Chapter 18: A Celebration of Love


The Garden House Reception Center, Arlington

Sunday, 1 May

3:45 pm

"Wake up, sleepyhead." Gentle fingers drifted across her cheek.

Elizabeth stirred and looked up at her husband, who was smiling down at her. "How long did I sleep?" They'd changed into more comfortable clothes after the photographer finished, and Myles had insisted they come over to the reception center early so she'd have a chance for a break. Though she'd protested she didn't need one…

"Sweetheart, you've been stressed out all morning, I bet you didn't eat breakfast, you barely touched your food at the luncheon, and you're going to be on your feet for possibly five hours tonight. You are going to lay down on that sofa, and you are going to get some rest so that the first threshold I carry you over isn't the ER."…

She'd laughed at him, then meekly complied, warmed by his protectiveness of her already. Now she looked into his eyes and was warmed all over again.

"You've been out about an hour," he replied.

"An hour! Myles, that means the reception starts in fifteen minutes! How could you—?" She shot up to a sitting position and was about to get to her feet when he grabbed her shoulders and sat down beside her.

"If you're going to immediately get worked up again," he smiled, "there was no sense in taking the nap in the first place."

"But—"

He placed a finger over her lips. "Your mother is downstairs in all her glory, it won't take us that long to get changed, and I managed to pilfer a few sandwiches from the buffet without getting my fingers chopped off by that snooty chef down there. You're going to eat something."

"I—" She relented, and relaxed into his embrace. "Ok, I give up."

"Good," he chuckled, reaching over onto the side table nearby. "Because I also took the opportunity of your nap to go get this." He held up a Styrofoam cup with a straw poking out if it. "Raspberry mango smoothie from Aileen's."

Her face lit up. "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?"

Myles laughed. "Once or twice, I think." He kissed her gently, then stood and retrieved a plate from the dressing table in the room and brought it to her. "Now, you eat while I get changed, and then I'll get Tara to help you with your dress."

"What do I need Tara for, love?" At his slightly surprised look, she giggled. "You never struck me as shy."

He smiled, a bit sheepishly. "Oh. Old habits die hard, I guess. I'll help you if you want, of course."

"Always the gentleman." She set the plate aside for a moment and stepped into his arms. "I want. Now, hurry up so we can get this fiasco over with and get on with the rest of our lives." At his concerned glance, she smiled. "I don't really mean that, Myles. I don't want to remember it as a fiasco. I just…"

"I know. I feel the same way. It'll be fine. There are a lot of people looking to share our joy with us, and it seems only fair to indulge them. Besides, you have to show Richard Cohen that his dance lessons really weren't in vain."

She gave him a look, coupled with a half-smile. "I am not going to tango in that dress. He'll have to settle for a waltz."


&
"I almost stopped breathing permanently when I saw you in that doorway this morning." He was buttoning up her dress as she re-did her hair and touched up her makeup. "You were a vision of heaven, sweetheart."

There was a rustle of satin as she turned to look up at him mischievously. "Well, I'm certainly glad I wasn't a literal vision of heaven, love. You're not getting out of a marriage that easily."

"I don't want to. Not after all it took to get us here." He paused, sighed and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Do we really have to go face this?"

Elizabeth laughed softly. "My mother has behaved herself through everything else. I think we owe her this much. Besides, can't waste a good 'Sam toast.'"

Myles chuckled. "That's what I'm afraid of." He finished the line of buttons up her back, then he straightened and watched her in the mirror, and a sly smile crossed his face. "You know," he said slowly. "With all the buttons on this dress, we may have to leave early just to guarantee we get some sleep tonight."

Her brows shot up, and she matched his expression. "And what exactly makes you think I'm going to wear this traipsing all over DC tonight, instead of changing into something equally elegant but a lot less bulky?"

"Oh, no you don't." He stepped around to face her, still smiling, and touched his finger to the end of her nose. "You may change after we get to our hotel tonight, but you are going to stay in it until we get there. If I did up the buttons, I claim the privilege of undoing them at a time and place of my own choosing."

She smiled, blushing a little. "Not even married a day, and he's ordering me around already. Fine, but you have to help me maneuver in this blasted train."

