Families
Chapter 16
Planning the wedding
As soon as Meg had told her parents the wedding planning started. Neither Meg nor Ben wanted to wait so they set out for late July in Ottawa were Meg had lived most of her life. Wedding plans also meant to get people in to cover for them at the consulate.
"Is there any special place you want to visit in the world?" Ben asked as they laid in bed one lazy Sunday morning.
"What do you mean?" Meg asked.
Ben laid on his side and grinned at her "It's accustomed for a husband to take his new bride on a honey moon"
"Oh that" Meg said. "There are a few places I'd like to see but as long as I'm going with you I don't mind where"
"Well the north is lovely in the summer and I know a place where we can live for free" Ben teased her but turned serious "I really want your input Meg, it should be a trip we both enjoy"
Meg smiled at him, she had something she had to tell him preferably during the day "I don't know if it's a honey moon place but I've always wanted to visit Disney World, but my parents didn't think it was suitable when I grew up"
"We could always combine it with the wetlands, you know I like the nature" Ben bent forward and kissed her.
"Mmm" Meg said against his lips.
"And if we're lucky we might return with our children one day in the future" Ben said.
'Did he know?' Meg thought, she wouldn't put it past him but to her accounting it was barely three weeks.
"Ben there is something I need to tell you" Meg said but was cut off by the doorbell.
Dief's happy bark said it was someone they knew.
"What did you want to say?" Ben asked as he put his jeans on and pulled a dark blue RCMP t-shirt over his head.
"It can wait" Meg got out of bed too.
"OK" Ben went to open the door.
"Good morning buddy" Ray was leaning on the wall opposite the door.
"Good morning Ray, you know it's Sunday, don't you" Ben asked.
"All to well and I was not happy when Welsh called" Ray said. If possible his hair was even more messy than usual.
"Come on in" Ben stood to the side "Have you had breakfast?" he asked.
"No" he shook his head, he knew that almost always in the morning you could get breakfast here "I went straight to the station"
"So why are you here?" Ben asked as he started with coffee, he had quickly learned that Ray could run a full day on only coffee.
Ray told Ben the story and why he needed help from his liaison partner.
"Oh dear" Ben said when he finished "That was a lot of things at once"
"Yes and I need you, God know it's annoying when you sniff and taste things but it helps" Ray wrinkled his nose.
"Good morning Ray" Meg said and walked over to the stove where she gave Ben a kiss "Eggs and bacon, great I'm starving" she added.
"Is there something you guys aren't telling me?" Ray asked.
"What do you mean?" Ben asked for once not able to read his friend's face.
"When Stella was.." Ray started but Meg cut him off.
"Coffee's ready" Meg poured him a cup and put a colorful jar on the table "I've bought Smarties for you"
"You're a star Meg" Ray beamed and then filled her in on why he was dragging Ben away on a Sunday.
"I've got some paperwork I need to do anyway, I have a fitting for my dress tomorrow afternoon" Meg said.
"You will make a beautiful bride" Ray said.
After having breakfast Ben and Ray left in Ray's black GTO, Vecchio's green Buick had been safely stored away for his hopeful return.
"You were saying something about Stella before?" Ben asked as they drove along the streets of Chicago.
"I don't remember, probably nothing important" Ray shrugged his shoulders. Stella Kowalski was the assistant states attorney and Ray's ex-wife.
"It did seem important" Ben said.
Ray didn't want to answer it had been clear by the look from Meg, the ice-queen look he called it, that it wasn't a subject to be discussed.
Ben looked at his new friend "Strange morning" he muttered thinking about that Meg had said their conversation also could wait.
"We're here!" Ray stopped the car with a screech and got out.
Ben took his stetson of the dashboard, got out and held the seat back so Diefenbaker could jump out too.
Back in the apartment Meg sat down and did as much as she could of the reports she usually did on Mondays. She was looking forward to the next day's fitting. She had found the right model almost just at once. Francesca Vecchio had guided her around and of course had the lively Italian thought the dress was too plain. The skirt wasn't fluffy enough but she had agreed that Meg looked stunning in the dress. It hugged her curves just right. She had to tell the seamstress tomorrow and therefore it was important that she told Ben tonight. She looked at the wall clock and saw it was time to start dinner. She didn't really like to cook but it was better now when she cooked for herself and Ben, even better when they cooked together or the best when Ben did it. He was quite an excellent cook.
Around five she heard a key in the door and put her reading glasses away and turned the computer off. She had set already set the table all that was missing was the food and Ben.
"I take it it was a successful day" Meg said as she kissed his cheek.
"Yes it was. We got a few good leads, we are heading out again tomorrow after I've finished my shift at the Consulate" Ben said "It smells delicious" he lifted a lid on one of the pots.
"I tried one of your tips a little of this and that that was in the fridge. I think we need to shop tomorrow" Meg said.
