Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for Disclaimers.
AN: Keiko is the name I chose for Jinx.
Thank you, Wolfman, for beta-reading this twice for me and for your tips, suggestions, and feedback!
A delicately balanced aroma of fresh cut flowers and vanilla scented candles could be detected throughout the church. The baptistery, hidden by a set of creme-colored drapes, served as the backdrop for the ivy-laced candelabras. The guests conversed amongst themselves while enjoying the soft background music provided by the pianist.
In a small room towards the back of the church, an elegantly dressed redhead nervously paced the floor as she awaited the designated time. Soon, Shana would be escorted by her father, Patrick O'Hara, to the place where she would stand next to her partner, best friend, and the love of her life. Shana contemplated the fact that this would be the last time she would be known as Ms. Shana Macayle O'Hara. In a few hours, she would become known as Mrs. Shana Macayle Hauser or Mrs. Conrad Scott Hauser. Either way, she would no longer use the surname, O'Hara, a name she had cherished for the past twenty-seven years. As independent as Shana was, she was adamantly set against using a hyphenated surname.
A few close friends kept her company. For the entire time they had been roommates, Allie had never seen her best friend so anxious. The photographer opened the door in an attempt to take a few pictures of the bridal party. Allie shoved him and his rather expensive equipment right back out into the hallway, telling him, not so nicely, to leave the bride alone. Afterwards, she went back to help the others put some last minute touches on Shana.
Patrick lightly tapped on the door. Allie opened it just enough to see who it was, but stood ready to slam the door shut if it turned out to be that pesky photographer again. "Ladies," Patrick informed, "it's time." The girls gave Shana their congratulatory hugs and made their way to the chapel's entrance, leaving Shana behind with her father.
Patrick rested his hands on his daughter's shoulders, a few teardrops ready to trickle down his face at any moment. "She looks just like you," he thought to himself, referring to his late wife. Patrick took Shana's arm and asked, "Ready to take a walk?" To which Shana replied, "Yes." The two then headed towards the sanctuary.
Before making their appearance, Patrick hugged Shana. "Your mother would be proud of you for waiting for the right man to marry. In fact, she'd be pretty upset at me for harassing you like I have." Patrick stopped for a moment to regain his composure and pulled out a box. He removed a delicate gold chain. On the chain was an emerald pendant accented with diamonds. As he placed the necklace on Shana's neck, he explained, "This belonged to your grandmother. She and your mother wore it for their weddings. They would want you to have it."
Patrick handed Shana a set of earrings that matched the heirloom gracing her neck. "You're marrying a good man, you know," he said. "I would not let you go through with this if he wasn't. And I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, you'll always be an O'Hara, even though your name's about to change." Shana flashed a smile as she wiped a tear away and quickly put on the earrings.
Conrad stood on the raised platform at the front of the sanctuary. Standing to his right was General Clayton Abernathy and to his left were Dash, his best man, and Brad and Vince, his groomsmen. Conrad watched as Hector escorted his mother and helped her take a seat next to Robert Falcone, the man who raised him as if he were his own son. Conrad's face lit up at the sight of Polly sitting calmly on Hector's shoulder, dressed in a custom-made tux.
Conrad's thoughts drifted back to the previous night. Just before midnight, he was pried away from Shana and escorted back to his place. Knowing the couple would have plans to sneak out and meet somewhere, Hawk and Flint had Snake Eyes guard Conrad's room. Likewise, Jinx and Lady Jaye stood watch over Shana. Shana could have easily slipped by Lady Jaye and even Jinx, but there was no way Conrad would be able to get past his sentinel, so it was pointless trying to make the rendezvous. "Just wait 'til it's your turn buddy," Conrad sulked and grumbled at Dash, who had decided to keep him company and tried to keep him in good spirits until the next day. Conrad refocused his attention to the event at hand.
