A/N: Sorry it's so super long, I got carried away. I, finally, present to you: A Barson Wedding!
Even at 2:00 AM their driver still has to parse traffic. It goes mostly unnoticed by either passenger as they rest their eyes, collapsed against one another. Deliriously happy, but totally appropriately, grins adorn their faces resting between blushing cheeks. No one speaks for the whole car ride. The driver had simply greeted his customers once they were in place in the backseat of his car, and bids them a good night as they leave. The sentiment is returned then Olivia and Rafael wander their way back up the stairs to their apartment.
The alcohol running through their blood is giving off a pleasant warmth to each body and they feel light and dizzy with it. But in the best way. Once the door is closed and locked behind them Rafael pulls Olivia back into his body and rocks her, hips moving in a slow soothing motion. Stepping forward himself Rafa pushes Liv along with him, further into their home stopping in the living room.
"I wanna dance with you," he tells her, making sure to keep his voice low to ease them from the silence they'd been sharing.
Nodding Olivia folds herself into him so they are pressed fully together. At his neck, where her breath tickles him, she makes a request, "sing to me?"
Raf chuckles and steps back just a couple of inches for easy access to his phone, "I'll sing along, okay?" If she prefers just him he'll do it, but he wants the beat of the music and the notes of the instruments to surround them as well.
She simply nods again.
Raf hadn't been sure exactly what he had wanted to play for her, he knows that there are plenty of emotions that he could use songs to convey but, for now, he wants the mood light, excited. Smiling as he stops thumbing through his Spotify song list Rafael finds just the song he is looking for and taps it to play.
Olivia is met with the sound of bells and both Rafa and The Dixie Cups singing to her. There is nothing that she could do to stop a bright smile from forming on her lips. Liv burrows into Rafa's neck, her ear so close to his mouth that he doesn't need to sing very loudly for it to be all she hears.
"Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married.
Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married.
Gee I really love you
And we're gonna get married
Going to the chapel, of love." Each breath of Rafael's blows evenly through Olivia's hair as the lyrics melt into her soul.
He sways them slowly and moves his hands up and down Liv's torso as he does. Rafael feels truly happy in this moment. He knows Liv feels the same and it is confirmed when she presses a short kiss to his neck before pulling her head back so she can look at him. The song ends quickly and Rafa stops his music, without looking so he doesn't break eye contact with Olivia.
Each of them is content in this moment, with no rush to be anywhere but here. That is until one of them shifts and their hips brush against each other and the slow easy mood breaks as they both move in for a kiss. It starts modestly, lips on lips, but moves rapidly deeper and suddenly Rafael's tongue is in Liv's mouth swiping at the roof of her mouth. Moaning at the sensation Liv steps further into Raf while digging her nails into his scalp and tugging at his hair.
Gliding his hands lower Raf palms Liv's ass before letting one of his hands roam lower to the back of her thigh. With a gentle pressure exerted by his fingertips Rafael has Olivia wrapping a leg around his waist. It's a perfect move because it brings his hardening erection to the warmth of Liv's center, pressing against her jeans, the seam applying pressure in the nicest way. Gasping into his mouth Liv refuses to break the kiss, merely rocks her hips into his, grinding into him.
Wrenching himself from the kiss Rafa takes in the sight of Olivia. Her lips are pink and swollen, eyes alert with desire, and a heaving chest. She is astonishingly beautiful.
Liv must be a mind reader as well, she opens her mouth and tells Rafael, "you have never looked more beautiful than you do right now."
The comment makes Rafael chuckle and pull Liv into a hug. At the change in position though Rafa's arousal comes flooding back, his erection is trapped between them and he propels the pair of them forward.
"I'm ready to claim my prize now, mi amor." Rafael is practically growling as he ushers Olivia back to the master bedroom.
As soon as they cross the threshold of the bedroom the clothing they are wearing is being tugged at. Luckily both Rafa and Liv had gone for simple outfits for the night. Raf in trousers and a button down without the extra flare of a tie, vest or suspenders. Liv has on black jeans and a cute blouse. Outfits are easily discarded and they are down to their underwear.
