A/N: Hey everybody! I am so sorry for the long wait but between rewriting this chapter, final exams and a brief, absolutely crazy vacation I am back. So this is the final chapter of Image in the Flames, except for a possible playlist that will be posted at a later date. I cant thank you enough for reading and reviewing this fanfiction which has been an absolute dream for me to write. It is my longest to date at about ninety five pages in Microsoft Word and that baffles me. I know I could have never done this without your inspiration and constant kick in the pants. I hope this meets and or exceeds your expectations. Please let me know what you think-Alisabeth
PS: All songs used in this chapter belong to their rightful owner and I have no right to put a claim on them. However, I can recommend that you listen to them.
Inhaling the crisp scent of a beautiful fall afternoon Cayson beamed softly, eyeing the small crowd of people who had gathered around the spacious yard surrounding Benny Severide's cabin, all of whom having attended the brief ceremony for she and Kelly. It was their redo, both a renewing of their marital vows and the first time their family and friends had seen them wed, one year old Andrea present as part of their bridal party. Passing along a gentle squeeze to the large, calloused hand entwined with hers she leaned comfortably into her husband's bulk, reveling in the feel of his muscular arm wrapped around her shoulders and the feel of his white dress shirt brushing over her bare skin. Adjusting the bodice of her strapless dress, she blushed when Kelly chuckled, eyeing the motion of her hands and then turning as the speakers set up around the yards perimeter shrieked to life.
Wincing at the sound the bride, groom, and their guests turned to the small table set up close to the house beside the now dwindling buffet table, finding a flustered Mouch standing behind the table scratching at his beard. Awkwardly clearing his throat and clearly wondering why he'd volunteered to Deejay once more, the veteran firefighter sighed, pulling the cordless mic close to him. Rubbing a hand along his jaw he spoke.
"I may not be very good at this, but the music fairy has struck once more. Cayson, Kelly please make your way to the dance floor for your first dance as man and wife," Mouch grumbled, soft music beginning as he tinkered with the iPod, which had been set up with a playlist specially made for the wedding reception.
Standing, stretching and making their way to the plywood dance floor as Kip Moore's "Hey Pretty Girl" began to play, Cayson allowed her body to be manipulated, drawn close in their first dance as man and wife. Swaying slowly to the sweet melody she listened as Kelly sang the words beneath his breath, the warm minty breeze of it caressing her neck and shoulders as he whispered them into her ear. Fighting a shiver she ignored the camera flashes and the whispered comments as the guests watched, enveloped completely in the moment. In a haze as she moved in small circles she blinked and stepped back as the first dance ended and people clapped, Eric Michael Hopper's "Love at First Sight" kicking up with its more upbeat guitars and drums.
Waving at her niece who stood on a chair holding a video recorder Cayson made funny faces, shrieking in laughter as Kelly tickled her sides from behind, Andrea in his arms after Shay had handed her over. Enjoying the energized atmosphere, Cayson leaned over the table to sip her flute of ginger ale, holding it by its long stem while bopping along to Randy Houser's "How Country Feels." Wandering table to table to greet and thank her guests she looked up once she'd reached her fifth one, feeling the familiar heat of Kelly's gaze between her bare shoulders. Listening as Mouch announced the father-daughter dance she excused herself from speaking to Mrs. Mills and Chief Bowden, swept into her father's arms as she passed his table and they made their way to the dance floor.
Waiting until Kelly stopped beside her and her father with Andrea in his arms, she nodded to Mouch who began to play Heartlands "I loved her First." Mulling over how absolutely perfect everything was turning out she grinned when she noticed the tears gathering in her fathers eyes, tightening her grip around his waist as she lay her head against his chest. Balancing on bare feet as she pushed herself up onto her tip toes she planted a kiss on his left cheek, uttering a thank you as she used her thumb to wipe away the smudge of vibrant red lips stick left on his flushed skin. Blinking back her own tears she bit her bottom lip. Standing still in her father's embrace as the song ended, she gave a watery sniffle as he leaned back and caught a renegade tear on his thumb. Walking arm in arm with him to their shared table she sat with Kelly to her right with Andrea between them and her parents to her left as the first course was served and Mouch let the music play by itself.
As most of the evening past in a haze Cayson was thankful for the video cameras set up on each corner of the yard, creating a perimeter and a chance to catch every moment, not to mention her brother Cameron circling with an individual camera, zooming in when necessary. Thankful for waterproof makeup as she dabbed sweat from her forehead, Cayson shared a look with Kelly and nodded towards where Mouch stood once more, manning the music. Making their way to the booth simultaneously, Kelly whispered something to Mouch as he paused We The King's "Check Yes Juliet." Accepting the microphone from the older firefighter, Kelly shook his head in amusement and flipped it's switch.
Awkwardly clearing his throat he grinned sheepishly as everyone turned towards him. "Um, hello," he started reading from the index card he'd pulled from the breast pocket of his shirt. "First off Cayson and I would like to thank you for supporting us and coming to our 'official' wedding for those of you who were not present at our first ceremony. It's difficult to believe that it has already been just over a year since she, Shay and Gabriela rushed myself, Pete and Matt into the City Hall and how a few weeks after our daughter Andrea was born. Since then everything has been a whirlwind and thankfully we've had you all around for the ride. At this moment Cayson and I ask that you open the scroll that has been placed in your gift bags." The sound of paper rustling caused him to grin as his mother-in-law shrieked, waving hers above her head.
"As you all can see 'Parenthood the Sequel' is due around August twenty-eighth and at the moment Cayson and I are debating whether we would like to know the baby's gender prior to its birth. Hopefully all of you will be along for that ride as well. Thank you, again for everything you've done," Kelly beamed, turning off the mic and handing it back to a shocked Mouch.
People were swarming Kelly and Cayson from all sides following their announcement, little Andrea getting the baby-talk praise of being the next best big sister there would ever be. Biting her lower lip, Cayson couldn't help but figure that the day she climbed onto that roof was one of the best days of her life, bringing her a family so unique. And to think, it all started with a picture, an image in the flames.
I hope this has been a pleasing ending. Thank you everyone for reading, you've been amazing!-Alisabeth