Well, it's been a week. I apologize for the lack of update since Sunday August 13th. However, on August 14, 2006, 11 years and 11 months after losing my grandmother, I lost my beloved Poppy after a long and courageous battle with emphysema. Words cannot describe the final two days I spent with my grandfather… it was the most difficult yet uplifting day of my life. I felt so close to him and God and my Grandmom and felt that I really comforted him in his final hours as he comforted me so many times in my life… most remarkably when I almost didn't make it though a battle with meningitis.

I have to say that although the viewing and burial were difficult, it was still amazing. I felt close to my family and saw how many friends he had and how well loved he was and forever will be. I was so proud of Poppy as he was given full military honors during his burial. NOTHING compares to the emotion of the flag presentation, a 21 gun salute and the playing of Taps. Poppy bravely fought in World War II and the Korean War. I am so proud of him for being so brave to do that, especially since he was shot in the line of duty.

To the people who have comforted me in this difficult time… especially Katy and Kristen and my other friends, thank you. I really appreciate it. More than you will ever probably know.

This chapter, and the rest of the fic, is dedicated to my beloved Grandmom and Poppy. Their true love is a real inspiration to me not only as a writer but as a person as well.

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Lilian ducked her head, laughing as rice rained down upon the back of her head. Dave allowed her to get in the limo first, quickly ducking in behind her as Hunter threw a handful of rice at him.

Lilian shook her head, running a hand through her hair as rice showered the seat beneath them. "Aw, sweetie, you have rice in your hair," she said, reaching up and brushing some of the grains out.

"Why thank you, Mrs. Batista," Dave said with a laugh, taking her hand in his and kissing her gently.

"Mmm," Lilian replied, enjoying the feel of his lips against hers, bringing a hand up to pull him even closer to her. "I love you, Mr. Batista," she said softly once they parted.

Dave shook his head, settling back against the cool leather of the limo, looking at her for a long time. "God, Lil," he finally whispered.

"What?" Lilian asked self consciously, smoothing out her dress. "Do I look fat?"

"No," Dave laughed. "You look beautiful. The dress is just… amazing, It's better than what I ever imagined it would look like."

"Ah, so you were wondering what the dress looked like?" Lilian asked lowly, moving closer to Dave.

"Well, yeah, of course," Dave said, his breath catching slightly in his throat as he felt Lilian's hand move to his upper thigh.

"And…" Lilian whispered, swinging her legs up and over so that she was straddling Dave's hips, "Did it meet your expectations?"

"Of course," Dave said nervously. "Lil, would you please be careful?" he asked softly. "Not that I don't like your… uh, friskiness, what if we hit a bump?"

Lilian laughed softly, ducking her head so she could kiss Dave's neck. "Nothing's gonna happen, babe," she whispered.

"How do you know?" Dave asked, reluctantly reaching up and wrapping his large arms around his waist.

"Because," Lilian replied, pressing her head against his forehead as she spoke, "I'm in heaven. Nothing can ruin this day."

Dave smiled, placing his hand on the back of her neck and pulling her closely to him, kissing her gently. She kissed him back, placing her hands on his shoulders, enjoying the feeling of his lips against hers. "Ah… baby, how far was the… lodge… from the church?" he asked between kisses.

"About ten miles, I think," Lilian replied, tilting her long neck upwards as Dave kissed her throat. "Why?"

"Cause I don't want this moment to end just yet." Lilian smiled, relaxing even more so into Dave's lap.

"Neither do I. I'm just glad my dress is long."

"Why's that?"

"Cause my knees are gonna be all red after this and I don't want to explain that one to our kids!"

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"Okay, Dave, Lilian, smile nicely," the photographer said, clicking the camera for what seemed like the millionth time.

"This is fun, isn't it, babe?" Dave said, kissing Lilian on the forehead as the camera flashed again.

"Just freaking great," Lilian replied. "I think I'm going blind."

"Hey, I got an idea for a photo," Stephanie spoke up. Lilian looked at her friend warily as Stephanie said, "Relax, Lil. It's fun. All the guys should hold you."

"Well, thanks! Damn Steph, I haven't gained that much weight," Lilian said with a pout.

"I didn't mean it that way, nutsy," Stephanie said, affectionately scuffling Lilian's hair. They should hold you up like you're a queen or something!"

"Wow, Steph," Hunter said with a grin. "You have as many good ideas as your dad!"

"Hey, shut it Blondie," Stephanie said. "My dad has a lot of good ideas."

"Come on, Steph," Hunter replied, nudging Stephanie with her elbow. "Your dad wanted to put our wedding on pay-per-view."

"Aw, come on, Hunter, you know he was joking!" Stephanie exclaimed, frowning as she thought. "Well, at least I think he was…"

"On that note, guys, I think we better wrap up the photo session," Lilian said sweetly. "Baby is pressing on my bladder here."

