FIRE ON HIGH
“Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2018 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.
The characters of Anatol Altaisokova and Melinda Altaisokova are my names for characters © Max Blackrabbit. They appear in this story with his permission. The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, Tonya and Zig Zag are also © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya, Anatol, and their family are presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios, and all characters associated with ZZ Studios, James Sheppard, and Marvin Badger © James Bruner and appear here with his permission. Although characters from and events referring to Zig Zag the Story appear here, this story is not canon to that one, and the author will disavow any knowledge of this story. Wanda Vixen © Chris Yost and appears here with his permission. Sabrina Mustidalae © Eric W. Schwartz and appears here with his permission. This story is not canon to Sabrina Online the comic, or Sabrina Online the Story, either. Matt Barstock, Angie Rockwell, Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew, and Jerry Kitt © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE. Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios. Gabrielle Ryder and Jean LeBrun © Aslaug, from her Transitions stories. See them at her site, The Axe Shed, available from the links page. Aramis Dagaz is© his player and appears here with his permission.
Author’s Note: Lewiston, Maine’s airport, identifier KLEW, is actually uncontrolled. That is, it has no control tower. Poetic license was used for this story, so Alex and company talk with a control tower whilst aviating there.
Chapter 125
At Last
“Ready Alex?” Billy asked. He’d been at the tiger’s home since 0600 helping him get his uniform ready. Both he and Alex would be wearing Air Force Mess Dress uniforms which resembled a deep blue tuxedo with a dark blue satin bow tie, specific cuff links and studs, and a dark blue satin cummerbund. The tux jacket had wide lapels, Alex had chosen to forgo the rows of miniature medals and ribbons that normally adorned the left chest, But he did wear his Command Pilot’s Wings which gleamed brightly. His rank was indicated by hard blue shoulderboards with two strips of silver braid and the silver eagles of his recent promotion. As a duly retired officer, he was authorized to wear the uniform. No hat was worn with this uniform, which resided on hangars under plastic until they got to the church. Billy’s likewise waited in Alex’s truck. They’d dress when they got there, so as to avoid any stains or wrinkles. Altogether the uniform made an impressive sight.
He, Billy, and Jedi Foertch would wear this style uniform, as Billy was his Best Fur and Jedi his Groomsfur. Andrew, his other Groomsfur, would wear a dark blue tux, much to his chagrin.
“Past ready, actually,” Alex replied with a smile. Billy gave him a squint-eyed smirk.
“Yeah, yeah, just don’t break her.”
Alex gave his friend a sidelong look, but then laughed. “I don’t intend to. With all she’s been through, we’ll be taking it very slow in that department. I just meant I’m glad it’s finally here.”
“Sure ya did. Anyway, let me look the uniform over one last time,” Billy smirked. He checked that everything looked to be in its proper place, then gave a nod.
“Looks good. Do you need your cane?”
“It’s in the truck if I do, but I’m trying to go without it. The docs at the V.A. said I’d probably need it more and more as time goes on. I can feel it start to hurt if I overstress it, but I’m good for now,” Alex replied, flexing his left knee a bit.
“Then let’s get this show on the road,” Billy grinned.
They headed out to Alex’s truck, with Alex locking his house up on the way. Billy would ride with Penny after the wedding, as Alex and Corrie would be departing in his truck then. They drove into Winchester proper, to the First Baptist Church on Highland Street. With as many folks who had R.S.V.P.’d to Penny, it was the only church in town that would accommodate everyone. It was just past 0900 when they pulled into the church parking lot. They went in and on back to a room on the right side of the large sanctuary. There Billy and Alex changed into their uniforms. Jedi and Andrew would shortly join them. They were there about an hour when Andrew came in, looking very uncomfortable in his rented tux.
“Hang in there, Andrew, it’ll be over soon,” Alex advised his nephew.
Andrew grinned. “I could say the same to you, Uncle Alex.”
Alex’s eyes went wide. Not only at the reply, which showed the young tiger had indeed inherited a bit of the O’Whitt wit, but at the baritone voice that only slightly squeaked. Jedi coming in cut the exchange short.
“Hey Ice, ready for this mission?” the felid asked. Alex gave a nod.
