And So It Begins

[DrDMatthews 0]

There had been no time to get nervous. There were only six weeks to plan a wedding and reception. Deb had been busier than ever and was actually grateful the ship was in a drydock undergoing repairs. That meant nothing much was going on in Sickbay so she had a little more time to devote to the wedding plans.

 

Even as a girl, Debbie Matthews had never dreamed about her wedding day. It just wasn't an event she'd ever been all that concerned about. As the years passed, she resigned herself she probably wouldn't marry so why waste time thinking about a wedding.

 

Then she got engaged. She and Aidan agreed to share responsibilities. He was in charge of the honeymoon and she would handle the wedding and reception. Deb's only problem was....she didn't have a clue what was involved with planning a wedding, even a small one. Thank heaven for Gracie. Once again, she came to the rescue. Without Gracie's assistance, Deb wasn't sure what she would have done.

 

And all of the hard work led to this moment.....the big day had finally arrived. As the great doors opened and Deb and her grandfather stepped into the entrance way, she found herself a bit overwhelmed by the beautiful setting.

 

Even if she had dreamed of her wedding as a child, Deb couldn't have imagined anything as wonderful as this. She was getting married in an ancient Irish castle that had been in Aidan's family for hundreds of years. The actual ceremony would be in the Grand Foyer, a large entrance hall that was bigger than the entire house Deb had grown up in. Two magnificent, stone staircases were located on either side of the Foyer. Both were draped in beautiful garlands of light pink roses with giant antique white and green hydrangea and Casa Blanca lilies. Six pedestals, all ten feet tall, defined the altar area. Twelve candles sat atop each pedestal surrounded by arrangements of roses, hydrangea and lilies.

 

These were "real" flowers too! She had the Captain to thank of that....and Brian Smith....and Jontilles Shamor. The memory of how that came about brought an immediate smile to her lips.

 

Directly behind the altar, a large archway led into the Ballroom where the reception would be held. Deb could just barely see the tables with their elegant centerpieces. But her attention was quickly redirected as the orchestra began to play the entrance hymn. It was their cue to begin the long walk down the aisle.

 

At the same moment, Deb's calm facade nearly crumbled. Now, she was nervous. As though sensing the change in her mood, her grandfather gently patted her hand. "Don't worry," he whispered. "I won't let you fall."

 

The bride couldn't help but chuckle. She didn't bother pointing out to her grandfather that it was his hand shaking, not hers. "Shall we go?" the retired engineer asked quietly.

 

Debbie nodded slightly and the two began their slow march to the altar and the beginning of her new life. She smiled at their guests as she walked past, impressed by how dashing everyone looked. Some were in dress uniforms while others wore formal civilian attire. As they drew closer to the altar, Deb smiled warmly at her maid of honor. She'd asked Ciara Ridire, Aidan's younger sister, to stand with her today. The young woman looked stunning in her emerald green gown.

 

Then she turned her attention to Aidan, waiting for her at the altar. He looked wonderful in his formal tux. She wondered what he thought of her simple yet elegant wedding dress. The A-line gown was traditional white, lace over satin and featured a bodice with a soft, beaded sweetheart neckline, sheer back yoke with covered buttons and cap sleeves. It had a beaded empire waistline and the delicate beading continued onto the lace skirt that extended into a chapel length train. Deb wore a diamond and pearl necklace and matching pearl drop earrings. Both were gifts from her grandmother. They'd been a wedding gift from her grandfather and Rose had worn them on her wedding day nearly sixty years earlier. Deb had chosen to forgo a veil. Instead, she wore her hair swept up in curls with wispy bangs barely covering either side of her forehead. Delicate white flowers peeked out from among the curls.

 

As she and her grandfather approached, Aidan stepped toward them and prepared to take her hand.

 

Aidan keeps from fidgeting with his tuxedo only through force of will. It really isn't that uncomfortable but the nervousness inherent in the occasion is making him more then a little aware that tuxedos, like dress uniforms, weren't exactly made with comfort of the wearer first and foremost in mind. And he would admit that it's not like he looks bad wearing it, it was hard to not look good in a tux. Fortunately he had chosen something relatively simple, a classic black tuxedo as it were. Still, if this was the last time he had to deal with a bow tie in his life, he would be eternally grateful.

 

He hears a soft chuckle behind him to the left causing him to glance over at Nick. Not for the first time he wishes the young El Aurian wasn't quite so good when it came to reading him. And not for the first time Aidan wonders if he and Deb should have eloped as Nick and his wife did. Before he can further himself along that mental path he hears the entrance music start up.

 

He glances around the grand hall, once again impressed with the job that Deb did in altering the program so that it was properly decorated. He doubts a better job could have been done with the actual castle back home. He closes his eyes briefly and lets himself savor the smell and sounds of the grand hall.

 

A murmur running through the guests causes him to open his eyes and his gaze falls on Deb and her grandfather approaching up the center aisle. His breath catches as he takes in Deb and the way she looks in her dress. But it's her eyes that hold his attention, the smile and promise clear in them. As they reach the bottom of the two steps that lead up to the dais the altar is set on he steps forward and waits to take her hand. He knows no matter what this was going to be something he'll remember until the day he dies.

 

Virgil Matthews shook hands with Aidan and patted him on the forearm. He turned to Deb and kissed her lightly on the cheek. For a moment, she thought he was going to say something. At the last moment, he simply smiled and turned toward her future husband. "Here you go, son," he said quietly as he placed Debbie's hand in Aidan's. "You best take care of her," he added with a wink as he stepped back and allowed his granddaughter and her fiance to continue on their way to the altar where the Captain waited to conduct the marriage ceremony.

 

Deb blinked back tears, determined not to cry. Gracie spent over an hour on Deb's makeup. She'd also threatened to kill Deb should she cry and ruin it. Aidan squeezed her hand slightly as they proceeded to the altar. Deb couldn't help grinning at Captain Michaels, all decked out in his dress whites. He was even wearing his medals. The Captain had a silly smirk on his face and suddenly, Deb was a bit concerned about what Michaels would say. He was well known for his dry humor and he'd known Deb for many years....Aidan too. She could only hope he wouldn't choose this moment to expose some of those unfortunate missteps that every officer takes while learning how things operate on a starship. She silently prayed he would hold onto those until the reception.

 

Aidan smirks faintly when Deb's grandfather instructs him "You best take care of her." He's half tempted to reply that was going without saying. As Aidan turns to guide Deb towards where the Captain is waiting he squeezes her hand gently and murmurs, "You look radiant, love." As they approach the Captain, Aidan closes his eyes for a few moments and forces himself to relax. Suffice it to say this is probably the most nervous he's felt in years, if not his lifetime. When he opens his eyes, his gaze immediately falls on the Captain's silly little smirk. He feels something settle in the pit of his stomach. Usually, when the Captain had that expression it was not going to be anything good.

Edited January 3, 2008 by DrDMatthews