Saturday
Ally stumbled into the kitchen. There was a bowling game going on inside her head and her mouth felt like cotton.
"Morning, Ally." Replied her mother.
"Shhh, not so loud."
Jeannie gave her daughter a disapproving look, even though she had her head down and couldn't see it. "What were you thinking getting drunk on the eve of your wedding?"
"I don't know. Seemed like a good idea at the time."
"What time is Maddie due back?"
"Around noon. Bonnie's suppose to call from the airport."
"Good morning," called Larry.
Ally winced.
He entered the kitchen and stopped. "What do we have here?"
"Ally decided it would be fun to get drunk. Would you take her outside with this coffee and try to bring her around?"
"Sure." He took the cup in one hand and Ally's hand in the other and headed outside. He sat beside her on the swing and handed her the coffee.
"Thanks." She took it and sipped it.
"Good party last night?"
"Yeah. How was yours?"
"After Sam fell asleep, it went from a Three Stooges movie feast to a John Wayne movie feast."
"Where is Sam?"
"He's still sleeping at the hotel. I left him with his grandparents. I'm going to pick him up in a little bit and take him to get tuxes."
Ally yawned. "You don't have one yet?"
"Not yet but how hard can it be to find one for this perfect body?"
She smiled. "Not hard at all."
Renee opened the door and threw a package at Larry. "Bye"
"What the…" He opened the package. It was photos from the party.
"Larry, give those to me."
"No, as soon as I look at them."
She put her hand on his hand, which was on top of the pictures. "If you love me, you will give me those pictures and never mention this again."
He turned to her. "I do love you, but I'm going to open the pictures."
Ally put her head in her hands.
"Do you think the stripper was better looking than me?"
Ally looked up. "What?"
"Was he better looking than me?"
"No way. He doesn't have your charm, your smile."
"But does he have a better body than me?"
"I don't know, Larry, I haven't slept with him yet. Ask me again later."
He gave her a look and then bobbed her on the head with the envelope. "So, tell me, what were you and Georgia toasting in this picture?"
"Billy."
"You were toasting Billy?"
"We were toasting first loves and true loves. She asked me if Billy had lived would I have married him instead."
"What did you say?"
"I told her no. Had I not met you, I might have married Billy because loving him was what I knew. But the second I walked into Tracey's office and saw you, all bets were off."
"What do you mean? You didn't like me the day we met."
"No, I didn't like you but there was this instant attraction. Could you feel it?"
"I did. I knew who you were. I had seen you around. Any lawyer who wears skirts that short has my attention."
She leaned in and kissed him. "I wanted you and now I have you. From this day forward."
"Forever and ever. Just think, in less than 12 hours, we are going to be husband and wife."
"Yes, I know. But there are a million things to do in that time starting with you getting a tux."
"Trying to get rid of me, Ally?"
"Yes. I don't want you here when Maddie arrives. This is going to be tough enough on her without you being here."
"I understand. You want her to know about me before she meets me. In that case, I am going to get that tux, take my kid to lunch then come over and meet yours."
"Wish me luck."
"I always do."
Larry straightened out the bow tie on Sam's tux.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Are you nervous about getting married?"
"You bet. But I am excited too. Marrying Ally is the best thing for me."
"Do you still love Mom?"
Larry finished Sam's tie and began to work on his own. "Yes, I still love your mother because she's your mother."
Silence
"Sammy, want to tell me what's bothering you?"
"It's Mom. I don't think she's happy that you're marrying Ally."
Larry knew that. Jamie had made her feelings clear when he broke the news to her. "I'm sorry about that, Sammy. One day your mother will find someone that makes her as happy as Ally makes me. Are you okay with me marrying Ally? I mean you said you were…"
"I am, Dad. I really am."
"I just want you to realize that Ally isn't trying to take your mom's place. She knows that you have a terrific mother who loves you. How do I look?"
Sam smiled. "You look like James Bond. And he gets all the girls, right?"
"You bet but there's just one girl I want. Now, let's get out of these monkey suits and have some lunch."
Ally watched the clock. Bonnie's call had come half an hour earlier and they were due at any time. She had run several senerios in her head and hadn't decided on the best one to use. Ally heard a car pull up.
The door opened. "Ally, I'm home."
Within seconds Ally hugged her daughter. "I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you. How was the trip?"
Maddie looked around. "It was fine. Why does this place look like a wedding chapel? Who got married?"
"No one got married, yet." Ally noticed Bonnie in the door. "Come in, Bonnie. How was she?"
"Better than expected. This place looks beautiful."
"Thanks. How was the gig?"
"It couldn't have gone better. I'm booked on another cruise leaving next month."
"That's terrific."
"Ally," came Maddie's voice. "Who's getting married?"
Ally cleared her throat. "I am, tonight."
