Post by brina on Feb 25, 2007 18:25:28 GMT -5
This is my first fanfic that has been inspired by the amazing ones here, on Jackie's forum and on NF.com
TITLE: Luckiest man in the world
AUTHOR: Brina
EMAIL: PM me
RATING: G for most of it but PG-13 towards the end
DISTRIBUTION: Probably anywhere but please ask first
FEEDBACK: Yes please as this is my first fic (and it’s a very long time since I’ve written anything remotely creative). A lot of hard work has gone into this but please still be honest.
DISCLAIMER: No, unfortunately these characters aren’t mine
SPOILERS: Yes but only because I read it by mistake after I’d already thought of the idea for the fic! Every Kusan fan has been wanting, hoping and waiting a long time for this to happen though
PAIRINGS/CHARACTERS: Karl/Susan (with mentions of various others past and present)
SUMMARY: The best way to officially complete a Kusan reunion. Text in italics is original script text from ep 4155.
YEAR: later in 2007
DATE: 22nd -25th February 2007
NOTES: I read somewhere about Karl and Susan getting re-married so I decided to take the idea and run with it in my head in my own way. It has turned out to be rather longer than expected and was continually evolving as I wrote it but here goes…
~~~
It is the night before the big day and Karl and Susan are lying awake, Karl at Harold and Lou’s and Susan at Number 28……
~~~
Karl lay there in bed, his mind racing about every possible thing he could think of and yet completely and totally focussed on just one thing.
***
Susan lay awake in her bed, their bed, thinking about him, about the day that was about to dawn, about her life since she had last been Mrs Kennedy.
***
It had only been a quiet bucks night this time round - he hadn’t wanted anything big and well, adolescent, and he certainly did not want to end up in any sort of situation that would compromise what was going to be happening the following day.
He knew Susan had only had a quiet night in with the girls too but he couldn’t help thinking if she was still awake. Thinking about the same things as him? Excited? Nervous? He could probably work out the answers to each question though because after all he’d already been married to her for thirty years so they both had an incredibly detailed and intimate knowledge of the other.
She’d be running through the reactions of everyone else in her head and wondering if she really was mad to take him back after all the hurt he’d caused her. More than one person had warned her away from doing it and quite frankly he couldn’t blame them. I mean who would want to make a lifetime commitment to a man they knew had the ability to cause them more hurt than they ever knew existed. He felt sick just thinking about it. That kiss, those six words, that relationship, that baby. Memory after memory replayed in Karl’s head as he remembered all those times he had hurt Susan. How could he have ever done such things to the woman he loved. Love.
He had never stopped loving her. So many times in the last couple of years he had witnessed Susan in situations that reminded him of why he had fallen in love with her all those years ago. Her dignity, her strength, her ability to forgive. Aspects of her character he admired so much, aspects without which he would not be lying there now on the eve of his wedding. A smile crept across his face and he tried to banish all thoughts of self-blame. It was something he had always done, but he had been so happy over the last few months since getting back together with Susan and slowly he was learning to let go of his guilt.
He had made a conscious effort to change this time round and the relationship to his mind at least was stronger than it had ever been. Strong enough for him to ask Susan the most important question in London. It had taken a lot of courage on his part to ask as he knew that she might not be prepared to make such a complete commitment but all his dreams came true when she said ‘yes’. Life had been a complete blur since but one that he had lived with his head in the clouds and a spring in his step.
Tomorrow was going to be the start of a brand new chapter in their lives and he was going to do everything in his power to make it the happiest one yet. Pulling the duvet close round his shoulders and lost in thoughts of Susan, he drifted off to sleep.
***
Susan had only wanted a quiet night in with Lyn, Steph and the other girls in the street and on this occasion they had been happy to oblige – no strippers, no dressing up and messing around, just a good girlie night in to talk and laugh about whatever and whoever they wanted – while of course eating whatever they wanted. It had been a great evening but now she was alone with her thoughts so she let her mind wander…
Was she making the right decision taking Karl back in such a complete and public manner? What if he hurt her again? She knew what he was capable of and that her heart would not be able to cope with being broken again. Lyn hadn’t been the only one to warn her about this but she decided not to listen. No, they did not know Karl like she knew Karl, they had not spent thirty years as his wife. She and Karl knew each other better than anyone else could imagine and she had made this decision in possession of all the facts and fully aware of what she was doing.