Groaning at the sensation of his skin being pressed so tightly to hers Rafael steps back to view Olivia, nearly naked, "you are gorgeous. Lay down for me?"
Bringing her hands behind her back Liv unclips her bra and discards it before submitting to Raf's request. Kneeling on the bed she then crawls into the center of the mattress, laying herself down on her back Liv waits for Rafael to make his move.
It doesn't come quickly, Rafa seems to want to take his time viewing Liv's body. Her nipples are hardened from meeting the air and her arousal, and Rafael's mouth waters a bit thinking of sucking and nibbling them. His sight is then set to the mound of her sex, still covered by her panties for the moment. By this time his erection is rock hard, and bobs in his pants when he finally, mercifully, climbs his way to Olivia.
Going up the length of her body, not quite touching, Rafael draws a noise of frustration from Liv's tightly sealed lips, as she attempts to reign her arousal in. Her hips take the initiative to raise from the mattress and brush Rafael's pelvis, her throbbing sex meeting the head of his erection. It causes Raf to hiss through closed teeth.
Upon finally reaching Liv's face when he is done with his journey up her body he captures her mouth in a desperate kiss. Tongues instantly meeting with each other. Leaning all his weight on one arm Rafa slides a hand to tickle along Liv's rib cage before cupping her breast, and finally, pinching her nipple.
The sensation spurs Liv to nip at Rafa's lips and grind her hips to his once again. She is gasping into his mouth with pleasure whenever he allows her mouth any sort of reprieve.
Lifting his face Rafael meet Liv's eyes, the desire shining there matching his own, he's sure of it. A final chaste kiss to her lips, then his hot mouth is pulling at the nipple his fingers aren't paying attention to. Raf sucks the pebbled bud between his lips, tongue swirling it while his thumb and forefinger pinch and pull at its twin. Liv mewls softly at the attention, writhing when he switches positions between his mouth and hand. He takes his time here, torturing Liv to a point of such frustration and want that she takes to humping at his thigh to look to gain some friction.
Moving on at his own pace Rafael lays kisses across her stomach to her hip bones. At the notch of Liv's left hip Raf bites and sucks until he has her marked just as he wants her.
Drawing out her torture Rafa skips her center to nip and kiss her inner thighs until Liv seems like she might simply take matters into her own hands, quite literally. Finally his face, his mouth, is where Olivia has been pleading for it to be and is giving her relief.
It takes only moments for Liv's body to seize in ecstasy, Rafa doesn't relent, however, bringing his fingers to her opening and pushes them inside her. Olivia has barely come down from her high when Rafa does this, her body staying tense, her walls clamping around his fingers. Not much needs to happen for Olivia's second orgasm of the night to rock through her, Rafael swallowing it all down.
Working her down from her high Rafael gently pulls his fingers back and allows Liv to breathe while he sucks the digits clean.
She looks beautiful laying, splayed out before him, sweating and blissed out. Rafa can't stand to hold his own pleasure back any longer and quickly shucks his boxer shorts and leverages his body over hers.
Liv looks at Rafael as he is hovering back over her again. It is clear he has drawn satisfaction from the pleasure he drew from her body, the pupils of his eyes so wide and hungry looking. Olivia brings him into a sloppy kiss as she feels his hand brushing over her thigh to position himself at the entrance of her body. Once lined up Rafa pulls away from the kiss to hold eye contact, pushing into her steadily until he is fully sheathed in the warm, slick walls of her body.
Their pace is slow, languid, and their moans quiet. Each breath and gasp pulled from either lovers throat is quickly swallowed up in the air between them. Olivia is shaking with the feeling, wrapping herself around Rafael. Her arms are hugged around his back, beneath his arms, and her fingernails surely leaving half moon indents in the skin under them. One leg is hooked over his hip and the other around his thigh. She is biting at his chest now, needing an outlet for all she is feeling. Liv marks Raf like he has marked her, this she places on his right pectoral and Raf growls at the sting of it.
With a snarl Rafa's thrusts become rougher, skin slapping together louder.
