Sorry it took so long guys. I had another story that I felt compeled to write, took me five streight days. After that I was kind of burned out, then I had a case of writers block. I would like to say I'll be able to update every week again, but I found a job (part time only unfortunetly but as an adjuct professer jumps up and down). So I won't have as much free time anymore but I'll try. - Kes
How do You Say Goodbye – Chapter 11
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Bess looks at herself in the mirror one last time. Her hair is pulled up into a quasi French twist. Instead of the longer strains being tucked under the twist, they had been curled and fall gracefully around her ears. He make up is light, but visible. Her eyes are covered in three different shades of grey, cheeks are sable, and lips are burgundy.
Bess had also been supplied with rhinestone earrings that matched the rhinestones on her bodess. She also had matching bracelets on each of her wrists. She did a quick spin to see how the dress flowed. Good I should be able to dance in this at the reception. She smiles at her own image, then turns to face the others.
The Network had gotten two of their young female agents to pose as two more bride's maids for Nancy. She and Bess meet them at the salon; their names are Kate and Gwen. They are both wearing matching Empire gowns that are the same color as Bess's. Their hair, make-up, and jewelry are all done like Bess's.
Bess walks over to where Nancy is pacing and playing with her necklace. She is going to end up fainting, or having a heart attack. "You've got to calm down Bell. We still have a little over an hour before the ceremony. I don't want to have to end up explaining why the bride has to be rushed to the hospital." Nancy gives Bess a small smile and stops her pacing. "You're right," she says.
There's a knock on the door. Kate goes to answer it. "Yes," she asks. A boy of fifteen wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, and an oversized vest stood in the doorway. "Morese just finished up with the grooms party. He's ready for you."
Morese is the wedding photographer and the boy is his assistant. Kate smiles at the boy, "we'll be right there." She closes the door and announces, "The photographer needs us now ya'll."
Gwen quickly makes her way over to the mirror to check if she needs to reapply her lipstick. She does, she had been eating fruit that had been left for them to enjoy. On her way out of the room she gathers everyone's bouquets.
Bess leads Nancy out the door with Kate and Gwen in tow. "Where's your veil," the boy asks Nancy. She visible pales and starts to play with her necklace again. "She isn't going to have one," Bess answers, coming to her rescue.
When Bess had told Nancy's stylist at the salon that the wedding gown made Nancy look like a medieval princess, he asked if he could try something. Nancy had agreed. He gave her very tight curls that fell just bellow her shoulders. The stylist had then swept the front half of her hair into a high pony tail.
He took four thin strains of hair from the pony tail and braided them. He made the four braids sweep across her forehead like a crown, meeting at a golden hop an inch in diameter in the center of her forehead. The four girls had agreed that Nancy no longer needed a veil, now that she had a crown of hair.
The boy shrugs his shoulders, "Whatever, I just didn't want anything left behind. Morese can be temperamental." The party makes their way into the sanctuary.
Morese did indeed turn out to be a very harsh task master. It's almost as if we were on a model shoot instead of at a wedding. His behavior was so outrageous the four girls couldn't help but to laugh. At least this is getting Nancy's mind off the ceremony.
"That's all for new, but I'll need you for abut fifteen minuets after the ceremony for the joint shots," says Morese. "Wow, that was intense," says Gwen, as the girls walk back to the dressing room. "Yea, I thought he was going to break his camera when Bell almost dropped her bouquet," replies Bess. Gwen and Bess start to laugh.
Nancy starts to blush. "Come on ya'll it's not nice to tease the bride on her wedding day," Kate chimes in sweetly. "Sorry," says Gwen and Bess in unison. Kate opens the door to their dressing room.
There is a man in his early fifties sitting in one of the chairs. His hair had somewhat receded, and is auburn sprinkled with grey. His eyes are an intense blue, and he has a smile on his face.
"Izy! Come give your father a hug," says the older man, Robert O'teal. He throws his arms open wide. Nancy hesitates for a moment than gives the man a hug. "How's my little girl holding up," he asks letting her go. "Just fine dad," she says some what uncomfortably.
