Leonard was sitting alone at the round table when Lawrence approached him. He'd already eaten most of the dinner that had been served at the wedding reception, and was mostly just sitting there nursing his glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

"Hello, there, Leonard," Lawrence said. "I hope you're having fun."

"Certainly," Leonard said. "This is quite a party you two decided to throw."

Lawrence frowned lightly at him. "Are you sure?"

Leonard sighed. He didn't mean to be a grump, and he certainly hadn't meant to look like he was one, but this whole environment bothered him. Why did they need something this extravagant? He and Allison had merely had a small reception after their courthouse nuptials, and that had been their first marriage. "It just seems like a lot to me, that's all."

"This is what we wanted, Leonard," Lawrence replied. "That should be enough to make you happy."

"It is," Leonard said. It needed to be, at the very least.

"Then be happy," Lawrence said. "I think you should come and dance."

"Oh," Leonard grumbled. "I haven't danced in…" He snorted lightly. "Since high school."

"Then come dance," Lawrence urged. "You haven't had a dance with the bride yet."

Leonard narrowed his eyes a bit at his father, shook his head, and arose. "Just one," he said.

A slower song began playing just as they reached the dance floor. Leonard didn't know it—he didn't keep up on the latest music trends—but it was soft and sentimental. Lawrence motioned to Jackie and she smiled, coming over to them.

Jackie's gown was a traditional Khmer golden silk wedding dress. The sash at the top wrapped around her twice from her waist to her shoulders, and the ankle-length skirt included various ribbons and other decorations. She looked absolutely stunning in it.

Leonard tilted his head. It was weird to think of Jackie as his stepmother. "Shall we dance, then?" he said.

Jackie laughed a little. "Don't sound so excited, Leonard," she teased.

Leonard put his hand out for her to take, putting on a false smile. He wasn't going to complain to her.

They began to dance as the lyrics sounded throughout the room.

"And when we find our way, we'll know

That nothing takes the place of love

And love will always guide us through

And we have nowhere else to go."

Leonard nearly laughed. What soppy, pointless lyrics! But they were perfect for playing at a wedding. "Dad's completely packed," he decided to share then. "The moving men are coming at eight in the morning tomorrow. I hope that's not too early for me, after all this."

"All this?" Jackie replied, teasing. "Why, I was pointedly trying to keep things simple."

"Ah," Leonard replied. "Well…I haven't attended many weddings. This one seemed quite lavish to me."

"Well, it isn't," Jackie said. "I know what you mean, though. Based on what I know of you. You are used to putting your money where your business affairs lie, rather than in personal affairs."

"I…suppose," Leonard said. "I don't mean to be…" He sighed. "I suppose I'm being something of a stick-in-the-mud, Jackie. I'm sorry."

"It takes all kinds, you know," Jackie said. "We had you in mind when we decided to keep it as simple as we did."

"You did?" he said.

"Oh, yes," Jackie said. "In fact, I believe Valerie was pushing for something much more elaborate, but Lawrence thought you'd dislike it."

Leonard continued to sway with Jackie without responding. He had been rendered speechless.

"I appreciate that the things that have happened to you, the things from your past, are precious to you," Jackie said. "It's just that I tend to be much less sentimental. That's just a function of who I am."

Leonard nodded. "I understand," he said slowly. There was something about the way Jackie perceived other people that could be unnerving. She'd gotten right to the heart of what was bothering him, and yet didn't shame him for it. "I'm glad you are happy with my father. I don't mean to seem like I'm resenting you for being with him."

"I'm glad to hear that," she said, and the song ended, and she released him.

"Leonard," said his father, and he turned. Lawrence was standing just nearby, holding Valerie's hand aloft in the air. "Another dance partner."

Valerie moved toward him, still in her bridesmaid dress, a design that was somewhat shorter than Jackie's wedding gown. Father and daughter looked at each other for a long moment.

The music sped up as a new song began.

Valerie smiled and began to move to the music. "I know this one," she remarked. "You dance like this to it."

Leonard smiled slightly and began to move as well. This was not a couples' song, like the previous one. That made him feel a bit more comfortable. "How long is your leave?" he questioned. Valerie had arrived only a couple days prior.

"A week," she said.

"Ah, that's too bad," he remarked. "I'll be leaving Earth soon, you know."

"I know," she said.

"Perhaps we should do something toward the end of the week," he said. "Before you go."

"Sure," she said.

"Good," he said. A long silence reigned between them as they continued to dance.

"I heard you wanted a big fancy shindig for this wedding," he said.

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter," she said. "They were right. It's both of their second marriages. Something bigger wouldn't have been right."

Leonard hummed in response. "I hope you are enjoying yourself, regardless."

"Of course I am, Dad," she said.

"Ah, good," he said.

There were another few moments of awkward silence as they danced before the song ended. Leonard reached out to clasp one of her hands in both of his. "I'm glad you're happy."

Valerie gave him a strange look. "I told you it wasn't that big a deal."

"I'm not talking about the wedding," he said.

She gently withdrew her hand. "Yes. I'm happy."

"Good," he said. "I'm going back to the table to finish my wine."

"Fine," she said. Then a pause, and: "Are you asking me to join you?"

"Sort of," he said.

She sighed. "Later. I'm dancing."

"Okay." He took his leave of her and went back to the table. He had to flag down another server to bring another glass of wine, as the one he'd been enjoying before had been cleared, but soon enough he was halfway into it, brooding.

This time it was Jackie's daughter, Ashley, who approached, wearing a dress similar to Valerie's. "I heard you're being a sourpuss over here."

