A/N: While I can write emotional speeches and scenes, I utterly suck at wedding vows, etc. Full credit for most of Hershel's words during the ceremony and the vows themselves goes to .
September 24, 2010
~*~ CP ~*~
"Go back to sleep," Carol says, rubbing her hand along Merle's spine. Just as she discovered that first night together, he loves her touch along that part of his back.
"Sun ain't even up."
She laughs. "No, it's not, but there's things that need to be overseen and you didn't get back from raiding those solar warehouses in Atlanta til late. Sleep."
Merle didn't go out on raids often, too busy with the daisy chain of construction projects, but sometimes they needed him on-site to sort through necessary from not. The loft areas of the two warehouses now complete both held enough solar panels and supplies to last them for years. The two-day trip marked the only night they've spent apart so far.
She's in jeans and a tank top for now, figuring she'll change into the beautiful dress she has for today later. She isn't alone in the kitchen, as it seems Beth and Lori both are ready to head down and help the cooking crew. The teenager looks too chipper for five a.m., but Lori looks like Carol feels, and at sixteen weeks pregnant, can't even get much of a caffeine boost.
They made everything ahead that could be possibly made ahead. The two massive commercial refrigerators are crowded, and tidbits like mini-quiches that can be frozen are in the freezers to be heated closer to time. This morning is for the things that couldn't, like vegetables for the lamb kebabs and potato salad. And most especially, the wedding cake Scout finally conceded to when the women baking it begged that it was their gift to the couple.
The lane cakes for the groom's cake came from a recipe card Shane handed off to Carol, bashfully asking that they use his Grandma Jean's recipe. Carol handled the handwritten card like the treasure it is. There were three made and 'marinating' in the fridge. The fun part will be watching the children sneaking bites, since the lane cakes are positively oozing bourbon.
The mint and chocolate three tier wedding cake is something Carol and Glynnis are looking forward to making. Chocolate will be a forgotten treat one day, when the cocoa stocks run out or expire, so while they have it, they'll indulge.
Outside the community center, Arthur and Lenore have the two big smokers brought in from the restaurant in town up and running, two hogs ready to go for an all-day smoking. Lenore assures her there will likely be leftovers of the pulled pork, which tomorrow's lunch will easily take care of.
The sheer mass of food steps outside their usual conservative use, but as hard as everyone has worked, along with the reality of why their little patchwork community exists, a celebration of something so normal as a wedding is exactly what as needed. The fact that it is Scout and Shane just makes it even better.
They're met by a mixed group of cooking volunteers who range from as sleepy as Lori to as perky as Beth. Lori moves off toward the heaping mound of potatoes with a shrug, joining the guardsmen couple from Jamie's team who volunteered since there were no supply runs today. The two men joked that peeling potatoes was something any military were expert at.
Beth gets drawn in by the team prepping ice cream from the various fresh milk they've saved the last three days. The habit of clearing out small appliances they may or may not use is paying off with the small army of ice cream makers spread over one table. Not all of them are electric, so they'll recruit in the kids as the youngsters wake for the day.
As Carol joins Glynnis, she just smiles, thinking that Carol from six months ago would never imagined that she'd be baking a wedding cake for her stepdaughter today.
~*~ DD ~*~
Daryl should have known slipping in to leave his present for Scout wouldn't happen. She's awake the second he enters Merle's office, where she's stayed the night to humor the ladies who were making the wedding a community celebration. She blinks once, realizes it's him, and sits up. Her hair is escaping the long braid, and he notices how long it's gotten since the damaged parts were trimmed away after her injury.
He sits down and hands her the carved box, studying his hands instead of her reaction. He knows she's not quite lost the faith Lilliana raised them in, that their family on Guam reinforced, but it's close enough that giving her items meant for a religious wedding might not go well.
She gasps. "Daryl, did Aunt Julia give this to you?" She's touching the crucifix on the wedding rosary gently with her fingers, looking at the metal inlaid onto the carved wood.
"Yes, last trip I made out. She swore she had a dream I'd need them."
