Story Title: Holy Matrimony
Type of story: Long fic
Main Characters: Martha, Jack, Jules, Cassie, Brett, Roo, Tony and Katie Holden
Rating: Rated T/Adult/R (SC) (V) (L) (A)
Genre: Mixture
Does story include spoilers: No
Any warnings: (V) Violence (SC) Sexual Content (L) Language (A) Adult Themes
Summary: (AU) Alternate Universe. Martha Macklin and Jack Holden come from well off and well respected families. The Macklin's and the Holden's have been close friends for years, but the same can't be said for Jack and Martha. One word. Hate. To keep their families happy will they do something they don’t want to do?

CHAPTER ONE

Two women strolled happily through the bright garden, arm in arm. They were best friends and had been for years. Even their husbands were firm friends with one another. They had the perfect lives; they had money and were well respected by the people around them.

And to top it off; they had beautiful children. Ruth Macklin had a four year old daughter called Martha, and a two year old son; Ric. Kate Holden had two sons; six year old Jack and little Lucas, who had just turned two.

Up ahead, the four small children played excitedly in a large sandpit. Their fathers, whom were sitting under a gazebo and drinking pink lemonade, were watching the children the closely.

When Roo and Katie arrived at the gazebo, Brett and Tony stood; pulling out chairs for their wives. Sitting down, the two women poured glasses of lemonade for themselves and started in on the conversation with their husbands.

“So, what are you two talking about? It seems rather serious?” Katie asked.

Tony nodded. “It is rather serious. I was just filling in Brett about the latest situation with dad’s will,” he told his wife.

“Oh my goodness,” Katie gasped as she looked at Roo. “I was supposed to tell you about it, but it skipped my mind,” she said.

Roo laughed at her friend. “You can just catch me up now,” she exclaimed.

Tony coughed before starting to speak again. “My father has left the family company to Jack in his will. As soon as Jack turns 21, he is to take over from me,” he explained.

“That’s great isn’t it? Jack will be set for life,” Roo smiled.

Katie sighed. “There is more to it, so it isn’t as great as it sounds,” she frowned. “In order for Jack to keep the company later on down the track, Tony’s father has demanded in his will, that Jack be married by his twenty-forth birthday. If he isn’t, the company will be snatched away from our family and given to the grandson of Harry Williams,” she explained.

“I’m sure you all remember how fond my father was of that little kid. More so than his own grandsons,” Tony growled.

“Yes, he was,” Roo took a sip of her drink. “He’s the same age as Jack, isn’t he?” she asked.

Katie nodded. “His name is Clarke. He’s in Jack’s class at Pre School,” she told them.

Roo just sat back in her chair in disgust. She couldn’t believe that a dead man was having this much power over her friends. He was still going to be controlling those he left behind, eighteen years down the track. Roo couldn’t even think about her life a month in advance; the thought of thinking about it eighteen years into the future was just insane.

Finally deciding to add his five cents, Brett sat up straight in his chair and coughed loudly; gaining the attention of the other three. “Tony and I have been discussing the situation and we have come up with an idea that may be of great use,” he started. “We’ve decided that if Jack hasn’t found a bride prior to his twenty-forth birthday, he will wed Martha,” Brett announced.

Laughing loudly, Katie almost sprayed the lemonade down the front of her white blouse. “Don’t be silly. We can’t force them to marry,” she exclaimed as she raised a hand to her cheek.

Pushing out his chair, Tony now stood before them. “If it’s the only way to keep the company in the family, then it will have to be done. We don’t have a choice,” he said.

Letting out a loud huff, Roo spoke up. “I can’t believe we are discussing this right now,” began. “You’re talking about an event that won’t be happening for another eighteen years. Jack’s only a child; he shouldn’t be burdened with all this at the age of six,” she continued. “And Martha, she’s only four, but already so strong minded. She will not be the type of woman who will get pushed around and ordered to things,” Roo stood her ground.

“It’s not up for discussion,” Brett also stood his own ground.

“Shall we shake on it,” Tony suggested as he held his hand out.

“We shall,” Brett nodded his agreement as he reached out and shook his friends hand firmly. Roo and Katie could do nothing but sit back and look on in frustration.

“Jack and Martha are going to grow up together,” Tony smiled. “I’m sure they will be firm friends, and will lean on each other for support. And who knows, maybe they’ll be thrilled at the idea of marrying one another,” he went on.

Well, aren’t they all going to be in for one hell of a surprise?

NEXT CHAPTER: 18 Years Later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!