A/N: *Sets out box of tissues*
Chapter 12
The driver of the unmarked NYPD SUV parked in front of St. Paul's Church. Jimmy got out the passenger side front door and moved to the back door. He looked around, and then opened it. Frank smiled at him. "It's a tough neighborhood Jimmy," Frank smiled with a wink, reaching his left hand in the SUV to help Kate get out. She stepped on the curb and Jimmy escorted them up the sidewalk to the door of the church and pulled it open. "Best wishes you two," Jimmy smiled.
"Thank you Jimmy," Kate smiled at him.
"Thanks Jimmy," Frank added, rubbing his arm. They entered the church.
Pastor Hartwig was waiting for them in the entryway. He helped them out of their coats, hanging them up and then looked at Kate and Frank. "Look at you with no sling," he smiled at Frank.
"The PT sessions and my private doctor are a big help," Frank smiled back.
"I need to talk to you for a minute. There are a few changes since we last spoke," Hartwig said.
"Pastor?" Kate asked.
Hartwig softly smiled. "You two have families that love you. They want to make this a bit more special. I totally agreed and was happy to join the conspiracy." He looked Kate and Frank. "Please trust all of us. You two told me your parameters and I kept them. They did not cross the line. They just added the right touches. I agreed." He led the couple into the dining hall of the church.
Erin and Jay were waiting for them. They both beamed at the couple. Frank was wearing his best black suit. And a soft mint colored tie that matched the color of Kate's dress. Kate's dress was a sleeveless, sheath knee-length chiffon that featured a sweetheart neckline. It also had a three-fourths length sleeve jacket with pleats worn over the dress that matched the dress's hemline. Kate's simple gold cross necklace highlighted the open neckline.
"You look beautiful mom," Jay grinned.
"I agree," Erin smiled. "I love your dress," she said, hugging Kate. Erin looked at Frank. "You look very handsome as well dad."
"You do clean up rather well Frank," Jay kidded.
"I'm not used to cotton lounge pants and was getting sick of them," Frank smiled. Everyone laughed.
Erin looked at Kate. "I'm your matron of honor," she smiled.
"I'm walking you down the aisle," Jay said.
"The honor of the oldest child," Pastor added.
Jay looked at Frank. "Plus your best man," he smiled.
Erin took Kate's hand and described the white tiger lily boutonniere Jay had on his left suit lapel and the white tiger lily corsage she was wearing. She put a small bouquet in Kate's hand. "It's the same lily theme with baby's breath."
Kate softly touched it. "It's beautiful," she smiled, with tears forming.
"Not allowed Kate," Erin smiled, hugging her.
"Hang onto her Erin," Jay said. He looked at his mother and Frank. "On the altar in the two gold vases that face each side of the church pews are five red roses in each. With one white rose in the middle of both. A white rose signifies remembrance. In honor of your spouses and our parents who went before. They are family and here, a part of this."
Erin hugged Kate tighter as Jay pulled Frank into a hug. "Thank you Jay," Frank said in their embrace. "Where are the rest of them?"
"Already sitting in the pews," Jay smiled.
Pastor Hartwig let them have their time together, recognizing the moment as Erin and Jay switched parents to hug. When things settled a bit, he looked at his watch. "Umm," he smiled. "We need to get the show on the road."
Kate smiled at him. "Seven o'clock means seven o'clock."
"Yes it does," Hartwig smiled. "You know me too well."
Kate grinned. "It's been over twenty years."
Hartwig took her hand and squeezed it. "Why I'm all in on this being so special. See ya in a few," he grinned. He looked at Frank. "You're with me and your daughter."
Erin picked up a plastic container, holding Frank's boutonniere. "Come on dad," she smiled with Hartwig opening the church door.
"Hang on Frank," Jay quickly said. "I need the rings," he said, holding out his hand, wagging his fingers.
Frank pulled them out of his suit coat pocket and gave them to Jay. "Thank you," Frank smiled. Erin and Pastor got him out the door to go to the Pastor's study as Jay put the rings in his suit coat pocket.
Jay put his arm around his mother and led her to the opening to the church. He described what was happening to her.
Troy, Jay's second son, rose from his pew on the left side of the church where Kate's family was seated. He went out to the end of the pew, walked back a few more pews and then crossed the church through the pews. He then headed up the aisle on the right side of the church past the Reagan family.
Jack, Danny and Linda's oldest son, stood up and followed Troy into the side room on the right side of the altar. Less than a minute later, they came out the door into the altar area, each of them carrying a candlelighter with a bell snuffer. They stopped at the base of the three steps in front of the altar, slightly bowed their heads for a few seconds, and then headed up the steps to light the set of candles on each side of the altar. They did it in perfect unison. "That's special," Henry leaned over to whisper to Jamie with a smile. Joe smiled as well.
The boys left the altar area and walked into the altar room. "You're up Monsignor," Jack smiled at Walter Donohue.
"My honor," he smiled, entering the altar area with Pastor Hartwig coming in from his study. That was a huge surprise for the Reagan family. Pastor Hartwig and Monsignor Donohue paid the same respects as the boys.
