Hello, my lovelies! I didn't plan on splitting this chapter up, but I felt it was best. Part 2 focuses a lot on Anna Elizabeth and Killian, and I felt that it was right to make it a separate chapter. I will try to have part 2 up within the next couple of days. Until then, enjoy this lovely chapter :)
About forty-five minutes later, everyone had gathered at Emma and Killian's for the reception. The wedding party, as well as the bride and groom, arrived later due to them taking the pictures on the beach.
The large backyard had been converted into a beautiful space. White tablecloths covered the round tables, and a white lily and blue orchid bouquet sat in the center. Strings of white lights had been set up and surrounded the perimeter of the yard. Killian had built a large wooden platform to act as a dance floor.
Congratulations had been offered from all of the guests. Calin and Anna Elizabeth were about to go fix themselves something to eat when she heard a familiar Australian accent behind her.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Anna Elizabeth James."
Anna Elizabeth's blue eyes widened as she turned around to face Emily.
"Oh my goodness! You're here!" the bride exclaimed as she pulled her friend in for a crushing hug.
As they pulled away, Emily replied, "Of course I'm here! Did you really think I'd miss your wedding to Calin?"
"I mean, I know we sent you an invitation, but I didn't think you'd actually fly from Australia," Anna Elizabeth told her.
Emily shook her head before she spoke, "You know I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world," as she took Anna Elizabeth's hands in hers.
Anna Elizabeth smiled brightly before she pulled Emily in for another hug.
When they had pulled away, the strawberry blonde hugged Calin as well. When they had pulled apart, Emily teased, "So, you actually got up the courage to propose?"
Calin rolled his eyes while Anna Elizabeth laughed. Emily laughed as well before she seriously stated, "I truly am so, so happy for you two. I wish you two many years of wedded bliss," with a bright, genuine smile.
Anna Elizabeth and Calin returned her smile before the bride replied, "That means so much to us."
"It really does. So, thank you," Calin added.
Emily nodded before she walked over to get something to eat from the buffet-style table.
Calin then turned his attention to his bride and asked, "You hungry?"
Anna Elizabeth planted her hands on her hips as she asked, "Do you really even have to ask?"
Calin chuckled as he answered, "I guess not." He then kissed the side of her head before they walked over to the buffet table hand-in-hand.
As soon as they reached the table, Kimberly ran up to them, with Alex following close behind.
The little girl wrapped her arms around both of them in a hug. As they pulled away, she exclaimed, "Congatlation!"
Anna Elizabeth and Calin both smiled at Kimberly before the groom told her, "Thank you, sweetheart."
Kimberly smiled as well before she turned her attention to Alex and stated, "Daddy, I want ice cream."
Alex grinned as he responded, "Not until you eat some food."
Kimberly didn't look too happy about that but she answered nonetheless, "Okay, Daddy." Alex stroked her black locks in response.
Calin then asked, "How can she eat ice cream?"
"Well, I had a talk with Ruby. I asked if she wouldn't mind buying and making foods that Kimberly could eat," Alex explained. He then sighed and added, "I felt like it was extra work for Ruby and Granny…"
Anna Elizabeth cut him off, "Don't you dare apologize for taking care of your daughter, Alex. And I can assure you that Ruby and Granny didn't mind."
Alex smiled at her as he replied, "Thanks, Anna Elizabeth." Anna Elizabeth smiled and nodded in response.
Kimberly then announced, "Daddy, I'm hungry!"
Alex grinned as he told her, "Alright, sweetie. Let's go find Ruby."
The little girl nodded before she grabbed her father's hand and dragged him over to the red-streaked brunette.
Calin and Anna Elizabeth grinned and shook their heads. He then surmised, "So, that's what we have to look forward to one day," with a chuckle.
Anna Elizabeth chuckled before she agreed, "Yeah, it is. But I think we can handle it when the time comes."
Calin kissed her cheek in response. He and Anna Elizabeth then fixed their plates before sitting at a table with Emma, Killian, and Emily.
Anna Elizabeth took a sip of lemonade before she asked, "Where's Liam?"
Emma grinned as she answered, "Your brother is sitting with Grace and her parents."
"Ah, the girl that he doesn't have a crush on," Calin teased.
Emma giggled while Killian pointed out, "The lad is only 14."
"Dad, save Liam from all of the overprotectiveness that I had to deal with," Anna Elizabeth told him.
"I only did that because I love you, Anna Elizabeth," Killian pointed out.
Anna Elizabeth's expression softened as she sighed and admitted, "I know, Dad." She then leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Emma smiled at the sight. She then told her daughter and son-in-law, "You two will understand when you have kids one day."
"It bloody well better not be soon," Killian muttered. Emma heard him and kicked him under the table.
