John sat in the gourmet kitchen of the mansion watching the room in front of him while sipping his coffee. It seemed to him that for being the groom at the wedding he wasn't really needed in the preparation. Harold, Grace, Shaw, Root, Fusco, Joss's mother, and Taylor all flew in early this morning and conked out in various rooms in the large mansion. But since awakening and having breakfast it seemed everyone had a task to do for the wedding…except him. Harold was busy seeing to the male attire for the event. Grace and Joss's mother were going to help look with Joss for dresses and a salon to do her hair, makeup, and nails at short notice. Root volunteered for finding an ordained minister. Shaw volunteered to find food and drinks for the reception. Fusco was going to see if he could find someone to play music for their reception. Taylor even had a part with figuring out seating arrangements and finding flowers.
He watched the controlled chaos as everyone was talking at once before Root was the first to leave with Shaw hot on her heels. Fusco disappeared out the door next with Taylor at his side. Harold had long since limped from view into the study to make phone calls since he was paying for everything (his words not theirs). Grace, Joss, and her mother were huddled together talking excitedly about what Joss was looking for in dresses. John watched as they left without a word towards him. Silence echoed the mansion now and John had no clue what it was he was supposed to do.
The door burst open and Joss hurried back inside and marched over to him and kissed him. When she pulled back she grinned. "Now I can go get ready for our wedding," she murmured.
"Grooms don't do much, do they?" he questioned with mirth.
"Not this groom, you just show up and look sexy," she purred as she stole another quick kiss. "But if you want to help, maybe Finch can find you something to do," she whispered and kissed him once more before pulling away. "Now I gotta go!" and with that she breezed away as quickly as she had the first time. John smiled as she went.
It was about an hour later when Harold exited the study looking happy. "Everything is going to be fine; Niikoi pushed in an appointment for the three of us to get us something to wear," Harold said as he limped towards him.
"Can I help?" John offered.
"By showing up, yes, but otherwise I'll take care of everything. I'm so happy for you and Joss," Harold reassured before holding out a slip of paper his way. "Perhaps there is something you can do."
John took the paper and scanned it. "This is a marriage license," he commented.
"Yes. Do you remember Judge Samuel Gates?" Harold asked quietly.
John searched his memory bank and felt as though there was something there but he couldn't fully say the man rang a bell. "A little, I remember he was a number…no, he was a number's father," John said with concentrated effort.
"Yes, he had connections to get me a marriage license quickly. It was his way of trying to repay a debt," Harold explained, sounding as though he didn't quite mirror the man's idea about 'repaying a debt' since there wasn't one. They never helped anyone for any other reason than it was right. "Now all we need is signatures."
John sighed. The time had come to decide who he wanted to be from now on. He lied to Joss because he hadn't been able to figure out if he was ready to truly let go of the Reese persona. Could he be through working the numbers when for so long it was his sole purpose in life? But he had a new purpose, one he had for a while now: love Joss till they were parted by death.
"What are you thinking about, Mr. Reese?"
"Who should I be now that Samaritan is gone," he answered honestly. "Joss said she loved me as John Reese and John Riley, and she'd love whoever I decided to sign on the dotted line as." John muttered with a quick glance at Harold's direction. "What do you think?"
"It's not up to me, John," Harold said.
John frowned at the response. "That was no help," he grumbled.
"When I offered you a job I told you that I would never lie to you. And I also told you that you or I, or both of us were probably going to end up dead but it seems that premonition didn't come true, thankfully. Because we both cheated death and have women whom love us unconditionally; perhaps it's time we both took a step back and let ourselves be happy," Harold murmured.
John looked to Harold and saw his friend making up his own mind about working with the machine. Could he do it, be happy living a normal life?
John cleared his throat. "Do you have a pen?" he asked.
Harold's eyes widened, as if just realizing that John was making a major life decision, and jerkily pulled a pen out of his shirt pocket. John took it and leaned forward to scribble the name he was going to be on the marriage license and sat back once he was finished. Now there was no turning back.
Harold picked up the marriage license and read the name, and smiled.
"Maybe I shouldn't be rushing this," Joss muttered as she sat in a salon getting her nails done with all the other ladies. "John was surprised to say the least when I suggested it but being a good guy he went with it."
Her mother harrumphed as she said; "I've been waiting for this wedding since the moment I met John and saw the way you two were with each other so there is no postponing this, young lady! And no postponing more grandchildren either. I want a granddaughter that is a spitten image of her mother but has those beautiful eyes of John's."
Joss nearly choked on her tongue. "Mama…" she began without knowing what she wanted to truly say.
