Chapter 14 Here Comes The Bride
Efraim and Francine put the unexpected time off to good use. Their briefing at the Pentagon took the better part of an entire day, and they both were told to expect to return to Romania when spring came and it came time to pull the van out of the reservoir. Billy had not given them too hard of a time over their additional time off, he had just wanted to know what they had said to Dr. Smyth to get the additional time, and didn't believe them when they told him what had happened. Billy had insisted that Efraim must have bugged Smyth's office to dig something up on him. Francine had thrown her hands up in the air and stomped out of Billy's office, disgusted that he would say such a thing about Efraim. Efraim had smiled and thanked Billy for the idea.
Francine managed to get her hair fixed, although Efraim told her he had gotten used to her as a red head. She had the final fittings on her dress and was satisfied. Efraim hunted out his dress mess uniform and sent it out to be cleaned. He polished his medals and shoes, explaining what each medal was and why he had been awarded it as Francine she sat and watched him.
Efraim's sister and brother-in-law had been living in the Beaman family townhouse in Georgetown. It was a historic home on the National Register, passed down throughout the Beaman family since it had been built in the early 18th century. As the eldest in his family, it was Efraim's home, but he had always kept his apartment, not wanting to live in the townhouse until he married. His brothers and sister had all had a turn living there over the years, and now with Efraim getting married and his sister and brother-in-law buying a home of their own, the townhouse was available for Efraim and Francine. Efraim's family had promised to move the soon-to-be-newlyweds into the townhouse while they were on their honeymoon.
The day of the rehearsal came and went smoothly. Billy, Lee, Dave Geiger and Chip Higgins, Efraim's Naval Academy roommate stood beside Efraim. Amanda, Efraim's sister Lucy, Sarah, a college roommate of Francine's, and Carole Higgins were Francine's attendants.
The Admiral and Mrs. Beaman had booked the St. Regis Hotel for the rehearsal dinner. The evening was festive, with everyone laughing and telling stories about Efraim and Francine; Efraim finishing off the stories with how Francine's earring had gotten stuck to his sweater and her saying that she had been hooked since that day. Efraim had given Francine a diamond bracelet for his wedding gift to her; it sparkled and caught the light as he put it on her wrist and as she wrapped her arms around his neck to thank him. Francine had given Efraim a new Rolex watch, engraved with their initials and a message in Morse Code. Efraim had looked at the inscription, his eyebrows rising and laughed. Catching a widely grinning Francine in his arms, he whispered in her ear. The wedding party laughed uproariously as they watched Francine turn a deep crimson.
She was to spend her last night alone in her apartment that night. Efraim drove her home, not wanting to say goodnight. He held her tightly at the door, not wanting to let her go. "I'm afraid if I let go of you, I'll wake up tomorrow and find that I've been dreaming all of this."
She had laughed softly. "I confess I've been thinking the same thing. It's real Efraim. Tomorrow at this time, I'll be your wife. I promise I'll be at the church tomorrow, nothing will keep me away."
"You had better be or I will hunt you down and drag you to a justice of the peace!"
She smiled as she remembered that she had said those very same words to him not long ago. He had kissed her goodnight, passion leaping between the two of them. It was all he could do to turn and walk away from her that night.
The morning of the wedding dawned clear and sunny although the temperature had taken a decided downturn. Efraim woke with a start, reached over and grabbed his new watch off the nightstand; it was 7:30 the morning of his wedding. He grinned and grabbed the phone, hitting the speed dial for Francine. He flopped onto his back and put his one arm under his head while he waited for her to answer.
"Hello?" She sounded sleepy, as though he had woken her up. He smiled thinking how he would have liked to have woken her up. "Hello?" She said again.
"Good morning beautiful. How are you today?"
"Still asleep, B. What time is it?" She asked; her voice sultry with sleep.
"0730--time to rise and shine!"
"I'm going to kill you! We aren't even married yet and I'm going to kill you! I'm going back to sleep Efraim, for at least two more hours."
"I love you Francine. I wanted to tell you that first thing this morning and the first thing every morning for the rest of our lives."
"Oh B, just when I think I can finally get good and mad at you, you say something like that and I just melt." She sighed, trying not to laugh; he needed no encouragement from her.
"There's melting going on and I'm across town? Damn!"
"You're bad, B."
"Very much so, soon to be Mrs. B," he smiled as she laughed.
"I like it. Mrs. B. Suits me, you think?"
"Everything about me suits you, Franny!"
"Arrogant . . ."
"Yep, I am. And I'm all yours! Look, we have a date this evening. Don't be late, alright?"
"I won't be Efraim. I promise. Don't let Lee try to talk you out of this, okay?"
"He won't. He thinks you deserve me!" He laughed as she said a few less than complimentary things about Lee. "Look, I'll be the guy first in line, looking devastatingly handsome in the naval uniform, don't mess me up with Chip or you'll have to deal with Carole."
"Not a problem. I'll be the one in the white gown with the big bouquet of flowers walking up the aisle towards you."
"I can't wait to see you, Francine. Look, go back to sleep okay. I'll keep you up late tonight."
"Promise?" She asked; her voice breathless.
"Yeah, I promise. I love you Francine. I want you to know that."
"I love you Efraim. I want you to know that, too."
He could hear the smile in her voice and he grinned at the thought of making the woman he was in love with smile on her wedding day. "See you at five this afternoon. Later, okay?"
"Later B," she hung up the phone and held her pillow to her face. She was getting married today. She was marrying Efraim Beaman today. Francine giggled into the pillow and rolled over on her side, hugging the pillow to her. She sighed, looked at her engagement ring and thought about the man who would soon be her husband. She fell back to sleep with a smile on her face and her heart light, all because the man she loved had called her.
