Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone.
A/n: please r/r
Chapter 19 – Wedding Day ~ part two
The wedding party were now seated at the top table, and still John couldn't keep his eyes from straying to the other end where Claire was sitting. It had been a little while since he had first laid eyes on her as she had strolled down the make shift aisle that had now made way for tables and a dance floor, the band patiently waiting for their cue to start playing again. Once the ceremony had ended John and Claire had walked out arm in arm, had had their pictures taken for a constant forty minutes and waited patiently in line meeting and greeting all of the guests that had attended up until now. But in all of that time he hadn't actually had the chance to speak to Claire and tell her how dazzling she looked. It also looked like that wasn't going to happen soon either; they now had the speeches to get through.
Looking around the room in seek of reassurance, he found it in his mother and Stanley – after all Brian had wanted them to be here; noticing his gaze upon them they looked at one another and then back at him. It gave him the strength he needed. Then he looked around their table to who they were sitting with, wasn't that Claire's mum? Considering Leila was sat between the two mums he guessed it had to be, he couldn't remember her very well from their first meeting all those years before, but she and Claire had the same appearance. Tall, strong-willed, confident women with natural beauty, the same qualities he now saw in his daughter as well.
The speeches started with Brian and Becky thanking everyone for coming and those that had helped for their hard work. Next came Becky's father, welcoming Brian into his family and toasting her as the bridesmaid. And now it was John's turn, he had always had an idea of what he wanted to say but now was uncertain and nervous, Claire's eyes were boring into his soul making him totally uneasy.
"When I first met Brian, a Saturday detention at Shermer High, I couldn't believe what a 'neo-maxi-zoom-dweebie' he really was, or what the other guys were like either," all the other members of the club looked at one another smiling. "Thing was, by the end of the day we were all the greatest of friends. And Bri, well he and I had an understanding. A kinship. Needless to say with the help and encouragement he gave me and the fact that he blew his ceramic elephant light up when the flare gun went off in his locker, I helped him pass shop, his carved jewellery box would have won 'best in show'." Brian blushed. "It was a shame that about sixteen years ago I lost contact with him, and if it hadn't been for Allison and Andy Clarke then I probably wouldn't be standing here right now either. Since March I have once again found my friends and found a daughter I never knew I had, and through it all Brian has been the rock, a quality that has no doubt been placed upon him through no fault of his own but he really has been a true friend to me and I know I will be able to count on him at any time in my life. So instead of the traditional bad jokes and unwarranted story telling that generally goes on in a groomsman's speech I instead would like to raise a glass to one of the very best of men. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Brian and his lovely bride, Becky."
"Brian and Becky" a resounding chorus rang out around the ballroom.
Brian stood up, totally dumbstruck. He managed to say a quick thank you before shaking hands with John. John sat down, realising that this would all be over soon and he would have his chance to speak to Claire.
"As this isn't a strictly traditional wedding, we have another speech. Please allow our great friend and bridesmaid Claire to say a few words." Brian said, and motioned for Claire to stand and start talking.
"As John was saying, I have also known Brian for a long time and there could be no better friend than him, or his new bride, Becky, who I have found to be one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met. I don't believe two people have ever been so right for each other than this happy couple that have become man and wife today." Clearing her throat, she continued "Although I have lied to Brian in the past, he has always stood by me and one of the reasons I stand here today is to say sorry for what I have done and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do what I am about to do. Most of you in this room don't know who I am, or what I have done but I needed this time today to say something I should have said a long long time ago. Brian and Becky know what this situation is, as do my friends Allison and Andy Clarke, my mother, my daughter, and Alicia and Stanley Richardson."
John looked up as soon as Claire had said his mother's name; she now had his undivided attention.
Claire carried on, "I did something that was totally unforgivable, but most of the people I have hurt have forgiven me, I've been able to reconcile with my mother and have helped Alicia find her son."
'So it was Claire, mum was covering up for, why? What on earth does she think she is doing?' rapid thoughts paced through John's mind as he continued to listen to what Claire was saying.
"But none of this truly matters, it only adds to the upset I have caused and allowed me to avoid the love I should have had from the moment I ran away from it." Tears were now welling up in her eyes as she started to cry. "I loved, lost and now love again a man that I should never have hurt so many years ago, I now ask for his forgiveness." She found herself walking towards the other end of the table and stopped behind John, watching his face as he turned it toward her. She continued "My life has always been incomplete and I really can't imagine going on the same way alone, for much longer. John, I love you so very much. Will you marry me?"