"Dad you remember Marla, Kate, and Gwen," Nancy says as she points them each out. "Of course I do," Mr. O'teal says. He then proceeds to give each of the girls a hug.
Bess makes her way to Nancy's side after exchanging short pleasantries with Mr. O'teal. This is starting to really freak me out; I wonder how Nan is holding up. "Hey, so how are you really doing," she asks as she places a hand on Nancy's shoulder. Nancy gives Bess a week smile. "Just fire like I said." Bess glares at her. I know you better then that. Nancy pulls Bess over to the loveseat and they both sit down.
"I'm so nervous, and jumpy that things are starting to blur. I kept telling myself that I just have to get through today then everything will be fine." Nancy looks strait into Bess's eyes, "I know I have to do this but I don't know if I can." Oh Nan.
Bess gives Nancy a long hug and when she pulls back she can see tears in her friend's eyes. "If you cry you'll ruin your make-up," she jokes. Nancy awards her with a smile. "That's what I want to see. … And as far as being nervous, you've been in much worse situations then this so I know you can do this."
Nancy gives Bess another smile, "Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you." Bess returns the smile. "Let's hope you never have to find out." This led to a round of giggles.
Mr. O'teal approaches the two girls. "It's time," he says. "Marla; you, Kate, and Gwen need to line up in order at the sanctuary door. Izy and I will be right behind you."
Bess gives Nancy hand a squeeze, "Everything will be fine. Plus I think you nerves will calm down once you're actually doing something instead of just waiting." And when you see Frank's smiling face. She gets up, grabs her bouquet, and follows Kate and Gwen out the door.
The order of the precession is Kate, Gwen, and then Bess. As Bess walks down the Aisle her eyes seek out Joe. They find him standing next to his brother, with two other men behind him. His mouth is slightly open and he's staring straight at her. I guess this means he likes the dress. She suppresses a giggle and takes her place.
'Here Comes the Bride' starts to play. This snaps Joe back into reality and everyone turns to look at the door. Bess decides to look at Frank instead, she's not disappointed. As soon as he sees Nancy his face goes slack and his mouth hangs open in shock. He recovers quickly and replaces his gapping with the largest smile Bess has ever seen on him.
Well if that doesn't prove he likes her more then a friend my name isn't Bess Marvin. Bess smiles at her thought and turns her attention to Nancy. Her face is neutral as she walks down the aisle with her 'father.' As she gets closer Bess could see tears in her eyes.
Be strong Nan. I know you can do this. "Who gives away this woman's hand in marriage," Asks the officiant. Mr. O'teal places Nancy's right hand in Frank's left and sys, "I do." He then takes a seat in the first pew on the bride's side.
Bess can no longer see Nancy's face but she had a good view of Frank's. He was making silly faces and whispering something to Nancy. Frank making faces in public. I need to talk to Joe about this.
The officiant continues with the ceremony. Bess doesn't pay attention instead she is lost in her own thoughts. She contemplates their current circumstance and what got them here in the first place. She also wonders how this pretend will affect Nancy and Frank's relationship. They have nothing to hold them back. I wonder how far they will go.
Joe eyes caught Bess's for a brief moment. He gives her his usual Hardy smile. She returns his smile. What am I going to do about Joe? I can't say I'm not attracted to him, but he is the world's biggest flirt. I can't tell when he's being sincere.
I guess I'll have plenty of time to figure him out now that I'm going to be living with him. Bess's face grows pale. I'm going to be living with Joe Hardy. Her heart starts to race. I'm going to be living with Joe Hardy, as his fiancé. She stares at the ring on her left hand for the remainder of the ceremony.
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Joe stands up and taps his Champaign glass with a spoon. "I would like to make a toast," he says. The entire room goes quite so they will be able to hear him.
They were in a small reception hall that was filled with round tables and a small dance floor. There was one long table at the front of the room, which the bridal party sat at. Dinner was almost over and there were a few things left to do before desert.
Joe turns to face Nancy and Frank. "Mal, you have been like a brother to me. Always encouraging me to do better, and helping get me out of trouble." There was a small round of laughter at this. "I made a promise to myself that I would make sure you married the right girl, just as a good brother should. For a while I didn't know if you were going to find her, then along came Bell.
