WEDDING NUMBER ONE

==========================================================================================================================

MAC'S APARTMENT – 1pm

"Where are my shoes?" Mac yelled from the bedroom.

"Look on your feet," Harriet said.

"What about my veil?" Mac asked.

"It's in here; I will attach it when you come out." Harriet replied.

"I can't reach these buttons." Mac stated.

"Chloe, wait here, I'm going in." Harriet said and went into the bedroom. "Mac will you let me help you?"

"This is insane." Mac groaned. "We should have just gone to a justice of the peace."

"Mac, you know that's crazy, everything is prefect." Harriet said.

"Where's Chloe?" Mac asked. "Is she dressed? And Little AJ, does he have his pillow?"

"Everyone is ready but you." Harriet informed her. "Now calm down and let me help you."

"Chloe you look wonderful," AJ said walking in.

"Thank you." Chloe smiled. "Mac is having a nervous breakdown in the other room."

"That's to be expected." AJ laughed.

"At this rate, she is never going to get to the church." Chloe said.

"How are we doing ladies?" AJ called out.

"Fine, Sir." Harriet replied.

"We are not fine," Mac snapped. "Where's my something blue?"

"In the living room, would you calm down?" Harriet laughed. "At least my mother isn't here helping you."

"May I come in?" AJ said knocking on the door.

"Come in Sir." Harriet said opening the door.

"You look lovely." AJ said seeing Mac.

"I don't have my veil, I can't find my something new, these shoes are all wrong and I think I am going to be sick." Mac said very quickly.

"Get it together, Marine." AJ ordered. "Everything is fine, you look beautiful and it's time to go."

ANNAPOLIS CHAPEL-back room

The chapel at Annapolis looked beautiful.  Harm paced back and forth in the front room waiting for the service to begin.

"Calm down, buddy." Sturgis said.

"I can't believe we are here." Harm said.

"Believe it," Sturgis laughed.

"I haven't talked to her since last night." Harm said. "What if she changed her mind?"

"She's been in love with you a long time; I doubt she's changed her mind." Sturgis smiled.

"God I'm nervous." Harm said. "Where's your dad?"

"He's other there." Sturgis said. "Relax."

"What time is it?" Harm asked. "Aren't we running late?"

"Harm the ceremony doesn't start until 3, it's only 2:30." Sturgis replied.

"How are you?" Bud asked walking over.

"This is insane." Harm said. "We should have gone to a justice of the peace."

"Harm everything is perfect." Bud said.

"Where is the organist?" Harm asked.

"She's coming at 2:45," Sturgis replied.

"Where's my mother? Did she and Frank make it here?" Harm asked.

"They are already seated." Bud said. "I escorted them myself."

"What about my grandmother?" Harm asked.

"She's sitting with them." Sturgis said.

"Are you sure?" Harm asked. "Maybe I should call the hotel."

"Harm, everything is fine." Bud stated.

ANNAPOLIS CHAPEL

The guests were all seated in the Chapel waiting for Mac's arrival.  Harm was now standing at the front with Sturgis, who was his best man and Bud.  Reverend Turner took his position and they listened as Cannon in D filled the chapel.

Chloe was the first to enter, she wore a cornflower blue short sleeved chiffon gown with a princess line bodice that had squared neckline and a v back accented with a knot.  The empire waist gown was accented with a bugle bead trim and an A line skirt.  She had a huge grin on her face as she walked down the aisle carrying a simple bouquet of lilies. 

Harriet was next and wore the same dress as Chloe but hers was a darker indigo blue.  She was absolutely glowing, thinking about her two friends finally getting married.

Little AJ came next and looked adorable in his little tuxedo.  Instead of walking down the aisle as he had done during the rehearsal, he ran and announced, he made it faster than anyone when he reached Harm.

Gunny and Tiner, both in dress uniforms carefully pulled the white runner to the back of the chapel.  Once the runner was in place the organists began the Wedding March.  Everyone rose and Mac escorted by AJ appeared.

Mac was stunning in her gown.  The cathedral train gown was re-embroidered lace, Satin, and tulle with a halter neckline and princess-line bodice encrusted with beaded re-embroidered lace.  The Basque waistline had a semi-circular tulle skirt accented with beaded re-embroidered lace.  She accented the gown with elbow length satin gloves.  On her head she wore a satin headpiece with crystal and pearl accents and a veil that extended down her back to her waist.  Harm started breathing faster as he watched her walk down the aisle.

