Should I be focusing on Squadsitting, yes, will I, maybe. Right now this one shot has been in my head so long I might as well charge it rent.
Welcome Dravenites to Toit nups. If you're like me, you absolutely hate what happened in Jake & Amy and want a redo. Well, here it is everyone.
Now as per usual, a bit of backstory, this is AU, meaning I put my own spin on this, naturally I'm putting chaos in, ( can't help it :P).
One more thing, this is a special story to me, for one big reason. As of March this year, I've been an author for 5 years. Therefore, its only natural for me to write a wedding story, since my first one was an admittedly awful pokemon one.
Enjoy!
Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago. To most people, they did not belong together, at all. They were so different; like Orangina and orange soda. But that's what made them work, they were different. They balanced each other out. Amy made Jake think more before he dove into something and he made sure she loosened up a little and had fun, as evident by the newly discovered 8-drink Amy, aka club-going Amy.
The woman who disapproved of their love the most however was Amy's mother Camilla. Jake wasn't right for her daughter. He was sloppy, had an almost single-digit credit score, ate like he was 10 years old and was a man-child. Everything her daughter was not. In Camilla's eyes, Amy should have stayed with Teddy Welles. He was the man for her, he was reliable, dependable and they had the same interests. So what if his favorite phone app was contacts and his favorite color was off-beige? Teddy was smart, driven and sophisticated. Camilla adored him, to the point that Amy was now even less important to her than Teddy was. Unlike Amy, Teddy had graduated top of his class at the police academy, had an SAT score of 1386 unlike Amy's subpar 1796.
That's why when she and Victor found out that he and Amy were to be wed, she had had an absolute freakout. Her daughter was her 4th favorite child, therefore she should be with the fourth best person for her; in this case Teddy Welles. What interest could Jake possibly have in Amy other than to sleep with her and take all her money in a divorce? This engagement was a total mistake, why would her daughter throw away her life to live with an emotionally-stagnating man-child? Had Camilla and Victor not provided for Amy? Had they not sent her to the best schools, given her every opportunity to succeed? Is this how their only daughter was going to repay them, by punishing them with a sub-mediocre son in law and subpar grandchildren?
Jake's family however, were the total opposite to what Amy had to deal with. When Jake told his parents that he and Amy were getting married, they cheered. Karen even conferenced Amy in as she spoke to her will executor about putting Amy in as her 2nd child. The young Latina woman was beyond loved in that household, Roger even claimed he was sure she was his daughter because of a wild night in Havana in the 60s. Still, Amy knew in her heart that if her parents were at her and Jakes' wedding that they would make it a total nightmare for everyone involved. Her mother would definitely cough like she had the plague when the officiant asked if anyone objected to the union.
This led to Amy having to do something she had never thought would ever cross her mind; she didn't invite her mother nor her father to her wedding, nor her brother David. Tony and her other 5 brothers for sure, they weren't judgmental sanctimonious and arrogant like the others. They would show up not because of familial obligation, but because they were genuinely proud of their sister and their newest brother. Amy was the youngest sergeant in her precinct's history, clearly nothing to scoff at whatsoever.
The non-invitation hit Amy hard. She of course wanted her parents at her wedding, but the way they treated poor Jake wasn't ok. They need to know that, even if it meant that her picture went from the piano to the stairs. Jake had seen her tear up multiple times before their wedding, nights went by when Amy would literally cry herself to sleep. Poor Jake couldn't do anything about it, no amount of cheering up worked, he even took her to a table cloth museum and she wouldn't crack a single smile, he hated that. His poor wife not being able to enjoy anything because of her stupid conservative parents. The detective was very tempted to plant black tar heroin in Victor and Camilla's house so they'd go to prison as punishment for the emotional torture they'd inflicted on their daughter and the rest of their children.
