Miranda – We're All Going On A Spanish Holiday

Chapter 15

Miranda and Gary visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, then they have a look around the Musei Capitolini. Afterwards, they have coffee and cakes in the museum café and Gary tells Miranda he wants to pop back to the shop to pick up a post card. Miranda waits for him in the café.

IN THE CAFÉ

"Hello! Well, this is very nice, they've got some delicious cakes in here, I've gone for the walnut and coffee, but I nearly chose the carrot. Might have to have a piece of that too… Ok, so let me give you a quick update; we've found a lovely hotel to stay in tonight, except the hotelier is a bit scary and we got into trouble when he walked into Gary's room and found us just on the brink of a kiss, thank goodness he came in when he did – a few minutes later and he might have chucked us out on the spot! Yes! I really think it was about to happen! Poor Gary; not only am I still calling him 'Mike' but he's now having to take cold showers – oo-err missus! We're heading over to the Vatican after this and I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pope. Yes, I realise it's unlikely, but you never know!"

AT THE MUSEUM SHOP

Gary has picked up some postcards and is just making his way over to pay when he spots a cabinet with some very pretty, antique looking jewellery. He stops to look and smiles, thinking how nice it would be to surprise Miranda with a little gift. He chooses a necklace with an antique ring pendant. He pays and then goes back to meet Miranda in the café.

IN THE CAFÉ

Miranda – "Hello! Did you get your postcards?"

Gary – "Yes, and this."

Gary gives Miranda the necklace and she is completely thrilled with it. Gary puts it around her neck, fastens the catch and kisses her cheek.

Miranda – "Oh Gary, it's lovely!"

Gary – "Oh, you forgot to call me Mike!"

Laughing, they walk to the Metro and catch the train to Vatican City.

AT VATICAN CITY

Miranda and Gary walk around the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Then they spot a large group of people walking through the courtyard and join them, hoping to see the Pope…

Miranda – "I can't understand what they're saying, but perhaps the Pope is going to appear on his balcony!"

Gary – "Yeah, maybe, let's follow!"

An official is letting the people through into a chapel and speaks to Miranda and Gary as they reach him. He doesn't speak English, but waves them through when he realises they cannot understand him.

Miranda and Gary find themselves in a tiny chapel. They see that all the other people are couples and they join the queue of couples in the aisle.

Gary takes Miranda's hand and whispers in her ear.

Gary – "So, would you like a church wedding?"

Miranda – "What are you saying?"

Gary – "Um. I guess what I'm saying is…"

At that moment, they are ushered forwards and then Miranda's mouth drops open. There, standing at the altar, is the actual Pope! He is blessing each couple in turn. They cannot see exactly what's happening as they are quite far back down the line. They slowly make their way to the front as each of the couples is seen by the Pope before retiring to the seats at the side.

When it is their turn, the Pope blesses them both and then speaks to Gary.

Gary – "Sorry, your err, holiness, um, we're English."

Pope – "Ah, that is alright, I can speak English. Do you have the ring?"

Gary and Miranda stare at the Pope in amazement. Gary recovers first and with great presence of mind, he undoes Miranda's necklace, removes the ring pendant and holds it up for the Pope to see.

Pope – "Good, place it on her finger."

Gary does.

Pope – "I wish you both a good life. I hereby marry you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Gary and Miranda sit down with the other couples.

Miranda – "Gary. I think we might have just got married."

Gary – "Yes, I think we did."

After the ceremony, all the couples leave and there are some Press taking photographs. One reporter grabs Gary and Miranda.

Reporter – "Excuse me, are you British?"

Gary – "Yes."

Reporter – "Great – can we have a few words?"

Gary – "Um, yeah, sure."

Reporter – "Great. (To the cameraman) Go. I'm here at the Vatican on the day when the Pope married 50 happy couples in a mass ceremony, including this British couple. How does it feel to have been married by the Pope?"

Gary – "Well, it was quite a surprise actually, but a fantastic one."

Reporter – "How do you mean?"

Gary – "Well, we didn't realise what was happening! I think we're still in shock!"

Reporter – (to Miranda) "Have you been together long?"

Miranda – "Four days. But we've known each other for years."

Reporter – "How romantic! Thank you. And it's back to the studio…"

The reporter leaves.

Gary – "So, Mrs. Preston…"

Miranda – "Oh Gary! I can't believe this has happened!"

Gary – "You're not disappointed that it was just us and not 150 relatives in England?"

Miranda – "Absolutely not! And are you ok with it?"

Gary – "Definitely. I can't think of a better way to do it!"

Miranda – "So, um, I guess we can cancel one of the rooms now…"

They take the Metro back to the hotel. The hotelier greets them with a bottle of champagne.

AT THE HOTEL

Hotelier – "I just saw you on the news! Congratulations! I have given you our honeymoon suite and I have had all of your luggage moved there!"

Gary – "Wow, thanks! Um, would it be ok if we extended our stay for a week?"

Hotelier – "Of course."

Gary and Miranda's new room is absolutely beautiful with satin cushions, candle sticks and another bottle of champagne on ice. Gary and Miranda, however, do not notice any of this…