Wade Wedding – Reception RR

Having been held up by all the well-wishers--the men slapping Ben on the back and congratulating him, the women hugging Liana and wiping their eyes with tissues and handkerchiefs--the bride and groom had just managed to round the corner of the church and lay eyes on the reception.

"It's beautiful," Liana breathed, taking in everything, but especially the wedding cake, as she still held onto Ben's hand.

Liana felt a little nervous in the crowds at the reception. Ben, though, was right at home. As the residents crowded around to wish them well, he was his usual self--charming the ladies, sympathizing with the men.

Happy as he was today, Ben took an immediate dislike to the man coming toward him. It was one thing to enjoy your money. Ben was a rich man and he enjoyed it immensely, having worked hard for what he had (in his point of view anyway, even though he knew the people surrounding him now wouldn't see it that way). But this man- This man in his Armani suit, with the woman beside him draped in glittery jewels, had an air of superiority about him that Ben didn't hold with at all. And an air of danger as well.

As the man and his woman stepped up to Ben and Liana, Ben found himself slightly shielding Liana with his body. As the man held out his hand, Ben took it reluctantly, even though he smiled broadly, "Pleasure to meet you, stranger,"

"Sid," Sid said, gripping Ben's hand possibly more firmly than required. He'd noted the groom's expression as he approached as well as the falsely quick covering smile. "And this is my new bride, Katherine. We were just married in Sydney, at the Opera House." He kept his arm possessively around Kate's lavender middle.

"So nice to meet you, Mr. Wade, and Mrs. Wade," Kate said, smiling at them, as Sid held her tight against his side. "The ceremony was just beautiful."

"More newlyweds!" Liana exclaimed, as she took Katherine's hand.  "How wonderful!"  But she had noted Ben's reaction, as well as Sid's reaction to him.

"Well, well," Ben drawled.  "The Opera House in Sydney.  Fancy place for a weddin'.  What business might you be in, Sid?">

"Corporations," Sid replied. "I buy them."

"You don't say," Ben's drawl was still there.  Obviously, this Sid was a man who was a mite conceited.  "Tried that a few times myself.  Found out it was a lot more satisfyin' just to force 'em into receivership and take over."

"That's what I meant by 'buy'," Sid smiled. Damn, did he actually have something in common with this uncouth fellow? 

Kate really had no clue as to what her husband's business was; he had never actually told her, other than he owned corporations. She wasn't sure exactly if he were actually did 'hostile' takeovers or if he were just joking. She bit her bottom lip, listening as the two men chatted, wondering what else she might not know about Sid.

"Ma'am."  Ben nodded toward Katherine.  "You're lookin' nice today.  Hope you're enjoyin' the reception."

"Why, thank you, I am, Mr. Wade," Kate replied, smiling warmly at him. She wasn't sure what to make of him, though he seemed nice enough. She looked up at Sid, wondering what he thought of the man.


"Your dress is lovely," Liana told Katherine.  She wasn't quite sure what to make of Sid, but his wife seemed nice.

"Thanks, so is yours. Seems both our husbands have great taste, don't they?" Kate replied, trying to sound as sincere as she could, despite the fact that Liana's dress was definitely not something Kate would have ever considered wearing. And of course, she knew that Sid would never, ever even have considered buying anything that was either worn by another bride or came from a second hand shop. Still, she found Liana sweet, and was happy to finally meet her and Ben.


Meanwhile, Ben had turned back to Sid.  "Maybe we'll have to compare war stories one day, Mr.-?"  He'd noticed immediately that Sid hadn't offered his last name.

 "Harbor, Sidney Harbor." Sid cast a quick glance at Katherine.  

Kate smiled proudly at her husband, thinking how lucky she was to be his wife.

"Harbor."  Ben's look at him was doubtful.  He'd used enough aliases in his lifetime to know when another man was giving him one.  "Interestin' name.  That the name you were born with?"

"It is," Sid replied, drawing himself up to his full height, "the name I have."

"Come, Katherine," Sid purred. "I'm sure the Weeds, excuse me, the Wades have many people they must greet this afternoon." Just before he turned, he looked back at Ben. "War stories, yes. That should prove most interesting."

Kate looked back at them as Sid led her away, and called out, "Nice to meet you. Maybe we could go shopping together sometime."

"That would be nice," Liana called back to her, giving Ben a puzzled look as the two walked away.

The fact that Sid 'Harbor' had taken his wife and walked away when he was asked about his name was not lost on Ben.  There was a man with somethin' to hide.  It could be interestin' findin' out just what it is, Ben thought to himself.

Joimus joined the reception a few minutes late, having gone around the sanctuary blowing out the candles. "Wouldn't want the church to burn down," she said, coming up to where Maximus stood conversing quietly with Alistair and Ahnna.

"I've heard we're getting a fire department," Alistair commented. "I think that's a good idea for our community. We're a bit far for help to come from another town."

