It's A Love Story

Linda sighed contently in the starlight as the squeak of the rocker bench slowly killed her to sleep. "Just think," she rested her head on her fiancé's shoulder, threading their fingers together. "Tomorrow at this time, we'll be man and wife."

He tipped her head up with his forefinger and thumb. "Tomorrow at this time, I'll be giving you the thrill of your life." Danny nibbled her ear, making her giggle.

"I can't wait to marry you." She snuggled against him once again.

He ran his fingers through her hair, "I don't want you to freak you out, but... I need to know. Are you.. having any regrets?"

Linda sat up, suddenly worried. "Are you?"

"No! No, of course not." He took her hand. "But marriage is forever- or its supposed to be- And I know we talked about this, but if you're having second thoughts-"

Linda leaned in and planted a loving kiss on his lips. "My only regret is that we didn't do this sooner."

He smiled, "I love you."

"I love you more."

"I love you most."

*******

"Brie," someone was singing above her. "Oh, Brie."

She opened her eyes to a light shining in her face and blonde hair tickling her nose. "Linda?"

"Guess what?"

"You're insane?"

"It's my wedding day!"

Brie pushed Linda off the bed, laughing as she hit the floor with a thump. "I am very happy for you, but not at two AM. Go back to sleep!"

Many hours later, Linda and Brie were standing in a Sunday school room at the church. Linda was already in her wedding gown, chewing and popping coffee flavored gum.

"I didn't expect you to be nervous."

"I'm not. What makes you think I am?"

"You're chewing that gum very aggressively."

"I just... Danny kept asking me if I was absolutely sure if I wanted to marry him. What with my... my family, and all."

"He's lookin' out for you."

"But he kept asking. I... I don't know if he's... really sure."

"Linda," Brie put her hands on Linda's shoulders, "that man loves you more than anything in this world. He is not having second thoughts; he was making sure you were okay to leave your family behind.

"That makes me feel a whole lot better."

"Don't worry, Linda. Nothing is going to stop Danny Reagan from marrying you."

*********

Joe sighed, looked at his watch. "I told you we should've driven him here."

"He said he had to get something," Mickey, Danny's best friend since fifth grade, looked up from twirling an empty cup on the straw.

"What would he have to 'pick up' on the day of his wedding?"

"Courage?" Tyler, another groom's man suggested.

"Maybe something fun for the wedding night," Mickey laughed suggestively, and high fives Tyler.

Joe sighed and shook his head, looked to the door as it opened. "Dad!"

At the same time they asked, "have you seen Danny?"

"I was hoping you'd know where he went off to," Frank watched the men shake their heads. "His wedding starts in twenty minutes. Where the hell is that boy?"