"like sands through the hourglass... so are the...Days of our Lives"

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Waiting For You – Chapter 34

Valentine’s Evening – February 14, 1944
234 W. 44th St., New York City - Heart of the theater district

"Oh, Mike, that was absolutely incredible."

"Yeah."

"Yeah? That’s it?"

"Yeah, it was really good."

"I can’t believe you."

"What?"

"That that’s all you have to say about it."

"Carrie, what were you expecting me to say?"

"Well, that it was worth waiting for….that it wasn’t like anything you’d experienced ever before, …you know."

"I agree. It was wonderful but I just don’t feel quite the level of ecstasy you have about the whole thing."

"I’m really surprised, especially since you were experiencing it with me."

"Well, maybe not all of it. I have to admit I dozed off one time."

"When was that?"

"I think I’m suddenly wishing I hadn’t brought that up. It was only a minute or two."

"How could you sleep through something like that?"

"I…it was when they were doing the ballet, okay? I mean, come on, Carrie, let’s be serious. Cowboys do not dance on the range…..ride, yes, but not leap and frolic."

"It wasn’t supposed to be taken literally, for goodness sake. It was interpretive…telling part of the story, advancing it, through dance. That’s one of the innovations of the play, the choreography of Agnes De Mille being used to convey the story without words and accompanied by Richard Rodgers’ music."

"How do you know all that, Carrie?"

"I…well, I read a few reviews earlier this week so I’d know what to look for."

"De Mille…….that name sounds familiar."

"Her brother is Cecil B. DeMille…the movie director."

"Ohhhhh, that’s why it looked familiar when I was reading the production names in the Playbill. Now, you didn’t see him having Gary Cooper leaping around the countryside in ‘The Plainsman", did you?"

"No, but that wasn’t a Broadway musical, either. It was a movie, a western. I am so surprised, Mike, that you have this attitude. You’re usually so open to things…."

Carrie stopped her diatribe long enough to look up into Mike’s face and beheld his dancing eyes and sly grin.

"Gotcha!" he declared.

"Michael William Horton…I could just slug you."

"Had you going, didn’t I?"

"Yes, you did, I hate to admit it. I couldn’t believe what you were saying. You really are much too good at keeping a straight face, you know."

"I couldn’t help it. You were so enthralled about ‘Oklahoma’ I just had to see what you’d do if I shook things up a little. Forgive me?"

" No…..not for a minute or so, anyway," Carrie said as she exaggeratedly turned her nose up and away from Mike.

"Oh, Honey, I’m sorry," Mike said earnestly, wrapping his arms around Carrie as they stood at the entrance to Sardi’s restaurant. "You are kinda cute when you’re feathers are ruffled, though."

"Why do I put up with your nonsense? Tell me that."

"Simple, you love me."

Carrie smiled. "Obviously I’m not making these questions hard enough." She kissed Mike and hugged him before turning to look at the entrance to the famous restaurant facade. "How are we time-wise with the dinner reservation?"

Mike removed his left arm from around Carrie and looked at his Christmas present. "Hey, we’re
right about on time. I’m a little surprised considering how long the play ran. I thought we wouldn’t get here until maybe after eleven o’clock. When they say late dinner, they’re not kidding. Are you hungry?"

"Famished! I had to grab a sandwich at the deli today and spend most of my time in the newsroom putting all the bulletin copy together."

"Deli? You had to eat a deli sandwich? And that’s bad because?"

"Oh, I momentarily forgot who I was talking to. Yes, I had a corned beef on rye."

"Oh stop, you’re torturing me. I had some unidentifiable thing in the mess hall with Lucas and Jack. They made me take the first bite after flipping a coin…they both had heads and I had tails."

Carrie audibly exhaled and shook her head. "You really do have it rough."

"The guys and I figured that it’s just the military’s way of toughening us up for the food we’ll get in the field overseas….." Mike’s voice faded out as he finished his sentence. Carrie’s face had turned solemn at the mention of the subject she avoided religiously. To not speak of it made it stay away - that seemed to be her belief. It she didn’t talk about it, maybe it would not come to pass at all.

"I’m ready to go eat. It’s getting cold out here," Carrie said matter-of-factly. It was her way of telling Mike she would not talk about his leaving let alone think about it after having spent a wonderful evening with him. Mike knew to drop the subject and took her elbow as they climbed the stairs to the entry of Sardi’s in an awkward silence.

Subdued lighting, warmth and soft music greeted them as they entered the restaurant. Waiters moved briskly about in their famous bright red jackets attending to the patrons, who appeared to be other theatergoers by their style of dress. Having left their coats in the cloakroom, Mike and Carrie were escorted to a secluded corner booth. As they sat Carrie glanced about the room noticing the hundreds of cartoon sketches of the Broadway elite hung along the restaurant’s walls. She could identify a number of the famous faces exaggerated by the artists.

"Did you ask for this cozy spot?" Carrie asked with a sly smile on her face.

"Nope…I swear. I just told them we wanted to have dinner here Valentine’s evening when I called to make the reservation. I guess they just assumed we wanted to be alone," Mike said finishing the sentence in his best Greta Garbo imitation.

"Besides being secluded it’s a great vantage point to see anyone who comes in. Maybe we’ll see a star tonight."

"I’m looking at the only star I want to see," Mike said, "tonight or any night."

