"Okay, that's you pretty much set," Adam said as he slightly adjusted Jay's tie for him.
It was just the two of them in Jay's room at the beachside hotel in Barbados that had been booked for the wedding. The kids were with Erin. Or, more accurately, with Kayla, who would be doing most of the parenting on wedding day. Hank, Kim and Zelina were also over in Erin's room.
A knock came on Jay's door. "That's Will's knock," he said to Adam, who was promptly on the way to the door.
Sure enough, Will Halstead was standing there when Adam opened the door, along with Raquel Gonzalez.
"Hasn't run away, has he?" Will asked cheerfully.
"He wouldn't dare," Raquel said. "He knows I'd go after him."
"I can hear you, you know," Jay said, coming around the corner with a smile on his face.
"There he is," Will said, walking in. "All set?"
"I think so," Jay said confidently.
"Nervous?" Raquel asked as she joined them.
"Actually, no," he said, choosing not to tease her about how anxious she had been at her own wedding. He knew that coming from him, she might take it to heart. He had learned as their friendship had grown that she took his opinions and advice seriously, and that meant something to him.
"You're right not to be," Adam said. "Nothing is going to go wrong today, and the vows aren't as nerve-wracking as you think once you're standing there saying them."
"We've gone for the 'repeat after me' option, so even I can get through that without making it a train wreck."
Everyone laughed at Jay's self-depreciating humour.
"We should get down there," Adam said, glancing at his watch. As best man, it was his job to keep everything on track.
The group made their way down to the hotel's lobby, then through to the rear exit, which was almost directly onto the beach. As part of their wedding service packages, the hotel cordoned off 'their' part of the beach for happy couples. For Jay and Erin's wedding, there were only a handful of chairs there, as not many guests were attending. They had decided to go for a minimalist approach to the service, and to the guest list. In any case, asking people to pay for flights and accommodation in Barbados was a lot for a wedding, in their view.
"Jay, look at it. Literally perfect," Raquel breathed.
Jay felt in awe as he took in the scene. The beach's sand was almost white, and the sea and sky were both the purest blue he had ever seen. There could be no better backdrop for a wedding ceremony. As yet, only the photographer and the vicar were there for the service. The other guests would be arriving with Erin, soon.
"Hot day to be wearing a suit," Jay said, mainly just to have something to say as he led his group up the little aisle past the empty chairs.
"Won't have to wear it for long," Raquel said, looking forward to the beach party that was lined up after the service. The hotel was providing a private portion of the beach and laying on food and drinks, all as a part of the wedding package.
"Let's get him hitched first. We can party afterwards," Will said.
"I think that's exactly what she meant," Adam said, and everyone laughed but Will.
"Good morning," the vicar said when the group reached where he was standing. He shook Jay's hand.
"Morning. All set and ready to go," Jay reported.
Will and Raquel sat down on the front row of the two on Jay's side of the aisle. Even those seats wouldn't all be used. In truth, he was delighted to have a small, intimate celebration. Having loads of guests would have made the day a lot more stressful, and he simply wanted to enjoy it.
With such a minimalist approach to the service, there was no music. As he stood there waiting, that was something Jay regretted. The orchestra at Raquel and Zelina's wedding had been perfect. But then he realised that the quiet lapping of the waves on the beach provided its own different, equally perfect soundtrack. He stood there looking out to sea and listening to the waves, wondering how many people had felt this calm on their wedding day.
"Jay," Adam whispered to him a couple of minutes later.
Turning back towards the hotel, Jay saw Erin standing there, arm in arm with Hank. Clementine was behind and to the right of Erin, carrying Henry. They all looked incredible to him, particularly Erin of course. She was literally glowing with happiness, and the dress she had on was more revealing of her figure than a traditional wedding dress. He wasn't sure he had ever seen her in a white dress before, but it really suited her.
"Wow, so beautiful. And look at the kids," he muttered to Adam.
Clementine had a white dress of her own on, whereas a smart light blue shirt and dark blue pants had been sourced for Henry. It was news to Jay that clothes like that were even made for children that young. His son sure looked handsome though.
"Everyone looks great," Adam said. Understandably, his eyes were on Kim, who was also wearing a white dress.
