It seemed as if the whole city was buzzing with anticipation for this day, and in many homes around Palm Beach, the final preparations were being made. In the Lipschitz household, the Captain was making sure Frannie was fully equipped with Kleenex. Across town, George was losing the battle with his tie, and in yet another part of the city, Roger was silently whining to whoever it was that had invented cummerbunds. Soon, two hundred guests began their journey to a quaint yet vast beachfront resort, anxious to (this time) witness the joining of two souls that by common knowledge had been forever destined to join.
On separate floors of the resort adjacent to the beach, the bride and groom were each amidst a whirl of activity and preparation of their own.
"Chris, buddy, for the last time, stop pacing!"
"I'm sorry, Cotton, I'm trying. Do you have the rings?"
It was Derek who interjected first, laughing at his big, bad ex-partner who was suddenly reduced to complete nerves. "Look at you, Boy...were you this nervous when you said 'I do' to Rita the first time? No wonder you didn't invite anybody!"
"Chris," Cotton piped in, "if you didn't trust me with the rings, why'd you make me your best man? For the hundredth time, I have the rings!"
George and Roger soon joined in the ripping, trying to get Chris to loosen up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rita for her part was gazing out her window, caught up in the milling guests and fantastic decorations that took up more than half of the beach below. At the yelled word "ja-beep," her attention was drawn to the long tables which would later be covered with food for the reception, and she smiled as she listened to Donnie "Dogs" DiBarto argue with and threaten the caterer. Next, she focused on the jazz licks that Chris' friend Bobbi was using as warm ups on the white, baby grand piano which was placed in the shade, off to the side of the isle. Moving her glance to Benny Lorenzo and Anna Alexis, Rita was thankful to see that they were keeping their promise to her, and actually behaving while in each other's company. Finally, Rita suppressed a laugh as she watched the two photographers who were in charge of capturing her special day: her poor foster brother Michael was desperately attempting to keep out of Solange's grasp, but it was unfortunately obvious that he couldn't escape.
Not having any blood family, or even foster family left (with the exception of Michael), Rita had always had reservations about her wedding day. But looking out at two hundred guests she would always consider family, she was deeply touched. Rita rested a hand on her stomach, making a silent vow to her and Chris' child that she would always instill the importance of such precious friends.
As she brought her glance back into the spacious suite where she, her bridal party, and Fran were adding the final touches to their hair and makeup, the feeling of love she had for, and received from these ladies was almost tangible.
"Oh Rita, honey, you look positively divine!" Fran gushed at a mile a minute. "Here are the flowers for your hair, and the bouquets are in the refrigerator, and we have fifteen minutes left, and oh - I'm just so happy for you, I think I'm going to cry!"
"Oh no you don't, Fran," Rita laughed. "If you start crying, then I'm going to start crying, and then it'll be makeup time all over again."
"Yeah, there will be plenty of opportunities to cry in fifteen minutes," Keisha added. "So come on Rita, we've got one more pre-ceremony tradition to uphold." She held her hands behind her back as Diana, Taylor, and Noriko gathered around Rita and Fran. "Something old..." she announced, once she had everyone's attention. "Now Rita, I'm a little new to this bridesmaid's job. I was stumped with this task, so I had to enlist Fran's help, and she knew exactly what to give you."
Fran nodded her head vigorously as she took the hidden objects from Keisha. "Keisha has a daughter to pass all her things onto, but Hesch and I never had any children of our own. You, Rita, have always been like a daughter to me, and I want you to have these. My mother wore them on her wedding day, and she gave them to me on my wedding day, and now I am giving them to you." The small, white pearl earrings, with elongated, teardrop pearl extensions, were as elegant as they were simple, and they matched Rita's dress perfectly.
Their exquisite beauty went almost unnoticed by Rita, as she was still floored from Fran's sweet words and kind gesture. "Oh, Fran..." she stammered, searching for the words that wouldn't come. Finally, she simply took the special earrings from her, and gave her a tight embrace in return.