Emily then chimed in, "Oh, I so look forward to being an aunt." She then sheepishly spoke, "If that's alright with you two."
"Of course it is," Anna Elizabeth told her friend with a bright smile. She then took a deep breath and continued, "But I think you might be waiting a while. Calin and I aren't in any hurry to have kids."
"While your dad and I loved raising you, kid, you and Calin should enjoy being newlyweds for a while," Emma told them.
Anna Elizabeth and Calin smiled and nodded in response before they all resumed eating.
Something then caught bride's eye, and she asked, "Mom, why is there a screen and projector set up over there?"
"Ask your dad," Emma replied before she cut her eyes over to her husband.
"It's a surprise for you, love," Killian answered his daughter with a grin.
Anna Elizabeth narrowed her eyes as she asked, "What kind of surprise?"
"I promise that you'll love it, Anna Elizabeth," Killian assured her before he leaned over to kiss her cheek.
Anna Elizabeth smiled before she nodded satisfactorily in response.
Emma then asked, "So, Emily, how's the job search going?"
The strawberry blonde smiled brightly as she answered, "Absolutely marvelous. I have a job that begins next week at a children's book publishing company."
"Oh, that's great! I'm so happy for you, Em!" Anna Elizabeth exclaimed.
Emily nodded enthusiastically before Killian asked, "What about your paintings, love?"
"Oh, I'm still painting. In my spare time, I'll be entering into local art shows and so on," Emily answered.
Killian smiled at her as he told her, "That's wonderful, Emily. I'm sure that your parents are so proud of you."
Emily returned his smile as she replied, "They are ecstatic." She then turned her attention to Anna Elizabeth and Calin and continued, "And they send their congratulations to you two," with a smile.
Calin returned it as he responded, "Thank them for us." Emily nodded in response.
Anna Elizabeth then realized that she was out of lemonade. She made a move to get up when Calin told her, "I'll get it," before he took her glass and stood up.
"That isn't necess…" Anna Elizabeth began to protest, but Calin was already making his way over to the buffet table.
Anna Elizabeth rolled her eyes while Emma, Killian, and Emily laughed.
Emma then spoke, "You might as well give up. I've been married to your dad for 17 years, and he still feels the need to dote on me."
Killian couldn't help but roll his eyes before he added, "While I respect your mother's independence, I still like to dote on her every once in a while because I love her." He then kissed her temple.
Anna Elizabeth grinned and shook her head while Emily simply smiled. The strawberry blonde then observed, "Well, I see why Anna Elizabeth is such a hopeless romantic."
All of them couldn't help but laugh they knew how true that it was.
Over at the buffet table, Calin had just refilled his wife's drink when he saw Rilynn.
The blonde-streaked brunette was walking over to the table when she tripped. Thankfully, she was able to catch herself, but Calin noticed that she grabbed her stomach.
He went over to her and asked, "Hey, are you alright?"
Rilynn jumped in surprise before she answered, "Of course. I'm fine."
"Are you sure? I saw you grab onto your stomach," Calin pointed out.
Rilynn stared at him for a moment before she stated, "If I tell you, you can't tell anyone."
Calin furrowed his brows as he told her, "Alright."
She then took a deep breath and said, "I'm pregnant." She couldn't help the wide smile that enveloped her features.
Calin smiled as well as he told her, "Congratulations, Rilynn. I'm so happy for you and Roland."
"Thank you, Calin," Rilynn responded.
He then asked, "Why the secrecy, though?"
"Well, we wanted to tell his parents in person, but we haven't said anything yet," Rilynn explained.
"Why not?" Calin questioned confusedly.
Rilynn grinned as she responded, "We didn't want to overshadow you and Anna Elizabeth."
Calin simply smiled in response. He then told her, "Speaking of Anna Elizabeth, I should get back to her. But congratulations again."
Rilynn smiled and nodded at him in response. Calin then went back to the table. Luckily, they had all been too caught up in conversation to notice that he had lingered.
He placed her glass in front of her, and Anna Elizabeth replied, "Thank you, Calin." He nodded at her in response.
The five of them then continued eating in comfortable silence.
Pretty soon, all of the wedding guests had their fill of Ruby and Granny's delicious catering.
Anna Elizabeth and Calin were still talking to Emma, Killian, and Emily. The bride then noticed Evie waving over her and Calin.
Calin excused them before he and his bride made his way over to the maid of honor, who was with Jamie and Megan.
Jamie was currently finishing with wiping the chocolate ice cream from his nephew's face.
When he had finished, Leo told his uncle, "Tank you." "Sure thing, buddy," Jamie responded with a smile.
Leo smiled back before he began reaching for his mother.
