Bauer BBQ 2014 by Robansuefarm Chapter 4

AUTHOR’S NOTE:  In the last chapter, I hope you had a great time at Bauer BBQ 2014 and enjoyed seeing everyone. The end of this is SO way over due it’s not even funny, but it’s never too early to start yours for next year. Tell me what YOU think Bauer BBQ 2015 will be like and share.

The crowd slowly shifted from the Bauer patio through the hedge to the Spaulding backyard. Rick led the way over the flat part of the lawn. It had rented white folding chairs set up in two groups with a white carpet runner up the middle between the two groups. The chairs were all faced in one direction facing the white wood trellis with red roses. A small string ensemble softly began playing background music. The guests gradually settled down and even the whispers trailed off as the music picked up in volume and intensity. A side door opened in the Spaulding Mansion and a group of men emerged. Most of them were wearing tuxedos. Ray lead the group wearing his clerical robes. Behind him came Frank Cooper, Phillip Spaulding, Rick Bauer, and Robbie Santos. They filed past slowly taking their places in a line in front of the arbor. Again the music hit a chord and the French doors opened again and this time Danny Santos came walking out to take his place beside his son and best man, Robbie. He just couldn’t quit smiling. He grinned back down at his son who was bursting with pride at his special role as best man. Danny resisted rumpling his hair because Robbie was trying so hard to act grown up. He looked up over Robbie’s head at his friends. Rick who he now considered his brother and he was happy to say the affection and connection was now returned. Beyond him was Phillip Spaulding. There had always been a sort of respect and connection between the two men and Phillip and Danny’s relationship had grown over the years. After they had returned to town and Danny accepted the job at Spaulding Enterprises they had grown quite close. He and Michelle had been included in the Four Musketeers social sphere since their return and while he once never would have believed it, he felt part of that group. The last one of his groomsmen was Frank Cooper, who had long been one of his best friends, Danny did turn away and suddenly grimaced at the thought of how lost he’d gotten during Michelle’s amnesia. How could he have betrayed his good friend like that? Reaching out to Frank’s daughter in his desperate search for normalcy, he wouldn’t have blamed Frank if he’d never forgiven him and he thanked God that he had.

Danny was distracted by the flash of color when Michelle’s cousin Bridge moved from her position at the table with the reception book to her seat beside her husband, Dylan Lewis. Danny’s eyes locked on the far side of white carpet runner. He heard his daughter giggling behind the hedge. The string quartet struck up playing “Too Busy Being in Love” and Chelsea Reardon, Michelle’s aunt, began to sing.

♪♫♪ If I had taken the time
To write down a few lines
Every time that you crossed this heart of mine
Put them all in a book
How much time would that have took?
But words and years have a way of slipping by

Oh no, too bad
There goes the chance that I had ♪♫

I could have written a play so sweet and so funny
Given old Mr. Shakespeare, a run for his money
Written the words to the prettiest tune
That would never leave a dry eye in the room
My only excuse for not doing enough
Well, I was too busy, being in love
Yes, I was too busy, being in love

♫♪♫ Brand new phrases appear
Every time you are near
All these words you inspire after all these years
But I never reached for a pen
Break the mood that I’m in
Before I knew it, the words were gone again

Oh no, too bad
There goes the chance that I had ♪♫

I could have written a play so sweet and so funny
Given old Mr. Shakespeare a run for his money
Written the words to the prettiest tune
That would never leave a dry eye in the room
My only excuse for not doing enough
Well, I was too busy, being in love
Yes, I was too busy, being in love

♫♪♫ I could have written the poem to make young lovers crazy
I could have written a movie for Hepburn and Tracey
The most beautiful song and it starts with your name
Written my way into fortune and fame
But I have no regrets for not doing it now
Well, I was too busy, being in love
Yes, I was too busy, being in love ♫♪♫

As the words to the song ended and began again the second time through as an instrumental, Hope appeared and took her time centering herself on the white carpet. She paused and giggled again, Danny wasn’t sure if it was because she was so happy or because his little drama queen wanted to make sure that all attention on her before she started down the aisle. She took a breath, grinned, and started down the aisle taking loooong steps in the proper bridal march; right step, together, left step, together, right step….. As she went she sprinkled pink rose petals along the aisle in her fluffy, light pink dress. She arrived at the end of the aisle and stepped over to the far side next to the groomsmen.

