The castle was bustling with activity in preparation for the wedding. Everyone seemed to have something to do. The caterers and Richard’s unusual wedding cake arrived on time. Vera let them in, and they started setting up, for the reception. The cake was to be wheeled out once all the guests were in the main dining room.
Sir Richard dressed ridiculously early and was wandering around getting in everyone’s way. Alice finally told him, since he was giving away the bride; he would have to make the ‘father of the bride’ speech. Not having thought of this, Sir Richard retired to the attic turret; which happened to be the only quiet place in the castle.
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Donna’s big day had not started out well. She’d tossed and turned most of the night, and despite being in Richard’s arms, she’d had a horrible nightmare. Richard had brought her breakfast in bed, but all it did was make her sick. She hadn’t been able to eat anything. He was concerned about her and had tried to comfort her, as best he could, but his constant hovering was making her even more nervous. He wanted to call Sam, but Donna told him she was fine. Donna knew if she saw Sam before the wedding, it would make this harder than it already was. Despite her feelings for Richard, she did not want to spend the rest of her life with him.
There was a knock on their apartment door. “Get the door, Richard,” Donna groaned as she sat on the side of their bed.
“Who is it?” Richard called out as he headed for the door.
“It’s Missy and Gary,” Melissa answered back. Richard opened the door. “I came to help Donna….”
“…And I came to get you out of their hair, “Gary added. “Get your things. Vera has arranged for you to get ready in Lady Triplet’s room.”
“I’ll get ready here, in one of the other bedrooms. Donna isn’t feeling well. I don’t want to leave her.”
Gary’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong? Morning sickness or cold feet?”
“Probably a combination of both,” Melissa sighed.
“Who is it?” Donna called out from the bedroom.
“Missy and Gary, pet! Do you need me?”
“No! You need to go with Gary.”
“She’s right, Richard. I’ll take care of Donna. If she needs you, I’ll let you know.”
“Get your things Richard!” Gary insisted.
Melissa followed Richard to the bedroom. “Pet if you need me, I’ll….”
“Richard – just go!” Donna forced through her teeth. “I don’t feel well, and you hovering over me and asking me how I’m doing every few seconds is driving me crazy. Get out of here or I’ll leave you standing at the altar!”
Richard was taken aback. He cleared his throat. “I’ll – ah – I’ll just get my suit and leave you alone, then.”
“Wait!” Donna sighed in exasperation. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I’m a nervous wreck. I just want to get this over and done with. OK?”
Richard collected his suit and bent down to kiss her. Donna tucked her chin. Richard kissed her forehead, stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers and turned to leave.
“See you in a little while,” Melissa said.
Donna buried her head in her hands. “God! I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t know if it’s morning sickness or wedding day jitters.”
Melissa glanced over her shoulder to make sure Richard and Gary were gone. She sat on the side of the bed next to Donna. “It’s OK, Donna. John told me. I know.”
Donna studied Melissa’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
Melissa brushed some loose hairs, away from Donna’s forehead. “I know why you’re marrying Richard.”
Donna swallowed the lump in her throat. “Then I hope you haven’t come up here to try and talk me out of this.”
Melissa’s eyes glossed. “No, Sweetie. I’m here to help you get through it. I know how it feels to walk away from someone you love.” She paused. “Now… let’s see what we can do with your hair.”
“The way I feel, I doubt you’ll be able to do anything with it. At least my veil will hide my pain.”
“Donna, I promise you. When I’m done, you’ll look like a queen.”
“I feel more like Cinderella before she met her fairy godmother.”
“Well, you won’t look that way. You have my word on that.”
Donna smiled. “Thank you, Missy.”
“All part of the maid of honour’s job.”
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Richard got dressed and started pacing the floor. Gary followed him with his eyes a few passes. “If you don’t stop that, I’m going to glue your feet to the floor!”
“I can’t help it. I’m nervous.”
“Why?”
“Donna could still back out. I’ve waited, so long for this day, I don’t know what I’ll do if she does.”
“What makes you think she’s going to back out?”
