The Long And Winding Road
Chapter 72 -- Going To The Chapel
"With so many women in the world and only one JT Yorke, I'm devoted to the cause of leaving myself available for everyone. It would be unfair to deprive them all if I had to pick just one person."
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"It's obvious we're destined to be together. Like cake and ice cream. Like peanut butter and ketchup."
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"Hey, I'm just trying to stay in shape. When we get married one day, I'll have to carry you like this over a threshold. Of course if you'd prefer, when that day comes I could just throw you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes."
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"But first, let's just stay here for a few more minutes. I need you not to let go of me for awhile."
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"How is he?"
"Are you a relative?"
"JT doesn't really have…What I mean to say is…You see…He's mine."
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"But I was able to make you smile just now. I've been able to do that since the first day I met you. I want to keep making you smile for the rest of our lives."
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"My answer is 'Yes.' I would love to marry you."
The next two weeks went by quickly, with Emma, JT, family and friends preparing for the big event.
Moving furniture into the new apartment. Making preparations for the reception. Dress purchases and subsequent alterations. Tuxedo fittings. These were just some of the activities that kept everyone busy.
But now those two weeks were up. It was Monday morning.
Spike had made her way downstairs and into Emma's bedroom. Seeing her daughter still sleeping, she smiled. Walking over toward the bed, she gently placed her hand on Emma's shoulder.
"Em?"
Emma slowly opened her eyes to find her mother standing beside the bed, which caused her to quickly sit up.
"Is everything ok?" she immediately questioned. "I didn't oversleep, did I? God…tell me I didn't sleep through the whole day and miss my own wedding!"
Spike suppressed the urge to laugh.
"Yes. No. And you didn't. In that order. Relax, Emma. I know you were up late last night talking to Manny. And I assume it took awhile for you to fall asleep, with your mind no doubt filled with all that the new day would have in store. So I turned off your alarm earlier this morning to let you have an extra hour of sleep. With the wedding not until early this evening, I felt you were entitled to a little more rest before your busy day began."
"Thanks," Emma responded. It was true that it was quite some time before she had finally fallen asleep. And even after that, she awoke more than once. Thoughts of her wedding day swirling around in her head. Excitement, curiosity, nervousness… she had felt it all.
Emma reached over and grabbed the framed photo of herself and JT that was on the nightstand. Staring at it, she smiled.
"We're actually getting married today," she remarked.
"It's still hard to believe that the day is finally here," Spike commented.
"A year ago I never would have imagined I'd be getting married at this point in my life."
"I know I've already said it before," Spike prefaced, "but I want to just say again that I am very happy for you both."
Hearing this, Emma was very pleased.
"I know, Mom. And you know how much it means hearing you say it, especially since I know it took a little time for you to get used to the idea."
"Not too much time," Spike assured. "You two really threw me for a loop with your announcement. But I have confidence that the two of you will make things work, both during the good times and the more challenging times. You've both already faced certain obstacles that many longtime married couples would have trouble dealing with, and those difficult situations only made you even stronger."
Emma nodded, extremely touched by her mother's words.
"I'd also like to think that JT knows that you both have my full support," Spike added. "But I'm not sure."
"What do you mean?" Emma asked, growing curious.
"Ever since the night you two told me and Archie about your engagement, it feels like there's been this distance between me and JT that has never been there before. It's not anything he's said, but he seems more formal around me. Like we're polite strangers."
"I think it goes back to your first reaction to our big news," Emma suggested. "He was confident you'd be all for it right away, and since your first reaction was...different than that, he thought it was him you weren't sure of rather than the situation. That you didn't like him or feel like you trusted him."
"It wasn't," Spike was quick to interject. "I've known JT most of his life and have always liked him. He's becoming my son-in-law today, but he's already been like part of this family for a long time."
"I know, and I've assured JT several times that you just needed a little time to get used to the idea of our getting married and that you really do approve both of the marriage and of him. Deep down he knows this, and I'm sure once we ARE married today and he sees that you didn't stand up and object during the ceremony or throw rotten tomatoes at us while we said our vows, he'll feel absolutely reassured that everything is ok as far as you're concerned."
"I'm glad. There's no reason there should ever be any tension between me and JT. Now, I hope you're hungry. Manny's bringing over breakfast in a few minutes."
"Mom, I don't know if there's time."
"It's all under control, Em," her mother calmly assured. "And while I know it's easier said than done, just relax and enjoy everything about this day."
Spike leaned down and gave her daughter a hug before going back upstairs.
