SECOND TIME AROUND

    “Dashiell, you look positively charming. I’d be surprised if the bride doesn’t run off with you,” Betty laughed while she straightened his tie.

    “Aunt Betty?”

    “Yes, dear?” she smiled brightly.

    “You do know who the bride is don’t you?”

    “Why no dear? Devon’s mother sent the invitation to me. You know I’ve known her for years,” she waved her hand.

    “Allie’s the bride.”

    “Allie? You’re Allie?” her eyes widened as she fell back in the chair. “Dashiell, you’re not going to watch her are you?” her voice rising sharply catching his sheepish grin. “Oh my God…tell me you’re not planning to…to”

    “Runaway with the bride?” he grinned wickedly.

    “You wouldn’t…. tell me you’re joking. PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE JOKING,” her eyes widening like saucers.

    “Nope,” checking his appearance in the mirror.

    “You do know this is by invitation only?” she gasped.

    “Yes, and yours is for Mrs. Elizabeth Jessup and guest,” kissing her on the nose.

    “You’re incorrigible,” throwing her hands up. She headed for the door with him following. “Does anyone else know what you’re up to?” she glared at him.

    “Just her father and Duke.”

    “Duke, I can understand, but HER FATHER?”

    “What can I say he likes me?” Flint laughed holding the door for her.

    Shaking her head, “Dashiell, darling, I wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world. I just wish it was yours.” She sighed.

    “How do I look Daddy?” Lady Jaye turned around to show him. He nodded his approval at her choice of gown. The one true thing about this wedding he could fathom was his daughter’s choice of her gown. It was simple and yet exquisite on her—a formal strapless peau satin gown with chapel train. Its bodice covered in guipure lace and delicate pearls, with a matching stole. The headpiece an antique pearl tiara with guipure lace falling about her waist. She would look radiant if she would only smile. He could see the sadness in her eyes.

    “You’re absolutely radiant,” kissing her on the cheek. “Shall we go?” he offered his arm.

    “I guess it’s time isn’t it,” she gulped slipping her arm through his.

    “You’ll be fine,” patting her hand as they left for the church.

    Once she was settled in the car, and knowing his wife had left in the car ahead of them, Edward Hart-Burnett turned to his daughter. “You know it’s not too late to change your mind,” clearing his throat.

    “Daddy?”

    “Allie, I want you to be happy. I honestly don’t believe Devon will make you happy. Maybe for a little while, but not for the long haul,” squeezing her hand in his.

    “I know…but I can’t turn back at this point,” bowing her head.

    “Why? I saw you with Dash last night. Now….”

    “Daddy, stop please,” squeezing his hand. “I can’t go back.”

    “Why not and don’t give me that Devon’s stable crap…. he’s as dull a dishwater and you know it. You’ll be more miserable than you are now.” He scowled at her.

    She laughed, “Mom’s going to kill you if she gets wind of this.”

    “Let me worry about your mother. I want you to think about this wedding. I mean it Allie,” kissing her hand. They arrived at the church. “Tell me one thing before I let you out of this car, do you still love him? Do you still love Dash?”

    “Daddy, I sent him away. It doesn’t matter now. Does it?” shaking her head she heard her mother yell for the driver to open the door.

    “It’s not too late,” he touched her cheek before stepping out to assist her from the limo. He scanned the crowd to see where Dash was silently praying he would arrive. He watched her walk to the bridal room.

    “Hey,” Duke came to her side. “You look beautiful,” kissing her on the cheek. Duke walked with her to the bridal room where she found her bridesmaids including Scarlett, Cover Girl, and Jinx waiting for her. She went to the vanity as Duke whispered something to the Scarlett. <Great what’s he up to now? > Watching Scarlett giggle before telling Cover Girl and Jinx Duke’s pearls of wisdom for the day.

    “I have to go Allie. I’ll be waiting with the others in the church,” waving from the door.

    “Thanks,” she forced a smile as the others surrounded her thanking her for the fact that they actually had beautiful brides maids gowns---strapless soft jade organza with straight skirts and matching stoles. They chatted while they waited for her mother to tell them it was time. Lady Jaye found herself watching the clock.

    “Patricia, this is a mistake,” Ed hissed at his wife. “She’s going to be miserable.”

    “What and you suppose she’d be happier with that…that soldier?” she sneered.

    “There’s not a damn thing wrong with him, and you know it. You’re just being a…”

    “A what… a snob? That’s what you were going to say wasn’t it?”

    “She’s still in love with him and you know it.”

    “She’ll get over him,” walking away to greet their guests.

    “Not bloody likely, and you know it,” he growled in her ear.

    “Edward, don’t you dare object to this wedding,” she spat.

    “FINE, I won’t,” he stormed off. <But…I know who will. > A grin crept to his face. He began to scan the crowd noticing the Joes whispering about themselves and shook his head in annoyance. He saw the ushers placing them towards the back of the church. Pulling the ushers to the side he vented, “YOU DO NOT TELL GUESTS WHERE THEY SIT!” loud enough for the Joes to hear and move closer to the front before he stormed off to find Duke.

