Chapter 16 "The Wedding Part I"

Three days later...

Captain's Cabin...

Teresa listened with half an ear to her mother's nervous chatter for her mind was occupied with thoughts of her upcoming wedding. Because of the pressure from the press and her family's misgivings, she and Fox had decided to marry as quickly as they could. Tricking the press had been easy. They'd simply booked the church and leaked the news that they reception would be held at the Crane Estate and then she and Fox had arranged for a private ceremony aboard the family yacht, My Fair Lady. There had been so many details to see too, she hadn't had time for nerves but now that the moment was actually here, she felt the familiar nerves tighten her tummy.

"Am I doing the right thing?" she wondered?

A knock on the door interrupted her musings and Pilar went to see who it was.

"Dylan, you look so handsome. Come in," Pilar murmured.

Dylan stepped in and let out a long wolf whistle when he saw Teresa. Teresa was wearing an ivory satin gown with a strapless bodice and a full, flared skirt, delicately embellished with embroidered flowers. Her silky dark hair curled around her shoulders and she had woven a crown of flowers around it. She looked like a fairy tale princess and Dylan's breath caught at her riveting beauty.

"You look amazing," he rasped out when he could speak again.

"Thank you," Teresa replied, bending down to slip on her open toe sling back shoes. The shoes were decorated with organza flowers and accented with crystal beads and were as gorgeous as her gown.

"Resa, I know this wedding was a spur of the moment thing and there's still time to back out it you want," Dylan advised.

"I don't want to back out Dylan. Fox makes me happy," Teresa replied and as she said the words she felt her nervousness abate.

"Are you sure?" he asked again.

"Yes," Teresa replied easily and Dylan nodded.

"I love you, Resa," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I love you too Dillweed," Teresa replied.

Dockside...

Fox paced around the deck as he waited for the ceremony to begin. He had wanted this wedding to be special because Teresa deserved the best and he had harassed the staff until he had gotten exactly what he wanted. The deck was decorated with a profusion of flowers ranging from soft pinks to cream and vanilla scented candles in various sizes. A long buffet table with silver covered trays stood in one corner and a smaller table held the three tier wedding cake. Discreet waiters garbed in black and white hovered anxiously as they made sure the guest had their fill of champagne and canapés. Everything was going according to schedule.

"Hey, man are you nervous?" Dylan asked his best friend with a grin.

"No, I'm not nervous at all," Fox replied with a confident smile.

"A toast then to the most beautiful bride my eyes have ever beheld," Dylan replied, grabbing two flutes from a passing waiter.

Fox lifted his glass but his eyes asked a silent question and Dylan was savvy enough to know what his friend wanted to know.

"Teresa's the most amazing woman I have ever met but there's never been anything between us because we both think of the other as family," Dylan reassured his friend and Fox let out a sigh of relief.

Just then the organist began to play the wedding march and both men took their places at the makeshift altar where Father Lonnigan waited. The guest who had been honored with an invitation held their collective breaths as Teresa floated down the aisle to the tune of the traditional "Ave Maria".

When she reached Fox, Martin gave Fox a hard stare and then clasped their hands together. Teresa gave Fox a tremulous smile and Fox lifted her fingers to his mouth and pressed a sweet kiss on her palm.