Chapter 14: The Wedding Bells

APRIL 4, 1980

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

"So, the big wedding this weekend, right?" Kelly asked. She was lying on Kirsten's bed, while Kirsten was playing with her hair in front of the mirror.

"Yeah…I can't believe I actually agreed to be in this wedding," Kirsten told her.

"Well, from what you said, there was no way you were going to talk your way out of it," Kelly replied.

"Very true. I actually have to go over to Jimmy's house soon…his sister is dragging me with her to pick up the dresses and the shoes for the bridesmaids. I swear Kelly this girl is borderline psychotic about clothes and fashion. Nice, but psychotic. I mean, none of our friends come close to her," Kirsten said as she continued fixing her hair.

"Now that's really saying something," Kelly admitted. "So you and Jimmy are good, yeah?"

"Yeah, I guess…nothing exciting to report," Kirsten said.

"So you haven't…" Kelly trailed off.

"Had sex? No. I thought I was ready on Valentine's Day, but then that girl showed up, and I don't know what happened. I mean, it wasn't like he was cheating on me or anything, but then all of a sudden I wasn't ready again. I don't know what's wrong with me. I like him so much, I guess I don't want to screw anything up, you know?" Kirsten rambled.

"You love him, don't you?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah…I do," Kirsten admitted.

"I'm sure you'll know when you're ready," Kelly assured. "Well, I better get going…wouldn't want you to miss your outing with Cosmo-girl. Talk to you later!"

"Bye Kell!" Kirsten said as Kelly left her room.

Kirsten sighed to herself. This should be interesting.

An hour passed by quickly and Kirsten found herself waiting in the foyer of the Cooper home, while Ashley grabbed a few things from upstairs.

Kirsten's back was to the stairs, when she heard a voice call, "Hi Kirsten!" Kirsten turned around to see Allie walking down the stairs, dressed in her typical punk clothes.

"Hi Al! Are you coming with us?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah right! I wouldn't be caught dead," Al told her.

"Well, you are the maid of honor, aren't you?"

"Not by choice, really…I guess that's what happens when you are the only sister of the bride," Allie told her.

Just then Ashley came down the stairs and said, "Kirsten! Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," Kirsten said. Then suddenly she was hit with an idea, "Um, Al was just telling me that she wanted to come with us."

Al whipped her head around towards Kirsten and gave her a look of death, but before she could say anything, Ashley started, "Oh, Al! That's so great! I'm so excited! I'm so glad you convinced her, Kirsten. I've been trying to do that for a week." Ashley continued rambling on as she started walking towards the car.

At this point, Al grabbed Kirsten and whispered, "What are you doing! Now I have to suffer through an afternoon at the mall with that psycho!"

"Do you honestly think that I was going to pass up the chance to bring some good company on this little adventure? This way, you can keep me sane," Kirsten told her.

Al sighed, "Fine...let's make a deal. We don't leave the other one alone with Ashley. Ever."

"Works for me. Come on let's go," Kirsten said and the two followed Ashley to the car.

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APRIL 6, 1980

SAN DIEGO, CA

"We are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses to unite Michael William Shepherd and Ashley Jane Cooper in holy matrimony…"

Kirsten smiled at Jimmy and then took in the surroundings of the Church. She had to admit, Ashley had done a fabulous job. It was decorate elegantly…gorgeously in fact. The flowers were mostly white roses and lilies, but there were some magenta colored ones as well that matched perfectly with the magenta gowns that the bridesmaids were wearing. The church was located right next to a small beach in San Diego, which provided a beautiful backdrop.

Kirsten snapped back to reality when she heard the minister concluded, "And I now present for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shepherd. You may kiss the bride." And cheers erupted among the guests as the bride and groom kissed.

The reception was being held outside in a park, right on the beach, and the food was fabulous…soup, salad, various pasta dishes, chicken, and beef. And that was all before the dessert too. Kirsten swore that her stomach was going to explode, and was a little worried about taking her dress off after she was sure that she had gained a few pounds from this meal alone.

