Chapter 24

At the head table, Rachel talked with Hipper and explained the who, what, when, where, and why of the wedding and reception. Hipper shrugged that he understood (mostly), but his person was as happy as he'd ever felt from her, so that was the important part. Athena, Sam, and Nimitz had already been with their people when they joined with their mates, but those ceremonies weren't as elaborate. Matt, at the door of the ballroom, greeted those who arrived. The Mayhew and Goodson parents were congratulated for a fine wedding.

"One down, eight to go," Ben quipped.

"At this time, would the bride and groom please take the floor for their first dance?"

Matt stood, took Rachel's hand when she stood, and he gave her a twirl when they stepped into the dance area. A few people whistled when they took their positions for a waltz. The opening chords of the song began, and they stepped off.

"It was no accident, me finding you

Someone had a hand in it long before we ever knew

Now I just can't believe you're in my life

Heaven's smiling down on me

As I look at you tonight…"

"We picked a great song," Rachel said.

"That we did, I've got a great dance partner for it," he complimented.

She grinned. "I'm just counting out the one-two-three in my head and letting you lead. You're a better dancer."

"When I hold you in my arms

I've got all I'll ever need

Thanks to the keeper of the stars…"

"In case I forget to tell you, today has been perfect," she said.

He drew her closer and gave her a soft kiss. "It has. In case I forget to tell you, I've never seen you look more beautiful."

They performed a smooth pivot and she squeezed the hand holding hers. "And I'll even let you take my hair down when we get home," she winked.

#

When the first dance concluded, the happy couple returned to the head table. Ben stood, tapped his glass, and the ballroom quieted.

"As I look at my daughter, the bride, I can't help but reflect on all the years I was lucky enough to watch her grow and become the beautiful woman she is today. She captured my heart on the day she was born, and I became more and more in awe of her as the years passed by. She's my little girl, my princess, and my ray of sunlight, and no matter what her age, she'll always be those things to me. But today, as I watch her marry a wonderful man, I'm filled with pride and am confident that she and Matt are about to embark on a journey filled with the love and happiness that can only come as man and wife. May the two of you always treat each other with love, compassion, and kindness. I ask you to join me today in congratulating the bride and groom and wishing them all the best for a long and happy life together."

Rachel stood and hugged him. "Thank you, dad."

After Ben's words, the ballroom servers delivered the guests' dinner choices of pheasant, steak, or vegetarian option. A smaller plate of celery, tuna, and pineapple was brought for Hipper, and everyone dug in. The band played subdued, conversation-friendly music as everyone enjoyed their meals.

"…the kind of love that last forever, and I want you here with me, from tonight until the end of time…"

#

When it looked like the dinner plates were close to empty, Angela stood, tapped her champagne glass, and rested her hand on Athena's back to help calm her nerves.

"Good evening, everyone. In case you don't know me, I'm Angie Mayfair, matron of honor. I'm privileged to call Rachel my best friend, and I feel so fortunate to be here for this most happy occasion. Four years ago, I wondered what in the world the academy was thinking when they bunked Midshipwoman Mayhew with me. I'd never met a Grayson before the academy, but now I'm so glad I did. Then Matt came along and getting to know him was the icing on the cake."

She looked to Rachel and rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'm a newlywed myself, so I know you'll understand when I say this: it's amazing how one day someone walks into your life, and you cannot remember how you ever lived without them. As my mom says, marriage lets you annoy one special person for the rest of your life."

The crowd chuckled and couples around the ballroom nodded in agreement.

"Rachel, I know Matt is going to make you so happy, and I know in return you'll do the same for him. I love you both and wish you all the best in your long lives together."

She held up her flute. "Everyone, charge your glasses to the happy couple!"

"The happy couple!" the crowd echoed.

Rachel and Matt, holding champagne flutes, intertwined their arms and sipped from their flutes.

"I hope you left room for cake," Angela added and gestured to the five-tiered cake that two servers rolled to the front of the head table.

Rachel and Matt stood and went to the cake table. A photographer snapped a photo of the cake and the newlyweds nodded in approval.

"It's almost too pretty to cut up," Rachel noted.

They both took hold of the cake cutter and cut a piece from the bottom layer. They fed each other a bite and returned to their seats with cake. Lew clapped Matt on the shoulder and stood.

"Good evening, I'm Lewis Radford, and welcome to this fantastic party to honor my friends, Rachel and Matt, on the biggest and best day of their lives. I met Matt four years ago at the academy and we clicked right away. Then one morning in a crowded mess hall, this goof fell for his lady love over a plate of pancakes. She simply smiled at him, and the rest is history. I was the first to say are you sure you want to get involved with someone? Then I got to know her, and she's one of the best people I know. My friend should have only the best."

