CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"I told her to eat something or she was going to faint." Emily stated.

"She hasn't eaten? Good heavens. No wonder she fainted. With everything that has gone on this week. Poor girl." Lois said softly.

Bailey heard the murmur of voices. She opened her eyes to find Lois sitting on the edge of the sofa next to her. Lois was applying a cool wash cloth to her forehead.

Bailey tried to sit up. The room spun again and she groaned.

"Honey, lie still for a few minutes." Lois instructed.

"Chuck run to the deli around the corner and grab her a sandwich." Emily ordered.

"No! Wait." Bailey pleaded. "Gary?"

"Gary's on his way. That is what I was going to tell you when you fainted. He called from the loft. He had to take a quick shower and he'd be on his way. He should be here very soon." Chuck explained.

Bailey heaved a sigh of relief. "He's really coming?"

"He wouldn't miss this for the world. His tux is here. As soon as he arrives we'll get him dressed and ready to go." Lois said patting her hand.

"Chuck? Why are you still standing there?" Emily demanded.

"Oh, right." He turned and took a couple of quick steps to the door, then stopped and turned back around. He looked at Emily for a moment and decided now was not the time for a quick comeback. He turned again and ran out the door in search of a sandwich.

Lois helped Bailey to sit up. "I'm so sorry." Bailey apologized.

"Don't be silly. You've just been as nervous as a rabbit at the dog races. It was bound to catch up with you." Lois comforted her.

"Come on. Can you get up and over to this chair? Your dress is getting rumpled." Emily noticed.

They helped Bailey to a chair just as Marissa came in with a glass of water. "How is she?"

"Over here Marissa. She's okay now. Just a little woozy.' Lois explained taking the water from her and handing it to Bailey.
"I'll go let the pastor know it will be a few more minutes." Marissa offered.

Chuck arrived with the sandwich. Emily draped Bailey's robe across the front of the dress to protect it from anything falling on it. Bailey was hungrier than she realized. After eating she felt much better.

"I'll go check to see if Gary is here yet." Chuck announced.

Emily began to touch up Bailey's hair and makeup.

"He's here. Chuck is helping him get ready." Marissa said as she entered the room.

Bailey nibbled on her bottom lip. "Can you give me just a minute alone?" She requested.

"Are you all right?" Emily asked.

"I'm fine. I just need a couple of minutes quiet."

Everybody emptied the room.

Bailey took several deep breaths and tried to still the butterflies in her stomach. She walked to the full length mirror and looked at her reflection. She brushed her skirt down and straightened the veil. She closed her eyes and prayed.

There was a soft tap on the door. "Hon? Are you okay?" She heard Gary say.

She smiled. "I am now." She said as she walked to the door. Gary could hear the faint rustle of her dress.

"Chuck said you fainted. What happened? Do you need a doctor?" He asked, concern evident in his voice.

"No, I don't need a doctor. I was just worried."

"I'm sorry I'm late. I got to the kid in time, but I couldn't get away from his parents. The one time I get a proper thank you and I'm more concerned about getting here." He laughed.

"Oh Gary, I thought you weren't coming." She confessed.

"What would make you think that?"

"I had a dream." She said so softly he could barely hear.

" Hon, it was only a dream. You're as much my destiny as that darn paper is. I can't run away from you any more than I could run away from it and the cat," he reassured her.

" You still want to marry me, don't you? After all I'm here and all dressed up in this monkey suit. I would hate for it to go to waste."

He heard her laugh softly. "So are you ready to get this show on the road?" He asked.

She placed her hand on the door, unbeknownst to her that Gary had done the same thing. "Yes, I am. More than ready. See you in a few minutes."

He turned to walk away and paused. "Bailey?"
"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."
~~~~~~~~

"For as much as Gary and Bailey have consented together in holy wedlock, and have plighted each to the other your sacred troth, in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder...........You may kiss the bride."

Bailey wanted to shout for joy. Then Gary kissed her.

Her husband kissed her!

And then he kissed her again.

"May I present Mr. & Mrs. Gary Hobson. "

Gary felt a tap on his shoulder. "Ahem. Gary, buddy. It's time to go." He heard Chuck say. He looked up. Embarrassed. The audience applauded.

Gary took Bailey's hand and they walked back down the aisle to the foyer of the church. Bailey giggled with joy as she hugged Gary.

"Come on. Lets get back to McGinty's and get the party started." Gary said.

Bailey looked at him apologetically. "We can't go yet. We have pictures to take."
~~~~~~

"Come on Diaz. How many more pictures are you gonna take?" Gary complained.

"Chill, bro. Talk to your wife there. She's the one who ordered them." Miguel explained.
"My wife." He whispered. "I like the sound of that." He said as he leaned his head close and kissed her. The camera flashed.

"There, I think we're done here. Ahem! Hobson? I'm done." Miguel smiled and shook his head.

Disclaimer: Some adult situations mentioned. May not be suitable for younger readers. PG-13


"This was so sweet of Chuck and Emily. I think they like each other. Even if they don't want to admit it." Bailey commented.

"Hmm."Gary said as he pulled her into his arms and began to nuzzle her neck.

"Hang on just a minute there, Buster," Bailey said. "I need to get out of this dress."

"Your wish is my command," he responded.

"Oh, no you don't! I need to freshen up and I spent way too much money on a negligee for tonight and I would like to wear it, if only for a short time." She turned her back to him. "You could undo the buttons on the back of my dress for me, though."

His knuckles grazed her lower back as he fumbled with the impossibly small buttons. He leaned toward her and kissed the back of her neck. She leaned back into him as he trailed kisses from her neck down to her shoulder.

