Raise Your Glass

As Adele and Darius were having their discussion in the church office, Palmer and Zalika were having a discussion of their own.  They chatted about the long drive to Morristown, about the wedding, about Adele and Darius, and about themselves.  The conversation between them flowed very naturally, and they made each other laugh.  They felt comfortable together and enjoyed each other's company.  

When many of the other guests began to leave the church, Palmer became a little concerned.  He asked Zalika if Adele and Darius had told her where they would be.  Zalika shook her head "no".  Palmer asked if they had told Zalika how long they would be, and Zalika shook her head "no" again.  Palmer then asked Zalika what exactly Adele had said.  Zalika straightened up and became very rigid, raised her head and looked down her nose at Palmer, and said in her best Adele imitation "MISS, I need to speak with Darius.  Right now.  ALONE."  Palmer laughed and said "That was a pretty good imitation."  Zalika shrugged her shoulders and laughed.

Later, Palmer suggested that maybe Darius and Adele had gone back to the limo.  Zalika and Palmer walked outside but did not see the limo.  Palmer said that he thought that the driver had parked just down the street, and the couple walked the short distance and found the limo.  "Let's just wait for them here." Zalika suggested.  "Ok" Palmer said as he reached for the fully stocked bar.  During the drive to Morristown, Zalika had suggested that they all have a drink before the wedding, and Adele and Darius had both balked at the idea.  Zalika had later apologized to Darius, thinking that perhaps her suggestion had been inappropriate since they were on their way to a church.  "Oh no, it's not THAT", Darius had said.  "I didn't want to be in a moving vehicle with open containers, when there was a chance that some of it could spill on my clothes.  I'm sure Adele felt the same way."

Palmer found some champagne in the limo's bar and grabbed a couple of glasses.  He opened the bottle and poured them both a glass.  Then he proposed a toast:  "To Rod and Danielle - I don't know them but they seem nice.  I wish them much happiness."  Zalika raised her glass and said "To Rod and Danielle!" and they drank.  Zalika said "I propose a toast to Darius and Adele - may they both someday love another person as much as they love themselves.  And their clothes.  And their shoes.  And their money.  And..." they both began to laugh.  Palmer raised his glass and said "To Darius and Adele!" and they drank.  They continued on in this way for quite some time.  The more time passed, the sillier the toasts became, and the more they laughed.

They were still laughing about Palmer's last toast when Zalika said "To Laverne and Shirley - schlemiel schlemazel!"  They both cracked up laughing even more.  Palmer said "To Laverne and Shirley!" and they drank while trying not to choke on their drinks between their laughter.  Palmer raised his glass again and said "Ok, I've got a good one.  To...  US."  Zalika was taken by surprise.  She had expected to hear something silly that would make her laugh.  She wondered if Palmer was just joking, but by the look on his face, she could see that he was sincere.  She smiled broadly and raised her glass and said "To us."  And they drank.  And then their champagne glasses fell to the floor as they leaned forward and kissed passionately.

Was it the champagne that had lowered their inhibitions?  Were they moving too fast?  In that moment, they did not care.  All they knew was that being together in that way was far more intoxicating than the champagne.  As they began to undress each other, they gave no thought to where they were.  They just wanted to be together right then.  They both felt that this moment was like a dream.

If it was a dream, then they were suddenly rudely awakened when the limo door flung open and they saw Darius and Adele standing there.  Adele let out an audible gasp, and they all froze for a moment with startled expressions on their faces.  Palmer grabbed his jacket and covered Zalika as she shrieked "Close the door!!!"