After the first shot Chapter 605 :Erica and Jackson's wedding, an all my children fanfic

As soon as the first chord of Mendelsohn's wedding march sounded, every head turned to the foot of the jetty. The wedding party was to cross from the nearest bungalow. First to appear were Gabby and Ayesha, followed closely by Miranda. The two littlest ones were sprinkling rose petals along the path while Miranda's job was to keep them moving forward in the right direction. Gabby and Ayesha got quite carried away with the petal throwing. The guests suppressed grins as Ayesha, with a very serious face, was adding 'swooshing' noises as she went.

Before the kids reached the jetty the second wave of bridesmaids had appeared. Kendall and Camilla followed by Bianca and Marissa side by side. Bianca's pace was slow and steady with her new, now less flamboyantly decorated crutches. Marissa had a supportive hand on her back to keep her stable on the uneven path.

There was a collective gasp when at last Erica emerged holding Opal's arm. Opal had created her own colourful twist to her bridesmaids dress by adding to the ensemble a hot pink bolero jacket and a pink pill box hat. But everyone only had eyes for Erica. Her white gown almost glowed, the diamonds at her throat and ears sparkled in the sunlight, her glossy hair was curled and sculpted on top of her head and accented with small flowers; she was stunning. Her smile was just beaming as her eyes met Jackson's and she took her first step from the porch.

Erica walked gracefully along the petal strewn path her eyes never straying from Jackson's. Jackson watched her, his own smile wide and bright.

Erica reached his side and took his hand.

"You look beautiful." whispered Jackson.

"For you." Erica whispered in return.

"When you're ready." said the registrar breaking the spell.

Jackson and Erica turned to face him as the bridesmaids moved to find their seats.

"Welcome Erica and Jackson, and welcome to all their friends and family. We are gathered here to celebrate the joining of two people in the most joyous of bonds. If anyone knows why this man and this woman should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

There was a blissful silence, although wary from past experience both Jackson and Erica did turn back to check.

"Very good." said the registrar light-heartedly, "It's always a relief."

"Don't we know it." mumbled Jackson.

"Now let us continue." said the registrar. "Who gives this woman to be wed?"

"We do." said Kendall and Bianca together.

"And who gives this man to be wed?"

"I do." said Reggie.

"Now as I understand it, it is traditional for the family to say a few words before the vows are exchanged…"

The registrar nodded to Reggie who turned to the guests, pulling at his collar and nervously clearing his throat.

"Now any of you here will know how honoured I am to call this man my father." said Reggie giving Jackson a proud, broad grin. "He took me in. He took me out of a bad situation. He saved my life I am sure of it! And for what he has given me I only want the very best for him in turn. He deserves all the happiness in the world and I am certain that, although they had had their stumbling blocks, Erica is the one to do that for him."

Reggie turned his attention to Erica.

"Erica, I once described you… I think… as fierce."

There were nods from Kendall, Bianca and Jackson.

"You are that," continued Reggie. "But you are also fiercely loyal and passionate and that's where it counts. I'm certain I read somewhere 'Home is the place you are happy to come back to'… I think it's clear you are both home for each other because here you both are again. And all of us gathered here want you to know how happy we are for you both."

Reggie stepped forward and kissed Erica's cheek and hugged his father and there was polite applause from the guests.

Reggie then turned back to the seated guests his grin a little cheesier.

"That is not all you'll hear from me though." he said pulling a letter from his breast pocket. "Now I know Lilly was sad that she couldn't be here today but she sent this letter which she would like me to read to you all…." Reggie cleared his throat again and then began to read. "Dear Dad and Erica. I am sorry I cannot be at your wedding but I wanted to send you my words instead. When you were married the last time I wanted to tell you about the human heart. Even though it is red it is a good thing because it is where love comes from. I now know that the human heart beats 72 times a minute. That is a lot of heart beats in a lifetime – I like to think of all the love those hearts have produced to get you here to your wedding day. Together your hearts have beaten 4, 200,595,230 times approximately. I didn't know the times you were born so I couldn't work it out precisely. Erica I also remembered something else and I sent you something for your wedding day. It is our favourite colour – purple. The same colour your blue wrap went when I was scared by the red light and you saved me from being scared. I hope it makes you happy. I hope you are both happy because I am happy for you. Love from Lilly."

Reggie holds up a small purple poodle on a key chain.

"I love it." said Erica.

"Thank you Lilly." said Jackson, sending his wishes into the ether.

Kendall took her cue to rise to her feet.

