"New Love Found"
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Everything else I own unless stated otherwise.
A/N: Takes place a couple of months after previous chapter. To begin with, all voices except Kira's are in bold and italic. Then when Conner, Neil and Jade eventually speak, all voices on the phone except theirs are in bold and italics. Thoughts are in italics.
Chapter 18 – Wedding Plans
Two months had passed since Pam moved back in with Adrian. Kira and Conner settled down into life on their own. On this day, they were sitting watching TV and spending time together.
"Babe?"
"Yeah Baby?"
"We have been together for over a year now, why don't we set a date for our wedding?"
"OK. We'll get a pad of paper and a pen and start writing down ideas."
"Sounds good, Babe."
Kira went through to the kitchen and got some paper and a pen and went back through to the living room."
"OK, Baby, date?"
"What date would you like Babe?"
"Any date suits me except for 14th February obviously, as that is my mum and dad's anniversary."
"Fair enough Babe. How about an autumn wedding?"
"A nice autumn's day? That sounds good Baby."
"Middle of October sound good Babe?"
"That's only five months away."
"We'll enlist the family to help us."
"OK then Baby."
"OK. October it is. Maid of Honour?"
"No idea. We've got so many female friends that I can choose from."
"I've got an idea Babe, how about Jade."
"I've got a better idea Baby. How about a double wedding?"
"Sounds good. I don't mind sharing my day with them if they agree."
"I'll phone Neil the now, Baby."
Kira picked up the house phone and dialled Neil's number. It was answered after a few rings.
"Hello?"
"Hey Bro."
"Kira! Little sister! Hey! What's up?"
"Can you and Jade come to mine and Conner's? We have something to ask you."
"Sure. We'll be there in about in half an hour."
"OK. See you soon Bro."
"Love ya Sis."
Love you too, Bro."
Kira hung up and turned to Conner and said, "They'll be here in about half an hour."
"Cool. Shall we leave the plans until then, or continue?"
"I think that we should continue."
"OK. Let's see, where were we? Ah yes, Maid of Honour?"
"Being left the now Baby. Best Man?"
"Also being left the now Babe. Venue?"
"Hmmm. Why don't we get married at the same church as my mum and dad did a few months ago?"
"Reefside Abbey? Hmmm. Nah, how about an outdoor wedding?"
"An outdoor wedding?"
After a few minutes thought, Kira agreed and thought to herself, "I can just see it. The leaves falling all around us." She then said to Conner that she agreed.
"OK. Moving on. Now, we need to find a place to hold our wedding and someone to marry us. Besides all the usual things."
"We'll need to consult Neil and Jade as well if they agree."
"I know, Babe."
At that moment, the doorbell rang and Kira got up to answer it. She opened it and as expected, saw Neil and Jade.
"Hey Bro, Jade. Come in."
She led them into the living-room where they sat on a chair and Kira took her place back on the couch next to Conner.
"So, Sis. What did you and Con wanna ask us?"
"Have you thought of a date for your wedding yet?"
"No, we haven't, Sis. Why?"
"Well, Bro, I was thinking. I was thinking of having a double wedding. I mean we practically did everything together growing up. What do you think?"
Neil turned to Jade and looked at her. After a few minutes, Jade nodded. Jade then turned to Kira and said, "We'd be honoured, Kira, Conner."
"Great. Now, Neil, Jade, we started coming up with ideas if you want to hear them."
"Sure, Con."
"OK Jade."
Conner then told them that he and Kira had agreed on an autumn wedding, the middle of October, if they were ok with that. They both nodded, but Neil then thought of something. He then said, "That's only five months away. How will we manage to do it?"
"I thought the same, Bro, but as Con said, we'll enlist the three families to help."
"OK."
"Right, back to the plans. Babe, Maid of Honour, now that you know Jade will be standing up next to you."
"I still don't know, Baby. Jade?"
"I'm thinking Hayley for mine."
"OK, so, Hayley is Jade's Maid of Honour. Neil, Best Man?"
"Con, before we agreed to hold a double wedding, I was thinking you. However, since Jade has chosen Hayley, I'm thinking of Tommy."
"OK, I think I'll choose Eric as mine."
"Baby, if you're choosing Eric, I'll choose Mel as my Maid of Honour."
"OK Babe. Sorted. Now, we have six friends left over. Leanne, Gary, Ethan, Drew, Samantha and Alison. How about we split them?"
"How do you propose we do that Con? In case you haven't noticed, there are three boys left and three girls left. There is two couples getting married."
"Hmmm. That is a problem Neil. If we leave anybody out, there will be hurt feelings."
"Unless, guys, we keep it at Maids of Honour, one for each bride and Best Men, again one for each groom, only. We can tell the others that we had a hard time choosing out of the rest and didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings. I'm sure that they would understand."
"Hmm. True Jade, true."
"Sweetheart, that's brilliant. That way, there is no hurt feelings."
