Disclaimer: Characters are owned and produced by The Disney Channel and It's A Laugh Productions. I am just borrowing them for these stories. Original characters are owned by the author of this story.
REQUITED
Chapter 11
Countdown to a Wedding
Thursday, April 13, 2017 – 7 a.m.
Maddie's Apartment, 42 Chauncy Street
The sun illuminated the backside of the Venetian blinds inside Maddie's bedroom. London's body seemed to melt perfectly into the soft Queen-sized bed. As she began to awaken, there was a smile etched on her face. It was the morning after the night that was. She and Maddie had professed their love to one another. Their love turned into passion that turned into a night that London would never forget. Maddie's scent still filled her nostrils. Her taste was still on her lips. Just before she opened her eyes, she imagined seeing Maddie staring softly at her, ready for round five… or was it six? London had lost count at that point.
London cracked her eyes open slightly and began to peel back the covers. The cool morning air danced across her nipples, instantly drawing them into a state of arousal. She slowly stretched her sleepiness away and began to blink her eyes open to focus them. She slowly looked around. She was alone. Maddie must be in the kitchen. She thought.
London slid off the bed and went to the bathroom. Remembering that Maddie had bought her a toothbrush, she brushed her teeth then returned to the bedroom. As her eyes and brain continued to sync up, her eyes fell upon a piece of paper propped up against the lamp on the nightstand. From the sweep of the cursive L in London, she knew that it was a note from Maddie. London picked it up and opened it to read:
London,
Words cannot describe the beauty that was last night. You are as wonderful a lover as you are a person. If it's possible, I am even more in love with you this morning than I was last night… and I was REALLY in love with you last night! The only reason I am not lying next to you, embracing you, kissing you right now is this case that I am working on. But the second, and I mean the second, I am done, I am coming back to you.
My place is your place. Make yourself at home. I left a spare key on the kitchen counter. It's your key now. Come and go as you please. I left the entry code there as well. Fresh muffins are on the counter and juice in the fridge.
I love you. I miss you. And I will see you soon.
Yours forever,
Madeline
London wiped the tears from her eyes. "Oh, baby." She whispered. "You are so sweet. I am gonna call you right now to tell you how much I love you." London looked lovingly at the note.
"Or you could just look up and tell me in person."
London looked up from the note and saw Maddie standing in the bedroom doorway. Maddie was dressed in a simple black pinstripe dress suit, white blouse and three-inch black heels.
"I got down to the end of the block and I said to myself that there was no way I was going to miss seeing you wake up." Maddie said. "I loved watching you stretch. You are so beautiful."
"You stole my line. I was going to say that." London said.
"You still can." Maddie said.
"You are so beautiful." London purred. Maddie gazed at London in part-awe, part-love, part-lust. "Don't make me come over there."
"I'm already late." Maddie responded. "What's another few minutes?" Maddie called what she believed was London's bluff. She swallowed hard when she saw London slide out of the bed and take a step toward her. "London?"
"What?" London said as she walked over to Maddie and stood in front of her as naked as the day she was born.
"I don't have time to get re-dressed or re-do my hair." Maddie said, her voice slightly trembling.
"Don't worry. You won't have to." London looked Maddie in the eye, and then undid the clasp of Maddie's slacks. Maddie blew out a shaky breath. London then slowly slid the zipper down. "What time is it?" London said very softly.
"Seven-fifteen." Maddie whispered.
"Thank you." London whispered back before sliding her hand inside Maddie's underwear and stroking her. Maddie gasped as London pressed her against the doorframe. "Thank you for coming back to let me say goodbye this morning."
"You're… welcome." Maddie strained to say. "I… won't… be able… to concentrate… today… thinking… about… this."
"Yes, you will." London purred. "It'll give you incentive to come back home."
"My God." Maddie whispered. "This is… the most erotic thing… I've ever done."
"Me too." London said. "And this is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard." London slid her fingers inside Maddie's wet center. Maddie cried out in a whimper.
"Lon… don… Oh… my…"
"Shhh." London whispered. "Just come for me."
As if her body was waiting for those words, Maddie closed her eyes as her body seized then released. This was a warm, sensual orgasm that blanketed Maddie. London punctuated this encounter with one simple kiss placed softly on the lips.
