The Reception

By Beej, Jo, Bridgid, Layne, M, Meggie , Stacey, Marie and Atonia

Richie kept a tight hold on Toni’s hand as they passed through their guests and received hugs and kisses and pats on the back. He truly felt elated and among friends but what he wanted was a drink. An open bar was set up under a separate tent and that’s where he was trying to get to.

Steve was bartending and Richie caught his eye and held up two fingers.  Soon drinks were brought to him and Toni. "Now that’s better," he said touching his glass to Toni’s

"I agree, I’m thirsty," she took a good sip of her drink around the smile that had not left her face since the ceremony began.

"Oh Max. Isn't this the most wonderful place to hold the reception?" Ceri hugged her partner as they stood in the main marquee that had been set up for Toni and Richie.

"It's very special, sweetheart. Maybe we'll do the same one day."

Ceri looked up at Max in disbelief. What was in the wine he was drinking? He'd never brought up the 'M' word to her before. Was he really thinking of settling down, or was he caught up in the moment? She reached up and kissed the tip of his nose. "You keep thinking, Max...that's what you're good at."

Bron stood behind the chair they had placed in the tent for Ed, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders. He smiled up at her reassuringly. Truth be told, the ceremony had tired him out, but there was no way he was going to miss the wedding...or the reception. Lifting a hand to place it on one of hers, he squeezed it lovingly.

"Thanks for persuading me to come along, Honey. It was a wonderful way to spend a glorious Aussie summer day. If you want to mingle, I'll be fine right here."

"Of course you will," Bron replied laughing. "You're right by the bar. Richie and Toni are heading over. We'll say hello to them, and then I'll leave you to chat with Steve while I go and tell Alistair how much we both enjoyed his service." Bron kissed the top of his head and waved at the happy couple as they got their drinks from Steve.

Toni and Richie greeted Ed, "Hey Ed, how’s it goin’? Said Richie

"Pretty good, hey congrats on your wedding."

"Thanks Ed, I hope to see you sometime soon in my therapy room, should be set up by the middle of January, just waiting on some equipment to come in." said Toni

"Oh…well okay, tell you the truth I don’t even want to think about that today." Said Ed with a grin

"Don’t blame you Ed, enjoy the day we are," she giggled. "I hope you both enjoy it Bron eat drink and be merry!"

Ivy and Jim Braddock stood off to the side and out of the way of the other guests. Ivy slid one arm around her husband and gave him a slight squeeze, invoking a wince from him. "Hey there not so hard" he chuckled. "Sorry Jimmy I forgot" she said as she looked up at his face. "Glad your back" she whispered to him giving him a smile. "Jimmy do you have your speech ready?"

Jim looked back at her and seemed to go a little pale. "Speech?" "Oh Jimmy you have to give a toast to the couple as best man. Don't you remember?" Jim shook his head no. Ivy smiling pulled some paper and a pen out of her purse. "Well then let’s find a seat and figure something out then."

Toni and Richie wandered away from the drinks tent.

From behind them came a very cultured, deep English-accented voice. "If I may, I would like to extend my best wishes on your marriage." Turning, they saw the General standing there with his wife at his side.

"Thank you sir," said Richie extending his hand, I'm proud to say this is my wife Toni."

I should expect so," Joimus grinned. "You're touring parts of Australia, is that right?"

"Yes, and we're going to the outback for a few days horse back riding if you can believe that. Neither of us has been on horseback since we were children so that should be a riot...or not!"

"I hope you have a good outfitter and guide," Maximus spoke up. "The Outback can be very dangerous if you're not familiar with it. I know." He looked across
at where Sid was standing with Colleen, his gaze intense, inscrutable.

"You're not planning on going alone, are you, just you two?" Joimus sounded really concerned.

"Um no, actually we will be with a group," she wondered at the worried expressions, "The resort we will be staying at has a guide so we should be quite safe."

Richie's eyes followed Maximus' to the smartly dressed man with Colleen, he'd not met him.

