Elizabeth bit her lip nervously, watching as Lucky met her father for the first time. She could see a look in Lucky's eyes that she recognized, and it worried her.
Lucky looked into Jeff Webber's eyes, wondering how a father could possibly treat a daughter like he had. Elizabeth had needed a father's shoulder to cry on so badly after the rape, and again after his own ''death.'' He wanted so badly to tell this jerk off, to tell him that he didn't want him anywhere near Elizabeth, but he caught Elizabeth's eye just then and saw the pleading look she was giving him, and he sighed in resignation. He would be nice--today anyway. ''It's good to meet you...finally.''
Jeff winced at the wealth of meaning that Lucky had put into that last word. He knew he deserved it, though, so he just held out his hand. ''It's good to meet you too, Lucky. I'm glad you've made my daughter so happy.''
Lucky looked at the hand that Jeff held out, and after hesitating a moment, shook it. ''I plan on dedicating my life to making your daughter happy,'' he said simply, putting his arm around Elizabeth's waist and pulling her to his side.
Elizabeth's mother stepped forward. ''Lucky, it's so good to meet you. We've heard so much about you, and we were overjoyed to hear that you were actually alive. It's...It's just wonderful!''
Laura felt the awkwardness in the room, and decided to step in to break it up. ''Well, everyone, we have a wedding to go to in two hours, so maybe we'd better start getting ready, if we're going to get these two to the church on time! Lucky, say goodbye to Elizabeth for awhile, she's coming with me.
Lucky turned to Elizabeth and kissed her, not caring about the other people in the room. ''Two hours...'' He said softly.
''And I'll be Mrs. Spencer,'' she finished with a radiant smile, kissing him again quickly before she would let Laura pull her gently up the stairs.
Luke saw his son watching after her with a dazed smile on his face, and he chuckled. ''C'mon, Cowboy. We've got stuff to do too.
Elizabeth was trying to sit patiently while Laura adjusted her veil and Audrey fussed with the skirt of her dress. She was relieved by the knock at the door of the bride room. ''Come in!'' To her surprise her mother entered, carrying a flat velvet box. Laura and Audrey made their excuses and discreetly left the room, promising to come back and get Elizabeth ready to walk down the aisle.
''Liz, I knew you would be a beautiful bride,'' said her mother with a gentle smile. ''You can't know how I regret...well, I won't go back into that right now. I have something for you, something old.'' She handed the box to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth opened the box and gasped. It was the string of pearls that her mother had gotten married in, and her mother before. Elizabeth didn't know how far back they went, actually. ''Mom, the pearls? I thought...''
''I know,'' said her mother with a nod. They were supposed to go to the oldest daughter, but, well, I think they will go better with your coloring. Here, let me help you.'' She carefully clasped the pearls around Elizabeth's neck, then stood back to admire her daughter. ''Perfect. I knew they would look better on you.''
Elizabeth knew that this was her mother's way of apologizing for her treatment of her. ''Thank you, Mom,'' she whispered, hugging the older woman. ''Oh!'' she said suddenly. ''My bouquet! I left it out in the church.''
''Wait here, I'll get it for you,'' said her mother. She gave her a misty smile and left the room.
After a moment there was another knock at the door. ''Well, that was fast,'' said Elizabeth, starting to open the door.
''Elizabeth, it's me.''
''Lucky! You aren't supposed to see me before the wedding. It's bad luck, you know.'' she said through the door.
''I don't think you and I have to worry about bad luck, but that's okay. I just wanted to tell you that I love you. Are you nervous?''
''A little, but not about marrying you. Just about all the people watching. What if I fall on my face when I'm walking down the aisle?''
She heard him laugh softly on the other side of the door. ''Don't worry. If you start to fall my dad will catch you, and when you get up front I'll be there. I'll always be there,'' he said.
Elizabeth smiled and laid her hand on the door. ''I guess I'll be alright then. Oh, and Lucky? I love you too.''