Hey guys, how are you? Hope you all had a lovely summer. I'm back to school - Senior Year in High School, haha. So, I've been busy, but I haven't forgotten this story. I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter and these one-shots so far. Sorry the last one was a bit sad, but this one is a happier one, promise! :)
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I OWN NOTHING; I DO NOT OWN THE FOLLOWING.
"Down The Aisle We Walk"
. . .
Throwing her arms up in the air, Max Hardy lets out a loud, powerful and frustrated, huff. "That's it! I'm not doing this."
"You're doing this." Jenny Hardy tells her with a shake to the head, folding her arms neatly across her chest. "There's no backing out now; too late."
"Actually," Max turns around to face her Aunt, "it's never too late."
Jenny chuckles, just thinking of how stubborn Max has been and most likely always will be. Just like her Uncle. Raising an eyebrow, she asks with a grin, "Oh, is that so? So, tell me, exactly, how do you plan on not doing this?"
"Simple," Max narrows her eyes, knowing her aunt is finding this funny, "I cancel this whole thing."
"And what about everyone out there who's been waiting and are extremely excited about today?" Jenny challenges her, knowing fully well she is not going to cancel today.
"Then let them be disappointed when they I tell them today is off."
"Now you listen to me, Maxine Hardy. I did not come all this way for you to suddenly decide to cancel your wedding!" Jenny's piercing eyes stare into Max's matching ones, her voice stern and demanding.
The young detective opens her mouth to protest, but Jenny beats her to it, "You will put on that dress, let me finish doing your hair and make-up, and then you will march on out there and get married to the guy you are hopelessly in love with. Understood?"
Jenny watches her niece's eyes drop to the floor, her face masked with a look she has never seen before on her niece. She watches her sit down with a heavy sigh on the chair in front of the white Victorian vanity. Her head falls into her hands and she falls into a deep, unsettling silence.
"Honey," Jenny walks over to Max and kneels down in front of her, "what's wrong?" While they were planning her weddings all these months, she seemed happy – excited. What could have changed over night?
"You… you still love him, don't you?" The older woman asks cautiously, almost afraid to hear her niece tell her otherwise. If she no longer loved Mike then…
Max's head shoots up from her hands, her icy irises looking at her aunt as if she just said the most offence, hurtful thing that could have been said to her. "What? Of course, I still love him. Why would you think that?"
Throwing her hands up in the air defensively, the blonde shakes her head, "Well, I don't know. I'm just trying to figure out what's bothering you and making you so upset all of a sudden."
She places her hand on Max's knee and softly says, "You were so excited yesterday. You couldn't wait for today to come and now it's finally here… why don't you tell me what's going on?"
She and her aunt have always had a close relationship; Jenny has always been there for her. Despite her living in Boca, they always kept in touch and always stayed close. They may live on opposite coasts of the United States, they always had and always will have a good relationship. She knows she could trust her aunt and she needs to let it out. She's been holding this feeling in and it is about time she tells someone.
"It's just," She looks up into the older woman's eyes, biting down on her bottom lip, "he's not here to walk me down the aisle and I'll be walking down by myself… it's just… it's just not the same."
A look of realization strikes Jenny's face, everything finally making sense to her. And she feels like a complete idiot for not thinking of it before. "Oh," She nods her head slowly, her eyes now full of understanding and concern, "oh, I understand now. You wish your father was here with you."
Max nods her head, wiping away the oncoming tears with the back of her hand, her mascara already running. Her father should be the one walking her down the aisle, handing her over to her husband. But he's not here.
"I miss him." She finally breathes out, her voice shaky as she comes on the verge of breaking down.
"Sweetheart," Jenny takes her thumb and wipes it under her niece's eyes, wiping away the tears and ruined, smudged makeup, "I miss him, too. Ray… he was a good man. An honorable, heroic man who died tragically. He loved you and there's not a doubt in my mind that he wouldn't be proud of you."
Tears come to Jenny's eyes as she thinks of her older brother. Oh, did she miss him. She sniffs and blinks her eyes, doing her best to keep her tears at bay. No need to upset Max even further. "He would be so happy right now for you. And he certainly would not want you to cancel your big day."
"But-" Before Max has a chance to finish what she was going to say, there's a soft knock on the door. Neither one of them have a chance to answer whoever knocked because the door opens and Ryan's head comes into view.