She lifts out the rosary, letting the beads slide through her fingers. He's unsure what she's thinking, as she reaches in to tentatively touch the belu with its delicate embroidery. He nudges the small carved box that holds the arras coins.
"These were Nana's."
He reminded their aunt, who also stood as godmother to them both, that he wasn't likely to remarry in the Church, and she scoffed, telling him that getting an annulment from 'that woman' ought to be the easiest petition the diocese ever had. "She thought that they should go to you anyway, since Lilliana was older." And that Aunt Julia would never have biological grandchildren to pass them on to. Her only child, Rosa, died in a car accident when she was in college.
She's quiet for a moment. "Part of me thinks using them as a lapsed Catholic isn't appropriate."
"Not sure anything about the world fits what we were taught when we were young. Pretty sure they grabbed the practice from something older than the Catholics anyway." He leans forward and kisses her temple, hugging her to him. "She didn't use these, che'lu. Only Aunt Julia and Nana. And maybe there's no church or priest or even a civil authority, but I think would be a good thing to continue."
"Who do I ask to stand? We're awfully lacking in aunts and uncles here."
Considering what little extended family they had was on Guam and hopefully isolated enough not to have the world go to hell quite in the same fashion, he understands. "Well, technically, I'm your uncle, remember?"
Scout laughs. "I suppose you are, Tihu."
"Supposed to be someone who you'd go to for advice. And I've been to a wedding or two that had the bridesmaids and groomsmen do it when it wasn't part of the Church. Deputy buddy married a Filipina lady a few years ago. Pretty much the same ceremony, close as I can remember anyway." He hasn't managed to be on Guam when a wedding was underway since before his own.
"What are you two up to this early?" Merle asks from the open doorway. He steps inside enough to see what's spread across his daughter's lap and actually smiles as he reaches out to lift the belu. "I remember getting to do this for Julia. She was such a pretty little thing that day."
"Scout thinks she shouldn't use them."
Merle replaces the belu carefully in the box. "I'm thinking that your aunt and your Nana would be honored despite no priest and no church. Gotta remember that Nana converted to marry your grandfather anyway. Could probably remember enough to write down some wording for each part, if you use them."
As Scout's fingers absently move across the beads in a way that tells him she probably hasn't forgotten years of a rosary in her hand, Daryl thinks she's going to accept.
~*~ SW ~*~
Shane realizes just how used he's gotten to waking up to Scout when he automatically reaches out to find nothing but cool sheets beside him. They decided against any old world bachelor party traditions, but in the end, he and Rick were up pretty late with a half bottle between them, just reconnecting their friendship after the past few months of distance. His brother is stretched out on a camp cot, joking someone had to stand guard lest he get cold feet in the night.
"We are getting too damned old for drinking and staying up half the night," he mutters. Maverick, who after weeks of being the dog-on-roam for the property, decided to adopt Shane as his person, raises his head but relaxes when he realizes it's not him Shane is talking to.
Rick's apparently awake, because he laughs. "What time is it?"
"About nine. Not supposed to be ready until one." He sits up and stretches. "Not sure sitting around doing nothing all day works for me."
"Well, I'm sure if we poke our noses out toward the community center, someone will put us to work, but I actually know that we're supposed to let Amalia cut our hair this morning. I don't know if you've really looked in the mirror lately, brother, but we both are taking shaggy to a new level."
Shane laughs, realizing that yeah, if his curls are anything like Rick's this morning, a trim probably wouldn't hurt. "You gonna shave that mess off your face?"
"Nope. But I'll trim it up nicely. How's that?"
"Better." He knows other family members have already gotten bullied into haircuts, because they didn't escape Lori's grasp after she cut Carl's yesterday. But having her cut his and Rick's would probably edge into awkwardness neither of them want for his wedding day, so Amalia it is.
He's just sorting out a shirt when Maverick goes on alert, going to nose at the door. He loves the early warning system, because it's fun to tug the door open before the person actually knocks.
Cricket's fallen victim to that before, so she just grins. "There's been a slight change to the wedding ceremony. Ever been to a wedding that used a cord, veil, and coins ceremony?"