Carrie took Mike’s hand and kissed it before looking into his eyes. "And, I’m looking at the only leading man I ever want."

Mike returned the kiss only on Carrie’s lips and drew back to smile at her. "The trouble with that is looking at you makes me forget all my lines."

"Let me help you, then. The next line is, ‘Waiter, may we have menus?’"

Mike motioned to the waiter as he laughed. The menus were brought. Mike and Carrie listened to the combo playing, appropriately enough, an on-going medley of show tunes from the current Broadway offerings including "Oklahoma" and "On the Town" as they read through the multi-paged menu before deciding to order the famous Sardi scampi renowned for it’s flavor among professional restaurant goers. Mike ordered for them when the waiter returned as Carrie watched him by the candlelight of their table. When he finished, he placed his hands together in front of him on the table and looked over to see Carrie staring at him. He turned his head slightly in a gesture she recognized as his way of silently asking a question.

"I was just thinking how proud I am of you."

"Uhhh….because I know how to read and order from a menu?"

"Noooooooooo, you goof, because of Jack and Jennifer."

"Okay, I am completely lost. We haven’t seen them in about four and a half hours. How did they suddenly make an appearance in the conversation?"

"I was just thinking that all of us had such romantic plans tonight and how different that was from a year ago when we were all back in Salem….except for Lucas who was in Utah already."

"Oh, but how does this all make you proud of me, if I may ask? I’m not looking for ego stroking; I’m just curious."

"Because, the past few weeks, you’ve been so wonderful to her…Jennifer, I mean. You’ve helped Jack shop for a ring, get a great deal on that honeymoon place out on Long Island and be the best big brother and future brother-in-law they could ask for, not to mention the best man for the ceremony….that’s all I meant."

"That’s a far cry from what you thought a couple of months ago."

"I admit, I was pretty harsh on you that afternoon they told us they were getting married."

"You had every right to be. I don’t think it was one of my finer hours. I do like seeing Jenn unable to stop smiling. She really is happy, isn’t she?"

"Mmmm…hmmmm….delirious practically and Jack looks like he about to have a stroke any minute."

"Well, in his case it’s not the wedding that’s his focus…..try the honeymoon."

"Mike!"

"Well, it is. I’m not sure I like what’s going through his mind particularly when it involves what he’s planning to do to my sister…"

"Michael, don’t you mean with your sister. After all it takes two to tango…or, well, you know what I mean."

Even by candlelight Mike could see the faint blush cross Carrie’s face.

"I suppose we should consider this a trial run if Lucas succeeds with his plan he had for tonight regarding Sami."

"Plan? Do you mean what I think you do?"

"I don’t know, do I? I’m not talking about him ‘tangoing’ with Sami if that’s what you think. I think he’s just trying to get his name as the only one on her dance card after tonight for the rest of their lives - to keep it in the vernacular."

"Mike, is he asking her to marry him?"

"You mean you didn’t know? I would have thought Sami had a clue."

Carrie sat back and stared at the gold flame of the candle and began to smile.

"So that’s what the fashion show was all about."

"What?"

"Sami changed her complete outfit three times tonight before she was satisfied she would look just the way Lucas would like. I guess she did have an idea but she didn’t come right out and say it."

"Think she’ll say ‘yes’?"

"Yeah….yeah I think she will. Amazing…she’ll exchange that class ring he gave her when they were in high school for a symbol of something even more permanent. I’m very happy for them. How do you feel about it – first your sister and now your brother making marriage plans in such a short span of time?"

Mike sat back in his chair with a serious expression.

"We sort of talked about this before, Carrie. I think they’re meant for each other. Lucas told me he wants to wait and marry Sami after he completes his flying missions. Nearly being killed has made him more cautious and the result of that is he wants to commit to Sami but not get married just yet. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say I think what they’re doing is more sensible."

"Love isn’t always sensible, you know. It stems from your heart – not your head. Well, it’s their decision and I’ll support whatever they decide. They could change their minds. It’s tough sitting out the tango when you know others are on the dance floor."

Carrie grinned at Mike as she saw his surprised expression in her reaction to her innuendo.

"Funny….a year ago tonight, Jennifer was going with that sailor she met at Christmas. I don’t even remember his name any more. Sami stayed home the way she always did since her breakup with Lucas and I was signing a Valentine card to give to my best friend at the Brady Pub party...wishing he thought of me as something more than that. Now, Jenn’s getting married in a matter of weeks. Sami, if we’re right, will be engaged to Lucas and I’m not just your best friend any more."

"No, you’re that and so much more…you’re my life."

The waiter arrived with their dinner. They talked through their meal of what they’d liked about "Oklahoma" - especially the music, what they had planned to buy as wedding gifts for Jack and Jennifer – all the kinds of things best friends shared…and more. When dinner had concluded Mike saw Carrie was in deep thought.

"Whatcha thinkin’?"

"I was just wishing everyone I knew could feel as loved and special as I do when I’m with you."

"Anyone in mind specifically?"

"Kurt and Victoria. They’re such terrific people and have become wonderful friends. I could see they were both watching us tonight….us meaning all three couples and there was a sadness to them. I wasn’t just imagining it. I do have an idea…"

""uh…oh…"

"You saw the way Victoria was looking at Eric’s photo on the desk New Year’s Day, didn’t you?"

"No."

"Well, she was. Sami and I both noticed it. I was just thinking - maybe I could encourage her to write to him. She can sort of be his pen pal."

