Gary was driving back to McGinty's, while Jillian was  setting in the  passenger seat, going over in her head, everything  that needed to be  done. She wanted to make sure that nothing was left  out and that her  and  Gary's wedding would be the most glamorous wedding  that the city of  Chicago, or any city for that matter, had ever seen.  S uddenly she remembered something that everyone else  seemed to have  forgotten.

 "Gary?"

 "Hmm?"

 "We need to come up with a song that Marissa can sing  at our wedding,"  said Jillian.

 "I'm sure that as soon as we arrive at McGinty's, that  you and Marissa  can talk about what song she can sing," said Gary.

 "But, Gary I want you in on this decision too. After  all, you are the  groom," said Jillian.

 "Oh Jillian, I think this is something that the bride  should pick out.  I'm sure that Marissa, Shelly, Jade and my mom would  be more than happy  to help you come up with something," said Gary.

 "Okay," said Jillian sadly. "I'll ask them when we  arrive at McGinty's,  but you better like what we decide on Mister."

 "I promise I will, beautiful," said Gary as he took  Jillian's hand and  gave it an affectionate squeeze.

 Within minutes, Jillian and Gary returned to  McGinty's. They both got  out of Gary's Jeep and walked into the bar, hand in  hand.  At the bar was a familiar face. A face that Gary  hadn't seen since that  person had left McGinty's to move to Bend, Oregon to  become a  kindergarten teacher.  Patrick Quinn was back in familiar territory, behind  the bar and he was  looking at all the fixtures and bottles. Yes, he was  feeling quite at  home and was more than happy to be back, even though  it was only  temporary.

 Patrick turned at the sound of footsteps walking  across the floor. He  couldn't believe his eyes, for he was seeing his  friend for the first  time since he left McGinty's about year and a half  ago.

 "Hey Mr. H, it sure is nice seeing you again," said  Patrick as he  embraced Gary in a huge bear hug.

 "Ah-ah-Patrick, you're squeezing," said Gary while  trying to catch his  breath.

 "Oh sorry, Mr. H. It's just that I'm really glad to  see you," said  Patrick.

 "Patrick, I'm glad to see you too. Surprised, but  glad," said Gary.

 "Excuse me," said Jillian, "How about introducing me  to your friend  Gary."

 "Oh, Patrick, this is my fiancee, Jillian Matthew.  Jillian, this is my  former bartender, Patrick Quinn," said Gary.

 "Wow, hubba hubba, Mr. H you sure know how to pick  'em. Boy, she sure  is  a knock out," said Patrick.

 "Well thank you Patrick," said Jillian, as she blushed  a little from  the  compliment.

 "Yeah, thanks Patrick, but what are you doing here?  Aren't you supposed  to be teaching your class right about now?" asked  Gary.

 "Well, you see Mr. H, when Mrs. H, called me and told  me about your  upcoming wedding, I just had to take a few days off  and get on my motor  bike and drive back here for your big day. So I found  a replacement for  a few days and here I am," said Patrick.

 "You mean my mom called you?" asked Gary.

 "That's what I said. Mrs. H," answered Patrick.

 Jillian walked over to Patrick and placed her hand on  his arm.

 "Patrick, even though we just met, I would be more  than pleased to have  you attend our wedding. Wouldn't we Gary?" asked  Jillian.

 "Yeah sure, we would," said Gary nodding his head in  agreement.

 "Hey I bet you two have a lot to catch up on, I'm  going to find Marissa  to discuss her song for the wedding," said Jillian.

 "Miss Matthew?"

 "Jillian, Patrick. Call me Jillian."

 "Okay, Jillian. Marissa is going over the inventory in  the office,"  said  Patrick.

 "Okay, thanks Patrick," said Jillian before she headed  to the office.

 Gary watched as she went. He loved how she walked, he  loved how every  curve in her body swayed as she moved across the  floor. 'Oh God, she's  beautiful and just think in only three more days, she  will be mine and  I  will be her's,' thought Gary to himself.  Gary was soon shook out of his day dream by Patrick,  who could hardly  wait to tell him about his kindergarten class.

 "Hey Mr.H, would you like to hear about my  kindergarten class?" asked  Patrick.

 "Sure Patrick, I'd like to hear all about it,"  answered Gary.

 ----------------------------------------------

 Jillian entered the office just as Marissa was  shutting down her  computer.

 "You all done?" asked Jillian.

 "Yes, I just finished," answered Marissa.

 "Good, now we can decide on the song that you're going  to sing at the  wedding," said Jillian.

 "Okay. Do you have one in mind?" asked Marissa.

 "Yes, I do. I've always liked the movie An Affair to  Remember. I would  like you to sing the theme song. Do you know the words  to it?" asked  Jillian.

 "Yes, I do and it's a beautiful song for the wedding.  Is it okay with  Gary?" asked Marissa.

 "Well I haven't told him yet, because I just thought  of it myself, but  I'm sure he will be alright with my choice. After all  he was the one  that said I could choose the song," said Jillian, with  a wide smile on  her face.

 "Okay, now that that is settled, there's one more  thing that we should  talk about," said Marissa.

 "What's that?" asked Jillian, puzzled.

 "The reception. Have you thought of where you are  going to have it?"  asked Marissa.

 "Oh no! We've been so busy with everything else that  we never even  thought about the reception. Oh God, we'll never get  one together in  time," said Jillian, frustrated.

 "Sure we will," said Marissa. We can have it here.  We'll get the girls  together and we can start planning the whole thing,"  said Marissa.

 "Okay, let's pick up Jade and go over to my apartment,  my mom and Lois  are over there helping Lorraine put the final touches  on her and  Allison's dresses," said Jillian.

 "Great, we can plan everything over there," said  Marissa.

 "Good, I'll let Gary know where we're going and then  I'll come back and  we'll go and pick up Jade," said Jillian.

 "Okay, I'll give her a call to let her know we're  coming," said  Marissa.

 "Okay," said Jillian and she walked out of the office  and into the bar.

 ----------------------------------------------

 "Now that we're all here together, let's get started  on the plan for  Gary and Jillian's reception. Remember we only have  three days, so  let's  come up with something nice but simple," said Shelly  as she picked up a  tablet and pencil to write down the plan.

 "Okay, who should we order the wedding cake from?"  asked Shelly.

 "Oh you don't have to do that, I can bake the wedding  cake," said Lois.

 "Can you bake the traditional layers?" asked Jillian.

 "Sure, no problem," said Lois. "I really would like to  do this. I  promise, you and Gary won't be disappointed."

 "Okay Mom, put Lois down for the wedding cake," said  Jillian.

 "Okay, Lois for wedding cake," said Shelly as she  wrote it on her  tablet.

 "I can make little finger sandwiches," offered Jade.

 "Okay, Jade down for finger sandwiches," said Shelly.

 "Okay what else?"

 "Oh wait, what about the pictures?" asked Marissa.

 "Oh, that's no problem," said Wayne coming out of the  kitchen with a  ham  sandwich in his hand.

 "Wayne, you just ate an hour ago," said Lorraine.

 "Yeah I know, but I'm hungry again," said Wayne.  "Oh, you're always hungry," said Lorraine as she  patted her husband's  belly.

 "Okay you two, I would like to know what you're  talking about Wayne,"  said Jillian.

 "Jillian have you forgotten?" asked Wayne.

 Jillian gave Wayne a confused look.

 "My older brother Ray is a professional photographer,"  said Wayne. "I  called him a few days ago and he will be here in  plenty of time for the  wedding."

 "Oh thank you Wayne, but are you sure he'll arrive in  time? After all  he  is coming from Pittsburgh," said Jillian

 "Sure, I've called him in plenty of time. He will be  here. I promise.  If  not, I will take the pictures myself," said Wayne.

 "Oh boy, let's hope that Ray arrives in time. When it  comes to taking  pictures, my dear husband is all thumbs," laughed  Lorraine.

 "Oh ha ha, Lorraine, you sure are a riot today aren't  you?" asked Wayne  with a hint of irritation.

 "Oh honey loosen up, I was only kidding," said  Lorraine before she  lightly kissed Wayne on the lips.

 "Okay, I forgive you," said Wayne and he returned  Lorraine's kiss.

 "Alright, now that that's settled,  who's going to arrange the entertainment?" asked  Shelly.

 "Marissa," everyone said in unison.

 "Me?" asked Marissa.

 "Yes, Marissa, you are the only person for this job  and Gary and I know  that you will do a great job. "

 "Sure, I'm pleased and I will accept," said Marissa.

 "Fine that seems to be everything, so let's get  started," said Shelly.

 "Mommy?"

 "Yes Allison," said Lorraine.

 "Can Chris and I help too?"

 "Yeah Mom, we want to do something too!"

 "Yes you can," said Jillian as she squatted down and  placed her arms  around both of the children.

 "Do you know what you can help us do?" asked Jillian.

 "What?" Allison and Chris asked at the same time.

 "You can help us decorate McGinty's for the reception.  How does that  sound?" asked Jillian.

 "Oh boy, that sounds like fun," said Allison.

 "Yeah, I can't wait to help," said Chris.

 "Okay then, that will be your job," said Jillian.