Maddie's face lit up. "Really? You're marrying Victor? This is the best news ever."
Ally took a deep breath. "No, Maddie, I'm not marrying Victor."
"I don't understand. Who could you be marrying?"
"I'm marrying my ex-boyfriend Larry Paul."
Maddie stepped back. "Wait..wait… What about Victor?"
"Victor and I broke up."
Her voice broke. "I don't understand this. You were dating Victor when I left. How can you be marrying this Larry person."
Ally's voice also broke. "I'm sorry this hurts you. I …"
"I hate you," she cried out. "I hate you."
With that she ran up the stairs.
Bonnie looked at Ally with sympathy. "I'll go talk to you."
Ally sat on one of the folding chairs that had been rented for the occasion. A few minutes later Bonnie returned alone. "She won't talk to me either."
"I don't what to do."
"Let's give her some time to calm down."
After 10 minutes there was a knock at the door. Ally opened it and was surprised to find Victor.
"Victor, this really isn't a good time to talk."
"Maddie called me."
"Oh, she's upstairs."
Victor found Maddie crying in her room.
"Victor, I'm so glad you're here. You have to stop her. Go down stairs and ask her to marry you. She will forget all about Larry and the three of us will be a family."
Victor sat down beside her on the bed. "I can't do that, Maddie."
"Why not?"
"Because Ally loves Larry. She made no secret of that."
"She loves you too."
"Maybe but not in the same way. I wanted a future with her but her feelings for Larry kept her from loving me."
"I wish he had never come back."
"Then I'm to blame."
"Why?"
"Because I asked her to go see him in Detroit. I wanted her to see him and say I don't want you, I want Victor."
"But she didn't."
"No, she didn't. Together they realized they were still in love. They want to get married. They want the four of you to be a family."
"The four of us?"
"Yes, you, Ally, Larry and his son Sam."
"I didn't know he had a son."
"And you will have a brother."
Maddie thought about this.
"Maddie, Ally took a chance on you when you showed up on her door step. Can't you do the same for her? Larry makes her happy."
"Are you happy for her?"
"Yes I am."
"Then I guess I can try to be happy for her too. Will I still see you?"
"Of course. We are friends. Don't forget that."
She leaned over and hugged him. He kissed the top of her head.
Ally was watching anxiously as Victor came down the stairs.
"Well? How is she?"
"She's better. She wants to see you."
Ally hugged him. "Thank you so much Victor. Once again, you came through for us."
"It was my pleasure. Good luck today."
Victor watched as Ally walked up the stairs. His heart broke a little.
Ally knocked on Maddie's door.
"Come in."
"Hi." Ally entered the room and sat on the bed. "Victor said you wanted to see me."
"Yeah." She stared at the carpet for a moment. "I'm sorry for what I said before. I don't really hate you."
Ally smiled. "Glad to hear it."
"I just wanted you to marry Victor."
"I know, honey. And a part of me wanted it too. But you have to follow where your heart leads you and mine led me back to my past."
"But why do you have to marry him today?"
"Maddie, honey, this didn't just happen over night. We would have been married a year ago but fate stepped in. I love him and he loves me and we realized that after spending a year apart, we didn't want to waste another day."
"Oh."
"But there is something you need to know. Larry isn't moving in with us for a while."
"He isn't? Why not?"
"He still lives in Detroit. It's where his job is. It will be weeks before he moves here permantley. In the mean time, he'll come when he can, mostly on the weekends. That will give you a chance to get to know him and feel comfortable with him. He really wants to meet you and he wants you to meet his son, Sam."
"Victor told me about Sam. How old is he?"
"Sam just turned 9."
"So that makes me the big sister."
"I guess it does."
Larry and Sam had arrived when Maddie and Ally came down the stairs. Ally took Maddie's hand and walked her to Larry."
"Larry, this is Maddie."
Larry squatted so he was eye level. "I'm pleased to meet you, Maddie. Ally has talked about you non-stop."
Maddie smiled and stared at his dimples. "It's nice to meet you too."
"And this is my son, Sam." He signaled for Sam to come forward. "Sam, meet Maddie."
The two kids eyed each other for a moment.
"Hi"
"Hi"
Ally and Larry shared a smile. She turned her attention back to Maddie. "Grandma bought you a dress to wear tonight. It's in your closet. Why don't you go try it on?"
While Renee took her to her room, Larry walked Ally outside. He pulled her close.
"Okay, breathe."
She let out a deep breath.
"You okay?"
She nodded. "I'm okay. I'm just relieved it's over."
"I heard it was a bad scene."
"It was but I think the part of you not living here all the time at first helped out a great deal. Let her get use to you."
"Does that mean when I come home I'm banished to the couch?"
"Not on your life." She kissed him. "How about we take the kids somewhere for a little bit where they can have some fun and get to know one another."
"The arcade?"
