Chapter 48: Wedding Bells

Four months after her kidnapping, Angel was standing in front of the mirror in the dressing room at St. Christopher's Cathedral. Her mother, sister, sister-in-law, and daughter stood in the room with her.

"You look gorgeous," Mia said with admiration. Her mother made a beautiful bride.

"Thank you," Angel turned around and kissed Mia on the forehead.

Claudia began fluttering around nervously; making sure all the little details with Angel's gown and hair were attended to. Rori kept trying not to cry. Seeing Angel in her wedding dress was almost more than Rori could stand. "You really look beautiful sis," Rori leaned over and kissed Angel on the cheek, and Angel grabbed her and held her close. "I love you Ror," she whispered softly in Rori's ear.

Angel and Rori had journeyed down a long road together as sisters. Rori had always been tough on the outside and rather soft underneath, though she hid her soft side most of the time. Angel felt that Rori had always been there for her, even when she had been far away and living in Reno, Angel had often thought of her sister and fed off of her strength.

Rori's couldn't hold back her tears and they streamed down her face, "I love you too Anj," then she quickly rushed over to grab a Kleenex before her mascara smeared. "God dammit!" she cursed, "Stop making me cry."

"It's alright Rori," Amanda laughed, "It's OK to cry at your sister's wedding."

Rori dried her eyes, "Doesn't she look beautiful?"

"She looks gorgeous," Amanda agreed and then it was her turn to hug Angel, "I'm so happy for you Anj. Seeing you all dressed up like this makes me almost wish Frank and I would have had another big wedding."

Rori rolled her eyes, "You had to bring that up!"

"Sorry Ror," Amanda shrugged. Then she blushed. "I know this is your day Anj and I don't want to ruin it for you, but I'm dying to tell all of you; I'm pregnant."

All three of their jaws dropped open, "Oh my God!" Claudia rushed over to Amanda and threw her arms around her and Rori, Mia, and Angel did the same.

"When is the baby due?" Rori asked.

"In November," Amanda said.

"That's such good news," Angel smiled. "I'm so happy for you both."

"No wonder Frank has been so happy lately," Rori shook her head, "he loves kids."

Angel looked around the room at the women in her family and her heart melted. She loved all of them deeply. "I wish I had been here for your wedding Rori," Angel said.

"Me too," Rori quipped, "You got out of being a bridesmaid; you owe me for that!"

Angel laughed, "I'll babysit the boys some weekend to make up for it."

"Sounds great!" Rori smiled.

"I never thought we would be here," Claudia said with pride.

"Oh Mama," Angel hugged Claudia and soon there were tears rolling down her face. Claudia, for all of her faults and weaknesses, had always been a kind and nurturing mother. Angel had missed her for a very long time while she had been gone. She often went over to visit Claudia during the day just to bask in her presence. Her mother always gave her food and took time to talk with her and be concerned and interested in her.

"Oh no!" Amanda exclaimed when she saw Angel's tears and she quickly attempted to fix Angel's makeup in order to prevent her mascara from smearing.

Mia stood off to the side and wondered what it would have been like if her mother had come back sooner. Over the last several months she and Angel had bonded a lot. One of their first family outings after Coach Bills' death was on the ski slopes. Angel could barely remember how to ski and Mia had stayed by her mother's side, encouraging her, until Angel managed to get the hang of it again. Mia could ski and snowboard like a champ; Martin had taught her well.

After that outing, Mia had gone to lunch and dinner with Angel and Jordan many times and as the weather had become warmer, the three of them had gone into the city to see some theater. Mia often stopped by Jordan's office after school to see her mother, or she went over to Jordan's house on a Saturday afternoon just to hang out. Angel and Mia had become a lot closer in very short amount of time and Mia could talk to her mother about Kyle, which was something she couldn't do with Martin or Claudia.

"I can't believe I'm getting married," Angel said.

"I'm glad," Mia smiled with affection. Mia could tell her mother was nervous and she was nervous as well. The cathedral was packed and it was standing room only.

Angel and Jordan's wedding had inadvertently become the social event of the season. Everyone in town knew who Martin was because he owned the local hardware store and everyone knew Jordan because he was the town doctor. People from everywhere wanted an invitation, and Jordan and Angel had squabbled over the best way to narrow down the list. Angel never expected her wedding to be a hot social ticket. She was expecting the opposite, but the people of Argus Falls had finally forgiven her it seemed.

Martin was filled with pride. It was not befitting him to cry over something as silly as a wedding, yet the urge was strong. It took everything he had to hold back the tears. He grumbled a lot so his true emotions wouldn't show. "If only this many people turned out for ten o'clock Mass every week," he thought as he stood waiting in the foyer for his daughter so he could walk her down the aisle.

Frank and Jordan had become best friends again. Frank had restored the old mustang that Angel had driven to town. The car was no longer rusty and old looking. Frank had shined it up and restored it. The Mustang, much like its owner, had been through a lot over the years, but with some tender loving care it had became whole again. Frank delivered the car and the keys to Angel a week early because he couldn't stand to wait any longer. The car had been one of the only things Angel had ever owned in her life, and she loved Frank for restoring it for her.

"God I would kill for a cigarette about now," Angel said nervously as the time for the ceremony approached. It was her nerves talking.

"No!" Rori said emphatically. "You and Pop made that deal three months ago that you would give up cigarettes and he would eat salads for lunch every day."

"I remember," Angel said in frustration. "I don't know what I was thinking, but you have to admit Pop's lost some weight lately, he looks pretty good."

"Yes he's a lot fitter," Rori said.

"And friskier," Claudia shook her head and then she blushed when she realized she had said that in front of her daughters, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.

They all three laughed, "Go Pop!" Rori smiled.

"God, that's more information than I needed to know," Angel muttered.

"Like father like son," Amanda smirked.

"Oh Stop it!" Rori said.

The organ music played loudly as the processional began and Claudia took her seat in front. Jordan walked in the side door along with Frank and took his position at the front of the church. Frank was his best man. Jordan had also decided to convert to Catholicism. He had been studying for several months and he was now officially a Catholic in good standing. Jordan figured he may as well convert because he knew Martin would insist that he and Angel attend Mass every Sunday with the family, plus most of the people in the community were Catholic.

Jordan was nervous and anxious as he stood waiting for Angel. He never thought this day would come. Everyone took their seats in anticipation and Amanda walked down the aisle by herself first since Frank was already standing beside Jordan. Doug was the only groomsman and he escorted his wife Rori down the aisle next, where they took their place at the front of the cathedral. Mia was the last one and she began her walk alone as her mother's Maid of Honor. Mia hoped she didn't accidentally trip and fall, she was so nervous. Her palms were sweating, and when she spotted Kyle among the crowd she blushed a little.

Angel entered the foyer to walk down the aisle with Martin and his heart skipped a beat. She was stunning. He looked proudly at his daughter and she smile at him before putting her veil over her face. "Ready Pop?"