them underneath her long, silky pinkish gown. "I'm usually never this clumsy!" she muttered to herself. Janet stood by laughing at her frustration.
"And what's so funny, Janet? You had no trouble with this stuff on your wedding day!" Rose let out a frustrated huff.
"Well, Rose," Janet snickered, "You are marrying the king of the klutzes, after all! Maybe he's rubbed off on you!"
"Oh, stop that!" Rose knocked her playfully in the arm, "Jack isn't that clumsy, and even when he is, it's cute!"
"Don't I know it, I lived with him for years!" Janet said under her breath.
After a few minutes, Rose finally got her shoe on and stood up, turning from side to side as if to silently ask, "Well, how do I look?"
Janet's mouth went to the floor, as if she had seen the entire dress for the first time, "Rose, you look beautiful! It reminds me so much of my wedding day, chaotic as that was!"
"Oh that's right, how are Philip and Kaley doing anyway?" Rose quickly added.
"They're as well as they'll ever be," Janet said jokingly, "Philip just does his thing and Kaley's into everything! You ready to do this?"
"Am I ever!" Rose lightly jumped, "I cannot tell you how excited I am! I just kind of wish that..." she suddenly stopped.
"Wish what, Rose?" Janet got concerned, "Is everything okay?"
"Well, yeah, it's just," Rose paused for a moment, "It's hitting me harder than ever that my dad can't be here to give me away and see me get married. All I can think about is how happy he'd be that I met a man as good as Jack. They'd get along so well, I wish he could be here! It breaks my heart!"
"Aww, yeah I know," Janet said soothingly, "When all you can do is wonder what he'd say, if he'd approve, all that."
"Exactly!" Rose enthused, "I know he'd approve of Jack, for sure. They'd be two peas in a pod!"
"You mean your dad would drop things and trip over his own feet too?" Janet joked.
"No!" Rose laughed, "More like understand each other. I can just see him laughing at Jack falling over or something!"
"I get that," Janet agreed, "But just think, you have Mr. Furley to give you away and he never had any kids so you're both helping each other out, right?"
"Oh, definitely!" Rose said, happily, "I'm always one to help out, and it really does feel like I've known all of you guys forever."
"Congratulations, you got yourself a great one," Janet said, hugging Rose sincerely, "And thanks for choosing me as Maid of Honor, kiddo! I know Chrissy and Terri probably would have wanted it just as much!"
"Yeah, but you've been Jack's constant when the others moved out," Rose pointed out, "That made a difference, plus we both knew him and didn't even know it, remember?"
"Sure do! That time at the Regal Beagle!" Janet reminisced, "That was so cool!"
Meanwhile...
Jack nervously straightened his tux ten times in a row. Larry observed his every action, laughing under his breath.
"And what's so funny, Lare?" Jack said sarcastically, "Does this outfit really look like a clown suit to you?"
"No, Jack," Larry tried to compose himself, "It's just that, if you straighten that bowtie anymore, pal, you're going to stretch the thread!"
"I'm sorry, bud, I've just got a lot going through my head," Jack said, "I can't believe I'm getting married! I guess part of me just never saw this happening!"
"It doesn't surprise me, pal," Larry said, "You never thought you could settle down, but when you meet someone that means that much to you, it's just natural."
"Ain't that the truth, Larry," Jack exhaled, "Rose is the most amazing and understanding woman I have ever met. When I was at my lowest, she was so patient with me. I'm almost surprised I didn't let myself fall for her sooner!"
"You just needed time, Jack, that's all," Larry reminded him, "It's not easy dealing with the kind of heartache you did."
"Tell me about it," Jack said, "That still haunts me, Larry, I keep wondering if, maybe, Rose only did this because she saw how much I was hurting."
"Oh, come on, Jack!" Larry disgustedly exclaimed, "From what you've said about her, there is no way she isn't sincere about loving you!"
"I guess you're right, pal," Jack swooned, "After all, she was the one to ask me, not the other way around."
"Hey, that's right, what does that tell you?" Larry reassured him.
"It tells me I was too much of a coward," Jack quietly muttered.
"Stop it, pal, and cheer up!" Larry said playfully, "It's time for you to get that bride!"
The big moment...
Just before the ceremony was about to start, Janet, Terri, Chrissy and Cindy all congregated near the altar, observing Jack standing there nervously impatient, gushing emotionally amongst themselves.
"I cannot believe our Jack is getting married today!" Terri swooned, "In all the time I've known him, I never thought I'd see the day!"