"Now you can go to work." London whispered in Maddie's ear. "I'll be waiting just like this when you come back." London zipped and clasped Maddie's pants. Maddie was about to speak when London shushed her. "Go to work, baby. I'll be right here when you get back."
Thursday, April 13, 2017 – 4 p.m.
Maddie's Apartment, 42 Chauncy Street
Maddie and London lay in each other's arms, basking in the afterglow of another "making up for lost time" lovemaking session. London delivered on her promise to wait naked for Maddie to return. They were in the middle of a round of dozing when the phone rang.
"This is Maddie. Leave a message and I'll call you back. If I don't call you back… then oh well."
"Maddie! It's Barbara! Please pick up! This is an emergency! I am so sorry to call you today! Maddie! Shit!…" Maddie picked up in mid-rant.
"Barbara? What's wrong?" London immediately sat straight up in the bed upon hearing Maddie.
"Maddie! I need your help. Is London with you?" Barbara sounded frantic.
"She's right here. What's going on?" Maddie inquired nervously. London put her ear up to the phone.
"My best friend and her cousin are my bridesmaids." Barbara started. "They're were supposed to be flying in from Denver for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding but they're snowed in! Goddamn freak April snowstorm! They can't make it! Two days before the wedding and I'm missing my two bridesmaids! Will you and London please be in my wedding? Please? I don't know what else…" Barbara began sobbing on the other end of the phone.
"Barbara, of course we will. We'll be in your wedding. We just need to know what color dresses to get." Maddie said calmly.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you, Maddie! Thank you, London! I didn't know what I'd do without you!" Barbara began weeping again.
"It's okay. Don't worry about a thing. Stop crying." Maddie said.
"I'll… show you the color tonight at rehearsal. It's at 6:30 at the church." Barbara said sniffing her tears.
"We'll be there." Maddie said.
"Okay. I've got to go. They have to change the programs. I love you guys. Bye." Barbara said before hanging up the phone.
Maddie looked over at London. "I guess we're gonna be in a wedding."
London sighed. "I guess so."
Thursday, April 13, 2017 – 8 p.m.
Meritage Restaurant, 70 Rowes Wharf – Private Party Room
"Mr. And Mrs. Brownstein, thank you again for the wonderful dinner, even though we haven't been served yet." Zack said with a chuckle.
"It is our pleasure, Zack. It's not every day our little girl gets married." Thom Brownstein said.
"Dad! I am 24 and getting married and you're still calling me your little girl." Barbara said with an air of embarrassment.
"You will always be our little girl. Even if when you get as old as us." Elaine Brownstein added.
"I love you guys so much." Barbara said. "And I want to thank each and every one of you for being here for us." Barbara looked around the table at the members of her wedding party; Max, her maid of honor, London and Maddie, her two bridesmaids, her fiancé C.J., Zack, his best man and his two groomsmen, Bob and Marion Moesby. Also in attendance was the mother of the bride Carey and her companion for the evening and the wedding, Arwin.
Zack stood up and tapped his water glass with his knife. Cheers of "Toast! Toast! Toast!" rang out from the table followed by shushing. Several members of the wait staff came in to move some items that had been left in the corner of the room.
"I would like to propose a toast…" Zack began. "To the beautiful bride, Barbara. I don't know what in the hell you would want with my brother…" The whole table burst out in laughter. "But since you picked him, we are so glad to have you in our family. I know I speak for my mother when I say that you are not an in-law to us. You are family. You are a Martin. To Barbara." He raised his glass. The whole table joined in. "TO BARBARA!"
Zack moved on to his brother. "And to my brother, Cody James Martin. The man, the myth, the legend…" C.J. popped his collar, earning chuckles from the others. "You have got to be the luckiest son-of-a-gun in the world. You got a beautiful woman like this to agree to marry you. And look at you…" That comment drew ooh's around the table. "I'm just kidding. Seriously. Even though we are twins, I have always looked up to C.J. No matter what the situation, he has always looked out for me."
"I didn't have a choice. You'd have ended up in jail or on the side of a milk carton if I didn't." C.J. joked. More snickering could be heard at the table.