“Yep, ready to launch. Be careful not to catch the garter, or let Tasha catch the bouquet, or you’ll be next!” the tiger teased in return. Jedi looked horrified for a second, but then grinned.
“Not that far along yet, Ice.”
Just then Brother Ronnie, the pastor who would be performing the ceremony, knocked on the door and walked in. He looked around at the formal uniforms and grinned.
“I feel like I should salute you all or something. How are things in here? Ready, Alex?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Why does everyone keep asking me that? Is it common for grooms to run or something?” the tiger asked in reply.
“You’d be surprised. We have about an hour before time,” The grey fox pastor said as he nodded and left. The time seemed to drag as the four talked about various things. Alex found himself getting a little nervous. Would the ceremony go okay? More importantly, was Corrie doing okay? Would nerves cause her problems? The unlikely idea even struck him that Mastifson might try to do something to disrupt the event.
“Hey Alex, almost time. You sure you’re ready?” Billy asked, a paw on his friend’s shoulder.
Alex looked up, realizing he’d been woolgathering. He squared his shoulders and stood up.
“As the old saying goes, I was born ready. Let’s go.”
# # #
Corrie was standing in only her underwear as Patti, Joanne, and Terri all fussed with getting her dress ready for her to put on.
“Honestly!” Patti exclaimed. “If it takes this many furs to get this thing on you, how in the world is Alex going to get it off?”
The three friends all giggled and then looked over at Corrie, who was now blushing furiously all the way to the tips of her ears.
“Now that’s a blushing bride,” Terri quipped. She and her girlfriend, a skunk femme named Rita Montgomery, had flown down to be there for the wedding. With a few more giggles and a bit of tugging and fussing, the three got the dress on the lioness and zipped up. They then began putting the rest of the accoutrements on and soon the outfit was complete.
It was a beautiful strapless gown with French lace on the bodice and a long, flared skirt with a short two-foot train. Not too long, but elegant. A single strand of white pearls adorned her throat. Her hair was swept up into a bun on the crown of her head. Her headpiece had a design of pearls mixed in with the lace, giving a solid attachment point for her veil. White stockings covered her leg fur, with white sandals, also with pearl designs, on her feet. White tulle sleeves from upper arm to wrist finished off the outfit, with a fluttery white bow at her tail tuft.
The bridesmaid’s dresses were pale blue, sleeveless and knee length. Patti’s had a plunging neckline, Joanne’s a square, and Terri a scoop. All showing a bit of cleavage, but not extreme. Finally, Corrie seemed all together as Patti looked her over.
“Okay, how did Penny say that went? Oh yeah. Dress, check. Hair, check. Blush, check. Makeup, check. Bouquet…ah, there it is, check. Shoes, check. Hat and veil, check. There was one more…oh, the ONBB.”
Terri looked at the Dalmatian uncertainly. “The what?”
Patti, Corrie, and Joanne laughed and then Patti answered.
Oh En Bee Bee. It’s an old wedding tradition. Old, New, Borrowed, Blue. I think Penny would literally skin me alive if I forgot to check for that after all she talked about it. How about it, Corrie?”
Corrie thought a moment. “Old. The lace on the dress is antique, at least that’s what the shop said. New. Me shoes are brand new, as is probably ovah half the fluff on me. Borrowed. The hat the veil is on is borrowed from Penny. Blue. Well, I’ve got a garter on each leg that has an Air Force Blue stripe in the middle of it. That covers it all, right?”
Patti grinned. “It does. Alex will have fun finding it up there.”
Corrie blushed again as the other three laughed. Just then there was a knock on the door and Penny stuck her head in.
“Oh good! Everyone’s decent. Corrie, I have a surprise for you.”
Corrie looked on curiously, as did the other three. Then their jaws collectively dropped. There, stepping in behind Penny, was Ben Stevens!
“Ben!” Corrie exclaimed as she attempted to rise and move quickly, only to be slowed down by the dress. The wire-haired terrier gave a bristly grin and a tip of an imaginary hat.
“Ladies, it’s good to see you all again. Corray, you look lovely!”
The lioness had to pause a moment to get herself to speak. Ben was dressed in a dark blue suit with a rather dapper patterned tie. As far as she could recall, this was the first time she’d ever seen him in one. Finally, she found her voice.
