Author's note: I know Colonel Gracie was traveling alone in real life. But I like the colonel so I gave him a niece in this one. And I wasn't sure of how marriages at sea go… so anyway, it's the best I could come up with.

*Sixteen*

A Titanic Wedding

Zipper raced up to her staterooms. Where Frank was waiting outside the door. "Come on, hurry, or you'll be late." He chuckled. "Molly is already inside waiting for you."

She walked inside and went directly to her stateroom. Molly had everything laid out on the bed.

"Come on, darlin'. We gotta make you look all beautiful for your weddin'." Molly said.

Zipper picked up the corset and went into the wardrobe to undress and put it on. She reemerged and stood, hands on the wall, so Molly could get the metal cage tied up tightly. She was finally getting used to these things.

"Okay here ya go, darlin'." Molly said helping her pull the white, pearl laced, dress over her head. It buttoned up the back. Molly's fingers worked double time on the buttons.

Zipper laughed suddenly. "You are acting more nervous the me and Officer Lowe put together."

"Well, it's not everyday I get to be matron of honor to such a fine young woman." Molly said. She meant it too, it wasn't like Molly wanted her money. Molly hadn't been rich all her life. So she only cared about Zipper's friendship.

Zipper fastened the high-heeled shoes around her ankles. Then she tied Molly's grandmother's handkerchief around her left ankle. And stood up again.

Molly put the little diamond necklace around her neck, and the blue bracelet on her wrist.

"Now for the something borrowed. Come over here." She made Zipper sit down in front of the mirror.

She quickly brought Zipper's hair up in the butterfly clasp. "Well stand up girl, let me get a look at ya."

Zipper slowly stood and turned to her. She looked absolutely breathtaking. The light flickered in her sparkling blue eyes. You could literally see the happiness in her eyes.

"You look like a dream. You really do." Molly smiled. She hugged Zipper then shooed her out the door.

Lightoller now stood in the sitting room also. Frank at his side.

"I just had to come up, so I can go back down and tease Lowe about how beautiful you look." He laughed walking over to her. "You do, absolutely beautiful." He kissed her hand.

She watched Lightoller leave again. She only had a few more moments to wait. Molly continued to mess with her hair. Making sure every strand was in place.

Lightoller walked down to the dining saloon. Everyone was seated. The band stood in the corner. Ready to play. Father Byles stood with his bible beside the Captain and Lowe.

Lowe was an absolute wreck. He kept messing with his hat, then his uniform, Making sure everything was on correctly.

"Calm down, Lowe." The captain laughed.

"Can't, sir." He replied.

"Lowe, it's an order. Calm down now." The captain teased.

Lightoller now stood before them. "Just saw her." He smiled.

"Oh come on. Leave me alone, Lightoller. It's bad enough I can't see her before the wedding. And I'm bloody nervous like never before. Now you come down and brag about seeing her." Lowe said.

Lightoller laughed. "She's beautiful. Of course, absolutely splendid." He trailed off when he saw Lowe's glare.

He laughed again and went to sit with the other officers. The only officer not present was Pitman. But someone had to stay on duty and keep watch.

"You'll be fine, son. Stop squirming." The captain instructed.

Father Byles just smiled at the groom. He always found the future husband-to-be amusing.

"You do have the rings right?" Lowe asked looking at Captain Smith. About to panic.

"Yes… Lowe. Would you calm down?" He chuckled.

Suddenly the music started. Everyone stood and turned towards the doors. The captain watched over Lowe's shoulder, as a little first-class girl came out first. Her name was Stephanie. Colonel Gracie's niece. She had been traveling with her uncle, back to America.

Stephanie smiled politely. Like a little lady as she threw the white rose petals to the carpet of the isle.

Next, was Molly Brown. Zipper's matron-of-honor. She wore a very light blue taffeta gown. She held a small bouquet of flowers, blue and white to match the theme and her gown.

Lowe's heart almost stopped when he saw Zipper. She was like a dream.

"You're very lucky." The captain whispered to him.

Lowe knew he was right about that. All eyes were on Zipper and Frank as he walked her down to the groom. Frank placed her hand in Lowe's. Then took a seat on the left side of the gathering. He sat beside Bruce Ismay.

Lowe smiled at Zipper then they turned to Father Byles together.

"Who givith this woman to this man?" Father Byles asked.

"I do." Frank said standing for a moment, then seating himself again.

"We have come before God and these witnesses, to join this man and this woman, in holy matrimony." The Reverend started. "Do you, Harold, take this woman, Michaela, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honor and cherish. In sickness and in health. For richer and for poorer. For better or for worse. As long as you both shall live?"

Lowe looked over to Zipper. He smiled through his nervousness.

"I do." He finally managed to say.

"Do you, Michaela, take this man, Harold, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor and cherish. In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer. For better or for worse. As long as you both shall live?"