"I didn't either," Cindy said in disbelief, "I didn't live with you guys that long, but he always did seem to be one to play the field."
"How could he play the field?" Chrissy butted in, "We lived in an apartment, not on a farm!"
Suddenly, the music began, and much to Jack's surprise, as well as everyone else, it was not the traditional bridal song, but "Always And Forever". Completely touched, Jack put his hand on his heart in bewilderment as Rose inched her way to the altar, following the rhythm of the song. Just before reaching the altar,
Mr. Furley, who had been standing by, took her arm, waiting to give her away.
All of Jack's former roommates continued to whisper and cry amongst themselves standing near the altar, and Jack quickly eyed them as if to silently say, "Get a grip, girls!" before the minister, Reverend Snow, spoke up.
"And who gives this woman to this man?" Reverend Snow asked.
Mr. Furley gulped before squeaking, "I do, Ralph Furley."
Moved by his emotion, Rose giggled and briefly leaned on his shoulder affectionately. Rose let go of Mr. Furley's arm and he turned away, while Jack reflectively moved his hand up to catch an escaping tear of his own before Rose took his hands in hers.
Reverend Snow again spoke up, "Dearly beloved, we are here today to witness the union of this man, Jack Eric Tripper, Jr. and this woman, Rose Michelle Whitman, in Holy Matrimony. They wish to recite their own vows."
Jack squeezed Rose's hands and began, "My dearest Rose, you've brought out something in me that no girl ever has. I was so afraid to love again after being rejected, then you came along and took the words out of my mouth. Nobody has ever loved me the way you do and I only hope to be the same for you. I love you like I haven't been able to love in a long time and I know I will never love this way again. You are my world, my everything, the tissue to my tears, the laugh to my cry, and the dressing to my salad."
He took a breath and quickly blinked and Rose laughed at his cooking reference before beginning her own vow, "My darling Jack, the way I feel for you cannot possibly be described in words alone. You make me smile, you make me melt, you pick me up when I am down. All I have to do is look at you and every problem I ever had simply disappears. Like our song says and I've said before, you are so beautiful to me. You are my life, my world and my Heart's Roommate."
All of the girls once again gushed emotionally upon hearing the words "Heart's Roommate" and Reverend Snow again spoke up, "And now, Jack and Rose will exchange rings.
Larry, may I have the rings please?"
Larry handed over the rings, nearly dropping one of them before saying "Sorry, your Holiness. I don't have the best grip here."
Jack reached back and subtly knocked Larry with his elbow in annoyance before Reverend Snow again spoke up. "Do you, Jack, take this woman, Rose, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?"
Jack shook his head enthusiastically, "Oh, I do!" he said breathlessly.
Reverend Snow continued, "And do you, Rose, take this man, Jack, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?"
"You better believe I do!" Rose said confidently.
Just as Rose finished her sentence, Mr. Furley began sniveling, loudly and dramatically, and all the girls rushed to calm him down, while Reverend Snow quickly glared at him to quiet down.
"Then, by the power vested in me," Reverend Snow continued, nervously, "I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"
Jack went forward to kiss Rose, but before he could reach her, Rose pulled him close and folded her arms around him, in obvious protection, and kissed him with all her heart. Jack reciprocated, melting in her embrace.
Reverend Snow concluded, "Ladies and gentlemen I present to you all for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Tripper!"
Suddenly, they broke the kiss and stared into each other's eyes, baffled. "Mr. and Mrs. Tripper," they both mouthed in astonishment. They were actually married!
The two stood there for several minutes as the crowd applauded before strolling back down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife. Everyone began to congratulate them.
All the girls tried to congratulate Jack at once, but Mr. Furley stopped them, "Now, that's enough, girls! This is Jack's big day, and we're not about to ruin it with this chaotic stampede! One at a time!"
Janet, being Rose's Maid of Honor, went first, "I cannot believe I lived to see this day, you two! Jack, the brother I never had, always the player, a married man!
Congratulations, you guys! I look forward to hearing about how happy you guys are together!"
Chrissy and Cindy were next, and much like before, tried to talk at once, "Oh, Jack!" they both swooned, "We are so happy for you!" Cindy said, placing her hands on his arms.
Chrissy continued, "We sure are, and my goodness, she is such a keeper! I can tell already she is going to take care of you!"
Terri was next, and seemed to be the happiest of all, "Just look at you two!" she squealed, "Most beautiful couple I've ever laid eyes on! I could not be happier for you both! And Rose is just glowing!"