"Deal."

Elizabeth set the veil in place on her head, then took the hand he offered and stepped into his arms, pausing to extricate the yardage of her skirt from the vanity bench. "See?" she sighed. "Heaven help us if there's an emergency and I have to move fast."

"Not to worry," he quipped in reply, a wicked gleam in his eye, "I'll just sling you over my shoulder and carry you out."

She laughed softly, then put her arms around his waist and looked up into his eyes. "I think you'd like that far too much, love." Enjoying the subtle heat building between them from their flirting, she ran her fingers through his hair and pulled him toward her as he captured her mouth.

After a few moments, they parted with equal sighs, and Myles stroked her cheek. "Well, as much as I'd rather stay right here, we'd best get down there before your mother comes after us."


&
5:30pm

Elizabeth leaned over to Myles at a break in the receiving line; some distant Dillingham cousin had moved on to her grandfather and mother, and Ted Garrett was just stepping up to talk with Robert and Anne.

"Thank you for making me rest earlier, love. I'd probably be ready to pass out on you by now."

Myles chuckled. "Exactly. And I had no intention of facing this alone, believe me. How many cousins do you have, anyway?"

"I have no idea," she responded, rolling her eyes, "I half-suspect that Mother pegged half these people as 'family' just so I'd let her invite them."

With two hundred people invited, a two-hour receiving line hadn't seemed excessive; now, she just wanted to sit down. Even with tennis shoes on under her dress, her feet were killing her. Thankfully, they were into the last half-hour.

"Myles." Ted Garrett greeted his agent with a hearty clap on the shoulder. "Congratulations. It's about time this lady snagged you for good. We can always use help keeping you out of trouble."

"Ha, ha," Myles replied good-naturedly. "Thanks, Ted. We're glad you could make it."

"And glad the team didn't get called on a case," Elizabeth leaned over to greet the big man as well. "It would have been a whole lot smaller wedding otherwise."

"There were a couple of other units available," Garrett shrugged. "I figured we'd use them first, if we had to. Congratulations, Dr. Dilling… I mean, Mrs. Leland." He moved on, and the psychologist caught the expression her mother tried to hide as the supervisor greeted her.

Myles noticed it as well. "A bit of prejudice there?" he asked in concern.

"No," Elizabeth said darkly, "or, not the way you think. It's more of a social thing than a racial one. I've been watching her around your co-workers; her reaction is identical. If she says one word to any of them, I'm going to—"

"Defend the poor 'civil servants'? I'd love to hear that discussion."

Fortunately, it appeared that Mary Dillingham knew her daughter was keeping an eye on her; she was very gracious to Ted Garrett, and he moved to greet the team at their table.

Things progressed without incident for the next twenty minutes; Elizabeth sighed as she saw the line suddenly die down. A few stragglers would undoubtedly come find them later, but she could finally sit down and relax a little.

"See, 'Big O,' I told you that fashionably late would be just fine."

Myles bit back a groan as Howie Fines waltzed in with his "business partner." Otis he could deal with; the big man was a pretty decent guy at heart, and much easier to take than Howie's constant prattle.

"You must be Myles' dad." The snitch was pumping Robert Leland's hand enthusiastically. "I can't tell you how great it is to work with your son's team. Being a part of taking down all that's corrupt in this world is just so satisfying, ya know? You must be very proud."

Robert glanced over at Myles, a highly confused look on his face, but Anne, ever gracious, answered, "Yes, thank you. We are indeed, Mr…?"

"Fines. Howie Fines. 'You need it, Howie Fines it.' I wrote that myself." He kissed Anne's hand with a flourish, then looked at the slim timepiece on her wrist. "Y'know, if you're ever in the market for a new watch, I know a guy who—"

He stopped abruptly as Otis poked him in the arm and indicated in front of Howie.

"Myles! Liz!" Howie opened his arms wide as if he'd embrace the whole world. "I can't say how happy I am for you two! Love is such a wonderful thing!"

Otis rolled his eyes. "Yeah, he blubbered through half the ceremony, and he ain't shut up about it since."