The conversations between the guests were broken up by the announcer, "Now it's time for Michael and Ashley to share their first dance as man and wife." Michael led Ashley onto the dance floor as a slow song started playing. Kirsten couldn't quite pinpoint what song it was, but it fit perfectly with the mood of the wedding.

"Now, Michael and Ashley invite the other couples to join them on the dance floor," the announcer stated.

Kirsten looked up and saw Jimmy standing in front of her and he said, "May I have this dance."

Kirsten smiled at his attempt to act so formal and replied, "How can I resist?"

Jimmy led her to the dance floor and once he reached it, wrapped his arms around her small body, and started leading her in a dance. Kirsten kissed him on the cheek and then rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the moment with Jimmy.

Before the song was over, Kirsten looked up and what she saw in front of her took her smile off her face. She felt her own body tense up, and she knew Jimmy noticed too. She is here, Kirsten thought. Elise…Cami…whatever her name is. Kirsten couldn't believe it.

"Hey, Kirst…what's wrong?" Jimmy said in response to the fact that Kirsten had totally stopped dancing.

"You didn't tell me that she was going to be here. You must have known," Kirsten said in a slightly bitter tone.

Jimmy turned around to see what she was staring at. Shit…Cami, Jimmy thought. "Um, well, her family and my family, are good friends, and-"

"Save it, Jimmy. You should have at least had the decency to warn me beforehand," Kirsten told him.

"I…I guess I thought if I told you…you wouldn't come," Jimmy said sheepishly.

"Of course I was going to come…I was in the wedding after all," Kirsten stated and stormed off away from the dance floor.

Jimmy sighed. But before he could go after Kirsten, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to find Cami standing right in front of him.

"Hey there," Cami said.

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Kirsten found an empty chair under a tree and sat down, trying to collect her thoughts. She occasionally sipped from her glass of champagne that she was holding. Why didn't he just tell me, she thought. This makes it seem like he's hiding something…

Just as Kirsten was getting lost her thoughts, a voice interrupted her. "You know, he loves you, right?" Kirsten looked up to see Al standing in front of her.

"He does…you must see it," Al continued. "Look, I heard about the whole Elise Cameron thing…I'm sorry about that, it must suck. Jimmy's a guy…he does stupid things sometimes, but trust me when I say that he does love you."

"I know he does," Kirsten sighed. "It's just everything was going so well until she showed up…I guess I'm just worried he'll dump me or something."

"He would be a fool to do that. Trust me, you have a lot up on Cami. You're prettier, smarter, and in my opinion, much cooler. You have nothing to worry about," Al informed her.

"Thanks," Kirsten replied.

"Now, go get him," Al stated.

Kirsten nodded and walked back towards the dance floor. When she reached it, she saw Jimmy and Cami dancing. She felt herself tense up a bit, but tried to tell herself to relax. They're just friends…they're just friends, she repeated in her head. No big deal…just dancing, right?

But Kirsten lost it when she saw Cami place her lips on Jimmy's and start kissing him. Kirsten just stared at them, with her jaw dropped. She noticed that Jimmy made no attempt to immediately end the kiss. As they rotated while dancing, they broke apart with Jimmy facing in Kirsten's direction. Their eyes met and Kirsten stormed off in the opposite direction. She wasn't sure where she would go…she had come to San Diego with Jimmy's family. She decided she would take a bus back home. Hell, she'd hitchhike if she had to. All she knew was that she couldn't stay here right now.

Jimmy broke away from Cami as soon as eyes met with Kirsten's. As she ran off in the other direction, he tried to call after her, "Kirsten! Kirsten, wait!" But the attempt was futile, as Kirsten didn't stop. He had screwed up royally this time. Damn, it! I blew it! he thought.

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Sorry…it's a little angsty, but it of course it will be resolved.