"Mmm. You taste good," he whispered onto her skin.

She smiled happily.

"Are you going to change?" he asked.

"Hmm? Uh, Oh, yes." She pulled away from his touch. "Shame on you!' she scolded.

Gary held up his hands and gave her a look that reminded her of a little boy in trouble. "What?"
Bailey walked over to her suitcase and unzipped it. Gary grabbed his bag and went into the bathroom and shut the door.

"Hey!" she called out.

"I figured you'd be a while getting your stuff together, so I thought I'd take my turn first." She heard him say through the door.

"So is this how it's going to be?" she asked.

He opened the door a crack. "That depends on how long you take." he teased.

She picked up a pillow from the chaise and tossed it at the door as he quickly closed it.
Bless her heart, Emily had packed the bag for Bailey's dress. Bailey gathered the things she needed. "I'm waiting," she called out in a sing song voice.

The door opened and Gary came out, his shirt untucked and unbuttoned exposing a tank undershirt. He looked incredibly sexy.

"It's all yours." He offered.

She went in and shut the door. She quickly slid out of the dress and hung it up. She slipped on a nightgown of peach satin with ivory lace and spaghetti straps then put on the matching robe. She debated on tying the sash, then decided to leave it untied. She pulled the pins out of her hair and ran her fingers through it, letting the curls frame her face.

She took a couple of deep breaths trying to calm her nerves.

She opened the door and stepped into the room. The lights were off and the room was lit with the soft glow of candlelight.

Gary stood with the champagne bottle in his hands, pouring the bubbling liquid into two glasses.

He had undressed down to the undershirt and a pair of black and gray plaid boxers.

He looked up and saw her, and gave a low whistle as she walked towards him. He handed her a glass. "My God, you're beautiful." He stated honestly as his eyes sparkled in the glow of the
candle light.

She took a sip of the champagne and licked her lips. Gary took the glass from her and set it down, then brought his hands to her throat, where he gingerly ran his fingers down the side of he neck and underneath the collar of the robe. His hands lingered there on her shoulders.

He dipped his head and lightly touched her lips. Then pulled away. He did the same to her forehead, her eyes, her cheek, and right below her ear.

She sighed as she ran her hands down his back. He moved his hands and the robe slid off her shoulders to the floor.

He put one hand on her back and the other under her knees then picked her up and carried her to the bed and gently laid her down, climbing in next to her.

She touched his face and looked into his beautiful eyes. "I love you," she whispered.

He looked at her, passion evident on her face. He moved a strand of hair away from her eyes, then he ran his finger tips across her cheek and chin.

She raised up to kiss him and he pulled back. "What's wrong?" She asked, puzzled.
"I, I, I want this to be perfect for you Bailey." He said softly.

She ran her hand along his back. "It is perfect. More perfect than I could have imagined." She replied.

He sighed, as if choosing his next words carefully. "It's been a long time for me. Not since. Not since I was marr... Well, a few years," he stammered.

She studied his face trying to figure out what he was telling her. "Gary, I love you." She said as she gently placed her hand on his face.

"I know you do. I, I, it's just. Well, I, I want it to be special. Different." He said swallowing hard.

She smiled lovingly at him. He was so adorable when he was nervous.

"Gary." Bailey whispered as she raised up and kissed him softly. "It will be wonderful. Because we love each other. And it will be different because I have nothing to compare it to."

Surprise registered on his face. "You, you mean?" He stammered again.

She shook her head 'yes'.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why? Because I never met anyone I wanted to share this with, until you. And after I met you and I knew, I wanted to wait for tonight. It might seem silly in this day and age but I've always had this romantic notion of love and I always hoped it would come true and it did. So don't be concerned. You've already surpassed every fantasy I've ever had." She ran her fingers across his lips. "The reality is so much better. So can we stop all this talking? I'm a very impatient person." She smiled.

He looked at her, not totally believing his good fortune in having found her. He smiled, ever so slightly. "Hmm, impatient, huh? Well in that case." He said as he rolled over on his back and raised his arms above his head and clasped his hands.

"What are you doing?!" She asked in surprise.

"I'm kind of hungry. You want some fruit?" He asked as he started to get up.

She grabbed his arm. "Are you crazy?" She cried out.

He raised an eyebrow as he looked over his shoulder at her. "I am. Crazy in love." He said as her turned and took her in his arms.
She giggled in delight.
~~~~~~~

Bailey awoke and before she opened her eyes, she was aware of the warm body snuggled close to her back. One arm over her body with fingers intertwined with hers. She opened her eyes and turned her head to see Gary propped up on one arm, watching her.

"Hi." He said softly.

"Hi, yourself."

He kissed her, ever so softly. A tear trickled down her cheek.

He wiped it away. "Are you okay?" He asked, concern in his voice.

"Yes, I'm fine. I am just so happy, I could burst."

He kissed the tip of her nose. "Mmm, me too but I'm also hungry. You want to order something?"

She nodded her head in agreement. She reached down to the foot of the bed and retrieved her gown and slipped it on while Gary dressed and got the room service menu.

Bailey got up and brought the plate of fruit back to the bed.

"Gary?"

"Hmm?"

"We don't have a car. How are we going to get to the cabin?"

Gary smiled at his wife. She could think of the darndest things at the darndest times. "We can take a cab to get the jeep in the morning, then head on out."

She smiled, satisfied with his answer. "What looks good? I've worked up a huge appetite."

"Me too, and it's not for food." He said as he took her in his arms.