Without You I Have Nothing (54 page)

_{As soon as they sat,
waiters hurried to serve the bridal breakfast and there was silence while
everyone waited for the bishop to pronounce grace. Then the merriment started.}

_{Behind the wedding
cake Peter, at last, could look about and give a thought to the bridal party. He
was not surprised to see the tasteful dresses of Susie, the Matron of Honor and
the bridesmaids, Karen and Ruth. He managed to thank each of the bridesmaids
for helping to get his wife to the church even if she was late. However, the
banter between the people at the bridal table was almost inaudible in the noise
generated by the guests.}

_{Then Peter proceeded
to forget them as Jennifer gained his whole attention. His body sang its love
for her as her cool hand in his turned his blood to molten lava.}

_{As the meal ended and
the time for toasts and speeches approached, the new husband and his wife began
to look around the huge marquee.}

_{Suddenly Jennifer
gripped Peter so tightly he winced. He turned to see who had gained her
attention and what he saw made him spring to his feet knocking his chair over.}

_{Four young women
stood at Jennifer's side, smiling broadly - two beautiful Chinese girls clad in
matching black and gold Cheongsams with splits in the skirts to their thighs
with the high collar neckline, and beside them two strikingly attractive young
Indian women wrapped in identical green saris.}

_{The four young women
obviously shared a deep love for Peter.}

_{There was a hush
amongst the guests as the crash of the overturning chair had gained their
attention.}

_{Peter's Cantonese
rang out as he embraced his Chinese 'sisters'. He then turned to the others,
making the prayer salute before addressing them in Tamil. With his arms around
the four of them, he introduced his 'sisters' to Jennifer.}

_{The five women were
chattering away - the girls studying Jennifer's jewelry - when Ted gave a nod
to Peter who disappeared. The 'sisters' found places at the table and Ted stood
to demand everyone's attention.}

_{Jennifer was far too
busy talking to notice her husband had disappeared with two of the guests.}

_{"Welcome to you
all and a special welcome to our guests from Singapore, Malaysia and Nepal as
well as from the armed forces. We have gathered to celebrate the marriage of
our dearly loved friends Jennifer and Peter."}

_{Yes, Ted had the gift
of the gab, but he also had the gift of the dramatic.}

_{"The trouble
with being the best man at a wedding is that you never get the chance to prove
it - but,” Ted waited for the laughter to die down before adding, "a word
of advice to you Peter. The most effective way to remember your wedding
anniversary is to forget it once."}

_{Howls of laughter
greeted his counsel.}

_{"This is a happy
wedding - but Jennifer, I have some questions for you, so please answer clearly
so everyone can hear.}

_{"Bob, hold the
microphone so we can hear Jennifer's responses.}

_{"Question One. On
your first date what did you think - oops, I forgot. Would Jennifer's Mum please
open the curtains and take up the baton because she has to conduct."}

_{The crowd laughed
good-naturedly at Elizabeth's confusion as she opened the curtains at one end
of the marquee to find a small orchestra on the stage. The leader of the
violins placed a baton in her hand and the conductor whispered to her.}

_{"Ladies and
gentlemen!  You are about to see the sight that Jennifer viewed the night she
first met Peter.”  Grinning broadly, Ted turned to Jennifer to ask the first
question.}

_{"Question One -
Jennifer. Why didn't you run and run hard when,” he became silent as the
orchestra struck up the opening bars of The Dance of the Little Swans before
the players paused expectantly.}

_{Three ballerinas
moved onto the dance floor and took up their stance, eyes fixed at the far wall
ready to begin their pas de trois.}

_{Three little swans
stood waiting - two dainty and petite in their white tutus with their feathery
skulls caps and white ballet slippers - the third, gigantic with a pair of
hairy legs appearing below his tutu. The spectacle was even more bizarre as
that middle swan was wearing an ill-fitting skullcap. On his feet was a pair of
enormous muddy boots.}

_{Jennifer's Mum
dropped the baton to stare at the spectacle.}

_{The effect was one of
grotesque hideousness.}

_{Ignoring Elizabeth,
the orchestra stuck up the opening bars of the Dance of the Little Swans and in
complete unison, the three swans danced. All six feet kept a strict rhythm and
the three heads turned and nodded as if one. All six eyes peered at some point
high over the guests' heads.}

_{Captivated, the
guests were silent, studying every move.}

_{Suddenly the two
dainty swans rose, lifted by that monstrous middle swan, and with their feet
going through the motions in midair, the dance continued without the dancers
missing a single movement or step.}

_{The guests howled
with laughter as the dance ended and the swans disappeared.}

_{Jennifer was laughing
as much as the guests, and was unable to answer when Ted continued with his
questioning.}

_{"Well Jennifer
that was your first date and you saw Peter as,” Ted continued with a loud
groan, "oh God, too horrible to mention, eh. Why didn't you run?"  He
waited as if wanting an answer, and when none was forthcoming he prompted,
"No answer?"}

_{Ted, his face a
picture of seriousness, continued. Producing a long sheet of paper from his
pocket and with no grin to warn the guests he read the second question.}

_{"I believe Peter
trod the boards with you. To refresh your memory I have a video of a certain
night - a video that everyone here should see."}

_{"Eric and
Elizabeth - watch this and tell us all he is still acceptable as your
son-in-law."}

_{A huge screen rolled
down from the roof and Jennifer watched, spellbound, as she appeared on the
screen with the drunken misshapen villain who dribbled the words, "Come! 
A kiss to seal the bargain!"}

_{The wedding guests
booed, stamped their feet and cheered as the villain whirled away, dripping
blood.}

_{"Yes Elizabeth
and Eric, the villain is your son-in-law. Do you want to pay the Bishop to
forget the wedding?”  He sought the bishop with his eyes.}

