Sorry for the long wait. I hope everyone is staying safe in this strange world we're now living in. I'm still working which is surreal to say the least. (Please be nice to those essential workers. We're doing our best to do our jobs in these insane circumstances.)

This chapter is strictly the wedding. I hadn't planned on splitting the wedding and the reception, but I've been working so much I haven't had time to edit much and I wanted to get something out there. So, split 'em.

Thanks for your never-ending patience. :-)

"Are you nervous," Topanga asked as she sipped her mimosa.

"Not really. I just can't believe this day is finally here. It seems like it's taken us forever. But nervous?" Naomi shook her head. "I'm more worried about how Shawn is doing to be honest."

"What? Why? You don't think he'd actually…" She looked around and, realizing how crowded the small preparation room had become, lowered her voice, "…pull some sort of runaway groom on you, do you? He'd never do that. He loves you."

And she did know that. But love or no love, she also knew how Shawn got when he was stressed out. What might start as a ten minute walk to clear his head could end up with him being ten miles away because he wasn't paying attention. The last thing she wanted to do today was send out a search party for her groom because he was unfamiliar with the area. "I know, I just…like I said….this day is a long time coming."

Topanga wrapped an arm around her shoulder and did her best to hug her without wrecking either one of their hair and makeup. "Don't worry. Cory, Jack, and Mr. Turner have been watching him like hawks. I bet with the three of them there he hasn't even been able to pee in peace!"

She snapped her fingers. "Ooh, I'm glad you said that."

"Huh? What did I say?"

"Pee. I should do that before I get into my dress." Naomi jumped up.

"Not before I'm finished," the makeup artist admonished.

She sat back down. "Right. Sorry."

Just then Nina came running over. "Auntie Nomi you look like a princess!"

"I do?" She smiled but kept her eyes closed as the setting spray was applied to her makeup.

"You look even more prettier than Snow White. Or even Mulan when her mommy and grandma tried to make her get married."

"Wow, prettier than Snow White and Mulan? Do you think Uncle Shawn will think so?"

"He's getting married to you. So he has to think you're pretty even if you wake up one morning and look like the evil queen did when she pretended to be the old apple lady that tricked Snow White!"

Everyone laughed. "Ah, to be so young and already figured out life," Naomi's mother said as she joined the group. "Yes, your husband must love you whether you look like Snow White, the Evil Queen, or the old apple lady. And unfortunately we'll all be the old apple lady one day. You're a very smart girl, Nina," she said, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"I know."

She smiled. Naomi and Shawn had advised her well in advance of the girl's rather animated disposition. Personally she found her a to be an absolute joy- she'd loved having all the kids around this weekend- and couldn't wait until one of her daughters made her a grandmother. She knew better than to verbalize any of this to them. She and her husband had raised strong, independent daughters and anything that happened in their lives happened according to their timetables, not their parents' wishes. There were more than a few instances over the past five years when she wondered if Shawn was right for her daughter and didn't see why Naomi was so patient with him and willing to wait when that hadn't been the case in past relationships. But she'd learned over time to keep her judgements to herself, only intervening when she saw a critical issue. Luckily those instances were few and far between and Shawn made her daughter happier than she had perhaps ever been. And for that she loved him. "Naomi?"

"Yes?"

"It's almost one. You should get into your dress."

"I know. Hana's getting it right now." Her sister was the only one who had seen her dress up until this point. "I was thinking she could help me put it on and then everyone could see it at the same time."

"You wouldn't rather I and sobo help you?"

"Mom, I told you I want it to be a surprise. Besides, how do I know sobo isn't going to switch out my dress with a kimono?"

"I was only joking about that," Naomi's grandmother insisted. "Though I don't understand why you wouldn't want to follow the traditions the generations before you have followed and-"

"Sobo-"

The older woman put her hands up. "I know, I know. You kids do things your way, a new way."

