George and Tosha's Wedding

The night before George and Tosha's wedding, several of her friends at Boothbay Apartments got together in the hot tub.

"I sure hope finally being married puts Tosha's mind at ease," said Chloe.

"I know," agreed Yulia. "It can't be good for her and George's relationship that she's so insecure all the time."

"I know if Alvin had to work with someone like Maria, and Maria was in my face all the time, it would upset me," affirmed Brittany. "I sure don't blame Tosh for wanting to get the heck out of that condo building ASAP."

Everyone met at the Church of the Good Shepherd the next morning, which dawned bright and sunny. "Calista couldn't make it?" Yulia, concerned, leaned forward to ask Randy, who was in the pew in front of her.

"No, but she's going to try to make a brief appearance, at least, at the reception," Randy assured his friend.

"Chloe," Brittany asked across the aisle. "Did you see Tosha--is she doing okay?"

"Yes," answered Chloe, "and she has never looked more beautiful in her life. I think we should all stop worrying." Rebecka and Maria gossiped across Yuri.

Father Powers began.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the joining in holy matrimony of George and Tosha."

Chloe was right--as Tosha gazed up at her husband-to-be, she had never looked more beautiful.


"George, do you take Tosha for your lawfully wedded wife, forsaking all others?" asked Father Powers.

"Yes!" George answered, resoundingly.

Yuri sneaked a look at Maria Ivanova, who was sitting next to him, out of the corner of his eye. She was staring resolutely straight ahead.

"Tosha," Father Powers continued, "do you take George for your lawfully wedded husband, forsaking all others?"

"Yesss!" she replied, sweetly.

The couple exchanged rings.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

"You may kiss the bride."

"Come here, Tosh!" George cried, enthusiastically,

and kissed his new wife tenderly.

The newlyweds and their friends went back to the condo building for the reception.

Chloe opened the champagne.

"Thanks, Chloe," George said. "I always risk putting out an eye when I do that."

"Well, if you're going to be a 'big star'," she teased, "you're going to have to get used to doing this."

Alvin herded everyone into the small kitchen, and clinked his glass with a teaspoon. "Hey, everybody, gather 'round."

"Here's to Tosha and George, our Golden Couple!"

Calista made a show of raising her glass to the newlyweds, then quickly put it down and headed for the bathroom.

"Hey, Marcus," she said as she passed the toddler. 'It'll all be worth it,' she said to herself, regarding the sweet little boy. 'It'll all be worth it. Even with having to go to the loo every five minutes.'

George took Tosha in his arms. "You are my everything," he said.

Everyone applauded, and Tosha's girlfriends cried.

Kevin opened the buffet, which Chloe had prepared, and took a plate of food.

Tosha headed out into the hallway to start a group hula. Rebecka said to Randy, "Calista looks good--is the pregnancy getting easier on her?"

"Not really," he answered. "She's of course not throwing up anymore, but she has to pee constantly, and she's always tired."

Meanwhile, Calista was back in the kitchen, talking with Derek. "Are you feeling okay, Calista?" he asked her.

"Oh, yes," answered Calista, trying to sound convincing. "I do think I'm going to leave shortly, though, and have a bubble bath. But I'm not in bad shape at all."

She suddenly went pale. "In fact, I think I'm going to head home right now."

Calista went to visit the powder room on her way out and unfortunately hit Father Powers in the face with the door. "Oh, Father, I'm so sorry."

"Not at all, dear," the elderly priest replied, somewhat stunned. "Are you all right? I think all of us are a bit worried about your condition."

"I'm fine; thanks, Father," Calista replied. "I'm heading home now, to relax in the bath."

"Good idea," he said.

Calista filled the bathtub with bubbles and got in.

She relaxed for quite a while and felt much better. Randy came in from the party to see how she was doing. "Oh, don't worry about me, dearest; I'm doing fi-- fine--" She gasped, and went into labor.

"Oh, my God!" Randy cried. "What should I do??"

Out in the hallway, Derek stopped dancing for a moment, certain he had heard a scream.

Kevin--ever the future emergency officer--pushed through the door of the Londons' apartment.

But it was over before either Derek or Kevin had time to get very concerned.

A few minutes later, as Randy tended to his wife, Kevin bounced out into the hallway with a small bundle. "Hey, everybody, look who I've got!"

The hula dancing came to a sudden halt. Kevin handed the tiny infant to Tosha, knowing that this would really make her day. "Meet your new neighbor, Christopher Gothier London," he said quietly.

Tosha cuddled the baby, and started to cry.

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NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Join us next week, as the friends help Tosha and George look for a house, and as we check in on young Christopher.