Quickie:

Mathildou - Thank you very much. It's always nice to hear that I'm still doing good. I never know anymore. But thanks for the reassurance.
sivan - Ok. On the topic of Sawyer's behavior: I hoped it was obvious that he was having some second thoughts about the child. Just an uneasy feeling after seeing her with Aaron. Secondly, when it comes to Jack already knowing: Just because he brought it up to her during the conversation doesn't mean that was the first he had heard of it. You're right, she told him over the phone already. But she had forgotten the fact, quite obviously, and leaves the blame on Sawyer. Got it? Or do I need to explain more?
SassyLostie - Hehe. You're funny. Very bi-polar sounding in your review: Well, maybe it won't be so bad. But oh god she's going to HEAR IT! Hehe.

I love all of your reactions towards seeing Jack again, and towards Kate agreeing to babysit. It's highly amusing. I only wondered why you guys didn't think of Sawyer, and how much trouble HE should be in with Kate, no? wink

Hmm. So I guess since "Greatest Hits" aired, my info. is a bit off. Oh well. And ewwww...I'm so self-conscious about this chapter. Nevertheless...Enjoy!

Chapter 23

Sawyer sat in his seat next to Allison, anxious to get the show on the road. This ceremony was going to take forever, as far as he knew. And he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. He'd lost interest in talking to Allison when she'd brought up Jack. Jack was this, and Jack did that, and Jack says this, Jack, Jack, Jack. It got old fast. She wanted to be in love with Jack? Fine. But he didn't need to know about it. He wished Jack would show up sometime soon and shut her up.

"What's got you so quiet?" Allison asked.

"What's it to ya, Curly Sue?" he said, referring to her up-do of golden spiral curls.

She rolled her eyes. "You never used to be so quiet, you know."

He grunted.

"It's because of her isn't it? You got quiet once you got involved with her."

"Puh-lease. I ain't quiet."

"It isn't something to be ashamed of," she teased. "In fact, it's actually a nice change. Instead of always having to hear your mouth."

"Ally, the only reason I'm bein' quiet is 'cause you're doin' all the talkin'."

"Because you won't say a word!"

"'Cause I don't like to talk about the Doc as much as you do!"

"Oh, so you're going to blame Jack now?"

"Y'see?" he smirked. "Can't go a minute without sayin' his name, can you?"

"Why does it bother you so much? What has he ever done to you?"

"He's done more than enough to me, cupcake. We ain't real fond of each other, in case you haven't noticed."

"No. But at least he tries, Sawyer. You just don't give a rat's ass."

"No. I don't."

"And that's why I'm with him and not you."

"Thank god for that."

"You know what? I – "

As luck would have it, the orchestra began and stopped Allison from finishing her thought. He smirked, and she sighed, looking up the isle and away from him. After a few chords, Liam's daughter Megan, the flower girl, started down the isle. Her dress seemed to follow her as she tossed the petals along her way. Aaron, the little ring bearer, tried his best to walk with the help of Claire's mom, as he brought forth the pillow with the rings. Next, a bridesmaid and her escort followed, smiling as they walked. They were followed by two more sets, and then came the "maid of honor" and "best man" – Kate and Jack.

Sawyer would have been irritated by that fact, had he not been mesmerized by Kate's appearance. Her flowing periwinkle dress brushed along the isle in folds. The color against her skin made her seem to glow. It fit snug against her curves, and formed a slight V at the neck, showing off a taunting amount of cleavage. The straps went up, halter-like and crisscrossed down her back. Her hair was swept up and parted to the side in a curly up-do. The simplicity of the dress was accented with a double-chained necklace scattered with jewels, and a bouquet of pink roses and lilies.

Sawyer couldn't take his eyes off of her. He'd never seen her in a dress before, and he had to admit it was something he regretted. He watched her part with Jack and take her place. She hadn't spotted him yet, he realized. She was focused on Claire, walking down the isle now, arm in arm with her father. He turned and forced himself to watch too, as she made it to the front and stood with Charlie in front of the priest.

