A/N: I apologize for the long, long delay between chapters. I've been busy composing music the last few months and this story got pushed to the side. I promise that the next chapter won't take as long to be posted.
Roger
CHAPTER 12
Calleigh was a few miles from her apartment when her cellphone rang. Keeping her eyes on the road, she reached down and picked it up. Glancing at the caller i.d., it read 'home'. She hit the receive button.
"Hello?"
"Hey, sis."
"Jake! How are you? I see you made it there all right."
"Yeah, I'm fine. We're all fine. Ryan took us to this great Italian restaurant for lunch. I've never seen anybody attack a bowl of soup the way he did before today."
Calleigh chuckled at the image. "Are all of you at the apartment right now?"
"Yeah. Mom and Megan are in the living room talking to some friends of Ryan. Christine and… I already forgot the other woman's name."
"Oh, that's Christine's girlfriend Heather."
"Girlfriend?"
Calleigh bristled at the sound of her brother's voice. "Do you have a problem with them being gay?"
"Oh, no. Its just Christine told us that Heather was her sister."
"She probably said that so mom wouldn't get upset. You know how religious and old-fashioned she is." Calleigh moved the phone to the other ear. "Where's Ryan?"
"He's in the bedroom changing. We're going out in a few minutes."
Calleigh's heart sunk. She wanted to tell Ryan right away about the baby when she got home. "You're going out?"
"Well, just the two of us," Jake answered. "You told me that Ryan knew all the hotspots in town."
"I was joking, Jake."
"I know. He told me he didn't. So we're going to go out and find them. Besides, I want to get him all nice and drunk so he'll put up with you at the wedding."
"Ha Ha." Calleigh answered in mock laughter. "Don't get him too drunk. I need him later."
"Oh, yuck." Jake replied. "I don't want to know."
"Not for that, silly. I need to speak to him."
"Oh god, Calleigh. He's probably sick of hearing you talk about the wedding."
"It's not that. Just leave him coherent, ok?"
"Whatever, sis." Jake stuck his head around the corner. "Look, I gotta go. Ryan's out of the bedroom. I'll see you tonight."
"Give Ryan a big kiss on the lips for me," laughed Calleigh.
"You're sick." Jake muttered as he hung up the phone.
Calleigh placed her phone down. It would still be another 20 minutes before she would reach home. As she got there, she noticed Christine and Heather driving out of the parking lot in their rental car. The three waved to each other as their vehicles passed by. Calleigh parked and went inside.
"Anybody home?" She asked as she opened the door.
"Calleigh!"
"Megan!" Calleigh gave her sister a hug. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Mom's in the bathroom."
Just then, their mother walked out. Calleigh walked over to her. "Mother."
"Calleigh." The two put their arms around each other.
"Your flight went ok?"
"It would have been better if you were there to greet us."
"Mom, I'm sorry. I already told you that I was called into work today." Calleigh gestured at the couch. The three of them sat down.
Rachel wasted no time in getting on Calleigh's nerves. "So, are you sure that Ryan is the right man for you?"
"Oh god, mom. Don't start this again."
"I only want what's good for you," Rachel continued. "Ryan seems to be a nice guy, but he doesn't seem to be 'husband material'."
"Oh, and what would be husband material, mother? Drunk lawyers?"
"Watch your mouth."
"This is coming from a woman who did a splendid job with her own marriage." Calleigh crossed her arms. "This is who I want for a husband. I don't need your approval. I'm old enough to make my own decisions."
"Calleigh…mom…please." Megan interrupted. "Mom, you promised that we would get along."
Rachel paused for a moment. "You're right, Meg." She then looked at Calleigh. "I'm sorry."
Thank god Megan was around. If she wasn't, her mother would have bickered on for hours. Calleigh sighed and changed the subject. "Did you two enjoy lunch?"
"Yes, we did." Answered Megan. "It was very good food. I might have to move out here so I can go back whenever I want."
Calleigh laughed. "It's mine and Ryan's favorite restaurant to go to. We go there quite often."
"That was where he proposed to you, right?"
