60 Cry for Joy

"Ready? I'll be right behind you okay?" Rita nodded as she dashed tears from her eyes.

"Hey save the crying for the alter okay? No more crying until we get there got it lady?" I dabbed her eyes gently and checked her make up for the umpteenth time.

"Let's do this. I can do this." She said more for her benefit than mine.

"You look beautiful Aunt RiRi." The twins chorused.

"Okay its show time guys. Ezzy when we go out please go ahead and stand with your Dad and don't lose that ring.Ray-Ray you go ahead and scatter those flowers on the red carpet just like we did yesterday okay baby girl?"

"You're looking so beautiful. Jamie is going to pass out when he sees you." I laughed and gave her one last squeeze.

"Hie girls are we all set?" Father poked his head round the door.

"Hey Dad." Rita said in a shaky voice.

"Wow! Look at you sweetheart." He came in and gave her a big hug. "You look-wow!" He hugged her again.

"Hey-hey-no more tears okay." I sniffled, trying not to cry as well but failed dismally.

"Thanks Dad." She smiled through her tears.

"Why is everyone crying Mummy?" Rachel looked around confused,

"Because we're happy sweetie." I said.

"So why don't you smile instead of cry?" Ethan frowned.

"It's a long story son- let's go please?" I started to straighten out Rita's train and Dad took her arm as we walked out.

She was wearing a an ivory Lazaro embroidered tulle bridal ball gown, with a bateau neckline and a plunging back, sheer bodice with nude sweetheart lining, a box pleated skirt with a long chapel train.

Rachel and Ethan walked ahead of us and we waited for Eve, the wedding planner to give us the signal.Ed Sheeran was already strumming Perfect and Rita was close to tears again.

Eve gave the signal and we made our grand entrance. Everyone stood and focused their attention on the blushing bride. James and Rita only had eyes for each other, they seemed lost in each others eyes. Kyle blew me a kiss and winked at me when we took our positions at the alter.

The marriage official stepped forward and the vows were exchanged. Needless to say Rita cried throughout the ceremony and only kept quiet when James sealed their union with a long kiss.

Everyone cheered and threw confetti at them as they left for their photo shoot.

"Hie wife. Can I kiss you please?I'm kind of feeling left out." Kyle said as he put his arms around me.

"Why are you still talking husband?" I put my arms around his neck and pulled him in for the kiss.

"I missed you last night babe." He pouted. " I must say you look absolutely ravishing in that dress." He put his hands on my hips and kissed my exposed shoulder.

"You look so handsome and sexy in that suit...I'm getting ideas.." I tugged his tie gently and bit my bottom lip seductively.

"What do you say we skip the cocktails and sneak back to our house for a bit?" He pulled my hand not waiting for a response. I mean how could I say no to that?

"Where are the kids?" I asked.

"With their dotting grandmother so we're covered." He put his arm around my waist as we walked to his car.

"I hope no one misses us." I laughed.

"Don't worry babe. I'll be quick." He winked at me.

"That would be a first." I giggled.

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"Welcome back Kinleys. You made it just in time for your speech." James said dryly.

"You're lucky we made it back at all." Kyle pulled out my chair and he proceeded to sit next to me.

"You too are just..why am I even still surprised." Rita rolled her eyes.

"Well..we needed to change into our second outfit so we went back to the house and one thing led to another.."I gave a naughty smile.

"Spare us the details please." James laughed and held up his hand.

"You should be asking for pointers Jamie. Tonight is your wedding night." Kyle hit James on the shoulder.

"I think I've got that covered-right honey?" He turned to Rita.

"Oh look, it's time for the best-man's speech." Rita blushed and looked at Kyle.

"Nice save." I laughed.

Kyle stood up with a glass of champagne in his hand and gave his speech.

"Jamie and I have been friends since kindergarten and not once have I regretted it. He's always been there for me, through detention, graduation, when my career was just an idea. When I almost lost my life, when I married my gorgeous wife and had two amazing children, he stood by me through it all. I'm so grateful for you Jamie. You're a good guy-sometimes.Rita, I hope you realize how lucky you are to have this guy as your constant companion. He will never let you down. Please take care of him."

"To Rita and James." He raised his glass and everyone made a toast.

James stood up and gave Kyle a hug.

"I love you man." He said, still holding on.

"One day Kyle is going to kill us with an overload of his mushiness." Rita dabbed at her eyes.

James and Kyle sat down, then I was up next.

"As some of you may know I was orphaned at a very young age and my then classmate, Rita over here, cried with me like she had lost her parents as well. " Everyone laughed including Rita.

"It was at that very moment that we formed a bond that could not be broken.Her parents had no option but to adopt me." More laughter.

"She is a bit of a drama queen but she has such a big heart. So husband I beg to differ-Jamie is the lucky one because when Rita loves she loves for life, as she has proven to me time and time again. Jamie I know that you will take good care of her because you are a wonderful person and I'm glad that you ended up marrying my sister and my best-friend.Even better I married your best friend so I guess we're even." Laughter again.

"So here's to Rita and James." I raised my glass.

"To Rita and James." Everyone chorused.

"Music please." Kyle called out to the DJ.

Rita was bawling her eyes out by this time. No surprises there.

"Now look what you've done babe." Kyle laughed.

Rita came over and hugged me tightly. "I love you My-My. You're the best sister ever."

"I love you too RiRi." I rubbed her back.

"Can I have my wife back now? I'd like to dance with her." James stood behind us.

"Sure Jamie. Take care of her okay?"

"I will. For rest of my life." He smiled as he took her into his arms.

"May I have this dance wife?" Kyle took my hand and led me to the dance floor.

"I though you would never ask husband." I smiled.

As usual he felt compelled to sing the song to me.As usual my heart melted.

Have I told you lately that I love you?

Have I told you there's no one else above you?

Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness

Ease my troubles, that's what you do

For the morning sun in all it's glory

Meets the day with hope and comfort too

You fill my life with laughter, somehow you make it better

Ease my troubles, that's what you do

There's a love less defined

And its yours and its mine

Like the sun

And at the end of the day

We should give thanks and pray

To the one, to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you?

Have I told you there's no one else above you?

Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness

Ease my troubles, that's what you do