Another fluffy chapter – sorry if people are getting sick of all the love ;) This is the second last romantic piece and then we go back to mystery and intrigue! Hope you enjoy x
(Set 4 months later – Jess is now 8 ½ months pregnant)
'God, Becker, it's not like you're marrying a Velociraptor. Stop looking so worried!' Connor joked, grinning at the sight of this calm, cool soldier now shaking in his shoes.
'Shut up, Connor. You didn't look so great when you and Abby tied the knot, either,' Becker retorted, feeling sick. He had never imagined he would feel nervous in the least, but with only ten minutes to go, he was beginning to understand the meaning of 'cold feet'.
Connor hid his smile and tried to straighten his tie yet again. 'Well, don't go fainting on me. Jess would never forgive me if I let her precious hubby get knocked unconscious.'
Becker gulped involuntarily, staring at his ashen face in the mirror. 'I look a mess,' he mumbled, more to himself than to anyone else.
'Jess will make up for it – she looks... beautiful.'
Becker turned to see his geeky friend was totally serious. 'You saw her?'
'Mm-hmm. She was getting her hair done but she had the dress on – you're one lucky man, that's all I'm saying.'
The soldier smiled, imagining Jess walking down the aisle, white dress flowing out around her. She had been so worried that people would think she was fat, considering the sizeable bump now ballooning out in front of her, but he assured her that no one could think she was anything other than pregnant.
'Don't let Abby here you say that,' Becker finally replied, and Connor nodded with a loving smile. He had it bad, Becker thought, before realising so did he. If there was one certainty left in his life, it was his unconditional love for Jess. Nothing could, or would ever come close to it. He really would do absolutely anything for her.
'Right boys, you have exactly five minutes. OK? Five minutes,' Jenny said, looking slightly exasperated as she took in Connor and Becker standing together.
'Oh God, and I thought Connor looked awful on his wedding day... Becker, please don't look so scared – you'll make Jess nervous.'
Becker tried to smile but it wavered slightly and Jenny rolled her eyes. 'As long as you get through it, that's all I'm asking. You know, I really thought it was going to be the other way around, but Jess is the picture of calmness. It's like she's been preparing for this her entire life.'
'She has,' Connor muttered under his breath and received a hard kick from Becker.
Jenny looked between them, knowing this must be a private joke, and then left the room with a last glance at the terrified husband. It was strange to see their very own Action Man looking so nervous, considering he had stared down the barrel of a gun and taken on more than one fully grown dinosaur!
'I'd prefer it if you didn't joke about my wife,' Becker said coolly after the door clicked shut, which Connor could only laugh at.
'Come on, mate. Everyone knows Jess was in love with you the very first time she saw you – there's no use in denying it!'
'Slight exaggeration?'
Connor shook his head. 'You might not believe in love at first sight, but she definitely does. And anyway, look at me and Abby – I fell in love with her as soon as I met her, and now we're married!'
Both men stood silent for a moment, completely disbelieving. How the hell did I manage to get a girl like Jess? Becker thought, before smiling at Connor's words. She had loved him the very first time they met... God, that was such a long time ago now.
xxx
Jess flattened her dress for the fifth time that day, now completely sure it was the most unflattering fit on her. Lester took her shaking hand and placed it on his arm, knowing how scared the girl was.
'You look beautiful,' he said quietly, and Jess breathed out slowly, giving him a glowing smile. She had never expected Lester to walk her down the aisle, but she was definitely glad he had offered – she hoped her own dad would be proud to know there was someone equally as fitting taking his place.
'Is Becker all right? Jenny said he was a bit nervous before,' Jess asked, wondering whether he had changed his mind. She didn't even want to think about that idea...
'He's fine, Jess. Believe me, there isn't a man on this planet who isn't nervous before his wedding day. And that comes from pure experience.'
Satisfied, Jess turned back to the oak double-doors, having just heard the violins begin to play.
'Ready?'
'Ready as I'll ever be,' Jess replied, gripping Lester's arm as the doors opened, and she took her first step towards her husband.
xxx
The team watched happily as the newly-weds took to the floor for their first dance – David Gray's 'This Year's Love' echoing round the room as they danced in time to the music.
'She looks so beautiful,' Emily whispered, tears shimmering in her eyes. Matt kissed her bare shoulder softly and she smiled, trying to hold back a sob. She couldn't help thinking that this was nothing like her own wedding day, and she was sincerely glad of it.
On the dance-floor, Becker stroked his wife's cheek, looking deep into her eyes. 'How does it feel to be Mrs. Becker, then?' he asked quietly, just audible above the music.
Jess smiled, blissfully content in her lover's arms. 'Better than I could ever have imagined. How does it feel to be... Mr. Becker?' she asked, realising that he already was. They both laughed, and he kissed her sweetly on the lips, a chuckle escaping him when the crowds of people cheered.
'Should we invite them to dance, do you think?' Jess whispered in his ear, and Becker nodded, gesturing to their friends to join them.
As Becker was yanked into a tight hold by Jess' aunt, much to his protestations, Jess went to have a sit down at the table and get a glass of water. Today had been perfect – there was no other word to describe it. She was officially Mrs. Becker, and that meant she was completely Becker's, and Becker was completely hers. She took a moment to admire the simple gold band shining against the dim lights of the ballroom, and kissed it quickly.
'Care for a dance?' She turned to see Lester leaning over her, looking unusually happy.
Jess laughed before taking his hand as he led her past the throng of people now shimmying to the upbeat music. And as they joined in, Jess was sure she saw a dark stranger out of the corner of her eye, before disappearing into the night.
Sorry for the slightly sinister end, but this is where things begin to change again – I know, I know, but their happy life was never going to last forever! Anyway, please review :)