Michaela didn't have to think twice. This was the wedding she had always wanted. This was the man she loved. "I do."

"Do you have the rings?" Father Byles asked.

Lowe turned to the captain. Who searched his pockets. A look of panic on his older-man's face.

Lowe looked at him, about to panic himself. When the Captain smiled. He pulled out the rings. Lowe gave him a look of 'I'm gonna kill you'. He hated when the captain joked about serious things.

Lowe took his mother's ring in his hand. And turned to Michaela.

"Place it on the bride's left forefinger." He said. "And now repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed. And I pledge to thee, my troth."

Lowe stared into her eyes. "With this ring, I thee wed. And I pledge to thee, my troth." He gently slid the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

"Michaela, do you also have a ring?" The reverend asked.

"Yes." She replied

The Captain held the ring out to her. She took it in her hand, then turned back to Officer Lowe.

"Take this ring, and place it on the groom's left forefinger." He spoke. "Now repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed. And I pledge to thee, my troth."

"With this ring, I thee wed. And I pledge to thee, my troth." She placed the ring on my hand. She gave a warm, loving smile to her love.

"Now, is there anyone here, who has cause to stop this wedding. Let him speak now, or forever hold his peace."

Lowe glanced around. Cal, looked down, averting his eyes from the officer's. But he didn't speak.

"Then by the power vested in me. By the nation of Great Britain, and the Captain of the RMS Titanic. I now pronounce you: husband and wife. And what God has joined together let no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride."

Lowe pulled her to him, and kissed her deeply on the lips.

"Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time ever. May I introduce Mr. And Mrs. Harold Lowe!" Father Byles announced.

The cheers rang out. It was surely heard throughout Titanic, no matter where you were.

Colonel Gracie popped open a bottle of champagne and he splashed it about, laughing wildly.

The Captain put a hand on Lowe's shoulder. "Congratulations, officer." He spoke kindly.

Lowe smiled. This was the happiest moment of his life. He hugged Zipper tightly to him. Several guests came up for hugs, kisses and handshakes.

The party then moved to the foyer. Drinks and a beautiful cake, baked especially for the occasion, sat on the table.

The band moved their instruments, and began to play several dances. Officer Lowe and Zipper danced for three dances. Not able to leave each other's sight.

Cal walked up to them. "Congratulations." He spoke softly. Why did he always have to intrude? Zipper asked herself. Of course, not even Caledon Hockley could ruin her mood.

"Thank you, Mr. Hockley." Lowe said again. He was a bit angry that he even had the nerve to show up at the wedding at all.

Ruth walked over to them. "I am sorry for Rose's absence."

"It's alright, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater. I understand." Zipper said plainly. She knew at this very moment, Jack was drawing Rose's portrait. A portrait that would portray her not so lady-like. So she knew Cal and Ruth would both be pissed later.

After one more dance. Lightoller came over, followed by the other officers.

"Congratulations." Officer Wilde said, shaking Lowe's hand.

"Mr. And Mrs. Lowe." Moody said, smiling. He felt like he had brought them together. Which really he had. Well brought them together this early anyway. He shook his friend's hand. Then kissed the bride's hand.

"Don't you two think it's time to get to the honeymooning?" Lightoller laughed.

Murdoch gave him a stern look. "Anyway, I wish you the best of luck." He said. Still glaring at Lightoller, for the rude comment.

Lowe laughed. "Thank you, sir. And Lightoller's right." He turned to Zipper, who only smiled. He picked her up.

The others laughed. She kissed him on the lips. And wrapped her arms around his neck. She knew he wouldn't drop her, he was much too strong for that. But she held on regardless.

He carried her past the guests. Who began to throw rice at the newlyweds.

The colonel was laughing wildly again, throwing great handfuls of the rice at them. Lowe and Zipper laughed insanely as well. He kissed her again. Almost running into a wall as he did so.

The crowd stayed down in the foyer. Visiting and celebrating. When they reached the corridor by her room, she knew that Jack and Rose were still together. She only hoped no one came up to their stateroom.

Lowe pushed open the door, still holding onto Zipper. He carried her to her bedroom. Before he finally let her stand on her own.

They laughed as they picked the rice from each other's clothes. She cracked up and took off his officer's hat. The brim had rice mound up on it. She dumped it on the floor. Causing Lowe to laugh as well. Then she threw it down on the vanity, and wrapped her arms around him. Kissing him again.

"I love you, Mr. Lowe." She smiled. Still standing in his arms.

"And I love you, Mrs. Lowe." He laughed a bit as he emphasized Mrs.

She unbuttoned his jacket, and hung it on the back to the chair. He kissed her again. Working on the dress's buttons. It wasn't long at all before they had rid each other of their clothes.

She slipped beneath the blanket on her bed. Motioning for him to follow. She pulled the blanket up around them, and she laid back with his welcomed weight.