It was the day before Cristina's graduation. Her parents and little brother were flying in from Virginia to see her graduate. They had already checked into their hotel, when she got the call from her brother that they were in New York.
"Hey, big sis," Jeremy said. "The folks and I are safely ensconced at the hotel. Dad was being cheap again and didn't want the bellhop to carry up our suitcases, so he wouldn't have to give a tip. He said we could save that money if we carried our own luggage."
"Well, you know, Dad, has never been known to waste a cent," she laughed. "Remember you guys are coming across for dinner tonight? It is very important that you be here."
"Yup, we will be there. We won't have to spend money on a restaurant meal. Of course, we will be there," Jeremy said. "Six is fine, right?'
"Yes, and stop making dad out to be a cheapskate. He paid for your trip to New York and your accommodations," Cristina chided her brother, who laughed.
"Yeah, he did," Jeremy said. "He surprised me when he sprung for a four-star hotel. I think he just wants mom to have a good time, since they barely go anywhere."
"Well, he should. They have been married 26 years," Cristina said. "And they don't go on vacations because both you and I wanted to go to very expensive schools. We should be grateful."
"I am, sis," Jeremy said. "But dad's penny-pinching ways are a great source of humor for me."
They both laughed. "See you later, we will. Excited to meet your fiancé, we are," Jeremy said.
"Stop talking like Yoda. Drives me crazy, you know," Cristina said.
"No fun, you are. Good bye," Jeremy replied.
"Bye," Cristina said. She was excited and yet had a little bit of trepidation in introducing her parents to Owen. She was never quite sure what would come out of her dad's mouth. He was a blunt man and often said what he thought, without much of a filter. He knew that he sometimes came out sounding harsh, when in reality, he was not.
She went back to the kitchen, where Owen was cutting up the vegetables. "That was Jeremy. He said that my family will be here at six," she told him, as she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug.
"Hey, I am cutting vegetables here. No time for loving in the kitchen," he said. She laughed, as she released him.
"I have to warn you about my dad," she said. "He usually says what he thinks and sometimes, it doesn't come out right. So don't get offended, he really doesn't mean anything by it."
"I am sure I will be able to deal with your parents," Owen said.
"Don't be surprised if he mentions anything about money," Cristina said. "He is a very thrifty soul in most instances."
"Okay," Owen said. "Well, the entire family will be together. The Hunts and the Yangs – soon to be one family." She grinned back at him, as they both got back to preparing dinner. Other than the Yangs, they had invited a couple of other friends for the dinner – Toni, who was also graduating with Cristina and Owen's friends, Bruce, Chuck and Janelle, and Maddie's dad Brandon and his wife, Lucy. It was going to be a celebration.
Later that evening, Toni was the first to arrive. She took a look around. "The place looks beautiful, Cristina," Toni said. She hugged her friend. "It's a big day. Go get ready. I will greet the rest of the guests as they come."
Soon, the guests started arriving but the host and hostess were nowhere to be seen. Neither was Maddie. People were a little surprised to find Cristina's friend, Toni greeting them. They were also taken aback by how beautifully the living room was decorated with the flowers and the lights.
"Where's Cristina?" her mom asked, when they arrived.
"Cristina will be down, momentarily," Toni said. The last guests to arrive were two mystery guests, who did not introduce themselves to the others. Toni whisked them away to the kitchen, so the other guests would not have access to them. Everyone was wondering what was going on. Toni made a final trip upstairs before she stood at the bottom of the stairs to make an announcement. One mystery guest re-emerged and positioned himself in front of the fireplace, while the other one took out his camera.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I know you have been wondering where Owen and Cristina and Maddie are. Well, I have the pleasure to announce that tonight is not just Cristina's graduation dinner. It is that to be sure but it is something else, too. Ladies and gentlemen, you are now going to witness the wedding ceremony of Owen Hunt and Cristina Yang."
"What?" Cristina's dad said. This was a piece of news he had not expected. He sat down to gather his thoughts. Everyone else was in shock.
"Sorry for the surprise but they wanted to keep it secret until everyone was here. So without much further ado, let's get started. Oh, just to let you know, Mr. Novak will be officiating, while Mr. Brandenbach will be doing photography," Toni said. Mr. Novak nodded, while Mr. Brandenbach looked for the best position to take out his pictures. Toni ran to put on the music and the first notes of Canon in D came on. Automatically, the small group of friends and family parted to form an aisle between them.
The music was the cue for Maddie to come down the stairs. Maddie was dressed in a beautiful lavender dress, as she dropped her rose petals on the floor. She was beaming. She was so happy that Uncle Owen and Cristina were finally getting married. She was followed by Milo, who had a bowtie around his neck. He dutifully followed Maddie down the aisle and stood next to Maddie, when he reached the top of the aisle.
