Ch 22
The morning of the wedding Kathryn woke up to find Kerry gone. She was in full panic mode when Kerry came strolling through the door covered in sweat from a run.
"Really? I was ready to loose my shit. I was just about to call Happy."
"I went for a run with Kelly. Dan tried to keep up with us." Kerry said pulling her ear buds out with a laugh.
"Get into the shower. I'm going to go shower in Mike and I's room. Mary and Lyla are on a coffee run."
Kerry did a salute and went into the bathroom. An hour later Kerry was getting her hair done by Kathryn. Gemma and Tara had joined them both already dressed for the wedding.
"You should see Hap, he's in rare form at the clubhouse. The poor guy is pacing a hole in the floor." Gemma said as she helped zip up Lyla's dress.
"How are you doing? Are you going to throw up? Need a drink?" Kathryn asked finishing pining the last wavy curl off Kerry's face.
"I'm good."
Kathryn grinned.
"Great, I need a drink. This is nerve racking for me, I don't know how you are calm right now." Kathryn said Mary brought Kerry's dress over. Just as Kerry's dress was zipped up there was a knock on the door. Gemma went to answer it and it was Uncle Mike along with Nick and Adam.
"Kerry, you look pretty." Nick said running over with a box.
"A little something your aunt picked up…"
Kerry opened the box to see a diamond necklace and earrings. Kerry's eyes filled with tears as her uncle handed her an envelop.
"Let's give you a minute." Gemma said ushering everyone out of the room as Kerry opened the envelop.
"Kerry, My beautiful niece. It breaks my heart to think about you getting married and me not being there. I'm sure you are a stunning bride and will be marrying a wonderful man. Someday you will be a wonderful mother. This necklace is made from my wedding ring and I picked out earrings to match. Have a wonderful wedding day and I am there in spirit. With all my love, Nancy."
Kerry grabbed a tissue and quickly took some deep breaths as Kathryn opened the door.
"Come on, let's put them on."
"The necklace, I'm wearing the earrings that Helen gave me."
Kathryn nodded and Kerry turned as her sister clasped the necklace.
"You are a vision." Uncle Mike said giving her a hug.
After a quick video chat with her cousins that couldn't fly out the group started to the elevator. Kathryn was snapping pictures on her phone taking deep breaths so she wouldn't cry. Once they arrived downstairs Gemma went to make sure everything was ready as the rest of the group waited.
"You look great. Your perfect." Kathryn said quickly adjusting the headband on her sister's head. Gemma came back and gave Kerry another hug.
"Your going to knock him dead." She said as Kerry grinned.
"Thanks, Gemma."
Tara gave Kerry a hug.
"See you in a bit." She and Gemma left the group as everyone waited for the music to start.
Lyla started down the small isle first then Mary. When Mary reached the end Kathryn walked down with Nick and Adam at her side. Adam took to waving at people he knew. Once Kathryn got to her spot Kerry and Uncle Mike appeared at the end of the isle. Kathryn glanced to see Happy actually smiling then she saw Helen and Harriet wiping their eyes from the first row. Once Uncle Mike put Kerry's hand in Happy's the ceremony officially started. It was simple, how they both wanted. Kathryn and Mary were a bit surprised with the whole "treat you as good as my leather and ride you as much as my Harley".
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You can kiss your bride." The guests erupted in cheers as their lips met. Kathryn was wiping at her cheeks as Dan who was sitting next to Buck gave him a nudge.
"You two are next buddy."
"Right." He said with a chuckle. After some pictures the reception was in full swing. Kerry and Happy had their first dance to "Angel" by Aerosmith.
"This is perfect." Dan said to Kathryn as she sipped a mixed drink.
"I'm surprised you didn't stand up to object."
"Kathryn, I'm not in love with your sister."
"Sure, I've heard that before." Kathryn said with a sigh.
"It's true. I might have thought about it for awhile but look at her. She's happy, he's smiling, I mean come on. Happy is scary at hell, I think this is the first time I've seen him smile. I'm not going to do that to her, she's my best friend."
Kathryn forced herself to nod and smile. As the song switched to another Mike came over taking Kathryn's hand.
"Dance with me." Dan took her drink as Kelly came over.
"Let's go change."
"This is gonna be classic."
At the end of that song the music stopped as Kelly, Dan, and Tom stood over by the DJ in kilts holding their bagpipes and a drum.
"Since we're not in Charlestown, we're bringing a little Charlestown to California." Kelly said before they started playing. Kerry grabbed Kathryn's hand.
"Remember any steps?" Kerry asked kicking off her shoes.
"Just a few."
The sisters did an Irish Step dance with all the kids jumping around them trying to copy the moves.
"Hey Chibs, you gonna join in?" Tig asked sipping a beer.
"No, yeah bastard." Chibs muttered as he slammed back a drink.
"A certain someone still looks to be available." Tig said motioning across the room to where Mary stood now looking in the direction of Dan and his brother, talking to a teacher from Kerry's school. "Go talk to her."
"No, never gonna happen." Chibs said downing another drink.
Dinner was served and after dinner came the speeches. Kozik stood up as a round of hoots and yells came from SAMCRO and SAMTAC.
"Let's just start by saying that like everyone else I never thought this day would ever happen and I mean ever." Kozik paused and looked at Happy who shook his head. "I heard the other guys and Hap talk about Kerry before I actually met her. I've known Hap for a long time and we've been through some crazy shit but since he met Kerry I've seen a different side of him. And Kerry, she is a lot tougher then she looks and is a great friend. So to Kerry and Happy, to the start of your life together." Kozik raised his glass as everyone took a drink.
Kathryn stood and glanced at her sister.
"Kerry, you were always the brains and the athlete of the family. You were the first woman to go to college and then you set the bar even higher when you got your masters degree. Most of you may not know but we are Irish twins born 13 months apart. I was always following my big sister around, trying to do what she was doing and failing miserably most of the time. Kerry was always there to save me when I was stuck climbing over a fence or when I got bullied in school. She would help me with homework and give me all sorts of advice that I never listened to, and bailed me out of trouble because of it." Kathryn paused taking a breath and drying her eyes. "My big sister was the strong one, the brave one, who stood up to our parents when she felt they were wrong. She didn't back down when they gave her a bad time. Kerry did what she always does stand up for what she believes in. When we were young everyone always said Kerry took after around grandfather Joe or Pa as we called him. It scared the crap out of me when she moved out here, all the way across the country but in typical Kerry fashion she found friends and a family. Now when my sister called me and said she had a date I was a bit skeptical but within a couple of days I knew I had to meet him. When I saw these two together I could not believe it. Kerry had found her perfect match. I know you two are going to have a great life together." Kathryn said raising her drink as she wiped at her eyes.
Uncle Mike stood up taking the microphone from Kathryn.
"I'm Kerry's Uncle Mike, Kerry is the daughter my wife and I never had. I'm not going to give a long winded speak which is what our family expects. I just want to say how proud I am of you and wish you two the best."
