Jamie made the signal that they were moving and kissed the back of Rose's left hand then showed her wedding ring off and everyone applauded as they carried on down the short aisle of the marquee. The plan was that everyone moved outside, where the photographer would be taking photos of the happy couple before others were allowed nearer.
Rose had picked out the places she wanted the photos to be taken, like the fountain and a weeping willow tree. She couldn't tell Jamie that the tree reminded her of those on a planet she'd been to with The Doctor. Pete had advised her against a lot of things that could make Jamie even more jealous. They were having some taken getting the whole house in and once finished on their own, others would join them.
Jackie had figured that would give the catering staff more than enough time to move the chairs and get the tables in and the food from the kitchen. She saw Tony was still clinging to Alec, confused that his sister was kissing his best friend, who was now his big brother.
"Alec, I want to go to Jamie," the boy looked at him.
"Just hold on until they get outside," Alec told him. "We'll find your mum when we get out."
Jackie had decided to trust the detective to look after her son while she went to remind the catering manager of what had been required.
"Yes Mrs Tyler, it's all in hand," he insisted.
Satisfied, she looked around for Tony and saw he was with Pete. Tony had plenty to tell his dad and Alec was relieved of looking after the boy.
"Alec's cool Dad," Tony was telling Pete.
Pete smiled at his young son, since Tony said that Jamie was cool. Was it the fact the two men looked like each other? He had thought Jamie was a good influence on Tony, someone else for the boy to look up to. He looked over at the crowd of guests watching the photographer arranging Rose's dress on the grass by a tree and the bridesmaids looking in awe of her.
He had certainly been blessed the day Rose had come back to this world. Once Mickey had explained to him how he was Rose's father in another world, he'd begun to understand why she had taken to him and he might never see her again.
Alec was trying to avoid watching Jamie fussing over Rose, looking relaxed and smiling as her dress was being arranged and leaning back against the tree.
"Alec, are you taking notice of your daughter?" Tess asked him as Daisy was waving at them while she waited. "She's going to be in most of the photos that will no doubt be a four page spread in all the glossy magazines."
"Do I detect a hint of self-satisfaction?" he raised his eyebrows to her. "Daisy getting her photo taken with a celebrity?"
"Stop it Alec," Tess told him. "Why shouldn't she? She won the chance fair and square, she was picked out from millions of entries."
"So when she entered, you had already decided to give your permission, just so you could attend?" he asked her.
"What's wrong with that?" Tess wanted to know as the way was clear for her to take another photograph. "It's a day Daisy won't forget. She won't get another chance like this."
Alec shook his head, Tess trying to get Daisy's attention. He was surprised she'd not gone to stand next to the photographer. People were standing around talking and drinks were being served while he supposed the marquee was being readied.
Would he dare ask Rose to dance later or join the long queue to kiss the bride? He doubted he'd go for the last one, her new husband had already looked daggers at him. He had to attended the formal reception later that evening, in the house as well as the one that would start shortly.
"Haven't you taken any photos on your phone?" Tess was asking him.
"Why? Haven't you taken enough?" Alec replied.
Tess ignored him as everyone followed the wedding party down towards the fountain, Alec hanging back. He would hardly be missed, especially by Tess. Everyone was calling Rose's name while her dress was being arranged and she kept looking forward and waving. He could have sworn she waved at him but it was probably aimed at someone in front of him.
Why would she single him out, there was a big queue as everyone else got the message, those who had been talking and taking advantage of the alcohol already being served. He didn't plan on drinking much anyway, his doctor had advised him to cut it out after he'd been to see him.
He thought the case was just getting to him but it could be more, so he'd been warned. He'd said nothing to Tess though, she wouldn't be bothered anyway. As long as he was careful, no-one else would find out but he was thinking of getting a transfer to somewhere a bit quieter.
Before he knew it, everyone was cheering and clicking away on their cameras as the newlyweds made their way to the large marquee for the reception. They were holding hands and Jamie was waving and mock saluting and Rose was saying something Alec couldn't quite make out as they passed him.
Daisy looked happy, with a big smile on her face. He had to commend Rose's choice in bridesmaid dresses. His phone was in his hand so he quickly activated the camera and managed to take a few shots. By the time he waited in line to enter the marquee once again, the wedding party were sat at a large decorated table, waiting for the bride and groom, who were greeting their guests and accepting presents at a table by the entrance, Jake standing by.
