THE WEDDING

June the Thirtieth dawned bright, with the dawn spreading joyously across the summer sky. The light of the rising sun reflected off cotton-like clouds, promising a great day. As the sun rose, the nearest cotton-white clouds began to resemble no less than snow-covered mountain peaks; only separated from the gently rolling countryside by blue sky masquerading as a mountain lake.

It was the perfect summer's day, if you were going to spend it in a country church and then in a well-manicured lawn overlooking a brook. Not too hot to dress formally; sunny with brief periods of clouds that only served to highlight the weather.


Etta was a taskmaster, but it was just as well she was. So that everyone at the Crete's was breakfasted, dressed and prepared by the time the catering service arrived to set up for the reception after the wedding.

A small army descended upon them to set up tables, head-table, tablecloths, dishes and silverware. And, most importantly, the food. To the consternation of Bill Crete, his wife went all out. Reverend Douglas' binding arbitration wasn't needed: Etta decided to impress her relatives with strawberry salad, and a painfully expensive Lobster dinner with Whipped Potatoes and Garlic shrimp.

"Oh, Mom!" Natalie observed.

"Ka-ching, Ka-ching, Ka-ching" no less a person than Rory's father remarked when he heard about it.

"I've got my garlic shrimp" was all Rory said.


The main wedding party was dressed as formally as formal could get. The bride was dressed in white, the bridesmaid and flower girls in blue dress, and Etta regaled herself in a skirt, jacket and a flowered hat deceptive enough to lure a nearsighted hummingbird to her head. William Crete and his son had gone to a tailor named Silvers and picked up the same type of outfits, coat, waistcoat, shirt with wing-collar and trousers, that Benny had so strenuously objected too.

The photographer, a middle-aged woman named Karen Smith, arrived early and had been snapping photographs of the empty event venue.

Natalie's best friend Cathy was Maid of Honour. A five-year old cousin of hers, Bridgette, was flower girl. The young son of Rory's own cousin (the same cousin who had tipped Rory off about Ethan's new video game a decade ago) was ring bearer.


"It looks like it's going to be a perfect day" said Natalie brightly, as she opened the window and smelled the fresh air.

Cathy had spent the night, mostly sharing in Natalie's excitement; but also gently teasing Natalie when the mood struck.

"I hope your brother never gets caught dumping insecticide into the brook" Cathy observed laconically.

"He won't" said Natalie. "I didn't ask him to do it."

"I hope that wasn't his wedding gift" said Cathy, with a smirk.

"No, it isn't" said Natalie. "I heard Benny's contributed jointly to something with Rory's friends Benny and Malcolm. What do you think of my gift to Rory?"

"I love it, made by hand an embroidery declares your love" said Cathy. "Did Rory give you a gift?"

"The ring, of course, Cathy" said Natalie.

"Of course" said Cathy, gently hitting herself on the forehead in mock punishment. "And you also bought the groom's best friend a gift. A dog's wing collar and necktie."

Natalie and Cathy laughed.

"But it's not something that would hurt Krypto's dignity" said Natalie. "That's important to Rory. Important to me too."

"Of course not" said Cathy. "And . . . let's see. Your jewellery takes care of something old, new and borrowed. Your bouquet something blue. And of course your Mom and Dad are throwing the party" said Cathy. "I'm surprised you've been able to call everybody together so soon though. Just over a month."

"Maybe that was because it was meant to be" said Cathy. "Although . . . you know what I've been saying about Rory."

"How he wasn't the most romantic man I could have chosen" said Natalie cooly.

"Not the most exciting is what I said" corrected Cathy. "No hidden depths, just a really nice . . . Keener, like his name."

Cathy was surprised to see Natalie shake her head in a serious way.

"I think Rory is exciting" said Natalie emphatically. "Really nice, and a Keener, with more hidden depths than you'd ever know. More than you can ever guess, Cathy."

"Yes, you told me about Rory being that Prankee guy ten years ago" said Cathy. "Rory had his fifteen minutes of fame, mostly in his own hometown . . . nowhere else. It's too bad he decided to wait six months to post a video of himself alongside your prank videos. Or lucky, if McMurdo Abbott took offense to pranking."

Natalie didn't tell Cathy that Rory wasn't even able to have himself videoed until several months after his time as prankee.

"They wouldn't have taken offense" scoffed Natalie. "That was ages again. Besides, it was just some harmless fun. Rory did a lot of switching from hobby to hobby when he was fifteen" said Natalie. "Rory hinted that he could be especially childish that year."

