"By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you 'husband and wife.' You may kiss the bride."
It was a simple tender kiss, but profound in significance. As he hugged Alex to him Bobby remembered Nicole Wallace's words: 'Is that why you haven't married?' Well, it had taken him long enough, and at the time of that conversation Bobby had already decided Alex was the only woman for him…even though she had given him the impression that she'd never marry another cop, he'd always hoped, some how, some day, they'd be together.
A hand clapped on his shoulder bringing Bobby to the present, "Congratulations!" Mike Logan said.
Alex and Bobby released. As Alex turned to receive a congratulatory hug from Nola Falacci, Bobby shook Mike's hand, "Thanks Mike." He said, and then moved aside as Mike reached passed him to grab Alex into a bear hug.
Nola began to extend her hand toward Bobby, but he brushed it aside and hugged her, "Thanks for being here Nola." He told her.
"A Valentines Day wedding? I wouldn't have missed it for the world!" She told him.
Ceremony and congratulations over, the four detectives cleared the City Clerks Office to make room for the next Couple and their witnesses.
Once outside Mike said, "So how about it, you going to tell us where you're honeymooning?"
"Not a chance." Bobby said, taking Alex's hand.
"Besides, we'll only be a cell phone call away." Alex assured.
"Yeah, yeah, 'only call in the event of an actual emergency!' " Nola quoted Alex.
"Geez Bobby, you refused to call me your 'Best Man.' I'm only a 'Matrimonial Witness.' You wouldn't let me throw you a bachelor party. Now you're making it impossible to pull a honeymoon prank…you take all the fun out of being your friend!"
Alex and Bobby looked at one another, and then Alex gave a slight nod. "Ok," Bobby started, "We were going to save this for another time, but since you're feeling so left out…." He deferred to Alex.
"We'd like you two to be our baby's God Parents." Alex said.
Nola and Mike stared at them, agape. "Really…?" Mike said truly touched.
"Yeah, really." Bobby said, "So how about it?"
"OF COURSE!" Nola said, hugging Alex yet again.
'Are you sure… I mean what do I know about kids?" Mike was still incredulous.
"That's what Nola is for." Alex said.
"C'mon on, Mike, we have faith in you." Bobby said encouragingly. "You're just as qualified to be a God Parent as I am to be a father."
"Okay. Of course! I am honored." Mike said, obviously choked up.
"Alright, come on, that's enough hearts and flowers. Time to get back to work Logan!" Nola said, sensing he needed a diversion.
One more round of hugs and handshakes and Bobby and Alex watched as Mike and Nola headed off toward One Police Plaza.
Alex looked up at Bobby smiling. "Are you ready to find out where we are 'honeymooning?" She asked him.
"Yes, and thanks for not letting on that I don't know." Still holding hands as they approached Centre St. Alex flagged a taxi. Once in the cab she gave the driver her address, and then settled in next to Bobby.
"So, we are spending a week at your house then?" Bobby asked, "Not that I'd mind; anywhere that you are is paradise."
"Don't try and butter me up!" Alex teased. "I'm not telling you, so just sit back and trust me. Besides, you want to change out of this formal wear don't you? We have a long drive ahead of us."
"Poconos?" Bobby asked smiling. He already knew the answer.
"Hardly! Not after the Catskills case. I'm pretty sure I NEVER want to go into the woods again!"
They had discussed their honeymoon several weeks ago and had ruled out anywhere that would require flight, since they had only a week. They had also ruled out anything too touristy or crowded, a ski trip, or a cruise to anywhere or nowhere for varying reasons.
"Atlantic City?" He pestered.
"Bobby stop! Just relax and TRUST me!"
He laughed. His arm around her shoulders, he hugged her to him, "Yes dear." He said, and kissed her.
As soon as Alex pulled onto the Long Island Expressway Bobby had an idea of where they were going. "The Hamptons Alex, really? Can we afford that?"
"West Hampton to be exact, and yes, off season we can afford it. A whole beach house to ourselves." He began to interrupt but Alex held up her hand. "I know you hate the beach! But I promise, by the end of the week you will love the beach, and if not, then next time you can pick where we go on our honeymoon."
Bobby chuckled, "Besides, we never have to leave the bedroom do we?" He was rewarded with a grin and took hold of her hand to kiss the back of it. "Did you bring that baby name book?"
"Its in the glove box." She told him. "I think buying the book was a mistake; too many choices. You sure you don't just want to go with 'Junior' for a boy? Then we only have to come up with a girl's name if it's a girl."
"I think we should go ahead and let your doctor tell us at your next sonogram. And no, neither 'Junior' nor 'Robert' are an option, unless you'd agree to 'Alex' either way." Bobby flipped through the pages.
"No. And no family names either. My nieces and nephews have used up most of the likable names of any of my close relatives."
"Hey, why not your middle name for a girl?"
"Or yours for a boy?"
"Right, never mind." Bobby turned the page. Here's one, 'Beauregard!' We can call him 'Beau' for short."
"Like Beau and Luke Duke?"
"Ok, not Beauregard. Seamus?"