He nods. "Didn't think Scout wanted to do anything extra like that. She didn't even want the whole groomsmen and bridesmaid parts." He honestly didn't care, so long as Rick got to stand witness. He honestly expected her to choose Christopher or Daryl for her side rather than choose between her sisters, but in the end, she selected Cricket.
"Seems Daryl had a few family heirlooms he waited til the last minute to talk to her about. They were our Nana's." She passes him and Rick each a photocopied sheet of paper. "Daddy wrote down what he remembers from Aunt Julia's wedding, and then I quizzed a few people to avoid any gaps. Probably a mish-mash of cultures at this point, but isn't that what we really are here now?"
He glances at Rick, who's mumbling a bit as he reads over the page. Everything looks in place to him, although with the religious aspects no longer present.
"It looks good to me." Honestly, she could probably tell him her sister wanted a nude wedding spoken in Klingon and he'd spend the day memorizing lines. "Anyone told Carol yet?"
Cricket laughs. "Daddy's job. I've got to go find my other half and tell her she doesn't get to lurk in the crowd, which means finding a different dress instead of that lovely mint green she picked out." She leans in to kiss his cheek and throws in a quick hug before leaving.
"I wish your grandma and mama could be here to see this," Rick says, laying his copy safely on the counter. "Grandma Jean thought you'd never marry, you know."
"Wish I'd met her back when Grandma Jean was still alive. Although that probably wouldn't have gone over well with the sheriff, considering she'd have been seventeen or younger."
"Yeah, don't figure he'd have cared for a deputy dating a high school student."
Shane reaches out to run his fingers along the sleeve of the dress shirt he selected out of the two separate bridal stores Glenn's teams cleared out. The fancy clothing wasn't a necessity, but things for morale rarely were. A few of the RVs now serve as fancy clothing shops, and everyone in the community got a nice outfit for today. The folks who could sew were mighty busy making alterations the last few weeks.
"Gonna be the first orange themed wedding I've ever seen. Glad she opted just for vests and ties and not a jacket as warm as it still is." Shane likes the option, not the least of which that he knows Scout chose the color to match the necklace he gave her for their engagement.
"It's cheerful. How many pink, purple, or blue weddings, all pastels, have we seen over the years? Nice to be bright."
"Be better if we don't make Amalia come looking for us," Shane jokes. It's time to get the day under way.
~*~ MD ~*~
Merle catches Carol around the waist as soon as she's safely closed the oven door. "Need to talk to you for a moment, Mouse."
She smiles and lets him lead her away from Glynnis, who looks curious but smiles when he just grins at her. They sit at one of the unused tables and he takes her hands.
"I'm hoping you got the general idea of your role today when the girls made sure your dress matched theirs in the color scheme," he starts out. "But there's been a change in how the ceremony's going to be run, and we want you to take part."
"I thought they only wanted one witness each?" She's looking puzzled, remembering some of the debate over how crazy things might get if they included every sibling, which had surprised Glenn when he got counted. Merle would figure by now the young man would understand that adoption by one Dixon meant adoption by all.
"That was the intent. But Daryl's trip over to Thomson was to retrieve a treasure box of sorts. Family on Guam, they're pretty inclusive. When I came back from leave with custody of Daryl, Lil's family just absorbed him right in. Didn't matter he was a haloe boy. He was Lil's son by intent and her family went head over heels for that little lost lamb. Even insisted I have him baptized properly in the Catholic Church, with Lil's sister Julia and her uncle Gio standing as godparents. Julia's Scout's godmother too, but by the time she was born, Julia was married, so her husband's her godfather. By the time the younger kids came along, it should have been one of the signs Lil lost her way when she stopped taking the kids to Mass every Sunday no matter where we lived. So, the younger kids, they were never really part of the faith, and they know the traditions, but it's not something they've grown up among like Scout and Daryl did, between Lil and then the year we spent on Guam after Lil was gone."
"I didn't realize Daryl and Scout were religious," Carol says. Her own faith is something quiet and tender that she rarely speaks about, even to Merle. He's not even entirely sure if she has a particular Protestant faith or just follows Christianity in general, just that after years of a Catholic wife, that's not Carol's path.
