Chapter Twelve: The Wedding
Stan and Maxwell stood at the altar as many of the Ham-hams, relatives, and etcetera filtered in through the chapel's doors. Stan looked over at his best friend.
"Max, it's gonna be fine. You'll do great!... But, if you pass out, don't count on me to catch ya." A very pale Maxwell weakly laughed.
"You're right. Everything's going to be fine..." They didn't talk after that.
Minutes later, as everyone was sitting down, the doors shut. The wedding would take place very soon.
-.-.-.
"Achoo!" Cappy sneezed on the small cushion holding the rings. His nose began to run, so he figured that since he didn't have a handkerchief, no one would notice if he wiped his nose on the pillow.
"CAPPY!" Stan and Maxwell heard Panda's yell from the altar. Then, they heard a loud 'whap!'
"I wonder what the little guy did..." Stan trailed off, but was immediately startled by the organ's blast. Anxious looks of expectation crept upon the mens' faces. Howdy noticed this.
"What's Stan lookin' like that for? It ain't like he's the one gettin' hitched," he pointed out to Dexter, who became equally intrigued.
"Hmmmm..."
The doors swung open and out came Penelope, skipping as she delicately tossed the flower petals on the floor, beautifying the aisle for Sandy to walk on. Then came the Bride's Maids, Bijou and Pashmina, daintily stepping around the hundreds of petals. And soon, the bride herself came down the aisle, followed by her Maid of Honor.
Maxwell's eyes drank in the vision of his beloved as she crept upon him down the aisle. Stan's mimicked his.
"There he goes again..." Howdy groaned.
"Shh..." Dexter hushed. Then, suddenly both caught on. "It's Candace!" they quietly yelled.
"Shh!", some older hamsters shushed to them.
"Sorry..." both apologized. They lightly hi-fived one another for making such a discovery.
Everyone in the wedding was at the altar now. Sandy slowly handed her bouquet of roses and lilies to Candace, who gently cradled them for her as she held paws with Maxwell. Sandy looked into his navy blue eyes, which seemed slightly disturbed. She sent him a reassuring glance with her emeralds for eyes. They smiled.
Candace caught Stan's glance and smiled as he winked at her, causing a light crimson blush to come to her cheeks. Her smile widened.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of these two loving souls... Do you, Maxwell Edwards, take Sandy Williams as your lawfully wedded wife- to have and to hold, to honor and cherish, in richer or poorer, in sickness and in health- as long as you both shall live?" the priest asked.
"I-I D-do." Candace couldn't contain her giggles. The priest glared.
"Sorry..." she faintly apologized. The priest sighed.
"Do you, Sandy Williams, take Maxwell Edwards as you lawfully wedded husband-..."
The wedding ceremony continued. Stan and Candace kept passing looks to one another as they witnessed their loved ones' lives changing in just a matter of minutes. Candace ended the game and started paying attention to what was going on, but Stan, for some reason, couldn't keep his eyes off of her.
"You guys are right. Stan does have the hots for her. Hell, they might be the next ones up here," Boss whispered, noticing Stan's staring at Candace.
"Told ya so," Howdy said.
"I never said I didn't believe you," Boss stated.
"But, you gave us a look," Dexter retorted. "One that conveyed that you didn't believe us."
"I was yawning!"
"Shh!" some older hams shushed again.
Back up at the altar, the priest was concluding the ceremony.
"With the power bestowed upon me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Maxwell gently lifted Sandy's veil, putting it behind her head. They both bashfully hesitated. They had kissed before, but not like this. Now, things were different. He looked into her eyes for another look of reassurance, but even the feisty tiger-ham had none to offer at the moment.
Candace looked over at Stan, who looked like he wanted to scream at them for taking so long. She wanted to laugh, but the priest would probably get mad again. She contained it. Finally, the moment came where Maxwell's and Sandy's lips tenderly pressed together in a tame, but nonetheless passionate kiss. They slowly parted, linking arms. Sandy graciously took the bouquet back and briskly walked up the aisle with her new husband, smiling. Everybody stood up and waited for the newlyweds to pass before they saw them off to the reception.
Maxwell opened Sandy's door for her and walked around to the driver's side. They drove off.
Candace began to weep happily, hearing the tin cans clank against the asphalt. 'They're so lucky...'
Stan saw this and tears pricked his eyes as well. 'I know how ya feel, Candy...'
