Marissa pushed the invitation card into the envelope and sealed it, before adding the name and address.
"How many more of these have we got to go?" she asked.
Gabby peered into the box,
"I think about twelve."
"Eleven now." said AJ, taking his next card.
Bianca, who was adding her own invite to the pile, sighed with relief.
"Almost there then." she said, picking up the next invitation from the box and double checking the list.
She paused to admire the abstract frame that curled around the words, 'You are cordially invited to the wedding of Adam Chandler III and Emma Lavery at St Peter's Chapel, 7th June 2030.' AJ was finally marrying his childhood sweetheart and they were preparing the invitations; family only to the ceremony and then the whole town was being invited to the reception.
"You did a good job on designing the invitation card." she said to her youngest daughter.
"Thanks," said Gabby, "Art college was good for something then."
"You'd think by now someone would have invented a machine to do this." said AJ with a sigh as he picked up another invitation.
"It's your wedding!" said Gabby with a laugh, giving her brother shove. "Come on Pops, we do know she's only marrying you because you knocked her up. How many times had she turned you down before that?"
"Gabby." Marissa warned, not liking the teasing.
…
AJ and Emma had been sweethearts through high school and then on through college. On the day of his graduation he'd asked her to be his wife. She said no. He asked her on Valentine's Day a year later, she still said no. Every year he asked her and every year she said no. Her answer was always the same; she didn't want to tie him down or mess up what they had by making it official. He was almost to the point of giving up when Spike persuaded him to give it one last try. He filled the room with roses, got down on one knee, gushing his heart out about how much he loved her and how it should just be the two of them together forever and ever. For a moment he thought she was finally going to say yes. Instead she burst into tears and fled. She left town and he thought he would never see her again.
Seven months later she knocked on his door and she was very pregnant. That was when she asked him to marry her. When he had proposed she had just discovered she was pregnant and had only wanted to talk. Then he said all he ever wanted was the two of them she took it to mean he wouldn't want the baby. Now she knew what she wanted, she wanted AJ and their child to be a family. AJ, delighted at the thought of being a father, said yes to her proposal without a second's hesitation.
Now the only trouble was they didn't have much time to arrange the wedding before the baby arrived. Emma was determined they would be married before the birth. AJ was going to be the baby's father right from the start.
…
"Where is Mouse… I mean Miranda?" asked Gabby, putting another addressed envelope in the stack. "I thought she'd be here to help. Now I'm back I hardly see her?"
"I wish you wouldn't call her that, you know she doesn't like it!" said Bianca, "She's working late at the Miranda Centre and then she's helping me buy bunting for the reception."
"I could help with that too." offered AJ.
"I thought your fiancée was hoping to go over centrepieces and seating this evening."
"Oops. That's one groom point down for me." said AJ as he sealed his next envelope.
"How many is that now?" asked Marissa with a laugh.
"About five hundred and eighty-four if you were to ask Emma."
Gabby pulled another invite from the box and then frowned as she read the name.
"You're seriously not inviting him!" she exclaimed. "Are you mad?"
AJ took the invitation from her and read the name.
"You know how keen Emma is on reconciliation." he said, "And she's right my whole family should be there. I want him to be there. He needs to know that I know he's changed and that I'm happy about that. Emma's inviting Annie too, although of course she'll be coming supervised. I can write the envelope if you'd rather."
"No I'll do it." said Gabby taking back the card.
Now rather annoyed at her brother's stupidity she wrote the name 'JR Chandler' at the top of the envelope.
…
Bianca climbed into bed. Marissa was sat up with her tablet working in her wedding speech.
"How's it going?" Bianca asked, peering in to read over her wife's shoulder.
"Almost there, but I think it could use some of your input." said Marissa, leaning back as her wife put an arm around her. "It's seems too short."
Bianca took the screen from her and scrolled through the text.
"Short can be good if it says everything you need to say." she said. "Although maybe you could add…"
Bianca started typing, and as Marissa watched the words form on the screen she smiled.
"Now it's perfect." she said when Bianca was done.
"You're sure?"
Marissa snuggled closer.
"I'm sure."
She sighed.
"I can't believe our little boy's getting married."
"He's not so little any more… They're all growing up our little ones. It all happens so fast doesn't it? And it won't be long until we're will be grandparents. Are you ready for that?"
"More than ready." said Marissa. "I think I can be a groovy gran."