"Not much anymore. Guess they're both officially lapsed in the eyes of the Church, although I figure on different reasons for each of them. Daryl stayed with it longer, but he had more good years he can actually remember with Lil than Scout. She's always associated it with her mother too much, I suspect." He sighs, not really wanting to think of his ex-wife on today of all days. He hopes she's alive and safe down in Texas, but he's also glad she wasn't close enough for him to feel like he should go fetch her. "But Julia's nothing like Lil. She loves all those kids so deeply, you'd think she gave birth to each and every one of them."
"You mentioned once that you should have stayed on Guam, with the family. Who all is still there - or was, before the world changed?"
"It would have been a different life, maybe a better one, but I didn't. Julia's always stayed in touch. Lost her only daughter about four years ago. Car accident while she was attending college in North Carolina, not even twenty years old. Josefa and Robert only had the two girls, but there's still a pretty big extended family between them both. Lots of aunties and uncles, between their siblings and those siblings' children. Josefa's 75 this year, still the family matriarch enough that she racks up the phone calls to remind me that she never gave me permission not to be family."
"I'm glad they stayed in touch for more than just the children then." Carol squeezes his hands.
"Yeah, me too. The point of the impromptu family history is that Daryl's gone to Guam at least every other year to visit Julia, every year since Rosa died. Julia gave him a box of family heirlooms last trip. Said she had a dream he'd need them. Ever been to a Catholic wedding, especially a Mexican or Filipino one?"
She shakes her head and he smiles as he begins to explain. She worries still about her place in the girls' lives, and he's about to hand her a sign of exactly how important Scout sees her right now.
~*~ SW ~*~
"Feeling nervous, son?" Hershel asks. His smile is kind, but a little mischievous as Shane and Rick wait for the signal that everything is about to begin. Everyone is seated, and Christopher has just taken his seat with his guitar, joining the motley group of musicians who wanted to play today. If Christopher is ready, so is Scout.
"A little, but more that I don't screw up the ceremony. I've never been more sure of anything in my life than marrying her." He expected to have an attack of nerves, maybe even a bout of hyperventilating like Rick had before his wedding, but nothing but a deep-seated assurance that this is what his future holds happened all day.
Hershel's dressed much as they are, black slacks and crisp white shirt, but where their vests and ties are a bronzy orange, his are black. Although not a religious ceremony, the man has his well-worn Bible in his hands, his cues tucked within.
"Having done this twice myself to two very different, but very wonderful women, I can only say that neither of you will ever be perfect, but committing to each other this way? Being together is as close to perfection as you'll ever find on this Earth."
Shane smiles, seeing the sadness on the older man's face as he's reminded that Hershel lost the second of those two women just months ago. Before he can reply, the musicians start playing.
Cricket and Tara make their way down the aisle they've set up in the open area next to the community center, holding hands. For a wedding, the colors are reversed, because it's the female attendants who are wearing white, although both have orange scarves tied gypsy style around the waists of their simple white gowns and the same gauzy material has been layered over the top of the gown.
Carol and Daryl are next, with Shane semi-impressed that they found a vest and tie to match his in the bridal store loot. Carol's dress was already in theme, although instead of a scarf, her dress actually has splashes of orange all over as if the dress is painted with watercolors.
The music changes to the familiar bridal march and Merle and Scout emerge from the community center. He only has eyes for Scout at first, her vivid orange dress contrasting against her dark coloring and the dark colors her father wears. Merle's dress shirt is black, his vest black, with only his tie a nod to the orange color theme. He glances to Merle as they come to a halt at Shane's side, and the older man's smile is welcoming.
Hershel's voice rings out, following the script they liked best in all the ones they had to choose from. "Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever. You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. We marry, because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier – our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right.
"That's why you are both standing here. And that's why you all are here to watch them stand up here. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity. All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing – and others that are exciting and full of adventure.
"We're all here – because we want those moments for you. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment – not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," getting engaged – but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments.
"We use the words we have to write stories, poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways – and even though love can look different from one person to the next – we all know it when we see it. And we see it here."
