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Freddie Benson sighed as he sat alone at an empty table of the large wedding hall. He watched the many guests heading over to their own assigned tables, laughing and having a good time.

Freddie let out another sigh. It was such a happy day and he was happy, but still, he couldn't help but feel as if a tiny piece of him had left him.

"There you are," his wife, Sam, said, coming over and sitting down next to him. "I was looking for you."

"Well…I've been here," Freddie said, giving her a small smile.

"They're bringing out the food now," Sam told him. "And then after we eat everybody's gonna dance for awhile and then we get cake. Clarissa and Ashton are in the kitchens now making sure everything is taken care of and-you okay, baby?"

"Yeah," Freddie said, a bit too quickly. "Yeah, I-I'm fine."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Dude, its been almost thirty years since we've been married. I know when you're okay and when you're not. And right now something's definitely bugging you."
She scooted her chair closer to him and put a comforting arm around him. "You're the father of the bride. Perk up."

"I'm perky," Freddie defended.

"Fredward…"

"It's just a little…surreal, okay?" Freddie said slowly. "I mean I just gave my daughter away. She's officially not my little girl anymore."

"Emma's always going to be your little girl," Sam told him. "Ashton too."

Freddie reached for his wife's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "When did all of them grow up?"

"I dunno," Sam chuckled. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss.

"She's happy though," Freddie said softly. "That's-That's all I want for her…for all the kids."

"I know," Sam nodded.

"And Quincy's a good guy," Freddie continued heavily. "I know I can trust him to be there for her…He really loves her. I guess…I guess that's all I can ask for."

….

Soon, once everybody was seated, the food was brought out and everybody sat at his or her tables enjoying the meal. Emma had been very adamant about making sure that the food at her wedding was top notch, almost paying more attention to making up the perfect menu than finding the perfect wedding dress (much to the annoyance of Ashton and Clarissa).

"How great is this steak?" Sam beamed, digging into her third slab of meat.

"Yeah, and this chicken is insane," Gibby agreed. "Man, I knew I should've brought my cat here. He would've loved this!"

"Why'd we get stuck sharing a table with them?" Sam mumbled to Freddie.

"Because we're the parents of the couple," Freddie shrugged. He glanced over at the next table, where Emma and Quincy were sitting. Emma's face was lit up as her and Quincy whispered to one another; she was happier than Freddie had ever seen her. He couldn't help but smile at the scene.

"Attention, everybody!" Ashton suddenly said, standing up and clinking her glass, causing the wedding hall to fall silent.

"As the Maid of Honor, I just want to say a toast to my sister and Quincy," Ashton said, glancing over at Emma. "Who, as of forty-eight minutes ago, are officially husband and wife."

There was a round of applause throughout the reception hall.

"Em, Quince…we all grew up together," Ashton continued. "Quincy, you've always been one of my closest friends, and Emma… you're my sister and well, I couldn't imagine life without you. I love you."

Emma's cheeks reddened as she smiled back at her twin.

"We should be recording this," Freddie whispered to Sam. "I haven't seen them being this sweet to each other since they were babies."

"Um, anyway, I know Emma's gonna kill me if I turn this into a long, sentimental speech," Ashton went on. "So I'll wrap this up. Emma, Quincy, you two are going to have such a happy life together. I know how much you love each other and I wish you guys the best. To the new Mr. and Mrs. Gibson!"

Everybody raised their glasses to the new couple.

"Now my parents would both like to say something as well," Ashton said, nodding over towards Sam and Freddie. "Mom? Wanna start?"

"Alright," Sam nodded, getting to her feet. "I'm not good with speeches, so I'll try to make this quick. Emma, if anybody had told me thirty years ago that one day my daughter would be marrying the son of Gibby, I probably would've shoved them into a locker."

The crowd laughed, including Gibby.

"But Quincy, even though you're a Gibson, I've got to say, you're a real great kid," Sam smiled. "And, as weird as it's gonna be to say it, you're gonna be a pretty great son-in-law too. Anyway, I know Emma doesn't like to show it all the times, but she loves you so much, and I'm glad that you two have each other to spend the rest of your lives with. You both are in for some real crazy chiz…but trust me, if you're with someone you really love and care about, it's gonna all work out just fine."
She raised her glass. "To Emma and Quincy! Oh…and could someone bring me over some more of this steak? It's amazing!"

Freddie couldn't help but chuckle as his wife sat back down next to him.

"Nice speech," he whispered to her.

"You're next," Sam replied, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

Freddie took a deep breath as he slowly stood up. "Believe it or not, I've been thinking about this day for awhile. Anybody who has seen Emma and Quincy together could see that eventually, we'd all wind up here at their wedding. But even though weddings are supposed to be festive and happy, I still couldn't help but feel just a little…choked up. I used to be the man who Emma turned to for everything. I used to be the one who she'd run to when there was a thunderstorm or when she needed help or when she just wanted someone to talk to. And an hour ago, I officially gave her away. Now, I thought, and I'm pretty sure my wife had some bets going, that I'd be a mess when it came time to walk her down the aisle and just hand her away. I thought I'd make some big scene or have a meltdown and that it'd be the hardest thing I'd ever have to do. I'm not going to lie; I wasn't jumping for joy, but you know what? I was okay. I was okay because as I was walking Emma down that aisle, I looked at Quincy's face. The way he was looking at Emma, with just complete devotion and awe and love, it-it reminded me of myself twenty-seven years, five months and thirteen days ago, when I was at my own wedding and seeing my own wife walk down the aisle. And that's when it really clicked in how much these two love each other, and how they'd do anything for one another…and even though I was giving my daughter away, it was to someone who cares about her just as much as I do. So Emma, Quincy? I just want to say I know you're going to be okay. And even though this was one of the hardest days in my life, it has also been one of the best. So to Emma and Quincy!"