 "We'll do a good job too. Won't we Allison?" said  Chris.

 "Yeah," Allison agreed as she nodded and jumped up and  down with  excitement.

 "Well that's my little jack-in-the box," laughed Wayne  and everyone  else  laughed too.

  Gary sat at the kitchen table, picking at his  blueberry hot cakes.

 Sure,  the hot cakes looked as good as they aways did when  Lois made them for  him, but he couldn't eat a bite. He couldn't stop  worrying about the  fact that his Dad and Chuck were handling the paper  this particular  morning. 'What if something goes wrong?' he thought to  himself as he  continued to pick at his hot cakes. Lois could see  that Gary was  worried, and she tried her best to reassure him.

 "Gary, sweetie, try not to worry too much about the  paper today. You  have other things to worry about. I'm sure that Bernie  and Chuck can  handle the paper this morning," said Lois.

 "Mom, I just can't help thinking that something is  going to go wrong. I  was more than an hour late for rehearsal because of  that paper. I don't  want to be late for our wedding too," said Gary with  concern.

 "Honey, I promise that if they do anything to change  the paper they'll  both answer to me, and believe me, that won't be  pleasant. Gary, I  know  that Bernie and Chuck wouldn't do anything to spoil  this day for you  and  Jillian, besides, Bernie told me they only had a  couple of easy ones,  nothing to worry about and that they would be done in  a couple of  hours.  In fact they should be back soon, so try not to  worry," said Lois.

 "Okay Mom, I'll try, but believe me it's not going to  be easy," said

 Gary as he swirled his fork in the syrup that he had  just poured on his  hot cakes.

 "Okay sweetie. Say, I bet those hot cakes are getting  cold, let me make  you some more," said Lois and she started to reach for  the plate.

 "That's okay Mom. I not very hungry anyway. I guess  I'm just too  nervous  to eat anything right now," said Gary.

 "Gary, honey, you have to eat something. Why don't you  let me fix you a  bowl of cereal," said Lois.

 "No thank you, Mom, but I will take a couple slices of  cinnamon toast  and a small glass of orange juice," said Gary.

 "Okay, sweetie, that's not much of a breakfast, but  I'll have it for  you  in just a few minutes," said Lois.

 Lois soon sat Gary's breakfast down in front of him.  "Here's your breakfast Gary. It doesn't look like much  to eat. Are you  sure that you don't what me to make you some more  blueberry hot cakes?"  asked Lois.

 "No Mom, this is fine. With all the things that have  to be done before  4, I don't even know if I can eat one bite of this,"  said Gary.

 "Alright, you try and eat what you can. I'm going down  to the kitchen  to  put the final touches on the wedding cake and then I'm  going over to  Jillian's apartment to help get her ready for the  wedding. Bernie and  Chuck can help you when they return," said Lois.

 "Okay Mom," said Gary.  Lois started for the door, when she was stopped by  Gary's voice.

 "Hey Mom," Gary called out.

 "Yes sweetie?" asked Lois, as she turned to look at  her son.

 "I love you, Mom," answered Gary.

 A broad smile spread over Lois's face. Flowing down  her cheek, was one  single tear, it was a tear that was from total  happiness, for she  hadn't  heard those words from her only child in quite a  while. Sure he would  nod his head or say 'me too, Mom', whenever she told  him , but he  hadn't  spoke the words himself since his high school  graduation. Yes, Lois had  no doubt that Gary loved her, but it meant so much  more to hear him say  it.  Lois crossed back over to where Gary was setting. She  threw her arms  around her son and placed a tender kiss on his cheek.  "I love you too, sweetie. You know on this day, 36  years ago, your  father and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful  gift than you,  and  now this afternoon we will be welcoming your beloved  Jillian into our  lives and we couldn't be happier. Oh did I say that?  Hmm maybe a  grandchild or two would make us even happier. I hope  it happens right  away, I just can't wait to be a grandmother," said  Lois.

 Gary just laughed, stood up from his chair and gave  his mother a gentle  hug.  "Mom, I promise we will try our best to make you and  Dad grandparents.  On one condition," said Gary.

 "What's that?" asked Lois.

 "You don't spoil them too much," said Gary jokingly.

 "Oh, don't expect your dad and I to keep that  promise," laughed Lois.

 "Any child that Jillian and you will have, will  certainly be spoiled  rotten and that's a promise that I can definitely  keep."

 "Mom, Jillian and I wouldn't have it any other way,"  said Gary.

 ----------------------------------------------

 Allison was sitting on the LaZBoy that her Aunt  Jillian fixed up for  her  to sleep on. She was talking to her friend, her best  friend, Baby Bop.

 "Guess what today is Baby Bop?" Allison asked.  Baby Bop sat on Allison's lap, looking up at her as if  she was  listening  to every word that Allison was saying.

 "Do you know? No, well in that case I'll tell you.  Today's the day that  Aunt Jillian and Uncle Gary are getting married and  guess what else? I  get to throw beautiful flowers at them. What do you  think about that?"  asked Allison.

 Baby Bop showed her happiness by smiling up at  Allison.

 "Hey, I'm glad that you're happy too and don't you  worry, you will get  to go to the wedding too," said Allison as she hugged  her Baby Bop.

 "Allison, honey come on in here," said Lorraine from  the kitchen. "We  have a lot to do today and you need to have some  breakfast."

 "Okay Mommy, I'm coming. Let's go Baby Bop. We have to  eat breakfast,  so  we can get ready for the wedding," said Allison.  Allison grabbed Baby Bop and began walking towards the  kitchen. When  she  arrived, she could see Chris sitting at the table,  eating a hot bowl of  cream of wheat.

 "Hi Chris, did you save me the one with the strawberry  swirl?" asked

 Allison as she climbed into the chair next to her  brother.

 Chris, gave his little sister a look, the look that  said, 'you always  get your own way' and handed her, her favorite flavor  of cream of  wheat.

 "Okay, now you two hurry up and eat your breakfast,  because we have a  lot to get done before the wedding," said Lorraine.

 "Mommy? Baby Bop want's to come to the wedding too.  Can she Mommy?"  asked Allison.

 "Mom! You're not going to let her drag that stupid  thing to the wedding  are you?" asked Chris, hoping that the answer would be  no.

 "Baby Bop is not stupid and she's going. Isn't she  Mommy?" asked  Allison  before she stuck her tongue out at her brother.

 "Allison that will be enough of that. Finish your  breakfast and we will  talk about Baby Bop later.

 (door bell rings)

 "I have to go and answer the door. Now please stop  arguing over Baby  Bop  and eat your breakfast."

 Lorraine was soon at the door. When she opened it,  Lois was standing  there with a small package in her hand.

 "Hi Lois. What's in the package you have there?" asked  Lorraine.

 "It's something that I wore at my wedding and I think  that Jillian would  love to wear them as something old for her wedding."

 "Oh let's go and show her then. Come on, she's in the  bedroom, where  Mom is fixing her hair for the wedding," said  Lorraine.

 Lois stepped into the apartment and followed Lorraine  to Jillian's  bedroom. Jillian was sitting on a chair in front of  her vanity, while  Shelly was experimenting with different types of  hairdos, for her long  dark auburn hair. Jillian turned her head when she  heard foot steps  entering into her bedroom.

 "Jillian, please sit still, or I'll never get your  hair done in time,"  said Shelly.

 "Mom, don't worry, we will get my hair done in plenty  of time," said  Jillian, holding her mother's hand and reassuring her.  She then  released  her mother's hand and went over to greet Lois.  "Lois, I am so glad that you are here," said Jillian  as she hugged her  mother-in-law to be.

 "Jillian, I wouldn't miss helping you get ready to  marry my son for  anything in this world, and thinking of helping,  here's something old  that you can wear. I wore them at my wedding and since  I don't have a  daughter, I would love for you to wear them. I offered  them to Marcia,  but she refused to wear them. I hope that you will  take them and know  that Bernie and I love you very much," said Lois.  Jillian took the package from Lois and when she opened  it, her eyes  couldn't believe what she was seeing. The most  glorious pearl necklace  that she had ever seen.

 "Oh my God, Lois. They are so beautiful. Thank you so  much! I will be  more than honored to wear these at my wedding," said  Jillian as she  threw her arms around Lois and with happy tears in her  eyes whispered.

 "I love you and Bernie too."  Lois just smiled, while she and Jillian continued to  hold one another.

  The clock on the wall had just dinged 12 times. Gary  was in the office,  pacing back and forth on the rug covered floor. He was  dressed in a  black tux, with white shirt and a black tie to match.

 In just four  hours, he and his beloved Jillian would be standing at  the altar in The  United Methodist Church, preparing to exchange vows  with one another.  He was pacing back and forth, because his dad and  Chuck had not yet  returned from dealing with tomorrow's paper and Gary  was beginning to  fear the worst. "Where in the name of God could they  be? I swear if  they  did anything to change that paper and ruin my and  Jillian's wedding  day,  so help me I'll....."

 Briiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

 Gary dashed over to pick up the phone, nearly tripping  over cases of  wine in his haste.

 "Dad?" asked Gary hopefully.

