Re: Say the Words - ch.57 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 09:16:28 03/26/03 Wed
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Say the Words - ch.57
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Say the Words - ch.56" on 09:12:44 03/26/03 Wed

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

Curtis paced the small interior of the gazebo and stole a few last-minute glances at his justice-of-the-peace guidebook. Since people usually chose to elope away from Agnes, he hadn't been required to perform a wedding ceremony in quite some time. His hands shook slightly as he stuffed his notes into the breast pocket of his suit.

The Horizon campus was virtually unrecognizable. Charity and her band of helpers had transformed the area into a dazzling haven of flowers, lights, and ribbon. Even the wooden folding chairs had been trimmed with tiny bows of delicate Chantilly lace. A large vase of champagne roses sat atop the piano and a long white runner extended the length of the center aisle, just waiting for the bride to appear. As dusk began to fall, the white lights adorning the gazebo sparkled with breathtaking brilliance, drawing everyone's attention toward the makeshift altar.

And, in one of the front sections, seated prominently among the guests, were the Cliffhangers.

"I'm kinda glad now that you talked us into our surprise," Juliette commented wistfully to Daisy. "No matter what, we had a chance to be a part of something so�so�beautiful," she sniffled emotionally.

"Jules, please," Auggie begged, "The wedding hasn't even started yet!" he reminded her, hoping he'd brought enough tissues to last Juliette through the ceremony, at least.

Oblivious to their friends' chatter, Daisy and Ezra were busy cramming their necks left and right, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious old couple.

"Hi, guys�" Peter waved to the Cliffhangers as he arrived with Frank and Mark.

Excitedly, they greeted him.

"Hey, Peter�"
"Looking good, Man�"
"Well, if it isn't the groom�"

Peter grinned at their unbridled enthusiasm and accepted their teasing good-naturedly.

"You guys are looking pretty good, yourselves," he complimented, pleased by the improvement in their wardrobes, if only for one day.

"I just wanted to say thanks, for taking care of Sophie while I was in the hospital." Peter had been a little groggy when he'd seen them last and wanted to make it clear just how much he appreciated their support.

"And I'm sorry if I worried you�" he apologized, having heard from Sophie how they all took turns pacing the hospital waiting room.

Fearing the day would be filled with far too many sentimental moments, Shelby responded glibly, "We weren't worried�"

"Oh, no?" Peter played along, waiting for the punch line.

"Yeah," Scott quipped dryly, lightening the mood. "We always knew you had a hard head�"

Charity interrupted their convivial laughter, pleased to see everyone in their proper places. "Well, this is a lovely scene�"

"But, if anyone would like to get married today," she smirked pointedly at Peter. "The bride is ready�"

"Sophie's here?" Peter's grin expanded tenfold at the news.

With a gentle nudge, Charity prodded Peter and his groomsmen into place. "She's just having a few last-minute words with Alex�"

^^^^

"You look spectacular, Honey�"

Sophie couldn't help but smile at all the evocative adjectives being used to describe her appearance today.

"I can't believe this is goodbye," she said softly, expecting that her father would be off traveling the world by the time she and Peter returned from their honeymoon. After all, Alex's shoulder was out of a sling now and the burns on his hand were improving every day.

"Oh, who said anything about goodbye?" Tenderly, Alex lifted his daughter's chin to face him.

"Your old man's retired now. I can do as I please�" he chuckled.

Sophie looked at her father with unabashed curiosity. She'd never considered he might have other plans.

"Ted has a buddy over on Vancouver Island�" Alex explained briefly. "Runs a flight school and an adventure vacation business. He's been looking for a partner�"

"Thought I might take him up on it," Alexander's eyes sparkled with mischief. "That is, if you don't mind me hanging around for a while�"

Sophie's response was as positive as Alex had hoped. Happily, Alex accepted her loving embrace.

"Oh�this is the best wedding present you could have given me." Sophie hugged her father gingerly, just in case.

"You and Peter are all the family I need," she whispered teary-eyed.

"Hey, c'mon now," Alex shook his head, pushing her away with a smile as he straightened his tux. "We can't show up to this party all wrinkled�"

Sophie grinned and, composing herself, she smoothed her dress and reached for her bouquet.

"You're too good for him, you know," Alex winked, as he offered Sophie his arm.

"I know," she laughed, "but I think I'll marry him anyway�"

^^^^^^^

The wedding procession had begun. As a small quartet performed Schumann's "Traumerei," Gracie, Annie, and, finally, Charity, all made their way down the aisle, past the glowing faces of family and friends.

In the clearing just behind the trees, Sophie stood beside Alex, hidden from the crowd. She could see the twinkling lights of the gazebo through the branches. She could hear the voices of the excited guests. For a moment it was all so overwhelming�

Sophie took a deep breath and begged her father's indulgence. "I just need a minute, okay?" she asked shyly.