When Evie had taken Leo in his arms, Jamie addressed the bride and groom, "I hate that we can't stay longer, but we need a day of rest before work on Monday."
"We hate to see you guys go, but we completely understand," Calin told them.
Jamie and Megan nodded before she spoke, "The wedding really was so beautiful. I can see how much you guys love each other, and I'm so glad you let me come."
"Oh, of course! I was so excited when Jamie told us about you, and I couldn't wait to meet you," Anna Elizabeth told her.
Megan pushed her platinum blonde hair off her shoulders before she smiled and replied, "And I'm so happy to meet all of you. Jamie talks about his family all of the time – it's nice to put faces to names."
Calin and Anna Elizabeth smiled and nodded in response.
Jamie then spoke, "Well, we really should get going." He then hugged Anna Elizabeth and shook Calin's hand before he offered them another congratulations.
Jamie then turned his attention to his sister, who had just returned from fixing Leo something to drink.
He hugged her before saying goodbye. Evie nodded before she told him, "You be careful out there."
Jamie couldn't resist rolling his eyes before he replied, "You sound like Mom."
Evie sighed before she said, "I know, but I can't help it."
"I know, sis," Jamie simply responded.
Megan then chimed in, "Don't worry – I'll look out for him," with a smile.
Evie smiled and nodded in response. Megan wasn't much of a hugger, so she simply bid everyone goodbye before she and Jamie left.
The wedding DJ then announced, "Alright, everyone, it's time for some music. If the bride and groom would please make their way onto the dance floor for the first dance."
Anna Elizabeth and Calin exchanged a bright smile before they walked hand-in-hand onto the large wooden platform.
Calin slipped one arm around Anna Elizabeth's waist and held her hand with the other. Anna Elizabeth rested her free hand on his shoulder.
As Calin pulled his bride close to him, he whispered in her ear, "Let's see if those dance lessons paid off."
Anna Elizabeth giggled before she teased, "Considering that you couldn't dance at all, I think that you managing to not step on my toes would be a major improvement."
Calin only shook his head and rolled his eyes in response. A moment later, the music began to play:
You might not think you're a supermodel
But you look like one to me
I'd rather have your picture on my phone
Than on the cover of a magazine
It's hard to think that a girl like you
Could have any insecurities
It's funny how all the things you would change
Are all the things that are cute to me
And I know you don't believe me
And you think that I'm a fool
But I don't care
Maybe
You'll never see in you what I see
The little things that make me go crazy
I'm not crazy
You're perfectly perfect to me
You brush it off every time I tell you
Your smile lights up the room
And I'm guessing that you don't even notice
The whole world notices you
You think you're clumsy
I think you're cool
You say you're typical
I say you rule
Sometimes I wonder if you'll ever believe
That I wrote this song for you
By this time, other couples were slowly making their way onto the dance floor, but Calin and Anna Elizabeth never even noticed.
To Anna Elizabeth's surprise, Calin unlooped his arm from around her. He then took the hand that was still holding hers and spun her around.
When he spun her back into him and was holding her in his arms, Anna Elizabeth spoke, "You've become quite the dancer, Calin."
Calin smiled as he replied, "Anything for you," as he ran his fingers through her hair.
Anna Elizabeth smiled back before she told him, "I really do love this song."
"Well, I picked it because it reminds me so much of you," Calin told her.
The bride smiled sheepishly as she asked, "So, you really think I look like a supermodel?"
Calin offered a genuine smile as he answered, "You're even more beautiful." He then paused and added, "And your smile lights up a room."
Anna Elizabeth returned his smile as she told him, "And you make me believe that every word is true. You always make me believe in myself."
Calin wiped the tears that had begun to form in her blue eyes. He then responded, "That's because you are perfect in every way to me, Anna Elizabeth."
Anna Elizabeth smiled brightly before she pulled him in for a sweet kiss. Calin tilted his head slightly to deepen the kiss. They lingered a moment before they began pulling away.
When they had pulled apart, they rested their foreheads against each other's. The song had ended, but Anna Elizabeth and Calin were too caught up in the moment to notice. Their attention was pulled away when they heard clapping.
The bride and groom then turned their attention to their guests – both on the dance floor and at the tables – to be met with bright smiles.
Once the crowd had settled, the DJ started the next song, which was "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain.
Evie had danced the first song with David and was going to check on Leo. She found the two-year-old asking Mary Margaret, "Kimery play with me and Mattew?"
"Well, sweetie, I think you'd have to ask Kimberly's daddy," Mary Margaret answered her grandson.
"Otay, MM," Leo answered. He then noticed his mother and asked, "Uncle Alex?"
"Did I hear my name?" Alex spoke with a grin as he walked up behind Evie, Mary Margaret, and Leo. Kimberly was skipping along behind him.