"Must have been some odd psychological reaction to growing up" said Cathy, slightly surprised.

"Rory denies it was that" said Natalie, thoughtfully. "He says it was him simply just trying to have fun. Or at least he doesn't think it was anything more complicated than that. I think it was some hidden reaction to not being allowed to grow-up."

"Oh, he had strict parents?" asked Cathy.

"Strict parents?" said Natalie with surprise, her train of thought being derailed. "Oh . . . maybe. But the Keeners are wonderful. I've heard though, you don't want to get on the wrong side of Rory's mother."

"Like yours" laughed Cathy. "It doesn't matter, as far I can see, he loves you deeply, you love him. A guy who will strive to take care of you . . . and I've known you all my life, and I think you'll have a fun life with the Rorster."

"That I will" said Natalie. "No cold feet. Everything is perfect."

"Not disappointed that Dusk actress friend of Rory's just sent a present but didn't come" said Cathy. "Erica what's her name?"

"No" said Natalie with obvious distaste for Erica, wrinkling her nose.

"Don't tell me you're jealous?" hinted Cathy, jokingly. "You mentioned that Rory said that she was the girl who gave him his first kiss."

"Oh no" said Natalie, rolling her eyes. "It's not that."


Natalie didn't share Rory's beliefs about Erica having being misled like him. Or have any sympathy for Erica's past of being desperately unpopular and bullied. Having never met Erica, Natalie disliked her, but had told Rory that since he forgave her and considered Erica a friend . . . she'd put her feelings aside. Natalie even praised the card Erica had sent with a bouquet of flowers:

Congratulations Natalie on your Wedding Day. Natalie: Rory's the most generous boy I've ever met. I know he'll try to make you happy. I know you'll do your best to give him a wonderful life.

Natalie, already not favourably disposed to Erica, privately interpreted the greeting to be altogether too short; and both insulting and passive-aggressive to boot. What did Erica mean by Natalie doing her best? Hmph.


Cathy looked worried, as she could see that Natalie was brooding over this.

"Don't let some high school girlfriend ruin yours and Rory's special day" advised Cathy. "I'm sorry I brought it up"

"Oh no" said Natalie, breaking out into a grin and peals of laughter. "You know how it is. She just rubs me the wrong way. I hear she's stuck-up, complaining about everything, always calling Rory a geek."

"I'm happy Erica's not coming then" said Cathy. "She's probably one of those women who spend your day gossiping about everyone else. And it won't take Mrs. Keener to deck her if she did!"

"I couldn't have chosen a better maid of honour" said Natalie, gratefully hugging Cathy.

"I'm serious, you're lighthearted" said Cathy. "We're the best BFF's."

"And guess who's going to catch my bouquet" hinted Natalie.

"Don't say that, it'll take the magic out of it" said Cathy smiling. "I see you're going with a medium-length bridal veil. Isn't it precious? Did Rory help to choose it out?"

"Of course not" said Natalie. "You know the superstition about the groom seeing the bride before the wedding. I tried explaining what it looked like to Rory, though.

"And?"

"Rory's eyes crossed, all he understood was that it was white and made of silk."

"That's all he has to understand."

"Yes. Isn't it a beautiful silk gown and veil?"

"It's almost too bad you're only going to wear it once" sighed Cathy. "But I don't think your bridegroom's morning suit and top hat are going to be worn out anytime soon."


In contrast to the Cretes, all Rory had to do was shower, shave, and put on his suit.

The awkward part about Rory's morning was that his possessions had been packed into boxes marked "TO ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA"; everything but a suitcase and a sleeping bag had been packed away preparatory to Miles taking over the space as his own.

"Star Trek would have been cooler, Krypto" Rory said to his dog, also in tie and wing collar, "but this getup is plenty awesome to marry Natalie. Old school, but awesome in its way. And I sure can carry the look. Everything for Natalie should be tops, right Krypto?"

Krypto barked his approval. Krypto had been unsure about the tie before, but seeing his master happy changed his mind. The loyal dog was almost as happy as Rory.

"We also thought of my flying Natalie out to Vancouver" Rory said, "But the thing about flying a plane that far is you have no time for the actual honeymoon. So that's why we're taking the train cross-country, in a double compartment. With your own anteroom at the side for you to stay, Krypto. No baggage car for you, dude. It's almost ike in From Russia with Love, Live and Let Die and Spectre. And that other movie, the non-Bond one. Where the spies try to kill the dude and his girl atop Mount Rushmore. Yeah, North by Northwest."

