Chapter 8 - Almost Paradise
ST. LUKE'S
PAUL: Come on, baby. You know you don't wanna do this. Remember all the fun we had together? All the good times?
JAN: Good times. Right. Like the time in Puerto Rico when you raped me? The time in Puerto Rico when you tried to rape me again? The time in Puerto Rico when you threatened to kill me? All those times you forced Nicole to star in Locker-room Lolita? That one time last month when you tried to rape me again? Should I keep going until I actually find some good times?
PAUL: Hey! You wanted that just as much as I did!
JAN: You son of a...
Roman stood up
ROMAN: Jan, settle down. I'll take care of this.
Roman got out his cell phone and dialed a number.
ROMAN: Nugget, this is Commander Brady...Yeah...I'm here at St. Luke's, and in need of some back-up...You'll be here ASAP? Excellent.
Roman hung up the phone. He walked towards Paul and slapped some handcuffs on him.
ROMAN: Paul Mendez, you are under arrest for innumerable counts of child pornography, at least one count of rape, multiple counts of attempted rape, and at least one count of attempted murder.
PAUL: Shut up!
ROMAN: Actually, it's you who'll be shutting up. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law...
Two police officers ran in.
ROMAN: Glad you're here, gentlemen. Take this man into custody. I have just started reading him his rights. You may resume at the Right to an Attorney.
OFFICER 1: Yes, sir.
The two officers took Paul out of St. Luke's
ROMAN: Sorry for the interruption, Father. Please continue.
FATHER JANSEN: Thank you, Commander Brady. Now, may I have the rings, please?
The rings were handed to Father Jansen. He gave one to both Shawn-D and Jan.
SHAWN-D: Jan Britney Spears, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Shawn-D put the ring on Jan's finger.
JAN: Shawn-Douglas Brady, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Jan put the ring on Shawn-D's finger. The two turned to the congregation.
JANSEN: I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Shawn-Douglas Brady. What God has joined together, let no man separate.
Father Jansen turned to Shawn-D.
JANSEN: You may kiss the bride.
Shawn-D and Jan shared a long, romantic kiss. Belle, who had still been standing in the shadows all this time, ran out of the chapel with tears in her eyes.
BRADY PUB
The wedding reception was held at the Brady Pub, because there were so few people in attendance. Still, the people that were there had a good time. Shawn-D and Jan had even picked out the song that would be “their song”. To hear it, click this link:
As was said earlier, everybody was having a good time. Everyone, that is, except Belle. Yes, Belle had come to the wedding reception. But, during the bride and groom's first dance, she had gone outside.
OUTSIDE THE BRADY PUB
Philip had noticed that Belle had gone outside, and went to check up on her. She was sitting on a park bench.
PHILIP: Hey. You okay?
Belle shook her head.
BELLE: No. I'm not okay. I thought I would be, but I'm not. Seeing Shawn getting married to her today just makes it all so final.
PHILIP: I know what you mean. You know, Shawn doesn't deserve an amazing woman like you. He never has, in my opinion. You deserve so much better than him. And I know you'll find the right guy someday.
Belle wanted to say something, but she couldn't make the words come out. Philip put his hand out.
PHILIP: Come here.
Belle took Philip's hand and stood up. Philip wrapped his arms around Belle and held her as she cried.
