Time After Time

Do you want to go to the seaside?

I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go

But I fell in love at the seaside

At the seaside.

At the seaside.



Sharon, meanwhile, was actually still on the pier, curled on the bench she remembered from yesterday, kidding herself that she could feel Dennis lying across her lap as he had done then. She couldn't decipher how she felt, besides heavy and lonely. He'd gone past her without a word and wandered off, and she... oh God, she was so stupid to have let him go on an ultimatum. She should have followed him, cried out that she didn't mean it. But she hadn't because she did. She'd seen Faye race down onto the prom after him, but after that she'd lost sight of them both, and had been here.... twenty minutes now... not thinking... not feeling anything but the cold as she waited for Faye to come back and tell her that either she hadn't managed to track him down, or she had and... and he didn't want to marry Sharon at all. Not like this. So it was over. He'd left her.
But as yet, Faye hadn't come and Sharon was anxious, drawing her knees up towards her chest, her toes curling round the edge of the bench. Miserably, she watched the way they gleamed, flinching as her shoes appeared on the boardwalk in front of her.
"Thought you might want those."
Tony didn't seem to mind the look of disappointment in her face as she looked at him. She smiled in thanks as he settled hesistantly beside her, but he knew that her heart was sinking. It wasn't him she wanted to find here. They were quiet for a couple of minutes, just listening to the rustling of the wind, the way it beat mercilessly at the waves of the sea. But then Sharon drew in a breath that didn't hide the tears she was holding back. And as they burst through, she dropped her gaze to her lap, pulling on her fingers.
"Oh Sharon..."
"He... He doesn't want me does he?"
"Faye'll find him, don't worry!"
"I sh... I should never have said... oh Tony, what if he leaves me?"
"Rickman? Not his style Sharon, honestly... he loves you babe."
"But you didn't think that was his style did you? What if... oh God, Tony what have I done?"
"You're expecting me to show an understanding for the workings of the female mind? Don't look at me Sharon, I've only been with Faye for thirteen years!"
She managed a weak laugh, wiping her eyes and sniffing back the rest of her tears as she scooted forwards and pulled on her shoes. "You don't have to stay you know, I'm fine."
"Are you? C'mon, you don't have to pretend." And as he saw how doubtfully she was looking at him, he smiled coyly, pushing down on his knuckles, just as Dennis would do to alievate his embarrassment. "Look, I know I wasn't exactly... welcoming, but you mean a lot to that guy. If I remember anything about last night, and trust me, besides a lot of "fuck"ing and a lot of vodka, that ain't much... it was the way he was looking at you. He's never looked at a woman like that from what I've seen... and the way he talks about you... like today... everything was about what you'd think... how you'd feel... I didn't know he had that sort of consideration in him..."
"Oh!" she cried bitterly. "Dennis can consider a lot of things. He makes me nervous! Just when I think we're OK.. but... when... if Faye finds him, I bet he won't even say it to my face, bet he'll just send her up here... oh for f*ck's sake..."
As her tears overpowered her. Tony hestitated, but scooted over and pulled Sharon into his arms, relieved when she didn't resist him. She swung her feet up alongside her, curling up like a frightened little girl as she cried into his embrace, murmuring over and over again, "I can't lose him, I can't!"
"You're not going to Sharon, you're not..." he whispered into her hair, teasing her waves with quivering hands.
And to begin with, he didn't believe the words as he heard them leave his mouth. If there was one thing he knew would never change about Dennis Rickman, it was that he was unpredictable. But he wasn't gonna give up Sharon was he? Sharon, the woman who "drives me crazy Tone!" "...is so gorgeous Tone." "I don't get why she's with me Tone!" "I'm never letting her go Tone!" when no other woman had ever made him think anything like that, ley alone say it.
But as Sharon lay against him, taking his acceptance in the place of another when she needed it so bad, Tony saw him. Dennis. The one she needed. Faye was nowhere close. Did that mean she had yet to find him? Thinking about it made Tony feel quite sick, but then, as he took it the way his friend was moving, craning his neck round desperately with every step, agitated to say the least, he realised that something was about to happen. A right, a wrong, he didn't know - but it was obvious that Dennis was looking for someone and it was hardly gonna be him was it?
