AN: So this was inspired by ElizabethB88's story, The Strength Within. She has a line in there where Nathan tells his sister that if she can't see something then she 'doesn't have the common sense God gave a duck'. I loved the line and have been making jokes ever since! This was one such joke that just had to be written after I said it! Yes, I asked ElizabethB88 if she would mind if I did this little scene before doing so.
"You have the rings, right?" Gabriel asked his friend as the two stood at the front of the church with Pastor Hogan.
"The ring bearer does," Nathan comment calmly, a small smirk on his face.
Gabriel nodded, a look of relief coming over his face. It only lasted a moment as a realization came over him. "Ring bearer?" he asked looking toward his best man. "Colleen and I didn't choose a ring bearer!"
"I chose one for you," Nathan said calmly, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Gabriel wasn't sure he liked that glint. Moments later when the wedding procession started, he was positive he didn't like that glint. Allie, a small basket of rose petals in one hand, started down the aisle at Rosemary's direction as Lee placed a duck he was holding on the ground. The duck happily followed the little girl, now scattering rose petals, down the aisle. Around the duck's neck, two golden bands hung on a cord.
"Colleen is going to get you for that," Gabriel commented quietly to his friend.
Nathan shrugged his shoulders.
"If that duck waddles off with those rings, I am going to get you for that," he added.
"Relax," Nathan replied back. "Allie and I found an abandoned nest. She insisted on taking in the eggs. Surprisingly, one hatched and that duck has been attached to her ever since."
Sure enough the duck in question followed Allie to the front of the church. Nathan picked up the duck and the rings, while he showed Allie where to stand on Pastor Hogan's right. First Elizabeth and then Colleen walked down the aisle an joined them at the front of church.
Colleen, haven chosen to walk down the aisle without an escort, noticed the duck with the rings in her brother's hands.
"I am not amused," Colleen hissed at her brother quietly enough so the guests would not here.
Her reply was a resounding quack from the duck, even as Pastor Hogan wisely started the ceremony.