Disclaimer: I don't own these people!
Author's note: I hope you like the wedding. It's hard to write these without being too cheesy! As for the "You look like an angel" line, I know it's a bit too much, but my hubby said that to me when we got married, and I've always remembered how it made me feel. Just one or two more chapters …
Chapter 23
Lindsay gazed into the mirror, not quite believing the image that lay before her. As long as she could remember, she promised herself she would never get married - if she didn't go there, she wouldn't be disappointed. And now here she was.
The ivory lace sheath had simple straps and molded her upper body before flowing into a soft A-line to the floor. Her hair was swept back into a loose chignon, delicate curls escaping to brush gently against her cheeks and neck. Soft makeup enhanced her soft beauty, and the flowing ivory veil trailed down her back, providing the perfect backdrop for the lovely woman reflected in the mirror.
Don't cry, she told herself, as tears threatened to fall.
"You ruin that makeup and there's hell to pay," Beth warned her sister. Despite the sharpness of her words, she wrapped her arms around Lindsay. "No tears. Not today. There is no reason to be worried about getting married - Danny loves you."
Lindsay smiled. "I know he does. It's just, well, after mom and dad, I never thought I'd be here, never thought I'd deserve this."
Beth spun her sister around. "No more of that. No one deserves happiness more than you do. Everyone that knows you would agree, especially the man waiting for you at the end of that aisle. It's time, Lindsay."
She smiled as Beth gently pulled the veil over her face. "It's happening, it's actually happening. I'm going to marry Danny."
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I can't believe it. I'm actually getting married. I'm marrying Lindsay. A goofy grin lit Danny Messer's face as he stood beside Flack and Hawkes - his groomsman - and waited for his bride. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to smile at Flack.
"You ready, man?"
"Definitely."
And the bridal march began to play ….
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Lindsay clutched her uncle's arm as she watched Stella then Beth round the corner and begin their march down the aisle. Carl squeezed her arm. "Are you ready, sweetheart?"
She smiled brilliantly. "More than ready. Let's go."
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Danny watched Stella and Beth walk down the aisle with anticipation. Both looked beautiful in floor length black dresses. They were sleeveless with a deep vee, and clung softly before flowing out to the floor. A deep purple sash wound around each of their thin waists. Beth was beaming, and winked at Danny.
Then he saw her. His breath caught. He knew she was going to beautiful, but nothing prepared him. She seemed to glow from within, a wide smile shining through the veil. A smile for me, he thought wonderingly.
"Who gives this woman?" The pastor asked.
"Her Aunt and I," Carl's voice boomed in the stillness of the church. He then kissed her gently through her veil and joined Danny's hands with hers. "I love you. Take care of her young man."
Lindsay smiled at Danny, so handsome in his black morning coat and tie. Danny struggled to calm his racing heart. "Lindsay … you look like an angel," he whispered.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today …."
The wedding ceremony proceeded but neither Danny nor Lindsay heard many of the words. Both were wrapped up in each other, their eyes locked and speaking everything they couldn't say with words. Then came their turn to speak.
"Lindsay, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
She smiled and said strongly. "I do."
"Daniel, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You betcha." Flack elbowed him. "I mean, I do."
Everyone laughed. Then came time to exchange rings. Lindsay trembled as she placed the simple rose gold band on Danny's finger. It had belonged to his grandfather. "I, Lindsay, take you, Danny, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."
Danny responded, slipping a delicate band to join Lindsay's engagement ring.
The pastor said a prayer, but Danny again did not hear the words. What he was waiting for came near the end. "Whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife."
Danny grinned and chanted the next words along with the pastor: "You may kiss the bride."
Though he was laughing gently with everyone else in the church, a tear slipped down his cheek. "This is what it's all about Danny," his father told him last night. "Embrace it, you deserve it." And as he lifted Lindsay's veil and saw her beautiful brown eyes shining at him, he thought for the first time that his father may be right. He deserved this, and so did Lindsay.
They had kissed many times before, but Lindsay's breath caught as his lips touched hers. He kissed her softly and thoroughly, pulling her to him after and whispering gently in her ear: "Another box gone, Montana. I love you."
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There was a whirlwind of pictures after the wedding, and both Danny and Lindsay were a bit dazed and grateful to arrive at Nucio's private room for the reception. They shook hands and hugged friends and family, including Lindsay's boss and a couple of co-workers from Montana. Hammerbeck - the classy blond making a return appearance - gave Lindsay a warm hug. "You wear love well, hon."
Mac was one of the last. Danny was busy with his Grandma when he hugged her. "You're glowing Lindsay. I'm happy for you."
She smiled. "I'm happy for me, too, Mac. Is that selfish?"
"No. Not after all you've been through. You take care of him - he leans on you."
Lindsay nodded, choked up, and Mac moved on to Danny, who looked a bit awkward. Mac bridged the moment by embracing Danny. "And you, I have never seen this Danny Messer before. I hope he stays. You look happy and at peace, something I could never say before."
Danny was touched. He always wanted to impress this man. "I love her, Mac. I just want to spend my life with her, taking care of her."
"You do that, Danny. She's the best. "
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Danny and Lindsay swayed together to "This is True," their chosen wedding song. "You know I love dancin' with you Montana."
"Hmmm … why do I sense there's a but somewhere in there?" Lindsay murmured as she rested her head comfortably on his shoulder.
"Well, you look so beautiful in that dress … makes me think of a present, like on Christmas."
"Okay, since I don't really want to believe you compared me to a box, I'll let you explain."
"Sometimes beautiful packaging hides the best part, and I guess I'm wantin' to see what's waiting for me on the inside." He grinned devilishly at her. They would be spending the night in the Waldorf, a gift from Mac, who was close friends with the concierge. They it was on to Hawaii for the honeymoon.
"Nice save, Messer. Let's see what we can do …"
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An hour and a half later, they were riding up the elevator to their suite, Danny holding tightly on to Lindsay's hand. Their luggage was already inside. At the door, Lindsay swiped the key and opened it to walk in, but Danny stopped her.
"Oh, Danny, seriously, you don't have to, this dress is huge." But he didn't listen and swept her in his arms.
"My Grandma told me I need to be romantic. Gotta listen to Grandma."
Once inside they both stopped, jaws dropped in amazement at the candles and roses that filled the room. There was a note propped on a nearby table.
Enjoy. And don't let anyone ever say I'm not romantic.
Mac
They grinned at the note. "Well, whattya say, Montana? You think we should enjoy?" He was already fingering her zipper. Lindsay allowed him to help her with her dress, and soon she was clad in a long sheer ivory slip. He took a deep breath.
"Lindsay …" he breathed, leaning to kiss her neck. "Lindsay Messer … my Lindsay."
Her head fell back and she inhaled deeply, the combination of the candles, roses and Danny's own scent intoxicating her. She was soon fumbling with the remains of his tuxedo - he had already done away with the jacket, tie and vest. Shirtless, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her over to the bed. Time slowed, then stopped altogether as they touched as if it was their first time, reveling in the fact that they were together in their hearts, minds and they eyes of God.
TBC