She had always been a very realistic person and never one to make a rash or hurried decision but more importantly never did anything unless she wanted to do it. Tom, Bobby, Alex. Each relationship entered into because she felt it was right at the time and it was something she wanted to do. She knew she wanted to be with Alex, he loved her cared for her, had two wonderful children. She loved him back, loved Rachel and Zeke and she felt the safest and happiest since her time with Karl. Karl. He had hurt her, but also given her more happiness than anyone else in the world. They had shared thirty years of their life together, three children and one gorgeous grandchild.
A smile had crept across her face as she thought of their children. He was a good man, deep down he was a good man. Even when they had been apart he had been there for her, for Alex during his illness, for the children. That was an incredibly difficult time for them all and yet there was Karl, offering support in any way he could. Certainly at one time Rachel and Zeke believed Karl was just trying to reclaim her and was using her vulnerability in the wake of Alex’s death as a way to get close to her but she knew different. She knew him.
She could see by the look in his eyes and the way he spoke to her that he genuinely cared for her and was concerned for her welfare. After all he had had his own share of difficult times with Isabelle and her lies and she had been just as concerned for him then as he was for her. His heart attack too – she didn’t care what wrong he had done in the past at the moment, she was petrified of losing him and would do anything to help him through. She knew she still loved him then and that she had never stopped. Love.
Love was about taking risks and trusting the other person. But could she really trust Karl? Yes. He’d changed. These last two years had taught him a lot and over the last few months he had been proving to her that he was back to the old Karl that she knew so well and loved so much. His laughter, his care, his touch.
The things of his that had she had shared with him on so many occasions and that she wanted to share everyday again forever. For this reason she had said ‘yes’. For this reason she had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. She had seen his eyes searching hers as he asked the question but she knew her answer before he had spoken. Regardless of what anyone else thought, she was in love with him and knew she was making the right decision.
Tomorrow was going to show that to everyone so with the thoughts of Karl and their happy, shared memories surrounding her she snuggled down into the duvet and drifted off to sleep.
***
Susan had only really wanted one bridesmaid but after much agonising she had decided that she could not choose just one special woman in her life so she asked the two most special women…Libby and Rachel.
As she watched Lyn doing their hair and make-up she felt so lucky to have such amazing children in her life. Ok, so neither were really children anymore, especially not Libby, but to Susan she would always be her little girl.
Libby was an obvious choice especially after having been bridesmaid last time but she knew how much pleasure Rachel would get from being a bridesmaid, as well as the fact that it would be a way of having at least part of Alex alongside her, honouring his memory. Both young women represented different aspects of Susan’s life and she felt it made perfect sense.
***
Karl too had agonised over who to choose as his best man – last time it was Darcy but he was no longer around so he would have to think of someone else. The trouble was, who? Karl had several wonderful friends in Erinsborough, Harold, Lou, Max, who had all stuck by him but in the end he gave the honour to Toadie – he shared a workplace with him, he and Susan had taken him in when he first arrived and had helped the family many times since as a lawyer. As Susan was going for the family orientated approach with the bridesmaids he felt he would do the same, and Toadie was only too willing to oblige.
***
“Come on Karl mate” yelled Lou as the clock began to edge past 11.30am.
“Yeah it’s too late to worry about your hair being right now”, Toadie couldn’t help but wind Karl up this morning and savoured the look Karl shot him when he finally came out of the bathroom. This moment was the last time he really wanted to be reminded about his age and his supposed vanity. All he wanted to do was get to the wedding and marry the love of his life.
***
Dead on 11.45am the limo drew up out side Number 28 and the chauffeur gave 2 short blasts on the horn.
Out of the house stepped four women – Lyn, Libby, Rachel and Susan. It had been a frantic morning but Lyn looked on proudly as three stunning women walked carefully towards the limo. Any doubts she initially had about what Susan was doing had now gone and seeing the pure excitement and delight on the face of her best friend was the best feeling in the world.
***
Pacing, pacing, pacing
“Karl you’ll wear the floor out if you don’t calm down!”
“Either that or give us all dizzy spells.”