Hershel turns to Merle, a wistful but happy smile on his face. "I've never met a father who was willing to give up his daughter, so instead I ask, do we have your blessing for this marriage?"
"You do." Merle's voice is rough, huskier than normal, and he kisses Scout's forehead before turning to envelop Shane into a hug between the three of them. He says, "First time I saw you with my daughter was the first time I knew she'd never be alone again." He steps away, leaving Scout's hand tucked in Shane's.
The vows they exchange are more poignant than he thinks anyone expected from two fairly pragmatic personalities. But after a lot of suggestions, they'd gone with one they found in one of the various books supply runners 'helpfully' brought back once they announced their intent to marry.
"My promise to you is but a simple one. I will love you today and every day that follows until the end of time. With the passing of every minute, my love grows stronger and my devotion grows deeper. I will love and cherish you until my eyes can no longer see your gentle smile, my ears can no longer hear your loving words, and my hands can no longer feel your tender caress. From this moment until my dying breath, you are my love–you are my life."
Hershel is downright beaming by now, and Shane's glad they chose him to officiate the ceremony. "This is a new beginning for both of you and I'd like to offer some gentle reminders to ease your life-long task of living and growing together. Be kind to each other. Be gentle and forgiving with each other. Communicate with each other. Share the joy that's in your heart and the sorrow that burdens your soul.
"Do you, Shane Griffin Walsh, welcome Salome Camarin Dixon as your wife, offering her your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, as together you create your future?"
They wanted to combine vows and rings, so the durable copper-colored silicone rings popular among married law enforcement are placed in his hand by Rick. He feels no hesitation as he slides the ring onto her finger. Nothing in his entire life felt more certain than this. "I do."
"Do you, Salome, welcome Shane as your husband, offering him your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, as together you create your future?"
Scout's reply is as fast and firm as his, her hands steady as he feels the unfamiliar weight of the ring against his finger. "I do."
"Our world has changed so much in the last handful of months that none of us truly recognize what lays outside this haven we have been led to. I was no holy man before, not a pastor, and not a priest. But the needs of our people to endure and rebuild mean that we also need someone to minister to us. I am honored that I was asked to do so today. There's no higher authorities to govern us but our own free will.
"Today, Scout and Shane declare before all of us that they shall live together in marriage. In the traditional way, they entered into their marriage with the making of vows and promises and the giving and receiving of rings, an outward symbol of their voluntary commitment to one another. Therefore, it is my pleasure, that I now pronounce them husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!"
The catcalls and cheers from their audience are not unexpected, especially considering Honey's in the audience, but Shane lingers over the kiss, knowing this is a moment that only happens once for them. They're both smiling and a little breathless when they finally part.
Hershel raises a hand to let their audience know the ceremony's been changed a little. "Our couple has a tradition from the bride's side. The heirlooms used today, you may have seen as part of a Catholic ceremony, or even just a cultural one, but they hold sentimental value to our bride as they graced the wedding of both her grandmother and aunt. They've asked several members of their family to act as sponsors for their union.
"Scout and Shane, I ask Daryl and Carol to join us and to lay a veil, a belu, over you to clothe you together. Let this be a symbol of the faithful love you have for each other. Through the passing of the years, let the belu remind you that you belong to each other and to no one else."
Carol's hands are shaking and she's starting to cry, but she gets the belu across Scout's hair with a bright smile, pinning it into place as Daryl draws it across Shane's shoulder. The younger man gives Shane that little half-smile of his and squeezes, both a comfort and a warning, as he steps back.
"Scout and Shane, I invite Christina and Tara to place a lazo over you. This lazo symbolizes an infinite bond of love you share that keeps your relationship strong in the face of adversity, as well as that you both are no longer two, but one in marriage. May this lazo remind you to face your life together courageously and to be mutual in support of each other in carrying out your duties and responsibilities as a couple."
Cricket's grin is absolute mischief and joy as she helps her partner raise the rosary over their heads and rest its figure eight shape along their shoulders.
Shane feels Scout's hands flex in his and he squeezes back, wondering which of them will give in to emotion first.
