Time Moves Us On

by thesadderbutwisergirl

It's a normal day for Seth Macfarlane, but when he spots a woman that looks like his high school girlfriend, old feelings are aroused. Based on the notion that you never forget your first love, can he find Maddie Reynolds and make another go of his first relationship?

12. Chapter 12

The wedding day arrived. At around midday, Maddie had her hair and make done in the hotel. Sean helped her get into wedding dress. She was wearing a full length dress made almost entirely from lace.

'So where is you something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?' Sean asked while he sorted out the train of her dress.

'My something old is you!' Sean tapped Maddie playfully on the arm and smiled: secretly touched by this. 'My something new is the dress, my something borrowed are the pearl earrings from my mother, and my something blue is stitched into the hem of my dress.' Maddie lifted her dress and showed Sean that stitched in blue cotton was the date she was marrying Seth on.

'You look amazing. So beautiful darling.' Sean hugged Maddie 'I'm so happy for you.'

'Thanks. I don't think I could do it without you.'

A moment later the door flung open. Tyler ran in followed by Andy, Colleen and Maddie's four brothers: Alex, Joseph, Liam and Corey.

'Wow! You look like a Disney princess Mom!'

'Thank you baby. You look so handsome.' Tyler was wearing the same black suit and deep red tie as the ushers, all ready to walk down the aisle.

Everyone chatted around Maddie as she got up and went over to her father. 'Do I look pretty dad?'

Andy looked at his daughter proudly. 'You are beautiful darling.' They hugged.

More people came in to get a look at the bride before the ceremony, including Seth's family. Soon it was time. Maddie kissed her son as he went with his uncles downstairs to get ready. Maddie was left alone with her father.

'It's time sweetheart.'

Maddie took a deep breath as she picked up her bouquet of sunflowers. Her dad took her hand and they walked downstairs together. The procession music was ready. Tyler and Bella held hands as they walked down the aisle first.

Seth turned to watch Maddie walk towards him. She took his breath away. He had never seen a more beautiful bride. When she had been given away by her father, Seth turned to her and whispered 'you're beautiful' before the service started.

The officiator began the service. The sentiments he expressed were beautiful and so appropriate for them both, expressing their love and dedication to each other. Then after saying their vows, Tyler got his big moment as the ring bearer as Seth and Maddie confirmed their marriage with 'Always' as opposed to the traditional 'I will'. As the couple exchanged rings, there were tears of happiness in their eyes as the commitment was now sealed. Maddie chose Seth a simple but stylish solid band of platinum, while he had hers inlaid with 12 diamonds.

Then the words that concluded all weddings were spoken; 'you may now kiss the bride.' Seth looked at Maddie for a second before kissing her. Their friends and family all went wild with cheering and applause, but Maddie and Seth heard none of this. For that moment, it was just the 2 of them, so absorbed in each other and so in love. They broke apart and smiled as Seth whispered 'til death do us part this time!'

Maddie and Seth held hands and gestured for Tyler to hold her other hand as the 3 of them walked down the aisle together, to the large ballroom were their reception was to take place. Once there, Tyler busied himself looking for his name card on the perfectly decorated tables, while Seth took Maddie in his arms once again.

'We did it Maddie!'

'Yes we did!'

'My mother always said that we'd end up together.'

'She did?'

'Yeah. She used to tell me that no matter what side of the country we lived on, we were always going to end up together.'

Maddie thought she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes. 'Hey,' she held her hand to his cheek, 'I know it's a bit of cliché, but she would be so happy for us right now.'

'I know she would be.' Seth pulled Maddie in closer. 'I love you so much Maddie.'

'I love you more.'

'That's impossible!' They shared a brief but loving kiss in the middle of the ballroom, where they would later be having their first dance together. They saw Tyler standing next to them grinning widely.

'And we love you!' Maddie said hugging her son.

'Yes we do love you son.' Said Seth, who hugged Tyler as well.

'Love you too Dad.'

The perfection of that moment was too much for Maddie. Happy tears streamed down her face as the three of them shared a family hug. It was everything they had dreamed of. Maddie, Seth and Tyler all had the family they always wanted.