-x-
And now-
Whilst the 99th precinct in Brooklyn New York was primarily a place for solving crimes and putting criminals behind bars, Captain Raymond Holt had been able to, through the request from his second favorite detective, turn the bullpen into a wedding venue. Granted he had protested, claiming that Amy and Jake's wedding shouldn't be in an office where police were, but rather somewhere more appropriate like a garden. However, since this was Jake and Amy, the man knuckled under and spent the next week moving all bullpen furniture out of the area to make space for guests. He had also enlisted the help of Mean Marge to clean the floors so well that you could see your entire reflection in it. On either side of the floor, chairs had been set up in the normal tradition of both the bride and groom's families on either side, however since Amy's was significantly smaller than Jake's, his relatives would be on the bridal side as well.
In defiance of normal Jewish law, there would be no chuppah nor would there be a rabbi either. In place of a chuppah was the Halloween heist belt above where they would be standing, the entrance to Holt's office. Holt himself would be officiating, not only was he the father Jake never had, but he was also Amy's idol as well as the best boss they had ever had. It also didn't hurt that they wouldn't be paying for the use of the bullpen and Holt was excellent at emotion, he had even been to 3 separate seminars on it. Holt would also be walking Amy down the aisle since she was sort of a daughter figure to him, not just an employee/mentee.
Serving as Amy's bridesmaids would be her best friend Kylie, Rosa, Gina and Jake's sister Kate who had recently moved from Dallas to New York. Jake's groomsmen would be Charles, Doug, Terry and surprisingly Holt. The first of which would naturally be serving as his best man. Charles had even offered to torch half the city to be Jake's best man, an offer that was quite quickly refused.
In place of rice, the pair had gotten answers from the NY Times crossword to be shredded and used as confetti. Their flowers were to be blue roses, not only because they were cops and blue was the de-facto color of police, but also because of blue's calming tones, showing that the pair felt comfortable around each other.
For music the pair was wanted to go with something classic yet timeless, so naturally they landed on Richard Marx's I will be right here waiting for you. It reminded Jake of how heartbroken he felt when Amy was going out with Teddy and how Amy felt when Jake was with Sophia. But also how complete they felt when they were with each other.
Right now, Jake saw himself standing in front of Holt's office looking out into the crowd. In front of him was his mother happy crying and his father with his arm around her. Even though it hadn't been that long, Jake had begun to trust his estranged father a lot more, seeing this part of his life as his father's redemption arc so to speak. Despite his protests that the pair should just wear their normal outfits of a pant-suit and leather jacket and jeans, Jake was actually quite happy to be in a suit. Four buttons, two exterior pockets and a red pocket square, the detective looked noice to say the least.
To his right was Charles, already bawling his eyes out, next to him, Terry kept handing him tissues and finally Holt, just standing there smirking at his employee before walking away to a separate area.
'' This is it man, the day you've been waiting for'' Terry said giddily.
'' I know, I've wanted these two to get together since I first saw them say hello to each other. Jake, listen to me, get Amy, pregnant. Give the world more you'' Charles answered.
'' Eww. Boyle he was obviously talking to me. And yeah, this is going to be amazing'' Jake commented.
'' Still Jake, remember. Get. Amy. Preg-
'' One more time Boyle and I swear I will put you on Hitchcock-detail'' Terry threatened.
'' Hitchcock detail, what the Hell does that involve?'' Jake asked, genuinely interested.
'' It means if he's overtly sexual one more time, I'm going to make him keep Hitchcock away from the food and any female guest.''
'' Hmm, good idea. So Charles, ready for yours ad Genevieve's wedding?''
'' What wedding? We're common law. Genevieve made it clear. She doesn't want to get married'' Charles responded with sadness in his voice.
'' That's sad man, that's sad. But on the bright side, Terry gets to show off his moves on the dance floor'' Terry said, unsubtly beginning to do the Stanky-Leg.
Soon however, the room went silent as the song was played through nearby strategically placed speakers.
First came Kylie, for once not looking at Jake like he was a monster, but with a smile that looked relatively happy, like she was genuinely happy for the pair.
