Wedding Bells...

It's late afternoon and a small group has gathered outside the countryside chapel where Michelle and Benjamin will be exchanging vows. Benjamin stands and chats with his father Justin and his step mother Ellie. By the chapel doors Aric and Hayden idly chat to each other.

*Justin* "I almost can't believe you're gettin' married, son."

*Benjamin* "Oh come on! You know I just had to find the right
woman first." *joking* "Y'all worry too much."

*Ellie* "Well, your persistence paid off, Benjamin. She's a lovely woman inside and out. I think you are a match made in heaven."

*Benjamin* "Thank you, Ellie..."

*Justin* "She is a lovely woman, Son. I'm glad to see you are marrying one of Krystal's daughters."
*Benjamin* "Yeah....You know I still can't get over the fact that you
almost married the mother of the bride!"

By the chapel doors Aric and Hayden talk.

*Aric* "This tux is tight! Yours isn't botherin' you?!"

Aric yanks on the bottom of his jacket as if trying to 

make more room for himself in it.

*Hayden* "It's supposed to be fitted, not loose and baggy.

*Aric* "Plus, it's hotter than hades out here...Lets head inside."

*Hayden* "Sounds good to me..."

While Aric and Hayden head inside to cool off. Someone else 

has arrived at the tiny little chapel, with two handsome fellas by her side.

*Benjamin joking* "I was startin' to wonder if you would show up..."

*Erica* "Darlin' a lady would rather always arrive fashionably late than 

not fashionably dressed at all."

*Erica continues* "I'm guessing your lovely bride isn't here yet, if y'all are all

 hanging around outside..."

*Benjamin* "Like you said...a lady always prefers to fashionably late..."

*Erica* "Touche, Darlin' touche..."

Erica breaks away from Colton and Jacob, and heads straight to Benjamin. While, Colton and Jacob greet Ellie and Justin.

Benjamin smiles that big, heart melting smile that 

gets all the ladies.
 *Benjamin* "You look beautiful...You sure you're my Nana?"
*Erica* "Smiles, always the charmer..."

Justin shakes hands with Jacob, Colton's steady 

boyfriend for the past year. 

*Justin* "Jacob, how you doing?"

*Jacob* "Good...Thank you."

 *Erica* "Well? Are you ready for this? Gettin' any cold feet?"

*Benjamin* "Now why would I get cold feet, Nana? I'm marrying the most

 perfect, beautiful woman on earth, no way I'd get cold feet...I don't have any doubts what so ever."

*Erica* "That's wonderful to hear Darlin'...Now you need to get you butt inside. No seeing the bride before she walks the isle! It's back luck!"

Back at Luke and Laura's house...

 Laura is scrambling to get ready and out the door on time. She needs to be out the door and at the Chapel, to be there when her sister arrives.

 Luke stands at the bottom of the stairs and hollers up to her...

 *Luke* "Babe! We need to go...it's getting late!"

*Laura* "I KNOW....I'M ALMOST DONE! JUST GIVE ME

 FIVE MORE MINUTES!"

Phoenix meanwhile wiggles in Luke's arms, 

he wants down so he can play...

*Phoenix wiggling* "Da! Dada!...Dada!"

Luke looks down at his son. 

*Luke* "Where's Mama?"

*Phoenix* "Mama?!"

*Luke* "Let's go sit down, I have a feeling Mama is gonna be 

longer than five minutes."
So Luke grabs a toy, and sits with Phoenix on the couch.

He chose the 'see n say' a classic toy, that's always fun. Luke pulls the lever and the dial spins landing on the cow. "The Cow says Mooooo!"

*Luke* "Mooooo!..."

Phoenix looks up at Luke, with a quizzical look on his face. 

Then he sees Daddy's beard and reaches up to grab it and yanks.

Luke rears back his head like it really hurt and cries 

out in a playful tone.

Phoenix giggles with pure joy and excitement at the 

reaction he got out of his father.

*Luke* "What's so funny, little man? That's not coming off...you

 can yank all you want."

Phoenix talks but it's all just jibberish still and Luke 

nods as if he understands every word.

