Second last chapter. Actually, this is technically the last real chapter, because the next one is an epilogue. But still... this is the second last.

This chapter is basically just the wedding.

And for once, I don't have anything else to say right here.

December 4th, 1969

I wrung my hands nervously, remembering the last time I was in this church. I was preparing to sing 'O Holy Night', worrying only over the fact that my dress had looked like something to be worn by a five year old, and that Soda was in the audience somewhere, and he might see me mess up a high note.

Well, now I was back, two years later, preparing to marry the same boy that I'd been fussing over. I was sixteen then. I was eighteen now. The most important events of my life had taken place in those two years, and I'd never forget them.

I had been reluctant to admit it, but Soda was right to allow Marie's grandparents to take care of her. For the first week or two, it had been hard. They'd called in a panic every night when Marie was lonely for us, which I really appreciated... the calling, not Marie's loneliness. Then she started to adjust... we'd see her almost every day, and sometimes she'd spend the night if I didn't have to work the next morning - I'd accepted a job at a local theatre, teaching little kids beginning vocal, while I took a break from my own singing career. I'd decided to start it up again the next February, but until then, I could rest for a few months.

Marie was perfectly adjusted to living with her grandparents, and I was starting to wonder how she'd take it when we took her back. However, it was a good time for Soda and I to adjust to being in close quarters with each other all the time without having to worry about Marie. She would be changing her name from 'Marie Curtis' to 'Marie Crawford Curtis' by my own request. I'd thought really long and hard about what Dad had said... and I couldn't be mad at Sandy anymore.

It was too hard to hold a grudge against someone and raise their child. Besides, I like to think that it was the drugs that made her the way she was. Maybe, in the future, I'll meet her... and I won't be mad. I'd swallow my pride, and apologize for bitter feelings. Maybe, if I'm right, she'll be off of the drugs, and she'll be sorry too. Maybe she could see Marie sometimes... just for a little bit. And maybe... just maybe... she'd be happy for Soda and me. And I'd be happy for whatever she chose to do.

But I don't really know... that's just maybe.

I'd thought about how Dad compared me to a cuckoo... to the bird hatched in the nest not of it's real parents, but of a different bird. And that was what I was. And now, Marie was the same thing. We were the two illegitimate kids who were taken in by the foe of their biological parent... although, Marie would know of this when she was ready, hopefully before she's seventeen, though. It was weird to compare myself to a bird...

...and then I came across information about starlings. Another bird name from my father. Starlings will fight fiercely for a nest against other birds... I found that slightly ironic.

So, I was something of a starling cuckoo bird, standing there in a wedding dress, my stomach flipping around and around and around...

... until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Naomi," my mother was whispering in my ear, "It's time, sweetie."

"Mom," I asked slowly, not caring that I may or may not be stalling the service, "How did you feel on your wedding day? What were you thinking?"

"I was..." she frowned, "Well, given the circumstances, I was wondering what would have happened, had Bryan survived, and hoping that your father understood and forgave me, and wondering if I was a bad person, to be doing what I was doing, and to have done what I did-"

"This isn't helping."

"-but then," she said, squeezing my shoulder, "I walked in there, and saw Hal waiting for me... he was always waiting for me, he'd always stay behind for me... and everything else disappeared. I missed Bryan for a little while over the next few months... but then I stopped."

"Why?"

"Because," she said, smiling, "I had you. And I see him whenever I look at you."

"What do you see, then, when you look at Dad?" As much as I was used to it, I couldn't get over the fact that my Mom had held love for someone other than Dad.

"I see my husband... and your father... whom I love," she stressed honestly, taking a huge weight off my shoulders, "Now go in there and get married."

I smirked slightly, going towards the adjoining room where I was being waited for. Dad stood waiting, and held out his arm. I turned to Mom, then back to Dad.

"Do you think," I asked them both, "That Bryan would be proud?"

"I know he would," Dad said, "Almost as proud as me right now."

"Let's get 'er hitched!" Hannah called, throwing her fist in the air.

"Ready?"

"No. Let's do this." I said, drawing a shaky breath.

First, the 'groomsmen' and 'bridesmaids' walked in pairs, but all I could see were my middle class well brought up friends looking slightly out of place beside Soda's slightly tougher friends.

Then, Mrs. Crawford took Marie up, who was the flower girl... well, our 'flower girl' completely upturned her basket immediately, leaving a rather large pile of flower petals on the floor infront of the doorway.

Last, Ashley entered as my maid of honour. It had been hard choosing between her and Hannah, but Hannah was just as content as a bridesmaid, and Ashley knew Sodapop a lot better than Hannah did.

I was probably visably shaky as my father escorted me down the aisle, my mother already haven taken her seat. The carpet between the pews seemed to stretch before me endlessly... suddenly, I was standing right in front of the altar. I felt a surge of panic run through me, and turned to Soda. He smiled encouragingly, and I calmed slightly. It's funny... I was almost expecting to look up and see a complete stranger. But I didn't. I saw my Sodapop. It was relieving.

The minister cleared his throat, ready to begin.

"Who gives this woman in marriage?" he asked my father, to which Dad replied, "Her mother... myself... and Bryan... all do."

