June 1992
Jack brought the mail in with him as he entered the house. Abigail came out of the kitchen to meet him. He kissed her quickly as he tossed the mail onto the table.
"What did we get?" asked Abigail, reaching for a large white envelope that had caught her eye. "Well, what do you know," she said a moment later. "Matthew's marrying Lisa Arcola."
"They've sure been together a long time," Jack commented.
A slight limp was all Matthew had left to show from his devastating injuries of seven years previously. He and Lisa had both finished school now and had jobs.
"Since high school," said Abigail. "It must be true love. I really admire the way she stood by him through his long recovery."
"So do I." Jack smiled. "She's a sweet girl, and he's a great guy. So much like his father. I know they'll be happy together." Both he and Abigail had long ago forgotten David's behavior toward Abigail around the time of Matthew's accident.
"Why are Matthew and Lisa getting married?" asked six-year-old Jackson from the back seat of the car as the family drove to the church on the day of the wedding.
"Because they love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together," his father told him.
"I'm not ever gonna get married," said Jackson. "I'm gonna live with you and Mommy forever."
"Of course you will." Jack grinned and winked at his wife, who smiled in return.
At the church they met up with Beryl, David, Ellen, Chachi, Joanie, and Tony. Everyone was very nicely dressed. Richie and Lori Beth Cunningham were there as well, as was a couple Abigail didn't recognize.
"Abigail, meet Arthur and Brenda Fonzarelli," said Joanie. "Fonzie, this is Jack and Abigail Parrish."
"Heyyy." Fonzie grinned and extended his hand. "Call me Fonzie."
"It's very nice to meet you, Fonzie," Abigail said politely.
"This is our daughter Monica and her husband Drake," Brenda told Jack and Abigail.
"We wanted to see what this area is like," said Monica. "We're thinking of moving here."
"You're going to love it," Jack told them. "I've lived here my entire life and never had any desire to live anywhere else."
It was almost time for the ceremony to begin, so they entered the church and found seats. Soon the organist began to play, and Lisa walked down the aisle accompanied by Chachi.
Abigail looked across the aisle and saw that Joanie had tears in her eyes. Beryl and Ellen both stared straight ahead, their faces registering no emotion.
The ceremony began. Matthew and Lisa exchanged vows and were pronounced husband and wife. A lavish reception followed.
"That was a beautiful wedding," Abigail said to Joanie.
"I'm relieved it turned out as well as it did," Joanie replied. "I sure put a lot of work into it."
"I could tell you did," said Abigail.
"This cake sure is yummy," said Julie, who had frosting smeared all over her face. Abigail noted with dismay that it was on her dry-clean only dress as well.
"You're such a pretty little girl," Brenda told Julie.
"Thank you," said Julie.
"How old are you?"
"Four."
"I've been following your story in the newspapers for years," Brenda told Abigail. "I just want to tell you how much I admire your courage and determination, how you created a new life for yourself after being in a coma for so many years."
"We all do," Jack said proudly, embracing his wife. Abigail blushed and said nothing. She was quiet for the rest of the time they were at the church.
"I know how much it bothers you, hon," Jack said sympathetically to his wife later that day. "But people do mean well."
"I know." Abigail sighed. "I suppose I'm just going to have to accept that I'm something of a celebrity, whether I like it or not."
"There's a moon out tonight," Jack sang, taking his wife's hands and beginning to dance with her.
Abigail laughed and suddenly felt much better.