Chapter 50- Cloe's Wedding March

Cloe had banished Ved from their room, swearing up and down it was bad luck to see the bride the night before the wedding, but he felt there was more to the story. Whereas that afternoon she was very gleeful about the following day's events, tonight she seemed very distant. Between his fiancée, his best man, and the highly uncomfortable couch he was lying on he was sure to lose a night's sleep.

"I was sure there was supposed to be a bachelor party of some sort," Ved said jokingly, breaking the silence in the dark hotel room Jay used to share with Ruby.

When Ved arrived he noticed she was noticeably absent from the room in all manners of the word. There was no trace her and Jay had ever shared the room, but Jay said he didn't want to talk about and Ved had left it alone, but now it was too silent.

He propped himself up on his elbow as he peered across the room in his brother's direction awaiting a response.

He heard his brother sigh forlornly as he shifted on the bed, mirroring Ved's propped elbow position, "I didn't even think of that, I'm sorry. There's just been so much going on."

"Yeah…" Ved lay back down, his gaze fixated on the ceiling. He hadn't really wanted a party, but it would've been nice to take his mind off things.

Jay sighed some more and then the room once again became silent. Both men had a lot running through their minds.

"Can you believe it? I'm getting married! I can just picture mum, tissue in her hand dabbing at the corner of her eyes, dad's arm wrapped lovingly around her, hugging her close to him." Ved's voice once again broke through the quiet room.

He could hear a smile in Jay's voice as he responded, "She'd ruin her make-up half a dozen times before the ceremony. And dad would fuss at her threatening to leave her at home."

"He hated being late to anything, even to all day events. What was it he used to say?"

"Boy's, if you're on time then you're late, if you're five minutes early then you're on time!" Jay said making his voice deep in his best impersonation of their father making his brother chuckle.

"I think they'd really love Cloe, don't you?" Ved asked once they were serious again.

"Mom would love her to pieces, especially since she's got a reign on you!"

"I suppose she misses her mum and dad a lot now too. That would explain her sudden change in mood tonight."

"It'll be that way always. When you have your first child, during the first birthday, and when you fight; she'll especially want her mum," Jay said adding, "She has Salene though, and that's something even if it isn't the same."

"You're right. Do you think we'll be okay Jay?"

"You've both matured a lot and together at that. Things won't be perfect, but yes, I think you'll be all right."

"Thanks," Ved smiled to himself satisfied.

"Don't mention it. Now light's out soldier, tomorrow's a big day!"

Ved saluted him mockingly, "Yes sir! And Jay?"

"What?"

"In time you'll be all right too."

~0~

Cloe looked in the mirror one last time as she finished dressing, the morning sun blaring brightly through she and Ved's curtains. This was meant to be a joyous day, but her joy was overshadowed by the memory of those that could not be there with her on this day.

Every time she looked at herself in the mirror, her green dress hugging her body just right, the circular frill Gel made a strap out of lining the top of the bust beautifully, Cloe would think about the past. In the old world, a time before the virus, her mother would be here with her, fussing over how beautiful she looked.

As the first tear fell a knock at the door came. She wiped furiously at the tear that had escaped its duct and answered the door, not surprised to see Rayne standing there. She was already ten minutes late to the ball room where the wedding ceremony was to be held.

"Tell me everything," her friend said coming into the room.

That's what Cloe liked about Rayne. She could take one look at you and not have to ask questions. She instantly knew something was wrong. Sometimes it was annoying, but Cloe still appreciated it especially on today.

"Have you ever been to a wedding before? You know one before the virus?"

"I've been to one; it was my mum and stepfather's. It wasn't very traditional."

Cloe sat down at the dressing table again, her mind wandering to a fond memory of hers, "I went to one once when I was very young. My cousin Lena was getting married and she chose me as her flower girl. It was an extravagant wedding; a wedding fit for a princess. When she entered the small church all eyes were on her, and I can remember thinking, 'gosh that must be scary, having everyone watching you,' but she had her dad right there with her, guiding her down the aisle to the love of her life."

"There was a moment when I turned to my dad and he took my hand in his, looked me in the eyes and said, 'Someday that'll be you and me princess.'"

By now more tears were flowing down her face, ones of sorrow and anger, "The virus changed everything Rayne!" she exclaimed, "I've never wanted my mum and dad more than I do now. They're supposed to be here! Who is going to walk me down the aisle?"

Rayne who was also crying at this point wrapped her arms around her friend, neither one of them aware they weren't alone.

~0~

Patsy frowned as she backed out of Cloe's doorway undetected. That should've been her in there comforting Cloe, not Rayne.

Just then she saw Salene approaching. The older woman had been somewhat distant lately, but it was Cloe's big day. Of course mother hen couldn't stay away from such an occasion.

"Is Cloe all right? She's fifteen minutes late all ready…" Salene began.

Patsy started to say something bitter, in spite of Rayne, but stopped herself. She began to think back to her time in the mall. The first wedding that had ever occurred in the mall was Lex and Zandra's. She and Cloe had been mightily excited. They stayed up all night talking about it for days after the occasion, planning out their own weddings.