“Ah, thank you. You clean up pretty good, too. What ah you doing heah?”
“My idea,” Penny interjected. “Someone needs to give you away, and by Billy and Alex’s accounts, Ben is as close to a father as you have, so I invited him to come down.”
Corrie and her three friends were taken aback. At the rehearsal, Corrie had walked the aisle by herself. She had to admit it felt a bit lonely to do so.
“So, you’re—” Corrie began, and then Ben finished for her.
“Ayuh, Ahm heah to give you away, since Penny wouldn’t let me sell you.”
Everyone laughed, and Penny took her leave.
“Ben, hang out here with the Bridal Party until it’s time to go. Your main job now is to make sure Alex doesn’t see Corrie before the ceremony.”
Ben just gave another bristly grin. “Ayuh.”
Everyone sat down, and Ben began to fill them in on the goings-on in Maine since they’d left.
“The Wintah was a bit rough up ouah way, but Lewiston is still theah. Had quite a stir right aftah you left, Corray. Word went round you were seen naked in a hotel room with some male down by the intahstate. His species changed three times in the tellin’, I heard. Took a bit for it to get tamped down and die out. Let’s see, Rex Richardson signed a contract to work with Old North foah heavy liftin’. Seems like a different fellah since he got ovah himself when you left. He’s taken to helpin’ folks out as much as he can. Met himself a pretty little Maine Coon femme who turned out to be fiahbrand enough to keep him in line. They don’t fuss neah as much as you’d expect.”
The talk helped ease the nerves Corrie had been feeling. Even the rumors, which she figured would happen. She wasn’t nervous about marrying Alex. She was very certain about that. Not the ceremony, either. It was what came after. If she’d admit it, she was scared. Almost terrified of what was expected to happen that evening. She was afraid her dream might become a reality. That in the middle of consummating the marriage she’d lose it and tear Alex up. The talk, and Ben’s strong presence in support of her, began to help make her feel more relaxed.
Not too long a time later, there was a knock on the door. Ben stood up and carefully answered it, earning him a very approving look from Penny as she stepped in the door.
“It’s time, ladies and gentlefur. Follow me and we’ll make our way to the entrance into the Sanctuary.”
The ti-fox stopped short and looked them all over, smiling.
“What a beautiful sight. Don’t be alarmed, the photographer’s assistant is waiting to take some candid shots as we leave.”
With that, Penny turned and led them out. A flash went off several times as Ben escorted Corrie along behind Patti and the other two. It only took a few minutes to walk the distance to the big double doors at the back of the Sanctuary. There, they lined up, Terri first, then Joanne, then Patti as Maid of Honor, and finally Ben and Corrie. After a short wait, Jack Lazarus and James Sheppard, acting as ushers, opened the doors from the inside and stood by. As the processional began to play, Patti called it.
“Go ahead Terri, here we go!”
# # #
Brother Ronnie stood at the front of the huge Sanctuary. He was dressed in a white robe with a blue sash around his neck that came to his knees. A gold cross adorned each side of it. His wire-rimmed glasses perched on his muzzle gave him a wise appearance.
Alex stood about three paces back, just in front of the first pew. As he faced toward the back of the Sanctuary, awaiting Corrie’s appearance, Billy as his Best Fur was on his left. Jedi and Andrew flanked out in that direction. The pew directly in front of him was for his family. To his surprise, his Aunt Talia had made the drive over and now sat beside Zig Zag. The two seemed to be having a grand time conversing while they waited. Jenna and Tia were next as both Jack and James were pulling duty as Ushers. The register for guests was in the foyer, and Tia had attended it until just before time to begin, when she’d joined Jenna. They figured anyone coming in that late would see it and could sign if they wished.
As he looked out, Alex was amazed at the number of furs there. He caught sight of Chloe and Bart Higgins, several others from the Air Force, as well as friends from church. He was surprised to see several of Zig’s actors in the mix as well. Natasha Shannon sat a row back, grinning like she couldn’t stop.