"Oh, darling, let's not talk of fires today," Ahnna said, shaking her head. "It's lovely out here and everyone's in their finest and Liana and Ben look so happy." She squeezed Alistair's hand. "And best of all I got to hear you sing two songs."

Joimus looked over at Ben. "I wonder what he thought of the vows you had him say?"

"You noticed my deliberate phrasing, did you?" Alistair smiled.

"I did, indeed. I found them very appropriate."

Travis felt Tee tugging on his arm and looked down.

"Uncle Travis there's Reverend Harris, could I meet him?"

"Sure Tee," Travis walked over and introduced himself and Tee.

"Reverend Harris I...I was wondering if you'd introduce me to God?"

Travis's eyes widened he had no idea what Tee was about, he cleared his throat, "Uh... Tee's had a hard go of it Reverend Harris. His mother died about a month ago...she was a drug addict and I reckon his upbringing and education is sorely lacking."

"Hello, Tee," Alistair said, smiling and squatting to Tee's eye level. "So you'd like to meet God, would you? Well, He happens to be about the best friend I have and I'd like very much to introduce you to Him. He's always on the lookout for new friends, you know."

Tee's shy smile appeared on his face and he tossed his head, a habit he'd acquired when his hair hung in his eyes all the time. "Well when's he's home," he glanced at the church, "tell him I'd like to be his friend too."

"Oh, He doesn't live in the church, Tee." Alistair reached out, taking one of Tee's hands and pressing it to his chest. "I carry Him around with me wherever I go. If I could come out here and leave Him inside, well, you see, that's just not good enough. There's not a single minute that I'd want Him to be as far away from me as we are from the church. He wouldn't like that, either. And, you know, there are some people who do try to leave Him in the church. But I'll tell you a secret, Tee. He doesn't stay in there."

Tee wrinkled his brow trying to understand, "I wouldn't stay in there either," he said. "Maybe you can tell me some more about Him sometime so I can find him when he's not home."

Travis stood back amazed at Tee...the boy who wouldn't say hardly anything a few weeks ago was trying to find God...at a wedding reception.

"I'd be happy to talk with you about Him whenever you like, Tee. Just remember, ok, that He's always home. It's simply a matter of knowing where His home is." Alistair straightened and smiled.

"I appreciate your talking to him, Rev. Harris. I think we'll get him to church on Sunday." Travis mussed Tee's hair meeting Alistair's eyes 

"That will be fine," Alistair replied. "And if you want to bring him by the mill any time, I'd like that, too." He turned his gaze down to Tee. "I've got fish in the millpond and a young pup that would probably like to run with a boy just about your age.".

Tee looked up at his uncle, "that sounds like something he would enjoy Rev. Harris we'll do that now I think I'll head him over to the food table, thanks again," Travis shook his hand and led Tee to the table handing him a plate.

Would you like to go talk to Joi and Maximus?"

"I would like that very much, Bridgid. Perhaps we could find M and Terry as well."

"They'll be at the reception but they'll be a little late." Bridgid replied. "I see a lot of people that I've not met before. It looks like this town is going to keep growing for some time.

"Agreed." Jack replied. He reached into his pocket to retrieve a flask then he drank from it. Noticing the look on Bridgid's face, he handed it to her when he was done.

She took it, drank a sip then handed it back. "You do know there is an open bar, right, Jack?"

"Old habits die hard, Siren."

"That they do, but lets go get a drink anyway. Maybe Andy will fill that flask with some nice  Courvosier or something like that."

"Aye, brilliant as usual, Siren."

He drained the flask then offered her his arm. They made their way over to Andy at the drink table.

"Good day, young man." Jack said "Can I trouble you for two brandies.?"

"..and a pint of ale, please." Bridgid added.

"No trouble at all," Andy said setting up the glasses and filling them. "there ya go...anything else?"

Bridgid was waving to Joimus as Jack leaned over to hand Andy the flash. "Would you mind topping this off, sir. Brandy will be fine." he winked.

Andy grinned taking the flask, "don't see many of these around anymore, Brandy it is." Andy filled the flask and handed it back to Captain Aubrey.

Joimus and Maximus started to walk toward Bridgid and Jack, meeting them halfway. "So, Cuz, when are you going to sing in church, too?" Joimus asked, grinning at Bridgid.

"Howdy, you." Bridgid said as she grabbed Joi up in a hug. "I'll sing in church whenever Alistair asks me to. You both look well."

Jack and the General did the old handshake thing that always seemed to end with good solid pat on the upper arm.

"Why do they do that, Joi?" Bridgid giggled as she mocked the move on Joi's arm. "Men, can't live with them, can't kill them," she teased. "It was a lovely ceremony, don't you think? I must add that I bet you heard that question a half a dozen times already by now too."

"I have, but it was and I don't mind being asked. I always enjoy Alistair's words. And your playing!" she added. "So, what's up with you and the Captain? Did you two go somewhere?"