Alec knew Tess had already handed her present to them the night before so he bypassed the table and looked around for Tess, since Daisy was sitting with the other bridesmaids. Tess was at a table with another couple and since there were name cards everywhere, he assumed he had to go and sit with them.
"Alec," Tess called him over. "You took your time."
"There was a crowd outside," he made the excuse. "You did already hand the wedding present over to them?"
"Yes, of course I did," Tess snapped at him.
Jackie was watching Rose and Jamie, Tony wanting to go to them.
"They'll be here soon," Pete told the boy.
"Is Jamie really my brother now?" Tony wanted to know.
"Yes, he is," Pete laughed. "Though really, he's your brother-in-law," he tried to explain.
"Don't confuse him Pete," Jackie told him. "What's he gonna say when Rose and Jamie have kids?"
"What do you mean Mum?" Tony asked as he tried to sit on her lap.
"Never you mind," she replied as Rose and Jamie finally finished greeting everyone.
"I didn't see Daisy's parents," Rose was telling Jamie.
"They went straight in," Jake told her. "I expect they wanted to leave time for other guests? Ya didn't put 'em on the same table," he then laughed when he saw Alec looking around and Tess was talking to the other woman at the same table.
"No, it must have been mum's idea," Rose replied. "How was she to know before they arrived? I expect she put them there to be near Daisy?"
"Come on Rose," Jamie reminding her, wondering why Jake brought up the subject in the first place.
Everywhere he'd looked before and during the wedding ceremony, there was the detective. First he was looking after Tony then later, he was watching the photos being taking. He'd noticed the detective was trying to look disinterested but he'd been looking just the same.
Pete called for everyone's attention by tapping a knife against a glass of champagne that had just been placed there. He did his father of the bride speech, saying how proud of Rose he was and how much she had given him since they'd first met.
He was also full of praise for Jamie, who had captured Rose's heart since the day she'd returned from her studies. Then Jake, as Jamie's best man made his speech and finally, Jamie got up to speak.
"Rose, the day you walked into my department and I realised you weren't my new assistant," he grinned, stopping as everyone laughed.
He went on to say how he'd felt about her, making Alec more and more uncomfortable and he'd no idea why. Rose had just got married and he'd only met her yesterday, though all the hype going on about it months before had been hard to avoid, especially from Daisy when she'd found out she'd won.
He thought about sneaking out later when everyone got up to dance, Tess probably wouldn't even notice but that was about to be tested.
"Don't you think about sneaking off," Tess told him as people were making their way to the food tables.
"How long does this thing go on for?" Alec wanted to know.
"I'd say it's only just got started," Tess replied sarcastically, just to annoy him. "At least try to look like you're enjoying yourself Alec. Are you going to join the queue to kiss the bride or dance with her?"
Alec just ignored her and took a fancy paper plate and a serviette from the pile at the side and looked at the various pastries and delicate sandwiches neatly arranged on large silver trays. He'd been warned that there was going to be a proper evening dinner later on for those who had been invited to stay behind or those who weren't able to attend the main event.
He got what he wanted, having put a few things on his plate and a small piece of cake then he went to sit down. Daisy caught him on his way back to his table.
"Dad, isn't this great?" Daisy beamed at him. "Did you and mum get plenty of photos of me with Rose?"
"I'm sure your mother managed to get more than I did," he tried to assure her. "Don't eat too much now, there's a big dinner party tonight."
"Aw, I'll recover by then Dad," Daisy laughed. "You're not taking any chances though."
"I have enough here," he replied, thinking she was picking on him again. "Are you enjoying yourself so far?"
"Of course I am Dad," she told him. "I won't ever forget this. I'm going to ask Rose if I can stay friends with her afterwards. Do you think she'll agree?"
"I don't see why not," he replied, looking for the bride and seeing her talking to a dark skinned man with close cropped hair.
It didn't look like they were just talking though and the groom was taking no notice so he bypassed his table and got closer.
Mickey had decided the least he could do was attend the reception, even if he couldn't bring himself to watch the wedding ceremony. He'd been tracked down at Rose's insistence and sent an invitation.
