The Wedding, Part II: The Reception
"I am hungry." Fen says to Ana as they are walking together and holding hands inside the resort. They are waiting to be announced by their host, along with their parents, bridesmaids and groomsmen.
"You have worked up an appetite doing all of this wedding stuff." Ana says teasing him.
"You could say that." Fen says smiling at her.
"Yeah me too." Ana admits. They had just come from taking photographs and were about to sit down and eat dinner. They were now standing outside the ballroom along with their wedding party & parents. They were all waiting to be introduced to their guests at the reception by the host they had hired for it.
"Fen, I had fun taking those photographs." Ana states looking at him. "I think they are going to come out great."
Fen takes her hand and kisses it. "Of course they are." He replies. "And your beauty is going to make them captivating." He then leans over and kisses her on the cheek. She looks into his eyes and then they kiss on the lips. They look at each other and kiss again. After the second kiss on the lips, Fen caresses her face with his hand.
"You know that I have a need for more than just food." Fen states looking into her eyes.
Ana laughs and puts her hand on his chest. "Babe we will handle that later." She promises. "I'll take care of you." She smiles. She looks into his eyes and touches his face. "We'll take care of each other."
Fen looks her up and down. "Oh, I will definitely take care of you alright." He says. "All throughout the night..." He then starts to sing. "All Night Long..."
"Fen..." Ana says. She looks at him. "And you busting out the Lionel Richie." She gives him an amused look.
"I like Lionel and that song." Fen says. "And I can't help how I feel." He shrugs.
Ana gives Fen a look and smiles. "Babe, I know. And I'm with you. I am. But..." She leans a little closer to him. "Our parents and the minister are close by, so..."
"Behave myself right now." Fen finishes for her. He smiles. "Though, they should totally understand. And Ministers encourages this. It's apart of the joint together, united as one vow."
Ana laughs again.
Fen rolls his eyes and smiles. "Alright. I will just say that I can't wait to be alone with you. Especially since you've been so busy, and I haven't been seeing much of you lately..."
Ana nods. "Same, My loving husband." They smile at each other again. "But right now we need to enjoy this reception with our loved ones." She tells him. "Summer and Devon went to all of this trouble to give us this lovely wedding and reception."
Ana and Fen talk a bit more and listen as the host starts announcing people, including their parents and their wedding party. And then it's their turn.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." The host says. "I want to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Fen and Ana Baldwin."
Fen and Ana look at each other and smile and enter the room holding hands. They get applause and smile at their guests. Ana beams at them and admires how pretty the ballroom looks. They are then directed to the head table and their seats by the host. Anna looks at the table admiringly and then around the room again."This is all so lovely."
"This is so pretty." Ana remarks looking at the table with the pastel flowers decorated over it and the beautiful plate ware. She smiles at the wooden Mr. and Mrs. Sign on the table.
"This is lovely as well." She remarks touching the sign. She looks around the room. "And that pretty looking table over there for our parents." Ana smiles. "My mom is probably loving these decorations and these tablecloths." Fen and Ana settle into their seats and the reception gets underway.
Jett stands up and gives a speech welcoming everyone to the wedding.
"Thank you everyone for attending this wedding. As the proud father of the bride, I am honored that you would attend this wedding to witness the celebration of my daughter's love with her new husband Fen." He talks a little more. Everyone claps when he's done and then dinner is served.
Fen and Ana and their guests enjoy a delicious dinner of French cuisine. The speeches are then made. Including one from Summer. Fen and Ana smile and laugh as they listen to Summer's speech.
"I'm totally responsible for getting these two together." Summer brags.
"I could sense early on even before they could that there was something special between these two." Summer tells the guests.
"And I worked my magic and helped push them together." She looks at Ana and Fen and smiles.
"Fen, I've known you like all my life." She tells him. "I've watched you over the years grow… and finally mature." She tells him teasingly. Everyone in the room laughs. "You've come into your own as man and a musician and now you will be doing that as a husband. I could not be happier for you."