Next was Rosa, she too had buckled down and was wearing a dress, she was even smiling! As he passed Jake she spoke to him. '' Hey…congrats.''
Jake gasped, for Rosa, that was the equivalent of a bone-crushing hug.
Following Rosa was Gina, she, in true Linetti-style was thanking everyone as she walked down the aisle, completely ignoring everyone's gazes.
Then came Kate, who for once didn't have glass on her, she was just super happy. She finally had a family; a brother and now a sister. She'd eternally be grateful for Jake reaching out. And Jake in turn would be eternally grateful for his dad cutting off his own thumb and being rushed to the ER.
Finally came Amy, even from where he was, Jake could see how amazing she looked. She didn't wear any veil, her dress was a sweetheart neckline with a relatively small skirt, she had chosen to not wear wedding gloves but rather had chosen to wear two simple bangles that Karen had given to her before the wedding.
Sure it had only been two minutes until she reached Jake, but to her, it might as well have been an eternity. She just couldn't wait to be married to him.
As she reached her soon-to-be husband, Captain Holt spoke up as he took his place in front of the pair.
'' I give this woman to this man. Ladies, gentlemen, whatever gender you choose to identify as, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Amelia Camilla Santiago and Jacob Jeffrey Peralta. For the last 5 years, I have been privileged to see you two go from rivals, to best friends, to an engaged couple. When I first arrived at the 99 I was overwhelmed, I often say it was Lieutenant Terrence Jeffords who helped me but he didn't. He made it slightly worse.''
'' Hey!'' Terry objected.
'' Anyway…what helped was seeing a younger version of myself in a detective. A brash, reckless, talented, brazen, disrespectful and headstrong young man. I realized that I could turn him into the ultimate version of himself, Ultiralta if you will.''
'' I absolutely will. 100% I will'' Jake said giddily. '' After this I'm running down to City Hall to get my name changed to that.''
'' No you aren't'' Amy chastised.
Holt turned to her. '' Then there was the ultimate teacher's pet. She contradicted the detective at every turn, she was rational, methodical and lawful, everything he was not. I am not an openly emotional person, however even I saw the spark between them during my first day at the 99. I saw true love, I saw a joy that cannot be described, an eventuality that defies the laws of nature. I saw love.
'' Love itself is a contractual obligation to spend the rest of your life with someone. But, that's just a tiny piece of it. Love sustains you, it never ceases to amaze. It never stops running and will always satiate you. Today Jake and Amy, you become one, a duo of endless love, patience, compassion, joy, sorrow and unity.
Marriage however, is different. It is work, it is accepting your partner for who they are, faults and all. But at its core, it is friendship, it is love, it is the knowing that you will be accepted for who you truly are. From this day on, now and forever more, you will be partners, equals and best friends. I believe you two have written your own vows?''
Charles handed Jake a slip of paper, multiple creases and scratching outs decorated it. Jake felt embarrassment but Amy just felt pure amusement at her partner's genuineness.
'' Screw this'' Jake said, tossing the paper to the side. '' I'm speaking from the heart.
Amy. For most of my life, I knew exactly what I wanted, I wanted to be a cop, to bust bad guys and take names 24/7 365. When I was in my 20s that was fine. I didn't need anything else. Then, one fateful day in 2008, a certain Latina detective shook my hand. Her name was Amelia Camilla Santiago. She was bossy, competitive, driven, work-addicted and never took no for an answer. I didn't know it then, but the second our hands touched, I fell in love with you. Five years ago Charles gave me a pretty good analogy. He asked me why boys pull girl's ponytails on the playground. The answer; because they liked the girls and that was how they knew they could get their attention. And he was right, I acted like I was 5 because I wanted you to notice me. In all honesty, when I first made that bet with you all those years ago, I worked harder not just so I could win, but because I was so sure that it was the only way you would ever go out with me for free.
