"No sign of Negs," Amy glanced out the door into the park. It was just starting to get dark and the wedding was about to begin.
"He'll show up somehow," Liz said from where she stood in front of the mirror.
"With all these heros here? I doubt that."
"Must you wear all those brightly colored bracelets?" Mrs. DeQuacka frowned at her daughter.
"QJ likes them," Liz replied. "Well," she turned around, "how do I look?"
"I can't tell if you're going to a wedding or to a rave," Amy told her.
"I'm ready when everyone else is."
Opening the door, Amy let out Liz's two neieces Holly and Heather to throw flowers on the ground. Spike went next, the rings balanced on his head, then Liz's mother, followed by Amy and Julia.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Liz stepped out of the building, just as the music started. All eyes were on the girl as she slowly made her way down the aisle, dozens of glowsticks stuck into her bouquet or around her neck. Reaching Quackerjack and the priest, Liz released the breath she had been holding.
"You look great," Quackerjack grinned at the girl. "We should have turned the reception into a rave."
"My mother would have blown a fuse."
"Dearly beloved," the priest began. "Friends, families, we are gathered here this evening to celebrate the love between James Quackford and Elizabeth DeQuacka. Quackerjack winced at the use of his real name. "Let us pray," the priest continued, and everyone bowed their heads.
As the priest continued, while everyones heads were bowed, Liz caught something just ahead of her behind a tree. A flash of light. It looked like a flashlight. It blinked a few times in a slow steady pattern, and Liz realized it was morse code.
G-R-A-T-S P-I-S-S-A-N-T F-I-N-D M-E L-A-T-E-R
Liz couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. She knew he'd be there. She gently nudged Quackerjack and nodded toward the tree. "Negs is here," she whispered.
"He actually came," Quackerjack was shocked. "Maybe he really does like you."
"I told you."
The priest finished his prayer and glanced out at the guests. "Who gives this woman?" He asked.
Liz's mother stood up. "I do," she replied.
"So do I," Darkwing stood as well.
The priest nodded, then glanced at Liz. "Elizabeth repeat after me. I Elizabeth take you James for my lawful husband."
"I Elizabeth take you James for my lawful husband," Liz repeated.
"To have to to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."
"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."
Turning to Quackerjack the priest had him repeat much the same thing toward Liz. "The rings please," the priest glanced down at Spike, who moved to sit before the couple, panting happily. "Elizabeth," the priest turned toward the girl, "place the ring onto Jame's hand with the words "With this ring, I thee wed."
Picking up one of the rings, Liz gave Spike a pat, before taking Quackerjacks left hand and slipping the ring onto his finger. "With this ring, I thee wed," she smiled.
"James, do the same for Elizabeth."
Quackerjack took the other ring, sliding it onto Liz's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed," he returned the girls smile.
The priest spoke again, "A good marriage must be created. In marriage the "little" things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, ”I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is standing together and facing the world. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner."
"I love you," Liz whispered.
"I love you too," Quackerjack replied, squeezing the girls hand.
"I would like to read a passage from first Corinthians," the priest said, opening his Bible. "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them. Let us pray again."
Everyone bowed their heads in prayer again and Liz glanced toward the tree. She could just barely make out someone standing there in the shadows. Negs wanted her to find him later, so she'd have to slip away from the reception. When the praying was finished the priest glanced back up at the couple, "By the power vested in me and the holy Catholic church, I now pronounce you husband and wife. James, you may kiss your bride."
Grinning, Quackerjack pulled Liz to him, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his beak to hers. A chorus of cheers errupted from their guests. Pulling away from each other, the couple turned toward the guests and Liz spoke up, "Theres a buffet in that building just over there," she nodded toward the building she had emerged from earlier. "Everyone go eat and have fun I have something to take care of."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Quackerjack asked.
"No, honey, I need to do this on my own. You just go hang out with everyone else, I'll be inside in a few minutes." Liz watched as the group stood, everyone heading toward the building. Once everyone was inside, Liz turned and hurried across the park to the tree Negaduck was waiting under.
As the girl moved to the other side of the tree, Negaduck grabbed her wrist, pulling her behind the tree. "You look tacky," he told her.
"QJ likes tacky. I knew you'd be here. You really do like me."
"I suppose I tolerate you. May I kiss the bride?"
"Wha...what?"
"I wanna kiss ya."
Liz frowned momentarily, before nodding. "Just a quick one."
Negaduck pushed the girl against the tree, kissing her more deeply and passionately than she had expected. When he pulled away, Liz brought a hand up like she was going to slap him, then paused, her arm falling back to her side. "I'm glad you came," she told him. "I'd invite you in for the reception, but I doubt thats a good idea."
"I'm not staying anyway, I don't want you thinking I like you too much."
"Of course not," Liz grinned. "I'll see ya back at the hideout, bye boss."
"See ya, piss-ant."
Liz turned and hurried back across the park to join her guests.
-Finis-