Chapter 108

"Everyone, it's time to cut the cake so gather round," Tom announced. "Come on AJ and Krista, we need a good picture for our photo albums."

When the couples were standing around the wedding cake Pete took a picture and stood by to wait for the cutting of the cake.

Tom and Krystal were first since they had chosen this day first. Cutting the cake with Krystal's hand over Tom's, they scooped up the piece and put it on a plate. Krystal smiled at Tom and whispered, "Open wide, darling." Taking a small piece she placed it in his mouth and leaned in and kissed him to see what the cake tasted like, but Tom tasted much better and she winked at him. Tom scooped up a huge piece of cake and said, "Okay, Krystal, open wide, she's incoming." To Krystal horror, she opened her mouth as wide as she could get it. Tom chucked and took a big bite and placed a tiny piece in her mouth kissing her hoping she would forgive the joke he'd played on her.

AJ placed Krista's hand over his and they cut a piece of cake and placed it on the plate. Krista nervously whispered, "You go first, please." AJ nodded and took a tiny piece of cake and placed it in Krista's mouth and kissed her tenderly. Smiling, she suddenly felt brave. Looking at Tom she smiled and picked up a huge piece of cake and whispered, "Open wide, Albert." AJ sure she was playing a practical joke like Tom had on Krystal, grinned and opened his mouth wide and Krista crammed the whole piece into his mouth. The whole crowd applauded and Tom laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks. His side hurt so bad he thought he was going to have to sit down. Krista, laughing, leaned over and kissed AJ getting cake on her mouth grabbed a napkin and wiped it off both their mouths.

Opening the wine, Tom poured a little into his and Krystal's glass, fully intending to watch her alcohol intake today. Knowing how little it took to make her intoxicated, he didn't intend for that to happen on their wedding day. Entwining arms they each took a sip. AJ did the same for him and Krista and Pete was having a field day.

Next the girls took turns throwing their bouquets. Krystal stood with her back to the unmarried women and pitched her bouquet over her shoulder. Turning to see who had caught her bouquet she saw it was a co-worker Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. Smiling she wished her congratulations.

Krista took Krystal's place and pitched her bouquet over her shoulder and turned to see who caught it and a young girl with beautiful long brown hair was holding it. Krystal told Krista that the young girl was Petty Officer Jennifer Coats. Krystal congratulated her too.

Next came the garter ceremony. Tom pulled up a chair and sat Krystal down. Kneeling he lifted her tiny foot up on his knee and ran his hand up under her dress until her felt the garter. Her face was red, but his hand felt so good caressing her leg. He slid down the garter keeping his eyes on hers and pulled the garter off. Standing with his back to the unmarried men he pitched it over his shoulder and turned to see who had caught it. There, standing red faced and looking like he'd like to pitch the offending garter away, was Commander Harmon Rabb. "Congratulations, Harm, my boy. Looks like you're next," grinned Tom. Helping Krystal up from the chair she whispered in his ear, "If you'd gone a little higher up you'd have found the one I wore for you to keep, darling." Laughing Tom replied, "Keep it on and I'll be sure to go much farther up tonight and pull it off and keep it close to me forever. Thank you, for thinking of me, my goddess."

AJ led Krista over and sat her in the same chair. He knelt lifted her foot on his knee and slowly reached his hand up her dress so as not to scare her. Keeping her eyes on his she remained calm. Finding the garter, he slowly pulled it off tossed it just as Tom had done minutes before. AJ was shocked to see Webb staring down at his hand, now full of garter. "Congratulations, Webb, you and Harm seem to be the next lucky grooms."

Harm and Webb looked at each other and headed for the open bar. Both felt like they needed a drink badly.

To be continued…