"Nice mom," Jay smiled.
"We have to juggle it Jay," Kate said. "Pastor gets the kudos on that. He agreed to it." She looked at Jay and smiled. "Shocked the you-know-what out of me." Jay softy laughed.
Pastor nodded at Erin and Frank to enter the altar area from his study on left side of the altar area. They took their places. Peter, Jeff's oldest son, walked to the back of the church. "You look amazing grandma," he smiled.
"Thank you," she smiled. "What are you doing Pete?" Kate asked.
"Grandma, when has a service started in this church without the bell being rung," Pete smiled as he took the first tug of the bell rope. The church bell pealed through the neighborhood.
When it stopped, Pastor smiled at the gathered families. "All rise."
Jay put Kate's right hand into his left elbow and walked her to start of the aisle of the church. In the balcony of the church, Ben, Jeff's second son, winked at Nicky and drew his bow over his cello. He began the strains of Simple Gifts, matching the arrangement he found online of Yo-Yo Ma and Allison Krauss' recording. It was Kate's favorite song. Ben played the first stanza on his own and then held the ending note. He smiled, nodding at Nicky who began to sing the lyrics. Jay walked Kate up the aisle.
Jay stopped before the first step that entered the altar area. "We love you mom," he said, kissing Kate's cheek. "Now take a step up." He guided Kate up the step and looked at Frank, offering his right hand for a handshake. "You as well," Jay smiled at Frank, giving his mother's hand to Frank. Kate and Frank turned together to face the altar. Jay moved to stand on Frank's right.
"Good evening everyone and welcome to St. Paul's," Hartwig smiled. "We are gathered here this evening to witness the uniting of this man and this woman in marriage. We begin in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," he said, making the sign of the cross in the air. Those of the Catholic faith crossed themselves.
Hartwig smiled. "Please be seated." The families did. "I was issued an edict to keep this simple and short. I'll expound on that a bit later. So I'm going straight into marriage rite. We begin with the readings." Hartwig read the traditional Old Testament reading of the creation of man and woman. He stepped aside to let Monsignor Donohue read the Epistle lesson. The Monsignor's reading was from the first epistle to the Corinthians. Pastor Hartwig looked at the congregation. "Please rise for the Gospel of our Lord." He read the account of Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Canaan.
"Please be seated," he smiled. He looked at Kate's grandsons. "This is going to be my shortest sermon ever." He looked deeper at the boys. "Don't expect this again." The boys all laughed.
Hartwig looked at the families. "When a couple wants to get married in this church, the first thing I do is bring them in to get a feel of where they really are. And then offer my wise counseling. When you two came in my study door and sat down in front of my desk," he smiled at Kate and Frank, "I asked you my standard opening question. Why do you want to get married?"
Hartwig looked at the gathered families. "Kate said 'we love each other and living alone sucks'." Everyone chuckled. "Frank added 'we want to grow old together and share the heating bill'." The families laughed more. Hartwig shook his head. "I've been in the ministry for over twenty-five years. That was the shortest marriage counseling session I've ever had." The families all laughed more. He looked at Donohue. "Can you top that Monsignor?" Walter shook his head with a large smile.
Hartwig looked at Kate and Frank. "And like you both reminded me, this isn't your first time doing this and you both practiced your first set of vows very well for many years." He grinned. "So I'm going to simply remind you two of some of the guidance the Apostle Paul provides in the aptly chosen Epistle lesson Monsignor Donohue read for the two of you."
Fifteen minutes later, the vows were exchanged along with the rings. Pastor Hartwig led the congregation in prayer. And then allowed Monsignor Donohue to give the wedding blessing, which would make the ceremony approved by the Catholic Church.
Pastor Hartwig gave the final blessing from the altar area. "Go in peace. Love and serve the Lord. May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever." He made the sign of the cross in front of him, which the Reagan family personally followed.
Pastor Hartwig walked down the altar steps and grinned. "Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Reagan."
Frank pulled Kate to him and they shared a kiss. Ben softly played a rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy on his cello as Pete rang the church bell. Kate and Frank came down the step to greet their families. Less than an hour later, with pictures taken, the families, along with the bride and groom, were welcomed into Delmonico's backroom door for the wedding reception.
As the night wore on, Danny and Jay met at the bar. "Thanks for the shindig," Danny smiled at Jay, raising his glass of whiskey.
Jay smiled. "The bride's family only covers the food," he said, taking a drink of his whiskey.
Danny looked at him. Jamie smiled at Jay, rubbing his shoulder. "Relax big brother," Jamie grinned at Danny. "Pop is all over the bar tab."
Jay smiled at Danny, raising his glass. "Here's to sons driving us home."
"I'll drink to that," Danny smiled.
-0000-
Kate and Frank were just finishing their breakfast the next morning sitting around the kitchen island when Kate's cell buzzed. It was a little past nine. She slid it to Frank hearing the caller ID. "Damnit," he said.
