Topic: Operation Double Wedding - The Reception

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:22 EST
What with one thing and another, it was a wonder that the event staff managed to get the reception prepared to admit guests into the ballroom at Maple Grove Manor within an hour of the ceremony coming to an end. The official photographs had been taken, and cocktails handed around to pass the time as the brides and grooms managed to get twenty minutes to themselves. With family and friends now safely ensconced in the ballroom, having found their place-markers and taken their seats, all that remained was for the newlyweds to make their appearance. Outside the ballroom, however, there was a slight problem.

Piper giggled as the event coordinator hurried away, muttering to himself about runaway newlyweds. She looked up at Des, her husband, the father of her daughter, with a playful grin. "Something tells me Jason may have been distracted from his excellent timekeeping for once," she mused with a chuckle.

"I can't imagine who might have distracted him," Desmond replied with a smirk. They both knew who and what was most likely to blame for the couple's tardy arrival; the real question was how much longer they were going to be. Miranda was going to be fit to be tied if they didn't show up soon, and it was likely Jason would be the one who would be on the receiving end of her ire. "So long as they get here before Miranda notices," he told his wife, smiling as he pulled her close. "Maybe we should disappear for a while, too, before anyone notices we're gone."

"Mmm, very tempting, Mr. Granger," she giggled softly, smoothing her hands up over his sleeves to curl her arms about his neck. "But do you think we would survive the scolding from Lynnie if she has to wait too long for her dinner?" The tip of her nose nudged his affectionately as she grinned - Lyneth hadn't shut up about her lack of nibbles and properly spaced meals all day.

"I'm pretty sure someone would feed her if she squawked loud enough," Desmond said, his fingers locking at the small of her back as she nudged his nose with hers. He was only teasing, of course, and had every intention of acting responsibly, at least until later when they were finally allowed one night alone as husband and wife before the much-deserved honeymoon. "Have I told you lately how beautiful you are, Mrs. Granger?" he asked, with a fond smile.

"That all depends whether or not you're referring to before or after you put your eyes back in after I trotted up the aisle," Piper teased him back softly, her lips brushing his as she breathed him in, one hand smoothing down to rest over his heart tenderly.

He had no answer for that, succumbing to her kiss with no resistance or denial, savoring the sweetness of her lips against his. "I think maybe Jase and Beth have the right idea," he admitted again, his forehead coming to rest against hers, feeling strangely content. "Miranda really outdid herself with that gown. It becomes you."

"We have all night," she promised him lovingly, reveling in the peaceful feeling he evoked in her whenever they had a quiet moment alone. She smiled as he commented on the gown. "I know, it's gorgeous, isn't it' I wasn't sure about it to begin with, but Miranda really does have a wonderful eye. She made me look like a princess."

"We have the rest of our lives," he corrected her. Whether they had Lyneth to worry about or not, they always seemed to find time for each other somehow, despite their little imp of a daughter. "You sort of are a princess," he reminded her of her own bloodline. Not quite, but close enough in his eyes. She would always be his own Queen of Hearts.

"Sod the title," she murmured, in that peculiarly blunt manner she sometimes employed, seemingly just to shock him. "I'm very happy with being Mrs. Desmond Granger, thank you very much."

"Mrs. Desmond Granger, Esquire," he corrected with a smirk, though he hadn't been doing all the much lawyering lately. Once they were back from the honeymoon, he would get back to business, but for now, he was enjoying a little time off, and after everything he'd been through over the past year or so, he certainly deserved a little break. "Humphrey will have me hitting the books again as soon as we're back. The charges against Junior are still pending, but I don't really want to talk shop on our wedding day."

"I could always offer to hit him with the books, if you'd like," Piper chuckled, interrupted by the sound of footsteps and the irate rambling of the event coordinator as he ushered Jason and Bethany down the stairs in a hurry.

Beth was laughing, flushed with something a gentleman probably wouldn't mention in public, and though she looked a little mussed, she could get away with blaming it on resting for twenty minutes.

Jason was busily adjusting his tie, which he could never get quite right, looking equally flushed as he and Beth were hurried along to join Desmond and Piper outside the Ballroom.

"And just where did you two disappear to?" Desmond asked, arching a brow and giving the other pair his best lawyer's glare. There was no point in denying their guilt, as they both looked guilty as sin.

"Would you believe she was giving me a tour?" Jason asked, turning to Beth to help him with his tie.

"Or would you like a blow-by-blow account of the last twenty minutes?" Beth offered with a cheeky grin as she tugged gently at Jason's tie, undoing the knot to settle it once again the way it had been when Miranda had finally left him alone half an hour ago.

Piper choked on her laughter at this shameless admission of guilt, coughing as she cleared her throat and tried very hard not to dissolve into hysterical giggles. With Jason and Beth around, at least she was guaranteed not to have to stay serious all day.

Desmond didn't even flinch, merely arching a brow and holding up a hand to his cheeky cousin, who he was slowly getting better acquainted with and who was bound to be a big part of their lives now that she married his best friend. "Guilty as charged, and too much information. If I were you, I'd suggest that if I were you, I'd keep that from your mother for the time being."

Jason looked at his newlywed wife, a little aghast at her lack of discretion, but then, that was part of what had drawn him to her, in the first place. "Good grief. I'm doomed."

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:24 EST
"Oh, come on," Beth laughed. "It's not like she doesn't drag my dad into a closet at every opportunity." That was probably even more information her husband and cousin didn't want to know, but it set Piper off giggling once again.

"I'll bet she didn't have you by swallowing," Desmond countered, the words tumbling out of his usually well-controlled mouth before he could stop himself.

"Touche," Jason interjected. "Can we please stop talking about what Miranda does or doesn't do with her mouth now, please" She's my mother in law now. It's disturbing."

Beth roared with laughter at this by-play, delighted that Des seemed to have discovered a wicked side that was prepared to come out to play on occasion. "Well, here's a way to torment her all day completely innocently," she offered to both men and Piper. "Just happen to mention Johnny Storm and point him out to her, and I guarantee you'll see a blush."

"Johnny Storm?" Desmond echoed, brows furrowing. He'd had a few encounters with the guy, though they'd never talked in depth. He knew the man was married to Jon's P.A. and that he was a superhero of some sort or other, but that was about all he knew of him. He also knew Lyneth liked to refer to him as Burny Man. "Why's that' Did they have a fling or something?" Des asked, more than happy to have something to hold over Miranda's head when she started getting a little too nosy for her own good.

"She has a crush on him," Jason explained, only knowing because Beth had told him so.

"Goodness," Piper giggled softly as the event coordinator came over to them. "She's going to be all a-flutter if she gets surrounded by Johnny, Jack, and Michael, then." Little did Piper know, that had already happened, though no matter how handsome and charming all the Johnny Storm doppelgangers might be, there would always be a special place in Miranda's heart for Johnny, though Rufus had no reason to feel threatened, as it was just an innocent crush.

"All right, folks, you're on," the coordinator announced, giving a nod to the pair standing by the doors. They were given a moment while the bridal couples arranged themselves, and the wide double doors were pushed open just as Humphrey announced to the gathered guests, "For the second time, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Desmond Granger, and Mr. and Mrs. Jason Daly!"

Jason drew a deep breath as the coordinator arranged them, knowing they were about to be in the limelight again. The short interlude they'd had to themselves had helped calm his nerves, but he'd be happy when it was all over and they could relax. Desmond hardly even flinched, taking Piper's arm to lead her into the ballroom, followed by the other two.

A round of cheering applause greeted them as they entered, brides and grooms smiling together as they passed between the tables toward the dance floor that had been set up in the middle of the ballroom, surrounded by the tables at which everyone would sit down to dinner in around fifteen minutes. As the applause died away, the DJ - who wasn't going to have anything to do until after the dinner anyway - took to the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, please turn your eyes to the dance floor for the first dance of the newlyweds, with accompanying music provided by the fathers of the brides."

Startled, Piper looked up at the stage to find her father and Rufus standing at a pair of microphones, guitars slung about themselves, both grinning like idiots as they began to play.

"Look at the two of you dancing that way, lost in the moment in each other's face; So much in love, you're alone in this place like there's nobody else in the world ..."

