Betty and Matt nod affirmatively to Ben followed by sitting down at their table. Their selections of prime rib in traditional béarnaise sauce for Betty and lump crab cake with jumbo shrimp in a sweet, mildly spicy sauce for Matt are placed in front of them almost immediately.
"Mmm…this is excellent, just the right color and texture," comments Betty as she enjoys the prime rib.
"Mine is wonderful too, with just the right amount of kick to it," responds Matt.
"Here, try it," they say to each other almost in unison, leading both of them to chuckle and then feed each other the entrées.
"Excellent," states Matt, "And by the limited amount of talking and lack of people flagging down the wait staff, it looks like most of the entrees are being well received."
"Well, that is good, since we are the ones who picked them out," responds Betty.
Betty and Matt enjoy a few quiet minutes next to each other without being expected to greet guests, socialize, or entertain.
As they both noticed, the entrees, which include yellow tail snapper with white truffle sauce, rack of lamb with mint reduction sauce, crisp roasted duck with orange-peppercorn sauce, vegan paella with grilled assorted vegetables, and pasta primavera in addition to the two the wedding couple are eating, all seem to be being eaten heartily with no evidence of people asking for a different selection. Each plate also has assorted fresh vegetables as well as rice, freshly mashed potatoes, or pasta depending upon the entrée. The primary sounds in the ballroom are the clinks of silverware and china as the main course is consumed.
Robert initially taps lightly, and then a bit louder, on his glass to get the attention of the guests.
Hearing the tapping, Betty and Matt pause their eating and give each other a long, sweet kiss.
"Actually I was tapping my glass so I could start the toasts, but another magnificent kiss between you two is fine too," teases Robert, which makes both the bride and groom blush.
"Hello, my name is Robert, I am the best man, and I ask you to please bear with me during my not so brief toast," he announces, with mild laughter from several guests.
Robert informs them, "I've known Matt since we were 3 years old and our mother's sent us to "The Preschool," so yes there are some embarrassing pictures through the years as well as some entertaining stories. But tonight is mostly about the present and the future instead of the distant past, so I'll keep those to myself for now. Like many only children of the "ultra wealthy," Matt had me concerned for a while with his questionable focus in both his personal and professional life, but then he met Betty. From the first time I heard him say Betty's name, I knew there was something different about her." Robert pauses to take a drink.
Robert continues, "Like every couple, they've had a few issues, such as Matt not telling Betty he is "from money," Betty not telling Matt about kissing an ex-boyfriend, and Matt following poor advice from his father-that is, getting angry and acting like a jerk instead of talking with Betty about how hurt he was that she hid meetings with his mother and her ex from him. Luckily, in the end, these disagreements, as well as a few surprises, have made them stronger both as individuals and as a couple."
Robert glances at Betty and Matt, who are holding hands and looking at each other with love and admiration, and states, "Matt's going to Africa was a risk he had to take to prove that he is worthy of Betty, a strong willed, brilliant woman who encourages others to view things differently. Little did they know that a part of both of them was growing while they were apart, resulting in that adorable baby who is charming everyone," with Rosalina's giggles and coos resulting in several "how cute," comments from various guests.
"They've both evolved from knowing each other and I am certain that they'll help Rosalina and any other children they may have someday reach for the stars. Their love for each other is obvious to anyone who meets them so I am honored to offer this toast to an inspiring couple: Matt and Betty, thank you for showing all of us how true love can make dreams a reality," concludes Robert to a loud round of applause.
Standing up, Hilda comments, "Well, I am not sure how I can top that, but I will sure try. I've obviously known my baby sister for her entire life. To say a lot has changed for her in the last year would be understating things, that's for certain. She took a new job, moved to England, and is now without braces and glasses. She had a beautiful baby girl very shortly after learning that she was pregnant, which was quite a shock to all of us. But as or even more important than all of those things is that she realized she has found the love of her life in Matt and they are a family. Nothing is more fulfilling and rewarding than finding the person you are meant to spend the rest of your life with and to have that love returned ten fold."
Raising her glass, Hilda toasts, "To the continued happiness and success of the Suarez-Hartleys."
"Now, I am going to let our guests of honor say a few words," says Hilda as she sits down.
Matt and Betty stand up, remaining very close to one another, with their arms around the other's waist.
Taking the microphone, Matt says, "First, we wanted to thank all of you for being here tonight to share this wonderful celebration of our love with us. As others have said, our love for each other has grown stronger and more vibrant with time."
Betty continues, "Our 6 month separation demonstrated to both of us that we have each found our soulmate and life partner. Rosalina has helped bring our very different families together and is an example of how love has no bounds."
Betty and Matt raise their glasses and jointly announce, "Here is to wishing that all of you will find that special person too, just as we have with each other."
Betty and Matt then kiss intensely, with Rosalina, who is alternating among being held by Victoria, Cal, and Ignacio, squealing and clapping excitedly, leading the room to be permeated by a combination of whistles and laughter.