"Well I guess it's my turn. I just want to say how happy I am for you both. You deserve this. You deserve to be happy. Too many bad things have happened of late and we need to celebrate the good things. I am so happy that my mom and Uncle Jack are finally tying the knot again. We've been here a few times before. But I think we all agree that we hope that this time it sticks."

This comment received a round of applause and good humoured laughter.

"Mom, it's taken us a while to get where we are today. You and me bumped heads… a lot, back in the day. But now I couldn't be prouder to call you my mom. And Uncle Jack… I'm very much looking forward to calling you dad again. You stood by me after Zack died… and when we almost lost mom… and I'm very grateful for that." Kendall felt a tear pricking at the corner of her eyes and her voice caught as the emotion took over. "I just want you both happy." sobbed Kendall. She turned to look at her sister too. "I want us all to be happy."

"And we will be, we will be." said Erica stepping forward to give her daughter a comforting hug. Jackson moved forward too and enclosed his long arms around both of them.

After a moment Kendall stepped back, embarrassed, wiping her tears from her cheek.

"Oh god, sorry." she said, trying to make light. "I'm crying and the wedding's hardly started."

Bianca stood up next, placing a comforting touch on Kendall's arm as she took her seat.

Bianca cleared her throat.

"Well I guess I get the last word." she said. "Now we know that there are a few people who couldn't be here who should be here, like Lilly… and like Zack. I am sure that they all looking down and are wishing you both well; Mona; Myrtle and Greenlee. It got me thinking to what they might say... I think my grandmother would say. "We are a family and family is what makes you strong". And she would be right, we are already a family and this ties us together even more… Myrtle would say "You've a ripe red one here!" which I think is Carnie for 'a good thing'. And mom and Uncle Jack you've got a good thing going on here, we can all see that… Greenlee would say, well she did say, "Erica, you make my dad happy, then you make me happy". I think it's safe to say it's true, you both look so happy today. And Zack… Zack wouldn't say much, but I know he'd be smiling because deep down he was always a sucker for happy endings."

Bianca nodded her head to her mom and Jackson to indicate her speech was done, and took her seat. She hoped no one would notice that she had managed to do the whole thing without personally wishing her mother well. It felt like a trick, but she wasn't ready to forgive. Not yet. One look at Erica though and Bianca realised she had noticed, and she looked hurt.

Jackson squeezed Erica's hand and drew her towards him. It was his turn to speak.

"Erica. I love you. I've loved you for a long time although we have had many ups and downs over the years; a real roller coaster of a romance. But I'll be the first to admit I'm getting a little old for those kinds of thrill rides. It's not that I don't want excitement in my life. And believe me Erica; you still excite me, just as did it Paris when we first fell in love. But rather than a roller coaster, I wondered if we might be like a carousel. There may be ups and downs but they'll be manageable. The main thing is to always wind up back at the beginning again… together. Now I've finally got you I want to warn you I am never letting you go again. Not ever."

He kissed her hand tenderly.

Erica smiled back.

"I've realised lately that I'm very short sighted. I can never see a good thing when it's looking right at me. I never trust my luck. And Jack, I'm so lucky to have you. You are one of the best things that have ever happened to me and I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving that to you. When I awoke from my coma, months ago now, I made a pact to put my family first… but I missed the fact that you are just as much a part of that family… you've always been a part of that family. You've been a father to my girls for so long it's about time we made it official. And besides I love you so much I don't want another day without you!"

Jackson and Erica shared an emotional smile.

The registrar then spoke up.

"Now, if you're ready, we have the exchange of rings."

Reggie patted his pockets and then handed them over.

Jackson took the first ring and slid it over Erica's finger.

"Repeat after me…" said the registrar, "I, Jackson Montgomery…"

"I, Jackson Montgomery…"

"Take thee, Erica Kane…"

"To be my lawfully wedded wife…"

"To love, honour, and cherish for as long as we both shall live."

"To love, honour, and cherish for as long as we both shall live… and more besides."

"Erica." prompted the registrar.

Erica took her the other ring from Reggie and slipped it other Jackson's finger.

"I, Erica Kane…"

"Take thee Jackson Montgomery…"

"To be my lawfully wedded husband…"

"To love honour and cherish for as long as we both shall live…"

"With the exchange of these vows and these rings you have made a solemn binding promise in the presence of these witnesses." said the registrar. He smiled at them both "I now pronounce you husband and wife… You made kiss the bride."

Erica made a little bounce of joy before Jackson encircled her in his arms and kissed her warmly.

"About time too." sobbed Opal, standing and applauding, a tear of happiness trickling down her cheek.

…