Emma placed the picture back on the nightstand after her mother left. She was tempted to phone JT to see how he was doing but decided against it. Manny had cautioned her that it's bad luck for the bride and groom to speak to or see one another before the wedding. While this particular bride-to-be wasn't one to accept superstitious claims as truth, she decided to play along, if only to prevent her maid of honor from worrying that something would go wrong. Still, Emma wondered what her fiancé was up to at that moment.
Groom-to-be JT happened to be at home sitting on one of two kitchen chairs that were now in the livingroom facing the TV. Staring down at the notepad in his hands, he sat motionless for several minutes when a thought suddenly occurred to him. He quickly grabbed the pen from the chair beside him. But before he started to write anything down, he stopped, rolled his eyes, and put the pen back down.
Though he was starting to become frustrated with himself, he didn't have time to dwell on it because his thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock at the door.
Grateful for the distraction, JT wasted no time in putting the pen and notepad down on his chair and then going to the front door.
"Well..." a sarcasm-laced voice greeted him soon after he opened the door. "If that's what you're planning to wear to your own wedding, it's obvious I got here just in time."
JT, clad in shorts and a T-shirt, laughed.
"Paige Michalchuk – Fashion Lifesaver," he jokingly announced.
"The one and only."
"Come on in," JT invited.
Paige gave JT a quick hug and then walked inside but stopped before she got too far into the livingroom.
"I didn't realize the minimalist look was back in style, hon," she remarked.
JT realized she must be referring to the fact that the TV and two chairs were the only items left in the room.
"Everything else in here that we wanted to keep is already over at the new apartment now," he explained. "While we're away on the honeymoon, Sean and Craig are going to stop by and move the chairs and the TV over there for us. Then after we get back, we'll get whatever last odds and ends we want from the rest of the house, and then I'll send word to my… I'll send word to the owner that I've left and that he can sell the place or do whatever he wants with it."
A part of JT had been sorely tempted to call his estranged father, figuring that the news of his and Emma's wedding would finally render the attorney speechless and perhaps even ill. But ultimately JT didn't feel like wasting the time on this particular day with even a brief phone call to Nathaniel Yorke.
"Feel free to sit down," he then offered. "Want something to drink?"
"No thanks," she replied.
As she sat down, she noticed the notepad and pen in the other chair.
"And give me SOME credit," JT requested. "Of course these are not the clothes I'm wearing to the wedding. My suit is in my closet, and it's very dignified."
"That's good to know."
"A bright orange check suit. Polyester of course. I decided to go with the whole 1970s game show host motif. Sounds snazzy, don't you think?"
Paige looked disgusted, and it was several moments before she finally spoke.
"After all this time, I ought to know that you're only joking. But I also know you well enough that I shouldn't be 100 percent certain that you're only kidding."
"I'm only joking, Paige," he told her calmly. Then his smile turned into a smirk and his voice became sinister. "Or am I?"
"You're too strange for your own good," Paige commented, shaking her head. "We HAVE established that, right?"
"Welcome back, Paige," JT said they both have finished laughing. He then picked up the notepad and pen and sat down. "Sorry for the lack of a red carpet arrival, but I wasn't sure if I'd see you before the wedding."
"That's an acceptable excuse, I suppose," Paige teased. "Anyway, I made it back yesterday evening. Are you all set, or is there anything that still needs to be done that only my brilliance can accomplish?"
"I think everything's under control. Everyone at the theater knows what they're supposed to do while I'm gone this week. My tux is hanging up and ready to be worn. And I believe Liberty has confirmed the hotel reservation."
"What's with the pad and paper?" the blonde finally questioned. "Look, I know it's tempting to want to get the thank-you notes out of the way as quickly as possible, but you should wait to see how good the wedding gifts are first. Then you'll know how polite to make each note."
"Paige, have you ever considered writing your own etiquette book?"
"If someone gives you a used toaster, how grateful are you really going to be?" she challenged.
"Good point," JT conceded. "Actually, before you got here, I was trying to write my wedding vows."
"Hon, are you aware that the wedding is only a few hours away?"
"Every time I've tried, it's always the same result. A blank page."
Paige could tell that her friend wasn't exaggerating for comedic effect, but seemed genuinely uncertain.
"I've never known you to be at a loss for words," she remarked. "Even when you're being too bizarre for words, you always have some words."
"I come up with a lot of stuff," JT explained. "But when I start to put it all down on paper, it doesn't seem right. Makes sense – Emma's the writer, not me."
