Luke Duke Says I Do

"Hey Bo, you gonna be busy in about three months?" Luke asked as the two cousins were working on the General Lee's engine one afternoon.

"I should be free, Luke. What's cookin', cousin?"

"Karen and I are getting married- It's a wonder she don't hate all men after what happened with her ex husband."

"I know what ya mean. I can't understand how a man could hurt a woman that he claims to love."

"No one will ever hurt Karen again, I love her more than life itself."

"I feel the same way about Candy and the kids. I'd lay my very life down for them." Bo looked toward the porch where his wife was listening to the two girls sing something they learned from choir practice. A big grin appeared on his handsome face while he imagined kissing that wonderful woman.

Three months later… Karen, Candy and Daisy spent the morning and afternoon going over the final preparations for the wedding that would take place the next evening.

"You sure are getting a great guy in Luke."

"Luke is the best. He's the kindest, gentlest man I've met. Nothing like at all like my ex husband Robert."

Daisy patted the older woman's hand. "Luke will never let anyone hurt you if he can help it. He is just as crazy about you as Bo is for Candy. I'm sure Luke will be just as happy as Bo is. And believe me, it’s the happiest he's ever been."

"Yeah, I know that feeling." Candy squeezed Karen's other hand. "A little bit later we'll be welcoming a new member in the family… Mrs. Luke Duke. Now, you just go get ready."

"I just hope nothing goes wrong," Karen looked nervous. She smiled and left the room to get dressed.

She was putting her veil on when there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was Candy or Daisy checking on her, "Come in, I'll be ready in a minute." The door crept open and she gasped at the figure behind her in the full length mirror. "Robert, what are you doing here?"

"I've come to claim what is mine," The man snarled.

"We've been divorced for YEARS and I am getting married to a wonderful man this evening, now you just get out of here." She spat at him.

He laughed. "I know all about you and lover boy, how much will he want you when he finds out you've been unfaithful!"

"Unfaithful! I love Luke and you aren’t going to touch me," She declared and stepped on his feet. He reached for her.

"You leave her alone!" A voice called from behind them. Robert saw the two tall, stocky figures in the mirror and turned to face Bo and Luke Duke. "Who the hell are you? Let me guess lover boy and his hick cousin. Karen is mine and she always will be."

"You better leave her alone or I'll kill you," Luke hissed through clenched teeth.

"You better listen, mister. My cousin means it," Bo warned.

Robert glared at them for a moment but knowing he was out numbered, he rushed past the boys and out of the church.

Karen ran to where the boys had been knocked into the hallway. She held them to their feet. "Luke, I don't know if we should get married… what if he comes back?" She said as Luke embraced her.

"It's okay, honey. I don’t think he will but if he does, I'll protect you. Now you go get fixed up, we got a wedding to attend." He kissed her the top of her head and left while she walked back into the room.

"You look beautiful. That dress is perfect for you." Daisy exclaimed a few minutes later when she came in.

Candy was in the doorway with a big smile. "I hope you two will be as happy as me and Bo."

"Have you told Bo about the baby yet, Candy?" Karen asked.

"No, I'll tell him tonight." Candy blushed and led the procession to the vestibule where Honeybee and Tammy were waiting. Candy was taken over to the organ by her daughters so she could play the wedding song on the piano. The flower girls led Karen and Daisy to the altar where Luke and Bo stood after the music started. Everything simply decorated with various sized bouquets of pink roses, in a paler shade than Karen's attendants were wearing, matched well with the white tuxes the both the Duke boys had on.

Rosco in full Sheriff's uniform stepped in front of the group then. Luke and Karen had insisted that he preside over the nuptials.

"Do you Luke Duke take this woman to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor obey, and protect her always?"

"I do!" Luke had a big grin on his face.

"Do you Karen take this man for your husband? In sickness and health, richer or poorer so long as you both live?"

"Are you sure?" Karen whispered to Luke. He nodded. She smiled at the minister. "I do."

Rosco grinned. "You may now kiss the bride."

Luke put his arms around Karen and she put her hands around his waist, his lips touched hers.

"So that's who you learned that from?" Candy teased her husband who had come over to stand by her.

"Yep," Bo smiled.

"I hope our son is half the man that you and Luke are." Candy grinned.

Bo looked at her in surprise. "You mean your-?"

Candy nodded. "Yes, I am."

Bo hugged her quickly and then turned back to see the rest of the wedding going down the aisle. "Now, don't forget everything I taught ya!" He yelled to his cousin.

The guests laughed and Luke yelled back. "Dream on, cousin."

In Hazzard, we believe in happy endings.

Written by Juanita Ford

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