Whimpering with total submission and want Liv begs him, "faster, please."
Groaning Raf dips his head to hers to take her mouth again and speeds his thrusts. Things are becoming frantic as they both near their orgasms. Not long after Rafael has increased the pace of things Liv's body seems to levitate as every muscle tenses and she is at her peak, moaning Rafael's name over and over.
As Olivia's body tenses around his own Rafael knows he isn't far from his orgasm. A few harsh, shallow thrusts later and Rafa is following Olivia into oblivion.
The fog of pleasure clears from Rafael's vision and reluctantly he withdraws from Liv's body, hearing a whimper from beneath him. As a sign of forgiveness Raf brushes a chaste kiss to the corner of Liv's mouth.
The pair of them lay on their sides facing each other, without contact, for just a moment before Olivia slides back into Rafa's embrace. The sweat covering their bodies fuses them back together, stomach to stomach. Liv settles herself with her face buried in Rafa's neck, breathing in the smell of cologne, sweat, and sex against his skin. She presses small kisses to the skin she has the easiest access to and she feels him shiver.
Liv takes mercy on them both, she stands, pulls the blanket from the floor, where it ended up during their activities and throws it over Rafael before she makes her way to the bathroom so she can happily drift off to sleep with the love of her life.
Climbing back in Liv nestles into Rafa again, her front molding along his side, leg thrown over his. Nuzzling her nose to his cheek they both chuckle at the ticklish feeling it shoots through them both. Rafa has an arm curled under Liv's body and is stroking her back, soothing her into sleep.
In her last moments of consciousness Liv smiles and whispers to Rafael, "we're getting married tomorrow."
Raf sighs into her hair and mumbles his reply, "mi esposa." (my wife)
Saturday saw the little Benson-Barba family making some final preparations and last checks to ensure they had everything for tomorrow and it all goes smoothly. Sitting around the dinner table are Lucia, Noah, Rafa, and Olivia. They are enjoying having a simple home cooked meal and trying to relax.
There is an undercurrent of anxiety amongst them, but in the best way, anxious to get to tomorrow and celebrate the love that is shared between them. Noah almost vibrates with it.
The conversation is flowing steadily throughout the meal when Liv works up the courage to voice a question that's been on her mind for a while now.
During a brief bout of silence Olivia cuts in, "Lucia?" She questions, eyebrows pinched tight together, "can I ask you for a favor?"
Each family member continues to eat, thinking nothing of Olivia's request.
"Claro mija. ¿Que puedo hacer por ti?" Lucia answers easily, always willing to help her family. (Of course, what can I do for you?)
When the response doesn't come Lucia and Rafa look up, beginning to suspect this will be more than an offhand favor.
"¿Mi amor?" Rafael questions softly as he looks up at her, seeing her staring somewhere in the distance, "¿te encuentra bien?" (My love… are you alright?)
Shaking her head Olivia clears her mind of the broken memories that had caught her inside themselves. A tiny, but genuine, smile lifts the corners of her mouth meeting Rafa's gaze with her own.
Turning to Lucia, who has now focused her full attention to the woman she views as a daughter, Liv speaks again, "well, I was thinking-" she cuts herself off to clear her throat. "You're the only parent that Rafa and I have between us, and I know it's tradition for the bride's father to do this," she shrugs a shoulder and continues to babble, "but that was never going to happen, and I was thinking you could walk me down the aisle? Maybe? If you don't want to that's fine, I get it."
Olivia is practically out of breath when she finishes her rambling question. She hadn't realized just how nervous she felt about the answer until this moment. Lucia holds off on answering, hoping Liv will look at her. When a few beats pass and Olivia is still looking at her plate Lucia reaches a hand out to lay atop Liv's.
"Mirame," Lucia requests, Liv aquieses. "Beside the fact that Rafi is getting married to the perfect woman for him, I don't think anything could make me happier tomorrow." (Look at me.)
Blowing out a breath Liv turns her hand up beneath Lucia's to cup them together. All she can do is smile back at her, what she is feeling seems too big for words.