"Shawn and I are combining two families and making our own. We're incorporating traditions that are important to both of us." She got up, walked over to her grandmother, and took her hands. "I haven't forgotten where I come from or the generations who came before me. Shawn and I are doing the San san kudo and I promise you there will be 1,001 Cranes on display. And look." She smiled and lifted up the ends of her robe, revealing red heels. "I'm wearing the shoes you gave me for luck."

"And Shawn is wearing the red socks?"

She was unaware socks had been sent, but it sounded like something her grandma would do. "If he knows what is good for him he is."

"And the shorts?"

"What shorts?"

"I gave him boxer shorts, not briefs, better for getting great-grandchildren. You should save the 1,001 cranes and use them to decorate the baby's room."

Her eyes widened in horror and she screeched, "Mom!"

Naomi's mom gripped her own mother by the shoulders and led her towards the door. "Let's go, mom. I'm sure there's a caterer somewhere whose bowtie is crooked and needs to be reprimanded."

"What did I do? I read articles about the boxers. I'm only trying to help expand the family. More people to love."

/

/

"Shawn! Shawnie, where are you?"

"Relax, Cor," he said, appearing from behind a tree. "I'm right here."

"What the heck are you doing back there, huh?" They'd just finished taking pictures and suddenly Shawn was no longer beside them. "Well," he prodded.

"Because I thought puking in front of everyone would be really tacky."

"You threw up? Are you okay? Do you need a doctor? God, the wedding…"

He put his hand on his best man's shoulder. "Breathe. In and out. Deep breaths. There you go," he cheered a few moments later.

"Don't mock me."

"Then don't be so easy to mock. I'm fine."

"But the barfing and-"

"Nerves. I think I just needed to get it out of my system." Shawn glanced down the embankment and chuckled. "It's definitely out now, along with my breakfast and last night's pizza, fries, and ice cream."

"You're sure?"

"Positive." He slapped Cory's arm and looked around as the rest of the groomsmen gathered around. "I don't suppose anyone has any mouthwash, gum, or mints, do they?"

"I got you covered, man," the photographer called out. He went over to his bag, pulled out a travel sized mouth wash and a pack of gum, and tossed them to Shawn.

"Thanks, Cupid."

"You travel with that on you," Cory asked.

"You work enough weddings and you learn what most people forget."

"Wait a second…your name is Cupid?" He turned to Shawn. "You hired a photographer named Cupid?"

"I've known him for years. He's very in demand for weddings. The guy's amazing."

Cory looked the man over, trying to make sense of the name with the appearance. It didn't fit. He looked more like a Hell's Angel or a lost member of ZZ Top. But before he could say anything the car with the Naomi and the bridesmaids came up the road. "Shawnie, hide."

"What?"

"You want that first look shot, right?"

"Oh…yeah. Could you guys….I don't know….talk a walk or something?" He'd wanted to give Naomi his gift in private. And he wanted them to have a few minutes to themselves before things really got going. He worked a lot of weddings in his early days as a photographer and learned a long time ago that for as much as the day was supposed to be about the bride and groom, they often didn't get much time together to soak it all in.

"I'll have Jordan get pictures of the bridal party over by the barn and gardens on the other side of the river. I scouted the grounds earlier. I think we can get some really nice shots there."

Shawn didn't pay attention to whatever else was happening around him and instead walked over to a bench near the water's edge and sat down. He found himself fascinated by the koi swimming just below the surface and the ducks skimming the water above it and wondered if they knew it was his wedding day, if they cared. Then he laughed at the absurdity of the thought. Of course they didn't care. Why would they?

"Saving this seat for anyone in particular or…"

"Oh, you know, hoping to pick up a stray bride. I hear they pass this way a lot."

Naomi ran her hand along the back of the bench before bringing it to rest on his shoulder. "Have anyone in mind or will any bride do?"

"Well there is this one who…" He trailed off when he turned around to face her. "…wow."

"Hi."

Shawn stood and it all in, looking her over from head to toe. If he hadn't of known otherwise, he would've thought she bought her dress. "Wow."