The snitch looked insulted. "Can I help it if I'm the sentimental type? Look, kids, I just wanted to say…" His voice broke, and he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

Myles was holding very still, not sure exactly what to expect. Elizabeth was trying to hold back a grin.

Suddenly, Howie flung his arms around Myles' waist and hugged him hard. "It's a beautiful thing, man! You two kids… finally tying the knot, after all you've been through! I just wish all the best for you! I love you guys!"

Elizabeth couldn't decide which struck her funnier— the exasperated expression on Myles' face, or the disgusted one on Otis'. But she was almost strangling from keeping only a pleasant smile on her own. Then, she heard her mother's voice.

"Honestly! Such a display." Mary was whispering to her father-in-law. "That my oldest daughter is marrying a man who regularly associates with this… this riffraff! I mean, Harvard is one thing, but—"

"Mary," David Dillingham replied softly, but with a touch of reproach, "shut up."

Elizabeth heard material rustle as her mother drew back in shock. Still, she silently cheered her grandfather and couldn't resist the thought that entered her head as Howie finally released Myles and stepped over to her.

"Howie," she whispered as she returned his hug, "I think my mother could use a hug, too. And a full dose of your unique charm."

"Of course," he replied, oblivious, "always happy to spread the Fines magic around. Don't you worry none, Liz. I'll make her feel welcome."

Myles leaned over as the snitch moved on. "You are a wicked, wicked woman," he laughed softly. "Come on; I think perhaps we'd better put some distance from your mother before Howie gets done."


&
7:00 pm

It was a good thing he'd grabbed her something to eat earlier as well; the rate they were going… Elizabeth sighed as someone yet again began the chorus of crystal-tapping that demanded a kiss between the bride and groom. It hadn't been an actual part of the wedding plans; it just seemed to happen. Myles had commented that it was undoubtedly the brainchild of a certain Aussie…

"Getting tired of me already?" Myles murmured against her lips.

"Never," she whispered back. " But I really hope you grabbed something to eat during that break as well. Otherwise, you may be the one passing out on me."

"Believe me," he laughed, "this is nothing compared to a few cases we've been on. Besides, I ate lunch. Just relax, and we'll have a quiet, light dinner at the hotel later."

At a nearby table, Sam was shredding a napkin and mumbling to himself amidst an animated conversation between the rest of the team, Darcy, Donna and Connie. Molly was perched on Tara's lap, listening with rapt attention.

Sue sighed and turned to Connie, who was also looking very confused at the chaos of talk going on. WE BOTHER WHY? she signed to the redhead.

NO CLUE, Connie replied, grinning. THINK SOMETHING WITH DARK-HAIR CUTE A-G-E-N-T.

KEEP UP HIM, Sue rolled her eyes, ME THINK AGAIN CUTE PART.

The redhead smirked. AHA! She wagged a finger at Sue. YOU DO LIKE HIM I THINK I THINK! Connie glanced at the group again. TALK THEM CAN. SOMEONE MIGHT REMEMBER US LATER. WE CAN HAVE OUR OWN PARTY.

TRUE. WEDDING PARTY WE NOT IN, OTHER DEAF PEOPLE I SEE HERE, WE GO TALK. Sue's gaze was a little wistful.

YES, SEVERAL DEAF FRIENDS WE HAVE HERE. AFTER PARTY, WE GO MEET THEM. Connie smiled. ME THINK S-A-M RUN, BEFORE TOAST.

Sue looked over. "Sam? You ok?"

Sam Leland looked up from a second shredded napkin and nodded slightly. He then signed 2-O-O and swept his hand to indicate the room.

"Two hundred what?"

He tried again, pointing directly at several people around the room.

"Oh." Sue smiled. "You knew how big a group it would be when you agreed to be Myles' best man, didn't you?"

"It didn't sound like such a big crowd in theory. Now that I see them, though…" He rested his elbow on the table, propped his chin in it, and heaved a sigh as he surveyed the crowded room again.

His comments had brought the rest of the group's attention back, and there were several sheepish SORRY signs aimed at Sue and Connie.

Tara rubbed his arm. "It'll be okay, Sam. Your toast isn't for any of these people; it's for Myles and Liz. Just focus on them."