Bianca laughed a kissed her cheek.
"You can be a very groovy gran."
Marissa tipped her head back and looked thoughtfully at Bianca.
"So which other of our grown up kids are you worrying about now?"
"I'm not…" Bianca began, but Marissa just raised a sceptical eyebrow. "Okay…okay… I'm just not sure what Gabby is planning now she's out of college. Kendall said she asked about a job at Fusion but never got back to her."
"So she sticking around after all?" said Marissa. "I thought that's what you'd want; to keep our kids close."
"I don't want to hold her back. Our girl's a genius. Her portraits have already been exhibited. She's an artist! She should be seeing the world; expanding her horizons; getting recognised and celebrated for her skill. She can't do that here!"
"But if she wants to stay."
"If she really wants to stay then I'd understand but if she's staying for my sake… That's not fair."
"You didn't fight Miranda's decision to help you at the centre."
"That's because Miranda doesn't do to well on her own. She's not confident like AJ or Gabby. She needs her family around to give her strength. Gabby's always had a mind of her own. And maybe seeing her sister out in the world would give Miranda the grit to stretch herself a little too."
Marissa stared at Bianca and grinned, blown away by her wife's compassion as always.
"Have I told you today how beautiful you are?" she sighed lovingly.
"I can bear to hear it again." said Bianca smiling back.
Marissa kissed her softly on the lips.
"You're beautiful."
Bianca's grin widened as she put aside the tablet and they wriggled around on the bed so they could share a more comfortable embrace.
"And you know how beautiful you are." Bianca whispered before kissing her wife deeply.
As Bianca lent back from the kiss Marissa stroked her fingers through her wife's hair.
"So the only other question is…" began Marissa, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"…what do we do about JR?" Bianca finished.
"We can't let him ruin AJ's big day." Marissa sighed.
"Tell you what?" said Bianca, kissing the corner of Marissa's mouth. "You focus on our boy and I'll handle JR."
…
"Why do the dresses have to be pink?" Gabby sighed, viewing her reflection in the mirror.
"I remember when it used to be your favourite colour." said Miranda laughing at her younger sister admiring her bridesmaid's dress.
"Yeah," said Gabby, "Then I grew up and developed some taste."
"Well black isn't a good colour for a wedding." said Miranda, teasing as she stepping up to admire her own reflection.
"I don't just wear black!" protested Gabby. "I use it is an accent."
"Ever since you've come back from art college you've been in black 99.9 per cent of the time! Is it an arty thing because I'd have thought studying art would make you more colourful?" said Miranda still teasing.
"Well, college gives you a sense perspective." said Gabby. "You'd know if you'd been."
"I'm quite happy at the Miranda Centre thank you." said Miranda brightly. "I think I'm doing quite well at helping to continue Mom's legacy… And college isn't all good." she added tapping her sister's cheek where there was a small butterfly tattoo.
Gabby frowned.
…
Facial tattoos had been all the rage two years back and feeling all grown in her first year at college she'd decided to follow the trend. When she came home that summer with the small blue butterfly high on her cheek under her right eye Marissa had been so angry; furious at her for ruining her pretty features. Bianca had just stood there with a disappointed expression in her eyes. Gabby took all of Marissa angry words but somehow Bianca's silent disapproval hurt worse.
Later that night Gabby had sought out her mom.
"You hate it, don't you, the butterfly?"
Bianca just kissed her tattooed cheek.
"I'm going to have to learn to love it aren't I," she said, "Because it's going to be a part of you forever. Just promise me you'll never do anything like this again… not without talking it through first with your moms. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up… it'll come with time."
Gabby had never loved her mother more than in that moment.
…
Miranda patted her sister on the back to pull her out of her daydream.
"Come on we're not doing a very good job of looking after the bride." She then gave her sister a hug. "You look beautiful in pink, now come on!"
…
"Very handsome." said Spike, walking in as AJ pulled on his jacket.
"The rule was; you be my best man - you stop flirting with me!" AJ joked.
Spike chuckled and patted his friend on the back.
"You're safe, you're marrying my half-sister. I'm not going to mess with that!" He sighed again though. "…But you do look handsome!"
There was a knock at the door.
"Is it safe to come in?"
"Sure mom, we're descent!"
Marissa walked in, proudly grinning up at her six foot tall broad shouldered son in his wedding suit.
