Chapter 113

Present – Liz and Jens – The wedding

I can’t believe it! The day of my wedding is finally here even though I know it’s the right thing to do, I’m still nervous. I begin to put on my wedding dress but my hands are shaking so Jens helps me and says, “Liz, this wedding dress is beautiful and fits you perfectly.”

I complain slightly, “Well, I have gained a little weight so it’s tighter than I would like.”

Jens counters, “Liz, you’re so lucky to be having this baby, I only wish that...”

I interrupt, “ ... Jens, you never know what will happen so don’t lose hope...”

Liz doesn’t know it, but I know exactly what will happen but it’s just not time for that to happen yet. There are too many other things Ben and I need to do first.

Liz is in her dress so I cover the dress with a clean towel then the makeup artist comes in and begins the makeup. With my job mostly done, I wonder how Ben is making out with Bernie...

Present – Bernie and Ben – The wedding

Bernie is having a hell of a time putting on his tuxedo. His hands are shaking so badly that he can’t deal with the buttons. I pull a flask out of my Dress Blues, unscrew the lid and suggest, “Take a snort or two - it will help to calm you down.”

I hand him the flask, he damn near spills it from his nervous shaking and I begin to button his shirt for him. He takes more than a couple good snorts - he drains the whole flask. Oh well, I don’t need any courage today anyway: I am already married to the greatest woman in the world! The only nagging concern in my mind is that fucking bitch Stacy. I wonder what sort of stunt she is going to pull today. Ever getting involved with her was a huge mistake.

I remember the new rifles and begin to smile since working up a load for each one has been a real pleasure. Each load seems to increase the accuracy. Mira and Ira have practically abandoned their PSG1s which makes sense. Bernie is finally in his tuxedo and brings me back to reality as he says, “Ben, I need to go to the bathroom.”

I point to the door and say, “There it is, you should be fine.”

He practically runs into the bathroom but I hear him struggle so I walk to the door and ask, “Do you need any help?”

Bernie complains, “Ben, my hands aren’t working right - I can’t unbutton my pants.”

I open the door, unbutton his pants and then leave. I’m thankful for leaving because if the sounds are any indication, he dropped a real deuce in the crapper.

Bernie practically begs, “I’m done can you help me again?”

I reply, “Flush the crapper first and then use the air freshener.”

I hear the toilet flush and the air freshener spray so I open the door but it still smelled really awful. I know we ate Mabel’s food at the tunnels last night so the food wasn’t bad. I ask, “Bernie, why are you so nervous?”

Bernie confesses, “Ben, what if I don’t make a good husband or father?”

I laugh and answer, “Bernie, do you love Liz?”

He replies, “Of course I do - and I’ve loved her for years.”

I slap him on the back and say, “Then you’re going to be a great husband because what wives really need is our unconditional love.”

Bernie says, “But what about the father part?”

I grin at him and provide the best answer, “Bernie, I’ve seen you with Jennifer (Maria and Linus’ baby) and you’re great with her. You are so lucky having a baby and you’re such a natural father.”

Bernie smiles and says, “Ben, you’re right! Sometimes I’m the only one that can get Jennifer to stop crying. Thank you.”

Present – The wedding

The wedding planner comes to the door and says, “Good, you two are ready.” Then she complains a little, “Mr. Blaine, I wish we had fitted your uniform.”

I smile at her and reply, “Ms., this fits me perfectly according to Marine regulation 192-5.”

She gives me a funny look then announces, “Well Bernie, it’s time.”

Bernie looks at me and says, “Ben, she’s right because your uniform is quite a bit looser than at your wedding. How did that happen?”

I smile at him and say, “It’s all Jens fault because she fucked the weight off of me.”

Bernie begins to laugh, and comments, “I hope that Liz and I can do that again someday.” He walks out into the hallway and heads for the ballroom.

I walk across the hallway, knock on the door and ask, “Are you ready Jens?”

The door opens and there’s my wife looking more beautiful than ever. She smiles at me and comments, “Your Dress Blues are a little loose.”

I reply, “Not according to Marine regulation 192-5.”

She thinks for a moment, smiles and declares, “Wait, there is no Marine regulation 192-5.”

I grin at her and say, “You’re right but don’t blame me for the fit because it’s your fault.”

She pokes me in the ribs and counters, “Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it.”

We take each other’s arm and walk toward the ballroom. Jens confesses, “I miss having Sharik and Destiny here.”

I indicate with my head and reply, “Destiny is here. She’s part of the security arrangements.”

Jens has a worried look on her face as she asks, “You don’t think anything will happen do you?”

She sees someone to the side, stumbles a little and swears, “What in the fricken-fracken heck is she doing here?”

Jens notices Stacy (yeah, I didn’t tell her anything about what Thom shared with me) and I reply, “Liz did invite all of Leadville to the wedding and she does live in Leadville. Now come on, you messed up your steps.”

Jens apologizes, “Sorry Ben, I really honestly hate that woman.”

I squeeze her arm and say, “Jens, you’re better than that, now smile for the camera.”

Jens sees Samantha taking video of the wedding and that changes her attitude. She smiles big and holds me even closer. We reach the platform at the end of the ballroom where Jens and I separate: She goes to her side and I walk up beside Bernie (he looks much better and has calmed down). I take my place beside him, we wait and then the wedding march starts. We wait for Liz but she doesn’t show. The wedding planner runs into the back of the church and announces, “Liz is going into labor!”

Jens makes a beeline for the back of the ballroom.

Bernie looks at the preacher and says, “You need to marry us on the way to the hospital in Denver.”

I grab Bernie’s hand along with the hand of the preacher and hightail it out the door with them. There’s an ambulance waiting, the doors are open and I see that Liz is inside. I shove Bernie and the preacher inside, slam the back doors and the ambulance takes off.

Jens comes over and says, “That was a close call, I was glad we had an ambulance waiting just in case.”

I hug Jens and say, “You always seem to know when things like this are going to happen before they do.”

Jens smiles and agrees, “Yeah, I get lucky a lot.”

I get ready to say something profound when I hear a noise I thought I would never hear again...

Present – Stacy – The almost wedding and Ben’s gift

I was amazed that Ben’s witch bitch let her best friend Elizabeth Morgan go into labor. I thought she was more powerful than that. With the wedding being over it was time to deliver my gift to Ben. I walk to where it was hidden, start it up and head for the front of the Delaware Hotel. The sweet sound of the exhaust and the whine of the supercharger echo against the buildings that line the street. I round the corner and delight in the shocked look on his face.