"Ryan!" Jenny shouts at him as she jumps to her feet to hurry to the door. She blocks his view of Max, keeping the door partly open with only his head able to get through. She narrows her eyes at him and raises an annoyed eyebrow, "What on Earth are you doing here? She's getting ready!"
Ryan raises his hands up defensively, a grin plastered on his face, "What? Everyone's ready and I just wanted to see how the bride was doing."
"Ryan," His sister's voice comes out rough, firm, and it sounds almost pleading if it didn't sound so demanding as well, "please, just go and give us a few more minutes."
"Why, what's-" He stops himself all of a sudden. His sapphire eyes narrowing as he examines his sister's face, closely. And when he does, behind the annoyed mask she wears proudly, he could see the tears shining in her eyes.
Something's wrong.
Knowing that, he ignores his sister's protests and pushes his way into the room, his eyes scanning the room frantically until they land on a distraught Max. Tears are streaming down her cheeks, her make-up looks closed to ruined, her hair is half done, and she is still in her robe.
"Max," He breathes out, worried, "what's wrong? What happened?" He hurries over to her and kneels down in front of her, one hand on her shoulder and the other on her knee. "What's going on?"
"Ryan," Jenny's soft voice comes from behind him, making him glance over his shoulder to look up at her, "think about what today is. How special it is."
"I don't fol-" And his voice dies, the words never finishing their sentence. The pieces of the puzzle place themselves together almost immediately in his head and he all of a sudden feels a pain in his chest.
He looks back at his niece and shakes his head, "I'm sorry, Max. I know how much you would have wanted him to be here."
"But he's not here." Max's words come out harsher than she intended on them to come out. She stands up abruptly, storming to the other side of the room. She keeps her back to her aunt and uncle and she wraps her arms around her body in a fail attempt to comfort herself.
Jenny and Ryan both exchange a worried glance – their eyes connecting and immediately trying to come up with something to fix all of this. She is supposed to be happy, smiling, and being on her way to get married to Mike.
They have to do something to make this day still feel special, even if her dad can't be here.
Jenny then notices a familiar look cross Ryan's features – a look she has seen a lot, especially when they were children. She mouths to him, "What?"
Ryan grins at her and then walks over to Max, placing his hand on her shoulder. She doesn't turn around to look at him, but he softly says to her, "Your father may not be able to walk you down that aisle, but Max, I would be honored to."
Max spins around, her eyes wildly searching his face, wondering if he is really serious about that. "What… what about Mike? You're his Best Man. You can't."
"Uh, excuse me, but who am I again? I think I could handle being Mike's Best Man and walking my favorite niece down the aisle." Ryan smirks, one eyebrow raised at her.
She smiles at him, smiles at that childish look on her uncle's face. "I'm your only niece."
Jenny smiles at the two of them, glad that Ryan could cheer her up because she honestly had no idea how to do it. She claps her hands together, then, and ushers Ryan out of the room, "Okay! Out! Ryan, out! She needs to finish getting ready and get this show on the road!"
"Wait-" She slams the door on her brother, a smirk gracing her face. She turns around to face her smiling niece and nods her head firmly, "Alright, let's get you ready to get married."
-X-X-X-
Mike anxiously stands on the altar, next to the Priest. He shifts back and forth on the balls of his feet, his fingers fidgeting with his tie. He closes his eyes, trying to calm himself down, but he can't help it. He's nervous.
When he looks into the crowd of people, sitting down and waiting for the ceremony to begin, he spots in the front row, his three brothers, their wives, and his mother. His mother is already in tears – happy for her son, but also upset, feeling as if she is losing her youngest son; the last son of the four to get married.
Then he goes to look beside him, expecting to see his best friend, his Best Man, to be standing there, but oddly, he's not there.
"Great," Mike mutters under his breath, the corners of his mouth falling into a frown, "I'm alone." Where could have Ryan went? Does he have any idea how much trouble and chaos he created with his brothers just because he chose Ryan to be his best man over his own siblings? His mother understood, though, but that didn't stop his brothers from wrestling him to the ground and practically having the older two bad mouthing him for weeks.
"C'mon, Ryan…" Mike mumbles, now tapping his hands against his legs. His stomach turns. Should Max be taking this long? What if she backs out at the last minute? They have only known each other for three years so maybe she could be having second thoughts? Never has he been so insecure.
