Families
Chapter 17
The wedding
Ben and Meg arrived in Ottawa at her parents house around noon on the Thursday before the wedding. Ray and Frannie along with Turnbull would arrive Friday afternoon.
Meg's mother was thrilled to have her daughter home. She had set up her old room for her and the guest room for Ben. If they were to stay in the same house they should at least have separate rooms she said.
Ben carried their bags up the stairs. He was curious about how her old girl's room would look like.
Meg carried the dress bag containing her wedding dress. "This is it" Meg said when she stood outside the door "I don't know what mother's done to it but if there are pink fluffy curtains it's all her"
"I promise I won't laugh" Ben kissed her cheek.
The room was actually how Meg had left it, curtains in the same red as their dress serge.
"I've always thought red suits you" Ben said and out her bags down.
"Thank you" she said and sat down on her bed. It was a queen size one. She patted to her left side for Ben to sit down. "I hope mother's not gone over the top for tonight's dinner"
"Don't you worry, I think everyone will be busy talking old memories, remember your father was mines superior back when we were kids. And I know both dad and Buck have tons of stories" Ben took her hand and played with her fingers. "You know in less than 48 hours it will be too late to back out. The moment I've recovered in church of how beautiful you will look all I will think about is to put that next ring on your finger"
Meg got tears in her eyes and Ben bent forward to kiss them away.
"I love you Benton Fraser, and I will as proudly as I know you will too wear that ring. And I can't wait for the priest to announce us as Mr and Mrs Fraser, no more bad jokes about the 'iron lady'" Meg said referring to the prime minister of England.
"I love you too" he said softly "Both of you" he whispered in her ear.
They had discussed if they were to tell the family at dinner tonight or not and decided that it depended on how the mood would be, families coming together was always a delicate subject. Meg knew her mother would have an opinion about it but for once in her life she didn't care. She had her career in the RCMP, she had Ben and she had the baby and not to forget Diefenbaker. Sometimes he kept her company in the office rather than laying in the little closet that Ben called his office.
"There you are" Suzette Thatcher said "Have you showed the guest room to Ben yet Margaret?" she asked.
"No mother. I... We were just going there" Meg said.
Ben stood up and took his backpack and the dress cover containing his red uniform. He knew Buck and his father and of course Turnbull would have theirs on, but he wasn't so sure about Inspector Thatcher.
"You rest Meg, God only knows why you drove instead of flying" Suzette said "I'll show Ben"
Meg rolled her eyes behind her mother's back.
"I'll see you in a while" Ben placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Promptly at six Caroline and Bob Fraser along with Lillian and Buck Frobisher arrived at the Thatcher's house. Instantly the men started to talk old memories. After reminding Caroline and Lillian to call her Sue as old friends she went back to the kitchen to check on dinner. Lillian offered to help and that left Caroline alone with her son and soon new daughter.
"I'm so happy to see you both again" she smiled widely at them and Meg could see the resemblance to Ben.
"We're happy you could come" Ben said.
"I have to be dead to miss my first born's wedding" Caroline hugged him tightly before she did the same to Meg. "I'm looking forward to having you as my daughter" she said and looked her in the eyes "Does Benton know?" she had always been able to tell when a woman was pregnant.
Meg looked astonished at Caroline, Ben had said she would tell at once "Yes" she said.
"I'm so happy for you both" Caroline said.
"Happy about what?" Bob came up and asked.
"Happy about their wedding of course" Caroline kissed her husband's lips softly.
For some years in his youth Ben had been embarrassed about his parents kissing all the time but he wasn't any longer. Back then they had been apart for months at time, of course they wanted to be close when they were at the same place at the same time.
Meg excused herself to help her mother in the kitchen. She had already decided but it wouldn't be until tomorrow's rehearsal dinner but they would tell about the baby. She didn't want to tell her mother over the phone later on.
"Why don't you all sit down" Meg said and carried a bowl of salad into the big dining room. Her mother and Lillian followed suit.
The meal was pleasant and everyone got along just fine.
