Laura stood with Donald in the vestibule. She waited patiently while her mother and Mildred were shown to their seats. Then the music began and then she watched as the wedding party walked past her and down the aisle. First Mindy and Danny as junior bridesmaid and groomsman. Then Monroe escorted Frances down the aisle. Laurie Beth followed them, strewing white rose petals along the runner.

The wedding march began and Laura let out a long sigh as Donald pulled her close.

"This is it, Kiddo," he whispered in her ear. "Wanna back out?"

"Not a chance," she said, smiling.

When the doors opened, Laura looked out at the congregation. On her side were her family, the girls from Four East and their husbands, Bernice, Murphy and so many more of her friends and acquaintances.

As she looked over at Remington's side, she couldn't help but smile. Not only were there a collective of dignitaries like the police commissioner and Mayor Bradley, but a collection of Mr. Steele's friends and acquaintances. They were quite the rogue's gallery… George Mulch, Jackie Crawford, Weasel, Thelma from the bowling alley. She found that she was even pleased to see Felicia there; she knew it would mean a lot to Remington. She was sad that Daniel wasn't there, but happy that Remington had Monroe to stand beside him in Daniel's stead.

Remington.

Finally, she looked up and locked eyes with him as everyone else disappeared. She felt like she was floating as she walked toward him. It seemed like an eternity before they reached the altar and Donald placed her hand in Remington's.

She wanted to giggle as she looked up into Remington's beautiful baby blue eyes. This was really happening. She was really marrying Remington Steele.

Remington let out the breath he'd been holding since the door opened and he saw his bride. She was beyond beautiful in an exquisite gown of ivory Irish lace. The dress was full, with an off the shoulder neckline, but he couldn't take his eyes off her beautiful face. She was smiling brightly and he could tell she was happy and as excited as he was.

He held Laura's hand tightly as they turned to face the minister.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," he said, "we are gathered here today to witness and bless the joining of this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony…."

Remington tried to pay attention to Reverend Douglas as he continued with the ceremony. He wanted to remember every moment of it, but all he could think about was the incredibly beautiful woman at his side and the fact that she was in the process of becoming his wife.

"Remington, do you take Laura for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?"

"Of course I do," he responded with a smile.

"Laura, do you take Remington for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," she said solemnly, but with a smile.

Reverend Douglas directed Remington and Laura to sit on a bench at the side of the altar while he explained the lighting of the Unity candle. He blessed the candles and then they all watched as Abigail and Mildred lit the candles on both sides of the Unity candle, and then they each walked over and kissed Remington and Laura before returning to their seats. The happy couple then walked over and completed the candle ceremony before returning to their place at the altar.

Reverend Douglas led them in reciting their vows and then asked for the rings. Monroe stepped up and handed them to him.

The minister held up Laura's ring.

"May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end."

He handed the ring to Remington, who placed it on Laura's finger.

"With this ring," he said. "I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our vow, my eternal faith and our undying love. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the name of God."

The reverend then blessed Remington's ring and Laura placed it on his finger. She repeated the words that her beloved had said only moments before.

"With this ring," she said. "I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our vow, my eternal faith and our undying love. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the name of God."

Eternal faith, she thought. That was one she was going to have to work on. She knew they were well on their way. She listened as Reverend Douglas continued the ceremony.

"May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. Remington and Laura are now beginning their married life together; we hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as Remington and Laura have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, having given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of rings, by the power vested in me by the Holy Church and the State of California, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder."

Remington and Laura smiled as they stared into each other's eyes.

"You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss," the minister said.

Wasting no time, Remington took his bride in his arms for a heart-stopping kiss. As the kiss ended, their friends and family were cheering and Reverend Douglas said the words that Remington had longed to hear…

"May I be the first to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Remington Steele."

--

"You know," Laura said as she snuggled up to her husband in the back of the limo, "I didn't expect to feel different, but I do."

"Different?" Remington asked.

