“Dylan, why are you walking like you didn’t quite make it to the toilet in time?” asked Blane, slowing down to get a better look of his friend walking.

“My pants split as I was getting out of the car, didn't they?” he sheepishly admitted. Blane and Holt burst out laughing at Dylan’s misfortune. “Ok, ok, thank you! You can stop laughing now. I’m going to see if concierge have a sewing kit or something.”

The brothers were crying with laughter and were unable to speak through loss of breath.

“Look, they fit around the waist alright, just getting out of the car back there was a bit much. Honestly...! Stop laughing you two!”

The three guys had just arrived at the destination of Terri and Ferris’ wedding ceremony. The place was breathtakingly beautiful- a mansion set in the rolling hills of North Carolina with pristine lawns and spectacular views of the vista, which had attracted Terri and Ferris to choosing the location.

They continued up the gravel driveway, admiring the scale of the mansion as they approached. The brothers wore matching complimentary suits that were both a spring like stone colour with gray leather shoes. Blane had a pastel blue and orange striped cumber band and Holt had a pastel purple and yellow one. Dylan was wearing a dark gray suit and light blue shirt finished off with a gold bow tie.

Dylan’s pants had ripped in the inside crotch and as long as he kept his thighs together his underpants weren’t on show, hence the peculiar walk.

“Could you imagine living here? This is stunning,” Holt admired.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’d not say no if someone asked me to live in it, but it is a bit grand for me,” Dylan said. “It is beautiful though."

“Which window do you think is Terri’s?” Blane asked.

“I don’t know. I just want to stop the draft between my legs.”

***

“Kimmy? Are you ok?” Mindy said.

Kimona stirred from her day dream, sat on a chaise longue with two empty champagne flutes in her hand. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry. Are you ok?”

“No, I’m asking if you’re ok!” Mindy said. “You can’t still be jet lagged from your flight back?”

“No, sorry, I’m not. I was er... just lost in thought,” assured Kimona.

“Ok, well as long as you’re ok. But I think we’re all going to die of thirst if you don’t hurry up with filling those glasses!” Terri joked.

Kimona got up hurriedly and poured the drink into the glasses. “Another drink for you, Terri?” Kimona asked, gesturing a full glass of Mimosa at her.

Terri was sat in an ornate looking chair having her hair styled by a professional. “Go on, just one more please Kim.”

“Great, it’s your big day after all. Mindy, Tammy? Would you like another?” Tammy is Terri’s sister and her maid of honor. Along with Heidy, Tammy’s daughter and Terri’s niece, Mindy and Kimona were her bridesmaids. They were occupying a fancy suite at the mansion to get ready in. Cheesy pop music played in the background and Mindy was painting Heidy’s nails while Tammy was also getting her hair done.

“I’ll have a drink please,” Heidy said cheekily.

“Nice try, you’re ten. You can just have an OJ,” laughed Kimona.

“Auntie Terri?”

“Yes Heidy.”

“Does your arm still hurt a lot?”

“Not as much as it used to. The doctors did a very good job of helping me get better. Do you think they did a good job?” Terri turned and slipped her shoulder out of her satin gown, revealing her upper arm covered in scar tissue.

“Hmm, yeah. Mum said it was gross looking, but it’s not actually.”

“Oh she did, did she?” Terri asked laughing, looking at her sister.

“What I said was I thought it might look gross… Technicalities.”

“Were you scared?”

“Heidy, stop. Auntie Terri doesn’t want to talk about that on her wedding day. Today is a happy day.”

“Another time, ok?” Terri said to her niece, winking.

There was a knock at the main suite door. Kimona ran over. “Who is it? If you’re Ferris you can go away!”

“My name is Brad Jacobs-Brown!”

“Alright, you’re ok to come in!” Terri called out giggling. He entered and gave Kimona a hug.

“How’s it going in here ladies? Have you got cold feet yet Terri?” he teased.

“Yeah,” she said going along with the bit. “I’ve already told him it’s off. Us girls are just going to stay up here and eat the cake!”

They both laughed. “Congratulations!” Brad said leaning over to hug her from behind the chair. “I’m so happy for you both.”

“Thanks man, that mean’s a lot. Have you got time to stick around? I’m just about to get into my dress soon. Ferris hasn’t got you doing anything?”

“If he did, I’d tell him he’d have to wait. I wouldn’t want to miss this moment." Terri smiled warmly and stroked his arm. “Besides, Dylan’s downstairs trying to get his pants sewn up so if I can avoid getting involved with that, then I would.”

“Well? You haven’t said anything,” Terri said. She had just got dressed into her dress and was stood in all her majesty. The dress was an angelic white, with long white sleeves and a high crew cut neck. It was embroidered with geometric tessellating shapes and lines which stopped just under the ribs where it opened up into a wide, flowing dress which trailed behind her. The front of the dress was made up of five pairs of giant pleats that fanned out to the sides, a bit like gills, but more elegant looking.

“S-sorry. I’m just lost for words. You look beautiful, Terri,” Brad admired. “Ferris is one lucky guy.”

“And you’ve only just realised?” Mindy joked.

Brad chuckled. “No, of course not. I’m so happy for you. When I think of the year you’ve had, you really deserve this happy moment.” He took her hands in his and smiled. “I won’t hug you and crease your dress, but I want to.”

“I want you to, too,” she said, blinking back tears. “God, my make up. Someone give me a tissue quick!” Heidy ran over with a box so Terri pulled out a few, dabbing her eyes. “Thanks Heidy. Ok Brad, you gotta go. I don’t want there to be any more tears.”

“Nope, neither do I. Alright, I’ll go and double check to see how Dylan got on with getting his pants sewn up I suppose. See you later for showtime. Bye everyone!” He waved as he left the room sharpish, trying to conceal his own tears.