"Yeah, but I have to face everybody." He gulped as his father gave him a signal. "Oh, boy."

"Just remember to keep breathing, Sam," Bobby offered. "As long as you're on your feet still, there's hope."

"Such help you are." He got to his feet, and made his way over to the microphone. A young man stepped up beside him— the interpreter they'd made sure was available for both the ceremony and the reception.

Sam took a deep breath and pulled out the note card he'd written his toast out on. He stared at it for a long moment, then cleared his throat and looked up.

Myles could feel his own mouth go dry as he watched his twin; this was the biggest crowd Sam had faced since… He could feel his twin start to shrink back, and mentally grabbed him to hold him in place. Sam, forget about being eloquent. I didn't ask you to do this for any other reason than you are the person I wanted standing right beside me for this. Just say what's in your heart.

Their eyes met for a moment, and Sam nodded. Glancing at the interpreter, who had been given a copy of the written toast, he shrugged and tossed his own card over his shoulder. "Wing it," he murmured as the young man laughed.

"Okay," he said, his heart skipping as he heard his voice echo through the reception hall, "I had this real fancy toast all written out, but if I try to read it to all of you, I'm either gonna pass out or get sick, and you all probably don't want to witness either." He glanced over at the interpreter who, amazingly, was only a couple seconds behind him. "So I'm gonna go off-book, and those of you depending on Matthew here will have to forgive me if he needs to deck me to get me to slow down."

The ripple of amusement that flowed over the room seemed to relax him a little, and he took the glass of champagne Tara discreetly handed to him and raised it slightly.

"Uh… oh, heck." He turned to is twin and new sister-in-law and raised the glass higher. "Bro', Liz… I can't think of two people who are better for each other and more deserving of all the happiness in the world. So I'll borrow Bro's New Year's toast and we can get this over with: Here's to the beginning of forever, you two, and to only happy dreams ahead."

As a chorus of "here, here" rolled around the room, and Myles raised his own glass in a smiling response, Sam sank back into his chair and breathed a sigh of relief. "Tara, would you object if we just loaded your folks, my folks, Bro and Liz, Gregory and a minister into the Citation and found a deserted island somewhere?"

Tara laughed. "Tell you what. Why don't we opt for something about half this size and much less formal. Could you handle that?"

"I think so. If we can get some sedatives."

Dimitrius chuckled. "Guess you better not have it outdoors, Tara. Too many escape routes."

"No, no. Fresh air is good." Sam toyed with his napkin. "Really good."


&
8:00 pm

"Richard, thank you for enduring my dance lessons," Elizabeth smiled as the instructor led her off the floor toward Myles. "They paid off eventually."

Richard Cohen laughed. "I think you've finally found a partner who doesn't make you nervous," he replied.

"True." She took the hand her husband held out to her and kissed his cheek. "Although, I'm starting to wonder if right now I have reason to be nervous around him, since we're headed for that mountain of frosted calories next."

Myles tilted his head toward Richard with a grin. "She's so paranoid."

The dance instructor laughed heartily. "I think I've had more than enough of you two for a lifetime, so I'm getting out of the crossfire. Congratulations, both of you."

"Thanks, Richard." Elizabeth smiled as Molly ran up to them. "Hey, princess," she said, borrowing Myles' nickname for his niece. "Are you having fun?"

"Yup!" The little girl's eyes were shining. "I got to dance with Bobby. He's soooo cute!"

The psychologist laughed as Myles rolled his eyes. Then she held out a hand to Molly. "Well, do you think you can get away from him for a minute to come protect me? I think your uncle here is planning some 'frosting art.'"

"Ooh! You're gonna cut the wedding cake?" Molly leveled a glare at Myles and shook her finger. "You be nice, Uncle Myles. Grandma says."

Myles laughed. "Why does everyone automatically assume that I'm the one they have to worry about?" He pulled Elizabeth close and stroked her cheek. "I think you've just built up a world of paranoia about me so that everyone will be sympathetic when you do the 'frosting art.'"

Her green eyes sparkled at him. "I guess it's time to find out, huh?"