“The way she reacted to me this morning. She snapped at me several times.”
Gary groaned inwardly. Can’t imagine why. He sighed in exasperation. “D is probably as nervous as you are. Now let’s make sure you’ve got everything you’re supposed to have. I’ve got the rings. The bishop is taking care of the license. The reception is all set up. Do you have your speech?”
“I know what I’m going to say. Do you have yours?”
“Wrote it last night.”
“Then I guess that’s everything. Would you do me a favour and check on Donna?”
“Richard, she’s fine.”
“Just check on her, please.”
Gary groaned and stood. “All right, but you do not leave this room, understand? You’ve already broken enough traditions.”
Richard nodded. Gary stepped out into the corridor. He met Sam at the top of the stairs as he stepped out of the lift. “Where are you going?” Gary asked.
“To see Donna. Joyce called. Lady Triplet is awake and asking about the wedding. I wanted to check with Donna before I decided what to do about the old bat.”
“I’ll pass the message along and tell you what she said. I could probably guess at her answer, but….”
Sam studied his eyes. “Gary… I need to see her, just for a couple of minutes. Please!”
Gary hesitated. “Come with me, but Missy might not let you in. Another thing, don’t you dare tell Richard about this.” Gary wagged his finger in Sam’s face. “I mean it, Sam – not a word!”
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Melissa was putting the last of the sweetheart roses and baby’s breath in Donna’s hair. There was a knock on the door. Donna groaned. “I’ll be right back. That will probably be Sir Richard.” Melissa opened the door. “Gary. Sam. I was expecting Sir Richard.” She stood to the side.
“Sam needs to talk to Donna about Lady Triplet,” Gary volunteered. “I’ll wait in the lounge.”
Melissa tapped on the door and stuck her head in. “Donna, you have a visitor.”
“If it’s Richard, tell him to go away! I don’t want to see him.”
Sam stepped into view. “It’s not Richard, sweetheart.”
“I’ll be in the lounge with Gary if you need me,” Melissa said and disappeared.
Sam stepped into the room and closed the door. His heart turned over. “You look like… a dream,” he whispered.
“You don’t look so bad yourself. I’ve never seen you in a tux.”
“I avoid them, when I can. I don’t mind wearing a suit, but I’m not fond of tuxedos.”
“You should. You look… good in one.” Donna’s eyes glossed, and she came to her senses. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “What are you doing here?”
“Sheila called. Lady Triplet is demanding to be at the wedding.”
Donna’s smile faded. “What did you tell her?”
“Sir Richard sent John to pick her up.”
Donna sank to the side of the bed. She blew out a sigh of exasperation. “Great,” she groaned. “Could this day get any worse?” Her voice choked.
One side of Sam’s mouth turned up. He sat beside her and laced his fingers with hers. “I’m kidding sweetheart.”
“You’re lying.” Donna narrowed her eyes. “You rat! You did that on purpose!”
Sam chuckled. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. You looked so unhappy when I came in. I thought I would make you smile.”
Donna softly smiled. “You can’t be here, Sam! Richard is already antsy. He can’t find you here. You shouldn’t have come.”
“Gary forbid Richard to leave Lady Triplet’s room. I had to see you, one last time before you give yourself to him.”
“Sam… don’t.”
“I have to, Donna,” he whispered. “I love you, and I know you love me. This is… killing me, sweetheart. I want to be the one standing beside you. I know how you feel. I know you don’t feel the same way I do, but I also know you don’t love Richard - not that way. If you’ve got to learn to love someone, let it be me. I think you’d find the task a lot easier if it were me.”
Donna studied his eyes. “Yes, I would, but it can’t be you. Don’t you understand? One of the reasons I’m doing this is because of you. Be patient Sam, please. I need your support and your strength. That’s what it’s going to take to get me through this. To know that you… understand. To know that you’ll still be there, when this is over.”
Sam blinked to clear his vision. He cradled her face in his hand and leaned closer. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Then you have my solemn promise,” he whispered and kissed her.