"Then forget about trying to write something down and hoping to come up with vows that are perfect in every word," Paige suggested. "Go with YOUR strength and just wing it."
"But…"
"As good as you were at coming up with all sorts of funny bits to do as our mascot," she interjected before he could disagree, "some of your best moments in the suit happened whenever a game would go into overtime and you would just come up with ideas on the spur of the moment for what to do during the extra break."
"I'm still amazed you let me get away with some of the stuff I came up with," the former mascot fondly recalled.
"Hey, I trusted your instincts," Paige said in her own defense. "And it usually paid off, too. Like that one time you actually pulled Raditch out onto the basketball court to have a panther vs. principal free throw contest."
JT laughed, thinking back to that moment, which took place over two years earlier.
"That was comedy gold since neither one of us could make a basket to save our lives," he recalled.
"The crowd ate it up," Paige added. "And I even saw Raditch laugh after it was over. For a moment he seemed almost human."
"Yeah, those were some fun times."
"Sweet potato, when you're up there in front of the church later on today, you'll know what to say and how to say it. Just follow your instincts."
JT looked over at Paige and it was clear to him that she understood what would work best for him and that she was confident he could successfully pull it off.
"You make a lot of sense," he commented.
"Naturally…I'm Paige Michalchuk," she said with a slight smirk. "Oh, and if you decide at the last minute you don't want to get married after all, don't worry about a thing. Just step into one of those imaginary boxes of yours, and I'll haul you out of the church before anyone can bug you with a lot of silly questions."
"Thanks," JT responded once he had finished laughing. "But the only thing I'm climbing into in the next few hours is that monkey suit that's hanging up in my bedroom. Not that it's a suit made out of monkeys, though. Emma would go ballistic, plus that would be far too creepy. And now I'm babbling."
"Just save enough words for the wedding."
"Promise," he said, feeling much more relaxed than he had before his friend's arrival.
"Good. Now, what else needs taking care of… Oh, did you get Emma to sign a pre-nup?"
"Now THERE'S a document that screams Romance and Trust," JT noted sarcastically.
"I know you don't have the money of a Paul McCartney, and Emma doesn't hobble around with a wooden leg or a constant look on her face that screams 'Give me the number to your bank account before I say I Do!' But it never hurts to be cautious. Because, personally, when I get married, it'll be to an amazingly wealthy elderly man with a heart condition."
Before JT could respond, he noticed the smirk on Paige's face.
"You're just trying to distract me to keep me from getting nervous again, aren't you?" he questioned.
"And it's working," she replied confidently.
"I'm glad you're back, Paige."
"As well you should be."
At the Van Zandt home, Liberty was in her upstairs bedroom looking out the window at her backyard when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"How's the hottest best man I know?"
Liberty grinned upon hearing Spinner's greeting.
"I suppose that's a question you never guessed you would ever utter," she teased. "And I'm doing fine, thank you."
"You need any help getting stuff together over there?" he volunteered.
"No, everything's set up out back. Tables, chairs, decorations… Mr. Simpson and Emma's mom, along with Manny, have been taking care of everything pertaining to the reception. I'm just providing the location. Well, my parents and I, to be more accurate."
"Very cool of your folks."
"When JT and Emma couldn't decide on where would be a good place to hold the reception," Liberty started to recall, "it struck me. We have this big backyard – complete with gazebo – which seemed ideal. My parents liked the idea when I brought it up to them. So I suggested it to the happy couple and they were very enthusiastic. Also, in keeping with the tradition of the bride's family handling the responsibility and cost for the reception, Emma's mom assured us that they would take care of all the specifics. As you can imagine, that information made my parents even happier."
"It'll be great," Spinner agreed. "But now there's something REALLY important we need to talk about."
"Oh?" Liberty asked, unable to think of what he could be referring to.
"Yeah. Are you sure I shouldn't wear an usher hat today?"
Liberty smiled, remembering that they had first discussed this issue days earlier after he had initially tried on his suit.
"Yes, Gavin, I'm positive."
"It's just that I'm head usher," he attempted to make his case once more. "And you've seen pictures of those old-timey movie ushers with their fancy suits. They've always got hats on."
"Since you're not acting as a movie theater usher but as a wedding usher, trust me when I tell you that you won't need a hat to complete the ensemble."
"How about a top hat?" he asked hopefully.
"Since JT's not wearing one," she reminded, "your having one on would look rather awkward, don't you think?"