Next down the aisle, dressed in a matching dress only in a dusky rose, came Beth. Step right, together, left step, together, right step… Beth also carried a short, dark haired beauty, the latest pride of their love, Danielle. Danielle was the other flower girl, but had proven very definitely at the rehearsal that she couldn’t be trusted walking down the aisle either alone or with her big sister. Beth was about halfway down the aisle when the next lady in pink appeared around the hedge, it was Drew, Michelle’s maid of honor from their church wedding at Casa Santos. They hadn’t really been close before that, but they had grown close over the next few years and had kept in touch even after she moved to New York and they had moved to California. Drew was beaming and had a calm, contentment she had never shown before having finally made peace with her marriage, the lies and hurts of her childhood, and made her faith a strong tenant in her life. Beth had reached the altar and moved to her place at the far end. When Drew hit the middle point of the aisle, the final bridesmaid, Michelle’s step-sister Blake took her turn to walk down the aisle. When Blake hit the assigned point, Mindy, Michelle’s sister-in-law and matron of honor, started down the aisle in her matching dress. Mindy followed down the aisle and moved into her matron of honor position and put Dani down and held her hand. Dani showed that she could be just as much a center of attention as her big sister as she wore her matching light pink dress. She smiled at the audience did her best expression that she always used on her daddy when she wanted him to give her something and then she stuck her hand down and grabbed the hem of her skirt and yanked it up revealing her special lace lollies as the audience broke into general laughter. Accepting she’d had her due, Dani dropped her hand and fastened her eyes on where she remembered her mommy reappearing last night at the rehearsal.

The music changed and began the bridal march and just like that Michelle stepped onto the end of the white runner. The fluffy white dress focused on its sweetheart neckline and made a shawl collar and a flowing skirt that ended mid-calf. A narrow pink sash of pink encircled Michelle’s waist and tied behind. Around her neck was a gold chain, three charms hung from it, a locket with Maureen’s photo inside, a third grade spelling bee winning charm, and a charm shaped like the house they had finally built at Laurel Falls. Michelle’s hair had been twisted into an updo and was covered by a Mantea. It was the one from their Church wedding and while their feelings of that event were twisted by his family’s involvement, the service had still meant a lot to both of them. After all, it was that ceremony that kept that bound to each other through all eternity in the eyes of the Church. During the annulment separation, it had been the one piece of clothing of Michelle’s that Danny had kept. They felt it was an important tie to a part of their past.

It had been hard on Danny and Michelle both to spend the night before the wedding apart, they had always hated to spend a night apart, even before their fake marriage had turned real. It was worse than ever now when they were used to cuddling and ….. more…. every night in their California king size bed. Their eyes met across the garden and then Michelle’s face broke like the sun in their secret smile. Bill Lewis stepped up beside her and she came down the aisle on his arm.

Michelle and Danny were so focused on each other that everyone else faded into the background. Danny took Michelle by the hand and they kneeled beside each other facing Ray in his role as their priest. They vaguely heard Ray say, “Who gives this woman in marriage?” and Bill answer, “On behalf of her parents and myself, I do.” They both missed it, but Bill winked at them as he said the myself part.

Ray started. “We are here today to celebrate the renewed marriage of Daniel Santos and Berta Michelle Bauer Santos.” He bestowed on the crowd a welcoming smile. “Michelle and Danny have had a little trouble getting this right.” Another smile, met with a chuckle from the audience. “This is the seventh time they have come together before God and dedicated their lives, their hearts, and their sacred honor to each other. While they separated on several occasions, they have always honored their vows. During their original pre-cana, Danny and Michelle discovered just how closely their desires were for the same type of marriage, the same type of life and while they faced many challenges they have created that life for themselves and their children.”

