Sorry it's been so long guys. School work, the holidays, etc. I hope everyone had a good holiday! All right I've kept you waiting long enough. The reception is here! Also thank you to sample wedding day toasts.

Chapter Twenty One

Tris

Everyone settles in after the ceremony for dinner. I try my best not to spill anything on my dress since that would be terribly embarrassing and I will be embarrassed enough having everyone look at me in a few minutes when Al and I dance our first dance as husband and wife. But first come the toasts.

"Good evening, everyone," Will says. "Tonight, we are all here to honor Tris and Al. As the groom's best friend, I feel honored to be be here with him on such an important day. We have gone through so much together over the years, and I cannot think of anywhere I would rather be than right here.

"I remember when Tris and Al first met. It was on the first day of sophomore year in high school at lunch. I had met Tris earlier that day in history and we had English together, as well. I was excited to introduce her to the group. When the two of them first made eye contact, I knew that there was going to be something major happening in their future together. And at the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I was hoping it would something as grand as this." A few people chuckle in the crowd before he continues. "From what I've heard, Al has had such an amazing life filled with truly wonderful people, I am thrilled that he has found someone else so amazing to add to the list.

"Tonight, we celebrate the union of our two wonderful friends, Tris and Al. I hope your lives together are full of happiness and love." The audience applauds and Will introduces Christina.

"Um... hi. So, thank you, Will. As Will said, we have gathered here to honor the marriage of Tris and Al. Tris has been such a wonderful friend to me over the years. I cannot express how happy I am to see this day. Ever since that one day at lunch when they talked about those books no one read, let alone heard of, except The Mortal Instruments, I shipped it, I have to say.

"These two wonderful people have devoted themselves to each other, and I know that I'm honored to be in their wedding. Congratulations, Tris and Al, I wish you a lifetime of happiness!" More applause from our friends and families before my father stands. My mom holds onto his jacket sleeve like she was hanging on for dear life.

"Today, I am honored to count Al as a member of the family. I have seen Beatrice grow up into a strong, young woman and I am more than pleased to know she will continue to grow with Al. Not only has he loved her doubtlessly, he has helped her become who she is today.

"Your love is so powerful, faith has been restored in everyone's eyes as we watched you tonight. Natalie and I love you both forever. Congratulations!"

My mother dabs at her eyes with the sleeve of her light sweater that lounges on the back of her chair. I don't know why she didn't just use her napkin. When she has composed herself, Mom as well as Lyle and Aleena give very sweet speeches about us as well. Caleb even makes a toast. After that, Al and I stand, and I hope I don't knock anything over or embarrass myself in front of the group of people here.

"Today, we are honored to stand before all of you and pledge our love to one another. Our lives have only been enhanced by the love brought into it by all of you. We especially want to thank our parents for everything they have done." I take a moment to pause. Victoria snaps a photo from across the backyard. I blink a few times, startled, and a few people chuckle in their seats. "We also want to thank everyone who has helped us on our journey together. Will, Christina, Rick, Skyler, Caleb, Sarah, Gage, and Victoria. And our parents, of course."

"Finally, we want to thank everyone who has come out today," Al adds. "We know some of you traveled long distances to be here and we thank you all for taking the time to celebrate with us. You all are truly special to us, and we would not be here without everyone in this room."

Everyone cheers before I have a chance to open my mouth again, and everyone takes a sip of their drink, unless you're my grandmother who downs her wine.

I guess the speech is done.

Now is the time for my first dance with Al this evening. I step onto the small square of dance floor laid on the grass to make it easier to not sink into the ground. I didn't know how this was going to work out, so I chose not to wear heels. I don't like heels anyway. Christina threw a little bit of a hissy fit at first, but then settled for me wearing fancy flats.

The song begins and luckily it is very slow because I can barely manage twirling in a circle. I barely made it out of prom with both my feet uninjured. I am also thankful Al had suggested "Can't Help Falling in Love" as our first dance together since it is short and we both hate attention.

But I can't even feel my parents' gazes on me as I spin slowly. All I can focus on is Al.

When the song ends, I almost wish it was longer. I didn't realize at the time how lovely it would be to feel graceful even though I stepped on the hem of my dress once or twice and I stumbled more than ten times. It is not the song or even the occasion that makes me feel graceful. It's my husband.

Next I get to dance with my father as Al dances with Aleena.

"I'm proud of you, Beatrice," he says as he twirls me around gently. My father is a great dancer. I did not inherit that gene.

"Thank you," I say. I smile and he can't help but grin, too.

After that I dance with Lyle and Al dances with Mom. We both are nervous for this dance, but I know even if they for some reason suck (they're both better dancers than me) my mother and Al will have fun because they get along so well.

When the pressure is off and more people start dancing, that's when I have the chance to dance with my brother and Gage and Rick and Uriah and Christina, Skyler, Sarah, and all my other friends. After around ten dances I take a break to get a drink. That's when Caleb walks over to me with a girl I can only assume is Makenna based off her description.

"Tris," Caleb says with a smile. "This is Makenna."

"Hello Makenna," I say with a smile. I reach out to shake her hand. "It's lovely to meet you."

"You too," she says. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you! I'm glad you could join us."

"Thank you for inviting me," she says.

"Aw, any girlfriend of Caleb's is a friend of mine," I say. Makenna giggles and Caleb blushes before shooting me a glare and whisking her off to the dance floor.

When it comes time for the bouquet toss all the single ladies get in a group behind me. Instead of playing "Single Ladies" since I always felt embarrassed when I was the single lady waiting to catch the bouquet, we decided to play "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." Gage thought it would be hilarious to play "Move Bitch," but Al and I didn't think that was appropriate, though it's kind of accurate. All the weddings I've been to (like, three) all the girls check their sanity at the door when it comes to this part.

I close my eyes and toss the lilies behind me. I open them a few seconds later and turn around to see the lucky winner. Marlene.

"Sweet," she says. I laugh.

Then Victoria hands me a chair and I sit with my legs slightly outstretched in front of me. I am oddly excited for this part, but I can tell Al won't be with my father staring at him. Oh, well, it's tradition. If my father can do it, so can Al.

With a blush spreading across his cheeks, Al lowers himself to his knees. He shakily moves the material of my dress out of his way. He locks eyes with me the whole time and I smile at his adorable nervousness as he removes the garter. When he tosses it, very quickly, too, Caleb catches it. Mom has a look of excitement in her eyes and I can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm, mixed with Makenna's enthusiasm, and Caleb's bashfulness.

Towards the end of the evening, and everything begins winding down with Whitney Houston softly playing in the background, Al leans in and whispers, "Thank you."

"For what?" I ask.

"Just being you," he says. "There is no one I would rather spend my life with."

It's my turn to blush and I lean my forehead on his shoulder. I lift it up to look at him again, hoping the hot feeling in my face will have gone away but it hasn't.

"Me either."

Pressing my lips firmly to his I take in every detail of the moment and it is completely perfect. Just like him.