Music was being played by a pianist and an organist from the church they were in, but Alex was so focused on waiting for Corrie that he couldn’t have told anyone what was being played. Finally, Jack and James went to the double doors at the back of the Sanctuary and opened them as they stepped to the side. The musicians took the cue and after a second’s pause began to play the processional. He and Corrie had gone traditional with Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
In a few seconds, Terri Moggy stepped into the doorway and began a measured, step-by-step walk down the main aisle. She was precisely half-way down when Joanne Ritter began her walk. They both made their way to the front, giving Alex a smile as they turned to go to their places. Patti Delancey started on her way when Joanne was halfway down. Alex noted the admiring looks of the faces of each lady’s significant other, who were all in attendance as well. Alex could only describe the look Patti gave him as a big cheesy grin. After she reached her place, there was a pause as Jack and James unrolled a white cloth aisle runner from the back all the way up to right in from of Brother Ronnie, where a slim weighted rod kept it from curling back up. The two males departed back down the side aisles to shut the doors behind the Bride after she came in.
Another slight pause, and the organist hit the opening chords of Wagner’s Bridal Chorus. Everyone stood up, and then Alex felt like he stopped breathing. The veil could not hide the beauty of the lioness who would soon be his wife as she stepped out into the doorway. So stunning was she that she’d taken three measured steps down the aisle before Alex realized that she had an escort. It was another couple of steps before he realized it was Ben Stevens in a suit walking her down the aisle.
“Penny is a rascal!” he heard Billy half-whisper. He had to smile and agree.
As they got closer, Alex could tell Corrie was a bit nervous. He could see the slight shake of the bouquet in her paws. The music continued as they arrived beside Alex. The organist played a last measure and concluded the song. Brother Ronnie looked out over everyone and smiled.
“Be seated, please.”
Alex had turned to face the pastor after Corrie and Ben’s arrival. He heard the shift and shuffle as everyone sat down. Now the grey fox began the ceremony.
“Dear Brethren, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of these two furs in the bonds of holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred, holy ordinance, created by God and meant to last for life. It is not to be entered into frivolously or without great thought and intent. The vows taken here, the bond formed, is not just between husband and wife, but God as well. The Bible tells us that a cord of three strands is not easily broken. May this marriage be comprised of those three cords, husband, wife, and God. Who gives this femme in matrimony?”
Ben spoke, clear, strong, and easily picked up by the two microphones overhead. Alex had noted Brother Ronnie wearing an earpiece mic.
“On behalf of her family, now gone, and all her friends, I do.”
Corrie faced him and gave him a hug before he placed her paws in Alex’s. Her bouquet was passed to Patti to hold. He then stepped to the pew for her family and sat down. Alex and Corrie, paw in paw, turned and faced the pastor. With a nod he continued the ceremony.
“Keeping in mind my words, and the Lord’s, I must first ask if anyone here can testify as to a reason or show any objection to this marriage. Let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
There was a moment’s silence, and then the pastor went on.
“Seeing no objections raised, we’ll continue. Face each other, please.
Alex and Corrie made the slight turn to fully face each other, still holding paws. Brother Ronnie continued.
“Alex, wilt thou have this femme to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy state of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Alex, looking deeply into Corrie’s eyes, rumbled confidently, “I will.”
Now Brother Ronnie addressed Corrie.
“Corrinne, wilt thou have this male to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy state of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Corrie’s nervousness had evaporated when she took Alex’s paws. She returned his look as she clearly affirmed, “I will.”
Brother Ronnie returned his attention to Alex.
“Alex, what token do you bring as a symbol of your vow?”
“A ring,” Alex announced as Billy slipped the gold wedding band for Corrie to his friend. Alex presented it to the pastor, who took it and held it up for all to see.
“The ring is a symbol of a never-ending pledge. Do you, Alex, make that pledge to Corrinne with all you are, all you have, and all you will be?”
He gave the ring back to Alex, who carefully placed it on Corrie’s left paw ring finger while stating, “I do.”
The todd now addressed Corrie.
“Corrinne, what token do you bring as a symbol of your vow?”
“A ring,” Corrie answered. Patti placed a larger gold band in Corrie’s paws. Brother Ronnie repeated the question to the lioness and gave her back the ring. She placed it on Alex’s left paw ring finger as she too stated, “I do.”
“Now Alex, repeat after me. I, Alexander Severski O’Whitt, take thee, Corrinne Patterson, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, until death us do part. According to God’s Holy Ordinance, this is my vow.”
