AN - I thought this would end up being two chapters, but there seems to be another coming after this one. Still angry over the lack of closure and last minute decision and lack of concern and...
Ok, I'll hop off my soap box and hope this helps you guys as much as it helps me.
"Woody, we've done it before, what's wrong?"
"Jordan, I've made so many mistakes, with us I mean, I just want to do it, right."
"Trust me when I say I know how to do it right."
"Please, Jordan, it's just a few more hours?"
Jordan sighed, and made a real effort to quench the fire. She stepped back from her fiancé, releasing him from the grip she had around his neck. The room was beautiful, tasteful but richly decorated. The huge king bed had a deep red cover with mountains of pillows. The remains of a delicious meal sat on the table in the sitting area. They had relaxed, shared an excellent wine, and when Woody leaned over to kiss his bride, things heated up rather quickly.
Woody had pulled back, and let her know that he wanted to wait until they were married.
Jordan walked away and downed the rest of her wine.
She sighed deeply. "OK, I am trying to understand, it's been a while for me, you know, and we are here in this beautiful suite, alone, with three hours to kill…" Her arm stretched toward the bed in mild frustration.
"Jordan, I'm the boy scout, remember? I was brought up to respect women. The past few years… Well, let me just say I haven't been really proud of myself. Please, it isn't easy for me either, but, let's go for a walk or something, OK?"
She smiled as she turned toward him and took his hands. She kissed each hand and then each cheek. "OK, boy scout, but I have to get ready. Why don't you go argue with Danny some more, and give me the room for a while. Come get me when it's time to go."
Woody's brow wrinkled with concern. "I thought we agreed no fancy clothes, Jordan, what are you going to wear?"
Her eyes grew smoky as she replied with a sexy little smile, "Not too much, don't worry."
"OK, well, I'm just going to go find Danny and I'll see you in a few hours…" His speech was a little flustered. She could get under his skin in a split second! If he wanted to keep that promise he'd made to himself, (and he did), he'd have to leave quickly.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Jordan put her hands on the door. She wondered once again how they had managed to overcome so many odds to finally end up at this point.
Woody spent the time carefully avoiding the eye candy, he knew that Jordan was perfectly capable of checking the security tapes, and he valued his soon-to-be marriage. He couldn't find Danny, he didn't know that Delinda was carefully keeping them apart, perfectly aware of what could happen. She didn't want anything to ruin Jordan's wedding.
Unfortunately, unable to find anyone he knew, Woody decided to just try a few slot machines. As he started, he knew he would only spend the $50 in his pocket and be done. He also knew he'd probably lose.
And he did. Then he realized that after all that bad luck, he was due for a win, after all it was his wedding day. So, he got out his credit card. He laughed at himself, 'knowing' once again that he couldn't win.
And he didn't win. Over and over. He kept telling himself that one more would be the charm, he had to have luck on his wedding day…
He felt a cold chill down his spine before the finger tapped his shoulder. He closed his eyes, realizing it had happened again, and this time he had a wife to support. He slowly spun around on his stool, and started apologizing before he could face her.
"Jordan, I… I just… I knew I'd lose, so I figured it wasn't a bad thing, right? So, I figured I'd…"
He stopped in mid-sentence as his eyes opened. Before him was the hottest woman he'd ever seen. The short red dress he'd first noticed her in was nothing compared to this. It was white, and clung to every perfect curve. The neckline was placed just in the right spot so you had a suggestion of what the halter top hid, with enough skin to make him melt. The skirt hugged her hips in a way that he had wanted to himself for so long. The high heeled sandals sparkled, reminding him he was in Vegas. She had put her hair up and her neck was inviting him. By the time he took in her eyes, he had forgotten that he'd just gambled away $563.
When their eyes met, however, he remembered. She was not amused. "First you tell me that you want to respect me, you want everything to be perfect. Then you forget to come get me for our wedding, you make me search for you through this stupid casino. When I find you, you're dumping money into this machine to make rich men even richer! And if you give me that stupid "It's Vegas, baby!" line, you will be waiting a lot longer than just a few hours! Do You Understand?!"
His face had instantly twisted into a guilt-ridden expression, sad, but sincere. Jordan didn't let herself look any happier, but she was actually relieved that he'd ended up here. Of all the trouble in Vegas, this wasn't the worst for a groom to land in.
Her eyes drilling holes through his head, she said in an ominous voice, "How much?"
He sheepishly replied, "Only four, maybe five hundred, it's not as bad as last time!" He awkwardly stood, embarrassed that he got pulled into gambling again. S feeling the effects of the first impression upon seeing her in that goddess-dress, he did what any self-respecting man would do.
He took the beautiful, sexy creature in his arms and shamelessly begged for mercy. Much to his surprise, she quickly gave it. "It's only money. I am not letting that get in the way, after everything. Let's get married!" Her lips slowly slid over his, and he knew, once again, they had to leave. Now.
"OK, Jordan" His voice came in a choke at first. Clearing his throat, he tucked her hand through his arm, and led her to their awaiting limo.
At the chapel, he couldn't keep his eyes off her, except when he caught the guy in the Elvis costume checking her out. He quietly told the guy he was a cop and he had killed. More than once. Elvis broke into a lovely chorus of "I can't help falling in love with you!"
The song was perfect, even if the performer was wearing sequins. They exchanged their vows sincerely, facing each other with honest expressions of love and respect. The cheesy surroundings disappeared, and there was only the two of them. It had all been worth it.
As they walked up the aisle, Elvis sang about the temperature rising and Woody shot him with a stare which took a little of the enthusiasm out of the performance. Jordan smirked at Woody's jealousy, happy that such a great guy would behave like that about her. And now she was married to him!