John was shocked, the gathering looked on in suspense. 'Did she just ask me to marry her' he thought. Getting to his feet he took her hands in his own, his brow furrowed from the confusion of what had just taken place. On taking her hands, Claire's face seemed to lose the worry that had been apparent, only to be replaced by something much more unique to her, the love and understanding she had always shown him when they had been together alone. Bringing both of her hands in turn to his lips he lightly caressed each one. Returning his gaze to her face he smiled, the first smile of their new life collectively. "Yes" he simply said and pulled her into an embrace that seemed to last forever. The crowd erupted around them, cheering and clapping.
Brian stood, deciding that he needed to say something in order for the continuance of the proceedings. "Thank god," he said "please, everyone, put your glasses together for two people that shouldn't have spent a day apart from one another, let alone sixteen years, to Claire and John."
"To Claire and John," everyone exclaimed.
"And if the band would like to start then I think that along with the tradition of my wife and I dancing our first dance together, it should be extended on this occasion to include my groomsman and his fiancée."
The band started to play and the female vocalist began to sing harmoniously. It was a Celine Dion number entitled "That's the way it is" which on the surface seemed very apt for both couples that where now dancing along to the tune.
Claire and John had never felt so caught up in each other as the moved around the dance floor, 'almost skill-fully' John thought to himself, not really believing he had rhythm.
"Did I mention how breathtakingly beautiful you look today?" John said to Claire in one of the brief interludes they had between kisses.
"No, I don't recall that you had," Claire smiled; she never thought she had ever been so happy as she was at that moment.
"Well, I meant to but with your speech and all, I kinda got side tracked, so here goes. You are so breathtakingly beautiful, Claire, absolutely stunning and I have never felt so happy as I do right at this moment."
"Me neither."
"This isn't all some big dream is it, your not going to like disappear at twelve or something and leave me alone and devastated again."
"Never, never again, John. To think I came so close to losing everything, there is no way I would ever do anything like that again to jeopardise my happiness, our happiness. I'm afraid, my darling, that on this occasion you are well and truly stuck with me."
"That sounds good to me," John said, "so you're not going to run off to Brian again if you get pregnant so that he can father our child, and you're not going to lie to that child and tell them I'm dead or something and wait another sixteen years before you tell me I have another child?"
"No, on all counts, sir, do you want one of my amethyst earrings to make sure I don't?" she said tipping her head with her hand, "What do you mean anyway, get pregnant again?"
"I don't think having one of your earrings would help, that's what got me into this mess in the first place," John joked and continued "Don't you want to have another child with me?" he looked hurt.
"Yes, I'd love too but aren't we getting a little old for children, our eldest does happen to be nearing adult hood you know."
"Right, so its not like Becky and Brian aren't going to have any, he's the same age as us, and look at Ally and Andy, their youngest is two and with the way those two carry on there will be another one there soon, if you know what I mean?"
"You're right, besides its not like there will only be one of us there to bring the baby up on their own, after all, we'll have each other."
"Yep, so when do you want to start practicing?" a wicked glint returning to his eyes.
"As soon as is humanly possible, your place or mine?"
"With a teenage daughter listening in the next room I don't really fancy your place, lets make it mine."
"Okay, that's a date then, pick me up when this thing finishes."
"Okay, doll." John replied and kissed her again. In mid kiss, John felt a tapping on his shoulder, pulling away from Claire he noticed Brian standing by his side. "Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing, its just that you asked me to look after this, in case you ever needed it again, and well I guess you need it, now!" Brian said.
"Brian, thanks, I had forgotten you had this for safe keeping. Thanks again."
"My pleasure, don't you think you better give it to her!"
"Yeah, but I want everyone that matter's around us first in a circle."
"Okay, leave it with me" Brian said, and went off in search of everyone. In five minutes he was done. The circle consisted of himself and Becky, Ally and Andy, Alicia and Stanley, Claire's mum, and Leila. John pulled Claire into the middle and knelt down on his right knee.
"I know this is a bit unconventional, Claire, because obviously we have already accepted each other but I wanted it to be special when I gave you your ring."
Tears began forming in the corners of Claire's eyes. John pulled out the small velvet covered box that Brian had given him only minutes before and opened the lid, taking out the ring he found Claire's left hand with his right and placed it upon her ring finger. Claire knelt down too and getting a closer look at the ring she realised it was the diamond solitaire stud that she had given John after detention that Saturday in March 1984. "This is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Thank you, John."
"It's my pleasure, Claire, and may I say it looks more attractive on your finger than it ever did in my ear."
Everyone in the circle laughed.