Jack and Bridgid looked at each other. They shared a smile.

"We were away for a short time, Madam, " Jack replied with a slight flush. "There were some issues that needed to be tended to and though we cherish our friends and family at the Glen, we needed to have some time alone."

Bridgid could hardly contain herself through Jack's formality. She was jiggling around like she had to pee or something. "Yeah and guess what? We're finally going to get married all proper like."

Jack gave her a withering look but he allowed her the girlish giddiness she suffered on occasion. "She is correct. We have finally decided to take the plunge, however the details are yet to be formalized." With that he took Bridgid's hand in his. There was not doubt that they loved each other.
 
"Really?" Joimus almost squealed. She looked from Bridgid to Jack and back again to Bridgid. "Wow!"

 "Congratulations," Maximus offered somewhat more sedately. "I am pleased to hear it, my friend." He clapped Jack on the back again. "It is a state of being which I myself heartily recommend."
 

 "I am barely used to walking on land, my dear friend,. I should get used to one state of being at a time, however I cannot imagine life without my Siren, my betrothed as it may be."

Bridgid was still locked in a hug with Joi. When she finally let her go , she brushed her hair back with her hand and caught  her breath. We don't have a date yet but we will let you know when and where. Do you think Alistair gets sea sick?" 

"We could...." Just then Alistair walked by. "Oh, Alistair," Joimus sang out, "how are your sea legs?"

"Sea legs?" He sized up the happy foursome. "Why, Captain Aubrey! Have you proposed to your lady fair?"

Offering the reverend a big smile, Jack extend his hand. "Yes sir, and I believe I have you to thank in part. Bridgid shared some of the conversation you had with her over dinner. Let me ask you this first, have you been well?"

"Jack Aubrey, you better be teasing or I'll never serve a meal to you again!"

"Ah, the silver lining. Yes, my love, I do jest. Would I be so well fed if I did not appreciate your fare?"

Bridgid shook her head with a smile. "Since you and the General discovered McDonald's, I am not sure how to answer...Alistair, its wonderful to see you again and I must say you managed to bring a tear to my eye with the ceremony. "

"Ah, success!" Alistair laughed. Looking at Jack he added, "And I am quite well, thank you. There is nothing like a good 

helping of tuna to keep one in fine fettle. You are thinking, I take it, of a wedding at, um, sea?"

"It would suite me just fine, " Jack replied. "But I will leave the lion's share of the planning to the lady of the manse."

Nice Jack. You're so well trained." Bridgid teased "Can you picture it now? All of the Glen residents out to sea celebrating our wedding? Perhaps we should save the shipboard antics for the honeymoon. I don't know how many of our friends would deal with a rolling deck."

"You see, my friends. She has already lashed grapeshot to both of my ankles."

"Gosh I love you, Jack Aubrey. You have such a way with words." Stepping into his space, Bridgid put her arms around him.

"There is nothing like the love of a good woman to keep one in fine fettle either, Reverend. I am remiss in congratulating you on your recent nuptials. Give you joy, sir."

 "Thank you, Captain. I fear Ahnna's and my wedding was overshadowed by...other events. I shall pass on your congratulations to my wife. I'm sure they will mean a lot to her." He smiled warmly at Jack and Bridgid, pleased by their obvious affection for each other and enjoying their fond banter.

"Ah it sounds as if they are cutting the cake. Joi, Maximus, Alistair, let's all enjoy together." Bridgid said. "There's nothing finer than breaking bread with the ones you love or in this case , cake. I feel like Marie Antoinette. Let them eat cake!"

Jack rolled his eyes. "Please, I bid your favor, someone stop her before she begins singing the La Marseillaise. I do not believe I could bear both a Colonist and a Frenchwoman at once."

"Allons enfants de la patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrive'...."

At that point Jack clapped a hand over her mouth. He removed it, kissed her and shut her up but good. "No more brandy for you. It will be a good British Port or nothing, madam." He grinned. "Now, I believe we were on our way to get some wedding cake..."

As they passed by the other food tables, Joimus elbowed Bridgid slightly. "Do you know who that rather, um, hirsute man is over there helping himself to the deviled eggs?
I don't believe I've ever seen him around the Glen before."

She glanced over at the man. "I came across him quite by accident, no pun intended,  but I have no idea what his name is. He is pretty dang handsome though isn't he? Of course I like my men with lots of hair." Glancing toward the man again, he seemed to catch Bridgid looking at him and she smiled briefly before averting her gaze. "Would you like to go talk to him, Joi? I've half a mind to walk up to him and flat out ask him his name."

 
"You got that right...ta Andy," Kyle moved away from the table watching Sid.

Sid was always aware of everything around him and so covertly watched Kyle watching him. The man seemed like some sort of bodyguard for that Travis person. He sniffed. How weak it seemed to him that anyone should be so frail in their person as to need their body guarded. As the man moved more closely toward him, Sid paused and looked openly at him. "I presume it is my suit and not my wife that is the object of your scrutiny?" 

