Part 3 of the Love for Hazzard Series
It's been about six months since we last heard from the "Hazzard gang" Vin and Mel are just finishing up their wedding plans. The six boys, Inez, Mary and Casey are biting at the bit anxious for the wedding. The girls have been bustling about with the last minute preparations for Mel, helping her with dress fittings and all that fun woman stuff. The boys have a far easier job to deal with.Vin had jitters and boy was he ever nervous. He and Josiah had a couple of long, 'Should I really be doing this?' talks, while Chris and Vin sat down and Chris finally opened up about marriage and how wonderful it was. Tears welled in Chris' eyes as he discussed Sarah and Adam. He told Vin in a hushed voice that the moment when he would hold his baby in his arms would be a life stopping, world changing moment. Vin smiled and said, "The moment I open my bed to Mel will be my world stopping moment." Chris laughed, Vin was the type to give heart and soul to one woman and only one. That one woman was Melanie. Ace and Ezra on the other hand, they got married four months after the big races. Ezra smiled proudly as he watched his wife; his very pregnant wife, waddle to her best friend's side. Vin helped Ace into a chair and she kissed his cheek in a gesture of thanks. Buck then decided to put his two cents in.
"Ezra, Vin gets more action from your wife than you do!" Buck laughed heartily at his own stupid comment.
"Well, Mr. Wilmington, I sure hope that is Vin's baby then," Ezra replied with a gambling smirk on his face.
Vin looked grief stricken. His face paled and Ace calmly touched his cheek.
"Don't worry honey, you and I both know its Ezra's. Don't sweat it."
A sigh escaped Vin's smiling lips; Mel touched his arm and gave a reassuring glance. Ace smiled and said, "If it makes you feel any better, our baby will be spoiled to death by this one over here." She pointed to Ezra who grinned happily. Suddenly Ace grabbed Vin's hand and placed it on her stomach.
"Feel that? Feel the baby kick?"
Vin blushed and nodded, amazed at the little life form growing inside of Ace. Mel watched and smiled, Vin would make a wonderful father. She walked up behind the two and put her arms around Ace.
"Don't you go making my future husband into a cheater now?" Mel winked and Vin blushed.
"Oh don't be such a meany." Ace winked. The girls loved picking on Vin, such an easy target they said. Just then Chris decided to join in on the fun.
"Hey, why are you sittin' with the girls? Are you really the man we know you as or are you hidin' something?"
"I thought you were supposed to be on my side!" Vin hollered.
"I am… I think," Chris replied laughing scratching his head in bewilderment.
"Well Darlin', I think it is time we went back to our own home," Ezra said as he helped Ace into her coat. Vin held her elbow as Mel helped her button the jacket.
Vin kissed her cheek, as did Mel and said, "If you need anything, anything at all, you know my number. Don't hesitate to call no matter if it is the crack of dawn."
The boys were due out on a mission in a month and Ace was due in about two weeks. The girls had all the arrangements made and things packed. The boys knew how the girls were going to get to the hospital and such. It was like planning there own sting operation, only with a pregnant woman. Mel volunteered to film the birth if Ezra did not make it in time. Ezra knew his mother was not going to be the one do it. She was mad that Ezra didn't marry into money like she wanted him to.
Chris was staying with Vin and Mel while his place was used for their wedding ceremony and reception. When they all left and the three left retired to their respective rooms the house was silent. Except for in Chris' room, where he played, 'Ghost in this house' in the guest bedroom for himself then switched to full house audio as he played 'I Got You' also by Shenandoah for Vin and Melanie. It always reminded him of those two and made him smile. Vin and Melanie lay quietly listening to the song. Vin held her close and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you and Chris."
"And Chris?" Vin asked inquisitively.
"And Chris, he's a brother to you and me. So sweet and loving yet, black as a thunder cloud if you piss him off."
Vin laughed, if that wasn't true he didn't know what was. The next morning Vin woke up a little late. Mel was already on her morning run with Jesse and Chris was making racket down in the kitchen. Vin had found him making breakfast and singing 'Ramblin' Man' by Waylon Jennings on the radio.
"Mornin' Cowboy." He smiled.
"Mornin'. What's got your horses in a ring?"
"Two weeks until you get hitched!" Chris' eyes widened and his smile deepened. Nothing pleased him more than seeing his two friends so much in love and finally getting married. Plus Vin finally started opening up to Melanie and much to his surprise, Mel would tell him about what Vin would say. Mostly about how he loved her and the guys and that losing all of them scared him to death. But who didn't it scare? When you worked a job like the boys did you always have your fears, you just can't concentrate on them. Vin playfully socked Chris in the arm and ducked from the repercussion of Chris' fist.