At Noah's bedtime things proceed as normal, until they get to story time and Rafael makes a final attempt to offer this, "Liv are you sure don't want Noah and I to have a sleepover?" His right eyebrow is angled at a very steep incline as he checks with her again.
"Rafa don't be silly, besides neither of us will get a good night's rest without the other one there. It just makes more sense for you to stay in our bed." Liv makes it clear this is the final point that will be made here, regardless of how cute Noah looks pouting about it.
Finishing off bedtime Rafa and Liv settle into Noah's bed to continue with the Harry Potter series, now on the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It takes two chapters for Noah to fall asleep, energized as he is with the excitement of tomorrow.
Sneaking from their son's room, after placing a final kiss to each cheek, Rafa slips his hand into Liv's and pulls her along to the living room so they can cuddle on the couch for a bit. Liv follows willingly behind him. Although she collides with his backside when he stops abruptly upon entering the living room. There is no time to question his actions, however, as he spins on his heel and takes her into his arms. Squeezing around her shoulders Rafa has Liv in a tight embrace, breathing her in.
He mumbles into her hair, "my last night as a free man, what do you think mi amor? Is this a good way to spend it?"
Laughing at him, which ends up more as puffs of hot breath into Raf's chest, Liv swats at his side but keeps her hand at his ribs, where it lands. The way she has been pulled into the hug has Olivia at height disadvantage so she has to crane her neck to look up at Rafael.
"Let me think, having a nice family dinner, putting our son to bed, and being so close to an equally impending trapped woman? I'd say you've done pretty well for yourself there Rafa." Olivia makes sure her voice is laced in sarcasm as she says trapped, not wanting even the slightest implication that she actually feels like she will be 'trapped' with him.
Pecking a quick kiss to her lips Rafa release his hold of Liv's shoulders, "I think you're right."
A smooth, almost, purring noise is Liv's only answering, enjoying it when Rafael admits she is right, which she feels she often is. They are both too stubborn to actually admit when the other is right most of the time so she will take what she can get. The couple passes the next few hours with ease. They talk, watch a film, and enjoy each other's company, excited to finally be so near to getting married.
Noah wakes rather early on Sunday, as if it's Christmas day. Opening the door to his parent's bedroom Noah climbs onto the mattress and crawls his way up the middle of the bed to sit near each of their heads.
"¡Buenos días!" Noah announces his arrival into their bed rather loudly.
Startled both Olivia and Rafael jolt awake. Liv clutches her chest in response to the frightening wake up, while Rafa groans and turns away, always wanting five more minutes he peaks at the clock.
Frowning he rolls onto his back, addressing Noah, "mi alma, volver a dormir. Es muy temprano." Raf's voice is deep and gravelly with sleep. (my soul, go back to sleep. It's too early.)
Disappointed that his parents aren't sharing his level excitement Noah starts, "pero Papí…" in a bit of a whining tone.
Before he can go on Rafael has an arm wrapped around him, pulling him beneath the duvet and into his body. Noah seems to react automatically, snuggling his face further into Rafael's chest. This attempt for peace doesn't dissuade Noah from his task for long though.
Into Rafael's chest Noah starts again, "Papí," a yawn interrupts him and Rafael grins into his pillow, "hoy es muy importante. ¿Cómo puedes dormir?" (Daddy, today is too important. How can you sleep?)
For the enjoyment of his bedmates, and in an attempt to end the conversation Rafa simply tells him, "con mis ojos cerrado." (With my eyes closed.)
It gets a giggle from both Liv and Noah, and nothing more. They sleep for another hour and a half, or so, before Noah can stand it no longer and demands they wake up to start the day. Liv and Rafael throw together some eggs, toast, and fruit for all of them to enjoy. Each eats enough to fill them for most of the day because it will be awhile until their next meal, at which point they will be married. Finally, Noah points out with relief.
At lunchtime they are all in their formal wear and too excited to eat much. The botanical garden has left food to snack on in both the bride and groom's dressing areas. Noah has to be monitored closely around the food, they don't want chocolate, or anything really, smeared all over him before the ceremony even starts.