 "No, Gary, this is Mom, is everything okay?" asked  Lois, her voice  laced  with worry.

 "I don't know Mom. Dad and Chuck aren't back from  dealing with the  paper  yet, and they have to start getting ready for the  wedding. I'm just  afraid that they did something to change the paper. I  just know that  everything is going to go wrong because of that stupid  paper. I can  just  feel it," said Gary with traces of anxiousness in his  voice.

 "Gary, honey, try not to worry. Maybe handling the  paper today, took a  little more time than they expected. I'm sure that  they will be back  soon," said Lois. Not only trying to calm Gary's  fears, but her own as  well.

 "What if they aren't?" asked Gary. "Then what?"

 "We'll cross that bridge when, and if, we get there.  Now I'm going to  help things along here, and don't you worry. No matter  what happens,  you  and Jillian are going to have a beautiful wedding. I  promise," said  Lois.

 "Thank's Mom, Jillian and I really appreciate  everything that you, Dad  and Shelly are doing for us," said Gary.

 "You're welcome, I'll see you soon and Gary, I love  you very much,"  said  Lois.

 "Me too, Mom."  Gary placed the receiver back in it's cradle before  walking into the  bar.

 ----------------------------------------------

 Chuck was sitting in his Lexus, waiting for Bernie to  return from  finishing up the demands of the paper. It had all  ready taken more time  than first anticipated and certainly, Gary was on pin  and needles by  this time.

 The opening of the door shook Chuck out of his  daydream and he watched  Bernie get into his Lexus and sit next to him.

 "Is that it?" asked Chuck as soon as Bernie was seated  and buckled in.

 "No, there's one more," said Bernie.

 "One more! But we have a wedding to go to this  afternoon. We don't have  time to do any more of that paper's demands," said  Chuck in an  irritated  tone.

 "I know where we have to be this afternoon, but a  child will die if we  don't handle this," said Bernie.

 "Look, are you sure that's what will happen? Maybe the  paper's wrong  and  the child just stubs a toe or something," said Chuck.

 "No, the paper says that five year old Billy-Jean  Carter will die  instantly, when she is struck by a rock that her older  brother shoots  from a homemade sling shot," said Bernie as he read  the article in the  paper.

 "A sling shot? I thought those things were outdated  years ago. And how  in the world does a little rock do so much damage?"  Chuck asked.

 "I don't know, I guess it was the speed and force of  the rock, that  causes the fatal blow. All I know, is that Gary would  save the child,  wedding or no wedding," said Bernie.

 "Okay, how much time do we have and where is this  supposed to take  place?" asked Chuck.

 "We have 20 minutes and it takes place over on  Dearborne. 19000 to be  exact," said Bernie.

 "Okay let's go. I'll call Gary on my cell phone on the  way over, and  tell him what's going on," said Chuck. "Maybe I can  reassure him that  we  will be back as soon as we can."

 "Yeah, come on let's go, time's a wasting," said  Bernie.  At that, Chuck started the motor and took off in the  direction of  Dearborne to save the life of a five year old child.

 ----------------------------------------------

 Shelly was finishing up Jillian's hair, when Allison  and Chris burst  into the room. Chris had Baby Bop and was holding her  up high and out  of  Allison's reach.

 "Give me Baby Bop!" cried Allison tearfully.

 "Nanny, make Chris give me Baby Bop!"

 "Look you two, today is a very special day for Aunt  Jillian and Uncle  Gary, and we don't have time to deal with you two  bickering. Now Chris  give Allison back her Baby Bop and go see your father  so that he can  help you get ready for the wedding. Now be off with  you," ordered  Shelly.

 Chris handed Allison her Baby Bop, but not without  mumbling "brat"  under  his breath before he left to find Wayne.

 "Nanny, did you hear what Chris called me?" asked  Allison with disgust.

 "Yes, I heard, and I will talk to Chris later. But  right now we have to  see about getting you ready for the wedding. Come on,  let's see if your  mother is ready for you yet."

 Turning back to Jillian, Shelly reassured her that she  would be back  soon and headed out of the room with Allison in hand.  Jillian nodded her head and stood up to get a better  look at the hair  style her mother had chosen for her. Looking in the  mirror, she could  see how good Shelly was at this. Her hair was swept up  on top of her  head in a cluster of curls, with soft ringlets  framing her face and  neck. To top it all off, there were flecks of gold  sparkling through  out  it. Tears of pure happiness started to steak down  Jillian's face. In  just a little while, she would be Mrs. Gary Hobson and  her heart was  beating with absolute delight.

 At that moment Shelly returned to the room and heard  Jillian sobbing  softly to herself. She walked over to her daughter and  pulled her close  to her breast.  "You're getting kind of anxious aren't you sweetie?"  asked Shelly as  she  kissed the top of Jillian's head.

 "Yes, I just can't wait, and Mom my hair is so  elegant. Thank you so  much," said Jillian before she gave her mother a hug  and a kiss on the  cheek.

 "You're welcome, sweetie. Now let's finish getting you  ready," said  Shelly.

 Jillian nodded her head in agreement and both mother  and daughter began  to work.

 ----------------------------------------------

 Allison was standing in the hallway looking in the  long mirror that was  on the closet door. She had just put on her gown and  was admiring  herself.

 "Allison? Where are you? I have to start getting you  ready for the  wedding. Where are you?" asked Lorraine as she walked  towards the  hallway.

 "Here I am, Mommy and I'm all ready," said Allison,  sounding quite  proud  of herself.

 Lorraine stopped in front of Allison and burst into a  fit of laughter.

 Allison had some how put on her gown upside down. How  she did this  Lorraine could only wonder.  "Hey silly girl, first, you have to take a bath and  have your hair done  and on top of that, you have the gown on upside down.  Come here so  Mommy  can slip it off you," said Lorraine.  Lorraine soon had the gown off of Allison and placed  it neatly across  the bed.  "Come on, let's get you bathed, so I can get you  ready," said Lorraine  and they both headed for the bathroom.

 But they weren't alone in the room. Sherman, Jillian's  dog was also  there. He had been lying quietly under the bed and  decided to come out.  When he did, he jumped on the bed and instantly  decided that Allison's  gown was a play toy and quickly grabbed it.

 Bernie and Chuck soon found themselves parked in front  of 19000  Dearborne. Chuck opened the door and stepped out on  the curb. Bernie  soon followed.

 "Is this the place?" asked Chuck.

 "Yes and according to my watch, the incident is  suppose to happen any  minute now. Come on we have to save that child," said  Bernie.  At that, Bernie headed at full speed towards the back  of the house,  with  Chuck close at his heels. In the back they could see a  boy around 11,  shooting tin cans on a wooden fence with a sling shot.  Nearby was a  small girl, Billy-Jean, who was running towards the  rope swing that the  children's father had put up for them. But in her  haste she was running  in the path of where her brother was shooting at the  cans.

 "Billy-Jean! Stop! You're going to get hurt!" cried  Bernie as he ran  for  the young girl.

 "Grab her Bernie! My God please grab her!" yelled  Chuck who was  desperately trying to catch up.

 Bernie caught up with the young child and swept her up  in his arms just  seconds before the rock flew by.

 "Hey mister, thanks. Boy that rock could have creamed  my sister," said  Fred. "Sheesh, I didn't expect her to run in the path  of my target  area."

 "That's why, when using something like a sling shot,  you have to make  sure that no one is around. You can never be too  careful," said Chuck.

 "Chuck's right. It's alright to shoot cans with your  sling shot, but  make sure that nobody's around before you do," added  Bernie.

 At that moment the children's mother had appeared from  around the front  of the house. Noticing Bernie holding her daughter,  she went over to  find out what was going on.

 "Excuse me. May I please have my child?" asked Mary  Kaye as she took  Billy-Jean from Bernie's arms. "Now that I have my  child, would you  please tell me what you are doing here in my yard?"

 "Mommy, that man helped me," said Billy-Jean pointing  to Bernie.

 "Yeah Mom, they both kind of helped. Billy-Jean almost  ran in the path  of where I was practicing with my sling shot, and if  it wasn't for  these  two men, she would have been hit with one of the  rocks," said Fred.

 "Is this true?" asked Mary Kaye as she turned to  looked at Bernie and  Chuck.

 "Yes, it's true," answered Bernie.

 "Well, thank you very much," she said gratefully.

 "Thank you so much."

 She gave both Bernie and Chuck a hug and thanked them  once more  before she took her two children into the house.  Soon, Bernie and Chuck were back in Chuck's Lexus.  Chuck was already  buckled in when Bernie slipped into the passenger side  of the car.

 "I sure hope there's nothing else for us to take care  of in that stupid  paper. We have to get back to McGinty's. The wedding  is in just a  little over 2 hours. We don't have much time you  know," said Chuck as  he  looked at his watch.  Bernie checked the paper. Seeing that nothing else  seemed to need their  immediate attention, he turned to Chuck and said, "The  paper seems to  be  clear right now, so let's get going. Because like you  said, we don't  have much time."

 Chuck nodded his head in agreement and then started up  his Lexus and  headed back to McGinty's.