After hours of photographs, everyone was grateful to sit down. The tables were decorated with sunflowers and named, much to Tyler's delight, with a Star Wars theme. The head table was simply called 'The Force' at Seth's request. Then, after finding their tables and raising their champagne glasses to the newlyweds, the guests tucked into a 4 course dinner and wedding cake made with strawberries. The waiters kept everyone's glasses topped up and many people lost track with how much wine and champagne they were consuming.

One of the highlights of the evening for everyone was the speeches. The first person to get up and speak was Sean. 'Hi everyone, I'm Sean. Of course some of you know that already, but for those who don't, I've been Maddie's best friend since we were in kindergarten. And I met Seth at high school in our freshman year, but it felt like we were in kindergarten!' the room chuckled. 'Now these two never realised that they liked each other for 3 years before they finally got together. Seth would always ask me in our art lessons about my "pretty ginger friend" and Maddie would constantly talk about the "cute geeky guy" in glee club.' Maddie and Seth both looked at each other, smiling and laughing at this revelation. 'I have the pleasure of knowing them as a couple through high school and to know them as a couple today, is proof that love never dies. To Seth and Maddie.' The room all raised their glasses to the couple who kissed Sean on the cheek before turning to kiss each other.

There were a lot of speeches all the way through the night, including one from Seth's best man Mike and Maddie's father Andy. But it was Seth's speech that touched Maddie the most. But he didn't address the room for long. He just looked lovingly at his beautiful wife.

'I promise I'm not going to use the voices for too long!' He began in Stewie's voice before switching back to his normal voice. Tyler giggled loudly and moved next to his mother. 'Before I officially begin, I'd just like you all to raise your glasses to my mother Perry, who was such an inspiration to us and who would have loved to have seen this day.' Everyone pinged their glasses in her memory and silently drank. Seth then turned and directed the rest of his speech to Maddie. 'Maddie. If someone had told me 2 years ago that I would one day be marrying my high school sweetheart, I'd have said they were crazy. But 2 years ago you came back into my life for the first time in 14 years and turned it upside down. You've made me happier than I ever thought I would be. I love you so much and I feel so lucky to have you, even though it's a feeling I can't put into words. I love our family and I love our life together and being married to you feels so right. So ladies and gentlemen, will you please toast to my beautiful wife, Maddie.'

Maddie stood up and immediately kissed her husband much to everyone's delight. The beauty of Seth's speech was that he didn't write it down – it came straight from the heart. Just before the evening was due to continue with music and dancing, Tyler stood on a chair and spoke into the microphone Seth had left on the table. 'I just want to say something too.' Everyone turned to Tyler, who blushed a little bit. 'Ummm, I love my parent's loads and thanks for making my Mom happy again Seth. I mean Dad!' It was short and sweet, but completely from the heart. Seth and Maddie hugged their son as the room cheered for them.

The room was filled with laughter and pure happiness. A jazz band played music in the background as waiters kept everybody's wine glasses filled. Seth and Maddie were making sure they thanked all their guests. Rachael pointed out Tyler holding Bella's hand as they danced in the middle of the room. Seth held his wife from behind her and kissed her on the cheek as they watched their son and niece with a tear in their eye.

Then, mid song, the jazz band stopped playing as Maddie's brother Alex took to the stage and microphone, pinging his wine glass. 'For those of you who don't know my sister that well, she's actually a dance teacher, so Maddie, why don't you get your husband up here and teach him how to dance?!'

The room whooped at the couple who were still cuddling at the side of the room. Maddie turned to Seth and smiled.

'I think that's my brother's way of telling us to have our first dance together.'

Seth stepped out in front of Maddie and held his hand out to her. 'May I have this dance, Mrs Macfarlane?'

'You most certainly may.' She replied taking his hand and walking out to the dance floor with him. Crowds of people stood around the dance floor keeping carefully to the carpet. For their first dance, they had chosen a rather unconventional wedding song, but one that was so personal to them. It was one they sang together in high school as they realised their feelings; "Tonight" from West Side Story.

They danced slowly together, cheek to cheek as they sang softly to each other. Seth and Maddie held each other close; her arms around his neck and his around her waist. It was perfection. As they danced, they felt as if they were those crazy teens again, only 17 and knowing it was love.

The song ended and the newly married couple looked at each other briefly as they both said 'I love you' in unison. They kissed passionately, ignoring the cheering that was coming from the crowds of people still watching them in awe.