Krypto ran to the door barking.

"What's the matter, Krypto?"

Rory was replied by a knocking at his door.

"C'mon Rory" said Ethan's voice. "Aren't you going to let us in?"

Rory opened the door, and let in Ethan, Benny and Malcolm. All dressed in the same manner as Rory; although Malcolm Brunner, grandson of Manafort Brunner, sported his private school tie.

There was a flurry of slapping Rory on the shoulder and congratulations.

"Best man and your buddies, escorting you to your wedding" said Ethan, as he pet Krypto.

"I hope Natalie can tell us apart" said Rory, as his best man and friends looked very much similar dressed in the same manner.

Well, Benny had chosen to wear his top hat crookedly, but they looked close enough.

"Of course she can" said Ethan, impatiently.

"You're the only blond among us" Benny observed.

"But where's Sarah?" asked Rory, looking around as if Sarah had invisibly slipped in his apartment.

"No problem" said Ethan. "She's with Benny's grandmother and father, and his date. Remember, this is the best man's job."

"Who's Benny's date?" asked Rory.

"A blind date" said Benny, with a shrug. "Her name is Ophelia."

"Don't let her go too close to the water" joked Ethan.

"By the way, did you order that vegetarian pasta for my Mom?" asked Benny. "You know she doesn't eat a lobster."

"Yeah, I emailed" said Rory. "There's seven people doing that, including your Mom. Bill was complaining about it . . . you know they charge the same for the pasta as the lobster."

"Lobster's overrated" shrugged Malcolm. "You think it's special because it's expensive, but you're really spending half your time fighting to get at your food."

"Says the rich guy" observed Ethan.

"Says the guy who spent his first sixteen years no richer than you guys" Malcolm returned.

"Well, I have plans for the lobster myself" Benny said cryptically. "And they don't involve my struggling to get at the meat like Krypto with a marrow bone."

"Well, I have plans to deliver Rory to the wedding on time" said Ethan.

"We better get going" Benny added. "If you're late for Natalie, I'm personally going to kill you."

Benny snapped his finger, setting off a series of sparks. Benny gave an irritated look, as some of the sparks fell on his suit and he had to brush them off.

"Ethan already gave you his present" continued Benny, with a smirk. "But what do you think of your pal Benny giving you a Dawn for a day."

"Huh?" said Rory.

"I know you hate Dusk, Rory" joked Malcolm.

"You're bring that up?" said Rory incredulously.

Krypto growled his disapproval.

"Only because we're giving you a Dawn for the day" said Benny.

"Huh?" said Rory.

"A black badge Dawn" said Malcolm.

"What's that?"

"Look outside, below your balcony, parked on the street" said Ethan.

Rory and Krypto looked. While Krypto didn't notice a thing; Rory did. A Dawn is a two-door, Rolls Royce convertible. A shiny black Rolls Royce.

It didn't say Just Married yet. That would come a little later.

"WHOA!" said Rory.

"A bridegroom going to a formal wedding has to go in style" said Benny. "And, most importantly, leave in style. Courtesy of me. Malcolm. And your favourite brother-in-law, Miles."

"Although you might feel conspicuous when you're parked at that lonely country station, waiting for the Canadian to stop and pick you up" observed Malcolm.

"Who the frack cares about being conspicuous?" laughed Rory. "Not me. Besides, when we get to Vancouver, we stop right next to the boat."

Ethan checked his watch.

"We've better being going, Rory"

"Let's do this old school style" said Malcolm. "One, two, three . . . ."

The three of them sang:

For he's a jolly good fellow. For he's a jolly good fellow. For he's a jolly good fellow.

"Which nobody can deny" sang Ethan and Benny, while Malcolm went with "So say all of us."

"It's nobody can deny" said Ethan.

"It's so say all of us" insisted Malcolm. "You'd think a seer could see the way the song goes!"

"Woof, woof" countered Krypto

"Either or's good" shrugged Rory. "I've heard all three."

A game of rock, papers, scissors later, and then nobody could deny that Rory was a jolly good fellow.


The world was in bloom. The old church's windows glittered in the sunshine; the grass seemed as luxuriant as a carpet while the gentle wind in the leaves and the coo of the doves in the willows by the brook. The weeds alongside the marsh, or more whimsically put, the wildflowers, were alive with the hum of insects.

