Redemption - Chapter 16/?
Beck didn’t have to wait long to see the results of his South Dakota trip.
Through some hard fought efforts, the Texas/USA forces finally won Nebraska. The fighting was now concentrated in South Dakota. They’d resigned themselves to a long and bloody battle, when suddenly the ASA soldiers started surrendering. They laid down their weapons without even firing a shot.
At first, they thought it was a trap. They soon realized that the ASA soldiers and officers were defecting. Beck’s friend had been effective in spreading the word. Of course, not every soldier changed allegiances, but enough did to swing the momentum of the battle. It was the game changer for which Beck had hoped. South Dakota fell into their hands. It was only a matter of time before the Northern surge was successful
With the slight lull in the action, Heather and Beck decided to finally go ahead and get married. They wanted a very simple ceremony, with just a few close friends in attendance. They had no desire for a lot of fuss or a big celebration.
Of course, not everyone agreed with their approach.
At first, the pressure was subtle.
In a casual conversation one afternoon, Mary told Heather they were welcome to use Bailey’s for their wedding reception. Heather said they appreciated the offer but were not interested in having a party.
Then Eric tried his hand at persuading them. At the end of a meeting with Beck, he started talking about how the town could really use a morale boost after everything they’d been through since the Attacks. While it was premature to hold any type of victory party, he thought a wedding could provide the perfect reason to celebrate.
When Beck resisted that pressure, the big guns were brought in - Gail.
Beck and Heather were enjoying a rare dinner alone at Bailey’s when Gail approached their table. They invited her to join them.
She sat down. “Congratulations. I hear you two are finally going to tie the knot this weekend.”
“Thanks.” Heather said.
“You’re welcome to attend. It’s just going to be a very simple ceremony.” Beck added.
“Well, that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.” Gail said. “You should have a bigger and more festive celebration.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. We don’t want or need a big party.” Heather said.
“It’s not about what you want, but rather what the town needs. Don’t you realize that weddings are seldom about the desires of bride and groom.”
“And what does the town need?” Beck asked.
“A reason to come together and celebrate. A reminder of what’s important in life and what we’re fighting for.”
“What about Emily and Jake?” Heather asked. (Jake had finally proposed to Emily.) “Given their roots in this town, they should be the ones to have the big wedding.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll get their turn.” Gail said. “But you guys are up first.”
Gail looked directly at Beck as she continued. “You’ve said that you’re trying to make amends for before. This would go a long way.”
Beck looked incredulously at Gail. “You mean that I should agree to a big wedding celebration to atone for my past actions as an ASA officer?”
Gail was undeterred. “All I’m saying is this town has been through some very difficult periods. You two could really help by letting everyone share your wedding celebration.”
Beck and Heather looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. They both recognized it would be futile to keep resisting.
“Okay, fine. We’ll have a party. But we’re getting married on Saturday.” Heather said. “It’s already Monday evening. That’s less than 5 days to plan everything.”
“And neither of us is willing to delay the wedding. As Heather said, we are definitely getting married on Saturday.” Beck said firmly.
“Nobody would dream of asking you to postpone your wedding. I’ll take care of everything. I promise you’ll get married on Saturday night.” Gail assured them.
And that’s how Beck and Heather found themselves having a bigger and more formal wedding.
They needed a best man and maid of honor.
Heather asked Emily to be her maid of honor, and she readily accepted.
Beck wanted to ask Jake to be his best man but felt awkward about it. While they’d become quite close, he didn’t know how Jake would feel about assuming such a public role given their past history.
Fortunately, Jake being Jake, he didn’t wait to be asked. He just assumed he’d be Beck’s best man, and started acting accordingly.
Amazingly, the wedding plans quickly came together. The whole town seemed to get involved in arranging the nuptials.
They even managed to squeeze in a bridal shower and bachelor party on Friday night.
Emily surprised Heather with a shower at her home. All of the women were there - Mimi, Mary, Gail, Trish Merrick, Skylar, plus many others she’d gotten to know in town. They had a lot of laughs and drank a fair amount of wine before getting down to opening the gifts.
She got all sorts of interesting presents. It was clear that access to the Texas supply sources had come in very handy. While Heather considered herself reasonably adventurous and uninhibited, some of the presents actually made her blush. At the same time, she was certain that she and Ed would enjoy them!
Jake surprised Ed with a bachelor party in the back room at Bailey’s. All of his officers and former Rangers were there. He endured a lot of good natured ribbing amid the flowing beer.