"Don't crush an old woman's dreams, Jocelyn!"
"You, uh, didn't mention this dream to John, right?" Joss asked.
"Of course not; I'm old, not senile," Alice replied, earning a chuckle from just about everyone in the salon.
Joss, however, wasn't as reassured. Grace, sensing her panic, turned the subject to the dresses they found on such last minute. Grace had taken her to a little boutique claiming that the owner would have the perfect dresses. Apparently, Grace was a friendly lady and knew a lot of people in the town. Tamesha, the owner, was amazing as she was going to have everything ready before sunset; the woman was really a god send.
The talk turned to how John was and then to anything they found interesting as they focused on getting everything done before the wedding took place. And while her friends and family talked excitedly Joss couldn't shake the feeling that there was something wrong.
"It's cream colored." John mumbled as he eyed his attire for his wedding this evening. When he had tried the pants on at the shop he hadn't figured they would remain this color. The shirt was a white fitted linen long sleeve but the pants and vest were both cream in color.
Joss zipped past him absently. "Not cream but beige. Harold asked me what color I wanted and I told him," she countered as she rummaged through her suitcase looking for something. "And it's only the vest, shirt, and pants because I want you guys comfortable as we get married."
John eyed Taylor and held up the pants and vest. "Does this look beige to you?" he demanded.
Taylor grinned. "Yes," he lied through his teeth not about to get on his mother's wrong side on her wedding day. "Besides I'll take beige colored pants and vest over a black tux in Antigua any day of the week."
John supposed that was true. Joss looked up after pulling out a Jasmin bottle she was searching for. "See, there is a silver lining. You, Taylor, and Harold are going to look absolutely handsome in whatever you wear anyway."
"Don't forget to sign your marriage license, mom. Harold had to have pulled a lot of strings to get it so quickly for you guys," Taylor said, wanting his mom to see the signature John used.
Joss paused as she realized she hadn't signed it yet. Perhaps, subconsciously, she had been putting it off because she didn't know who John was going to sign as. She nodded and forced her nerves to settle as she moved towards the small table her son motioned at. Joss tortured the neck of her perfume bottle as she looked it over to gape in surprise before whirling around on John.
"You signed it as John Riley," she murmured.
Taylor grinned. "Yea he did. I think I'll go change or something," he commented.
Joss eyed her son with a wry smile. "You seem to disappear a lot on us," she muttered appreciatively.
"There's only so much a son wants to know about his mom's love life," he acknowledged with a shuddered expression before he turned to leave. "I'm sure Fusco won't mind if I bug him."
John watched as the perceptive teen left before turning back to face the boy's mother. She was waiting for an answer. "Yes, I signed as John Riley. I want to live a normal life with you, whatever normal is," he said softly. It sounded…perfect, he didn't remember everything about his past but he knew that he was tired of being the dark. He could just be, and be with Joss which sounded so damn good.
"Are you sure though, John? I mean you might not remember but you spent months being John Riley and hating every moment of it."
John smiled ruefully. "Are you trying to change my mind, Joss?" he asked.
"No, I want you to be happy." she admitted as she set the perfume bottle down to slide her arms around his neck. "Can you be happy being a cop?"
"I remember enough to know that I didn't like posing as Riley because I felt I was needed to lurk in the shadows as Reese to bring Samaritan down. But being able to live a real life with you means more than being John Reese."
"What about the numbers, John? They're as much a part of you as the Reese persona is," Joss pointed out. "Do you remember what that was for you?"
"My purpose," he supplied. His gaze searched hers. "Maybe I have a new purpose."
"Or maybe you think you do because you love me and can't remember how much working those numbers meant to you," she countered gently, now realizing the error of her way. She felt unsettled all day. Rushing a wedding with a groom with memories was one thing but rushing one that had missing ones was setting them both up to fail. She loved him too much to let him make a quick decision that would only make him unhappy as it would lead to resentment.
He frowned as he stepped away from her. "It sounds like you're unhappy with my decision," he muttered.
"I'm not, but I don't think it's what you would choose if you could remember your entire life," she answered tiredly. "I'm being selfish."
John furrowed her brows. "How are you selfish? Joss, you let me believe we were friends for months because you were trying to be unselfish and not pressure me. Everything you've done was to help me even though I didn't like it and I know you think you're helping now, but I want to marry you, Joss. You're right, I don't remember everything I've ever done as John Reese or John Riley or any other person I was, but I do know that I love you and want to be with you."