Ben helped to carry the dinner into the living room "Any special reason we're eating here and not in the kitchen?" Ben asked.
"Kind off" Meg said and poured water into their glasses before she sat down.
"Is this about what you wanted to tell me this morning and apparently Ray got some hunch about?" Ben asked.
"I should say it is" Meg handed him the bowl of rice. She was a bit nervous.
"Is there something wrong. Are we hurrying the wedding?" Ben looked worried.
"No, not at all. I want to marry you as soon as possible, the sooner the better as a matter of fact" Meg knew Ben had a very sharp mind and all since the handcuffs on his birthday they hadn't been very careful when they were making love and even Ben should be able to figure it out "The sooner the better" she said again.
"Are you trying to hint something?" Ben asked and Meg nodded "Something good? Bad?"
"I hope you think it's good" Meg said and took a deep breath "I'm not 100% sure but I believe I'm pregnant" there, she had said it.
"Pregnant?" Ben asked and again Meg nodded "How sure are you?"
"As sure as the home test I took yesterday" Meg said.
Ben got up from his seat. He took Meg's face in his hand and kissed her. "A baby?" he asked again.
"Mmm" Meg hummed "Are you OK with that?"
"I'm thrilled" Ben's smile broadened and he sat down again. Dinner wasn't that important anymore. "Do you know when?"
"January" Meg answered and saw how Ben quickly counted back to their weekend in his cabin.
"Have you told anyone else?" Ben asked.
Meg shook her head, she really didn't have any best friend "No and I thought we'd wait until after the wedding to tell the families" she looked at him "Maybe we should tell Ray, I think he's suspecting something"
"Was that what he meant with Stella this morning" Ben said "He told me once when we rescued a kid that was the same age his and Stella's would be if it had gotten the chance to be born"
"So sad" Meg said. They had both in this very short time gotten to know Ray Kowalski pretty well.
They finished dinner, watched the news and had an early night.
Bridal party
June came and went. Meg's mother was calling at least four times a week to talk about wedding plans, she still thought they were rushing it. As often as she could Meg shifted the calls onto Ben, he was much calmer and could almost always lead her mother into other subjects. One time when Meg took the call at home in the evening she almost told her mom about the baby just too shut her up but Ben just came home and kissed her quiet.
Ben's family would join them in Ottawa two days before the wedding, that was the same day Ben and Meg planned on arriving. They had decided on driving and then drive around the Canadian country before heading back to Chicago and work.
Meg had put her foot down about the dinner after the ceremony. The families and a few close relatives and family friends. Her mother had wanted all kinds of second cousins to be invited. Meg had told her they were all very welcome to attend the ceremony but that was it. Ben didn't have that many he wanted to invite but the Frobisher's were invited and everyone had accepted. Mark was coming with his latest girlfriend and Julie with her children, Buck and Lillian would travel with his parents and of course Stuart was coming with Ben's sister and their daughters. Meg had promised to take Sarah shopping for a flower-girl dress the day before the wedding. She knew she needed something to occupy her or she'd go stern crazy.
It was now July and only 24 days left to their wedding. Meg had asked Francesca to come along to her last fitting of the dress. Luckily she was still as thin as before and there didn't need to be any more changes. To be on the safe side though she had ordered a lace teddy that pushed everything into the right places. The seamstress had promised it wouldn't hurt the baby.
"Frannie, why don't you try on that green dress" Meg pointed over to a rack of dresses.
Frannie loved trying of clothes, shopping was an essential part of life "Sure, but I've already found a nice dress for the wedding" she said.
"I know you have, you told me two weeks ago" Meg called from where she was standing in the middle of the room. "I was just thinking something, that instead of a traditional bridal party I'd choose two women to be my bridesmaids, no maid honor at all"
Frannie put her head out from behind the curtain.
"I'd like you to be the one" Meg said "You're the closest thing I've got as a friend" Meg had a serious face on.
"Who's the other?" Frannie asked curiously.
"Ben's sister Becky" Meg said.
"I'd be honored and I do accept" Frannie grinned "Do you have a phone number for Becky?" she asked quickly.
"Of course I have, but don't get up to anything" Meg had tried to drag this decision out but her mother had insisted she'd make a choice. Of course she had hinted on female cousins and Meg's brothers wives but Meg didn't know any of them very well. She didn't know Frannie or Becky that well either but she felt closer to them somehow.
When Ben had received the RSVP card from Mark he had called his friend up to ask if he wanted to be one of his groom's men, just like Meg he had decided on two groom's men and no best man. Ray would be the other. Of course he had wished the real Ray Vecchio could attend but that was not possible.
Ben and Ray had been out for a liaison assignment actually chasing a Canadian the same day as Meg was asking Frannie when Ben had asked him. Ray that was an emotional man had accepted and given Ben a hug. Ray liked to hug people.
"So" Ray said "Do I need to put the uniform on?" he didn't really like to wear it and was happy he had worked hard and made detective.
