Chapter 8: wedding and worrying.

It was the day of Joy and Fred's wedding. Joy was in one of the back rooms waiting for the wedding to start. Sandy, Diana and the rest of the bridesmaids were with Joy. Fred well … no one knew were Fred was. All the groomsmen were frantically looking for him.

Sandy was crying. "Oh Sandy it's okay I am sure Fred is just … out for a walk trying to calm his nerves." Joy said faking hope. "Listen Joy we have checked everywhere within a three block radius he's hiding somewhere!" Jordan said annoyed. "I'm going to go help the boys look. Diana you wanna come?" Kacey said. "Sure." They both left. "You think this has something to do with him cancelling the rehearsal dinner?" Amanda asked. "No he was very sick last night but he was better this morning." Joy said.

"Anyone found him yet." David said. "Do you see him here?" Andy asked angrily. "No." David grumbled embarrassed. "Well than it's obvious we haven't found him!" Andy yelled. "Andy try to stay focused." Terry said. "Okay I will go look outside." Andy said storming outside.

When Andy got outside he didn't look for Fred he took his cigarettes out of his suite jacket pocket. He didn't notice it but Fred was in the bushes right next to him. When Andy started the lighter Fred heard it. "Andy!?" Fred said shocked. "Oh Fred finally get in there!" Andy said pointing to the door. "Andy I thought you said you would stop smoking!" Andy looked in his hand. "Listen, please don't tell Diana." Andy said worried. "I won't but I better not see you doing it again!" Fred said. "Okay now get in there and get married!" Andy said happily.

"No no no I can't …" Fred said shaking. "Why not!" "Andy you know 50% of marriages ends in divorce." Fred said looking terrified. Andy signed "you realize that means 50% don't!" Andy yelled. "But I … I'm just I don't wanna let Joy down." "What do you think you're doing now!" This hit Fred like a ton of bricks. "I…I…I…umm ah." "AND YOUR LETTING DOWN ALL THE GUESTS (Diana and Terry were walking down the hall an heard Andy's shouting threw the hall) EVERYONE WHO HAS WORKED HARD PLANING THIS!" "Fred!" Terry said relived and interrupting Andy's shouting. Diana was smiling too but when she turned to face Andy her expression changed. She looked at his hand that still had the cigarette. Her face turned from joy to sadness to anger she slammed the door behind her. "Diana wait." Andy shouted. "You got this?" He asked Terry. "Yea, go" Terry replied nervously.

Diana was already half way down the hallway "Diana!" He yelled down to her. "Please stop!" She didn't listen as she turned to the brides room. "We found him, get ready!" She informed the bridal party. Andy finally caught up with her. "Diana, can we talk?" He whispered in her ear. She pushed him away. "Andy you need to go check and make sure Fred's ready okay!" She said annoyed. "Come on Diana be mature about this." He knew this would insult her she hated being called a child. She stopped down hard on his foot. "OW!" He yelled. "Now go help your friends!" Diana said stomping away.

She really stomped hard. His foot hurt A LOT it was so bad he had to limp. He was very angry and punched the wall making a hole in it. "Nice going genius." Diana said mockingly. "Shut up brat!" Andy screamed. She just scowled and went to help Joy.

On the other site of the church Terry was attempting to calm his brother. "Fred come on what are the you so nervous about." Terry said worried. "It's just Joy is so amazing and I just can't compare to her, she can do better." Fred said looking at his hands. "But Joy loves you, she proposed." Terry said. "I I don't know it's just what if our marriage doesn't work out." Fred said "You can't think so negatively!" "But Joy is the best person I have ever met and I just can't risk it." Fred said. "But you can't risk losing this opportunity, I regret calling of my wedding with Janis almost every day!" Terry said sadly. "But I thought you said you didn't love her anymore." "I still haven't gotten over Janis but she would not take me back I just got cold feet." "I I don't wanna lose Joy!" Fred said confidently. "Then get to that alter!" Terry said exited. "Okay!" Fred said still a bit worried. "I will tell the others." Terry said.

As he walked to brides room to inform them. He saw David on his way there "He's ready lets go." He kept walking he saw Andy limping "Whoa Andy what happened!" "Drop it frat boy!" "Andy calm down Fred's at the altar." Andy hobbled off to the church. Terry went to the brides room "Joy he's ready!" "It's about time!" Diana said annoyed. They all ran to the chapel and lined up outside the doors. First was the flowers girl then the ring bearer then the bridesmaids and groomsmen (excluding Andy who was at the alter and Sandy who was carrying Joys train) at the end was Joy and her farther.

