“As you all have witnessed,” began Missy, “I have started out today as Tracy’s maid of honor but am now ending the day as hermatronof honor. My responsibilities include giving a short speech with some hilarious anecdotes about my best friend Tracy plus some complements for the groom, my brother John.
“Since the two of them have already given you more than enough funny stories and since I want this speech to beshort, I instead will only say that from the time Tracy came into my life, my life has never been the same. I love her like the sister she has now become. Speaking ofsisters…” Missy now gestured over at Heather. “How great has my sister Heather done today inproperly executing her duty? Let’s all applaud her outstanding job in doing that!” Everyone clapped and cheered and there were also many laughs at this.
Missy continued with, “As for John … I love him like abrother. Oh, wait … he actuallyismy brother!” This was met with more laughs.
“I think it is very obvious to all of you how much we four mean to one another and as we continue after today, living our lives, fulfilling our destinies, we will always befamily. Family always comes first, then friends, then our great nation. While Tracy and I will serve out nation proudly, we can only do so because of the love and support we are getting from our husbands Mike and John. Thank you all for helping us celebrate today. God bless you all and God bless the U.S.A.!”
As Missy then walked back to be with Mike, Tracy and John, everyone stood up and gave the four of them a standing ovation.
Then, at last, it was time for the first dance ritual. First Tracy and John and then Missy and Mike went out onto the dance floor and while the band played slow romantic music they each had their first dance as a married couple. This signified the start of their new life together and was followed by the brides dancing with their dads while the grooms danced with their moms.
The music continued as the band played song after song and those who had a spouse or significant other were soon also out on the dance floor. Others visited from table to table or made trips to the open bar. The event was very special and everyone really was having a wonderful time.
Eventually, it was time for the cake ritual. The music was stopped and Heather once again took charge with the microphone, calling for everyone’s attention. Two cakes were brought out, one for each couple. Then, Tracy went first and using a special ceremonial saber, she cut a generous slice for John and a much smaller slice for herself.
As Heather watched the couple then make a hilarious mess out of feeding one another, she announced, “I was told that Tracy earned quite a reputation during her academy years on thefencingteam. I trust all here were able to appreciate the great skill which she has just exhibited while cutting that cake.” The crowd which had gathered around all broke out into more laughter at this.
Next it was Missy’s turn to use the saber and cut two slices of cake. Soon, she and Mike were making everyone laughat their antics as they too fed one another some cake. Heather commented, “My sister was known for her athletic prowess and competitiveness and, as we all have just observed, she too has just exhibited some great skill while cutting that cake with a saber.” Again, more laughter.
There was no garter toss ceremony, of course, but there was the traditional flower bouquet toss and, not surprisingly, Kelsey managed to catch Missy’s bouquet while Sam managed to catch Tracy’s.
The party continued late into the evening, during which both couples made the rounds, visiting with all of the guests. They were in no rush to leave and with so many people there, these visits took a great deal of time. They were gratified at how well everyone there seemed to be enjoying this marvelous event. They received great praise for all of its aspects: the ceremony in the West Point chapel, the wonderful venue there at the Thayer Hotel, the delicious meals, the military decor, the great band and all the other details which had obviously been carefully planned and beautifully executed.
Yeah, Missy and Tracy were thrilled at how well things had gone that day. Even their mob buddies had gotten along well with everyone. Sal D’Amato told them that he now realized just how great a task it would be for him when his daughter Sandy had her wedding in October. Sal said, “There’s no way she’ll settle for anything less than what she’s seen you guys manage doing here today. It can’t be a military wedding however and will obviously fall far short of all this.” He gestured around at both the decorations and the way so many military guests were moving about in their uniforms.
Missy said, “Don’t worry, Sal. Her fiancé Scott is making her so happy, she won’t care. As long as you and her mother are satisfied with everything, she’ll be okay.”
Tracy couldn’t resist adding, “Of course, if you want there to be anymagicat Sandy’s wedding …” She paused and waited for him to think about what the possibilities might be if he were to ask forwitchesto give him some help, which was what she was clearly implying.
Sal laughed and said, “No, no! I’ve seen enough ofthat, thank you very much.” He laughed and Tracy and Missy laughed with him.
When Heather once again called for everyone’s attention, it took several moments for the place to quiet down. Then she said, “This has been a day which we all will long remember and it is now time for our newlywed couples to have their last dance, after which we will bid them farewell.”
Missy and Mike went out to the center of the dance area as did Tracy and John. Both couples then began dancing as the band played that classic Etta James song, “At last”. Everyone watched as they performed this special dance and the sight was both beautiful and touching.
Then, as the final notes of the song came to an end, Mike grabbed Missy’s hand and held it high in the air. John and he had obviously planned this since he did the same thing, holding Tracy’s hand high in the air. Then, both men scooped up their brides and made quite a production out of exiting from the room. No words were said and none were needed. The entire place went wild with cheering.
Once they got to the hotel elevator, Mike and John continued into that with Missy and Tracy still in their arms. Both girls were laughing like crazy as this had not been anything they had known would happen. Once the elevator reached the floor where John and Tracy were staying, it stopped and the doors opened. John winked at Mike as he stepped off while Tracy, still giggling in his arms, called out, “We love you guys! Enjoy your honeymoon!”
Missy yelled back at them, “Love you both even more! Have a great time in Hawaii!” She watched as John walked away towards his room still carrying Tracy and the elevator doors closed. As she felt the two of them being lifted once again, she said, “Mike, I can’t believe you and John are doing this, carrying us away while we’re still wearing our formal uniforms and everything.”
Mike laughed and as the elevator stopped at their floor and opened its doors, he said, “Missy, I know your brother is already helping Tracy get out of her uniform and as soon as I get you inside our room, that’s what I plan on doing for you. This is our wedding night and it’s time for you to forget all about wearing military uniforms. It is now at long last the time for us to make mad passionate love.”
“Oooohh, I think I like that idea, you big handsomecavemanof a husband!” Missy was really enjoying herself and continued to giggle as Mike brought her to their room and waved his key card to unlock the door. Once inside, Mike continued to carry her all the way into the bedroom where with great ceremony, he finally plopped her down onto the bed.
“I know I’ve wrinkled your uniform, Missy, but I know Anya will fix that while we’re away in New Zealand. I’ll let youhop up to undress but don’t bother hanging anything up like you normally do with your military stuff. Just toss everything onto that chair over there and hurry right back to bed.”
Missy did exactly as she’d been told and soon they both were under the covers making mad passionate love. It was the perfect way to complete the perfect day.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Thursday, June 23, 2022
As their private jet lifted off the runway at JFK Airport, Missy felt a sudden thrill of exuberance. They would land briefly in Los Angeles and then again in Auckland, New Zealand where they would clear customs and immigration. Then, they’d fly to their final destination of Queenstown. So much had happened recently and her heart was simply overwhelmed with feelings. There of course was her love for Mike which was highest and strongest. They had made love again that morning upon waking up from a deep and satisfying sleep, despite the fact it had only been for a few hours.
Then there was the gratitude she was feeling towards her family, friends and all the others who had honored her, Mike, Tracy and John by coming to their dual wedding and celebrating afterwards at the reception and banquet at the Thayer Hotel.
Last but not least was the gratitude she was feeling towards those who had contributed to her honeymoon fund, especially Wes and Chris who were up in the cockpit flying this plane.
