Mike and Karen chose what order they would play in. It was decided that each band could play three songs each. The Monkees would go first, then Eric Clapton. After that was the Beatles and the Stones with the Who going last.
"Why are they last?" Mike asked Karen as they set up quickly for their set. The Beatles were charitable and let them use their gear again.
"Because I saw Keith Moon hook something fierce up to his own drum kit." Karen said. In her world the Who was famous for destroying their instruments after a performance. There was no telling that the TV dimensions version of the band would do. Besides it would take less time to clean up after them if they did do something.
The performance started on time. The guys played their own music this time. People started coming in during the middle of "Last Train to Clarksville." Archie and Phyllis were busy finding places for them to sit. Archie then took in the money while Phyllis continued to work.
"We oughta help her." Karen said.
"Its the least we can do for letting us use their inn for the night." Brianna agreed.
"Karen." Livvie said. "Can I tell you something?"
"We might get busy so you will have to tell me fast." She said heading up to the front of the inn. "Oh tell me about your trip!"
"That�s what I wanted to talk about." She said. "It's a mystical magical place."
"So I've heard." Karen said.
"Peter and I sat in the middle of the stones and meditated." Livvie said.
"Neat." Karen said.
"But I heard something. I saw a light. I swear to all that is good and holy that I heard your voice saying that a change was coming." Livvie told Karen. Karen stopped dead in her tracks. The music stopped. There was a slight pause and "A girl I could love" began to play.
"A change?" Karen asked out loud. "What could that mean?"
"I have no idea." Livvie said. "I thought you should know. Maybe we can tell the other girls later."
"Yeah...later..." Karen said. "We're falling behind. There are more people than there are chairs."
"Right." Livvie said.
Chea and Brianna waited for them at the bar.
"I wonder what they were yakking about." Brianna said.
"I have no idea. I gave up lip reading a long time ago." Chea laughed as the two girls joined them. "Whats up?"
"Not much." Livvie said. "Right?"
"Right." Karen said.
Midnight
The revue ended with a bang, literally. As Karen correctly predicted and observed, Keith moon exploded his drum kit with a small charge of dynamite. Pieces of the drum went everywhere. Chea chose to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was a few feet away from the big blast. Her ears rang for a few minutes afterwards. She watched the cleanup from the sidelines.
"It's like watching you guys in a boring silent movie!" She said yelling loud enough to hear her own voice.
A half hour later the Monkees and the Beatles cleaned the place up. It was as neat as a pin. The Beatles were the only remaining group after the other bands left Even neater than when they arrived. Archie got his 20 percent of the almost 1,000 pounds that came in. People came then left cause there wasnt enough room, but a lot of money rolled in. There was enough to pay for Davys parents home, for more than just the few months, it paid for it into the next decade.
The guys were talking with the Beatles at the bar. Karen sat on her stool and thought for a little bit. She sighed and went to the trio of girls sitting at a small table. They celebrated the revues great success with some drinks and some snacks. Karen approached the table slowly, thinking over what she was going to say. She stood at the back of an empty chair.
"Guys?" Karen asked. They looked at her.
"Uh oh. She�s got that look." Chea said.
"What look?" Brianna asked.
"That 'fluffy was just hit by a greyhound bus' look. She has bad news of some type that she wants to tell us." Chea said. "I've known her longer than any of you. Its definitely that look."
"Do you have something to tell us?" Livvie asked wondering if it had do with anything she told her earlier about her experience at Stonehenge. She had eventually told the other girls during band breaks but they didn�t seem to think the same of what happened to her and Peter.
"We need to talk." Karen said. "I been thinking about something and I need to share it with you or it will drive me crazy." Karen walked to the door and went outside. Mike looked at her as she left with a questioning look. He shook his head and returned to his talk.
"Is it me or has anyone not had a chance to talk to anyone outside yet? It seems like everyone has had a private talk outside." Chea said. "Guess its my turn now."
"Let's go. Heaven forbid we drive a girl crazy." Livvie said.
"Its nothing new, I do it all the time." Chea said.
Outside
The three girls found her at an outdoor table section. She motioned for them to sit. They did so. Karen took a minute or so to collect her thoughts and feelings. She took and deep breath and sighed. The only way to do it was just to say what she was thinking.
"I think I've come to a sort of decision on something." Karen said. "I don't know whether you agree with me or not, but I think I have come to a conclusion."
"What?" Chea asked.
