Party of Five (TV Series)

The Wedding (1995)

Paula Devicq: Kirsten Bennett

Photos 

Quotes 

• Charlie Salinger : You don't understand, Kirsten. I can't do this!

  Kirsten Bennett : Yes. Yes, you can.

  Charlie Salinger : Why won't you listen to me?

  Kirsten Bennett : I am listening to you! What I am not doing is indulging you.

  Charlie Salinger : What?

  Kirsten Bennett : You're scared. Well, hello... yes, it's scary. I'm scared too. Getting married is scary. You're panicked. Well, who isn't the morning of their wedding? But you make a choice. You either decide that it's second thoughts, or if you love me, Charlie, you decide that it's nervous anticipation and you go back downstairs. And when the minister asks "do you take this woman?", you say "I do".

  Charlie Salinger : No! No, you don't understand! I say that and I'm married, and I will be with the last woman I'm ever going to have and that I've got all the kids that I'm ever gonna have. And I live in my father's house. And every day I go to my father's job at the restaurant. And any one of those things on their own, I can deal with, but... you add them up, Kirsten. The wife and the kids and the house and the job... and that's every decision that I'm ever gonna make in my life! I've got no choices left! I'm 25 years old and I know my whole life.

  Kirsten Bennett : And it's not what you want? I'm not what you want? You don't love me?

  Charlie Salinger : I do love you. I don't want to be with anyone else. I don't.

  Kirsten Bennett : You just don't want to marry me?

  Charlie Salinger : No, I do. I do. I just... I just need time to sit with all this for a while.

  Kirsten Bennett : Listen to me, Charlie. We don't have time. My parents are downstairs, and your family and friends and a minister and 35 pounds of Australian shrimp. Now, you just pull yourself together, okay. You take a deep breath and put all this behind you, because we are getting married today.

  Charlie Salinger : No. I can't.

• [Claudia sees Kirsten redoing make up] 

  Claudia Salinger : Fresh makeup, huh?

  Kirsten Bennett : Yeah. So much for non-smudge.

  Claudia Salinger : So, does this mean you think he's coming back?

  Kirsten Bennett : I don't know, Claudia.

  Claudia Salinger : I think he's coming back. He just went somewhere to figure everything out. If he comes home, will it be okay? I want it to be okay. Because I love you and Charlie, and I want you to be together. And I want you to sleep in their room, and I want you both to be here every day.

  Kirsten Bennett : I don't think he's coming back in time, Claud.

• [in a bedroom, Kirsten and her parents are talking] 

  Kirsten Bennett : I don't know. Maybe we could do this in a few months. You know, much smaller, no fuss. You know, maybe it would be okay. Maybe Charlie would be okay by then.

  Ellie Bennett : Kirsten.

  Kirsten Bennett : But what if he isn't? What if he's never okay? On the other hand

  Ellie Bennett : Listen to me. Listen to me. Now, are you listening?

  Kirsten Bennett : Yes.

  Ellie Bennett : Do you want this wedding to happen? Do you still want this wedding to happen?

  Kirsten Bennett : Yes.

  Ellie Bennett : Okay, then.

  Mr. Gene Bennett : Ellie, what are you doing?

  Ellie Bennett : [to Kirsten]  You forget about three months from now or four months or six months because today is your wedding day.

  Kirsten Bennett : Mom, come on.

  Ellie Bennett : Don't you let him play his game. You tell Charlie, "This is it." You give him one chance to keep you, one chance, and after that minister walks out the door today, it's over. Either you're married, or you're gone.

  Kirsten Bennett : I can't. What if he says no?

  Ellie Bennett : Baby. He's already said no.

• [Charlie enters the room and sees Kirsten dressed with casual clothes] 

  Charlie Salinger : Kirsten, what are you...? Everyone's ready. Kirsten...

  Kirsten Bennett : I would have given you everything I have today. God, Charlie. I would have given you me. I can't give you any more than that. I don't know how. And if that's not enough, if you're not sure...

  Charlie Salinger : I'm sure. I'm sure.

  Kirsten Bennett : No. You're not. And I'm sorry, but there are some things you said you just can't take back.

  Charlie Salinger : So I made a mistake.

  [he begs] 

  Charlie Salinger : Kirsten, please don't do this to me. Please.

  Kirsten Bennett : What do you want me to do? I'm afraid to marry you. I'm afraid of the day you're gonna walk in that door and say, I don't want you anymore.

  Charlie Salinger : I won't say that.

  Kirsten Bennett : I don't believe you.

  [in tears] 

  Kirsten Bennett : I love you, but I don't believe you. And I can't take that chance because I would die, Charlie. So I'm gonna walk away from you and from these children who I love.

  [she starts crying]