Grease 2 - Just when I found you I lost you

The Wedding

Having barely seen Paulette recently Stephanie had been surprised to get a call the day after the invitation arrived begging her to be Paulette's maid of honour.

"Sharon's got the baby to look after, and Rhonda's about to drop, you have to do it for me," Paulette had implored, making Steph feel like she was very much third choice. She hadn't wanted to, thinking it would be weird for Johnny but after more pleading from Paulette she'd relented. Paulette had even agreed she could recycle her dress from Rhonda's wedding saying she didn't have time to get a new one made anyway.

When Stephanie had finally got together with the blushing bride it had become all too clear why the wedding was so hasty. Paulette was carrying a bit of extra weight, most of it suspiciously around the stomach area. She'd given Steph a rueful smile as she'd smoothed her dress out revealing her slightly swollen belly. In hindsight Steph wasn't surprised, Paulette had been waiting a long time for Johnny to propose, she guessed she'd forced the issue.

Now she was stood in the doorway of the church waiting for her cue to set off down the aisle. Paulette was fussing over the small veil she had, and Stephanie was reminded of her outfit in the talent show. The veil was similar but the dress anything but. It was knee length and flowed out from the breastbone, obviously intended to hide her stomach. Quite the contrast to the tightly fitted bodice on Sharon's wedding dress or Rhonda's huge meringue skirt. Paulette didn't seem to care about her more modest outfit though.

The organ sounded and Stephanie began her descent down the aisle. She spotted Sharon and Louis sat near the back, a squirming baby on Sharon's knee. She frowned trying to remember if they'd had a boy or a girl, it was so long since she'd seen them. She'd intended to go visit when the baby was born but somehow life had got in the way. As the weeks had passed it had seemed like she'd missed the moment and when Sharon didn't get in touch she'd told herself their friendship was over. Looking at Sharon now, her face pale and tired, she felt regretful.

Further down the aisle, Rhonda gave her a cheery wave. She was sat by herself since Goose was best man, her hands rubbing her not inconsiderable baby bump. Steph promised herself she'd make more effort when Rhonda had her baby than she had with Sharon. Sharon probably wouldn't have appreciated it anyway, she liked to do things her own way. She sighed knowing she was making excuses.

She was almost at the altar when a dark blond head caught her attention. For a moment her heart was in her mouth thinking it was Michael. She tried to get a closer look as she passed by but she didn't dare turn around to look properly at him. It was Paulette's big day, and anyway it couldn't be Michael. He'd not visited once in the past three years.

She smiled at Johnny as she joined him at the altar. He was smiling widely, if he was nervous he wasn't letting on. Even now she had to admit he was handsome with his thick black hair, and brown twinkling eyes. She almost wished she could have been happy with him.

She turned to watch Paulette walk down the aisle on her father's arm. She looked radiant, a huge smile on her face. If she was aware of the whispers around her as some guests caught sight of her slight baby bump she wasn't letting it spoil her day. As Paulette's father placed her hand in Johnny's Steph turned again, and almost jumped. There in the corner of her eye she thought she saw Michael. This time couldn't help but turn around, and her blue eyes locked with his. A jolt ran through her. Michael was back. She trembled before forcing herself to face forward as the ceremony commenced.

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Stephanie was on tenterhooks as she posed for the wedding pictures, listened to the speeches, and then had to endure a sit down meal. She was naturally sat with the wedding party, and it was torture being able to see Michael but not being able to speak to him. To add insult to injury he was sat with Rhonda, Louis and Sharon, and every time she looked over he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.