Desmond was as startled by this as Piper, turning a smile on the two older men as they sang of the lost love that was their daughter, knowing one day he'd have to do the same with Lyneth, though that day was hopefully not for a long time to come. He took Piper in his arms and led her across the dance floor, proving to those gathered that his talents went far deeper than just that of a prominent attorney. "You're not going to cry, are you?" he asked as he gracefully led Piper in the dance.

He really did know her too well. Smiling through the sudden wetness in her eyes, Piper laughed softly as he swept her about the floor, falling into step with the same grace he showed. "I might," she admitted, sniffing to hold back that urge toward tears. "I haven't heard him sing since I was child, and ....he chose this song." She shook her head, trying to get in control of her feelings as the verse moved on.

"I was enough for her not long ago; I was her number one, she told me so; And she still means the world to me, just so you know, so be careful when you hold my girl ..."

Desmond said nothing, but only held her close, silently letting her listen to the lyrics of the song sung by the first man she'd loved and who'd loved her back. His own thoughts went momentarily to Lyneth, wondering how he'd react when his time came to welcome a young man into the fold. So long as she loved him and he treated her well, there wasn't much more Des could ask for. He hoped he always lived up to Daniel Davidson's expectations for his daughter. Piper deserved the best, and Desmond was determined to give it to her.

"Time changes everything, life must go on, and I'm not going to stand in your way ..."

Piper leaned into Des as he drew her close, unashamed of the happy tears that were trickling down her cheeks, knowing she wasn't the only one in the same boat. Her mind was filled with memories from her childhood - the long hours her father had spent teaching her to read, the loving effort her mother had put in to making every boring occasion something memorable, the close tie she had formed with her sister. It was all still there, but it was in the past now. They were letting her go, finally, to a man they respected and trusted, a man she loved with all her heart. A very special man who loved her daughter as much as he loved her. She raised her head and kissed Des softly, unable to help smiling when the soft gesture gained a small round of applause from those who saw it as the two fathers swept into their chorus.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:25 EST
"I loved her first, I held her first, and a place in my heart will always be hers; From the first breath she breathed, when she first smiled at me, I knew the love of a father runs deep; And I prayed that she'd find you someday, but it's still hard to give her away; I loved her first ..."

Desmond returned her kiss, lifting a hand to brush away her tears, aware of the eyes upon them and the tears that were being shed by others in witness, along with the soft round of applause. They were tears of happiness, but he knew there was a little sadness there, too. Fond memories of days gone by that would never come again, though they would make new memories of their own as they built a life and family together in the years to come. "I love you, Pip," he whispered softly before kissing her again, touching his lips very gently to hers, knowing that though she might not be Daddy's little girl any longer, she had not lost his love or affection; she had only gained the heart of another man who adored her equally.

"I love you very much, Des," she promised him in return, her smile rising like the sun as they twirled together past family and friends, the hem of her gown brushing Beth's as the other couple swept through the corner of their sight briefly.

"How can that beautiful woman with you be the same freckle-faced kid that I knew; The one that I read all those fairy tales to, and tucked into bed all those nights ..."

Beth, too, was struggling with unexpected tears through her chuckle as she lingered close in Jason's arms, rolling her eyes at her own emotional reaction to hearing her father sing for them. "That sneaky bastard," she muttered cheerfully. "I'm going to wipe my nose on his tux for this."

Jason's reaction to the music was a little different from Desmond's, as different as Bethany's was to Piper's, but then Bethany had never known her father until recently and had no such childhood memories of precious moments spent with her father, only her mother. "I dare you," Jason replied with a smirk, doing his best to sweep her across the room with even half the ease of Desmond. "I just hope I don't step on your feet," he complained, worriedly. "I didn't know your dad could play the guitar," he added, wondering how he was supposed to compete with that. The man was full of surprises, and Jason believed himself to be just a simple cop.

"Hey, if you step on my feet, you can carry me around for the rest of the day," she suggested in her merry way, glancing up at the stage to meet Rufus' unrepentant grin for a moment with a teasing glare of her own. "I had no idea he even knew what a guitar was. I bet Mom put him up to this."

"And I knew the first time I saw you with her, it was only a matter of time; But I loved her first, I held her first, and a place in my heart will always be hers; From the first breath she breathed, when she first smiled at me, I knew the love of a father runs deep; And I prayed that she'd find you someday, but it's still hard to give her away; I loved her first ..."

The words touched Jason deeply, bittersweet as they were. He could only guess how Rufus must have missed the daughter whose life had to be kept secret and separate from his for so long. He could imagine making no greater and more selfless sacrifice than that, and he respected the man immensely for it, though he wondered if he had any regrets. "I'm sorry you didn't know your Dad growing up. It must be hard for him to have to give you away when he's only just getting to know you," he said as he glanced briefly over at the duo of fathers serenading their daughters.

Beth sighed softly, her smile fading for a moment. "He missed so much," she said in a quiet voice as they danced, almost oblivious to everything but the song as it washed around them. She looked up at Jason. "We'll stay in touch, as much as we can, won't we? He shouldn't have to give it all up again, just because I'm a big girl now." Her fingertips stroked against Jason's cheek lovingly. "I want to see the look on his face when you put his first grandchild in his arms."

Jason smiled down at his new bride, despite his case of nerves, all the love and adoration he was feeling there to see in the look on his face and in the soft gaze of his eyes as they met hers. "Yes, Beth. We'll stay in touch. I promise. I would never want to take you away from your father or your mother. I know how much you love them. Someday we'll make up for all the lost years by having a child of our own." He bent his head to kiss her, softly and tenderly, forgetting for a moment all the eyes that were upon them, only wanting her to know that if he could, he would make all her dreams and her wishes come true.

"From the first breath she breathed, when she first smiled at me, I knew the love of a father runs deep ....Someday you might know what I'm going through, when a miracle smiles up at you ....I loved her first ..." As the music faded away, Daniel and Rufus straightened from their microphones, proud smiles on their faces for their little girls so obviously in love with their newlywed husbands.

As that first dance came to an end, another round of applause and cheers surrounded the newlyweds from all sides. Once again, the DJ took the microphone as a changeover was performed on the stage - Daniel and Rufus stepped down onto the dance floor to take their daughters in their arms for the second dance, and Jason's mother and Miranda, acting place of Desmond's late mother, stepped up to dance with the handsome grooms. Jack and Jasmin took charge of the microphones to provide the music for this dance, sure fingers moving over guitar strings as their voices mingled beautifully, accompanying the second of the formal dances before dinner was served.

In her son's arms, Anna Daly smiled up at him, more grateful than she could possibly say for the gift he had given her - the difficult choice he had made that had given her back her mind and body for a few years to enjoy her son and his new wife. "I'm so proud of you, my darling," she told him. "Your father would be, too, I'm sure of it."

With all the preparations for the wedding the last few days, Jason hadn't really had much time to spend with his mother, despite the fact that he had missed her more than words could say. To say the two of them had been close before she become ill was an understatement, especially after his father had died. With no other siblings, it had just been the two of them, and he had become the man of the house at the tender age of sixteen. Until a few days ago, Anna Daly had been living in a nursing home, suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, until the miracle of Rhy'Din had found them. "I'm just glad to have you back. I've missed you." Simple words that meant so much more.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:26 EST
Her smile softened, barely able to comprehend how she had been restored to him. She had few memories of the years she had spent struggling with the debilitating disease, but she knew enough to understand how hard it had been on her beloved son. Her hand slipped from his shoulder to gently cup his cheek. "You'll not lose me, little love," she promised him. "We've not much time together, not as much as I would like, but we'll make the most of it. And you've a grand lass there to keep you whole. You couldn't have chosen better, love."

"She reminds me of you. She has your fire," he told her, tears of happiness shining in his blue-gray eyes. "I wish I could give you more time," he said quietly, not trusting his voice not to betray the suffering they'd both been through over the last few years. Watching her health deteriorate had been slowly tearing him apart. "She's special, Ma. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"It isn't the time that counts, little love, it's what you do with it," Anna told her son. "You made the choice I couldn't, and I'm glad for it. Without that choice, I wouldn't be here to see you so happy." She smiled her familiar sparkling smile, absently readjusting his tie with affection. "Just remember to give me a grandchild, and all's well." With a chuckle, she reached up to kiss his cheek. "Be happy, Jason. That's all I've ever wanted for you, and if your Beth makes it so, then she's a fine daughter to add to my family."