"Sounds perfect."
Ally came up behind Larry and wrapped her arms around his waist. "How is it going with those two?"
Larry watched Sam sink another point in air-hockey. "They seemed to be evenly matched."
"But how are they getting along?"
"So far, so good."
"How are we doing on money?"
"For a man about to be on unemployment, I seem to be spending money at a rapid pace."
Ally smiled into his hair. "You are a great lawyer with a sexy body. I would love to bring you on at Cage, Fish and McBeal."
Larry smiled. "Well, doesn't that just scream nepotism, not to mention a little harassment."
"I don't think it counts if it comes from your wife."
"Kind of gives new meaning to a 'pow-wow'".
"That it does. How about you go challenge Maddie to a game of something and I'll do the same with Sam."
"Deal."
Ally watched as Larry and Maddie walked over to the ski-ball. Satisfied, she headed towards Sam.
"Hey, Sam, how about a game of hitting those alligators on their heads?"
"Sure!"
After a few minutes, Ally cried Uncle. "You are very good at that."
"Thanks. My dad likes to take me to arcades."
"It shows. How about a drink?"
"Great."
Ally got a couple of soft drinks and joined Sam at the table.
"You and my dad don't look like two people about to get married in a little while."
"Because we're not acting like a couple of crazy people?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sure the closer we get to the ceremony, the more crazy it will get."
Sam watched Maddie play. "Dad tells me that Maddie is your little girl even though you didn't…. even though she didn't…"
Ally laughed. "It's okay. I know what you are trying to say. Maddie didn't come out in the traditional way. It's kind of complicated. One day your dad and I will explain it to you. But the important thing is that she's my daughter and after today she's your sister."
"Will she call my dad Larry or Dad?"
"Probably Larry for now. Maybe one day she'll call him Dad. I'm hoping one day she'll think of him that way. Would you mind?"
"No way. Maybe you and dad will have a baby and I'll have two sisters or one of each."
Ally laughed. "Maybe." She checked her watch. It was a little after five. "Go tell your dad it's time."
"It's about time you two got home." Jeannie was waiting at the door.
"Relax Mom, we're here now. Is everything ready? Is Dad here?"
"In the den. You need to start getting ready. The guests will be here very soon."
Ally turned to her mother and hugged her. "Thank you for everything, Mom. I couldn't have done it without you."
Jeannie's eyes began to water. "You're very welcome. And I'm sorry about the way I behaved when you called. It was shameful."
"It's okay, Mom. I'm glad you're here. I love you."
"I love you too." She cleared her throat. "Now, go say hello to your father and then head upstairs." She turned to Larry. "You and Sam can change in the den as soon as I get George out."
Ally opened the door to the den. "Hi Daddy."
George stood up and opened his arms. "Sweetheart."
Ally walked into her father's embrace. "How are you?"
"Thrilled that I'm about to give my daughter away on her wedding day."
Ally looked up at his face, the same face that sought her through the best and the worst times in her life.
"I'm so happy you're here. I may be all grown up but I still need my daddy."
"And he's here for you. This has been quite a year for you. A partnership at work, a daughter, a new husband and a step-son."
"I know. My life runneth over."
"There's was some news before. Judge Cone called."
"Whipper? What did she say?"
"She has some sort of a virus and can't be here tonight."
Ally gasped. "No, this can't be. She was suppose to marry us."
"If it's all right with you, I'll marry you and Larry."
"Really? Can you do that?"
"Yes and it would be my pleasure."
Ally hugged her father as Larry and Sam walked in.
"Everything okay?" asked Larry.
She turned to him. "It is now. Whipper is sick and my Dad volunteered to perform the ceremony."
"Sounds good to me." He extended his hand to George. "Thanks, George."
"You're welcome. You just be good to my daughter."
Larry looked at Ally. "You can count on that."
"Hey Dad, why don't you take Sam in the other room and show him your coin trick."
As soon as George and Sam were gone, Ally and Larry linked hands.
"You ready for this, Larry? Being tied to me for the rest of your life?"
"I'm looking forward to it. What about you? You're taking on a divorced guy with a kid who has made stupid mistakes where you are concerned. Are you sure you want him?"
Ally grinned. "More than anything else in the world. Thank you for not running."
"Thank you for giving me another chance."
They kissed until Renee walked in. "Not this again. Later, after the ceremony. Come on, Ally." Renee grabbed her hand and left the room.
"How do I look?" asked Maddie.
Ally looked over. "You look beautiful. Do you remember what to do?"
"Yes. Do what Renee does."
"Yes and make sure you stand next to her. I want my bridesmaid next to my maid of honor."
Renee adjusted the veil. "There, all done. Have a look."
Ally turned to the mirror and gasped. "Oh, look at me. I'm a bride."
"And a beautiful one at that,." said Jeannie from across the room. "Are you ready?"