"You said that already."

"Sorry. You just…you look…wow."

"I hope your vows are more original," she gently teased. "You're looking pretty wow yourself."

"You really made that?"

She slowly spun around to show him the full effect. "Not too bad for an amateur, right?"

"It's incredible." He took a step closer, hesitant almost, as if he was afraid she would fade away like a mirage. "Can I-it's not going to rip or anything if I hug you, right?"

Instead of giving him a verbal answer, Naomi flung herself into his arms, nearly sending him backwards into the water. "What do you think?"

"I think it would be a shame for you to go through all that work only for us to end up in the Hudson River, even if it is the cleaner part."

She wrapped her arms around Shawn's neck and rested her forehead against his. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He held her tighter. "Tell me this isn't a dream. I'm not going to wake up alone and realize I imagined you?" Moments later he yelped and grabbed his backside. "What are you doing?"

"If the pinch hurt that means you're not dreaming," she replied with a smirk.

"You're supposed to pinch yourself."

"But then how would you be convinced?"

"You think you're smart, huh?"

"A little bit." Naomi pulled him closer for a kiss, but made it a quick one. "Sorry. I just spent two hours getting hair and makeup done."

"That's okay. Just promise you'll make it up to me later."

"How does the rest of our lives sound?"

"It's not a bad start." He took her hand and led her over to sit on the bench. "I have something for you."

"Shawn, you didn't have to-"

"I wanted to." He reached into the breast pocket of his suit jacket and took out the envelope. "This might seem a little weird," he began, holding it just out of her reach, "but this has always been your dream. And, well, you've already helped so many of my dreams come true. You made me believe in love again after I worried I messed up my chance. You love me even when I'm being impossible and distant and acting like a jerk. I was the kid who was always looking for a home and family…the place he belonged and you helped me find it. You're my family and home is wherever you are."

"Shawn…"

"Like I was saying, you've made so many of my dreams come true and I hope this helps with at least one of yours'."

Naomi opened the envelope and was puzzled to find it contained a college brochure. "I don't understand."

"You've dreamed your whole life of being a designer. You told me once you felt like you were born to create and I agree. I know that's a passion you still have. You're always making things. Hell, you made your wedding dress!"

Her eyes fell back to the brochure, still not grasping its meaning. "So this…"

"I have enough put away for a semester at FIT. If you want to keep going there's money for more semesters, too. If not that's fine. I just want you to have the opportunity to live your dream."

She blinked quickly in a furious attempt to preserve her makeup. "Is this for real?"

"If I'm not dreaming, neither are you. It's as real as us."

She threw her arms around him and momentarily forgot about everything: her hair and makeup, their surroundings, and the photographer just a few feet away. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

She pulled away and carefully wiped her eyes. Naomi loved being a nurse but there had always been a part of her that wondered what if? What if her parents had been willing to help her pay for design school instead of insisting she go into the medical field? Or what if she'd been brave enough to go against their wishes and found a way to pay for school herself? Still, she could hardly complain about the path her life had taken. Look where it brought her. "I can't…you don't know how much…thank you. This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"You deserve it. And don't even try to argue with me on that," he added when he saw she was about to speak up.

"If you insist."

"I do."

"Save that talk for the altar, mister." She kissed him once more before she remembered she had a gift for him as well. "Oh! I have something for you, too." Naomi leaned across the bench and grabbed the gift bag. "Granted, it can't even touch yours', but-"

"It came from you so I'll love it." Shawn shook his head, almost disgusted. "Man, we are sappy as hell today."

"I know, right? Let's hope it goes away after the wedding," she teased and nudged him with her elbow. "Now open your present."

"Yes, dear." Shawn dug into the bag and found what appeared to be a children's toy, in fact it looked identical to something he had as a kid. "A view master? I didn't know they still made these things."

"Everything's coming back again. I believe the kids are calling it retro nowadays. Retro's very in right now."