Mike could feel his face pale, his heart almost stop as the blood in his veins stop flowing. What if Mark came back to finish the job? That could surely explain why Ryan is missing… but he would tell him if something like that happened… right?
Okay, that's it. He cannot take it anymore. He rubs his face with his hands and shakes his head. That's it, he's going to go see what the hell is taking so lo-
The piano's soft music echoes loudly throughout the church. Everyone turns their heads, waiting with anxious eyes to see the beautiful bride emerge from the back and into the aisle where they could all see her.
As the music beautifully continues to play the famous tune for when bride's walk down the aisle, Jenny comes into view first, Max's Maid of Honor. Her blonde hair cascading down her back, perfectly straight without a hair out of place. Her eyes pop out with the loads of eye make-up she has on, but on her, it doesn't look too much.
Jenny's black heels add to her height and her violet, fitted dress hugs her curves perfectly, matching the bouquet of purple and white flowers she holds in both hands. She looks beautiful.
She walks down the aisle with a wide, proud smile on her face. She looks at Mike and nods her head at him, signaling to him that everything was perfect; Max was ready.
He smiles back at her, the nerves in his stomach now slowly beginning to disperse. Thank God, she is not a run-away-bride.
The music grows louder, more passionate and everyone knows it is time. The crowd of people then stand up, all of their eyes fixated on the Max, who slowly comes into their view, standing in the doorway, her arm locked through her Uncle's arm.
Mike smiles, now knowing where Ryan was and he is glad he was there for Max. He has known for a while now that this day was going to be hard on her, especially when it came to the part with walking down the aisle. Just like it has been hard on him, not having his dad here either.
Slowly, Max walks down the aisle – all eyes on her. She swallows hard, feeling overwhelmed – nervous. Ryan instantly notices and he glances at her, offering her a small, reassuring smile.
Mike could not get over how absolutely beautiful she looks. Her brunette hair loosely cascades down her back in lose curls. Her white high heels are hidden beneath the long, stunning, pearl white dress that falls to the ground, dragging along behind her.
The satin dress tightly hugs her body, showing off every perfect curve on her. The light make-up she has on compliments her skin; the eye shadow and mascara bringing out her warm, blue eyes. Mike cannot tear his eyes away – he is, truly, in love.
They walk together down the aisle and Max's eyes stay connected to Mike's the entire time. No other person in the church catches her attention, not even the Priest – only Mike, the man she is about to spend the rest of her life with.
She could feel her heart pound in her chest, anxiety overwhelming her as she approaches closer and closer to the altar. Her life changed when she met him and now, it's about to change even more.
A chill shivers down his spine, giving him goose bumps as each step she takes grows closer to the altar. His entire life is about to change, once again, thanks to Max Hardy. She changed him in so many ways and saved him countless of times. He loves her and by getting married, his life will never be the same way again. And he has never been more thrilled for it to happen.
Ryan turns his head to glance at his smiling niece; all of her attention glued to her soon-to-be-husband. He honestly can't think of a time he has see so much love, so much happiness in her eyes, than right now, right at this moment.
When she reaches the altar, Ryan places a soft kiss on her cheek, giving her one final, small, reassuring smile. She accepts it with a smile of her own and a small, thankful, nod.
Mike extends his arm forward, first, to shake hands with Ryan. He then turns his attention back to Max's and grasps her hand into his, pulling her up the small steps and onto the altar.
Ryan takes his place beside Mike; right where the Best Man should be. He watches his niece stand side by side Mike, both looking at the Priest with smiles plastered on their glowing faces.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony…" And the Priest begins.
The Priest goes on until he reaches the time for Max and Mike to exchange their vows. He pauses, allowing Mike to go first, knowing that the two of them have already written their own vows.
"Max," Mike nervously chuckles, turning to fully face her, and taking her hands in his, "from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were going to be some pain in the ass."
She rolls her eyes at him, not being able to prevent the smile from spreading across her face. He smirks at her, chuckling lightly, before continuing. "When I met you, I'm pretty sure you hated me. We didn't get off the on the right foot at all, but that all changed when we started working together; getting to know each other. I did admire how smart you were, I was impressed with your abilities with computers, and I admired how much you loved your family that you would risk everything to help them; to protect them."
