Victor could care less about a big party nor the bureaucracy, but he just wants to marry Bonnie. To make it official and have that added security that she'd always be able to get to him in case something happens to him. To have her safe.
Bonnie never really had been open for a small, intimate ceremony so far. She had planned out every little detail with her friends, but Erika's death changed a lot for her. For all of them.
That day, that one moment had shown not only the team, but also their loved ones, that life could be over in the blink of an eye.
Victor had to grapple with guilt, it had been his injury that led to her being shot. The memory makes his throat close up again. Somewhere during his guilt trip and sorrow he had lost touch with his friends. And they seemed to suffer just as much if not more. Chris was devasted.
For a while there he must've overlooked her, and now he was worried beyond belief. He felt helpless in a way. He couldn't very well force her to open up to him, but he could give her an outlet. An option to not beat up strangers in a bar, by being the victim himself. Getting that proverbial beating helped lessen his guilt in his mind, or at least he got the punishment he deserved.
The end of Street's relationship with Molly came as a surprise and then it really wasn't. Erika's death had affected all of them in various ways and for a while Victor tries to tell himself that maybe Street simply did what he did to prevent people hurting over losing him. Some days it even brings a small smile onto his lips thinking that. Street still doesn't seem to have understood that everyone on the team would grieve if something happened to him.
Life moved on and with Luca and Chris leaving for Germany, and Street telling them about his plans to donate part of his liver Tan felt a little weird going to Hicks after a call from Bonnie.
Bonnie had been so excited. There was a cancelation for a courthouse wedding in Pasadena and as luck would have it his savvy fiancé had also found a dream offer for a few weeks on Bali. His stomach is doing somersaults walking into the commander's office. The man had been slightly easier to anger after Hondo had given that interview. And as expected Hicks raises his eyebrows when Victor asks for some vacation time on short notice. But that expression turns into a kind smile after Tan has finished his explanation as to why.
"That's a very good reason for time off, and to be honest with 20 David not exactly in working condition anyway… Enjoy your holiday."
After leaving the office and breathing a huge sigh of relief Victor had texted Bonnie and confirmed everything. Knowing she'd organize the rest and he'd be a married man by end of day made him smile. Nothing could ruin this day.
Almost.
The city of LA always had a trick up its sleeve and with the reappearance of the Dukes it became a dark day. The memory of Erika was back full force and not threw the memorial plaque, which was due to be revealed at the end of the week, not the case. They all wanted to bring those guys to justice. And they did, but as they wrapped up, he realized he wouldn't make it to the courthouse in time.
No way, no how.
Now they still had to go on that trip as an engaged couple, but when Victor walks outside and wants to grab his phone to give Bonnie the bad news, he spots his teammates seemingly waiting for him. Smiling.
Why was Street smirking like that?
The ghurka moves and the sound of the helicopter starting stops him dead in his track. Unconsciously he tilts his head to the left in confusion.
"Come on, move or your wedding is off for real," Street shoves him and Victor stumbles two steps forward.
Luca smiles at him from the pilot's seat "Usually it's the bride that's coming last but well, we'll make an exception for you."
On the short flight he can't stop grinning. He was so grateful that he had this team.
After landing, he looks at himself for a moment. No suit, no formal clothing, even Luca only in a SWAT shirt.
But that was all forgotten when he saw Bonnie waiting for them in her dress.
The rest of the day, the time at the courthouse went by in a flash. With Luca as best man, it was all done within minutes.
They really were officially husband and wife now. Their vacation really couldn't get off to a better start.
Even on the plane the next day, Victor still couldn't believe his luck.
He was married. Bonnie sat next to him and kept playing on her clasped hands. The simple ring kept catching her eye and she had to smile.
She is looking forward to the coming weeks just the two of them. A time in which she could just let her mind wander. But there was one more thing that they had to discuss.
Her parents insisted on something they hadn't really talked about. Bonnie carefully pulls a few sheets of paper out of her bag.
Victor hears the rustling and turns his head to face her. "What do you have there? Prenuptial agreement?" he tries to joke and smiles when Bonnie gives a short laugh and shakes her head.
"No, not exactly. Um, my parents would like to buy us a house," she says quietly, and Victor looks at her with wide eyes.
"But that's a very big gift. We can ..." "Not accept it. I know. But they would only prepare the purchase and we could move after our vacation," Bonnie continues, holding out the papers. "We just have to choose something",
Victor finds it difficult to react quickly or at all. Yes, Bonnie's father is a real estate agent, but they couldn't just pay for a house…
But when he lets his gaze wander over the three little houses on the paper, he immediately notices how good the idea feels. And somehow his thoughts focus on one of the buildings in particular.