The guests could see the nervous looks on Karl’s face as he paced round the front of the room but they knew how much he had been looking forward to this day and that soon enough he would relax into the occasion. Trying to lighten the mood obviously wasn’t having an effect on him so they gave up and talked amongst themselves.
11.59am…just one minute more to wait…one minute until he would see her again.
Karl’s mind was racing and he couldn’t help but think back over all the previous times he’d been waiting for a woman to join him at the front of the aisle. Twice it was Susan…both days as special as each other and both as clear as day. Third time…was certainly not lucky. The way Izzy had left him that day was unfortunately also all too fresh in his memory but he was not going to let those thoughts linger. This was the day he thought would never come and he most certainly did not want Isabelle ruining it.
Breathe….breathe…
The room looked stunning – it was Lassiter’s again – where he had last married Susan 5 years ago - white chairs, a white piano and a white-suited string quartet stood out against the deep red of the carpet and a single red rose adorned every man’s lapel. The huge French windows letting the sunlight come streaking through.
‘Simple but elegant’ thought Karl as he stood proudly next to Toadie and the celebrant, in his black tail-coat, white shirt, deep red tie and grey trousers.
‘Just the way Susan and I had planned it.’
At that moment the music changed and Karl turned instantly to the door at the back of the room….waiting, watching…..
***
As the limo pulled up to the front of Lassiter’s hotel, Harold was there to greet them, kissing each of the women on the cheek before taking a photo of the bride and bridesmaids to capture the moment.
Susan sparkled – a floor length, sleeveless, pure white dress, with a ‘V-neck’ front that allowed her to wear the same pearl necklace and earrings as she had done 5 years earlier. Her shoes were also white and she held a small bunch of red roses. Libby and Rachel her mirror, wearing red dresses and holding white roses, with a single white rose on a clip in their hair that was allowed to flow long and free.
Susan reminded herself to keep breathing and to relax as she stood at the doorway out of sight of the guests, waiting for the music to change….waiting for it to be time.
Everyone was now in Lassiter’s waiting, watching….and a simple nod from Libby to Lyn and from Lyn to the pianist told them….
It was time.
***
‘Stunning’, ‘Perfect’, ‘Amazing’, ‘Beautiful’
Karl’s heart skipped at least one beat in his chest when he saw Susan at the other end of the aisle. Walking towards him slowly and with her head held high was the woman he adored with all his heart. Susan. His Susan.
In an instant nothing else around him existed. He barely even noticed how gorgeous Libby and Rachel looked as they flanked Susan, one either side. No, he could not do anything but stare at Susan, her hair, her eyes, her smile, her dress as it floated around her ankles with every step she took. The picture of grace and dignity and sublime beauty – walking towards him.
***
She could feel every pair of eyes in the room focused on her, watching silently as she walked towards Karl. She didn’t care though, she just eyes for Karl – standing watching her from the other end of the aisle. She knew he was studying her every step but then she wasn’t exactly letting her eyes drift very far! His eyes, his smile, his suit making him look even more sexy than usual. Everything that had attracted her to him over thirty years ago was once more sending those indescribably warm, happy feelings through her body.
***
As she reached the front of the aisle Libby and Rachel peeled away to leave Susan and Karl together.
‘I love you’
‘I love you too. You look sensational’
The smile exchanged as they turned to face the celebrant negated the need for words.
“If I understand all mysteries and all knowledge but have not love then I am nothing. Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or boastful, it is not arrogant or rude, love does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Cor. 13:2-7
Karl and Susan had wanted to have the same passage read at this wedding as they had had 5 years ago because although the events between the marriages on this occasion could not have been more different the words still held just as much meaning.
Turning towards each other once more, their eyes met but this time they held each other’s gaze and stood hand in hand….
“Karl – Separately we’ve been through a great deal but together so much more. You have been my rock in times of crisis, my sun in times of joy and my best friend throughout everything. I have loved you every day since the first time we met and I cannot imagine a future without you by my side.
“Susan – I am the luckiest man in the world to be given another chance to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing woman I have ever met. Thirty-two years ago I promised to love and protect you for the rest of my life and as I stand here today after everything that has happened to us I once again make that promise. I love you with a love that knows no bounds.”
The honesty, sincerity and genuine love that passed between them both as these words were spoken could be felt by everyone present, not least of all the children. Rachel and Zeke looked on content in the knowledge that the person who had made their Dad so happy had once again found love herself, and their new step-father was someone who loved and cared deeply for them all.