The next morning Meg sneaked out of the guest room where she had spent the night with Ben, it was bad enough the couldn't spend the next night together. Ben had said he'd stay with Ray at the hotel where they also were having the reception and also had book a room for their wedding night.
Meg was meeting up with Becky and the girls to look at a flower girl dress. She had asked her own niece and her mother to come too, but she wasn't sure they would. Sarah had called her and Ben the other week telling them that she and mommy had been practicing walking slowly. Sarah was a really sweet girl, Meg hoped she got one of her own, although a little boy with Ben's looks would do just as fine.
They all had lunch at a café where Meg had spent many afternoons with her friends from school. The owner recognized her and wished her all the happiness for the wedding.
Ottawa was a big town but Meg was sure her mother had told just the right people and church would probably be full. Suddenly Meg got a feeling this wasn't the right way to go.
"What's wrong Meg?" Becky asked as she saw her worried face. They sat in the car outside the hotel.
"It's all getting out of hands. There will be too many people in the church, people I don't even know" Meg had a hard time to hold her tears back.
Becky took her with her inside the hotel and up to the rooms. She told Stu to take the girls into the other room and call Ben. Then she poured Meg a glass of water and sat down to talk to her.
Ben had just gotten back from picking up the people coming with the Chicago flight so he quickly joined them. He took Meg in his arms and rocked her softly.
"It will be alright, you know you're allowed to worry and you're not alone" he lent back and looked at her.
"It's too much, mother's invited half of the town" Meg sobbed.
"You know what?" Ben asked and Meg shook her head "All that matters tomorrow is you and me, all the rest is just a scene for looks, I don't like all the people either but I keep thinking of you, how beautiful you will be because you will scrap your mother's hair and makeup plans and let Frannie and Becky help you instead. You are Inspector Meg Fraser and she's one tough lady" he had to smile "Maybe not so much Frannie as my sister" he said.
Meg had to laugh too. Frannie was all big hair and maybe not too much but quite a lot of make up. She took a deep breath. "I can do this, for God's sake I'm a Mountie" she said.
"That's the spirit" Ben lent in and kissed her.
"You always make me feel better, where do you get that patience from?" Meg asked.
"I'm not very patient or calm today" he relaxed and let her feel his trembling hands "But thinking of you and the life we'll have together, the life we already created calms me"
"I want us to tell everyone at dinner tonight" Meg said.
"Then we'll do that" Ben felt how Meg relaxed in his arms.
Ben and Meg promised it wasn't because of the baby they were getting married just after a few months when they told their family and closest friends. Everyone was happy for them. Meg saw a flick of disappointment in her mother's eyes but this was the 90's she and Ben could just as easily had the baby without marrying at all.
Since Ben was staying with Ray at the hotel he and Meg sneaked upstairs before she had to get back with her parents to the house.
"Last chance to change your mind" Meg said to Ben.
"Never, I will be standing at the altar promptly at two tomorrow waiting for you just as we rehearsed today" Ben said.
"And I will focus on you and don't mind all the extra people in the church" Meg snuggled close in Ben's arms.
"I love you so much Meg, I'm so happy you came to work in Chicago" Ben said.
"Me too, I could never imagine that consular work would be so rewarding" Meg tilted her head up for a kiss.
It wasn't until there was a knock on the door and they heard Ray ask if they were descent they broke the kiss.
"I guess mother and father is ready and waiting downstairs" Meg said as Ray came into the room.
"Sorry I couldn't occupy them any longer. Your mother said something about an early morning with the hairdresser" Ray said.
"Yes for her, I will get help from Frannie and Becky" Meg said.
"Are you sure you want Frannie's help, she tends to go over the top" Ray said and grinned.
"Well Becky's promised to help me tone it down" Meg said. She kissed Ben again "I will miss you"
"I will miss you too" Ben said.
It was a restless night, not even out in the open fields when he had been on patrol he had slept or not slept like this. Already at six he was up, not to wake Ray who still was sleeping he put on his clothes and went for a walk. He missed Dief, but knew he had it much better with the Vecchio's than being on the road later on with him and Meg. Dief always was a good companion and he could talk to him about everything. Sometimes it felt strange to have such a relationship with an animal.