"Boys! No fighting in the house!" Melanie said as she struggled through the mess of arms and legs and fur. Both men and dog fur. Neither man had shaved for days and it was wearing away at Mel. Normally she could take it, but it was almost too much. She struggled to restrain Jesse from joining the playful fight and finally resisted.
"Hey, baby," Vin said trying to make his way to Mel.
"Hey, Chris, I ran into Mary and she said she'd like to meet you for dinner tonight downtown," Mel said as Vin squeezed her tight. Suddenly the phone rang. Mel struggled out of Vin's arms and charged to the phone.
"Hello?" she said out of breath.
"Mel, it's Ace… I need your help. Ezra was called to some meeting and I think it's time."
"I'll be there right away hold on."
The guys looked at her, Vin with a smirk and Chris with a puzzled slight stare.
"Guys, Ace is in labor… no time to ask questions just carry out the plan."
"Vin, call Nathan, Buck and J.D.," Chris commanded as he dialed for Ezra and Josiah.
They all piled into the Dodge and drove lightning speed to Ezra's place. Mel found Ace in the bedroom sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Guys I need some help in here!" Mel yelled. Soon Vin was by her side carrying Ace out to the car. Chris met them and helped strap Ace in. Ace hung on to Chris as he gently settled her in the back seat of the Jag.
"Chris…"
"Easy now honey, you'll be alright. Don't worry 'bout anything. Just rest your head on my shoulder… that's it darlin' just relax." Chris tried to keep her calm and relaxed. It was working, even Mel felt calmer. They reached the hospital and a frantic Ezra. He ran to them.
"Will she be ok? Where is she going? Can I see her?"
Nathan led Ezra to the delivery room and the others sat in the waiting room. Buck and J.D. paced the waiting room floor as Josiah read the bible, Nathan was helping Ezra in the delivery and Mel sat on Vin's lap crying.
"Vin, oh lord. What are they doing to her? She sounds in terrible pain." Mel buried her head in Vin's chest.
"Shhh, baby it will be alright. Ace is fine. She's just … just…" he was at a loss of words.
"Just letting out her frustration." Josiah helped. They all knew she was in pain but to have Melanie crying and worrying about her would do them no good. A few hours later they had a healthy little girl on their hands. Ezra walked out of the delivery room with his new baby girl.
"Jean Marie Standish," Ezra beamed with pride.
"She's beautiful Ez," Chris said as tears came to his eyes.
"Yeah, she's a cutie," J.D. chimed.
"I suppose now is not the time to tell him about how we got her here," Vin whispered to Josiah.
"No, I think not. We don't want him dropping that baby."
Melanie went to see Ace and congratulate her "sister." She walked in the room and Ace looked so relaxed and calm. Mel put her hand on Ace's and smiled.
"Hi Momma."
"Hi Yourself. Just wait until you have your own kid. Then tell me how you feel." Ace smiled.
The guys walked in seconds later and as Ezra handed Jean Marie to Ace; Vin whispered to Mel, "Baby, I want one of those. Can we please have one? Please???"
Vin was close to begging by the time Buck walked up and said, "Just tell the man, yes or no so I can stop hearing him brag about you two getting married and what he wants to name the kids," Mel laughed.
"Vin is not naming our children. He'll name them Twinkie or Ding Dong or something stupid. But I tell you what; we can get married tomorrow if you ask nicely to your brothers." Bribery, works all the time. Vin walked to Josiah and looked at him pleadingly.
"It is not my call brother. I will perform the ceremony, but the rest you have to ask Chris."
Vin walked to Chris and fell to his knees. His eyes told everything.
"Yes, I can have the house finished up by tomorrow. 3 o'clock ok with you?" Chris gestured toward Melanie.
"Yes of course brother dearest. Anything for you." She winked at him.
They all hated when she played 'favorites'. She never had favorites but she acted like it, just to drive them nuts. She walked to the CD player and put on Elvis Presley. Ezra smiled. Melanie had introduced him to Elvis and Ace had suggested 'Can't Help Falling in Love' as their wedding song. Everybody danced in the little tiny room as the nurses came in and went out. It was a site to see. Vin felt daring and swept Melanie into his arms and kissed her passionately in front of the whole gang. J.D. smirked, Buck whistled, and the rest looked on. Mel blushed when they finally came up for air.
"Ain't y'all supposed to do that behind closed doors?" Buck asked teasingly.
"What would you know Mr. Wilmington? Public affection is quite alright in the modern day and age. What century do you live in?" Ezra asked with a grin.