"It's true. It's true. I would have become an arch criminal if it hadn't been for C.J." Zack admitted. "But I also would have become someone who didn't know how to work hard for what they want out of life, someone who didn't know how to earn the respect of others and most importantly, I wouldn't have learned to truly appreciate the love of a good woman without my brother." Zack turned his head to look at Max. He then continued.
"So I want to say congratulations to C.J. for his upcoming nuptials. I am proud of you. And from the bottom of my heart, I love you. Thank you for being my brother, my conscience and my best friend. To C.J." Zack once again raised his glass as the table joined in. "TO C.J.!"
"One last thing! One last thing." Zack continued. "A special thank you to C.J. and Barbara for not only setting a wonderful example of what true love and commitment is all about, but for inspiring me to follow their example. Maxine…" Zack pulled the same box from his jacket that he had shown London earlier in the week and dropped to one knee. Gasps could be heard from those at the table who didn't know this was coming. Smiles could be seen on the faces of those that did.
"Zack?" Max scooted back in her chair in shock over what she thought was about to happen.
"I have been doing a lot of soul searching over the last few months about what I want to do with the rest of my life. And the one thing that I keep coming back to is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Zack started. Tears began to stream down Max's face. She bit her lip in an attempt to keep herself from completely breaking down.
"Oh my God, Zack!" Max whisper-yelled.
"So I was wondering… if you weren't doing anything for the rest of your life, would you spend it with me?" Zack then opened the box, revealing the one-carat oval diamond ring. "Maxine Vaughn… will you marry me?"
Max dropped her head as her tears fell. She then slowly lifted her head and began nodding. After several seconds she added the words. "Yes. Yes, I'll marry you." She began crying tears of joy. The table erupted in applause and cheers. Max and Zack embraced, holding on tightly to each other for over a minute. "I love you so much, Zack!" Max's words were slightly muffled but still understandable. They slowly pulled apart as Max began wiping her tears. The rest of the women at the table did the same.
"I love you too, baby." Zack said softly, wiping away tears of his own.
"This is beautiful!" Max said looking down at the ring. "This was perfect. I just wish my family could have seen this."
Zack smiled. "Who said they didn't?" Just then, the three members of the wait staff turned to face the table, revealing themselves to be Max's mother, father and older sister.
"OH MY GOD!" Max jumped up from the table and ran over to them embracing them in a tight group hug.
Carey leaned over to London. "I guess you'll be making another trip to the states for another Martin wedding."
"Actually, I'll just be driving down the street." London said. "I bought a condo in Maddie's building yesterday. I'm moving back to Boston."
"You're coming home?" Carey exclaimed, causing all other conversation to cease.
"We can talk about this later. I'm not about to steal any thunder from C.J. and Barbara… and Zack and Max for that matter." London said.
"Oh, just go ahead and tell them! You're not stealing my thunder!" Barbara said.
Max jumped in. "Mine either! It's a celebration for everyone. You've got something to celebrate too."
"Are you sure?" London asked, looking at Max, then Barbara, then Maddie.
"If you don't tell them, I will." Barbara said.
"Okay." London said. She then turned to Maddie. "Ready?" Maddie nodded.
"Maddie and I officially became a couple last night." London proclaimed proudly.
Marion smiled. Zack and C.J. nodded and pumped their fists in the air, then looked at each other.
"You knew?" Zack said.
"Yeah. Maddie told me she liked London. You?" C.J. said.
"London told me the same thing about Maddie." Zack admitted.
"Moesby?" Carey said.
"I put two and two together and figured out that our little girls were in love." Marion said.
"I am sorry if anyone is offended by us but we're in love and it's going to stay that way." Maddie said.
"Can I ask you one question, sweetheart?" Elaine, Barbara's mother, asked.
"Of course, Mrs. Brownstein." Maddie said.
"Are the two of you happy together?" Elaine asked.
"Very." London chimed in. Maddie nodded in agreement.
"Then to me, that's what matters the most. To London and Maddie." Elaine said. She looked around the table. One by one, glasses were raised skyward. "TO LONDON AND MADDIE." The table declared in unison.
"You two are something else." Carey said. "I wish you much happiness."
"Thank you." Maddie said. "Coming from family and friends, that means a lot."
"I love you." London said to Maddie.
"I love you more." Maddie returned the sentiment as she leaned in for a soft kiss.
