A/N: Final chapter, many thanks to Lady Dudley for looking over this for me.
Several months later
It had been a quick morning as Jean had made sure she had everything in order. She checked herself in the mirror, pleased with her appearance.
She wheeled herself into the living room and went to the coffee table. Picking up the invite, she smiled. Jean had been looking forward to this for a while now and through most of the morning had been in good spirits.
Still, there was a bittersweetness to today for her, as she wished that Jim could see this. No doubt he would find something to complain about, but he'd be quietly pleased.
Jean looked over to where her gift was, all neatly wrapped up. She mustn't forget that, she reminded herself.
The sound of the phone interrupted her thoughts, and she was delighted to hear her daughter's voice.
"Alison! How are you?" she asked warmly.
"Busy, you wouldn't mind watching Lucy for me today, would you?" Alison asked.
"I'm sorry, Alison, I can't," Jean said apologetically. She was usually only too happy to take care of her granddaughter, but this was a special day that she didn't want to miss. "I've got that wedding today," Jean explained.
"I forgot about that. I'm sorry, I know you've been looking forward to it. Don't worry, I'll work something out," Alison said.
"You'll be okay?" she asked.
"I'll be fine. I suppose I'm just frazzled at the moment. Look, call me later, you can tell me how the wedding went," Alison said.
"Will do. I better get a move on, I don't want to be late," Jean said.
"Of course, bye Mum," Alison said.
"Talk to you soon," Jean said before they both hung up.
As she looked at the clock, she realised she really did have to get a move on. But at least if she left now, she'd arrive in good time.
A smiled formed on her lips, she hadn't been surprised when the bride and groom had gotten together. Jean had probably been the least surprised when they had announced their engagement after only a few months of dating.
Even after the relatively short time they had been together, this wedding had been a long time coming.
And Jean couldn't be happier for the couple.
Jean found herself sitting beside Stephen Andrews. They could both see Michael try not to shift nervously, much to his brother's amusement.
Michael turned and scanned the room, his eyes caught Jean's and they shared a smile, before he searched the rest of the room.
A moment later, the Jardine brothers struck up a conversation in an attempt to take Michael's mind off his nerves. Minutes passed before the bride and her father appeared, but Michael didn't immediately turn around to face them.
"I think you might want to take a look at your bride," Ian whispered with a hint of amusement in his voice.
At this Michael did turn around and what he saw took his breath away.
Jackie was radiant and Michael still couldn't believe his good fortune. He slowly grinned as she walked towards him.
Jean watched them with a smile on her face, the joy in Michael's eyes was unmistakeable. As they said their vows, they looked like they were in their own world where only the two of them mattered.
Before long, Michael and Jackie had their first kiss as husband and wife, with their guests cheering them on.
The day was filled with laughter, fun, and memories that would be cherished for a lifetime. Once the happy couple were congratulated by their guests, they went to the wedding reception.
"I remember when Jackie joined the team," Stephen said fondly. "Who would have thought that we'd be seeing this?"
"Or that it would take so long?" she asked as they watched the newlyweds have another dance.
Michael and Jackie getting together wasn't really surprising. It had been obvious from the start that they'd cared for each other. While on the surface things had seemed to have carried on as normal, there were subtle signs that the pair were happier now that they were finally together.
"It's nice to see them happy," said Stephen.
"They deserve it," Jean agreed.
Michael and Jackie were swaying to the music when a voice interrupted them.
"Mind if I cut in for a bit?" Robbie asked with a smirk.
Michael let go of Jackie with feigned reluctance, "Alright." Robbie took hold of Jackie, ready to dance. "But don't get too comfortable," Michael teased, resulting in a laugh from Jackie.
"Well, he gets the rest of his life with you, it's only fair I get to squeeze in a dance or two today," Robbie said, once Michael was out of earshot. Jackie smiled sweetly in reply as they began to dance.
Michael went over to get himself something to drink when he spotted Stuart.
"Thanks for the gift," Michael said when he approached Stuart, referring to the present that he'd clubbed together with Robbie.
"Sir," Stuart said in acknowledgement.
Michael chuckled, "Don't call me 'sir', Stuart, not at my wedding. Mike or Michael is fine."
Stuart smiled, "Okay…Mike."
Michael returned the smile "Are you enjoying yourself?"