Perhaps the greatest joy however, was felt by Karl and Susan’s own children. Libby, Billy and Mal with their respective partners had put everything on hold to be present and all 3 of them felt an enormous sense of pride well up inside them at witnessing their parents once more making a commitment to each other. There was no doubt in their minds that they were the most privileged children in alive.
***
Words could not describe the way Karl and Susan felt during the reception and dancing that evening. The atmosphere was one of pure celebration and the guests looked almost as happy as the newly weds! With the meal and speeches over the floor was cleared and it was time for the dancing to begin.
After having a quiet word with the DJ, Karl walked up behind Susan who was standing with the rest of the family.
“Susan”.
This time it was Susan’s heart that skipped a beat as she turned round and saw Karl stood with one hand outstretched in an invitation to dance. Her man. Her Karl. Her husband.
Taking his hand and all the while holding his gaze Susan accompanied him into the centre of the dance floor as the first bars of music began to play.
‘Nobody Does It Better…..’ Karl put his arms around her, held her close to him and lowered his head to her shoulder gently kissing the base of her neck and top of her shoulder.
“I love you”, he whispered in her as they danced slowly to the music.
“I love you too” came the reply as Susan returned the kiss on the neck with one of her own.
Gradually everyone else joined them on the dance floor but to Karl and Susan it felt like they were the only two in the room. Neither could remember the last time they had danced together like this but holding each other so closely felt like the most familiar feeling and they stayed there as long as they could barely saying a word to each other, just savouring the feeling and losing themselves in one another.
‘My Karl’.
‘My Susan’.
‘So strong’.
‘So delicate’.
As the tempo of the music increased they decided to prove to everyone that they had dance moves to challenge the best, twisting, spinning and jiving like pros. Enraptured, everyone else stood to the side cheering and clapping as they watched two people clearly in love with each other, beaming from ear to ear as they danced.
***
“Karl, what are you doing?” asked Susan as she suddenly found herself being swept off her feet.
“Carrying my beautiful wife over the threshold of our house” he said looking deep into Susan’s eyes. An all too familiar mischievous grin appeared on his face and with Susan still in his arms he headed for the bedroom.
“It’s a good job Rachel and Zeke are out for the night Karl”
“Indeed. They’re intelligent kids”. “I wouldn’t care even if they were here right now though” he smiled as they fell onto the bed in a heap.
“Oh and why is that Dr Kennedy?” she asked playfully as they lay staring at each other, noses just inches apart.
“Because, Mrs Kennedy” he said stroking her face, “I am holding the most amazing woman in my arms and that is the only thing that matters to me.”
Stretching her neck forwards Susan lovingly placed a single delicate kiss on Karl’s lips as a gesture of thanks. As her lips left his though Karl instinctively let his head follow hers back and he returned the kiss but this time harder and with more passion.
Within seconds the kiss deepened as they held each other close, lips and tongues entwining, hands tracing each other’s backs, faces, necks. Breaking from the kiss but looking into each other’s eyes they let their hands wander….undoing buttons, sliding straps from shoulders, slowly delicately removing each other’s clothes. As new parts of flesh were revealed so their hands roamed more, exploring the curves, the shapes and the feel of each other’s bodies.
“I love you so much”
“I love you too”
No words though could do justice to the feelings and emotions inside them and they could sense that the excitement and joy of the day was now turning into a passion, a desire to tell each other with touch what it meant to be re-united as a ‘whole’ again. Yes they had been seeing each other and had been an item for several months but they were now totally complete…free from any guilt that what they were doing was wrong…no longer partners but husband and wife…..the Kennedy’s.
Resuming the kiss they allowed their bodies do the talking, letting go and immersing themselves in the familiarity and safety of being so intimate with someone they loved so deeply. The only thoughts that entered their heads were of each other and of the moment they were sharing.
***
When Karl awoke in the morning he was aware of Susan’s body still tangled with his, her left arm across his front and her head on his shoulder, breathing gently as she slept. His left arm was still wrapped round her body holding her close and he now brought his right hand across and gently stroked her hair and neck. As he lay there taking care not to wake her he replayed the events of the last 24hrs in his head and knew that no matter what happened in the future and no matter how bad a situation might feel, all he had to do was remember this moment to know that he was truly the luckiest man in the world.