"I didn't think ya were gonna come Mickey," Rose had been telling him, unaware Alec was watching them.
"I came just for you Rose, I owed you that much," Mickey replied. "The papers have been full of your wedding the last few months, I could hardly get away from it."
"Why did ya leave Torchwood Mickey? Ya could have taken any job there," Rose asked him.
"I'm not saying anything Rose, it's just the way it had to be," Mickey told her. "I wish you all the best, I'll not stay long."
Alec had found himself getting closer and was now worried whoever it was talking to Rose was upsetting her.
"Is everything okay Rose?" he had to ask her.
"Yeah Alec, it's fine, thanks," Rose assured him.
"Crikey Rose, he could be Jamie's twin," Mickey stared at Alec. "Oh, aren't you that detective from that case where a young girl died?"
"So you watch the news?" Alec pointed out. "Sure you are okay?" he asked Rose again.
"Hey Rose, what's he doin' here?" Mickey wanted to know.
"Oh, his daughter's one of my bridesmaids," Rose laughed. "I mean she was picked before that case even came up."
"I will leave you then," Alec told her, seeing Jamie approaching.
Rose saw him as well and thought she'd be better asking Alec to stay but it wouldn't go down well with Jamie. Just Mickey being there was going to be bad enough.
"Rose, what's he doing here?" Jamie indicated to Mickey, then looked at Alec. "We don't need you here Alec, this is between us."
"Jamie, don't be so rude," Rose told him. "He didn't know who Mickey was and came to see if I was okay."
"Of course he did," Jamie scowled. "Well thank you for coming to Rose's aid but I can sort this out."
Alec thought that was the only apology he was going to get out of Rose's new husband. When Alec had gone off, Jamie turned on Mickey and Rose was looking for Jake to come and break them up.
"Well, what are you doing here?" Jamie asked Mickey again. "Rose, did your mother invite him on purpose?"
"Stop it Jamie, I put him on the guest list," Rose admitted. "What is it with you two?"
Jake had been checking on his security men but Alec spotted him and tapped him on the shoulder.
"You should check on Rose," he told Jake quietly.
"Why, what's going on?" Jake wanted to know, looking around.
"She was talking to someone called Mickey, until Jamie came along," Alec replied.
"I'll sort it out, can't even get a day off from those two," Jake replied. "I mean Jamie and Mickey," he then grinned.
"You know of him then?" Alec raised his eyebrows.
"They have history," Jake laughed.
"An old boyfriend?" Alec wondered.
"From a very long time ago," Jake admitted. "They never got on."
"Why am I not surprised?" Alec replied as Jake went off.
Pete had noticed Alec walking off and looked for Rose, wondering why the detective was going in the opposite direction to where he had been seated. What was going on? He'd seen the detective walk away from Rose's room earlier and she'd admitted talking to him. Then he spotted her and saw Mickey was there.
He wondered whose idea it had been to invite Rose's old boyfriend, when it was inevitable he and Jamie would fall out. Seeing Jackie was busy, he went towards them, in time to see Jamie pushing Mickey away.
"You're not welcome here Mickey," Jamie was telling him.
"Stop it Jamie, I wanted him here," Rose was trying to tell her new husband.
"You never said anything about inviting him Rose," Jamie reminded her.
"I knew ya'd get mad if I had told ya," Rose replied. "Just leave him Jamie."
"I'll leave," Mickey insisted. "Just for your sake, not his."
"Have said hello to my mum yet?" Rose asked him. "She'll be mad if she finds out ya were here and ya didn't speak to her."
"Can't think why," Jamie told her in a low voice. "Oh great, here come Pete and Jake. Now see what you've done by inviting Mickey, Rose."
"What's going on?" Pete asked before Jake got the chance.
"Mickey was just leaving," Jamie hinted. "Weren't you?"
"Mickey, who invited you?" Pete wanted to know.
"I did Dad, I wanted him here," Rose admitted.
"How did ya even find him?" Jake wanted to know.
"Never mind that Jake," Pete told him. "Jamie, if Rose wants him here, he can stay. He's her oldest friend, remember?"
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," Jamie replied. "Fine, come on Rose, get some food."
Pete followed them before Jackie noticed anything, leaving Jake and Mickey.
