A/N: Hello there! Sorry for taking so long to update. I've been up to my neck in school work but finals are closing in and so the teachers have started lightening the work load a bit. So here is Chapter 11 aka the wedding reception!
Chapter Eleven
I led Dana into the ballroom and we both looked around at the wonderful decorations. The tables surround the dance floor had silver table cloths with dark blue placemats and the chairs each had a silver or blue bow adorning the back. Each table had a vase filled with orange lilies and roses to complement the various hues of blue in the room and had candles surrounding them. At the head of all the tables was a smaller one with a dark blue table cloth and beautiful tiger lilies covering most of the surface. The chairs were a bit taller than the guests' chairs and were draped in silver silks with dark blue detailing. I led Dana to the front of the table as we greeted guests that filed into the ballroom. Dana would hug them as they came up and I would clasp their hands tightly in my in a hearty shake. Abel ran into the room and practically tackled Dana, wrapping his arms around her in a death hug. Dana patted his back a bit dazed and looked over at me for help. Before I could do anything, I felt Abel's arms crush around me and he actually managed to pick me up off my feet.
"Abel," I croaked, "breathing is an activity in which I find great enjoyment."
"Sorry," he said and I could see tears running down his face. "I'm just so happy for you two. And your vows were the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. And Dana's dress is just perfect and you look so handsome and I just couldn't help myself."
He began to sob loudly and I was thankful when Cain showed up and ushered his brother away. My mother, father, and brother were the next in line. Mother kissed Dana on the cheek before pulling her into a hug. The two women had grown close during the wedding planning and I was a little happy to see my mother in a new light. She came to me next and pulled me into a tight hug, kissing at my temple before pulling back and standing aside for the next person to come up to me. Davian pecked Dana on the mouth once, giving me a saucy wink before sauntering off to his table. My father stood awkwardly in front of Dana. He gave a curt nod to both of us but before he would walk off, Dana grabbed him and pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you for letting me join the family," I could hear her whisper to my father.
"Thank you for loving my son," he whispered back and returned her hug.
He looked at me and I stared back, not quite knowing what expression I had. He stepped forward cautiously before giving me a shift but tight hug.
"I'm proud to call you my son," he whispered before pulling away and walking off.
I stood there looking at Dana in shock. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders as she greeted Chris warmly. He hugged her tightly and kissed her on the forehead before giving me the same greeting. I smiled at him as he walked over to the same table my mother and father was seated. I looked over when Dana let out a squeal to see her off of her feet and in the arms of one of the werewolves. I vaguely remembered his name was David and did my best not to growl as he swung my bride in a wide circle. When he finally set her on her feet again he gave her a small kiss on the cheek and shook my hand firmly before joining his pack. Adam and his mate—I believe her name was Claire—came over and both gave Dana a hug and a kiss on the cheek much like the other werewolf. Adam shook my hand and Claire also gave me a small kiss on the cheek before joining their pack.
We met and greeted the other guests, exchanging words of thanks and gratitude for their attendance. When everyone had filed in Chris went up to the raised platform where the band we had hired was setting up. He tapped on the microphone a few times to get everyone's attention. He motioned for me and Dana to come forward and we made our way to the center of the dance floor.
"It is now time for the bride a groom to take their first dance as man and wife," Chris said a loving smile spread across his face.
I smiled down at Dana and placed one hand on her hip while holding the other. She smiled back and brought her free hand up to rest on my shoulder. When the band began to play, we began a slow and measured dance.
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
I smiled softly as I listened to the lyrics and move Dana and I around the dance floor. She smiled back and rested her head on my chest, her eyes closing as we moved to the slow beat of the song.
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
"I love you," I whispered leaning down to kiss the top of her head gently.
"And I you," she whispered back her arm tightening around me.
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
Dana and I took great care in selecting "our song" as she called it. When she found this one, we realized that the lyrics resonated deeper than anything else. This song was literally about us. This was our song.
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
As we moved around the dance floor, I met the soft smiles and tears of our guests. Mother was smiling at me, leaning back against my father who was also smiling to my surprise. Our children stood at the edge of the dance floor watching us lovingly. Autumn and Victoria were clinging to each other crying while their brother stood over them with an approving smile on his face. Their shadowlings were seated beside them also watching us with what I interpreted as happy eyes.
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
Dana turned her face up towards me, tears shining in her beautiful green eyes. I gave her a small smirk before leaning down and pressing my lips against hers, never stopping our slow movements.
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
We stopped our movements when the last note played. I looked deep into Dana's eyes as the guests erupted into applause. She smiled back kissing me one last time as the band started up another song and couples started towards the dance floor. Chris came over and offered Dana his arm. She took it and he led her into another dance. I smiled as I watched them before feeling two small bodies bump into me. I looked down at to see Autumn and Victoria clinging to pant leg.
"We wanna dance too Papa," they said in unison.
I smiled and picked up Victoria. I held her as Autumn clung to me and I moved us around in circles. They let out bouts of laughter as we moved around and I laughed with them. I looked over to see Dana and Chris smiling at us. My father came up behind Chris and tapped him on the shoulder. He gestured towards Dana and Chris gave him a small bow before handing off my new wife to my father. I watched as the two danced gracefully before feeling someone tap my shoulder. I turned to see my mother smiling at me.
"Can an old woman ask her son for a dance?" she asked.
"I don't think that is a difficult request," I answered with a smirk.
I set Victoria down and she and her sister ran off to dance with Chris. I gently took my mother's hand and waist and led her into a slow dance. She patted my shoulder gently smiling over at my father and Dana. I followed her eyes to see the two talking softly, a small smile on my father's face.
"She's really changed him," my mother said softly.
"How so?" I asked quirking a brow.
"I've never seen him so gentle before," she continued. "He's starting to remember and regret how he treated you boys when you were younger. He's trying to make up for it through your sister and children. I know you can't fully forgive him for all that he's done, but you have to remember that he is just a man. And men have flaws."
"I know," I sighed as the song ended with our dance. "It's just hard for me. I can see how he is with the kids and Clarisse but I can't let go of what he's done to me. I'm allowing him to be in my children's lives and stay here as part of the family. But I don't have to like all of my family."
"True," my mother chuckled as she patted my chest. "He really is proud of you Darrin. And he does love you as much as he can."
I nodded as Dana and my father made their way toward us. My father took my mother's hand in his, kissed the back of it gently, and led her of towards their table. I led Dana towards our table and we sat down, letting the guests serve themselves first to the buffet laid out on the other side of the room. She leaned against me and watched the guests dance, eat, and mingle amongst themselves. We smiled as our children made their way towards us. Autumn crawled into my lap as Lucian and Victoria crawled into Dana's. They smiled up at us and nestled further onto our laps. I looked over at Dana and her eyes met mine. I reached over and took her hand in mine. Finally we were a real family.
A/N: Wasn't that a beautiful reception. It took me forever to figure out what Dana and Davian's song should be then I started listening to sappy love songs on Youtube and found this one! So the next chapter is the last chapter of this story…and I'm gonna leave you hanging on this tale for a little while so I can work on two other stories that tie into this little universe I have created. So until next time…REVIEW!