Their wedding day came around much quicker than they had anticipated however, both Alice and Matthew were excited and looking forward to the day. Jean had really pulled out all of the stops and had arranged the food and sorted the drinks with Cec. She had left strict instructions with Amy how to prepare everything for them coming back after the ceremony. Matthew was getting ready at Mycroft Avenue and Alice and Jean at Alice's house, soon to be the Lawson residence.

"Oh Alice, you look beautiful!" Jean exclaimed when Alice came out of the bathroom. "let me fix your hair and makeup and then I think we're good to go."

When Alice sat down on the chair in front of Jean, making sure to hang up her jacket for later, Jean leaned down and kissed Alice on the temple. "Matthew Lawson is a very lucky man! Where's the garter Alice?"

Alice blushed profusely but moved the skirt of her dress up so Jean could see it. They had a giggle while Jean set Alice's hair with a simple curl and placed a small sparkly clip on one side of her head.

Alice stood, pulled on her jacket and looked at herself in the mirror; that was where Jean found her a few minutes later.

"What's wrong Alice?"

"Nothing, nothing…I just."

"Come on Alice, you can tell me."

"I don't want to upset you Jean but…I wish Lucien were here…to…I would have asked him to give me away."

Jean gave Alice a hug and said, "I wish he were here too but we're going to have such a lovely day and we'll take plenty of photographs so that when Lucien gets back, we'll be able to tell him what he missed!" She kissed Alice on the cheek and said, "come on, we don't want to keep Matthew waiting."

When they eventually arrived at the Council building, the registrar, Mr Morrison, met them in the hallway and informed Jean and Alice that they'd moved the room for the wedding.

"Whatever for?" asked Alice.

"Well, a few more people seem to have turned up than you had anticipated" replied Mr Morrison.

Jean opened the door a little, to peek in and said, "Alice? Don't panic but there are people from the hospital, the station and the community. You two are more popular than you think!" When Jean looked over, she could see the panic settle on Alice's face.

"Alice, you don't seem to realise that people love you and Matthew; they respect you and they want to see you happy. Now take a very deep breath and let's get you married!"

"You'll stay with me Jean? Please? I don't like too many…"

Jean stopped her and said, "Alice, let's go. I'm right here with you."

Alice walked down the makeshift aisle with Jean by her side; she looked at the people to see Matthew's family, nurses and doctors she worked with at the hospital, she saw some of the men from the station and she saw familiar faces from the local community. They were all smiling at her and they were clearly there for her and Matthew.

When Alice reached Matthew, she could see he had a smile as wide as his face and he leaned down and whispered, "you look absolutely beautiful my lovely Alice. Don't be worried about all of the people, just focus on you and me, ok?"

Alice nodded and felt a tear fall from her cheek; she hadn't realised that it was there, but Matthew swiftly reached up, wiped the tear and kissed her cheek where the tear had been.

They said their vows, repeating the words of the registrar and by the time Mr Morrison said, I now pronounce you husband and wife, Matthew and Alice were floating in air. They heard you may now kiss the bride and Matthew and Alice were smiling so much their cheeks hurt. It was the sweetest kiss and both of them were blushing when they turned around to see everyone clapping and cheering.

Rose had asked a photographer to take pictures of the wedding and she had offered this as her wedding present and so the photographer took them to the local gardens for some photographs together then with Jean and Matthew's mum, sister, brother-in-law and Rose. When those who were invited to Mycroft Avenue for a small celebration headed there, the photographer came with them and took photos at the event. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, and everyone came over to personally congratulate Matthew and Alice.

When they actually managed five minutes alone together, Matthew leaned in for a kiss and said, "how are you holding up Alice?"

"I'd like to go home with just you right now but…it has been such a lovely day." She stepped up on her tiptoes and leaned in for one more kiss before saying, "Matthew, you haven't introduced me to your mum and sister yet. They must think us terribly rude."

"Come on then sweetheart."

Matthew headed to his mum and touched her arm to announce his presence then leaned down to kiss her cheek, "mum, let me introduce you to Alice…my wife." He smiled at his own words as he looked over at Alice with such pride.

Matthew's mum pulled Alice into a tight hugging, taking Alice a little by surprise; she kissed Alice on the cheek and said, "welcome to the family dear. I'm Elizabeth but Matthew had told us you have no family so…you can call me mum…if you want to."

Alice was overwhelmed with emotion at the genuine sentiment expressed by Matthew's mum and when Matthew looked at Alice, she looked like she was swallowing down tears.

"Thank you Mrs Lawson, that is very kind of you."

"Alice dear, it's Elizabeth or mum."

At that point, Matthew's sister Vera and her husband Reg appeared, and Matthew introduced Alice to them. Rose appeared and said, "so…should I call you Auntie Alice now?" Alice just smiled and said, "if you'd like to."

They all chatted for a while then Matthew saw Alice try to hide a yawn; he looked at his watch only to realise it was not almost 9 pm and most people had now gone. Jean had mostly tidied up and Matthew went over to speak to her.

"Jean, you're sure it's ok for mum, Vera and Reg to stay here?"

"Of course, Matthew. All of their bags are in the rooms." She reached over to touch Matthew on the arms and said, "have you had a good day Matthew?"

"The best Jean. Thank you so very much for all of this. It has been so overwhelming…but in a good way." He leaned down and kissed Jean on the cheek then hugged her so hard she almost couldn't breathe. When he released her, he turned around and said, "I'm going to call a cab and head back home with Alice. Is that ok with you?"

Jean just smiled and said, "see you for lunch tomorrow?"

Matthew nodded then walked over to where Alice was still talking with his family.

"Mum, Vera…Jean has your rooms all sorted here…Alice, shall we head home?"

Vera winked at Matthew and cheekily remarked, "you two have fun!"

When the taxi arrived at their home, Matthew and Alice headed for the door; Matthew turned and said, "I really should carry you across the door, but I doubt the gamy leg would let me!"

Alice turned, kissed him and said, "forget carrying me across the threshold, just take me to bed and show me how you make love to your wife!"

Matthew locked the door behind and showed Alice exactly how he made love to his wife…twice.

"I love you so very much Alice Harvey. I can't believe we are married."

Alice shook her head and Matthew you looked at her with surprise, "what's wrong sweetheart?"

"It's Alice Lawson now. No more Harvey…only if you're ok with it?"

"Oh Alice…really? I thought you'd want to keep you name? but if not, it would make me so happy if you wanted to be a Lawson." He touched her face and kissed her sensuously then increased the level of passion until they were making love for the third time since they had arrived back home. That night, they slept soundly, wrapped in each other's arms, as husband and wife.