Rachel sniffed and patted her eyes with a napkin.

"Again, charge your glasses to my best friend and his beautiful bride: the new Mr. and Mrs. Goodson!"

#

After the father-daughter dance, Rachel and Matt made a circuit of the ballroom, taking photos with guests, asking how their dinner was, and overall making sure that they were enjoying the party. The music started in earnest again, a number that opened the floor for all couples.

"She's next," Rachel said and nodded to Jeanette and Lew dancing close, eyes only for each other.

"You think?" Matt asked.

"She better be, I made bet with Theresa and Honor I don't want to lose," Rachel quipped.

Matt shook his head and laughed. "You and your sisters…"

I'll admit I could feel it, the first time that we touched And the look in your eyes said you felt as much…

"I'll never forget that first time," he murmured.

"Me neither," she replied. "Did you ever wonder why the couch in the living room looks so much like the couch in that hotel room?"

I will give you my heart, faithful and true

And all the love it can hold, that's all I can do

I've thought about how long I'll love you

And it's only fair that you know

Forever's as far as I'll go…

"Forever is a long time," he reminded her.

"I'm sure you're up to it," she returned and he dipped her as the song ended.

#

At 8 p.m. the band's singer announced that the groom and bride were leaving and to get ready for the bouquet toss. Over thirty single ladies stood in front of the had table when Rachel turned around tossed the bouquet over her shoulder. She heard cheering and clapping and turned back around to see her sister Theresa holding the bouquet, her face blushed fiercely. Rachel and Matt hugged their friends and parents, and then she and Matt left the ballroom to claps and whistles.

"He left his jacket," Ruth fussed.

Ben tapped his glass and the room quieted, mostly. "We'll be closing the ballroom at nine, so you're welcome to stay and enjoy the party."

The ballroom doors and the newlyweds came back in.

"I forgot my shoes!" Rachel called out and Jeanette reached under the table.

"Of course she did," Katherine sighed.

"Have you been barefoot this entire time?" Elaine asked.

Rachel gave a noncommittal shrug and Jeanette handed over the shoes. Rachel slipped into them, and the couple left again.

"She said her feet hurt," Jeanette explained.

#

In the front seat, Nate and Robert waited while the newlyweds settled into the back seat with chorusing sighs. Hipper sat between them, knowing the importance of his person's dress, so he didn't perch himself on her lap. She hiccupped and leaned over to give him a kiss.

"Let's go home, Nate."

"Yes m'lady."

"Are they still going to call you that?" Matt asked.

"I'm Mrs. Goodson now, but the Protector is still my father, so they have to," Rachel explained and then grinned.

"What?" Matt asked.

"And you're now dad's son-in-law, so that means…" she said and chuckled.

Matt's eyes went wide and he shook his head.

"Oh yes," Rachel returned.

"Right, you two?" she asked Nate and Robert.

"Yes, m'lady…m'lord," Nate said with a remarkably straight face.

#

Nate pulled to a stop in front of Goodson Manor, a pretentious name which Matt still wasn't used to. He recalled the last conversation they had about it.

"Well, what else shall we call it? The Manor On the Corner of LaFollett and Second Avenue? That's a mouthful," Rachel stated.

"What does the deed say?" he asked.

"One LaFollette Avenue, North Harrington Steading," she replied.

"Correct…a single-family, so-and-so square meter home on the corner LaFollette and Second Avenue," he stated.

She sighed. "All right, our home is fine…I guess."

"You guess?" he asked, amused.

She shrugged. "I'm proud to be with you in this beautiful Goodson Manor."

He kissed her and compromised, hoping to settle the matter once and for all. "How about this…Goodson Manor name plate for the front gate, but to us, home."

#

At the front doors, he keyed the entry code, opened the door, and carried her through the threshold. She toed off her shoes and they fell to the floor with a thump. Nate and Robert disappeared into the security office that was just off the front doors, and the three-person manor staff was conspicuously absent. Hipper went toward the kitchen in search of celery, or some rabbit perhaps.

"I'm never wearing those uncomfortable things again," she complained.

She still in Matt's arms, he took them up the stairs and left into the hallway, to the last door, fifth on the right.

"Well, working out has done this body good," she said and patted his chest when he set her on her feet.

He opened the door, took her hand, and led her inside. She giggled when he closed the door with his foot and asked, "Now, how do we get this dress off?"

#