Luke doesn't notice Laura has made her way downstairs 

and is ready to go.

*Laura* "How do I look?"

*Luke looks up at her* "Like a fox, Babe...you read...Ahhh!"

*Phoenix giggles he really got a reaction now...*

Luke jumps and turns to Phoenix, who has yet again yanked Daddy's goatee, but Daddy wasn't looking and this time it really did hurt.

Phoenix tries to reach for his beard again, getting that 

reaction out of Daddy was fun!

*Luke* "Phoenix, no! That hurts!"

*Laura trying to hold back a few giggles* "You okay?"

*Luke* "I'm fine...You ready?"

*Phoenix* "Dada! Dada!

They get up and head to the door. Laura puts a few

 of her things in Phoenix's diaper bag.

*Laura* "I'm not taking my purse...just leaving a few things in his bag so don't loose it."

*Luke* "Yes, Babe..."

*Laura* "I sure hope he doesn't get fussy during the ceremony..."

*Luke* "If he does I'll just walk him to the back of the chapel....He'll be fine."

*Luke looking at Phoenix* "You ready to see Aunty Michelle get married and eat some cake?"

*Phoenix* "No!..."

*Laura digging in the bag, double checking everything* "That's his new favorite word..."

*Luke* "No?! No cake for you?..."

*Laura* "Let's go....last we need is to be late."

Lastly we check in on Michelle and how things are going for her.

She sits still while Dinah finishes up her makeup.

*Dinah* "Almost done...then we can get your hair done and veil on."

Krystal's phone chimes and she grabs it to take a look.
*Krystal* "It's your sister, she's on her way to the chapel."

*Michelle* "That's good..."
Krystal texts her back, then turns her 
attention to Michelle.

*Krystal* "Love the color palette! You are gonna look stunning once we
get you in that dress!"
*Michelle* "Erica, worked wonders getting that dress to me...I don't think I would
have been able to acquire it without her."

*Krystal* "Erica has some great connections in the fashion world, you wouldn't think so,
but she does. I'm glad she was here to help."
A short time later Michelle's hair has been pulled back in an elegant braid with a few flowers interlocked into it.

Dinah finishes pinning the veil in place, and checks to 
make sure it is perfect.
*Krystal* "You look absolutely beautiful sweetheart. Benjamin is gonna be grinning
from ear to ear when he sees you."

*Krystal continues* "Getting nervous yet?"
*Michelle* "I've been nervous all week! I just don't want to trip or faint...
that would be the worst."
*Krystal* "Oh, you'll be fine...besides your Father will be there with you every step of the way. I think he's gonna burst into tears when he sees you. Our baby girl gettin' married."

*Dinah* "And we are done! Let's get you in that dress..."
Krystal heads upstairs to retrieve the dress, and a few 
minutes later Michelle has stepped into it.
*Krystal* "Oh my goodness!!! Everyone is going to love you,
the most beautiful bride..."

Krystal helps fluff out the dress while Dinah closes 
up the back.
*Michelle* "My boots, Mom, can you get me my boots..."
*Dianh* "Suck it in girl...almost there..."

Michelle takes a breath in.
*Dinah* "There! I got it!..."

Krystal can't contain her excitement any longer...
*Krystal* "Now all we gotta do is get you to the chapel on time!"

To be Continued!!!
Thanks so much for tuning in...
^_^

Happy Anniversary

It's been exactly a year since Luke and Laura tied the knot, and a lot has happened since then.  Tonight Luke plans to take her out for a nice dinner and evening alone together. These two never had a proper honeymoon, with their first year of marriage being a rough one. Luke wants to make it up to her, so tonight they head out while Kenzie takes care of Phoenix.

*Laura* "Momma has to go bye, bye but Daddy and I 

will be back..... Can you say bye, bye?"

*Phoenix waves* "Bye...Bye..."

He is comfortable with Kenzie, who has been babysitting him since he was born. So leaving him with her tonight was an easy decision, but still hard on Laura because she still doesn't like leaving him for so long.

*Luke* "We need to go, Babe...Don't wanna be late for our dinner reservations."