"Oh, sure….pen pal…that’s what you want her to be to him."

"For starters and who knows where it could lead…."

"Well, at least you picked the appropriate day to play Cupid. I shudder to think who you have in store for Kurt."

"That’s just it…..I don’t. Everyone I can think of who’d be perfect for him is taken. I’ll just have to think more about it…maybe someone at work…..."

"…..Carrie, I ……can I be serious for a minute?"

"Of course, Mike, I’m sorry."

"No, it’s okay. I’ve been thinking about this not just this evening but for a couple of weeks. The thing is, I don’t know how to say it."

Rather than interrupt, Carrie kept quiet and watched Mike’s face struggling with emotions she hadn’t seen before or at least not at this level of intensity.

"I…I know we’re going to be busy over the next three weeks with work, the parties for Jack and Jennifer and the wedding. We won’t really have time for us. So, I thought that after the wedding - maybe a week or so…"

Mike stopped and stared at the table as he searched for words. He looked up with a defiant sparkle in his eyes.

"Dammit….I don’t know what I can’t just say what I want to. Do you love me, Carrie?"

Stunned at his question Carrie fleetingly wasn’t sure how elaborate to be with her answer. The look on his face made her believe the briefer the better.

"Yes, I love you, Mike…..very much. I try to tell you that as often as possible."

"Okay…..okay… then…then….you know how much I’m always telling you that I love you?"

Carrie nodded.

"I think we say it too much."

"I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Do you think we’re just saying words?" Carrie asked Mike. Her heart pounded with the frightening thought that maybe Mike wanted to back pedal on where they were going with this relationship. The term St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was beginning to take on a whole new meaning for her. Had he taken her to the theater and dinner as a way to soften the blow when he decided to tell her that he didn’t want what she wanted any longer? It didn’t make sense and that scared her more.

"Not exactly, Carrie, but we do talk a lot about this relationship. There isn’t anything wrong with that but I see my younger sister and brother both moving on with the people they want in their lives the way I want you in mine. I think, maybe, it’s hit me that we’re letting them get ahead of us."

"It’s not a contest, Mike."

"That didn’t come out right. No, it isn’t. Two people involved with each other should only be concerned with what’s right for them. I just think ……forget it."

"No, I’m not going to forget it, Mike. Tell me what you’re thinking…say it….I can handle it."

Mike stared across the room gathering himself before he slowly met Carrie’s eyes. She knew whatever he was going to say would change something about their love…she just didn’t know what it was.

"I think we need to be alone and really be …………together. With Sami being at your place until after the wedding, the apartment is out of the question. What I want to ask you is…….would you spend the weekend with me at the Grand Hotel? I have that prize I won at the Red Cross ball on New Year’s Eve, remember? It’s a suite in the hotel and it includes a champagne breakfast on Sunday morning. Will you come with me….be with me?"

Mike’s eyes never stopped staring into Carrie’s as he spoke. His intent was clear. It would be the two of them, alone. Carrie knew everything that implied. It was here…that moment she’d thought and dreamt of so often. It was scary…downright terrifying but only momentarily. She leaned toward Mike as she gave him her answer.

"Yes, I will come with you. I want to be with you."

Mike slowly nodded his head.

"When would you be able to go?"

"Well, how about March 11th? Jennifer and Jack won’t be back from Long Island until the following Tuesday. Sami and Lucas could have the apartment to themselves if she hasn’t gone back to Salem yet."

"That’s just about a month from now. It’ll give you a chance to change your mind…"

"…I won’t change my mind, Mike."

"Okay, March 11th it is. I’ll call the hotel and make all the arrangements."

They continued to stare at one another until a familiar tune began to play.

"May I have this dance? I know it’s not a tango."

"No, it isn’t but I’d love to dance with you, Mike. I love doing anything with you."

Mike rose from the table and extended his hand to Carrie. She took his and let him escort her to the tiny dance floor. They began to sway to the soft rhythm of the Gershwin tune. Each understood the lyric as never before as the singer backed by the combo gave her interpretation. Carrie closed her eyes, leaned her head on Mike’s shoulder and slowly began to feel as if the other patrons of the restaurant were fading into the background leaving them……..alone.

It’s very clear - - our love is here to stay
Not for a year, but ever and a day
The radio, and the telephone, and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies, and in time may go.

But oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Together we’re going a long, long way
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
They’re only made of clay
But, our love is here to stay.

to be continued…

Waiting for You - Chapter 35

Saturday, March 4th, 1944 - - Manhattan – Justice of the Peace Office – 1:15pm


"Stand still, Captain. That’s an order," Mike said with a mockingly stern voice. He leaned against the back wall of the room with his arms folded across his chest while Jack strode before him for what seemed the tenth time since they’d entered the Justice of the Peace’s office a quarter of an hour earlier.

"I can’t. I’m too nervous…..besides we’re the same rank, you can’t give me orders."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Well, stand still anyway because you’re making me nervous and I’m not even the one getting married. Lucas said the girls were just about ready when I called him."

"Why did you have to call him from the pay phone in the hall? The changing room is two floors below us. You could have walked down or taken the elevator and talked to him."

"Two reasons - I thought he was the best qualified for the job. Let’s face it, he was the ladies’ man of the group up until three weeks ago when Sami took him off the available male market. He’ll keep the girls moving along telling them how great they look - you know, keeping them motivated to be here on time with his charm."