 ----------------------------------------------

 "Hold still you little wiggle worm," said Lorraine as  she wrapped a  towel around her young daughter and lifted her out of  the tub.

 "Mommy, can I go and put on my pretty dress now?"  asked Allison with  all  the excitement of a 5-year-old child.

 "You go into the bedroom and wait for Mommy. As soon  as I empty the  tub,  I will be right in to help you get ready for the  wedding," said  Lorraine.

 "Okay Mommy," said Allison as she scampered towards  the bedroom.

 Lorraine turned and was about ready to drain the tub  when she heard  Allison scream.

 "Mommmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyy!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! "

 "What in the name of God!" said Lorraine as she ran  out of the bathroom  and towards the bedroom, where she had sent Allison.  When she arrived  at  the door, Allison was standing by the dresser,  screaming and crying  uncontrollably. On the bed was Sherman, and in his  mouth he had a piece  of Allison's gown that he had ripped to pieces.  Lorraine looked at Sherman and the mess that he had  made.

 "Oh Sherman, how could you? Just look at the mess you  made of Allison's  dress! Bad dog! Bad, bad dog!" said Lorraine with  irritation in her  voice.  She grabbed the dog's collar and pulled him off the  bed and into the  hallway. After shutting the door behind her, she  picked up what was  left  of Allison's dress. She was so shocked and upset, that  she wasn't sure  what to do next. Hearing her daughter's sobbing  snapped her out of her  trance.

 "Mommmmmyyyy! Now I can't go to Aunt Jillian and Uncle  Gary's wedding,"  wailed Allison, crying even harder than she was  before.

 Lorraine lifted Allison in her arms and began to  comfort her but she  continued to cry. Suddenly ,Lois opened the door.  "I heard Allison screaming, is everything all right?"  Allison lifted her head off her mother's shoulder.  Lois could see how  swollen her face was from crying and her eyes were red  and swollen too.

 "Auntie Lois, Sherman ate my dress and now I can't go  to the wedding,"  said Allison still clinging to her mother.

 "Oh Allison, don't cry, you can still go. We'll just  have to buy you  another dress," said Lorraine.

 "But, Mommy, I want you to make it for me," said  Allison.

 "Allison, I don't have time to make you one. We only  have a couple of  hours before the wedding."

 "Tell you what. Why don't Jade and I take Allison and  buy her a new  dress for the wedding?" offered Lois. "That way you  can get ready and  we  can finish getting Allison ready when we return. "

 "Okay, but you'll have to hurry, there isn't much  time. Here's some  money for the dress," said Lorraine as she pulled some  bills from her  purse.

 "Oh no, you put that back where you got it. This is on  me," said Lois.

 "But Lois, I don't what you to have to pay for  Allison's dress. Please  take the money," said Lorraine.

 "No I insist on paying for it. Now, no more arguing.  I'll get Jade and  we'll get going. Come on Allison, sweetie, let's go  and buy you a new  dress," said Lois.

 "Can Baby Bop come? She want's to help pick out my new  dress too," said  Allison.

 "Of course she can come. Let's go find Jade, so we can  get going," said  Lois.

 "Okay," said Allison and ran to find Baby Bop.  Baby Bop was sitting on top of the coffee table in the  living room and  underneath the table was Sherman, sleeping soundly as  if nothing had  happened. Allison knelt down and saw the sleeping dog  and reached over  and began to pet him.

 "You know Sherman, you were a bad dog, but I still  love you," said  Allison.  Sherman seemed to know that he had done wrong and  tried to apologize by  licking Allison's face.  "That tickles," Allison giggled. "Okay Sherman you're  forgiven,"  Allison  then gave Sherman a hug.

 Lois walked over to where Allison and Sherman were.  "Let's go sweetie,  Jade is waiting in the car for us."

 "Auntie Lois, Sherman and I are friends again," said  Allison happily.

 "That's really wonderful, sweetie. I'm glad that you  and Sherman have  made up, but we have to hurry so we can get back and  finish getting  ready for the wedding. "

 "Okay," said Allison and she took Lois's hand and they  both walked out  the front door to Jade's car.

 

  It's was already going on 2:00 when Chuck pulled up in  front of  McGinty's. Bernie was out of the car before Chuck had  a chance to  unbuckle his seat belt.

 "Hey, come on, Chuck. Get a move on, we don't have  much time and we  still have to get ready. Shake a leg will ya?" said  Bernie as he  started  for the front door.

 "Okay, Okay, I'm coming, just hold your horses okay?"  said Chuck,  grumbling.

 Gary was pacing the floor, when Bernie and Chuck  walked into the bar.

 "Boy, am I glad to see you two. Did you get there in  time to save that  little girl?" asked Gary.

 "Yeah, we got there in plenty of time," Bernie  answered.

 "Good you can tell me about it later, but for now you  two have to get  ready, there isn't much time. Patrick left a little  while ago. He and  Wayne are going to be ushers, so I told him to go on  to the church,"  said Gary.

 "Okay, we'll be ready in a flash," Bernie stated.

 "Yeah Gar, you can count on us," said Chuck.  Bernie and Chuck left the bar and Gary took this  moment to go over the  wedding vows he had written for Jillian.

 ----------------------------------------------

 "Ouch, Dad, your choking me!" exclaimed Chris as Wayne  was trying to  tie  his bow tie.

 "Chris, please stand still. I have enough problems  trying to tie this  stupid thing. Geez, I hate bow ties, I never could tie  one," said  Wayne,  frustrated.

 "Oh good, in that case, I don't have to wear the dorky  thing," said  Chris hopefully.

 "Oh yeah, you still have to wear it, maybe your mother  can help us.  Come  on let's go see if she can," said Wayne.

 "Oh gee, Dad, do I have too?" asked Chris,  disappointed.

 "Yes, you have to. Come on now, we don't have time to  dilly dally.  Let's  go and find your mom," said Wayne as he put his hand  on Chris's  shoulder and together they went to look for Lorraine.

 Lorraine was standing in the living room, examining,  in her hand, a  piece of material that was left from Allison's dress.  Her thoughts were  interrupted when she heard a whining voice coming from  her ten year old  son.

 "Mom, do I have to wear this dorky bow tie?" asked  Chris as he walked  into the room with Wayne.

 Lorraine turned to look at her young son. She was  still upset about  Allison's dress and was in no mood to argue with him  at that moment.

 "Chris, please don't act like that, the wedding is  just in a short time  and we still have a lot to do." said Lorraine.

 "But Mom, I don't want to wear it," whined Chris.

 "Christopher Alan Porter, I am in no mood for your  whining! Yes, you  have to wear that tie, now come here so I can tie it  for you," said  Lorraine sternly.

 "Hon, I'm sorry, I tried, but you know I always did  have trouble tying  a  bow tie," said Wayne.

 "It's okay, Wayne and I'm sorry if I seem a bit  snippy, it's just that  Sherman ripped Allison's dress to pieces. Jade and  Lois had to take her  and buy her a new dress for the wedding and right now  I could just  scream, because everything is going wrong," said  Lorraine.

 "Don't worry Lorraine, I'm sure that everything will  turn out alright  for the wedding."

 "I sure hope so," said Lorraine. "There you go Chris,  now let's see if  I  can tie your dad's tie."

 "Mom, I'm sorry I acted that way. Are you angry with  Sherman?" asked  Chris.

 "No, Chris and just a little upset with him. Maybe it  was my fault as  much as it was his. I shouldn't have laid Allison's  dress on the bed,  it  was just asking for disaster. There was no doubt, the  temptation was  too  much for Sherman to ignore," said Lorraine as she  glanced over at the  sleeping dog. "Well what's done is done. Here, Wayne,  let me help you  with your tie."

 Lorraine had just finished with Wayne's tie, when the  telephone began  to  ring.

 Brrriiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!! Briiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!

 "I'll answer the phone, Wayne. You go ahead and take  Chris over to the  church. After all, you and Patrick are ushers and you  should be there  early to greet the guests," said Lorraine.

 Briiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!

 "Okay, hon, do you want me to see if Marissa would  like to come along  with us?" asked Wayne.

 "Yes, I think that would be a great idea," said  Lorraine.

 Briiiiiiiii!!!!!!

 "Well I better answer the phone, before it rings off  the hook," said  Lorraine.

 "Hello," said Lorraine as she picked up the receiver.

 "Lorraine, this is Lois. We've picked out Allison's  dress and to save  time we will finish getting her ready over at the  church. There is a  dressing room that we can use," said Lois.

 "Okay, I'll bring her shoes and what ever else she  will need," said  Lorraine.

 "Oh no, Jade and I have already bought those items  too. All you have to  do, is bring her flower basket and the little bag of  flower petals that  she will be tossing for the wedding," said Lois.

 "Oh Lois, you and Jade didn't have to do that, but I  know that Jillian  will appreciate it." said Lorraine.

 "It was no problem. Jade, Allison and I will see you  over at the church  in a little while. Bye," said Lois.

 "Bye Lois, see you soon, and thanks again," said  Lorraine.

 "You're welcome," said Lois as she hung up the phone.  Lorraine returned the receiver to its base. She then  turned to Sherman  and said. "What in the world is Jillian going to do  with you young  man?  Oh well, I guess I better go and see if they need my  help," said  Lorraine, and at that she went to offer any help that  she could.