Hank took immense pride in walking Erin up the short aisle. Jay felt guilty about him paying for everything related to the wedding, however he also knew that Hank wouldn't have had it any other way.
"Hey," Erin said to Jay when she reached him. She looked so happy, and totally in love.
"Hey," he replied, wishing it was time to kiss her already.
"Clem, you and Henry sit here with me," Kayla said quietly, taking one of the three seats on the front row on the left side of the aisle. Kim and Zelina sat down behind them.
With everyone ready, the vicar got the ceremony underway. In what seemed like no time at all, it was time for the vows. Jay and Erin had opted for the traditional 'repeat after me' method. Erin got to go first, looking Jay in the eyes as she repeated after the vicar.
"I, Erin, take you, Jay, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. By giving you this this ring, I vow that I will love and honour you all the days of my life."
Jay felt on top of the world as she made the vows to him. But he also felt the pressure of getting through his own vows without screwing up starting to build. He smiled as she slid a silver wedding band onto his finger.
Now it was his turn. He made sure to look Erin in the eyes, and speak with total sincerity.
"I, Jay, take you, Erin, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. By giving you this ring, I vow that I will love and honour you all the days of my life."
Jay took a silver ring encrusted with white diamonds from Adam and slipped it onto Erin's finger. It looked wonderful on her, gleaming in the sun.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the vicar announced with pride. "You may kiss the bride."
Jay stepped forward and kissed Erin slowly but fully on the lips. "I love you," he said quietly as the guests applauded.
"I love you too, Jay."
The vicar thanked everyone for coming, ending the ceremony. Clementine made sure to be the first to approach the happy couple, carrying Henry.
"That was sick. You guys did great," Clem said excitedly.
"Thank you, sweet pea," Erin said. As much as she hated 'sick', she let that one slide.
"Glad you enjoyed it," Jay said with a smile. He couldn't ruffle Clem's hair today, which disappointed him in that moment. "What about you, Henry? Did you enjoy it?"
"Yeah, he did," Erin said, taking her son from Clem, which made the little guy laugh for some reason.
"Okay, I have to annoy everyone for a little bit," the photographer called out over the guests, who had started mingling and talking. "I'm going to get everyone over here where we'll have the palm trees in the background. I have names for each of the photographs I need, but I'm not familiar enough to put those names to some of your faces, so please forgive my ignorance. I'll start with Jay and Erin, please."
"Kayla?" Erin said, asking her to keep an eye on the kids without actually having to say so. She took Jay's hand, and they walked over to where the photographer wanted them.
"I'll get one of you side by side, then one of you facing each other," the photographer said.
Jay didn't particularly like the regimented process, but he knew the photos would be worth it in years to come, when they wanted to reminisce about this wonderful day. He put his arm around Erin's shapely waist and smiled for the picture.
"Beautiful. Perfect," the photographer said.
Jay turned to face Erin and gently pulled her close to him.
"This is the best day. I'm so happy," Erin said, looking lovingly at him.
"Me too, babe. Never been happier."
"Lovely," the photographer said. "Can I get you guys with Clementine and Henry next, please?"
"Sure. Clem! Bring Henry over with you," Erin called out.
Clementine came over a minute later, carefully carrying her little brother.
"I'll take him," Erin said, having Clem put Henry into her arms. "Stand in front of your dad."
Jay smiled at Clem when she stepped over to him. She turned to face the cameraman and Jay put his hands on her shoulders. They all smiled, with even Henry joining in. Then, just after the picture had been snapped, he randomly started wailing.
"Hey, hey, hey," Erin said, trying to calm him. "Jay, you get your photos done while I settle him. Clem, come with me."
Erin headed off with kids as the photographer smoothly improvised. He had been about to move on to taking pictures of Erin with the guests, but he moved down his list to the ones that Jay wanted instead.
"Can I get the best man, please? Adam?"
Adam came over, and Jay shook his hand. "Thanks for everything, man. You've made today so stress free, and very special. I appreciate you."
"It's been a pleasure. You deserve it," Adam said. They stood side by side and posed for a picture.
"Next up, Will?" the photographer said, making it sound like a question due to his lack of familiarity with people's names.
