What Goes Around, Part Six

Saturday came all too soon, for Donna. Not that she hand any doubts about marrying Michael. It was just that she wished she had been given more time to prepare for the wedding.

"I'm not sure about this gown." She fussed, for the hundredth time, twisting and turning in front of her mirror.

"You look lovely!" Vicky assured her. "Besides, it's too late to change now. Okay, you need something old - "

"My pearl earrings. I've had them for ages." said Donna.

" -Something new -"

"The gown, obviously."

" - Something borrowed -" said Vicky. "So here's my butterfly brooch." She pinned it to Donna's bodice. "-and something blue."

"I don't have anything blue!" said Donna, panicking.

"Relax, I took care of it." said Vicky, reaching into her purse, "Every bride needs a blue lace garter."

*(*(*(*(*(*(*

Meanwhile, out at the Hudson farm, Michael and Nick were shaving in preparation for their big day.

"It's gonna be tricky being bridegroom and Best Man." said Michael. "I just hope we can keep the rings straight."

"Just so each of us takes the right bride on the honeymoon!" said Nick, "Say, where are you and Donna going on yours, anyway?"

"The cabin." Said Michael, "Me and Donna have had some great times there. If that rug in front of the fireplace could talk -!" He smiled reminiscently.

"You mean, you're gonna drive up the mountain, along the road where you nearly go killed?"

"You know what they say, Kid: if you're thrown by a horse, you've got to climb right back into the saddle."

*(*(*(*(*(*

"Paulina?" said Rachel, "Shouldn't you be on your way to Sofia's apartment by now?"

"Sofia made it perfectly clear that she doesn't want my help dressing for her wedding." Said Paulina, "That was before I threw Joe out. I'll be lucky if she lets me into the church!"

"Oh, I think you're exaggerating." said Rachel, "Sofia loves you."

"Not any more she doesn't!" said Paulina, "Joe told her that I'm still an addict, and that I burned down their family home, and whatever Joe says is gospel."

"Well, she will discover her mistake, in time." Said Rachel, soothingly.

(Inwardly, she was seething: Paulina had always treated that ungrateful brat like a sister!)

"You look lovely." She said.

"If you consider the Goodyear Blimp 'lovely'." Said Paulina, looking from Rachel's slender figure to her own Rubenesque one.

"Darling, no matter what you weigh, you're still the beautiful Paulina that we love!"

"Quite right!" said Carl, entering the room, "You both look lovely!'

"Any you look very handsome!" said Rachel. They kissed tenderly.

*(*(*(*(*(*

“I’ve been thinkin’, Dad,” said Nick, “Maybe me and Sofia living here at the farm isn't such a good idea. You and Donna will want to be alone.”

“So, what are you gonna do – stay at Sofia’s place?” said Michael, “What about Riley?”

“He’d be miserable, stuck in an apartment all day.” Nick agreed. “Can’t he stay with you?”

“I’ve got a better idea.” said his father, “I’ll move in with Donna. You kids keep the farm.”

“Are you sure?”

“Donna’s not the farm wife type.”

*(*(*(*(*(*(*

Carl, Rachel and Paulina had just arrived at the church. As they started towards their seats, the door to the bride’s room opened a crack and a voice hissed: “Carl!”

“Bella?” Donna beckoned him inside. “Carl, I need a favour! Will you give me away?”

“I’d be honoured, albeit surprised.” he replied.

“I don’t feel right about asking Jake, since he and Victoria are getting a divorce.” she explained, “I’d ask Nick, but he’s one of the bridegrooms.”

“I understand.” said Carl, “An ex-husband is the closest thing to a male relative available. Say no more.”

“Thank you, Darling.” Donna hugged him, carefully, for fear of rumpling her gown.

“I’ll just escort Rachel and Paulina to their seats, and come back.”

Meanwhile, Sofia and Joe had arrived. Seeing Rachel and Paulina waiting for Carl in the vestibule. Joe said, “Paulina, you’re crazy if you think I’m gonna let you have custody of my son!”

“Dante isn’t YOUR son, Joe!” said Paulina. “He’s OUR son – mine as well as yours!”

“No judge is gonna let you have him!”

Listening to Joe’s loud, assertive voice – suddenly, his Bronx accent grated on her nerves – and seeing his aggressive stance – head down on his thick neck, legs planted apart, like a bull about to charge – Paulina wondered why she had ever found him attractive.

“This is your sister’s wedding day, Joe,” she said, “Let’s try not to spoil it for her. We can talk later.”

“You look lovely, Sofia.” said Rachel.

“Thanks.” she mumbled, embarrassed by the whole situation.

“Ah, Happy the bride on whom the sun shines!” said Carl, emerging for the bride’s room. Sofia swept past him, and shut the door.

“Bella has asked me to give her away.” Carl explained, “Shall we find our seats?”

The church was decorated with masses of flowers. Carl helped Rachel and Paulina to seats in the front row, then started back to Donna.

“Hello, Vic.” he said, encountering her by the door.

“Hi, Carl. Have you seen the boys?”

“They’re at the front, with Jake.” He looked at her shrewdly, “Have you told them about the divorce?”

“Not yet.” She admitted, “But I’m sure they know something is up.”

“Children generally have a keen instinct in such matters.” Carl agreed.

Entering the bride’s room, Carl found Joe there with Sofia.

“How shall we do this?” he asked, “Shall we march down the aisle in tandem, or let the first bride reach the altar before the second bride sets out?”

“I think it would spoil the effect if we go together.” Said Donna.

“Yeah, it would be like a Moonie wedding.” Said Sofia.

“Then, who goes first?” said Carl, “You are senior bride, Bella.”

