Chapter 10: The Wedding
"Who is it?" Carly yells through the door.
"It's Zander."
Carly goes over to answer the door and he comes walking in, in his tux. Emily goes over and gives him a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Sonny sent me over to see how much progress you all are making."
"It's all going well. We just need to finish hair and make-up," Courtney tells him. "I'm putting my dress on at the church so I don't get it messed up."
"Okay. I'll report back." Zander turns to Emily, "Are we giving Elizabeth a ride?"
"No, she decided not to come."
"Why?" Courtney asks.
"She said it would feel too weird. I don't blame her, but she did say to send along her congratulations."
"Okay, well, "I'll see you three beauties at the church, since I don't need to pick up Elizabeth."
"Bye Zander." Emily calls after him.
After he's gone, Courtney heaves a big sigh. "I'm relieved Elizabeth's not coming. I think it's better."
"Yeah, it might make the day go a little easier," Carly adds.
"Sure, whatever's better for you," Emily says sympathetically. *This wedding shouldn't happen." She thinks silently, but she couldn't say anything, because she wants her brother to be happy. *Even if it's with the wrong woman.*
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At the church, the guests have arrived and are sitting in the pews. Sonny, Jason, Zander and the minister are in the vestibule behind the sanctuary, while Courtney, Carly, Emily, Mike, and Michael are in a room that leads into the aisle. Michael is holding the rings on a pillow and practicing his walk, while Carly is talking Courtney out of her nerves. There are guards placed @ the inside of the entrance because it has started to rain outside.
Back in the other room, Jason is jittery. *I guess I have to tell her during the wedding. There's nothing else I can do. Gosh, I don't want to go through with this wedding. I can't do this to Elizabeth. I can't believe I didn't answer her.*
Sonny walks over to him and tells him, "I'm so happy for you and my sister. I am glad you are finally happy."
"Thanks."
"Is something wrong, man?" Sonny asks worried.
"It's my wedding. I'm nervous."
"Yeah, okay. We've got five minutes until we go out there. Are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
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Elizabeth is working at Kelly's along by the counter. It isn't busy, so she told Penny that she could go home. An hour ago, she broke up with Ric because she didn't feel the spark anymore. He was understanding, and is leaving town because he got a new job. She goes over to a table for two and starts wiping it down when Luke Spencer comes in.
"How's it going darlin'? Why aren't you at that big wedding? Your pal Jason is getting married."
"It would be a little too uncomfortable for me to go watch him get married," Elizabeth says sullenly.
"Why? What happened?" Luke gets interested and they sit down at the table she had just wiped.
"I think that I felt something more than friendship before. It just would feel to weird."
Luke gets very warm with his responses. Elizabeth had always been like a daughter to him. "Have you told him? Maybe he feels the same way."
"I don't think so. He's getting married. He's moved on. It's too late."
"It's only too late after he kisses the bride." Luke smiles at her. "I'll watch the diner. It's partly mine anyway."
"I can't barge in on his wedding! He doesn't feel that way anyway."
"How do you know?"
Elizabeth smiles back at him. She runs behind the counter and unties her apron. Then she grabs her jacket, runs to the door, and instead of running out, she back tracks and gives Luke a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks. I owe you one."
"No problem." He smiles as she runs out the door, into the rain, and towards the church.
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Jason is standing at the front of the church with the minister to his right, and Sonny and Zander to his left. The organist starts playing a hymn when the back doors open. Michael walks through first, carrying his pillow, and walking perfectly. Then comes Emily and Carly, both in lavender bridesmaids' dresses, each carrying a bouquet of daisies. The Wedding March sounds from the organ when Courtney and Mike appear at the doorway. Courtney is in an elegant, white dress, with a long train behind it. They start walking down the aisle and the guards close the doors behind them.
When Courtney and Mike reach the front, Jason steps down and takes Courtney's arm. Then the reverend starts. "We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Courtney Matthews Quartermaine to Jason Morgan...." Jason stops listening for a moment but is brought back just in time to hear, "Who gives this woman to this man?"
"Her mother and I do," Mike says proudly and goes to sit with Courtney's mother in the second pew. Jason and Courtney take a step towards each other, then forwards towards the minister. The minister then preaches about the meaning of love and the importance of this commitment. Then he says, "If anyone here can give just reason that these two should not be joined in holy wedlock, please speak now or forever hold your peace.
Now was his chance. He had to do it, or it would be too late. "I can't do this," Jason says quietly.