_{"Bishop, can you
undo the wedding?” he called out. Without waiting for an answer, Ted continued,
turning back to Jennifer.}

_{"Well Jennifer,
why didn't you run?  Do you want to run now?  No answer yet?}

_{"Well Peter's
fellow workers are begging you. Please, please take him off somewhere and lose
him so they don't have to listen to his singing anymore. We're all tired of
this song. Of course, we know now his single days are over - you have seen to
that, Jennifer.”  Ted laughed at the dumbfounded look on her face. "Yes,
Jennifer he at last has realized he is married and wants to tell you, 'Now my
philandering days are over'..."}

_{"Elizabeth, you
conduct again please. Joe, you'd better help Peter out."}

_{Peter, once more in
uniform, walked with Joe to the center of the dance floor, and to the strains
of 'Non più andrai, farfallone amoroso' from the orchestra, they launched into
the aria with no trouble at all. Peter turned to look at Jennifer and it was
obvious he was singing to her, oblivious of everyone and everything but her,
much to the enjoyment of their friends. Joe drifted back to his seat, leaving
Peter to serenade his bride.}

_{"Stay there
Peter, as we're not finished with you yet. You are always the one who surprises
everyone. Now we have a surprise for you."  With a smug look on his face,
Ted demanded that Peter face his mother-in-law and watch her conducting because
he'd need all the help he could get for the next question.}

_{"Jennifer you've
not answered a single question so I have two more for you. First, was it this
song of seduction that enticed you to Peter's well..., dare I say it, Peter's
charms?"}

_{Jennifer stared
though Ted and the audience wondered at the best man's audacity. She stood, and
carrying her bridal train, silently moved to stand behind Peter as Ted
continued.}

_{"Did Peter
decide to steal your heart and with cool calculated passion succeed?  Has he
told you with premeditated hot passion how lovely your hand is in his?}

_{"You know he
loves Mozart."}

_{Still the guests had
no idea what was coming and Peter dared not look away from his mother-in-law.}

_{"Did you try to
be strong but weaken?”  He laughed at the look on her face. "Thank you
Elizabeth, will you help Peter out?  Peter, watch Elizabeth and try to sing in
tune this time!"}

_{The strains of La ci
darem la mano – ‘There, we will join hands; There you will say yes’ to me
filled the air and Peter opened his chest to begin singing - a little perplexed
as this aria was a duet - soprano and baritone - but then just behind him a
voice joined in. Shocked, he turned, and when he saw who had joined him in this
love duet, he almost stopped singing.}

_{Jennifer was singing
with Peter and suppressing a lump in his throat, he pulled himself together and
sang with even more gusto, his astonishment showing in every fiber of his being.
The music ended and Peter, beaming with pride, bent to kiss his wife.}

_{"Eric and
Elizabeth, this is your new son-in-law. Andrew, watch your brother-in-law. Is
there anything you would like to add?"  Worried that Andrew would speak,
Ted continued quickly. "Jennifer, are you sure you don't want to run?” 
Ted continued. "Ah well let's all watch this."}

_{The screen came down
again.}

_{Standing in the
center of the dance floor, Jennifer clung to Peter's arm as she watched the
video of them climbing the stairs to the Opera House - that magical night of
Die Fledermaus. he watched and could hear the questions of the reporters.}

_{The beautiful
memories of that night came flooding back as she watched herself lean across
the table to demand a kiss of her man.}

_{The guests gasped as
they watched the two of them dancing on the Opera House stage. They clapped
when they saw the lovers kiss.}

_{The screen rose and
Ted announced the Bridal Waltz and Jennifer grinned as the orchestra struck up
the same waltz they had danced at the Opera House.}

_{They danced with each
other, then moved apart and danced with Jennifer's Mum and Dad before dancing
with the Commander and Susie. Jennifer danced with each of the males in the
bridal party and laughed as she saw Peter watching her carefully as he danced
with the bridesmaids.}

_{As more and more
joined them on the floor, they danced with each other.}

_{With speeches and
toasts concluded, Jennifer's mother and bridesmaids whisked her off, while
Peter rushed to change out of uniform. Shortly after Peter had reappeared,
Jennifer returned, dressed in a lime green suit against which nestled Peter's
emerald pendant. The Christmas emerald earrings matched the green of her eyes.}

_{Peter could only gasp
at her beauty and stood spellbound until Eric's warm words broke into his
consciousness. "She's yours now lad. Look after her.”  He gave Peter a
friendly push, propelling him across the floor toward Jennifer.}

_{For Peter, the walk
to the car was almost as long as the walk down the Cathedral aisle, especially
as guests threw confetti and rice over them in a never-ending shower of color. Elizabeth
shed a few tears as Peter closed Jennifer's door and walked around the front of
the car, hurried along by Andrew, Ted and Bob.}

_{Miles down the road
he repeated his jesting.}

_{"Jennifer, put
your knees over closer. I'd rather play with your knees than change gear."}

_{This time there was
no icy reply, just a giggling slap on his arm. "Peter, behave. This is an
automatic car"}

_{The drive to Melbourne
was particularly long as Peter insisted on stopping every few miles to kiss
Jennifer. He wondered why every driver, who passed, tooted while their
passengers hung out of the windows, waving frantically.}

_{Finally, the doorman
answered his query when he pulled into their hotel.}

_{"Shall I have
the car washed, Sir?”  The doorman asked, grinning broadly.}

_{No wonder Andrew and
the others had been so anxious to get them into the car and away. Scrawled
across the back were the messages 'Peter Loves Jennifer. Jennifer Loves Peter. Just
Married!’  Everyone knew. Where they stood at the desk was a puddle of confetti
and, wherever they walked, they left a Technicolor trail behind.}