"Uncle Harm, what's wrong?" Little AJ asked.

"Nothing buddy, I just think Auntie Mac is beautiful." Harm replied.

"She's pretty." Little AJ announced, loud enough for everyone to hear.

The ceremony was simple and lovely.  Reverend Turner spoke of the years he had known Harm and even made the congregation laugh.  He blessed the union and once the service was done, Mac and Harm walked out of the chapel arm in arm. 

The traditional saber arch was ready and waiting for them as the guests lined up with rose petals to shower the happy couple.  The only difference with this arch is that one side was lined with Naval Officers and the other side with Marine Officers.

"Harm you took care of the whacking, right?" Mac asked.

"I said I would." Harm smiled.

"I don't want to be whacked." Mac reminded him.

"I took care of it." Harm assured her.

They began to walk through the arches and the first two lowered their sabers and would not let them pass until they kissed, which they gladly did.

As they continued through they were both smiling and shaking the petals from them.  As they passed the final swords Mac thought she was home free. Then she felt a whack on her rear.  "GO NAVY, the Naval Officers shouted.  Harm was about to laugh when he also felt a whack. "OOHRAH, SEMER FI." The marines chanted.

"Gotchya," Mac said with a smile. "I knew you wouldn't tell them not to."

THE RECEPTION

They arrived at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.  They were holding the reception in the grand ballroom with a cocktail hour in the pre-function area and a smaller salon set up for the bridal party.  After posing for countless pictures it was time to celebrate.

The banquet maitre'd announced the bridal party and the room erupted into applause as Mac and Harm entered.  Mac and Harm had decided to dispense with the traditional dances right away as to not spoil the tempo of the celebration later on.

Mac and Harm danced their first dance as husband and wife to Martina McBride's 'Valentine'.  They decided on this song since it was on Valentine's Day, that they went public with their relationship.  Everyone smiled as they watched them glide along the dance floor.  The bridal party was invited to join in. Bud surprised everyone with his secret; he had been practicing for weeks to ensure that he could waltz comfortably with his wife.  Harm danced with his mother and Mac danced with AJ to Sinatra's "The Best is Yet to Come', it was the only song they could think of, where they could have both dances at the same time.

Sturgis made his toast, and like his father, made the guests laughed.  He wished Mac and Harm love and happiness.  He then turned to Mac and said, "Can I now reveal that secret you told me last year?"

"What secret?" Harm asked.

"I told him I was in love with you, by mistake." Mac laughed.

"You were in love with me by mistake?" Harm asked confused.

"No, I let it slip." Mac said rolling her eyes.

"I've been holding it in for a while, buddy." Sturgis laughed, "I'm just glad it's out in the open now."

After dinner was served, the festivities really took off.  Everyone was dancing and laughing.  When it came time to toss the bouquet, Mac announced that she was not going to throw it but give it to Ashlyn as good luck for her wedding.  Harm then followed suit and gave the garter to Gunny.

As the evening wore on, this motley crew gathered together and danced in a circle to 'We Are Family', Mac and Harm briefly left the circle and went to Webb.

"Join us," Harm said.

"You're part of this family too." Mac added.

Webb wanted to protest, but after all it was their wedding, he couldn't refuse.  He joined the circle of friends.  The night wore on and it was time to say good night. 

Mac and Harm retired to the bridal suite and spent their first night as husband and wife in wedding bliss, tomorrow they were leaving for Hawaii.

Gunny and Ashlyn went home with dreams of their own wedding.

Sturgis and Bobbie went back to her place and talked for hours about their future.

Tiner drove Coates home, kissed her good night at the door and went on his way, only to turn around and go back.

AJ and Meredith went home and settled in comfortably.

At the last minute, Sam opted not to go to the reception, she wasn't in the mood.  After the church ceremony she went home and finally wrote the follow up to the Valentine's column, and called it "True Love".

Webb drove home, hung his tux in the closet and sat in his living room nursing a drink. He was envious of his friends.

Harriet and Bud with their children, who were exhausted, smiled at their good fortune.

It had been a beautiful day, their friends got married and they were there to share it.