"Sid," Joimus said, her voice guarded, as she noted where Richie was looking. "He's...different. Just watch your back around him."

Something akin to a low growl rose up the General's throat as Sid spotted them and began to move in their direction. "Come," he said to Joimus, and as he started to step away, murmured, "Be on guard."

Richie frowned and then turned toward the man approaching him without expression.

Sid watched Maximus and his lady melt into the crowd at his approach. He smiled. He was used to that. Maintaining his best smile, he approached the bride and groom. "Greetings and congratulations," he said brightly. "I am Sid." He cocked one eyebrow, looking after the General. "You may have heard of me?"

Toni narrowed her eyes, she had indeed heard of him he was the one that told Ivy about Jim's boxing match, "how nice to meet you," she managed with a slight smile. Something about his eyes bothered her.

Richie looked into his strange eyes, "thank you Sid, I don't believe we've met before."

Colin and Kate watched from the sidelines as the other guests greeted and congratulated the bride and groom. Being quite new to The Glen, this was the first opportunity for them to get acquainted with many of the other residents. In fact, the main reason Colin even agreed to attend Toni and Richie's wedding in the first place (complete strangers to him until now) was so that he could hopefully drum up some business for his new garage. Well, that and Kate told him there would be free beer, which he was happily drinking his fill of at that very moment.

Kate, on the other hand, was quite social and was dying to mingle with the others at the reception.

"C'mon, Col ," she urged, dragging Colin and his beer over to where Toni and Richie were standing so they could meet the bride and groom. "You can't just expect to stand here in the corner drinking their beer all night and not even have the decency to meet them!"

"Oh, I don't know," Colin giggled, "it's been working for me so far."

She glared at him and he let out a sigh and reluctantly followed her. She waited until the strange man they were talking to walked away, then stepped up to the couple and extended her hand.

"Hi, I'm Kate Morrison and this is my boyfriend, Colin O'Brien. I just wanted to extend my congratulations to you both. Thank you so much for inviting us here to share your special day with you."

"Thank you, good to meet you both," said Toni smiling

"Colin...you have the garage right? I need to talk to you about a couple of things. Come see me." Richie said shaking his hand. Richie wanted the low down on Andy's car and he wanted him to go over one he'd bought for Toni without her knowledge, for Christmas.

  "Yeah, sure thing. Be happy to, Mate," replied Colin. "Let me know when you're back from the honeymoon and I'll stop on by."

"We aren't leaving until the day after Christmas, Toni's parents are still here. I uh would like to see you on Monday if that's okay." Richie winked.

Toni turned wondering what in the world was so important at a garage on Monday. "Richie if this is business this is not the place," she whispered.

"No worries, Mate," replied Colin, "Monday will be fine. Just stop on by the shop when you get a bit of time."

Kate, noticing the way Toni had whispered to Richie, gave Colin a little nudge and took him by the hand. "Well, it was so good to finally meet you both. Again, thank you for inviting us to the wedding and now we'll let the two of you get back to visiting with your other guests. Toni, I do hope we have the chance to meet up again sometime soon, after you get settled and all."

"Thanks Kate, we’ll get together." She turned to Richie, "now what was all that about?"

"Nothing…business, sorry." He smiled.

Max Skinner found himself in the food court sampling Lucy’s delicacies, "Um these are good did you do all this?" he asked crumbs falling from his lips

"I did," smiled Lucy

"Where is your bakery?" he asked

"Well, I don’t have one, that’s my dream someday…money you know." She said shyly

"Ah well that’s where I might help you Lucy," he fished in his jacket for a card, "come and see me after the holidays and we’ll talk," he smiled and moved on down the row.

Lucy stared at the card and smiled tucking it safely deep in her pants pocket. He would definitely be getting a visit from her…if it was okay with Andy.

Andy had just replenished the vegetable tray and stopped to talk to Colin and another young man Lucy didn’t know. The way they were grinning and looking around she knew they were up to something.