"OK. So we have got our Best men and Maids of Honour sorted. Colour scheme for flowers?"
"Sis, I think lilac, white and blue would be nice."
"I agree with Neil."
Jade and Kira looked at each other, then looked back at their respective fiancés. They both nodded.
"OK, Honey. That does sound good. Venue for wedding and reception?"
"Well, where does everyone think? Conner? Kira?"
"Neil, Kira and I have no idea. What about you?"
"Same Con, same. Sweetheart?"
"Well guys, I was thinking my favourite restaurant."
"Oh? Where's that Jade?"
"Well Con, it's called "The Lochside Restaurant". It's called that because it is situated next to a loch and they have extensive grounds."
"Maybe we can do the entire thing there, Sweetheart. I mean the service and the reception."
"We could Honey, they have an aisle of trees that leads to a grassy area in front of the loch."
"Sounds good Sweetheart."
They continued to discuss plans and eventually came up with guest lists for each couple and it was decided to ask the Minister of Reefside Abbey to marry them.
"We'd better let the parents know, then ask Mel, Hayley, Eric and Tommy if they'll be our Maids of Honour and Best Men respectively. First call, the parents."
"True Babe. I'll call my mum and dad first."
Conner picked up the phone and called his parents' number. It was answered almost immediately.
"Hello?"
"Hey Dad."
"Conner?"
"Yep."
"What's up?"
"I'm just calling to let you and Mum know that Kira and I have decided on a date for our wedding."
"Oh? When is it?"
"It's October this year and it's a double wedding."
"Oh? Eric sharing with you?"
"No, Neil and Jade are."
"OK. Where have you decided?"
"We decided on "The Lochside Restaurant"."
"We'll help and save the money as it's only five months away."
"OK. Thanks Dad."
"No problem, Son."
"Anyway, I'll call you when Neil and I are going to choose our outfits."
"OK Son. Love you."
"Love you too, Dad,"
With that, Conner hung up the phone and turned to the others and said, "My parents said that they'd help with the money. I imagine that all sets will say the same. Now, who's next to call their folks?"
Jade looked at Neil and Kira and said, "I will." She then picked up the phone and dialled her mum and dad.
"Hello?"
"Hey Mum."
"Jade, My Little Gem! How are you?"
"I'm fine Mum. Is Dad there?"
"Sure. Hang on. David! Jade's on the phone and wants to speak to you."
A few minutes later, she heard her dad on the phone.
"Dad?"
"Hey Princess. I'm on the extension so that your Mum can still hear."
"OK. I was wondering if you would give me away in October."
"Huh? . . . . . Oh! You've set a date?"
"Yep and I'm sharing my day with Kira and Conner."
"I'd be honoured Princess."
"Little Gem?"
"Yeah Mum?"
"Where have you all decided?"
"My favourite restaurant."
""The Lochside"?"
"That's right Mum."
"Well, we'll help by putting money aside for it. Have you called them yet?"
"Not yet Mum. We thought that we had better call the parents first."
"OK. Talk to you later, Little Gem."
"Talk to you later, Princess."
"OK. Bye Mum, Bye Dad."
Jade hung up the phone and said, "That's my folks putting money aside for us as well. Kira, Honey, you're up."
Kira looked at Neil and asked, "You or me?"
"You do it Sis. I'll get on the extension."
"OK."
Kira dialled her mum and dad. It was picked up after a few rings. Kira indicated to Neil to get on the extension.
"Hello?"
"Hey Dad."
"Hey Dad."
"Neil! Kira! Hey kids. How are you both doing?"
"We're doing fine Dad. Dad?"
"Yeah Kiddo?"
"I've got something to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Will you give me away in October?"
"I take it that you have set a date then?"
"Yep."
"I'd be honoured, Kira."
"Thanks Dad."
"No probs Kiddo. What about you Son?"
"Same day Dad. It's a double wedding."
"Unusual, me being the father of both the groom and bride."
Kira and Neil heard laughter on the other end of the line.
"Your Mum and I will help with the cost."
"Thanks Dad."
"No problem Son. I'll tell your Mum. Anyway, I'll talk to you both later as your Mum and I are going to the cinema."
"OK Dad. Love you."
"Love you too Kiddo. Love you Son."
"Love you too Dad."
"Bye Kiddo, Bye Son."
"Bye Dad."
"Bye Dad."
Kira and Neil hung up both phones and Kira said, "That's our folks helping us with money as well."
Conner then said, "Good. All sets of parents have been told. I think that we should call "The Lochside" and see if they can help us."