"The uniform is a good choice. I will wear mine, all formal of course" Ben had answered and described it.
"This other guy, Mark you said?" Ray asked.
"Mark's a hockey player, he'll be wearing a tux" Ben said informatively.
"And that I can too?" Ray was hopeful.
"Of course not" Ben tried to hide a giggle.
"Is this some sick kind of Canadian humor?" Ray asked.
"I believe it is. Of course you can wear a tux if you don't want to wear the uniform" Ben said."But don't you see how easy it is with the uniform?"
"Nah" Ray shook his head "Reminds me too much about funerals" there had been a couple of them, the last one had been his training officer that had been shoot in the line of duty only last year.
"I don't want you to be uncomfortable so please wear a tux" Ben smiled at his friend.
After catching and booking the guy at the 27th precinct Ray had driven Ben back to the consulate where Meg was working late. Ben got out of the car and then let Dief out. He lent back into the car for his stetson "Are you free for dinner on Saturday?" he asked.
"Sure" Ray shrugged his shoulders "Anything special or just casual" he asked.
"Very casual"'Ben said "I believe Meg's asked Frannie over too. I hope that's OK, I know how annoying sisters can be" Ben played the part very well.
"Yeah, it' OK" Ray said and started the engine "Six as usual?" already in a few months they had come that close that Ray often had dinner with Ben and Meg on Saturdays.
"Yes" Ben said "Have a lovely evening Ray" he closed the door and took the steps up to the door two at a time.
"Good evening Turnbull, don't you have any plans for the weekend?" Ben asked the junior officer as he still was at work at seven a Friday evening.
"Yes actually I have tickets to the opera tomorrow evening. It's been too long since
I last enjoyed the lovely work that La Boheme is" Turnbull answer were ecstatic.
"Sound like an enjoyable evening. Are you going alone?" Ben asked.
"No I'll be escorting Miss Nicholls, she's also a member of the Chicago Opera Club that I joined when I first arrived here" Turnbull said.
"That's nice" Ben didn't know what more to say "Is the Inspector occupied?" he asked.
"No, she just hung up her last call five minutes ago" Turnbull had seen the blinking lamp stop.
"Great. I'll see you Monday then I suppose" Ben said.
"Of course, Sir" Turnbull stood up and all but saluted him. The Inspector had dismissed him already more than half an hour ago. But he wanted to finish his weekly report.
Ben had been to his favorite grocery store early in the morning as he took Dief out for a walk. He had picked up all kinds of fresh vegetables and a really nice piece of meat to make a casserole out of. He planned on letting it cook all day so he got himself busy when he got back to the apartment.
Meg didn't wake up until she heard Ben trying not to slam in the kitchen, she had been sleeping so tight that she hadn't even notice him getting out of bed. She certainly hoped he had breakfast going as well as the dinner she could smell. She felt extremely lucky not to be having any morning sickness. Her doctor had told her that they could come later as well just so she was prepared.
Ben didn't hear Meg coming and was startled when he felt her arms around his waist. He turned around and smiled at her "Good morning" then he bent his head and kissed her.
"Good morning, you're cooking already?" Meg asked.
"Yes I am, got some nice stuff over at Mr. Steven's, the casserole will get to cook all day" he said.
Meg reached for a piece of toast that stood in the toaster, it wasn't warm any longer but she didn't mind. "So what will we do while the casserole cooks?" she asked.
"Oh, we could start with breakfast" Ben suggested.
"Or you'll take me back to bed" Meg slid her free hand down the front of him. Again it had been a busy week and most nights they had just fallen asleep.
"That is a suggestion I can agree on" he took her face in his hands and kissed her.
On the way to the bedroom they undressed each other, not that Meg had much on, she had pulled that t-shirt of Ben's that she found in the cabin on and a pair of sweet pants. Ben was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. How ever hot it got and it was hot now in Chicago Meg never got him to wear shorts.
When Ben afterwards pulled her into his arms Meg sighed happily "Do you know how good you make me feel?" she asked.
"If I say no, will you show me?" he had been so full of energy lately, even though the days sometimes were long and filled with work, he always came home to Meg and that made him happy.
"You want me to show you huh?" Meg asked and placed tiny kisses on his collarbone "Are you ready for more?"
"I believe I will be when you're done" Ben grinned as she looked up at him.
"If I only didn't have the handcuffs in my desk drawer at work" Meg said smugly.
That evening when Frannie and Ray came for dinner Ben and Meg told them about the baby, but also told them that not anyone else knew, not even their families.
Disclaimer/Copyright 2014 and forward: I don't own the characters from Due South, but I've written the story and therefore feel I own that. I also want to say I don't know about how the Academy for RCMP or something alike works so I've made it up a nice way to fit my story. I'm also not familiar with names for different kind of people in a village such as the Inuits live in.