Jack was humbled, "Thanks a lot, girls," he said gratefully, "You all have no idea just how happy I am that you all could be here. It's just like I dreamed it."
Last to congratulate the couple was Larry and Mr. Furley. Larry went first, he hugged Jack, catching him quite off guard.
"Goodness, pal," Larry began, "I thought before it was hard to picture you as a married man, but now seeing you two together, it's no wonder you took the big step!
She is gorgeous!"
Rose blushed and laughed as Jack responded, "Thanks, Larry, I am definitely a lucky man." He took Rose's hand and turned to look at her, his heart bursting with love.
Lastly, Mr. Furley approached the couple, attempting to appear in control in front of Jack, "Just look at you two, Jack! I tell you, all those years I tried to convert you, you sure went all out!"
"Thanks, RF!" Jack said, "And again, thanks for, you know, giving my beautiful wife away."
Rose looked over at Jack, trying not to show her emotion from the not so subtle compliment, the moment suddenly hitting her once again that she was, indeed, his wife. Mr. Furley then spoke to her.
"Rose," he began, "I'm sorry for that little breakdown before during the ceremony, it's just that, well, as you know, I never had the chance to father any kids of my own and being able to give you away meant a lot to me," he again squeaked out, "You're the daughter I never had!"
Rose appreciatively took him into her arms and held him as tight as she could, "Thank you, Mr. Furley, it meant a lot to me too," she said, trying to speak over a second bout of his dramatic sniveling, choking back tears of her own, "I think my dad would have appreciated what you did for me too. I love you like I loved him."
Moved by her words, Mr. Furley buried his head into her shoulder and let out a louder sob. Rose held on to him tighter and turned her head, barely managing to give him a quick kiss before her own breath shook. She started to cry with him, swaying and comforting him between her own sobs. Jack stood nearby, once again beginning to get emotional himself watching the exchange of words and action between his new wife and former landlord, but desperately tried hard not to cry in front of the guests, despite that almost everyone else was.
Suddenly, Larry interrupted the mutual love fest, "Hey, folks! It's time to head to the reception hall! Let's get a move on!"
They let go and calmed down before heading out for the reception.
Reception Time...
After arriving at the reception hall, everyone was gathered around the dance floor to witness the first dance of the bride and groom. Aside from being the Best Man,
Jack had also agreed to have Larry as his wedding singer, after much pleading from Larry. Before beginning the song, he spoke up.
"Folks," Larry announced, "It is my honor to present to you all this evening, a surprise dedication to Jack, as requested by his lovely new bride, Mrs. Rose Tripper! She told me awhile back that this was the first song she ever sang to him during their first date, and the words come straight from her heart. It is entitled, You Are So Beautiful."
Jack's mouth went to the floor as the song began, speaking softly to his new bride and holding her tightly as they moved together, "This really was the first song you ever sang to me, I can't believe it!"
"That's right, honey," Rose said to him, "And I wasn't just humming it to you, I actually meant it, I wanted you to know it. You really are so beautiful to me,"
she stared into his eyes, moved her hands to hold his face and kissed him once more before holding onto him so closely that they could both feel their hearts beating,
and whispered into his ear, "I love you, Trippy."
"I love you too, Truffle," Jack whispered back with affection. Rose lightly giggled at the chocolate reference.
After the song ended, Larry made another announcement before the next song, "This one I'd like to dedicate to the new lovebirds myself since, well, rumor has it that when Rose first met Jack, she was so fascinated by him that she walked away singing this! For you two!" and began singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."
"You sang this after we first met," Jack said, blushing, "Even though I acted like a complete wimp?"
"Aww, no you didn't," Rose assured him, "I just thought you were the most adorable thing I'd ever laid eyes on, but I didn't want to come on strong either since you were going through a hard time."
"How sweet," Jack once again blushed, "I'm sure glad you put up with my taking things slow."
"Well, Jack," Rose said, beaming at him, "You were definitely worth the wait. I mean, look at us now!"
After a few more songs, including Rose's personal favorite, "Long and Lasting Love", it was time for the cake cutting, during which Larry made a toast to the couple.
"Folks," he announced, "I would just like to say, as many of you probably agree, I never in a million years ever thought my best friend, Jack Tripper, would ever be the type to get married, and yet now look, here he has. I can't begin to say how happy I am for this big fella! Congratulations again, Jack. You really deserve all the happiness in the world!" He raised his glass suddenly, nearly spilling the drink, and everyone followed suit, "To the newlyweds!"
Just then, a distant familiar voice called out, "Jack!"
