Chapter 57

As the women waited nervously, staring out the door to the backyard, the men took their positions and the music started. AJ stepped up to the arch covered with ivy and yellow roses. Chaplain Turner stood there waiting and smiled at AJ. Tom and Josh stood just a few steps away. AJ and Tom wore their dress uniforms and Josh also had his dress police uniform on.

The music started and Francesca began her walk down the isle wearing a teal colored silk dress, it was an ankle length halter dress. She was carrying several fronds of bird of paradise flowers. Glancing at Nora's husband Josh, she thought how well suited they were in the short time she had to get to know them. He was to be her partner for the ceremony after her Papa and Miranda were married. Although he was married, he was handsome, but was much too young to suit her tastes. Looking at the best man that she had briefly met at the door, she knew that he was Tom Boone her father's oldest friend. He was certainly more her type of man! She would have to make sure she saved several dances for him.

Stepping up next to her father, Francesca smiled and kissed his cheek before moving to take her position. Nora came down the aisle next, wearing the same style of dress, but hers was in ocean-blue. Smiling at the three men as she moved slowly towards them, she loved all three of them. Her husband was first in her heart, and Uncle Tom was just like a father to her, and now mom had found this wonderful man to make her happy. As she took her place next to Francesca, everyone turned to watch for Miranda.

Gliding out the door and into the light Miranda appeared and AJ's heart beat faster, she was absolutely beautiful. She started down the isle in her champagne colored lace dress. It had a round neckline and short sleeves; it fell to the ground with a scalloped hem. She carried a bouquet of lavender African violets. Miranda smiled and thought that the vision she had seen didn't come even close to the joy she was feeling today. Taking her place next to AJ, he reached out and cupped her cheek, whispering, "You're beautiful my love."

"I knew you were going to say that!" she answered and they both grinned.

Chaplain Turner started the ceremony by greeting the guests in the traditional manner and then began speaking about the commitment and joys of marriage. He concluded his words by saying, "So you could say, marriage was like guiding your ship of love into a safe harbor where you can guard and protect it from the stormy seas of life." He was about to have the couple begin their vows when AJ and Miranda, who had been looking at each other as he spoke, suddenly burst into laughter.

Their assembled family and friends were looking at each other, each hoping the person next to them could explain what the joke was, but no one seemed to know except the bride and groom themselves. And it seemed that it was a good joke because neither could stop laughing. One would just begin to get themselves under control and they would look at the other who was still laughing and they would start all over again.

Finally after several minutes, peace once again reigned. Chaplain Turner asked with a gentle frown if the bride and groom were ready to go on. Neither trusted themselves to speak and just nodded. Unfortunately it was their turn to actually speak their vows.

With eyes only for each other, AJ and Miranda barely remembered saying their vows. However they and everyone at the wedding would remember the kiss after they were pronounced husband and wife. Going down the isle, they walked through the ceremonial arch of crossed swords, just as Tom swung the sword and yelled, "Go Navy!" Miranda jumped in front of AJ. Unable to stop the swing of the sword it made contact with AJ's six.

AJ turned to glare at Tom while Miranda laughed. Tom just shook his head and said, "Sorry Squid, but she moved at the last second, she must have known it was coming!"

Pulling Miranda to him, AJ smiled and replied, "That's alright, she'll make it up to me tonight!"

Leaning into his body, she smiled and whispered, "Tonight and every night, darling. I foresee a very happy future for us."

"I know that, and I'm no psychic!" he declared just before his lips covered hers.

To Be Continued….