A/n: please r/r
Chapter 19 – Wedding Day ~ part two
The wedding party were now seated at the top table, and still John couldn't keep his eyes from straying to the other end where Claire was sitting. It had been a little while since he had first laid eyes on her as she had strolled down the make shift aisle that had now made way for tables and a dance floor, the band patiently waiting for their cue to start playing again. Once the ceremony had ended John and Claire had walked out arm in arm, had had their pictures taken for a constant forty minutes and waited patiently in line meeting and greeting all of the guests that had attended up until now. But in all of that time he hadn't actually had the chance to speak to Claire and tell her how dazzling she looked. It also looked like that wasn't going to happen soon either; they now had the speeches to get through.
Looking around the room in seek of reassurance, he found it in his mother and Stanley – after all Brian had wanted them to be here; noticing his gaze upon them they looked at one another and then back at him. It gave him the strength he needed. Then he looked around their table to who they were sitting with, wasn't that Claire's mum? Considering Leila was sat between the two mums he guessed it had to be, he couldn't remember her very well from their first meeting all those years before, but she and Claire had the same appearance. Tall, strong-willed, confident women with natural beauty, the same qualities he now saw in his daughter as well.
The speeches started with Brian and Becky thanking everyone for coming and those that had helped for their hard work. Next came Becky's father, welcoming Brian into his family and toasting her as the bridesmaid. And now it was John's turn, he had always had an idea of what he wanted to say but now was uncertain and nervous, Claire's eyes were boring into his soul making him totally uneasy.
"When I first met Brian, a Saturday detention at Shermer High, I couldn't believe what a 'neo-maxi-zoom-dweebie' he really was, or what the other guys were like either," all the other members of the club looked at one another smiling. "Thing was, by the end of the day we were all the greatest of friends. And Bri, well he and I had an understanding. A kinship. Needless to say with the help and encouragement he gave me and the fact that he blew his ceramic elephant light up when the flare gun went off in his locker, I helped him pass shop, his carved jewellery box would have won 'best in show'." Brian blushed. "It was a shame that about sixteen years ago I lost contact with him, and if it hadn't been for Allison and Andy Clarke then I probably wouldn't be standing here right now either. Since March I have once again found my friends and found a daughter I never knew I had, and through it all Brian has been the rock, a quality that has no doubt been placed upon him through no fault of his own but he really has been a true friend to me and I know I will be able to count on him at any time in my life. So instead of the traditional bad jokes and unwarranted story telling that generally goes on in a groomsman's speech I instead would like to raise a glass to one of the very best of men. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Brian and his lovely bride, Becky."
"Brian and Becky" a resounding chorus rang out around the ballroom.
Brian stood up, totally dumbstruck. He managed to say a quick thank you before shaking hands with John. John sat down, realising that this would all be over soon and he would have his chance to speak to Claire.
"As this isn't a strictly traditional wedding, we have another speech. Please allow our great friend and bridesmaid Claire to say a few words." Brian said, and motioned for Claire to stand and start talking.
"As John was saying, I have also known Brian for a long time and there could be no better friend than him, or his new bride, Becky, who I have found to be one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met. I don't believe two people have ever been so right for each other than this happy couple that have become man and wife today." Clearing her throat, she continued "Although I have lied to Brian in the past, he has always stood by me and one of the reasons I stand here today is to say sorry for what I have done and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do what I am about to do. Most of you in this room don't know who I am, or what I have done but I needed this time today to say something I should have said a long long time ago. Brian and Becky know what this situation is, as do my friends Allison and Andy Clarke, my mother, my daughter, and Alicia and Stanley Richardson."
John looked up as soon as Claire had said his mother's name; she now had his undivided attention.
Claire carried on, "I did something that was totally unforgivable, but most of the people I have hurt have forgiven me, I've been able to reconcile with my mother and have helped Alicia find her son."
'So it was Claire, mum was covering up for, why? What on earth does she think she is doing?' rapid thoughts paced through John's mind as he continued to listen to what Claire was saying.
"But none of this truly matters, it only adds to the upset I have caused and allowed me to avoid the love I should have had from the moment I ran away from it." Tears were now welling up in her eyes as she started to cry. "I loved, lost and now love again a man that I should never have hurt so many years ago, I now ask for his forgiveness." She found herself walking towards the other end of the table and stopped behind John, watching his face as he turned it toward her. She continued "My life has always been incomplete and I really can't imagine going on the same way alone, for much longer. John, I love you so very much. Will you marry me?"
