Upon entering the hoted where the wedding party was taking place, Charlie and Stella recieved another applause. They spent their time mingling, talking to friends and relatives who gave their congratulations and, like Lyle had predicted earlier, starting making plans for their children who hadn't even been concieved yet. Within an hour, they had aquirred about 15 different children, all of which being strangely mischeivous like Charlie. Spotting her grandfather over on a table in the corner after they had eaten, Stella and Charlie weaved through the crowd to go and see him. They sat down before him, and he smiled watching Charlie wrap his arm around Stella's waist lovingly.
"I am so happy for you." He said over the music in the background.
"Thank you for walking me up the ailse, Grandpa." Stella said, planting a kiss on her grandfather's cheek.
"I should have watched my son do it, but I was honoured that you asked me. Anyway," He piped up. "What are you giving me kisses for?" He asked. "You only have one man to kiss now." Charlie grinned, liking this idea very much, and Stella laughed as well. Alan took Stella's hand. "I haven't seen you this happy since your father was around." He admitted, and Stella smiled. "You take care of her, Charlie. Don't go breaking my granddaughter's heart."
Charlie kissed Stella's temple, the closest part of her body he could reach. "I wouldn't dream of it." He assured Alan. "I'd never hurt her, I love her too much."
"That's what I like to hear." Alan said. "If you'll excuse me, though, there's a little girl over there who asked me to dance."
Looking in the direction of where Alan was indicating, they saw Meagen standing with Tommy. Stella and Charlie watched as Alan danced with grandaughter-in-law, and this gave them a few minutes alone whilst everyone was dancing to party songs. They kissed deeply, and rested their foreheads together when they parted, looking deep into each other's eyes.
Stella kissed him again, but their kiss was cut short by the music ending and the tinging sound of a fork against a wine glass. Looking over at the stage where the live band had been playing, they saw Rob, Lyle and Left-ear standing before the microphones.
"Ok, as we're all best men today," Lyle said, "We're all going to do the speech."
"But it appears we have lost the happy couple." Handsome Rob said, so if someone could please hunt them out and bring them back here, that would be lovely."
Not daring to argue with the applauding crowd, Stella and Charlie emerged from their hidden table and went back to their own seats at their table, near the front. Smiling up at the three men, they listened as they began their well prepared speech. Left-ear going first.
"Now, before I start, the hotel manger has asked me to request that, for reasons of health and safety, none of you get up on top of the chairs and tables during my standing ovation. I do have to say, Charlie, you did a good job choosing our suits for today. I think we all look very smart. But I think I might have picked up your suit by mistake this morning - mine feels very loose around the waist, but very tight indeed around the arms and in the crotch. I should thank my fellow best men, Handsome Rob and Lyle, for doing what was expected of them. No more, no less. The main thing is they turned up. I guess it was too much to ask that they turn up sober. Charlie and I have known each other a long time, close to 20 years. We met at school and we have been friends ever since. So, for those of you on Stella's side who are just getting to know Charlie, here is some advice. Never let him date a member of your family. When it came to writing this speech I wasn't short of material. Although most of it I've had to edit, throw away, burn or hand over to the police to help them with their enquiries. So this is what's left over.There are not many best men who can describe both the groom and the bride as true friends, but in that I'm lucky. It is an honour, albeit a most terrifying one, to have been asked to be the best man here today. But I do feel a certain relief to see the end of my duties in sight, as I'm totally certain that Charlie will never have any need to ask me to be his best man again."
There was an applause as Left-ear stood back and Lyle stepped forward to the microphone, in which Left-ear took an exaggurated and splendid bow.
"Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. I would first like to thank you all for coming today and helping to make Charlie and Stella's wedding such a memorable and special occasion. Personally, I wish you'd all stayed at home and made my job less nerve wracking. From time to time, Charlie does exhibit some outstanding qualities of character which have earned the respect of so many of us gathered here today. His sense of humour, his loyalty, and his generosity at the bar spring to mind. I'd like to take the opportunity to put to good use some advice that a recently married friend gave me. She said Lyle, whatever you do in your speech; don't forget to mention the bride! And let's be honest, how could I? Stella, you look beautiful today and as Charlie has already so eloquently explained in his vows, I know that you have made a great friend of mine the happiest man alive today. Before Rob takes the stage I'd like to say that Charlie's been a great friend to me over the five years I've known him and there are many things I admire about him. He is the most level-headed man I know and, along with his generosity and determination, there is one other thing that stands out, and that is his appreciation of quality. And today, Charlie, you've really surpassed yourself. You have found a lady of true quality in Stella. It's been an honour and a privilege to be your best man today and I hope that one day I'll be asking you to return the same honour to me. Because lets face it, I've got even less friends than you."
Finally, the speech that the married couple were dreading the worst: Handsome Rob's. He had been extremely excited about his part of the speech, which included the toast, and this made them all wonder what he was up to.