"My turn," Noriko chimed in. "Something new. I bought this for you the last time I was in the Orient visiting my family. It just screamed 'Rita.'" Reaching through the sea of makeup that occupied her one sixth of the vanity table, Noriko withdrew a stunning abalone comb, which revealed shimmering white peach and plum blossoms when hit by the light. "I was gonna save it for your birthday, but it's much more appropriate for today: peach and plum blossoms bring good fortune for the household, and in romantic relationships. I think that could apply here."
The comb provided the perfect anchor for Rita's French twist and upswept curls, as well as for the fresh lilies of the valley that Noriko interwove in the silken, brunette strands.
"It's absolutely gorgeous, Noriko," Rita exclaimed, cocking her head at her friend. "You know me too well, thank you."
Taylor stepped up next. "Something borrowed. My great-grandmother wore this for good luck when she left France to come to America. It's been in my family since forever, and my mother passed it on to me when I went off to medical school. For this very special day it is yours, Rita. May it bring good luck to you as well." She held up an antiqued, gold-etched, heart-shaped locket, which was dangling from a delicate gold chain.
"Taylor, it's so beautiful! Are you sure?"
"Hush and turn around," Taylor instructed jokingly as she rotated Rita by the shoulders, and fastened the family heirloom around her neck.
"And last, but never, ever least...something blue." Matron of honor Diana opened a small, velvet ring box, and revealed an oval-cut star sapphire, set in an intricate webbing of shining silver. She paused for a moment, in a simple gesture of sheer respect. "This ring belonged to Mrs. Fontana."
Rita gingerly accepted the small box from Diana, fearing that the slightest touch would cause it to shatter into pieces or disappear from sight. "My dad gave this to my mom while they were still engaged. She wore it the day she married him..." Rita's whispered explanation trailed off as she slipped her mother's sapphire onto her right ring finger, mesmerized by the captured star that radiated from the center of the stone. She looked up into five pairs of misting eyes, which mirrored her own. When she finally offered her characteristic, lop-sided grin, they all burst out laughing.
"What-did-I-tell-you-guys-about-making-me-cry!" Rita admonished still laughing, delivering each word with a playful smack to a friend huddled around her: five smacks going to her right, five smacks reversing back to her left.
The round of mock violence was followed by a round of kleenex and another round of laughter. Rita took a seat at the vanity, and her friends all leaned down behind her. Studying each other's reflections in the mirror, they were convinced that everything was perfect. Show time...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Out on the beach, Chris and his four groomsmen stood in a diagonal to the right of a beautiful white awning, which was bedecked with winding ivy and white gardenias. The sun was low in the late afternoon sky, and the temperature was perfect.
Frannie exited the resort, giving a quick kiss to Harry in the doorway before she headed up center isle. With a wink and a nod toward Chris, the reverend, and Bobbi, she took her seat in the front row. Bobbi began to play, and all heads turned back to the resort. Diana, Taylor, Noriko, and Keisha came down the isle and lined up to the left of the awning, and everyone stood as all eyes focused back on the doorway.
"Ready, Rita?" Harry beamed as he offered her his arm.
Rita was practically glowing with happiness, and as she smiled her silent thank you into his eyes, she quickly nodded.
From the moment Rita came into view, a chorus of gasps escaped from everyone gathered. Indeed, she was a vision to behold.
Gussie had chosen classic, lace-over-satin for his masterpiece, floor length gown, and had personally overseen the importation of the lace from Italy. He, himself had taken the care to hand sew the beaded pearl and sequin designs which adorned the slightly off-shoulder neckline, the cuffs of the long sleeves that came to a point at Rita's wrists, and the border of the perfect length train. The form fitting bodice came to a 'V' at Rita's waistline before flowing into a full, satin skirt, and provided a beautiful accent to Rita's hour glass figure (which to her delight had remained intact for the wedding). With the final touch of white satin heels, Gussie had succeeded in making Rita a dress fit for a queen, and nothing less would do for his regal, "bella canzone" - even if she wasn't marrying his son.