A few moments later, the group made their way into the fancy lodge where the reception was being held. "Wow… this place is beautiful," Dahlia whispered, looking around.

"Wait till you see the ballroom, Dahlia," Lilian said happily. "I about melted when I saw it for the first time. It's perfect."

"Alright, guys, we're gonna do your introductions to the crowd now," their wedding coordinator, a nice yet pushy gentleman by the name of Michael interrupted. "Does everyone remember how we practiced," he asked nervously.

The ten people in the wedding party nodded to Michael, Dave resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the neurotic wedding coordinator's nervousness. "Okay, who's first?"

"Stephanie and I," Hunter spoke up.

Michael sighed, shaking his head as he said, "I really wish you would consider having Dahlia walk out with Hunter. Dahlia is the maid of honor, not Stephanie."

"Hey. They're married. Let them walk out together," Dave said.

"But tradition…"

"Hey! Screw tradition," Lilian said. "I'm freaking hungry here and the longer we stand here arguing, the longer it'll be for me to get food. So stop arguing and let us do this our way."

Trish snorted as Michael flushed a bright red and walked away to talk to the leader of the band that were playing for the wedding so they could do the wedding party introductions. "Nice one, Lil," Trish said, snickering.

"Well damn it, we've had this conversation about a million times already and he keeps arguing," Lilian whined.

"We know, Lilian," Lita spoke up. "You've told us a million times."

"Ah, bite me," Lilian bit back, jumping as Dave bent down and placed a hand on either side of her rounded belly. "What the heck are you doing?"

"Covering Baby's ears so they're not exposed to your sailor mouth," Dave said, smiling innocently as Lilian glared down at him. She opened her mouth to respond as the leader of the band spoke up.

"All, right, ladies and gentleman, let's get this show on the road!" the leader said. "It is now my honor to introduce you to the wedding party!"

Lilian listened as the band began playing the notes to one of her and Dave's favorite U2 songs, Beautiful Day, began playing. The lead singer spoke up, allowing only the beat to play as he said, "Please help me welcome Best Man Hunter Helmsley and Bridesmaid Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley!" The crowd cheered loudly for the couple. Once the applause died down, he introduced Dahlia and Michael, then Lita and John, and finally Trish and Randy.

Finally, after Kayla and Andrew had made their way to the spots at their table, the leader of the band held up a hand to silence his band mates. "And now…" he said dramatically, "The moment you've all been waiting for… For the first time in public, please help me to welcome, Mr. and Mrs. David Batista!"

Lilian and Dave walked out to the dance floor, Dave grinning widely and Lilian blushing deeply as the crowd stood for them, cheering them on.

"It's now time for the first dance," the lead singer said. "But Dave… Lilian has a surprise for you."

"Uh oh," Dave said good naturedly as Lilian took the microphone. "Well, you can't drop the bombshell that you're pregnant," Dave added with a chuckle.

Lilian laughed too, unconsciously rubbing a hand over her belly. "Dave… these past few years with you have been incredible. And I love you so much… and I wanted to do something today that would show how much I love you."

"That's later, Lilian," Trish called out, sending the guests into laughter.

Lilian glared playfully at Trish, then continued, "As you know, our choice for our first dance is You've Got a Way by Shania Twain."

"Yeah… I know. You debated Faith Hill's Breathe and You've Got a Way for hours, babe," Dave said with a laugh, remembering the long discussion she had with Dahlia debating the two songs.

"And little sis always gets her way," Dahlia called out from her spot, causing everyone to laugh again.

"Well, Dave… as much as we love this band and their awesome lead singer," Lilian continued, gesturing to the four men standing there grinning, "I would like to sing you our fist song as we dance to it."

Dave laughed as the band played the opening notes to the song, wrapping his arms around Lilian's waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding the microphone to her lips as she sang.

"You've got a way with me
Somehow you got me to believe
In everything that I could be
I've gotta say-you really got a way

You've got a way it seems
You gave me faith to find my dreams
You'll never know just what that means
Can't you see... you got a way with me

It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
The way you show me just what love's made of
It's in the way we make love

You've got a way with words
You get me smiling even when it hurts
There's no way to measure what your love is worth
I can't believe the way you get through to me

It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
The way you show me just what love's made of
It's in the way we make love

Oh, how I adore you
Like no one before you
I love you just the way you are

It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
The way you show me just what love's made of
It's in the way we make love

It's just the way you are."

Dave and Lilian stared at each other as Lilian sang each word, never once breaking eye contact. When she finished, Dave hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear, "I love you so much. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Lilian replied, sharing a small kiss with her husband as everyone clapped. They finally broke apart, grinning at the guests as Lilian proclaimed, "Okay, let's get this party started!"

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End 3.3

Thanks to Katy and K with the help on my first dance dilemma… let me just say that Shania's song was not the one I started out with!