The pianist, upon being notified that the bride and her entourage were ready, played a series of transitioning chords leading up to the processional song. Courtney was the first to appear. Hector and Wayne, still standing at the back of the room, grabbed the pew in front of them for support right as their knees gave out. She was breathtakingly gorgeous. Hector and Wayne looked at each other with lovestruck expressions. Both knew exactly what the other was thinking. Each was conjuring up a plan on how to beat the other guy at getting a date with her.
Courtney was followed by Keiko and then Allie. Vince and Dash nearly fainted when they saw their respective girlfriends walking down the aisle. The formal attire was a drastic change from their usual uniform or casual civilian clothes. Courtney, Keiko, and Allie wore full-length, emerald green silk evening gowns with spaghetti straps. Their matching shoes barely showed under the hems. All were adorned with a simple strand of perfectly shaped pearls and earrings to match. Their hair and make up were flawless.
Once the bridal party was in place the music stopped and General Abernathy announced softly, "Would everyone please rise?" The guests rose and turned to face the back of the chapel as the introductory chords of "Here Comes the Bride" was played. Patrick and Shana made their way down the aisle to the sound of whispered "oohs" and "aahs". Conrad's heart raced at the sight of her. Shana was absolutely beautiful. No, she was more than beautiful.
The slightly off-white silk dress complimented Shana's pale skin and deep red hair. The floor-length dress had a few strategically placed appliques, sequins, and pearls. One could almost see through the veil, which covered Shana's head. The thin toile allowed the fresh baby's breath woven throughout her hair to be seen.
The elated bride's sapphire blue eyes sparkled with joy. Her waist-length hair was curled, part pulled up with unseen bobby pins that matched the color of her hair, and the rest left down. Ringlets of curls draped down Shana's back, while a few loose strands framed the sides of her face. Her makeup, like her attendants', was flawless. Her mother's heirloom jewelry perfectly accented Shana's outfit.
However, what no one knew was that, instead of her heels, Shana opted to wear a pair of off-white ballerina-like slippers. She would change into her heels for the pictures later on, but only if absolutely necessary. The plan was comfort. Who knew how long she would have to stand? Shana had no intentions of being any more uncomfortable than she already was.
Once they reached the front of the chapel, Patrick took his daughter's hand, guided her up a few steps and placed her hand in Conrad's. "Son, I'm giving you my one and only daughter. She is my wife's most precious and last gift to me. All I ask of you is that you love her." Conrad acknowledged his future father-in-law with a solemn nod. Conrad was already so emotional that if he spoke now, he would not be able to say his vows.
Patrick, a man known for being able to handle anything, nearly broke down when he turned to go to his seat in the front row. The empty seat where his wife should have been sitting was an unbearable sight. She was supposed to be there to share this joyous day, watching their baby get married. As he thought about Shana's late mother, he felt a comforting Spirit from deep inside his heart. He knew Shana's mother would be watching the entire ceremony from Heaven.
Shana took her place next to her soon-to-be husband. "You may be seated," Gen. Abernathy said, smiling as he looked at the couple standing before him. He was surprised and honored that they asked him to perform the ceremony. He figured they would have chosen a man of God instead. Gen. Abernathy started with the traditional, "Dearly beloved, we have gathered here to witness..."
Shana handed her bouquet to Allie and exchanged glances with her attendants. They all suddenly looked away from each other to keep from crying. If one of them broke down, the others were likely to follow suit. As Hawk spoke, Shana tried looking at him, then Conrad, and even Brad and Vince. Finally, she settled for looking at either the wall or the floor. They were the only places she could look to and have a hope of keeping her composure.
Conrad felt Shana's hand tremble and noticed she was shaking. Or was it him who was trembling and shaking so much that it seemed like she was? He couldn't tell. Conrad just hoped and prayed he could speak when the time came. There was only one occasion when his voice ever failed. It was the time he proposed. Conrad swore to himself he'd get the words out no matter what, even if it meant crying in front of everyone.