He smiled through the tears, happier than words could say, his heart bursting with happiness, not only at having his mother back, but at the prospect of a long happy life with the woman he'd loved and lost over dozens of lifetimes. "She makes me very happy, Ma." He beamed a smile and for no reason at all, except that he loved her, came to a stop on the dance floor so that he could hug her close. "There's so much I want to tell you," he said, as he held her close.

His mother laughed as he enfolded her into his embrace, her arms coming up to hold him in return as she stroked his hair. "Not tonight, Josephine," she chuckled affectionately. "We'll have plenty of time when you're back from your honeymoon. I'm not going anywhere, little love, I promise."

Unless they knew Jason well, those who were watching might not understand the sentimental moment shared by mother and son or why it was so poignant, but for those who knew him - for Beth and Des and Miranda and Rufus - they would know how much this reunion meant to him and how grateful he was that his mother was able to share this the most special day of his life. "You better not!" Jason said, laughing as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "I'm not ready to let you go until we've given you a few grandchildren!"

Anna laughed with him, giving him a teasing chuck on the arm before she drew him back into the dance. "Best run that by your girl first, love," she warned, glancing over to where her new daughter-in-law was laughing with her own father. "I'll tell you this, though - your children will be beautiful."

Jason's gaze followed his mother's toward where Beth was dancing with her father and softened. "She's beautiful, isn't she" She's amazing, Ma. Funny, smart, and drop dead gorgeous. And she loves me. That's the most amazing thing of all."

"Ach, don't be daft, child," Anna scoffed at the very notion of anyone loving her boy being amazing at all. "Why shouldn't she love you? You've a lot going for you, and you fit one another perfectly. She's got you spot on with the man 'flu, at any rate." Jason's mom grinned teasingly up at him, daring him to argue with her on that point.

She was right - he couldn't argue with that, but there was still something she didn't know, and he wasn't sure how she would take it, but here she was on a world she'd never known existed, healed by a magic not even Jason could quite comprehend. Would anything else shock or surprise her at this point' "Would you believe our souls have been tangled for centuries?" he asked, dropping a hint at the truth behind the almost instant attraction between himself and Bethany at their first meeting.

"Oh, I knew you were an Old Soul, moment I looked into your eyes," she told him. "That you've found your mate in all the hustle and bustle of the world, and in between your working hours, is nothing. I knew you'd find her someday. I'm glad it didn't take too long, that's all." Perhaps it was strange that she didn't question his offering, but Anna was Irish. She'd grown up with folktales and legends; she had a better grasp of such things than her husband might have had. So long as Jason was happy, that was all she really cared about.

He was pleasantly surprised by her trusting acceptance of that bit of news that most people would find hard to believe and would scoff at, especially those who lived and worked in the streets of New York. He laughed happily at her reaction, pressing an adoring kiss to her cheek. "You really are something. I'm so glad to have you back!"

"Just you wait until I catch you doing something you shouldn't," she threatened laughingly. "Then you won't be so pleased!" Their conversation dissolved into laughing reminiscences then, talk of the past and of the future, hidden beneath the ebb and flow of the music.

Across the dance floor, Piper was only just in control of herself, having spent most of the beginning of the dance crying on her father for his lovely surprise. "Oh, good grief, I'm a mess," she laughed helplessly, raiding his pocket for the handkerchief she knew would be there.

"And a lovely mess at that," Daniel Davidson complimented his youngest daughter with the same warm, loving, fatherly smile he had showered upon her all of her life, from the moment she was just a tiny baby. "I'm proud of you, Piper. We both are, you mother and I."

"Even after all the mistakes I've made?" Piper smiled as she said this, carefully wiping her face dry and privately thanking Harper, her sister, for road-testing tear-proof mascara the day before. She swayed in her father's arms, content finally with her place in the world as a wife and mother, sister and daughter. "You can't deny I've made a lot of them, Daddy."

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:27 EST
He drew the hanky out of her hand and dabbed at her eyes, the same way he had when she'd been little and had come crying home after some adventure had gone horribly wrong. Skinned knees, wounded pride, broken hearts - they had all ended the same, with hugs and kisses and words of wisdom from a man who would love her forever no matter how many times she stumbled and fell. He'd been there to pick her back up again time after time, but now that she had Desmond, Daniel was convinced she had finally gotten it right. "To err is human, Piper. You're no different than anyone else. The difference between a fool and a wise man is that a wise man learns from his mistakes, while a fool learns nothing."

"Does that make me a wise man then?" his youngest daughter giggled softly, carefully tucking his hanky back into his pocket as she resumed her place in his arms to continue dancing. A faint sadness touched her expression as she went on. "I wish I could come home sometimes, even just to visit. When Lynnie's older, maybe I'll be able to. There's so much I want her to see from my childhood - the places I played in, the random acts of minor vandalism that are all over the house back home. But she can't, not yet. Not until she learns how to keep herself alive in a place without magic."

Daniel chuckled, amused at his daughter's joke. It warmed his heart to see her smiling and laughing again, and he knew that was in good part due to Desmond. That little imp of a daughter of hers, too. "It makes you a wise arse, peanut," he countered, with a gentle tweak of her nose as she tucked his hanky back into his jacket pocket. "You know what they say - where there's a will, there's a way." He nodded his head toward Jason and his mother, laughing and dancing as if they hadn't a care in the world. "If that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is," he said, indicating the other couple. "Your mother and I aren't going anywhere. You have plenty of time, Piper. Perhaps you should ask Rufus for advice. If anyone can find a solution to the problem, I'm guessing it might be him." He and Rufus had obviously been doing a little talking over the last few days, while the families got acquainted.

"I will," she promised, hugging closer to her father tenderly. It was no secret that Piper missed her family a great deal, though she tried to hide it for Lyneth's sake. It was wonderful to have them all here, even if it was just for one day. She followed his gaze toward Jason and his mother, her smile softening for the restored relationship. Though she didn't know Jason well, she knew how important he was to Des. "Yes, that is a miracle," she agreed with her father. "And it wouldn't have happened without this place. Everything is going so well, Daddy. What am I going to do when it all falls apart again?"

Daniel's expression changed again, turning serious, that look that fathers get when they need to reassure their daughters that disaster isn't looming and that everything will be as it should be. His gaze darted to his daughter's chosen life-mate, a man whom Daniel both liked and approved of. "You see that man there?" he asked his daughter with another tilt of his head, this time toward Desmond who was twirling Miranda around in circles until she got dizzy, both of them laughing merrily, like children at play. "Why did you pick him' Why did you say yes" Why did you marry him' And don't tell me it was only because you love him."

Piper sighed softly, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at her father. Her gaze fell on Des and, unbidden, a small smile curved her full lips. She knew the answer to those questions. "Because I can see the future with him," she murmured, for Daniel's ears only. "Because when I'm with him, I'm not afraid. Because I want to grow old with him. And yes," she added defiantly, looking up at her father. "Because I love him."

"If you are so convinced it's going to fall apart again, why did you marry him, Piper" Have you seen the way he looks at Lyneth' Have you seen the way he looks at you? He's not Terence, and he's not Oliver. Stop denying yourself the right to be happy just because you don't think you deserve it or you're afraid it's going to fall apart, and have a little faith, my girl." He cupped her cheek, smiling fondly at his youngest child. "Open your heart and let yourself be happy, Piper. I promise you won't break."

"Because if I expect everything to fall apart, every day it doesn't is a lovely surprise?" she suggested, but she was laughing as she spoke. "I know, I know. I'm being silly. I am happy, Daddy, I promise I am. It's just going to take a little more time for it to sink in that being happy is a way of life now."

"Maybe it will sink in when you're on your honeymoon," he teased, pressing a tender kiss against his daughter's brow. "I love you, Piper, and I want you to be happy."

