Chapter 9: The Wedding

It only took the family half an hour to set up everything for the wedding, and they are ready to get started. The animals have make-shift chairs on the left and right of the "aisle" in the middle that led to the entrance/exit of the log where the three most important animals were standing. RJ is wearing a bow-tie and though excited, is pretty nervous. Verne is the preacher and holds a small pocket wedding book with all the instructions; and while he has performed many weddings without a booklet before, he decided to use one under RJ's request for making it more "official." Hammy is beside RJ as RJ's best man. And finally, De'Ausha is the flower girl and the adolescent porcupine boys are manning a camera.

Heather is near the pond and is using the water's reflection to put a flower in her right ear when she hears Ozzie behind her.

Ozzie: "They're all waiting for you Heather."

Heather: "Okay. I'm ready. How do I look?"

She turns around and Ozzie smiles at how beautiful his daughter looks.

Ozzie: "You look gorgeous...Just like your mother…..Mary would be so happy for you."

Heather (Tears start coming out of her eyes): "…I wish she was still alive, you know…I wish she was here seeing me getting married…"

Ozzie (Walks up to Heather and gives her a hug): "Shhh… Heather, don't feel sad. You should feel happy right now because you're finally going to become RJ's mate. This is your big day and you know she's watching from the 'other side.' "

Heather (Wipes tears away from her eyes): "You're right, dad. Thanks." (Kisses Ozzie on the cheek)

Ozzie (Grinning): "Let's go"

As Heather and Ozzie approach, De'Ausha starts happily spreading flowers in the aisle on her way to the spot where Verne, RJ and Hammy were standing. The two possums then proceed, everyone smiling as Heather approaches RJ.

Celine: "What's going on?"

Stella: "Heather's walking to RJ."

Claire: "What's she look like?"

Tiger: "She has a flower in her ear and is holding a few more in her paws."

Marilyn: "I bet she looks beautiful."

Simon: "Of course she does…Right?"

Lou: "Yes indeedey. She looks superly beautiful."

Heather and RJ smile at each other as they stand face-to-face. They turn to Verne.

Verne (Opens book): "Ahem…Friends, family, and mammals of all kinds. We are gathered here today to join the union of RJ and Heather in the bonds of mate hood. Though nature expects only members of the same species to become mates, there is a motto that we have lived by ever since Tiger and Stella became mates: You don't have to be the same species to fall in love. Love is beyond all species whether it's a cat and skunk, or a raccoon and opossum. As long as they love each other for who they are on the inside and not the outside and make each other happy it is perfectly alright. Now, RJ and Heather, hold each others' paws."

RJ and Heather hold their paws and grin at each other as Verne continues.

Verne: "Do you, RJ, take Heather to be your beloved mate who you will love, cherish, and stand by with, for richer or for poorer, in times of sickness and in heath, for the rest of your lives, as long as you both shall live, till death do you part?"

RJ: "I do."

Verne: "Do you, Heather, take RJ to be your beloved mate who you will love, cherish, and stand by with, for richer or for poorer, in times of sickness and in health, for the rest of your lives, as long as you both shall live, till death do you part?"

Heather: "I do."

Verne: "If there is any objection that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

There is silence for three seconds, and then…

Hammy: "Just kiss her already! The cake is gonna spoil!"

The family members, including RJ, Heather, and Verne, laugh and/or smile for two seconds.

Verne: "Then by the power invested by me and nature, I now pronounce you mates. You may kiss."

The couple does nothing at first since RJ continues to gaze into Heather's eyes and vice versa. After five seconds go by, Heather throws her flowers to the ground at her feet then she and RJ enter one of the greatest kisses of their lives.

Simon: "What are we missing?"

Penny: "RJ and Heather are kissing"

Christine: "Got it!"

Everyone—including the bat family—is cheering and clapping and Ozzie can't help but shed tears of joy for his daughter and RJ as they continue to kiss. The kiss lasts for ten seconds and when they break away, RJ and Heather embrace each other in a big hug and nuzzle their faces together. After they are done nuzzling each other and notice that the porcupine boys have joined the crowd, Heather throws her flowers in the air whereby Hammy zooms from the front of the aisle and catches them before anyone else can.

Hammy: "Ah ha!" (Singing) "I got the flowers! I got the flowers!"

Spike: "You're the next one to get married!"

Hammy: "Huh? I just wanted the flowers, not get married…Here you take them." (Hands Spike the flowers) "No givsies backsies!"

Bucky and Quillo in unison: "OOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Spike's gonna get married!"

Spike: "Nah, not me." (Throws flowers in the air)

The flowers land in Simon's lap.

Simon: "Wha? Well this won't work, I'm already married." (Tosses flowers in the air)

The flowers finally land in Marilyn's lap.

Marilyn: "Huh? Hey! I got the flowers! I got 'em!"

Celine: "That's one of my girls! But all three of you sound exactly alike, so which one are you?"

The laughter that followed was well-deserved.

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During the reception, everyone enjoyed the fruit punch, cake, and other food and beverages; they took wacky photos with big eye glasses, put-on afros, pirate hats, fake golden jewelry, etc.; RJ and Heather did their couple's dance to Cheap Trick's "If You Want My Love"; and then everyone else joins in once they have finished and other songs begin playing—keeping three feet away from the bats to avoid being hit by them.

By now at the reception Hammy, along with the six porcupine and three bat teens, De'Ausha, Roger and Tyler are playing land-based Marco Polo while the others have been talking turkey in a circle with RJ and Heather in the center.

Penny: "So where're the two of you headed off for your honeymoon?"

RJ: "We'll probably head to that area that has the small pool with the water fall right behind Vincent's cave…"

Heather: "…Our favorite spot."

Stella: "Well, have fun."

Everyone chuckles a bit.

Heather (Smiling): "Don't worry, we will."

RJ: "We'll be back in about a week. Bye!"

All the hedgies wave goodbye to RJ and Heather as they walk off. The bat family waves too, but in the wrong direction. Verne informs them to turn to the left, which they do and are now waving goodbye in the proper direction.

RJ and Heather now begin their life as true soul mates.

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Well Part 2 is done! Sorry for the short chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed it. I'll go ahead and say that Soul Mates Part 3 is gonna take some time since I'll have to do some brainstorming as well as hopefully making some updates to my OTH Beginnings: RJ story. Just be patient and know that I plan to finish ALL my stories.

Until next time, chao!