Molly led the way as they stepped over to a the table where a four-tier wedding cake topped with yellow and pink roses almost sparkled, thanks to a dusting of sugar after it had been frosted. A bride and groom waltzing graced the very top.

His hand closed warm over hers on the cake knife, and he murmured in her ear. "Tell you what— I'll be nice if you will."

Elizabeth smiled. "I'm glad you trust me that much."

"Do I have reason not to?"

They sliced out a small piece onto a napkin, then cut it in half. Myles picked up one half and held it just a little ways from her mouth. A small voice caused laughter to start around the room again:

"Uncle Myles, you be good!"

He chuckled and looked into his wife's eyes, then very gently allowed her to take a bite of it. He didn't move until she'd drawn back, then tapped the tip of her nose with his still-frosted finger. He wiped it away with a kiss as a chorus of "awws" floated over from the team.

Elizabeth picked up the other piece and looked up at him, a mischievous gleam in her verdant eyes. He raised a finger. "We had a deal, love."

She smiled. "Did we? I don't recall actually agreeing." Then she held the cake up to him. "I guess there's only one way to find out, isn't there?"

"Aww, get it over with, Myles," Bobby called across the room.

Myles laughed again, then took a bite of the cake warily, catching her hand just as she smeared frosting across his cheek. "Nice try," he managed with his mouth full. "Bu' tha's as far as…" he had to swallow "…you're getting."

She giggled, then got part of the frosting with a kiss that left his pulse jumping. She reached for a napkin to get the rest. "That's all I was going to do, love," she whispered.

Molly skipped back over. "Does this mean I can have a piece of cake now?"

"Oh, definitely." Myles swooped her up in his arms and gave Elizabeth a wicked grin. "Don't you think so, sweetheart?"

She smiled. "Oh, yes." She ran her finger along the edge of the cake until she had a small dollop of frosting built up.

Molly squealed. "No, no!" But she was giggling when her new aunt caught her chin with the frosting, then smeared it up one cheek to her nose as everyone laughed.


&
Jack Hudson was shaking his head and smiling as he watched all the antics going on. He'd known Myles Leland for the better part of eight years, and this was the first time he'd ever seen the Harvard grad completely open, with no sign of the mask he usually wore around the rest of them.

"Hard to believe that's the same up-himself show pony we've all come to know and love, isn't it?" Bobby's voice made him turn.

"In English, please?"

The Aussie laughed. "Ten years as best mates, and you haven't learned the lingo yet? I was saying that it's hard to believe that's the same arrogant, get-ahead bloke we've gotten used to dealing with."

"I know." Jack eyed his friend. "So did you finish setting up the panic attack that's finally going to kill him? You know what a pain it is to break in a new guy."

"Quit worryin'. Sam made me put a layer of plastic wrap on any painted surface I was decorating. Do you really believe I'd truly desecrate a Jaguar XJ-6?" Bobby suddenly smiled. "Now, here's the interesting portion of the evening."

A group of women were congregated on the dance floor; at one end, Elizabeth Leland was preparing to throw her bouquet. A little maneuvering seemed to be going on with a few faces Jack recognized. He turned to Bobby, a slightly panicked look in his dark eyes. "Bobby, what did you and Lucy cook up?" Because if it's what I think it is, you'd best put those long legs in gear, 'cause when I catch up with you…

The Aussie held up his hands. "Whoa, Sparky. I swear to you, there's nothing going on that Lucy or I masterminded. Will you relax?"

Jack glared at him a moment longer; his best friend seemed perfectly sincere. "Sorry, Crash," he finally said. "I just figured it was an opportunity—"

"We couldn't pass up? Come on; you know me better than that. Would I pick something so obvious?"

They watched quietly as Elizabeth turned around and tossed the bouquet over her shoulder— directly into Sue's arms. A chorus of squeals and ASL teasing had her cheeks darker than her dress again.

Jack raised a brow at Bobby. The Aussie put on his most innocent look. "Circumstantial evidence at best, Sparky. You're a better agent than that." He grinned. "Gents' turn."

"I don't think so." Jack planted his feet as far into the plush carpet as he could.