"Hey! Get a room!" Zack teased.
London smiled then leaned in to whisper in Maddie's ear. "Good idea. How 'bout we stay in my room tonight?"
Maddie grinned. "Tipton? I like the way you think."
Saturday, April 15, 2017 – 12:30 p.m.
Presidential Suite – Tipton Hotel
"You got everything you need?" London asked.
"My makeup bag is right here. I'll do my makeup at the church. How's my hair?" Maddie asked.
"Elegantly beautiful. How about mine?" London asked.
"You're London Tipton. Duh!" Maddie said.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Blondie!" London fired back.
"Will it get us to the church on time? Cause I don't want to rush and sweat. That's so icky!" Maddie responded.
"We'll be fine. We're supposed to get there by one-thirty." London assured.
"And our dresses…"
"Raven said they would be there when we get there." London said. "Her seamstress is phenomenal."
Maddie took a deep breath. "All right that's everything. Let's go."
They stepped off the elevator in the lobby and ran into an old friend.
"Miley? Miley Stewart!" London exclaimed.
"Hey Guys!" Miley said as she came over to embrace the two of them. "I was hoping I'd run into the two of you!"
"How have you been?" Maddie asked.
"All things considered, I've been holding up well." Miley said.
"I'm sorry to hear about your divorce. It's got to be tough going through that, especially in public." London said.
"It is. But at least I've got my re-born country career and my best friend Lily. She has been really… great." Miley said.
"Miley?" Maddie said. "Was that 'great' I just heard a little loaded?"
"Why do you say that?" Miley asked.
"It just sounded like a very good 'great'. That's all." Maddie said.
"Yeah." London said. "The last couple of days, Maddie has been 'great' to me too."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sweet niblets, y'all!" Miley exclaimed. "We haven't reached THAT level of greatness yet! She doesn't even know how 'great' I think she is. It's just… this whole divorce thing with Jake has just… look, y'all look like you're on your way to the church so I won't keep you. Maybe I'll catch up to you at the reception."
"Count on it." London said.
"Take care, Miley! See you later!" Maddie said as she and London rushed out to the valet stand. "It was good seeing her!" Maddie said to London.
London responded. "Yeah, I hope things with her and Lily turn out all right."
3:45 p.m. – St. Paul's Church – Bridal Chamber
"Is this wedding actually gonna start on time?" Barbara asked as Max put the finishing touches on her makeup.
"Things are looking good." Her coordinator, Robin, said. "Five after at the latest."
"Okay… All set!" Max said. "Now nobody cry. Anyone cries and causes her to cry and mess up her makeup and I'll punch you in the throat!" Max warned. "Stand up, sweetie." Barbara stood up and turned to face everyone. Every woman in the room gasped.
"You look beautiful." London said dreamily.
Barbara wore a white strapless gown that flared out in large ruffles at the bottom. The train of the dress was six feet long. The simple headpiece flowed effortlessly down her back extending three feet. Her neck was adorned with a diamond and emerald necklace that belonged to her grandmother.
"You look more beautiful that I did on my wedding day… And I was gorgeous!" Elaine Brownstein said purposely trying to induce laughter.
"I'm gonna check on the guys." Robin said as she stepped out of the room.
"I am starving! I'll be so glad to get out of this dress so I can eat!" Barbara said.
"There's gonna be food at the reception." Max said.
"Bird food. I need real food! Something that'll stick to your ribs!" Barbara said.
"C.J. will stick to your ribs all right!" Maddie said with a smirk earning a high-five from London.
"You're wedding morning after will be beautiful." Elaine said.
"Morning after? What about the wedding night?" London asked.
"They'll be so tired after today, all they'll want to do tonight is sleep." Elaine said.
"Whatever! I am gonna…" Barbara caught herself, realizing her mother was in the room. "… Enjoy my wedding night." Barbara said calmly.
"Funny…" Elaine said. "I thought you were gonna say you were gonna get-your-freak-on." The younger women fell out laughing when Barbara's mother said that.
Robin stepped back inside the room. "All right ladies! It's showtime! Miss Barbara Elizabeth Brownstein… time to go get your man!"
"Before you go…" Elaine said. "Something old?"
"Grandma's necklace." Barbara answered.