Stuart nodded, "It's a good do."
"Cheers," Michael said.
Stuart had never seen Mike so happy as he was today and Stuart was glad that the couple appeared to have gotten what they'd wanted all along.
"Congratulations, Mike," Stuart said sincerely.
"Thanks, Stuart," Michael smiled.
A new song started and Robbie ended his dance with Jackie, joining Stuart and Michael.
"If I wanted to impress a woman with a song, what should it be?" Robbie asked Stuart.
"I don't think I'm the best person to ask," Stuart replied, resulting in an amused smile from Michael. "Who is it anyway?" asked Stuart before Robbie pointed over to someone.
"I think I'll leave you both to it," Michael said, sounding amused before he left them.
As he still hadn't gotten that drink yet, Michael decided to rectify that. He was about to pour himself something when he felt someone's arms go around him. Michael smiled and turned to face the occupant.
"How was your dance with Robbie?" Michael asked before putting his arms around his wife.
"Good, but not quite as fun as dancing with you," Jackie quickly kissed his lips to reiterate her admission.
Michael smiled, "I have a confession to make."
"What?" she asked.
"As fun as this is…" Michael trailed off before he put his mouth near her ear, "I'm very much looking forward to being alone with you later," he whispered. He mischievously grinned as he faced her.
A slight blush coloured Jackie's cheeks as a smile broke from her lips. Michael was still smiling as he let her go and got himself that drink. Jackie also got herself something and the pair drank for a moment in a comfortable silence before Jean approached them.
"Thanks for inviting me," Jean said.
"Don't mention it," Jackie smiled.
"We're glad you could be here," Michael said.
Jean briefly smiled, "In case I don't have another chance to tell you today, I'm so happy for the pair of you." Michael and Jackie shared a smile, before Jean continued, "And so would Jim. He cared about both of you. He would have been so happy to have seen this."
Jackie could tell how much it meant to Michael to have heard that, she took hold of his hand and squeezed it before they briefly shared a look.
"Thank Jean," Michael said, before he let go of Jackie's hand and bent down to hug Jean.
Once the hug ended, Jackie also hugged Jean. "When Michael and I get back from our honeymoon, you should come over for dinner," Jackie suggested after she let go of Jean.
"I'd be delighted," Jean beamed. "Just let me know when things have settled," she added, not wanting to impose on the newlyweds.
"You can count on it," said Michael.
They all smiled. Michael and Jackie were glad that Jean was in their lives again, and they would always be grateful for the part Jean had played in getting them together. It was nice to be able to share their joy with her.
The rest of the day had gone perfectly and Michael and Jackie were spending the night at home, before going on their honeymoon the next day.
They were snuggled together on the couch, Jackie was still in her wedding dress, there would hardly be any more opportunities to wear it again after tonight.
"That was a very good day," said Michael.
"The best," Jackie said almost dreamily, she smiled when she felt Michael kiss her temple.
They sat in contented silence for a moment, until Michael sighed.
Jackie shifted slightly to look at his face, "What?"
Michael smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nothing really. It's just… all the time that's been wasted. We could have gotten together years ago."
"Michael, don't. Not today," she said softly, before she touched his face. "We got there in the end."
"We did," he smiled before lightly kissing her.
"Anyway, I don't think those years were a waste," she said when they broke apart. "After everything we've been through, I know this will work."
"Time to look forward," said Michael.
"Exactly," smiled Jackie. "Though I think we've already been doing a good job of that."
"True," Michael said, before Jackie went back to her original position. "How keen are you on tonight ending?" he asked after a moment.
Jackie hid a smile before she turned to face him. "Well, it's our wedding night. I don't particularly want it to end just yet. Any ideas on how to pass the time?"
"I might have one or two," he grinned before he brushed his lips over hers, trailing down kisses from her lips to her shoulder. "How does that sound?" he whispered in her ear once he stopped.
Jackie smiled before she got up from the couch. "You mean, do I want my husband to ravish me on our wedding night? Absolutely." She sauntered off to their bedroom, knowing that he wouldn't be far behind.
Michael smirked. He could do nothing about the years leading up this, but one thing was for certain. He wasn't going to waste the time he now had with Jackie for anything.
Michael got up from the couch and turned the lamp off before leaving the living room.
Time to start living the rest of his life.
The End