The organ player started playing here comes the bride. The flower girl (Joys niece) and the ring bearer (Joys nephew) walked down the aisle followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen and finally Joy. Fred's worries immediately vanished he couldn't believe he almost left someone so kind and beautiful. She arrived at the alter and smiled at Fred. The priest went through the process. "Then by the power invested to me by the state of California I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." Fred had no problem doing that. Then they ran down the aisle to applause and there wedding song "happy."

They were having the reception in the basement of the church. Andy tried to keep his mind off Diana. He limped up to the table Fred saw him limping "Andy you okay?" He asked worried. "Fine." He lied. Diana faced him she looked worried but he ignored her. It was time for the meal which meant it was time for Andy's best man speech. He dinged his fork on his wine glass.

"I have known Fred for 15 years. I was trying to get recruited by a pro football team and I just kept failing but then this guy came and he convinced me that I just had to calm my anger and someone would sign me. Well he was right. He was always a nervous guy but when he met Joy she knew how to keep him focused. And Fred has also helped Joy seine she has known him she's become less well annoying. He was having trouble meeting people so he joined online dating; Joy responded and they planed a date he was almost to nervous to go and it took a lot of convincing but thank god he went. And I have learned from Fred and Joy. They have had troubles hard ones we don't need to go into that because they are here now and that's what matters; but through out it all they stuck together they both made dumb mistakes but they forgave each other … and look were that got them."

As he finished his speech there were mixed reactions some thought it was mediocre (and a bit rude in parts.). Those who knew Andy knew it was more emotional than he usually was. Fred, Joy, Sandy and surprisingly Diana were crying. Then it was time for Fred and Joys dance. The song happy started again. Diana sat down next to Andy she didn't talk for a bit to him but the kept stealing glances. "Your speech was really good." She said not looking at him. "Thanks." The last part was improvised he hoped it wasn't obvious. Joy and Fred's dance ended and more couples were joining them on stage. "Wanna dance?" Diana asked. "I don't think so." Andy said sadly. "Hey can we talk in private." She asked. "Oh now you wanna talk!" Andy mumbled. "Andy please!" She sounded serious. "Okay Diana."

She helped him to the bathroom (his limp was getting worse.) she started crying "I can't believe I did that to you." She slumped to the floor. He struggled to the floor "Diana I sort of deserved it it wasn't fair I broke my promise." Andy said. "So you'll quit?" Diana asked hopefully. "Yea." Andy said (he secretly found her really cute when she was angry.) She was very happy with this response and kissed Andy on the lips. He liked it but her weight on his body was hurting his foot but he was used to dealing with injury because of his football days so he pushed threw the pain. "Well we should get back to the party." She said nervous. He tried to get up but it wasn't only his foot than was injured the hand that he punched the wall with was also hurt. "Andy are you sure you don't need a doctor?" "I said I am fine!" He said struggling to get up.

They got back to the party room and sat at the table. "Aren't you guys going to dance?" Joy asked excited. "No not today." Diana sounded disappointed. "Is it your leg Andy?" Fred said worried. "No, guys my leg is fine!" Andy said annoyed. "I just don't feel like dancing." Diana said. "Oh Okay." Joy said disappointed she was really excited about dancing with them.

Andy looked at Diana's plate "Aren't you going to eat anything?" "No the food here is disgusting!" Diana said. She was always picky but she needed to eat something. "I will get you something." He said. "Andy it's okay." "No Diana!" He didn't want her going hungry.

He reached kitchen and looked around trying to remember every detail of her new diet she started a new one almost every time she picked up a magazine. (she wasn't overweight in anyway but she always dieted anyway.) she was telling him about it the night before and he was trying to remember what she said.

(Flashback)

Diana was reading a magazine sitting next to Andy on the bed. "Oh look at this!" She said showing him the magazine. The head line read "ten simple recipes to get a perfect beach body." He rolled his eyes "Diana you don't need that shit." "I know but I wanna try it." She said smiling.

(Back to present)

He tried to remember any of them. Then he remembered one, lettuce with ranch dressing (when they said simple they weren't kidding) he brought it to her. "You remembered!" She said excited. "Your still gunna have cake right?" He asked hopefully. "Oh yea of course." She said. He never understood her diets.