"Ahh!" she sighed as she admired him. "You look so…"
"…handsome?" suggested Spike. "Told you!" he added winking at AJ.
"Very handsome." said Marissa, unable to resist tugging her son's lapel straight.
"I brought your button holes." she added turning to Spike, "The car will be here in twenty minutes."
"I'm ready, I think." said AJ. He then noticed his mother was alone. "Where's Binks?"
"She's on a mission." said Marissa, "But she'll be here for your big day, don't worry."
AJ smiled back.
"I'm not worried." he said. He turned to Spike. "Do I look worried?"
Spike grinned holding his fingers a few centimetres apart.
"Just a little."
…
Bianca asked the car to wait and eyed up the desolate hostel building. She took a firm grip on her crutches and entered. The hostel manager led her through the shabby corridor, carrying her bag for her. He stopped at door number 96 and knocked loudly on the door.
"Mr Chandelier, you've got a visitor!"
The door handle turned and a bleary eyed and unshaven JR Chandler opened the door.
Bianca sighed.
"Oh how the mighty have fallen." she said.
"What do you want?" JR said gruffly.
The manager put the bag down and left.
JR looked from the case back up to Bianca.
"Your son is getting married." said Bianca. "And I am here to ensure you don't continue your tradition of letting him down! So are you going to invite me in?"
…
JR had come back to Pine Valley six years ago after the health reforms closed down his care facility in California. Without any supervision he'd stopped taking his meds so his mind wasn't in a very healthy place when he decided it was time to come home and reunite with his son. JR got off on the wrong foot right away.
At that time Spike had been nursing a huge crush on his best friend AJ, just as Emma had turned AJ's proposal down for the first time.
JR happened to be spying on his son the moment a lovesick Spike, consoling his broken-hearted friend, had moved in for a kiss.
JR was horrified at the thought that his son could be gay and was quick to blame Bianca and Marissa for this. IN his rage he missed the part where AJ pushed his friend back and told Spike he loved him but couldn't feel that way about him.
JR went completely off the rails after that… he started drinking and his hallucinations came back. He stopped being able to listen even when AJ assured him he was actually in love with Emma and had asked her to marry him.
After a particularly vicious argument with AJ, who had all the while been trying to help him, JR knocked down a candle at the grand opening of Krystal's new restaurant. The candle was what started the fire that destroyed the Pine Valley Mall.
A lot of people in the town were affected by this disaster. Dixie almost died after being trapped by fallen debris. Spike broke his hip when part of the roof collapsed and his dance career was ended. Opal suffered lung damage from smoke inhalation that was a contributor to her sad death three years later.
JR had once more hurt a lot of people but this time round people knew the cause. JR went right back into Oak Haven for nine months and was then given a supervision order and a new care facility to reside in for the next four years.
The only good thing to come out of the fire was that it trapped Scott and Marissa together; and working as a team to escape the flames they came to an uneasy truce after years of mistrust and duplicity. A truce which seemed to have stuck.
…
The inside of JR's room was worse than Bianca feared; it smelt of body odour and dirty clothes were piled on the floor in abundance, along with half empty fast food cartons.
"They let you live like this?" she asked horrified.
"It's what I can afford." said JR, looking down and scratching at a food stain he had just noticed on his shirt.
"Are you taking your meds?" Bianca asked, spying the pharmacy pots on the dresser.
"Are you still walking with your crutches?" JR retorted snidely. "I know how to take care of myself."
Bianca's expression seemed to say that the state of the room said differently.
"Do you?" she asked.
JR sniffed.
"I'm taking my meds." he said quietly.
"Good. Well, come on then! There's a suit in the bag! Get dressed; get cleaned up. The car is waiting."
"I'm not going to the wedding." said JR. "You said this was me disappointing him again but he doesn't want he there. Staying away is the best gift I could give him."
"If he didn't want you there he wouldn't have sent you the invitation. AJ's a grown man he knows his own mind. Put the suit on… and maybe have a shave while you're about it… and let's go, I don't want to be late."
JR slowly picked up the bag.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked before stepping into the bathroom. "You hate me."
"Because I love my son and I want him to be happy."
…
"You're sweating dad. Stop sweating." said Emma, as she and her father travelled in the wedding car to the chapel.
"My baby's getting married. A man's allowed to sweat!"
Emma sighed and took her father by the hand.
