Authors notes: Okay, this is the chapter that i was looking forward to most!
Thanks to RBDFAN for your review. And tiny-pixie, i was a bit worried about how the vehicle swithcing was going to turn out, glad to hear it was good...thanx!
Sara, thanks for your review and I found your advice on the dog breeds very useful, so thankyou and i might even consider getting that one. Btw, I am gonnac all my dog 'Sullivan' :) Your dog sounded great too, and i did a bit of research...sounds like a promising breed...but i'm still open to more advice etc!
Anyways, onwards with the chappy!
NOTE: This chapter has two main storylines hence the title being tow in one 'I do, i don't and 'i am, i'm not'...just lettin ya know!
Oh and it's a longer chappy than a usually do, anyways...enjoy!
5 hours, 2 weeks and 8 months later:
'Do you, Mr Michael Guerin, take Miss Maria DeLuca to be your lawful, wedded wife, trough health and sickness, through everything that shall come your way, until death do you part?' The priest asked, as Michael and Maria stood side-by-side in front of their reasonably small crowd of their friends and family. He glanced nervously at them and back to the priest, avoiding Maria's eyes. He bowed his head and took a deep breath…
5 hours earlier…
It was 6am and Michael was walking around in panic. It was the big day that Isabel, Maria and Amy had been planning for the last three months and he had been looking forward to it then…but now he wasn't so sure.
'Hey Michael' Max laughed as he saw his brother/friend having a breakdown of stress. 'Calm down man'
'Max, I don't think I can do this' Michael replied honestly.
Max knew he was going to say that, Michael wasn't the kind of guy who would just on the commitment wagon.
'Yeah I know Michael, but the bottom line is: Do you want to spent the rest of your life with Maria or would you rather stay the boyfriend that can't really commit?'
Michael glared at him. 'It's not that, it's just…what if is screw things up? Sure we're great now…but what happens later? I don't think I can do this' Michael pulled off his bow tie and Max went over to grab it off him.
'Just calm down' Max instructed and Michael took deep breathes, even if they weren't helping at all. 'You were the one that proposed remember? You were the one that said you can promise her now' Max reminded him.
'Yeah but I proposed to promise us a future and what if-'
'Okay big boy' Isabel smiled as she came over with Jesse. 'You shut up and listen' she ordered. 'Marriage? It's huge, it comes with stress and a lot of compromising' she said and Jesse frowned at her slightly. 'But it's a unbreakable bond between two people that love each other so much that they want to spent the rest of their lives together' she told him while she put his bow back on him and tied it nicely, double checking it looked perfect again.
'Ever heard of divorce?' Michael mutter and Isabel hit him.
'I mean it and not that I want to put anymore pressure on you…but if you back out now…you won't be Maria's boyfriend Michael…you'll lose her' Isabel sighed and grabbed Max's arm. 'We need your help' she led him out of the tent.
Jesse and Michael watched them leave and sighed.
'Hey' Jesse said to Michael. 'Marriage is those things, but the woman make it out to be larger than it is. It's like signing a contract…you are admitting your pure love to someone and don't want to spend your life with anyone other than them. Something like that, but the wives generally get the control over the relationship then and you got lots of in-laws. But trust me man, from someone with experience…you have to be sure you want to commit to Maria for life and as long as you love her more than anything…you'll be fine' Jesse pat his back. 'It is very nerve-wrecking and sure your head swims with doubts and what ifs…but it's all part of getting married'
'This helps how?' Michael sighed.
Jesse smiled in humor, as it is never easy to get through to Michael by simply talking to him. 'Just be sure that this life is what you want' he then left the tent with Michael feeling more stressed than he had before.
3 hours to go…
'Oh god, oh god, oh god!' Maria was hyperventilating as she glanced down at her beautiful, white wedding dress.
'Breath!' Liz reminded her as Amy added the finishing touches.
'What if he backs out? Oh god, what if I back out?' Maria gasped and Amy shoved another bottle of "grief relieve" into her hand.
'Maria honey, it's tough I know…but stop this, calm down' Amy ordered and Isabel came in with a grin on her face.
'Oh wow…you look great' she said to Maria and Amy got back up as she was done with fixing the dress so Maria's wouldn't trip if her legs disobeyed her when she walked down the isle.
'It'll be okay' Liz assured her best friend. 'You just need to clear your mind and try not to panic'
'Too late' Maria replied. 'I'm panicking!' she said loudly and the three girls tried to relax her, but not much luck.
'He won't back out' Amy told her firmly.
'How do you know? Michael isn't the commitment type and this is the biggest commitment there is!'
'Trust me' Amy sighed and gave her daughter a hug.
1 hour to go…
The wedding was at a park near a large pond and every member of the "I know an alien club" was there, including the Parker's, Evans and Jesse's mum and step-dad (they had been let in on the secret a few days ago when they tracked Jesse down).