Kate tensed up a bit, reminded of how Colin used to get quite upset whenever he thought another man was looking at her. Her brow furrowed, and she leaned in closer to Sid, hoping there wasn't about to be any trouble between him and the large man.  

 Kyle didn't  like his attitude but hey everybody was entitled, "I was just thinking what a striking couple you make," Kyle smiled broadly.

"Well, that's true," Sid replied, unbristling. The man obviously had discernment despite his unkempt appearance. "I don't believe I've seen you in the Glen before," Sid continued.

What a prickly pear Kyle thought, getting a good look at him. "I don't get into town very often," Kyle said giving nothing away and missing nothing.

"You're not missing much," Sid rejoined. "Nothing really ever happens in the village." Indeed, he wondered how much longer he'd find it amusing at all.

"Other than weddings and funerals and murders I'd have to agree with you," Kyle

stated sipping his beer. Kyle finally noticed the suit...Armani he recognized

but unlike the Armani suit that Travis wore this one seemed to wear the man. He

smiled at Kate, "I'm Kyle Corvin by the way."

Oh yes, there was that terrible murder recently," Kate added, hesitantly. She wasn't sure of what to make of Kyle yet. 

He seemed to have taken a disliking to her husband, it seemed. "Of course, we were away during that awful turn of events, thankfully."

"Yeah that was a nasty business, I read where you two recently got married...congratulations." Kyle wondered why she was so defensive.

Sid was glad they'd been away. With all the hostility toward him in this village, he wouldn't have been surprised if suspicion were cast on him. "Nasty business, indeed, from what I hear. We were in Sydney at the time, or was that India, or possibly Morocco?"  He shrugged. "I was showing her all her houses." 

Kate was pleased to hear that Kyle had read about their marriage in the paper. She smiled and replied, "Why thank you so much. Oh yes, the houses are simply... breathtaking! I still can't believe my husband here owns such incredibly works of art. Then again, he is a pretty incredible man." She smiled up at Sid, as the events of their trip replayed in her mind's eye.

Kyle wasn't quite sure what to make of this pair, the woman was obviously so impressed with her husband's wealth she failed to see the thing he saw in his eyes when he first spoke to Sid, the man had no soul and was therefore dangerous. Though he adopted an air of nonchalance and boredom Kyle understood his awareness. " With so much real estate I'm surprised you'd settle here in The Glen, a rather tame place for you, Sid."

"Yes, it is tame," Sid agreed. "But it is, for now, my little experiment in...neighborliness. It's quite a change for me, I assure you, but it has had the happy result of leading me to my delightful wife." He slid his arm a little further around Kate's small waist. "And now it is time for us to be off. I'm sure you'd like to observe the traditional cutting of the cake, wouldn't you, Katherine?"  Dipping his head slightly toward Kyle (the General did that and Sid had always rather liked the gesture), he moved away, taking Kate with him. One could only spend just so much time in the company of clods, after all.

Kyle waited until he had moved on and chuckled to himself. Such self importance...now what was Travis getting himself into.

"Oh yes, I'd love to, Sid," Kate replied, happily, as Sid led her towards where everyone had gathered around the cake. She couldn't help but wonder if Ben would be so uncouth as to actually shove the bite of cake into Liana's face or would prove to be more of a gentleman and place it gently in her open mouth. The thought of it all, though, made Kate giggle to herself, though, as she began to imagine what she'd like to do with Sid...naked....with all that cake frosting.... Surely Sid must have noticed her expression, because he cocked an eyebrow at her and grinned slightly.

"I hear you thinking," Sid whispered in her ear. "We might be able to come up with some icing later." Of course he meant for her to put on him, not the other way 'round. "This seems to be taking quite a while," he frowned. "How long does it take to stick a knife through a trumped-up confection?"

Kate giggled. "I know, you'd think between the two of them they'd be able to figure out how to work a knife!"

"Well, if they don't hurry, I might have to find a nice field to have my way with you in."

He was glad when Wade finally made a loud announcement that the cake was now being cut. It wasn't that he wanted to eat and run, he just wanted to run. Well, not that exactly. He wanted to get Katherine home and in his bed. Walking around for so long with his arm around her waist was really starting to get to him. Even now he let his palm slide down a bit, curving over her finely-formed hip. Ah, he shouldn't have done that! "Cake be damned," he whispered urgently in her ear. "We need to leave...now!" 

"Wha...?" Kate began, a bit startled by Sid's sudden urgent tone, then smiled when she realized what he was thinking. "Cake is overrated, anyway," Kate purred in his ear, then nibbled on his earlobe and grinned. As much as she wanted a slice of the cake, she wanted her husband more.

Zack Grant pulled into town a bit after nightfall and decided to find a hotel or inn to crash for the night.

As luck would have it, however, the only inn he seemed to find in this little community known as The Glen,

was closed for the evening, as was the Tavern, and all the shops.