"Wow. One of us actually got married," Will said in good humour as he approached Jay. "So happy for you, man."
"Thanks, Will. I'm glad you could make it," Jay said as they hugged. After the embrace, they posed for their picture.
"Next I need Kim? Kim, please," the photographer cried.
Watching Kim walk over, Jay smiled broadly. "Kim, you look stunning," he said as a greeting.
"Thank you," she smiled, hugging him. "What an intimate service, Jay I loved it. You guys are amazing."
"Thanks, Kim. So happy you were here for it." He stood with his arm around her waist as they posed.
"Great picture," the photographer said to them before moving on to the next person. "Hank? Hank, please?"
Hank came over, looking the picture of health in his smart black suit. He had to wear sunglasses though, as bright sunlight hurt his eyes after his stroke.
"Hank! Thanks again for everything. I'll never be able to tell you what this all means to me, the way you've made all this happen."
Hank shook his hand. "Happy to do it. I know what it means to you, and to Erin. You both deserve every happiness."
"Thank you," Jay said, and they posed for a picture.
"Raquel? Can we have Raquel, please?"
Jay laughed as Raquel walked over. He didn't even know why. Nothing funny had happened, he was just really happy.
Raquel laughed too, probably for the same reason, and they hugged each other tightly. "I said you wouldn't screw the vows up," she reminded him.
"More by luck than judgement," Jay chuckled. "Thanks for coming. It wouldn't have been the same without you and Z here."
"I wouldn't have let your ass get married without me there."
"Good point," Jay said, laughing again before they posed for a picture.
"Okay, next I..." the photographer began, but Raquel stopped him.
"Give us a second. Will, Ruze, can you come over here?"
Jay didn't know what she had in mind, but he smiled at his brother and his best man as they came back over. Then he was taken totally by surprise. Will and Adam each grabbed a hold of one of his arms and shoulders and lifted him off his feet. At the same time, Raquel took hold of his legs. Before he had a chance to react, he was being carried, and there wasn't much he could do about it. And they were heading towards the sea, he realised.
"Hey! Put me down!" he yelled, laughing even as he did so. He had figured out what Raquel had planned for him.
"Oh, we'll put you down," she promised him. All three of those carrying Jay were laughing.
"Real soon," Will added.
"Somewhere just over here," Adam added as they started wading into the sea, getting the pants of their own suits wet.
"Oh, you assholes," Jay said, still laughing.
"Here will do," Raquel said once they were into fairly deep water.
The trio stopped walking, lifted Jay up a bit higher, and unceremoniously dropped him into the sea. The water was deep enough for him to be totally submerged and drenched before he popped up to his feet.
"Oh, you assholes," he cried, still laughing, before spitting salt water out of his mouth. Adam and Will had quickly run out of the sea, fearing retribution. Raquel, meanwhile, was laughing more than he had ever seen from her before, having to lean forward and put her hands on her knees.
"We got you, Jay," she said.
"Yeah, you did," he agreed good-naturedly, before taking her by surprise and pushing her over backwards. She too went totally under the water, popping up drenched just like he had moments earlier. "But I got you back."
Laughing and wiping her wait hair from her face, Raquel gave him a hug. "Love you, Jay."
"Love you too, Raquel. I'm so glad we're friends, even though did this. We probably need to change clothes now."
"You think?" she said, laughing again as she looked down at her messed up suit, shirt and tie.
While this had been going on, Erin, Clem and the guests had come down the beach, laughing and enjoying the surprising moment. Kayla and Henry were the only ones not there. Apparently she must have offered to take him for Erin. The photographer was there too, snapping pictures.
As Jay and Raquel walked out of the sea, Erin, Clem and Hank were the first to come over to him.
"Were you in on that?" Jay demanded of Erin, smiling.
She giggled. "Definitely not."
"Hank, where were you, man?"
Hank laughed too, which was rare for him. "What makes you think I'd help you?"
Jay pulled him, Erin and Clem into a big, wet group hug. "Because we're family now."
THE END
A/N: Undying love and gratitude to everyone who has joined me on this journey for pretty much the past two years. This is the end, but as previously promised, there will be an epilogue book set ten years in the future to come before we finally say goodbye to this story.