“Yes, but it’s Sofia’s first wedding.” Donna pointed out, “Michael and I just invited ourselves in at the last minute.”

“Nick and me are really glad you did.” Sofia assured her.

“Yes, but you deserve to have everyone’s undivided attention when you walk down the aisle.”

“Whatever you’re gonna decide, make it quick,” said Joe, “I hear organ music.”

Father Luigi stuck his head in the door. “Are we ready?”

“Right away, Father.” said Joe.

“My bouquet? Where’s my bouquet?” said Sofia. Carl indicated two florist’s boxes on a table.

“Which is yours?” he asked.

“Mine is pink roses and baby’s breath.”

“Then the lilies must be yours, Bella.” said Carl, handing out the bouquets.

*(*(*(*(*

“I guess it will be awkward for you, seeing Sofia marry Nick.” Said Amanda, “I know you used to be sweet on her.”

“That was a long time ago.” Said Matthew, “Before I went to Europe. And it was never serious on her part. Sofia kept saying that she was over Nick, but she never convinced anybody – not even herself.”

“But, have you forgotten her?”

“Yes.” he replied.

(“And if that’s MY baby Lila is carrying, I’ll find a way to make her marry me.” he thought.)

*(*(*(*(*

Nick took a handkerchief, and wiped his palms.

“Nervous?” whispered Michael.

“Yeah.”

“Me too.” His father admitted, “Getting married is a big step, especially the first time. Suddenly you’re an adult, with responsibilities.”

The organist struck up the Wedding March and all heads turned towards the door, as Sofia entered, on Joe’s arm.

“Where’s Donna?” Michael muttered.

Nick didn’t hear him; he was awestruck by the sight of his bride, advancing towards him.

“You look great!” he said, as she took her place at his side.

The music started again, as Donna and Carl entered. Despite all her fussing over her gown, no bride could have been more radiant.

“Dearly beloved,” said Father Luigi, “We are gathered here to join this man – er, these men and these women in holly matrimony.”

*(*(*(*(*(*(*

“I pronounce you, Nicholas and Sofia, and you, Michael and Donna, to be husband and wife. You may kiss the brides.”

The guests applauded as the two couples kissed.

*(*(*(*(*(*(*

“Don’t you know you’ve always been my hero?” Bette Midler sang, as Nick and Sofia had their first dance, “You are the wind beneath my wings!”

Carlino’s was really too small for the wedding reception(s), but they had gotten permission to close the street to traffic, so that the party could spill out onto the sidewalk.

“Treat my sister right, or I’ll break your neck!” growled Joe, adding “Just kiddin’, heh heh.”

Nick gave him a thin smile. Putting up with this jerk of a brother-in-law was the price he was going to have to pay to have Sofia as his wife.

“Now it’s our turn.” Said Michael, leading Dona out onto the dance floor as Tony Bennett began to sing: “Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars/ Let me know what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars/ In other words, hold my hand/ In other words, say you love me!”

“You know, Rachel,” said Carl, as they danced. “When I was young, I found the words of love songs sickeningly sentimental, but now I realize that they are profoundly true.”

“Fill my heart with song, and let me sing forevermore,” sang Tony, “You are all I Long for, all I worship and adore/ In other words, please be true/ In other words, I love you!”

Carl and Rachel kissed; so did Michael and Donna, not to mention Nick and Sofia.

Watching from the sidelines, Vicky sighed. Was it only four months since she and Jake had danced at their own wedding? What a fool she had been! Marry in haste, repent immediately: that seemed to be her pattern. At least Jake wasn’t vindictive, unlike Grant.

“Thanks for taking care of Riley while me and Sofia are on our honeymoon.” said Nick.

“I’m glad to do it.” said Vicky, “Steven and Kirkland will love having a dog around.”

(“Maybe it will soften the blow of Jake leaving,” she thought.)

“We’d better get changed, if we’re gonna catch that plane to Jamaica.” said Nick.

“First, I gotta toss the bouquet.” said Sofia.

“Okay, Everybody!” said Paulina loudly, “Clear a space! All unmarried women, take your places for the bouquet toss! Remember, two brides means two chances! Sofia – Donna – on your mark – one, two, three – TOSS!”

The two bouquets flew through the air. Vicky found Sofia’s one coming straight at her head. She put up her hand to fend it off – and discovered that she had caught it!

One of the other guests had caught Donna’s bouquet. She and her friends’ squeals of delight covered Vicky’s embarrassment.

*(*(*(*(*(*(*

Michael’s face was grey. “Darling, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.” Said Donna, “Turn the car around! We can spend the night at my suite, and take a plane to – somewhere- in the morning.”

“No, I can do this.” Michael insisted. He slowed the car to a crawl as they passed a broken guardrail.

“Is this where-?” asked Donna.

“Yeah.”

Now wonder Michael was having a hard time! This was the spot where he had come within inches of death!

“I’ll tell you one thing.” He said, “I’m never drivin’ up here in a blizzard again!”

“I’ll never forgive myself for sending you up here that night.” said Donna.

“Hey, it was MY idea!” Gradually, Michael gained confidence as they climbed the mountain road. By the time they reached the cabin, he was smiling. “See? I told you I could do it!”

“I never doubted you for a moment.” Said Donna.

Michael unlocked the cabin and carried his bride across the threshold.

“Oh!” he said, seeding dirty dishes on the table, a flannel shirt tossed on the couch, etc., “I forgot Shane’s stuff would still be here!”

“Never mind that!” said Donna, “We can pack it later. Right now, let’s light a fire and start our honeymoon.”

“My fire is already lit!” said Michael, taking her in his arms.