"I think, based on our recent dumb mistakes, that this is some kind of sign that a big change is coming." Karen sighed looking at the three girls. "And I know what that is."
"What would that be?" Livvie asked.
"I think its time for us to go our separate ways." Karen said.
"Go our separate ways? What do you mean?" Chea asked. "Are you thinking about going home again? Cause you know I'm not going anywhere, and neither is Brianna."
"And neither am I." Livvie said. "I have nothing to go back to in 1906."
"I don't mean back to where we came from." Karen sighed. "I think its time we lived apart for a while. On our own. Guys, I think the time has come for us to live apart for a while."
The trio of girls looked at her shocked. Karen looked up at them. "It wouldn�t be forever." She quickly added. "I think we all could use a chance to experience life apart for a while." She said trying to fight a disobedient tear. "What do you think?"
"I think you're crazy." Chea said. "This is not a sign to break up or go our separate ways."
"What makes you say that?" Karen asked.
"I'm gonna let you in on a secret." Chea said. She let an almost two minute pause hang between them. "I'm a big fat idiot!"
"What?" Karen asked.
"Huh?" Brianna replied. Livvie frowned.
"I know part of you are going, so what?" Chea said. "Its all right." She assured her friends. "But we all are from time to time to time. I'm a big idiot, Karens a big idiot. Brianna is one too, though she will never admit it in public. And I'm sure one of these days Livvie will have her idiotic day in the sun."
"That�s not true." Livvie said. "In my effort to learn more about the upper part of the twentieth century...a toaster was sacrificed. And some curtains."
"You see what I mean?" Chea said. "It happens, to be blunt. It happens to everyone. But its no sign that we should go our own way."
"You can go your own wayyyyy...." Brianna sang. The three girls looked at her. She stopped. "Sorr-y!"
"But wait, what about the change Livvie mentioned she heard about at Stonehenge?"
"It might not be this. It might have just been the fact that this separation was discussed. I think something else is going to happen." Livvie said.
"Like what?" Karen asked. "What would be bigger than breaking up the group?" She turned to see Mike and the others standing outside the inn. She looked back at the girls.
"Does 'DUH' mean anything to you?" Brianna asked.
"Not to me." Livvie said.
"Duh as in, could it be more obvious?" Chea said.
"Yes." Karen said. "It couldn�t be more obvious. Maybe it has something to do with Mike has to tell us." Karen got up and went to Mike and the other Monkees. "What�s up?"
"I have a surprise." Mike said. "And its a good one."
"Since when aren�t surprises good?" Karen asked.
"Do we really need to go into that?" Mike laughed.
"No." Karen said smiling slightly. "I guess not."
"The Beatles want to talk to us." Micky said to Chea.
"Why?" She asked.
"You'll see." Micky replied.
Inside
"We have so much money." Davy said. "This is more than enough for the house." He said dividing a pile. He left a small pile in the middle. "This one has a special purpose."
"What?" Karen asked.
"I've been wanting to know too but he wouldn�t say till we were ALL present." Mike said.
"This is for you two." Davy said.
"Us?" Karen asked.
"What do you mean?" Mike asked.
"Tomorrow, just after sunrise, on the church down the block, you two are going to get married." Peter said.
"This money is for the wedding dress." Micky said. "Chea found one for you today when she went out to get more cups."
"That�s right." Chea said. "I said to Micky I saw a nice dress."
"Is that place still open?" Davy asked.
"Should be." Chea said.
"Yes, it is." Micky said. "The dressmaker stays there after hours to repair rips and tears. You said that."
"You two bring Karen over there and have her fitted for that dress." Davy said. Micky took some of the money. The trio ran off. Karen looked at Mike on the way on out. She mouthed the words "unbelievable" to him.
"What about the church?" Mike asked.
"The minister is an old chap of ours." John said.
"He was here tonight. He said he would be willing to do your wedding for free." Paul said. "I still gave him a little donation for his troubles."
"Now we have one last important matters." Davy said.
"A tux for him." John said. "Don't worry. I think you are the size as me. I'll take you to me home and we can pop one of mine on you."
"All right." Mike said. John got his keys to his car and went out the door with Mike.
"What about vows?" Brianna asked.
"That�s right, before sunrise they wouldn�t have much time to write down what they truly feel." Peter said.
"I'm sure Chea has an idea." Livvie said. "She always does."
The gang sat at the bar and waited for everyone to return. Chea, Micky and Karen came back after a half hour.
