Saturday June 18th, 2005, 11:26 a.m. Dineen residence:
"I hope you aren't mad that I asked Happy to be my maid of honor." Paige said to Megan as the beauticians worked on both of them, getting their makeup finished.
"Of course I'm not. Paige, I most likely would have said no if you had asked. You need someone who can walk the aisle. And just like that, there was proof yesterday. I had an attack and now my left leg isn't working. I'm happy to just be one of your bridesmaids. Or am I a matron?" Megan laughed.
Paige had to stifle her laugh as the woman worked on her face.
"Where are you going for your honeymoon?" Megan asked as the woman finished with her.
"We're going to Japan." Paige said excitedly. "We were there for a few months about a year and a half before we moved to Callan. I just loved it so much. Walter said he'd be happy anywhere as long as we're together."
"In regards to you, that sounds like my little brother." Megan smiled.
Happy stepped into the room in her dress.
"You know, according to your time schedule, you are about to be late." Happy told her.
"Yes Ms Bossy. You look beautiful!" Paige grinned as she winked at Happy. The woman finished quickly and Paige checked her face in the mirror and smiled. "Thank you so much. It looks perfect."
"So why didn't they put the makeup on after we got dressed? Is this some kind of pervert thing? Sitting around in our underwear?" Happy asked.
"No silly, it's easier to get makeup on the dress when the makeup is being put on." Paige told her and then saw the look on Happy's face. "You've been spending too much time around Toby, you stinker."
Happy laughed as she moved to get Paige's wedding dress down.
"Okay, how are my girls?" Veronica asked as she moved into the room. "Oh, don't the three of you look beautiful." Veronica sighed.
"Thanks Mom." Paige giggled as Happy helped her put her dress on.
Veronica moved over and helped Megan get into her dress.
Happy was having a little difficulty getting the zipper on the back of Paige's dress up.
"You should have had them leave just a little more room in this dress. I'm going to need a little soap I think. You might be a little heavy. If you know what I mean." Happy whispered into Paige's ear.
"Where are you going to get it?" Paige whispered worriedly as she first looked at Veronica and Megan.
"Relax, I brought it with me, just in case." Happy smiled. "Good thing we're doing this in the family room. I brought you over here to put it on so my pliers are in reach."
Paige let out a breath of relief as Happy quickly rubbed the bit of soap on the zipper teeth. She grabbed her pliers off her work table and a moment later the zipper was pulled up Paige's back.
"That is a little snug." Paige said quietly as she nodded.
—-
As they came out of the house Mr O'Connell stood at the door of the coach with it open. He smiled at the four ladies.
"Ms Dineen, it is indeed my honor to serve." Mr O'Connell said as he bowed to her.
Paige smiled as she fought back a happy tear. Mr O'Connell had fallen in love with the job that had been done on the carriage.
"Thank you so much Mr O'Connell." Paige hugged him briefly and kissed his cheek. Since she was getting out last, she took his hand and climbed into the carriage first.
Happy took his hand and climbed in and sat across from Paige. She was grinning at the carriage and how well the work had been done on it.
"I don't think I could have done this any better." Happy nodded.
"I'd have much rather had you do it, but you were busy in America." Paige grinned.
Happy laughed.
"We'll see you in a few minutes." Megan called to them as William picked her up and put her in their car.
Veronica climbed in and sat down beside Happy and just smiled at Paige.
"You look so beautiful." Veronica sighed. "And I feel so old now." She laughed as the door was closed.
"Never." Paige and Happy said together.
They felt the carriage jostle and then a moment later they heard the brake release and after a slight crack of a whip the carriage began moving.
"Here's your chance to change your mind." Happy teased.
"Not even for all the money in the world." Paige laughed. "Is Dad still upset about us going to Japan?"
Veronica rocked her hand.
"Ever since your Aunt Jo, he hates when anyone he knows is going or coming back from there." Veronica sighed.
"I never thought Dad would become superstitious." Paige said, shaking her head.
"So are you feeling nervous?" Happy asked.
Paige grinned and shook her head.
"I've been ready for this day since I was fifteen to be honest. How many times I've walked this path going to or from Walter's and envisioning us being married. It is like a real relief to be making this journey for the last time without being married to him." Paige told her.
They heard the band start playing the lead up song as the carriage began transitioning off the road and onto the O'Brien farm.
"It's your last chance to run 197." Toby whispered to Walter at the altar as they saw the carriage.
"Do you mind?" Walter snapped.
"Never." Toby laughed. "You should have let me throw you a party last night. Now it is all going to be downhill." Toby teased.
"Nothing could be further from the truth." Walter said as the carriage came to a stop.
Toby grinned and moved down the aisle of chairs to the front of the house.
"You sure you don't want to run?" Happy teased again. "Might be enough time to get away from him still."
"Quite sure." Paige laughed.