"It’s turning into a block party," observed Richie

"That’s good, that’s what we wanted…when you get good people together it’s gonna be a party no matter what the occasion." Toni leaned against his shoulder dislodging a small blossom.

"You’re molting Toni," Richie said picking the petals off his jacket

"That’s okay, I expect they will all be gone by tonight."

"You’ve got that right baby." He ran his hand up her back and checked his watch.

"Slow down big boy we haven’t even cut the cake yet." Toni gave him a side glance.

Ben and Liana were having a drink and mingling.  Seeing Richie run his hand over Toni's back, Ben leaned in close and softly said, "Your woman's right, Roberts.  Besides, lookin' forward to it is one of the best parts!"

As Richie turned around, Ben shook his hand.  "Congratulations, Roberts.  I'd ask if I could kiss the bride, but as my bride is standin' right here, I'm afraid she might get jealous."

Liana was hugging Toni.  "Congratulations," she whispered.  "I'm so happy for you.  The whole wedding was beautiful, and I'm glad you enjoyed the carriage ride."

"Thank you Liana, the carriage really made it special and thanks again for sending Charlie to drive us, my Dad was awfully glad to see him." Toni smiled and hugged Liana back.

Ben was putting his arm around her possessively.  "We really oughta say hello to the rest of the Glen, darlin'," he told her.  He was thinking that you never really knew what use your neighbors might be to you at some point in life. 

"This really is a beautiful place for a wedding, isn't it Ben?" Liana asked, hugging him.  "Maybe we should think about having ours here, too."

Gena walked with Carol and Jude smiling at the community that had come out to share her daughter’s wedding. The smile was genuine and not the one she pasted on her face after the ceremony to disguise the tears she’d shed listening to the minister. With Michael sitting beside her listening to the same charges. She decided to wait until after Toni and Richie got home before she told them she was going back with Jude and Carol and filing for divorce.

Michael was an old practiced hand at mingling and making sure he spoke to everyone without getting into conversation with anyone. He was back in the bar tent for another drink. He saw Gena and Jude and planed to have a talk with her tonight…one last try…though he already knew what the outcome would be. Looking around at the happy faces and friendly people he wanted to be a part of something like this. A community instead of the gated place he’d lived for the last twenty years. Of course he wasn’t there anymore…he wasn’t anywhere. He placed his drink on a table and went to find the men’s room.

Terry and M arrived, the fingers of her right and his left hands linked.  As they walked up to the happy couple they separated and Terry extended his hand to Ritchie.  "Congratulations mate, you're a very lucky man." 

“Believe me I know it,” Richie smiled 

M hugged the bride.  "You look beautiful Toni and the ceremony was perfect, I'm really looking forward to working with you when you get back from honeymoon if, you have any energy left."  

“Right,” she laughed. “I might just be rejuvenated!” 

The pair moved aside for The Commander and Bridgid the sailor resplendent in full dress uniform. 

The bride looked exquisite Jack thought and it wasn't hard to see the pride and joy on Ritchie's face. He was truly happy for them but, for him, as always, there was only one woman in the room, Bridgid. 

He kissed the bride, congratulated the groom then took a step back as he waited for his Siren to make her own good wishes.  He had spent a lot of time away from her recently, a situation he intended to rectify.  

Steve and Millie waited in the receiving line patiently. He'd gotten a break from bartending for just a few to wish the couple luck.  Brook was in her dad's arms and he was practicing something with her. When Toni and Richie made their way to them both Steve and Millie conveyed their best wishes, then Steve said to Brook..."Go ahead, honey. Tell Mister and Missus Roberts what you learned to say for them.

"Aw thank you sweetie," Toni kissed her on the cheek and Richie ruffled her hair

After mingling with some of the other Glen guests, Meggie turned looking for Jeffrey.  She hoped he wasn't at the bar already, drinking.  Before she spotted him, she felt two large arms wrap around her waist, pulling her back against a warm chest.  Lowering his head, he lips brushed the top of her hair.  "Don't worry.  I'm not drinking like I was...not since I found you again."

