Chapter 119

 The next morning, Brianna was pulled from a fitful sleep by the harsh clanging of her alarm clock. She hadn't slept well, but whether it was due to nerves or the emptiness of the bed without Jon, she couldn't say. Yawning, she rolled over and stretched. The sun streaming through the windows assured her this would be another beautiful day.

Her wedding day.

Unlike the last one, she was going into this marriage with her eyes wide open, with no childish dreams of fairytale endings. She knew all too well that while love could be blind, sharing a home and a life cleared the vision fairly quickly. For a marriage to last, the couple had to know and accept each other's strengths and weaknesses. Any ideas of changing the parts you didn't like were the true fairytales - fantasy, not reality.

No, this time she felt she understood her man better. Even more importantly she understood herself and what she wanted out of life better. And she felt confident she could find that with Jon. They just had to figure out the whole tour issue.

Glancing at the clock, she sighed and threw back the covers. She showered and pulled on sweats and a t-shirt. She needed to check that everything both inside and outside was ready....but she needed a cup of coffee first.

She entered the kitchen to find John already there. "Morning! How long have you been here?" She hadn't heard the gate opening.

"Just about fifteen minutes. I see Jon hired security to man the gate instead of someone having to answer the buzzer all the time."

That explained why she hadn't heard anything. "I forgot he mentioned something about that."

John handed her a cup of coffee. "Do you want some breakfast?"

Brianna put her hand on her stomach. "I think I'm still full from last night's dinner. It was so good, but I ate way too much."

"I saved you some tiramisu and some cannoli. It's in the freezer."

"Mmm. Thanks." She licked her lips. "Where's Carol?"

"Outside checking the flowers. She says it's to give you a hand, but I think she misses her shop sometimes.  This is her chance to play with flowers again."

"Well she's very good, and I appreciate the help." She looked at her watch, emptied her mug and stood up. "Would you mind..."

"Go do what you need to do. I'll keep an eye out for the kids." He waved her away.

"Thanks."

Outside, she made the rounds of the makeshift altar near the riverbank, the chairs for the guests and the tent - it's sides currently rolled up, so that it provided shade but didn't block air flow, but which could be dropped at the first sign of rain.

Carol was adjusting and fluffing the flowers and bows that marked each row of chairs when Brianna approached. "Good morning Sunshine! How did you sleep?"

"Not too well." Brianna grimaced. "Must be nerves."

"Probably." Carol agreed. "Just a few more hours and the worst will be over and you can relax."

"Any sign of the men yet?"

"Tony came in search of coffee, so I guess they're all alive."

The door opened and the florists emerged to put the finishing touches on the arbour over the altar and the tables inside the tent. 

Brianna was consulting her seating plan and setting out the place cards when she heard a crash and shouting from outside the tent. Running out, she saw half a dozen chairs knocked over and flowers strewn on the ground. "What the..." The culprit was cowering behind the altar. "COPPER! In the house!"

The dog slunk off with his tail between his legs.

"Brianna? Do you know where....oh...there you are Copper." Jesse stood in the doorway to the house.

"Can you make sure he stays in the house please Jess, before he destroys something that can't be fixed?"

"Sure. Come on Copper. Let's see if we can find you a bone to chew on. That'll keep you out of the way for awhile."

When the caterers arrived, Brianna knew it was time to head inside and start getting herself ready. Her swirling stomach suggested soothing it should be at the top of the list. Entering the kitchen, she was surprised to see her mother there. "Hi Mom." She glanced around.

"Hello dear. Lisa and Rachel are getting organized upstairs. Your father is coming with the boys and the kids later." Sara studied her daughter. "Have you eaten anything today?"

Brianna shook her head and pressed a hand against her stomach. "Not yet. My stomach's a little queasy."

"Nerves." Sara pronounced. "But you need to eat. Let's start you with some tea and toast and see how that settles."

Twenty minutes later, Rachel and Lisa walked in.

"There you are Brianna!" Lisa scolded. "We've been looking all over for you. The hair dresser will be here in ten minutes. The photographer is already here. We sent him out to the guest house. He ought to be able to get some.....interesting.....shots out there until we're ready for them."

"Bina, I hungy." Romeo ran in wearing only underwear.

"Too hungry to finish getting dressed first?" Brianna asked, her lips twitching.

"Romeo, where..oh." Stephanie rushed in and stopped in her tracks. "He got away from me before I could get the rest of his clothes on."

"Where's Jake?"

"He and Grandpa went down to the guest house to check on Dad and the uncles."

"That ought to keep them all busy for awhile."

"You girls go up and get ready. I'll feed the little exhibitionist and make up some snacks for everyone." Sara offered.

"Thanks Mom." Brianna stood and led the way upstairs.

In her room, she set out the corset and stockings she was planning to wear under her dress. The plain white was a  little boring for her taste, but anything more fun might show and ruin the look.

"I still wish you had let us throw you a shower. It just doesn't seem right." Lisa sighed.

A gesturing hand encompassed not just the room, but the entire estate. "And give us what? We have everything already."

"We could have done a personal shower and got you some torture devices for Jon." Rachel suggested, entering from the closet carrying Brianna's shoes. "But judging by what I saw in that open suitcase, I'd say you're all set there too."

Brianna just grinned.

When the hair dresser arrived, Brianna pulled on a robe and sat on a stool. While the stylist worked, they all chatted and joked, exchanging stories about previous weddings - both happy and disastrous. Stephanie was called in when it was her turn. Sara brought snacks and Rachel opened a bottle of wine.