Suddenly the wheels began to turn in her head. She was Cloe's best friend, not Rayne, and she knew exactly how to win over Cloe again. She would just need to coerce the other couple marrying today and quickly.

"Hello? Patsy?" Salene was waving a hand in front of her face, "Did you hear me?"

"Sal, I need your help with something. You were always like a mother to us kids right?"

"Yes…so?"

"So, who was right there with you? Looking after us kids, even if they weren't the sharpest tool in the shed?"

"Pats, what are you getting at?"

Sighing in frustration, Patsy grabbed the woman's hand, dragging her off down the hall towards the ball room, "Just, come on!"

~0~

When Cloe and Rayne had dried their tears and fixed one another's make-up, they headed to the ballroom together.

Standing outside the doors they encountered Ryan and a very giggly Brady. "All right Brady, you're on, remember how to throw the flowers?"

The little girl nodded smiling widely and disappeared through the open doors with her basket of purple and white flowers. Music coming from a stereo floated out to them. It was far from the wedding march, but it was just as beautiful for the occasion.

Rayne shared a look of confusion with her friend, before looking at her future brother-in-law, "Ryan what's going on, why aren't you at the altar?"

"Well there's been a change in plans. If Cloe will have me, I'd love to walk her down the aisle."

Cloe's heart thudded in her chest gleefully, "What?"

"Nobody can ever replace your father Cloe, but when Patsy asked me if I could do this, well I said I would be honored to step in his place today so you don't have to march alone."

"Ryan…I…I don't know what to say, thank you!" Cloe threw her arms around him.

"Thank him later, you're already thirty minutes late," Rayne said with a bit of agitation to her tone, handing Cloe the bouquet of flowers she was to carry before disappearing through the doors.

Cloe noted her sour tone, but had no time to respond for at that moment Ryan was linking arms with her to walk her down the aisle.

~0~

Ved let out a small sigh of relief as Ryan led Cloe to the altar. He had been worried that her tardiness meant she had re-thought this occasion. His mouth ran dry and his palms grew sweaty as they came closer. He could even hear his heart reverberating in his ears as Amber began speaking once they had arrived.

"Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness; it's a true gift, and a wedding is a ceremony of that gift. Today we are here to witness the joining of two very special people. If anyone can show why these two may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

The room was so quiet a feather dropping could be heard, therefore Amber carried on, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Ryan grinning widely, kissed Cloe's cheek before saying, "I do."

Cloe could hardly breathe as Ryan handed her over to Ved. She turned to give her bouquet to Lottie before facing her groom, clad in a makeshift tux. His white shirt, that had green stitching to match her dress, was slightly too big for him, but it didn't distract from how handsome he was. Her heart sped up as Amber began speaking once more.

"Cloe and Ved, are you ready to take the step in becoming husband and wife?"

In unison they answered, "Yes."

"Today you are giving yourselves to one another. Your romance grew and matured. It blossomed into true love and brought you to this moment of commitment today. A commitment that will connect you to each other until the end of time. Ved and Cloe, may true love always help you keep the promises you are about to make here today."

"Ved, do you take Cloe to be your wife, to live together in harmony? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and protect her in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Ved smiled at his bride and she smiled back as he answered, "I do."

"And Cloe, do you take Ved to be your husband, to live together in harmony? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and protect him in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," she answered, hardly able to contain her excitement, in a high pitch.

The crowd giggled at the young, eager couple, even Amber couldn't stifle a laugh before carrying on, "May I have the ring that symbolizes Ved's undying love for Cloe?"

Jay grinned at his little brother as he handed forth Cloe's ring. It was a single, gold band, with a lone white diamond in the middle. It was certainly nothing anyone expected, especially Ved. It was not the ring he had given to Jay for safe keeping. It was ten times better.

"Cloe with this ring, I wish to show you my everlasting love," he uttered the words after Amber, slipping the ring on Cloe's finger. It was a perfect fit.

When Cloe had repeated the same thing and placed Ved's ring on his finger, a plain, gold band, the tears began with Cloe again. This time tears of joy. She stole a glance at the people she considered family in attendance. Even Ebony was there, wearing the dress she had instructed her to even though she and Slade had already eloped. It was such a beautiful moment Cloe wanted to trap it in a jar forever!

"May your love always be as beautiful as it is this moment. May the challenges life brings your way make your marriage stronger, and may you always be there for each other, as best friends and lovers. Ved and Cloe, now that you have shared these words of love and commitment with each other, and we have witnessed the expression of your love as you have given each other these rings, it is with great joy and happiness that I pronounce you husband and wife."

Ved didn't even wait for Amber to say he may kiss the bride. In his excitement he pulled Cloe to him and kissed her. He kissed her like he always had, but this time it felt different. It radiated through him like roaring waters. He never wanted to let go.

He heard Jay clear his throat, prompting him to pull away from Cloe. And through bouts of laughter, Amber presented them to their friends and family.