"Okay, if you say so. I figured that would be the answer, but I had to take a shot."
"And just so there's no misunderstanding," Liberty added, "you won't need to carry a flashlight with you like a theater usher either."
At this, Spinner laughed.
"Now you're just trying to spoil all the fun of this ushering thing, aren't you?"
"I'm doing my best," she kidded him.
"Liberty?"
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but…Yes, Gavin?"
"Don't say anything to Emma, since she's the bride and everything, but you're gonna be the prettiest woman in that church today."
A few hours later at the Nelson/Simpson home, Emma responded to a knock on the front door and found Sean standing there.
"Hey Em."
"Hi Sean. You just missed Manny. She and Ashley were stopping by the church. Something about wanting to look over the flower arrangements again. And then they were going to get lunch and bring it back here."
She noticed the skeptical look on the mechanic's face.
"It's okay," she assured. "They've done very well around one another through all of this. Remember at the rehearsal dinner last night, they even shared a couple of laughs. I suppose that with the whole Craig drama left to the distant past for both of them, it's easier for them to deal with one another. So, do you want to come in?"
"No, I'm on my way to meet JT and Liberty for lunch. He asked me to stop by on the way and see how you're doing. Seems Manny told him he couldn't see or talk to you before the wedding."
"Yeah," Emma responded, rolling her eyes. "The old superstition. I don't normally take that sort of thing seriously. I still don't. But hey, it couldn't hurt, right? My mom and Archie saw each other before their wedding, and the wedding almost didn't happen. Okay, so that had more to do with the news of Mom's unexpected pregnancy and her not wanting to tell him right away. But why tempt fate, even if it's just a silly superstition?"
"Things are already different from that wedding day," Sean remarked. "You've got normal-looking hair. So far."
"And that's the way it's going to stay," she promised. "No 'finger stuck in the light socket' look, as JT likes to describe my ultimate bad hair day. I have a restraining order keeping my mom from getting too close to my hair today."
"Wise decision," he said.
"Besides, the butterflies in my stomach already have butterflies of their own without anything disastrous happening."
"Any message for JT?"
"Tell JT that everything is fine," she replied while also thinking of more to add to the message. "But tell him that it will be even better once I see him in the church as I walk down the aisle toward him. Oh, and make sure to tell him that I love him very much and…"
"Uh…how about I just tell him everything's good?"
Emma laughed, seeing the uncomfortable look on her former boyfriend's face at the prospect of delivering the sort of message she had described.
"Yeah, that'll work. Thanks Sean."
"Oh and you should stop worrying," he suggested. "Somehow I think JT would be happy today even if you went with the finger in the socket look again. See you at the church."
Closing the door, Emma sighed.
'Right,' she thought. 'Stop worrying. Piece of cake.'
The day progressed and by late afternoon, guests were starting to make their way to the church. Several blocks away from the building, one couple was waiting at a red light. The dark-haired young man in the driver's seat wasn't quite sure what to think as he looked to his right and saw the young woman with long brown hair in his passenger seat mouthing the words to a song off a CD she had inserted several moments earlier.
Ah yeah! Dum Diddy Dum,
Get your ass out the way 'cause here we come,
And we's bringin' this spectacle into ya town.
We got creep shows, freak shows (Wicked Clowns).
Most people don't like these oddities.
Most people would love to have a shot at these.
If you think you too good for us sideshow freaks, let me know
And I'm 'a whip smack your cheeks! Come on...
Everyone come see the greatest show.
Unlike anything that you know.
Come and be down with the clowns.
The big oddity freak show's in town.
"You…uh…really do have eclectic – okay, downright bizarre – taste in music, Janine," the driver interrupted. The young woman noticed the flustered look on his face, causing her to smirk.
"I understand," she spoke up. "Like you, I prefer the cover version done by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But I didn't think to bring their concert CD with us."
I'm a sideshow looney, watch me get nuts.
I do backflips out in fronta Mack trucks.
"See, you're supposed to be laughing right now," she said as the song continued. "Or at least looking a little less not-relaxed."
"Sorry."
"Toby Isaacs," she said staring at the young man behind the wheel, "you, sweet boyfriend o' mine, are hereby ordered NOT to be nervous or stressed for the rest of the day."
"I'm not…much."
Janine remained unconvinced.
"Not much is too much," she told him.
"It's just been a long time," Toby explained. "Too long, and that's my own fault."
"You told me that your conversation with him a couple weeks ago went okay."