They all agreed and Jade made the call and explained that she was getting married and wondered if the restaurant was available in October to hold both the service and reception and if they could use the grassy area next to the loch for the service. She also explained that it was a double wedding. She was told that the 15th October was free and that they would be delighted to hold the wedding outside. The manageress also said that, as it was a double wedding, they would be happy to cater and do their cakes free of charge. However, both couples needed to come in together sometime before the wedding to discuss arrangements. Jade agreed and a date was set to view and discuss what could be done for them.
x
After all the arrangements had been made with the restaurant, it was decided that they would take the bus to the Abbey to see the Minister.
x
Arriving at the Abbey, they were greeted by the very man that they wanted to see.
"Hello there."
"Hello Minister. I'm Kira McBride and this is my twin brother Neil McBride and these are our respective fiancés, Conner McKnight and Jade Spencer."
"Hello again, Kira, Neil. What can I do for you?"
"We're getting married in October. We were wondering if you would marry us please."
"Of course. I'd be honoured. When and where?"
"15th October at "The Lochside Restaurant". They are doing both the service and the reception."
"Certainly. I look forward to it."
"Thank you Minister."
"Not a problem Kira. I'll put that date in my diary right now."
He did so and bid the teen's goodbye.
x
They went back to Conner and Kira's. When they arrived, Conner said, "I'll call Eric to get his and Mel's butts over here."
"OK. Before they come, I'll call Tommy and Hayley."
"OK."
Kira went first. She called up Tommy and it was answered by a female.
"Hello?"
"Hey Hayley?"
"Hey Kira! What's up?"
"Can you and Tommy come over to mine and Conner's please?"
"Sure, we'll be about twenty minutes."
"OK, thanks."
Kira hung up the phone and said, "They'll be here in about twenty minutes."
"OK Babe. My turn now."
However, before Conner got the chance to call his brother, he heard a knock on the door. He got up to answer it and lo and behold, it was Eric and Mel.
"Hey Assmunch, I was just gonna call you."
"Hey Jerkface. We were already on our way over too see you and Kir."
"Come in."
They went back into the living-room and Conner sat back down on the couch beside his beloved and Eric and Mel sat on the other chair.
"So, guys, what's all of this paperwork for?"
"You'll just have to wait and see Eric."
"OK Neil."
At that moment, the doorbell rang again. Kira got up to answer it this time. It was Hayley, Tommy and the rest of the gang.
Kira thought to herself, "This has just gotten complicated." Out loud she said, "Come in guys."
She led them to the living-room where they all grabbed spots on the floor.
After a few minutes of talking and catching up, Kira turned to the gang and said, "OK, we don't want anyone to be upset here. So before I continue, promise me, that no matter what is said, none of you will be upset."
They all looked at each other, then back at Kira and they all nodded.
"Good. I'll explain why I said that in a few minutes. But first, Conner and I have decided on a date for our wedding."
"Way to go Kir. Tell us Kir."
"OK Sam. It's the 15th October this year and we'll be sharing it with Neil and Jade. A double wedding."
"Cool. Congrats guys."
"Thanks Tommy. Now, that brings us to what we wanted to ask."
"You're welcome Kir."
Conner turned to Eric and said, "Eric, you are my twin brother. I was wondering if you would do me the honour of being my Best Man."
"I'd be delighted and honoured to Conner." Eric then hugged Conner and wiped his eyes.
Kira turned to Mel and said, "Mel, would you do me the honour of being my Maid of Honour?"
"I'd be honoured, Kira."
Kira turned to the others and said, "I couldn't choose between of all of you, but when Con said that he was going to choose Eric, it made sense to choose Mel as she is going with Eric and will be my sister-in-law eventually."
It was Leanne who answered, "We understand Kir. I take it, that it's the same with Neil and Jade."
"Yes Lea, both Neil and I had trouble choosing as well, so we kept it as a couple as well. Then we were going to have the rest bridesmaids and groomsmen, but that gave us another problem."
"I see what you mean Jade. How to do it evenly. I mean there is three of us girls left after you choose your Maid of Honour and three boys left after Neil chooses his Best Man. It wouldn't work. We understand. Don't we guys?" The last was said to the rest of the gang.
"Yep, we do." This was said in unison.
It was Neil who answered, "Good, so there will be no hard feelings then?"
"No, none." This was Gary.
"OK. He turned to Tommy and said, "Tommy, would you do me the honour of being my Best Man?"
"I'd love to Neil. It would be an honour."
Jade then turned to Hayley and said, "Hayley?" She didn't get a chance to finish as Hayley said, "I'd love to Jade and I'm honoured."
Everyone laughed at the way that Hayley didn't give Jade a chance to finish and Hayley herself blushed.
x
Everyone spent a while just catching up, then as it was getting late, everyone, with the exception of Eric and Mel who stayed with Conner and Kira, went home.
x
A few hours later, Eric and Mel said goodnight to Conner and Kira and went up to bed.
Kira and Conner went up to bed an hour after Eric and Mel. Conner got ready for bed and waited on the love of his life joining him in bed. Kira got in beside Conner and snuggled up to him and said, "Night Baby."
"Night Babe."
They kissed each other goodnight and settled down to sleep.
