This chapter is mostly super cute, but definitely ends in some angst. I hope you guys like it!
"DADDY!"
A gigantic smile light up Ian's face and he crouched down opening his arms. I don't think that watching their eyes light up when they are united after a raid will ever not warm my heart. Avery sprinted into her daddy's arms and he lifted her up and spun her around. I felt myself smile as I watched him clutch her to him and press a hard, firm kiss into her forehead.
"I miss you, Daddy," Aves exclaimed wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
"I missed you too, princess. God, I love you so much," Ian replied, peppering her little face with kisses.
"Wuv you mo'!"
"What I am? Chopped liver?" Kyle exclaimed. Mel rolled her eyes. Avery giggled leaning over from Ian's arms to kiss her uncle on the cheek.
"I miss you too, Unc'a!"
Kyle laughed, "I gotta teach ya how to play soccer, Big Time."
"Maybe later. I gettin married!"
A scowl crossed my husband's beautiful face, "The hell you are. You're two! He didn't even ask for my blessing!"
Aves shook her head exasperatedly, "Is just preten, Daddy!"
"Oh my god. You are precious."
It was the first comment from Ian's family. His mother and father were looking at Avery in awe. As was Mollie, who was still attached to my side. Even Ethan had a small smile on his face.
Avery decided to become shy as she buried her head in Ian's neck. I pulled her away from him and set her down so that she was standing but crouched behind her so that I was holding her waist.
"This is Daddy's family, baby girl, don't be shy" I told her, "That's your Auntie Mollie, and you Grandma…"
I trailed off, realizing that I wasn't sure of her first name.
"Carole," She whispered, "I'm your Grandpa Carole and this is your Grandpa Joe."
"And that's Ethan," Ian said coldly. I gave him a look.
"Your UNCLE Ethan," I said pointedly. Then I turned back to Ian's family, "And this is Avery."
"Hi," Avery whispered softly, "Wanna come my wedding?"
"Avery! Your groom is going nuts in there! He thinks you stood him up!" Jamie came running out of the game room.
Aves hands flew to her cheeks, "OH NO!"
"Oh no is right babe."
Jamie stopped, looking up at Ian's family.
"Oh! Hi! You must be the newbies. I'm Jamie, Mel and Wanda's brother."
"Brother!" Ethan scoffed. Jamie's eyes darkened.
"Yes, brother."
"Listen you little fuck head," Mel started, "Wanda IS our sister and if you have a problem with that our Uncle Jeb will shoot you in the balls. So you can shove it up your-"
"Okay!" I exclaimed, "Why don't we just go to Avery's wedding now."
Mel exhaled loudly, "Okay, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm just getting really fired up. I just have a lot of rage and-"
"Mel! It's okay. Drop it."
"But-"
"Drop it!"
"I'll stay out here while you guys file in so that I can walk this beautiful PRETEND bride, down the PRETEND aisle to her PRETEND wedding," Ian said.
I walked into the game room, seeing rows of folding chairs set up with Damien standing at the front. Ian's family, Mel, and Jamie were behind me.
"Is she comin?" Damien exclaimed nervously running his little fingers through his messy hair. I noticed that there was quite a congregation set up to watch the wedding. Mel and I sat down next to Uncle Jeb. I waved to Doc who was sitting in the row across from us.
"Of course she's coming!" Jamie exclaimed ruffling his hair and he stood, ready to officiate.
"Ya know," Jeb said gruffly, "I usually officiate these things."
"Well this is just PRETEND!" I heard Ian yell from outside the room. Jeb chuckled.
"Let's get this show on the road!" Jamie exclaimed.
Mickey, who was the maid of honor, walked down the aisle as Jamie hummed the wedding march. Then she turned to me, "Auntie Wanda! You have to walk 'cause Aves wants baby swister to be the flow'r girl!"
There was a collective "awe!" from everyone. I smiled, standing up, walking around the chairs, and down the aisle before snaking back to my seat. Finally Ian entered, holding Avery's hand. In the other hand she clutched her bouquet of weeds and leaves, her toilet paper veil flowing behind her. We all stood and finally they reached the end of the aisle.
"Who gives away this women?" Jamie asked.
"She's two!" Ian exclaimed irritated.
"For the love of god, Ian!" Jared exclaimed, "Just say that you do!"
"The Hell I do!"
"Ian. Just do it!" I pleaded. He turned to Avery. She stuck out her little lip.
"Pwease, Daddy?" she gave him the puppy dog eyes.
"Fine, I give her away at her PRETEND wedding."
Jamie rolled his eyes, "Thanks."
"Dearly beloved, we gather here today to celebrate the marriage of this man and this women. Or something like that. I've never done this before," Jamie started.
"This is why I should've married the kids," Uncle Jeb Huffed. I smiled and shook my head as I laid a hand on his arm.
"Yeah, well this is a PRETEND wedding," Ian shot back.
"For the love of god Ian, of course it's pretend! I'm not about to let my four year old get married, even if it is the end of the world!" Mel exclaimed, "Now stop being an ass!"
Ian huffed, but remained quiet.
"Anyway! Now time for the vows," Jamie continued," Damien Howe do you take this women to be your kind of lawfully wedded pretend wife in sickness and health, for rich or for poor, and as long as you both shall live?"
"Okay," Damien replied.
"You're supposed to say 'I do' Little Man," Jamie chuckled, ruffling his hair.
"Oh, but why?"
Jamie shrugged, "You just do."