"Aww, come on, Jack. If I can brave the outside chance of risking my very contented single existence, you can at least stand by my side for the sake of our teammate. Besides, I plan on hiding out at the back anyway." Bobby clapped him on the shoulder. "I mean, you've seen Myles at the range. What are the odds?"

Jack chuckled; Bobby knew full well that the blond agent was a sharpshooter just like the rest of them. Still, at the back of the crowd, with his admittedly shorter stature, the odds were pretty slim.

"Oh, all right. But we stay at the back."

"Righto." Bobby led the way.

The Aussie had been completely honest; neither he nor Lucy had masterminded any of this. But what he hadn't told Jack was that Myles had dragged him over to this very reception center just yesterday afternoon (ok, so the Harvard grad hadn't had to pull that hard). They'd spent two hours practicing, and marked the exact spots for angle and distance. All Myles had to do was make sure he put just the right amount of force into the snap of the garter.

"I think we're pretty well out of range here." Bobby stopped so that Jack's shiny dress shoes covered the tiny piece of red tape on the grey carpet.

At the front of the crowd, Elizabeth had pulled her dress up just above her knee, and Myles was sliding the delicate white garter with its blue ribbon down her leg. He straightened and surveyed the crowd, catching Bobby's glance for only a split-second. He grinned and turned around.

The shot went as straight as if he'd used his .45; it flew up over the entire crowd of leaping hopefuls and came to rest right on Jack's left shoulder. He'd turned back around as soon as he let go, and now he watched as his unit leader fixed a glare at him. Myles shrugged innocently and then gave Jack a wicked grin. BAD THROW, he signed. B-O-B-B-Y ME THROW. SORRY.

Jack picked up the garter and shook it at Myles. I THINK NOT, he replied. HONEYMOON YOU RETURN, ME GET YOU MORE BETTER.

Myles laughed. ME NOT AFRAID, FUNNY GUY YOU.

"Well," Elizabeth smiled innocently as well. "It is tradition that the 'winners' share a dance before we leave you all. Jack, Sue…?"

Sue was red to her toes; Jack wasn't far behind. Still, he walked over to her and held out his hand. "We've been set up," he said and signed TRICKED THEM-US.

"You think?" Then she couldn't help but smile, glancing at the team. "I suppose they mean well."

Jack wasn't quite ready to forgive just yet, but he returned her smile as he started mentally plotting revenge. He sighed. WE DANCE, PLEASE?

As they stepped onto the dance floor, Myles leaned over to his wife and whispered in her ear, "Our work here is done; can we leave now?"

She laughed. "Gladly. Especially before my mother gets over 'Howie shock' and comes after me. I hope that wherever you planned on us hiding out for a month, it's a fair distance from here. We may need it."


&
"Breathe, love."

He wasn't sure the nerves were still working enough for that. He stared at the car, and his tie suddenly felt about two inches tighter. "My… the… Jag…"

Bobby was discreetly hiding behind Dimitrius, who turned and murmured, "You might want to move your desk within the next month. I can see if they need an extra agent in the Anchorage office."

Sam walked over to his twin. "Whoa, bro – take a breath, 'cause you're starting to choke me off, too. It's safe; there's a layer of plastic wrap between the shaving cream and the paint job. Even 'Waltzing Matilda' over there isn't crazy enough to hurt this car for real."

Elizabeth laughed as she pulled Myles toward the car. "Maybe I'd better drive, love. You don't look like you're feeling up to it."

The quip was enough to get him breathing again, and he smiled down at her. "In that skirt, sweetheart? You'd never find the gearshift under all that satin." He then surveyed the crowd. "Manning, this car had better be in its original pristine condition when I get back, or—"

"It'll be fine," Sam gave him a push. "You have other things to think about now. I'll pick up the car at the airport tomorrow like we planned, and it'll be clean by sunset. Now get your bride and get outta here before Jack finds a way to rescind your leave." He leaned over and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. "He's all yours now, sis. Take care of him for me, huh?"

She smiled. "Not all mine; but I will, Sam. I promise."

The dark green sports car pulled out, amid a sea of cheering and the clatter of a few tin cans tied onto the back. The sentiment in the back window said it all:

Just Married – The Beginning of Forever.