Each wedding party has four to a side. The bridal party contains Amanda, Lucy, Brandi, and, after a big guilt trip, some threatening, and pleading, Fin. The grooms side is made of Noah, Eddy, Carisi, and Rita. They really weren't keen on sticking to every tradition surrounding the event. Everyone in the party wore either a tux with black accessories, or a strapless dress. The dresses flattered each woman's figure nicely, with a sweetheart neckline, an a-line flared waist, and a hi-low cutoff all the women, on either side of the aisle, look graceful and beautiful.
As the ceremony is set to begin, and all the guests are seated Rafael was meant to be led along the aisle, holding hands with Noah. The young man was excited at the prospect of doing this with his dad. He had jumped at the chance when Rafael had asked him about it, but now, standing at the entrance to the ceremony hall, Noah sees all the people gathered and looks up to his father. There is a fleeting look of terror in Noah's eyes before his bottom lip is pushed outward. Rafa knows once things get started Noah will be fine and so takes pity on the boy by pulling him up into his arms and they make their way to the front of the room holding each other. The gathered crowd gives a big 'awww' and Noah turns to hide his face in Rafael's neck.
Rafael's tux matches the others up until his bow tie, which is a plum color with a single pink peony nestled, almost hidden, in the centerfold of the bow, his suspenders match the tie but with repeating peonies dotted all the way down, all the other men's ties and suspenders are solid black. His pocket square is the other bit of color that Rafael wears, a simple and solid plum folded into three precise triangles that peek out, Noah also wears his pocket square in this color while all the other men have white.
It doesn't take long to be told the bride is ready to make her own entrance so Rafa sets Noah on the floor again and tells him to go with Sonny so he can help walk Lucy to the front of the room, just like they practiced.
Amanda and Carisi make their way, arm-in-arm, up the aisle first and are followed by Lucy and Noah, Eddy and Brandi, and finally Rita and Fin. The latter seeming like they got mixed up and are standing on the wrong sides, until they go confidently to their assigned party. The groups shuffle themselves around so they are in the correct order and the bridal march begins.
Lucia and Olivia step through the doorway, decorated with an archway of peonies and baby's breath matching to the ones held in Olivia's bouquet, although Liv's are real and the others fake for decoration. All eyes are them and Lucia has already begun to cry. The mother of the groom is adorned in a flowy dark grey, almost silvery, jumpsuit, draped over her body comfortably, with a short-sleeve lace jacket to top it all off.
The bride looks magnificent in her gown. It is sleeveless with a plunging v-neck, in multi-layered tulle. There is a silk belt around her waist, cinching the fabric and giving her shape the perfect curves. Around the v of the neckline are floral lace appliques to allow for more coverage, some flowers are centered around small shining gems. Liv wears her hair up, away from her neck, in a stylishly messy bun pulling her hair to her nape, pinned there with baby's breath.
Rafael is in awe of his bride. In fact, he's unsure if he is even still breathing. The only way Rafa can tell he hasn't died and gone to heaven is the tremendous beating of his heart, hammering away inside his chest. His Olivia is stunning.
Lucia is dropping Olivia's hand into Rafael's before he has even realized they had started their way towards him. On autopilot Rafael takes her offered hand, still taking in the sight of Olivia, as his bride. He is struck dumb by all of it.
Olivia brings her other hand up to his chest to rest over his heart, "you look beautiful Rafael."
Everything catches up with him at her words. All his thoughts, feelings, sensations, and awareness return in full force. Still Rafael focuses on her.
Her words are finally processed by his now working brain and all he manages back is a squeaked out, "me?" With a hand indicating himself and a deep blush coloring his cheeks.
Blinking rapidly to hold off her tears Liv chuckles at him, "yeah, you baby."
She slides her hand from his chest to his face to swipe at an escaped tear. Liv thinks of how much she loves him wearing his glasses, but without them, as he is now, she can see unhindered to his soul. It is as beautiful as Rafael is, in her mind anyway. The full beard on his face tickles Liv's palm and she pulls away and takes his other hand in hers.