END
TITLE: Luckiest man in the world
AUTHOR: Brina
EMAIL: PM me
RATING: G for most of it but PG-13 towards the end
DISTRIBUTION: Probably anywhere but please ask first
FEEDBACK: Yes please as this is my first fic (and it’s a very long time since I’ve written anything remotely creative). A lot of hard work has gone into this but please still be honest.
DISCLAIMER: No, unfortunately these characters aren’t mine
SPOILERS: Yes but only because I read it by mistake after I’d already thought of the idea for the fic! Every Kusan fan has been wanting, hoping and waiting a long time for this to happen though
PAIRINGS/CHARACTERS: Karl/Susan (with mentions of various others past and present)
SUMMARY: The best way to officially complete a Kusan reunion. Text in italics is original script text from ep 4155.
YEAR: later in 2007
DATE: 22nd -25th February 2007
NOTES: I read somewhere about Karl and Susan getting re-married so I decided to take the idea and run with it in my head in my own way. It has turned out to be rather longer than expected and was continually evolving as I wrote it but here goes…
~~~
It is the night before the big day and Karl and Susan are lying awake, Karl at Harold and Lou’s and Susan at Number 28……
~~~
Karl lay there in bed, his mind racing about every possible thing he could think of and yet completely and totally focussed on just one thing.
***
Susan lay awake in her bed, their bed, thinking about him, about the day that was about to dawn, about her life since she had last been Mrs Kennedy.
***
It had only been a quiet bucks night this time round - he hadn’t wanted anything big and well, adolescent, and he certainly did not want to end up in any sort of situation that would compromise what was going to be happening the following day.
He knew Susan had only had a quiet night in with the girls too but he couldn’t help thinking if she was still awake. Thinking about the same things as him? Excited? Nervous? He could probably work out the answers to each question though because after all he’d already been married to her for thirty years so they both had an incredibly detailed and intimate knowledge of the other.
She’d be running through the reactions of everyone else in her head and wondering if she really was mad to take him back after all the hurt he’d caused her. More than one person had warned her away from doing it and quite frankly he couldn’t blame them. I mean who would want to make a lifetime commitment to a man they knew had the ability to cause them more hurt than they ever knew existed. He felt sick just thinking about it. That kiss, those six words, that relationship, that baby. Memory after memory replayed in Karl’s head as he remembered all those times he had hurt Susan. How could he have ever done such things to the woman he loved. Love.
He had never stopped loving her. So many times in the last couple of years he had witnessed Susan in situations that reminded him of why he had fallen in love with her all those years ago. Her dignity, her strength, her ability to forgive. Aspects of her character he admired so much, aspects without which he would not be lying there now on the eve of his wedding. A smile crept across his face and he tried to banish all thoughts of self-blame. It was something he had always done, but he had been so happy over the last few months since getting back together with Susan and slowly he was learning to let go of his guilt.
He had made a conscious effort to change this time round and the relationship to his mind at least was stronger than it had ever been. Strong enough for him to ask Susan the most important question in London. It had taken a lot of courage on his part to ask as he knew that she might not be prepared to make such a complete commitment but all his dreams came true when she said ‘yes’. Life had been a complete blur since but one that he had lived with his head in the clouds and a spring in his step.
Tomorrow was going to be the start of a brand new chapter in their lives and he was going to do everything in his power to make it the happiest one yet. Pulling the duvet close round his shoulders and lost in thoughts of Susan, he drifted off to sleep.
***
Susan had only wanted a quiet night in with Lyn, Steph and the other girls in the street and on this occasion they had been happy to oblige – no strippers, no dressing up and messing around, just a good girlie night in to talk and laugh about whatever and whoever they wanted – while of course eating whatever they wanted. It had been a great evening but now she was alone with her thoughts so she let her mind wander…
Was she making the right decision taking Karl back in such a complete and public manner? What if he hurt her again? She knew what he was capable of and that her heart would not be able to cope with being broken again. Lyn hadn’t been the only one to warn her about this but she decided not to listen. No, they did not know Karl like she knew Karl, they had not spent thirty years as his wife. She and Karl knew each other better than anyone else could imagine and she had made this decision in possession of all the facts and fully aware of what she was doing.
