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The small audience cheered and Lorey went in for another kiss, and another, before she finally was able to hug him as well. They were married. She was Mrs. Mentaro, and always would be.

The couple turned to face the audience who stood and clapped as they made their way back to the house. All the food had been spread out and was ready for the dinner, though all the butterflies in Lorey's stomach filled her up. As they took their time walking back, Lorey looked up to Richard with the most adoring eyes, and said, "I love you. We're married, and I love you so, so much."

Teagan watched after them and dried her eyes. His mother may have been inconsolable, but she could understand that if this was Richard's second chance at happiness. Hopefully, she thought, she would only need one chance.

"Alright, Nat," Teagan said. She was proud of him for making the decision to finally tie up loose ends, but at the wedding? She could only hope that this wouldn't make things awkward if Raquel started something, either in public or in private. The vibes of the wedding would be completely ruined if it did work out like that.

Damian hobbled back. On the way down the aisle, he'd managed to walk quite fine, but now, when it didn't matter, he was hurting.
"Made it for the camera, huh?" he asked, tilting his head to the tripod recorder someone had set up to capture the ceremony. Pictures had been taken before, and he'd been fine in those, too. But dancing was coming up, and he couldn't sit down. Not when Raquel needed to be shown off in her own right.

Inside the house, food was set up, but the tables for eating were outside. Lorey and Richard were the first to get their plates and everyone else followed suit. Once back outside, everyone sat at tables decorated with Teagan's flowers. She had even sprinkled petals for ambience.

"Richard," Lorey said, once they sat down at the head table. "You look so handsome..." And she kissed him again. They could barely keep their hands off one another from the front of the aisle through getting food, so o course dinner would be much the same.

"Thanks, Nat. you helped, though. Don't forget it."
Teagan winked to him and wished him luck. He could get his drinks and she would get her food before the speeches and dancing started. The wedding wouldn't really last long, as there weren't that many people there, and Teagan wanted to make sure she took all the pictures she needed before everything became a memory.

Damian did listen to Raquel. Only, though, because he needed his strength to take her dancing at least once. He dug his cane into the ground in slight frustration as she went to get him his dinner, and thought of his speech for the newly wedded Richard and Lorey.

Who, he could see, were practically making out in front of everyone. Well, he thought. Better make this entire thing quick before they go mad.

A few more minutes passed when Damian stood and asked for everyone's attention. Which, really, was only a handful of people.
"Ah... I'd like to say a few words before we get that dance music going," he said with a little gesture to the speakers Nat had set up.
Damian turned to Richard and Lorey with eyes that he usually only exposed to Raquel. They were gentle, and changed from the cocky Centurion they all knew.

"I have known Lorey for quite a few years. She has always been a gem, always did her duties and never once did I hear her complain when she had every right to. I know you've had it quite hard in life, Lorelee. And this? This is everything I could have wished for you. For the future, I want your joy to multiply."
He didn't have to say anything about her slum life to the audience. They didn't have to know or be reminded of something Lorey had already left behind.

"You, Richard. I met you and you gave me a black eye." Everyone seemed to laugh at that. "And now look at us... We are at your wedding. You two have been through hell twice and back again, I know. But you never lost sight of each other, never gave up hope completely... This is the happy beginning we've been hoping for. So, to our happily wedded couple, I propose a toast. To Richard and Lorelee Mentaro!"

He held up his glass, hoping his words were satisfactory as he wasn't feeling at the top of his game.

A signal was given for Richard and Lorey to move to the dance floor, which was just a cleared out area on the lawn. It was time for their first dance, and as soon as the music started, Lorey realized she wasn't much of a dancer in her long dress. Things were sorted out soon enough, though, and the song took on its own life.

Lorey started crying just listening to the words. "You are my best friend," she whispered to him with a sniffle. "And we are home. Love you, Richard."
Waterproof mascara had never been more appreciated in her life.

Teagan looked over to Nat and gave him a nod. "Alright, you have a dance reserved for you. After these two have their moment, and another one comes on."
Just watching them look into each other's eyes like they'd never seen the other before was inspiring. She hoped she'd find someone like that... Though, really, in her mind, Nat was that someone. the feelings had stayed through the weeks before the wedding.

"Yes... they will be just fine..." Though, something told him that the time Raquel would spend in school would be a very good thing. If they married then, it wouldn't be as good as it would be after waiting and the true trial of Raquel's school time.

Once the song ended, the wedding cake was brought out, which served more opportunities for pictures. The worst Lorey did was put frosting on Richard's nose as they'd promised each other not to mash it in the other's face. Cake frosting was a hard thing to get out of a white dress.

More music played, and once a slow song came on, Damian stood and extended his hand to Raquel for a dance.
"Moving in a circle won't hurt me," he said to the look on her face. "Let me spin you around in that dress..."

Teagan looked to Nat. This was his opportunity! If Damian wasn't doing well standing, he could cut in maybe. It would save Damian the stress on his joint and give Nat the moment he needed to rectify the situation...

"Hey Nat," she said, hoping to at least get him on the floor so she could make some excuse to leave him and have him get with Raquel. Or, maybe him and Damian could switch partners. However it would work, Teagan wanted to give it all a nudge.

Damian gently took her hand and placed his other around her waist. She was so beautiful... blushing, smiling. So happy, and because of the happiness of others, too.
"You look absolutely stunning tonight, love," he whispered in her ear as they turned in a steady circle to the music.


Teagan was blushing, too. She'd never danced with Nat before, though they had done a bit of kissing weeks and weeks ago. Being so close to him again made her heart pitter patter, and her guard drop considerably.