"It fit perfectly with no extra fitting necessary." Chea reported as Karen lugged in her bag with the dress hidden inside.
"Great." Davy said as John and Mike returned with the tux. Since it wasnt bad luck to see the tux, no one was worried bout seeing it.
"What about our vows?" Mike asked.
"Vows?" Karen said. "I never stopped to think about them. "Course I never thought we would marry this very day."
"Hmm, vows." Chea said. "I have an idea."
"Livvie knew you would." Brianna laughed.
"Let have a piece of paper and a pen. I have some great vows for you." Chea said. "Not vows, but a song for us all to sing."
"A song?" Mike said. ,"My voice is starting to get hoarse from all the singing we did already."
"I'm sure its just a little pony." Ringo said. Everyone looked at him. "Get it? Horse? Little pony?"
"I'll have this written down and to you all before the wedding." Chea said.
"We better get some rest then." Micky said.
"Yeah." Mike agreed. "Just for tonight, all the guys sleep in one room, and all the girls sleep in other."
"All right." Karen said. "Sounds fair. I don't want you to see my dress any sooner than I want you to anyway." Karen teased and went up the stairs. Livvie kissed Peter on the cheek. Peter smiled at her and followed her up the stairs. Chea down to work on her "song". Micky tried to look but she scolded him playfully. Brianna went to take a long overdue shower, her second that day. Davy talked some more th the Beatles before they left. They promised to be there for the wedding.
Mike looked around at the inn. So many things have happened, he thought. Wonderful things, strange things. Sometimes they were both wonderful and strange. He smiled as he remembered the first time he met Karen, the woman who would soon be his wife. Who knew this is where they would all be, and it was almost a year since the girls came into their lives. He bounded the stairs two at a time, ready to face what come their way.
Sunrise
In the morning, when the girls awoke, the guys were already gone to the church. Karen decided to get dressed in her room. Chea said it was a very smart choice.
"The church the Beatles referred to is very small, so I don't think there much room to change in. Its just a small walk after all." Chea said.
"Yeah." Karen said.
"Do you have that song written?" Livvie asked.
Chea nodded and gave her a sheet. "Your name is written next to the part you sing."
"This seems vaguely familiar." Brianna murmured as she read her part.
"It is." Chea said.
"Not to me." Livvie said. "Course not much is."
Brianna smiled.
"Lets get you dressed, soon-to-be Mrs Nesmith." Chea said holding onto her part of the song and Karens part. "We can't keep a certain texan waiting.
The wedding
Mike fidgeted with the tie of his tuxedo. John was almost his size but slightly smaller. The tuxedo was a weird fit and almost had the smell of tuna in it. John lent his tuxedo on the promise that he let his wife come to see the wedding too. Not wanting to turn down the man who helped their friends so much, he said it was all right for her to attend. He had no idea what her name was but Mrs Lennon sat in the second row with her husband. The rest of the Beatles soon joined him. Ringo had his fianc�e and George and Paul both had their respective girlfriends with them.
Karen and the others walked into the front door of the church. The church was very small, as Karen noticed. There was the main chapel and a small back room where the minister would do his business. A little old lady sat at an organ. Upon seeing Karen in her gown, she started to play "Here comes the bride." Mike and the others filed in from the back room. Mike stood at the front of the altar in front of the minister. He stared at her for half a minute. She was so gorgeous in her gown. It was a traditional wedding gown, with lace around the neck and slight ruffles leading down to the hem. Her veil covered her face. The girls were dressed in the fanciest thing they could find in their suitcases. Livvie was suddenly glad she brought her favorite dress.
Micky was clearly Mikes best man. Davy and Peter stood to one side as the ushers. As the wedding march continued, Brianna headed down first. It occurred to Karen she never had chosen a maid of honor.
"Chea, please be my maid of honor." She said to her.
"Oh." Chea said. "Okay." She smiled. Livvie went down the aisle next. Peter looked at her and smiled. She smiled back. Maybe one of these days, I'll make this trip too, she thought. Chea walked down after Livvie found her place next to Brianna. Brianna stood on a step so she could see more.
The music started again from the beginning as Karen made her way down after Chea found her place. She looked at Mike through the veil. He looked so good in his tuxedo but seemed slightly uncomfortable. He also had his had off. She remembered to thank whoever it was who managed to get his hat off for the ceremony. Maybe he didn�t need any convincing at all, this was important to him too.
She reached the altar. Mike turned to her and lifted her veil. The minister began to read from his book.