"True, but a phone conversation and a face-to-face encounter can be two different things."
"Unless you have one of those camera phones," she countered, "then it's really not so different after all."
This made Toby laugh.
"About time you laughed today. You were starting to make me think I was losing my touch."
"Not likely," he assured her.
The stoplight turned green, and as Toby resumed driving the song was still going on.
What's the matter son?
Just because we're a little different, you gotta run?
I'm an oddity.
You're lookin' odd at me.
But then I gotta be.
And there's a lotta me.
We's a little bit twisted, I gladly admit it.
I can unscrew my head off, and shoot hoop with it.
"From the way you've described him," Janine spoke up, "JT Yorke is funny, stubborn, willing to throw himself into crazy situations, and is a genuinely good person. Sounds cool to me. And even though your friendship kinda got lost for awhile, I'm sure everything is going to be great today."
"You're probably right."
"Besides," she added, "I'm also looking forward to meeting the bride, considering she was your first crush. I'm sure she has a few embarrassing but hysterical stories about what you were like back then that you've neglected to tell me."
"No way," Toby quickly objected.
"Sorry. As your girlfriend it's my duty to research these things so I can better torture you later."
Everyone come see the greatest show.
Unlike anything that you know.
Come and be down with the clowns.
The big oddity freak show's in town.
As the couple pulled into the church parking lot, Janine was relieved to see that Toby looked much more at ease. Once they were out of the car and walking toward the front of the building, they saw Craig standing with a camera in his hands. He had just finished taking a picture.
"Was it difficult getting the building to say 'Cheese?'" Janine cracked.
Craig turned around, curious since he didn't recognize the voice.
"Toby…hey," he greeted the one he knew.
"Hi Craig. Good to see you again."
"Where've you been?" the dark-haired photographer asked. "It's gotta be…what…three weeks, maybe a month since the last time I saw you."
"More like over a year and a half since my dad and I moved to Windsor," Toby corrected.
"Who's your friend?" Craig asked, his goal being to learn about this young lady he had never before seen rather than picking up on the fact that he hadn't noticed Toby's long absence.
"Janine," the young woman answered.
She was fully aware that the photographer was attempting to subtly check her out since his eyes had remained on her even while he had been speaking to Toby.
"And now that you've had time to count and see that yes, I have two breasts, you can look back up at my eyes while extending your hand like a gentleman."
Her blunt sarcasm briefly flustered Craig, knowing he had been caught gazing a little too long.
"Um…yeah," he searched for the right words while finally shaking her hand. "I mean, Hi. I'm Craig Manning. Me and Toby go way back."
"At least three weeks to a month," she said sarcastically. "Yes, I heard."
"So you're the official wedding photographer?" Toby asked in an attempt to move the conversation forward.
"Right," Craig replied. "I'm just out here getting a couple of exterior shots before the main event."
"We'd better go on inside now."
"Good seeing you again Toby. Talk to you later. Oh, and very nice meeting you, Janine.
Toby's girlfriend simply rolled her eyes and laughed as the pair walked past Craig and into the church.
In the foyer, among the recently arrived guests who were mingling with one another, Joey and Caitlin were standing with Snake and Jack.
"So," Caitlin smiled down toward Jack, "are you ready to watch your sister get married?"
"Where's the cake?" Jack asked in response.
"I like the way this kid thinks," Joey cracked.
"We'll have the cake later, son," Snake explained before looking back up at Joey. "Where's Angie?"
"Restroom," Joey answered.
"I went to say Hello to Emma when we first arrived," Caitlin commented. "Snake, she looks amazing."
"I have no doubt," the proud stepfather said.
"Any chance that JT's father is going to show up here today?" Joey questioned.
"I'd like to be able to say with absolute certainty that he won't, since I'm sure JT hasn't spoken to him. But I also know that Nathaniel Yorke has ways of finding out things regardless, and he's certainly low enough to make an uninvited appearance."
"The nicest way to describe that man – at least while we're in a church – is 'charm-free.'" Joey remarked.
"The kids absolutely shouldn't have to deal with him today," Snake told them. "But if he does show up, I'll handle it."
Walking down a hallway and into the foyer, Spinner noticed the newly arrived Toby and Janine and was less than pleased.
"Isaacs?"
For Toby, there was no mistaking that voice.
"Hi Spinner," he greeted as the pair turned to face his former girlfriend's brother.
"I'm surprised to see you here," Spinner said in an accusatory tone.
"I can understand that," Toby responded.