She had always been a very realistic person and never one to make a rash or hurried decision but more importantly never did anything unless she wanted to do it. Tom, Bobby, Alex. Each relationship entered into because she felt it was right at the time and it was something she wanted to do. She knew she wanted to be with Alex, he loved her cared for her, had two wonderful children. She loved him back, loved Rachel and Zeke and she felt the safest and happiest since her time with Karl. Karl. He had hurt her, but also given her more happiness than anyone else in the world. They had shared thirty years of their life together, three children and one gorgeous grandchild.
A smile had crept across her face as she thought of their children. He was a good man, deep down he was a good man. Even when they had been apart he had been there for her, for Alex during his illness, for the children. That was an incredibly difficult time for them all and yet there was Karl, offering support in any way he could. Certainly at one time Rachel and Zeke believed Karl was just trying to reclaim her and was using her vulnerability in the wake of Alex’s death as a way to get close to her but she knew different. She knew him.
She could see by the look in his eyes and the way he spoke to her that he genuinely cared for her and was concerned for her welfare. After all he had had his own share of difficult times with Isabelle and her lies and she had been just as concerned for him then as he was for her. His heart attack too – she didn’t care what wrong he had done in the past at the moment, she was petrified of losing him and would do anything to help him through. She knew she still loved him then and that she had never stopped. Love.
Love was about taking risks and trusting the other person. But could she really trust Karl? Yes. He’d changed. These last two years had taught him a lot and over the last few months he had been proving to her that he was back to the old Karl that she knew so well and loved so much. His laughter, his care, his touch.
The things of his that had she had shared with him on so many occasions and that she wanted to share everyday again forever. For this reason she had said ‘yes’. For this reason she had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. She had seen his eyes searching hers as he asked the question but she knew her answer before he had spoken. Regardless of what anyone else thought, she was in love with him and knew she was making the right decision.
Tomorrow was going to show that to everyone so with the thoughts of Karl and their happy, shared memories surrounding her she snuggled down into the duvet and drifted off to sleep.
***
Susan had only really wanted one bridesmaid but after much agonising she had decided that she could not choose just one special woman in her life so she asked the two most special women…Libby and Rachel.
As she watched Lyn doing their hair and make-up she felt so lucky to have such amazing children in her life. Ok, so neither were really children anymore, especially not Libby, but to Susan she would always be her little girl.
Libby was an obvious choice especially after having been bridesmaid last time but she knew how much pleasure Rachel would get from being a bridesmaid, as well as the fact that it would be a way of having at least part of Alex alongside her, honouring his memory. Both young women represented different aspects of Susan’s life and she felt it made perfect sense.
***
Karl too had agonised over who to choose as his best man – last time it was Darcy but he was no longer around so he would have to think of someone else. The trouble was, who? Karl had several wonderful friends in Erinsborough, Harold, Lou, Max, who had all stuck by him but in the end he gave the honour to Toadie – he shared a workplace with him, he and Susan had taken him in when he first arrived and had helped the family many times since as a lawyer. As Susan was going for the family orientated approach with the bridesmaids he felt he would do the same, and Toadie was only too willing to oblige.
***
“Come on Karl mate” yelled Lou as the clock began to edge past 11.30am.
“Yeah it’s too late to worry about your hair being right now”, Toadie couldn’t help but wind Karl up this morning and savoured the look Karl shot him when he finally came out of the bathroom. This moment was the last time he really wanted to be reminded about his age and his supposed vanity. All he wanted to do was get to the wedding and marry the love of his life.
***
Dead on 11.45am the limo drew up out side Number 28 and the chauffeur gave 2 short blasts on the horn.
Out of the house stepped four women – Lyn, Libby, Rachel and Susan. It had been a frantic morning but Lyn looked on proudly as three stunning women walked carefully towards the limo. Any doubts she initially had about what Susan was doing had now gone and seeing the pure excitement and delight on the face of her best friend was the best feeling in the world.
***
Pacing, pacing, pacing
“Karl you’ll wear the floor out if you don’t calm down!”
“Either that or give us all dizzy spells.”
The guests could see the nervous looks on Karl’s face as he paced round the front of the room but they knew how much he had been looking forward to this day and that soon enough he would relax into the occasion. Trying to lighten the mood obviously wasn’t having an effect on him so they gave up and talked amongst themselves.