There is sudden awareness between Liv and Raf that they are the center of attention and people are laughing and crying alongside them. Especially at seeing a flustered Rafael Barba. A rare sight indeed.
Clearing his throat Raf clenches his fingers around Liv's quickly before leaning in to tell her, "you are more stunning than the goddess Aphrodite."
The sincerity behind his words is what causes the first of Liv's tears to trickle down her cheeks.
A traditional ceremony follows, with them repeating the vows, opting out of writing their own. Partially to spare their guests and partially because they were a little afraid of just how mushy they might get, there are reputations that must be kept after all.
With wedding bands and "I dos" Rafael and Olivia find themselves a married couple.
The officiant addresses the gathered friends and family, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Benson-Barba!"
The guests are ushered to the observatory for a cocktail hour while they await the full reception to begin. The wedding party steps out for a nearly exhausting amount of photos to document the day. Both Liv and Rafa seem unaffected by the work of the photoshoot, all too happy to oblige and encapsulate this day in crystal clear digital photos. Their smiles never once falter. All but the bride and groom are released from the custody of the photographer as she wants to have some shots of the two of them enjoying each other, with no pressure from anyone else. Except her, of course, but she does her best to fade into the background after positioning things.
Jocelyn, the photographer, loves this work. She truly enjoys seeing the might of the love people can have for one another. Olivia and Rafael's love is bright and warm and it comes through well in each picture. Jocelyn's favorite from the day ends up being a private moment in between her moving them around, Rafa standing on a stone, raising him to be a few inches taller than Olivia, and Liv facing him, head reaching his shoulders. He had bent down to whisper something and as he pulled back Jocelyn was able to snap a photo of Rafa dropping a kiss to the tip of Liv's nose while she closed her eyes in delight, giggling at him.
Finally the bride and groom make their way to the observatory to kick off the reception. Once they've made their entrance Rafa and Liv take to the dance floor, holding each other closely to enjoy their first dance together.
The events of the night pass in quick chunks in the happy couple's minds, slowing down for the really important bits. After dinner someone rings their fork against their glass and everyone quiets down. Glancing around Liv spots Lucia as the culprit, next to her Noah is standing up on his chair while Lucy is handing him a microphone. The boy has to hold the instrument with two hands to keep it upright.
Finding his mother and father at the front of the room Noah addresses them, "Tío Sonny me dijo tengo que dar un discurso." Liv and Rafa can tell he is nervous because he is speaking Spanish, hoping people won't understand. (Uncle Sonny told me I have to make a speech.)
The newlyweds move to comfort Noah and are quickly motioned back down. Sonny leans into Noah to whisper something, which Noah laughs at, seeming to gain his confidence.
This time when Noah speaks it is in English, "he said it should be silly things that Papí has done, and maybe a really nice thing too." He looks over to Sonny who winks at him, "I think he was joking but I thought of some stories to tell. Like the first time he held me, Momma told me this, she says I was too little to remember. The first time he held me he acted like I was going explode spaghetti sauce all over him!" The guests laugh at the image.
Noah beams at the response, "or one time Momma was at work and we tried to bake her brownies for when she got home but Papí spilled all the batter so it was all over the kitchen! And us!" Noah's laugh is infectious and the group joins in his enjoyment of the tail, Rafael probably the most heartily.
"But my favorite silly memory of Daddy is when we out to eat with Momma and Abuelita to a nice restaurant and Daddy accidentally burped real loud. Abuelita started talking in Spanish so fast I couldn't understand it but me and Momma were laughing so much we started crying. I looked at Daddy and he gave me a sad face, like I do when I don't wanna go to bed, before he started laughing too. And he acted super silly when we got home later and pretended to burp again!" There is a round of applause for Noah's story telling, proud of the small boy for his best man speech.
Still not finished Noah's little voice continues squeaking through the speakers, "but my favorite memory about Papí is when he said he wanted to be my Dad. He always did stuff with me, just like my friend's Dad's did. He even told me to eat my vegetables," this draws a chuckle from everyone. "He said that he loved me and wanted to be my Daddy. And I think he is the best Daddy in the whole wide world!"
