Okay, go ahead and yell at me for leaving parts out... and sorry it took so long to update, I was out of the country again! And as usual, I don't own 24. In fact, I'm pretty sure it owns me from time to time.

The wedding was over; the last lingering guest left. Tony's mother, still in wedding attire, pulled a white apron on and set about cleaning up. Kerry and Ellie sat side by side on the steps before getting up to help Tony's mom. Ellie stubbed her toe, her heels abandoned long ago. A few of Tony's brothers, in tuxes with random ties or jackets missing, the top few buttons undone, also pitched in.

Across the yard, Tony and Michelle sat on the bench. Tony's jacket was hung over the back of the bench, and Michelle's shoes sat beside her. Tony's arms were around Michelle as she leaned back into him, and he was whispering in her ear and kissing her hair and neck. "You know," Michelle said, "weddings are kind of like birthdays, I think."

Tony continued to kiss her. "Why do you say that?"

"They're huge events, ones that you always remember, but it doesn't feel any different. When you turned ten, it's not like 'Oh my goodness I feel ten.' We're married now, but I'm still the same person I was when I woke up this morning."

"No you're not- you're Mrs. Almeida."

"But Michelle Elizabeth Dessler- Almeida doesn't feel so much different than Michelle Dessler."

Tony began kissing her neck more and more passionately. "Maybe I can make you feel more... married..."

Michelle giggled. "Tony, stop... not in your backyard..."

Tony stopped. "Chelle?"

"Yeah?"

"You're silly."

"No you're silly."

"No, you're both silly for calling each other silly."

They both looked up. "Mom!" Tony said, slightly surprised.

"Get out of here," the Hispanic woman said in a faux-commanding voice.

"Ma, we'll help you clean up first."

"No! Just go!" Tony couldn't help but smile.

They changed out of their wedding clothes- Kerry had the assignment of taking Michelle's dress back to her apartment before she and Ellie went to the airport- and loaded their suitcases into the back of Tony's car. They made the rounds, hugging and thanking everyone who was left and drove off, not exactly into the sunset, but it sure seemed that way.

They drove to San Diego. It wasn't very far away or exotic, but they didn't care. Their hotel was nice, but they wouldn't have minded if it was a Motel 6. Once they had checked in and gotten their bags up to their fourth floor room, it was 7:30.

"Sweetheart, are you hungry?" Tony said, sliding the key into the lock on the door.

"Not at all. Are you?"

Tony shut the door behind them and pulled her towards him. "Not for food."

Michelle giggled. "Honey, you left the suitcases in the hall."

Tony reluctantly opened the door again, pulled their two black suitcases into the room, and shut the door again.

"Thanks," Michelle said smiling.

Tony didn't reply- he put his arms around Michelle and leaned forward until their lips met. She ran her fingers through his hair, and he picked her up, carrying her to the bed. He sat down on the edge of the bed with Michelle straddling his lap, and broke apart from her for just long enough to say, "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Michelle said, leaning in to kiss him again.

As Tony reached for the hem of her shirt and began to pull in over her head, on thing crossed his mind- this is all exactly right.