"You don't think I should have come here either?" Mickey asked him.
"It's good to see ya though but ya were riskin' it a bit," Jake grinned.
"How could I let Rose down on her wedding day?" Mickey replied.
"Well just stay out of Jamie's way, he'll not change his mind about ya being here," Jake warned him.
"I know. So, what's that detective doing here?" Mickey asked.
"Causing more trouble with Jamie, what ya think?" Jake laughed as he patted Mickey on the shoulder. "Things never change mate."
"You mean Jamie's jealous because the detective could be another twin?" Mickey wondered.
"What do you think?" Jake replied. "Alec's daughter won a competition to be one of Rose's bridesmaids and better still, the chief bridesmaid. Part of the prize was she got to stay here for two nights, along with her parents but their just about divorced."
"So Jamie's jealous of him as well?" Mickey asked again.
"Hey mate, he's almost started a few fights with any bloke who looks or talks to her," Jake admitted. "Good thing Alec's in the police," he laughed.
Rose and Jamie were at the food table, most of the guests had already got theirs, a few stragglers plus some who had gone back for more just in front of them.
"Really Rose, why did you even invite Mickey the idiot?" Jamie still wanted to know.
"I felt I had to," Rose replied as Jamie handed her a plate.
"You should have warned me love," he told her. "Why was Alec leaving?"
"He saw me and Mickey and didn't know who I was talkin' to," Rose admitted. "Leave it Jamie, he was just making sure I was okay."
"Of course he was," Jamie muttered to himself.
Alec was watching them after he sat down again.
"What were you doing talking to Rose?" Tess wanted to know.
"Oh, you both know her?" the woman opposite wanted to know. "I thought it was just you."
"We only met her recently," Tess replied. "Our daughter is one of her bridesmaids."
"You must both be proud of her then?" Tess was asked.
"Oh yes, she was very happy about being chosen," Tess told the woman.
When everyone had eaten, Pete got up again.
"If I could have your attention, I have some greetings to read out from those who couldn't be with us today, though some guests did arrive eventually," he told everyone, Rose knowing he meant Mickey. "There are a lot of cards still to be opened, probably from Rose's fans," he laughed. "I'm sure she'll attend to them after the honeymoon."
Rose thought was he implying she was going to leave them unopened? No-one had even mentioned any had arrived but she had been in her room all morning.
"Should I be jealous you have so many fans?" Jamie whispered to her.
"Aw don't worry," Rose laughed. "Your name will be on the cards as well. Mum, why didn't ya mention it?"
"I didn't know ya'd not been told they were brought by the post office in sacks, did I?" Jackie defended herself.
"Did ya say sacks?" Rose was surprised as Pete carried on reading a few she did know about.
"Shush Rose while your dad reads these out," Jackie urged her.
That was Jackie's way of saying don't blame her for putting out to magazines she was getting married. In the last few months, Rose's photo had been everywhere, not that Rose would have noticed.
"Well, now that's all over with," Pete laughed as he took his reading glasses off. "I see the DJ is ready to start so if everyone will remain where they are, Rose and Jamie will lead the dancing."
Rose looked towards him.
"Was this your idea?" she laughed.
"It's tradition love," he grinned back at her, holding out his hand to help her up.
Rose noticed the marquee had been extended so there was room to dance and some flooring put down. Jamie surprised her by going up to the DJ to make sure the right song was about to be played. Alec was watching, hoping Tess wasn't going to insist they danced together. He would however make an exception should Daisy come over for him to dance with her.
As 'When I fall in love' by Nat 'King' Cole was being played, everyone had got their phones out to record the couple dancing slowly.
"Remember this?" Jamie was whispering to Rose. "You said this was one of your favourites."
"Yeah, I love all the old ones," Rose agreed, her arms around his neck. "I think everyone's recording this."
"Well, let's give them something to talk about eh?" Jamie grinned leaning his head to one side then kissing her forehead.
As the song came to an end, everyone watched as Rose reached up and they kissed, which went on for quite some time, well so Alec thought. He tried not to watch as everyone stood up and cheered the happy couple, he knew he was jealous of the lucky man who had just married Rose Tyler and being here until tomorrow was not going to do him any good.
All he could do was wish her well, when he got a moment alone with her.