"That’s only one reason. What’s the other?"

"I’m the one who’s licensed to give sedatives by injection if you keep up this pacing. Don’t want you to be worn out, you know."

"Don’t worry….I’m not going to be worn out…not just yet, anyway."

Jack stopped in his tracks and looked at Mike suddenly aware of what he had said and to whom he had said it. Though he and Mike were fast becoming the best of friends, he tried to keep in mind that when he spoke about Jennifer he was also talking to her brother….her older…protective brother. Paling somewhat at the remark he had just made and what it unintentionally implied he turned to face Mike before explaining.

"What I meant was, I don’t want to be worn out before…"

"Yeah, I got what you meant."

"No, Mike, really, I just meant that I want to last through the night…no, that didn’t come out right…I meant, it’s hard for me to be up so long. Oh God, stop me, please! What I’m trying to say is…"

"…you want to quit while you’re behind, Jack?"

Jack knew he couldn’t leave the topic until he explained himself. He began slowly and deliberately to speak in a low voice.

"I just meant that the Army wakes me up every morning at five o’clock and I’m in bed usually by eight or nine. The next week and a half while I’m on leave my hours will need adjusting. Jennifer goes to bed about ten….that’s what she tells me…I have no actual experience of knowing that she does that, mind you. She’ll have to keep me up….AWAKE….you see, for the first couple of days until I can get used to staying awake longer." Finishing his explanation he looked at Mike for a reaction.

Mike stared at him unblinkingly for close to a minute though to Jack it was more like a lifetime.

"You finished?"

Jack nodded but with a quizzical expression on his face.

"Jack, I’m a doctor and a man but not necessarily in that order. I know what people do on their honeymoons. I admit I kinda anticipate going on one with Carrie someday. Look, all I ask is that you be gentle with my sister…love her."

"That’s easy for me to do, Mike. I think I’ve loved her since the moment I saw her. I promise to take care of her…to always be there for her. Even when or if we go to Europe, I’ll write her every day…maybe even more than once a day."

Mike smiled at his soon-to-be new relative, clapped his right hand on Jack’s shoulder and drew a nervous smile from Jack in the process.

"Hey, I thought it was Jack and Jennifer who were getting married - - not you and Jack, Mike," joked Kurt as he strode in carrying a large wedding gift in one hand and shaking the rain from his umbrella with the other. He was dressed in a dark gray suit, snowy white shirt with a bright yellow tie and breast pocket handkerchief to match. "Should I go back out and let you have some more time together?"

"Get in here and don’t start ugly rumors. Glad you made it. From the looks of your umbrella, I’m guessing it’s still raining fairly steadily," Mike replied.

"Yup, just as Victoria and I left her place the sky really opened up. I thought showers were supposed to be in April, not March. Swell day you picked to get married, Jack."

"What am I …a meteorologist? It wasn’t raining when we left Fort Dix. I sort of hoped it would clear up."

The door opened again causing the trio to turn in anticipation of seeing the female members of the wedding party in all their finery.

"Hey, guys!"

"Oh, it’s you," Jack disappointedly mumbled, expressing in words the looks on Mike’s and Kurt’s faces.

"Yeah, I think the world of you too, Jack. Boy, talk about how not to treat a guest at your wedding, let alone the other future brother-in-law you’ll be seeing for years to come at family gatherings. I’m not likely to forget this, you know," Lucas said as he came in, removing his cap and grinning. "I know, you thought it was the girls. Well, think again, they’re still not ready."

"Not ready? But we’re already running late. What is taking them so long? I thought you were downstairs herding them along," Jack said with a tinge of dismay in his voice.

"I was until Victoria showed up. Gotta say - she looks beautiful. She told me she’d take over supervising things. I guess she’s so used to doing that sort of thing for Kurt, it just comes naturally. I helped her take the boxes from the limousine before I came up here."

"That’s the bouquets. Victoria and I picked them up at the florist’s on the way down here. She had them redo the ribbons which is why we were late."

"Redo the ribbons? You mean tie them differently, or what?" Mike asked.

Kurt let out a long sigh and rolled his eyes as he began explaining. "All I know is she had this order sheet Jennifer had given her at the radio station three days ago. When they brought the boxes out, Victoria insisted on opening them to make sure they were what Jenn had ordered. Next thing I know, she’s coming out to the limo and telling me to ride around the block a few times while she waits for them to change the colors. It took longer than I thought it would to get it done. As the driver is going by the shop for the fifth time, I’m trying to imagine what the ration stamp people will say when I ask for an additional fuel allotment this month - explaining it’s because the ribbons were the wrong color on some bridal bouquets and I had to keep going around the block because there wasn’t any place to park."

"I guess they hear crazier reasons. Anyway, I think Victoria’s got things under control. When I left….or, was shooed out of there, she had Carrie and Sami all ready to go. She said they had some sort of tradition to do and then they’d be up."

"Tradition….what sort of tradition, I wonder," Jack mused.

"Who knows……it’s women together in a group. Do I have to say anything else?" Lucas kidded.

"To be fair we did our own male tradition last night," Mike reminded.

"You know….I didn’t think I could drink that much and still maintain my dignity."

"Uhhh, ….Jack, the last hour you kept climbing on the table, jumping off and yelling ‘Geronimo’."

"Yeah, Lucas, but he did it with a lot of dignity."