Speaking of cake it was finally cake time! Sandy and some helpers wheeled out a massive cake. Joy and Fred looked delighted. All the guests did. Joy and Fred went up to cut the cake. She took a slice and smushed it on his face he did the same to her. Then Joy got what she thought was a great idea. She started graphing fistfuls of cake and throwing it at random guests "Food fight!" Joy shouted. "No Joy the church will get mad at us for ruining the venue." "It's okay Fred just have fun!" Joy said throwing more cake. Fred wasn't sure but Joy looked so happy he joined in hitting Billy Bob on the shoulder. The other members of the bridal party were all joining in (excluding Andy Diana and Sandy) Sandy ran into the kitchen crying over her cake being wasted. Andy and Diana were hiding under the table (many other guests also hid under there own tables) surprisingly a majority of the guests were having fun with it.

"Eww this is so gross she's gunna ruin her dress!" Diana said snuggling up to Andy. "And why are they wasting such a good cake!" He screamed. "Ugg when there done all this, stupid food will on the floor. My shoes!" She wined. "I will get you some new ones." He said absentmindedly. "We can go shopping when we are in Vegas for your poker game." She asked excited. She spent so long at malls he really didn't want to go. "Come on Diana it's so boring." He said annoyed. "Andy you have to get me shoes and you will be able to help me pick out new clothes and get my hair done and my nails and the spa …" she drowned on and on. "Diana I don't like that stuff!" "Well I do!" "Come on Diana you do that stuff like every week sometimes twice." "How do you think I keep looking so good." she said smiling at him. "Well honestly Diana I have seen ya without that stuff and I think you overdo it sometimes." He huffed. She looked crestfallen "you - you do." She said half annoyed half sad. "I I just mean that you look fine without it." He said. "Well I don't care I'm still wearing it okay." She said rolling her eyes. "Whatever." he huffed. "You know there is more to do than just shop in the mall." She said annoyed. "Yea I'm not stupid!" He said snarky. "Well maybe every few store's we could do mini golf or something." She said hopefully. "Fine." He said gruffly.

One hour later the food fight was still going on with no sign of stoping half the guests were gone. Diana peeked out from over the table. "It's still going on."She said annoyed. "Let's wait outside, I saw others going out there." He said. "Okay." They walked out of the hall dodging pieces of cake and other food. When they reached the court yard they saw most of the guests there. They sat down on the steps and listened to the music (the dj moved outside.)

"You sure you don't wanna dance." She pleaded. "Come on Diana my foot hurts!" He yelled. She huffed disappointed. "I thought you football players were meant to be tuff!" Terry joked sitting down next to them. "Don't start with me junior!" "I guess you've been out of the game for so long your all wimpy now." "I still go to the gym everyday!" "Prove it!" "FINE! DIANA LETS GO!" He said walking down the stairs. Diana turned her head to mouth "thank you." To Terry.

They got on the dance floor to the song "Get lucky." "Only one dance okay!" He said quietly. She rolled her eyes. She was having fun and so was he. Andy was hoping it was a slower song because the fast dancing was hurting. Finally the song ended Diana looked disappointed. As they left the dance floor a new song started "late to the party."

Diana turned to face Andy and smiled "Okay honey." He said he sounded annoyed but he was kinda excited. She put her arms around his neck and he put his hand on her hips. They swayed back and forth slowly. His foot ultimately sorted it self out. He moved closer to her lips and kissed her (she hated P.D.A but no one was looking.)

Finally Joy and Fred came out from the church. Joy was delighted to see they were dancing then her and Fred went to join them. "Hey guys!" Joy laughed. "Joy Your dress is ruined and so is your suite Fred." Diana groaned. "Just leave them alone Diana." Andy grunted. They danced for a bit and then Fred noticed the time.

"JOY WE NEED TO GET HOME AND CHANGE OUR PLANE IS IN 3 HOURS!" "Oh gosh how did we lose track of time!" Joy said. "We have to go!" "Just let me throw the bouquet." Fred rolled his eyes "Just give it to Diana she's the one you want to get it." Joy handed the flowers to Diana and they ran off. Diana looked down at the flowers confused. Andy reached into his pocket and looked very nervous but exited. "Don't worry this doesn't mean anything." She said laughing not looking up from the flowers. "Oh Okay." He mumbled taking his hand out of his pocket.