Hershel smiles at them both. "May your love grow stronger and bind you closer together through the years. I now ask the sponsors to remove the lazo and belu." Their family members step forward and remove the rosary and belu, which Cricket holding the aged silver while Carol keeps the belu.
"Once, coins were given and received not in a spirit of reciprocity but in a give and take relationship. Today, the coins are a reminder of good stewardship for all couples; that they will mutually support each other, their family, and the world around them. There's not a person here today who hasn't born witness to their dedication to the community."
Rick steps forward and lets the silver coins flow from his hands to Shane's. Shane knows usually a priest would hold them and bless them, but this was the only change he made to the patchwork ceremony. It doesn't matter that Rick's marriage didn't work out. Shane knows his brother will always be here to remind him of the promises he makes today.
"Scout, I give you these coins as a pledge of my dedication to you, our community, and our family." He says the words with feeling, catching on those a little more than he did his vows.
"I accept them and in the same way pledge my dedication to you, the care of our community, and the welfare of our family." Her hands shake but firm as the coins slide from his hands to hers. She holds them for a moment, and he thinks she is going to improvise, but then she pours them back into his hands so he can return them to Rick for safekeeping.
"And now, to all the friends and family who have come to celebrate this union, it is my pleasure to present the newly united couple, Scout and Shane."
Instead of a dash for an exit, they are instead passed along the tide of family and friends for hugs, kisses, and congratulations. By the time they reach the open area where Carol's army of helpers set up tables outdoors, that same army has begun to shift food onto the buffet tables and for the first time, Shane understands the sheer mass of what their community is presenting for them.
He escorts Scout to their table, smiling as Merle's escort of Carol follows and the man coaxes her to sit next to Shane. He doesn't think anyone warned her she would be treated fully as mother of the bride today. Merle takes his own seat, Tara to his left, and Rick to hers, while Daryl ends up at Carol's right and Cricket past him.
Jamie and the younger siblings begged off sitting at the head table, Jazz grumbling about not wanting to be stared at, so they're among the helpers as Glynnis and Katherine sweep along gathering plates for those seated before the buffet opens for everyone. It doesn't take as long as you'd think to seat nearly two hundred people, but Shane's still amused by the fact that Honey brought a single plate for he and Scout to share. Even the elderly are out in the sunshine, plates brought to them by a swarm of helpful children.
Merle gives everyone a few minutes to settle in before he rises. It draws attention as it always does. He wonders if he should be worried about the speech, considering Merle's quirky sense of humor.
"I hope everyone enjoys the significance of today, that it's a sign that we're going to endure what's happened to our world and keep going." He turns to look at Scout, who reaches up to take his hand. He faces the crowd again. "Ten months ago, I got that bone-chilling call every family member of someone serving in the military dreads. 'Mister Dixon, you need to get on the first plane to San Antonio, now.' When we got there, the odds my baby girl was going to survive were so low the doctors wouldn't even give them. But they didn't know Scout. Every day she got stronger. But it reminded me of the ultimate blessing each day with your child is, especially when I knew as soon as she healed, she was going right back out to serve her country.
"The world had a different plan for that, and instead, she's serving her people here. Just about every one of us owes our safety here to Scout - and to the man who was the missing piece to her heart all these years. I look at her and can't believe that the tiny baby I could almost hold in one hand is now a woman grown. I'm a blessed man, surrounded by beautiful daughters, handsome sons, and a beautiful partner, so I know that Shane understands how hard today is." He brushes a kiss across the back of Scout's knuckles before releasing her hand.
"Met Shane a few months back in a camp of survivors. A lesser man wouldn't have dealt with how I handled the grief of thinking my family was gone, but thankfully, he gave me a purpose even if he didn't realize it at the time. That bought me time, time for my family to return, bringing so many of you along to become part of our community here. Today just a formality about his place in our family, because he's been part of us since the day he first stood at Scout's side against the evils of the world."
Merle turns back to Scout and Shane. "Twenty-seven years ago today, I welcomed you into this world and bringing up a girl terrified me. But today, I look at you, with the man by your side, and I know every minute of those years in between led to this. You and your siblings will always be the best things I've ever managed in my life, and each time any of you bring a new person into the family will always be as equally terrifying and rewarding as each child being born was.