"I'm not the baby anymore." said Emma stroking her pregnant stomach. She was showing very large and everyone said that meant it was going to be a boy… She hoped so. She always wanted a son.
"You'll always be my baby." said Ryan giving her daughter a smile.
Just then the car jolted over a pothole.
"Is the driver going to over go every bump?" Emma groaned clutching her belly.
"I can ask him to slow down." Ryan suggested.
"No, we can't be late." insisted Emma as the car jolted again. "We just have to get there."
…
In the car behind, Miranda and Gabby were sat side by side in their bridesmaids dresses. Conversation about the wedding having run dry, talk turned to what Gabby would be doing now she'd left college.
"So have you decided yet if you'll take the job at Fusion?" Miranda asked. "Kendall won't keep the slot open in the graphic design department forever."
"I don't... It's not really…" Gabby began to say and then stopped. "I mean yeah… I'll take it."
Miranda paid more attention to the first answer.
"Not really, what?"
"No…" said Gabby trying to retract her first statement. "Of course I'll stay close."
"But it's not what you want?"
"It is." said Gabby, "Mom needs me here; I'm going to stay."
"Mom? You're staying for mom?"
"Aren't you? You know she'd be lost without us."
"But last time you came home from college I thought you were talking about travelling and Europe."
"Yeah but I've come to my senses… I couldn't do that to mom. I'm going to stay at Fusion."
Miranda turned and stared at her sister in concern.
"Mom wouldn't want to stop you fulfilling your dream?"
"I won't leave." said Gabby firmly. "You don't have to worry about that."
…
AJ stood at the altar and kept one eye on the door as the guests started to arrive. It wasn't a big chapel and quite out of the way, but with the flowers and the white drapery hanging from the rafters, AJ knew this was just the wedding Emma dreamed of.
Ian was acting as usher and leading everyone to their seats. It was quite sparse on the Bride's side. Annie and her minder were near the front behind Madison who Ryan had married two years ago. There was only really Ryan still to arrive out of Emma's family. But Reggie, Camilla, Ayesha and their young son Trip were sat in the bride's side to fill out the space. Uncle Scott, Holly, Charlie and Colby had opted to take a seat on that side too. Cara wasn't invited. Although Scott and Marissa had made peace; Cara and Marissa's relationship was a whole different matter entirely.
On the groom's side Leora, in her wheelchair, sat at the back with Krystal, Jesse and Jenny. David was currently busy in Washington. His Orpheus serum was now on drugs trials as a treatment for Alzheimer's and he was overseeing the project. Tad and Kathy were alone in the next row. Dixie had disappeared again, only this time with Doug; a fireman she met after the Mall fire in 2024. Then Erica, Jackson and Aunt Kendall were in the second row and finally his mom was sat alone at the front watching the door just like him. There was still no sign of Binks.
He felt a hand on his back; it was Spike giving him a supportive grin.
"She'll be here soon, stop worrying."
"Are you talking about Emma or Binks." AJ asked.
"I was talking about Emma…" said Spike, but he made note of the empty seat beside Marissa. "Are you worried your mom will miss it?"
"She'll be here." said AJ. "She's not one to let me down. Wherever she's gone I'm sure it's important."
Time ticked by.
Suddenly there was an unhappy murmur amongst the guest.
JR walked in. When his father hadn't responded to the invitation AJ hadn't expected to see him at all. JR was dressed in a sharp suit with his hair oiled down. He was looking around the room nervously as if he wasn't sure he should be here. Then Bianca walked in behind JR and pointed him to a chair by Tad; the reason for her absence was suddenly made clear.
He gave his mom a wide grin.
"Thank you." he mouthed.
She gave him the thumbs up sign and a smile.
Marissa got up at the sight of her too and hurried over to hug and kiss her wife in welcome. She even shook JR by the hand before they took their seats.
AJ sighed with relief now everyone was here and everything was ready.
He looked towards the door.
Well everyone was here but his bride.
…
The wedding cars pulled in at the chapel and the chauffeur hurried round to open the door. Ryan held out a hand to help his daughter from the car while Miranda and Gabby busied themselves tidying her long train.
"Are we ready?" asked Ryan.
"Ready." said Emma with a smile, but then she stumbled.
"Are you okay?" Miranda asked, hurrying to help Ryan support Emma who was bent double and couldn't seem to straighten up.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just the baby didn't enjoy the journey… I'm okay. It's going away again."