"What the fuck?" he wondered to himself, as he got back into his car and drove on down the road, passing

darkened houses all along the way. "This is supposed to be a new community here, so where the fuck IS

everyone?"

Finally, he found the answer he was looking for, as he passed by what looked like the town's chapel... what looked

like must surely have been the entire community of people were all having some sort of celebration out on the chapel

grounds. Tents were set up all around, and he could hear music and laughter filling the air as crowds of people milled about.

"What the hell," he chuckled, pulling into a parking spot. "Hopefully, there's an open bar."

Zack ran his fingers through his tangled mass of hair, tucked in his shirttails, and made his way over to the party, hoping no one would mind he didn't exactly have an invite.

Alistair watched the man coming across the lawn toward the reception. This was someone he'd never seen in the Glen before so he stepped forward, smiled, and said, "Good afternoon. I'm Alistair Harris. I'm glad you could make it to the reception even if you missed the wedding. There's plenty of food." He offered his hand.

Zack had hoped to slip in unnoticed, so when this man suddenly stepped out of the crowd and not only acknowledged that he was obviously a stranger here, but welcomed him to join in all the same, took him by surprise. "Thanks. Zack Grant.... nice to meet you, Alistair." He smiled and extended his hand in return, shaking Alistair's hand firmly. "I didn't mean to crash your party here. Just got into town, hoping to find a place to crash for the night, and found that, well, the whole town is...here."

"That is true," Alistair chuckled, "just about the whole town is here. We're a small place so a wedding is a real community thing. And don't worry about 'crashing' , as you called it. No one will see it that way. Everybody is new and we're all still just getting to know each other. You'll simply be one more to get to know."

When he noticed Zack eyeing the church, he added, "I'm the pastor here. We only have the one church so everything that needs to happen in a church happens right here."  Looking back across the lawn, he continued, "Seems like everybody's gathering in the general area of the wedding cake. That means the other food tables will be free and clear." He smiled. "A good time to fill a plate." 

.

The town's pastor...that made sense why he was being so friendly then, Zack thought to himself as he smiled and nodded to the man.

"Thanks again for your hospitality, Alistair. I appreciate it. If the rest of this town is as friendly as you, I might just end up sticking around a bit," Zack told him, as he headed off towards the food table.

.

After Zack had walked away to help himself to some food, Alistair noticed Cort leaning against the side of the church and so headed over there. "Hello, Cort," he greeted, "have you had anything to eat yet?"

"Piece of chicken, thanks," Cort nodded. "I'm not much for minglin' just yet. Kind of awkward with the questions people ask."

"I understand," Alistair smiled. "Well, you can talk with me. I promise no awkward questions."

"You know, though. You know I don't have any answers."

"Some day, Cort, when it's time. The answers will come. I'm sure of it." He knew Cort remembered. In his dreams he remembered.

Cort shook his head. "Hope so. Would make a big difference, a really big difference."

"It's like faith, Cort. We walk to the edge of all the light we have and then we take one more step. That's faith. Right now that's where you're walking, there in the darkness. But the light will come again."

Cort smiled back at Alistair. "You're in the right business, you know."

"You may be in it, too. We'll find that out one of these days."

Cort clasped his hands in front of his belt buckle, looking down at them. "Sometimes, Alistair, I'm not so sure I want to know."

From the things Alistair knew Cort dreamed about, it was no wonder. "We remember when we can bear to remember."

Cort rubbed one thumb over the other. "That's what I mean."

"Okay." Bridgid replied. One quick look to see that Jack and Maximus were occupied with Alistair in some kind of man bonding circle and she was off with Joi in tow. Once they reached the man she brazenly tapped him on the shoulder. "Scuse me, but I think I know you from somewhere. You ever been to Cincinnati? "
 

Zack was aware of the two women who were staring at him from across the way. He looked up and flashed them a smile, thinking to himself happily that such two attractive women such as that were ogling him. He decided to finish loading up his plate, and then maybe he'd go up and introduce himself. Just as he put the last bit of food on his plate, he felt the tap on his shoulder.

"Umm....no, can't say you do, sweetheart," he replied, smiling widely at the two women. "I'm sure I would have remember such a lovely..." he paused, looked her up and down and licked his lips, then continued, "...face as your's. The name's Zack Grant, by the way. And you are?"

"Bridgid Morgan , soon to be Bridgid Aubrey and this is my good friend and cousin Joi Meridus." Bridgid winked at him. "I can see you're going to be a hit with the ladies around here. You're a flirt and you're as cute as all get out. Oh, by the way, I'm pretty well known for saying what's on my mind so feel free to stop me whenever you like. You have Uncle Sam written all over you, Zack. Been to Quantico recently?"

Reaching behind her, Bridgid grabbed Joi by the arm to pull her up alongside.