"Too Irish."
"Maximilian"
"Too pretentious."
"Come on Alex, this can't be this hard. Don't girls start thinking of baby names when they first hear the story of Cinderella and Prince Charming?"
"I think you mean Sleeping Beauty… besides, I told you the name I have always wanted for a boy."
"And I told you why I don't like it."
"And I can't believe you're still jealous of Pete Lyons! We dated for maybe a month!"
"A month too long!" Bobby flipped a few more pages. "Hey! How about 'Claire' for a girl?"
After a long pause Alex finally said, "I like it."
"Claire Alexandra?"
"Bobby…."
"I love you Alex. I want our little girl to have her mommy's name. Please?"
Alex sighed, "Oh alright! Claire Alexandra. But that means if it's a boy his middle name will be 'Robert.' "
"Deal!" Bobby said and leaned across the seat to kiss Alex on the cheek. "Now we just have to pick a boy's name. Albert?"
"Prince Albert in a can?"
"Brendan?"
"Too trendy."
"Damn you're hard to please!"
Alex chuckled. "Charles?"
"Charley Brown, or 'upChuck' " Bobby replied.
"David, Dale, Daniel…." Alex suggested.
"Maybe, but not 'Daniel,' reminds me of Detective Daniels."
"You don't like him? Wheeler says he's a great partner, and Nichols and Stephens say he's really funny…."
"And he arrested me, remember?"
"So did I!"
"Yeah but you didn't frisk and cuff me, he did!"
"Believe me, as mad as I was to find you working for Testarosa you did not want me doing it!"
Bobby flipped through the pages not really seeing any names he wanted for a son, but gave it one last try, "Theodore?" He said.
"I dated a guy in college named 'Teddy.' He broke my heart." Alex confessed.
Bobby sighed as he closed the book and put it back into the glove compartment. Then took hold of Alex's hand again and caressed the back of it while he watched the Long Island scenery go by.
"I had a favorite cousin when I was about 10. His name was Timothy." Alex said after a while.
"Timothy. Tim. Timmy. 'Timothy Robert Goren….' sounds like a smart kid to me." Bobby decided.
Alex smiled at him. "With you as his father his name could be 'Forrest Gump' and he'd be a genius!"
Bobby laughed. "That's why I love you. All the stupid things I've done and you still think I am a genius!" This time Alex kissed the back of his hand. "So, you said had a cousin named Timothy? What happened to him?" He asked.
"I'm not sure, we lost touch. He lived in Ireland, and we met once when his family came for a visit. We hit it off and became fast friends and pen pals. Then he went off to college and I haven't heard from him since. I have heard OF him, but you know how life just gets in the way some times. Last I heard he had moved to London and gotten married, and was a Civil Engineer, or something. Anyway, I've always had fond memories of him."
"So that settles it, Claire Alexandra or Timothy Robert. Lets not have any more kids Alex, they're too hard to name!" Bobby said and rested his head on the headrest, closing his eyes as he listened to the sweet sound her giggle.
The beach house was perfectly designed and nicely situated for a quiet week away from the hectic life and noisy city they had left behind. The houses on either side were claustrophobically close, but each was boarded up against the winter weather, and unoccupied.
As part of her rental agreement Alex had arranged for the owner to have the place fully stocked as well. It would have been difficult to buy groceries and keep it a surprise for Bobby, and as she drew aside the curtains at the French doors leading onto the deck overlooking the beach she hoped Bobby was happy with her decision.
Coming up behind her as they walked out onto the deck he reached around and pulled her back against him in a hug, and after pressing his lips to her ear he whispered, "Beautiful view. Thank you Alex." Together they simply gazed out over the ocean and listened to the waves crashing onto the shore.
Alex turned around in Bobby's arms and he leaned down to kiss her passionately. She brought her hands up and clasped them behind his neck briefly before running the fingers of one hand into his hair. Bobby brought his own hands to her hips and pulled her against him as he brought his lips to her neck.
"It's chilly out here Bobby." Alex said snuggling into him.
"Is there an ocean view from the master bedroom?" He asked.
"Yes, and a balcony." Alex moved away from him and taking his hand lead him back into the house and toward the stairs. In the master suite she opened the sliding glass doors and again the view was amazing.
Now Bobby stooped and lifted Alex carrying her toward the bed. "Lets leave the doors open so we can hear the ocean. I'll keep you warm." He placed her onto the enormous bed, pulled off her boots, and then kicked off his shoes as he lay down with her. As they embraced they alternatively kissed, caressed, and removed articles of one another's clothing.
And to the sounds of ocean waves crashing ashore, with February's brisk breeze sifting in from the balcony, Bobby and Alex made love for the first time as husband and wife, consummating their marriage in the blissful solitude of the West Hampton Beach house.
True to his word Bobby kept Alex warm as they cuddled together under the blankets. Fully sated after their love making, Alex rested her head on Bobby's shoulder and trailed her finger lazily over the scar of the bullet wound on his chest.
As he caressed her, running his fingers through her hair, Bobby sighed deeply. "Ah Alex, you were right. I love the beach…."