Author Note: ….here comes the bride…..
Chapter 48 – A New Man and a Wedding
Hyde woke up in somebody else's bed. He didn't recognize the walls or the bed and there was a voluptuous figure under the covers beside him – and he felt great! He rolled over and pulled the covers back. Annie was slowly waking up. She saw him and murmured, "Hombre muy sexy, Estefan…."
Hyde smiled and said, "I got part of it. Sexy man?" She reached out an arm and stroked the muscles on his chest. "Very sexy man."
Hyde was flattered and twisted her silky black hair around his finger. "I have never met a girl quite like you." Annie smiled. "That is good, yes?"
He chuckled. "Yes, that is muy good. Now every time I eat salsa I'm gonna think about you." She ran her fingers down his chest and onto the soft skin of his belly. He hissed and sucked in his stomach. Her fingers toyed with the elastic of his boxers. "Te gusta cuando hago esto?"
"Whatever you said, yes!" He nearly yelled. Annie laughed softly and rose up on her elbow to explore the front seam of the shorts. "I asked if you like it when I do…this?" Hyde was holding his breath and nodding his head yes.
Hyde put a hand on her waist and drew her closer. "Annie…are you really as sweet and innocent as you appear or do you just pretend to be?" She licked her lips and looked at his mouth. "I may not be innocent Estefan, but I am sweet. Remember, I was once a married woman like you were once a married man. Are you innocent?"
Hyde chuckled. "No and you are a hot chick!"
Annie smiled, "It's the salsa. Latina girls make your lips tingle and you crave more." Hyde was amused. "Well, I definitely liked your salsa."
"And I like your appetite! Now you have to leave my bed so I may go to work." She gave him a little push and he grinned. "Where are my pants?"
Annie sat up, the covers falling around her waist. Hyde groaned – she was even better looking in the light of day. "Estefan, by the door – there's your pants." She watched as he struggled to slide them on and smiled. "I'm making homemade tamales on Saturday. Have you ever had them?"
Hyde shook his head no. "I'll bet they are good."
Annie pursed her lips, "They are spicy and aromatic and melt on your tongue and it's only delicious masa wrapped in a corn husk"
"Is that an invitation to dinner?"
She rose out of bed in the nude and wrapped a sheer robe around herself. She smiled, "It is if you want it to be."
He could see everything through her wrap and all thoughts of driving back to Point Place and working in the cold wet snow were the furthest thing from his mind. He growled and grabbed her to him. "Can you make masa in the morning?"
She laughed, "Oh no Estefan, it takes time if you want it done right. But…I can make you some chorizo and eggs."
He kissed her voluptuous lips and gave her butt a pat. "Never had chorizo – will I like it?" Annie chuckled, "If you like spicy…then yes you will."
*
Jackie arrived at the church with her dress and make up bag. Eric was arriving with Fez and helping Kelso get ready. Brooke was a bundle of nerves and nearly crying. She saw Jackie and ambushed her with a hug. "Oh, what if Michael changes his mind? I'm freaking out!" Jackie smiled and pulled a bottle of champagne out of her bag of wonders.
"Brooke, Michael is just as nervous as you are. Have some champagne and only worry about getting into your dress."
"My mom is getting Betsy dressed but I have so many butterflies…."
Jackie grinned. "That's love sweetie. Let's put your hair up, Fez should be here soon to roll it up."
*
Red was wiping the snow off his car when Hyde came whistling up the driveway. "Hey… good morning Red!"
Red looked up – what was that dumbass smiling about? "Hey Steven, did you come home last night?"
Hyde stopped and smiled. "Nope – I had a date."
Red looked at him and waited for the punch line. "Really…" Hyde shrugged. "She's a single mom and we went to dinner and she made me some salsa. I have to go shower and get to work!"
Red Forman pondered what this making salsa was all about. Kids…who knew what they were thinking! Hyde slid the patio door open and glided in, dropping a kiss on Kitty's head. "Morning mom, I'm late to work."