"Been a while, actually," Zack replied, grinning, then popped one of the deviled eggs into his mouth. After he swallowed it, he smiled again, and said, "Nice to meet you both, Mrs. Meridius... future Mrs. Aubrey... So, who's reception have I crashed? Must be someone of importance around here to get the whole town to close up shop and turn out here."

"Oh, the whole town usually turns out for events here, Zack," Joimus ventured since Bridgid had practically hauled her to the fore. "The couple is Ben and Liana Wade...over there cutting the cake. It's nice you could come by. Do you think you might stay a while?"

Zack turned and took a quick peek at Ben and Liana... they seemed happy enough, he thought. "Jury's still out on that, ladies... but, so far, I am impressed with how friendly everyone seems to be in this little community of yours, so who knows... I might just become a permanant fixture, if all goes as planned. Speaking of which, the only inn in town seems to be closed tonight. either of you lovely ladies happen to know the owner? Don't want to spend another night in the car if I don't have to."


"Ah yes, that would be Millie and Steve. They are the owners. Steve is the one chasing the little blonde girl around and his wife Millie is the pretty woman sitting over there."

She pointed to Millie who looked nothing short of miserable. She was sitting in a chair and fanning herself.

"You're probably better off talking to Steve right now. Millie is having a baby and I don't think she's feeling up to par at the moment."

"Hmm...looks like he's pretty much got his hands full at the moment," Zack said, watching as Steve managed to grab Brooke's little fingers away before she helped herself to a handful of wedding cake. He chuckled, shook his head, then looked back at Millie, cocking one eyebrow, "Uh, yeah... looks to me like she might not make it through the night. Looks like it might be the car for me, afterall."

If Millie were not already seated she would have been on her knees. The pain she felt in her lower belly and back was so sharp she thought she was dying.

"Steeeeeeeeeeeve!" she wailed and it brought him running.

"What is it?" he asked breathlessly as he sat Brrook down on her feet.

"I think...I think...oh my gosh, my water just broke."

"You're kidding me?"

"Yeah right. I'm frigging kidding you. NOT!"

Brook started to cry "Mommy, mommy!" and Steve scooped her up again. "Mommy is okay, she is going to have a baby. We need to call an ambulance."

"Oh no you don't Steve. I can't wait that long. Help me up."

"Up?"

"Yes, up. Help me into the chapel. I'm not going to have this baby right here on the grass. No way."

Setting poor little Brook down again, he helped Millie from the chair and as she stood there was a gush of fluid from between her legs.

"Oh, I feel the head and oh...ow ow ow ..con-trac-tion!"

She slumped a little and drew her knees together.

Lucy had been keeping an eye on Mille since she got there and above the hullabaloo around the cake table she heard Mille's distress call. Running over she  picked up Brookie.
"Is she having it now? Oh Steve...Andy and I have Brookie...go...go...go"

 

Maximus set down the plate he was taking to the trash can. "Here, Steve, allow me to assist in getting your wife inside. I agree a little privacy is required."

"Thank you, Lucy." Steve replied. He gave a very appreciative look to Maximus.

"It's going to be alright, honey." he advised Millie but her answer kind of said otherwise.

"No its ...argh! oh oh oh! NOT, Steve. I told you we should have stayed home. Ah shit!"

"Breathe, Mil."

"I am breathing. If I weren't I'd be a nice shade of bluuuuuuuuuuuuue."

He tried to guide her into one of the pews but even with Maximus' help, Millie found her way to the floor."

"Well, one of you take a look. I know the baby is almost here. I feel ow ow ow ow , heef heef heef heef, hork hork!"

"Here we go again." Steve said. He looked at Maximus for some kind of brotherly support before he lifted Millie's dress to see what was going on. Drawing a deep breath, he opened his mouth to say something and promptly fainted.

Ben and Liana had come in right behind them.  They'd been getting ready to dance the first dance together and had seen the commotion.  Now, Ben looked at Steve with a wry grin.

"Guess he hasn't been around a stable at foalin' time," he told Maximus with a grin.  He grabbed Steve's prone form under the arms and pulled him aside, leaving him on the floor.

Leaving Steve there, Ben shrugged out of his black coat and got down on the floor next to Maximus, who was now checking Millie out and trying his best to do it respectfully.  Rolling up his sleeves, Ben said to the other man.  "Looks like the innkeeper there is gonna be a father for the second time, by the time he wakes up."

Millie would have made a comment but she howled with her next contraction. They were coming one right after the other now. Reaching forward she grabbed Ben Wade by the lapels and pulled him toward her. Her voice was something out of a horror movie as she looked him straight in the eye and said "This ain't no foal partner but if it's not out of me within the next five minutes there will be blood!"

Ben had dealt with threats plenty of times in his life before.  Loosening Millie's hands from his shirt, he said with a grin, "Ain't a bit different from a foal, darlin'.  An' I got no control over whether it's out in five minutes or five hours, so threatenin' me ain't gettin' you nowhere."