  ----------------------------------------------

 "Hey you two, aren't you ready yet?" asked Gary as he  entered his loft.

 "Yeah, son, I'm ready, I just have to finish tying my  tie," said  Bernie.

 "How about Chuck is he ready?" asked Gary,  impatiently.  "Hold your horses, I'm just putting on my cuff link,"  said Chuck. "Boy  I'm sure glad that you don't get married every day.  You'd have us all  in  the funny farm."

 "Very funny Chuck. It's just that I would like to be  standing at the  altar, waiting for Jillian, before she starts walking  down the isle,"  said Gary.

 "Oh Gary, don't fret so much, we'll get there in  plenty of time.  Besides, Jillian can't walk down the isle without me,"  said Bernie.

 "Okay, okay, let's get over to the church before  something else  happens," said Gary.

 "Meow!!!!!"

 "Oh no you don't, I'm on my way to the church to marry  Jillian, there  is  no way that I'm going to do something for that paper  now. What ever it  is, you handle it Cat, because I'm not," said Gary.

 "Meow!!!!!!"

 "No! No, uh huh, forget it. No way, no how," said  Gary.

 "Meow!!!!!"

 "Why are you doing this to me? Why can't you let me  be? Don't you  understand? Today's Jillian's and my wedding day. I  don't have time to  deal with the paper now," said Gary impatiently.

 "Gar, you and Bernie go on over to the church, I'll  check and see what  the cat wants and I will catch up with you," said  Chuck.

 "But Chuck, we don't have time to deal with it right  now. Oh brother!  Let's see, Cat. Let's see what needs to be done to  ruin my life," said  Gary.  Gary took the paper from underneath the cat and  started to read what  Cat  wanted him to see. This is what was in the paper.  "Congratulations to Mr. Hobson and Miss Matthew on  your wedding day.  Best wishes from Cat and the Man in the Bowler Hat."

  "Oh, Jillian you look so beautiful," said Lorraine as  she walked into  Jillian's bedroom. "And I know without a doubt, that  Gary is one lucky  guy, sis."

 "Why, thank you, Lorraine. By the way, Wayne told me  all about what  Sherman did to Allison's dress, and I am so sorry. I  just don't know  what to do about him. It seems no matter how much I  punish him, he  still  seems to want to chew on things that he shouldn't be  chewing on. Well,  just the other day he completely destroyed one of my  best pair of  jeans.  My Calvin Klein's, the ones that cost me $60.00. Boy,  I'm just at my  wits end. I just wish I knew what to do, I certainly  don't want to give  him up," said Jillian sadly.

 "Well, it seems to me that Sherman has some behavioral  problems that  you  are going to have to deal with. Maybe you should take  him to a pet  psychologist," said Lorraine.

 "A pet psychologist?" asked Jillian.

 "Why, yes, they have been known to do wonders with  pets that have  behavioral problems. Remember, Jillian, you and Gary  found Sherman,  hurt  on the side of the road. You don't know what kind of  life he had before  you found him. I think you should take him, so you can  find out how to  help him. It could be that his behavioral problems are  too much for you  to handle. After all, if you don't do something, he's  just going to  keep  on chewing and destroying things. And can you really  afford that, sis?"  asked Lorraine.

 "I guess you're right, but it's so expensive. I'm not  sure if I can  afford a pet psychologist. Oh, I just wish there was  an easier way to  solve my problem," said Jillian.

 "Well, if you want my opinion, I still think that you  should come up  with some kind of a punishment, Jillian. After all,  Sherman is like  your  child, and like a child who does something wrong, he  should be  punished," said Shelly as she stood there with her  arms folded.

 "I know, Mom, but I'm just not sure what kind of  punishment to use,"  said Jillian.

 "Well, sweetie, that's totally up to you, but I still  say you have to  do  something. And if a pet psychologist is the answer,  then we will do  everything in our power to help you out," said Shelly.
 "Thanks, Mom," said Jillian as she wrapped one arm  around Shelly and  reached out her left arm to Lorraine so that she could  join in the hug.

 "Hey, sweetie, we really have to be going. Do you have  somewhere you  can  take Sherman, while we're all gone?" asked Shelly, as  she looked into  Jillian's violet eyes.

 "Yes, Mom. I asked Mr. Marple, my neighbor, if he  would run Sherman  over  to Best Friends Kennels, and he said he would. I'll go  call him and let  him know that Sherman is ready to go," said Jillian.

 "Jillian, give me his phone number and I'll call him,"  said Shelly.

 "And  then we better be getting over to the church. After  all, we can't start  the wedding without the bride," said Shelly before she  left the room.

 "Well, sis, I guess this is it. You know I'm..,,I  really meant what I  said earlier. You really do look great and, sis, I  couldn't be any  happier for you," said Lorraine as she wiped a stray  tear from her  cheek.

 "Thank you so much and you know what? Of all the  sisters in the world,  God couldn't have picked anyone better than you to be  my sister. I love  you so much, Lorraine," said Jillian.

 "I love you too, Jillian," said Lorraine as they  embraced each other in  a hug of sisterly love.

 "Hey sis, I think we better go now. I'm sure everybody  is waiting, you  know, like maybe the natives are getting restless,"  teased Lorraine.

 "Okay, I'm ready, so let's go, sis," said Jillian as  the sisters walked  out of Jillian's room hand in hand.

 ----------------------------------------------

 "Allison, please stand still, so I can put your hair  piece on  straight,"  said Lois.

 "But Auntie Lois, I don't want to wear that stupid  hair piece,"  Allison  whined.

 "Oh, Allison, don't you want to look nice for Aunt  Jillian's and Uncle  Gary's wedding?" asked Lois.

 "Yes, but I don't want to wear that hair piece. I want  to wear what  Mommy made me," said Allison, with tears beginning to  form in her eyes.

 "Oh Allison, sweetie, I know, but you can't...."

 "I know, Sherman ate it. Auntie Lois, Sherman was a  bad boy, wasn't  he?"  asked Allison.

 "Yes, sweetie, he was, but I'm sure that he didn't  mean to be. I guess  he just didn't know any better," said Lois.

 "Yeah, I guess so," said Allison with a hint of  sadness in her voice.

 "Hey, today is a day for happiness not tears. Come on,  give Auntie Lois  a smile," said Lois as she tried to coax Allison into  smiling.  Allison wiped away a tear from her cheek and then gave  Lois the biggest  smile that she could muster. "That's more like it. Now, do you think we can try and  put on your hair  piece again?" asked Lois.

 "Yes, Auntie Lois, but can I put it on by myself?"  asked Allison.

 "Why, you certainly can," said Lois.  Lois handed Allison her hair piece and she soon had it  in place.

 "Is this okay, Auntie Lois?" asked Allison.

 "Yes, it's just fine," said Lois as she bent over to  straighten it just  a bit. "You look just like a little angel. Don't you  agree, Jade?"  asked  Lois.

 "I certainly do and those pretty pink and white roses  that are all  around your hair piece, make you look even prettier,"  said Jade.

 "Thank you, Jade," said Allison as she gave Lois and  Jade a little bow.

 "Auntie Lois, when's Mommy going to get here with my  flower basket?"  asked Allison.

 "She, Grandma, and Aunt Jillian will all be here soon.  In the meantime,  why don't we go and see how they decorated the church  and if Aunt  Jillian's friends, Regina, Carly and Amy Lou have  arrived yet," said  Lois.

 "Okay, let's go," said Allison and she started to skip  into the church,  but then she stopped dead in her tracks and ran back  to Lois and Jade.  She thanked them for buying her dress and she then she  hugged them  both.

 "You are so welcome, sweetie," said Lois.

 "Yes, you are very welcome," said Jade. "Now, let's go  see how  beautiful  the church is."

 Lois took Allison's left hand and Jade took her right  and all three  walked into the church together.  Jade, Lois and Allison walked down the  hall to the archway that led into the church. The  archway was decorated  with exquisite red and white roses that weaved  intricate patterns all  around it. As the trio walked under the arch and into  the church, they  could see how elegant everything was.  Miniature white roses with silky white ribbons were  attached to each  pew  and small lacy wedding bells were hanging down from  the ceiling. The  altar was decorated with even more red and white  roses, trimmed with  white baby's breath, that set off the beauty of the  entire church.

 Allison stood in awe. Her little eyes looked all  around and she could  hardly hold in her excitement.

 "Oh, Auntie Lois, isn't the church beautiful?" she  asked with innocent  eyes.

 "Oh yes, Allison, the church is very beautiful. Don't  you agree Jade?"  asked Lois.

 "Absolutely, I think, without a doubt, that this is  one of the most  beautiful churches I've ever been in and it looks like  more than half  of  the pews are already filled," said Jade.

 "Yes, it looks as if Patrick and Wayne have been quite  busy getting  everyone seated," said Lois. "Hey look up front,  there's Jillian  friends  and co workers, let's go greet them."

 "Hi, girls," said Lois as she greeted Regina, Carly,  and Amy Lou. "You  look very beautiful in your bridesmaid dresses."