She loosed her hands from his as the music came to an end, hugging close into her father's embrace. Though she loved her mother dearly, Piper always had and always would be Daddy's little girl. "I love you too, Daddy."

There was nothing more to say really. He held her tucked safely in his embrace, remembering all the times he had held her just like this before, all the tears he had chased away, all the laughter they had shared, all the good times and the bad. She was his little girl for the very last time before he relinquished her to the man she loved. He found himself suddenly having to swallow the lump of tears that was forming in his throat at the realization that she really had grown up, once and for all. "I'll always love you, pumpkin. You'll always be my little girl," he whispered softly, for her ears alone.

As applause rippled around them for the final time, there was a loud tapping against the microphone, and all eyes turned to the stage to find Lyneth there, being held up so everyone could hear her. "Now can we has dinner, please?"

Daniel chuckled to find his little grand-daughter begging the adults to please commence with the food. Her behavior really had to be commended. She had been very patient, so far, all things considered.

Des broke away from Miranda to rescue Jasmin, who was holding Lyneth up to the microphone, sweeping his daughter up into his arms and smooching her cheek. "I think you've waited long enough," he told her, wrapping one arm around her to balance her against his hip.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:30 EST
It seemed as though the general consensus was that it was time, anyway. As Des took charge of his daughter, freeing up Jasmin to set her guitar down and find her own seat, Rufus took one of the microphones. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure by now you're getting very tired of being told how wonderful it is to see you here, but I'm going to say it again," he began, one hand held out behind himself in the hope that someone was going to give him a glass before he got to the end of his toast. "This time last year, none of us could have imagined being here. Piper and Desmond had only just met; Bethany and Jason were a long way from their meeting. Even I was a distant glimmer. But Fate, and my remarkably determined wife, Miranda, contrived to bring us all here today."

Jack was putting his own guitar to rest when he noticed Rufus holding his hand out expectantly behind his back. It took a moment for Jack to figure out what he wanted, but soon Rufus had a glass of champagne in his hand just in time to make a toast.

Desmond collected Lyneth and settled her on his lap as he found his place beside Piper, everyone turning expectantly toward Rufus to hear what he had to say before joining him in toasting the newlyweds.

Miranda smiled, flushing with pride at her husband's complimentary remarks. She was, if nothing else, determined.

Flicking a grateful glance toward Jack as he found a glass in his hand, Rufus chuckled a little nervously and attempted to gather his thoughts. "All of us, at some point in our lives, have been lonely; we do, all of us, deserve to find that one person who can make our lives complete. For Desmond and Piper, for Bethany and Jason, that search is over. There will still be mountains to climb, the occasional unexpected hedgehog in the grass, but from this day on, you walk together. I can tell you from experience that nothing compares to sharing your life with the one you love, and nothing is bleaker than having to live without them. My wish for all of you is that you live long, happy lives together." He smiled, not just at his own daughter, but at Piper, too, knowing his toast stood for both himself and Daniel. Raising his glass, he drew in a breath before finishing. "Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses to the brides and grooms."

There was that exuberant shout again from the vicinity of where Johnny Storm sat with his wife Olivia. "Here, here!" he shouted in approval of Rufus' speech and promptly downed his entire glass of champagne in one long swallow.

"That was lovely," Miranda sighed, clearly enamored of Rufus, though she couldn't help but smirk a little at the superhero's exuberant approval.

As for the rest of the gathering, glasses were raised all around to toast the newlywed couples, smiles on most of their faces. Some sort of sweet, sparkling non-alcoholic concoction filled Lyneth's glass, with enough bubbles to tickle the little Fae-girl's nose.

And as for Desmond and Jason, each turned to their bride almost in unison with glasses raised to link arms with their chosen beloved and offer each a sip of champagne.

"And without further ado," Rufus added as everyone lowered their glasses, meeting Lyneth's gaze with a teasing smirk, "dinner is served!" Servers appeared swiftly, moving between them tables to lay out the opening course of the meal as chattering conversation filled the ballroom. It wasn't just Lyneth who was hungry - it had been a very long morning for the bridal party, and there wasn't one of them who hadn't been looking forward to eating since at least eleven o'clock.

Through the starters and the toasts from the maids of honor and best men (who happened to be the grooms themselves), past the main course, and into dessert, the ballroom echoed with the sound of voices laughing and talking, the clink of cutlery and glassware, and the occasional yelp as various animals got under people's feet. The children were rewarded for their patience with chocolate for dessert and the full attention of the Human Torch for their entertainment while the tables were cleared once again and the newlyweds took to their feet to personally greet as many of their friends and family as they could. As the DJ took the stage in the coming dusk, the lights were dimmed to allow the dance floor to take center stage, silly medleys of songs bringing young and old alike together to make fools of themselves with laughing delight.

Somewhere amidst all the mingling, Miranda finally managed to corner Johnny and his two doppelgangers and finagle them into promising to model for her, though they had no idea what she had in mind. Johnny was the first to agree, predictably excited about the idea, though he didn't really see the resemblance between them much or quite understand what Miranda had in mind. Of the three of them, Michael seemed the most reluctant, while Jack was merely bashful, but Miranda worked her charm and in the end, the three of them agreed to meet with her some time after the New Year.

Jon and Vicki kept predictably close to Humphrey throughout the evening, swapping Emily and/or Cosmo duty between them, with Jon doing most of the chasing, allowing Vicki to relax as much as possible. Some mingling was done with the De Lucas, as well, as Jon and Mataya were close friends, and Desmond and Jason were acquainted with Elena. A small circle gathered briefly at the De Luca table to congratulate Jon and Mataya on the Golden Globe nominations, as well as to toast Tony and Anya's upcoming nuptials, the imminent arrival of Max and Mataya's miracle baby, and Elena and Michael's recent marriage. Miranda spent time with her own small circle, as well, somehow convincing her brother Gordon to dance with Jason's mother, as well as juggling Gabi's twins and introducing Cian's shy little mermaid to everyone who would let her.

An hour of dancing, and it was time for a little more ritual to lend structure to the evening. Busy hands shooed dancers and loiterers out of the way as a round table was carefully rolled out onto the dance floor, bearing the spectacle of the anticipated wedding cake. Caught with the dilemma of what to do with a cake when there were two couples involved, Beth and Piper had scrapped the idea of a pair of many tiered cakes, and gone with something far simpler.

Standing tall on that table was a veritable pyramid of cupcakes, rising in graceful lines to a single, small cake that stood at the very top of the stand. Each of the little cupcakes was decorated with purple and ivory butter-cream and flowers, and the cake itself was simply iced with white royal icing, bearing a small bouquet of purple sugar roses and wrapped about with a purple ribbon. Shouts went up for the brides and grooms to reappear from the crowd as knives were set by the sweet bakery tower, camera flashes going off all over the room as people hurried to get their own shots of the alternative wedding cake before it was distributed.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:31 EST
Perhaps surprisingly, Beth was the first to appear, bumped forward through the crowd by her parents with a laugh as she looked around for her husband and their friends, striking giggly poses for the various cameras that turned in her direction. From another corner came Piper, reluctantly tipped out of conversation with her sister to observe the formalities as Lyneth plunged into the crowd to locate her father and drag him bodily to where the sweet treat was waiting to be cut.

Before long, Jason, too, appeared, excusing himself from a conversation he'd been having with his mother and Miranda's little circle of family to catch up with his lovely bride, amidst some teasing and cajoling from family and friends who were hoping for a lively cake-cutting.

Desmond chuckled as Lyneth led him toward the confectionery delight, knowing she was anxious for a cupcake of her own. "Alright, alright, I'm coming!" he declared as the little girl tugged him along by the hand. "Fancy meeting you here," he teased as he caught up with his bride.

Jason quietly took his place beside Beth, looking a little more relaxed at the attention now that he had a few drinks in him.

"Who are you?" Piper teased Des as he arrived, bending to catch Lyneth before she made off with one of the cupcakes. "Are you my husband?"

Across from them, Beth laughed, hugging one arm around her Jason. "I hope that one's yours," she called over to Piper, "because I'm intending to do some marital acrobatics with this one later!"