Ben wandered the streets of Ottawa without really looking at anything. As it was early in the morning almost everything was closed and not too many people was out.
He had asked his mother to bring him something he knew he had in his cabin that he wanted Meg to have as a wedding gift from him. It was something he once had carved on a lonely patrol when he had been sitting in front of the fire at night. He wasn't sure if his parents would be up yet when he returned to the hotel but they were, he met them in the lobby and together they had breakfast. Halfway through Ray came into the restaurant.
"Good morning Ray" Ben said when his friend came over to their table "Please join us"
"Good morning Fraser, Mr and Mrs Fraser" he said.
"Good morning detective Vecchio" Caroline said "Or may I say Ray?"
"Ray's fine" he said and took a sip from his coffee.
"You know breakfast is the most important meal of the day" Bob said.
"I know, Fraser's told me often" Ray said "I will eat after I've had some more coffee" he got up to get some more.
"That's a strange one" Bob said to his son.
"Yes but a fine detective and he's become a good friend" Ben said and was secretly missing the real Ray Vecchio, he wondered where he was and how he was doing.
Bob and Caroline stood up to leave as they were done "Will you come by and pick the gift up?" Caroline asked.
"Yes, I'll be by on my way up" Ben said "Thank you for brining it"
"That was no problem, I've always admired that particular piece and I will miss it when I go to your house to clean" Caroline had to hug Ben. It was such an emotional day for her.
Ray came back with a plate of a little bit of everything and Ben stayed to keep him company.
The next few hours ran quickly. Ben who had Meg's car at the hotel checked them into the room they had booked for the night, he put the beautiful wrapped present for Meg on a small table by a sofa. After he had showered he dressed in his red serge with the ceremonial attributes and then he walked the stairs down to Ray's room.
"Come in Fraser it's open" Ray called. He was just buttoning his jacket. On the table beside him was the hat and a pair of white gloves. He had never had a friend like Fraser before and this was the least he would do, put his uniform on.
Ben stood like a statue in the door, almost like when he was on sentry duty "I thought you hated that?" he finally said.
"I do, but how often does your best friend get married?" Ray said "It's kind of my gift to you" all of the 27th precinct were throwing Ben and Meg a proper party when they got back to Chicago and everyone had chipped in for gifts. Of course Ray and Frannie had brought something from the Vecchio family but this was a private thing.
"I'm truly touched" Ben said and took a deep breath.
"Are you ready?" Ray asked and Ben nodded "Then let's go find Mark and get you to the church"
The guys arrived in a taxi and although they had been there the day before Ben though the church was huge. He understood exactly what Meg had meant now by it all being too much, everything would have been so much simpler up north.
Meg had a busy morning and after for what felt the millionth time explained to her mother that she didn't need or want the hair and makeup at the saloon gotten a bit piece and quite as her mother left. Her father had smiled at her.
"I can see why you have climbed the RCMP ladder this quickly, you are very determent young woman" he held his daughter close in an embrace. "I miss having you close to home, can't you transfer back now when you'll have your own family" He already had the dress pants for his uniform on but not to spill on it he hadn't put the tunic on.
"Thank you father, I think if we get back to Canada we will settle up north" Meg said.
"Oh, well it's the same country at least" he said.
Becky, Frannie and little Sarah arrived and got started with doing Meg's hair and make up. Sarah already had her dress on. She had been angry last night when she couldn't sleep in it. She wanted to be ready when she woke up. Meg's own niece were meeting up with them at the church.
About half an hour before the ceremony just before the limo arrived at the Thatcher's house Meg walked down the stairs. The dress had a small train that fell beautifully when she walked.
"Let me take a photo" Frannie said "You look amazing just there"
Meg had her hand on the rail for support.
"Can we take a few quick ones with your parents too?" Frannie asked and pushed Mr and Mrs Thatcher towards the stairs. Then a few was taken with Meg and her bride's maids and of course Sarah.