*Laura taking to Kenzie* "Okay...So I left the number of the restaurant and hotel on the cork board in the the kitchen. You know you can call us at anytime if you need to."

*Kenzie* "I'll make sure to save them into my phone. Now you two go and enjoy 

yourselves we'll be fine."

Luke grabs the luggage for their overnight stay at the hotel 
and Laura turns to follow.

*Laura* "Oh! And there is dinner in the fridge for you and Phoenix...."
*Kenzie* "Okay...Goodnight!..."
And with that Luke and Laura head out the door.

Once they are in the car, Luke can sense Laura is tense 
about leaving Phoenix overnight.

*Luke* "Babe, he's gonna be fine, besides you deserve a night off."
*Laura* "I know. We both do."
*Luke* "Plus, we'll only be thirty minutes away, if Kenzie does call."

 And approximately 30 minutes later they arrive at the hotel to
 check in and take their bags up to the suit 
Luke had reserved for them a few months ago.

Luke sets the bags down while Laura scopes 
out the hotel suit.
*Laura* "Wow! This place is gorgeous!..."

*Laura* "That bed looks divine...I think I'll definitely
get a good night sleep in there..."
Luke turns to his beautiful wife.
*Luke smiling* "I don't think we'll be doing much sleeping
in that bed...

*Laura chuckling softly* "But we're only here for one night...
*Luke* "Exactly, that's why we gotta make it count, Babe...I know it's not probably what you envisioned as the perfect honeymoon but..."
Laura reaches up and rubs her hand on his forearm, 
he seems to want to tell her something but she doesn't
 know where he's going with it.

 *Laura* "Oh, Luke I'm happy to be here..Even if it's just for one night."
*Luke* "Babe...I've been thinking lately."
Laura's chest rises and falls as she takes a deep breath, 
she knew there was something on his mind...
*Laura* "Yeah?...About what?"

*Luke* "About having another, baby..."
Laura takes another deep breath, she did not

 see that one coming.

*Laura* "Really?!...Don't you think it's too soon? We're just getting back on track with each other. And my last pregnancy....Well you know it was rough...I don't even know if I'm
ready to go through that again. And you hated it, not being able to have sex...I mean look what it did to us, Luke.  I...I just... I don't know...This is kinda sudden."
She turns and places her shawl and scarf down on the table.
 
 *Luke* "Yeah but things are different now, Babe...
He quickly walks up behind her.
*Luke* "And I don't want to wait too long.
Plus I know you don't..."
*Laura* "True, but Phoenix is not even potty trained yet..."
*Luke* "He could be..."
 
*Luke continues* "And I promise I will not be that self centered asshole that gave you a hard time.  This time around it'll be different, we're both in a better place now..." *smiling* "...Maybe this time we can try for a girl..."

*Laura turns to face him smiling* "Only a 50/50 chance of that...Baby, are you really sure about this? I'm just kinda in shock that you brought this up...I always figured I would be the one to eventually say something. What's changed your mind about more kids?"

*Luke* "Aric..."
*Laura* "Aric? How does he fit into this?..." *Laura gasps* "Oh my gosh! Is Roxie
pregnant?! I thought they didn't want kids..."
*Luke* "No...no...she's not, at least I don't think so....I was talking with Aric at Benji's bachelor party. He was asking me how I was adjusting to being a father, and if we planned on having any more. And it got me thinking, having Phoenix was the best thing that's happened to me, aside from marrying you.  I can't imagine not being a father now, you know I didn't grow up with my Dad, and I want to be there for everything and I don't want him to be an only child like me. I always wanted a brother or sister to play with..."
 
Laura wraps her arms around his neck and Luke 
reciprocates the gesture by pulling her in 
tightly against him.
 
*Laura smiles* "Mmmm...I think I like this new side of you...Mr. Cooper."

*Luke smiling* "Is that right Mrs, Cooper?..."
*Laura nods* "Mmmmhmmm...but I think I still need some
 time to think about this..."
 
*Luke* "Okay...No pressure, Babe. I promise. Besides I am enjoying
how sexy you look tonight."
*Laura* "We'll never make those dinner reservations if you keep talking like that..."