Blushing, she turned around and looked into his blue eyes.  "Jeffrey, wasn't the service beautiful?  Toni looks absolutely stunning in her wedding gown, and Richie is quite handsome, too.  We should go over and offer them our best wishes."

Reaching for his hand, Meggie led Jeffrey over to the happy couple.

"Mr. and Mrs. Roberts...many congratulations!  It was so beautiful and you both just look radiant right now," Meggie said, reaching out to hug Toni and Richie.

"Thank you Meggie," Toni smiled and hugged back.

Stepping forward, Jeffrey extended his hand to Richie, and then leaned forward to give him a pat on the shoulder.  "Congratulations, you've got yourself a real treasure.  And you," he said, turning towards the bride and giving her a kiss on the cheek, "I believe to be the most beautiful and happiest bride I've ever seen."

"Well I’m the happiest today!" answered Toni

"Thanks Jeffrey I have got a treasure," smiled Richie

"Best wishes and again, we're so happy for the two of you.  We must get together sometime, after your honeymoon," Meggie replied as Jeffrey reached for her hand and gently pulled her back to allow other guests to offer their congratulations to the happy couple.

Looking for a quiet spot, Jeffrey continued to lead Meggie until he found one near the back of the reception hall near some empty tables and chairs.  Reaching down, he tenderly stroked her cheek with his left hand, before kissing her on the lips.  "Meggie...."

"I know.  Me too.  Just...."

Jeffrey placed his finger against her lips.  "When the time is right.  I'm very patient and have no intentions of going anywhere."

Smiling, Meggie simply wrapped her arms around his neck to place a tender kiss on his lips.  "I love you," she whispered.

Andy walked through the food court, the last of the food was out and it looked like things were winding down. He picked up a piece of wedding cake from the table and walked over to Lucy.

"Looks like it went over good, not much left of the food."

"Everybody commented on it Andy, you did great."

"I notice your stuff is pretty much gone."

"Oh Andy," she pulled out the card Max had given her, "he’s a banker and said for me to come and see him after the holidays, what do you think?"

"See him about what?" he asked looking up from the card

"A bakery of my own…" Lucy bit her lip

"Hey…that’s great Lucy, I’m really happy for you."

"Do you mean that Andy, it’s not just for me…it’s for us."

Andy grinned and grabbed her around the shoulders, "its okay for you to have something of your own Lucy."

"I don’t think like that Andy, it’s a start for the two of us."

Andy met her eyes and smiled.

The champagne corks were coming off and glasses were filled as Jim Braddock tapped a spoon on the side of a bottle

"My wife, Ivy, has informed me that as the best man I have to give a speech. She has also graciously helped me jot down a few ideas." Jim smiles as he looks at Ivy, who has gone very red faced. " I met Richie and Toni, um, bout a month ago. Toni knows my girl from way back and invited her over here. So the first time I met them is because Ivy gets sick and I didn't know what to do to help her. So they came and bailed me out of a situation, not for the last time. Since then I've gotten to know Richie a little. Enough to know he's the kind of guy you can trust to watch your back. Toni, she is a bit of a firecracker. She isn't one to hold back if she has something to say. An I'm sure I've got an earful coming my way. " He looked towards Toni and Richie and waves as he notices Toni nodding her head in agreement.
"But seriously folks. We're all here to celebrate with Toni and Richie on this their wedding day. Love is an Adventure, the only one worth experiencing." Here he paused for a second looked at Ivy and winked. I'd like to propose a toast to Toni and Richie. May the road ahead them be prosperous, loving and filled with the spirit of togetherness. May they always be ready to go another round." Jim raised his glass. To Toni and Richie.

Richie stepped forward, "thanks Jim…glad you could make it," he laughed. "Toni and I would like to thank all of you for coming out today to share this special day in our life. It’s a special day for us and you’ve all made it complete." He raised his glass again, "to my beautiful bride and to our new community may we all live together in peace and harmony as we touch each other’s lives."