Even the gravel parking lot looked festive; but it seemed everyone had made sure their vehicles had a good cleaning or even a trip through the polisher at the car wash for the occasion. One could point out Benny's grandmother's shiny vintage Ford; and of course the black Rolls Royce. Both were cool in their own ways.

Rory had greeted his parents, and found himself diverted by the intrepid Karen Smith, ace photographer, into a series of family pictures, pictures of him with his friends, pictures with and without top hats. It was a lot of fun, in its way, but Rory was more eager to see Natalie.

Rory wasn't in the least bit a nervous bridegroom.


While the main party was dressed in morning clothes, the dress code for the assembled guests wasn't as harsh. Natalie's Quebec relatives dressed formal, and so did Rory's parents. Benny's Dad wore a tux without tails, while Ross Morgan had somehow been roped into following Ethan's example. Most others followed Benny's dad, or the men simply wore suits with black ties and the women dressed their best. Mr. G was invited, as befitting Rory's favourite high school teacher. He dressed as he usually dressed, except with a tie decorated with peace signs.

Ethan and Sarah greeted Mr. G warmly. They talked about old times; the non-supernatural aspects of old times of course.

Benny greeted Mr. G less warmly.

"I can't believe Rory invited a teacher to his wedding" he muttered to Ethan.

"I like casual" said Mr. G, when Sarah asked about his clothes. "I think formal only gets in way of the couple vowing their love."

"Yeah, Mr. G. They're overdoing it a bit" said Benny.

"The Rolls Royce, Benny?" Sarah asked.

"It's a wedding present" said Benny.

"I have my doubts" Sarah agreed. "But it's a beautiful wedding."

"Downright pulchritudinous" said Ethan.

"Pulchritudinous?" laughed Mr. G. "Now who's the one who's overdoing it."

"Well, it's a pulchritudinous girl is one you want to canoodle with" Benny observed wryly. Benny added under his breath, "See, this is why you don't invite your teachers to you wedding."

Ethan grinned. He looked at Sarah. She herself looked pulchritudinous. More so than normal . . .


Benny had no objections to dogs at weddings. So he was the one who sat down beside Krypto to watch the ceremony.

"Here, have a biscuit" said Benny. "It's going to be a long time before the ceremony. Hey, Grandma? Finally back from the ladies room?"

"Quiet, Benny" said Evelyn, who now, on occasion, walked with the aid of a cane. She sat down.

"You know Rory's mother is one of my closest friends" said Evelyn, sentimentally. "Next to the bride and groom, she must be the proudest and happiest here. Knowing what we know" Evelyn added significantly, "We should be even more grateful."

"You said that at Ethan and Sarah's wedding" Benny put in. "And for the same reason too."

Evelyn nodded.

"But this wedding reminds me even more of mine."

"Does it make you miss Grandad?" asked Benny.

"Of course it does" Evelyn said fondly.

"Bet you wore all the same clothes way back then too" Benny shrugged. "But I bet you were downright pulchritudinous. That means . . . ."

"I know what it means" said Evelyn sternly.

Evelyn shook her head, and looked at Krypto.

"Benny, one thing you'll never be able to do is understand animals like I do" Evelyn observed. "I can tell, at a high level, Krypto knows what's going on."

"He's a dog, an awesome dog, but a dog" Benny objected. "Don't you mean a lower level?"

"A higher level" said Evelyn.

Benny tried to reconcile what Evelyn said with what he knew about dogs, scientifically. Benny couldn't and figured his grandmother was right. That intuition was something he didn't have.

"You're a good man, Benny" said Evelyn, to the thoughtful Benny, "but it requires a special attitude."


At last, came time for the ceremony. The organist, Minerva Ellis, an old woman in a flowery hat, began with great gusto to play the wedding processional. Finally, the fancy-dressed wedding party too their places.

First went Mr. and Mrs. Keener. It was obvious to the guests watching the two, that Rory took his enthusiasm from his mother. Rory's awkwardness, and even much of his appearance, derived from his father.

Then went the Mother of the Bride. Etta walked down the aisle with great dignity as befitting the importance of the occasion.

Once Etta had seated herself slowly, with great dignity, Ethan's mother shook her head.

"She's overdoing it a little" Ethan's mother whispered to Sarah, who nodded.

"With a lobster dinner, she can afford to" Ethan's father muttered.