"Good point, Kurt…after all you’d know about dignity being a diplomat."

"I guess it was just the paratrooper in me, that made me keep jumping off the table."

"More like the vodka, gin and whiskey in you," Kurt chided making Lucas and Mike laugh at the remembered vision of Jack the night before.

"That’s it…let’s all laugh at the expense of the already nervous bridegroom. Something tells me my stomach isn’t only churning from nerves when I remember, somewhat hazily, all that I drank last night."

"You know, as high as you were last night, and I don’t mean when you were up on the table, I gotta admit, Jack, you look great. No one would ever know you spent last night defending Max’s Bar from the Axis powers."

"You left, Kurt, before we got him in the taxi and headed back to the train station. This morning he was not a pretty sight. Matter of fact….he was about as green as a pair of Army camouflage fatigues."

"And, just about as mottled as they are, too, Mike."

"True…true, little brother. After a few cold showers we brought him around, got him shaved and dressed in his best uniform, packed his gear….."

"……while we both got ourselves spruced up….."

"….and got on the earlier train. We made it with an hour to spare."

"Yeah, and for what? So we could stand around here for hours waiting for women who have no sense of time whatsoever, that’s what."

"Easy, Jack," Mike said with amusement. "No matter how long they take, I guarantee when you walk out of this building today, you’ll be a married man."

"Mike’s right, Jack," Lucas chimed in, "you could use this time to reflect on the last moments of single status bliss."

"I suppose you’re studying all of this closely, Lucas, and getting lots of pointers seeing as how you’re turn is coming with Sami."

"Well, sort of, Kurt…but, it’s gonna be worse. Sami’s already talking about a family wedding in Salem. That means half the town will be at St. Luke’s. I had a brief lapse of sense when she asked me what I wanted our wedding to be and I told her I wanted anything she wanted…"

The guys uttered loud, stage gasps as Kurt clutched his chest.

"I know, I know. I’m in love and Sami was nibbling on my ear only moments before she asked me."

"Ooooooh, the old ear nibbling stunt to weaken you into submission."

"You mean?"

"Yup, Lucas, Carrie’s used that Brady technique to get things from me before, too."

"Trapped by my own lust….I’m dirt." Lucas dramatically dropped his head to his chest

"But, isn’t it a great way to give in? If Sami’s technique is anything like Carrie’s …oh boy."

"Okay, okay…fellas, remember I’m the only one here without a fiance or girlfriend. You’re killing me."

"Sorry, Kurt."

"Not half as much as I am, Mike."

The door opened again as the Justice of the Peace entered the room smiling in their direction.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I’m here to perform a wedding service between a….." the man stopped and pulled out the documents from his Bible scanning them for information, "…a Captain Jack Deveraux and a Jennifer Rose Horton. Which one of you might be Captain Deveraux?"

"That would be him," Lucas said as all three of the non-bridegrooms pointed at Jack simultaneously as he raised his hand.

The Justice of the Peace stepped forward and extended his hand. "Hello, Captain Deveraux, I’m Jordan MacKenzie. I’m running a bit late and thought I’d be holding you up but I see we don’t have a bride in the room as yet. Please, Captain, you can put your hand down. This isn’t a swearing in ceremony."

Jack looked to see his arm still bent at the elbow. He quickly lowered it and shook Mr. MacKenzie’s hand.

"Sorry, Reverend…."

"No, no…I’m not a reverend…just a Justice of the Peace. I realize that civil weddings are more informal but they are more common during these times and every bit as legitimate."

"These times?"

"Oh, yes. I’m performing an average of twelve to fifteen marriages a day if my schedule permits. So many servicemen want to get married before they go overseas. This way they bypass trying to book a church and all the usual planning that can delay them getting married. I guess in some way I look at this as doing my part for the war effort. Do we have any idea when to expect the bride and her friends?"

"They’re in the building, Justice MacKenzie…. in the dressing room downstairs," Mike answered.

"Good, then, we should see them sometime soon?"

"Well, I hope so. They’ve been here for almost an hour getting dressed. I’m not sure what’s taking them so long."

"What, if I may ask, are you in this wedding?"

"Well, I’m the best man, friend of the groom and brother of the bride."

"Quite a few jobs you have. Is anyone giving the bride away? I know even with a civil service, people still like to honor some traditions."

"That would be my job, Sir. I’m her other brother," Lucas volunteered.

Justice MacKenzie looked at Kurt with an air of curiosity.

"Oh, I’m just here to be a friend, supply a wedding gift and throw rice…the usual stuff guests do."

Nodding his head, the Justice of the Peace glanced at his watch.

"All right, well, I have to perform another marriage in about twenty-five minutes and this one should have begun nearly ten minutes ago. Let me finish filling out paperwork so it will be ready for your signatures. Perhaps, someone could check on the bridal party."

"You guys stay here and I’ll check on what’s going on," Mike said to Lucas and Jack. He headed toward the door across the shiny polished wooden floor, the heels of his shoes clicking loudly in the cavernous room.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

"Jennifer, we’d better get going. It’s already well after one o’clock. Jack’s probably worn out the floor boards upstairs."

"I’m almost ready, Carrie. Wouldn’t you know I’ve got one curl that has a will all it’s own. If I could just get it to stay in place."

Jennifer sat before the mirror fussing over one curl that refused to cooperate. She still hadn’t put on the jacket to her white linen suit for fear of wrinkling it as linen was so predisposed to do.

