CHAPTER 26

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Sue entered the back of the little white church on the arm of her Mom and Dad and ended it on the arm of her future husband.

The church was nearly empty except for a few close friends and family. It was perfect. The altar was covered with flowers left over from Easter Sunday. Beautiful lilies and tulips lay across the stairs of the altar, and surrounded the pulpit. The sunlight shown through the stain glass windows down onto the kneeler where Jack stood with Bobby, Myles, and Levi.

Carla walked down the aisle on the arm of D and left in the front row while D walked to his spot next to the groom.

The doors opened and Tara and Lucy began to walk down the aisle. Both were in yellow dresses which mimicked Sue's wedding dress in the arms and the gathers throughout the entire dress.

The guests rose as the familiar Wedding March began to play. Sue's father took her by the arm, patting her hand as they began to slowly walk toward the front of the church. Sue looked at her Dad just in time to see him wipe a tear from his cheek. He looked down at his daughter, knowing she'd seen him and smiled. She would always be his little girl; even now that she was marrying her soul mate. Sue smiled, more nervous about tripping and smudging her mascara from the tears that threatened to spill at any moment, than she was about her marriage.

Jack noticed his bride begin to stroll down the aisle toward him on her dad's arm. He couldn't take his eyes off her, she was absolutely stunning. Her cheeks blushed just a bit as she caught her first glance of Jack. He was handsome as ever, standing proudly at the altar.

Soon it was time for Sue to leave the comfort of her father's arms and go to the man she'd spend the rest of her life with. Jack took Sue's hand in his and shook her dad's. Her father kissed her on the cheek and handed her to Jack.

"You take good care of my little girl." He said with a smile on his face and a tear in his eye. Carla, Lucy and Tara all had tears flowing. Sue fought them back, determined not to smudge her make up.

"Yes Sir." Was all Jack got out before he began to choke up.

Sue took Jack's hand and let him guide her to the altar. The service was a simple one. The two stood before God and their families proud and scared.

"Do you, Jack take Susan to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward? Do you promise to be there in a time of need, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others til death do you part?" The preacher asked.

Jack looked deep into Sue's eyes and smiled sweetly. "I do."

"Do you, Susan, take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward? Do you promise to be there in a time of need, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, til death do you part? The preacher asked once more.

"I do." Sue answered blushing and smiling at Jack.

"Do you have rings?" The preacher asked.

Levi walked up to Jack and Sue and barked softly. Jack smiled and Sue giggled. Jack reached down and untied the rings from Levi's collar.

"The rings symbolize the marriage, your love for one another. There's no beginning and no end. But keep in mind, you need to polish them once in a while, care for them to keep them looking new. You need to do the same with your relationship." The preacher said, winking at the both of them. "Jack place the ring on Sue's left hand." Jack slipped the ring on Sue's finger. "Repeat after me."

Jack and Sue shared a nervous smile and Jack took her hands in his.

"I, Jack Hudson"

"I, Jack Hudson" Jack repeated.

"Take you, Susan Thomas, to be my wife."

"Take you, Susan Thomas, to be my wife." He repeated again.

"Do you Susan, take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward? Do you promise to be there in a time of need, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others til death do you part?" The preacher asked.

"I do." Sue said softly.

"Sue, place the ring on Jack's left hand." The preacher said. "Repeat after me."

Sue put the ring on Jacks ring finger of his left hand.

"I, Susan Thomas"

"I, Susan Thomas." Sue repeated.

"Take you Jack Hudson to be my husband."

"Take you Jack Hudson to be my husband." Sue said.

Jack stared at Sue with a smile pasted on his face. The woman he'd been in love with for so long was finally his wife. Sue looked happy too. He caught her trying to wipe away a tear from her cheek. She looked so beautiful.

"Family and friends are important to a marriage. These two are going to need your love and support throughout their marriage to make it blossom." The preacher said to the congregation. There was a chuckle that emanated from the guests. "By the power vested in me by God and this church, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He smiled at the couple. "You may now kiss your bride." He said to Jack.

Jack wasted no time doing as he was told. He lifted Sue's veil, allowing his hands to fall softly on her cheeks, then to her arms, pulling her closer to him. He let his lips gently capture hers. Sue smiled into the kiss and was blushing when he backed away. The crowd of friends and family rose and cheered for the newly married couple.

The Hudson's were met near their limo by all their guests who were cheering and all raising glasses to their friends' love. A quick thanks and a toast by the limo driver, and they were off to the restaurant. The driver offered to hang around and give them a ride to the hotel, but Jack declined saying that his car was already waiting for them.

Once they got to the restaurant, they were shown into a back room where they had music and a special meal for all to enjoy. They tried to keep it as traditional as possible, considering there were only around 25 of them and it was a restaurant with other patrons. The bride and groom danced with their parents, and then swapped. The whole crew danced together, even Myles got in on the action. As slow songs were played Myles began to ask Lucy to dance with him, and she accepted. Sue could still see a spark between them. She wasn't the only one watching as Tara ended up in Bobby's arms for most of the night. D noticed, and it didn't escape Lucy's matchmaking senses either. Lucy caught the bouquet but quickly tossed it to Tara when she realized the implications. Tara just smiled as Bobby fought for the garter. After Bobby fit Tara with the garter, they shared a sweet kiss. Once they were back on the dance floor, they continued the kiss, turning it passionate to the point of forgetting to dance. Finally it was time for the last dance. Sue and Jack made their way onto the dance floor hand in hand. He took her in his arms, holding her tight. Sue wrapped her arms around Jack's neck, they danced staring into each other's eyes. Jack pulled Sue closer nearly in a hug. He kissed the top of her shoulder, then to her neck. He pulled back enough for his lips to find their way to hers. The kiss was gentle, but was quickly turning into more than either had intended. One by one, their guests took turns interrupting the couple with one last dance. As Jack and Sue walked toward the door to leave, every patron in the restaurant raised their glass in a toast to the happy couple.

Jack looked into Sue's eyes saying "I love you". She smiled at him and signed "Me too." As they left to begin their new life.