As the night went on, Maddie and Seth continued enjoying their wedding. Tyler had turned into an entertainer for all of their young guests and was lapping up the attention from the wedding guests. While Maddie was chatting to some of her old high school friends, Seth slipped away from his wife and walked up to the stage. Maddie was confused as to what he was doing, but Tyler grabbed her hand and led her to their table and sat down.

'Ty, what's going on?'

'Ssshhhh.' Ty pointed to Seth on stage, who was sitting at a piano facing Maddie with a microphone at his lips.

'It wouldn't be a Macfarlane get together without a bit of live music!' There were a few chuckles from the crowd, but most of the guests looked on in curious silences. Seth began playing the piano and a tune to one of Maddie's favourite songs; Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?"

Seth sang and played directly to Maddie, who now had her son held close to her as she began crying silently. As he sang, everyone knew he meant every word to Maddie, and guests all around had also begun shedding tears knowing they were truly in the presence of love.

"Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

"Oh the morning sun in all its glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
And you fill my life with laughter
You can make it better
Ease my troubles that's what you do.

There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
Like the sun at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do."

Seth knew he wouldn't be able to finish the song. He felt his voice breaking as the emotion got the better of him too. One of the musicians from the jazz band sensed this and quickly took over the playing and singing as Seth walked towards to wife and simply held out his hand to her, meaning they were to dance again. Maddie followed and danced with Seth. Both had nuzzled their heads into each other's shoulders as they whispered they loved each other.

"There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
And it shines like the sun
At the end of the day we will give thanks
And pray to the one.

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

Take away my sadness
Fill my life with gladness
Ease my troubles that's what you do
Fill my life with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do."

The song was the perfect end to what was a perfect day. The final photos of Maddie and Seth kissing on the dance floor and then hugging their son were taken. And then the lights went up. Most of the wedding guests disappeared from the hall to their rooms; until only Maddie and Seth's immediate family remained, saying their final goodnights.

'I'm so happy for you two!' Rachael hugged them both. 'You really choked a lot of us up at the end there Seth!'

'I know. I think that was the first time I couldn't get to the end of a song.' Seth said, looking down at his feet and blushing.

'Hey,' Maddie put a finger under his chin and made him look at her. 'That was the most romantic you have done for me.'

'I meant every word, you know.'

'I know you did.'

'I love you so much.'

Maddie kissed Seth, but pulled away so as to wipe a tear off her face. 'I can't cry again. Quick, somebody say something that isn't sentimental.'

'Well, me and Spencer are looking after Tyler tonight, and our room is the opposite end of the hotel, so you two really let yourselves go tonight!' Rachael said.

'Well played Rach!' Maddie said resting her head on her husband's shoulder.

Final goodnights were said and soon the newlyweds were completely alone for the first time. Seth looked at his bride.

'What are you looking at?' Maddie asked taking his hand.

'I just can't get over how lucky I am today.'

'I think I'm the lucky one after your speech and song for me. It was the most romantic thing you've ever done for me.'

'Yeah?'

'You always out do me in the romance department, don't you?'

'And I will continue to for years to come!' He said with a wink.

'Well, I've given this some thought,' Maddie walked back over to the table they had sat at, knelt down and pulled an envelope that had been taped underneath. She walked back over to Seth and handed it to him. 'It's our honeymoon plans!'

'You planned a honeymoon?'

Maddie nodded. 'We were so consumed in wedding planning and your movie preparations, we completely over looked a honeymoon, so I planned one as a surprise for you to Granada in Spain!' Seth looked at the brochure in the envelope in shock. 'I think you'll like it there a lot; it's an authentic Spanish province, barely touched by tacky tourism, no one will know who you are, and the food, heat, people are all lovely. All you need to do is pick the week. So what do you think?'

'I'm can't believe you! Just when I thought you couldn't get any more amazing, you do this! Thank you so much babe.' He said pulling Maddie for a long kiss.

'So, how am I at romance then?'

'You are the best, babe! I can't believe you thought of it! I feel guilty now that I didn't think of this.'

'Guilty you say? Then let's go up to our room and you can't start making it up to me. Sound good?'

'Oh yeah!'

Seth and Maddie spent their wedding night making crazy, passionate love to each other. It was a perfect day and both husband and wife felt well and truly blessed with the love and happiness they were able to share with one another.