"I love you too, John, which is why I think we should postpone the wedding," she said and shook her head when he went to speak. "John, you're rushing a major life decision because of me. You weren't thinking of us getting married today the day after you asked me to be your wife. I chose it because I wanted to make up for lost time with you, because it's been unbearable without you and that is selfish. I don't want you to choose John Riley because you think it will make me happy."
John stared at her. "Don't I have a say?" he questioned, finally getting a word in edgewise. Joss blinked and looked at him. "I'm the groom after all," he pointed out, now finally getting a little irritated. He understood brides did most of the decisions but he got to have a say over whether or not the wedding happened, right?
"John…"
"No, Joss, you had your say. It's my turn." he stated abruptly and her brows arched. "I choose you. You make me happy, Joss. Being John Davis or John Riley or John Reese doesn't really matter to me as long as whoever I am that you're there, than I'm happy. I don't know how to prove to you that I'm truly ready to let go of who I was. I love you, Joss."
"I love you too, John," she reassured him.
John nodded. "Good, then marry me tonight because I'm going to be waiting for you at the beach."
Joss gaped at him. "John, I just said that we should…"
"And I say we shouldn't. I want to be married to you, Joss. I know in my heart that I never felt like I belonged anywhere but I feel like I'm at home with you. So make us both happy and show up to our wedding." he whispered and bent to kiss her passionately before stepping back, and snatched his clothes up. "Its bad luck to see the bride before the wedding but I hope to see the bride tonight." he said and with one last look he whirled around and left Joss to stare after him.
"You said what?!" Grace exclaimed, dressed and ready for the wedding, as Joss paced the bedroom floor. "Why on Earth would you postpone the wedding when you were just so excited about it?"
Joss sighed. Taylor, thankfully, was sidetracking her mama so she could talk to Grace, Shaw, and Root alone. They knew the situation while her mother believed John was a cop anyway. "Guys, John means the world to me and rushing this wedding was a big mistake."
"Doesn't seem as though Reese thinks so if he's going to camp out on the beach until you marry his ass," Shaw pointed out bluntly.
"So what if he signed the marriage license as Riley?" Root asked, unclear on the significance. "I thought that it would make you happy."
"Not me," Shaw snarled as she flopped back on the made up bed. "I was hoping Reese would want to continue working the numbers. Not that I need his help, mind you. Humpty Dumpty was put back together for a reason and I wouldn't mind having someone to take the heat off so I can go bang my girlfriend."
"You just have a way with words," Root sighed, sounding love-struck.
Grace frowned. "She sure does," she commented, though she didn't think it was that great. Grace turned her attention back to Joss. "But I agree with them, I thought you'd be happy that he wanted a normal life with you."
"I do if it's what he truly wanted but I don't know if it is or not because he can't remember what the numbers meant to him."
"And you're sure he doesn't remember what it meant to him?" Grace pressed.
Joss glared at the women. "Not positive but then John has fragments of memories so why would this be any different. And again remind me how many of you have been married before?" she demanded and all eyes fell away. "That's what I thought. I've been married and not. A happy and healthy marriage requires compromise or it won't work. John could be choosing John Riley because he thinks it's what makes me happy and not what will make him, and that doesn't make a healthy marriage either. I told him I'd love whoever he chose to be but I want him to choose who he wants to be not who he thinks I want him to be."
Root grinned suddenly as she looked to Carter. "I have an idea; why not just have the wedding." she announced and all three women eyed her as if she was stupid.
Joss arched a brow. Shaw sat up and was the one that spoke; "That's it?—that's your idea? I guess you're smart only about computers and sex."
Root rolled her eyes. "Hear me out, don't sign the marriage license and just have the wedding. Who really cares here if it's not legally binding right now; the machine can go in and fix that for you later when John has his memories or more time to fully think of his choice between being Reese and Riley. SHE's resourceful Joss, you know that. SHE's very happy to do it too since SHE always wanted to make up for not being able to warn you in time before Simmons shot you and John."
"In certain states it's illegal to have a wedding without a license, Root," Joss pointed out. "And tell the machine to stop feeling guilty over that. It's done and in the past, and I pulled through."
Shaw snorted. "First we're in Antigua, not the United States. Secondly, who cares if it's illegal here anyways since you'd what, at most, pay a fine. And thirdly, is really getting married without a license the worst crime you've ever committed, Carter?" Shaw asked with a smirk.
Joss sighed. "It would be if I didn't fall for that sexy pain the ass!" she grumbled lovingly.