"I mean… Dude, I get it that you and JT aren't close friends anymore. But you only live a few miles from the hospital. So it's like you went out of your way not to bother going to see JT after he almost died."
"Um…Spin, I haven't been living in Toronto for over a year."
Spinner's angry expression changed to one of confusion.
"Really? That long?"
"Really. I've already apologized to JT for not coming back after he got hurt. But yes, until yesterday I was gone for that long."
"Oh…" Spinner said, his voice no longer angry. "Okay. Well, my bad. Guess I didn't notice you were gone."
"Seems to be the popular trend," Janine commented sarcastically.
"Spinner, this is my girlfriend Janine Thompkins."
"Hi," Spinner greeted Janine before turning his attention back to Toby. "Congrats, Isaacs. Good to know that I don't have to worry about you bugging Kendra to get back together when she and her boyfriend get here. You two enjoy the wedding."
After Spinner left the couple, Janine wrapped an arm around Toby's waist.
"And you say JT employs that guy? He gets paid to interact with the public at large?"
"That's what Ash told me."
"I guess JT truly is a risk taker," she joked, causing Toby to smile.
At that moment, Paige walked into the building. Spotting her, and knowing that she's remained close to Ashley, Toby decided to take a chance and get her attention.
"Paige," he called to her.
Curious, the blonde walked over to the couple.
"Long time no see," he began once she had reached them. "I want you to meet Janine Thompkins. Janine, this is Paige Michalchuk. She graduated from Degrassi a year ago."
"Hello Janine," Paige said.
"Hi," Janine returned the greeting.
"It's nice to see you again, Paige," Toby commented. "You and I have both been away for so long."
"I'm sorry," Paige interjected, looking at Toby with mild confusion. "Do I know you?" She then spotted someone across the room that she wanted to speak to. "Oh, excuse me. Nice seeing you again, um…Jeannie, wasn't it?"
Paige departed without waiting for correction, and Janine couldn't help but laugh.
"Her, I like. So tell me, Toby, you didn't by any chance just imagine that you went to school with all these people, did you?"
Paige brushed past Spinner, not noticing him, as she continued walking. Though he couldn't say he wasn't a little disappointed that she didn't seem to even see him, he knew they would no doubt speak to each other at some point before the day was over. But the one he was truly looking forward to seeing on this day was Liberty.
"Hey Paige," Ellie said as the blonde walked closer toward her.
"I almost didn't recognize you," Paige remarked.
"What do you mean?" the redhead questioned.
"If I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it. I'm still not sure I believe it."
In the men's restroom, meanwhile, JT faced the mirror above one of the sinks. Though he was wearing his tux, he was struggling to put his bow tie on. After several minutes without success, he gave up and proceeded to walk out.
'I guess there's always Scotch tape,' he thought as he went out into the hallway. 'Or crazy glue. That ought to keep it in place for a couple of hours.'
"Hey," a voice interrupted JT's thoughts.
The groom turned his head to see Sean – also clad in a tux, sans tie – walking toward him.
"Any comments about my being turned into a penguin and I'm going home to change into my work clothes and that's what I'll wear to this wedding," the groomsman warned.
"Sean, I would NEVER joke about you being turned into a penguin," JT assured.
"Thank you."
"It's more like you've been eaten by a penguin."
"That's cold, man," Sean said as he rolled his eyes.
"Naturally," JT stated, maintaining a straight face. "Penguins can't live where it's hot."
At this, Sean rolled his eyes, determined not to laugh.
"I see YOU haven't had any better luck with your tie, either," he then said, noticing the item in JT's hand.
"I'm never good with regular ties, much less these things," JT explained. "Maybe if I'd started working on it right after Emma accepted my proposal, I'd have figured it out by now. Okay, that's a big maybe."
"I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever worn any kind of suit," Sean recalled. "And still have a couple of fingers left over."
Looking down at their ties, the two then looked up at each other, both suddenly reaching the same conclusion.
"Liberty," they both spoke up simultaneously.
"I bet it'll only take her a minute to figure these things out," Sean reasoned.
"Don't underestimate her," JT advised. "I'm thinking 30 seconds tops."
"Could be. Not much surprises me anymore. I mean…JT Yorke as a married man? That's still going to take some getting used to. Even though you and Emma always sound like an old married couple."
JT laughed.
"Thanks," Sean then said more seriously than his previous comment. "You know, for asking me to be a part of it."
"You shouldn't thank me for making an obvious choice for a groomsman," JT stopped him.