"Lobster and Shrimp, Ross" Benny father's put his face in between Ethan's parents. "And I hear besides the wedding cake they're going with Crepe Suzette. The whole flaming, brandy-covered mess. They're French you know."

Reverend Douglas walked next, beaming at the assembly.

Then bridegroom Rory stood at the altar with best man Ethan at his side.

Maid of Honour Cathy then walked slowly down the aisle.

Natalie's cousin, the flower girl, tossed some white flowers about. She was a happy brunette, eagerly beaming at the crowd.

"Flower power" said Mr. G to a neighbour.

Then Rory's cousin, a thin blond little boy, carried the wedding rings upon a pillow while grinning from ear-to-ear.

Krypto chose this moment to bark.

"Quiet Krypto" said Benny. "Don't interrupt."

At the moment, the sun had slipped behind some clouds. But then, the sun shone through the large rose window in all its glory as the organist played.

At last walked Natalie, escorted slowly by her father up the aisle.

Natalie was lit by the midday sun as she walked down the church aisle. She was, in Rory's eyes, a sight of such, well, limitless pulchritude that Rory knew he could never again to see her equal in his life.

The rest of the wedding, guests, organ and all, were as if they had been obscured by mist now that Natalie was there. Dressed in her shimmering silk white wedding gown and her face party hidden by the gossamer-thin veil.

As for Natalie, it was slightly different. She simply shined as her father took her step by step to her future husband, with the families and well-wishers all by her side.

The organ music stopped, as Natalie gently kissed her father on the cheek to join her husband-to-be in front at the altar.

And now began Reverend Douglas:

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to join this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony. . . ."

Rory had to steel himself to listen to the words of the good minister, as he was lost looking at Natalie, whose face was only partially hidden behind the translucent veil. But Rory did. The wedding vows were important, and Rory tried to listen with all the earnestness in his character.

For Natalie it was the same. Though to her, it sounded only as if he childhood friend and minister was only proclaiming their love to the family.

Both realized that all the formal trappings were a nice touch, but this was what mattered the most.

"I do" said Rory.

"I do" said Natalie.

"If anyone knows why this man and this woman should not be wed" continued Reverend Douglas, "let them speak now and forever hold their peace."

This famous, largely redundant, part of the ceremony barely registered in Rory and Natalie's minds.

Ethan, always "uptight", scanned the surrounding. Those paying attention, basically Jane, Benny and Evelyn, could see Ethan rub his eyes to hide the white glow.

But Ethan didn't have a vision, he only saw the church bathed in the summer sunshine.

"The ring, please" said Reverend Douglas.

"Rory, the ring!" said Ethan earnestly, as he tried to pass Rory the ring.

But Rory didn't even notice. Rory had heard the Reverend Douglas, but didn't register until Ethan awkwardly elbowed him.

"Oh" said Rory, to some slight giggling and nervous laughter.

"That's alright son" said the minister. "Place the ring on Natalie's finger."

And soon enough, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride"

Rory removed the bridal veil, and now looked at Natalie's face, entirely unobscured.

The two kissed until Minerva Ellis started playing Felix Mendelssohn's Wedding March. Then they left the church hand in hand.


"I love you Natalie" said Rory. "I know it sounds lame, but I can't think of anything better to say right now."

"I love you too" said Natalie. "And it's never lame to say it at your wedding."

The next half hour or so were spent in a flurry of photographs.

Then, in the Rolls Royce convertible the two joined the other cars at the Crete house, where, overlooking the small brook, the reception began.


The food came first, as everyone was hungry that was a very good thing.


Ethan, who along with Sarah sat at Rory's end of the head table, felt awkward. He wasn't the groom, but still he was on exhibit.

"I feel as if everyone's judging my table manners" Ethan remarked to Sarah.

"Don't dunk your dinner roll and you'll be okay" Sarah told him, with a smile. "Or maybe you can see if your table manners will meet with the guests approval."

"Okay" said Ethan. "You're on."

A second later, Ethan looked surprised. He had a bug-eyed look he quickly suppressed. Ethan sported a happy, thoughtful look . . . .

"I . . . just want to say hello to Mom, Dad and Jane" said Ethan.

"You do that" said Sarah. "Remember, you're the best man and this is Rory and Natalie's wedding."

Ethan impulsively kissed Sarah, and went to see his family. The rest of the Morgans were placed along with Sarah's parents. That worked okay. Ethan talked for a while, until he calmed down enough to return to the head table and properly celebrate the wedding . . . .