As one Michelle and Danny turned to look at their children in turn, to Robbie who was standing beside his father as his best man, to Hope and then Dani who were serving as flower girls. Their children beamed back at them.

“Danny and Michelle have written their own vows.”

Michelle handed Mindy her bouquet. They stood and faced each other.

Danny cleared his throat. “Michelle, I know we took the scenic route to get where we are.” More laughter from the audience and he waited until it ebbed before he continued, “We both had a lot to learn to get this far. This is OUR life, OUR family, and we need to be willing to fight for it to be what we want. I mean you look innocent and beautiful and soft and pink, but underneath you’re like steel. I always knew you had that in you. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you. You never really gave up on me deep down and so you never really let me give up on myself, not quite all the way and we made it, baby. I look around now and I can’t believe what we’ve built together. I knew I was lying to you that day by the park bench when I told you I could never be happy in your life, but I had no idea just how wonderful it could be. Thank you, my beautiful wife for all eternity.”

Michelle replied, “Danny, a few years ago, I was talking to Marah and when I got home I wrote what I said down and kept it because it was so right. I’ve taken it out to read while times were difficult and I want to share it with you now.” Michelle unfolded and smoothed the faded and crinkled piece of paper. She looked up at Danny as her hand slightly shook. She smiled, “Remember I dropped my vows on our first wedding day. I’ll try to do better today…..Looking back I wouldn’t do a thing differently because you are worth it. It’s like we’re on some kind of a journey. Sometimes you lose direction, sometimes it’s me, but we’re supposed to be traveling together. I know that in my bones, sometimes it’s the only thing I do know, but I am sure, so wherever we end up together I know that’s where I want to be. Thank you, my handsome husband for all eternity.”

Michelle turned to the audience, letting go of one of Danny’s hands and turning him with her. “And I want to also thank all of you for being part of our special day. This is the third time we’ve recited vows on July 4th. Ray has been there for all three times.” She paused turning to smile back at him before continuing. “The first time we said our vows on this day we skipped the Bauer BBQ to do it, but the other two times we’ve been here and that’s better. The Bauer BBQ is very special for our family. The tradition of marking Independence Day dates back to my Great-Grandfather Papa Bauer. He and Mama Bauer were immigrants and truly appreciated the gift that was the United States. The party got a little bigger under my Grandma Bert whose apple pie recipe I always make for this day. Finally my parents, Ed and Maureen turned it into the celebration it is today. A celebration of family, friends, and the Springfield community. A place where everyone is welcome, old connections are refreshed, and where we celebrate the spirit of this country. A lot of you who knew me then questioned my choice when I wed Danny the first time, but you were wrong. It scared me so much I was afraid to admit, but the first time I looked into Danny’s eyes I saw my soul, his soul, as one and that’s what I still see. I also see so much love and that’s a love we share with all of you. I recently read a quote that made me think about Grandma Bert’s apple pies. Love is not a single pie (p-i-e), hand out your 8 slices and you’re done. Love is pi (p-i), irrational and never ending. Thank you for being here to day to help celebrate our irrational, never ending love.” Michelle turned back to Danny, re-clasped his hand and they shared their secret smile.

Danny whispered, “That’s perfect, you’re perfect.”

Ray cleared his throat bringing attention back to him and said, “The ceremony of marriage in which you come to be united is one of the first and oldest ceremonies in the entire world, celebrated in the beginning in the presence of God himself. Marriage is a gift in that we give ourselves totally to one another. I believe that marriage is a gift given to comfort the sorrows of life and to magnify life’s joys.”

“Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives into one, and your marriage must stand, not by the authority of the State, nor by the seal on your wedding certificate, but by the strength and power of the faith and love you have in one another.”

“Repeat after me.”

Danny grinned, “I think we’ve got this.” He grinned at Michelle. She had handed her bouquet to Mindy and then clasped both of Danny’s hands.

Danny looked deeply into her eyes and vowed,”I, Danny, take you Michelle, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

Ray added, “Danny, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? Forsaking all others, be faithful only to her so long as you both shall live?”

Danny had never looked happier when he said, “I do.”

