Chapter 57
Sorry for such a long delay in posting. I've caught up with chapters I had in stock, and finding it difficult to find time to relax and write. Work, family and household keeps seeming to get in the way of my extracurricular stuff! As always, thanks for keeping up with this story, and letting me know what you think!
Just before sunup on Christmas Eve morning, Anita woke Sue with a steaming cup of coffee. She had showered and gotten the boys up already for showers. Sue looked over at her alarm to see it was 6:02. Sue smiled and stretched, then took a long sip of the steaming hot French vanilla treat.
"Hmm, this is good." Sue said.
"Come on. Time to get you up and start getting ready. Breakfast is about done, then it's shower and off to the hair dresser for the girls." She patted Sue's foot.
"How can you be so chipper at this hour?" Sue asked while getting out of bed.
Anita had made muffins and coffee which Sue and Lucy indulged in. Lucy and Tara were meeting at the house before the hairdresser's. Once Mitch stopped by and Sue gave him the directions to the kids' clothes, they women were off for hair, nails and make up.
Anita had never been so pampered before, and was enjoying the whole experience. The ladies toasted with orange juice on the rocks. To Sue's surprise, her photographer showed up snapping all sorts of embarrassing pictures. Once the girls' were done, the photographer sped back to the house to try to catch the boys fighting with their monkey suits. Three hours after they'd begun, they were headed back to the house for dresses.
Mitch had gotten Jack up before he left more by making so much noise coming in and out of the apartment. He got up and took a long hot shower, taking his time not to cut himself shaving. It was nearly eleven when Bobby and Myles finally showed up at his house, tuxedos in hand.
"You ready Sparks?" Bobby teased.
"More than you know." Jack said nervously.
"Hmm, I think we should have a man to man chat with our Jackson. Don't you Bobby?" Myles ribbed.
"Oh, for sure. Now, son…" He began, putting his arm around Jack's shoulder "you need to remember that this find woman you're about to make your wife is a delicate flower…" He started. He began to chuckle until it became an all-out laugh.'
"All right, knock it off." Jack pleaded.
"You all set for tonight?" Bobby asked. Jack flashed him a look, then looked at him curiously. "I meant, do you have the hotel all set?" Bobby laughed, Jack blushed.
"Yeah, we're all set. I'm renting D's sister's house in Virginia Beach again." Jack informed them.
"Uhh, Jack? I don't want to put a damper on your best laid plans, but, you do realize it's late December, and it's bound to be frigid by the water, don't you?" Myles asked.
"Yes, Myles, I did take that into consideration. I have made arrangements to have space heaters placed inside the tent so it's warm." He reassured Myles.
"Wa-wait a minute. You're staying in a tent? A tent? On the waterfront? In late December? Have you totally lost your mind? You're going to either freeze your new bride to death or give her pneumonia!" Myles teased.
"It's all under control."
"Are you all set for the rest of the night?" Bobby ribbed. Jack smiled and lightly blushed but didn't answer the question.
"Are we driving to the church or did you arrange for a car?" Bobby asked.
"Driving. This way everyone had a ride home from the reception, or at least a ride to get their cars to go to the reception. It's an awful long walk from the reception home!" Jack informed him.
"Well gents, we need to start getting ready." Myles said. Jack casually grabbed another bagel and began to munch. Bobby and Myles shared a look of curiosity.
There was a knock at the door. Jack slowly strolled to the door, opening it to find the photographer standing there, camera in hand, already snapping pics.
"Oh, great Sue sent the camera happy woman to bother us for a while." Bobby said with a laugh. She quickly turned the camera on him.
"Actually, I am the photographer's assistant. And, yes, I am here to bother you until you get to the church." She giggled. "If you're lucky, I'll bother you throughout the entire reception as well." She teased with a wink.
"Hey, do you have a name?" Bobby asked.
"Amber." She smiled. "So, which one of you lucky guys is the groom?" The two groomsmen pointed in Jack's direction. Amber instantly snapped a picture. He looked up to see why they were pointing to him and she caught him with a bite of bagel.
Myles leaned into Bobby and whispered "Do you think he'll make it through the ceremony?"
"Nah, I give him til Sue gets down the aisle." Bobby laughed.
"We're going to change. We can do that alone, right?" Bobby teased.