11.59am…just one minute more to wait…one minute until he would see her again.
Karl’s mind was racing and he couldn’t help but think back over all the previous times he’d been waiting for a woman to join him at the front of the aisle. Twice it was Susan…both days as special as each other and both as clear as day. Third time…was certainly not lucky. The way Izzy had left him that day was unfortunately also all too fresh in his memory but he was not going to let those thoughts linger. This was the day he thought would never come and he most certainly did not want Isabelle ruining it.
Breathe….breathe…
The room looked stunning – it was Lassiter’s again – where he had last married Susan 5 years ago - white chairs, a white piano and a white-suited string quartet stood out against the deep red of the carpet and a single red rose adorned every man’s lapel. The huge French windows letting the sunlight come streaking through.
‘Simple but elegant’ thought Karl as he stood proudly next to Toadie and the celebrant, in his black tail-coat, white shirt, deep red tie and grey trousers.
‘Just the way Susan and I had planned it.’
At that moment the music changed and Karl turned instantly to the door at the back of the room….waiting, watching…..
***
As the limo pulled up to the front of Lassiter’s hotel, Harold was there to greet them, kissing each of the women on the cheek before taking a photo of the bride and bridesmaids to capture the moment.
Susan sparkled – a floor length, sleeveless, pure white dress, with a ‘V-neck’ front that allowed her to wear the same pearl necklace and earrings as she had done 5 years earlier. Her shoes were also white and she held a small bunch of red roses. Libby and Rachel her mirror, wearing red dresses and holding white roses, with a single white rose on a clip in their hair that was allowed to flow long and free.
Susan reminded herself to keep breathing and to relax as she stood at the doorway out of sight of the guests, waiting for the music to change….waiting for it to be time.
Everyone was now in Lassiter’s waiting, watching….and a simple nod from Libby to Lyn and from Lyn to the pianist told them….
It was time.
***
‘Stunning’, ‘Perfect’, ‘Amazing’, ‘Beautiful’
Karl’s heart skipped at least one beat in his chest when he saw Susan at the other end of the aisle. Walking towards him slowly and with her head held high was the woman he adored with all his heart. Susan. His Susan.
In an instant nothing else around him existed. He barely even noticed how gorgeous Libby and Rachel looked as they flanked Susan, one either side. No, he could not do anything but stare at Susan, her hair, her eyes, her smile, her dress as it floated around her ankles with every step she took. The picture of grace and dignity and sublime beauty – walking towards him.
***
She could feel every pair of eyes in the room focused on her, watching silently as she walked towards Karl. She didn’t care though, she just eyes for Karl – standing watching her from the other end of the aisle. She knew he was studying her every step but then she wasn’t exactly letting her eyes drift very far! His eyes, his smile, his suit making him look even more sexy than usual. Everything that had attracted her to him over thirty years ago was once more sending those indescribably warm, happy feelings through her body.
***
As she reached the front of the aisle Libby and Rachel peeled away to leave Susan and Karl together.
‘I love you’
‘I love you too. You look sensational’
The smile exchanged as they turned to face the celebrant negated the need for words.
“If I understand all mysteries and all knowledge but have not love then I am nothing. Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or boastful, it is not arrogant or rude, love does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Cor. 13:2-7
Karl and Susan had wanted to have the same passage read at this wedding as they had had 5 years ago because although the events between the marriages on this occasion could not have been more different the words still held just as much meaning.
Turning towards each other once more, their eyes met but this time they held each other’s gaze and stood hand in hand….
“Karl – Separately we’ve been through a great deal but together so much more. You have been my rock in times of crisis, my sun in times of joy and my best friend throughout everything. I have loved you every day since the first time we met and I cannot imagine a future without you by my side.
“Susan – I am the luckiest man in the world to be given another chance to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing woman I have ever met. Thirty-two years ago I promised to love and protect you for the rest of my life and as I stand here today after everything that has happened to us I once again make that promise. I love you with a love that knows no bounds.”
The honesty, sincerity and genuine love that passed between them both as these words were spoken could be felt by everyone present, not least of all the children. Rachel and Zeke looked on content in the knowledge that the person who had made their Dad so happy had once again found love herself, and their new step-father was someone who loved and cared deeply for them all.
