SHIFT EXCHANGE

Epilogue

Two months later......

"You guys should have done this on Valentine's Day. That would have been so romantic!" Anita fussed with the sash of her dress.

"Again, no, it would not. It would have been cheesy." Kara tried not to be too harsh with her friend, but this was the third time they'd had this conversation since the first of the year. She checked her hair one final time, squared her shoulders, adjusted her bouquet, and tried to wait patiently for Marvin to open the door and tell her it was time to go. The low, smooth note of a bass joined by the high, silken tone of a violin signaled her the time was at hand.

"Oh honey, here we go!" Anita squealed and grinned big over her shoulder. The big plum colored flower tucked behind her friend's ear gave Kara the feeling they were on their way to a Hawaiian themed wedding instead of the simple country affair she'd thrown together. Leave it to Anita to always put her own touch on things.

The wooden door opened and there stood Marvin in his new charcoal gray suit. He'd even gotten his hair trimmed she noticed with pride. On his right wrist he held the thin purple leash that kept their ring bearer in check.

Merle too looked quite dashing with his cream and green polka dot bow tie.

"Ready my dear?" Marvin extended his left arm for Kara to take, and then tucked it, and her, in close to his side.

Anita crossed the threshold of the tack room and stepped out into Kara's gorgeously remodeled barn where everyone sat in rapt anticipation.

Marvin counted to fifteen slowly before squeezing Kara's hand. The two of them stepped out of the tack room and turned right. In front of them stretched a long lavender rug that bridged the gap between the rows of wooden chairs. Each row was adorned with a spray of purple and cream flowers with little bits of green ribbon.

Kara was still amazed at how it had all come together. After she'd gotten out of the hospital they'd decided the end of February would give her time to heal and time enough to put together a small, simple wedding.

As they'd started visiting venues, Kara found that nothing quite seemed to match the picture in her mind of a rustic, country barn wedding.

One tiring afternoon Jake had finally simply stated the obvious."Why don't we just have your rustic barn wedding your big rustic barn?"

After that it had been nothing but elbow grease and money. Thankfully, Jake had a lot of young, able bodied friends to help make her dreams a reality. Between Marvin, Jake, and his friends from work they'd successfully replaced a few roof and floor boards, cleaned and rearranged the main level, strung thousands of lights, and placed all the chairs, tables around the ceremony and dance floor area. Rented heaters warmed the space and kept the February chill at bay.

Kara, Anita and a few other friends from worked had descended upon the space yesterday. It was not tastefully draped in sprays of purple and cream flowers with light green accents. Simple and understated, just as Kara had wanted.

Kara pulled her attention away from the miracle they'd been able to achieve as she scanned the rows of faces watching her every move. Her heart sped up with anxiety. She took a deep breath and trained her eyes ahead on the man at the end of the carpet.

Jake looked more handsome than ever, hard as that was to believe. He'd decided on a charcoal gray suit for himself and his groomsmen.

As they drew closer she locked eyes on those dark, midnight orbs that she adored so much. Jake smiled softly, his face intent as he watched her approach. When they reached the end of the aisle Marvin leaned over and softly kissed her on the cheek before placing her hand in Jake's outstretched one.

"I'm sure he'll take darn good care of you sweetheart," Marvin's voice was tight with emotion and his eyes were bright as he backed away and stood to the side holding Merle's leash.

Pastor Green began the ceremony, speaking in his smooth, mellow monotone. Kara didn't hear a word he said; her mind couldn't do anything but circle around and around the fact that from this day forward she would be Jake's wife, Mrs. Kara Mahon.

She snapped back to attention when she found both the pastor and Jake staring at her in anticipation. With a slight blush she nodded to the pastor. As clearly as she could with her emotion choked voice, Kara repeated the words the pastor read. Taking her hands in his, Jake did the same.

When the moment came, they both said I do with complete conviction. Jake took the initiative and had her locked in a passionate kiss before Pastor Green had even made the announcement. No one in the crowd seemed to care as they stood to cheer loudly.

When the kiss finally broke Kara felt dizzy and breathless. Jake's face was still close to hers. She could feel his breath on her cheek as he held her close; his strong warm hands splayed across the open back of her dress. Every nerve in her body was alive and sparking. Kara had no idea how she was going to make it through the reception with how much she wanted him right now.

Somehow she made through the numerous hugs, well wishes, cake and dances without tearing his clothes off.

Finally the moment arrived when they were bundled off into his pickup for their first night as man and wife in a hotel outside of Portland before flying out for their honeymoon in the Maldives.

Despite her best intentions her head began to droop during the long drive. Kara awakened to Jake shaking her softly. He'd already taken their bags up to the room and before she could stop him he'd lifted her, poofy wedding dress skirt and all, into his arms.

They were alone for the ride up the elevator and for the walk to their suite. Jake opened the door and stepped across before setting her down gently.

"It has been a long, wonderful, day. You are absolutely gorgeous, but I think I'd really like to sit back and watch you take off that dress." Jake pulled the tie from around his neck and shrugged out of his suit coat. He sat down on the edge of the bed with his eyes on Kara.

Slowly, she pulled the hidden zipper down the back of her dress. It loosened around her torso and fell to the ground around her feet. She stood before him in a white strapless bra, a silk thong and nothing else.

"I am an absurdly lucky man." Jake spoke in an awed tone.

Kara stepped out from the puddle of silk and taffeta. Slowly she approached and stopped in the V created by his legs off the side of the bed.

Kara ran a soft hand down the side of his face. Her eyes were soft with love; her lips quirked with mischief. "Yes you are husband of mine. So are you going to wax poetic all night, or are you going to give me a night I'll never forget?"

"Challenge accepted!" He reached up and pulled her head down to kiss her with every ounce of love within his being.