But it was him that he saw first, his lips flickering before surrendering to a weak smile, slowing up, his shoulders dropping instinctively as he moved closer. Then he heard the soft, sad noises, his brow furrowing in confusion, then sadness as he recognised Sharon, wound into Tony's arms, her chest going unsteadily up and down as she whimpered out her sobs.
Looking to him desolately, Tony could do nothing in return but shake his head slightly, shushing Sharon as Dennis crouched down in front of her.
"It's all gonna be alright babe, you'll see. Shhh... it's all gonna be alright..."
"No! Not it won't, not unless... oh!"
She gasped, flinching as Dennis reached out to touch her. Shivering, she straightened as she recognised him , pushing her billowing hair back from her face.
"Dennis..."
"Hey."


Silence fell, and Sharon found herself looking to Tony for reassurance. He nodded at her gently, and she smiled thankfully, turning back to Dennis and waiting to hear his words.
That stumped him a little bit, and the words that weren't there only resulted in a nervous choking sound.
"Charming." she said flatly, swinging her legs round and planting her feet on the floor. "Haven't you got something to tell me?"
"Course I have." he managed, sounding a lot more desperate than he had intended. She raised her eyebrows and waited, but he stared at his knees, licking his lips nervously. "Not here..."
And she threw her head back, scoffing. "What's wrong with here? All you gotta say is three words. I'll help you shall I... you fill in the blanks... The-" she pursed her lips to sigbify her silence and Dennis scowled at her. "off. Now I know the middle word's a big one, but you're a clever boy... very clever, I honestly thought we were gonna be OK."
"Sharon, for f*ck's sake!"
"Yeah, yeah it was wasn't it?"
Growling in agitation, he got up, snatching up her wrist and pulling her up too, with such force that he flung her hard against the railing. Tony immediately leapt up, glaring at his friend, who looked back at him with equal venom.
"Rickman, don't piss her about!"
"Who the fuck asked you?"
"No-one, but you left her here, I came looking for her, make sure she was alright while you went and had your strop-almighty! Did you even notice she didn't have shoes on? No, of course you didn't, you twat! Too wrapped up in yourself as usual - all she needs is a bloody answer! What's wrong with you, were you just feeding me lines today or summat? You been lying to her all this time? You either want her or you don't, Jesus, even I can see it's not hard - and I'm telling you, if you let her go, you're an even bigger idiot than I ever thought you could be, and I'm saying that as your best mate! Just sort it out for fuck's sake - she-" He looked hard over at Sharon. "-deserves better than this!"
Dennis wanted to retort, but he just couldn't. Before Tony's words had even sunk in, he'd shoved hard so fast, he was caught off balance.
"Tony!" Sharon cried out, wanting to avoid having to meet her lover's eye. "Where are you going?"
He spun round, lifting his hands in defeat as he paced backwards. "To find Faye. Good luck Sharon!"
She felt a lump rise in her throat. She definitely needed luck right now. She was so scared, and she was just waiting to hear the words that would destroy the dream these last twenty four hours had been, all the while knowing she wanted nothing less than to hear them. So she turned away from Dennis and rushed up towards the pavillion, her newly placed heels clicking against the boardwalk. Dennis groaned, pressing his palms to his face before pushing his weight forward and rushing after her.
"Sharon!"
But he didn't catch up with her until he was inside, spending a few frenzied seconds searching for her. There she was. Resting against the railing surrounding the entry slope to the crazy house, her chin thrust onto her folded arms, sadly watching the kids tumbling about on the hamster wheel as they had done the day before.
She saw his approach out the corner of her eye, and straightened up, thankfully not trying to move away; and though she looked disgusted as she reached for her hand, she let him take it and lead her across the floor. She couldn't fit it cos she, the moment had to come, she had to let him go. She had to surrender her every magical memory of being with him, and all cos they'd stayed out all night! She wanted to scream, especially as he pulled her onto the Ferris wheel. She tried to fight him, pulling her hand away, but her caught her elbow, and wouldn't release her.
"Please... just come with me..."
Was he determined to ridicule everything? She hated him.... or at least wanted to... desperately.... but she couldn't, because more than anything she wanted to carry on loving him.