"There's always been just a little something missing in my daughter's smile for so many years, and Shane, I can attest that you being part of her life remedied that. If I could have been a fairy godfather and conjured a man suited to the complexity of my daughter's heart, I don't think I could have done better than you. Keep your promises to each other, love as fiercely as you both do everything else in life, and take care of each other as completely in fifty years as you do today." He reaches for his cup, filled with juice just like Scout's, and raises it to the crowd. "Join me in wishing them both all the happiness they so richly deserve."
As Merle returns to his seat, Scout leans in to kiss his cheek. "Hu guaiya hao, Daddy."
He smiles at them both. "Just remember my speech was the nice one after your sister gets done." Scout groans and looks down at Cricket in what might not be mock alarm.
Before Shane can ask, Rick's standing, and his blue eyes are damn near twinkling as he does. "I honestly was starting to think I'd never get to give a speech on Shane's behalf. After thirty-five years of waiting, maybe I'll be kind today." That draws enough laughs. "Shane and I have been attached at the hip since our diaper days. His Grandma Jean lived next door to my family, so just about every milestone we've had in life, the other's been witness to. College, my own wedding, the birth of my son, years of partnership in the sheriff's department. A few months back, it was Shane whose hands kept pressure on a wound that nearly killed me in the line of duty. So, he's not just my best friend, or my partner, but my brother in all the ways that count.
"But the stories I could tell of the things he's pulled over the years of a long and glorious bachelorhood probably aren't entirely appropriate for today, even if Scout would be amused. His sermons on the glories of staying single are some of my favorite moments from our police partnership. I've always known there was something in my brother that was missing, something that wound him too tight to make up for its lack.
"When I first met Scout, those of you not witness to that might be amused to know that I'm still surprised to this day she didn't add to my bullet wound collection. I was a week out of a coma and disoriented, but thankfully, she was inclined to ask questions first. I never dreamed she'd be what was missing from Shane's life, and it took me a bit to see it, but when I did, I've never been more grateful to anyone other than the mother of my child for the gift of new love in the world.
"I know our world is darker and chaotic now, but I want you to each remember that you're each other's light in any darkness and what all those years without that light felt like. May you both always walk in happiness together." Rick raises his glass as he finishes the words directed to the wedding couple, and Shane follows, choked with emotion. To have Rick brush away the rough points, to remember that horrific day as an honor between brothers, means more than he can express.
They decided on only three speeches aside from their own, but as Cricket stands, Shane wonders if this'll end up more of a roast than Rick aimed for.
"The best thing about having a determined, independent older sister is that she usually shocks your father so much that your own antics seem much less shocking in comparison. For example, most of you know my lovely partner, Tara. Coming out in Georgia is easier these days than it was ten years ago, but it's still sometimes a tangled situation to unravel. For me, it was made as easy as a breakfast conversation with my father, who quietly thanked me for not being escorted home by an off-duty police officer with a confiscated fake ID to reveal boys weren't my cup of tea. Thankfully for Shane, my sister's days of sneaking into the gay clubs in the city were more of a wingman duty than a love of the fairer sex."
Shane turns to Scout, arching a brow. That is not a story he's heard yet, although it makes sense that if Christopher was trying out clubs, his best friend would be along for the ride. Scout shrugs while Merle laughs.
"We met Shane just a handful of months ago. He had a handful of untrained civilians and suddenly he's got this bossy broad marching in with her staff sergeant stripes. A lesser man might have been insulted. Shane, well, he just ended up looking like a man who'd been handed the keys to heaven without even knowing he wanted them first. Took him a little bit to realize what a few of us saw that first day, so I'm glad he wised up quickly.