"Frannie can you take one of just me and Sarah too" she smiled at the child and hunched down so there were a little more in the same height.
"Did I say you look pretty?" Meg asked Sarah.
Sarah nodded "You look pretty too" she said, they both smiled at Frannie.
Five minutes to two the limo arrived at the church. Meg's mother was escorted in by her oldest son. The rest of the families where already in place. Meg felt nervous and took a few deep breaths. Becky gave her a bottle of water to take a sip, it was a warm day.
The priest showed up from a side door "Are we ready to begin?" he asked and Meg nodded. He disappeared again and Meg knew that he now would tell Ben to get in place.
The music started and the doors opened. Two little girls walked down the aisle followed by Frannie and Becky. At last the bridal march started and Meg was escorted in by her father. She saw a lot of people who were standing up in her honor. Many of the men wore red serge but the one she focused on was Ben.
Ben who had been very nervous in the side room now handed his stetson and white gloves that he had under his left arm to Ray and from the moment Meg and him locked eyes he didn't think of anything else but how beautiful she looked. Her dress was just so perfectly her and her hair fell free around her lovely face.
Before any of them new it the priest announced them husband and wife. All the music and someone who promptly had to read a poem had just swept by. Somewhere in her mind Meg remembered that someone at least was filming it.
To a special march from the RCMP they walked out of the church followed by everyone in it. It took a long time to say hello to everyone but finally it was done and when they stepped outside in the sunshine they were covered by rice and confetti.
Meg laughed happily and told everyone from her position on top of the stairs to send he copies of their photos.
Ben and Meg finally got into the limo that was taking them back to the hotel for the reception. Ben bent over and kissed her "I love you Meg Fraser" he said .
"And I love you too Ben Fraser" Meg said and kissed him again. "Isn't it a bit too dark in here?" Meg asked.
"That's all a part of the plan" a voice came out of the dark.
Ben turned the light on and what he saw pleased him a lot. "Ray" Ben grinned widely.
"I couldn't have my best friend getting married without being there" Ray moved to hug both Meg and Ben. "Congratulations to you both" he said.
"But isn't this dangerous?" Meg who just had recovered from the shock.
"Extremely, but I could fix it and your ceremony was lovely" Ray said.
"You were there?" Ben asked.
"Yes" Ray answered shortly. He knew there were not much time left, he had to leave the car before it arrived at the hotel. "I don't know for how long I will be doing this, but I wanted to meet you today"
"I'm honored you took the risk Ray" Ben said and held onto Meg's hand, he looked at her and nodded.
"We have something to tell you, I guess you've been informed somehow that we got engaged back north around the time you went into your undercover job" Meg took a deep breath "There was something else that happened up there too" Meg put a hand on her stomach.
"You're having a baby? A real baby?" Ray asked shocked "The constable and the inspector?" he shook his head "Good thing your married now" he felt the car slow down "I have to leave. Congratulations on the baby and again on your marriage. I'm truly happy for you both" he hugged them both again and put something in Ben's hand "Give that to ma, I know she worries about me" he then left the car and got into another limo that had been driving behind them.
"Wasn't that surreal?" Meg asked "Like a scene from a movie or TV-show"
"It sure was" Ben put the letter into his inner pocket.
When they arrived at the hotel Meg looked at her face in the mirror but her make up had held up nicely. "Frannie certainly know her stuff when it comes to make up. I better consult her about the mascara" she said and got ready to get out of the car as soon as the driver had walked around the car.
"But you are beautiful without makeup too" Ben kissed her softly.
"You are crazy, I look like a ghost" Meg laughed and stepped out.
All of their family and friends were waiting for them.
The reception was lovely and after speeches from both fathers, both groom's men and a few others too it was time to cut the cake. It all went according to plan and then Ben and Meg had dance their first dance.
A few minutes in Meg moved closer to Ben and rested her head on his shoulder "I love you so much" she whispered.
"I love you too" Ben said and tilted her head up for a kiss and everyone cheered.
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.