Noah twists to face Lucy, trying to distance himself from the microphone but, due to the length of his arms, he doesn't quite manage to ask, "am I allowed to give him a hug now?" Noah's features are schooled in to very earnest curiosity which morphs into joy when Lucy nods.
There is no stopping any and everyone from swooning at the question.
Hopping off the chair Noah runs his way over to Rafael who receives him with open arms. Raf lifts his son onto his lap and Noah holds tight to Rafael, little arms around his father's neck. Noah pulls away first, only to take Raf's face in his hands to bump their foreheads together. With tears in his eyes and a smile on his lips Rafael nudges Noah back before kissing his son's cheeks.
Amanda makes her speech just as short as Noah's, but it is hard to compete with a seven year old. She locks eyes with Liv, already crying, "sorry y'all I'm a sucker at weddings." Amanda fans her face before starting back up, "I won't take long, I know we all want to get on dancing.
"Olivia you are probably the toughest boss I have ever had, but I never learned so much from anyone else. If there was ever someone that could be a superhero in disguise my money is on it being you. You are Wonder Woman, seriously. And you changed this city with those superpowers of yours. My life is better with you in it and if the look on those two guys' faces is anything to go by," she says pointing to Rafa and Noah, "so are theirs. There is no one who deserves this kind of happiness more than you do and I am so glad I get to see you grab a hold of it. Finally!" She finishes on an excited shout. Then Amanda switches the mic off and sits back down so that things can continue on.
Liv leans back in her seat, fully expecting to relax as the dancing begins, and is brought to attention when Rafael stands without a word to walk to the dance floor, along with Lucy and Brandi.
Near to the dj's booth the trio takes their spots while Rafael also addresses the room, "I want to start off with a couple of conditions here." His stare is deadly serious as he continues, "first, I am only doing this because my lady," he shoots Liv a wink, "seems to like it, so don't get used to it, and certainly don't make requests. Second, if I find even a one second video of this has gotten outside of this room I will destroy you. My lawyer here can attest to that," Rita raises her glass with a hearty 'cheers' to back him up.
"With that in mind Lucy, Brandi, and I are going to be performing a musical number from Rocky Horror, I played the part of Riff-Raff in college." Once he is done speaking Rafael hands his mic to Lucy so he can walk back to his table where he deposits his suit jacket, and the tie he unfurled on his journey over. Doing an about face he starts back toward Brandi and Lucy, lowering his suspenders to his sides as he does. Someone wolf-whistles at him, Raf doesn't acknowledge it.
Microphone in hand once more the three performers ready themselves to sing. The first notes of Time Warp play into the room and soon Rafael, Lucy, and Brandi are all singing and dancing along to things.
"It's just a jump to the left
And a step to the right
With your hands on hips
Bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane!
Let's do the Time Warp again!"
They do rather an eccentric version of the dance, inviting others to join them.
Upon finishing all three bow and return to their seats to catch their breath. The dj moves on to playing the next song as people trickle their way onto the dance floor.
Rafael plops down beside Olivia, who has sent Noah back to his seat for a moment. Panting he grins at her, fully aware that the fact he has done this has almost certainly turned Olivia on, a lot.
She brushes a kiss to his lips, barely pulling back her breath is warm against the moisture on his lips, "it is the pelvic thrust that really drives me insane." Liv kisses him harder this time and Rafa groans into placing a hand at the bare skin of her back.
The party hits full swing with nearly all those in attendance taking to the dance floor. Jocelyn is long gone by now but phone cameras do the job well enough in her absence. Capturing the care-free joy of everyone as they dance, and talk, and drink. Someone produces flower crowns, no one is sure who, or where they came from. One crown lands on Fin's head and Sonny gets a decent picture of it adorning his head before Fin can even put a hand up to remove it.
Their crown, amongst the wedding party, becomes a bit of a party game, sneaking it onto people's heads without being noticed. It makes its way around the group to Olivia. She appreciates the idea of it but her hair already has flowers in it, so at her first opportunity she creeps up behind Rafa, kissing his neck to distract him from the crown being placed in his hair.