So there she was, slumped in this tiny, shaking pod, him no further away than a flex of her hand, her lips set trying to fight off the pressure of her building tears. She stared into her lap, wishing it wouldn't blur so much. Sometimes, as they rose higher into the air, she'd look at him, and find him looking back at her. Why... Why wouldn't he just do it? Say it, end it... anything to quash the hope that she alone couldn't.
"Sharon, I'm sorry."
She flinched as he took up her hands. Why.... Why was he doing this when he was about to leave her? Was he trying to make it seem like he still cared? Gulping back a sob, she steeled herself to meet his eye, look at him in a way that said she didn't care... she didn't care if he was sorry... and she didn't care about him. He held her gaze for just a second, before looking out and realising how far from the floor they were, nodding slowly and dragging in a breath as he looked at her again.
"Oh for f*ck's sake!" she sneered. "Just say it will you? Whatever you've got to say, say it before I scream!"
"Alright.."
He closed his eyes, blocking out her words, her beautiful kissable lips set in such an angry way. He just took in deep breaths, staring at their entwined hands, wondering why when she was shaking with such fury she hadn't moved away. He was silently coaching himself to find the strength not to let go, to have the courage to say these words, even if it could all go so horribly wrong. They were at the top on the wheel by the time the words came unstuck from the roof of his mouth.
"Sharon, will you marry me?"


Sharon didn't answer him. In fact, all she could manage to do to the rest of the way round was stare at him. Was she happy? Was she angry? What the hell was she? God, he infuriated her so much! As soon as she could, she was out of there, her heels clanging desperately against the chrome steps as she rushed out onto the floor. But she didn't miss Dennis muttering "Bollocks!" not very quietly as he came after her.
"Sharon!" he cried, wondering if he ever actually stop having to chase her. He almost fell into her in his haste to reach her, touch her, make sure she couldn't escape him. But she shrugged him viciously off, running her hand over her face. She glared at him for a moment, making him wince, but then, she began to laugh, shaking her head in disbelief.
"You want to marry me?"
"Yeah... course I do..."
"Wha... What happened, what changed your mind? Was it Faye? Did she find you?"
"Yeah she did, but, oh Sharon, like that matters!"
"It does matter! Why the hell are you proposing to me?"
"Because that's what I'm meant to do... it was what I was gonna do... you know that... but then, you thought you scared me off... so you..."
She nodded knowingly. Why was she looking at him with such disgust in her face? "So I asked you... as far as I was concerned that was it... is this you getting one over on me?"
"No!" he bleated, scrunching his hands into fists as slamming them down against his calves. "I just needed to show you... I never doubted us, never. I'm scared... but I... wanna marry you... oh f*ck I do, and there's some appointment book in some registry office with our names in it that says as much. Hour's time, I wanna marry you... and I'm asking you because I never... I never dropped all those hints lightly, I meant it." He looked back up to the Ferris Wheel, hoping she was following the direction of his gaze. "Don't you remember what I said to that woman yesterday? When she came to chuck us out?"
"So that was your plan eh? Make me think you were gonna fuckin' leave me... just you could make some stupid...!"
He shook his head sadly. "I never wanted you to think... just threw me, I mean... Vicki... and then you... saying-"
"Vicki's gonna be there still you know... we'll still have to face her..."
He gave her a weak smile and dipped his eyes to the floor for a moment, before looking her so fiercely, her stomach dropped and she began to tremor.
"Marry me."
But she smirked at him, cocking her head as she finally let herself relax and step towards him. "Why? Cos you wanna marry me? Prove it."
And her tongue flicked flirtatiously out of her mouth before she rolled it lazily in her cheek, just waiting.
He looked quickly around the pavillion with darting eyes, pulling on her hand as he led her into a clearing. "Is that a yes?"
"It's a prove it."
He grinned at her and stood close, taking up her hands and positioning them in an unmistakable hold. They turned immediately, and Sharon was lost to the sensation of dancing with him again, though she wasn't actually registering the music she could hear and knew that it didn't fit, but she didn't care, her heart was racing just waiting. As he pushed her out, she went quite a distance across the floor, and people seemed to be stopping all around them as he came close again, snatching up her hands and forcing her to spin, leaning back against his arms, having to trust him, to know she couldn't fight him off as his lips came hard against hers, imparting them with his tongue, pulling back and leaving her pathetically breathless.