Ed had a lot more to drink than he realized. It seemed like everyone wanted to toast his marriage. At some point during the evening, they switched from beer to scotch. Of course, the only sign he was intoxicated was he seemed more talkative and less reserved than usual.
It wasn’t until Ed got back to Jake’s house that his level of inebriation became obvious.
Ed had made arrangements to bunk with Jake that night. Gail insisted that it was bad luck for him and Heather to see each other the night before the wedding.
Ed stumbled a bit as he walked into Jake’s house.
“Jake, great great party. It was sssho much fun.” Ed said, slurring his words slightly.
“You’re welcome.” Jake was amused. Ed was always so authoritative and in such complete control that it was a riot to see him drunk. By contrast, Jake himself was completely sober. Since Ed would be taking a little time off for his wedding, Jake needed to be ready to assume command.
“I mean it. It was a lot of fun. And a lot of beer. A real lot of beer.” Ed hiccupped.
“It was fun.” Jake agreed
“And thank you for being my best man. You know I was scared.”
“About what?” Jake asked.
“Asking you.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” Ed said with a confused look on his face.
Jake burst out laughing. Beck was truly and completely smashed. “Why were you scared to ask me?”
“Oh. Because of the things.”
“What things?”
“The bad things I did to you. You know I’m really really really sorry.”
“I know. And I forgive you.
“It means a lot to me. It really really...” Ed started to sway a bit. Jake grabbed him and helped him into the guest room. He collapsed on the bed.
Jake thought he was down for the count, when Ed suddenly sat up and loudly proclaimed. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world!! You know why?”
Jake sighed. “Why?”
“Cause I get to marry Heather! I love her so much! And….” Ed slipped back down on the bed. A few seconds later, he was snoring heavily.
Jake threw a blanket over him, and chuckled as he walked out of the room. That was something that he’d never expected to see - a completely drunk Edward Beck. To think he’d been concerned that Ed might not relax enough to enjoy his own bachelor party. Of course, he knew that Ed would pay for it in the morning.
Sure enough, early the next morning, Ed shuffled into the kitchen. His eyes were bloodshot, his clothes were unkempt, and he reeked of stale beer and whiskey. His head was pounding, and his stomach was churning and queasy.
It didn’t help his mood to see Jake sitting at the table drinking coffee, all clean shaven and in a fresh uniform. It was against the natural order of things for Jake to be that bright eyed and bushy tailed!
Jake looked up and said (in a much too loud and chipper voice). “Good morning.”
Ed growled a response. Jake laughed.
Ed mumbled. “Coffee.”
“Sure, sit down.”
A few seconds later, Jake put a tall glass of a vile looking concoction in front of Ed. It was brown and lumpy, and smelled like rotten eggs.
“What’s this?” Ed asked.
“A cure for your hangover.”
“I’m not drinking that. It smells awful.”
“Do you want to be hungover when you exchange vows with Heather?”
“Good point.” Ed thought for a minute. “You’re just worried that Heather will blame you for getting me drunk.”
“That’s besides the point. Now just drink it.”
Ed took a cautious sip, then spat it out. “That’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted! What the hell’s in it?”
“You don’t want to know. But trust me, it will cure your hangover.”
Ed tried another sip, and gagged.
Jake gave an exasperated sigh. “Oh, just be a man and drink the damn thing already!”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, don’t go all commanding officer on me. We’re not on duty right now. Just drink it already.”
Beck took Jake’s advice and chugged the drink down. It took every ounce of willpower to ignore the horrible taste and smell, and not throw it back up.
After he finished the drink and was on his second cup of coffee, he started to feel human again.
He felt courageous enough to ask. “So my memory of last night is a bit fuzzy, especially towards the end of the party. Did I say or do anything that I need to worry about?”
“No, other than your greeting to General Brooks.” The General was in the area on a routine inspection and had been invited to the wedding.
Ed froze. “How did I greet the General?”
“You put your arm around him and said ‘How’s it hanging, Brooksy?’ I don’t think the General’s ever been greeted like that before.”
Ed snorted, and coffee came streaming out of his nose.
Jake laughed. Ed glared at him until he realized that Jake was pulling his leg.
“Very funny, Jake. You’re a dead man.”
Jake was still laughing. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Besides, it’s not smart to threaten your best man. Especially when he’ll be making a toast in front of everyone, including your CO.”
Ed just put his head in his hands and groaned.