Leonard snorted. "Are people talking about me, then?"

"Only Mom." She reached out a hand. "Come on, don't waste all that drunkenness on being sad. Have some fun!"

"I'm hardly drunk," he scoffed. "I've only had a couple of glasses of wine."

"The point is, don't be a wet blanket," she urged. "Come on over here. Things are winding down and you don't want to miss Larry and Mom leaving for their honeymoon."

Leonard sighed and arose. "I certainly don't," he said.

"So dance with me," Ash said. "Mom's going to be tossing the bouquet after this song."

Leonard sighed and let her lead him back to the dance floor. "You're very good at coercion," he told her.

Ash grinned. "I ought to put that on my resume," she said. "'Excels at coercion, intimidation, and persuasion tactics. Knows how to party. Is just here for a good time and makes sure everyone else is too.' You'll be my reference for that, right?"

Leonard smiled now, shaking his head. "Of course I would."

"Good thing," she said. "I wouldn't want to have to coerce you into that, too."

Leonard laughed.

The DJ dropped the volume of the music, switching to something with a driving beat. "We're preparing for the bouquet toss now," he announced. "Ms. Chamrouen is going to stand here on the stage for this," he added, waving her up the steps. "All the eligible people can come stand in front of the stage to see who will be the next to be wed!"

There was applause, and people began to filter forward.

"Come on, now," Ash urged him, taking his hand and pulling him toward the stage.

"What?" he said, rather sharply.

"You want to see me catch it, right?" she said with a grin. "Come on."

"I'll stay right here," he said when they reached the edge of the stage. She moved forward alone then, and the DJ counted down from three. Jackie tossed the bouquet blindly over her shoulder.

"Oh my gosh!" shrieked Ash, straining to reach for the bouquet. But it was caught by someone standing two people down from her. Everyone cheered the person who caught it, and it was held aloft for a few moments before the DJ began to speak again.

"It's time for one last dance," he said. "For this dance, we ask that you dance with someone you just met tonight."

"Ugh," Leonard said.

"It's fine," Ash said, returning and taking his hands. "We can dance. We haven't talked in a long time."

"I suppose that's true," he said.

The two began to dance, as the lights were turned down just a bit and the disco balls were set spinning. Leonard couldn't help it. He chuckled. "Thank you for helping me," he said. "You were right. I needed to have some fun."

"I know that," Ash replied. "There's a time for work and a time for fun."

Ah, so she'd assumed his head was at work. That was fine. "I do have a tendency to forget to leave work behind," he admitted. It was true, just not on this occasion.

"Again, that's something I know," she teased. "Tomorrow you can be about work. Tonight is about fun."

"All right," he conceded.

"You know what?" she said. "My mom doesn't tell me about stuff going on in your business anymore. Apparently you warned her not to."

"I did," he said. "We are government contractors."

"Anyway," she said. "I hear you're leaving Earth, but not why."

He let out a little hum. "You know what? If everything goes as I hope it'll go there, you'll be one of the first to know about it."

"I will?" she said. "Why's that?"

"You're one of the best in your field, are you not?" he said. "Those are the kind of people I will need in my new organization."

Ash's eyebrows went up and seemed to consider this for a moment. "I really didn't intend to leave the military—"

"Don't worry about that," he said. She seemed about to question him, but the song ended then and the voice of the DJ boomed out.

"Time to take your bubbles and go outside!" he announced. Leonard had placed the bottle in his pocket; he went ahead and meandered outside.

"Over here, Dad!"

It was dark, and it took a moment to spot her, but Leonard gave a gentle smile and joined Valerie where she stood. In their position, they'd be a few of the last people the couple would see as they left.

The two of them did not talk much as they stood there. Everyone was waiting with baited breath as the couple inside changed to leave for their honeymoon. Soon enough, they emerged, and everyone began to cheer and blow bubbles at them.

Jackie and Lawrence seemed to be eating the attention up. They grinned and waved as they moved down the sidewalk at a quick pace, and then got to Lawrence's car. They turned to wave goodbye—and then Lawrence reached in to gather Jackie to his chest and give her a kiss.

Everyone cheered all the more loudly, and then the two got into the car and were gone.

Leonard put away the bubble wand and let his shoulders sag.

"Dad?"

He turned his head. Valerie was still beside him. "Yes?"

She paused, then shook her head. "Let's go."

"That's fine." They moved to his car and climbed in.

The drive home was mainly in silence. Leonard decided to speak up as they were pulling into the driveway. "It's going to be strange, living here alone."

"It's not going to be for long, though," Valerie pointed out.

"No…that's true. It's still going to be strange."

"You going to move to the downstairs bedroom?" she asked. "It'd be nice to have an en suite bathroom. Even if it's only for a few weeks."

"No," he said. "I don't think so."

"Well…suit yourself." She got out of the car when it stopped.

Leonard climbed out as well. His mind was now busy pondering many things: the fact that the three were going to be separated now by many miles; the fact that this house was shortly going to be sold; the fact that his daughter was now an independent adult.

"Valerie?" he said as they were entering the house.

"Hm?" she said, putting down her purse and taking off her coat.

"I—" He paused for a long moment. "I'm proud of you. And I think it's important for me to say that right now."

"Well…" She looked slightly off to the side. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." He wandered into the kitchen and turned up the lights. "I'm going to have a nightcap, if you'd like to join me."

"No," she said. "But thanks for offering."

"Certainly," he said, and waited for her to go up the stairs, and once she was in her room, he made his own way up and headed to bed.