Jonathan awoke eager to get married. He didn't want to have to spend another night without Jennifer by his side.

"Good morning Max," Jonathan said sitting to breakfast.

"Good morning Mr. H. Are you ready for your big day?"

"You bet! I can't wait," he said drinking some coffee.

Max came and stood by Jonathan.

"I got you a little something," Max said trying not to sound to sappy but wanting to let Jonathan know how proud of him he was.

"Ah Max, you didn't have to."

"Well, it isn't something I bought. It is something you threw away a long time ago when you were an angry teenager."

Jonathan looked at Max in surprise.

"Remember when you felt life was unfair? You hated every one especially your parents for leaving?"

"Yes," Jonathan said feeling like that time was a million years ago and grateful that Max had taken him in.

"Well, you threw these away," Max said holding out a small box. "I figure your father would be as proud of you as I am."

Jonathan took the box. Opening it he found a pair of gold cufflinks that he recognized immediately as being his fathers.

"Where did you get these?"

"I found them in your garbage one night. I thought that someday you might want them. What better time then on your wedding day to have your father near?"

"Max, you can't imagine how touched I am by this," Jonathan choked. He remembered how he had treasured the cuff links as a child. As he grew into a teen, his hope that perhaps his parent's death was a mistake grew into anger that they had left him.

"I can't believe you have had these all these years," Jonathan said getting up. He embraced Max.

"I love ya Max."

"Me too Mr. H."

"Jennifer?" Stephan asked knocking on the door? Where could she be? She wouldn't over sleep on her wedding day.

Stephan knocked again.

"Excuse me Miss," he said to a passing maid. "It is my daughter's wedding day and she seems to have slept in. Would you mind letting me in so I can get her ready."

He grew concerned over the condition of the room. "Jennifer?"

He went to the phone and called the front desk.

"Yes, sir we saw her. She left about 20 minutes ago with two men." Stephan was baffled. Did Jonathan have a surprise for her? Did she change her mind? Was she kidnapped?

He called Jonathan's apartment but there was no answer. Heading out to the parking lot he found the car was gone.

"Can you get me a taxi?" Stephan asked the front desk clerk.

Stephan arrived at the church and immediately headed to the bride's area.

"Is Jennifer here?" he asked Claire the maid of honor.

"No, she is supposed to come with you," Claire replied in confusion.

Stephan headed to the groom's room.

"Stephan!" Jonathan called. "Is that gorgeous daughter of yours ready?"

"I don't think so," Stephan said not sure what to think of the situation.

"What do you mean?" Jonathan asked growing concerned.

"I can't find her."

"Can't find her?" Jonathan was now alarmed.

"She wasn't in her room. The car is gone and no one has seen her."

"She wouldn't have changed her mind?" Craig asked.

"No." Max jumped in, "there is no way she left."

"Max, call Lt. Gray and ask him to put an APB out on the Bentley."

"Sure thing Mr. H."

Jonathan was terrified and confused. He wanted to run and find her but didn't know where to begin.

"Mr. Hart?" the church wedding coordinator said peeking in the door. "You have an urgent phone call in the office."

Jonathan headed full speed out the door and into the church office.

"Mr. Hart. It has been a while," Jonathan heard when he picked up the phone. He searched his mind to match the English voice with a face.

"You must be Black or Styles," Jonathan finally replied.

"Yes, very good, Mr. Hart. We apologize about putting such a damper on your wedding but, circumstances dictate that we take care of some unfinished business."

"Where is Jennifer?"

"Ah your beautiful bride. She is here, eager to get married. All you need to do is deliver to us one million American dollars."

"How do I know she is okay?" Jonathan asked not concerned about the exorbitant amount of money being asked for.

"Jonathan?" Jennifer asked into the phone.

"Jennifer, darling. Are you alright?"

"Yes, but I am afraid I won't be making it to the church on time."

"Hang in there. I am coming to get you."

"Very nice sentiment Mr. Hart but the only way you will see your bride is if you deliver the money in two hours to the warehouse at the end of Calista Street."

The line went dead.

"Hello?" Jonathan called. He slammed down the phone.

"Is she alright Mr. H.?" Max asked.

"For now. It's those same two goons who jumped us in London."

"Geez, that was a long time ago."

"Yes, I don't think they were too pleased that Jennifer didn't have the ring they were after. Now they are using her to ransom."

Craig entered the room, "What's going on?"

"Craig, I need you to help me liquidate one million dollars..."

"One million dollars?" he exclaimed. "That could take awhile."

"We have one hour," Jonathan informed him.