"Let me see if I’ve got a bobby pin in my purse," Victoria said as she rummaged in the large purse she carried. "Ah, HA!!! Found it…….here, put that in the top of the curl and see if it will solve the problem."

Jennifer soon had the curl tamed and smiled up at Victoria.

"Thanks, Victoria. Hey, I just realized…..that’s my something borrowed."

"Your what?….oh, that’s right! I almost forgot about that tradition. Well, glad you liked my contribution, then."

Carrie and Sami came up behind Jennifer as she sat at the vanity table holding their hands behind their backs. Jennifer gazed at the reflection of the four of them in the mirror and knew they were up to something.

"You didn’t really think we were going to let you get married without following some strict traditions, did you? Sami, where’s that box I had with me when we came in."

"Right here," Sami said as she brought her hand from behind her back - wearing a self-satisfied grin.

"Thanks….Jennifer? I called Alice Horton about two weeks ago and asked her if she had something she could lend you for your ‘something old’. These came in the mail last Wednesday."

Jennifer took the maroon velvet box from her best friend and soon, she hoped her sister-in-law, and lifted the hinged opening. She recognized the delicate diamond and pearl earrings her mother, Laura, had worn on several special occasions. They had been given to her on the day she married Bill Horton. It had been years since Jennifer had seen them.

"Oh, my….I had almost forgotten about these."

"Mrs. Horton said your mother would be with you today if you wore them."

Jennifer gently removed the earrings one at a time and placed them on her ears turning from side to side to admire their luster in the mirror’s reflection.

"Now, we figured your ‘new’ is the suit you’re wearing. It’s beautiful, Jennifer. It’s so "suits" you," Sami joked while the others groaned. "I’m sorry, I guess it’s being around Lucas. He’s a bad influence on me with those puns of his."

The girls giggled thinking about how Lucas could never pass up a good pun let alone a bad one.

"Victoria has supplied you with a borrowed bobby pin which means that I need to give you something blue." Sami took a small white box with a pink ribbon on it from Carrie’s hand and placed it on the vanity table before Jennifer. Slipping the ribbon from the box, Jennifer opened the lid and confirmed her suspicions when she saw the baby blue satin garter trimmed with ecru lace.

"I knew you guys wouldn’t fail me. I saw this at Macy’s in the bridal department and almost bought it myself. It’s beautiful, Sami."

Jennifer removed it from the box and slipped the garter up her white-stockinged leg until it was no longer visible snapping it in place for emphasis before lowering the skirt of her suit.

"There, I think I’m ready to get married, now."

"Let me help you with your hat, Jennifer," Carrie said as she lifted it from the white, tissue-lined box it had been kept in since they’d bought it two weeks earlier. It was wide-brimmed with white netting that fell down over the face stopping just short of the chin of the wearer. Jennifer stood and looked at the three-piece white linen suit she had selected for her wedding ensemble. It had a straight skirt with a high slit on the right side, a long-sleeved crèpe shirt-styled white blouse that had French cuffs. There were mock pearl cufflinks at the bottoms of the sleeves. A matching white linen vest that buttoned down the middle and extended to two points below Jennifer’s waist covered the blouse. She smoothed the skirt and reached behind her to remove the white linen suit jacket from the hanger. The padded shoulders gave a taller silllouette to Jennifer’s frame as she adjusted the jacket and began buttoning it – covering all of the vest except the top portion which showed below the suit jacket. Satisfied with her image, Jennifer slipped into the white plain pumps she had bought to wear and straightened the seams of her stockings by looking over her shoulder until she was satisfied they were centered.

"Well, I think I’m about as put together as I can be. How about all of you?"

"I’ll get the bouquets while Carrie and Sami put on their hats and we’ll be ready to go. You look absolutely beautiful, Jennifer."

"Thank you, Victoria. I know I’ll feel beautiful the minute I see Jack’s eyes."

A round of smiles was exchanged among the four women. They each hugged one another, took the bouquet they had been assigned and walked to the door as someone knocked. Carrie opened the door to see Mike’s face change from concern to stunned silence.

"We’re just on our way up……Mike? What’s wrong?"

"Uhhhh…nothing….you just look……wow!"

"Thanks, but wait until you see the bride." Carrie stepped aside to avail Mike a glimpse of his baby sister in her wedding finery holding a bouquet of white roses, baby’s breath and edelweiss. Though the siblings had talked of their weddings throughout the years on quiet nights when the house was theirs and they could indulge in sharing their dreams aloud, Mike still was unprepared for this moment when his sister left behind her Horton last name and took that of another family. He felt a selfish twinge. She wouldn’t be just his and Lucas’ sister any longer. Someone else would claim her time and attention. He surprised himself at his feelings.

"We’ll leave you alone for a minute while we head upstairs. I know after taking all this time I have no room to say this but, don’t take too long, okay?" Carrie smiled at Mike and in her eyes he saw she understood how important it was he have one last moment with Jennifer Rose HORTON. He kissed Carrie lightly on the cheek.

Carrie motioned to Sami and Victoria to follow her as they left wearing their matching spring pastel suits – Carrie in lavender, Sami in mint green and Victoria in soft yellow. Each bouquet they carried was trimmed in ribbons the same color as their suits. The flowers were identical in each – yellow roses, heather and baby’s breath. Each smiled at Mike as they passed him stepping into the hall and walked toward the elevator. Jennifer slowly approached him with a faint smile on her face and a serenity that surprised him.