"Dearly beloved, we have gathered together to witness this marriage between Robert Michael Nesmith and Karen Elizabeth Galloway." He began. "Please hold hands."
Mike took her left hand with his right.
"Marriage is an honorable institution, we do not enter it lightly." He said. "I understand that there are vows?"
Mike and Karen looked at each other.
"We don't know." Mike confessed.
Chea popped up next to them. "These are your sheets."
"Sheets?" Mike asked.
"Sing, or read if you want, the line with your name next to it." Chea said passing the sheets out to the guys and to the Beatles. "Everyone sings, even the tone deaf." She said as she gave the organ player a copy of the sheet music. She started to play. Chea went to her place in line next to Karen. She pointed to her.
"Now you sing. Then it all falls into place." Chea said. "Go."
"He'll make me happy each time I see him. He'll be the reason my heart can sing. He'll stand beside me and now I'm everything."
Chea cued Mike.
"She'll make me happy each time I hold her. And I will follow where my heart may lead. And she'll be all I'll ever need."
All girls except Karen sang. "Days go passing into years."
All the men, except the minister and Mike sang. "Years go passing day by day."
George and Ringo started to sob. "She'll make him happy.
Now and forever. Until forever their love will grow.
She only knows he'll make her happy. That's all she needs to know. They'll be so happy. Now and forever
Until forever their love will grow."
Karen looked into Mikes eyes as she sang the last part of the song, not needing any help from Chea or the sheet in front of her. It was coming from her heart.
"I only know he'll make me happy. That's all I need...to...know..". She finished with tears coming to her eyes. Mike smiled and brushed a tear away from her eyes with a thumb.
"If there are any person in this church who believe this wedding should not go forward...speak now or forever hold your peace."
A beat followed the ministers words. Paul cleared his throat and stood up. Everyone looked at him.
"I'm sorry, I've always wanted to do that." He confessed before sitting down. Karen laughed nervously.
"Do you, Karen take Michael to be your lawfully wedded husband.."
"Yes."
"for richer for poorer..."
"Yes."
"For sickness and for health..."
"I said yes!" Karen said.
"Till death do you part?"
Karen sighed. "I do." He must not have been willing to hear otherwise.
"Do you Michael take Karen to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer or for poorer, for sickness and for health, till death do you part?"
Mike looked at Karen. "I certainly do."
"Then by the powers invested in my by god and the queen of England, I do declare you to be man and wife." He said. "You may kiss the bride."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Mike said, wrapping his arms around Karen. He brought her close to him and kissed her on the lips. Everyone in attendance broke out into applause. Karen lightly pulled away from Mike. "That wasn�t so hard was it?" She asked him.
"No, not at all." He said.
The reception
The reception was held at the gilded lily. There was a small wedding cake prepared and a wedding breakfast. As they ate, Chea brought up an important question.
"So now what do we do?" Chea asked.
"The plane leaves tomorrow." Micky said. "Time to go home."
"Yeah but what about the arrangements?" Chea asked. "We have a married couple with us now."
"I guess we can work it out." Davy said. "After they get back from their honey moon."
"Honey moon?" Mike asked.
"A cruise." Davy said. "We got you tickets to the Caribbean. A nice cruise around the islands. After all the trips we have been on in time, we thought you could use one on that you could relax and not worry about things."
"Yea, like disrupting the time line and such." Brianna added.
"This is amazing." Karen said as Davy handed her and Mike an envelope with a bow around it.
"Its in two days." Chea said. "So you two can relax as a couple and do well, whatever married people do I suppose."
"Subtlety is not your gift Chea dear." Livvie said.
Chea shrugged.
The next day, the newlyweds ate their breakfast. The gang already had gone to the airport for their flight home. The newlyweds wouldn�t be back for two weeks, but they already knew it would'nt be the same once they got back.
As they ate their breakfast, Karen and Mike talked.
"Hmm, maybe Chea is right. Maybe we can start talking about Mikey Jr." Karen laughed.
"That would be something to think about." Mike said. "Maybe not right off. A year or two." He said.
"Maybe sooner." Karen said.
"Do you mean?" Mike raise his eyebrows.
She nodded.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded again.
"Wow." Mike said.
"I know." Karen said. "Our own little family. What adventures we could have then?"
"I don't know, Kar," Mike said. "I guess we'd have to wait and see." He said. "Anything is possible."
"It is." She said. "It really is."
