Close Encounters of the Fictional Kind

Chapter 29: Faith's Wedding

Elise and Marie walked through the sunny field of grass to their chairs that were set up in a spiral around a large circle with a table in the middle. They chose a shady spot so that Marie wouldn't complain about being sunburned later, and settled in for the event that would soon be taking place.

The two girls had traveled nearly 5 hours to be at their friend, Faith's, wedding today. She had met the man of her dreams a few years before and now she and Stephen would be saying their vows. Elise tucked her purse beneath her chair after securing a small packet of tissues for during the ceremony. It was a small wedding held at a farm in the country. The reception would take place in the modified barn that had been remodeled for such occasions. Over all, it was beautiful. A beautiful day, a beautiful place, and a beautiful couple!

However there was one thing that the girls knew that Faith and Stephen didn't. They had extended an invitation to the Doctor and River Song. Neither had RSVP'd though, so they were unsure if they would actually show up. It was obvious that the Doctor had important things to do, but they still hoped.

Just then, the music started and the groom started to walk the spiral with his mother. He left her at her chair and proceeded to stand by the table. Next came the bride's mother, being escorted by the bride's brother. The bridesmaids and groomsmen came next. Finally, the music changed and a soft breeze swept across the fields as the bride made her way through the spiral of chairs escorted by her father. Faith looked radiant in the long white dress and vale.

Elise and Marie smiled as their friend passed, and Elise pulled out a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. Weddings always made her cry. The two girls watched with bubbling happiness as the couple joined hands in the center of the spiral and said their vows. Both the groom's mother and the bride's mother stood to read their well-wishes to the couple, and then the rings were exchanged. The new married couple was announced to the guests and the traditional kiss was given along with a hug.

At this point, Elise's eyes were streaming and she'd used up nearly all of the tissues. Marie's eyes were glistening too, but when Elise offered her a tissue, she shook her head and said, "No, I'm fine. Just got dirt in my eye or something."

Elise didn't believe her for a moment, but didn't push the issue. The reception proceeded right after the ceremony, and the dinner was fabulous! Elise and Marie were seated with Faith's other friends from high school and work, and Elise set to work right away talking to them and making new friends while Marie quietly ate her chicken and answered questions directed at her.

After the dinner, the tables were moved to make space for the dance floor. The DJ announced the couple's first dance, and Faith and Stephen swayed slowly side to side as everyone looked on. After that, the dance floor opened up and everyone started to dance. Well… everyone forty and under. A few of the older generation joined in, but not very many. Elise and Marie were shaking it to the Twist and Shout with Faith when Marie grabbed Elise's arm and pointed out the window of the barn. There, walking up the drive in a dapper tails and top hat was the doctor. On his arm was a radiant River Song in a sequined forest green one-shoulder dress.

"They're here!" Elise squealed.

"Who's here?" Faith asked looking out the window.

"We invited someone as your wedding present," Marie smiled as she turned to run down the stairs from the loft of the barn to the main floor.

Elise and Faith followed, and all three girls met the Doctor and his date at the door. "You came!" Marie said excitedly.

"Of course! Fashionably late is the only way to arrive," the Doctor said, adjusting his bow tie.

River smiled and rolled her eyes. "He set the coordinates wrong. I told him that I should drive, but you know how he is."

The girls laughed while the Doctor glared over at River who didn't look repentant at all. With that, everyone grabbed a drink and proceeded back upstairs where the Electric Slide was taking place. The Doctor and River stole the dance floor at one point with their eccentric dancing much to the amusement of the three girls.

When the dollar dance came around later that night, the doctor quickly jumped in line for the bride and River waited for the groom. River got to dance first, and she turned slowly with Stephen and discreetly made hints about what would happen should Faith ever get hurt by him. He nodded readily and promised that nothing would ever happen to her.

The Doctor danced with Faith shortly after that. The two spun around with a bit of flair as the song picked up. "Do you truly love him?" he asked looking over at Stephen who was now dancing with Elise.

"Yes," Faith answered, a small smile on her lips.

The Doctor smiled as well and nodded, leaving it at that. It was obvious that Faith was quite pleased with her catch. They danced for a minute longer before the Doctor spun her off to Marie who was next in line.

The rest of the night passed with lots of dancing, drinking, laughing, and possibly a little kissing. The Doctor danced with Elise at one point to the Buttercup song and Marie danced with River. The girls were surprised to learn that the Doctor knew how to line dance and took great pleasure and doing the Cupid Shuffle with him and River.

The night drew to a close around midnight and the girls and Stephen waved the Doctor and River off as they walked back down the drive. "Thanks, guys," Faith said, hugging Elise and Marie.

"Yeah, we weren't sure if he would come, but we thought it was worth a try," Marie grinned.

"Just one thing," Stephen said and the three girls turned to face him. "Who was he?"

"The Doctor," all three answered in unison.

"Doctor who?" Stephen asked even more confused, but the only response he received was the giggling of the three friends.