"Keep your bedroom habits to yourself, please!" Des teased Beth and Jason as he pointed to Lyneth. "Little ears!"

Jason rolled his eyes and blushed a little at Beth's warning. "I'm in trouble now!" He would have said more, but heeded Desmond's reminder regarding little ears and kept any further thoughts on their wedding night to himself.

"What's marble akky bat tricks?" Lyneth asked, loud enough for nearly everyone to hear her, which in turn set Beth to laughing once again as she took charge of one of the knives.

Piper rolled her eyes, tweaking her daughter's nose fondly. "I'll tell you when you're twenty-one," she promise, satisfying the curiosity for now, but fairly sure that somehow Lyneth would remember and ask on her twenty-first birthday.

"Twenty-one!" Desmond echoed, the man in him thinking that was too old, the father in him thinking he wanted his daughter to stay little forever. "Don't listen to your mother. You're going to be a nun when you grow up," Desmond told Lyneth with a sage smile.

Jason smirked at the interplay with Lyneth before turning back to Beth to help her with the cake.

"Do nums wear pretty dresses?" was the inevitable question that followed this, as the two couples and their fifth wheel cake-stealer were maneuvered into position for the photographer and anyone else who wanted a picture.

"Oh, yes, long gowns, usually made of black and a veil, too. Very becoming," Des replied. He was not usually one to tease Lyneth in such a way, but it was just too tempting, and after a few drinks, he was feeling less restrained than usual.

"Black isn't pretty, silly," Lyneth objected, screwing up her face as the two couples leaned in to cut the cake on the very top of the stand. "Unless it's got sparkles on it." She scratched at the butterflies on her headband once again as her attention turned to the cake cutting, flash bulbs going off all around them. "Is it the choklit cake wiv the orangey bits like Mummy said we could have?"

"It's a surprise, and if I tell you, it won't be a surprise anymore, will it?" Desmond countered with a question of his own, as he and Piper cut the first slice of cake together, pausing a moment to smile for the camera. "Smile and say cheese, Lynnie!" he told her.

Jason and Beth were doing the same and somehow managed to get the first slice of cake cut before the other couple. Now, came the tricky part of offering each other a bite without making too much of a mess.

Thankfully, some thoughtful person had also provided a couple of napkins to catch any crumbs or blobs that decided to tumble downward and threaten the integrity of the wedding dresses or morning suits. Chuckling at the conversation across from them, Beth offered their slice to Jason with sparkling eyes, waiting until he'd taken a mouthful before murmuring, "Do you think you'd be able to hold still while I covered Detective Constable Jason in icing and then licked it off?"

Jason's eyes widened at the question that was murmured for his hearing only, just about choking on the mouthful of cake she had put in his mouth. It took a moment before he recovered, showing some fire himself as he returned the favor, offering her a bite of the cake, quickly followed by a toe-curling kiss as he pulled her tight against his chest. A murmur of surprised approval went up from the crowd, along with a few catcalls and whistles. "That's my boy," remarked his mother with a smirk.

Desmond covered Lyneth's eyes so she wouldn't see the heated exchange between the other couple. "Close your eyes, Lynnie. They're getting mushy!"

The kiss certainly had their audience's attention, since Beth was never one to blush at eyes on her when she was in the moment. When they broke apart, she swallowed her mouthful of cake, giggling, and hugged into Jason's arms. "Prequel to the garter toss, huh?" she teased him playfully, turning her eyes across to where Piper had finally managed to get a slice of the cake onto their napkin.

Instead of offering it to Des, however, Piper brushed Lyneth's lips with the slice, the little girl opening her mouth wide despite not being able to see past Des' fingers to take a big mouthful of the cake, which was, as promised, chocolate with orange creme.

"That's payback, I think," Jason said as he relaxed the hold he had on his bride, turning to watch as Piper offered Lyneth the first bite of their slice. It was good to see Desmond so happy and surrounded by family the way he was. Jason thought he'd been alone for too long; for that matter, they'd both been alone for too long.

Desmond drew his hands away from Lyneth's eyes and scooped her up into his arms so she could get an even better look at the cake and array of cupcakes from his point of view. "What do you think, Lynnie" Does it meet with your approval?"

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:33 EST
Mouth full of cake, Lyneth clung onto Des' by his collar as he hiked her up more comfortably to look down on the cakes. "Does everyone get one?" she asked curiously. "Only, 'cos if there's any left, I got space for them in my tummy."

"I'd say that tummy has a two cupcake limit, wouldn't you, Piper?" he replied, looking to Piper for confirmation. They all knew what happened if Lyneth had too many sweets, "choklit" in particular.

"Definitely only two," Piper agreed, offering Des his mouthful of the cake and using a corner of the napkin to wipe Lyneth's mouth in the process. "But if there are any left and Jason and Beth don't want them, we can take them home. Okay?"

Pouting a little, but grudgingly accepting, Lyneth sighed and nodded, brightening up at the sight of Harper and Gabi slipping through the crowd with the bouquets of red and blue roses in their hands.

"Tell you what..." Desmond began, pausing a minute to enjoy the mouthful of cake Piper had put in his mouth and reaching to take the slice from her with his free hand so he could return the favor. "I'll make sure they save a few cupcakes just for you. How's that?"

"Only if everyone gets one, because it's not fair if we get some and someone doesn't get any and there's lots of people and not very many little cakes and if we don't get any, we can make more when we come home from the hubby moo, can't we, Daddy?" Proving, once again, that difficult though it was to raise a singularly precocious child, somehow Des and Piper had instilled an innate sense of fairness into a Fae.

"Okay, only if there are any leftover. And it's a honeymoon, peanut," he corrected her, putting an emphasis on the word moon, knowing it might lead to a long discussion on the meaning and origin of the word, though it was a discussion better left for another time. Besides, there was too much going on right now to hold Lyneth's attention for long.

Miranda came by and rescued the couple, holding out her arms to the little imp. "Come on, precious. Grab a cupcake and let's go get ready for the bouquet toss. I want to make sure you're in good position for that!"

Given the honor of choosing her own cupcake before the table was rolled away so the waiting staff could distribute them to the tables, Lyneth beamed around a mouthful of frosting as Miranda took charge of her, waving sticky fingers at her parents while the DJ faded out the music once more to announce the bouquet toss, calling all single females onto the dance floor. A sturdier table was brought next to the stage, and the grooms were left to manhandle their new wives up onto it so the toss could take place.

Now that Miranda had swept Lyneth away, Des had been hoping for a short moment's respite with his new bride, but that was not to be as the DJ was gathering the single females together for the bouquet toss. He paused a moment to kiss his wife's lips, both of them tasting vaguely of butter-cream cake frosting before asking with a playful smirk. "What happens if Lyneth catches the bouquet?"

"Then you'd better get very good at changing the locks on a regular basis, or she might decide to grow up and get on with this marrying thing sooner rather than later," Piper teased him affectionately, fairly sure that their daughter was having too much fun being a small child to want to grow up too much any time soon. She kissed him once again, gently wiping butter-cream from his chin. "Lift me up, sweetheart, let's get this show on the road."

"I can't wait to get you alone," he whispered back at her, blue eyes shining with a little bit of playful mischief and a lot of affection. They'd been promised one night Lyneth-free to enjoy their first night of wedded bliss, and as much as he loved Lyneth, he was looking forward to having Piper all to himself, for one night only. With his hands at her waist, Des easily boosted Piper up onto the table, remaining close to make sure she didn't fall. Jason was doing the same, but had chosen to climb up onto the table himself first before lifting Bethany up behind him.

Jason ended up steadying both brides as they tottered on their heels on the table, clinging onto each other with a burst of loud laughter before carefully turning to collect their respective bouquets from the hands holding them out. "All right, ladies," the DJ announced, "no kicking, no gouging, no scratching, no hair pulling. Good clean toss, and everyone mind the little people!"

"Lynnie, would you like to try catching the bouquet?" Miranda asked, with an impish twinkle in her eyes that nearly matched that of the tiny girl's. Though she was a married woman and had no business catching the bouquet, Lyneth was another matter.