Efraim, Billy, Lee, Geiger and Chip and walked out of the Pastor's office and into the sanctuary of the church. The light streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over the entire congregation gathered within the old walls. Efraim stopped and turned to Billy, his boss, the man who had put him and Francine together, and he shook his hand. Chip gave him a slap on the back and adjusted Efraim's ribbons on his dress uniform and stepped back. Geiger told him there was still time to run for his life; Billy gave Geiger a dirty look. Lee stuck out his hand, shaking Efraim's.
"Thanks, for everything. Without you, we wouldn't be here today." Efraim said to the men who stood with him.
"Don't underestimate yourself, Beaman. We're glad we were there. You ready? Nervous?"
"No, I've been waiting for this day for years." The men all smiled at Efraim as they watched as the naval honor guard filed along the back wall of the church.
It was time.
The organist began to play, Efraim watched as his mother then Francine's were escorted to their seats. Carol, Francine's college friend Sarah, Lucy and Amanda, bridesmaids and matron of honor were next. The music changed and Francine appeared at the entrance to the sanctuary. She was elegant, slim, and almost ethereal in a cream sheath gown. Her hair was softly upswept, adorned with orange blossoms, and she wore no vale. Efraim felt his chest tighten at the beautiful woman walking towards him, the woman who would soon be his wife.
She had chosen to walk up the aisle by herself. There had been a final argument with her mother to have someone, anyone walk her up the aisle for traditions sake, but she had refused. Francine had stated she needed no one to give her to Efraim; she gave herself freely to him.
Francine walked halfway up the aisle and Efraim could see the shaking of the white tulips, roses and orange blossoms she carried. He walked to her, meeting her midway and offered her his hand. Her eyes sparkled and dimples flashed as she placed her hand on his arm and walked the remainder of the way with the man she loved, this man who was her partner, the man she had chosen to share her life with.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Commander John Efraim Beaman, Jr. and Francine Catherine Caroline Desmond in the bonds of holy matrimony. . .
"Commander, you may now kiss your bride." Efraim looked at Francine, love shining from him for this woman who had haunted his days and nights for years. With his thumb, he brushed away the tear that fell from her eye as he leaned down to finally kiss his wife. Lee discreetly coughed to get their attention. Efraim offered his arm to Francine and they walked out of the church. The traditional Naval Honor Guard was waiting to honor Francine, swords raised, blades up. Chip announced the happy couple.
"It is my honor to present Commander and Mrs. John Efraim Beaman Jr." Francine received the traditional naval welcome of a slap across the backside with the broad side of the sword. She raised her eyebrows to Efraim who grinned.
"Welcome to the Navy, Mrs. Beaman!" He laughed at the look on her face which promised retribution.
Pictures and the ride to the reception were a blur to Francine. She smiled and posed and was kissed and smiled some more, all the while holding tightly to her husbands arm. She knew they had eaten and toasted and been toasted. The evening was full of laughter and joy for them both.
Amanda came to tell them it was time for their first dance together as husband and wife, her brown eyes full of laughter. She shared a conspiratorial wink with Efraim and walked back to her seat. Efraim stood up and held out his hand to Francine who gave him an odd look; wondering what he was up to.
Lee had leaned over to Billy as they watched the couple walk out onto the floor. "Happy with how things turned out, Billy?"
Billy smiled and nodded. "Yes, Lee, I believe I am. They certainly are happy."
"You realize what it's going to be like with the two of them, don't you?"
"What, two Beaman's?" Billy laughed; the booming sound drawing looks from those around him. "I hadn't thought about it, but for the happiness I see there, I'll live with two Beaman's."
Lee laughed, and gave his friend and boss a thump on the shoulder. "I promise to remind you of that the first time that you get tag-teamed by the Beaman's!"
As Francine and Efraim walked to the dance floor, everyone stood, lifting small bouquets of mistletoe. Francine laughed, resting her head on her husband's shoulder. She could feel the rumble of laughter in his chest.
"I finally caught you and now I get to kiss you under the mistletoe, my love." And he did so to the laughter and applause from those around them.
"You wanted a Christmas wedding just so you could kiss me under the mistletoe? Oh, Efraim!"
"Remember the Christmas party in 86? I thought you would never talk to me after that night. But somehow providence smiled on me and here we are. So, I wanted to tell you at this Christmas party that I love you, Francine, and I'll do my damndest to make you happy every day of your life from this moment on."
"Oh Efraim, are you going to let good mistletoe go to waste?" He laughed and kissed his wife, only stopping when he heard the tinkling of silver on crystal.
Their flight to the South Pacific was leaving early the next evening and Efraim had booked The Regent Room at the Swann House on DuPont Circle for the night. Finally, he leaned over to Francine and suggested they leave. Her bright smile went through him like a jolt; he wanted to start his life with this woman who was now his wife. He stood, lifting his glass and he watched as their family and friends lifted their own glasses.
"To all of you, our family and friends, go our deepest thanks for sharing this day with Francine and I, we both thank you!" Francine stood and lifted her glass and drank with her husband to those who were the most important in their lives.
"A toast to my beautiful wife, the love of my life; to Francine Beaman!" At the answering toast, glasses clinked. "And now, Francine and I will say thank you and goodnight!" Efraim put his glass down, took his wife's glass and set it next to his. He looked into her eyes, bright blue, shining with love. He lifted her into his arms and walked out to the wild whoops and cheers of their friends. Placing Francine on the seat in the limo, he climbed in next to her. She leaned over, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him passionate abandon.
"Are you ready to go, Commander Beaman?"
Efraim lightly touched his knuckles to his wife's cheek as he had in his dining room that first night they had dinner together so many months ago, letting this moment burn itself into his soul.
"Ready, Mrs. Beaman, I'm ready."
