Chapter 16

“Can we please take a break, Rick? We’ve been trapped in this room for four hours,” Dana pleaded.

Rick looked at his watch for the hundredth time. “Yeah, I guess so. I promised Eric and Amy you would try on the dress,” he said.

“Dress?”

“Yes, it’s a designer gown for the movie. You’re shooting in two days so they need to pin it today if it’s going to be ready in time.”

“Okay, anything as long as I get a break,” she said, jumping to her feet.

Rick strolled over to the door and opened it. “Amy, she’s ready for you.”

Amy walked in carrying a gown bag. She was dressed up in a beautiful light pink floral dress. “Wow, Amy, you look great!” Dana said.

“Thank you. I have a date this afternoon,” she said, quickly.

“Oh, please go. Don’t let me hold you up. I can do this.”

“Oh, it’s not until later and I promised to get you dressed up and help with make-up so they could get the complete affect,” Amy said.

“Okay, we might as well get started now. Where’s Elizabeth?” Dana asked. She hadn’t seen her daughter in a few hours. It wasn’t like her not to check on Dana and ask to play this or that.

“She’s playing,” Amy said quickly. “Okay, let’s get you dressed.”

“If you’ll excuse me, ladies,” Rick said.

Dana realized Amy wanted her to change in the office. She was too tired to argue so she did. “Wow, this is a really beautiful dress,” she said, looking down at the silky smooth gown.

“You think so?” Amy asked. There was something in her tone rather than simple curiosity.

“Yes, I think it’s the prettiest gown I’ve ever seen,” Dana said.

“Good!” Amy beamed up at her.

A half hour later Dana was dressed and her make-up was thankfully done. She didn't think she could take any more prodding and pocking at the moment.

“Hmm, I think it looks right, but I can’t really tell in this light,” Amy said, looking her up and down.

“Well, what do you want to do?” Dana asked, trying to take her eyes off the beautiful gown.

“Let’s go outside. Eric is waiting to make sure it looks good,” Amy said.

“Okay. Then I really need a break.”

“Of course,” Amy said, giving her a crooked smile.

They walked through the house. It was eerily quiet, too quiet for a house with a six year old inside. The sliding glass door was wide open. Panic seared through her veins. Where was Elizabeth? Before she could ask, Rick stepped into the kitchen wearing a tux. He held out his hand to her.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Ready? For what?” she asked, suddenly nervous.

“I’ll see you in a minute,” Amy said, stepping past them.

Rick took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. He covered her hand with his and led her outside. Dana gasped when she saw all her friends, Edward’s friends, and his family standing up in front of white chairs, facing her.

The wedding march began playing with an upbeat tempo. “That’s our cue, Dana,” Rick said softly as he led her around the pool onto the lawn.

“Rick?” she croaked.

He laughed softly. “They were going to have Cole do the honors, but I demanded the right,” he said as he walked her towards the large group of smiling guests. “I felt I should give you away. I’ve known you the longest. I’ve seen you through your divorce. Held your hand through your first book printing and you’ve become my best friend and one of the most important people in my life. You’re part of my family and I wanted the honor of seeing you start your new life. I love you, Dana, and I’m so proud of you,” Rick said.

Dana started to silently cry at his kind words. “Thank you, Rick,” she managed to say.

He patted her hand. “If he hurts you, which I doubt he will, I am going to kick his ass. I won’t stand by and watch you suffer again.”

She laughed softly. “Thank you, Rick.”

*******

Edward exhaled slowly as he watched Dana walk towards him. She looked breathtakingly beautiful. Seth put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Lucas stood next to Seth and smiled and nodded at him. Cole stood to his right, fidgeting with his cummerbund.

Cole reached up and took his hand. “Mommy’s weelly pretty.”

He smiled down at his son. “She most certainly is.”

She was only a feet from him now. Rick stopped and kissed her wet cheek and told her he loved her. Dana could only nod, she was crying so hard now. Rick took her hand and gave it to Edward who gently pulled her forward.

“Baby, you’re not supposed to cry on your wedding day,” he said softly, which only made her cry harder. Edward gently wiped away the tears. Cole released his hand and decided he would rather stand between the two of them. He clasped his hands together and waited patiently for the Justice of the Peace to marry his parents.

“We are gathered here today to join together Edward Thomas Pierce and Dana Elizabeth Mathews in holy matrimony. Nothing makes me happier than to see two people committed to each other and forming a single soul under the covenant of Marriage. Who gives this woman away?” the Justice of the Peace asked.

Cole piped up, “Me!”

The JP smiled as he looked down at the little boy. “Oh, and who are you, young man?”

“Cole Edward Pierce!” he belted out, earning a few chuckles from the crowd. Dana changed his middle name from Richard to Edward when the adoption was finalized. Edward smiled proudly that day when he read Cole’s official name. Cole jumped up and down for a good half hour telling everyone in the court house that he loved his daddy.

“I will now ask if there is any man or woman here who objects to this union?” he said as he looked towards the guests. No one spoke or so much as moved.

“Edward, do you take Dana as your bride, to love, honor and respect to your dying day? To forsake all others making her happiness and well being your sole responsibility? In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer till death do you part?”

“I do,” Edward said firmly.

“Dana, do you take Edward as your husband, to love, honor and respect to your dying day? To forsake all others, making his happiness and wellbeing your sole responsibility? In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer till death do you part?”

“I do,” Dana answered as tears began to roll down her cheeks faster. Edward reached up and gently wiped them away. This romantic gesture proved too much for most of the women in the audience if the loud sobs were any indication.

“May I have the rings?” he asked.

Seth pulled out two silver wedding bands and handed them to the JP. “These rings are a symbol of your commitment to this marriage and to each other. Edward, take this ring and place it on Dana’s finger and say your vows please.”

Edward placed the ring on her finger. “Dana, before you entered my life I was an empty shell. You have brought me joy, happiness and acceptance. I can’t imagine my life without you or our beautiful children. I promise I will love you to my dying day, Dana.”

Dana squeezed his hand. “Dana, take this ring and place it on Edward’s finger and say your vows please.”

“Edward, you have been the most amazing surprise in my life. I have never met a man who made me happier. You are kind, honest, caring, and loving. I couldn’t have asked for a better father for our children or a better man I would want as my husband. I love you so much.” She slipped the ring on his finger.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. Edward, you may kiss the bride.” Edward leaned down and kissed Dana tenderly.

“I would like to introduce Edward and Dana Pierce,” the Justice of the Pease announced.

“Ahem!” Cole cleared his throat loudly.

The JP laughed. “I’m sorry Edward, Dana”

“Elizabeth,” Cole whispered.

“Elizabeth and Cole Pierce,” the JP said, winning an approving smile from Cole.

Elizabeth jumped from Deana’s arms wearing a pretty pink dress. Edward picked her up in one arm and grabbed Cole in the other. Dana put her hand on his arm. He proudly walked his family down the aisle as their guests stood clapping.