The tiny girl stuffed what was left of her cupcake into her mouth and nodded enthusiastically, squeaking in protest as hands came from behind Miranda to wipe the frosting off her sticky fingers before she got a chance to grab onto the woman's beautiful dress. Gabi winked at her and slipped away as Lyneth swallowed, experimentally flexing her newly cleaned hands. "I want to catch Mummy's bucket."

"Well, I'll do my best!" Miranda replied with a grin as she maneuvered her way toward the front of the group, so that Lyneth had a decent chance of catching the bouquet and not getting stomped in the chaos if it went over her head. "Get ready!" she warned as the brides got ready to toss the bouquets to the waiting women below.

As the heavy beat of Queen's Another One Bites The Dust began to play through the ramped up sound system, the single women and girls surged forward to fill the dance floor, laughing and jokingly elbowing each other out of the way as the couples and single men called out alternate encouragement and trash talk. As the older bride, Piper went first, giggling as she turned her back to the crowd of women and gracefully threw her blood red bouquet back over her head, toward the forest of reaching arms below.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:36 EST
Enthusiastic as the women were, no one really wanted to disappoint the tiny girl being held high with her short arms outstretched. There was always the other bouquet to fight over, after all. As the red flowers tumbled down, Helena batted them nonchalantly away from herself and over Miranda's head from behind, a small assist for the hopeful daughter of the bride as she flailed about. The trailing stems of the roses bopped Miranda's forehead as Lyneth grabbed and held on for dear life, hugging her prize with a huge grin as the women around her cheered. "I gotted it! Look, M'randa, I gotted it!"

"Good catch, Lyneth!" Miranda praised the little girl, tossing a sly wink to Helena for the help. "Look who caught the bouquet, Piper!" Miranda called as Desmond was lifting Piper off the table to the floor. She waved Lyneth's hand in the air to show off her prize, a dimpled grin on her face.

"Oh, that's fantastic, Lynnie!" Piper praised her daughter with a wide grin, knowing there was no way the bouquet could have ended up in Lyneth's arms without a certain amount of collusion from the women all around them. She exchanged a grin with Des as they slipped off to one side, muttering, "Lynnie's first proper boy/girl dance, coming up."

"She's a bit young for a boy/girl dance, don't you think?" Des pointed out, feeling like the over-protective father that he was. He'd already suggested Lyneth become a nun, though, in truth, he knew that was highly unlikely. Miranda followed Piper and Des as they slipped off to one side to watch the inevitable scramble for Beth's bouquet. She was personally hoping it would be Helena, though she'd laugh hysterically if it turned out to be Dru.

"Well, let me put it like this, love," Piper mused as she watched Beth winding up the baying crowd of overexcited women, old and young, "is there any man in this room you would not trust to dance with your daughter?" In other words, it's your family and mine - want to risk expressing a negative opinion"

"That's not a fair question," he replied, as he cast a quick glance around the room. There was no one in attendance that he didn't trust with Lyneth - that wasn't really the point - but he let it go for now. It would be a long time before he had to worry about her dating, or so he hoped.

"Desmond, relax," Miranda rebuked her favorite cousin. "It's all in good fun."

With Lyneth off the dance floor, Beth's bouquet toss qualified as something close to all out war. All in good fun, of course, but there was a fair amount of aggressive elbowing and lobbying for position, not to mention the fact that no one caught the bloody thing. It's a special sight, that of thirty or so women, young and old, in elegant evening gowns, hurtling headlong to the floor to scrabble about for a large bouquet of flowers, cackling all the way. Just as some of the older relatives were getting worried, a fist punched up through the scramble of delicate femininity, triumphantly gripping the only slightly squashed bouquet of blue roses. Helena's grin was ridiculous as she was helped up off the floor, hair mussed and a suspicious looking scratch on one arm, laughing like a drain as she moved to join Lyneth and Miranda by the edge of the dance floor.

The men weren't silent either as they were whooping and hollering along with the women. What man didn't appreciate a good cat fight, after all" As Helena came up victorious, a shout was heard from the cluster of men, which belonged to Helena's recently-engaged fiance. "I told you so!" Tommy declared with a grin, whistling in excited approval of Lena's triumph. Beside him, Jack was grumbling to himself and handing over a few dollars lost in a bet on the winner. His money had been on Dru.

As the music faded out once again, the DJ took the microphone to move things along before the rowdiness got out of hand. "Now, gents, it's time for the garter tosses! Would the brides make their way to the dance floor please, and someone warm up the grooms' hands!"

"Hands!" Tommy exclaimed at the DJ's instructions. "You don't use your hands. You use your teeth!"

Jack rolled his eyes and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Good luck, but I'm out. I'm a married man now."

"Chicken," Tommy countered with a grin, as Jack left the group to rejoin Jasmin.

Jason chuckled upon overhearing Tommy as he helped Beth off the table. "Which method would you prefer?" he asked, as he set her feet safely back on the floor.

Laughing at the suggestions being offered from the crowd of men looming, Beth rolled her eyes at Jason, glancing down at the voluminous layers of her dress. "If you can find my legs, you can do it however you'd like, baby," she assured him, flashing a grin at Piper as she and Des joined them on the dance floor.

"I'm sure I won't have any problem finding your legs," Jason replied as he led her by the hand to the dance floor, where a group of mainly men had formed in a semi-circle to watch the show. Two chairs had been placed side-by-side on the dance floor facing the semi-circle. It seemed both couples would do the unveiling in unison.

Fun though it might have been to do it one at a time, the less time spent on the unveiling of the garters with Lyneth around was probably the wiser choice. Taking a seat, Beth grinned once again, finding it very hard to keep a straight face as she and Piper were rather swiftly surrounded by every single man in the place.

"I dread to think what my mother thinks of all this," Piper commented cheerfully, resisting the urge to cross her legs and hide her cleavage out of sheer stubbornness.

Miranda temporarily distracted Lyneth from the floor-show by taking her around and letting her show off her mother's bouquet to those who weren't involved in the bawdy tradition. "It's tradition," Desmond explained to his wife. "And I promise to behave!" Especially with a young child somewhere within earshot.

Jason, on the other hand, looked more than ready to get started as he went down on one knee in front of Bethany and reached beneath the heavy layers of her skirt in search of her ankle.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:39 EST
"Congratulations, you've found the chair," Jason's lovely wife piped up after a moment of reaching, taking pity on him to twitch her skirts up a little so he could at least use the bright red shoes as a guiding beacon.

A loud burst of laughter, however, distracted for a moment from Beth and Jason, as Piper let out a loud squeak and indignantly bopped Des on the top of the head. "That is not my garter!"

Jason laughed as Bethany chastened and then guided him to her leg and not the chair's leg. "I was wondering why your leg felt like a piece of wood." The DJ played some appropriate music to go along with the hijinks, something more reminiscent of a strip club than a wedding, and which had Gabi covering Lyneth's virgin ears with her hands.

A chuckle was heard from Desmond, whose head was hidden beneath Piper's skirt. "Sorry. I'll get to those later."

With the whooping gathering of young men all around them, it was a little difficult not to be embarrassed by the fact that Des had his head up her skirts, but Piper's blushes fitted in perfectly with the sweet picture she presented. Beth, on the other hand, was more than capable of playing up to the crowd around them, moaning like a cat on heat for their amusement as Jason's fingers skimmed up her leg.

So much for promising to behave. It seemed of the two of the men, Desmond was the more daring, at least when it came to de-gartering his wife in public, while Bethany was the bolder of the two women. While Desmond might be having fun going garter diving, the men behind them weren't getting to see much leg.

Jason, on the other hand, was more than willing to accommodate them and knew his cheeky wife would be, too. He slid his fingers slowly up Beth's calf, little by little showing more skin as he went until he had her skirt hiked up to her knee.

And seeing as Beth wasn't actually wearing stockings, that was a fair amount of skin. Miranda's long legs had been passed down. The garter-free leg was lifted onto Jason's shoulder as she winked down at him, waving her foot at the guys behind him. "C'mon, baby, give it all you got," she teased laughingly, more than happy to play to the crowd while Piper got redder and redder, and more and more giggly.

