DOCTORS II

EVERLASTING LOVE

"Do you Allen John Chase take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, through good and through bad, through sickness and health, through richer or poorer until death do you part?"

Allen smiled at Jolene who stood in front of him dressed in a sleek white dress and a small tiara in her hair. "I do."

"Do you Jolene Swanson take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, to love and cherish, through good and through bad, through sickness and health, through richer and poorer until death do you part?"

"I do."

"By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Allen pulled Jolene closer and kissed her tenderly in front of the few guests who was sitting outside watching them get married. They applauded as they stepped of the gazebo adorned with pink and white roses and threw rose petals at them as the walked down the isle.

******

Allen's black convertible sped down the freeway heading to California. On the rear of the car in white was written "just married" with balloons tied to the bumper of the car. Bella was fast asleep in her car seat. He had the radio on and they were both singing along the song that was playing on the radio. "Life is a highway..."

They reached Los Angeles in the evening and then booked into a hotel in Hollywood Hills with an amazing view over the city.

Allen woke up the next morning with Jolene fast asleep next to him. He slowly turned over and kissed her on her cheek. "I'm quickly going out if you don't mind. I won't be too long honey."

He went downstairs and then got into his car that was parked outside of the hotel before he drove off. Moments later he parked the car in front of Veronique's home and turned the engine off. He got out and walked up to the front door before he knocked. It didn't take long for Veronique to open the door. She paused for a moment, shocked to see him standing at her front door and taken by surprise. "Allen, what a surprise." She threw her arms around his neck and embraced him. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."

Just then Julia also came running up to him. "Allen!"

He knelt down and held his arms open for a hug. "Hello my little monkey."

"Why are you calling me a monkey?" Julia asked with a frown.

"It's just a term of endearment sweetheart," Veronique replied to her daughter.

"What is a term of endearment?"

Veronique snickered and shook her head. "I will tell you later. Now go to your room."

Julia rushed to her room and Veronique stepped closer to Allen. "So what are you doing in Los Angeles?"

"I moved back here. For good. And I'm back at the hospital as of next week," Allen replied with a smile."

"That's amazing." Veronique was about to plant a kiss on Allen's mouth when he held his hand up as a barrier between him and her.

"Uhm, Veronique, there's something else."

Veronique frowned. "Wait, you don't feel the same about me anymore? Is that it?"

"It's not that. I still love you and I still care for you, but...I'm married again."

Veronique shook her head and tears welled up in her eyes as she stepped back. "No. Allen... No. You said when you came back that you wanted to marry me and now...I loved you Allen and I waited for you to sort out the mess with the hospital and your life."