"Ladies and gentlemen, believe it or not I've actually lost my speech. This usually only happens after eight pints of lager." He explained, and decided to wing it. "I feel that I've done my duty well so far today, all things considered. I delivered a sober groom to the church on time, and as I give this speech now, I don't think I'm going to offend or embarrass anyone - apart from Charlie, of course. But after this, there still remains one final duty that Stella reminded me about a little earlier. My final duty today will be to dance with the bride, after the groom and her grandfather. Stella, that will be my pleasure, but I'm afraid that I draw the line at dancing with Charlie, Lyle and Left-ear. Although they do look nice in those suits! What about the bride then, ladies and gentlemen? Doesn't she look fantastic? And Charlie has scrubbed up quite nicely too – it's amazing what a flannel and a bar of soap can do. But it's a bit rude of him to have copied my outfit eh! We have now reached that pivotal moment in the speech where I am meant – in good taste – to put the groom down. So, minus the good taste, I'll proceed.I've never thought of Charlie as the type to go in for all that lovie-dovie romantic stuff, and I'm sure all his friends here today would describe him as a bit of a lad - a man's man. Well, I was shocked - shocked to learn that Charlie has a habit of leaving things around the house for Stella to find. No, not dirty socks or empty beer cans, but "I love you" notes. In fact, it's a habit that has spread beyond the house and to the car when, one frosty morning in winter, he scraped in the ice on Stella's car windscreen, "I love you", so that she would find it in the morning on the way to work. Isn't that cute? But the one that really choked me up - the one that really made me blink back the tears - was the time that Stella found the words "I love you" written on the last sheet of toilet paper in the bathroom. Now Charlie, that's a trick that's really best done with a Rolo - as demonstrated by what Stella apparently did with that sheet of paper once she'd read it. And now for the toast: To the happy couple, may their happiness be complete, their marriage long and prosperous and every wedding speech they hear be funnier and shorter than mine. To Stella and Charlie."
Everyone raised the glasses and applauded Lyle and Left-ear as they left the stage, all clapping Charlie on the shoulder as the sat back down, nearly resulting in Charlie drowning in his drink. But Rob stayed on the stage. "Usually, the groom does his speech before the best men, but someone has only just told me that, so now, ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the groom, Charlie Croker."
Reluctantly, and with an encouraging kiss from Stella, Charlie went over to the stage and took up the microphone, thanking Rob as he did so.
"Good evening everyone. My wife and I, oh how I've waited to say those words, are delighted that you were able to come to our wedding. I can't imagine a happier way to start married life than with our family and friends around us. Perhaps you have already noticed, but Stella and I have chosen a day to marry that is of real personal significance, December 24th, Christmas Eve. Christmas growing up for us both was a hard time, as our close friends and family know, so because of today, we'll finally have a reason to smile when Christmas approaches. I feel very fortunate to be marrying Stella and I didn't want to miss the opportunity of giving her everything she deserved … beautiful flowers and a wonderful white wedding car, which unfortunately was replaced by a red mini-cooper, so I hope you've all enjoyed the day as much as my credit card company has. All the hard work getting Stella ready for today has been worth it. She looks even more beautiful than she does normally, if that's even possible, and I hope that I will be everything she could ever hope for in a husband. If there is one thing I have learnt from her, it is patience, and today was worth all the waiting. In preparation for this moment, I've been trying hard to come up with something original that would sum up everything that I feel about Stella, and how much this day means to me. But nothing quite expresses what I wanted to say, so let me keep it old-fashioned and say, in front of all our family and friends: "I love you". One of my official duties in this speech is to thank the bridesmaid, but I would have done so anyway. My neice, Meagan, despite being only ten yaers old, has been a terrific help to Stella, not only today, but throughout the many weeks of intense preparation, and they have both carried out their duties splendidly. We have a gift for her, but in the meanwhile would you all please raise your glasses in a toast to – the bridesmaid! A big thank you to the ushers; Rob, Lyle and Left-ear. It was a stipulation for the wedding that the ushers weren't allowed to look better than the bridegroom and I'm pleased to say the have accomplished their role admirably. Cheers guys to an awesome job! You guys and I go way back, and you've always been there for me. I remember when I lost my first job, Left-ear was there. When I broke my arm falling out of a window, Lyle was there. And when I crashed my first car, Rob was there. In fact, come to think about it, guys - you're a jinx! Both Alan and Stella have asked me to mention Stella's father, John. John was a wonderful man, friend and father. For sure, he's looking down on us today, so proud of his little girl. And also, for sure, he wouldn't want any of us to be sad on such a day. Perhaps we can help him to be with us in two ways: first by a quiet moment to remember all the happy times, and then by continuing with this celebration just as he would have wished. To my wife, my bride and joy, thank you for everything you have done. You know everything about me and love me just the same. I have my faults, yet you still agreed to marry me. I am extremely lucky today to be the one to marry you - and I hope this is the start of many happy years together. So I'd like to make one final toast to the new Mrs Stella Croker." Everyone raised their glasses and applauded. "Also, I was hoping that she might also join me for our first married dance now."
Smiling, Charlie left the stage and held his hand out to Stella, who accepted it and stood up. Pulling her close, Charlie didn't care for the people who were watching them. All he cared about was his wife, his Stella, who was finally his indeed. Gazing into her eyes, they didn't leave the dancefloor for hours, until guests started to say their goodbyes to them.