There was a most definite crowd around them now. Brilliant, Sharon thought, still not knowing whether she was happy, irritated... whatever! Just draw massive amounts of needless attention to us both then Dennis!
He came back for her hand again and seemed to disappear from view. There he was... on bended knee... Dennis who conformed to nothing and no-one. Oh shit, they definitely weren't dancing anymore.
And those around them seemed to know it too, some gasping, some gaping and some gurgling and cheering with anticipation.
"Dennis... please tell me you're gonna get up!" she hissed desperately out the corner of her mouth, but he shook his head, grinning.
"Just proving it to you honey..."
"Don't be ridiculous... you don't go down on bended knee unless you've got a... oh my God!"
"Ring?" he finished for her, tweezing open the little box and practically blinding her with the band of diamonds.
"Oh my God!" she said again, covering her mouth with her hand. "You bought a ring..."
"Course I did! You didn't think I believed you when you said you didn't want a rock did ya? I know you Sharon Watts... I love you and I wanna marry you... so say yes... and I'll give you the ring, I'll get up, I'll snog your face off, and then we can get out of here and we'll get married... cos you know... we ain't even got forty-five minutes now... and my knee kills!"
Sharon's laughter was swept up in that of everyone around them. She took the box from him and took up his hands. So he pulled himself up and pulled the ring out from the cushion as she held the box out to him. She let it drop with a clatter to the floor. She just didn't care, mezmerized as he brought the diamonds up to his mouth, and rushed it across his lip, kissing it. Then, he brought it down to her left hand, holding it in his, his eyes imploring her to splay her fingers. He smiled as she did, sliding the band across the third.
"Well, well..." he murmured, pulling her close. "... you took the ring..."
"Mmm!" she shot back, looping her arms around his neck. "I did, didn't I? You best snog my face off then, hadn't you?"

"Well, it took you bloody long enough to come to your senses!"
"I know, Tone, I know alright! Now are you sure you've got the rings?"
Tony leant against the wall with an amused sigh, that was culled as Dennis glared at him, so he obediently slipped his hand into his pocket.
"Why... Why are you pulling faces like that... what's wrong... where are they?"
"Shit, mate, I'm sorry, I must have have left them back at the hotel..."
"What? You can't have... you had them a minute ago!"
"Yeah I did-" he grinned, pulling the box from his pocket, brandishing it triumphantly and leaping back out the way as Dennis came forwards, hand curled. "-which is why you have gotta stop falling for that one! It's just too easy! Relax will you? Take deep breath, admire the seagulls, whatever! These are your last moments of freedom."
"I don't want 'em."
"Jesus, Sharon's got you bad ain't she?"
He could feel himself flushing. "Yeah, she... she's... f*ck!"
"What are you gawping at?"
Faye grinned over at the two of them, jaws simultaneously dropping, blinking furiously and failing miserably at trying to compose themselves. She looked at Sharon out the corner of her eye, and with such a view as the lads had, she saw a whole new beauty to her friend. She really did look incredible. And it had been totally effortless. Sharon had raced back to the hotel, thrown off her shoes and stepped into the ones from under the bed, teasing the charms as they kissed her feet. By the time Tony & Faye had somehow collided and made their way back too, Sharon was done, except for pinning her loose curls to her head, and Faye had immediately leapt in to help her, admiring the finger now miraculously weighed down by a gorgeous glittering engagement ring,
So Dennis was an arse but he was an arse with incredible taste! And that showed in the way he was looking at his fiancée now. Yep, she'd taken his breath away. Smiling coyly, embarrassed by such tentative attentions, she took Faye's hand and went forward, surrendering to Tony who hugged her close, drinking in the image of his wife murmuring "You look incredible baby."
Sharon laughed gently at the way Dennis admired her, and pulled on his hand, drawing him away from their friends.
"Hey, hey! Aren't you two forgetting the wedding bit?"
Seeing off Faye's inquisition with a distracted shake of her head, she looked back at Dennis. "Tell me we can do this darlin'."