"Well, when the choice is someone you couldn't stand a year ago, it seems like a 'thank you' belongs somewhere in all of this."
"Fine, then I thank YOU."
"Huh?" Sean responded, not expecting what JT had said.
"For showing me last winter that the guy I couldn't stand a year ago was gone, and that the real Sean Cameron was a stand-up guy who can admit his mistakes and has a lot of good qualities that deserve to be recognized. A guy I count as one of my closest friends."
Sean was deeply moved. Not one to consider himself as quick or as successful as his friend in verbally expressing his more serious thoughts, he was certain that anything he could say in response to JT's comments would sounds ridiculous or, at the very least, insufficient.
Ultimately, though, he was spared, as JT soon offered one more remark.
"Now…before Liberty decides to send out a search party for us, let's go find her and test her tie-tying skills. Oh, and then the three of us can vote on what your name would be if you really were a penguin. After all, do you know any penguins named Sean?"
Finally laughing, Sean followed his enthusiastic friend down the hallway.
Soon, as most of the guests were starting to make their way inside the auditorium, Paige and Ellie had since been seated in one of the pews.
"It's not that big a deal, Paige."
"Be honest, Ellie…are you developing a rash yet?"
"Humor has never been your strong suit," Ellie answered.
"I'm just saying, I can't remember a time when you weren't wearing primarily – often entirely – black clothing. Each and every day, you wearing black is like the sun coming up in the morning. Just one of life's certainties. At first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but now I'm worried that your body's going to reject this new fashion choice."
"Let me know when you're through and then maybe I'll tune you back in," the redhead cracked.
"Okay, okay," Paige surrendered. "I'm done. For the moment."
"Of course I wasn't going to wear black to the wedding," Ellie explained. "While I've never been overly concerned what others think about what I choose to wear, I also realize certain people might think that if I wore black to this event, I might be trying making a statement. Like that maybe I saw this as more of a funeral than a wedding. The focus of this day needs to stay on JT. And her too. I don't want to be the cause of any attention being drawn away from them. Thus, the non-black choice. Got it?"
"I got it," Paige replied while once more surveying Ellie's outfit. "But with all the other possibilities…gray? Still not exactly a festive color."
"It can't surprise you that I don't keep a lot of pink, yellow, or bright red outfits stocked in my closet. Anyway, today…gray seems almost fitting."
In a Sunday school classroom not far from the auditorium, Liberty was nearly finished tying JT's tie.
"Not too tight, is it?" she asked after she was done.
"Whenever I have to wear something like this, there's always this feeling like I'm going to run out of oxygen at any moment," he remarked, smiling. "But no, this is fine. Thanks. Where's Sean?"
"While you were on the phone making one last confirmation of your hotel reservation, I fixed his tie for him and then sent him to do a final walkaround to make certain once and for all that everything was either ready and in place or in the process of being so."
"I'm sure everything is great."
"True, but, like you with the hotel confirmation, it never hurts to double check."
JT then looked down at his watch, and Liberty could tell that he was growing anxious.
"It won't be long now," he commented.
"Nervous?" she asked.
"Are you kidding? Me? JT Yorke? The most relaxed person you've ever met? Armed with two .40 caliber jokes at all times and ready for anything? You do remember who you're talking to, right?"
"Right."
"Okay then," he said in a satisfied tone.
"So… nervous?"
"Maybe a little," JT quietly admitted, knowing he could never really fool Liberty but still trying to sound casual.
"That's perfectly natural," Liberty offered calmly. "You're beginning a brand new chapter of your life today. In an already eventful year, this is the most monumental event yet. But I know you'll do well, because this is something you want so much. And when it comes to something you truly want, you have this knack for making things work out the way you want them to."
"Flatterer," JT responded sarcastically, though truthfully he was grateful for her words.
"It's your wedding day and I'm Best Person," she explained. "There'll be other opportunities to list your faults, but not today."
JT laughed, and Liberty could tell that he was starting to loosen up.
"Seeing as you are Best Person, any words of wisdom before showtime?"
"Not really," she answered. "I'm saving my ten-page speech for the reception."
"Thanks for the warning," he cracked in response to what he knew was a joke on her part.
"Seriously, though, just continue doing what you're doing. It's obviously worked well for the two of you the majority of the time."
JT smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Now it's your turn," she then remarked. "With only minutes remaining until your days as a single man are over, do you have any famous last words you wish to impart?"
JT knew that Liberty was handing him the set-up for a comical line, but he had another thought he wanted to share instead.