"In a minute. Can you all give me a second alone, please?"
"Sure." Jeannie, Renee and Maddie went across the hall to Maddie's room.
"Wow, I have never seen you look more beautiful."
Ally looked in the mirror and saw Billy's reflection. "How long have you been watching me?"
He held his hands up. "I just got here, I swear. I'm so happy for you."
She turned around and faced him. "I'm so happy for me, too. After you died, I thought that my one chance at love died with you."
"But you were wrong. This is the life you were meant to have. A husband who adores you, two great children now and a future full of them."
"I'm so happy it scares me."
"Don't let it. I once told you that you were incapable of love. I was wrong. I was wrong about a lot of things where you were concerned. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. Don't blow it by looking for ways out. Trust Larry's love. It will get you through anything."
"I will always love you, Billy. You were my first love. I don't regret anything about it."
"Neither do I." He kissed her on the cheek. "Now, go out there and make your self proud, Ally McBeal."
With that, he was gone.
Larry adjusted his tux one more time.
"Dad, I think you're more than a little nervous."
"You are very observant. I am a little terrified."
"Why, you've been married before to Helena."
"Yes but this one counts." He looked down at his son. "You all set?"
"Yup."
"Got the ring?"
"Yup."
"Got to pee?"
"Yup."
While Sam ran off to the bathroom, Larry tried to calm his nerves with breathing.
"Larry?"
Larry turned to find Maddie at the door.
"Maddie? What are you doing here? Is there a problem with Ally?"
"No, she's fine. I just wanted to wish you good luck."
"Thank you. I hope we can be friends, Maddie."
"I think we will. I'm going back to see about Ally."
Larry smiled to himself.
"Ready Ally?"
"All set, Renee. Let's go."
Ally stood at the top of the stairs waiting for her cue. In a few minutes, she would be Mrs. Larry Paul. It was what she wanted more than anything.
The music started and Maddie started down the stairs first. Renee squeezed her hand and started down.
George leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful"
He offered her his arm and she took it. "Thanks Dad."
Ally started her walk down the stairs she took notice of who was there. Richard, John and Elaine stood together. Ling and Nelle stood together. Georgia stood alone. Raymond, Jenny and Glen stood together.
Then she locked eyes with Larry. The smile on his face erased her nerves. George handed her to Larry and then stood at the altar.
"Welcome everyone. We are gathered her tonight to bring together my daughter Alison Marie McBeal and Lawrence Michael Paul in holy matrimony."
As George continued Larry and Ally's eyes never wavered.
"I, Lawrence, take you Alison to be my wedded wife…"
"I, Alison, take you Lawrence as my wedded husband…"
"With this ring, I thee wed." Larry slipped the ring on Ally's finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Ally slipped the ring on Larry's finger.
George said. "The two have committed themselves to each other in front of you and God. Along with their children Sam and Maddie, I am please to pronounce them husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Larry smiled and pulled her close. They kissed as the guests cheered. Sam and Maddie closed their eyes. Maddie peaked and was filled with warmth for what she saw.
The kiss ended but the embrace didn't.
Larry smiled at his new wife. "Well, we did it, didn't we."
Ally smiled back. "We sure did. Come on, we have a party to get to."
The party was a hit. Aside from dancing with her husband, she danced with Richard, John, Glen, Raymond, her father and Sam. At one point Jenny pulled her aside. "Now I see why you didn't want Glenn.'' Meanwhile Larry also danced with Renee, Nelle, Ling, Elaine, Jeannie and Maddie. Ally thought about not letting Elaine sing but she was in too good of spirits to say no.
The party broke up about 10:30. Ally closed the door behind the cleaning crew. The caterers had long since gone with a generous bonus from Jeannie. The house looked perfect again. Sam and Maddie were at the hotel with Renee, George and Jeannie.
Ally joined Larry on the couch. "My feet are killing me."
He removed her shoes and began to massage them. "This was quite a night."
"Yes, it was." She laid her head back against the cushion and closed her eyes.
"Was it only last Saturday that you showed up on my front door."
Her eyes popped open. "At your invite, remember."
"Sure do, best invitation I ever made."
She pulled her feet loose and sat next to him. "I'm kind of glad the way things turned out for us. Not the part where you left but the distance and the time. I wouldn't have been ready to make this kind of commitment to you before. But I have grown so much in the last year. I'm not the same person. I'm much better."
"That you are. I wanted to marry you last year but I can't be certain that we wouldn't have been separated within a few months. This distance, although painful, was necessary. I can be a good husband to you now. I don't have any of the doubts I had a year ago. I am where I want to be with the love of my life. It doesn't get any better than this."
Ally smiled. "How about we continue this upstairs. It could get better."
"I'm right with you."
Larry turned out the light as he and Ally walked upstairs hand and hand.