She then looks at Ana. "Ana, I have gotten close to you over the past couple of years, and you are a wonderful person. I think you are a perfect match for Fen. You compliment him well and I have seen how happy you make him." She pauses and continues. "I think you both fit each other very well. I'm happy to see that my two best friends got married and I wish you a long and happy marriage. I love you guys."
"Love you too, Summer." Ana says to her. Fen nods. "Thank you Summer." Summer sits down and then Scott and Xavier toast them as well. After all the toasts are done, Fen and Ana go off onto the dance floor to have their first dance as a couple.
Fen holds Ana tight as they dance to a slow song from an artist, they both love. She looks into his eyes and they smile. She then wraps her arms around his neck. After they dance, the guests start to come on the dance floor and more dances happen. Including Fen and Ana dancing with their parents and in-laws.
"I am so happy for you baby girl." Jett tells Ana happily as they dance together. "Me too Daddy." Ana says. "And I am so glad you are here celebrating this big day with me." She smiles at him and they continue to dance.
"You know it's really hitting me that my baby is really married." Lauren tells Fen as they dance. She smiles at him and tears comes into her eyes.
"Aw... mom." Fen says smiling.
"I am just so happy for you." Lauren tells him sincerely. "I am so glad you found true love and Ana is a wonderful woman. I know that you two will be happy together." She states knowingly. "Like me and your father." Fen smiles at Lauren and kisses her cheek. "Well, you two have given me a good example on what to do for a successful marriage. And I hope that me and Ana can duplicate that success." He states warmly.
Ana then dances with Michael and Fen dances with Harmony.
"You are a great dancer, Ms. Hamilton." Fen says as he dances with Harmony to an upbeat song.
"I can get down." She says laughing. "And you're a pretty good dancer yourself Fen." She tells him. "Nice to know that my son-in-law has some moves." She laughs. She smiles at him and he twirls her around.
"You are really getting it Michael." Ana says laughing. "You are a great dancer."
"Thank you." Michael replies. "I love to dance." He tells her. "Fenmore got some of his dance moves from me." He brags.
"I don't doubt that." Ana replies laughing as they dance.
"I am so glad that he found love with you." Michael tells her sincerely. "Welcome to the family Ana."
Ana smiles touched by his comments. "Thank you. I am so happy to be apart of your family." They smile and dance some more.
As these dances are going on more guests get on the floor.
Nate is also sitting down with Phyllis and they look at each other. Just as Phyllis is about to ask Nate to dance, Abby pops up.
"I'm here to get that dance with you." Abby says smiling at him.
Nate looks up at her and smiles. "That's right." He states remembering their conversation from earlier in the day. "Let's have that dance then." He gets up and him and Abby dance together. Phyllis watches as they dance together with an amused look on her face.
She looks around the room and sees Elena watching Nate dance with Abby, with a bit of a wistful look on her face. Phyllis notices that she doesn't have a date with her.
That's interesting she doesn't have a date with her. Phyllis thinks to herself.
"I forgot how good of a dancer you are." Abby comments putting her arms around Nate's neck.
"And you always enjoyed a good dance." Nate says smiling at her as they continue to dance together. At one point during the dance he looks over at Elena and they lock eyes. She makes a face and then looks away.
After they finish dancing Abby looks at Nate and smiles again. "That was really nice, Nate." She remarks.
He nods. "Yes it was." They talk for a little more and then Abby goes and talks to other guests at the party.
Nate looks around the room and puts his hands in his pockets. He sees Elena talking to some people at the party including some bridesmaids. He then sees her getting a drink by herself at a table. He wonders if he should go over and talk to her. He decides to.
"How are you doing, Elena?" He asks.
"I am doing fine." She tells him. "How are you?"
"I'm doing quite well." Nate responds. "This wedding is wonderful. The atmosphere is great, the food is great, Ana and Fen are happy. And you can feel the love in the air."
Elena smiles. "It really is a gorgeous wedding." She sighs. "And I am so happy for Ana and Fen. You can really feel the love between those two." She takes a sip of her drink and then gives Nate a knowing look. "I am glad that some people find a way to make it."