"Well, brother dear, are you ready to marry me off?"

"….no…..no, I’m not."

Jennifer looked at Mike for a moment with concern and then grinned at him.

"Now, listen, you’ve had two months to get used to this. We even rehearsed last night at the apartment. Everything should go smoothly."

"It’s not the ceremony….I just ….don’t quite have it in my heart to let you go."

"Mike….."

"I know, I know……I want what makes you happy…..it’s just the a part of our lives as brother and sister is ending two floors above and about ten minutes from now. You won’t be my little sister any more."

"Yes, I will…."

"No, you won’t, Jenn. You’ll be Jack’s wife and then my sister…in that order."

"I won’t love you any less."

"Lucas and I both know that….but, you do know what I mean?"

Jennifer nodded and touched her hand to her brother’s face.

"I do know…because, I used to think you and Lucas would be getting married before I would and I’d be the one losing a part of you to someone else. Mike, I will ALWAYS be your sister. The way you and Lucas have loved me as brothers is very much responsible for my having the capacity to love Jack as much as I do AND both of you - just as Lucas can love Sami and both of us and I suspect, the way you do Carrie without feeling anything less towards Lucas and me . I know it will be different but couldn’t that mean it will be even better because we each have brought someone special into our family? I love Sami and Carrie as sisters now. So, maybe you can love Jack…like a brother?"

Mike looked into his sister’s eyes and wondered when she had become so wise. He grinned at her and hugged her being careful not to crush her bouquet. Footsteps caused them to turn and see Lucas standing in the doorway.

"Okay, you two, everyone’s upstairs except for one of the headliners of this show…namely you, Jennifer. Jack is seriously battling nerves and having everyone but the bride in attendance is starting to worry him not to mention the fact that the aspirin he took for his hangover is starting to wear off."

"Well, then let’s go put the guy out of his misery – I’ve got the best medicine for him right here."

"Gee, thanks for comparing me to a bromo seltzer."

"Hey, you are kinda bubbly…"

"Mike, shut up."

"It’s these tender moments that truly draw a family together, don’t you think?"

"Lucas…don’t make me tell you the same thing."

The two brothers and their sister all smiled at one another, embraced and headed for Jennifer’s new life two floors above.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Justice MacKenzie checked his watch and compared it to the one hanging on the wall. Jack did likewise.

"I’m sure they’ll be here any second, your Reverence."

"Honor."

"What? Oh, ….yes….yes. ….on my honor they will be."

"No, no……I’m Your Honor not Your Reverence. I’m a Justice of the Peace."

Jack stared at Justice MacKenzie for a moment and heard the door to the room open. Mike came in and hurried toward where Kurt, Jack and Justice MacKenzie stood.

"We’re ready."

Jack breathed an audible sigh of relief and faintly smiled at Justice MacKenzie.

"Let’s begin, then. Everyone know your places?"

Mike stood to Jack’s immediate right with Kurt standing directly behind them. A small woman whose hat appeared above the horizon of a piano began to play the "Wedding March" after receiving a nod from the Justice of the Peace. Victoria entered the room, slowly with a gentle smile followed by Sami. Carrie came toward Jack and Mike taking her place to the left of Jack with some space left between them. Jack turned toward the door just as Lucas entered with Jennifer on his arm. The nerves ceased as he saw the most beautiful woman he’d ever beheld walk toward him smiling more broadly the closer she came to him. Lucas transferred his sister’s hand to Jack’s and stood behind in a row with Victoria and Kurt. The piano music ceased and Justice MacKenzie, in a commanding but resonant voice began…"Dearly Beloved…..."

Mike barely heard the service. He thought back on all the times he and Jennifer had shared growing up until his cue came to produce the ring. He watched the exchange of rings, the pronouncement of his sister as Jack’s wife and watched her as she kissed the man who in a matter of five minutes had become his sister’s husband. Carrie looked across at him while Jack and Jennifer kissed and smiled. In an instant Mike saw himself in Jack’s place and Carrie in Jennifer’s. Jennifer had been right…..suddenly, he understood. He would love Carrie but Jennifer and Lucas would always be there in his heart, too.

"Ladies and gentlemen may I present Captain and Mrs. Jack Deveraux." There was applause and a whistle from Kurt as the newlyweds began exchanging hugs and kisses with everyone including Justice MacKenzie and the piano player. The Justice excused himself after signing the marriage certificate and sped to his next wedding.

"Well, let’s head to Port d’Italy for lunch…which is on me," Kurt said as he took Victoria by the elbow. "They’re holding our favorite table and I happen to know there’s a bottle of champagne chilled and waiting for us."

"Lead the way, Kurt," Lucas said as he placed his arm around Sami and ushered her toward the door.

Mike took a hint from his brother and extended his arm to Carrie. "Care to join me for a plate of pasta?"

"Hmmm…best offer I’ve had all day." Carrie linked her arm through Mike, kissed him and followed Lucas and Sami.

"Ready, Mrs. Deveraux to break bread…or should I say bread sticks?"

"Yes, Captain Deveraux, I might even share a bread stick with you – married people do that, you know."

"Okay – let’s just not order dessert….we have a date with a small cottage on Long Island."