I swear, I've never gotten goosebumps like that before.

"Dearly beloved," he continued as my father sat down, taking my mother's hand, "We are are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Sodapop Patrick Curtis and Naomi Alexandra Sterling in matrimony, which is commended to be honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

I found the ceremony going by quickly until the vows... our reading, and the minister basically talking about marriage.

"Naomi," he asked, turning to me, "do you take Sodapop to be your lawful wedded husband?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for so long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Sodapop, do you take Naomi to be your lawful wedded wife?"

"I do." It was becoming obvious that he could barely contain his excitement. He looked like a little boy a fairground.

"Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?"

"I sure do."

"Do you together promise in the presence of your friends and family that you will at all times and in all circumstances, conduct yourselves toward one another as becomes Husband and Wife?"

"We do." Soda smiled at me, and I finally found that I was able to return the gesture.

"Do you together promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years?"

"We do." We responded once again in unison.

For some reason or another, we'd decided to make our own vows as well... probably because we wanted to have the minister say some incase we screwed ours up, or we wanted some incase the minister screwed ours up.

"Naomi," Soda began, a huge grin plastered on his face, "You're the most talented, caring, amazing person I know, or ever knew. I loved you exactly two years ago today, when I first heard you really singing. I can't give you a whole lot, but I promise I'll love you forever, and I'll always support you no matter what you do, for as long as I live."

I felt really stupid right then, because I was sure that I'd start crying.

"Soda," I began, studying my hands, "You're the person I want to spend the rest of my life with... today, I take you to be my life partner, and I promise you that I will be worthy of your trust..." I was growing frustrated with myself, because I sounded like I was reciting lines out of a book. Soda's vows had been so heartfelt... why couldn't I get mine out?

I looked away from my hands, and into Soda's face, noticing the contained excitement. If he could, I thought wryly, he'd be bouncing off the walls.

"It took us too long to be together," I continued, "and I never want us to be apart again. We're like the missing halves of each other. I vow to love you, to laugh with you, and to cry with you, for richer for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live."

I felt a squeeze on my shoulder, and heard Ashley whispering in my ear, "Nice recovery."

Then we had a song, that my mother sang. It was the first time I'd heard her really sing, and I was pleasantly surprised. She's good.

The ring ceremony went over pretty smoothly, except for one thing...

"This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you," I said, "I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours." Then Soda took my ring, and said,

"I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you." Taking my hand in his to put the ring on, I noticed that he was as shaky as I was. Suddenly, the tiny gold band had slipped out of sight...

"... uh oh." he muttered.

Once we had found the ring, the minister continued, his face slightly flushed.

"Now, let us bow our heads in prayer...Our father, bless your children here before us, and keep them safe in their journey through life together. Give them love and happiness, and many good years together, that they may do your will. Thank you, gracious God, for this love, and may many more prosper from it, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen."

Smiling at the two of us, he continued on with finality.

"By the power vested in me by the State of Oklahoma, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Soda lifted the veil off of my face (and thank God, because it was getting annoying... Mom had insisted I wear it) and pressed his lips to mine, ignoring Two-Bit's encouraging wolf-whistles.

"I present to you for the first time," the minister said, spreading his hands behind us, "Mr. and Mrs. Curtis."

Those who were there stood to applaud enthusiatically, and I felt Ashley and Hannah both hug me tightly from behind, not two seconds before a camera flash went off.

I have that picture with me to this very day.

"Anyway," Hannah said, continuing on with the long, slightly champagne-induced speech she was giving, "Let's have a toast for Sodapop and Naomi..."

"Enough for you," I muttered, poking her side. She winced slightly.

"Okay, I'll give a real speech now," Ashley announced, "Or at least, a sober one..." the group laughed at that.

"Okay, so I've known these two about as long as they've known each other... and I don't think I know any two people more perfect for each other... or two people more determined to be together. Everything from sneaking into Naomi's big performance last year, to them two kissing in a crowded train station, I'm sure it all led up to this. Naomi always knows what she wants... she's born that way, so, basically, Soda didn't have a chance.

"I couldn't be happier to have the two of them together. Through it all, I know I've helped the cause, and I've slowed it down. But everything they went through made them stronger, and made them the couple that they are today... which is the definition of perfect. A toast to Naomi and Sodapop."

"To Naomi and Sodapop," the rest of the group eachoed, raising their glasses. Then Hannah decided to start a chant.

"Speech! Speech! Speech!"

Ashley frowned. "I just gave one, you drunk sonofa-"

"No, Naomi!"

I rolled my eyes, deciding to appease her rather than argue.

"Well," I said, shrugging, "What can I say that hasn't already been said? It's been one hell of a journey. But yeah, if I had to, I'd definately do it all over again just to be here right now. It's unexplainable... the feeling of knowing that you've found the one person that you're willing to share your life with... share everyting with. It's just like your opening night at a huge opera, or musical, or rock concert... whatever style I music I choose to be fickle about next." This earned some smiles, because everyone there knew me and knew how often I switched my musical goal, "But it's better. It's so much better... it's like one big, huge, opening night." I smiled, and raised my glass. "To opening nights."

"To opening nights!"