You're easily the best thing that's ever happened to me. You're more than my wife, you're my best friend. When I'm with you everything's better. Orangina counts as orange soda, food tastes better, Die Hard is more awesome, perps are more fun to catch, the sun's a little brighter, winter's a little warmer, overall, everything is just amazing.
In the eyes of our families and friends, I promise these two things; 1. I cannot promise that I'll always be punctual and tidy. 2. I can however promise to keep you life clean. Of sadness, anger and doubt. I will always be there for you, through the good times and the bad. Through every unsolvable case to every new binder store opening. I'll be there. Not a day has or will, ever go bye without me thanking God for you, for everything about you. Your smile, your mind, your kindness, your beauty and above all, you're quirks. Captain Dad was right when he said this is about accepting each other for who we are. And I accept you Amy Santiago. Your OCD, you're your drive, your motivation, all of it. Its those imperfections that make us who we are, and yours, are exactly what makes you the perfect woman for me.''
Amy teared up, the fact that she had inspired this amazing man before her was amazing. And of course since this was her, she had to kick his ass at the vows. Just like Jake, she tossed aside her paper from Kylie.
'' You know I can't let you win right?'' she said.
'' Yes, I know'' Jake laughed.
'' Good. Jacob Peralta, my life has always been planned out for me. Police academy, beat cop, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and one day commissioner. I thought that's what I needed, all that I needed actually, but I've never been more happy to be wrong in my life. Just like you, that day in 2008 changed me forever. That goofy-grinned man-child became my reason for getting up in the morning. My rival, best frenemy, no one made me feel more alive than you did. I never told you this, but my first date with Teddy, I knew I had made a mistake. Every-time I saw his face I pictured yours. You've always been the one for me, from our first case together to the first time we went out together, I knew we were meant to be together. That weekend during the prisoner transfer, I wasn't scared because I was going to break up with Teddy, I was scared because I had to lie to my best friend. I had to tell you it was because Teddy and I had no spark, in truth it was because I couldn't ignore my feelings for you anymore. I thought playing hard to get with the no cops rule would help, but it didn't. That make-out session in the records room was all the proof I needed that I had made the right decision in choosing you.
Every morning when I wake up I know everything's going to be ok, not because its all been planned out, but because I know I have you by my side. I know every bit of sadness is gone because you're there with me. I know that the dark days are forever gone because of you. You're not just my detective partner, you're my best friend. I've never felt something as amazing as the love I feel when I'm with you. I know that every day is going to be amazing, that every case is solvable, that every criminal's going to go to prison. I won't pretend that I know what the future holds for anyone, but what I do know is that no matter what happens, we'll be together.''
Captain Holt was tearing up at this. '' May I please have the rings?''
Terry dug in his pocket and handed two gold bands to his captain.
'' The wedding ring. A physical symbol of the eternal love and devotion you two will now share. Amy, please accept this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you.''
Jake obeyed as he slid it onto his wife's finger. '' Amy, please accept this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you.''
''Amy, please repeat after me. Jake, please accept this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness towards you. ''
Amy obeyed. '' Jake, please accept this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you.''
'' Jake, do you take Amy to be your lawfully wedded wife?''
'' Hell yeah.''
'' Do promise to love her. To cherish her, respect her as an equal, to be with her in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, come what may 'til death do you part?''
'' I do.''
'' And Amy, do you take Jake to be your lawfully wedded husband?''
'' Absolutely I do.''
'' Do you promise to love him. To cherish him, respect him as an equal, to be with him in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, come what may 'til death do you part?''
'' I do.''
Holt smiled. The most genuine one he had done in years. '' Then by the power vested in me by the state of New York, the city of Brooklyn, you two and my own personal agenda, it is my esteemed honor to pronounce you two, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.''
The pair didn't wait for their boss to finish before they kissed. One that would forever be the most passionate one they had would ever share for years to come.
Not crying. Author's don't cry at their own works, that's tacky. Thanks for reading everybody, its been amazing to have been putting out great works for 5 years so far, and you better bet that I won't stop for a long time.
As usual, stay safe and stay awesome!