"That's the place." Calleigh said, her eyes lighting up at the memory. She looked at her sister and mother. "Did Jake say when they would be back?"
"I think he said they would be back around ten or so." Rachel answered.
"You two want to go out and do something ourselves? We'll be too busy tomorrow to go out and do anything."
"Are there any good 'chick flicks' playing? Rachel asked.
Calleigh laughed at her mother's question. "I'm sure there is. Let me grab the paper. You for a movie, Megan?
Megan looked at Calleigh. "A movie would be nice. Reminds me of the days the three of us would go to the theatre back home when we were kids."
Calleigh smiled at the memory brought up by Megan's comment. In younger times, Rachel would take her two daughters to the local theatre almost every Saturday to get them out of the house and the violent atmosphere they were subject to quite a bit. Jake never joined them; preferring to play football with his friends. Their dad coming along was never an option.
Calleigh looked through the paper. "Well, I see about three choices, all starting about the same time." She handed the paper over to her sister and mother. "You two see one you like?"
"How about this one?" Megan pointed to one feature.
"No. Ebert gave that one a thumbs-down." Rachel looked at the other two choices. "This one looks good."
"Susan and I saw that one last weekend." Megan replied.
"Well, I guess we're left with what's behind door number three." Calleigh said as she stood up and pointed to the last movie. "You two agree with that one?"
Both Megan and Rachel nodded.
"Good. Let me get out of these clothes and into something more comfortable." Calleigh walked into the bedroom. A few minutes later, she came out and they all left.
-later that evening-
Ryan returned back to his apartment alone after dropping Jake back off at the hotel. It was now 10:30. He walked in to see Calleigh, Christine and Heather sitting in the living room talking. Calleigh got up and approached Ryan.
"Hello, stranger." Calleigh said as she gave him a deep kiss. "Did you and Jake have a good time together?"
"Well, Jake did." Ryan replied as he took off his jacket. "I had to drop him off back at the hotel. I don't think he would've made it back here to begin with. I noticed that the rest of your family were already there."
"We went to a movie earlier. I dropped them off about an hour ago."
"That was nice of you. It saved me a trip of taking your family back to the hotel."
Christine and Heather stood up. "We're off to bed now. See you in the morning."
"You're going to bed?" Asked Ryan.
"You two have a lot to talk about." Christine said with a smile. "Good night."
Ryan turned and looked at Calleigh as Christine shut the bedroom door behind her. "Does she know something that I don't know?"
"No," Calleigh answered. "You already knew before she did."
Ryan suddenly reached out and took Calleigh into his arms. "Are we?"
"Yes, we are." Calleigh said with a grin on her face.
"Oh, Calleigh….god I love you so much." And with that, Ryan leaned down and kissed her deeply.
Calleigh moved her head back. "I see that you're accepting this quite easily."
"It's been on my mind all day, wanting to know the answer." Ryan continued to hold Calleigh in his arms. "At the few bars Jake and I went to, it was all I could think about while Jake kept knocking back drinks. As I sat there, I couldn't think but feel happy that my life was going to become so much better with this baby. I was hoping that we did create something and it wasn't a false alarm."
"So, you're quite happy with leaving me full of raging hormones for the next nine months and ready to tear your head off at the slightest disagreement."
"Wait…you're only like that when you're pregnant?" Ryan cracked sarcastically before getting a playful punch on the nose from Calleigh in response.
Ryan rubbed his nose. "Ow…that stung a little."
Calleigh grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him down to have his lips reach hers. "It was supposed to," she answered, before kissing him and leading the both of them to their bedroom.