Astoundingly he doesn't notice and he Olivia continue dancing, bringing Noah into their routine whenever he runs up to them.
The little boy has discarded his jacket and button down shirt, running around in his white undershirt and suit pants. Leaping into his father's arms, he yells, "Daddy!"
"Hijo!" Rafael returns the sentiment with equal enthusiasm. Once Rafa catches Noah he does a quick spin around, causing Noah's head to hang back while laughing.
When they settle into each other Olivia walks over to them to join in the fun. She stops a step in front of Rafa placing a gentle hand on Noah's back. With the night running on they are all getting warm but they discomfort of their own warmth combined with the other's body heat is ignored in favor of being close to one another. Liv kisses the boys on their cheeks smiling into the happy faces.
Noah pulls Rafa's attention back his way with a hand on his cheek pushing his Dad's face to look at him again, "¿Papí?" Noah begins innocently, "¿Vas nos cantas otra canción?" Knowing his father's soft spots Noah leans into Rafael so their foreheads are touching and his big, pleading eyes are the center of Raf's attention. Once there he tacks on a little, "por favorcito," with a pouting lip for maximum persuasion. (Daddy? Will you sing us another song? Pretty please.)
Rafael is helpless against his son making a request in Spanish, with good manners, and a puppy dog look, "para ti, cualquier cosa hijo." A quick finger to bop Noah's nose and then Rafael sets him down, "let's keep dancing for a little bit while I think of what to sing." (for you, anything.)
Continuing to dance Rafael still hasn't noticed he is wearing the flower crown and no one is going to be pointing it out. The cha-cha slide comes on and all those on the dance floor obey the commands of the emcee, with Brandi and Lucy leading the group, knowing what is coming the best. Two songs later Rafael interrupts the music.
Mic back in hand Rafa says, "I know I said not to get used to this or making requests but Noah is the only exception I will make to this rule. But for the rest of you the same rules apply; no requests or expectations. And absolutely no videos."
The dj finds the appropriate karaoke version of Rafael's song after some searching and starts it playing.
With a clear and boisterous voice Rafael bellows, "Barnum's the name, P.T. Barnum..." His act is just as enchanting as the last one. All the attributes of Phineas Barnum shining through Rafa as he sings, gestures, and dances to the words.
He finishes strong, "...and the biggest one, excluding none is," Rafa mimics the laugh that typically goes along with the song, "me!" Holding the note for several seconds Rafael finishes his show by pulling the microphone away from his mouth so his voice fades nicely with the music.
WIthout ceremony Rafael turns, hands the mic back to the dj, and walks to where his family stands. Before he reaches them however someone shouts out, "I love the crown!"
Alarmed Rafa's hands shoot to his head, finding the crown there. He plucks it from his hair and drops it on Noah's head when he is back by his family.
They dance until Noah has no energy left and Lucia whisks him away. Most guests continue drinking and dancing, leaving the dance floor for intervals of rest. It is well into the night when the celebration really begins to dwindle and the happy couple takes their leave. The whole beginning of the reception had been spent greeting and thanking each of their guests so they feel justified leaving with a quick and dirty French goodbye.
Once outside Rafa and Liv dash away to their car to make their way home, as quick as they can.
In the car Liv turns to Rafa where he sits in the driver's seat, "I'm kinda jealous of Noah and Lucia, they didn't have to go very far at all."
"You are very adorable when you pout mi amor." Rafa drops a kiss to her lips and then starts the car, taking them home.
The journey home is quick enough. Before they know it they are back at their apartment building and in the elevator. At the door Rafa lets Liv unlock to let them in and then surprises her by sweeping his bride into his arms and carrying her over the threshold. He kicking the door shut behind them.
After a fiery kiss Rafa says, in an awed tone, "bienvenido a casa mi esposa." He kisses her again while setting her back to her feet. (welcome home my wife.)
Liv places her hands lightly on either side of Rafa's neck, one thumb running along the column of this throat, "te amo mi esposo." (I love you my husband.)
A/N: Thanks so much for sticking with me through this all so far!
A shorter chapter to follow!
xx