"Well, now that the toasts are complete and the dinner dishes cleared, it is time to get this party started with some dancing for all guests," announces the music director.
Many people, including Betty and Matt, head to the dance floor, where the band proceeds to play a variety of traditional and newer wedding and dance songs. The music selections include This Will Be by Natalie Cole, In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, I Swear by All for One, Truly, Madly Deeply by Savage Garden, I Couldn't Ask for More by Edward McCain, Here and Now by Luther Vandross, Let's Stay Together by Al Green, and The Power of Love by Huey Lewis, among others. Several of Adele's songs are also played, with she being one of their favorite singers, for obvious reasons.
Betty and Matt manage to alternate between dancing and visiting the various tables to thank the guests for coming, with "thumbs up" from Victoria and Ben on their mingling skills.
Betty and Matt are dancing together, when Unforgettable by Nat "King" Cole starts to play.
"May I cut in and have this dance with the beautiful Mrs. Betty Suarez-Hartley?" asks Daniel.
"Sure," responds Matt, "I guess I can share her with her best friend for a few minutes since our ceremony earlier, the ring on her finger, and the last name you just mentioned suggest I don't have anything to worry about."
"You know you don't," replies a slightly red Betty as she kisses Matt before accepting Daniel's hand for them to dance.
Daniel quietly comments, "It is hard to believe that less than a year ago, we were dancing at Hilda's wedding, I was seeing you in a new light, and hoping you would become my girlfriend."
"Yes, so many things have changed in less than a year there are almost too many to count," responds Betty.
"So, you forgive me for my crush on you?" asks Daniel.
"There is nothing to forgive, Daniel," states Betty. "We are great friends and I guess it is only natural that one of us might want something more than friendship eventually. Part of me is sorry that I had to hurt your feelings by not feeling similarly for you, but it has worked out for both of us as we have each found our true love."
"Yes, we both have, and so we are each getting that happily ever after we deserve, just with someone else," remarks Daniel.
The song ends, with Daniel and Matt switching partners, namely Matt and Betty together and Daniel and Jennifer together, followed by them all dancing happily to True Companion by Marc Cohn.
Around 10pm, Ben tells the guests, "The band is going to take a short break as the wedding cake, along with the other desserts, are ready to be served."
Betty and Matt go over to the table where their wedding cake is displayed. It is a multitiered design with alternating layers of devil's food, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and angel food cake with buttercream frosting. They pose for a few pictures with the cake before getting ready to feed each other the first bite.
"Smash it on each other's faces!" yells Amanda, who can't resist.
"No thank you," reply Betty and Matt in unison, "We can manage to feed each other without making a mess."
The tasting of the cake proceeds without incident, with both of them able to sample all of the flavors on specially prepared plates.
Bobby loudly announces, "Look at that spread!" as he turns around and glances at the dessert tables.
The desserts include assorted petit pastries, a dozen different pies and cakes, such as peach, apple, lemon meringue, carrot, and german chocolate, as well as fresh fruit and cream. Tea and coffee are also being poured at all of the tables per guest preference.
Hilda says, "Bobby, control yourself or I won't let you near that," as she points at the Chocolate Fountain that has just been brought into the room.
Ben informs everyone, "Jacques Torres actually designed the fountain, the cookies and cakes that can be dipped into it, the Mexican inspired hot chocolate, as well as the wedding favors that will be distributed a little bit later."
Betty whispers to Matt, "I bet some are wishing they didn't eat as much earlier given the decadence in front of us right now."
"You are probably right. Of course, the 2 plus hours since we finished the main course and all that dancing mean most will find their sweet tooth without any trouble, including us," responds Matt with a smile.
Matt's suspicions prove correct, with the guests seeming to enjoy the desserts. The wide variety of items means most find several treats to their liking.
The music director states, "Now, since the night is still relatively young, time for more music and dancing."
A few more songs turns into over an hour with many of the younger guests not wanting to leave the dance floor. Around midnight, Betty and Matt excuse themselves briefly to sit with Rosalina for a few minutes, needing a break from entertaining. They sit close to each other and smile as they watch Rosalina sleep.
"Oh, there you two are," comments Victoria softly as she and Cal join them in the makeshift nursery.
"Are we needed for something?" asks Matt.
"We were just taking a few moments to ourselves before the grand finale," adds Betty in a teasing tone.
"Ben said that you have about 10 minutes before you have to complete your final wedding party duties. The band is allowed to stay until 2am, but you two don't have to," Victoria tells them.
Cal states, "Matthew, we both wanted you to know how proud we are to call you our son. And, Betty, how honored we are to call you our daughter-in-law. You two give everybody hope that love is out there just waiting to be found."
"Thank you, Dad and Mother we appreciate it. We hope that by being ourselves and being in love with each other we can inspire others to find the same happiness and fulfillment that we have," replies Matt.