"It has the largest garden, and space to run around," Bonnie whispers into his ear while she leans herself over in the seat and folds up the backrest so that she can snuggle up to him better. Victor places a gentle kiss onto her hair.
"Then we made up our minds?" he cannot prevent the questioning tone but when Bonnie beams at him he realizes that it was correct.
He shakes his head slightly. They had just decided within minutes to buy a home. To start a family.
Bonnie and Tan really enjoy their time together. Bonnie had chosen a beautiful resort and they could wake up to the sound of waves softly crashing onto the beach every morning and fall asleep to the same soothing sound in the evening.
A few days before heading home, both of them lie outside on a lounger enjoying the pleasant sea breeze, which breaks the heat a bit when they get an email.
Bonnie's father had organized the house for them and now wanted to know whether he should start moving their stuff too.
The two exchange a look. It would be a dream if they came home and everything was already rearranged, but no they would rather do it themselves.
They reply politely and state that Victor in particular has to take care of some things personally. Especially his lease.
And yet there is this joy in both of them.
"Then we now have two reasons for a party," says Bonnie and turns on her side to look at Victor.
"And enough space for all of our friends," he replies and bends over briefly for a kiss.
The two start organizing as soon as they arrive in LA and after Victor has his roster, they choose a weekend when Luca and Chris are back, and everyone is free. By then, the move should be completely finished, and they should no longer live between boxes and chaos.
A few days later Victor is on call but still wants to bring a large part of boxes and furniture into the new house.
If there is enough time, lay down a mattress in the bedroom and ... his mind drifts off and his gaze wanders through the large glass door to the outside into the garden.
Yes, it can really see them settle down here.
A beep on his phone gets him out of his mind, but luckily, it's not an operation. Just a reminder that he should stop by Street's to make sure he doesn't do something stupid like Luca put it.
But he still has a few plans and that includes hanging up the hammock he found in Bonnie's storage room. That should be a surprise.
After two more loads of material, his shift was almost over, and he wasn't even needed. Experience said, however, that could change in the blink of an eye.
Tan still makes his way to East Hollywood to visit Street and lo and behold, really no call anymore and his friend already had a visitor. He knocks on the door briefly and when he sees Buck he says politely. "Well then Luca can calm down. You have company."
Before he can say goodbye, his phone rings. "Bonnie," he mouths in the direction of Street and Buck and leaves with a wave.
"Already finished with work?" he asks happily.
"Yes, and I'm standing here in a half-empty apartment. Where are all the boxes? Already in the house?" Bonnie sounds incredulous and at the same time enthusiastic.
"I had a quiet day. I'll come and pick you up and we'll drive over there together."
This ends the phone call and Victor is happy to surprise Bonnie right away. On the way to the apartment, he buys a little takeout and a wine so they can toast their move.
Time flies by and before Bonnie and Tan know it, they live in their little house and Luca and Chris are back. Luca then reminds them that they still owe them a party. At least one.
And for both of them it is clear that there will be a combined wedding and housewarming party.
Simply kill two birds with one stone.
The party is set for a Friday evening before a long weekend off duty and even if it starts after shift, in theory, it should be enough for everyone to have a little time to themselves after the shift and then spend a nice evening together with other friends and the families of the two.
Together with Victor, his brother and his wife, Bonnie is busy decorating the garden. She has to smile when she sees the two brothers together so amicably. It was very frosty for a while between the two of them and luckily that had passed in the last few weeks and months.
Jacob rushes out of the garden and Bonnie looks after him, a little confused. After a short time, he comes back with a large box. "I got torches and paper lanterns so that you can see a little something out here."
"Oh, that's a great idea. Thanks." Bonnie hugs her brother-in-law briefly and then counts for the hundredth time whether they really have enough chairs and seating.
Otherwise, she would simply have to order a few chairs from the caterer.
She's a little bit excited. It will be the first time that they will greet everyone as a married couple and also for most of them the first time that they will see the house.
Victor must have read her mind because when he steps up next to Bonnie, he kisses her on the cheek and says, "Don't worry. Everyone will love it."
Two days later the time has come. The shift went a little longer, but Victor said that everyone would still have enough time. And that's how it is. Street and Luca even arrive a bit earlier than expected and Luca takes over the grill.
After a while, Bonnie looks around the garden. She was a little distracted by talking to Annie. "Looks like almost everyone's here," she mumbles softly while her gaze lands on Street, who keeps checking his phone, almost nervously.