***

Donovan McCain, Ferris’ childhood best friend and best man, announced to the guests in the drawing room that it was time to be seated for the ceremony.

Staff members in white shirts and black ties opened the French doors, allowing the guests to filter out to where the seats were set up on the lawn. The rose arch altar stood at the end of the red carpet laid down in the aisle. The one hundred wooden seats were split equally either side of the aisle and were decorated with a cream bow on the back. The orchestra were grouped on the lawn on the left side.

“Did you get your pants sewn up?” Germany’s G7 member Anna Heibronn a.k.a Tank asked as they went to find their seats.

“Oh my God, how do you know about that?” Dylan asked with complete surprise.

“Everyone is talking about it. Very bad timing,” she said, chuckling as she left to go and sit with the other G7 members Sandrine, Isaac, Stephanie and Ose.

“Hey! Who told-” he started to call out behind her, wanting to know who told her but it made sense when he spotted Holt and Blane across the other side of the lawn watching him and laughing out loud.

“I’ll get you back,” he mouthed at them, delicately sitting in his seat with his legs straightened and together still.

Dylan felt a tap on his shoulder so he turned around. It was Tobias from the Woodland Warriors, who was sat with Ulrika, leaning over. “Pssst, what happened-”

“If you’re about to ask me about my fricking pants, I ripped them, ok?”

“What? Did you? Oh my God, that’s cringe dude! No, I was just going to ask what happened between Do’Lânqwa and The Secretary.”

“Tobias, stop gossiping. It’s none of your business,” Ulrika reprimanded, rolling her eyes disapprovingly.

Both boys seemed to ignore her and continued. “Nothing, I don’t think. All I know is they were imprisoned together on Earthsle.”

“Oh, well Ta’Balshén told me just now that-”

“That’s enough now. Honestly. Sit back and be quiet,” she insisted this time. Tobias tutted but complied, leaving Dylan to sit back round.

He scanned the guests for The Secretary and Do’Lânqwa and found them sitting apart, her on her own and him with his sons, which Dylan reckoned was weird if they came together.

Blane and Holt joined Dylan in the empty seats to him, ready for the ceremony to start. He gave them a disapproving glance but didn’t say anything as the orchestra started to play.

Within minutes, the score they were playing transitioned into the wedding march music.

At the front, Ferris gave a nervous, anticipatory shoulder wiggle. Brad and the other groomsmen laughed at him.

Heidy began walking down the aisle first, sprinkling white rose petals around her down the aisle. When she got to the end, Mindy and Kimona walked down together, wearing matching navy bridesmaid gowns. After them, it was time for Terri to walk down with her father giving her away.

The crowd gasped and mumbled utterances of awe and pride at how beautiful Terri looked walking down the aisle. Her sister and maid of honor followed, looking after the train.

“Dear friends and family,” the Priest said, when everyone was in the their places. “We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Ferris Deniel and Terri Turlingston in marriage. Today, they enter as individuals but they will leave here as husband and wife, blending your lives and expanding your family ties and embarking of the grandest adventure of human interaction.” Ferris and Terri looked at each other lovingly. “The story of your life together is still yours to write.”

The Priest went on to say more as part of the ceremony before getting to the vows. Ferris and Terri faced to look at each other.

“Do you Terri Turlingston, take Ferris Deniel to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do you part?”

She smiled and dabbed the tear in her eye. “I do.”

“Phew,” Ferris whispered to her, making her laugh.

The Priest turned to Ferris. “Do you Ferris Deniel, take Terri Turlingston to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do you part?”

“I do.”

Best man Donovan handed Ferris the rings which were then exchanged, each of them saying to the other “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day.”

“I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. Now, give the people what they came for! You may now kiss!” the Priest declared, beaming with joy.

The guests stood, clapped and cheered while Terri and Ferris leant in and did what they were told. The orchestra burst into song to soundtrack the moment. Ferris took Terri’s hand, thanked the Priest and they headed back down the aisle for the guests to shower them in confetti.

***

The party was in full swing by now. The speeches, the dinner, the cake cutting and first dance had all gone smoothly and now Terri and Ferris were blowing off steam on the dance floor with friends.

“Are you going to come and dance?” Terri asked Dylan loudly so she could be heard over the music.

“Maybe later,” he replied.

“Don’t worry about your ripped pants. No one will see in the disco lighting!”

He considered it for a moment and got up, agreeing with her. “Ok, yeah. I won’t let my pants ruin my fun!”

Terri pulled Dylan by his hands towards the dancefloor as the opening bars to ‘YMCA’ by The Village People started to play.

Outside in the house gardens, Brad and Ferris stood looking into the night sky, leant on the balcony, each with a scotch drink.

“Man, this was the most perfect day. I’m so pleased for you both.”

“Thanks Brad. It was, wasn’t it? I am on top of the world. Thank you so much for being here.”

“Oh I wouldn’t have missed this. You and Terri mean so much to me and I couldn’t imagine not being here. Thank you for having me be part of it. Here’s to the rest of your lives!”

“I’ll drink to that!” The two friends clinked their glasses together and took a gulp from them. “You’re a good guy Brad, a really good friend.”

“Am I interrupting anything?” Terri asked, having snuck up on the two friends. “You know you married me, right?” she teased Ferris, wrapping her arms around him from behind.

“Oh, is that what we did today?” he replied.

“So when are you off for your honeymoon?”

“In two days. We wanted tomorrow to chill and take stock, taking our time before going away,” Terri explained.

“That makes sense. Well, I just know you’ll have a great time. You really deserve the rest and time together.”

“Ew, ok you’re being really mushy tonight,” joked Terri.

Brad laughed. “I think it’s the scotch. I don’t have it often!”