Bobby and Myles left to change, leaving Jack alone with the photographer. She snapped a few more candid pics then began to chat with him.
"So, what's with the Aussie? He single?" She asked.
"Yeah, very." Jack teased. Then he added "There's a reason for that, you know." She giggled and snapped more shots. The two ushers exited the bedroom and spare room only to be assaulted by flashing light.
"Sparky? Don't you think it's about time you get a move on it? I am not going to stand next to you if you're wearing that!" Bobby argued.
"Yeah, yeah." Jack said as he walked into his room. Ten minutes later, he came out looking dapper wearing his black tux with white accents. The attendants would be wearing midnight blue to match the ladies. Flowers were pinned and rings handed off. Jack had taken Levi the night before, since he was one of his group. He affixed a midnight blue bow tie on him and carried the pillow that Levi would carry down the aisle at the church.
Back at Sue's, there was a frenzy of commotion. Dresses were being put on, and fixed. Hair and makeup adjusted as needed. Lucy was helping Sue get into her gown as the pictures were being snapped. A sexy one of Sue putting her garter on was snapped with a wink and lewd comment about giving that one to the groom. Sue blushed.
Her mom waited until she came into the living room to give Sue her grandmother's jewels to wear for the day. Tears threatened to flow.
"Oh no you don't!" Lucy teased. "Too much time on that makeup."
"Got everything?" Carla asked. The bridesmaids began to count what they needed. Camera's, phones, credit cards, shoes, flowers, something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
"Time to go." Lucy pointed out as the limo driver buzzed them. The ladies all made their way to the car. The picture professional snapped some sweet shots of Sue with her mom and friends.
The church was nearly empty when Jack and the men pulled up. Myles and Bobby joined Jack's brother, Sue's youngest brother, and D with helping the guests to their chosen side of the church.
Sue's dad met them at the bottom of the church stairs. The girls got out of the limo while they waited for the last guests to go in and take their seat. Sue waited in the car with her mom.
"Nervous?" Carla asked.
Sue bit her lip and shook her head.
"Don't be. This is the easy part. You won't screw up your vows, you won't trip, and everything will be fine." She reassured her only daughter.
"I know." Sue said smiling.
"Nervous about tonight?" Carla asked. Sue blushed and looked at her mom, then down.
"A little." She admitted.
"Don't be. Tonight will be the beginning of an incredible journey for you two. Enjoy it." She said softly.
"Mom…" Sue whined. Carla couldn't resist a good laugh. There was a tap on the window.
"There's our cue." She said pointing toward the door. Carla exited the car first, helping her daughter out. Lucy straightened the train and the group walked up the front steps of the church. The doors to the body of the church were closed to keep the gathering from seeing Sue before the ceremony.
Jack, Bobby, Myles, D and Levi were standing at the front of the church. Soft faith driven Christmas carols played as guests took their seats. Once all invited friends and family were seated, the closest family of the couple made their way to the front of the church. The groom's family, by tradition were first. Jack's mom wore a tea length gown of soft blue with white accents. An elegant white poinsettia was designed in sequins on the right shoulder of the dress. She was escorted by her husband and youngest son.
Sue's mom was accompanied by Sue's youngest brother to her place of honor. Her gown was white with navy accents. Once the parents were seated, the girls started slowly down the aisle. Amanda and Anita were first. Both young women worn tea length gowns of twilight blue. Tiny crystals wandered along the bottom of the dress in a random patter that mimicked snowflakes falling. Tara, and Jack's sister Elizabeth wore midnight blue with similar snowflake patterns along the bottom of the dresses. They were followed by Sue's niece Faith wearing a white dress that had lots of poof and sparkle. She dropped one petal at a time while running to the front of the church. Lucy was last to begin the long walk before the guest of honor. The maid of honor wore a gown that was tea length midnight blue with lots of sparkle. They all gathered at the left side of the waist with a crystal broach. Shoulder straps sat far to the sides of the girls' shoulders.
The wooden pews were adorned with dark blue poinsettias and white winter roses, matching glitter ribbon and silver sparkle tulle. Soft white lights wrapped in the same tulle hung along the front of the pews.
Poinsettia plants of all sizes and deep reds, blues and brilliant white rested on the altar. The young women carried bouquets of dark midnight blue hydrangea accented with gerbera daisies, agapanthus and corn flowers. They were wrapped in a dark satin ribbon that hung down in tendrils.