"From the moment she flipped you over her shoulder, I was sure she was the right girl for you." Once again the room is filled with laughter. "From the day you two meet you were able to finish each others sentences. Your strengths and weaknesses complement each other. The look of joy on your faces makes me think you will be together until the end.
"I can only hope that Marla and I will have the kind of relationship you have. And that we might be half as happy." Joe tinks Frank's than Nancy's glasses. He then takes a sip of Champaign. Wow, real Champaign. The Network must really trust us.
Joe sits back down, and glances over at Bess. God she looks gorgeous tonight. She took my breath away coming down that aisle. I can't wait till the formalities are over and I can take he into my arms. She notices him looking at her. She gives him a wink then stands up.
"I would also like to toast the happy couple," Bess says. Joe turns his attention back to Nancy and Frank. He notices for the first time that Frank's left hand is resting on top of Nancy's right and their fingers are intertwined. He smiles to himself. Let the games begin.
"Bell, you and I have been almost inseparable. I feel as if we couldn't be any closer, even if you were family. We have had many adventures over the years, but this is an adventure that I can't accompany you on. Mal will have to be your partner from now on. Watching your back and keeping you out of trouble. I couldn't be happier for you.
"Mal, Bell means the world to me so you must treat her right," Bess says menacingly. "I expect you to make her breakfast in bed on your anniversary, her birthday, and Christmas. If you don't you will answer to me." Frank and Nancy burst into laughter. "I promise, I will," he finally manages to get out. Bess nods her head, "Good." She then sits back down.
A large wedding cake is wheeled in. Frank and Nancy both rise and walk over to the cake. A chef hands them a knife. Nancy wraps her right hand around the handle; Frank places his right hand on top of hers. They give each other a smile then cut the cake.
Frank winks at Joe as he grabs a piece of cake. This should be good. Frank playfully smears his piece on Nancy's nose and left cheek. He eyes light with fire and a mischievous smile crosses her face. He gulps.
Nancy manages to cover Frank's entire face with cake. Bess and Joe are doubled over in laughter. Should never have tried to take her on big brother. The other guests are also highly amused. Frank opens his eyes and brings his right hand up to cradle Nancy's chin.
"Is that how it's going to be? You one upping me at every turn," Frank asks mockingly. "Yup," Nancy replies her eyes dancing with laughter. He leans down and gives her a gentle but long kiss on the lips. As he pulls away he says, "Shall we do this for real now?" She nods her head.
Interesting way to end an argument, Frank. I think you might have already lost sight of the pretend though. Nancy and Frank get another piece of cake, but this time places it in each other's mouth. Their audience starts to clap. They both turn red.
Joe and Bess walk over and hand Nancy and Frank both a towel to clean off their faces. "You two put on quite a show," quips Joe. "Oh, I'm sure they forgot all about their audience. After all they are usually so proper in public," Bess chimes in. Nancy glares at her.
Hit a nerve I see. "Just as long as they left us some cake, I really don't care," says Joe. Bess pulls him over to the cake and cuts them both a slice. Slowly a line starts to form. A waiter comes over and takes over the slicing of the cake.
Once everyone has gotten a slice of cake, the DJ stops the music and gets on the microphone. "Now it's customary fro the bride and groom to have the first dance. So let's bring the out on the dace floor."
Frank takes Nancy's hand and leads her out onto the dance floor. Shania Twain's 'From This Moment On' starts to play. Joe makes a face and bends over to whisper in Bess's ear.
"Who chose this song," Joe asks in mild disgust. "I did," Bess answers. "I wanted to pick a song that would be perfect for them, but 'Something to Talk About' was to fast and 'Hella Good' doesn't seem appropriate for a wedding."
Joe shakes he head and wraps his arms around her waist. "Just promise me no country at our wedding," he pleads. Bess's eyes twinkle mysteriously. "I will on one condition." Joe drops his hand form her waist and takes a step back.
"And that is," Joe asks trying to regain his cool. Bess steps forward and whispers into his ear. "You dance with me during all the country songs tonight." Joe's eyes light up. "Alright you're on Miss Brown."