The guests' reaction made Rita blush, and as she made eye contact with Chris, her smile was even more dazzling. The distance between them lessened, and although Rita knew that technically she already was 'Mrs. Lorenzo,' the simple fact that her loved ones were now present to witness the vows brought her more joy than she had ever imagined.
As Chris watched his stunning bride come up the isle and take her place at his side once again, he couldn't help being overwhelmed in his love for her. She was his partner in schemes, thankfully still his partner in work, and now he could shout to the world that she was his partner in life and for life.
The Sams tore their glances away from each other's eyes, and looked to the reverend. He smiled warmly at them, Bobbi finished playing, and the guests, with the exception of Harry and Fran, sat back down.
"My friends, Chris and Rita have requested to renew their vows in the presence of your company. They couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather, and of course, there's this view," the reverend began, motioning to the long beach and crashing ocean. "So to begin this very special ceremony, I ask: who gives this bride away?"
"My wife and I," Harry proudly announced, his eyes shining with tears. Frannie, unable to hold hers back, let out a soft cry as she and her husband sat down.
As the ceremony progressed, there were very few dry eyes on the beach. The vows began, and those who knew Chris and Rita best were more than thrilled to finally see their two friends radiate the complete happiness that was predestined to them and definitely deserved.
"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love and comfort Rita? To honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health? In prosperity, and adversity? And forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Chris replied, smiling directly at his Sam.
"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Rita paused, committing to memory every detail of the moment. "Yes, I do."
"Place the ring on the bride's finger."
It seemed so surreal to Chris. For the second time in his lifetime he had been privileged enough to place the sacred symbol on the hand of his soul mate, Rita Lee Lance.
"Can you hold that?" Rita quietly requested of Diana, handing her the bouquet she had been holding.
"Now you may put your ring on the groom's finger."
Rita returned Chris' ring to its rightful place, never to remove it again.
"By virtue of the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Once again Chris and Rita sealed their commitment to each other with a kiss, and Frannie, who had been sniffling throughout the entire ceremony, now let out a wail.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lorenzo."
Fran had to now unlatch herself from Harry's arm as everyone stood up, clapped, and cried at witnessing the completion of destiny.
And these guests weren't the only spectators of the joyous event. Smiling their loving support down upon the festivities were Donald Fontana and his beautiful wife, Tom and Sue Lance, Rose Alexis, and many special friends. Rita could feel their presence, and as she briefly glanced to the heavens, she closed her eyes and smiled in contentment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The reception was well underway, with spirits soaring high and everyone talking and laughing. Dinner had been exquisite Italian cuisine, and Donnie's gift to his favorite detective (and her husband). It was now time for the best man and the maid of honor to give their toasts.
Cotton stood up, glass of champagne in hand. "Can I have everyone's attention, please?"
The crowd quieted down, and focused on the con man turned best man.
"As the great poet Robert Browning once wrote: 'Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made.' And Chris, good buddy, the best is yet to be. A lady's love brings the greatest treasure a man could ever receive, and you have won the love of one very classy and extraordinary lady. Don't be expecting her to start cutting you any slack - if anyone can keep you in line, it's Rita. And Rita, you've always told me that I couldn't be straight if a ruler was shoved up my...well anyway, I'm being straight with you here. You've made quite a fine catch. Chris will most certainly treat you right, and you deserve that. I wish you both all the happiness in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses, please, to Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lorenzo."
Everyone applauded, and Cotton bowed to Diana.
"Thank you, Cotton," she replied, giving a dramatic nod in return. "Alright, I'm supposed to stand up here and make a speech, but since I know all the dirt on these two, I thought I'd just make this a question and answer session. So come on, what would everybody like to know? Ask away, I'll tell ya' anything!"
With that cue, two hundred hands shot in the air, as they had been previously instructed to do so.
The bride and groom exchanged similar, teasing smirks with each other and then threw a collective one in Diana's direction, but she defiantly stood her ground as she turned toward them and asked, "how much are you gonna pay me to keep quiet, here? Don't think either of you brought your cuffs with you, so I know you can't arrest me for blackmailing two cops!"