"More importantly; are you certain you want to let the chance to marry John tonight pass you by?" Grace asked softly. "You two love each other and what Root says makes a lot of sense. The machine can make everything legally binding in the future which would give John the time you desire him to have. You can just focus on the spiritual aspect of saying 'I do' to each other tonight."
Joss stopped her restless pacing and for the first time she stopped over thinking this and felt peace. This plan could work. She got to marry John while also give him the time he deserved to make the right decision for him. It was the best of both worlds. She glanced at the clock and groaned.
"Crap, help me get ready or I'm going to be late to my own wedding!"
"Perhaps we should head back in the house and see what's going on," Harold whispered as he stood with John on the shoreline as the time they were supposed to start the wedding drew nearer. White chairs lined the beach with Fusco sitting there looking about as tense as John and Harold were. The man that was waiting to marry them was growing impatient with the threat of a no show from the bride-to-be. He had long walked back to the mansion to see what was happening.
"Go on ahead, Harold. I'm going to wait here in this very spot until I have to fly back to New York for her to marry me."
Harold sighed. John was, if nothing, stubborn. "If you are waiting then as your best man I must wait by your side." he murmured jovially. He had taken care of their wedding bands though John and Jocelyn didn't know that little secret just yet. Hopefully soon they would, assuming the wedding actually went as planned.
John turned away from the mansion he was staring at, hoping Joss would materialize out of it ready to marry him, and stared out at the beautiful ocean with gentle waves and the sun that was getting ready to set. "I want to marry her, Finch," John said quietly.
"I know you do, Mr. Reese."
John closed his eyes. "Call me, John." he requested softly. "John Reese died along with Samaritan."
Harold nodded. "Alright, John, it is. Joss just wants you happy. But missing memories or not I believe you would have chosen John Riley over John Reese."
John was glad someone believed him. "And why is that?" he asked gruffly.
"You've always longed for a place to belong, to find a home. Do you remember Darren McGrady?" Harold wondered. John nodded his head absently. He did remember the boy. Some former numbers he couldn't quite recall so readily but that boy was different. He held a soft spot in his heart. John hadn't seen him in a while because of Samaritan not wanting to risk Darren's safety. Maybe now that he had most of his memories back and didn't have to look over his shoulder he could see how Darren was doing. "Do you remember what he told you?"
"You mean that conversation I had with him while alone in my car?" John questioned. Harold merely smiled. "Yes, he figured that I'd eventually find a home too."
"And that's what Jocelyn is to you."
"She is." John agreed. "I know she is. I don't remember every single thing that happened on our road to love but I know that she's everything to me."
"And John Riley symbolizes that you finally belong with the rest of the world not merely as the shadow skirting on the outside of it," Harold said gently which John merely nodded his head at. "It will all work out, John, just as it has with Grace and myself. As you had to be patient with regaining your memories you must be patient now in regaining the rest of your memories and letting Joss think this through. She's just trying to do the right thing for you which is highly commendable."
"Are you just going to gawk at the water or are you going to get married?" John turned sharply at the barked out words by Shaw. He eyed her soft pink thin-strapped dress. "What?—make any joke and I'll cut your heart out with a spoon, wedding or not."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Little Bo Peep," he teased.
Shaw's lip snarled up but amusement danced in her usual dull brown gaze. Root and Grace were making mad dashes across the sand to catch up with Joss following in their wake though not running as she crossed the sand with her mother. But everyone faded away for John as he couldn't move his gaze away from Joss. She was stunning. Joss was wearing an off-white mermaid backless dress with see-through straps. The bottom of the dress had some lacy design but he couldn't stop staring at her to give the dress a longer look over. He had seen a glimpse of its design in the mansion when Tamesha brought it before Joss hid it away. She had a pink flower in her hair that matched the flowers she held and the color of dresses her mother and Shaw were wearing.
The few white seats filled up just as Shaw and Alice took their places up front while Taylor rushed back to go walk his mother down the makeshift aisle. John continued to watch Joss, who happened to be the most beautiful bride he'd ever seen, and smiled at her. She smiled back at him. "You came," he breathed.
"I can't wait to marry you," she murmured as she approached him, and love shined bright in her eyes and he knew it mirrored in his own.
"I can't wait either."
And they didn't. With the setting sun, John was given the right to kiss his bride and the moment he pressed his lips to her sealed their fate of loving each other for the rest of time.
AN: I know there wasn't an actual wedding but I couldn't get my muse to write one so I went this route with a little hiccup along the way to their happiness. This is it for this story. Now comes the sequel to 'Beauty and the Beast' called: Beast Finds A Home. It will be rated M from the beginning ;D
Thank you for reading!