The End
Ally stumbled into the kitchen. There was a bowling game going on inside her head and her mouth felt like cotton.
"Morning, Ally." Replied her mother.
"Shhh, not so loud."
Jeannie gave her daughter a disapproving look, even though she had her head down and couldn't see it. "What were you thinking getting drunk on the eve of your wedding?"
"I don't know. Seemed like a good idea at the time."
"What time is Maddie due back?"
"Around noon. Bonnie's suppose to call from the airport."
"Good morning," called Larry.
Ally winced.
He entered the kitchen and stopped. "What do we have here?"
"Ally decided it would be fun to get drunk. Would you take her outside with this coffee and try to bring her around?"
"Sure." He took the cup in one hand and Ally's hand in the other and headed outside. He sat beside her on the swing and handed her the coffee.
"Thanks." She took it and sipped it.
"Good party last night?"
"Yeah. How was yours?"
"After Sam fell asleep, it went from a Three Stooges movie feast to a John Wayne movie feast."
"Where is Sam?"
"He's still sleeping at the hotel. I left him with his grandparents. I'm going to pick him up in a little bit and take him to get tuxes."
Ally yawned. "You don't have one yet?"
"Not yet but how hard can it be to find one for this perfect body?"
She smiled. "Not hard at all."
Renee opened the door and threw a package at Larry. "Bye"
"What the…" He opened the package. It was photos from the party.
"Larry, give those to me."
"No, as soon as I look at them."
She put her hand on his hand, which was on top of the pictures. "If you love me, you will give me those pictures and never mention this again."
He turned to her. "I do love you, but I'm going to open the pictures."
Ally put her head in her hands.
"Do you think the stripper was better looking than me?"
Ally looked up. "What?"
"Was he better looking than me?"
"No way. He doesn't have your charm, your smile."
"But does he have a better body than me?"
"I don't know, Larry, I haven't slept with him yet. Ask me again later."
He gave her a look and then bobbed her on the head with the envelope. "So, tell me, what were you and Georgia toasting in this picture?"
"Billy."
"You were toasting Billy?"
"We were toasting first loves and true loves. She asked me if Billy had lived would I have married him instead."
"What did you say?"
"I told her no. Had I not met you, I might have married Billy because loving him was what I knew. But the second I walked into Tracey's office and saw you, all bets were off."
"What do you mean? You didn't like me the day we met."
"No, I didn't like you but there was this instant attraction. Could you feel it?"
"I did. I knew who you were. I had seen you around. Any lawyer who wears skirts that short has my attention."
She leaned in and kissed him. "I wanted you and now I have you. From this day forward."
"Forever and ever. Just think, in less than 12 hours, we are going to be husband and wife."
"Yes, I know. But there are a million things to do in that time starting with you getting a tux."
"Trying to get rid of me, Ally?"
"Yes. I don't want you here when Maddie arrives. This is going to be tough enough on her without you being here."
"I understand. You want her to know about me before she meets me. In that case, I am going to get that tux, take my kid to lunch then come over and meet yours."
"Wish me luck."
"I always do."
Larry straightened out the bow tie on Sam's tux.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Are you nervous about getting married?"
"You bet. But I am excited too. Marrying Ally is the best thing for me."
"Do you still love Mom?"
Larry finished Sam's tie and began to work on his own. "Yes, I still love your mother because she's your mother."
Silence
"Sammy, want to tell me what's bothering you?"
"It's Mom. I don't think she's happy that you're marrying Ally."
Larry knew that. Jamie had made her feelings clear when he broke the news to her. "I'm sorry about that, Sammy. One day your mother will find someone that makes her as happy as Ally makes me. Are you okay with me marrying Ally? I mean you said you were…"
"I am, Dad. I really am."
"I just want you to realize that Ally isn't trying to take your mom's place. She knows that you have a terrific mother who loves you. How do I look?"
Sam smiled. "You look like James Bond. And he gets all the girls, right?"
"You bet but there's just one girl I want. Now, let's get out of these monkey suits and have some lunch."
Ally watched the clock. Bonnie's call had come half an hour earlier and they were due at any time. She had run several senerios in her head and hadn't decided on the best one to use. Ally heard a car pull up.
The door opened. "Ally, I'm home."
Within seconds Ally hugged her daughter. "I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you. How was the trip?"
Maddie looked around. "It was fine. Why does this place look like a wedding chapel? Who got married?"
"No one got married, yet." Ally noticed Bonnie in the door. "Come in, Bonnie. How was she?"
"Better than expected. This place looks beautiful."
"Thanks. How was the gig?"
"It couldn't have gone better. I'm booked on another cruise leaving next month."
"That's terrific."
"Ally," came Maddie's voice. "Who's getting married?"
Ally cleared her throat. "I am, tonight."