Giving a wink to her close friends, Diana turned back to the guests and relented. "Okay, okay. Everybody put your hands down. Keeping silent will be my gift to these guys." She paused and grew somewhat serious, though her eyes still gleamed mischievously. "Chris and Rita. I've never known anyone as in tune with one another as these two characters are, but believe it or not they are actually capable of forming complete sentences without each contributing a half. They were the last to realize what everyone else they came in contact with could see. Everyone knew it was inevitable that this day would come because everyone saw something in them that most people only dream about: a bond that could withstand the test of time, and the tests of all outsiders. Yesterday's hearing was proof positive of this, as not even the heads of the Department could separate them.
"True love and destiny are two of the most powerful forces in the universe, and Palm Beach's toughest two-some could not escape from them. Love is the road to our destiny; nothing can change what is meant to be. To Chris and Rita...destiny fulfilled, and living proof that love conquers all."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Lorenzo, you so much as think of smashing this cake in my face..." Rita left her only-somewhat mock threat unfinished. With an almost predatory glint in her eyes, she flashed 'the look' and a devilish smile to her usually mischievous husband.
"That goes double for you, beautiful," Chris retorted, narrowing his eyes in pretend mistrust and giving his Lorenzo grin a sly twist.
The four tier work of art, also a compliment of Donnie, had been placed on a table by itself and surrounded by the leftover ivy and gardenias. A true Italian masterpiece, the cake was traditional casada cream, with white icing and an array of red and pink flowers. A bride and groom figurine decorated the top tier, and a single blue flower had been placed at their feet to symbolize Chris and Rita's victory the previous day.
The Sams continued their playful banter, to the amusement of their guests, and Solange made sure she snapped their interplay. The cake exchange was luckily uneventful, and people such as Harry, who knew Chris and Rita well, breathed a sigh of relief as they half expected an all-out food fight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris and Rita made their rounds to all of the tables occupying the vast lanai, thanking each person in turn for their support. As they finished, Michael held up his camera to get Rita's attention.
"Think you can handle things here by yourself, for a minute, partner? I promised Michael some more pictures with me and my M.E posse while there's still light."
Chris stole a quick kiss and replied, "I'll make sure to keep the party jumping. You girls behave yourselves now."
Rita left to hunt down her bridal gang, and Chris continued to chat with the guests before making his way over to Bobbi, who was taking a break in between sets.
"Hey, hey! Heartbreaker!"
"Hey, Bobbi. You know I really appreciate this, don't you?"
"Anytime for you, baby, you know that. You've got a real special lady this time, you wild thang, don't you ever let her go."
"No worries there, Bobbi," Chris vowed as he watched his wife and her posse come back to the verandah, laughing hysterically. "Save me a dance, huh, Bobbi?" he called out as he walked back to rejoin Rita.
"Mrs. Lorenzo, would you care to dance?"
"Why Mr. Lorenzo, I thought you'd never ask."
Chris led his beautiful wife toward the dance floor, calling out that it was up to them to show everyone how it should be done. Their friends gathered round, eager to watch the couple of the evening take their solo dance across the floor.
Rita looked straight into the loving depths of Chris' deep blue eyes, the windows to his soul, allowing his reciprocal, tender gaze to reach right back to her own soul, and let the song flow straight to her heart.
I'll draw your arms around my waist
then all doubt I shall erase
I'll trace a hand to wipe your tears
a look to calm your fears
A silhouette of dark and light
while we hold each other oh so tight
I'll paint the truth, show how I feel
try to make you completely real
I'll use a brush so light and fine
to draw you close and make you mine
I'll draw the years all passing by
so much to learn so much to try
And with this ring our lives will start
swearing that we'll never part
I offer what you cannot buy.....
devoted love until we die
Starting with the wedding party, couples soon filtered onto the dance floor, undetected by the Sams. The music played on, one song melting into another. Bobbi was accompanying the live band she had arranged, and she winked in response to the grateful smile Rita directed at her.