He motioned at Liana, who was looking on feeling helpless and more than a little scared.  "Honey, get down here and hold her hands, will you?"

Looking over at Maximus, who seemed to be the only other calm person in the room, he remarked, "Well, Meridius-  Seein' as how this looks to be happenin' fast, I guess it's gonna be up to you and me?  Think we're up to it?"

"I should think so," Maximus replied with a slight smile, thinking of scythe-wheeled chariots crashing and female gladiators being sliced in half. "We will manage, I am sure. The child was beginning to crown already, if I am not mistaken."

"Somebody wanna get us towels, tablecloths, somethin' like that?" Ben asked the onlookers.  "Can't believe we're the only ones around here knows anythin' about this," he said to Maximus.  "Every woman in the Glen must be here today an' we're the ones deliverin' a baby!"

Looking over at Liana, who was squeezing Millie's hands and murmuring to her, Ben noticed that white, scared look on her face.  "It's gonna be fine, darlin'," he told her.  "I never done this with a human baby before, but it'll be fine."

"Okay, Maximus," he said, "Which part of this you wanna do?"

Oh God, someone give me something for the pain, please. The humanity. I hate men!"

With the next contraction, Millie sat up and pulled her hands away from Liana's. She saw her husband supine on the floor and called over to him. "If you ever wake up, you'll never touch me again. " Then she made some sort of animal sound. There was grunting, groaning and squealing.

The newborn's shoulders were now visible and one arm. It wouldn't be long before the Glen residents sign had to be changed to one more.

Maximus had gone to the linen closet by the church bathroom and brought back an armful of towels. "Swaddling," he announced, handing an open towel
to Ben, who was holding the baby. "A wedding and a delivery all in one afternoon, Ben. You are a busy man." 

"Yeah, well-," Ben voice was deadpan, even though he was speaking loudly over Millie's wails.  "Wouldn't want life to get borin' here in the outback, now would we?  I'm gonna need somethin' to cut the cord."

The relief Millie felt after the boy was out and in Ben's arms was overwhelming. She closed her eyes for just one moment to feel the peace that blanketed her now.

"It's a boy right. Please, let me hold my son, Ben. I knew it all along, I knew he was going to be a boy...and I don't know how to thank you and Maximus for helping us."

Steve began to stir, finally. He sat up and asked, "What just happened?"

Having cleaned the baby a little and wrapped him in a large towel, Ben was now cradling the lustily crying infant.  He smiled at the child and then over at Liana.  She was touched by the look on his face.  So Ben Wade could go all soft over a baby.  That was good to know.

Finally, Ben answered Steve.  "You just had yourself a fine son, while you were doin' nothin' but layin' around sleepin'," he told him.  "Hope you intend to be a little more involved in the kid's life than you have been so far."

Steve glanced over at Ben but the sound of his son's sweet little cries drew every thought from his mind except the fact that he was a dad one more time.

"Millie! Baby! You did it again, honey."

"So did you, Steve. You passed out again."

"I know, Mil. I'm sorry," he said as he moved over beside her. "I'd never make it as a doctor."

Touching the boy's head, he placed a kiss there then he shared a tender one with his wife. That bonding moment had to occur before he could give credit where credit was due.

"Ben, Maximus. Thanks for being here for us. I ain't much at blood and guts but you don't have to worry about me being a good father to him. He's beautiful just like his mom and our daughter. Thank you so much."

 Lucy had been carrying Brook on her hip and plying her with wedding cake to keep her occupied when the word came down from the church that the baby was here and it was a boy she hoisted her a little higher on her hip and said, "Brookie you have a baby brother, a little boy."
Since Brookie had been crying off and on for her mother she walked up to the church door with Brook and peeked in now that the worst was over she wanted Brook to know her mother was all right.

“Mommy!" Brook called as she slipped from Lucy's arms. She ran over to see her parents and the new addition to the family.

"What's brother's name?" she asked innocently.

Steve looked at Millie for a moment and her smile answered his question.

"His name, " Steve replied  "..is Benjamin Maximus Moran."

 Maximus' eyes widened and his lips parted slightly. "I am honored," he said, his voice low. "Most honored." 

People were  milling around the chapel now, offering the congratulations. Bridgid was one of them. She was so pleased to see that everything was okay. The day was wearing on and people were starting to leave now. She thought it might be a good time to find Jack and head home, but something unexpected happened. As she made her way to the chapel doors she heard s woman call out. "Woo hooo!" and just as she turned to see who it was, the wedding bouquet fell into her hands.

"What the? Hey, how bout this?  I caught the bouquet. I'm next! And Jack thought he was the Lucky one."

Ben, meanwhile, had been trying to hide how pleased he was at the baby's name, but Liana saw it easily enough. Taking a glass of champagne and handing it to him, she said, "We have to drink to little Ben."

Taking the glass, Ben grimaced. He hated champagne. Would much rather have a shot of his favorite whiskey, but he took the glass gamely.