She finally stood up and gave then both a grin.
"See I'm good now."
…
Mendelsohn's wedding march began to play on the organ.
AJ stood up straight and watched the door as Emma, looking beautiful in her white dress, began to walk down the aisle, her father holding her arm.
He grinned too at the sight of his two sisters following behind in their pink bridesmaid's dresses. Gabby now hated pink.
As he watched Emma stumbled, leaning forward slightly as if winded. AJ wanted to run to her, he even walked two paces down the steps, but she shooed him back, straightened up and continued on again.
When Ryan gave Emma's hand to AJ he looked concerned and reluctant to let go.
"Are you alright?" AJ asked his bride.
Emma seemed a little breathless,
"I think the baby is sensing my excitement." she said. She turned to the priest, "Can we get on with it please? I want to make this man my husband."
Even as she spoke she groaned and stumbled forward onto her knees. This time half the congregation were on their feet.
AJ knelt beside her.
"Emma, is it the baby?"
"No," she said, her breath coming in pants, "I'm marrying you first. My baby is going to have a father…. I'm marrying you first!"
"What do we do?" Spike exclaimed.
Bianca was suddenly by Emma's side.
"Are you going into labour..?" she asked, "Someone call an ambulance!"
Emma hadn't let go of AJ's hand.
"I'm marrying you first." she repeated, starring pleadingly into his eyes.
"Sure, sure…" said AJ. He turned to the stunned priest. "Can we get on with the ceremony… quickly."
"I don't think…" began the priest.
Emma grabbed his trouser leg and cried through gritted teeth.
"I do..!"
AJ held tightly onto Emma's hand, while she was moved into a settled position on the altar steps. Ryan and Spike donated their coat so she could be comfortable
"Ambulance is on its way." said Miranda as she and Marissa moved closer.
"Her waters have broken. This is all happening too fast." said Bianca, "I'm not sure they'll get here in time."
Bianca pulled up her skirt, pulled off her leg brace and was soon kneeling beside Emma.
"I'm just going to take a look okay?"
Emma nodded.
"And what can we do?" asked Marissa, stepping closer.
"Just give then a bit of space." said Krystal kneeling down beside Bianca to see what she could do to help.
Miranda and Gabby both put their arms around their mama and together they watched the scene unfold.
"You're doing great." said Bianca rubbing Emma's knee, "Just breath."
"But I'm getting married!" Emma gasped.
"Yes, you are." said AJ softly. He turned pointedly to the priest, who cleared his throat and began the ceremony.
What followed was possibly one of the strangest wedding's in Pine Valley history.
While the priest went through the ceremony at double speed, Emma all but screamed her vows through the birth pains.
"I can the see the head…" Bianca interjected. "You're almost there."
"Adam Chandler III do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife? To love, honour and cherish for as long as you both shall live?"
AJ, stunned and in awe of the miracle going on right before his eye whispered,
"I do."
"Emma Lavery, do you take this man…"
"I do, I do, I do!" Emma gasped.
"That will do, I think." said the priest. "I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride."
"It's coming, it's coming." said Bianca. "One more big push."
AJ put an arm around his new wife and kissed her brow.
"We're married." she gasped.
"We're married." he said.
"One big push." Bianca prompted.
Emma screamed and pushed.
"It's a boy." Krystal said smiling. "He's here. You have a baby boy."
Ian gallantly hand over his jacket to wrap the baby in and Ryan was there to take his new grandson in his arms,
"He's perfect! Just perfect!"
AJ grinned,
"A son," he said quietly as the baby tested his lung for the first time with a loud wail.
Emma nodded, still panting.
"It's not stopping." she gasped. "Should it be stopping?"
"What's wrong?" asked Bianca.
"I still want to push."
Krystal felt her belly.
"Did your doctors say anything about the possibility of twins?"
"Twins." gasped AJ and Emma together.
"I missed my last scan." Emma admitted between pants. "I wanted to go with my husband."
"Okay, let's see what's going on." said Bianca as she got ready to help deliver a second child.
It took five more minutes for the second baby boy to join his brother; just as the ambulance was arriving. The second son, wrapped in JR's jacket, was nestled into Marissa's arms.
The newlywed Mr and Mrs Adam Chandler were now the proud parents to two beautiful baby boys.
…
While the paramedics took Emma and the babies to the ambulance, AJ close on the tails, Bianca was sat exhausted on the altar steps, blood on her hands.