"Get him to take of it," Kate said.
"Got it," Frank said, answering the call and putting it on speaker. "Garrett, don't start," Frank growled. Kate softly laughed.
"So the texts I'm getting from Mike Whitney at the Post about a wedding reception at Delmonico's last night are true?" Garrett said.
"It's the weekend," Frank said. "Ignore him. Erin is going to send you a picture later today."
"Later?" Garrett growled back.
"Yes, later." Frank said. "She probably has a headache this morning."
"Like most of the rest of our children," Kate added, laughing.
"You're not helping Kate," Garrett said. "Frank, I need to be in the loop on these things."
"No you don't," Frank argued. "I'm on medical leave. What happens in my private life during that time stays there. When I'm officially back, those snoops can do their jobs. I accept the no privacy as part of the job. But when I'm officially on the job."
"Can I quote you on that?" Garrett asked.
"Please do," Frank testily answered.
"That will cover the press. Any suggestions on getting Baker off my ass?" Garrett asked. Kate laughed.
"Why you're DCPI making the big bucks," Frank smiled.
"Good luck with that Garrett," Kate grinned.
"Thanks a lot you two. Can you at least give me something more for the jackals come Monday morning?" Garrett said.
"The Commissioner and Mrs. Reagan are enjoying a quiet honeymoon in an undisclosed location," Kate said. "The Commissioner, who will be medically cleared, will be back in his office a week from today."
"At least one of you gets it," Garrett smiled. "Where?"
"Off the record?" Kate said.
"Promise," Garrett said.
"Jack's younger brother Mike has a home in the hill country outside of San Antonio with a visitor's condo," Kate said. "And we're flying a private jet. A perk from my trust fund from my parents. The press won't know," she added.
"Gee Frank, your wife gets it better than you do," Garrett smiled. "Congratulations you two. All of us at One PP are very happy for you."
"Thanks Garrett," Frank smiled. "See you a week from Monday."
"You got it boss. See you then," Garrett said, ending the call.
Just then, Joe came down the steps. Frank took one look and roared with laughter. "You should see the head on this one Kate."
Kate looked at Frank. "I'm glad we left early," she smiled.
"I'm glad you had a couple glasses of champagne last night," Frank grinned. Kate shook her head.
"I hate my uncles," Joe groaned. "All of them," he said to Kate. Frank and Kate softly laughed. "And my great-grandfather was a co-conspirator." Joe covered his eyes. "You two want to turn down the glare on those shiny, new gold wedding bands?" Frank and Kate laughed more.
Joe made a beeline for the coffee pot. "How did you get back here?" Kate asked.
"Erin, Nicky, Pop, Jamie and me did rideshare with Nicky driving. The other three stayed at Pop's last night," Joe explained, grabbing his coffee mug, taking a sip and pulling a glass out of the cupboard. He moved to the fridge to fill the glass with water.
"We left for the church before you last night," Kate said. "How did all of you get to the church before us?"
Joe drained the glass of cold water, poured himself another one, sat down at the island with his water and coffee and smiled. "Danny called his old boss Gormley. He called your detail. They look the long way to the church. Part of the conspiracy," Joe winked at Frank.
Kate got up from her stool, shaking her head. "I need to shower and finish packing," she said, moving to the bedroom. "Joe, the skillet I made…"
"Don't mention food right now grandma," Joe moaned. "I'm heading for the hot tub and soaking out the alcohol."
"Good choice," Frank smiled at him, getting off his stool.
Joe was showering in the pool area after his long soak in the hot tub when Frank opened the patio door. "After you get dried off, do you mind letting Beans out before we leave?"
"No problem grandpa," Joe smiled at him.
Joe came into the living room fifteen minutes later wearing NYPD running shorts and a sweatshirt. Frank pulled his and Kate's large suitcase into the living room. "Only one?" Joe asked with a smile.
"Only one," Frank smiled back.
Kate walked in. "I've been there before, remember Detective," Kate smiled at Joe. "The condo has an apartment size washer and dryer. And with four sons, I learned how to downsize packing long ago."
"Just as long as there's room for my souvenir t-shirt," Joe grinned back. "When do you leave?"
"My detail is picking us up," Frank said, looking at his watch, "in ten minutes. Our flight leaves at one from Newark."
"And you get in?" Joe asked.
"It's a four hour flight. With the time change, we get in around three-thirty Texas time," Kate answered.
Joe put his arm around Kate's shoulders. "Thanks again for letting me hang out here."
Kate smiled. "We're glad you're here to keep an eye on the place. You just get those new digs of yours furnished while we're gone. The garage space is yours to store all of it until your new place is ready. You know the crew to work over to help you move in and the cost," Kate smiled.
"It should be less than Pop's liquor bill last night," Frank smiled.
"Promise grandma," Joe smiled, kissing her cheek. "Thanks a lot grandpa," Joe growled.
Kate and Frank smiled at each other.
XXX
A/N: Did I maybe take some liberties with Protestant and Catholic canon agreeing? You bet. I say again. My story and writer's call.