After the toast, he grinned at Liana. "I think I hear our chariot arriving, Mrs. Wade. You ready for your second honeymoon?"

Blushing a little, she answered, "Whenever you are."

 

Ahnna and Alistair were helping to gather up some of the trash that had fallen into the churchyard when they heard Zack's statement.

"Who is that?" Ahnna asked.

"Zack Grant. He's new here and was going to stay at the Inn if he could make arrangements." His eyes followed where Maximus and Steve were helping Millie inside
the church. "Doesn't look like the innkeepers will have all that much free time this evening, though."

"Millie's baby? It's going to be born in the church?" She smiled. "I kind of like that."  Her gaze turned back to the bearded man by the food table. "He could stay with us."

She walked up close to Zack. "Hello. I'm Ahnna Harris, Alistair's wife. I couldn't help but overhear that you had no place to stay tonight. You might consider staying at the parsonage."  She looked up at Alistair. "I know we don't have an extra bedroom fixed up yet, but there's that couch in your office."  Looking back at Zack she added, "If you wouldn't mind sleeping on a couch, that is."

"Sure beats sleeping in the car," replied Zack, grinning at her. "Thanks for your hospitality.... Ahnna, was it?"

"Yes, Ahnna." She smiled welcomingly.

"Well, Zack," Alistair grinned, "when there's no accommodation for the night in the Inn, I guess the parsonage is the next best thing. We'll be glad to have you. It's not far, either, so just follow us when it's time to go, all right?"

"Great, thanks again, Alistair...Ahnna... I promise I'll be no trouble, won't even know I'm there."

As Colin stood watching the bride and groom fuss over the cake, wondering when they'd hurry up

and cut the bloody thing so he could eat it already and hopefully get his date back to his place

for the real dessert, he happened to catch a glimpse of Sid and Kate over to the side. Sid was

draped all over her, whispering in Kate's ear, and she was eating it up, it appeared.

"Bloody wanker," he mumbled under his breath, hoping no one heard him.

As Sid turned to lead Kate to his white car, he noticed Colin's antagonistic stare and deliberately
kept up his whispering in her ear, carefully directing their path in somewhat of a curve to take them
closer to the mechanic. Kate was so distracted she didn't notice what he was doing. He liked that
about her, too. When he was within clear earshot, he raised the level of his voice, "...and then, when
I get this lavender dress off, we'll see what fun we can have with the garters." 

"Fuckin' tosser," Colin grumbled again, a bit louder this time, hoping Sid had heard him this time.

After they'd waited what seemed like hours, Ben finally told Liana, "It's time to cut this cake, darlin'. If I shake one more hand, I'm gonna hafta tell 'em I'm runnin' for office." He grinned at her.

" 'Sides, now that the weddin's over, I'm anxious to get to the weddin' night." His look at her made her blush right there in the crowd of neighbors and well-wishers.

Glad no one could hear them in the mob, she said, "Why Benjamin Justus Wade, we've already had one wedding night."

"Oh, I remember it well, darlin'." His eyes glittered at her as he took another sip of champagne, grimaced a little at the taste. "I loved every minute of it. But,you know, I gotta wonder- If the weddin' is even better the second time around, then maybe-"

She dropped her eyes, grinning herself. "I hope that's not better Ben. I might not live through it!"

Finally setting down his glass and picking up the knife, Ben said. "Okay, all- I know you're just about dyin' for a taste of this cake. And I'm lookin' real forward to dessert myself. So, Liana honey-"

Liana held the knife, with Ben's hand gently but firmly covering hers. As they stayed that way a moment for pictures, it ran briefly through Liana's mind that Ben had killed with a knife, with the same hand that he now held hers over this knife.

The same thing was going through Ben's mind, as he felt her soft hand under his. He felt no regrets. That had been during a time in his life when it had been the necessary and right thing to do. Hopefully, a time like that would never come again.

He smiled over at Liana. They chose a spot at the edge of the cake and brought the knife down. Everyone cheered. Putting a piece carefully on a plate, Liana handed it to Ben.

Ben had already planned what he would do. Earlier, he'd heard someone wondering if he would just shove it into Liana's mouth. Nope. He didn't want to mess up her hair or her dress--at least not until later tonight. Making a big show of picking up a fork, he turned it around and around between his thick fingers.

Then, he put it down, and, grinning at Liana, took a piece of the cake in his fingers. His eyes becoming serious and meaningful (to her, at least), he laid the piece of cake tenderly between her lips onto her tongue. Watching his eyes herself, she closed her lips around his fingers and sucked at them gently, taking his hand to hold them there a moment. His eyes darkened at the passion showing in hers.

Then, amid more cheering, she fed him a bite of cake. Finally, they exchanged sips of champagne from their glasses. Ben noticed, though, that Liana merely pretended to sip. Didn't actually take a drop. He wondered about that, but the thought was lost among the clapping and whistling.

He put his arm around her and hugged her close, leaning down to kiss her.