Unbreakable (Unrestrained 4)

Once the photographs were done, after we all stood together for a big group shot, we went directly to the Russian Tea Room despite the early hour. We had the entire fourth floor and the Hearth Room reserved, and so we had time for visiting, cocktails and then dinner. The harpist was already there when we arrived and was playing soft classical music, the children ran through the floor, exploring the nooks and crannies, and our families and friends sat at tables or at the small seating areas and visited.

Kate and I went around and spoke to everyone, our hands entwined, until it was time for our meal, which was delicious. My father would have loved it, had he been there.

We sat at one of the luxurious tables, decked out in crystal and glass, silver and white linens, the chandeliers overhead sparking in the candlelight, the Russian memorabilia surrounding us, including a huge Faberge egg as part of the centerpiece. I felt immense happiness at that moment. Kate sat beside me and spoke with Ken, while I spoke with Ken’s wife. Next to her was Michael, and Ethan sat across from us, with Elaine beside him. Heath and his wife sat beside them. The children had a table to themselves, and the rest of the guests sat at two other tables, including Cliff and his family, Colin and his family, Mrs. O’Riley and a few people from my father’s foundation and the Corporation. Michael sat with us as did Dave, who was alone without a date.

I watched him speak with Ethan and then with Ken. He’d admitted that he liked Kate, but he had never approached her properly, suggesting he didn’t really understand women very well, despite how much of a playboy he appeared on the surface. I suspected that he was actually very lonely and suddenly felt sorry for him. Despite his good looks and solid income, he was still single in his thirties and had no prospects. Maybe he was like me before I met Kate – keeping so damn busy that I didn’t have to think about my personal life and how empty it really was.

I took a sip of wine and listened to Kate speaking with Ken telling her about our shared past in college and then starting the band. I watched Ethan sitting across from me. Every now and then he leaned over to Elaine or to Dave but he seemed quite contemplative. I suppose seeing his baby girl married really drove home how he was passing the torch to a new generation. How disappointed he must have been over the stroke and having to pull out of the race for the House seat…

All the while, I held Kate’s hand and together, we each managed to eat with only one hand, me with my left and Kate with her right.

After dinner and after the speeches, with Ken giving a very heart-felt toast to the bride and groom, the staff cleared away a small area for dancing. We had a DJ play some music while people continued to visit. While Kate went over to chat with Christie and Heath, I went and had a chat with Michael about returning one day to teach another class and help out at the hospital.

Towards the end of the evening, after much vodka and wine, it was time for the bride and groom to dance the first dance. I took Kate’s hand and led her onto the center of the small dance floor and pulled her into my arms.

“Well, Mrs. Morgan,” I said, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I hope we do a better job than back in December last year, when we tripped and fell and you had to go to the hospital.”

Kate pulled back, a huge smile on her face. “I think that was one of the few times you failed to manhandle me, Dr. Morgan.”

“I manhandled you, but not the way I intended.” I smiled down at her and we danced slowly, our arms around each other, eyes locked.

We kissed, and that elicited a round of applause from the onlookers. I glanced over and saw Ethan sitting on the sidelines in his wheelchair, and I felt a pang of sadness for him that he wouldn’t be able to dance with his daughter on her wedding night. At least he got to walk her down the aisle.

“Your dad looks sad sitting there watching us,” I said softly. Kate glanced over.

“Oh, he does,” she whispered. “I didn’t think of that.” She turned to me and bit her lip. “You go and get Elaine out here and when the song ends, I’ll ask the DJ to put on something happy. I’ll go and make him dance with me.”

Kate pulled out of my arms and I did exactly that. I went to the side of the dance floor and held my hand out to Elaine, who laughed and took it, following me to the middle of the dance floor. Meanwhile, Kate went to the DJ and spoke with him, holding her long skirt up as she did.

“What’s Kate doing?” Elaine asked as we danced around the small space.

“Going to ask the DJ to play something faster on so she can coax Ethan out onto the dance floor since they can’t slow dance.”

Elaine raised her eyebrows. “Of course,” she said. “He won’t want to miss a dance with Kate. I hadn’t even thought of it because we didn’t plan on a full reception with a band. The DJ was a total last minute idea on your part.”

I nodded. “I know, but I wanted to make sure Kate had the full wedding experience, even if on a smaller, more intimate scale.”

Elaine and I both watched as Kate went back to her father and bent down to speak to him, her face by his ear. He smiled and nodded and she took his hand and led him out onto the small dance floor. Then, the two of them danced, with Kate holding her dress up and dancing by herself and Ethan rolling his wheelchair back and forth, left and right, a huge smile on his face. It was a completely heartwarming moment and I think that everyone fought tears as they watched.

Ethan had come through such a long difficult journey after the stroke and now there he was, doing his best to dance with his beloved daughter at her wedding.

Elaine stood and watched them, her hands covering her mouth, tears in her eyes. I took her hand and we continued to dance, doing the jive, and I was glad I took dance in Phys Ed in high school. Soon, other couples joined in and even the children danced, everyone enjoying the music.

After about six dances, Kate and I went back to the table and sat together, watching the party going on around us. As we watched, Elaine and Ethan danced and people clapped for them. I was impressed with Ethan’s spirit.

I turned to Kate. “Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”

She glanced at her watch and smiled. “It’s nearly eleven. Aren’t the happy couple expected to leave early? I spoke with Elaine and she said she and Ken would take care of closing things up.”

I kissed Kate’s knuckles. “Sounds good to me. Maybe we should have one last dance and then the DJ can announce we’re leaving. What do you think?”

She nodded. “You go and talk to him. I’ll go and tell Elaine we’re leaving and wait for you on the dance floor.”

I left her and wen

t to the DJ, asking him to announce our departure after the next dance and he was happy to comply. Then I found my bride and pulled her into my arms for one last dance on our wedding night.

“Well, Ms. Bennet aka Mrs. Morgan,” I said once she was in my arms, her arms around my neck. “How was your wedding day so far?”