 "Thank you, Mrs. Hobson and you all look very  beautiful too," said  Regina.

 "Hey! Do you like the purty dress that Auntie Lois and  Jade picked out  for me?" asked Allison as she spun around for the  girls to get a better  look.

 "Why, that is the prettiest dress that we have ever  seen," said Carly  as  she stooped down and took Allison's hand in hers.  "Don't you agree  Regina and Amy Lou?"

 "Yes, we certainly do," said Regina and Amy Lou  together.

 "I was supposed to wear the dress that Mommy made for  me, but Sherman  ate it," said Allison.

 "Sherman, ate it?" asked Regina with a puzzled looked  on her face.

 "It's a long story, I'll explain it to you later,"  said Lois. "It sure  looks like Jillian and Gary are going to have quite a  few wedding  guests  here today."

 "Yes, they started to arrive about an hour and a half  ago and they have  really been keeping the ushers hopping," said Amy Lou  as she looked out  towards the pews.

 At that moment, Patrick was escorting a young couple  down the aisle and  into a pew on the brides side.  "Here you go, here are a couple of seats for you,"  said Patrick as he  made sure that the couple was seated comfortably.  On the groom's side, Wayne had just finished setting  Lorraine and  Jillian's cousin, Marlene in her seat and then he  headed back to the  doors to greet the next guest, with Patrick following  close behind.

 Lois watched the two men and thought that they were  working quite  nicely  together and were getting along just fine. As she was  watching them, a  thought entered into her mind and she needed to find  out about it.  "Excuse me girls, but I need to ask Wayne something. I  will be right  back," said Lois before she made her way down the  aisle towards Wayne.

 "Wayne?" asked Lois as she approached him.

 "Yes, Lois?" said Wayne as he turned and looked at  her.

 "I just wanted to make sure that your brother was able  to make it for  the wedding," said Lois.

 "Oh yes, Ray's here and he's in the back setting up  his equipment.  Don't  worry Lois. I promise Ray won't let us down. By the  way, where are  Shelly, Lorraine and the bride to be? After all we  don't have much time  left and the guests are still coming in. I just hope  that we have  enough  room for every one," said Wayne.

 "Oh, I'm sure that we will and Shelly, Lorraine and  Jillian will be  here  soon. They just had to make sure they had everything  in order, that's  all. Thinking of the bride to be, where's the groom to  be?" asked Lois.

 "He's in the room behind the altar, with Bernie and  Chuck. Marissa is  up  in the balcony. She and Jim, the church organist,  are going over the  song that she will be singing today," said Wayne.  Lois looked up towards the balcony and saw Marissa  with a young man,  that looked to be around 25, sitting together on the  bench doing  exactly  that.

 "Okay, I guess I'll go back and see how my little boy  is holding up.  Thank you Wayne and you too Patrick for all your help  today. Oh boy,  here comes three more guests. I guess you two better  get back to work,"  said Lois with a gleam in her eyes.

 "Yes, I guess we better," said Wayne. "Come on  Patrick, our guests  await  us. Lois?

 "Yes?" said Lois as she started to walked back up the  aisle.

 "You are quite welcome," said Wayne.

 "Me too," added Patrick.  Lois smiled at the two ushers and then continued back  up the aisle. As  she arrived she could hear Allison, describing to the  girls what  Sherman  had done to her dress.

 "-----and that's how Sherman ate my dress," said  Allison.

 "Oh that was a bad thing that Sherman did, but I'm  sure that he didn't  mean to," said Regina as she stooped eye level with  Allison.

 "That's what my Grandma and Auntie Lois said," said  Allison and then  she  turned around and ran down the aisle towards Lois.

 "Auntie Lois! Aunt Jillian and Uncle Gary won't get  rid of Sherman will  they? He didn't mean to be bad," said Allison with a  tear streaking  down  her cheek.

 Lois bent down and pulled Allison into her arms. It  had been a long  time  since she had held a small child and she had almost  forgotten how  wonderful it felt.  "Oh, of course not sweetie. Sherman did a bad thing,  but he's not a bad  dog. Aunt Jillian and Uncle Gary will just have to  find a way to help  him, so something like this won't happen again," said  Lois. "Say, how  would you like to go back with me and see how the  groom is holding up?"

 "Can I? Can I really go with you?" asked Allison.

 "Well, I don't see why not. I don't know of any  tradition that says  that  the groom can't see the flower girl before the  wedding."

 "Yeah, that's right. Besides Chris is back there with  them and I want  to  show them my purty dress. Don't you think it's purty,  Auntie Lois?"

 "I sure do, sweetie and Uncle Gary, Uncle Bernie and  Chuck will think  so, too," said Lois.

 "Chris, too?" asked Allison.

 "Yes, Chris, too," answered Lois.

 "Oh, first I have to run back and show Daddy my purty  dress. He hasn't  seen it yet," said Allison and she begin running back  to the main doors  to show her daddy her dress.

  "Daddy! Daddy! Look at how purty I look in my new pink  gown," cried  Allison as she ran towards Wayne.  Wayne turned around to see his young daughter running  down the aisle.  As  soon as she got to him, Wayne bent down and swept her  up into his big,  strong arms.

 "Hey, 'Love Bug'. Boy, don't you look beautiful," said  Wayne as he gave  Allison a kiss on the cheek.

 "Do you really think it's purty, Daddy?" asked  Allison.

 "By gosh, I think that's about the purtiest gown I  have ever seen.  Yep,  no doubt about it. It's definitely the purtiest I've  ever seen," said  Wayne.

 "Thank you, Daddy," said Allison as she wrapped her  small arms around  Wayne and gave him the biggest bear hug she could  muster.

 At that moment Wayne and Allison heard a familiar  voice.  "Hey you two. Can I get in on this little bear hug,  too?" asked  Lorraine.

 "Mommy! Look at my purty gown that Auntie Lois and  Jade picked out for  me," said Allison.

 "Well, that it a very pretty dress indeed and Auntie  Lois and Jade were  so nice to help us out like this. I have to be sure  that I thank them  for all their help. But right now young lady, I have  to take you back  to  the room where Aunt Jillian and Grandma are waiting,  so we can get you  ready to go. Wayne, please send Chris back too. The  ceremony will be  starting any time now," said Lorraine as she gently  took Allison from  Wayne's arms.

 "Okay, sweetie, I'll send Chris right back," said  Wayne and he kissed  his wife and young daughter and started up the aisle,  towards the altar  to get Chris.

 --------------------

 "Gary, you look so handsome and I'm not just saying  that because I'm  your mother. I'm saying that because it's true," said  Lois.

 "Oh, Mom," said Gary as he gave her a modest look.

 "Now Gary, you don't have to be so modest. Your Mom is  right. You do  look quite handsome. Take after your old man, you  do," said Bernie.

 "Thanks guys, but I can't help being a little  nervous," said Gary.  "What  if something goes wrong? Maybe I'll forget what to say  during my vows.  Boy, a little nervous? Scatch that. I'm a nervous  wreck. That's what I  am, just a nervous wreck."

 "Gary that's just nerves, which is natural. Don't  worry, everything  will  work out fine and when it comes time for you and  Jillian to repeat your  vows, the love you have for each other will help the  words come flowing  out. You'll see, everything will work out all right,"  said Lois as she  pulled her son close and hugged him.

 "Thank's Mom and you too Dad. Thank's for everything  and putting up  with  me all these years," said Gary.

 "Gary, you are the best thing that ever happened to  your father and me  and the last 36 years have been worth all the  happiness, the tears and  love that we have shared, and we wouldn't change any  of it for anything  in this world. We both love you so much," said Lois as  tears of  happiness streaked down her cheek.

 "Me too, kiddo, me too," said Bernie as he gave Gary a  tight squeeze.

 "Hey you two, your squishing me," teased Gary. "I know  I don't say it  much, but you two are the best parents that any guy  could ever have and  well, uh, I, uh, I love you both very much," said Gary  and then he let  them both hug him, not caring if he was being squished  or not.

 "I really hate to break this up, but we're just about  ready to start,"  said Rev Jerry.

 "In that case, I better be getting back there, if I'm  going to be  giving  the bride away to my son," said Bernie and he excused  himself and  walked  out the door and towards the back of the church.

 "Is everybody ready to go?" asked Rev Jerry.

 "I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Mom, where's  Chuck?" asked Gary  as he nervously looked around the room.

 "Sweetie, Chuck is out there talking to Ray. Don't  worry, he will be  right at your side when the time comes. If it will  make you feel  better,  I'll go tell him that we're just about ready to  start," said Lois.

 "Thank's Mom. That would make me feel better," said  Gary.

 "Okay sweetie, I'll go tell him right now," said Lois  as she left the  room.

 "I'll have Sherry go up to the balcony and see if  Marissa and our  grandson, Jim, are ready. I'd do it myself, but  because of my breathing  problems, I have such a hard time climbing those steep  stairs," said  Jerry."

 -----------------------------

 "Mom do I have to wear this tie? It's really tight,"  complained Chris.