"We can." he assured her, wishing she'd given him chance to at least say how gorgeous she looked. "And we will."
And with his last words, he captured her lip, sucking on it gently and drawing her deep into his kiss.
"Excuse me!" Faye coughed from just behind them, clicking her fingers impatiently. "Wed-ding! Your wedding!" And she pulled Sharon back, who whimpered as she fell back from Dennis' lips.
"You're getting married?"
"Apparently so." she shot back, lifting her hand and splaying her fingers so he couldn't miss the way her diamonds sparkled. It seemed to reflect in his eyes as his shoulders sloped back, sighing.
"Damn. I was really getting into you an' all!"
"Oh-oh!" she guffawed, raising her eyebrow to acknowledge his sheer brassiness. "Is that right? Well, you don't wanna mess with my husband mate."
"Oh yeah, and why's that?" he teased, moving towards her again and completely overlooking the way Faye was stood around her, protecting her like some sort of dragon.
"Because that's my job."



His eyes widened with suggestion. "Well, I'd say your husband is a very lucky man..."
"Mmm, he thinks so too."
And he was by now so near that he was kissing her again, and there wasn't a thing Faye or Tony could do about it except watch... or look away, he really didn't care. All that mattered was there Sharon felt him here and that she...
"Right, that's it you two... ceremony... now."

Sharon & Dennis had literally been wrenched apart by their friends, which was probably just as well otherwise they'd have stayed out in the courtyard flirting with each other til God knows when, but they didn't half feel cheated, laughing into their chaperone's ear. Jennifer herself welcomed them all, reeling off the usual speech about being their registrar before ushering them through to their destination, shepherding bride & groom to just in front of the table where they could see the register laid out. Apologising, Jennifer went off to hurry her colleague along, leaving Tony pointing past the flowers to the document and calling across to Dennis, "There it is mate... you sign that and the shackles are on! Ow... Faye, I was only kidding."
Dennis however, didn't seem to have paid any attention, staring at the floor, Sharon reaching down and squeezing his hand before leaning over and whispering "Sweetheart, are you OK?"
"Hmmm?"
"You keep staring at the floor... you getting cold feet or summat?"
He chuckled warmly, turning to face her and lovingly twisting the few wisps of hair framing her face, around his finger. She was so far from the truth, it just... well it wasn't true! "No. Nothing like that. I'm wondering what that dress looks like on the floor..."
She dropped her gaze, laughing too before stretching up and whispering huskily against his ear, "Give us twenty minutes and maybe I'll let you find out, eh?"
"I knew there was a reason I wanted to marry you." he grinned, his arms falling around her back and drawing her in.
"Mmm, you best do it then hadn't ya?"
"Where do I sign?"
But the voice that answered him wasn't Sharon's. It was Jennifer, back in the room, sliding round to the other side of the table. "Right here."
They looked round to her, almost in alarm as her fingers danced across the register.
"If you're ready of course?"
Sharon knew Dennis wasn't looking any higher than her chest as he pulled on her hand, nodding. It was nice to know the dress was having such an effect on him. Bless him, such a man. Her man.
"I am." she smiled at her, before looking round to round to Faye and scrunching her shoulders as she beamed, fighting back a giggle of excitement.
"Right well, sorry, I have to do the formalities... So..." she drew in a breath and held her hand to Sharon and Dennis in turn. "My name's Jennifer Armstrong, and I'm the Superintendant Registrar for this borough, and I'll be the one authorizing the marriage, so... if you'd like to remain standing..."
Not trying to suppress the volume of his words, Tony muttered. "Are you sitting comfortably children? Then we shall begin..."
Laughter rippled through the room, even Faye, who was trying hard to be a good wife and stare her husband down. Even Jennifer was caught, dipping her eyes as she sniggered, covering her mouth apologetically and forcing herself to breathe deeply. But to Sharon and Dennis, it didn't matter, their moment could not be lost, standing close, just admiring each other. Eyes sparkled as they took in every detail of each face, not being able to stop themselves smiling afectionately as their hands hung laced together. Ready to speak at last, Jennifer looked at him and he dropped Sharon's left hand, her engagement ring in his hand, stowing it into his pocket before looking up expectantly again, rediscovering Sharon's hand and slipping his fingers through.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the wealth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Dennis & Sharon in marriage. Should there be anyone with cause why this couple shall not be united in marriage, they must speak now, or forever hold their peace."