Leo ran up to him and asked, "Kimery play with me and Mattew?"
Alex looked a bit skeptical, so Evie assured him, "Aunt Belle is going to keep an eye on them."
Alex nodded at her before he told the kids, "You go have fun."
Leo and Kimberly didn't even respond before they ran over to Belle and Matthew.
Alex and Evie chuckled before David chimed in, "If you kids will excuse us, I believe I'll dance with my beautiful wife."
Mary Margaret smiled at her husband before they moved onto the dance floor.
Alex then questioned, "Belle really doesn't mind watching the kids?" "Of course she doesn't," Evie assured him with a smile.
He then looked around and asked, "Where's your brother and his girlfriend?"
"Oh, they had to head back to D.C." Evie explained.
Alex nodded before he commented, "You and Jamie seem close. And he adores Leo."
Evie nodded before she commented, "We didn't always get along as well as we do now, but he is a great brother, and I'm so happy to have him."
Alex nodded as well before he spoke, "That must be nice," a bit dejectedly.
Evie noticed his tone and observed, "You have a brother and sister, though."
"Yeah, I do. But I was a surprise for my parents because I came along 16 years later," Alex explained.
Evie's green eyes widened slightly before she spoke, "I can see why it'd be hard for you."
Alex then spoke, "It can be, but I still love them."
Evie smiled as she responded, "Well, they are your family." Alex smiled back at her in response.
The chorus of the song them came on, and Evie exclaimed, "Oh, I love this part!" She then proceeded to sing along, "I'll be your cryin' shoulder. I'll be love suicide. I'll be better when I'm older. I'll be the greatest fan of your life."
Alex couldn't help but chuckle before he told her, "I didn't picture you as much of a singer."
Evie chuckled as well before she replied, "Well, I'm not – that's more of Anna Elizabeth's territory. But I've always loved this song."
Alex nodded before he agreed, "It is a great song." There was a moment of silence before he sheepishly asked, "Would you like to dance?"
Evie felt her heartbeat quicken in her chest – something she hadn't felt in a long time. A million thoughts were running through her mind, but she chose to follow the advice of one elated bride.
Evie smiled at Alex as she responded, "I'd love to." Alex smiled at her in response. He then nervously grabbed her hand and led her out onto the floor.
Both of them were a bundle of nerves as they got into position. His hands were resting on either side of her waist, and hers were resting on his shoulders.
Alex then broke the tension with a joke, "I'm warning you now – I haven't done this since before Kimberly was born."
Evie chuckled before she told him, "Well, I have, but I'm not sure it counts because they're all related to me."
Alex chuckled at her words before he told her, "Well, maybe we should fix that." Evie nodded, and they then both started dancing.
A minute in, Alex commented, "You know, Evie, I have to say that you have enough gracefulness for both of us."
Evie grinned as she replied, "That's what ten years of ballet will do for you."
Alex then told her, "You know, I can see you as a ballerina."
Evie rolled her eyes before she told him, "Don't tease me."
"I was actually being serious. You really are graceful, and you're a great dancer," Alex sincerely told her.
Evie smiled genuinely at him as she replied, "Thank you, Alex." He returned her smile in response.
As they continued dancing, they were unaware that they were gradually moving closer toward each other. Throughout the rest of the song, they laughed and talked as though they were old friends.
Soon enough, the song was over. It was then that Evie and Alex realized their close proximity. Both of them blushed deeply before they slowly backed away. They then walked over to one of the tables and sat down.
After a moment of silence, Alex took a deep breath and spoke, "So, should we, uh, talk about, um, us?"
"There is no us, Alex. We met two days ago," Evie defended, feeling those doubts and fears creeping in her mind.
"I completely understand that, and it wasn't exactly what I meant. There is something between us, Evie," Alex told her.
Evie took a deep breath and gathered her courage before she admitted, "I know that there is. But I don't know what it is exactly," with an exasperated sigh.
Alex cautiously took her hand in his before he told her, "I'm really not sure about it either, but…," pausing to take a deep breath. He then continued, "All I know is that I haven't lost this much sleep since Kimberly was a baby."
Evie's eyes widened slightly at his admission, but she couldn't refute because she felt the same way.
She then spoke, "You understand why this is hard for me – you're in the same situation that I'm in. I can't risk my heart again until I'm sure…"
"That it won't be broken. And until we're sure our kids won't get hurt in the process," Alex empathetically finished her thought.
Evie nodded before she asked, "So, what should we do?"
Alex held up the index finger on his free hand as he told her, "One day at a time. We should take this one day at time."
Evie smiled at him in response. She then agreed, "One day at a time," as she squeezed his hand. Alex returned her smile before they let go of each other's hands.
They then went to go join Belle in watching the kids.