 "Yes, you have to wear that tie. Come here and I will  loosen it a  little. Now please stop complaining," said Lorraine.  "Here, this is the  pillow that you will be carrying the ring on. I want  you to hold it  just  like this, so that the ring won't roll off," Lorraine  said as she  demonstrated how she wanted Chris to hold the pillow.

 "Like this Mom?" asked Chris.

 "Yes, Chris honey, just like that," answered Lorraine.
 "Mom, I'm sorry for all of my complaining," said  Chris.

 "That's okay honey, but let's try and settle down  now. Okay?" asked  Lorraine.

 "Okay, Mom," said Chris. "Can I show Allison what  she's supposed to  do?"

 "Well, you know how Allison can be sometimes. She so  independent, she  just wants to do everything herself, but maybe we can  show her  together.

 How's that sound?" asked Lorraine.

 "Okay, Mom, that sounds great," said Chris.

 "Okay let's go then," said Lorraine.

 --------------------------------------

 "Mom, I guess this is it," said Jillian as tears  started flowing down  her cheeks. "I can't help being scared. What if I go  in there and he's  not there and he leaves me at the altar, just like  Jimmy did three  years  ago?"

 Shelly firmly placed her hands on Jillian's shoulder  and said these  words.  "Jillian, now you listen to me. That man, standing at  that altar,  love's  you very, very, much and he is waiting there for you,  so that he can  make you his bride. His name is Gary. He is not Jimmy  and he will  never,  never, ever hurt you. I'm telling you all of this  because it is true.  You and Gary are going to have a wonderful life  together. You'll see,"

 "Thank you Mom, I really needed to hear those words. I  feel better now  and I'm ready to become Mrs. Gary Hobson."

 "Well, then, let's wait no more. Bernie is out there  waiting to walk  you  down the aisle," said Shelly.

 "Okay, I'm ready," said Jillian as mother and daughter  walked out of  the  room arm in arm.

 ---------------------------

 Gary stood at the altar, along side Chuck. His hands  were sweating and  his legs felt like silly puddy. Chuck could see how  nervous his friend  was and did his best to reassure him.

 "Hey Gar, it's going to be fine. You are getting a  great girl and I  know  that everything will work out just fine," said Chuck.

 "Thank's Chuck, I know I've been though this before,  but I still can't  help being a tiny bit nervous," said Gary.

 "I understand, Gar. I understand. Boy you wouldn't  believe how nervous  I  was when Jade and I tied the knot," said Chuck.

 "Wanna bet?" asked Gary with a laugh.

 "Not really," said Chuck, returning the laugh.  At that moment, the back doors opened and the bridal  march began to  play.

  Gary stood at the altar. The moment he and Jillian had  been waiting for  was just seconds away and his heart was pounding with  excitement and  enthusiasm.

 Suddenly, the rear door opened and the wedding party  began their march  down the aisle. Gary's heart continued to pound as he  watched and  waited  for Jillian to appear.

 First came little Allison, skipping cheerfully down  the aisle and  tossing red rose petals everywhere, from out of her  flower basket.

 Chris was next, walking ever so carefully as not to  disturb the  precious  cargo that he was carrying. Then came the brides maids  and Lorraine,  the  maid of honor,

 Finally! What his heart had been waiting for. There  she was, being  escorted by his dad. The woman who was about to become  his wife, the  woman that he was going to spend the rest of his life  with and there  was  nothing in this world that he wanted more.

 Bernie escorted Jillian down the aisle while the  wedding march played.  Every step that Jillian took, made Gary want her even  more.  'God, she is gorgeous, but why does it seem like she  is still a mile  away'?

 The altar seemed to be farther and farther away with  every step that  she  took. All she wanted was to be up there with the man  that she loved.  The  man she was going to marry. The man she was going to  spend a life time  with. The man she loved with all her heart.

 Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she and  Bernie were  standing in front of the altar.  Bernie walked her up the few steps to the altar and  turned to look at  both of them.

 "Okay, you two love birds, this is it," said Bernie  and he lightly  kissed Jillian on the cheek before he placed her hand  into Gary's, and  turned around and walked back to where Lois was  sitting.

 Rev. Jerry took his place at the altar and he opened  his book and began  the ceremony.

 "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to join  this couple, Gary  and Jillian , in Holy Matrimony. They both have  written their own vows  and have come in the presence of God to exchange them.  Chris, please  come forward with the ring."

 Rev. Jerry took the rings from the pillows and then  faced the couple,  "Gary and Jillian, join your right hands and Gary take  her ring and  begin your vows to her."

 Gary gently placed the ring on Jillian's finger and  nervously began his  vows.  "Jillian, after my divorce, I never thought that I  would ever find  happiness again. But you came into my life and proved  me wrong. You're  every dream that I have ever dreamed, you are my joy,  my hope and my  world. I want to be with you for the rest of my life.  I love you with  all my heart, with all my soul, and I will, every day  of my life."

 "Jillian, you will now say your vows to Gary," said  Rev. Jerry.

 Jillian placed Gary's ring on his finger and she  began her vows.  "Gary, three years ago, I met Jimmy and I thought I  knew what love was  all about, but I was wrong. I never knew what it was  all about until I  met you. You came along and showed me how to love  again. You picked up  the pieces of my broken heart and like a puzzle, you  put them back into  place. Gary, I want my world to be built around you. I  want to have  children with you and to grow old with you. Gary, I  love you with every  inch of my heart."

 "Gary and Jillian you have both repeated your vows in  the eyes of God  and you are both now a part of each other. Gary and  Jillian I now  pronounce you man and wife. Gary, you may kiss your  bride."

 Gary and Jillian turned to each other. This was the  moment that they  had  waited for, the moment when they were finally man and  wife.

 Gary placed his mouth fully on Jillian's lips and  kissed her like he  never kissed her before. To Jillian his lips were warm  and gentle and  she knew this is where she wanted to be. In his arms  forever and ever.

 Rev. Jerry stood with a smile on his face, as he  watched the couple kiss. He had married a lot of  couples in his 25  years  of service and wasn't sure if all the ones he married  were still  together, but he knew that this was the one couple  that would be  together forever.

 As Jillian and Gary finished their kiss, Rev. Jerry  turned to the  congregation.

 "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr & Mrs Gary Hobson."

 Gary placed Jillian's arm through his, gave her one  more kiss on the  lips and they both began to walk down the aisle, while  Marissa began to  sing,

 ~Our love affair is a wondrous thing 
That we'll rejoice in remembering 
Our love was born with our first embrace 
And a page was torn out of time and space 
Our love affair, may it always be 
A flame to burn through eternity 
So take my hand with a fervent prayer 
That we may live and we may share 
A love affair to remember~

~*~*~*~*~

After they were introduced to the congregation as  husband and wife. Gary turned to Jillian, took her  hand and placed it gently in his.

 "Well, Mrs. Hobson, are you ready to face the world as  husband and wife?" asked Gary as he smiled lovingly at  his new bride.

 "Yes, I am, Mr. Hobson, I am ready to face the  world," answered Jillian.

 So at that, the newly married couple left the altar  and began their stroll down the aisle. As they were  doing so, they were greeted with words of  congratulations and best wishes from relatives and  friends in attendance. After thanking everyone, they  continued to walk towards the door where their familes  were waiting. They could hear the song  that Marissa was singing and they couldn't help but  stop and steal one more kiss before they finished  their walk towards the back.

 Allison was waiting at the door with her mother and  Auntie Lois. Everybody else was standing in the back  waiting for the couple to arrive.

 "Mommy, why don't they hurry up? I want to kiss my  new uncle. Gary is my uncle now, isn't he, Mommy?"  asked Allison.

 Lorraine, knelt down, so that she could be eye level  with her young daughter.

 "Yes, sweetie, Gary is now your's and Chris's uncle  and they will be back here soon," answered Lorraine. At that moment, Ray appeared at the door. He had just  set up his camera equipment and was ready to take the  wedding pictures.

 "Hey, you two love bugs. Are you ready to take some  pictures now, as husband and wife?" asked Ray.

 "We'll be right there," said Gary before he turned  around and began kissing Jillian.

 "You may be waiting a while. Looks like it might be  quite some time before those two are ready," said  Bernie, laughing.

 "Yeah, you may be right," said Ray. "I guess I can  wait a while longer."

 Thirty minutes later, Ray was finally able to start  taking the wedding pictures and in no time at all, he  was finished. Chris and Allison were a bit fidgety,  but he was able to finish without any mishaps.

 "Okay everyone, that's the last picture. I will get  them developed and you will all see them real soon."

 "Hey, that's great," said Chuck. "But don't you think  it's time to go to McGinty's? After all, we do have a  wedding reception to attend."

 "You know what Chucko? I think you're right," answered  Bernie.

 "Okay you two, the bride and groom leaves here first,"  said Lois.

 "Lois! You didn't think that Chuck and I were going to  leave before the love birds did you?" asked Bernie. Lois just looked at her husband with a smile and then  turned around and walked away, leaving Bernie's  question unanswered. Bernie just shook his  head and followed his wife outside.

 Allison and Chris were standing at the bottom of the  stairs that led into the church. Standing by them, was  Chuck's wife Jade. Jade was now two months pregnant  and the glow on her face told how happy and excited  she was to be expecting this blessed event. Chuck  headed down the stairs and walked over to his wife.

