"In real life, shouldn't a wedding be an awesome party you throw with your great pal, in the presence of a bunch of your other friends? A great day, for sure, but not the beginning and certainly not the end of your friendship with a person you can't wait to talk about gardening with for the next forty years."
-Mindy Kaling, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Derek squeezed Emily's hand as they stood there, turning to face the justice of the peace. She gave them a gentle smile before starting.
"Good afternoon. Derek, Emily and I would like to welcome everyone on this gorgeous day. It's because of all of you—because of this strong community—Derek and Emily'ss relationship has strengthened and grown and led them to this very moment. Thank you for being here, now let's begin.
Derek and Emily, what you've accomplished here today is no small feat. Your journey began way before you sent out the invitations, chose this beautiful venue or even decided to spend the rest of your lives together.
Your journey began the moment you first met. You took the time to learn what makes the other person smile, what makes them laugh and how to best support them when life is less than simple. You welcomed each other's families, communities and lifelong friends, and joined them together with warmth and enthusiasm. You built a new village with your love, and have worked every day to support this village as it changes and grows.
Marriages bring hard days, just as they bring beautiful ones. This day is a reminder of what your love has already accomplished, and the amazing possibilities of what it can continue to accomplish and overcome in the many, many years ahead of you.
Now I understand that you two have written your own vows? Derek, if you would like to please start."
Swallowing hard, Derek let go of Emily's hand and pulled his vows out of his pocket, unfolding them gently. His voice wavered as he spoke. "Emily Prentiss, what can I say about you?" He started, his eyes meeting hers. "When you first came into my life, you made me smile with your dorky rambles and made me relax with our mutual appreciation of Vonnegut. Soon, before I knew it, I had fallen head over heels in love with you, but we were both too stupid to realise it." He exhaled softly and gave her a small smile, the crowd disappearing. "Then I lost you. I lost you before I could truly say how I felt about you. I was given a second chance and I don't want to waste it. You are the reason I get up in the morning, you are the reason I am who I am. Emily, you are the reason I want to be a better man. I promise you that for the rest of our lives, I will honour, cherish, and respect you until the day I die." He leaned forward to kiss her when he heard the justice of the peace cough and laugh softly. The crowd giggled and Derek exhaled audibly.
"Not so fast, Derek. Now it's Emily's turn."
JJ handed Emily a piece of paper and took her bouquet. Her hands shook and Emily closed her eyes and took a second to calm herself. "I always thought I was unworthy of love." She started softly. "I had accepted the fact that I was going to be alone when you bulldozed your way into my life. No matter how many times I pushed you away, you kept coming back and forced your way into my life. It wasn't love at first sight, and it took us even longer to realise that what we had was true love. You, Derek Morgan, are a piece of my soul. You're my true love. You're the person I want to wake up next to, and fall asleep next to. I want to start a family with you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you." A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away softly as not to smear her makeup. "You're the other half of my whole."
The justice of the peace grinned and nodded. "Emily and Derek, do you take one another as partners, from this day forward as husband and wife? Please yell a hearty "We do!"
Derek and Emily exchanged glances and yelled "We do!" together.
Turning to the crowd, the justice of the peace spoke again. "And to everyone here, do you promise to stand by this couple, to remind them of their vows, and to act as an example of love and family? Please yell a hearty "we do!"
The backyard was filled with the yells of their friends and family.
Looking down at Henry, she gave the boy a gentle smile. "Young sir, could I get the ring box?" Henry walked forward and gave her the small box. "Derek and Emily have chosen these rings to represent the unbreakable circle of life and love. Emily, please place the ring on Derek's finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring to remind you of the day when we, in front of our closest friends and family, vowed that our love can overcome all things and that our love unites, inspires, and celebrates and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives."
Sliding the ring on Derek's finger, the simple white gold band, Emily repeated the words the justice of the peace had said. They knew that at work they would wear replacement rings - silicone ones that couldn't be broken or used against them - but these were the ones that they would wear every other time.