"You were amazing." said Marissa, taking a seat beside her wife and putting her arm around her shoulder.
"Thanks." said Bianca nodding slowly and leaning into the hug.
"You delivered our grandsons."
"I did."
Marissa kissed her cheek.
"You're incredible. I don't know how you do it!"
"It's been quite a day." Bianca admitted.
…
Emma opened her eyes in a bright white hospital room, her mouth dry.
"You're awake."
Emma turned to see AJ smiling down at her.
"AJ." she whispered.
AJ sat on the bed and put his arm around her and kissed her.
"My amazing, beautiful wife." she sighed
"Are they..?"
"Our boys?" AJ nodded to the other side of the room where two incubators were sat side by side. "Our boys are perfect."
Emma stared at the two tiny pink human beings sleeping soundly.
"If we had a boy we were going to call him Noah…" she said, "But two boys?"
AJ kissed her brow.
"Well I was thinking, how does Noah, Adam, Chandler and Nathan, Stuart, Chandler sound?"
"Noah and Nathan?"
"Noah and Nate."
Emma smiled.
"I like it!"
"So are up to enjoy a little of our wedding reception?"
"Is everyone here?" she asked.
"No I sent on to the hall, although they were a bit reluctant." said AJ. And it had taken quite a bit of persuasion to get Ryan, Marissa and Krystal to give them some space. He pulled out his tablet screen. "They only left because I told them we were going to watch their every move from here. And because they have double... no actually, triple the reasons to celebrate they better have a good time. Now you're awake they can start the speeches."
…
Ryan stood up to address the two empty chairs where AJ and Emma should be sitting but instead sat a smart-screen showing a projection of AJ and Emma watching from their tablet in the hospital.
"My dears, we are here to celebrate the marriage of two beautiful people, AJ and Emma Chandler. They say the path to love never runs smooth. Well after today there can be no doubt this is true love. AJ I hope you know what you've got yourself into. Emma is a smart, stubborn, strong willed young woman and when she knows what she wants nothing will stand in her way! She's also loyal and loving and… sometimes lazy… I know, in you AJ, she had found herself a good man. Take care of her for me and take care of my two little grandkids too while you're at it!"
He raised his glass.
"To the Bride and groom."
The whole room joined in the toast.
It was Marissa's turned to speak next, but as she was gathering her notes JR stood up holding a speech scrawled in a napkin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, forgive my brief words… I never expected to be here… I didn't think I should come. But I am here and…" JR paused, suddenly choked up. "… And all I can say is I am sooo proud of my son. He is the man I always hoped he would be and so much more. And he's gotten married to his childhood sweetheart and started a family of his own… Continuing the Chandler legacy in a way that is so much better than Adam or I ever could." JR licked his lips and turned to Marissa and Bianca. "He is a credit to his mothers and… like I said… I am so, so very proud of him… My son!"
JR raised his glass.
"To Mr and Mrs Chandler."
The room joined in the toast.
Bianca turned to Marissa was she going to speak next?
Marissa got slowly to her feet.
"Thank you JR." she took a deep breath. "Now these words come from me and Binks…just so you know. AJ, when I first met him he was wandering around lost at the Yacht club, I think I fell in love with him right there. He has always been so brave in the face adversity;" she turned to AJ on the screen. "You take your knocks on the chin and get up, brush yourself off and keep on trying. When you first told me you wanted to be teacher and follow in Reggie's footsteps, I wasn't surprised… you taught us all so much, with your faith and conviction, why shouldn't you teach others. In short we all love you and we are so happy for and your bride. I knew the two of you were destined to be together right from the start. Emma was the only girl, besides Binks, ever able to persuade you to get up and dance. That had to be a sign. So I want to wish you both… no, all four of you… all the happiness in the world!"
The room repeated the toast.
"Thanks mom." AJ called through the vid-screen.
She then gave a nod to Spike to continue.
Spike stood up for the best man's speech. He beamed at the room.