Sharon laughed gently as Dennis shivered, squeezing his hand tighter, shaking her head a little and murmuring, "They're not here baby. It's just you and me now..."
Jennifer listened, brow furrowed in confusion. "Are you holding then?"
"Held." Dennis assured her with a smile.
"Dennis & Sharon... I would ask that you treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves always of what bought you together today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage, as they do with any relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only what seems wrong. If each of you take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight."
They both just watched her, as if waiting for it all to be true. Her lips twisted gently into a content curve as she looked between them, her gaze settling on Dennis.
"Dennis, do you take Sharon to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect her, and forsaking all others, hold only unto her for as long as you both shall live?"
He lifted his head back, drawing in an audible breath as he absorbed Jennifer's words. Pride sparkled in his eyes as he gazed at her, that teasing smile dancing full out across his lips, caressing the delicate hand he held, murmuring two simple words that until he'd set eyes on Sharon, he never once thought he'd hear himself say.
"I do."
The sounds Faye was making from that little way across the room, the way Tony was having to hold onto her so tight made it pretty obvious that she was having massive trouble stopping herself bursting into spontaneous applause. But neither bride nor groom looked in her direction, too transfixed by each other. Pulling her left hand back from his, Sharon lifted it to Dennis' face, lovingly acressing his cheek with her palm. He smiled at the sensation, but gently pulled her hand back, watching it curl around his own, kissing her third knuckle, which made her beam, knowing that he was just waiting til the moment this finger would be adorned in a way that said she was his.
"And do you Sharon, take Dennis to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect him, and forsaking all others, hold only unto him for as long as you both shall live?"
"Suppose I'd better." she whispered filrtatiously, gazing intently at him. He pretended to look wounded. God, she was so in love with him, it wasn't true. Except this was. Right this second, she was marrying him, he wanted her forever. She looked to the floor, laughing quietly as she realised she was blushing and she looked fleetingly up to the bemused registrar.
"I do."
Tony stepped forward obediently, not so much as needing a cue from the previously agitated groom. Nope, too swept up in his prospective wife that one. It was cute. Standing just behind Sharon, he leant across the table, putting down the box with a gentle click. Dennis smiled at him, unspoken words passing between them. So he moved round, facing Sharon and forcing Dennis back.
"Tony." she said warmly as she saw the smile flicker across his lips. But he didn't reply to her, he just stooped and kissed her cheek, only speaking as he moved back.
"Good luck Sharon."
"Cheers darlin'."
He nodded, and turned away to Dennis, extending his hand. Dennis took it with a dubious look, feeling Tony pull him forward into a hug he couldn't query.
"Be happy mate alright?"
"Yeah." he murmured, reaching for the box as Tony moved back towards Faye, who snuggled down into his arms to watch the exchange.
Dennis had spent enough time down on the rocks admiring these rings to know that his name was engraved on the one on the left. Pulling it free, he lifted Sharon's hand and waited to hear Jennifer speak. She did, laying out his vow, and he drank in the words, praying he would relay them right, that his sincerity wouldn't make him falter or mess up. He pushed the band over Sharon's fingertip, and could feel her beginning to shake just as he was. But he forced himself to look into her face, to realise her reaction to his every word. And the love in her eyes pulled him in as the words drifted from his mouth.
"With this ring, I take you as my wife. To have and to hold... in sickness and in health... for richer, for poorer... in joy... and sorrow, for as long as we both shall live."
Sharon admired the ring on her finger, feeling tears prickle in her eyes. It was there. She was his wife... right from that moment... and there was nothing anyone anywhere could do about it... it was all going to be OK. She reached for the remaining ring, her hand still wrapped around his, spreading his fingers as she spoke softly.
"And with this ring, I take you as my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer... in joy and sorrow, for as long as we both shall live."
They signed the register with surprisingly steady hands. Faye had barely laid down the pen, now the one shaking with excitement when Jennifer was addressing them again.