Then, Owen and Cristina came down the stairs. Cristina was dressed in a fitted white lace dress while Owen had donned a black tuxedo. They walked hand in hand up the aisle. Cristina's mom, Helen, was taken aback by how beautiful her daughter looked. She started crying. Her husband took her in his arms because, he too, was crying.
As the ceremony progressed and by the time they said their vows, everyone was crying, even Bruce and Chuck. They were happy for their friend, who had found the love of his life. Or maybe they were crying for themselves, since they were both still single. Owen had long moved past his partying single days, when the three friends hung out in bars together, picking up women. Those times were a distant memory for Owen, who was now a happy and committed man. Judging from how he kissed his bride, they could tell how much Owen was in love with his new wife.
After the ceremony, there were much kisses and hugs to be shared. Cristina's mom Helen and her dad, Louis, hugged her for a long time. Her brother gave her a hug, "Now that, sis, was a huge surprise."
"Why did you keep it a secret?" Helen asked.
"We really didn't want to make a big fuss," Cristina said. "We wanted it simple and since you guys were already coming up for my graduation, it seemed to be an appropriate time. And dad, I saved you lots of money from having to throw a big wedding ceremony."
"Cristina, you know your father well," Louis said, as he gave her a kiss. "I think since we are now related to him, introduce us to your husband."
Cristina called across Owen, who had politely stepped back, so she could be with her family. "Mom, Dad, Jeremy, this is Owen Hunt. Owen, meet my parents, Helen and Louis and my little brother, Jeremy."
Owen offered his hand but they ignored it and they hugged him. "Welcome to the family, Owen," Louis said, slapping Owen on the back. Louis could admire a man, who managed to save him a whole bundle of money.
"I am honored to be part of your family," Owen said. He called Maddie over to introduce her to Cristina's parents. She was all smiles. She tugged at Cristina to pull her aside.
"What's up, Maddie?" Cristina asked.
"I just wanted to let you know that I am going to stop calling you Cristina. I am going to call you Aunty Cristina from now on," Maddie said. "That's because I want everyone to know that we are related."
"I am proud to be your Aunty Cristina," Cristina said, as she hugged the little girl close.
Toni announced that dinner will be served, as soon as the bride and groom changed their clothes. Owen and Cristina ran up to their rooms. As he closed the door, he looked at her, "Did I tell you how beautiful you look, Mrs. Hunt?"
"Yes, at least five times but you don't have to stop," she said. He came to her and kissed her, deeply. They continued kissing until Cristina told him that they had to stop to get dressed. "People are getting hungry and they are waiting for us," she said. He sighed.
"They can start without us," he said. "I want to make love to my beautiful bride."
"No, no, no," Cristina said. "Not while my parents are in the house."
"What? You are not a little girl. You are a married woman, now," Owen said. "And in your own house, too."
"NO, Owen," she said, as she could feel his hands trying to remove her wedding dress. "Later, I promise, later. I will do anything you want. And yes, I am a little girl, whenever my parents are around. I cannot help that."
"Anything? That sounds intriguing," he said. "Okay, let's get dressed for dinner."
As they came down for the dinner, everyone went to the dining room. Owen spoke, as everyone sat down. "Cristina and I are honored that you could share this wonderful moment with us as we become man and wife. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. We are so glad you could join us for this dinner – the first of many dinners to be hosted by the Hunt family."
"Yay," Bruce said. "Free food from the Hunts." Everyone chuckled.
"Yes, thank you for that, Bruce," Owen said. "You know you are always welcome. Just hoping for the day when you and Chuck find your lovely ladies to settle down with and be able to reciprocate."
"Soon, buddy," Chuck said. "As soon as I find the girl willing to put up with me for the rest of her life, then I can join you in the married ranks."
"That's the hard part," Bruce agreed.
"As much as I would like to commiserate with you guys, I am a little too happy to do that. Cristina has something she wants to tell her parents. Honey?" he said.
Cristina stood up, "Mom, dad. I know you have spent lots of money to finance my 18 years of education. I just want to let you know that I have a job. I will be the student counselor at the prestigious Brenton Day School here in Manhattan. I start in the fall semester. So, mom, dad, thanks for everything."
"It was worth it," Helen said, smiling at the news, as everyone clapped.
"I guess there is nothing much left to say," Owen said. "So, let's dig in. Cristina and I worked very hard on this today, so I hope you enjoy."
As he sat down, he took Cristina's hand in his and kissed it. "Are you happy, baby?"
"More than I have ever been in my entire life," she said, as she gave him a soft kiss.
A/N: Thanks for leaving your reviews. One more chapter left.