"Being really married," she said with a smile. "I mean, I already considered us married, but now… knowing it's for real, it's official… it feels different somehow."

"Good different?" Remington asked, as he placed a gentle kiss on her temple.

"Oh yes, Mr. Steele," she said. "Very good. It just feels right somehow."

"I know what you mean," he said. "Do you think they'd miss us if we didn't show up at the reception?" he asked with a grin.

"I think they might," she answered. "But I might be willing to risk it." She leaned in to him and kissed him deeply.

"Careful, Mrs. Steele,' he said, as the kiss ended. "You may have to put more than your money where your mouth is." He leaned in to kiss her again.

Just then, the phone rang.

"Steele here," Remington said into the phone.

"Chief, where are you?" Mildred asked. "The natives are getting restless."

Remington looked down at his watch. The photos at the church had taken longer than they thought, but he wanted to make sure Laura had everything she wanted for the perfect wedding album.

"We're on our way, Mildred," he said as Laura laughed. "The photos took longer than we thought. We'll be there in a few minutes. Why don't you tell Claude to go ahead and have dinner served?"

"No, no," Mildred said. "We'll wait for you. Just tell Fred to hurry."

--

When they walked into the banquet hall, the first thing Laura noticed was the bandstand set up for a full band. She found that quite strange since they hadn't found a band they liked and decided to hire a DJ. The next thing she noticed was Bernice talking with two of men on the stage. One of the men pointed to Remington and Laura and Bernice took the mic.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," she said. "Laura and Remington Steele."

As their guests cheered, the Steeles made their way to the head table. Dinner was served as the band played soft instrumental music.

"I thought we hired a DJ," Remington whispered into his wife's ear.

"We did," Laura answered.

Sporadically throughout the meal, toasts were made and photos were taken. Soon, the dishes were cleared and it was time for dancing. Once again, Bernice took the mic.

"Hi everyone," she said as the crowd began to quiet down and pay attention. "I could stand up here and give a flowery speech about my dear friend Laura and the scoundrel who stole her heart, but I'm sure you'd rather hear some great music. So, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you The Ryley Brothers Band, featuring Eddie and Devan Ryley."

As the band again took the stage, Bernice made her way to Remington and Laura.

"Eddie?" Laura asked. "What's going on?"

"Well," Bernice said, "Remember that phone call at the rehearsal dinner last night? You two ditched before Mildred came back with the message. Your DJ cancelled and Mildred was in a panic. We didn't have much time to find a replacement, so I made a few calls and it worked out for the boys to come down here before they go up to Seattle."

"Oh, Bernice," Laura said. "Thank you so much. And thank Eddie for us, too. No, I want to do that myself."

"You'll get the chance," she said as the music changed and the band began playing Marry Young and Eddie called for them to come out on the dance floor.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, join me in welcoming our happy couple to the dance floor. Sharing their first dance as husband and wife, Laura and Remington Steele."

Remington held his wife close as they swayed to the melody of the Tony Bennett classic. He savored having her in his arms as they moved in perfect harmony. He couldn't help thinking of their bodies moving together in perfect time, and suddenly he couldn't wait for the evening to be over so he could have her alone again.

--

After they had cut the cake, Remington was talking with Monroe and Laura took the opportunity to sneak off to speak with Bernice.

"Thanks again, Bernice," she said. "I can't believe Eddie and Devan did this for us. They're so good!"

"Yeah," Bernice said, smiling with pride. "They are."

"Listen," Laura said. "There's just one thing. I had given a special request to the DJ and I'm pretty sure Remington did, too…"

"No problem," Bernice said. "It's already taken care of." She looked up to see her husband nodding in her direction. "In fact, it's time for your song right now. Go get your husband." Bernice winked at Laura and then made her way to the stage.