"Max, call Lt. Gray and let him know that two criminals may be with Jennifer and the car. Also, let him know that I will be at the end of Calista Street in two hours to deliver the ransom. He is not to do anything though until I know Jennifer is safe. And, Claire? Could you please let everyone know there is a delay but that I intend to marry Jennifer today. Come on Craig, lets go get the money."

"I am coming with you," Stephan called.

"Stephan, I think you can be more help here....."

"Jonathan, I love my daughter too. I will go with you and help," he insisted. Not wanting to waste time arguing, Jonathan conceded.

"What are you going to do with me?" Jennifer asked. They were in the Bentley driving towards an industrial part of town.

"Nothing as long as everything goes well," Arthur said.

"We are not killers," James said eyeing Arthur. Jennifer knew they were lying.

Jonathan looked at his watch. It had been 1-1/2 hours since the call. He and Stephan headed towards Calista Street. Both were quiet not wanting to say what they both feared. As they approached, Jonathan recognized Lt. Gray's car.

"I am going to pull over for a minute," Jonathan stated.

Lt. Gray got out of the car, "I have got unmarked police vehicles up and down Calista street. We will get her Jonathan."

"I don't want anything to happen to her," Jonathan stated trying to hide the desperation in his voice.

Lt. Gray nodded. Jonathan and Stephan continued up the street. They parked outside the designated warehouse.

"Let's split up," Stephan said. "They are expecting you with the money so you go right in and I will go around and find another entrance."

Jonathan nodded in agreement. Taking a large breath he entered the building.

"Black? Styles? I have got your money! Where is Jennifer?" he called. Only his echo replied. He waited thinking they were late.

"Oh good Mr. Hart. You are prompt. A very good trait in business negotiations," called Arthur from a dark area of the warehouse. Jonathan looked around. Where is the other guy?

"Where is Jennifer. I need to know she is safe."

"Well now, you really aren't in a position to make demands are you?" Arthur informed him. "Put the money on the ground there and leave the building. Ms. Edwards will join you outside once I am certain the money is all there."

"Its all there," Jonathan said. "I need to know Jennifer is fine before I do anything."

"She is in the Bentley parked elsewhere with Mr. Styles. When I have the money, we will leave and you can have your fiancée and your car back good as new."

Jonathan couldn't decide what to do. It seemed his only choice was to play along and hope for a break. He set the money down and began to back away.

Stephan crept around back. His war training seemed to be paying off again much to his dismay. He had lost his wife while Jennifer was quite young and the prospect of losing Jennifer was more than he could bear. As he rounded the corner he saw the Bentley parked in back. Looking closely he saw that Jennifer was in the back seat while James was standing outside the car. I need a sharp shooter he thought surprised that the man would allow himself to be exposed like that. The man looked at his watch. He opened the car door.

"Come on," he said to Jennifer, "Its time." Jennifer got out of the car. James placed his gun against her back. "Don't try anything foolish," he warned. Jennifer obeyed. She got out of the car and headed towards the building. Something caught her eye and when she looked she saw her father. A mixture of relief and concern consumed her. She entered the building with James.

"Are you releasing me?" she asked.

"Well, Ms. Edwards, I really hate to lie to you. The fact is we are going to kill you. But, at least you will be with Mr. Hart for eternity as we are going to kill him too."

Stephan quickly ran up to the door. Peeking in the window, he could see Jennifer and James walking up to a door leading to the front side of the building. There were many barrels and crates stacked throughout the room. He opened the door slowly and snuck in hiding behind a stack of crates. He could see Jennifer and James stopped near the doorway. Stephan crept along the crates until he was standing along side the two with only a stack of crates blocking them.

Jennifer began to get more and more anxious as she looked around for help or a possible escape. Again her father caught her eye, standing just a few feet away. Acting quickly, Jennifer feigned a sneeze then using her elbow to jab James in the stomach, she ran away. Stephan took the opportunity to knock the crates over landing on top of James. They heard a shot but upon looking found James buried beneath the heavy boxes.

"This way darling," Stephan called for Jennifer leading her out of the warehouse.

"Where is Jonathan?"

"He was up front last I saw. I suspect he has delivered the ransom and is safe."

"He isn't safe," Jennifer explained. "They are going to kill him!"

Jonathan stood back from the money and watched Arthur carefully. The two stood eyeing each other, not wanting to turn their back for fear of deadly consequences.

"I have done my part. Now where is Jennifer?"

"Actually, she will be here shortly. We have planned a nice wedding present for you. You two will spend eternity together. Now isn't that what you wanted?"