Kitty was startled. "Steven, where have you been? Do you want breakfast?" He turned, "No, already ate and I was on a date last night. I'll tell you about it later – gotta go!"
Kitty was confounded. Steven was acting like a happy person? He was on a date? Maybe he was growing up after all!
*
Annie got to the church with Jackie's day planner. They huddled in the corner of the dressing room and went over the arrangements. "I'll have the horse and carriage outside the front of the church. The groomsman is even going to wear a top hat." Jackie clapped her hands. "Oh….Great job Annie! I checked the weather channel and there should be no show until later tonight. Did you contact the photographer and the video guy?"
"Yes, your friend Donna filmed a small clip that he'll insert into the wedding video."
Jackie closed the planner. "Okay, I'm leaving the rest of the arrangements up to you. I have to go play maid of honor and for the rest of the day, you are the event coordinator. Do you have any questions?"
Annie pressed a hand to her chest. This was such an honor that Jackie Burkhart trusted her with the business. "No, everything is going to be perfect. Just enjoy yourself and remember that Annie Morgan will be behind the scenes making the Burkhart magic happen."
*
Kitty and Fez arrived at the same time. Fez started putting large rollers in Brooke's hair while Kitty fussed over the veil. Brooke's mom brought Betsy around so they could show off the mini wedding dress and Kitty was flashing her camera all over the dressing room.
Jackie sat back and helped Fez when needed. "Brooke, leave the rollers I have to do Kelso's hair. He didn't want to come to the salon but I'll be back to take out the rollers after you put on your beautiful dress."
*
Kelso was still admiring himself in the mirror. "Dude, I look so awesome in this tux that I wish I could wear it to the zoo." Eric laughed and wrapped his cummerbund around his waist. He remembered the last time he wore this suit it ended up all over the floor of the apartment!
Fez came bustling through the door. "Aiiy …Kelso let's do your hair so I can get dressed! Casey is going to take all the hairspray if we don't."
Eric grinned. All this craziness is the stuff his mom loved and missed when he eloped with Donna. Going through all of this with Kelso made Eric acutely aware that this was the type of romantic stuff that made memories for Jackie. It was all the little pieces of friends helping each other and bonding while making plans that she loved.
*
Eric was standing next to Kelso as the organist started playing the light interlude music. He had the wedding rings stowed safely in his pocket and Eric was almost as nervous as the groom. Jackie never showed him what she was wearing so this would be a surprise as well. He could see his mom and dad dressed nicely and sitting on the groom's side of the aisle. Kitty kept snapping pictures while he smiled.
Fez was chanting, "Rhonda…Rhonda…' Eric hissed for him to be quiet until Casey frogged Fez in the shoulder and told him to "shut it!" Finally the Wedding March music began to play and the doors at the back of the chapel opened up and Rhonda magically appeared wearing a beautiful pale lavender gown. She had a small rhinestone tiara holding back her hair and was holding a spray of pink carnations. She walked slowly down the aisle with her eyes on Fez.
Eric could hear Fez inhale and holding breath as Rhonda came back. "Aiiy…she is so lovely." He sighed. The air was full of anticipation as the maid of honor stood at the back of the room.
Eric fell in love all over again. Jackie wore a dress similar to Rhonda's but her tiara held back her rich brunette hair and the gown was gorgeous and she smiled Eric's favorite smile – her eyes only on him as she walked down the aisle. This could be them in a few months or a few years…she only had to say the word – he wanted to marry this girl in the lavender dress.
Jackie stood to the side and watched as Betsy toddled down the aisle throwing flower petals on the carpet and beaming a smile at her dad. Kelso had a goofy grin for his little daughter. He waved and she ran to his leg and hugged him. The audience laughed at her antics.