Nate nods. "Everyone isn't so lucky to end up with the love of their lives. Or someone that they deeply love." He states. "But for those that do it is such a wonderful experience, a blessing really."
Elena nods. "Yes it is." She agrees. She looks around. "And it's so nice to see all of their family and loved ones gathered around and celebrating their love."
Nate smiles. "Definitely."
"And it's nice that people are also here with their plus ones..." Elena looks at him curiously. "I saw you came here with Phyllis." She tells him. "That's... nice."
"Yeah, I thought she was a fitting person to bring." Nate admits. "She's the mother of the matron of honor."
"Right." Elena nods. "And she's your uh..." She says fishing for the word that she wanted to use. Elena had seen Nate and Phyllis hanging out before around town. She knew they had become friends, but wasn't sure if it had turned into something more.
"She is my friend." Nate clarifies clearing things up. "We are friends and I enjoy her company." He tells Elena.
"That's good." Elena responds. "It's nice she came to keep you company here."
"Did you come here with anybody?" Nate asks. "I didn't see you with anyone, but maybe he stepped away or something."
Elena shakes her head. "Nope. I had a date lined up but he had to cancel at the last minute. Something to do with a business emergency."
Nate shakes his head and looks at her. He leans towards her. "It's his loss." He looks her up and down. "Definitely his loss."
"Yeah..." Elena says frowning. She looks down at her drink.
"You look lovely by the way." Nate tells her. "I like that color on you. Those bridesmaids dresses are really pretty."
Elena looks down at her dress. "Thank you." She says graciously. "Ana wanted the bridesmaids input on the dresses and we decided on this color."
Nate looks at her again admiringly. "And it was an excellent choice." They smile at each other. Nate then starts moving his head to the music. "The music here is great too." He states. "But that's not a surprise Fen and Ana are both talented artists and they have good taste in music." He continues to listen. "This music here makes me want to dance."
"Well, I already saw you dancing with Abby." Elena blurts out. "I mean... uh you looked like you were having a good time with her." Her eyes widen and she finishes her drink.
"It was nice to dance with her." Nate admits. "And catch up with her."
"Yeah, you two looked like you were having a good time." Elena states.
"We did." Nate admits. "It's nice to have someone to dance with at an event like this." He puts his hands in his pockets again and looks at Elena. "Have you hit the dance floor yet?" He asks.
She shakes her head. "No, not yet."
"You should. You should get out there and have some fun. Let your hair down so to speak." He suggests. "I heard that being a bridesmaid can be a hard job." He teases.
Elena smiles. "It was a duty I was happy to do today."
"Well, now it's time to relax." Nate remarks. He looks out onto the floor. "Would you like to dance with me?" He asks. "I'm still in the mood to dance."
Elena makes a face thinking.
Nate makes a gesture with his hand. "That is... if you want to." He states. "If you don't feel like it, I totally understand."
Elena looks around at all the people dancing and then smiles. "You know... I think that I am in the mood for a dance." She remarks.
"Come on then." Nate says. They walk out onto the floor and start dancing together to an upbeat song. They dance and enjoy themselves.
"Do you remember Jett's birthday party that we had about a year and a half ago?" Nate asks.
Elena nods. "Of course I do." She recalls.
"That was a blast and it had great music... like this wedding." Nate remarks.
"But a lot more oldies..." Elena comments.
"But Goodies." Nate interjects. They both look at each other and laugh. They continue to dance and then Nate has a flashback of them at that birthday party of Jett's.
Flashback
"This cake is so good." Elena comments as she's eating a piece of it at Jett's party. "Delicious vanilla bean buttercream and chocolate. Yummy." She looks at Nate and smiles.
"Why aren't you having any cake?" She asks him.
Nate pats his stomach. "I'm trying to cut back on sugar." He tells her.
"Why?" She asks.
Nate shrugs. "Just to establish an even healthier lifestyle for myself. A friend of mine has inspired me to do that." He tells Elena.
"Oh, yeah?" Elena asks, taking another bite of cake.
"Yeah, he's someone I go jogging with sometimes." Nate reveals to her.