"Okay then. I do."
Jamie turned to Avery, "Avery O'Shea, do you take this women to be your kind of lawfully wedded pretend husband in sickness and health, for rich or for poor, and as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Now for the rings!" Jamie announced looking to Mickey. She stood up and brought Jamie two wrapped ring pops. Jamie opened them and the kids put them on their fingers, but not before licking them.
"Now, if you have any objections, expect you Ian, you should keep your mouth shut, speak now or forever hold your peace!" Jamie announced. There was silence, "Alright well if there are no objections-"
"Well…" Ian began. Mel glared daggers at him and he immediately shut his mouth.
"I now pronounce you pretend husband and pretend wife! You may kiss the bride!"
Ian began to stand up, but Brandt pulled him down.
Avery and Damien looked at each other and scrunched their noses, "Ewwww!"
Ian smiled, "That's my girl!"
"You gotta do it," Jamie told them, "Or you aren't really pretend married."
Avery suck out her hand as far as she could and turned her head. Damien grabbed it, shut his eyes and quickly pressed his lips to it.
Everyone cheered, even my insane husband.
"Now it's time for our honey moon!" Aves announced.
"Fuck no!" Ian growled, "Who the hell told her about a honey moon?"
"Uncle Jamie said that after you get married, you go on a honey moon and take naps with your wife. Getting married is real exhaustin so we are gonna nap now," Damien explain.
Ian visibly relaxed. Damien, Avery, and Mickey frequently took naps together.
"Okay go head. Mickey, you go with them, okay?"
The little girl nodded, "Kay, Unc'a Ian!"
The three kids ran off together. Ian turned to Mel and Jared, "Please go chaperone their honey moon?"
"You got it!" Mel chucked as she pulled Jared out of the game room with her.
"I need a drink," Ian sighed, kissing me on the cheek and shuffling out the room. I chuckled.
"I'm right with you bro!" Kyle was right on Ian's tail. I smiled as I watched them leave. Everyone was beginning to file out.
"Wanda! We are so sorry we missed the wedding! I'm so it was the cutest little thing!" Jodie and Sunny came running into the room together. It was actually kind of funny how close of friends they had become. I guess sharing a body does that to people.
"JODIE!" I heard Carole exclaim.
"Oh my God! Carole? Joe? Ethan? Mollie? I can't believe it!"
They rushed to hug her, even Ethan. I watched as they gushed over her. Sunny stood next to me giving me a confused look.
"Ian and Kyle's family," I mumbled. Sunny nodded, a sympathetic look in her eyes.
I looked up and Jodie's hands flew to her stomach. She was starting to show, but not enough to be obvious.
"The baby's moving," She explained with a smile. Carole shrieked and Ethan went as far as to pick her up and spin her around.
"I'm going to be an uncle!" Ethan exclaimed. I almost didn't recognize his voice so happy and not filled with hate for me.
"And I'm going to be a grandma!" Carole exclaimed, "Our first grandchild, Joe! Can you believe it?"
"I can't believe it sweetheart! I always wanted to be a grandpa and with the way the world kinda ended, I never thought that I would be…"
Jodie shot me a confused look and Sunny touched my arm, looking up at me with damp eyes. She understood what was happening, but Jodie assumed they must not have known. I didn't blame her. How could she not? How could she think these people, who were so wonderful to her, were capable of denying their own granddaughter? I'm not sure whether I wanted to laugh, cry, or kill someone and that was a very unusual thought coming from a soul.
"Thank you, Jodie. This is incredible," Caroled told her, placing her hand on Jodie's swelling stomach. I felt the tears coming. I would never have this relationship with Ian's family, all because they just couldn't accept who I was. Mollie looked uncomfortable, and when she noticed me still standing there, she gasped.
"Wanda! Oh God Wanda!" She exclaimed running over to me. She pulled me into a hug, tears welling into her eyes. I did love that little girl. The rest of the family looked confused. I gently peeled the blonde haired girl off of me, passing her over to Sunny.
"Your first grandchild?" I asked quietly, "What is Avery exactly?"
Looks of realization crossed their faces, but it was too late. I was set off.
"How dare you deny that little girl? How dare you?" I questioned. Silent tears started streaming down Jodie's face. I could tell that her heart broke for me. She just couldn't believe it, "I may not be human and you don't have to like me, but how could you deny that perfect little baby? Your HUMAN grandchild, just minutes after Ian and I tell her that you are her grandparents? How?"
"Wanda, we-"
I cut Carole off, I didn't want to hear her excuses at the moment, "I would love more than anything for Avery to know her Daddy's family, but I'm not going to force anyone to accept my daughter. She has plenty of family. She has her mommy, daddy, Pappy Jeb, Uncle Kyle, Uncle Jared, Uncle Jamie, Uncle Doc, Aunt Mel, Aunt Sunny, Aunt Jodie, and Aunt Mollie. Not to mention all of the people in the caves who adore that little girl. She doesn't need anyone who doesn't WANT her and neither do I"
I turned my heels and stormed out the door. Granted, not as dramatically as I would like because I was eight months pregnant with twins and sort of wobbled, but I stormed out none the less.
But really, how adorable was that wedding? I know it wasn't super important to the story, but I couldn't get the idea out of my head. Again, I hope you guys liked this chapter and I hope that I did justice to the overly anticipated Avery/Ian reunion.
Review please! It would also be awesome if you guys wanted to tell me your favorite parts!