Chapter 4

While Amanda and her family and bridal party are in the bridal suite, they compose themselves as Jesse plays with Amanda's necklace. They are amazed at how Amanda is a good mother, better than her own mother. Tony reaches into his jacket pocket and he pulls out an envelope with Amanda's name written on it. Tony hands the envelope to Amanda who looks at it.

"What is this, Daddy?" Amanda asks.

"Just something I wrote when you were born. I promised myself I would give it to you on your wedding day before you walked down the aisle. So now is the time for you to read it. You can read it out loud or to yourself. It doesn't matter to me either way." Tony says taking Jesse from Amanda's arms.

Amanda decides to read it out loud and she starts reading.

"Amanda,

You're finally here and you're my first daughter. Since I first laid my eyes on you, I couldn't stop smiling. When I found out you were a girl, there was a million things in my head. I'll be there for you when you go to school, start college and plan your whole future. I wondered what career you would decide. From the first moment I held you, I saw everything. I saw a vision of what kind of woman you would be and you have grown to be that woman and I am very proud of you, my daughter. I love you more than I can put into words. If you're reading this, it means that it's your wedding day.

Love always,

Daddy"

Everyone tears up at the letter and Amanda looks her father in his eyes. Father and daughter are together for the wedding so that he'll walk her down the aisle.

"Aww, Daddy. I love you so much, and this letter is very lovely. I'm going to remember it forever!" Amanda tells her father.

"That letter means that you are my daughter who I love more than ever just like I love your sister. I can't believe my baby girl is finally getting married."Tony says.

"Daddy, I will keep it in a safe spot for the rest of my life. I will treasure it forever. Thank you, Daddy. This means so much to me that you took the time to write something like this. I will forever cherish this I'll keep it in a safe place or even frame it."Amanda says wiping her face with a tissue to dry her tears.

Meanwhile in the men's dressing room, Declan, Doom, Fin and Carisi are getting dressed in navy blue suites and Declan is thinking about how beautiful Amanda is going to look. The four guys put their police badge cufflinks on after getting dressed. The guys can see that Declan is getting nervous and they try to make sure that he stays relaxed and calm his nerves.

"Is it okay that I'm nervous on my wedding day?" Declan asks.

"Yeah. Everyone is nervous before they get married. Just relax. Soon, you'll get to see your bride and then you'll be husband and wife." Fin tells Declan.

"D-man, Amanda and I have been friends for a long time. After what Patton did to her, I'm glad that she found someone who makes her happy and who makes her feel safe. Take care of her and your marriage will be good." Doom says.

"This is going to be a wonderful wedding. So many happy memories of the two of you. Liv, Chief Dodds, Fin and I have a surprise for Amanda that she doesn't know about, and it's going to be during the reception." Carisi responds to Declan.

Declan wonders what the surprise is and Fin and Carisi tell him that they made a memory slideshow of Mike Dodds for Amanda with pictures of him. Declan tells them that it's the nicest thing that they have done for Amanda. They also say that it's what Mike Dodds would have wanted just in case he wasn't able to attend Amanda's wedding. The guys share their thoughts about the wedding and then they leave the dressing room and they head downstairs. As soon as they go downstairs, Marion St. Claire takes them to the reception room and they check it out before going to the venue.

"Wow. Holy cow." Declan says.

The guys look at the reception room and they like what they see. As they look around the room, Marion brings Jesse in to see Declan before the wedding starts. She hands her to Declan who is happy to see her. Jesse smiles as she sees her daddy in a navy blue suite ready for the big day.

"Hi. You're so pretty." Declan tells Jesse.

Declan gives Jesse kisses on her cheek and she smiles. Soon, Declan hands Jesse back to Marion and she makes her way to where they bridal party and the bride will wait to walk down the aisle. The guys take pictures of the venue while Declan looks at the wedding cake and he's impressed with how it came out. Soon, Declan's mom comes to the reception room with her dress on as she walk up her firstborn son.

"Mother! Look at you, Mom. Hi, Mama." Declan says excitedly as he welcomes his mom in open arms.

"I'm so proud of you, honey." Sandra says as cries.

Soon, the embrace is finished, everyone gathers around and looks at the venue. Soon, Declan's dad comes out in a navy blue suit and he looks at the venue. He walks over to see Declan in his groom suit who's very nervous about the big day.

"You nervous?" Brian asks.

"I don't know what Amanda's father is going to say to me during the reception. But, I'm excited though." Declan replied.

"Remember, I'm proud of you for being the man that you are today. I'm proud that you stepped up to take care of Amanda and your little girl. You're a good man, I'm glad that you can do everything for Amanda and your little girl." Brian responds.

Soon, everyone looks at the reception room one last time before they have to get ready for the wedding. Declan, Doom, Fin and Carisi talk about the big day and how beautiful Amanda might look so he's more relaxed. Soon, the wedding is almost ready to begin as the guests arrive.