Everyone was taking his or her places or seats because the wedding was to proceed shortly.
Maria was now a lot calmer but still doubting massively and Michael had abandoned though on his outfit and was sitting in a chair with Isabel and Jeffrey as he rested his face in his hands. He was no sooner able to cope with this than he had three hours ago. When it came time to announce it…will he be able to say, "I do"? And if he did…will he purely mean it?
The wedding…
The priest looked down at the nervous lovers with a reassuring smile. They were not the first couple he'd seen like this on their wedding day. Michael and Maria seemed so doubtful and scared, but that wasn't a new sight for the priest either.
'Michael Guerin and Maria DeLuca stand before their friends and family today…' The priest introduced and raved as Michael was staring at his feet and was still trying to work out what he was going to do and if he could really do this. Maria gave a quick glance at him and her nerves froze…he didn't look to sure of himself at all and that scared her because she knew they could not go back to just dating…if he backed out now, she'd lose him forever.
The priest cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
'Do you, Mr Michael Guerin, take Miss Maria DeLuca to be your lawful, wedded wife, trough health and sickness, through everything that shall come your way, until death do you part?' The priest asked and looked down at the couple that was so sure of their love for one another, but Michael was so unsure of himself.
Michael glanced nervously at those seated behind him, giving him their support and then he turned back to the priest. Michael was avoiding looking at Maria because he knew she was aware of his uneasiness and that he really wasn't too sure about this now that is was actually happening. He bowed his head and took a deep breath. Michael saw Henry and Kira nearby, all dressed up (to their annoyance) and sitting next to each other boredly, but they were holding hands as usual and Henry had the cushion with the two wedding rings atop.
He turned back and bowed his head again with a sigh. Michael stared at his feet for a few more seconds and knew everyone was awaiting his answer; he then glanced up and looked right into Maria's eyes. He saw her love and admiration for him, but there was also a hint of concern and fear. They have been through hell and back on numerous occasions and still they stood here today, in love and with no intention to inflict harm upon the other in any shape or form. They were the parents to a lovely boy and girl that were going to have their first birthday in early February.
Michael smiled and took Maria's hands into his.
'I do' I finally breathed out those words that were the most meaningful words that he had ever said in his whole life, and the part that shocked him was that he meant it, all doubt was gone when he looked into Maria's deep green eyes.
Maria sniffed and tried to fight the tears as she knew he meant those words, the whole crowd knew he meant them. Michael Guerin was not the person to say something like that if he had even a shred of doubt.
'And do you, Miss Maria DeLuca, take Mr Michael Guerin to be your lawful, wedded husband, trough health and sickness, through everything that shall come your way, until death do you part?' The priest continued, feeling silently proud of this young man whom clearly cared for his wife-to-be very much.
'I d-do' Maria sniffed and laughed at her own tears.
'Then one this fateful day of November, I am delighted to pronounce you man and wife. May your life be filled with love and warmth, through your entire time together…you may kiss the bride' the priest smiled and the crowd clapped. Michael lifted the thing over her face and leaned so close that their noses touched briefly. He had a smile on his face that Maria had only seen once before and that was when their two children were born. It was the smile of pure joy and acceptance.
Michael wiped off her tears and placed his lips to hers. It was the most passionate and gentlest kiss Michael had ever given her.
Everyone stood up cheering and clapping as Henry and Kira tried to get up but gave up hope when they fell back on their seats.
Michael and Maria parted when their lack of oxygen made itself clear. Michael picked up his wife and carried her back down the isle as she cried and laughed in his arms.
This was a big step for Michael Guerin, and for the first time in his life…he was truly happy…
Several weeks later…the honeymoon to Paris was over. The married couple returned to Chicago for a night before heading back home to Miami where Amy and Jim were babysitting the twins.
It was the first time the twins had been separated from their parents so they weren't having the best of time there.
Maria picked up the pair and brought them home while Michael called work to say he would be back next week.
The day afterwards, in Chicago…
'Mummy!' two-year-old Alan dropped his sandwich on the floor again.
Liz came to clean it up while Max was in the kitchen so he made Alan another one.
'Can I help?' four-year-old Zan asked keenfully but Max just pat him on his head with a smiled as Zan was constantly asking that question.
'How about you just eat your sandwich with your bother okay?'
'Okay' he mumbled and walked over to sit at the table with Alan. Zan had his hands full with his plate, so Liz came over to help him get on the chair.
Isabel and Jesse came into the kitchen for breakfast too, but seemed to be arguing about something.
'Would you stop over-worrying about me? That's Max and Michael's job' Isabel sighed angrily.
'Well you shouldn't go to work if you're not feeling well' Jesse didn't give in.
'I'm fine' Isabel tried to convince him.
'What's going on?' Max asked in a concerned tone that made Isabel roll her eyes.
