Still in shock Joyce drove to Karen's house. As Karen opened the door she flung her arms around her and handed her a glass of champagne "here comes the bride" she sang "you are the bride right? You're not going to turn him down are you?".
"I've, not had time to think" said Joyce. "Good" said Karen "don't think about it, just do it. It's taken you two way too long already...come, come see the dress we picked you".
The three women ran upstairs, Nancy unzipped a gorgeous ivory dress. Joyce tried it on. It was a perfect fit. The dress skimmed her shoulders, sat nicely on her slender hips and the skirt, which was ever so slightly puffy, sat below her knees. She slipped on some matching shoes and Nancy fixed her hair, half up half down.
Karen and Nancy looked at Joyce with tears in their eyes.
At the courthouse a very nervous Hopper was pacing the floor. He looked incredibly handsome in his grey suit but was obviously worried that Joyce would not show.
Jonathan was acting as best man, Will was walking his mom down the aisle, both boys were in suits matching Hopper. El was wearing a purple bridesmsid dress and was holding her flowers aswell as Joyce's.
Karen's car pulled up outside the courthouse and Karen gave Jonathan the thumbs up. He ran in and confirmed that the ceremony could begin.
Jonathan stood with Hopper as Will walked Joyce closer and closer. Hopper did his very best not to cry as he saw her gliding towards him. When they reached him, Joyce thanked El as El took her flowers. Joyce looked into Hoppers eyes and smiled.
"I'm sorry for everything," he said. "Thank you for coming".
Joyce squeezed his hand and smiled. Then it began....
"Friends, we are gathered here today to join James and Joyce in marriage". In no time at all the registrar introduced Mr and Mrs Hopper, everyone clapped and cheered.
Flo had organised the reception back at the house. Decorations and flowers surrounded the house both inside and out. Will and El had drawn banners that said:
'Congratulations Mom and Dad'.
Everyone cheered as Hopper and Joyce had their first dance as a married couple. After a few minutes, others joined in. In didn't matter how many people were there. The new Mr and Mrs Hopper were in a world of their own.
Toasts and speeches were made, Hopper thanked everyone involved in preparations for the day.
"There are many people I need to thank, but the most important is my Joyce."
He looked down at her as she sat admiring her wedding ring.
"Joyce, we've both been through so much since high school but we've always had each others back. I'm so grateful you trusted me enough to turn up today. I promise I will spend the rest of my life protecting you and our children. I love you."
He then turned to their guests.
"Please raise your glasses to, my best friend and new wife Joyce Hopper."
Everyone smiled and clapped.
Later into the evening the party was still going strong. Hopper danced with El, in-between her dances with Mike, and Joyce danced with her boys. Joyce, Karen and Flo laughed like teenagers as they shared several bottles of wine. Hopper watched with a smile as his new wife laughed with her friends.
Jonathan took Hopper to one side.
"Thanks Dad, she's so happy".
Hopper smiled "no need to thank me kid, I love her, I always have". Hopper hugged his eldest son "now go, I'm sure Nancy wants to dance!".
At the end of the evening, after everyone had gone home Hopper and Joyce were left alone for the first time that day.
"Well Mrs Hopper" he began. "I believe we should retire to the bedroom?" He smiled.
Joyce laughed "well ok then!".
Hopper lifted her up in his arms and kissed her. He took her into the bedroom, placed her on the bed and with a smile, closed the bedroom door.