Looking just as serious, Michelle vowed in turn. “I, Michelle, take you Danny, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

Ray responded, “Michelle, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? Forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?”

Michelle replied, “I do.”

Ray continued, “Having this kind of love in your hearts for one another, you have chosen to exchange rings as the sign and seal of the promises you are making to one another today. Rings are very large in their significance. They are made of a precious metal and precious stone, and that reminds us that love is not cheap or common; but indeed love is very costly and dear to us. These rings are also made in a circle and their design tells us that we must keep love continuous throughout our whole lives even as the circle of the ring is continuous. As you wear these rings, whether you are together or apart for even just a moment, may these rings be a constant reminder of the promises you are making to one another this day.”

“Danny, will you please take this ring and place it upon the finger of Michelle’s left hand, and holding her hand in yours, please repeat this promise to her saying after me: With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving husband, as God is my witness.”

Danny repeated, “With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving husband, as God is my witness.”

Ray looked at Michelle, “Michelle, will you please take this ring and place it upon the finger of Danny’s left hand, and holding his hand in yours please repeat this promise to him saying after me: With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving wife, as God is my witness.”

Michelle repeated, “With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving wife, as God is my witness.”

Michelle and Danny, you have come here today before us and before God and have expressed your desire to become husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, and have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, and have sealed these promises by the giving and the receiving of the rings. Therefore, it is my privilege as a minister and by the authority given to me by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife. Danny, you may kiss your the bride.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time Senor and Senora Santos.

Michelle let out a little shriek as Danny suddenly swept her off her feet, with one arm under her knees and the other around her waist. He spun around to face the audience and as Michelle’s arms automatically came around Danny’s neck and he kissed her soundly.

Author’s Note: I said at the beginning that I was withholding my initial author’s note and now you can see why. Danny and Michelle were getting ready to renew their vows at the Bauer BBQ 2014. Danny spent the night at the Bauer House to honor the tradition of not seeing the bride before the wedding. Michelle I’m sure noted that got him out of working at the BBQ and Danny responded it meant he had to make sure everything for the wedding was ready. The special thing Robbie carried in first was his tuxedo. Michelle went in from the BBQ to get ready for the wedding. Michelle and Danny are FINALLY living in their Laurel Falls House because we’ve all agreed not to mention or think about Tattoo Tony ever, ever again so it isn’t strange for them. The kids are going to spend the night at the Bauer House to watch the fireworks with Rick and Mindy, so Danny and Michelle can head out to the Springfield Inn to make some fireworks of their own. And I think then they will finally go to Majorca, but they’ll take the kids.

I put in dialogue from several key Manny scenes and referenced several others. I hope you enjoy it.

That’s what I think happened at Bauer BBQ 2014. If you want to imagine what will happen during Bauer BBQ 2015. Start writing now.

Sources:

Pie Quote off Facebook

Wedding Vows:
http://www.laketahoeweddings.net/ministers/wedding-ceremony/#ixzz3Iuqq3EA3

Words to “Too Busy Being In Love”, Note: I think these are listened to lyrics and I differ in a couple of points with them. I edited in a couple of places, but let a couple I weren’t sure were right.
Doug Stone – Too Busy Being In Love Lyrics | MetroLyrics (with corrections)

Robansuefarm is the handle of one of Manny and Guiding Light‘s biggest fans following in her family’s footsteps of Guiding Light fandom since 1939. This blog is an effort to make it easy to find Guiding Light and especially Manny online. Check back here for her blog, find fanfic previews and fake WSPR newscasts on her YouTube, find podcasts that look back to old shows and audios of her fanfics on Blog Talk Radio, and finally follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Tags: Bauer BBQ, Beth Raines Spaulding, Blake Thorpe Spaudling Marler, Chelsea Reardon, Danielle Santos, Danny Santos, Drew Jacobs Blue, Frank Cooper, GL, Guiding Light, Hope Santos, Manny, Manny Fanfic, Manny fanfiction, Michelle Bauer Santos, Mindy Lewis Bauer, Phillip Spaulding, Ray Santos, Rick Bauer, Robbie Santos