In Love With An Older Man 4: Wedding

June 1990

"We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day," Cindy remarked. It was very nice, warm but not sticky hot with a clear blue sky with white clouds floating in it like marshmallows. Cindy herself was lovely as well in a frilly white wedding dress, and she was glowing with happiness on this most special of days, as she, Gary, and Rabbi Schwartz stood under the chuppah waiting for their guests to arrive.

"It's gorgeous, all right," Rabbi Schwartz agreed. He was around fifty, with a salt-and-pepper beard and spectacles. Cindy had met him once before, at Jake's Bar Mitzvah, and had been truly impressed with both his intelligence and his kindness.

Gary nervously fiddled with the collar of his suit and his shirt sleeve buttons while pacing back and forth.

"This is your second time around. You should have it all down pat by now," the rabbi teased him.

Gary grinned. "The first time was nearly twenty years ago."

First to arrive were Mick and Carla Bradford, accompanied of course by Willy, Miranda, nine-year-old Jessica, and seven-year-old Ricky, who was blowing an enormous bubble with his gum.

"Spit it out this instant," Miranda said through her teeth.

"But Mom, I don't have anything to put it in," Ricky whined.

Miranda took a tissue out of her purse, which Ricky spit the gum into.

Norman and Sylvia Greenberg were next, followed by George and Nina Bradford with seven-year-old Devin, Peter Bradford, Philip and Jane Carrington with their five-year-old adopted Korean daughter Penny, and Jason and Melissa with their families. Billy and Lacy Bradford arrived, Billy proudly pushing himself in his wheelchair. Although still a paraplegic, he had made great strides in his recovery from his racing accident, and the whole family was proud of him. Cindy went to him and embraced him.

"I'm so glad you could make it," she told him.

"I wouldn't miss my kid sister's wedding for anything in the world," Billy said with a grin.

Carla Bradford looked like she was about to cry. "Can you believe it, Mick? Our baby's getting married!"

"She certainly grew up to be a beautiful woman, just like her mother and sisters." Mick Bradford smiled and put his arm around his wife.

The rabbi stepped to the front, indicating that it was time for the ceremony to begin. Cindy and Gary exchanged vows, and the rabbi recited the Sheva Brachot, or seven blessings. At the conclusion, Gary crushed a glass under his right heel, and everyone, even the Bradfords, shouted "Mazel tov!"

"It's to symbolize the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem," Gary had explained to Cindy earlier. He didn't want her to be alarmed by the gesture.

After the ceremony was over, little Penny Carrington approached Gary.

"Are you my uncle now?" she asked him shyly.

"I most certainly am." Gary scooped the little girl up in his arms and kissed her cheek. Penny, beaming, put her arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as she could. The little girl who had lost her entire family in Korea was overjoyed to have another person to love her.

"He's such a natural with her," Jane commented.

"He's had plenty of practice." Cindy nodded in Carly's direction.

"So does this mean we're cousins?" Jessica asked Carly.

"I guess so."

"Great! I'm gonna invite you to my next birthday party then." Carly rolled her eyes.

The Greenbergs were playing 'Hava Nagila' and dancing the hora. The Bradfords joined in while Billy watched sadly from his wheelchair. Lacy grabbed the handles of his wheelchair and spun him around in time to the music.

Gary looked happier than Cindy had ever seen him. He spun her around with the energy of a man half his age. To Cindy the whole day had seemed magical, like a scene from a childhood storybook. She knew that if she were dreaming, she never wanted to wake up.

Later that night, Gary and Cindy lay cuddled in bed. Gary's arms were around Cindy, and her cheek rested on his chest.

"So, how does it feel to finally be Mrs. Greenberg?"

"More wonderful than I can say. How do you like being married again?"

"I couldn't be any happier. Now if only the kids don't throw up tomorrow. I told them no rough rides right after eating. Hopefully they listened." The couple had planned a combination honeymoon/family vacation in Disneyland.

"Do you think Jackie would have liked me?" Cindy felt a little hesitant to ask, but she had to know.

"There's no doubt in my mind that she's smiling down on us from above right this instant. She would have wanted me to be happy, and nothing makes me happier than being married to you."

"Do you think she would trust me to help finish raising her children?"

"Of course she would. Why wouldn't she?"

"Well, for one thing, I'm not Jewish, and for another, I'm only eleven years older than Carly."

Gary sighed. "We've been through that before, Cindy. It's not that important. I know that you love Jake and Carly and want what's best for them just like I do."

"And you think that's enough?"

"It's good enough for me. I'm not a perfect parent myself, Cindy. I just do my best with what I have. That's all that anyone can do."

Cindy yawned.

Gary chuckled. "Go to sleep now, my love. Big day tomorrow." He kissed her on the forehead and gave her a big hug. Drowsily content, Cindy was asleep within minutes.