"Christmas Canon" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra played loudly as the attendants made their way up the aisle and into the front pews. The men stood proud at the end of the aisle waiting… Jack had beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He nervously wiped his hands on his pants. Bobby patted his shoulder as if to calm him. Levi seemed to even notice the nerves settling in.
The back doors of the church closed as Lucy made her entrance.
Sue stood quietly, nervously in the back of the church. Her dad stood next to her, holding her hand.
"You ready?" He asked. Sue smiled.
"Yes, Daddy. I'm ready to be Jack's wife." Sue said. Her dad's eyes were misty as he kissed her on the cheek and lowered her veil. Two older members of the congregation signaled for the bridal march and the doors swung open. When Sue made her appearance the parishioners stood, everyone smiled at how beautiful she was. Her dad held her arm as they walked slowly up the aisle toward her husband to be. Jack's heart filled with pride and over flowed with love for his fiancé. Tears filled his eyes and threated to spill onto Jack's cheeks.
Once Sue made her way to the altar, her dad kissed her softly on the cheek and lowered her veil again. He shook Jack's hand and joined his wife.
Sue spoke her vows, promising to love and treasure Jack as her husband and father to their future children through good and bad times. Jack promised the same through ASL, impressing Sue, family and friends.
A kiss to seal their marriage, they were finally introduced as husband and wife. The crowd in the church roared with laughter and cheering as the happy couple made their way to the back of the church and out onto the street. The couple and attendants made their way to the local park for pictures, then to the restaurant to celebrate.
Their guests had enjoyed cheese and fruit trays while they awaited the arrival of the Hudson's. To much fan fair, the couple arrived for their celebration.
The introductions were made, toasts made, dances danced and cake cut. Sue and Jack were enjoying a quiet moment together on the dance floor when Jack spotted someone he recognized, but wasn't invited to the ceremony. The man smiled at the happy couple and waved to them for Jack to join him. They made their way to the man, who congratulated them, and handed Jack a folded bundle of papers.
"Jack?" Sue asked curiously. Jack smiled wide.
"Is this what I think it is?" He asked. The man nodded, shook Jack's hand and walked away. Jack casually opened the bundle and smiled. "Come on." He said to Sue, grabbing her hand. They walked to the DJ. After the song that was playing finished, the DJ called Sue's new family as well as Mitch to the center of the dance floor. Everyone watched intently.
The five children and Mitch gathered around in a circle surrounding Sue and Jack. Jack smiled as he handed Mitch the papers he held in his hand.
"Merry Christmas Mitch." He said. Instantly Sue understood what the papers were. Mitch cautiously turned up the folded paper.
"Is this for real?" He asked. Jack nodded. Mitch instantly took Jack and Sue into his arms, then spun around and looked his children in their eyes.
"What is it Dad?" Anita asked.
"Mr. Hudson came through for us… we're officially a family. I can move in, and finally be your dad." He said excitedly.
"You can?!" Jacob asked as he jumped into his dad's arms.
"Daddy!" Lanie squealed jumping up and down. Mitch hugged her, kissing her on the top of her head. He gently touched the baby's face then turned to Vinnie.
"What do you think son? Think that's a good idea?" He asked tentatively.
There was silence amongst the kids for a moment.
"Yeah, Dad, I think that's a good idea." He said edging forward toward Mitch. Mitch reached out and pulled him into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. For the first time since they'd been reacquainted, Vinnie let his guard down and hugged his dad.
That was all Sue could handle emotionally and she broke into tears. Mitch hugged her, then backed away. "Are you alright?" He asked. She nodded with a big smile. "Thank you for taking care of my family. I could never have hoped for this outcome. A year ago, this wasn't even a thought in the farthest regions of my mind, and now it's a reality. Thank you." He said hugging the newly married couple.
"On that note, I think I'm going to take my wife on our honeymoon." Jack said. Both families and friends gathered and the couple made their way around the circle of loved ones thanking everyone and saying goodbye. As they got back to Mitch and the kids, Mitch reassured them that they were fine and urged Jack to take the entire trip he knew Jack had planned out for their honeymoon.
Sue stopped on her way out the door and tossed her bouquet. It was headed right for Anita who swatted it away with loud laughter. Lucy jumped up and managed to grab it by the ribbon.