Alex repeated the phrase, and then Corrie did the same. Brother Ronnie continued.
“Then, by the power invested in me by Almighty God and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I now pronounce you male and wife. What God hath joined together, let no fur put asunder. You may kiss your Bride.”
Alex let go of Corrie’s paws and gently lifted her veil. There were wisps of tears in her eyes and a glowing, happy blush on her face. He cupped that face in his paws and kissed her with all the love and passion the moment would allow. They barely heard the loud round of cheering and kahtcalls that resounded across the Sanctuary. They broke the kiss and Brother Ronnie turned them to face the assembled furs.
“May I present, for the first time, Mister and Misses Alex O’Whitt! The couple asks you to join them for a reception at the Fellowship Hall behind the church.”
The organist began Mendelsohn’s Wedding March for the recessional as Alex and Corrie walked arm-in-arm back up the aisle. Billy offered Patti his arm and they followed, as did Jedi and Joanne. When it was Andrew’s turn, he showed he could indeed act like a gentlefur, offering Terri his arm and escorting her very properly out.
James returned and escorted Talia, Zig Zag, Jenna, and Tia out. Jack escorted Ben. They then came back and dismissed the guests by rows. Penny had watched the ceremony from the pew beside Tia but had rapidly disappeared while everyone was filing out. The wedding party had assembled out in front of the church and now stood as the photographer took pictures. They then walked back to the Fellowship Hall and formed a receiving line. Alex was certain it took most of an hour for all the guests to file past, hugging and shaking paws.
Then came the traditional cake-cutting and toasting. After that came Alex and Corrie’s first dance, which both enjoyed as a chance to hug and be close for a few minutes in the midst of all the semi-chaotic goings-on. Next came a dance for the Bride and her “father,” which caught Ben a bit off guard. Corrie took the time to thank him profusely for coming and giving her away. He’d finally just grinned a bristly grin and said, “Ayuh.”
Next came a dance for Alex and Talia, who was in the defacto position of mother of the groom. He was very surprised when Zig Zag stepped up and began a communal slow dance with the both of them.
“Zig,” Alex began, but he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “I don’t think this is how it’s supposed to go.”
Zig stuck her tongue out at him. “I don’t care. I hate tradition anyway. You, and now Talia, are the only family I have that care a whit about me. If I want to dance with you both at your wedding, who cares?”
Talia surprised him even more. “Yes Alex, you and Anton always said to give her a chance. I’m so glad I did. I’ve enjoyed talking with her so much. More than I ever expected. You know a lot of her movies end up being based on classic literature?”
Alex was glad they were dancing in front of everyone, or he might have fallen in the floor. After a moment he simply shook his head and pulled both of them close in a hug.
“Thank you both so much for being here, and all the help, and sharing in this. I love you both, Aunt Talia and Zig.”
“Love you too, Cousin, and Talia,” Zig replied, pulling into the hug and smiling a warm, genuine smile.
“Aunt Talia works for you too, dear Zig. Love you too, and you too, Nephew.”
They hugged once more and then it was time to sit. Zig had tears wisping in her eyes, as did Talia.
A light lunch had been laid out, and everyone seemed to enjoy eating and talking. Alex finished and then drifted through talking with everyone. He met up with Bart and Chloe Higgins.
“Alex, she’s lovely! Bart didn’t do her justice. I’m so happy for you,” Chloe enthused.
“I’m not,” Bart teased. “I didn’t get to pick her for you.”
“If you’d picked her, she’d have looked like an Eff-Fifteen,” Alex teased back as he moved on. Finally, Natasha Shannon stepped up in front of him. She hugged him soundly and then stepped back to arm’s length.
“Alex, I am so happy for you. Corrie is beautiful, wonderful, and all that rolled into one. Don’t forget to come see us now that you’re an old retired married fur.”
“I couldn’t forget my friends, either you or Jedi. I may be retired, but they’ve contracted me as a civilian to help the Tigerkahts transition to the Eff-Twenty Twos. Seems Lockheed and the Defense Department aren’t quite as picky on their physical requirements as the Air Force. I’ll be back at Langley pretty soon,” Alex replied, smiling broadly.