"Those pre-wedding nerves? Gone."
Just then, Sean came into the room.
"Looks like it's about that time," he announced.
"Good," JT said without hesitation. "I guess we should go ahead and tell the minister that our half is all set."
Liberty recognized the twinkle in his eyes and knew that JT was ready.
At the same time, Spinner had finished seating another guest. Returning to the foyer, he watched as one more person entered the building. Only this was someone Spinner was not expecting.
"I'm pretty sure you didn't get an invite in the mail," the head usher said while walking up to the man.
"And I'm pretty sure I don't need one."
Meanwhile, in the bridal room near the auditorium, Emma stood still as Manny studied her face while Spike looked on.
"Make-up looks just right," Manny stated.
"And my hair?"
"Great. But there's still time to put it up if you want."
"No, I'd rather keep it down. But the dress…it's not too big on me is it?"
Manny shook her head.
"Too small?"
"It's juuuust right, Goldilocks."
"Manny…"
"Don't stress, Emma," Manny encouraged, hoping to prevent a nerve-induced scolding from the bride. "You look fine."
"And the dress looks great on you, Em," her mother assured.
"Thanks."
"Still, I'm a little upset that you chose not to carry on the family tradition of getting married wearing a T-shirt and jeans."
Emma laughed listening to her mother pretend to sound like she was nearly in tears.
"It was awfully tempting to follow in your footsteps," the bride then played along, "but ultimately I decided to be a rebel and go with the white dress instead."
"Seriously, Emma, you look so beautiful. And you look great too, Manny."
Manny, clad in an apple-green colored dress, smiled.
"Thanks. With Emma, I had a feeling me and Ashley would be wearing green today. I was just afraid we were going to end up looking like two trees in the forest." Manny then turned to Emma. "But you came through and picked something very nice."
At that moment, Ashley entered the room.
"Most of the guests are seated," she reported. "We should be good-to-go in just a few minutes."
Hearing this, the bride sighed.
"I am nowhere near ready," she declared, her voice growing more anxious.
"That's just pre-wedding jitters," Ashley explained. "The hour before my dad married my stepdad, he was searching everywhere for the ring until finally he realized that he had it with him in his coat pocket the entire time. Compared to that, you seem incredibly calm."
That made Emma smile.
"Now, do you remember what you're going to say when it comes time for your vows?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah. Nothing to it."
Emma paused momentarily before continuing.
"It didn't take long to decide on what I would say," she resumed. "The only difficulty was limiting myself so that it doesn't turn into a lengthy monologue. Anyway…thank you guys again for all your help. Especially today, but also during this entire time."
"No thanks necessary," Ashley responded.
"Absolutely," Manny concurred.
"If you're ready, I'll go on out there and give the go-ahead to the minister," Ashley offered, looking over at Emma.
The young bride, who was just staring at the door, didn't respond.
"Emma?" Spike prompted.
"Yeah…" Emma finally spoke up. "Um…Manny, Ashley…could you give me and my mom a few moments alone first?"
"Of course," Manny said cheerily while Ashley simply nodded.
As Ashley walked out of the room, Manny was about to hug Emma first before also leaving, but she stopped just short of embracing the blonde. She realized a hug might endanger the hair and make-up work that had already been done, not to mention renewing Emma's concerns about if the dress was okay.
"I better not," Manny said. "But double hug after the ceremony."
"We'll be out soon," Emma told her.
"Okay, but don't take too long, Ms. Soon-To-Be Mrs. Yorke. Don't want to keep your handsome groom waiting."
Emma shut the door right after Manny walked out of the room.
"This isn't right," Emma said softly while still facing the door, her right hand gripping the doorknob as though it were a lifeline.
"What's not right?" Spike asked, having just barely understood what her daughter had said.
"It's seemed so right. So perfect. But…no."
Emma slowly turned around and saw the look of concern and curiosity on her mother's face.
"I can't do this."
"This?" Spike asked, unsure of exactly what Emma was referring to.
"I can't marry JT."
Notes: No, this story hasn't been abandoned. To any and all who have been reading and (hopefully) enjoying this story, I apologize for the extremely long time between chapters. I hope everyone liked this newest chapter. And don't worry – it won't be such a long wait until the next one.
The usual disclaimers apply, and remember that all episodes after "Holiday" and "This Charming Man" aren't canon in this story. Also, the excerpted lyrics in this chapter come from the song "Oddities" by Insane Clown Posse.