Chapter 40

"I can't believe we are sitting in a hospital chapel for a wedding," Dave groaned.

"And I can't believe you are even here. You weren't supposed to show up until tomorrow," Andy replied.

"So I was able to get an extra day off. Shoot me. And who came up with this idea anyway?" Dave then saw Paul coming in and disappear into another room. "Never mind, don't answer that. I think I may know now."

"Hey, don't be so hard on Paul. Look how happy he's made Sandy. I doubt he would be going through all this trouble if he wasn't serious about marrying her," Edie spoke up. "And look how this is decorated! Didn't Winona do a great job?"

"It is absolutely lovely," Marie agreed. "And really, David, Paul is not a bad sort at all. I can tell when someone had good upbringing, and Paul certainly has that. Who else could pull something off like this in a short time? I could not have done better if I tried."

"That would make two of us, Mom," Andy nodded. "I guess that is one reason why I am still a bachelor."

"Maybe Paul knows a nice girl he could fix you up with," Marie said.

"Uh, Mom, I'm sure I can find my own women," Andy laughed. "But thanks for the suggestion anyway."

Edie looked around. "Speaking of women, I thought Paul's mom was going to be here, at least that is what Sandy told us last night."

"Oh, she may be in the back with Paul," Marie answered. "I did see her earlier."

"Are you sure Sandy is even up to all of this?" Edie wondered.

"She certainly seemed perky when I talked to her this morning," Marie said, nodding. "And Tyler said she looks a lot better than she did after her appendix was out."

"Well, if nothing else," Andy grinned. "It's going to be a memorable day in more ways than one."

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"Here," Spanky said, tossing Paul a bag. "Next time, get your own stuff for your Hershey squirts. Do you have any idea what it's like to be in a middle of a drugstore getting Imodium dressed in wedding shit?"

"Don't say 'shit,' man," Paul groaned. "I've already made how many trips to the can practically all day. Of all times for me to get the runs."

"You're probably just nervous, dude. Relax, it's just Sandy. It isn't like you haven't been with her before. She got pregnant somehow, and I doubt it was by immaculate conception."

"Very funny," Paul shot him a look. "And it isn't Sandy I'm worried about as I am her relatives. Damn Dave wasn't even supposed to be here until tomorrow. I think he hates me."

"Doubt that," Spanky shook his head. "He's just playing the overprotective big brother. I've been guilty of it with my own sister. Who the hell could hate your goofy ass anyway?"

"Hold that thought; I'll be right back," Paul said with a hurried look on his face before dashing into the bathroom.

"Will you take that fucking Imodium already?" Spanky asked through the door. "What will you do otherwise when this thing gets on the road? 'Hold on a minute, Pastor, I gotta make a pit stop again'? Jesus."

"At this rate, I may drink the whole bottle of it," Paul responded.

"Great, then Sandy will have to hear you bitch about being constipated. Oh well, consider that the lesser of the two evils."

"Not funny, dude. Just hand me my damn suit, will you? I can change while I'm in here."

"And pray to God you don't shit yourself in the meantime."

"I'd like to see how you function when you finally get married," Paul groaned, taking the suit from Spanky.

"Come on, you have to man up," Spanky told him. "The Imodium should kick in by the time they bring Sandy down if you take it now."

"Let's hope," Paul sighed. "The last thing I need is for anything to go wrong now, especially shitting myself in front of my soon to be stepson and in-laws."