He takes a deep breath, gathering his thoughts in his head. All eyes were on him. Max's loving blue hues staring up at him, waiting for him to continue. "I really loved your determination and devotion and as we started working together, I really felt this urge to protect you, at all costs. There have been so many close calls… so many times I thought I lost you…"
Max squeezes his hand, letting him know that it is all okay now. Everything is finally over and they have nothing to worry about. "I am an idiot for waiting so long to kiss you – to let you know how I feel. Max Hardy, I have never met a woman more beautiful and I do, with all my heart, love you. You have saved me so many times in so many ways. I want us to start a life together."
He pauses for a moment, letting her take in those words, before taking his final vow, "I, Michael – Mike – Emerson Weston, take you, Maxine Jessica Hardy, to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love from this day forward. I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
She could feel her throat tighten as she holds her tears back. She takes a few, deep breathes, knowing it is her turn. All eyes now rest upon her. She blinks her eyes a few times when she feels the tears rush to her eyes, but nope, she refuses to let the tears escape.
"When I first met you, I did hate you." She smirks at him, "I thought you were a jerk and honestly wanted nothing to do with you."
"Oh, thanks." Mike jokes, a playful roll to the eyes. Oh, he remembers perfectly how much Max wanted to strangle him when they first met – especially when he brought up the Hardy Death Curse.
"But," She continues with a grin gracing her face, "when I really got to know you… I still didn't like you." He laughs along with the rest of the people seated in the church. She shakes her head, "You were still a jerk except you were a jerk with anger problems. Yeah, you had a short temper that got heated quickly."
He opens his mouth to protest, but she beats him to it. "Then I got to know you even more. I learned that you cared about your friends, about your family, and you would do anything and everything to protect them. I loved that about you. You never backed down and you never gave up. You're also loyal. You would rather be beaten to a pulp – you would rather die – then give away information to the bad guys. You're loyal to your job and to the people you care about."
"You saved my life plenty of times and I have never felt so safe than when I'm with you, in your arms. Now, after everything, I couldn't imagine a world without you. I love you so, so much."
She smiles, a single tear now rolling down her cheek, "So, I, Maxine – Max – Jessica Hardy, take you, Michael Emerson Weston, to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love from this day forward. I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
"Michael Weston," The Priest turns to him, "place this ring on the hand of Maxine Hardy and repeat after me: With this ring I symbolize my commitment to you. It will be an ever-present token of my promise and my love."
Mike does so, sliding the ring gently on Max's ring finger. Then, the Priest turns to Max, "Maxine Hardy, place this ring on the hand of Michael Weston and repeat after me: With this ring I symbolize my commitment to you. It will be an ever-present token of my promise and my love."
And Max does so, sliding the ring onto Mike's ring finger.
The Priest raises his hands, his voice rising as he asks the final question before he pronounces them husband and wife, "If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace."
When no one say a word, the church falling into a peaceful silence, the Priest turns to the couple with a small smile, "Now, you have given and pledged your promises to each other, and have declared your everlasting love by giving and receiving rings. By the authority vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
The Priest then turns his head to Mike, "You may kiss the bride."
With a wide, childish grin plastered on Mike's face, he immediately wraps his arms around Max's waist, pulling her body tightly against his. Her arms wrap around his neck, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before their lips connect in a long, passionate kiss – their first kiss as husband and wife.
"I love you." Mike breathes against her lips before capturing her lips once more, not giving her a chance to say it back.
Ryan and Jenny watch from the sides, watching their niece kiss her newly husband, watching her build a life for herself.
The two siblings glance at one another, a smile on both of their faces. They are happy for Max and Ryan could not be any happier that she married Mike. He trusted Mike – he was a good friend and he knows he will treat her right; he will be a good husband.
And if he's not, he will break every damn bone in his body.
Ryan strolls over to his sister, a wide smirk on her face. He rolls his eyes, "Why are you looking so happy?"
"I'm happy for her and I know you are too." She nudges him, "Admit it."
It takes a few moments, but he nods his head eventually, "Yeah… yeah I am. But if he hurts her in any way-"
"Save it." Jenny laughs, "We did good. You did good. Ray would be proud and would be surely happy that you kept your promise. You took care of her, protected her."
When she realizes Ryan isn't going to say anything else on the subject, she takes her brother's arm and smiles, "C'mon, let's head to the reception."