Kate turned, but still glanced around, looking for Sawyer. She found Allison easily, quite noticeable in her bright red halter dress, and blonde curls. Figuring he had to be around there, she searched that particular area for Sawyer. He should have been somewhere around there. Then she realized he was sitting right next to Allison. He half-grinned as he saw her eyes widen in shock. He wasn't wearing the suit! Instead he was wearing a tux. Well…almost a tux. He lacked the bowtie, but she didn't blame him. It probably would have looked ridiculous anyway. She stared at him incredulously. Black slacks, a white button down – of course he wouldn't be Sawyer if the first two or three buttons weren't left undone – and a black jacket. He even had a white handkerchief in the pocket. She grinned at him, and he winked.

They ended their silent conversation between eyes and paid attention to the wedding again. Sawyer grinned to himself. It was all worth it just to see that face...

Soon time had passed. Charlie and Claire were making their vows.

"I always call it an accident that Claire and I met," Charlie started. "A good accident though. She happened to be pregnant with Aaron at the time. And she was having trouble getting her bags out from the parts of the plane it was stuck under. And since that first day I met her, I'd always tried to look out for her. Make sure she was all right. No one else did. No one else would. Everyone was scared of her, because she was pregnant – a time bomb of responsibility just waiting to go off, she called it. But I wasn't scared of her. I wanted to take care of her. Being stuck on an island with a baby is no day at the beach." He paused. "Sorry." He paused again letting everyone have a laugh. "We had been through a lot together on that island. And even though many bad things had happened, even though sometimes she probably wanted to kill me, I never stopped loving her. She's this extraordinary woman who just lights up the room with her smile. She's got this beautiful personality…kind…gentle…forgiving…And throw in her astounding good looks…No one could ever compare with her." He took her hand and kissed it. "Claire, I love you. And I always will."

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. Kate snuck a glance over at Sawyer. He looked over at her too, and she looked away, sheepishly. She didn't want him to see her eyes starting to water too. It was Claire's turn now.

"The day I met Charlie, I knew he was a character. There was more to him than just the gentleman helping me with my stuff. There was a side of him that just hadn't shown itself yet. And at first, I thought I might hate him. I thought he'd be annoying, and just a member of some band that never lasted."

Everyone laughed, and Charlie pretended to look offended. Claire laughed too.

"But there was more to him than just that. He was really this kind, caring man who was nothing but good to me. And yes, we had our bad spells but we got through them. And he was present at Aaron's birth, and played dad to him ever since. I couldn't be more grateful. He taught me things that I didn't know, and he made me realize that I'm not alone. He treats me with more kindness than any man had in the past. And I love him for it," she said softly, more tears pouring. She nodded. "I do. He is funny, and sweet, and even though sometimes he can upset me, I wouldn't want it any other way. I love you, Charlie."

She paused to look down and wipe her tears. Kate snuck another glance at Sawyer, unaware of the tears starting to fall from her own eyes. They stared at each other for a long time, the wedding around them suddenly forgotten. The words of the priest echoed and seemed to be far away. They knew that at that moment, they saw themselves up at the altar instead of Charlie and Claire. But he saw her vows in her eyes, and she in his. They didn't need words to express their love.

It wasn't until everyone stood and started to clap that they snapped out of their trance. Claire and Charlie were kissing, apparently having been pronounced 'husband and wife'. Kate smiled and joined the applause. Sawyer snapped out of it too and glanced around bewilderedly, clapping lightly.

The bride and groom walked down the isle, all smiles, followed by Kate and Jack, the bridesmaids, and the rest. Kate planned to wait for Sawyer to come outside afterward, but she was soon directed into a limousine with Jack, Claire's sister, Liam and the rest of the bridesmaids and men. She watched for Sawyer out the tinted window. He was talking with Allison when he came out. Actually, it was more like she was talking to him and he was looking around. She watched him turn and say something to Allison, which made her laugh. Then she said something to him and he stopped searching, giving in to talk to her.

"Anything interesting going on out there?" Jack asked.

Kate smiled and turned away from the window. "No."

"So, you hungry yet?"

"A little," she lied.

She was dining for two, these days. Of course she was hungry. Shouldn't Jack have known that?

"I saw Sawyer was well-dressed for a change. I'm guessing you did that."

"Surprisingly, no," she told him…