Part 7

Riley and Daniel decided to have their wedding the August after Riley's graduation. They had a long while to plan it, but in NYC, if you want a hot wedding spot, you have to book it early. So they started planning their wedding for August. Of course with the help of Riley's mother Topanga and also her best friend Maya and her roomies, Madison and Kara. Daniel's mother also helped on some things because they were responsible for the rehearsal dinner. The first thing Riley found was her wedding dress. She and Maya went shopping for that like as soon as possible. And Riley and Daniel with the help of Topanga decided on the venue and get that booked early. They spent the next several months planning a wedding; Riley was still in school until June, so that kept her busy too. Riley and Daniel also started looking for a new apartment together. Riley started job hunting for her perfect job. She wanted to be an editor, so that takes a lot of time and patience and a lot of no's and interviews. Riley did manage to find a part time job at a newspaper office in NYC. She needed to have some sort of experience to help her later on. The days were counting down. Graduation came and went. Riley and Maya planned on spending the whole summer after graduation planning the wedding. They still had lots of last minute details to take care of. Riley was doing perfectly fine, until one day Riley noticed Farkle and Zay were being suspicious. She was wondering what they were up to. They were all having lunch and they let it slip that they were headed out of town this weekend.

"So uh guys….why are you acting all strange around me today. You are being awfully quiet. What is going on?" Riley said with her eyebrows crooked wondering what these two knuckleheads were up to.

"Well Riley, we know you didn't want to know anything, but we don't know how to act about it. So were just being cautious I guess." Farkle said, never taking his eyes off of Riley.

"Spill it!"

"Wait guys!Wait!" Maya said as she came around the corner of their table, plopping down in the seat next to Riley. "I think it should come from me guys." Maya took an envelope out of her purse and laid it on the table in front of Riley.

Riley opened the envelope and noticed it was a wedding invitation to Lucas' wedding. "Why are you guys, showing me this? I am marrying Daniel in a few months. I don't need this to distract me."

"That's where were going Riley, to Texas this weekend, for Lucas' wedding. Maya was invited to but she has plans with Josh this weekend plus she has to help you with your own wedding. Remember that? So it is just going to be me and Farkle."

"Riley you were wondering why me and Zay has been acting so strange. It was inevitable that you were going to find out. Especially through social media." Farkle said rubbing Riley's shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"Guys, I'm fine. I promise. I am happy now with Daniel. I gave up on Lucas a long time ago. I am happy for Lucas and this Lily woman. I hope they have a wonderful life." You can tell Riley was slightly disappointed that Lucas did move on but she knew it would happen when their calls and letters stopped. "I hope you guys have fun this weekend, and tell Lucas that I am happy for him please." She had no right to be jealous or angry at him. He just did what he had to do. I couldn't expect him to wait forever. "and also tell Pappy Joe that I said Hello!"

"Maya we have work to do this weekend, when you're not canoodling with my…gags….uncle, can we get out of here please. I have an appointment with a photographer today"

"Sure thing Riles. Let's go. See you guys when you get back from your trip. Have fun and be safe and tell Lucas I said congrats and good luck."

Riley and Maya left the boys at the restaurant and went on with their business. Farkle and Zay went to Texas for Lucas' wedding. Of course they told Maya all about it on their return to NY. Riley never asked anything about it but Farkle did tell her, that he said congrats on her own wedding and that he was happy for her. He left out the Lucas freaking out part thinking she was marrying Charlie. She didn't need that drama right now. Riley kept thinking that as much as she loved Daniel, she couldn't help but think that this was supposed to be them getting married. But she knew that she had to continue on with her planning with the wedding just days away. And now Maya was engaged to Josh, which happened the night before Lucas' wedding. How bizarre. So she is in the beginning stages of her own wedding and I am right there with her. Riley found a real job at a magazine in NY as a junior editor's assistant. But hey you gotta start somewhere and move your way up. Riley decided to have a girls spa day the morning before her wedding with Maya, Madison, Kara, and Topanga. Riley was getting super anxious about her wedding to Daniel. But she knew deep down that she was doing the right thing. Lucas would always be her first love. No one can erase that. But it just wasn't meant to be. She found Daniel or better yet, Daniel found her. She can't wait to tell their kids the story of how they met. She is marrying him tomorrow and will be starting her life with him. She is looking forward to what their future holds and they can't wait to start a family.

Riley is standing in her bridal room before the wedding with Maya, Madison and Kara, staring at herself in her beautiful gown, in the full length mirror. Today is the day.

"Riles, are you ok?" Maya said, cupping her arm into Riley's.