Perhaps the greatest joy however, was felt by Karl and Susan’s own children. Libby, Billy and Mal with their respective partners had put everything on hold to be present and all 3 of them felt an enormous sense of pride well up inside them at witnessing their parents once more making a commitment to each other. There was no doubt in their minds that they were the most privileged children in alive.
***
Words could not describe the way Karl and Susan felt during the reception and dancing that evening. The atmosphere was one of pure celebration and the guests looked almost as happy as the newly weds! With the meal and speeches over the floor was cleared and it was time for the dancing to begin.
After having a quiet word with the DJ, Karl walked up behind Susan who was standing with the rest of the family.
“Susan”.
This time it was Susan’s heart that skipped a beat as she turned round and saw Karl stood with one hand outstretched in an invitation to dance. Her man. Her Karl. Her husband.
Taking his hand and all the while holding his gaze Susan accompanied him into the centre of the dance floor as the first bars of music began to play.
‘Nobody Does It Better…..’ Karl put his arms around her, held her close to him and lowered his head to her shoulder gently kissing the base of her neck and top of her shoulder.
“I love you”, he whispered in her as they danced slowly to the music.
“I love you too” came the reply as Susan returned the kiss on the neck with one of her own.
Gradually everyone else joined them on the dance floor but to Karl and Susan it felt like they were the only two in the room. Neither could remember the last time they had danced together like this but holding each other so closely felt like the most familiar feeling and they stayed there as long as they could barely saying a word to each other, just savouring the feeling and losing themselves in one another.
‘My Karl’.
‘My Susan’.
‘So strong’.
‘So delicate’.
As the tempo of the music increased they decided to prove to everyone that they had dance moves to challenge the best, twisting, spinning and jiving like pros. Enraptured, everyone else stood to the side cheering and clapping as they watched two people clearly in love with each other, beaming from ear to ear as they danced.
***
“Karl, what are you doing?” asked Susan as she suddenly found herself being swept off her feet.
“Carrying my beautiful wife over the threshold of our house” he said looking deep into Susan’s eyes. An all too familiar mischievous grin appeared on his face and with Susan still in his arms he headed for the bedroom.
“It’s a good job Rachel and Zeke are out for the night Karl”
“Indeed. They’re intelligent kids”. “I wouldn’t care even if they were here right now though” he smiled as they fell onto the bed in a heap.
“Oh and why is that Dr Kennedy?” she asked playfully as they lay staring at each other, noses just inches apart.
“Because, Mrs Kennedy” he said stroking her face, “I am holding the most amazing woman in my arms and that is the only thing that matters to me.”
Stretching her neck forwards Susan lovingly placed a single delicate kiss on Karl’s lips as a gesture of thanks. As her lips left his though Karl instinctively let his head follow hers back and he returned the kiss but this time harder and with more passion.
Within seconds the kiss deepened as they held each other close, lips and tongues entwining, hands tracing each other’s backs, faces, necks. Breaking from the kiss but looking into each other’s eyes they let their hands wander….undoing buttons, sliding straps from shoulders, slowly delicately removing each other’s clothes. As new parts of flesh were revealed so their hands roamed more, exploring the curves, the shapes and the feel of each other’s bodies.
“I love you so much”
“I love you too”
No words though could do justice to the feelings and emotions inside them and they could sense that the excitement and joy of the day was now turning into a passion, a desire to tell each other with touch what it meant to be re-united as a ‘whole’ again. Yes they had been seeing each other and had been an item for several months but they were now totally complete…free from any guilt that what they were doing was wrong…no longer partners but husband and wife…..the Kennedy’s.
Resuming the kiss they allowed their bodies do the talking, letting go and immersing themselves in the familiarity and safety of being so intimate with someone they loved so deeply. The only thoughts that entered their heads were of each other and of the moment they were sharing.
***
When Karl awoke in the morning he was aware of Susan’s body still tangled with his, her left arm across his front and her head on his shoulder, breathing gently as she slept. His left arm was still wrapped round her body holding her close and he now brought his right hand across and gently stroked her hair and neck. As he lay there taking care not to wake her he replayed the events of the last 24hrs in his head and knew that no matter what happened in the future and no matter how bad a situation might feel, all he had to do was remember this moment to know that he was truly the luckiest man in the world.
END