As he raised his glass, he stared over at Emma, who had a tear rolling down her cheek as she smiled back at him.

….

"That was a sweet speech, daddy," Ashton said later that evening, as the wedding guests made their way onto the dance floor.

She sat down next to him at the now empty table. "I know what mom means now when she calls you a giant sap."
Freddie chuckled as he put an arm around her. "Thanks. But do me a favor Ash? Wait at least a couple of years before you get married too."

"It's going to take her that just to plan the wedding," Sam said, coming over to join the two. "She was showing me the plans for her own wedding a few weeks ago."

"It's gonna be incredible," Ashton sighed happily. "Anyway, I need to go check and make sure Tyler isn't still trying to flirt with Quincy's mom's model friends. I'll see you guys later."

As Ashton left, Sam and Freddie glanced out onto the dance floor, where Emma and Quincy were standing in the middle.

"And to think," Sam said. "When they were six and we all brought the kids to Brad's wedding, Emma shoved shrimp cocktail down Quincy's pants in the middle of the dance floor."

Freddie laughed. "That should've been a sign…Hey, Sam?"
He stood up and held out his hand. "Want to dance?"
"You hate dancing," Sam pointed out.

"It's my daughter's wedding," Freddie said. "I'll make an exception."
Grinning, Sam took his hand as he led her out to the dance floor.

"Man," Freddie said, putting his hands on his wife's hips. "I've said it at least a dozen times today, but time really flies…seems like yesterday it was you and I dancing at our wedding."

"I guess we've officially gone full circle," Sam nodded. She rested her head on his chest. "I liked your speech."

"You said that already."
"I know," Sam said, leaning up to give him a quick kiss. "But I thought I'd say it again. It was really nice."
"Sam Benson," Freddie laughed. "Are you being sentimental on your daughter's wedding day?"

Sam rolled her eyes as she gently shoved him in his shoulder. "Don't think that's gonna stop me from putting cake in your hair if you don't shut up."

"What? There's nothing wrong with that," Freddie smirked. "I happen to think it's rather cute that you're getting all mushy and-"

"Say one more word and I'll-"

"You do realize people are staring at you two, right?" Emma said, stepping over to her parents. "I don't know why, though. You'd think people would be used to you two by now."

"Hey, honey," Sam smiled, putting her arms around her daughter. "How is everything?"

"Really great, mom," Emma replied. "This reception is amazing."

"Thanks," Sam smiled.

"Ashton and Clarissa and Carly were the ones who decorated the place!" Freddie pointed out.

"Who do you think signed all the checks?" Sam snapped. "And I did the place cards for the table, thank you very much!"

"Is this why my Aunt Sarah's place card said 'Scrama'?" Freddie frowned.

"Maybe," Sam said simply. She turned back to Emma. "So do you feel any different now that you're married?"

"A little," Emma admitted. "But it's a good different, you know?"

"Yeah, I know," Sam nodded, looking up at Freddie.

"Um, mom?" Emma asked. "I know you're kind of dancing with dad right now, but would you mind if I…"

"Go for it," Sam chuckled. "I was getting hungry anyway. I've got to say, Em, I thought the food at my wedding was good, but you outdid yourself with this spread."
"It was the most important part of the wedding," Emma grinned.

Sam gave her one last hug. "Man, I did a good job with you…Love you, Emma."

"Love you too, mom," Emma echoed.

As Sam headed off to the cake, Freddie took Emma in his arms.

"You really want to dance?" Freddie asked.

Emma nodded. "You're the one who taught me to dance, remember?"

"Of course I remember," Freddie smiled. "It was your school dance back when you were in middle school."
"Wow, that was like, ten years ago," Emma said.

"Don't remind me," Freddie sighed. "So when are you and Quincy heading to Italy?"
"Our plane leaves tomorrow morning," Emma replied. "At four. We're not even going home after this; we're just heading straight to the airport. Clarissa is going to keep all the presents and stuff at her place for us."

"Do you have your passport?" Freddie asked. "Your luggage packed? Snacks for the airport?"

"Yes, daddy," Emma said, rolling her eyes. "We're all set."

"Sorry," Freddie said. "I know, you're an adult and can travel without your dad checking to make sure you have everything. Force of habit."

"It's okay," Emma laughed. She looked up at her father. "Your speech was incredible, daddy."

"Thank you, Em," Freddie replied, kissing the top of her head. "That means a lot to me. And I meant every word of what I said."

"I know," Emma nodded. "But…you know you didn't really give me away. You're still my dad. I still need you…I'll always need you."