Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Becker heard a soft tapping on the men's dressing room door. "Everybody decent?" he asked as he surveyed the room. Seeing Connor and Duncan somewhat presentable, he opened the door. His breath caught in his throat.
Jessica…beautiful in blue… beautiful in any color… surely the best man would get a dance with the maid of honor he thought hopefully. She was standing there holding a box of sorts. Another young woman that Becker guessed must be Connor's sister was standing beside Jess. Smiling at the way Becker and Jess were looking at each other, she reached to take the box from Jess.
"I'll just take this on in then, right," she said.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
A sharp knock on the ladies dressing room door gave Abby and Jenny a start. It was quickly followed by the door opening and an older woman barged in without invitation.
The woman looked from Jenny to Abby and back again, "I'd like a moment in private, if you don't mind," she addressed Jenny.
Jenny looked at Abby, in concern, but Abby lifted her chin and nodded. She wasn't going to let Connor's mother spoil her wedding day.
"Alright," Jenny said moving towards the door, "I'll just go see where Michael's gotten to… maybe we'll find our seats then."
"See you at the reception," Abby called after her. Or maybe not…
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"Hey brat," Connor greeted his sister affectionately.
"Hey geek," she responded with a smile.
"What'cha doing in the men's dressing room," he teased, "hoping to catch a peak of Becker or Duncan…" oh God no, please he thought, "half dressed?"
"No," she said curtly pursing her lips. "I thought you might need help with this." She opened the box of boutonnieres. Taking the grooms boutonniere out of the box, she reached up to pin the white rose and blue forget-me-not combination to his lapel.
Stepping back to admire her work, she said with a smile "You'll do."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Abby and Connor's mother looked at each other. The older woman spoke first.
"You're not ready yet," she said her eyes moving from the beautiful blonde in front of her to the satin and chiffon dress hanging behind her.
Abby took a quick breath, but before she could speak, the woman looked at her again and said, "If you get into the dress, I'll help you with all those buttons."
Not trusting herself to say anything, Abby nodded and arose from her seat.
Connor's mother didn't say another word until the buttons were halfway done… "I appreciate your getting married here, in this chapel…"
"It was Connor's idea," Abby replied.
"Thought as much," the older woman said, "still I appreciate it."
"Didn't do it for you," Abby said, twisting her body sideways in an effort to see the woman.
"Quit wriggling," she admonished Abby "or I'll never get these buttons done." As Abby straightened up she continued speaking, "I know, you did it for Connor… and that means a lot to me."
As Abby processed the woman's comment, she added, "I said a lot of harsh words to you when we first met..."
Abby stiffened.
"From what Connor has let slip from time to time, I had the impression that you didn't appreciate him. Like those other girls…"
Abby turned to face Connor's mother as the last button was done up, wondering what those other girls had done to cause that cold, tight tone in the woman's voice.
The older woman looked fiercely at Abby, "He's a lot like his father," she began "kind and gentle… wears his heart on his sleeve… anyone can see he loves you," she paused, "even me."
The woman was staring directly into Abby's blue eyes now, her chin lifted and she continued speaking determinedly, "There he was… in the hospital… again. I was frightened" she admitted "but that is no excuse… I was out of line."
In the quiet stillness of the room, Abby could hear Mrs. Temple's breath catch, "I'm sorry."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Jack waltzed up the hallway toward the men's dressing room, looking for all the world as if he thought he owned the place. Hendricks and Stephenson were right behind him. Hendricks looked at Becker, he nodded and the two of them left to stand attendance at the main door to the chapel. If Jack tried to run for it, he wouldn't get far.
"Ooh," he murmured eyeing the beautiful auburn haired young woman in front of Becker appreciatively. "Who have we got here?"
Becker frowned down at the smaller man and his cocky air seemed to deflate. Jack shuddered and seemed to shrink down a little into his shoes.
Jess wrinkled her nose as she looked at Jack, thought about saying something, then decided better not. Turning, she called to Connor's sister, "Best get going, yeah?"
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Jess and Connor's sister entered the women's dressing room arm in arm, giggling and whispering excitedly to each other. They stopped and stared at Abby in amazement.
"Oooh, it's true," sighed Jess happily.
"What?" asked Abby.
"Radiant," Jess responded "you know people always talk about brides being radiant, but I never… it's just… you're glowing… radiant."
Smiling at the three young women, Connor's mother said "I'll just be going now," as she stepped out into the corridor, closing the door behind her.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"It's about time" Becker called into the men's dressing room. He grasped Jack firmly by the upper arm and started moving down the hallway as Connor and Duncan joined them.
Becker recognized Connor's mother as she came out of the ladies dressing room.
"Jack," he said with a commanding air, "would you please escort Connor's mum into the chapel?" Becker and the woman exchanged looks. She knew all about Jack. The tiny woman grasped Jack's arm with a surprisingly strong grip as Becker released his other arm.
"Off we go," she directed Jack, "We can sit together you know… none of that silly formality of bride and groom's family on opposite sides of the aisle." Becker snorted. He almost felt sorry for Jack.
Almost.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Connor was fidgeting. Looking nervously from Becker and Duncan standing beside him, to the pews full of people, to the empty aisle… he kept twisting and turning. He caught sight of Lester, his wife and their children. Lester gave him a stern look…mouthed a word…what was it… Breathe?
"Relax Connor," whispered Becker.
The change in music announced the start of the processional. Becker's eyes lit up as Jess started towards the group standing in the front of the chapel. Connor's sister followed. Then Abby came into view.
Becker could tell the moment his friend saw Abby. The nervous tension just seemed to drain away. Connor's eyes glowed, motion stopped, and he stood still.