She stared at him in bafflement. "Are you serious?" she asked.
His heart sank to his toes. "Yeah," he said.
"Oh, my God!" she cried. "You ARE serious!" she cried in astonishment. "You
even have to ask?" she laughed. "Of course I'll marry you!" she said, tears
coming into her eyes. Tears filled his eyes as love filled his heart. He
gathered her delicately in his arms and kissed her gently. A knock came at
the door and Dr. Jacobs poked his head in.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you might like to know that Wick woke
up," he stepped inside the room and closed the door.
Kathleen smiled happily. This day kept getting better and better . . . well
except for getting hit by a car . . .
She looked at Michael who was now fidgeting on the bed. "Look, I know you
want to go see him, so go. I'll still be here," she teased. "Just give him
my love," he leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
"Thank you," he got up and walked slowly out of the room. Dr. Jacobs sat
down on a stool next to Kathleen's bed.
"Well," he began, "I see you're sporting an engagement ring I don't believe
I've seen before," she beamed and held out her hand and he studied the ring.
"Ah . . . an heirloom," he said. "I take it you're going to be Mrs. Michael
Bell," he said.
"Actually, I don't know . . . that would confuse things at the station,"
she said. "Um, doc? Can I ask you a favor?"
§*§*§*§*§
Michael knocked softly on Wick's door. Wick grunted something from inside,
so he opened the door slowly. Peeking in her saw Wick laying flat on the
bed, his arms still packed by his sides and an oxygen mask covering half his
face. Walking all the way in, he could see that Wick was pasty pale, and he
had sweat beads on his forehead.
"Hey, pal," Michael said gently. Wick turned his head and spied Bell.
Happily, he grabbed the remote and brought his bed up into a sitting
position. He pulled the oxygen mask off and grinned widely.
"Hey, man! What's up?" he asked in a strained voice.
"Not too much," Bell lied, not wanting to worry him.
"Wait man. I know that look. Somethin' happened, and you benefitted from
it. Nah, you can't fool me. I know you almost as well as Ryan does," At the
mention of Ryan, Michael grinned a little. "It was Ryan! Somethin' happened
to her!"
"You're good, Wick. Yeah, something happened, but it's okay . . .
everything will be okay. She—uh—got hit by a car," Wick's jaw dropped.
"What? Is she hurt?"
"Minor injuries. She's fine. Uh . . . there's something else, though . . ."
Just then, Dr. Jacobs opened the door and walked in backwards, pulling
Kathleen in a wheelchair in front of him. "I'm good at interrupting people
today," Nodding at Kathleen, he said, "she wanted to come. Please, Michael,
when you're done in here, can you please take her back to her room?" the
doctor requested. Michael nodded and glanced at Kathleen in admiration.
"You never cease to amaze me," he said affectionately.
Wick looked them over. "Yup. You two are too happy to be true. What's going
on?" he asked suspiciously. Kathleen shrugged and looked at Michael.
"Do you know what he's talking about?" she asked teasingly.
"I think he's . . ." he leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
"Oh, that!" she exclaimed. She wheeled over closer to Wick. "I have a huge
favor to ask you," she said.
He shrugged. "Shoot,"
"Will you . . . be the best man at our wedding?" she asked him. His eyes
widened in shock as he grabbed her hand.
"Oh, my God! You go, Bell!" he said. "Yeah! Yeah, of course!" he exclaimed.
He started to laugh, but the pain in his stomach was too great. When the
pain subsided he looked up at his friends. "I have one request, though,"
"Anything," Kathleen spoke up.
"You have to have it as soon as you get your license. You have to have it
in here. By my bedside," he told them. They both smiled and nodded.
"Of course. We wouldn't have it any other way," Michael told him.
"Yeah, Wick. Here will work . . . but we gotta see about renting a bigger
room," they laughed. Even Wick who was struggling with the pain.
"Well, guys, I'm gonna get some sleep, so . . ."
"Yeah, okay. We'll get the license and get back to you," she
promised.
They left his room, and he slowly wheeled her back to her own. "You've
already had your blood tests, right?" he asked. She nodded. "Good. I'll get
mine today, and then I'll call City Hall and apply for a license. So . . .
in about four days. . . . we can be married," he told her.
They reached her room and he swept her out of the wheelchair and into his
arms as gently as possible. She smiled at him as he held her. He gently laid
her on the bed and re-hooked the IV to her arm.
"I love you," she told him as her eyelids fluttered close. "I'm so tired. .
. I think I'll take a nap," she gazed up at him. "Will you be here? At the
hospital?"
"Honey, I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else,"
"Good . . . oh . . . could you call Carla at my house . . . she's been
there an awful long time . . ." she closed her eyes and he slipped out the
door to start on his tasks. He was so happy, that he didn't really care that
he wouldn't get to have the traditional wedding of his dreams. He had the
woman of his dreams, and he didn't need anything else . . .
****
It was the day of all days. The last day as Ms. Kathleen Ryan, and the
first day as Mrs. Kathleen Bell. They had decided to be Bell 1 and Bell 2 at
the station. they had spent almost an hour discussing that.