Egged on by his daring wife, instead of pulling the garter down Beth's leg, Jason dared to tug it upwards a little so that it circled her thigh, careful not to let the whooping pack of eager bachelors see too much. He slid the garter up and down in time to the music, teasingly pulling it forward and back against her thigh as if it was doing a dance of its own.

Meanwhile, all that could be seen of Desmond was his back, his head still buried beneath Piper's skirts, but soon a muffled growl was heard and he slowly pulled back from the layers as the garter was tugged off Piper's leg with his teeth.

A loud cheer went up as Des came back into view, Piper having finally got over her attack of oh my god this can't be happening enough to lift her skirt just enough that he didn't have to lie flat on the floor to get out from under the layers of blue.

And, naturally, Beth was having just as much fun as Jason, shimmying her assets to the music as the garter was paraded up and down her bare thigh teasingly.

Desmond pulled the garter from between his teeth and held it triumphantly up in the air to the cheers and whistles of the gathered crowd, but it was short-lived as Desmond and Piper were upstaged by the more daring pair beside them.

Jason let the hooting and hollering go on for a short while longer before, buoyed on by the cheering, he walked his fingers up Beth's leg to her thigh and slowly tugged the garter past her knee, down her calf, and over her shoe to hold it up as triumphantly as Desmond and twirling it around an upheld finger.

As one, the brides rose from their seats, one deeply relieved, the other one a little more worked up than she'd expected, taking a bow and offering a wink to the gentlemen crowded around them before getting off the dance floor pretty sharpish. "And now, gents, here comes the lingerie!"

"Show off," Desmond teased his best friend, which only brought a chuckle from Jason, who had finally seemed to have overcome his bit of shyness.

"After you," Jason said, twirling the lacy thing on his finger.

Desmond flashed a mischievous grin back at the other groom. "On the count of three," he said, both of the men turning their backs on the group of men and reading the bit of lace in their hands.

"One..." they counted in unison. "Two..." Each lifted the garter over their heads. "Three!" On three, both garters flew through the air, one going one way, one going another.

Chaos ensued as shouts went up from the group as they scrambled for the garter. Desmond had flung Piper's garter so far and high that no one had any chance of catching it despite their best efforts until it came to a very neat landing in the hands of the tall, handsome, dark-haired man standing at the far back who was hardly paying any attention to the goings on at all. Tony De Luca laughed as he found the bit of lace in his hands and shrugged over at his fiancee, Anya, at his accidental bit of luck.

A whoop of congratulations went up from the table where the De Lucas were sitting, Elena, Mataya, and Juno cackling with laughter as Anya rolled her eyes at her fiance affectionately. Well, at least she didn't need to worry about him enjoying the next part too much - one of the ladies was two, and the other was very much taken.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:44 EST
After a bit of scrambling, it was ironically Tommy King who came up the victor in claiming Bethany's garter for himself. The surfer beamed a grin as he triumphantly held up an arm, his prize clutched in one fist, and since Lena had been the one to catch Bethany's bouquet, it couldn't have worked out better.

"Next one to get married, Tommy," someone said, giving him a congratulatory and good-natured pat on the back.

"I just might be," he replied with the flash of a boyish grin toward his Midget.

"Only might?" Dru giggled, poking Tommy in the back as the group of men dispersed a little to let the girls in for a good look at what was going to happen next. "I just lost my bet because of you, you'd better make this good." She gave him a gentle shove into the center of the dance floor as once again all eyes turned to those who were taking up position there - Tony De Luca, Tommy King, Helena Granger ....and a two year old Lyneth.

"Wait, what bet?" Tommy countered, wondering who she'd bet on and whether or not Jack had admitted to having bet on her and against Lena. If two men could be any more opposite, it was Tony and Tommy. Where Tony were tall, dark, and handsome and evoked a quiet graceful sense of calm, Tommy was blond and boyish and full of life and mischief. The two men had never met before, though Tony was aware of Tommy, if only because he was Mataya's best friend's sister's fiance. Tony offered Tommy quiet congratulations and a friendly handshake before letting the DJ take over again.

"And now ....oh, good grief ..." The room erupted into laughter along with the DJ as Helena handed Lyneth over to Tony with a wide grin. The little girl promptly wrapped her arms around one of the people she'd met once or twice while visiting the Shanachie and delivered a wet kiss, inadvertently hitting him in the face with the bouquet at the same time.

Tony took the bouquet batting with calm grace, smiling all the while, touched by the trust the little girl put in him and the affection she offered without question. "I won this for you," he told her, holding up the little bit of lace and ribbon for her to see. "It's good luck."

"That's my Mummy's leg thingy," she agreed with a tired smile. Her eyes focused on the damp bit of lace and satin with a curious frown, and unfortunately for Tony, she opened up her lungs to get Des' attention. "Daddy, why did you suck Mummy's leg thingy' It's all wet!"

Tony winced a little as Lyneth shouted in his ear, but chuckled at the question she posed her father. There was no way he was going to answer that question.

"Never you mind, little lady! You'll find out when you're older!" Desmond called back.

"Adults are always saying that, aren't they?" Tony asked as he balanced Lyneth against his side. "Would you like to dance" I'm a pretty good dancer."

"Won't I make your back all achy 'cos I'm so little?" she asked curiously. "I'm littler than Anya, and she's little, and you might get an ouchie and be all bent for your wedding." It wasn't a no, though, and dancing with Tony would certainly take her mind off what Helena and Tommy were getting up to not so far away.

"Not at all. You're as light as a feather compared to most of my dance partners. Here, give me your arm," he said, waiting for her to hold out her arm so he could slide the garter onto her wrist where it hung loosely like a bracelet. He then hoisted her into his arms and slowly spun her a few times around, safely tucked in his arms so that she wouldn't fall. "Have your parents bring you to the ballet sometime and I'll make sure you get front row seats."

Beaming, the tiny Fae-girl squeaked with delight at the thought of a night out with her parents, especially one that would take her to the Shanachie. For some reason, Lyneth adored the theater, regardless of what was actually being performed. She kissed Tony's cheek soggily once again. "Can I be a barry dancer like you?"

"We're doing Sleeping Beauty next year. I think you'd especially like that one," Tony told her, charmed by the little girl, as most everyone was who met her. Her question brought a soft smile to his face, knowing that almost every little girl wanted to be a ballerina at some point in their young life. "You can be anything you want to be, Lyneth, if you put your mind to it," he told her.

"Goodie." It was, perhaps, a little underpowered for a happy statement from the little girl, but she had been up for a very long time by this point. She dropped her head onto Tony's shoulder, oblivious to the reason for the catcalls all around them.

Tony slowed, sensing the little girl's energy drooping. It had been a very long and exciting day for one so young. He brushed a kiss against her cheek, charmed by her innocence, and finding her parents in the crowd, carried her over to turn her over to her mother.

Helena, however, was definitely aware of the reason for those cat calls, since he was at that moment holding her foot at hip level, trying to get the garter on over her shoe. "Wouldn't this have been easier if you'd gotten down on your knee, moonbeam?" she asked, laughing as she hopped up and down.

Tommy, on the other hand, was wide awake and just getting started. The night was young, after all, and he was having fun. "Hush!" Tommy scolded playfully as he struggled to get the thing over her heels. "I know what I'm doing." Sighing in frustration, he pulled off her shoe and tossed it over his shoulder to be caught by any number of young men before propping her foot against his thigh to slide the bit of lace over her foot and around her ankle.

"Hey!" Now bereft of one of her shoes, Lena bent her knee so she could hold onto Tommy rather than bounce around like a demented ping pong ball. "You better find that when we're done here," she warned him. "Miranda will kill you if I end up with a dusty hem."

"What' It's not like you're going to wear it again, are you?" Tommy countered, his devil-may-care attitude getting the best of him. "Next formal gown you'll be wearing will be white." Pause. "Can you wear white if you're not a virgin?" His question was said just a little too loudly not to be overheard and chuckled at, but it was Tommy and he'd had a little too much to drink, which made his lips even looser than usual.

That earned him a laugh from his peers, a thump in the arm from his fiancee, and a bruise to enjoy the next day. Lena snorted with laughter, taking control of her leg back as she curled her arms around his neck. "Maybe you'd like to say that a little bit louder, you know, right next to my two big brothers?" she suggested playfully. "Or you could finish feeling me up somewhere a little more private."