Benny found himself at a table with Ophelia and his grandmother and his divorced mother and father. And Malcolm to boot.

Malcolm, whose date had cancelled, had been placed between Benny's parents. It was uncomfortable.

"And how are you doing?" said Rachel, Benny's mother, to Benny's father.

She politely smiled.

"I'm okay" said Benny's father, casually and with a shrug. "You know, travelling all the time again since Covid ended. But how's your boy Nate?"

"He's doing well" said Rachel. "He's in the First Grade."

"And your mother?"

"Great health."

"Your husband? Did he get that promotion?"

"My parents are divorced" Benny loudly, and abruptly explained to Ophelia.

"Twelve years" said Evelyn. "They've always been polite, but no one has yet to drop the ball and sit them together."

"We don't mind" said Benny's dad. "Do we, Rachel?"

"Of course not" she said, a little too readily. "We're all adults here."

"That's the way divorced couples should be" said Mr. G.

"I think it's awkward" said Benny, irritably. "What were the Cretes thinking?"

"Anyone here interested in the hearing about the Brunner Automobile Company" volunteered Malcolm, at once.

"No" said Benny's father. "But I am interested in my lobster. So far all they've given us is goat food."

"James" scolded Evelyn.

Benny was quickly annoyed as he struggled to crack open the lobster, and looked enviously as his mother's easy-to-eat pasta. So, Benny went to Plan B.

Ophelia had left the table for a moment. Benny hurriedly made a complex gesture to the lobster and muttered, "Et occurrent vobis mala te tua prolapsam visceribus pelle detracta et inrigatio ossuum tuorum."

The dead lobster turned inside out, leaving the flesh available for the picking.

"Oh, Benny" said Benny's mother. "You should have asked for pasta."

"That's the infamous inside-out spell" observed Benny's father.

"I always knew I'd find a legit use for it" said Benny.

"I think that's wasteful" scolded Evelyn, who was unimpressed. "How many times as a child did I tell you that you shouldn't play with your food."

"I'm not a kid anymore" said Benny. "Heck, Grandma, you know I'm even more powerful than you."

"You think you can get away with saying that?" laughed Benny's father, sitting back and crossing his arms. "Watch this people!"

Evelyn muttered something of her own, and the lobster was restored. "Still, you're not going to play with your food while I'm here. Adult or not" said Evelyn sternly. "And you know dear your mother doesn't like seeing magic. See you're making her uncomfortable."

"It's fine" said Benny's mother, who did look queasy.

"Anyone interested in how Malcolm Brunner feels?" asked Benny's father. "He's also green around the gills."

"I don't know whether to be impressed or to be sick" Malcolm admitted.


The speeches followed the main course. The speeches were dull; the families speeches, all seemed alike. Bill and Etta Crete weren't losing their daughter but gaining a son. Miles was gaining a brother. Rory's parents weren't losing their only child, but gaining a daughter.

The bridegroom's speech was given in Rory's usual, casual style. Rory felt that giving a business-like speech was completely wrong (and would be boring!) for the occasion.

"I can't tell you how awesome I feel here, sitting beside my wife Natalie" said Rory, with an unusual emphasis on the words wife, half in bragging and half in gratitude. "But I can definitely say this is the best day of my life, being united with Natalie and with our friends and family here to celebrate and wish us the best. You know, anytime we're going to have dessert. There's going to be cake, and . . . ."

"Seriously, Rory?" said Ethan.

"NO Rory!" muttered the elder Mr. Keener, putting his head in his hands.

And Rory signaled to the musicians. He performed his "GOING TO BE CAKE" rap in his tailored clothes, including all his vintage dance moves.

There were all of two people impressed by this. Natalie, who was amazed by Rory's talent. And Rory's mother, as a mother's love hides a lot.

"You have to do your own thing" Mr. G. told a neighbour of his.

Etta, Bill, Miles and the entire Crete family seemed in a state of shock.

Rory returned to his place at the headtable aside Natalie. The two beamed at each other.


Happily, Ethan was up next. With a bit of quick thinking, he saved the day for Rory.

"As you can see, Rory's always been a bit crazy" said Ethan, laughing awkwardly. "But, you know, that song won us the talent show in Grade 10 and made Rory famous in Whitechapel."

There was a round of polite applause. Including from the Crete's.