Four days had passed like four years. The preparations had been made. The
doctors said that Wick was doing well enough to go outside in a wheelchair
without oxygen or IVs for the wedding. Durfee was going to give her away and
Carla was going to be the maid of honor. Of course Wick was the best man,
and Kathleen, having no other female friends, decided against bridesmaids.
All of Station 77 had turned up for the wedding, and Station 27 volunteered
to cover their calls. Kathleen's mother and sister were in the front row of
seats, as were Michael's mother and brother. Megan was sitting in the very
back next to some other nurses. She was still in scrubs, and obviously not
happy to be there.
The lawn of the hospital had been beautifully transformed. There was a long
strip of white satin that the bride would walk down, and a gazebo she would
step up on to where Michael and the preacher would be waiting. All the
chairs and refreshment tables were decorated with beautiful white and pale
pink roses. The whole gazebo looked like a garden, with roses and lilacs
covering almost the entire thing. At the beginning of the walkway, they put
up changing boards, so the bride could enter through there without being
seen beforehand.
A candy striper had brought out her keyboard to play the wedding march.
Earlier, Kathleen had gone to the children's ward and borrowed a girl and
boy to be the ring bearer and flower girl. They were now waiting anxiously
with Kathleen and Carla behind the board. Peeking out, Carla could see
everything.
"Okay, girl. The place is filling up fast," peeking her head back in she
stood on a chair to finish Kathleen's hair. "I never thought I'd see you in
a dress," Carla commented.
"Well, same here. I do believe this is the first time I've seen YOU in a
dress," she laughed to the girl. Durfee knocked on the side of the board.
"Ryan? Can I come in?" he bellowed.
"Yeah, Cap," she said swinging the door open. He just stood there, staring
at the beautiful young woman in front of him.
"My God," was all he could manage. Kathleen smiled and ducked her head. Her
dress was plain white silk, with long sleeves that hugged her arms. It
trailed down just pass her feet. Her hair was pulled up in the front and
pinned back with pale pink and white flowers. The back part of her hair
flowed down just past her shoulders. Her veil was short, and covered just
her eyes and nose. Her shoes were white and had the tiniest hint of a heel.
Carla looked lovely, too. She was wearing a pale pink dress that reached
her ankles. It, too was long sleeved and silk. Her hair was loose and kind
of wild, with occasional strands held back by the same pins Ryan wore in her
hair. Durfee stared at the women and had never felt such pride and love.
"Well," he began, "your groom is already out, so let's get these munchkins
moving," he said pointing to the children.
"Okay, Linda, Tommy. Now!" Kathleen said. The little girl walked down the
aisle slowly, tossing rose petals in front of her. She reached the gazebo
and sat dutifully on the little chair. Tommy sat on the one on the other
side. Then came Carla. She was aware of some of the men from the station
staring in awe. She came up to the gazebo and Michael took her hand and
helped her up. She took her place and waited while the march started.
Everyone turned and stared at the board, waiting for her to emerge.
She did and everyone gasped. There were murmurs from the crowd and whistles
from some of the firemen. Megan stayed seated and glared at Kathleen as she
passed. Durfee walked up the gazebo steps with her and gave her hand to
Michael. They turned and locked hands, staring deep into each others eyes.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today, to join these people in
holy matrimony . . ."
They didn't hear any of it. They were too busy concentrating on the sole
presence of one another.
"Uh, Kathleen? Your vows?" asked the preacher.
"Oh! It's time all ready?" she laughed. Straightening up she turned back to
Michael. "Michael, you of all people know that I don't love easily. I don't
trust easily. And I've even said that there was no such thing as love. But
now I realize just how wrong I was. And you did that for me. You opened my
eyes. You made me trust, and love. And there is no one I love more in this
world than you. And I think, deep down, I've always known that, and I just
was too afraid to admit it to anyone . . . especially myself. You have
brought such happiness to my life, such joy . . . and peace . . . and love.
I am honored to say that you, my dear Michael, are my one true love. And I
promise to help you and love you and support you, as your wife, your lover,
your closest confidant and friend," she finished. His heart swelled with
pride.
"Kathleen, for three years I have been captivated by you. By your
wittiness, your calmness, and the way you made me feel. My heart has been
just overflowing with happiness and love since the day I met you. I knew it
then, as much as I know it now. We were just meant to be. I know that I
couldn't live without you in my life. I can't bear the thought of not having
you around, so today we make it official. I want you to be required by law
to stick by me, and I want to be required to stick by you. You taught me
faith, you taught me the act of selflessness. But most of all, you took my
heart. I love you, Kathleen Ryan, and I promise you all the happiness in the
world. I promise to give you everything you deserve. For now, and forever,"
he finished.
"May I have the rings?" the preacher asked. Little Tommy stood up dutifully
and pushed the pillow towards the preacher. He took them and handed them to
the couple. As they went through the placing of rings on their fingers,
Carla shot a look at Megan in the back who was absolutely fuming. Worried,
Carla turned her attention back to the bride and groom.
"Now I have to ask: if anyone here has any objections as to why these two
should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your
peace," he said.
Megan stood up. "I have a reason,"she said loudly.