He made a face. "If our toys are retro does that mean we're retro? 'Cause that just makes me feel old."

"I could call you vintage."

"That makes me feel older!" They laughed. "But it sounds classier so we'll go with that." He realized there was a reel inside and held it up. The entire thing was them, images from various points in their relationship. But these were pictures he'd never seen before. "Where did these come from?"

"For as much as you love being the one behind the camera, you hate being in front of it. I had to get creative if I wanted more than the occasional shot of us. So not long after we got together I asked Hana or Cory, Topanga, Jack…whoever…to snap a picture from time to time when you were relaxed and we were having fun."

He looked at the extra reels in the bag. "Long term wedding gift project?"

"No, honestly I forgot about it after a while. They didn't though. When I was panicking about not knowing what to get you Rachel was the one who remembered the pictures."

Shawn brought the view master back to his face. He looked happy in almost every single picture. In the ones that didn't scream happiness he at least looked content and at peace. It didn't matter if they were eating, engaged in conversation, or just sitting there. Hell, even in one shot when they fell asleep on Jack and Rachel's couch he looked relaxed and almost like he was smiling. He'd always wondered why Nomi was with such a moody, sometimes mopey person, but clearly that wasn't who he was when he was with her. It was almost as if he was having an out of body experience and seeing their relationship- seeing himself- through her eyes.

He didn't trust himself to maintain his composure long enough to speak so he simply held her close, stared out over the water, and smiled when a pair of ducks passed by, quacking as they went.

/

/

"Do we want Georgia asleep now so she's quiet during the ceremony or should we try to keep her awake so she'll sleep tonight," Angela pondered as she descended the stairs with the dozing infant in her arms. They'd had most of the day free so they joined Jack's mom and step-dad when they took Milo and Calum to a nearby petting zoo and children's museum. She sent her dad several videos of Georgia on her first pony ride and feeding baby goats. She loved it, most of it anyway. It was the baby chicks of all things that scared the girl and made her crawl over to Eric, crying.

"Her sleep is going to be screwed up no matter what, so I say enjoy the quiet while we can. Besides, the odds of her sleeping through the music and dancing at the reception are just about zero. I don't want to be the couple with the noisy baby who wrecks the wedding."

"That's why we're sitting in the back. This way if she starts to fuss we have an easy access escape. Can you take her so I can get my shoes on?"

"Shoes? Oh, you mean the four and a half inch torture devices you'll be bitching about before the night is even half-" He froze when he saw her, dumbfounded.

"What?" She checked her outfit, looking for any obvious spots or offenses. "I just fed her but I know I'm covered up." She looked back at him, but he just continued to stare. "What's wrong?"

"Don't you know it's criminal to waltz into a wedding looking more beautiful than the bride?"

Angela rolled her eyes yet couldn't stop her smile. "You know if corniness were a crime you'd be on death row with that pickup line."

"Really? I thought I pulled it off."

"It's so unoriginal."

"I wasn't going for original. I was going for honest and I know I knocked that one out of the park. I mean it though. You've got to give Naomi a fighting chance. It is her big day."

She laughed quietly and shook her head. "Could you take your daughter so I can put on my…what did you call them? Torture devices," she asked as she carefully transferred the baby into his arms.

"Am I or am I not going to end up giving you a foot massage by the time we get back here tonight?"

"The odds are probably pretty good. You give great massages."

"You don't have to wear skyscrapers to get one."

She secured the straps on her gold shoes before she stood. "Let me just grab my purse and the diaper bag and then we're ready."

Georgia shifted in his arms and he rubbed her back and swayed back and forth. "Can I ask you one thing?"

"What?"

"I don't mind the pink shirt and tie you got me, but I thought you said we were going to be matching."

"No, I said our outfits were going to coordinate. Unless…when you saw Georgia's outfit were you waiting on your yellow dress with pink and blue flowers, too?" Angela took a few steps closer and straightened his tie. "Matching would be too cheesy. But Georgia's in yellow with the pink and blue accents. I was going to wear pink but then I found this dress and you love it when I wear blue."