Donna softly smiled and wiped his lips with her thumb. “Garnet lipstick does not look good on you.” She pulled a tissue from the box on the bedside table. “Here, get rid of that before you go out.”
Sam took the tissue and wiped his lips. He took out his cell phone. “Hang on a second. Sheila, it’s Sam. I’ve talked with Donna, and she agrees with us. Lady Triplet stays where she is.”
Sheila chuckled. “I had a feeling you would say that, but I had to ask. All right Sam, but I may have to sedate her. She’s pretty riled-up.”
“I couldn’t care less. Tie her in the bloody sheets if you have to!” Sam ended the call and turned back to Donna. “Now here’s something that might help you get through today. When you’re taking your vows, think back to last night and imagine it’s me. I would gladly take Richard’s place.” He softly kissed her. “Now, I’d better go. I’ve got about ten minutes. I’ll see you at the reception.” He stood to leave.
“Sam…is Lady Triplet better?”
“Do you want me to call Sheila back?”
“No!”
Sam grinned. “She’s stable and apparently quite upset that we’re not letting her come to the wedding.”
Donna grinned and blotted her eyes. “What a shame. I’m heartbroken.”
Sam chuckled and left. Gary stood as Sam entered the lounge. “Is everything all right?” Melissa asked.
Sam grinned. “No, it’s not, but we’ll survive. I’ll see you all downstairs. Thank you, Gary.”
Gary softly smiled and nodded. Sam left. Donna entered the lounge. Gary stood in front of her. Donna’s eyes filled with tears. She hugged him. “Thank you. If anyone ever looked out for my best interest, it’s you.”
Gary swallowed the lump in his throat. “Somebody has to look out for you. You look beautiful, D. Are you OK?”
Donna sighed. “I’m better now. Do you have any idea where Richard’s father is?”
“No, I haven’t seen him. I better go check on Richard.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Donna asked.
“He’s like a cat on a hot tin roof. He said you snapped at him. He’s worried that you’re going to back out.”
“I’ll send him a text,” Donna said.
Gary kissed her cheek. “I’d better run. See you at the altar.”
Donna sighed. “I’ll be the one with the knocking knees.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes. Nervous that I will chicken out.”
Gary smiled and left.
Melissa blotted Donna’s eyes and smiled. “I’ve kept an eye on you ever since I started working at D’Netics. You’re not going to chicken out.”
“No, I’m not, but I’d like to.”
“I know, Sweetie. It will be over soon.”
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It was now five minutes to ten. Everyone was ready. Richard and Gary stood at the front of the chapel, waiting. Sam had been playing various piano pieces as the chapel filled up with guests. The bishop checked his watch and motioned to Richard. “Are we ready to begin?”
“Um, we’re waiting for the maid of honour’s signal. Gary…” he said, turning.
“I’ll see what’s going on.” Gary stepped out of earshot and unlocked his cell phone. “Missy, it’s Gary. Everyone is here. Richard is about to have a stroke. Sam has played through his entire repertoire of wedding music. What’s the hold-up?”
“I was just about to call you. We’re waiting for Sir Richard. Have you seen him?”
“No… I haven’t. Have you tried ringing his cell phone?”
“Yes. It’s been changed over to voicemail.”
“Great! Do you have any idea where he could be?”
“No, Gary, I don’t.”
“OK. Sit tight. Tell Donna not to worry. We’ll find him.” Gary ended the call and motioned to Richard.
“What is it? What’s wrong? Has she backed out?”
“No, but there is a problem. Sir Richard is missing.”
“Oh that’s just bloody great, Dad!” he pushed through his teeth.
“You stay here and talk to the bishop. I’ll tell John.” Gary motioned to John.
“Is something wrong?”
“Yes. Sir Richard is missing.” John’s eyes widened. He unlocked his cell phone. “It’s no use. He’s switched his phone over to voicemail. I already tried.”
“OK, tell Tim to check this level. I’ll round up the others, and we’ll start checking the other levels. Keep trying his cell phone. He may have gone for a walk.”
Richard approached the bishop. “We need to stall, Sir. We can’t find my Dad.”
The bishop frowned. “Oh dear!”