"Time for your vows," the General cued the couple. Conrad raised Shana's head so that their blue eyes met. Taking both of her hands into his own, he said, "Shana, my love, I tried to tell you this when I proposed. Before I met you, I wondered if I'd ever find someone to share my life with. I prayed to God that someday I would meet the right lady.
"Just when I was about to give up and settle for being a lifelong bachelor, I met you. I had no idea God had you in mind for me all along. That it would be just a matter of time before He would bring you into my life.
"Shana, I wouldn't admit it back then, but I will now. I fell in love with you from the first moment we met. I tried to convince myself otherwise and did such a damn good job of it. It scares me to think that I almost let you slip by.
"You are so much more than what I ever dreamt of. You've changed my life completely, a life I no longer want to live without having you by my side, as my wife." His voice cracked a few times during his speech, but he said it. "Whew, that's over," he thought.
Shana did everything she could to keep from bawling as she listened to Conrad's words, knowing it would soon be her turn to speak. "Conrad, I never dreamt that I'd be the one standing here in this spot, in this dress, professing my love. I, too, hoped and prayed that somehow God would send the right man to me, someone who would love me for who I am, and whom I could trust and love completely."
Shana paused and glanced at the audience, looking for someone in particular. They had talked about this part of her vows. After she found him and saw his understanding nod, she continued, "I thought I had once before." Conrad's eyes showed he knew exactly what she was referring to.
"You saw me through the some of the best and worst parts of my life, just by being my friend. Without knowing it, we became closer than friends. You know, normally, rumors don't bother me, but something about what was being said about you and I scared me. I didn't want to make myself vulnerable again. You waited until I was ready to get into another relationship, never pushing me.
"On top of that and everything else we've shared so far, the trip you made to my family home before you proposed shows me how much you must love me. You went voluntarily and without telling me, knowing what they are capable of doing. And you're still standing up here with me, knowing they will be a part of our lives." Shana shot an evil glance at her brothers.
"Conrad, my love, I can't wait to start our life together, to be your wife."
Conrad and Shana slipped gold bands on each other's fingers, promising to love, honor and cherish each other until death, forsaking all others. Shana's was a solid, unbroken circle of gold designed to enhance the nearly flawless, one karat, princess-cut diamond engagement ring he placed on her hand a year ago. Conrad's was a wider, continuous circle of gold embedded with three diamonds, representing their past, present, and future. There was a rustle in the audience as some reached for the tissues strategically placed under the pews. Even Etienne, Marvin, Hector and Wayne had tears in their eyes; although later, they'd chalk it up to dust or maybe an eyelash.
Gen. Abernathy solemnly stated, "If anyone has any reason as to why these two should not be wed in holy matrimony, let him speak now or forever hold his peace." After allowing ample time and receiving no response, he continued, "By the powers vested in me by the United States Army, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Great State of New York, and the powers-that-be, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Gen. Abernathy paused for a moment before reciting the much awaited, "You may kiss the bride." Conrad gently lifted the veil over Shana's head and pulled her close to him. Their kiss was passionate, but not overly done. Cheers and applause erupted from the guests.
After the newlywed couple turned to face the audience, Gen. Abernathy announced, "Let me be the first to introduce to you, Sergeant and Mrs. Conrad Scott Hauser." More cheering and applause filled the chapel. After the noise subsided, Gen. Abernathy continued, "The guests of honor ask that you join them at the Greendale Country Hills Hotel in celebration of this event." After a short pause, he added, "Which we have all patiently awaited, albeit some more patiently than others."
Conrad took his new wife's hand and helped her down the steps. Arm in arm, they exited the chapel followed by the wedding party. Once out of sight, they took off running. Allie and Courtney tore the train and veil off Shana and tossed them into one of the rooms on the way as they hurried to get into the limousines waiting to take them to the hotel.
TBC...
AN - Greendale Country Hills Hotel is fictional.