'She was throwing for like ten minutes just before, but she still wants to go to work' Jesse tried to put things into perspective.
Max looked at Isabel and she knew he was about to agree with Jesse.
'Really, I'm fine' she said louder and shook her head. She knew they wouldn't let her out of the house unless she convinced them, so she helped herself to some toast and juice.
'Well she is eating' Jesse thought aloud.
'Yeah, I'm sure it's nothing' Max shrugged but was still a bit worried.
'Got to go' Isabel dashed out when she saw she was going to be late.
'Yeah me too' Jesse ran after her since they only had one car and if she took it then he was going to be more than just late for work.
'I'm sure Isabel's fine' Liz said and handed Max some toast too. Max noticed the slight smile on Liz's face, as she also appeared deep in thought about something so he let it go…for now.
An hour later, in Miami…
'Michael! Get up!' Maria was yelling at him, but he was not obeying. 'Fine' she sighed and saw Kira crawling around just outside the room. He would never hurt his children and she used this to her advantage.
'Kira honey, daddy needs help getting out of bed' she picked up her daughter and placed her on the bed in front of Michael.
'Daddy! Up!' she hit him on the head with her alien rattle.
'Ouch!' he yelped and saw her sitting there, shocked by his loud yell. Kira had her mouth hanging open and he glared at Maria. It had become no secret that he was slightly playing favorites between the two kids and spoilt Kira a little more than he should be, which was okay for Maria because she did the same to Henry.
'Hey angel' Michael mumbled and picked up Kira to give her a hug, she loved daddy hugs.
Maria smiled evilly as he got out of bed and carried Kira to get her some breakfast, which had Henry sitting on the floor of the bedroom, looking up at his mother with his arms outstretched.
'Up!' he demanded.
Maria picked him up and gave him a big hug and many kisses before she followed Michael with him in her arms happily. It was strange how two twins were so different. Henry was often more talkative than Kira and louder, but Kira seemed more demanding and stubborn. Both were darling children and adored both parents company, but it was clear that the "like mother, like daughter" did not apply here, nor the "like father, like son" for that matter.
The twins were given cereal as they had only recently learnt to feed themselves and are able to eat solid food.
The couple watched their young and fast learning kids eat. Michael gave Maria a hug from behind and a kiss on her right cheek.
She turned around and hugged him properly.
Since getting married, Michael had become more open to her and even though he was expressing his love a lot more than the Michael she knew, Maria has never complained about it, not even for a second.
It was December and the Guerin group traveled up to Chicago so they could spent Christmas with the others, even though Jeffrey and the kids were going away for Christmas this year and could not attend. Max and Liz had got a caravan out the back for Jim and Amy. Cindy was going to sleep on the couch while Kyle was beside her on a mattress. Maria and Michael would occupy one of the spare rooms while the twins were in the other.
The greetings were as usual: welcoming, over-exciting and everyone was hugged a few hundred times each.
Everyone was currently outside having lunch on the large, fold out table that Jesse had bought for the occasion as well as chairs for everyone. The four kids were playing with plastic dinosaurs on the grass nearby when everyone looked up to see Isabel making her way back to the house in a slight rush.
'She is defiantly not okay' Jesse frowned as went to go after her when Liz and Maria got up.
'Let us go' Maria told the others as Amy also looked at them acknowledgeably.
Jesse sat back down and the two girls went after Isabel.
They heard her vomiting in the bathroom, but the door was closed and locked.
Liz knocked on the door while Maria spoke.
'Isabel, you okay?'
'I'm fine, go away!' Isabel yelled back.
'Ah the memories' Maria smiled sarcastically as both her and Liz have already reached the conclusion as to what was wrong with Isabel.
'Can you just talk to us?' Liz asked.
'Nothing to talk about…I'm just a bit sick' Isabel grumbled.
'Yeah, almost every morning it seems' Liz hinted. 'And an occasional moment like now'
'So?' Isabel shot back, refusing to even think about it as they were just annoying her now.
'Don't you think it's, you know? Obvious by this point as to why?' Liz sighed loudly.
'What are you on about?' Isabel asked.
'Ah Isabel' Maria cleared her throat. 'You're pregnant'
'No, I'm not!' Isabel yelled back. 'And would you know anyway?'
'Been there, done that' Liz and Maria said in unison as Isabel re-opened the door.
'I'm not pregnant' Isabel told them firmly.
Authors notes: Of course she's not! Heh, right:P
Well you all know how i love reviews! The more details the happier i am :)
And just for a little fun, this is the title of the nexr chappy: 'Chapter Fifteen: Isabel's Shock Confession' and no it doens't really involve what you just read, but is more linked to her past...and i bet you'll never guess it! But hey, you can try :P I'd love to hear it tee-hee...anways, should be up soon but i'd love to hear all your thoughts!
-Mel