It was now Monday morning and the wedding was minutes away. The day before had gone by so fast, with Ryan and Calleigh both spending Sunday getting ready the final preparations for the wedding and going their separate ways that evening before to each spend 'one final night' as a single person. Calleigh went out to dinner with her family, while Ryan and Christine went to a movie together; Ryan eschewing the traditional bachelor party to spend the evening with his best friend. Given the wedding was an interfaith wedding, they found a non-traditionalist church to have the event. A few people found it weird and a little uncomfortable that Ryan had Christine as a best man, but didn't say anything directly to Ryan. Christine stood there, next to Eric. Standing on Calleigh's side was Alexx, Meg and Valera, who was trying her hardest not to look sad. Ryan fidgeted with his collar; his nerves finally coming to the surface. Christine reached over and gently brushed the back of his hair with her fingers, making Ryan smile a little. The organist started his piece that announced the entrance of the bride. Everybody turned to look at the entryway as Calleigh walked through with Horatio as he walked her down the aisle. Ryan let out a little gasp. He never saw the dress she picked for the wedding before now and she looked absolutely beautiful in it. He couldn't believe that she was going to be his wife. He could feel tears stinging his eyes. Within seconds, Calleigh was by his side at the altar.
"Thank you, Horatio." Calleigh whispered as she hugged Horatio.
"I love you." Horatio whispered back as he embraced her. Letting her go, he looked at Ryan and smiled, gently placing his hand on Ryan's shoulder. Ryan nodded at H before he moved over and stood next to Eric. Ryan turned and looked at his bride before the two faced the reverend standing before them.
"We are here today to join two people who have decided to share their lives together under the love of God. Ryan and Calleigh may come from two different religions and backgrounds but have decided to join the two as one. There is nothing more beautiful than two cultures coming together and starting their own in the house of love. Before we continue, is there anyone who objects to this union?"
Valera could feel a pair of eyes looking at her as she shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Looking up, she could see Horatio staring right at her. Did he know? She quickly looked down to avoid any further contact. The silence in the room convinced the reverend to continue with the ceremony.
"I understand that the couple have written their own vows. Calleigh?" The reverend looked at Calleigh. She turned and faced Ryan.
"Ryan…When I first met you, I only saw you as a replacement for a special friend and nothing more. In the time that I've known you, I grew to like you more than a replacement and then more than a friend. I didn't think that you would be the one that would complete my life and my soul."
Suddenly, Calleigh stopped and gestured at the congregation, waving her hands wildly. "In fact, I don't think anybody in this room who knows me ever thought that you would be the one!"
Her remark brought a low laugh from people around the room. She composed herself and focused her attention back to Ryan. "But I'm glad it's you because I can't see anyone else in your place. You make me so happy and I thank God that He has led you to me. I look forward to spending our lives together and starting a family and knowing that you'll be there every time I need you. I love you."
Ryan looked at Calleigh; tears running down her face. He cleared his throat as he took her hand into his.
"Calleigh…I never thought that I could love someone as much as I love you. To have you in my life, to have you standing by my side…I still think to this day that it's all a dream. I want nothing more in this life than to make you happy. I already know that you've made me happy a thousand times over. I-"
Ryan started to stumble over his words; his emotions finally overtaking him. Tears ran down his face as he broke eye contact from Calleigh and looked down at the floor. He drew a sharp breath as he tried to compose himself. He suddenly felt Calleigh's hand underneath his chin, lifting his head back up to where he was looking at her again. Their eyes once again made contact as she gave him a huge smile. Ryan softly grinned back at her as he straightened himself to finish his vow.
"I never thought that I would ever be this happy in my life. I know that if my parents were still around, they would welcome you with open arms. I know that wherever they are now, they are happy that you are in my life. I love you, Calleigh."
And with that, Ryan turned and again faced the reverend as Calleigh did the same, still holding hands.
The reverend spoke. "Calleigh, do you take Ryan as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." She answered.
"Ryan, do you take Calleigh as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." He answered.
The reverend then raised his hands, holding one over Ryan and Calleigh. "By the powers invested in me and the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Ryan and Calleigh turned again to face each other. He leaned down to kiss her. As she raised her head up to kiss him, Ryan placed his arms around her waist and gently lifted her up off the ground as everyone surrounding them burst into applause. As he held her up, she wrapped her arms around his head, deepening their kiss. Ryan placed her back down and the two of them turned towards the congregation.
"Ladies and Gentlemen…I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe." The reverend shouted behind them as Ryan and Calleigh walked down from the altar into the aisle to another round of applause.
The organist played his final piece of music as everyone followed the couple out of the church to the reception.
to be continued…