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many times when there'd been nowhere else to go.  It had been their sacred space and they'd never let either of their families know where they went.  Layla began to cry.  "That is so sweet, Seth.  I love you so much."
    He scooped her against him, swept her off her feet, and spun her round.  "So you're happy then?  You like the idea?" he asked hopefully.
    "Yes, baby, yes.  Thank you!"
    "Great," he said, placing her back on her feet.  "Let's go buy some weddin' duds!"
    ***
    At seven p.m. the truck rolled to a stop at the curb alongside the old Cully playground.  Layla's breath caught as she noted the small gathering of friends in the park.  Jake stood with Sarah, their keyboard player, and Alex the bass player.  The trio looked totally different than their usual black leather and chains, as they'd cleaned up nicely for the occasion.  About ten other friends stood by as well, including Sarah's brother and the entire crowd grinned and cheered as Seth helped Layla out of the truck.  Tears shimmered on her cheeks.
    Seth had opted to purchase himself a black pinstriped suit, complete with a scarlet silk tie.  She'd never seen him so dressed up and the sight of him in the sophisticated clothing with his hair slicked back was utterly becoming.  For her, he'd purchased a simple but gorgeous silk white dress.  It was strapless with a beaded bodice and layers of flowing film gracefully hugging her slender frame and sweeping the ground.  He took her by the hand and led her to stand with their friends.
    Everybody exchanged hugs and congratulations with the couple while butterflies did their dance in Layla's stomach.  She kept peeking at Seth to see if he seemed as nervous as she.  But he grinned broadly at everyone, never letting go of her hand, and seemed the picture of cool calm collectedness.  Finally, Sarah's brother asked if they were ready to begin.
    Seth and Layla stood shoulder to shoulder before the officiate as their friends rallied behind them.  He gave a brief speech about the usual wedding topics, smiling broadly at the couple as he spoke.  Before she knew it, the officiate began instructing them to repeat after him.  Soon they were slipping the simple bands they'd also purchased that day onto each other's shaking hands. 
    Upon the officiate's instructions, Layla kissed her old friend and new husband with a flood of joy streaming down her face.
    ***
    The St. John's and friends gathered back at Jake's apartment to make merriment together and celebrate the union that everybody had known would happen.  Corks were popped, and champagne flowed.  Seth lovingly tried to coax Layla into sharing a wedding toast with him, but she stuck to Pepsi.   Despite her early induction to the rock and roll lifestyle, and growing up around drugs and booze, Layla always refrained when opportunities to drink presented themselves.  She'd seen what the stuff did to people, and she felt that laws against under aged drinking were there for a reason.  She endured endless teasing from her friends for her "prudish" standpoint, but all the same, she maintained a clean existence.
    Seth, on the other hand, who knew as well as she if not better, what the stuff could do to a person, had steadily engaged in drinking for several years already.  Sometimes she found it shocking to watch him get drunk after all the drunken beatings he'd suffered all his life.  And once in a while, she glimpsed momentary flashes of his father in him.  Possessing a quick temper anyway, Seth had been known to get out of control when drinking.
    So she watched him get drunk and rowdy at their wedding reception with a touch of sadness.  Though she'd never admit it out loud, she wished he would want to celebrate this cherished event with her in his right mind.  Nonetheless, she laughed, danced, and had a great time with Seth and her friends. 
    Around midnight, everyone mutually agreed it was time to let the bride and groom have privacy.  Jake graciously