“Fantastic! We’ll look forward to seeing you and Corrie. I’m gonna go keep Jedi out of mischief if I can. See you soon.”
The tigress walked over to where a knot of furs was listening to Jedi spin a war story. Alex made his way over and met back up with Corrie.
“Well Love, ready to cap all this off?” he asked.
“Whatevah do you…oh, yeah, I guess it’s time. Which do we do first, the gahter or the bouquet?” Corrie responded. Just then Penny walked up.
“Ladies first, Corrie. Bouquet time.”
Penny then thrust the specially prepared “toss” bouquet into Corrie’s paws, clicked on a microphone and began.
“All Single Ladies!!” she called.
All the femmes who were single congregated to where Penny stood and got quiet.
“Time for the bouquet toss,” the ti-fox announced. “Remember, tradition says whoever catches it is next to get married! Ready Corrie?”
Corrie rolled her eyes and grinned as she turned her back to the group. “Ready!”
Penny counted off. “Okay then. One…Two…Three!!”
It was a good thing the Fellowship Hall doubled as a gym. Corrie’s toss sailed up in a high arc, landing in the center of the mass of femmes. There was a bit of bouncing, squawking and squabbling, and then the bouquet bounced directly into Terri Moggy’s paws. She blinked a couple of times, and then grinned.
“Well what do you know about that?” she said jokingly. The ladies dispersed as Penny called out again.
“All Single Gentlefurs!!”
Some very eagerly, some rather reluctantly, the males assembled. Billy brought a chair and placed it in front of the group of waiting males, facing away from them. Penny led Corrie over and she sat down. Alex knelt down in front of her and smiled up reassuringly.
“I’ll be careful not to go too high.”
Corrie winked at him. “Bettah not. I think Penny put a pest trap up theah somewheah.”
He laughed and ran his paws up her outstretched leg. Finding the garter, he slipped it down and off.
“Air Force blue? Nice touch,” he grinned.
“Yours isn’t so bad y’self,” she replied breathlessly, blushing at the sensations of his paws on her thigh and leg.
He did a double-take and then grinned again. The tiger then stood and turned his back to the crowd. Penny called the countdown again.
“Okay Alex, One…Two…Three!!”
Alex pulled the elastic tight and then shot it off his finger out over the crowd. Jedi was on the periphery, mostly by Chloe Higgins’ insistence, and it missed him completely. The lucky fur who ended up with it was Alexi, the same fur from ZZ Studios who’d sang at the bachelorette party.
Those duties now performed, Alex and Corrie made their way around shaking paws and hugging one last time as they prepared to depart. Their last stop was with Penny, Billy, Patti, and Zig Zag. Penny spoke up first.
“Alex, Corrie, I can’t even express how happy I am for you. Zig gave me a copy of the itinerary she arranged for you, so if anything goes amiss, call me.”
She hugged them both. Billy shook paws and hugged.
“Congrats on finally getting it done. See you both back at work in a week.”
“Slavedriver,” Alex teased. Billy just grinned.
“Corrie! Alex! Oh wow, I don’t even know what to say!” Patti enthused as she hugged them both. Finally, it was Zig’s turn.
“Congrats!” she offered as she hugged them both. “That was beautiful! I think you’ll enjoy all the little surprises I planned and arranged for you. If you need anything, call. Love you both.”
Alex and Corrie hugged her tightly back as she gave Alex a folder.
“Here’s your itinerary. Also, confirmation numbers, locations, and tickets all ready. Enjoy you two!”
“Thank you for everything Zig. You too, Penny, Patti, Billy. We’ll see you when we get back,” Alex replied as they turned to go.
“Well Mrs. O’Whitt, shall we go?” he inquired.
“We shall indeed,” Corrie responded.
They walked out the door to find bubbles filling the air. From somewhere a boom box began playing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Furs were lined up, forming a corridor from the Hall to Alex’s truck. Said vehicle had been decorated with glass chalk and tied on balloons. The roar of well-wishes and cheers was nearly deafening. Soon they made it to the truck, got in, and pulled away. “Just Married” emblazoned across the back window the last thing seen. Penny looked on from the door of the Hall, looking a bit teary-eyed. She shrugged and then turned back inside.
“Clean-up time!” she called out.
End of Chapter 125