Jennifer smiled at her husband and walked arm-in-arm from the room where their lives had become one in the legal sense and where they contemplated what lay ahead in a few hours to make them one in every other sense.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Carrie, Sami, Lucas and Mike entered the apartment and were greeted by Guinevere who had managed to once again avoid being caught sleeping on the chair that was designated as off limits to her. Lucas loosened his tie as Sami removed her suit jacket and placed it over the back of the desk chair. Carrie’s shoes immediately came off as Mike waved out the window to the black limo whisking Kurt and Victoria back to their respective residences.

"Well, I don’t know about anyone else but I think it went pretty well."

"I agree, Mike. Jennifer and Jack looked so happy at the train station when we left them," Sami said.

"Yeah, and I bet I know why."

"Lucas!"

"What??? I just meant they were probably glad to have all the stress of the wedding over with….what were you thinking, Sami?" Lucas asked with his eyebrows raised as he saw his fiance’ blush.

"Nothing….I just…never mind." Sami headed for the kitchen to begin making coffee with Lucas closely behind.

"Sweetheart, hey….I was just teasing you a little bit. Don’t be mad, okay?" Lucas pleaded in his puppy dog way. He slipped his arms around Sami from behind as she stood at the counter and kissed her on the neck – slowly working his way up to her ear. He could feel Sami’s shoulders slump in romantic submission before she turned in his embrace and kissed him deeply.

"Wow! That makes me wish we were on OUR honeymoon," Lucas said as he drew Sami back for seconds.

"Don’t worry…it’ll be our turn one of these days. Remember that saying about good things coming to those who wait?"

"Yeah, but, the waiting is killing me. Sami, can’t we go some place and be together before I go back to England? I know it’s coming soon. It won’t be long before they assign me to another crew. We’ve already lost four years to my stupidity….."

"…and my stubborness…."

"Please, Sami….I want you so."

"Lucas, it’s hard to plan anything when my sister and her best friend are both here sharing the apartment. I can’t exactly kick them out when I’m the one staying with them."

" May I remind you that Jennifer isn’t going to be living here now. That just leaves Carrie."

"Yes, and it’s still her apartment. Besides, she’d know right away what we were up to. If my face looks anything like yours there’s not a doubt what’s going on behind them."

"She can relate….after all, what makes you think she and Mike don’t want to be alone, too. I don’t know…maybe today seeing Jennifer and Jack get married has put me into this mood."

Lucas squared his shoulders and looked directly into Sami’s eyes.

"I don’t want to go back to the war without knowing what it’s like to have loved you in every way possible."

Sami stared at him before answering. "It’s what I want, too. I’m scared, Lucas. You nearly died without me ever telling you that I loved you, that I always had and always would. I don’t want you to ever doubt that. I won’t let you go away again without showing you as well as telling you."

Lucas kissed her again before resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Okay, so….how do we do this? I guess I could get a suite at a hotel in Manhattan….."

"Hey, what are you two up to in here?" Carrie came cheerfully through the swinging kitchen door and saw the serious look on her sister’s face and assumed Lucas had the same expression though his back was turned to her.

"We…were….just making coffee."

"Uh-huh…looks like you were doing more than making coffee," Carrie joked hoping to lighten the mood. "I’m sorry – I think I’ve interrupted something serious and I don’t mean to make light of it. I really came in here to ask a favor of you."

"A favor?"

"Yeah, I’m………I’m going to be gone next weekend. I’m leaving Saturday morning and coming back Sunday night. I was wondering if you had any plans because I thought you maybe would stay here and take care of Guinevere - you know….feed her."

Sami’s eyes darted to Lucas’ as he still faced away from Carrie.

"Where are you going?"

"I…I….am meeting someone in Manhattan …..to do an interview. I just don’t want to commute back and forth because it’s going to be a lengthy interview. The accommodations are all paid for so why not stay there?"

"Seems reasonable to me, Carrie," Lucas said as he turned to look at her since she’d first entered the room.

"I think so. My only concern was having someone take care of Guinevere since Jenn will still be on her honeymoon."

"I’ll be glad to take care of her, Carrie. You know I just love her."

"That’s great……then it’s all settled."

"What’s all settled?" Mike asked as he came to join the conversation from the living room.

"Sami’s agreed to stay next weekend and take care of Guinevere while I go into Manhattan for that ….business interview I told you about."

Mike looked quizzically at Carrie before realizing what she was saying.

"Oh….oh, that interview. Is that next weekend? Gee, I’d forgotten. Well, I’m glad everything worked out."

"Me, too," Lucas chimed in.

"Hey, how about making that coffee while I get some plates and slice up some of the leftover wedding cake we brought back from the restaurant?"

Sami and Lucas began making coffee and taking out cups while Carrie and Mike returned to the living room to retrieve the box of wedding cake.

"I’ll be here next Saturday, okay?" Lucas whispered.

Sami nodded her head and smiled.

"That went better than I thought. Who ever would have known how eager Sami would be to take care of the cat?" Carrie murmured to Mike as they opened the box containing the large piece of wedding cake and set about cutting it up on the dining room table.

"An interview, huh?"

"Well, it was the best I could think of. It worked, didn’t it?"

Mike smiled at Carrie and leaned over the table to give her a kiss.

"March eleventh……..can’t come too, soon. Interview me all you like."

Carrie gazed at Mike, kissed him and finished slicing the cake as Lucas and Sami emerged from the kitchen with wide smiles and carrying the pot of coffee.

to be continued...

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