    “Where is he?” through gritted teeth.

    “He’ll be here, trust me. I spoke with him a little while ago. We just wanted to make sure the dra—I mean your wife wasn’t around when he slipped in the door.”

    “Good idea,” looking at the time. “I have to get back to Allie. It’s time to walk her down the aisle.”

    “Come on Aunt Betty,” Flint escorted her past the security people Patricia hired, and to her seat. He heard the opening notes of the wedding march and looked up. He watched the mothers of the groom and bride passed him. He stifled a laugh at Patricia’s hat. <Hope she didn’t dress the bride. > He saw her wide brim hat adorned with God only knew. He moved to the side after catching winks from Scarlett, Cover Girl, and Jinx when the bridesmaids passed. Flint didn’t want Lady Jaye to spot him just yet.

    A lump formed in his throat when she passed on her father’s arm slowly approaching the altar. <She’s gorgeous. >

    Ed spotted him in the crowd, “Remember what I said, Allie. It’s not too late.” He whispered as they neared Devon. Lifting her veil from her face, he gave her to Devon and found his seat next to Patricia.

    “Scoot over, Dash,” a woman whispered.

    “Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?” His eyes widened.

    “Duke called said we shouldn’t miss this,” his mother smiled. “Now—pay attention or you’ll miss your part,” she poked him in the arm. He moved to the edge of the pew.

    The minister began the ceremony as several *Joes * in attendance strained their necks looking around to see what would happen.

    <Great…how many know I’m here? > Flint sighed covering his face with his hand.

    Flint began to stealthily make his move forward so he wouldn’t gain unwanted attention. Scowling at Shipwreck as he elbowed Mainframe when they caught sight of him.

    He moved faster when he heard the minister speak the words, “Is there anyone present who has an objection to this marriage?”

    He was about to object when he notice her sigh deeply. “I’m sorry Devon. I can’t do this…. I can’t,” she grabbed her skirt to turn and run only to collide into Flint’s arms.

    “Alison?” Devon’s eyes glared at her for a moment in disbelief before he noticed Flint. “What in the hell are you doing here?”

    “You’re responsible for this aren’t you?” Patricia flew at Flint trying to hit him.

    “Leave them alone,” Ed stepped between them and pushed her back into her seat.

    “You’re Conrad’s boyfriend aren’t you?” Devon frowned. The church erupted in laughter.

    “What?” Lady Jaye turned to Devon before looking between them.

    “He’s Conrad’s partner isn’t he?” Devon sneered.

    “NO! I’m not,” setting his jaw. He pulled Lady Jaye closer to him. “Tell him, Allie. Tell him why you can’t marry him,” taking Devon’s ring off her finger and handing it over to him. He knelt before her in front of those in attendance.

    “Alison, what is he talking about?” Devon hissed. She raised a hand to silence him, a single tear escaped her eye as those assembled strained to hear what was being said.

    “Tell him you can’t marry him, because you love me. Tell him you can’t marry him because you’re marrying me.” He slipped his ring on her finger. Her tears began to flow freely.

    “YES!’ She smiled brightly. He lifted her by the waist and spun her around before kissing her soundly. Devon’s eyes widened while her mother fainted.

    Placing her down, he turned and yelled, “Duke, where are you?”

    “Coming,” he ran up the aisle.

    “What are you two---three * seeing her father stifling a laugh* up to now?”

    “You didn’t think I’d let you make me wait. Did you?” He grinned.

    <What is he doing now? > She stared back at him.

    “Here you go,” Duke passed the minister the license.

    “It seems we do have a wedding after all,” nodding his approval. <Nothing ever surprises me anymore. >

    “Now, wait just a minute,” Devon protested as Flint kissed her again to the cheers of the Joes present. Devon stalked off when Flint got on bended knee once more.

    “Alison Rae Hart-Burnett, I’ll be the first to admit that I am a jealous idiot. My only defense *placing his hand over his heart * is that I LOVE YOU. Will you marry me right here, right now in front of all our friends and family?”

    “YES!” watching her father’s nod of approval, and Joes move forward. “Daddy, we need to start over. Dash, your mom and dad?”

    “Over there,” he pointed.

    The wedding march began once more. Duke took his place as best man next to Scarlett who took over as the maid of honor. Shipwreck paired up with Cover Girl, and Mainframe with Jinx. Roadblock, and Breaker escorted two others.

    Flint watched her approach the altar on her father’s arm. She looked radiant as her father gave her away for the second time---this time with the right groom in place. Ed cleared his throat watching them kissed once more. Shipwreck muttering, “Save some for the honeymoon, Dash.”

    The minister began once more asking if anyone present had any objection to this marriage. All were silent as they turned their eyes to Patricia who sat wailing much to their chagrin. “Very well then we are gathered in the presence of God and these witnesses to join this couple in the bonds of matrimony,” he turned to face her taking her hands in his. Their eyes looking into one another’s as the minister continued.