THE WEDDING

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7:00 a.m. Simone's apartment

Simone awoke with a smile on her face that morning. It was her wedding day. She'd slept fitfully but felt like she could conquer the world. She stretched in bed and practiced saying I do. She got up and headed to the kitchen. She wasn't particularly hungry but knew she needed something to keep her going during the day. The wedding was at 6:00 that night but she still had a full day. She was getting her nails and hair done at 11:00. She was meeting the girls at the salon. Even Grace was coming in to be pampered. Simone popped some bread in the toaster and turned on the coffee pot. Alyx wandered in and gave Simone a sleepy good morning. Sitting at the table Simone picked at her toast and drank coffee. Alyx suggested that she go take a hot relaxing bath to calm her nerves. Simone headed toward the back of the apartment to follow Alyx's advice. Alyx took that opportunity to call Tiner.

"Hello?"

"Jason, it's me, Alyx. Are you guys awake?"

Tiner replied, "Yeah, we've been up for about an hour. Gunny can't sit still."

Alyx laughed, "Simone can't either. I sent her to go take a bath and relax."

"I missed you last night", Jason said softly.

"Me too" Alyx replied with a smile in her voice. She got that fluttery feeling in her stomach that only Jason could put there. He was going to say more but in the background she could hear Gunny calling, "Tiner, let's go running."

Jason sighed, "Duty calls. I'll see you at the church. Have fun today."

"You too" Alyx hung up the phone and went to go make sure she had everything in the bride's emergency bag.

Several Hours later: Bridal Room at Our Lady of Lourdes

"Simone, do you want something to drink?" Mac asked. When she got no answer she gently touched Simone's shoulder. Simone jumped and looked at Mac like she didn't recognize her for a second. She started laughing. "I'm sorry Mac. My mind was a million miles away." There was a knock on the door and Simone instinctively hid. She didn't want to chance any bad luck. It was Harriet and Bobbie. They had just dropped off little AJ with Bud. Maria, Valerie, Carina, Claudia and Alyx were dressed in their gowns. For her bridesmaids, Simone had chosen a V-Necked, sleeveless ball gown with an empire waist. It was a black and white wedding. The girls would look stunning standing next to the men in their dress whites Simone thought to herself. Grace was wearing a white dress with a pearl strap bodice and a sparkle tulle skirt. Simone got her a smaller version of the tiara her own veil was attached to. Grace was turning back and forth, looking in the mirror. She couldn't stop smiling.

Mac looked at Simone and said, "You have 37 minutes and 8 seconds until you walk down the aisle. Don't you think you should put your dress on now?" Simone looked down at her robe she was wearing and burst out laughing.

"I think you're right. Somehow I don't think this would go over very big." Alyx carefully took her dress off the hangar and helped her step into it.

Typical of Simone, she had chosen a ball gown. It had spaghetti straps with a short lace jacket, a Basque waist and a cathedral length train. The jacket would come off at the reception and the dress would be bustled for dancing. Simone sat down so that Alyx could place her headpiece on. Simone's hair was similar to the way it had been on Christmas Eve. All of her curls were pulled up and gathered at the crown of her head. The veil was detachable from the pearl and rhinestone flower tiara and would also be removed for the reception. Simone took a deep breath and stood up. She turned to look at her friends and the women who would soon be her sisters. They were all on the verge of tears. Simone summoned her best teacher-voice and said, "Don't any of you dare start crying. I'll start and won't be able to stop."

Simone's mom stepped forward and said, "Mija, here is your something old. I had your grandma Sidsie's pearls restrung." Simone threw her arms around her mom and whispered, "I love you."

Harriet was next. "This is the angel pin I wore at my wedding. This is your borrowed piece." They pinned near the bottom of her crinoline. "Thank you so much Harriet. It's beautiful," Simone said hugging her.

Mac gave her the something new. "These pearl earrings are from all of us. We wanted you to have a beautiful something new." Simone hugged Mac saying, "I truly hope that soon I will be at your wedding."

Bobbie had been in charge of getting something blue. She gave Simone a journal covered in blue cloth. "We all took turns writing to you on your wedding day. I hope you'll be writing about your happiness with Victor for many years to come." Simone was truly touched.

"Bobbie, this is such a creative gift. Thank you. I will fill it with the milestones in our marriage." She hugged Bobbie and over her shoulder saw Grace. She was looking at Simone with awe.

"Miss Finley, that is the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. You look like an angel."

Simone drew her close and said, "Thank you sweetheart. I would love it if you would call me Simone today since you are such an important part of my wedding."

Grace grinned and asked, "Can I call you auntie Simone since you are marrying Uncle Victor?"

Simone's face lit up, "Absolutely."

There was a knock at the door. Everyone crowded in front of Simone. It was the admiral. "Ladies, I hate to break up this party but there is an anxious Marine waiting for his bride." They all took one last look in the mirror and hurried to take their places. At the back of the church Simone said to herself This is it. This is the beginning of the happiest day of my life.

The organ began to play Ode to Joy and the bridesmaids proceeded down the aisle with their respective ushers.

Carina on Clayton Webb's arm; Clay smiled lovingly at Anna as he passed her seat.

Valerie with Mikey Roberts

Claudia walked with Bud and Maria with Harm…Harm winked at Mac who was grinning. They were planning on leaving after the ceremony to elope but weren't telling anyone.

The children came next; Grace with her basket of tulips and AJ with the ring pillow.

Tiner stepped out from the wings at the middle of the aisle. Alyx walked to meet him and they proceeded to the altar.

The organ music changed to Trumpet Voluntary. Everyone stood and looked toward the back of the church. Simone and the admiral began walking. This aisle didn't seem so long last night she thought to herself. The church may have been full of people but Gunny and Simone could only see each other.

Once they reached the altar AJ handed Simone to Gunny and went to his pew. They turned to the face Father David who would officiate. It would not be a full mass but Father David opened with a prayer. Mac came up to do the first reading and Harriet did the second. They turned to the altar and lit the two candles on either side of the unity candle before sitting down. Father David gave a short homily and it was time for the couple to recite their vows. They talked about repeating the vows they had said to one another at their Christmas Eve wedding. They decided since that ceremony was for them alone, the words were also just for them.

Father David looked at them and said, "Please face each other." Simone handed her bouquet to Alyx. Gunny took both of her hands in his. Father David continued, "Victor, repeat after me please. I, Victor, take you, Simone, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life." Gunny took a deep breath and recited the words. His eyes never left Simone's.

Father David looked at Simone and said, "Simone, please repeat after me. I, Simone, take you, Victor, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life." Her voice was a little shaky but she managed to get the vows out without crying.

Father David continued, "May I have the rings please." Tiner took them from the pillow little AJ was holding and handed them to the priest. He blessed them and told both bride and groom to repeat after him once again. Gunny went first. "Simone, with this ring, I thee wed." He slid the ring onto Simone's finger. Simone did the same. "Victor, with this ring, I thee wed." Father David took both of their hands in his and blessed them.

"Inasmuch as Victor and Simone have consented before God and these witnesses, they have joined their hearts and lives. By the power vested in my by the state of Maryland, I know pronounce you husband and wife. Victor, you may kiss your bride." Gunny didn't need to be told twice. He pulled Simone close and kissed her deeply. Simone was momentarily dizzy from the kiss. She managed to gather her wits while Alyx handed back her bouquet.

Gunny and Simone turned to face their guests while Father David said, "May I present for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Victor Galindez." Everyone erupted into applause as the happy couple walked up the aisle to Lohengrin's bridal recessional. The bridal party took pictures as quickly as was possible and headed to the Ritz Carlton. It was definitely time to party!