The organ music got louder and everyone stood up to see Brooke standing with her dad dressed as elegant as someone of royalty. Her gown shimmered and sparkled and whispered softly along the floor as she moved slowly towards her groom. Kitty's veil fell lightly over her face and matched the dress so well that Kitty wiped a tear from her eye.
Brooke turned to her father and he kissed her cheek and left her to sit with his wife. Brooke turned to Michael and he shouted, "Awesome! I have a hot bride!"
*
The vows were said and kisses were exchanged and the wedding party was led outside briefly for some photographs. Annie waved Jackie over to the side of the building. "The carriage is here so I'll get the guests to wait out front. Just get the bride and I'll meet you there."
Eric liked the photography session. He knew the tuxedo made him look good and he knew Jackie liked him in it and out of it. The plus was that she looked so damn pretty he wanted to see what she was wearing under it!
Jackie told Brooke that the limo was out front and when the photographer was done, she and Kelso needed to run through the church and meet the party. Jackie and Annie quickly handed out little net bags of birdseed to the guests to throw at the bride and groom when then reappeared.
*
Brooke took the short break in pictures to kiss her new husband. "Michael, this is the happiest day of my life. Even if we never married, I would still be with you."
"Well damn, Brooke, I'd have to marry you anyways because you're too hot not to be married to me!" Kelso declared. Brooke laughed, "Let's catch that limo and see what Jackie has planned for the reception. I feel like having some cake."
Hand in hand, they hustled through the chapel towards the open door where family and friends were waiting for their appearance. Handfuls of seed were tossed in the air and Brooke looked up expecting to see the limo but found the horse and white carriage instead.
Kelso whooped. "AWESOME! I get to ride a horse!"
Brooke's eyes filled with happy tears – this was truly more romantic than a limousine. Jackie watched teary eyed as the top hat groomsman waited for the wedding couple to approach the carriage. Eric slipped an arm around Jackie's waist and wiped a tear from her cheek. "That was a nice touch Jackie." He said softly.
Brooke lifted her dress and petticoats and the top hat groomsman, helped her step into the carriage. Kelso jumped up and waved at his friends. He sat beside Brooke and kissed her again. "Damn Brooke, getting married is AWESOME!"
*
Eric was proud that the Emerald Room of his hotel was hosting the reception. His mom and dad had a table close to the wedding party and Red was having a good time. Brooke's parents and Betsy sat with them. Jackie was conferring with Annie at the back of the room when Annie rushed to the stage and grabbed the microphone.
She tapped on the microphone and the room quieted down. "Thank you for coming and with no further ado, may I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kelso. Give a hand to the newlyweds!" Family and friends stood and applauded as the smiling bride and groom entered through the doors of the Emerald room.
Annie pointed at the DJ who played a fast tempo version of "Here Comes the Bride." Eric was reminded of a similar reception that Jackie hosted at a bowling alley many months ago. "You taught her well." Eric whispered to Jackie. She blushed, "its part of the magic."
The applause died down, and the newlyweds took their places at the head of the table. Waiters appeared seemingly from nowhere with pails of champagne and began filling glasses. Eric stood up as Annie brought him the microphone. He was ready for his best man speech.
Eric was amazed that he wasn't even nervous. He pulled the speech from his jacket pocket and asked everyone to raise their glasses. "I've known Michael Kelso for nearly all my life – he's my best friend and the craziest brother a guy could ask for. Kelso has glued himself to many inanimate objects, set many things on fire, created his own 'Zorgon' comic book… what I mean to say if that of all the crazy stunts he's completed in his life, meeting and marrying Brooke was the smartest thing he's ever done. Cheers to Michael and Brooke Kelso."
Eric raised his glass and the party toasted. He sat down and Kelso frogged him. "Dude, I forgot I wrote that comic book! Thanks for reminding me! That was a cool speech." Jackie pulled Eric towards her and whispered, "That was the best speech ever." Eric was proud, he was happy and this was a great day.
*