He leaned down slightly to kiss her. "My favorite person in my favorite color…what's not to love?"

"Right, so since I'm in blue that meant someone had to bring the pink and-"

"-and look damn good doing it," Eric finished.

"Exactly."

"Seriously, I don't mind. I didn't know I looked so good in pink. I'll have to wear it more often." He could already see ideas in her eyes. "I draw the line at a full pink suit though. I won't go on the air looking like the bottle of Pepto in our medicine cabinet."

"Fair enough." Angela checked the time. "Okay, now we really need to go before we're late. We should probably get a picture first."

"There are going to be photographers there."

"Yeah, but we're sparkly and clean now. My makeup is still perfect and Georgia doesn't look like she crawled through a tornado."

"Good point. She hasn't eaten yet and is probably going to be crawling all over that dance floor, too."

"She does love to bop to the music." She held up her phone. "So? One pretty selfie in the mirror before we go back to looking like tired parents? I promised Lila I'd send her pictures throughout the day."

"Fine, but for the record, even when you are a tired mom, you're still the most gorgeous person in the world to me, you know?"

"I know. Thank you."

/

/

"Just a few minutes, people! Where's the father of the bride? Someone find me the father of the bride!"

Shawn looked around and, after making sure the wedding coordinator was properly distracted, opened the patio door and took a seat in one of the chairs. He took the St. Christopher medal Virna had given him hours earlier out of his pocket. Not growing up with religion, he knew next to nothing about it and did a little research. It seemed the medal was supposed to protect one on their journey. He wondered if there needed to be a specific destination in mind or if bumbling down the journey of life qualified for the protection. Either way, he tossed up a prayer? Request? Favor? Whatever it was and whomever it was coming from, Shawn asked for protection for him and Naomi as they took these first steps in their new life together.

"Shawn?"

He looked up and saw Cory's dad in the doorway. "Yeah?"

"It's going to be about five minutes, thanks."

"Okay." He put the medal back into his pocket. "Did Cory send you to look for me?"

"No, I saw you sneak out a few minutes ago. Nervous?"

"Just ready for this whole thing to be over and for it to be official." He leaned back in the chair. "Does that make me sound like a jerk?"

"You sound normal to me. So if you're a jerk then so am I. Humans…we're dumb. We put ourselves through a lot of crap and stress for what's basically a party."

"You and Mrs. Matthews renewed your vows last year. What does that make you?"

"Two idiots who didn't learn their lesson the first time around," he said with a laugh. "Seriously though, after tonight all you're really going to remember is how much you love Naomi and how happy she is."

"You think she looks happy?"

"You've both looked stupid happy all weekend. Enjoy it. Trust me. The real world will rear its ugly head back in eventually."

Shawn nodded. That was one thing he knew well.

"Cory gave you the cufflinks, right? I know they may not exactly be your style but-"

In his best man's efforts to gift him some of the wedding traditions, his something borrowed turned out to be gold and onyx cufflinks that had been in the Matthews family for generations. It meant a lot to Shawn to be included in such a long standing tradition. "No, they're great. I mean, they don't quite reach the epic level of my Rainbow Dash tattoo from Nina." He rolled up his sleeve and showed the elder Matthews his something blue from the flower girl. It had taken some convincing that he needed to put it where it would be hidden for some pictures. "But then what does," he added with a laugh. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome."

"You know I'm not just talking about the cufflinks, right? But, you know…everything. Thanks for looking out for me, whether it was an extra plate of food or a lecture when I effed up. You and Mrs. Matthews…you were always there."

"We're going to keep being there. Trust me. I'm old and set in my ways. We're not going anywhere."

"Is that your way of saying you're going to tell Nomi the same thing you told Topanga when she and Cory got married?"

"If you drive her crazy to call me? She already knows."