Buck grumbled. Beaten at his own joke.
The Next Morning
"Whoo," breathed Melanie. Ace finished lacing up her corset style gown. The girls thought that if Vin waited this long to marry her he could at least wait to get her out of her dress.Ace laughed, "Girl, you'll be doing the same thing when Vin finally unlaces you. You'll be able to breathe again!"
The girls almost doubled over in laughter. Then someone knocked on the door.
"It's me, Mary. If you don't hurry up the wedding will start without you two."
Mary walked in cautiously; Mel caught a glimpse of Chris in the hall keeping watch. He looked like he could fit in at a permanent wedding.
"You look so beautiful Melanie," Mary said.
Mel spun around for her a few times then put on her veil. Just hen Chris opened the door.
"Uh ladies, if we don't move I think Buck will faint," Chris said staring at the floor. They all laughed envisioning the ladies' man fainting.
"Yes Chris we are all ready," Mary said taking his arm. Mary and Ace stood as both bridesmaids and maids of honor. Mel couldn't choose between the two so she dubbed them both for both jobs. Josiah met her at the doors and took her arm. They walked up the aisle and Mel caught Chris' eye. Her eyes filled with tears and Josiah squeezed her hand gently.
"Remember darlin' we all love you and are here for you whenever you need us." He gave her hand to Vin and took his place at the podium.
"Friends, family. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Vin and Melanie in holy matrimony. Vin and Melanie would now like to share there vows with us."
Vin spoke first.
"Melanie, with this ring I give you a symbol of my love. We both know I have many symbols to show you my love for you, but this one is special. This one let's every man in the world know you are mine and mine alone. I hope to honor and cherish you for the rest of our lives." Vin smiled as he slipped the ring on Mel's finger.
"Vin, I didn't know what true love was until I met you. And you knew nothing about cars, so I figured it was a good match. But seriously, I love you with all my heart and soul and no other man can make me feel the way I do when I am with you. You make me free and so happy. I plan to love you and cherish you for the rest of our lives. I love you baby." She said as she slipped the ring on his finger. Vin gently wiped away the tear that rolled down her cheek.
Josiah smiled, "I now give you by the power vested in me by this church and the state of Denver. Mr. and Mrs. Vin Tanner."
Buck hollered and the whole church was in an uproar. The secretary from the office cried, she wanted to be the one to marry Vin. Ace cried, Mary cried, even Chris cried. Let's face it, Chris never cries but this was his brother and he felt very happy for him. They all loaded up the limo and headed out to Inez's for the after party. Inez had closed up shop for the party and as soon as the couple walked in she had their favorite song on the jukebox. 'Next to You, Next to Me' was Melanie's favorite song when she was little and it now was her and Vin's. They danced around and around until they couldn't anymore.
Josiah came and swept Melanie off for another dance while Vin sat down to rest.
"Mel, I am so happy for you. Know that at any time if you need me, I will always be there for you. Even if I am half way across the world on a stake out. Just check with Chris first to see if it is ok to contact me." They laughed. Only Josiah would think of being blown up when his sister-in-law calls. She then was passed to J.D.
"Mel, you and I have been so close, what happens to us now?" he asked spinning her.
"Well, the only thing that changes, no more late night calls. It's gonna have to be late night e-mails from now on lil' brother. Vin would not like the two hour late night calls we usually have. Don't want to upset the hubby now do we?" she asked him.
"Of course not," he said and passed her on to Buck.
"Well, Mel. I hope married life treats you well and that Vin is all you ever wanted, that and his bag of potato chips." Buck laughed so hard Ezra had to pull Mel away because Buck was leaning on her.
"My dear sister, you will be around to baby-sit Miss Jean Marie won't you?"
"Think again Ezra. That is why they call them 'Nannies' they baby-sit your children for you. Even live in your house." Ezra scowled.
"I will not have some crazy woman taking care of my child and living in my house."
"Well, I wouldn't call your mother then," Mel laughed as Inez walked to her.
"I believe I owe you a hug and congrats. Oh, and your husband is waiting for you by the stairs."
"Thank you so much Inez."
"Your welcome, I'll have breakfast in bed for you guys at so eleven thirty tomorrow morning?"
"Perfect." Mel smiled.
Vin met her on the stairs and swept her up into his arms.
"Now my dear, we shall continue our wedding night."
Mel smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and Vin unlocked their room. Soft candles were glowing setting the mood and a song was playing. 'I Wanna Be Loved Like That' by Shenandoah. Vin laid Melanie on the bed softly.
"I wanna be loved like that," Melanie whispered as she watched Vin close the door.
End
Part 4. Loved Like That