"Dennis and Sharon... as the two of you are brought together in marriage.... on this day affirming your love and faith in one another, I must ask that you cherish every day you may share as husband and wife. From this day forward, you are to be each other's home, refuge and comfort. Your marriage is to be strengthened by your love and respect for one another. To make this relationship work will take love, the very reason I oversee your marriage today. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication - to stay open with one another and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey have today promised to share."
Knowing they'd all heard her, Jennifer stopped talking, smiling broadly as she looked down at the newly signed register, her hair falling about her face.
"Now..." she managed finally, lacing her hands together. "...in my professional capacity, I'm done, so please... go ahead and kiss your bride!"




They all stumbled breathlessly out into the courtyard, laughing and buzzing with the excitement of the occassion. Dennis was clutching the marriage certificate in one hand, Sharon's hand in the other, prouding reading off the paper like he'd just won the Lottery.
"Dennis Rickman... married Sharon Ann Watts on the fifteenth of February 2004... well look at that..." he mused, pulling her round across the paving so that she faced him. She gazed at him, shivering as she giggled, pushing her hair back from her face, grinning. "...my wife..."
Sharon squealed as he lifted her into his arms, clinging to his neck as he held her proudly up, spinning her round. She didn't think to protest. It was too perfect.
"...my gorgeous wife!"
Meeting the floor again, Sharon felt light headed, sort of stumbling into Dennis' embrace, his arms falling around her waist and steadying her as he nestled into her, planting a kiss at the base of her neck.
"C'mon then, let's get back to this hotel eh? I wanna propose-"
"Probably wise babe, you don't wanna wait for him to do it again do ya?"
She grinned, accepting Faye's words with an amused nod as she swayed against Dennis. "I wanna propose a toast to my marriage, that means I wanna drink... I wanna drink a lot... and I wanna dance with my new husband."
"Well," Dennis murmured, pretending to do so quietly against her ear, "that ain't all your new husband wants to do with you darlin'..."
~*~
Twenty minutes had certainly passed by the time they were within sight of the hotel again, and somehow Sharon's dress was still very much on. She always caught the way Dennis looked at her however and knew exactly what he was thinking and was battling with herself to stay strong and not give in to the same desires, even they were prominent!
She shook her head gently as she stooped to pull off her shoes, rubbing her sore sole. Because Dennis stood behind her, capturing her in his arms and kissing a trail across the back of her neck whilst his hands played across her thighs, rustling the material of the dress.
"No..." she moaned, obviously contradicting the way she felt as his lips went across her skin. "Dennis, stop..."
"Make me." he demanded and pointedly not complying. So Sharon pulled his hands back and raced down the slope of the lawn, clutching her shoes, and crying out as she realised she was probably going to lose her balance and fall over. But Dennis of course was right behind her, and was thankfully there as she finally overbalanced as her foot made contact with the step.
"Hi." she said quietly as she looked up at him, hugely glad, if not hugely embarrasssed to feel his arms around her.
He chuckled as he guided her back to her feet, pulling her close. "Falling in my arms already eh, Mrs. Rickman?"
She basked in the hearing those words, smirking at him, and rushing up the steps into the hotel, her hand woven through his. She'd kinda guessed by the sounds radiating through the walls that they were going to be swamped by a throng of people, and it just so happened to be that they'd moved into the humongous function room, and there were a good hundred people milling around, at tables drinking, at the bar ordering or on the floor dancing. Looking at Denns out the corner of her eye, Sharon knew he understood she wanted to dance. She dropped her gaze to her bare feet however, and realised she couldn't do very well without her heels, so propped herself up against the wall and replaced them. By this time, Faye & Tony were beside them, grinning "Champagne!" before scuttling off to the bar.
Sharon and Dennis moved off to a clearing on the floor, stepping into the hold and slowly becoming immersed in each another, pressing closer together at every oppurtunity until they were nestled into one's another's shoulders. His breath tickled her ear lobe as he moved down and whispered
"Have I told you how incredible you look?"
"You don't look so bad yourself."
She heard a warm sound escape him that told her he was smiling and it spread to her own lips as she drew back, her stomach jolting when she met his eye. The moment that they were drawn to each other to search out their next post marital kiss was however ruined as a new track filled the room.
Dennis fell back from her laughing. "Well this is romantic!"