December 31st, 2001

Jing-Mei stood in the bathroom. Her whole body shaking. She took in shuddery breaths running her brush through her wet hair. She was getting married. At the stroke of midnight, she would become Mrs. John Carter. She put her brush down and fixed her strapless bra. Standing just in her underwear and stocking, she began rolling the curlers in her hair.

Times like these she wishes she had a good girl friend, or a close cousin or aunt. She was alone. Millicent was still too sick to even get out of bed. John was torn up that she wouldn't see him get married, but there was going to be someone there video taping this. Jack and Eleanor Carter were actually going to be there though. They were going to be in the same room and john was praying that there wouldn't be fireworks.

Jing-Mei walked to the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking. She glanced at the clock. The limousine would be here in an hour. She took in a deep breath putting sugar in her cup of coffee. Jing-Mei walked into the living room and flipped on the c.d. player.

"Oh listen, sister, I love my mister man and I can tell you why. There ain't no reason why I should love dat man." Jing-Mei sang to her show tune record as she went into her bedroom, "He must be something that the angels had planned. The chimneys smoking. The roof is leaking in, but he don't seem to care. He can be happy with just a sip of gin." Jing-Mei went into her closet and pulled out the silky gown she bought. She grinned as she started to put it on.

"Fish gotta swim and birds gotta fly. I've gotta love with him till I die. Can't help loving dat man of mine." She sang, "Tell me he's lazy. Tell me he's slow. Tell me I'm crazy. Baby, I know. Can't help loving dat man of mine." Jing-Mei slipped the small straps over her shoulders and zipped of the snug wedding dress.

"When he goes away, that's a rainy day. And when he comes back, the day is fine. The sun will shine. He can come home as late as can be. Can't help loving dat man of mine." She giggled going to the bathroom  "When he goes away, that's a rainy day and when he comes back, the day is fine. The sun will shine. He can come as late as can be. Can't help. Can't help loving dat man of miiiiiiiiicccceeeee."

Jing-Mei smiled as she looked in the mirror and started to apply her make-up. Her lips reddened along with her cheeks. She grabbed her mascara and started to fatten up her eyelashes. Her show tunes were completely setting her nerves at ease.

"I pray you'll be all right and watches us where we go. And tell us to be wise in times we don't know. Let this be our pray as we go away. Lead us to a place. Guide us with your grace to a place where we'll be safe." She sang going to the bathroom to take her curlers out.

"I pray we'll find your light and hold it in our hearts when stars go out each night. Lead us to a place. Guide with your grace. Give us faith so we'll be safe." She sang letting her curls fall down her shoulders. She looked in the mirror as she grabbed her hairspray. This was the night she was actually going to become Dr Jing-Mei Carter. She giggled spraying her curls. She was going to keep her now long hair down in curls, but pin the sides up with the tiny pearl clips Millicent gave her. She looked at herself in the mirror.

"Wow." She whispered.

*   *   *

John stood at the altar with Peter Benton, his best man. His hands were sweaty. His heart was racing. He couldn't believe this was happening. He was finally marrying the woman of his dreams. He glanced at the clock. It was nearly midnight. His heart stopped in his chest for what seemed like twenty minutes. Peter looked at John with a smirk as the wedding arch started.

"Here you go, Carter." He said. Johns body shook.

"I'm going to be sick." John whispered. Peter chuckled.

"No you wont." He said, "You will be just fine." Jing-Mei's brides' maids started to walk down the aisle.

Jing-Mei fluffed out her train. This was it. This was the biggest step she was ever going to make. She stepped toward the doors, but a hand grabbed her hand. Jing-Mei turned around and she gasped.

"Mother." She whispered. Mrs. Chin stood there in front of her daughter.

"Good evening, Jing-Mei." She said.

"Wh-What are you doing here?" Jing-Mei asked.

"I'm walking my only daughter down the aisle so she can marry the man of her dreams." Mrs. Chen held her head up high. Jing-Mei's lips trembled.

"Oh Mother…"

"Don't you cry. It'll smudge your make up." She said.

"I thought you hated John." Jing-Mei said. Mrs. Chen nodded.

"I do not like him, but I do not like not having you in my life. This is your wedding day, or rather wedding night. You deserve to be happy and if John makes you happy, I will accept that." She said. Jing-Mei was speechless. Her mother never changed her mind like this. Mrs. Chen took her daughters hand; "Let's get you married."

Jing-Mei nodded walking to the doors. They opened up and everyone stood up to look at her. They walked down the aisle. She saw John's face. It was like he just saw her for the first time.

"Wow." John whispered. There was a beautiful angel walking towards him. Words couldn't describe how his heart was feeling as She walked up to him and took his hand. Her smile warmed in soul. "Deb…" The minister stood up with a smiled.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of two souls." He said, with a smile, "Due to the New Year arriving quickly, the couple have decided to say their own vows so I don't get to long winded and carried away." Father Michaels smiled softly looking at John as Peter handed him, Jing-Mei's ring, "You may go." John nodded taking a deep breath looking deep into Jing-Mei's eyes.

"Deb, six years ago I never would have imagined the two of us standing here doing this. We were complete opposites and yet the exactly the same in many ways. Spending time with you the past couple of years warmed my heart.  I…I knew that you were the one. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life you.' John whispered sliding the ring onto Jing-Mei's trembling finger, "I want to do right by you, Deb. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for your love and support. I promise to devote myself to you. I love you Deb and I will continue to forever and beyond." Jing-Mei's lips trembled as Peter handed her John's ring.

"When we decided we were going to write our own vows I was scared. I was scared that I wouldn't say the right things. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to put what I felt in my heart into words." Jing-Mei said sliding the ring on, "I was scared up until I saw you standing at the end of the altar waiting to see me. Right there…seeing you…I knew I wanted to bear your name and your children more than any other time of our lives. For years there was a part of me missing, but now I'm complete. You're my world John and I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else but you. Thank you." Father Michaels smiled glancing at the clock.

"Do you Jonathan Truman Carter the third take thee Jing-Mei Seyoung Chen to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Father Michaels asked. John nodded slowly with a tear sliding down his cheek.

"I d-do." He whispered.

"And do you Jing-Mei Seyoung Chen take three Jonathan Truman Carter the third to be you lawfully wedded husband?" Jing-Mei smiled brightly. Father Michaels glanced at the clock as it struck midnight.

"The by the power invested in me and by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He smiled, "You may kiss the bride and happy New Year." Everyone cheered and yelled happy New Year as John pulled Jing-Mei into a kiss that sealed their marriage. Both of their bodies trembled as they kissed. Jing-Mei wrapped her arms around her husband. Finally. Finally after everything they have been through they were husband and wife.

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