*Luke* "Then I better shut up cause I'm starving."

*Laura turns* "Okay, but before we go lets make a toast, with
this fancy champagne."
Laura grabs the two glasses of champagne and 
hands one off to Luke.

Luke takes the glass and starts talking...
*Luke* "To the f*ckin' luckiest man on earth....I Love you, Babe."

*Laura laughs* "Classic Luke Cooper...I love you too, but what about the luckiest woman?"
*Luke* "I can only hope you feel that way, especially after everything
 I put you through."

*Laura* "Well, I still consider myself lucky...I could never imagine my life with out you."
They finish their glasses of champagne then
 out out the door.

After a short ride down the elevator, they make their way across the lobby and into the tiny, quaint restaurant. Check in with the hostess and she takes them to their table.

*Hostess* "Table for two..."
Luke and Laura take their seats and she hands 
them each a menu.

*Hostess* "Would you like to start with some wine?"
*Luke* "Sure, two glasses of your best wine."

*Hostess* "Sure, I'll have your waitress bring it out to you."
*Luke* "Thank you."
*Hostess* "Enjoy your evening..."
A short while later their food comes out and they begin to eat. 
Enjoying the quiet and each others company.

*Luke* "How is it?..."
*Laura* "It's very good...You know I think I could easily make this."
*Luke* "It's like cracking a code for you isn't it?"

*Luke continues* "I can see you're thinking about it with each bite..."

*Laura laughs* "Oh really?! Is it that obvious?"
Luke looks down at his bowl to scoop up another bite.

*Luke* "No, not really...I think it's only cause I know you so well.  I still
remember the first time we met for lunch at that little bistro..."
Luke looks up at her as she watches him talk.

*Luke continues and smiles* "You eyed the bread like you could zoom in on it and decipher it's ingredients, but at the time I thought that maybe you just didn't like the food."
Laura laughs and nods her mouth full of a bite of food.

*Laura* "I remember, you were very worried I wasn't happy with the food."
*Luke* "Yeah, I was about to go get the waitress..."
*Laura* "I kinda geek out when it comes to recipes...I thought that you
might have been done with our date after dinner..."

*Luke* "I enjoyed it. It was quiet and you were sweet, and once you got
comfortable and started talking, I knew I wanted to see you again. Plus once I
learned you were a fox in bed, well that sealed the deal for me."

Laura runs her foot up the inside of his thigh.

 *Laura* "A fox huh?..."
Catching Luke off guard a bit....
*Luke* "A red haired fiery little fox."

 Dinner was delicious and a nice slow down to their relaxing evening, things at home have been busy lately and not much time to focus on each other. This night alone together is just what they needed.

So after dessert they head back upstairs to 
their suit for the remainder of their stay.

And there is no rushing through it tonight...

*Laura* "I love you....so...so much. This night has been perfect."
*Luke* "The night's not over, Babe..."
*Laura* "No it's not...make love to me."
So they take their time and some hours 
later they lay in bed,

 ...still vibrating from cosmic clash of their 
bodies melding into one.
*Laura* "Mmmm, So was I a fox?..."
*Luke laughs* "Always, Babe, always..."

*Laura* "So you really want to have another baby?"
*Luke* "Yes, but if you're not ready it's fine, I just want you to know that I'm ready,
all you gotta do is come and get me..."
*Laura* " Because I don't think I'm ready yet..."

*Laura continues* "Maybe I'm being selfish but I'd like to be skinny for a little longer, I'm just not ready to give up my body for another baby. I think I want to wait till Phoenix is at least 2 and is definitely potty trained. That doesn't bother you does it?"
*Luke* "No, Babe...it doesn't."

*Laura* "Good....Now I want to go soak in that giant tub..."

Laura jumps up out of bed...

*Laura smiling at him* "You coming to join me?..."
*Luke smiling back at her* "Hell yes, I am..."

The End!
Thanks for tuning in! 

And I promise to have the next episode a wedding related one! lol! 
I just felt that these two needed a 1 year anniversary celebration and I had the hardest time focusing on the wedding when all I could think about was their anniversary. I can't believe it's been a whole year! Thanks again for stopping in!