Jack froze, he knew that voice immediately. He closed his eyes, thinking he was dreaming, but opened them soon after, as the voice yet again called to him. He could not believe what he saw. Vicky approached both him and Rose, arm in arm with an unfamiliar man. At least, unfamiliar to him.
"Vicky..." he murmured, shocked, "What are you doing here?"
"Jack, I'm sorry to barge in on you like this," Vicky begged, " But I heard you were getting married and I just wanted to apologize for the way everything ended and say congratulations."
"Apologize?" Rose snapped before Jack could even respond, "After breaking his heart the way you did? Vicky, you are something! I know you guys were together for a long time, but do you have any idea how badly he took your breakup?"
"I know," Vicky said sincerely, "That's why I wanted to apologize, I know he was pretty upset with me that day we broke up and I figured, we both needed time to cool off."
"Cool off?" Jack sarcastically said "I went home to try to work things out with you and you weren't there, and now you want to pick up where we left off? It's a little late for that, Miss!"
"No, I didn't want to pick up, I just didn't want to part ways on bad terms," Vicky assured him, "Besides, I had something I wanted to tell you. I got married myself, three months ago. This is my husband, Camden Sterling."
Both Jack and Rose could not believe what they had just heard. This time, Jack spoke up.
"You can't be serious," Jack said, "Vicky, I had asked you to marry me so many times when we were together, and you said you never wanted to get married no matter how many times I tried to tell you we would not end the way your parents did, and now you married this guy?"
"Well, Jack," Vicky began, "After we broke up it made me start thinking about what you had said and I thought maybe I could be able to get married some day, then I met Camden on a flight to Vegas and just hit it off. He too didn't want to get married initially," she paused to look at him, "But over time we both realized we did want marriage after all."
"Would you folks excuse me for a moment?" Jack suddenly interrupted, "I don't feel so well all of a sudden."
Rose tried to go after him, "Honey, wait up..." but Jack held her off, saying "I'll be fine, I just need a minute."
He walked to the exit and out the door. Rose could barely hear him crying through the walls. She quickly addressed Camden, "Of all the possible things, I don't think I ever would have expected to see you with this woman, of all people, after the way you embarrassed me!"
Camden interfered, "Rose, listen, I'm sorry too that I ended things the way I did, but, I don't know, I got scared when it came time to meet your family. I wasn't ready for such a commitment at that point. Just know, Vicky and I really are happy for you and Jack, no matter what problems we had in the past."
Rose disgustedly shook her head, lost for words, then finally said "Look, guys, I'm sorry for blowing up like that, I just did not expect you two to show up to our wedding, let alone married. Listen, I need to get fresh air, you guys."
As Rose headed outside to comfort Jack, she could barely hear Vicky ask Camden, "You were engaged to her?"
Ignoring the comment, Rose finally caught up to Jack. She pulled him away from the wall and calmed him down "Now, relax, honey. Everything is fine. I know it was a shock that our ex's showed up uninvited like that, but there's no need to be so upset. This is a happy occasion."
"It's not that," Jack sniffed, slightly regaining composure, "I'm sorry for running out the way I did, but I just don't get it. I proposed to Vicky so many times and she always said she didn't want to marry anyone, and she shows up at our wedding married! Why him, what's wrong with me? What does he have that I didn't?"
"Honey, listen," Rose said, "You don't need to worry about Vicky anymore, okay? I know it's hard to get past that, but it's you and me now, I'm the lucky lady that got the most adorable guy ever born!"
Jack quickly huffed back his breath, trying to laugh, "Thanks, Rose, I don't know about most adorable but I know I'm..." his breathing once again jumped mid sentence, as did his voice,"Definitely lucky to have you as my wife."
"That's it," she soothed, pulling him into a hug and stroking his hair, "I know you've had such a hard time, but it really breaks my heart to see you upset.
I love you and I want more than anything for the best thing that ever happened to me to be happy."
Jack nuzzled his head into her shoulder to catch his breath before pulling back. Rose reached up and slid her thumbs under his eyes, drying him off, and moved in to kiss him reassuringly. Just then Mr. Furley opened the exit door.
"I was wondering where you two kids went!" he said, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," Rose assured him, keeping Jack close to her side, "We just had an unexpected run in with our ex's and he got upset, but it's all better now." she gazed at Jack in adoration, and he beamed back at her.
After everyone said their goodbyes and promised their continued friendship and well wishes, Jack and Rose headed off for their honeymoon, continuing to wave at the guests as the limousine sped off.