"Take all the time you want, Honey." Alex waited as Sophie walked a short distance alone to look toward the heavens.

The moon was full and the sky was brimming with a million lights of its own, far more dazzling than the ones surrounding their quaint little gazebo.

Sophie gazed upward, not knowing what to say�how to say�thank you - to God, to the Spirits, and to one special couple who had helped bring her to this moment in time.

Michaela's voice was filled with rapture, as she and Sully appeared, joining Sophie in her reverie. "Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels�"

"You came�" Sophie's expression was beyond words as she saw them emerging from the woods, dressed in their finest clothes, looking as youthful and as vital as ever.

"We wouldn't have missed this for the world," Michaela sighed wistfully, her fingertips tracing the blue forget-me-nots of Sophie's bouquet.

"You were right about everything," Sophie thanked them from the bottom of her heart.

"Glad we could help," Sully smiled, his hand in his pockets as he rocked back and forth on his heels, relaxed and happy.

"Perhaps we should talk about this later?" Michaela suggested helpfully, hearing the opening chords of the Wedding March float gently upon the night air.

"Don't go away�" Sophie pleaded with an excited grin.

Quickly, she raced back to Alexander's side. "Everything okay?" he asked her anxiously, sure he'd heard Sophie talking to someone.

Sophie took a furtive glance at her two last-minute guests, seating themselves inconspicuously in the very back row.

"Everything's just perfect�"

^^^^^^^

Peter thought he'd be nervous. He thought there'd be memories of his first wedding to Chloe and all the heartache it had brought them both. He thought he was prepared, too, for that first sight of Sophie coming down the aisle toward him. He thought he was ready for everything. And then he saw her�

Sully's squeezed Michaela's hand tightly and turned to her with love in his eyes. How well he remembered the incredible power of that single moment - the moment a man sees his bride in her wedding dress for the first time. There was nothing like it in the world.

Peter felt as if he wanted to cry and smile and take Sophie in his arms, all at once. Radiantly, she met his smile and held his gaze as she walked slowly and steadily forward to the beat of the music.

When Alex gave him Sophie's hand, Peter drew her as close as he dared. "Soph�" he sighed with total adoration, "You look�"

Desperately, Peter searched for the perfect word - and then he remembered. He remembered Dorothy's description of Michaela, on her wedding day.

With a crooked grin, he whispered privately in her ear. "You look - resplendent�"

Oh, Sophie could have kissed him right there and then! Instead, and with much restraint, she returned the compliment, hoping Peter would understand just how perfect his choice of words had been.

"And you 'cut a very handsome figure'�" she whispered with equal delight.

Lightly, Sophie caressed the fabric of his tuxedo, while, surreptitiously, her eyes urged Peter's gaze toward their two very special guests.

Peter smiled broadly as he caught sight of Sully and Michaela. This wedding was turning out better than he or Sophie ever could have imagined. Happily, he rested his forehead against Sophie's for one brief second.

"Ready to say the words?" he asked her in a seductive hush.

"Oh, yeah�" she nodded joyfully, their noses touching.

"Ahemm, hmmm�." Curtis cleared his throat loudly, shattering their all too intimate moment.

"Dearly beloved�" he began, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.

"We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman into the covenant of marriage. If there is anyone here who can show just cause why these two should not be married, let him speak now or�"

"Aspetto! Per favore! Scusi!" A robust little man began to race guiltily up the stark white runner, attracting everyone's attention with his dramatic appearance.

"I don't know who you are, Sir�" Charity bellowed, moving fiercely into his oncoming path, like a lioness protecting her cubs.

"Aunt C.," Peter followed, tapping incessantly at her shoulder. "Aunt C., please�"

"What? You KNOW him?" Charity asked incredulously, as Sophie covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing.

"He's the ring bearer," Peter quipped with a shrug, as bemused as Sophie by their friend's impeccable timing.

With a grin and a slap on the back, Peter met his latest guest halfway down the aisle, "We were getting worried, Gianni," he smirked.

"But I told you I would be here, Pietro, no?" Gianni's fondness for Peter had only deepened during Peter and Sophie's last stay on Vashon. Any man who would arrange shrimp marinara, Sinatra, and fireworks for his beloved had to have some Italian blood in him somewhere.

"Buona sera, Gianni," Sophie breezed toward the lovable curmudgeon, bestowing a warm kiss on his cheek.

"Sophia�Cara�" Gianni's weakness for pretty women was quite apparent.

"I hope you brought the rings�" she pressed him with a nervous whisper, wondering why all the secrecy.

