Chapter fourteen.

Steve sat nervously pulling at the collar of his shirt.

"Leave it alone son," Mark said. Smiling at his son's nervous actions. It had been three months since the situation with Brain Walton. Jesse much to every ones relief had recovered fully and now sat at Steve's side. Steve had worried on who ask as best man but had gone with Jesse in the end so to free Jack up for another surprise he had arranged for Rachel. They had tried to keep the wedding small with just a few people. But as time went on they found that more and more people wanted to come both from the station as well as the hospital and in the end they had to give in and have a bigger ceremony. Steve had been wary about it, as Rachel didn't have any real family to talk about. His biggest concern had been when he heard that she had intended to walk down the aisle on her own just holding on to Mollie's hand as she had been drafted in as bridesmaid. That was where his surprise came in. He looked back up the aisle and saw Jack talking with a couple who had just arrived; Jack and the woman came down towards them while the man stayed at the top. Jack grinned at him.

"Steve this is Joyce," He introduced them. The woman smiled at them.

"I must say," She said. Her English accent filling the church. "Tom was thrilled to be ask to do this,"

"He didn't mind that it was a surprise for her?" He asked.

"No," She said with a smile. "He was happy to do it; her grandfather was a close friend,"

"Getting ready to roll," Jack said quickly. Then he guided Joyce to hers seat in front of Amanda and the boys, then sat down.

Rachel stood in front of the mirror looking at her reflection. Her hair was up but pieces hung down in ringlets, Amanda was behind her,

"You look lovely," She said to her. Rachel tired to smile. "Don't worry everything will be fine,"

"I know," She said. Really wishing the butterflies would disappear. Looking back at herself she was glad of her decision not to marry in white, The bodice of the dress was deep red and close fitting, the skirt was in cream and gold, she carried a bunch of red roses.

"I've got to go," Amanda smiled. Rachel nodded and again tired to quiet the butterflies in her stomach. With a sigh she moved over to her vanity case and took out an old weather beaten photo. With a sad smile she gazed at the picture and softly stroked the adult's faces.

"You would like him," she said to it. "And I love him so very much," then she smiled. "And you'd know all about that wouldn't you mum," With a sigh she replaced the picture ,there was a knock on the door. Picking up her flowers she went out and down to the car.

When she arrived at the church Mollie came running down the steps to her and took her hand, then they moved up to the church, she had just made in to the entrance when she heard a voice.

"You look beautiful," Rachel turned in astonishment.

"Tom," She said. "But I thought you couldn't make it?" He gave a shrug.

"Well your husband to be thought you really shouldn't walk down the aisle alone," He smiled at her. "And I happen to agree," He held out his arm to her and she linked hers through it.

"Thank you," Was all she could really think of to say, and with Mollie walking behind them. With two exceptions, she knew that today was the happiest in her life.

Mark watched his son dance slowly with his new wife and both looked blissfully happy and smiled.

" Oh Katherine," He sighed slightly sadly. "If only you could be here," He could almost hear her voice reply.

" Who says I'm not," Mark smiled.

Steve held Rachel close to him as they danced.

"Happy?" He asked her. Looking up at him she smiled and nodded.

"Yes," She said softly.

"Good," He said. Then leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Mrs Sloan can I please take you to bed," Rachel looked up at him and nodded. "Thank god,"

Mark bid them goodnight, Jesse and Jack look slightly smug and Mark believed they had arranged something but he also knew his son had countered that. Rachel was preparing to go back to the room that she had been in the previous evening but Steve shook his head and led her outside to a taxi that waited for them,

"But I thought," She said.

"So did Jack and Jesse," Steve said with a smile. Rachel laughed and they got in the taxi. "Nothing is going stop me from taking you tonight;" Rachel cuddled up to him in the taxi.

"I love you," She said to him. Steve smiled and looked at her.

"I love you to;" He pulled her up to him and kissed her.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to every one who reviewed and to those who have given help and advice.

More stories are running around in my head and hope to start a new one soon.

Alison.