Maddie's face lit up. "Really? You're marrying Victor? This is the best news ever."
Ally took a deep breath. "No, Maddie, I'm not marrying Victor."
"I don't understand. Who could you be marrying?"
"I'm marrying my ex-boyfriend Larry Paul."
Maddie stepped back. "Wait..wait… What about Victor?"
"Victor and I broke up."
Her voice broke. "I don't understand this. You were dating Victor when I left. How can you be marrying this Larry person."
Ally's voice also broke. "I'm sorry this hurts you. I …"
"I hate you," she cried out. "I hate you."
With that she ran up the stairs.
Bonnie looked at Ally with sympathy. "I'll go talk to you."
Ally sat on one of the folding chairs that had been rented for the occasion. A few minutes later Bonnie returned alone. "She won't talk to me either."
"I don't what to do."
"Let's give her some time to calm down."
After 10 minutes there was a knock at the door. Ally opened it and was surprised to find Victor.
"Victor, this really isn't a good time to talk."
"Maddie called me."
"Oh, she's upstairs."
Victor found Maddie crying in her room.
"Victor, I'm so glad you're here. You have to stop her. Go down stairs and ask her to marry you. She will forget all about Larry and the three of us will be a family."
Victor sat down beside her on the bed. "I can't do that, Maddie."
"Why not?"
"Because Ally loves Larry. She made no secret of that."
"She loves you too."
"Maybe but not in the same way. I wanted a future with her but her feelings for Larry kept her from loving me."
"I wish he had never come back."
"Then I'm to blame."
"Why?"
"Because I asked her to go see him in Detroit. I wanted her to see him and say I don't want you, I want Victor."
"But she didn't."
"No, she didn't. Together they realized they were still in love. They want to get married. They want the four of you to be a family."
"The four of us?"
"Yes, you, Ally, Larry and his son Sam."
"I didn't know he had a son."
"And you will have a brother."
Maddie thought about this.
"Maddie, Ally took a chance on you when you showed up on her door step. Can't you do the same for her? Larry makes her happy."
"Are you happy for her?"
"Yes I am."
"Then I guess I can try to be happy for her too. Will I still see you?"
"Of course. We are friends. Don't forget that."
She leaned over and hugged him. He kissed the top of her head.
Ally was watching anxiously as Victor came down the stairs.
"Well? How is she?"
"She's better. She wants to see you."
Ally hugged him. "Thank you so much Victor. Once again, you came through for us."
"It was my pleasure. Good luck today."
Victor watched as Ally walked up the stairs. His heart broke a little.
Ally knocked on Maddie's door.
"Come in."
"Hi." Ally entered the room and sat on the bed. "Victor said you wanted to see me."
"Yeah." She stared at the carpet for a moment. "I'm sorry for what I said before. I don't really hate you."
Ally smiled. "Glad to hear it."
"I just wanted you to marry Victor."
"I know, honey. And a part of me wanted it too. But you have to follow where your heart leads you and mine led me back to my past."
"But why do you have to marry him today?"
"Maddie, honey, this didn't just happen over night. We would have been married a year ago but fate stepped in. I love him and he loves me and we realized that after spending a year apart, we didn't want to waste another day."
"Oh."
"But there is something you need to know. Larry isn't moving in with us for a while."
"He isn't? Why not?"
"He still lives in Detroit. It's where his job is. It will be weeks before he moves here permantley. In the mean time, he'll come when he can, mostly on the weekends. That will give you a chance to get to know him and feel comfortable with him. He really wants to meet you and he wants you to meet his son, Sam."
"Victor told me about Sam. How old is he?"
"Sam just turned 9."
"So that makes me the big sister."
"I guess it does."
Larry and Sam had arrived when Maddie and Ally came down the stairs. Ally took Maddie's hand and walked her to Larry."
"Larry, this is Maddie."
Larry squatted so he was eye level. "I'm pleased to meet you, Maddie. Ally has talked about you non-stop."
Maddie smiled and stared at his dimples. "It's nice to meet you too."
"And this is my son, Sam." He signaled for Sam to come forward. "Sam, meet Maddie."
The two kids eyed each other for a moment.
"Hi"
"Hi"
Ally and Larry shared a smile. She turned her attention back to Maddie. "Grandma bought you a dress to wear tonight. It's in your closet. Why don't you go try it on?"
While Renee took her to her room, Larry walked Ally outside. He pulled her close.
"Okay, breathe."
She let out a deep breath.
"You okay?"
She nodded. "I'm okay. I'm just relieved it's over."
"I heard it was a bad scene."
"It was but I think the part of you not living here all the time at first helped out a great deal. Let her get use to you."
"Does that mean when I come home I'm banished to the couch?"
"Not on your life." She kissed him. "How about we take the kids somewhere for a little bit where they can have some fun and get to know one another."
"The arcade?"