"Ah, then, ecco�" From the pocket of his coat, Gianni brought forth a tiny box. In it were two exquisitely carved gold rings, his and hers, each inlayed with a delicate ivy relief.

Sophie gasped as Gianni opened the box for her approval. Peter's smile grew wider by the minute as he witnessed her reaction.

"Gianni�they're gorgeous!" she beamed.

"My brother, in Florence," Gianni explained, breathless, "he made them special for you."

"Now, if you don't like them�" Graciously, he offered them a chance to reconsider.

"We'd be honored, Gianni," Peter assured him, meeting Sophie's sparkling eyes.

Contented, Gianni nodded and continued. "The ivy, it is a symbol�the 'entwining' of two souls."

"And there is an inscription inside," he added, encouraging Peter to read it aloud.

Peter took the rings from Sophie and recited the words tentatively.

"Con te partiro?" Peter's Italian wasn't as good as Sophie's or Alex's.

Not nearly as stunned as the other guests by the surprising turn of events, Alex just chuckled and shook his head. Not only had Sophie been blessed with love, but she seemed to have the most amazing friends as well: delinquent students, attractive saloonkeepers, and even an Italian fisherman, here and there�

Alex had always known his daughter was special - that she possessed a heart that drew people to her like bees to honey - but to see just how rich and full her life was today, made his own heart fill with joy.

For a moment, Sophie looked as if she might cry. Happily, she bit her bottom lip and slid her hand into Peter's. His clear blue eyes searched hers expectantly, as he waited for the translation, which had obviously affected her so deeply.

Sophie held his gaze and squeezed Peter's hand tightly. "I'll tell you in a minute," she promised, with a mysterious smile and a wink.

Alex and Gianni shared a conspiring chuckle and kept Sophie's little secret willingly.

Peter nodded agreeably and handed the ring box to Mark. "Do NOT lose these," he threatened his big brother sternly, as everyone began returning to their places once again.

Peter watched as Sophie and Charity made their way up the aisle, back toward the gazebo.

"Bellissima�" Gianni sighed, bewitched.

Cheerfully, Peter placed his arm around the old man, showing him to his seat. "You can say that again," Peter smiled. "Sophie's fabulous, isn't she?"

Gianni agreed with a quixotic grin. "Si, Pietro, Sophia, she is quite beautiful, yes," he began hesitantly.

"But the other lady� Who is she?" Gianni asked, utterly smitten. "Oh, she is magnificent! Such beauty, such grace, such 'fire'�"

At the word "fire," Gianni shivered. Clearly, his passions were raging out of control, to Peter's total and abject dismay.

As his old friend continued to wax poetic on Charity's charms, Peter headed back toward the gazebo, his eyes raised skyward in sheer amazement.

"Oh, please�" was the only comment he could muster.

Quickly, Peter settled into place and apologized to his bewildered justice-of-the-peace. "Sorry, Curtis�"

Curtis' face scrunched in an exasperated scowl. "Now, where was I�"

A sneak peek at his notes improved Curtis' mood. "Uh, okay, I found it�"

"Do you, Peter, take Sophie to be your lawfully wedded wife? For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

"I do," Peter answered, loud and strong.

"And do you, Sophie," Curtis turned to the bride, "take Peter, to be your lawfully wedded husband? For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

"I do." Sophie didn't hesitate for a second.

"The rings, please�" Curtis turned to Mark.

Mark gave Sophie's ring to Peter and listened with pride as his little brother announced devotedly, "With this ring, I thee wed. For now and for ever."

Soon, Sophie's emerald engagement ring had exquisite company on her finger.

Next, Sophie's hand reached out, taking Peter's ring from Mark. She felt her heart skip a beat at, this, the most profound moment of her life.

"With this ring, I thee wed," she recited solemnly.

Then, locking her eyes with Peter's, Sophie held the ring before his outstretched hand and completed her vows.

"Con te partiro," she said softly, placing the ring on his finger, as she spoke. "With you, I shall go�"

Peter's smile dazzled far more brightly than any light Charity had strung.

"With you, I shall go," he repeated lovingly, covering her hand with his.

"Then, by the power vested in me," Curtis proclaimed, sighing with relief as he reached the home stretch. "I now pronounce you husband and wife!"

Dutifully, he remembered to remind the happy couple of their next step. "Peter, you may now kiss your bride."

But, as laughter mixed cheerfully with the crowd's applause, Curtis realized he was a little too late.

Confidently, Peter had that portion of the ceremony well underway�

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Replies:

Re: Say the Words - ch.58 -- dqfan, 09:20:17 03/26/03 Wed
- Re: Say the Words - ch.59(Final) -- dqfan, 09:24:17 03/26/03 Wed