"Well what can I tell you about my best friend? He is a prince amongst men. The knight in shining armour every girl dreams of. But he only ever had eyes for one girl… my half-sister, Emma. No matter how many times I told him he was too good for her or that he should aim his sights higher. He would always tell me that he loved Emma, with all his heart; that she was beautiful and kind… and all he ever wanted… and that I should shut up about it. He has been in love with my sister for almost fifteen years, give or take… he pined for he when he left of teacher training college and as soon as he qualified, top of his class I might add, he came right back here working at Pine Valley High just so he could be close to her. And because he is an old romantic, every year on Valentine's Day, just like clockwork, he would ask Emma to marry him. And every year, without fail, my dumb-ass sister would say no… Thank god she came to her senses and proposed to him. AJ got the girl of his dreams… and Emma got her knight… I only hope the rest of us could be so lucky… So a toast - To love!"
"To love." chorused the room.
Spike was still standing.
"Now it is time for the bride and groom's first dance, but as I don't imagine the bride will be up to much dancing any time soon. I suggest everyone get up and dance with the one you love in honour of them."
Couples got up to dance. Bianca and Marissa were the first on the floor. Krystal danced with Jesse, Ryan with Madison, Scott with Holly, Erica with Jackson. Ian walked up to talk to Leora, but Ayesha grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to the floor instead. Tad was dancing with both his grown up daughters. JR had gone over to sit with Annie and the two of them seemed quite friendly.
Gabby and Miranda were left sitting on the side-lines like wall flowers.
Spike strode up and held out his hand to Miranda.
"So Mouse, shall we dance?"
Miranda laughed and took her cousin by the hand…
"Only if you stop calling me that!"
…That left Gabby all alone. The music changed tempo and Bianca appeared from the throng and collapsed next to her youngest daughter.
"Hey baby." she said.
"Mom?"
Bianca leaned in and put a hand on her daughter's knee.
"So a little bird has told me you're planning to take the job at Fusion…"
Gabby scowled.
"Was the bird called Miranda?"
"No." said Bianca. "Just a bird… Why would you want a job in a graphic design department? You're an artist! You wanted to be an artist."
"Graphic design is art." said Gabby.
Bianca squeezed her daughter's knee a little tighter.
"Do you know what I've always loved about you? You always had this drive; this inquisitive spirit. You always wanted to see everything; do everything; be everything. There was no stopping you! You've been that way ever since you were small. So what's changed?"
"Nothing's changed." protested Gabby.
"So my free-spirited daughter is just going to settle to a small town life?"
"It's not like it's ever dull around here."
"True, true! But what about your travelling?"
"I just want to stay close."
"Close to what?"
"Not a what… a who. I want to stay close to you."
"Why?"
"Because…"Gabby stared at her mother, "…Don't you want me to stay?"
"I want you to be happy! Sticking in this one town isn't going to do that."
"Mom?"
"I'm not saying I don't want you safe. I spoke to Colby, she's happy to put you up in her flat in London and I called Moma Reese, she's happy for you to stay with her and Maggie in Paris for however long you want."
"You'd let me go?"
"Of course I would! As long as you promise to come back and visit."
Gabby laughed with delight and gave Bianca a fierce hug.
"I love you mom."
"I love you too."
Gabby pulled away.
"But Miranda stayed." she said suddenly feeling guilty again.
"Miranda needs me as much as I need her. You on the other hand are more than capable of looking after yourself!"
Gabby nodded.
"Thank you. I'll…"
"… think about it." finished Bianca.
Suddenly a slightly out of breath Kendall approached with Marissa.
"Come on." said Kendall, grabbing her niece's hand. "Come dance with your old aunt!"
Gabby gave her mom another quick hug and then let herself be dragged away
Marissa collapsed on Gabby's vacant seat, a tablet in her hand.
"I have our boy here. He's doing a tour of the party" said Marissa handing the screen over to Bianca. "It's your turn to talk to him."
"Hey buddy." said Bianca, smiling at the blue eyed young man watching from the screen. "How is everyone your end?"
"Emma is in good shape. A little tired…"
"… and sore…"said Emma's voice off screen. "But thank your mom for being there and doing what she did."
"Did you get that?" AJ asked.
"I got that." said Bianca, "And Emma you're more than welcome. Not many grandmothers' get to deliver their grandkids."
"Nana Binks." said AJ in amusement. "Noah and Nate are fast asleep or I would introduce you again."
"Good." said Bianca. "And they're good names."
"We thought so… No more Adam Chandler's… it's too much of a legacy. I'd much rather they are raised in the Tasker-Montgomery tradition, where all you need is love."
"Here, here." said Marissa happily.
She kissed Bianca's cheek.
"All you need is love."
…