~To Marry~
Helen Starsky, shoes in hand, trudged across the sandy beach toward the water’s edge. Nick was by her side holding her arm so that she wouldn’t tumble into the sand. Cole’s mother was already seated in front of the make shift gazebo that had been constructed just out of the water’s path. Judge Allen Gregory, a friend of the detectives, stood in the gazebo to perform the service while Hutch stood on the second step. Nick rushed to his side after he deposited his mother in a seat next to Cole’s mother. Jenna stood on the left side and Emma, holding a small basket of rose petals, was waiting impatiently by the last row of chairs. A strip of red carpet had been laid in the sand for the bride to walk down.
Starsky stood proudly at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Cole and her father, he could see her in the distance in her white flowing gown that blew slightly in the gentle breeze. Dobey and Edith, along with Huggy and several officers from the station occupied the seats. Cole’s girlfriends sat giggling in the second row like a bunch of school girls.
Jenna looked in Cole’s direction and gave her a hand signal, Cole nodded and Jenna reached down and depressed the button on the portable tape player that would suffice as their music. As the first strains of the wedding march began to play Cole wrapped her arm tightly around her father’s and they made their way to the red carpet. Emma stepped into place and began tossing the petals from her basket on the ground.
Emma joined her mother when she reached the gazebo, while Cole’s dad kissed her cheek then joined her mother. Starsky held out his hand to his bride and they made their up the steps where the Judge was waiting for me. “Dearly beloved we are gathered here today…” he began.
Starsky beamed at Cole as the Judge continued with the ceremony, it had been a long hard road but they had finally made it to this day. It had been Hutch’s suggestion to have the wedding at the beach and as his gift he made all the arrangements with help from Jenna and Nick, who had somehow become an item during his illness. But Hutch didn’t mind, he and Jenna hadn’t been serious and by what Starsky had told him, Nick had really been there for Jenna. He was happy to see Nick doing so well, there was even a possibility of Nick remaining in California, which would be good for the two brothers.
“Will you love, honor and cherish him, so long as you both shall live?” the Judge asked Cole.
“I will,” Cole answered through her tears.
“And David, will you love, honor and cherish her, so long as you both shall live?”
“I will,” Starsky said as he looked lovingly at Cole.
The sun was beginning to set as the Judge pronounced them husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride.”
As Cole and Starsky kissed, a cheer went up from the guests. They walked down the steps and to the end of the red carpet. Then their guests and wedding party joined them as they walked to where their wedding reception was waiting for them. Later that night they would board a plane that would take them to their long awaited honeymoon.
Hutch hung back and watched the happy couple as they headed into the beach front restaurant. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Hutch answered as Nick had come up behind him. “They are happy aren’t they?”
Nick nodded, “But you know it wouldn’t have been the same if you hadn’t been here.”
Hutch shrugged. “I’m glad they were finally able to get married, they have been waiting so long for this day.”
Jenna came up and put her arm around Nick. “Hi ya, Hutch.”
“Jenna, you look beautiful.” Hutch complemented his former girlfriend.
“Thanks,” Jenna blushed then she turned to Nick. “Could I have a minute with Hutch?”
“Sure,” Nick planted a kiss on her cheek and walked toward the reception.
“Hutch, I’m sorry,” Jenna said as she shuffled her feet in the sand.
“For what?”
“I feel like I deserted you.” Jenna had been struggling with her guilt for falling for Nick.
Hutch put his hands on the sides of Jenna’s face and tilted her face so he could look into her eyes. “You have nothing to feel sorry for, honey. I’m glad you are happy. We had a good time but I don’t begrudge what you and Nick have.”
Jenna beamed at him then standing on tiptoes gave his lips a quick kiss. “You are the best you know?”
Hutch smiled at her, “You better get going, Nick is waiting for you.”
Nick stood on the patio waiting for Jenna to return to him. “See you later.” Jenna said as she pulled up her long skirt and ran to join the man waiting for her.
Hutch stood on the beach, as it grew darker the lights in the restaurant came on and he could see Starsky and Cole greeting their guests who were arriving for the reception. He looked up at the night sky just in time to see a star shoot across the sky and he quickly made a wish then headed toward the reception, his partner and his bride.
The End