"Good."

"Shawnie, there you are," Cory exclaimed, appearing on the patio. "It's showtime."

/

'Crap, I forgot to spit out my gum,' was the lone thought that popped into Shawn's head as he stood under the floral arch, waiting for the rest of the bridal party to join him. On the one hand, it was nice to have a distraction from being acutely aware that approximately 120 sets of eyes were on him at the moment. But on the other, did he really want to spend the moments before his wedding thinking about gum? Then he felt a nudge against his arm as a tissue was being discreetly placed in his hand.

"Here," Cory whispered.

"What's this for?"

"Lose the gum."

He laughed quietly and shook his head. Leave it to his best man to catch the little details. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"You're not going to cry and interrupt the ceremony, are you? Not that I wouldn't deserve it for doing it to you and-"

Cory threw his arm around his friend. "Relax. I won't interrupt the ceremony. I promised Topanga."

"And the crying?"

"What are you, nuts? My best friend's getting married! Of course I'm gonna cry."

Wagner's Bridal March began to play and the rest of the wedding party slowly made their way down the aisle. Cory and Shawn did their best to keep it together when it was Topanga and Evan's turn. The boy looked nervous and was trying to rush through the steps but Topanga had a death grip on his arm and made him keep time with her. She did all this with a beatific smile on her face.

"Hi, Aunt Angela, hi, Uncle Eric! Do you like my flower girl dress? Hi, Opa and Lala! Auntie Nomi made it. She did a good job. Isn't it so pretty?"

Everyone laughed as Nina waved and talked her way down the aisle, throwing rose petals as she went.

"You knew the risks when you made her flower girl, man," Jack whispered. "You just gave her a new audience."

"Let's just hope she remembers to keep her mouth shut during the ceremony," Rachel added.

"Just so everyone is aware," the officiant said in a hushed tone, "the microphones are on."

And before Shawn could process anything else Hana was taking her place and it was time for Naomi to come down the aisle. True, he'd seen her less than an hour ago and had spent the whole afternoon taking pictures, but it felt like he was seeing her for first time. It seemed to be taking forever and he had to stop himself from running up the aisle and pulling her away from her dad. But eventually there she was, her hand was in his and they were standing before the judge.

"Friends, family, we're gathered here today to celebrate the union of…"

"…Shawn and Naomi now wish to seal their commitment with a ritual called San San Kudo."

Shawn exhaled and squeezed Naomi's hand. He'd been so afraid of dropping the ring before he slipped it onto her finger. The wedding seemed to be moving fast. True, they'd planned a short ceremony, but how was it almost over already?

"The San San Kudo," the officiant continued, "is a ceremony dating back to the 1600s and used not only to bind a couple to each other but also to bind their two families into one. Therefore Shawn and Naomi would like for their parents to join them at this time." He waited for the parents to take their places. "Naomi's cousin, Megumi, will present the sakakuzi cups.

"San San Kudo literally translates to three, three, nine times. Nine is a very lucky number in Japan. Megumi will serve sake from a special set of three cups symbolizing heaven, earth and humankind. Naomi and Shawn will each take three sips from each of the three cups, making nine sips total. Then Shawn's parents will do so and finally Naomi's parents, thus completing the family.

"The sake is not supposed to be especially delicious. This is to remind us that marriage will not always be good. There will be bad times. Hard times. But you are now bonded and because of this bond will work together to get through the rough patches until things are good again."

Once they were finished and their parents had taken their seats, Shawn and Naomi faced each other again, holding hands and smiling, almost giddy. They knew the end of the ceremony was seconds away.

"Shawn, Naomi, you came here today before your family and loved ones and declared your love and commitment for one another. You exchanged vows and rings as symbols of your promises. By the power of your love and commitment to each other, by the power vested in me, by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He chuckled when cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. "You may seal your union with a kiss."

"And make it a good one," Naomi's grandmother shouted from the front row, causing the crowd to roar once again.