Just as Brianna was ready to put on her dress, there was a knock at the door. When Lisa opened it, Jake looked around until he found Brianna.

"Daddy needs his cuff links and..." He frowned, trying to remember the rest of his father's instructions. "..shirt...suds?"

"You mean shirt studs?" Brianna smiled.

His brow cleared. "Yeah, that's it! He said you might know where they are."

"Let me look." Walking into the closet, she pulled out his top drawer. In one corner were two small boxes. She checked both of them and took them into the bedroom. Raising the lid on one of them, she lifted out a gold band and handed it to Rachel, who put it on her index finger so she wouldn't lose it. Next Brianna turned to Jake and handed him the unopened box. There's Daddy's cuff links and shirt studs." Then she closed the lid on the other box and handed it to him. "And give this one to Uncle Tony and tell him not to lose it."

"Okay!" He was off like a shot.

"Shirt studs? So he's going full on traditional tux?" Rachel was impressed. "How'd you talk him into that?"

"I didn't. It was his idea." Brianna replied.

Rachel and Lisa exchanged a glance, their opinion of their soon-to-be brother-in-law rising a few notches.

"Dammit! Whose bright idea was this again?" Jon swore as he dropped a shirt stud....again.

"Yours." Matt grinned and straightened his tie in the mirror.

"What the fuck was I thinking?"

"That Sunshine would like it."

Jon grunted. "She'd better. Tony! You got the ring?"

"Relax bro, I've got it." He winked at Jake.

"Hey guys, you just about ready?" Richie stuck his head in the door. The guests are starting to arrive."

"Uh..." Jon looked around at his brothers. "I need a few minutes."

Richie studied his friend. "Nervous?"

Jon just grimaced and braced himself for the inevitable teasing.

But it didn't come.

"Take your time." Richie clapped him on the shoulder. "Lemma, Tico and I will seat them."

"Thanks man,"

John stood beside his oldest son and looked at their reflections in the mirror. "She's a wonderful girl. You've chosen your wives well."

"I've been blessed." Jon agreed.

"Don't fuck it up."

All three brothers stared at their father, then burst out laughing.

"Yes sir!"

As the men left the guest house to make their way to the altar, Sara was placing the veil on Brianna's head while the photographer finished the pre-ceremony pictures. Stepping back, she surveyed her daughter. Her eyes filled. "Oh honey, you look....beautiful. Just beautiful. Doesn't she Edward?"

"She always looks beautiful." Edward mumbled.

Brianna exchanged a glance with her mother. As much as she felt demeaned and diminished by her father's chauvinistic attitude, she never doubted that he loved her. His gruff voice and shining eyes confirmed it.

"Bina, hep!" Romeo rushed in with his bow tie in his hand. His eyes widened at the sight of her. "You pretty."

"Thank you little man." Brianna smiled.

He held out the tie. "Hep?"

Before Brianna could respond, her father knelt down in front of the little boy. "I can help you." He pointed to his own bow tie. "See mine?"

Romeo looked at Edward's tie, then the one in his hand and held it out towards the older man. "Pease?"

Brianna blinked back tears as she watched her father fasten the tie around Romeo's neck and straighten his collar.

"That's so adorable." Lisa declared. "Where did you find a tux that small?"

"We had it made. His and Jake's."

"Everybody ready?" Stephanie appeared in the doorway. "Uncle Mookie just gave the signal. It's showtime."

Jon stood in front of the makeshift altar, his brothers and Jesse beside him. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, he tried to make small talk with the minister.

Tony leaned over. "Nervous bro? If you're not sure there's still time to run."

Blue eyes glittered. "Not a chance."

"Just checking."

Music drifted over the guests and drew everyone's attention. Jon turned and watched Stephanie, Lisa and Rachel walk towards them, their dresses a rainbow of fall colours that matched the flowers they carried. Then came Jake and Romeo strutting down the aisle, Romeo proudly carrying a pillow with two metal rings attached.

As he reached the front row of chairs, he grinned and ran to his father. "Daddy! I did it!"

"You did a great job!" Jon crouched down to hug both little boys. "Go sit with Grandma."

The music changed to Here Comes The Bride, Jon straightened and took a deep breath.....and promptly lost it at his first glimpse of her.

Her hair was pulled away from her face at her temples, but instead of her usual twist, it hung in loose curls down her back. His fingers itched to tangle in the thick mass. The ivory of her dress made her lightly tanned skin glow, the lace sleeves ended at her elbows but bared her shoulders and upper chest. The heavy silk hugged her torso, then flared out slightly at her waist to fall gently to the ground.

She was so beautiful his heart ached. Another part of his anatomy did too and he could hardly wait for the honeymoon to start. 

When she joined him and handed her bouquet to Rachel, he took her hands in his. "You're so beautiful."

His low murmur made her smile and the look in his eyes calmed her nerves. The minister's words went largely unheard as she lost herself in the cobalt depths of his gaze. When it came time to say her vows, Rachel had to nudge her to bring her attention back to the ceremony. 

Jon wasn't much better. He had to swallow and clear his throat before he could speak. His voice was raspy, but he forced it past the lump in his throat. He hadn't been lying when he told his father he was blessed - twice. He'd grown up with Dorothea. He'd grow old with Brianna. Someone was looking out for him, determined to see him happy and loved. He wasn't about to argue.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Amusement coloured the minister's voice as he anticipated Jon's response after the events the day before.

But this time when Jon took her in his arms and took possession of her mouth, he laid claim, but kept it within the bounds of propriety. Later, when he had her alone, with no chance of interruptions, he'd claim the rest of her.