"Yeah peaches, I am fine, it's just that, I can't believe this day is finally here. I can't believe I am fixing to marry the man of my dreams. But yet there is a small part of me deep down that wonders, why it wasn't Lucas."

"Riles, you are fixing to marry a wonderful man, Daniel is a great guy, and he loves you very much. You and Lucas just drifted apart. You should not ever forget your relationship with Lucas; he was your first love. Daniel knows about Lucas and he knows that he is a part of your past. He would never make you feel like you need to forget that. Daniel is too good to you. It just wasn't meant to be for you and Lucas. If it was meant to be, you would have never broke up before college. You did not want to hold each other back from anything, and If I am not mistaken that was your idea to begin with."

"Peaches, I know all of this, I love Daniel, I do not feel this way because I am getting cold feet. I am going to marry Daniel. That is a promise. It is just the what ifs is all. I am so lucky to have a man like Daniel. He is respectful, loyal, trustworthy, honest, and did I mention totally gorgeous. I love him Maya, I am ready to become his wife more than anything. Let's go do this thing."

Corey entered the bridal room to let the girls know that it was time to start. He took one look at his daughter and he couldn't believe that his little girl is fixing to get married. He took her arm in his and headed towards the chapel. The girls lined up in their order and started walking out of the door. Corey and Riley stood to the side until it was their turn. Corey hugged his daughter and kissed her on the cheek and told he loved her and that Daniel was a very lucky man. The wedding march started and the doors opened and everybody stood and looked their way. They walked arm in arm slowly towards her husband to be. Riley locked her eyes with Daniel's and followed his gaze all the way down the aisle until she was standing in front of him. Daniel was totally in awe by this beautiful woman. He had a small tear fall down his cheek, and casually wiped it away with his hand. Corey handed Riley's hands to Daniel's as he kissed her cheek and told her he loved her.

"You may be seated ladies and gentlemen"

"Who gives this woman today in holy matrimony?"

"Her mother and I do" said Corey trying to fight back tears. He glances back at Topanga and she is a ball of mess.

"We have come together – families and friends – to witness BRIDE and GROOM as they exchange their vows of marriage. We share with them their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together from now until the end of time. As this couple enters into marriage, they do so with thought and reverence. They give thanks for the past, which brought them to this place, and look forward with hope to what the future will bring. Marriage is like a great umbrella that shelters love from the elements. Corinthians One says that love is patient and kind. It is not jealous or boastful, not irritable or resentful, not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its' own way. It does not rejoice in the wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes in all things and endures all things. Love never ends. This marriage is a symbol of BRIDE and GROOM's commitment to that love."

"Daniel Thompson and Riley Matthews have decided to write their own vows today."

"Because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again. I look forward with great joy to spending the rest of my life with you, caring for you, nurturing you, being there for you in all life has for us, and I vow to be true and faithful for as long as we both shall live." Daniel said staring at his beautiful bride and had a hard time choking back tears.

"From this day forward I promise you these things. I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams, and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don't.
I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend and I will love and respect you always." Said Riley, already crying from Daniel's vows.

"I, Daniel, take you, Riley, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

I, Riley, take you, Daniel, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

"Riley Matthews, do you take this man to be yours forever?"

"yaaayyyyyyy!, clears throat, sorry, I Do!" everyone laughs.

"Daniel Thompson, do you take this woman to be yours forever?"

"I do!"

"Daniel, you may now kiss your bride" and at that moment, Daniel wrapped his arms around her and swept her up and twirled her around so her feet never touched the ground while passionately kissing his new wife.

Everybody stood and clapped for the new husband and wife. Daniel and Riley held hands and headed towards the back of the chapel and out the doors. They made their way to their reception dinner a few blocks away in a horse drawn carriage. That was Riley's dream to have at her wedding and Daniel made sure that she had it. The DJ introduced the new Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Thompson. Everyone cheered and clapped for them. People came up to them and gave hugs and congratulations. Daniel and Riley had their first dance to A Thousand Years, Corey and Riley danced to Butterfly Kisses, and Daniel and his mom danced to A Song for Mama. Everyone then had their dinner, they cut the cake, tossed the bouquet (and Maya caught it, of course, after fighting with Ava for it.),and tossed the garter. Then it was time to take off for their honeymoon in Paris. At that moment, Riley thought of Lucas again, thinking it was supposed to be them in Paris one day, but quickly pushed it away and looked at her husband of barely 3 hours and knew that she was the luckiest girl in the world to find an amazing man like Daniel Thompson.

To be continued….