Ralph stood not far from where the carriage stopped. Without a doubt the biggest hurdle he had in arranging the wedding had been getting the church to agree to conduct it at the farm. They almost went with a justice of the peace, since the local parish had refused all his tactics. He ended up pulling in favors from a couple of powerful people who had the ear of the Pope himself. Several priests had come out Friday and blessed the land. As part of the agreement, Sean had rolled out fencing to block off the barn and the area where all the chairs had been set up. So no one could defile the ground after the priests finished.
"Alright, I'm going out there now." Veronica told them as she leaned across the small floor board and kissed the side of Paige's head. "I love you kiddo. To the moon and back."
"I love you Mom, thank you for everything." Paige told her.
Veronica nodded before the door opened and Ralph stood there, looking handsome in his tuxedo. His massive hand reached in and took Veronica's hand in it as she moved out the door.
Ralph walked her the few steps to the side of the house where all the chairs for the guest started. They kissed briefly and as Cabe took her hand Ralph slapped her arse.
"You never change." Veronica grinned and began walking down the aisle.
As the music changed Ralph kissed the side of Megan's head and shook William's hand.
William began pushing Megan down the aisle.
Ralph reached into the carriage and took Happy's hand and led her to the side of the house and kissed her cheek.
Toby shook his hand as Happy linked her arm around his. They stepped out and began walking down the aisle.
"And then, there was just one." Ralph said softly as Paige stood there at the open door of the carriage.
"I love you Daddy. Thank you, for everything." Paige told him as she took his hand.
Ralph grinned as he pulled gently and she stepped out.
As she stepped firmly onto the ground Ralph hugged her tightly.
"Just remember, baby girl. While I trust Walter completely, you always have a home with your Mother and I. If anything ever goes wrong, come home. We'll help figure it out because we're always on your side." Ralph told her honestly.
"Thanks Daddy. But you've helped raise a confident and strong woman. I can stand on my own, but if I ever feel weak, you will always be my first thought after Walter. As I hope I am yours if you and Mom are ever feeling weak." Paige told him.
"Let's do this." Ralph grinned and nodded.
As they turned to step up to the side of the house the band changed and began playing "Ave Maria". The guests all rose at the bishop's gesture and turned to face the Bride.
"Damn, 197. The Mrs is looking hot as hell." Toby nudged him.
Walter stood transfixed from the moment she came out of the carriage. He was seeing their whole lives pass before his eyes as his mind was calculating every little variable. His life had finally come completely about. From the horrors of his childhood to meeting Paige and now to have her as his partner for life. He had the most silly grin on his face.
"I think Walter has checked out." Toby whispered loudly, to Happy.
Paige stood there glowing in the love she felt from everyone in attendance. She tapped her Father's arm she held onto and they stepped out onto the runner and began the stately walk down the aisle.
"Use the cloth I gave you. It has a bit of all the scents she wears." Happy told him as quietly as she could.
Toby reached into his pocket and then moved the cloth up to Walter's face.
Paige grinned seeing what Toby was doing. She was glad she thought about that. She saw Walter's eyes blink and then he looked around confused for a moment. He seemed to finally realize where he was at the last moment.
Ralph paused with Paige at the entrance of the barn. He shook Walter's hand as Paige gave Happy her flowers and then let Walter take her hands in his. While the bride and groom were in stark white, the bridal party were in pinks and the groomsmen were in blues that matched the trim of the barn.
"Please be seated." Father Patrick said to the guests. He smiled at the young couple as the guests settled down. "As the new bishop at the church I was honored to be asked to officiate at this wedding. I don't have much personal knowledge of this couple and so I've spoken with many members. If I only knew what I see today, I would know that this young couple is beloved by this community. I don't believe a single parishioner is missing today." He'd wanted to say something snarky about Ralph but he decided he didn't want another call from the Pope.
The service progressed normally until the vows. After they took the vows of the church. After his conversation with the Pope, Father Patrick offered to let them say a few words of their own.
"Whatever it is you want to do, wherever you want to go, whatever you want in your life, I'll do everything within me to make it possible." Walter swore once again, the words he proposed to Paige with.
"I accept all of you, with all of me. Wherever we go, we go together as one, never to part." Paige told him simply.
The rest of the service progressed inline with the Catholic service. While the guests moved to the school for the reception, Walter and Paige along with their family posed for a number of pictures and video shots for not only their own memories but for the future of the Wedding venue. They were recorded getting into the carriage and being driven away. The second photography team had already left and were waiting at the school to capture them arriving there.
As the time came for dancing Walter and Paige had selected a song that served them well two Christmases ago. As "Una Cabeza" started there was a polite round of applause as Walter and Paige moved out on the floor and then began dancing. A year and a half of dancing the tango and salsa had improved their skill and they swept everyone off their feet as they used up the entire floor area designated for dancing. As the song came to an end Walter and Paige kissed deeply and then bowed to the applause before joining their family.
At six p.m. Walter and Paige bid their guests a fond farewell as they needed to get home to change and leave for the airport. While technically they didn't have a hard schedule, they didn't want the crew to be sitting around waiting on them. While they rode home in the carriage, the Dineens and O'Briens journeyed by SUVs. Richard and Cabe went with them.
