Author's Note: Usual disclaimers assigning ownership to Warner Brothers and Shoot The Moon apply.
This story fits into what is becoming the Eternal Flame saga.
BEST MAN
Tuesday, June 16, 1998
Today was the day!
As a little girl, Dotty had always dreamed of a June wedding. A big wedding, with a gorgeous dress, lots of flowers, and of course a man who was crazy about her. What she got with Carl in 1948 was a quickly arranged ceremony at her parents house in a pretty, but plain cream skirt and jacket set, topped with the loveliest little felt hat. At least in Carl she had found the man who would move Heaven and earth for her.
They had been planning to wait until June, but when Carl suggested they tie the knot on Leap Day because it was unique, just like her, well, how could she resist? She couldn't. They "I do'd".
The following year, she was worried that perhaps he'd wanted the leap anniversary to avoid the fuss in the off years. He seemed to have forgotten all about their special day. When she suggested going out for a nice dinner, he hadn't been interested. She'd been devastated.
She'd also been tricked. Her dear Carl had planned an overnight getaway for them in Washington D.C., complete with theater tickets and dinner at a fancy restaurant. He had wanted to get married on Leap Day so they could justify a two day celebration each year.
Dotty had her own surprise for Carl. She broke the news over champagne in their luxurious hotel room. She was pregnant with their first child!
Dear Carl was a wonderful man; a loving husband and doting father to their daughter Amanda. Alas, as the saying goes, "only the good die young". Still, they'd had almost twenty wonderful years together.
She thought fondly of Carl as she dressed for the day's big event. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. For the "old" she lovingly put on the locket he had presented her on that first anniversary. In one side, it held a photo from their wedding day. For the "new", she had put a photo of herself and her soon-to-be husband in the other half.
Dear Phil would carry a similar memento honoring both his new bride and his late wife. She had thought it was a lovely, absolutely perfect idea when he suggested it, believing that had Carl and Rebecca still been alive, the four of them would have been the best of friends.
The only thing that would make today more perfect was her grandson Phillip. He was deployed to God knows where with his team. He and dear Phil were so close. It was Phil who encouraged Phillip to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. He'd helped him to understand that while his brother Jamie was indeed, as he put it, "the dorky golden schoolboy", Phillip had the athleticism, drive, tenacity and street smarts to rise to the top in an equally rigorous -and more physically demanding- field.
Like his mother and step-father, he wanted to save the world. Sometimes Dotty wished he'd followed in their civilian footsteps instead of enlisting. Still, she knew it was the right choice for him. She'd never seen him so happy and fulfilled.
At least the rest of their families would be here soon. Amanda should be back any minute with the rest of the bridal party. For now, she had a few private moments to reflect on how truly blessed she was today. She couldn't resist a few girlish spins in front of the mirror, admiring her gorgeous gown, complete with tiara. She felt like a fairy tale princess.
SMK
Billy Melrose checked the arrivals board at Regan National Airport. Good! The flight he was meeting had landed five minutes ago. This morning, he'd informed The Universe that he wanted to cash in a few karma points to have that flight arrive on time. The Universe had accepted the offer.
His best friend since their Law School days was getting married this morning, and they had arranged a special surprise. When Phil had called him and asked if he could possibly pull some strings to make this happen, Billy wasted no time making calls to the people who could arrange it.
It seemed to bring things full circle since he'd been the one to introduce Phil Crank to Dotty West. Somehow he'd known that the somewhat zany grandmother was just what the shy estate planning lawyer needed. He hadn't anticipated the bond between Phil and her somewhat rebellious older grandson. Those karma points were a bonus. So was the big hug Lieutenant Phillip King pulled him into from their handshake.
SMK
Phillip waited in Billy's car until the bridal procession had entered the church. The usher had been advised, and opened the door to let him in. He took a seat in the back row, glad nobody was next to him to see the tears that suddenly sprang to his eyes. The people he loved most in the world were gathered in this room.
It had taken a few years to recognize that love. He supposed that was typical for guys who went through a sullen, disagreeable stage. He'd resented everyone for a while. His father for always being more concerned with using his law degree to help third world causes than for his own sons. Lee for his awkward attempts to figure out his place in their family. His mom for spending so much time with Lee. Jamie for being the baby and the "good" kid. His grandmother for all the personal questions. He'd been a piece of work. Phil "slapped the stupid out of him", as his drill sergeant would have put it. Not that he ever hit him, of course. He just understood that he hadn't found the right path yet and encouraged him when he did find it.
It was a great wedding. His mom looked gorgeous in her Matron of Honor gown. Even his grandma's bridge club looked sweet and pretty, all dolled up as bridesmatrons. Of course his stepdad looked debonair. He always did when tuxedos were involved. He had to admit his dorky little brother cut a pretty impressive figure in a tux too. However, nothing compared to his grandmother's radiance in a dress she was still young enough at heart to make magical, and Phil's glow as he looked at his bride. There was so much love in this room.
He was grateful to Billy Melrose (who somehow looked like a formal Santa Clause in his tux) for being able to arrange his leave for the wedding. Billy was Phil's Best Man for the ceremony, but they'd cooked up a different plan for the reception.
SMK
Phillip had slipped out of the church before the recessional and hurried to the hotel where the reception was to take place. He'd been lucky to get a room at the last minute, so he didn't have to use a bathroom to change into his suit. He hadn't had time to change before the ceremony and was glad nobody seemed to notice his fatigues. Understandably, all eyes were on the bridal party, not the soldier in the back row.
Once everyone was seated, the speeches began. Finally, it was time. Billy Melrose stood to make the Best Man's toast, and excused himself to get something he needed from the hallway.
There was a brief moment of silence when instead of Billy, Phillip King entered the room. He should have known -everyone should have known- that his mother and grandmother would rush to smother him in hugs and kisses. The room erupted into cheers and applause. For once, Phillip wasn't embarrassed by the public display of affection.
He finally made his way to the podium.
"Hi everybody. This was kind of last minute, so I didn't have time to come up with something profound and eloquent. I think Billy will cover that part in his speech. I just want to thank you for being here today for my ...grandparents. As most of you know Grandma and I made great roommates for two years before she met Phil. And some of you know I was a little jealous that he was stealing my best friend. Both of...he looked at his mother's husband...all three of my grandfathers died before I was born, so I didn't really know how grandfathers worked. Phil showed me that. I couldn't be more grateful, and proud to finally have a grandfather I'd like to pretend I was named after. Welcome to the family, Phil. I love you. I love you all."
This time, the hugs, cheers, and applause might have almost been in the embarrassing range. Almost.