Wedding Reception

An hour later, Stef's cheeks are aching from all the smiling she's been doing - both for the wedding pictures and out of pure joy. Today, she had married the love of her life and her best friend. She couldn't be happier as she and the curly haired beauty trek across the white sand towards their wedding reception. With Lena's hand in hers, there was nothing she couldn't accomplish.

As they cross under the giant gazebo that had been erected this morning for their wedding, their friends and family erupt into another round of cheering. Laughing, the two women bring their lips together as their guests tap their forks against their water glasses. Knowing her mother, Stef knew that would be happening a lot tonight. But she didn't mind. Kissing Lena was her favorite activity in the entire world.

The newlyweds take a seat at their sweetheart table beneath the gazebo. Each table is adorned with a white tablecloth and a centerpiece made up of teal and white roses, along with some baby's breath, in a simple glass vase. Above their heads, the gazebo is decorated with strands of glittering fairy lights. It was a simple yet elegant look that both Lena and Stef enjoyed.

Once the rest of their guests have taken their seats, the waiters from the resort begin bringing out plates of food. Tonight, their guests had an option of grilled salmon, grilled ribeye, or grilled chicken breast accompanied by a fresh garden salad, a steamed vegetable medley, and oven roasted potatoes. Stef would never tell her new wife this, but the food was more delicious than what even Lena cooked on a regular basis.

After finishing their own dinner, Stef and Lena begin making the rounds, thanking their guests for coming to celebrate their wedding with them.

"It was a lovely ceremony," Timothy tells them with a smile. Lena had been hesitant to invite anyone from Anchor Beach to their wedding, but Timothy was her closest work friend and had been there for her after Stef had been shot.

"Thank you so much for coming," Lena says, giving the English teacher a quick hug.

"You two are gorgeous," Captain Roberts says as Stef and Lena approach her table, where Mike and a few others from the Fifth Precinct are seated. "Such a wonderful wedding too."

"Thank you, Captain." Stef says with a bright smile. It had taken a long time, but Stef was finally comfortable letting those in her professional life see her personal life. She was so proud to show Lena, her wife, off to the world.

"I can't wait to get you two out on the dance floor!" Jenna chuckles and snorts, sipping her glass of champagne.

"You'll have to excuse her. She's definitely taking advantage of the free champagne." Kelly tells the newlyweds, thoroughly embarrassed by her own wife.

"It is very good champagne," Gretchen chimes in, sipping from her own glass.

"Thank you all so much for coming," Stef says as the women all exchange hugs. There was a time when Stef would have been weary about inviting two of Lena's ex-girlfriend to their wedding. But Stef was confident in her relationship with Lena and Lena's love for her. Jenna, Kelly, and Gretchen had proven to be valuable friends.

After dinner is finished, the photographer comes out again as Stef and Lena cut their wedding cake together. Feeling a little silly and devilish, Stef smears a bit of frosting across her new wife's plump lips. In an act of revenge, Lena pulls Stef close to her body and presses sweet, frosting-filled kisses to the blonde's cheek. Lost in each other as they laugh together, neither woman cares about the photographer or the crowd watching them. As slices of vanilla wedding cake with white, American buttercream are passed out to the guests, the DJ begins setting up for the second half of the reception.

"Ladies and gentleman, I'd like to reintroduce you to Mrs. and Mrs. Adams Foster," the DJ announces, gearing up the music for their first dance. Together, Stef and Lena take the center of the dance floor. Stef's heart is beating hard with nerves, but Lena's steady hands on her shoulders makes the blonde woman feel like she could take on the world. As the music starts, the two women begin moving slowly in time with the beat.

Maybe it's intuition

But some things you just don't question

Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant

And there it goes

I think I found my best friend

I know that it might sound

More than a little crazy but I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

Lena knew in her heart that she and Stef had made for each other - by some supreme being that had created the universe and everything in it.

There's just no rhyme or reason

Only the sense of completion

And in your eyes

I see the missing pieces I'm searching for

I think I've found my way home

Stef had never imagined she'd find someone like Lena - someone who made her feel strong and vulnerable at the same time, someone she couldn't live without. She hadn't even really been looking, but somehow this gorgeous, curly haired queen had found her way into Stef's life and through her tough exterior.

I know that it might sound

More than a little crazy but I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

Resting their foreheads against each others', Stef and Lena are lost in each other's eyes, their hearts bursting with the love they feel for one another. In this moment, there is only the two of them in the entire universe.

A thousand angels dance around you

I am complete now that I've found you

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I knew I loved you

I knew I loved you before I met you

I knew I loved you

I knew I loved you before I met you

I knew I loved you before I met you

I knew I loved you

"Once again, I present to you Mrs. and Mrs. Adams Foster!" The DJ exclaims again as the song comes to an end. Their friends and family cheer again, breaking Stef and Lena out of their moment. Stef and Lena remain on the dance floor as a flood of guests join them, some popular pop music playing through the speakers.

"I love you, Mrs. Adams Foster." Stef tells her new wife, gazing lovingly into her chocolate brown eyes.

"I love you, too, Mrs. Adams Foster." Lena replies, pressing her plump lips against Stef's as the music continues around them.

A/N: I do not own the song that Stef and Lena dance to. It's I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hearing from you guys really inspires me to keep writing this story. Coming up, some honeymoon fun!