 "Everything okay, honey?" asked Chuck, as he gently  took Jade's hand.

 "Oh yes, Chuck, I fine. I'm just so happy for Jillian  and Gary. I can't wait until they come out here, so  that we can throw all this birdseed at them. Hey you  two?" asked Jade as she turned to look at Chris and  Allison. "Do you both have enough birdseed to toss at  the newlyweds?"

 "Yeah! Chris and I have a whole bunch," said Allison.

 "Don't we Chris?"

 "Yeah," answered Chris.

 At that moment Gary and Jillian stepped out of the  church and onto the steps.

 "Well, here they are now," said Chuck. "So if you're  ready, let's start throwing."

 And right on cue, everyone started to toss the  birdseed as Gary and Jillian walked down the steps. By  the time they got to Gary's Jeep Wrangler, they had  birdseed all over them.

 The Jeep was decorated with white streamers. On the  back window, written in crazy foam, were the words,  'Just Married' and cans were tied to the bumper. Gary opened the passenger door and Jillian slid onto  the seat. Gary then went around to the other side and  got in. Then they both headed for McGinty's for the  reception. All the guests and relatives  followed behind in their vehicles.

 ~*~*~*~*~

 McGinty's was beautifully decorated with a large  silver wedding bell that was connected to silver  streamers, and was surrounded by tiny white  bells all over the ceiling. All the tables, except  one, had lacy, white table cloths on them with silver  wine goblets.

 The table in the center had a lacy, silver table cloth  with two silver goblets sitting in the middle of the  table. This table was reserved for the bride and  groom.

 "Hey everyone, let's get this party on the move," said  Bernie.

 Gary looked at his dad and just shook his head and  smiled. He turned to Jillian and said,  "You know Jillian? I think Dad may be right. What do  you think?" asked Gary.

 "I agree. Should we go to our table and get things  moving?" asked Jillian.

 "Yes, let's do that," answered Gary.

 Gary and Jillian were soon at their table and began  opening their wedding gifts.

 They got towels from Patrick and a casserole dish from  Marissa. Pots and pans, from Bernie and Lois, and  sheets from Wayne, Lorraine, Chris and Allison. As  they showed each gift, the guests and relatives  clapped  and cheered their approval.

 On the far left was a gift that Gary and Jillian  hadn't opened yet. Gary picked it up and began reading  the card.

 'To the greatest friend that any man could have. Good  luck to you and Jillian in the years to come. Luv ya  buddy. From Chuck and Jade.'

 "Hey, this one's from Chuck and Jade. Gee I wonder  what they got us?" asked Gary.

 "Well, why don't we open it, so we can find out," said  Jillian.

 Together they began to open the package.  Inside was a lacy, black negligee.

 "Jade and I thought that you and Jillian would be  needing this," said Chuck.

 "Yeah, but not for long," added Bernie, with a wink  of his eye.

 "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure that Gary and Jillian will  get some good use out of it. Right you two?" added  Wayne. "Well-a- a - "

 Jillian smiled as she answered for her husband. "Chuck, I hope that you and Jade didn't pay an arm and  a leg for this, because by the time Gary and I get  through. I doubt if there will be anything left of  it," said Jillian as she kissed Gary on the lips.
 "Oh that's okay," laughed Chuck. "It was worth every  penny."

 Suddenly the band leader was heard speaking into the  mike.

 "It is tradition for the bride and groom to have the  first dance. So,Gary and Jillian the floor is all  yours."

 Gary took Jillian's hand and they both walked up to  the middle of the dance floor and began dancing to  their song, 'I Swear'. Gary held Jillian tightly in  his arms as they swayed slowly to the music. Jillian felt warm and safe in Gary's strong arms as  she rested her head snuggly on his chest. Gary kissed  the top of Jillian's head and as he did so, he  whispered, "I don't know what I did to deserve a  beautiful angel like you, but what ever it was, I'll  thank the good Lord for you every day for the rest of  my life," said Gary. "I love you so much."

 "I love you too, Gary, " said Jillian.

 At that, Gary tilted Jillian's face up to his and then  placed his lips on hers, giving her a kiss that made  her body quiver all over. As they finished their kiss  they were interrupted by a small voice.

 "Aunt Jillian? Aren't you and Uncle Gary going to cut  the wedding cake?" asked Allison.

 "Allison, don't bother Aunt Jillian and Uncle Gary.  They're doing that yucky kissing right now," said  Chris. "Boy, how can you two stand that yucky stuff?"

 "Oh, I don't know, I kind of like doing that yucky  stuff. How about you Jillian?" asked Gary as he looked  lovingly into her eyes.

 "Well, I sure do Mister. Come here so we can do some  more of that yucky stuff."

 "Oh, brother. Come on, Allison. They'll cut the cake  in a few minutes," said Chris.

 "I sure hope so, I'm hungry and I just love cake,"  said Allison.

 "Yeah come on," said Chris.

 Chris took Allison's hand and walked back towards  Lorraine and the rest of the adults.

 ~*~*~*~*~

 Soon Gary and Jillian were done with the traditional  dance and were ready to cut the wedding cake. Gary picked up the knife and together they began to  cut the first slice. When they finished they each  picked up a piece and fed each other the  white wedding cake. White frosting was smeared all  over Jillian's face and she giggled gleefully as Gary  gently licked it off her face, "Hey, Gary, that tickles," laughed Jillian.

 "I know, that's why I'm doing it. That and the fact  that you taste so good. I hope you never get tired of  hearing this, but I love you so much," said Gary.

 "Nope, that's one thing that I'll never get tired of,"  said Jillian and they both began to kiss.

 "Ah gee, there they go with that yucky kissing again,"  said Chris.

 At that, Gary just looked at Chris and said,  "Hey, Chris you're just jealous, because you don't  have a beauiful gal like your Aunt Jillian," said  Gary.

 "Yeah, as if," said Chris and he shook his head and  walked away.

 "Was it something I said?" asked Gary.

 Everyone began to laugh and as soon as the laughter  died it was time to serve the wine and to toast the  bride and groom. They all went to the big table near  the back and everyone began with their toast.

 "Gary, I'm so happy that you have found someone to  spend the rest of your life with and I hope that your  future together is exciting and rewarding. Good luck  to you and Jillian in the years to come," said  Marissa.

 "May you have lots of happiness," said Ray.

 "Gary, may you and Jillian have a wonderful life  together," said Lorraine.

 "And may Bernie, Shelly and I have many, many  wonderful grandchildren," added Lois.

 "Yeah, Mom. When the time is right," said Gary.

 "Which I hope will be will soon," added Jillian.

 "Okay, it's mine and Jade's turn," said Chuck.

 "Gary, I know that we have been though a lot and no  one could have asked for a better friend than you. So,  here's to you and Jillian. Have a great life, take  care of one another and just be happy. Jade do you  want to add to that?"

 "Yes, I do. Gary I want to thank you for giving me a  chance to prove my love for Chuck and if you and  Jillian are anywhere near as happy as we are, I know  that you are going to be very happy. Oh, what I means  is I'm just so happy for you both," said Jade.

 "Thank you, Jade," said Jillian.

 "Well, let's hear it for the happy couple," said  Bernie as he lifted his goblet for a toast to the  newlyweds.

 "Thanks everyone. Jillian and I thank every single one  of you," said Gary.

 "Yes, thank you all, for saying such wonderful  things."

 Soon all the toasting was over and it was time for the  reception to come to an end. It was getting time to  clean up and for Gary and Jillian to be leaving for  their honeymoon.

 Jillian still wasn't sure where that was going to be.  Gary decided to keep it a secret until the last moment  so that he could surprise her. He had gone up to the  loft to retrieve the surprise.

 "Close your eyes and hold out your hands and here  comes the big surprise," said Gary as he placed two  cards into Jillian's hands.

 Jillian opened her eyes to see what the cards were and  to her excitement, they were two tickets for a two  week cruise to Jamaica, on the Disney cruise line.

 "Oh Gary, this is such a wonderful surprise. How did  you know that I always wanted to see Jamaica," asked  Jillian, with tears of happiness streaming down her  cheeks.

 "I heard you and Marissa talking about it one day. So  I decided that's where we would go for our honeymoon,"  said Gary.

 "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" said Jillian as she  reached up and started to smother Gary with lots and  lots of kisses.

 Soon, Gary had the Jeep Wrangler packed up and Jillian  and him were getting ready to take off for their  honeymoon.

 "Now Dad, are you sure that you and Chuck can handle  the paper for two weeks?" asked Gary.

 "Yes, of course we can, son. Don't you worry, Chuck  and I won't let you down. Right Chucko?" said Bernie.

 "Right, Bernie," said Chuck.

 "Oh you two. Don't worry, Gary, us girls will make  sure that everything will be alright. Now you two  better get going and you both have a wonderful time,"  said Lois.

 "Thanks, Mom, and I promise we will."

 After all the kisses and goodbye's were finished. Gary  started the car and the newlyweds drove off for their  honeymoon.

 

The End 

Email the author:  reaness46@yahoo.com
 

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