Jonathan took a deep breath soaking in the meaning of Arthur's words. He was contemplating his next move when a loud noise came from the back room. Arthur turned quickly towards the sound firing a shot. Jonathan, not missing an opportunity ran and jumped Arthur. They rolled on the ground and Arthur dropped his gun. Arthur got the upper advantage and began to punch Jonathan. But all the anger and fear that had built up in Jonathan exploded. He kicked Arthur off of him. Picking him up, he began to punch him. Arthur fell against the wall. Jonathan continued to punch totally oblivious to anything except making Arthur pay for his actions. Lt. Gray and several officers entered the building.

"Jonathan! That's enough!" Lt. Gray called pulling Jonathan off of Arthur. Jonathan continued pummeling his tormentor.

"Jonathan! You are going to kill him."

"I want to kill him."

"If you kill him you will have to go downtown with me. Let us take care of this and you go marry that beautiful bride of yours," Gray said finally getting Jonathan to stop.

"Is she okay?"

"Yes, she is with her father."

"Don't let him go," Jonathan said pointing at Arthur.

"We won't Jonathan, now go."

"And get him to turn in his boss. I don't want any one coming back to bother us."

"We'll do. Now go."

Stephan drove Jennifer in the Bentley around to the front of the building. He stopped and got out of the car, directing her to stay in the car. Jennifer watched him as he spoke to an officer.

"He is fine," he said returning to the car.

"Are you sure?"

"Apparently its the other guy that needs some help. Come on lets go."

"Go? I can't go. I need to see Jonathan."

"You have a wedding to prepare for. You are terribly late," Stephan said as he drove off.

Jonathan walked outside just in time to see Stephan drive off with Jennifer in his car.

"Why didn't she wait?" he said mostly to himself.

"Its bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Didn't you know that?" asked Lt. Gray.

"Oh Jennifer, you look beautiful," Stephan said as he prepared to lead her up the isle. Jennifer was wearing a white satin dress. It had off the shoulder short sleeves with a bateau neckline exposing just a hint of décolletage. It was fitted through the waist and hips, falling straight to the ground. In the back, a removable train flowed 10 feet behind. Her hair was pinned up in a romantic style with loose tendrils outlining her face and neck. Fresh flowers made up the headpiece to her veil, which hung down her back.

"Thank you Pa."

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Are the guests still here?" she asked.

"Every single one."

"Really? We are three hours late."

"This is the wedding of a lifetime. No one would dare miss it," he smiled.

Jonathan shifted anxiously at the altar. Despite a small bruise on his jaw, he looked stunning in his formal tuxedo. As Pachebel's Canon in D began to play and the bride's party began their way up the isle, Jonathan grinned in complete joy. Once the bridesmaids had made their way up the aisle, the music changed to the traditional wedding march.

When Jennifer emerged through the double doors, Jonathan's heart leapt. God she is beautiful. Max put an arm under Jonathan's to steady him. Jennifer and Jonathan's eyes met never breaking off.

Stephan led Jennifer up to Jonathan. Taking her hand from his, he gave it to Jonathan. He kissed her on the cheek and took a seat.

"We are gathered here today to join Jonathan Charles Hart and Jennifer Susanne Edwards in holy matrimony. When these two first came to me, they asked for a speedy ceremony, as they wanted to be married as soon as possible. And since we are now three hours late, I suspect the sooner the better."

The church echoed with giggles.

"I do however, want to take a moment to comment on the extraordinary love I have seen between these two. It is so rare to find a love so pure, so unconditional as Jonathan and Jennifer have. I am honored to be a part of the commitment these two are making."

The minister continued with the ceremony, forgoing the sermon. During the ceremony Jonathan fought off the urge to grab Jennifer and smother her with kisses. Jennifer, as she knew she would, felt the ceremony was way too drawn-out. She longed to hear the words, 'man and wife'. Jennifer's hand trembled as Jonathan held it and placed the wedding band on it. Jennifer felt secure when she took his large strong hand in hers to place his wedding band.

"I now pronounce you man and wife."

Jonathan and Jennifer grinned from ear to ear. He took her in his arms and placed his lips on hers. They kissed softly and lovingly.

"Ahem," the minister cleared his throat after what seemed like several minutes of kissing. Jonathan and Jennifer stopped kissing but continued to stand close gazing into each other's eyes.

"May I present, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hart."

They turned to the congregation, which erupted in applause. Jonathan escorted his beautiful wife down the aisle and into a life filled with excitement, adventure and of course, romance.