"Hello again, everyone," she said as she took the mic. "We all know that Laura and Remington are not your typical couple. And they rarely do things that one would expect. That's what keeps things new and exciting, I guess," she said as the crowd laughed along with her. "Anyway, Laura has requested a special song to be played for her husband, and since my husband would feel a little awkward singing it, I'm gonna give it a shot. Skeeziks, this is for you… from your lovely bride."

Laura was shocked. She had no idea Bernice could even sing, let alone do it so well. As her friend began to sing, Laura was amazed at just how much she sounded like Carole King.

Lookin' out on the morning rain
I used to feel uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired

Before the day I met you, life was so unkind
But your love was the key to my peace of mind

'Cause you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like
A natural woman

When my soul was in the lost-and-found
You came along to claim it
I didn't know just what was wrong with me
Till your kiss helped me name it

Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for
'Cause if I make you happy I don't need to do more

You make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like
A natural woman

Oh, baby, what you've done to me
You make me feel so good inside
And I just want to be close to you
You make me feel so alive

You make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like
A natural woman

"I love you," Laura whispered into her husband's ear as he held her close. She knew he understood why she'd chosen this song. She was lost before she met him and she hadn't even known it. It was his love that allowed her to be free and to be the woman that she truly was… the one she'd kept hidden for so long… the one she'd been afraid of. She no longer had anything to fear because she knew she was loved and accepted just the way she was.

--

The Steeles spent most of the evening on the dance floor, wrapped in each other's arms and oblivious to those around them. As wonderful as the wedding and the reception had been, Remington could think of little more than getting Laura out of there so that he could let her in on her next surprise. He was startled from his reverie as Eddie once again called them to the dance floor.

They had the ceremonial tossing of the garter, which landed smack into George Mulch's drink, and the bouquet. It was looking pretty certain that Mildred would end up with that prize, but at the last minute, it slipped from her hand and into Felicia's.

The band took a break and the Steeles sat down to have a glass of champagne with the Ryleys.

"Eddie," Laura said. "Thank you so much for this. I just picked up your new album and we were hoping to catch your show at the Hollywood Bowl next month. I can't believe that you guys are actually playing our wedding!"

"Well," he said, "it worked out that we were available. You've been such a good friend to Bernice over the years; it was the least I could do. And we're having a great time. You guys are a great crowd."

"Thanks," Laura said with a laugh. "That's good, I guess."

Bernice excused herself to the powder room and dragged Laura along with her. While they were gone, their husband's put their heads together. When they emerged from the restroom, the band was back on stage.

"I know the bride and groom are anxious to get out of here and get on with their honeymoon plans," Eddie said from the stage. "We do have another special dedication. This one from Remington to Laura."

The band began to play and this time Devan took the mic, giving his own spin to the James Taylor favorite.

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs
and there you were

With sweet love and devotion
deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night,
wondering where would I be without you in my life
Everything I did was just a bore,
everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before

But you brightened up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better for me than I was for myself
For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

Laura was beaming as she and Remington stood off to the side of the dance floor. The song said so much without being sappy or overly sentimental. That was her husband; romantic, yet playful. She was looking forward to a lifetime of moments like this.

"Let's get out of here," Remington whispered in her ear. "We're going to miss our plane."

"Our plane?" she asked, turning in his arms. "Remington, we've already had our honeymoon."

"I know," he said, "but we can't just go home on our wedding night. I promise, Mrs. Steele, I'll have you back in the office bright and early on Monday morning."

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"San Francisco," he said. "A weekend at the Mark Hopkins… in the honeymoon suite. Think of it Laura, dinner at Marty's restaurant… dancing at the Top of the Mark…"

"With no rogue cops on our tails?" she said. "Sounds heavenly."

"Oh, it will be, Mrs. Steele," he said. "And the only one after your lovely tail will be me."

"You're on, Mr. Steele," she said, and they sealed the deal with a passionate kiss.

The end.

"Natural Woman" written and recorded by Carole King, 1971 used without permission

"How Sweet It Is" written and recorded by James Taylor , 1975 used without permission