The SUV they'd be going to Dublin in was already packed and all they had to do was change clothes. Walter and Paige were both happy that agents Makle and Todd had volunteered to be part of Paige's escort on their honeymoon. Both of the agents had been with Paige for most of her young life and they weren't about to give up that bond. Agent Akins had been the third agent to agree to travel with them. He was slightly newer, but had been on Paige's detail when they moved to the US.
Richard, Cabe and both families traveled to the airport with them. Ralph's connection got them into the VIP lounge to say goodbye as the plane went through its final inspection.
Veronica, Louise, Ralph and Sean had all been rather emotional as they said goodbye to the newlyweds. Happy grinned and shook her head at them.
"Well, at least now you can shag each other with the blessing of the church." Happy said loudly and everyone laughed except for Walter who blushed. "And don't forget to come back pregnant." Happy winked at them.
"Don't rush them!" The four parents said quickly which made everyone laugh.
Richard stepped up and held out a gift card.
"Don't lose this. There's ten grand on it to encourage you to really enjoy Japan. It is one of my favorite countries." Richard smiled.
Toby stepped up and kissed Paige's cheek and shook Walter's hand.
"I'm really happy for you both. Make sure you look and find one of those stupid t-shirts that says something like, "My friends went to Japan and all I got was this crappy shirt." Toby winked.
They both laughed and nodded.
Cabe stepped up slowly and he kissed Paige's cheek and hugged Walter.
"You kids mean the world to me. I hope you know that. Please be careful. And no matter what happens in your life, you are each other's partner. That means no matter what is happening, lean on each other." Cabe cupped the back of their heads and pulled them up close to his face. "Talk about everything. Don't follow my mistake with Rebecca. When our little girl died, I abandoned her. She was basically dealing with the death of the two most important people in her life. I failed her. You guys need to remember your pledges to each other."
"You promised Walter that you accept all of him, that's the good and bad with all that is you. That you are one now, no matter where you go." Cabe reminded Paige and she just nodded.
"And you, you promised her, no matter what she wanted, you'd do everything within you to make it possible." Cabe told Walter and he nodded back.
"Good. I can't match Richard's gift but I got a gift card for a few thousand." Cabe told them as he handed the card to Paige.
"You really didn't have to Cabe. We love you and you came all the way here to be with us, that meant more than anything." Paige said as she hugged him.
Walter nodded his agreement even as he slipped his arms around them both and hugged them.
The driver of one of the SUVs stepped into the room.
"Sorry to disturb you Mr and Mrs O'Brien. Just wanted to let you know the pilot called and said they are ready for you to board now." The agent told them.
Walter and Paige both grinned at each other and then looked at their family gathered before them.
"Be happy while we're gone. We love you." Paige told them as she waved.
"Yes, we love each one of you." Walter said and waved before they turned and walked out the door with Paige's detail and climbed into the SUV.
The combined family watched from the large window as the SUV drove out to Richard's 737 and stopped by the airstairs. The back of the SUV was opened and their bags were grabbed by handlers and taken up the stairs. Walter and Paige got out and slowly walked up the stairs. As they reached the top Paige turned and looked back at the window.
Walter paused and turned around. He watched as Paige brought her hands up and placed them over her heart and made a pumping motion and watched as their family waved. Paige smiled and turned and Walter grinned at her before taking her hand and walking on inside the plane.
The family watched as the plane's stairs were retracted into the fuselage of the plane after the door was closed. Slowly the plane began turning and once it had completed the turn it began picking up speed. They watched as it taxied out to the wait point. Three planes were ahead of them to take off. Slowly it seemed and yet much too fast it was now their turn. The plane moved onto the runway and turned to face the East. A few moments and the plane's brakes were released and the plane began moving quickly down the runway. After maybe a minute it left the ground and took off up into the air and the family lost sight of the plane.
They all sighed and then Veronica and Louise began crying in earnest.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well! Finally Waige is official!
LouBe - hehe Yep, Walter truly was surprised himself. Upon reflection of the newly paved parcel, I should have also said how the smell bothered them as well. At least I never cared for the smell. lol The carriage was definitely OTT! lol Paige definitely wants to make a splash! Maybe Happy will get to do the same one day...lol Happy was tickled Paige told her too. My Muse said "Maybe"...LOL Thanks, glad you enjoyed the pig farm story!
Pearliegirl - Things are moving fast! *wink* Now, don't blink...The wedding was today! hehe So glad you are excited for it! And you are welcome.
Railman - Paige definitely was thinking coming up with the wedding venue and B&B. She just hopes it doesn't become too much for them. Actually, I didn't know what or where it came from, doula is Greek. And it meant "female slave for the child-bearing woman."
JerBr - hehe Well, she knew Walter wouldn't go out of their bedroom without clothes on anyway. Not if someone could see him anyway. lol Very true, 20 grand isn't anything to Walter gambling. If he could give away 30 grand to save the life of a stranger, he wouldn't raise an issue if she used it all. Might shock him if she did without at least saying something first though...that would be a lot of money. lol The bells have been rung! lol
To the Adventure! -Tim