"Now Derek, please pace the ring on Emily's finger and repeat after me." She repeated the same words and Derek took Emily's slight hand and slid the ring on. They gave each other bright smiles. The justice of the peace smiled and raised her arms.
"Derek and Emily, it is with such joy that I now send you into the world to spread the beautiful light that you share with those around you. By the power vested in me, I now, for the first time, pronounce you man and wife. Derek, now's your chance, you can kiss your bride."
One hand on her cheek, the other wrapped around her waist, Derek kissed her deeply. The whoops and hollers disappeared as they kissed and they finally parted, Emily pink-cheeked and breathless.
"Everyone, please welcome for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Derek and Emily Morgan!"
Their cheeks hurt from smiling so much as they stood in front of the photographer surrounded by their friends and family. For Emily it felt like a dream, a fairytale. His arm wrapped around her waist and smiled down at her, lips pressing against the crown of her head. Once the pictures were all taken they headed into the back yard. Things were kept simple, easy, low key. The wedding itself was small so there was no reason to have introductions or a master of ceremonies. They mingled and chatted until the caterers said they were ready.
There was no head table, just the tables set in a circle. Their hands stayed laced together under the table as they ate, their chairs so close their thighs were touching. They kissed when people tapped their glasses, finally choosing to just kiss whenever they wanted, much to Penelope's argument that they were breaking tradition.
The sun was setting, the fairy lights that hung in the gazebo that held the dance floor started to flicker on. Dave got to his feet and motioned to Emily and Derek. "I think that it is time for our new couple to have their first dance." They had decided to forgo the other traditional dances, but they knew they wanted to keep their first dance together.
Walking out onto the dance floor, Derek wrapped his arms around Emily, her hands looped around his neck. The strains of Perfect by Ed Sheeran started and he gave her a soft smile. The music flowed softly and he pressed his forehead against hers. "I love you." He whispered softly. "I love you so much."
Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets
"I love you too." She whispered, their bodies moving together. "Husband." She added, a teasing smile on her face. "Seems kind of surreal."
"You're my wife, Emily Morgan." Derek said, his face lighting up into an ear to ear grin. "You are my wife. For better or for worse for the rest of our lives."
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
No, I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight
The song slowly came to an end, their lips meeting again softly before the dance floor was flooded with their friends and family. There was no splitting apart, no separating during the evening. Even when they danced with other people, they were close enough to exchange blushing and loaded glances.
Emily finally stepped off the dance floor and grabbed herself a glass of champagne, just standing off to the side and taking in the scene before her. She had been to weddings before, hell, she had been to weddings in this exact place before. But this was her wedding, their wedding. She wasn't a girl that grew up dreaming of her perfect wedding, and for a while there, she was positive that she would be dead by the time she was 35. Hell, she was dead.
"How're you doing, beautiful?" JJ asked, coming up beside her best friend and squeezing her forearm. "Everything you imagined your wedding to be?"
A grin crossed Emily's face and she shrugged. "Honestly, Jayje, as long as Derek Morgan is the man that I am marrying, it wouldn't matter where and when it took place." She admitted.
JJ pretended to gag and leaned against Emily. "You two are so disgustingly cute." They watched as everyone danced, Derek looking their way, his eyes calling to Emily before he sauntered over.
"How's my Princess?" Derek hummed, wrapping his arm around her slender hips.
"Well look at Mr. Caveman, claiming his woman as yours." Emily teased, leaning up and pressing a kiss on his jawline. "I'm doing great, how about you?"
Pressing his lips against her hair, he sighed softly. "I'm perfect because I married my best friend, my lover, my future."
A tear rolled down her cheek and she softly slapped his midsection. "Don't make me cry, you big jerk." She said, wiping the tear off her cheek. "Let's go back and dance."
The night rolled on and soon fewer and fewer people were left on the dance floor. The DJ had started to pack up, Emily and Derek still dancing under the lights. "Should I...tell them that things are closing up?" The DJ asked Rossi who was leaning against one of the poles, watching them silently.
"Nah, let them dance." He said, sipping his scotch.
Soon it was just them and them alone, dancing to music that could only be heard in their hearts and souls.