Before Rita became lost once again in the perfect music and sweet security of Chris' arms, she took a moment to watch the others who were dancing. Harry and Frannie were as cute as ever, the wedding party seemed pleased with their pairings, and even Benny and Anna seemed to be enjoying each other's company. Soon, they all ceased to exist as Rita concentrated on her soul mate and husband. Her husband...
You can have diamonds in your hands,
have all the riches in the land,
but without love you don't really have a thing no, no, no
Rita closed her eyes and rested her head against Chris' shoulder. Feeling his heart beating in sync with her own, she anticipated her favorite lines:
When somebody cares that you're alive
When somebody trusts you with their life
Chris held Rita closer to him as the impact of the words found their way into his heart. In his arms was the magnificent woman whom he loved more than life itself, and a whirlwind of all their times together flashed through his mind.
You'll hold this world's most priceless gift,
the finest treasure that there is
You can look back and know you were loved
Oh, you were loved by someone, touched by someone,
held by someone, meant something to someone.
Loved somebody, touched somebody's heart along the way
You can look back and say…..yes, you were loved
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The reception lasted well into the night, illuminated by the glass lanterns and strings of lights that decorated the lanai. The Lorenzos gave a final speech to their beloved guests, acknowledging all who played a role in making their special day possible. The week which had been so emotionally draining, had given rise to an absolutely perfect ending, though Chris and Rita were still quite anxious to get away from work and away from Palm Beach, and spend the next ten days relaxing on the beaches of Hawaii.
With a moonlight twist on the rice throwing tradition, the bride and groom made a dash for Rita's LeBaron - yes, Rita's car. After much discussion, Rita had made it quite clear that under no circumstances would they be using the Charger, no matter how much Chris whined, and whined he had. It was only after Rita had resorted to a more manipulative approach that her wish was Chris' command, demonstrating the sheer power she could possess over him by giving him a kiss that had made him forget his own name.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From thirty thousand feet, Rita watched the city of Palm Beach grow smaller and smaller, until it became only a speck over the horizon. She was on her way to paradise, yet paradise already occupied the seat next to her. Yes, her Prince Charming was at her side, and at her side he would forever remain. Her fairy tale had begun, and she was cherishing every moment. Love really had conquered all, and just before Rita drifted to sleep against the strong shoulder of the man who had won her heart, she recited in a whisper the classic line.....
"And they lived happily ever after."
The End
Love conquers all things...let us too surrender to love.
- Virgil
*** I wanted to see the Sams get the happy ending they deserved - I hope you enjoyed my brand of denial. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated :) ***
I would like to dedicate my first solo venture in the wonderful world of Silk fan-fic to Mitzi Kapture and Rob Estes, for breathing life, laughter, style, and strength into the "fictional" characters of Rita Lee Lance and Christopher Lorenzo. Two years after the Sams' last ep together, their story is still going on...Mitzi and Rob must have done something right ;>
Givin' credit where credit is due:
Chris, Rita, and all their friends belong to Stephen J. Cannell, et al. I only borrowed them. The Commissioning Review Board (as far as I know) was created by me, as well as Comm. Donahue - oh yes, and the caterer. "Donahue" is in honor of Mitzi's maiden name, and since Taylor never had a last name, I gave her the name of the actress who played her (Kate Hodge). The line in D's speech "Love is the road...meant to be" is taken from Reba McEntire's "Forever Love." C&R took their solo dance to various lines of Celine Dion's "The Colour of My Love," and the other song used was "You Were Loved" by Whitney Houston.
Dani/D of The DA's Office sends heartfelt thanks to:
Lisa and Linda: for your ever-present support of my work, and for giving LCA yet another home. I truly appreciate both gestures.
Carla: for your "trust" vote for Chris' testimony angle - I nevah would have figured out his speech if it wasn't for you!
Amy F: A of DA, mi querida PIC. My Muse Erato and my Editor in Chief - THIS ONE'S FOR YOU! :) You provided me with countless revelations and inspirations, and saw this project through to the end with me. You kept me sane, and you kept me writing. Without your help and support, LCA would never have come about.....so I dedicate it to you as well. I luv ya'! :)