John was shocked, the gathering looked on in suspense. 'Did she just ask me to marry her' he thought. Getting to his feet he took her hands in his own, his brow furrowed from the confusion of what had just taken place. On taking her hands, Claire's face seemed to lose the worry that had been apparent, only to be replaced by something much more unique to her, the love and understanding she had always shown him when they had been together alone. Bringing both of her hands in turn to his lips he lightly caressed each one. Returning his gaze to her face he smiled, the first smile of their new life collectively. "Yes" he simply said and pulled her into an embrace that seemed to last forever. The crowd erupted around them, cheering and clapping.
Brian stood, deciding that he needed to say something in order for the continuance of the proceedings. "Thank god," he said "please, everyone, put your glasses together for two people that shouldn't have spent a day apart from one another, let alone sixteen years, to Claire and John."
"To Claire and John," everyone exclaimed.
"And if the band would like to start then I think that along with the tradition of my wife and I dancing our first dance together, it should be extended on this occasion to include my groomsman and his fiancée."
The band started to play and the female vocalist began to sing harmoniously. It was a Celine Dion number entitled "That's the way it is" which on the surface seemed very apt for both couples that where now dancing along to the tune.
Claire and John had never felt so caught up in each other as the moved around the dance floor, 'almost skill-fully' John thought to himself, not really believing he had rhythm.
"Did I mention how breathtakingly beautiful you look today?" John said to Claire in one of the brief interludes they had between kisses.
"No, I don't recall that you had," Claire smiled; she never thought she had ever been so happy as she was at that moment.
"Well, I meant to but with your speech and all, I kinda got side tracked, so here goes. You are so breathtakingly beautiful, Claire, absolutely stunning and I have never felt so happy as I do right at this moment."
"Me neither."
"This isn't all some big dream is it, your not going to like disappear at twelve or something and leave me alone and devastated again."
"Never, never again, John. To think I came so close to losing everything, there is no way I would ever do anything like that again to jeopardise my happiness, our happiness. I'm afraid, my darling, that on this occasion you are well and truly stuck with me."
"That sounds good to me," John said, "so you're not going to run off to Brian again if you get pregnant so that he can father our child, and you're not going to lie to that child and tell them I'm dead or something and wait another sixteen years before you tell me I have another child?"
"No, on all counts, sir, do you want one of my amethyst earrings to make sure I don't?" she said tipping her head with her hand, "What do you mean anyway, get pregnant again?"
"I don't think having one of your earrings would help, that's what got me into this mess in the first place," John joked and continued "Don't you want to have another child with me?" he looked hurt.
"Yes, I'd love too but aren't we getting a little old for children, our eldest does happen to be nearing adult hood you know."
"Right, so its not like Becky and Brian aren't going to have any, he's the same age as us, and look at Ally and Andy, their youngest is two and with the way those two carry on there will be another one there soon, if you know what I mean?"
"You're right, besides its not like there will only be one of us there to bring the baby up on their own, after all, we'll have each other."
"Yep, so when do you want to start practicing?" a wicked glint returning to his eyes.
"As soon as is humanly possible, your place or mine?"
"With a teenage daughter listening in the next room I don't really fancy your place, lets make it mine."
"Okay, that's a date then, pick me up when this thing finishes."
"Okay, doll." John replied and kissed her again. In mid kiss, John felt a tapping on his shoulder, pulling away from Claire he noticed Brian standing by his side. "Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing, its just that you asked me to look after this, in case you ever needed it again, and well I guess you need it, now!" Brian said.
"Brian, thanks, I had forgotten you had this for safe keeping. Thanks again."
"My pleasure, don't you think you better give it to her!"
"Yeah, but I want everyone that matter's around us first in a circle."
"Okay, leave it with me" Brian said, and went off in search of everyone. In five minutes he was done. The circle consisted of himself and Becky, Ally and Andy, Alicia and Stanley, Claire's mum, and Leila. John pulled Claire into the middle and knelt down on his right knee.
"I know this is a bit unconventional, Claire, because obviously we have already accepted each other but I wanted it to be special when I gave you your ring."
Tears began forming in the corners of Claire's eyes. John pulled out the small velvet covered box that Brian had given him only minutes before and opened the lid, taking out the ring he found Claire's left hand with his right and placed it upon her ring finger. Claire knelt down too and getting a closer look at the ring she realised it was the diamond solitaire stud that she had given John after detention that Saturday in March 1984. "This is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Thank you, John."
"It's my pleasure, Claire, and may I say it looks more attractive on your finger than it ever did in my ear."
Everyone in the circle laughed.