"New?"
"My underwear." Barbara said. London and Maddie looked at her funny. "For tonight… breathtaking." Barbara flashed a smile and peeked her tongue between her teeth.
"Borrowed?"
"Your tennis bracelet."
"Blue?"
"Blue handkerchief. When I start crying." Barbara said.
"Okay, Robin. She's good to go." Elaine said.
"Okay, Barbara. Your father is on the other side of this door. You ready for him to see you?" Robin said.
Barbara took a deep breath. "Ready." Robin opened the door and Barbara stepped out. Thom Brownstein used every ounce of self-control not to burst out into tears.
"My beautiful little angel." Thom said. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you Daddy. I love you." Barbara said sweetly.
"I love you too." Thom said.
Robin lined everyone up and went over a few last minute instructions.
"Does anyone have any questions?" Robin asked. Everyone remained silent. "Okay. Here we go." Robin stepped to the side. She quietly spoke into her headset to her assistant inside the sanctuary who was stationed near the audio technician. "Cue intro music."
The opening notes of Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Major, filled the church as 200 invitees turned in their seats to watch the bridal party begin their journey down the aisle. At the front of the church, Zack attempted to give C.J. one last out.
"Last chance. Side door is that way." Zack joked.
"Nope. I'm good." C.J. replied.
One by one, the bridal party filed down the aisle and took their places. When they had all reached their destination, only two people remained.
"Most important walk of your life." Robin said to Barbara. "Own it. It's yours." Barbara smiled.
"Let's go put a smile on C.J.'s face." Thom said to his daughter who smiled back.
"Cue the bridal chorus." Robin said.
The opening notes of Richard Wagner's Wedding March, otherwise known as Here Comes the Bride, brought everyone to their feet.
The ushers whisked the doors open allowing the guests their first glimpse of the bride. Barbara took Robin's words to heart. She owned the walk. She was the beautiful, confident, magnetic bride that everyone knew she could be. C.J. was mesmerized by the sight of the love of his life coming toward him.
The music concluded as Barbara took her place. Thom remained behind C.J. and his daughter, awaiting his cue to sit. The minister began the ceremony.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God – and in the face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Barbara, in a premeditated move that she told no one about, spun around and glared at the audience. "Try it if you want to!" Barbara said. The guests burst into laughter. Even the minister had to drop his head and chuckle at her successful attempt at levity.
"Now that Barbara has scared you into silence…" The minister's comment earned another laugh from the guests. "Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy – and for the help and comfort given on another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly – it is a means through which a stable and loving environment may be attained."
As the ceremony continued, all couples, wannabe couples and soon-to-be couples exchanged looks of bliss. Weddings tend to bring out the romantic in all those who attend, even the most cynical.
"She looks so happy." London whispered to Maddie behind her. If I was standing up there with Maddie, I'd be happy too.
"I know." Maddie said. Maybe that'll be us one day. She thought.
"Do you Cody take Barbara to be your lawfully wedded wife – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her…"
Maddie found herself drifting into a daydream…
"Do you Madeline take London to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." Maddie says, looking lovingly into London's eyes.
"Do you London take Madeline to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." London gazes deeply into Maddie's eyes as she affirms her love.
Madeline, in placing this ring on London's finger, repeat after me: London, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed.
Maddie repeats the minister's words. London repeats the minister's words as well.
"In as much as Madeline and London have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family and have pledged their faith – and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring – are now joined. You have pronounced yourselves life partners but remember to always be each other's best friend. And so, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you wife and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the earth. You may now kiss the bride."
Maddie slips out of her daydream just in time to hear…
"In as much as Cody and Barbara have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family and have pledged their faith – and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring – are now joined. You have pronounced yourselves husband and wife but remember to always be each other's best friend. What – therefore – God has joined together – let no man put asunder. And so, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the earth. You may now kiss the bride."
Felix Mendelssohn's Wedding March sounded as soon as C.J. and Barbara's lips parted.
The minister had one final proclamation. "I now have the honor of introducing to you for the first time in life, Mr. And Mrs. Cody James Martin!"
Okay. One more chapter. I am simply not finished yet. Chapter twelve is indeed the final chapter. Hang on! We've got one more lap to go! PLEASE REVIEW.