"Sounds perfect."
Ally came up behind Larry and wrapped her arms around his waist. "How is it going with those two?"
Larry watched Sam sink another point in air-hockey. "They seemed to be evenly matched."
"But how are they getting along?"
"So far, so good."
"How are we doing on money?"
"For a man about to be on unemployment, I seem to be spending money at a rapid pace."
Ally smiled into his hair. "You are a great lawyer with a sexy body. I would love to bring you on at Cage, Fish and McBeal."
Larry smiled. "Well, doesn't that just scream nepotism, not to mention a little harassment."
"I don't think it counts if it comes from your wife."
"Kind of gives new meaning to a 'pow-wow'".
"That it does. How about you go challenge Maddie to a game of something and I'll do the same with Sam."
"Deal."
Ally watched as Larry and Maddie walked over to the ski-ball. Satisfied, she headed towards Sam.
"Hey, Sam, how about a game of hitting those alligators on their heads?"
"Sure!"
After a few minutes, Ally cried Uncle. "You are very good at that."
"Thanks. My dad likes to take me to arcades."
"It shows. How about a drink?"
"Great."
Ally got a couple of soft drinks and joined Sam at the table.
"You and my dad don't look like two people about to get married in a little while."
"Because we're not acting like a couple of crazy people?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sure the closer we get to the ceremony, the more crazy it will get."
Sam watched Maddie play. "Dad tells me that Maddie is your little girl even though you didn't…. even though she didn't…"
Ally laughed. "It's okay. I know what you are trying to say. Maddie didn't come out in the traditional way. It's kind of complicated. One day your dad and I will explain it to you. But the important thing is that she's my daughter and after today she's your sister."
"Will she call my dad Larry or Dad?"
"Probably Larry for now. Maybe one day she'll call him Dad. I'm hoping one day she'll think of him that way. Would you mind?"
"No way. Maybe you and dad will have a baby and I'll have two sisters or one of each."
Ally laughed. "Maybe." She checked her watch. It was a little after five. "Go tell your dad it's time."
"It's about time you two got home." Jeannie was waiting at the door.
"Relax Mom, we're here now. Is everything ready? Is Dad here?"
"In the den. You need to start getting ready. The guests will be here very soon."
Ally turned to her mother and hugged her. "Thank you for everything, Mom. I couldn't have done it without you."
Jeannie's eyes began to water. "You're very welcome. And I'm sorry about the way I behaved when you called. It was shameful."
"It's okay, Mom. I'm glad you're here. I love you."
"I love you too." She cleared her throat. "Now, go say hello to your father and then head upstairs." She turned to Larry. "You and Sam can change in the den as soon as I get George out."
Ally opened the door to the den. "Hi Daddy."
George stood up and opened his arms. "Sweetheart."
Ally walked into her father's embrace. "How are you?"
"Thrilled that I'm about to give my daughter away on her wedding day."
Ally looked up at his face, the same face that sought her through the best and the worst times in her life.
"I'm so happy you're here. I may be all grown up but I still need my daddy."
"And he's here for you. This has been quite a year for you. A partnership at work, a daughter, a new husband and a step-son."
"I know. My life runneth over."
"There's was some news before. Judge Cone called."
"Whipper? What did she say?"
"She has some sort of a virus and can't be here tonight."
Ally gasped. "No, this can't be. She was suppose to marry us."
"If it's all right with you, I'll marry you and Larry."
"Really? Can you do that?"
"Yes and it would be my pleasure."
Ally hugged her father as Larry and Sam walked in.
"Everything okay?" asked Larry.
She turned to him. "It is now. Whipper is sick and my Dad volunteered to perform the ceremony."
"Sounds good to me." He extended his hand to George. "Thanks, George."
"You're welcome. You just be good to my daughter."
Larry looked at Ally. "You can count on that."
"Hey Dad, why don't you take Sam in the other room and show him your coin trick."
As soon as George and Sam were gone, Ally and Larry linked hands.
"You ready for this, Larry? Being tied to me for the rest of your life?"
"I'm looking forward to it. What about you? You're taking on a divorced guy with a kid who has made stupid mistakes where you are concerned. Are you sure you want him?"
Ally grinned. "More than anything else in the world. Thank you for not running."
"Thank you for giving me another chance."
They kissed until Renee walked in. "Not this again. Later, after the ceremony. Come on, Ally." Renee grabbed her hand and left the room.
"How do I look?" asked Maddie.
Ally looked over. "You look beautiful. Do you remember what to do?"
"Yes. Do what Renee does."
"Yes and make sure you stand next to her. I want my bridesmaid next to my maid of honor."
Renee adjusted the veil. "There, all done. Have a look."
Ally turned to the mirror and gasped. "Oh, look at me. I'm a bride."
"And a beautiful one at that,." said Jeannie from across the room. "Are you ready?"