"He's in his 60's and in great shape." Nate informs her. "He says that he largely attributes his health to a good diet. Which includes limiting his sugar intake."
Elena smiles. "That's cool, but there is nothing wrong with some sugar in your life. A little sweetness never hurt anybody." They look at each other and smile. "And I admit I am a desert freak." She then pauses, thinking. "So maybe I should worry about aging well..." She ponders.
"You'll age fine." Nate assures her. "It looks like you have good genetics." He tells her. "You're in great shape and you look fantastic." He compliments her. They look into each other's eyes and Elena feels her face grow warm.
"Well... thank you for the reassurance Dr. Hastings." She tells him teasingly. "And you really should try this cake."
Nate shrugs.
"Come on..." Elena entices him. "It's really good and it's a party. You can have a bite of mine." She offers.
She picks up a fork and hands it to him. "Cut you a small piece. Or try a bite of mine. It's really good." She assures him. "And you're going to age well, Nate. You too have good genetics." They smile at each other again.
Nate then takes his fork and tries a corner of her cake slice. He smiles when he tastes it.
"It's really good isn't it?" Elena remarks.
He nods. "Yeah it is." He agrees.
"Now cut yourself, your own piece." She instructs him.
"I'd rather continue to taste your cake instead." He says teasingly. Elena eyes widen and they smile at each other. He looks down at the cake for a moment and then back up at her, sighs and smiles. He enjoyed being around her.
Flashback ends.
The upbeat music stops and Nate and Elena look at each other.
"That was a fun party." He states fondly.
"Yes, it was, very fun."
"And this dance was also fun." Nate adds.
"It was..." Elena admits.
A slow song starts to play. They look around and they see some of the guests start to dance to the slower song.
"Well I guess...uh..." Nate begins thinking of what to say. Just then Phyllis appears.
"There you are Nate." She remarks looking at him. "You went ghost on me for a bit there."
"I was just mingling and dancing." Nate informs her.
"I saw that and you left me by my lonesome. But now if it's okay with you and Elena can I get a dance with you?" She asks.
Elena makes a face after Phyllis says this. "Yeah, uh... we were finished up with our dance anyway." Elena states, though she was a little disappointed that her dance with Nate had ended.
"Cool, well I guess you and me can dance now." Phyllis says to Nate.
Nate makes a face and then looks at Elena. "Uh, okay." He says a little reluctantly.
"You are an in demand dance partner tonight." Elena comments looking at him and gives him a smile. "Thank you for the dance Nate. I will see you later."
"See you later." Nate says and sighs a bit as she walks away.
Him and Phyllis then start to slow dance. He puts his hand around her waist.
"You're welcome." Phyllis tells him.
"For what?" He asks.
"For me saving you from yourself." She tells him.
Nate makes a face. "Phyllis..."
She shakes her head. "Nope..." She says. "You my friend were about to attempt to go backwards and I couldn't let you do that. I couldn't let you get hurt again like that."
"It was just a dance, Phyllis." Nate insists.
"Maybe that is the way it would start, but then you'd want more again and be back to pining and suffering again." She predicts. "And I don't want to see you go through that again."
"So it's wrong for me to dance with Elena?" Nate asks.
Phyllis shakes her head. "No, you just have to be careful. Be careful with your heart again." She cautions him. "You don't want to go backwards." She advises him. "And that includes with Abby too."
Nate rolls his eyes. "That was definitely just a dance." He insists.
Phyllis purses her lips. "Was it?" She asks. "Because you two looked awfully close dancing in each other's arms, from where I was sitting." She remarks. "You don't want to go backwards with Abby either, especially since you and her didn't want the same things. And she couldn't fully allow herself to give her heart to you."
Nate gives Phyllis a look. "So you want me to severely limit my interaction with women I've been romantically interested or involved with in the past?" He asks.
"Again, I just want you to be careful. And look towards the future. Look towards finding someone new that will really fit you." Phyllis advises him.
Nate sighs. "Well, I haven't met that person yet."
Phyllis smiles. "But you will." She claims. "And I am going to help you find that person." She promises. He gives her a look and they continue to dance together at the reception.