{ACK!! I've got the best idea!! I'm gonna have 2 more parts, well, one after thisit's gonna blow you away! Haha, I hope. J Anyway, thank you guys SO MUCH for your reviews, seriously, it's means the world to me to know that I have an ounce of talent. KEEP REVIEWING!!
I don't own the characters; I'm just borrowing them. The song in the fic is "Always on my Mind" by Elvis Presley.]
As the chords of the traditional wedding song filled the hall, the bride began to walk down the aisle of the hall. 5 year old Carson watched from his spot at the altar as the light reflected off her brown hair and she smiled at the man she was about to marry.
When she reached him, the judge began to go through the act of marrying them. Bored, he started for a seat, but Cordelia grabbed the back of his shirt.
"You have to stay here," she said quietly, "you're the ring bearer, they need those rings."
"But mom-"
"It'll just be a few more minutes," she said, tightening the grip on his shirt collar, and watching as two of her best friends exchanged their vows. Soon Carson gave them the rings and ran to an empty seat. The people in the hall laughed and he slumped down in his seat.
From behind Wesley, Cordelia could see Angel watching her. She had noticed this a lot recently, but had been to busy with wedding preparations to say anything.
She was startled out of her thoughts by the piano playing again and Wesley and Fred began to walk back down the aisle. Cordelia smiled as she watched him, but at the same time, tears began to fill her eyes. They were lucky they had found each other.
The reception was almost as beautiful; they had decorated the Hyperion and set up a stage where Lorne was to sing. Members of both families filled the lobby, all informed that what Lorne was wearing was simply a costume that was an inside joke.
Cordelia sat at one of the tables that had been set up, watching as the newly-weds began their first dance. A shadow fell over her and she looked up into Angel's face.
"How are you?" he asked, "you've been quiet all night."
Cordelia shrugged. "I always get a little sad at weddings, you know, the reminder that I'm alone is kind of upsetting."
There was a pause and Angel shifted his weight nervously, "do you want to dance?" Cordelia shrugged and stood up.
Angel took her in his arms and she rested her head on his shoulder as Lorne's voice echoed through the Hyperion.
"Maybe I didn't treat you, quite as good as I should have
Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could have.
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time"
"I like this song," said Cordelia softly, "it's so sweet." Angel nodded, trying to etch every detail into his mind, the lights of the room, the smell of Cordelia's hair, the feeling of someone tugging on his pant leg.
He looked down to see Carson staring up at them. Cordelia smiled and lifted him up.
"Do you wanna dance with me?" she asked him and he nodded, leaning his head on her shoulders and closing his eyes. Cordelia looked up at Angel who was watching her.
"I'll put him to bed. He's had a long day," she shifted his weight a bit, and went upstairs.
Angel sat down in her seat and watched the couples on the dance floor. He wanted to tell Cordelia how he felt, but he could never find the right moment. Every time it seemed right, something would happen and he wouldn't do it. Maybe it was fate, he thought, telling him to back off.
He was startled out of his thoughts by the girl that was on his mind. She sat down in the chair beside him, her pale blue dress contrasting against her dark hair that was set in tight curls.
Cordelia looked at Angel out of the corner of her eye. In the 11 years she had known him, she had never seen him dressed up like this, in a real suit instead of his duster and black v-neck shit. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but in the suit he looked different, more distinguished.
Angel took a deep breath, deciding he was going to do it. He was going to tell her he loved her right now.
"Cordelia!" Fred came running over, throwing her arms around her best friend, "isn't everything amazing? You really did a good job, thank you so much!"
"It was nothing," said Cordelia, smiling, "don't you and Wesley have a honeymoon to get to?"
Fred turned pink around her ears, but grinned, "yeah, that's why I came over, to say goodbye." She gave Cordelia another hug and then gave one to Angel. "Say bye to Carson too, ok? See you in two weeks!" She turned and walked quickly to Wesley who was waiting by the door of the Hyperion for her.
"Speaking of leaving, I'm gonna turn in," Cordelia said, standing up. Angel stood up, his mind racing.
"Wait, Cordelia," she turned, and looked at him confused. She had never heard him sound so desperate unless someone was in danger. Angel searched for the words.
"Is everything ok?" Cordelia asked.
"Yeah, I justyou look really pretty tonight. I just wanted to tell you that." Cordelia blushed just a little, but enough for Angel to notice.
"You look nice too," she gave him a kiss on the cheek, "I'll see you tomorrow." With that, she retreated up the steps to her room.