"In a minute. Can you all give me a second alone, please?"
"Sure." Jeannie, Renee and Maddie went across the hall to Maddie's room.
"Wow, I have never seen you look more beautiful."
Ally looked in the mirror and saw Billy's reflection. "How long have you been watching me?"
He held his hands up. "I just got here, I swear. I'm so happy for you."
She turned around and faced him. "I'm so happy for me, too. After you died, I thought that my one chance at love died with you."
"But you were wrong. This is the life you were meant to have. A husband who adores you, two great children now and a future full of them."
"I'm so happy it scares me."
"Don't let it. I once told you that you were incapable of love. I was wrong. I was wrong about a lot of things where you were concerned. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. Don't blow it by looking for ways out. Trust Larry's love. It will get you through anything."
"I will always love you, Billy. You were my first love. I don't regret anything about it."
"Neither do I." He kissed her on the cheek. "Now, go out there and make your self proud, Ally McBeal."
With that, he was gone.
Larry adjusted his tux one more time.
"Dad, I think you're more than a little nervous."
"You are very observant. I am a little terrified."
"Why, you've been married before to Helena."
"Yes but this one counts." He looked down at his son. "You all set?"
"Yup."
"Got the ring?"
"Yup."
"Got to pee?"
"Yup."
While Sam ran off to the bathroom, Larry tried to calm his nerves with breathing.
"Larry?"
Larry turned to find Maddie at the door.
"Maddie? What are you doing here? Is there a problem with Ally?"
"No, she's fine. I just wanted to wish you good luck."
"Thank you. I hope we can be friends, Maddie."
"I think we will. I'm going back to see about Ally."
Larry smiled to himself.
"Ready Ally?"
"All set, Renee. Let's go."
Ally stood at the top of the stairs waiting for her cue. In a few minutes, she would be Mrs. Larry Paul. It was what she wanted more than anything.
The music started and Maddie started down the stairs first. Renee squeezed her hand and started down.
George leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful"
He offered her his arm and she took it. "Thanks Dad."
Ally started her walk down the stairs she took notice of who was there. Richard, John and Elaine stood together. Ling and Nelle stood together. Georgia stood alone. Raymond, Jenny and Glen stood together.
Then she locked eyes with Larry. The smile on his face erased her nerves. George handed her to Larry and then stood at the altar.
"Welcome everyone. We are gathered her tonight to bring together my daughter Alison Marie McBeal and Lawrence Michael Paul in holy matrimony."
As George continued Larry and Ally's eyes never wavered.
"I, Lawrence, take you Alison to be my wedded wife…"
"I, Alison, take you Lawrence as my wedded husband…"
"With this ring, I thee wed." Larry slipped the ring on Ally's finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Ally slipped the ring on Larry's finger.
George said. "The two have committed themselves to each other in front of you and God. Along with their children Sam and Maddie, I am please to pronounce them husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Larry smiled and pulled her close. They kissed as the guests cheered. Sam and Maddie closed their eyes. Maddie peaked and was filled with warmth for what she saw.
The kiss ended but the embrace didn't.
Larry smiled at his new wife. "Well, we did it, didn't we."
Ally smiled back. "We sure did. Come on, we have a party to get to."
The party was a hit. Aside from dancing with her husband, she danced with Richard, John, Glen, Raymond, her father and Sam. At one point Jenny pulled her aside. "Now I see why you didn't want Glenn.'' Meanwhile Larry also danced with Renee, Nelle, Ling, Elaine, Jeannie and Maddie. Ally thought about not letting Elaine sing but she was in too good of spirits to say no.
The party broke up about 10:30. Ally closed the door behind the cleaning crew. The caterers had long since gone with a generous bonus from Jeannie. The house looked perfect again. Sam and Maddie were at the hotel with Renee, George and Jeannie.
Ally joined Larry on the couch. "My feet are killing me."
He removed her shoes and began to massage them. "This was quite a night."
"Yes, it was." She laid her head back against the cushion and closed her eyes.
"Was it only last Saturday that you showed up on my front door."
Her eyes popped open. "At your invite, remember."
"Sure do, best invitation I ever made."
She pulled her feet loose and sat next to him. "I'm kind of glad the way things turned out for us. Not the part where you left but the distance and the time. I wouldn't have been ready to make this kind of commitment to you before. But I have grown so much in the last year. I'm not the same person. I'm much better."
"That you are. I wanted to marry you last year but I can't be certain that we wouldn't have been separated within a few months. This distance, although painful, was necessary. I can be a good husband to you now. I don't have any of the doubts I had a year ago. I am where I want to be with the love of my life. It doesn't get any better than this."
Ally smiled. "How about we continue this upstairs. It could get better."
"I'm right with you."
Larry turned out the light as he and Ally walked upstairs hand and hand.
The End