The groom stood at the alter with the priest. The priest had done this a thousand times before. How many of his couples were still together, he had no idea.

His piercing blue, eyes scanned the crowd with cool curiosity and self interest. Those present represented millions of dollars to invest or donate to the church. He would mingle the best the he could after the service. His behavior and self interest might bring his church more money if things went his way today. Only time would tell.

Chad was waiting impatiently for the crowd to settle in and wondered just how long it would take. He looked to the left at the orchestra as it started the Wedding March. He quickly looked up and back to his right.

Suzan looked radiant standing down the long, green, isle from him. Her dress was beautiful and her face and hair were both done perfectly. Chad’s mother had brought a couple of professionals in to do her hair and makeup.

There were six groomsmen and bridesmaids. The dresses were all made in New York by a well known designer.

The ring was a five carat solitaire with emeralds set all around it. It was a very nice ring, or so Chad’s mother thought. It had cost over fifty thousadn dollars.

Chad and Suzan had looked long and hard for the right ring. The diamond was emerald cut and reflected the lights around it perfectly. It had no inclusions. The search had been long, but worth every minute of it, or so Suzan now thought.

This had all come together so quickly that neither of them had much time to think about their honeymoon until all the other matters at hand had been taken care of. Chads mother and sister had made the whole process survivable.

“If it hadn’t been for those two, Suzan would have never made it through,” or so she said every time she saw them.

Every other weekend was spent with Chad’s parents either at their apartment near his or out in the countryside at their large estate.

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Oh, poor Suzan.

More about the wedding and all of Chad’s friends coming next.