"Oh!" Tommy grinned at the suggestion. The last one, not the ones about probably getting beat up by her brothers. "I like that idea." And he promptly swept her up in his arms to carry her from the ballroom, unless, of course, someone stopped him. Where he was planning on going was anyone's guess, but it was a big house and there were plenty of rooms where two people could hide for a little while if they wanted to.

"And it looks like that's your lot, folks," the DJ declared to a fresh round of applause and laughter as the two couples parted ways.

Piper Granger

Date: 2013-12-31 09:46 EST
With the laughing embarrassments out of the way, the participants of the tosses retired to their own little circles to lick their wounds - imagined or otherwise - and commiserate with one another as the remainder of the party got underway. Even Humphrey, despite his age and infirmity, managed to surprise his younger family by getting up to dance along with the Grease medley alongside Drusilla, Helena and Jasmin, stealing a dance with both brides while their grooms were otherwise occupied. The party was certain to last well into the night, but there was one last thing that had to happen before everyone could either retire or settle down for some serious partying for the New Year.

At the stroke of nine, the music faded once again to allow the DJ to make one last announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you would care to make your way outside, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and Mr. and Mrs. Daly, are about to take their leave of us!"

"Outside?" a few guests were overheard saying, wondering what was planned next. It was December and it was cold outside.

An excitable Johnny Storm made his way through the crowd, no longer clad in his expensive designer three-piece suit, but in the more recognizable blue form-fitting suit that proclaimed him a member of the Fantastic Four. "Don't worry! No one will get cold so long as I'm around! And it'll be well worth your time. Trust me!" He winked at Lyneth, in particular, who was being led outside by Miranda, as he made his way through the crowd to emerge into a winter wonderland. He didn't waste much time, shooting up through the trees and into the sky like a meteor on fire. Apparently, he knew something the others didn't, and had more than likely been coerced by Miranda into putting on a bit of a show.

And if the reassurances of the Human Torch weren't enough, the thick wraps being handed out to the women by the event staff and the heavy coats to the men should have done the trick. With those Grangers who were in on the plan ushering the guests out onto the stone-clad front patio of the old manor, which had been swept clean of snow deliberately, the happy couples hung back to wrap themselves up warmly against the chill of the December night. Outside, two beautiful horse-drawn sleighs waited for their precious cargo, stark against the thick blanket of snow on which they rested.

There could have been no more romantic sight than that of the twin horse-drawn sleighs amidst the canvas of white and gray, stars sparkling in the night sky while a few random snowflakes drifted to the ground. Miranda made her way through the crowd with her charge so that Lyneth could bid her father and mother farewell for the night, though there was one last bit of entertainment yet to come. "You be good for Miranda and don't eat too many cupcakes," Desmond told her before brushing a kiss against her cheek.

The tiny girl was exhausted, but smiling, happy to have been allowed to stay up and see her parents off, knowing they would come back for her the next day before they all went off on their holiday together. She hugged Des tightly, kissing his cheek in answer. "I'll be good," she promised, switching her attention from him to Piper as her mother leaned close to kiss and hug her goodnight.

"We'll see you in the morning, beautiful," Piper promised her gently. "You've been wonderful today."

Des hugged Lyneth back, holding her close for a moment longer than necessary. It was no secret how much he adored his little girl, and it seemed the feeling was mutual. Des smiled as he watched mother and daughter bid each other farewell. He knew they'd all miss each other, but it was only for one night, and he was glad she would be accompanying them on the honeymoon that had turned into a family excursion. He had a feeling Lyneth was going to love it. "Get lots of rest. We have a busy day tomorrow!" he reminded her with a smile.

"I will," Lyneth nodded, cuddling into Miranda's arms with a quiet yawn as Piper and Des turned to say goodbye to Lord and Lady Davidson, and Harper. As a result, the tiny girl was enveloped in Beth''s hug for her own mother, giggling from between the two women as Beth planted a loud kiss on the child's cheek before kissing Miranda's forehead affectionately.

"You're the best, Mom," she grinned fondly. "We'll drop by tomorrow before we head out. But thank you, it's been amazing."

Miranda shrugged lightly, a soft smile on her face as she was hugged by her daughter, who, along with her father, was the light and love of her life. "I know," she admitted with a distinct lack of modesty.

She turned her attention to the young man at her side, who was looking nervous once again at the awkward farewell. "Stop looking like someone is going to shoot you for marrying our daughter, Jason. You can relax. You're part of the family now." She hadn't forgotten how he'd put himself in harm's way to keep her daughter safe, and there was no way she could ever repay him for that.

Hand in hand, the two couples headed toward the sleighs, working together to keep long hems out of the snow until finally they were all settled, warm blankets spread over their knees to keep them toasty on the short journeys they were about to take. It was Humphrey's gift to both couples - private places to spend their wedding night in the form of two small cottages on the estate itself, cleaned and decorated at his own expense, ready and waiting for the newlywed Grangers and Dalys to enter and enjoy. Hands rose to wave them goodbye, voices calling out congratulations and farewells as the snow began to gently fall, lending a last air of romance to the evening.

It was right about then that the sky exploded above them in a brilliant show of light and color to rival that of the very best fireworks show. It was just a preview of what was to come later to welcome in the New Year, but this was in celebration of the joining of two men and two women who were deeply in love, adding to the excitement and romance of the evening.

Desmond drew Piper close, her head against his shoulder, as they watched the explosion of color overhead. A heart made of fire appeared above them, a flaming arrow shooting across the sky to pierce the center of the heart, care of Johnny Storm.

In the other sleigh, Beth and Jason gazed upward together, their arms tucked warm about one another, as reds and blues and sparkling silvers shone on their faces, ooh-ing along with everyone else as the Human Torch added his own touch to the display that sent them on their way.

With a jingle of harness and the soft crunch of snow beneath hooves, the two sleighs began their journey side by side, sweeping away into the dark night to separate where the road forked, one to Rose Cottage, the other to Orchid Place.

"Goodnight, lovebirds!" Desmond called to the couple in the other sleigh, as they arrived at the fork in the road, where each couple would go their separate ways. "Try not to break him, Bethany!" he added with a smirk.

"I can always put him back together again!" Bethany called in answer, her laugh coloring her voice as she waved to the other sleigh. "No ripping that dress, Desmond, or my mother will lynch you!"

Piper's laugh echoed out of the darkness at the thought of Des getting rough enough to threaten the structural integrity of her wedding dress.

"I wouldn't think of it!" Desmond replied, waving to the other couple as they faded into the darkness. He turned back to Piper, a happy smile on his face. "I have far better plans for the evening," he said as he touched his lips to hers. And those plans would be delivered as soon as they reached Rose Cottage and would last late into the night.

As the sleighs swept out of sight and the farewell fireworks faded from the sky, the guests returned to the warmth of the manor and the ballroom, to get on with their open bar celebration of the New Year that was only three hours away. Soon, only one figure remained on the stone steps outside the house. Humphrey leaned heavily on his cane, smiling into the darkness with the contentment that only came when he knew his family were safe and well and happy. Though some might still be missing, those beneath his hand were as well as could be expected. All he had ever wished for was the health and happiness of the children he had watched grow to adulthood. He sighed, his breath a puff of vapor in the cold air, and chuckled faintly to himself.

Yes, it had been a good year. Three new babies, and the promise of two more in the next few months; the reunion of a brother and a sister with another brother and sister they had never known had existed; the revealing of Miranda's deepest secret and her reward for all that patience in her marriage to the man she loved; and now a double wedding to see them into 2014. All in all, it had been a very good year, and as he stood there, watching the snow fall softly over the wide spaces of Maple Grove, Humphrey didn't need too much effort to imagine better things for the year to come. No matter the bumps in the road or the tears that were shed, one way or another, everyone found their way home. And that was something for which he would always be thankful, to the end of his days.

((And this has been a ridiculous amount of fun! Huge thanks to all involved! As with the ceremony thread, the reception will be remaining open until the 12th for anyone to add their own unique perspective!))