"So all of us on Rory's side of the aisle, knew exactly what he was doing. It's just that to you, Mr. and Mrs. Crete and family, and Reverend Douglas, it seemed a surprise. But because there's going to be cake, and we, who went to school with Rory, would never forgive him if he didn't perform the song. Right Sarah? Sarah, my wife?"

"No, I wouldn't forgive him?"

"Benny?"

"No"

"Malcolm . . . ."

This went on slightly too long, but Ethan quit once he canvassed a dozen people or so. Then Ethan went into his prepared speech about how great a friend Rory was, although he was slightly crazy.


After the speeches came the Crepe Suzette, the speeches, the dancing. All too soon, it was late afternoon and time for the bride and groom to depart in the Rolls Royce Dawn convertible, now decorated with flowers and a "Just Married" sign. And Krypto, sitting faithfully in the backseat, barking his goodbyes.

Rory and Natalie, still with their eyes looking into one another's, waved.

Natalie threw her bouquet, and, as intended, Cathy caught it.

"Thanks Natalie" she said.

They climbed into the car, with Krypto now safely harnessed in.

Rory and Natalie posed for one last photo; then Rory honked the horn several times. Rory started slowly down the road, the bride and bridegroom madly waving, until they were finally out of sight of their families and guests.


Ethan's parents just had left for their trip back to Whitechapel. Ethan, who had left his car in New York City, was waiting for Benny's ride back. He was leaning on Benny's Charger, thinking. The fact Ethan was leaning on Benny's car, meant he was deep in thought as guys don't lean on other guy's cars.

"Do you know?" said Sarah suddenly, as she stepped off to the side where Ethan had the happy and thoughtful look upon his face.

"You know?" asked Ethan.

"Of course I do" said Sarah. "I think I ought to know before you."

"I didn't mean to find out" Ethan apologized. "I was going to wait for you to tell me."

"I could see you did" said Sarah. "What I love about you is you're patient. You didn't spoil the wedding."

"Of course I didn't" said Ethan. "I wouldn't ruin everything for one of my best friends."

"You might even have saved it after Rory decided to be an idiot."

"No" said Ethan, with a shrug. "It's just Rory having some fun. I just saved him from looking too much like an idiot. And as for wrecking the wedding . . . I just put my vision in the back of my mind. But now . . ."

Ethan gave Sarah a kiss that rivalled that of Rory's to Natalie's, until they were interrupted.

"Dude!" said Benny, who had left his family after saying his own goodbyes. "You don't lean on a guy's car. Ethan, you know that! What's the deal?"

"Can't I kiss my wife?" said Ethan.

"I can't believe you two" said Benny.

"Where's Ophelia?" asked Sarah.

"She has a bladder the size of a grape" Benny remarked harshly. "She'll be here."

"Can I tell him?" asked Ethan.

"Why not?" laughed Sarah. "If you didn't have that hundred dollar bet about asking me out, this might never have happened."

"What?" asked Benny.

Benny had a feeling he should know, but he just didn't.

"Sarah's going to be a Mom, I'm going to be a Dad" said Ethan.

"The . . . usual way?" asked Benny, who was having trouble registering the news.

"Of course" said Sarah. "What do you think I am?"

"Pulchritudinous" said Ethan, with a grin.

"Yeah . . . yeah . . . congrats!" Benny agreed. "So my best bud's going to be a Dad!"

Benny hugged Sarah, and then he gave Ethan such a Roman handshake that Ethan feared his arm would fall off.

"I don't believe it" said Benny. "It's just been a fracking awesome day. Well, BUDDY. For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow . . . WHICH NOBODY CAN DENY."


Meanwhile, Natalie and Rory had left the winding back road behind them. Now, they were turning onto a stretch of country highway.

"Are you going to do it?" asked Natalie.

"We've been married a couple hours, and already you know me like you can read my mind" said Rory. "Whoa! Do I ever love you!"

"I love you too" said Natalie. "But be careful. I want to arrive at the station safe!"

"We will" said Rory. "This is a Rolls Royce. Besides, your bro, Benny and Malcolm will kill me if I don't leave the Dawn at the station in one piece."

And without further ado, Rory gunned it, speeding away with his wife in the rented Rolls.

THE END


Author's Notes

Thanks to everyone who has read or followed this story. This was my final My Babysitter's A Vampire story . . . I mean it this time.

One last time, a special thanks to MBAV fan66 for her amazing chapter-by-chapter reviews.