"My sister's life for the last nine years has often been spent far away from home. She's seen lands even more exotic than the island she was born on or our lovely state of Georgia... Tanzania, Cyprus, the Philippines and jaunts to their neighbors. Our family always hoped that somewhere she'd find someone to make her happy, and it's funny how it ends up being a Georgia boy in the end anyway. Guess there's something about we Dixon girls and Georgia cops." She flashes Tara a smile as her partner laughs. "And protect and serve is definitely in Shane's DNA. No one here can be surprised that my sister brought more than physical scars out of her years of service. I already knew he was good for her, but I knew he was her forever when I saw how he treated her when a flashback brought her down. I can only wish that sort of devotion on all of you who haven't found your own forever yet.
"Scout, there will never be a day I don't consider one of my greatest blessings being your first little treasure. Shane, having you as a big brother is my newest blessing, and I don't have the words for how much I love you both." She doesn't toast right away, slipping from her spot to hug them both, but everyone else knows the moment's there. Her voice doesn't carry beyond their table while in the embrace. "Please be happy, be safe, be forever."
The roles they play are dangerous, but Shane hopes that the promise he makes her then will hold true, especially when she cups his face to kiss his forehead. Merle nudges her with a grin, offering her his seat next to Tara, along with a long, comforting hug. It's unsurprising that Daryl shifts down without being asked to let Merle sit next to Carol.
It takes Cricket's elbow to his ribs to remind him that technically, he and Scout should speak. It's the part he fumbled the most, because despite his gift with words, exposing how he feels about her to others is harder. It's a private thing, a gift between them, and he knows she feels as equally reticent. But he stands.
"When I met my first Dixon, let's just say the impression was more Hell's Angel than family man. But whatever instinct told me the man who called me Deputy Dawg within ten minutes of meeting me was someone who needed to stick around is one I'm always going to be grateful for. Six weeks after that day, this tall Amazon of a Marine walks into camp and proceeds to tell me just how much danger I've left my people in. Maybe I should have been offended, but I was just glad to have someone else that realized what needed to be done that I think I fell in love on the spot.
"Rick and I were talking just this morning how we wished Scout could have met my Grandma Jean, who did more of my raising than my parents did, or even my poor mama. They both would have adored Scout, and this big family I've found my way in. Not sure the world would survive Grandma Jean and Scout teaming up, but man, it's a sight I wish I could have seen. My only family for a long time has been Rick and Carl and Lori, and they did their best, but now I know what I've been missing out on not having a sister, or little brothers, or the weirdness of an uncle five years younger than I am." Daryl snorts from his spot down the table. "Not to mention Carol, who never seems to let the little problem of being the same age stop her from mothering me as much as she does the rest of the Dixons. And that rough redneck who worried the hell outta me a few months ago, I'm glad we're family now."
"Always will be," Merle interjects. Shane smiles, drawing Scout up to stand with him, so she can take over. He slides his arm around her, fingers brushing against the scarred skin she left on full display with the beautiful dress.
"I know we tossed a wedding in the middle of all the other things we're trying to do to make our community safe and well provided for, and we can't thank everyone enough for the extra work they took on to make this happen today. Shane and I probably would have been okay just saying a few words together, in front of the immediate family, but I'm glad everyone here wanted to share in our day instead.
"I was married to my military career before, and while I can honestly say I was happy with that, the last few months have taught me what having a safe haven in the world really does. What happened to me, nearly dying, it changes how you view the world, and while I know everyone here knows as intimately as I do how fleeting and precious life and happiness are now, meeting Shane made me realize that there's happiness - and then there's joy. I see that same joy on my dad's face when he looks at Carol, and on my sister's face when she looks at Tara. With luck, I'll see it one day for the rest of my siblings and for each of you who hasn't yet found it.
"The island I was born on has a concept called inafa' maolek, which translates literally as 'to make good'. It's about restoring harmony. We are doing that here. So many have lost loved ones, and we have children who lost parents. Like any community - any family - we will always have those who are closer than others, but the basic tenant here is that we will support each other, our children, and our elderly. Today is the first wedding here at Homestead, our first celebration. It won't be our last." She raises her glass and Shane and everyone else follows. "Let's keep enjoying this wonderful food, and then move inside for music, celebration, and dessert!"
Shane takes the time when they're reseated to kiss his bride, marveling at that unfamiliar term and knowing it will never get old.