As the music began to play, Abigail started her journey down the aisle. Jack, impeccable in his black tuxedo, smiled proudly as he watched her approach. He thought that he had never seen her looking any lovelier than she did today. She wore a white wedding gown, and underneath her veil her face looked freshly scrubbed and glowing with happiness.
Beryl Foster's face bore an expression of disapproval. She thought that her elder daughter was being impulsive, that Abigail should have waited longer, been more sure of what she wanted in life, gotten to know Jack better. Sitting with her husband and son, Ellen Holland tried to remember whether her own wedding dress all those years ago had been as nice as Abigail's. Joanie Arcola, sitting with her own family, felt nothing but happiness for her long-time friend.
The music stopped, and the minister began to speak. Abigail looked nervously at Jack and he smiled reassuringly at her.
"Jack William Parrish, do you take Abigail Jane Foster as your lawfully wedded wife?" asked the minister.
"I do." Jack's voice rang out clear and steady.
"Abigail Jane Foster, do you take Jack William Parrish as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." Abigail's voice was soft but sure.
"Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the minister announced. Jack raised Abigail's veil and kissed her lips. His lips were warm and soft and lingered a bit longer than necessary. Abigail felt a thrill of excitement and happiness go down her spine. We really did it! she wanted to shout.
A smiling Jack led his new wife to the reception, where the cake and other refreshments awaited them.
"Big smile!" someone shouted. It was Matthew Holland, holding his camera and grinning from ear to ear.
Jack sliced the wedding cake and served first Abigail, then himself, a slice. He fed a bite to Abigail first, and then she fed a bite to him. Then they mingled with their guests and chatted with them.
"I'm so happy for you, Abby," Joanie told Abigail. "Jack's a good man. You're very fortunate."
"I know he is, Joanie. I hope that I can make him happy."
Joanie thought of the vast difference between Abigail and Jack's first wife, Karen. "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about."
Later, Joanie chatted with Jack. "So I see you were brave enough to take the plunge again," she laughed.
"You know, after Karen, I thought 'never again'," Jack replied. "At that time I thought that Abigail's situation was hopeless, that she'd never emerge from her coma. I never told you or anyone else, but I think I was already beginning to fall in love with Abigail even before she lapsed into her coma. I couldn't do anything about it at the time as she was only seventeen, and besides, I was one of her teachers. You'll never know how thrilled I was to learn that she had regained consciousness. To me it was just such a miracle. In a way, I saw it as not only renewed hope for Abigail, but renewed hope for me as well. I lost my heart to her in virtually no time at all. I can't begin to tell you how happy I was when I realized that she loved me back."
After the reception came a long drive to the motel. Abigail, too excited to nap in the car, chatted eagerly about various subjects. Jack felt as if he were on top of the world. He and Abigail were finally one.