The Reception
Cady toasted the couple and then started to introduce their first song; she explained it was one her dad selected so everyone would know just how he felt about Vic. Cady clarified that they would have the first dance alone, the toasts would be finished, and then the couple would start the dancing again for everyone to join in.
Walt led Vic off the platform Henry had erected to serve as a sort of barrier or safety net for the couple. It was raised about three feet off the floor and was just large enough to hold a table for four, four chairs, Walt, Vic, and Henry and Cady; as they alternated hosting duties.
They stepped on to the dance floor as Billy Joel'sShe's Got a Way began to play. Vic smiled up at him and said, "You really are a romantic aren't you?"
He just shrugged and pulled her into his arms, leading her around the floor in a very intimate embrace. Walt tilted his head toward her ear and said, "This song just says what I feel."
Vic turned her head and captured his lips briefly and then said, "Being romantic wasn't an insult ya know?"
"Yep." His smile told her he really was sure it had not been meant as anything more than an observation.
After their dance Henry toasted the couple with two simple sentences, "It has been my privilege to know Walt for more than forty years, he is my brother. Vic it is my sincerest honor to welcome you to the family."
Cady took the mic again to explain how the rest of the reception was set to play out. She had spoken no more than a couple of words when she saw a tall man, with dark hair, she didn't recognize. Pausing she looked at her dad as the man approached; Walt gave her a nod and stood to greet the man as he reached the table.
The man offered Walt his hand and smiled at Vic, "Congratulations Sheriff."
Walt bent to shake the proffered hand, "Thank you Mr. Moretti."
"Vic."
Walt glanced at his Vic and back to her father who smiled and amended, "Victor."
Walt smiled and nodded, "Thank you Victor."
Vic watched as her father clasped his other hand over the top of the one that shook Walt's. His eyes turned to her again and asked, "Do I get a dance with my daughter?"
Vic glanced up at Walt with tears shimmering in her eyes, and then back to her father, "I'd like that dad. Give me just a minute?"
"Sure. May I say a few words while I wait?" Vic nodded and her father stepped off to the side to introduce himself to Cady and Henry.
Vic reached out to Walt and pulled him down close so she could speak quietly, "He's happy about this Walt. I don't know how or why, but he is."
He whispered back, "Yeah?"
"Yeah, he's letting you call him Victor and he put his free hand over the one you were shaking. That's his tell of acceptance. I don't even think he knows he does that, but that's what it means."
"Good."
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly, "Thank you, Walt. I don't know how you did it but thank you."
"Don't know that I did, but if I did, you're welcome." He sat next to her, returned her kiss, and then turned them to look at her dad who was getting the mic from Cady.
Before her father started to speak Vic quickly added, "Well I know you got him and my mom to show up, even if they were late, so thank you."
The elder Moretti addressed those gathered, introduced himself and his wife, and explained that the couple did not know he was going to speak until a couple of moments before and he thanked them for the opportunity. Vic was in awe; she had never seen or heard her father so polite. He concluded the general comments and turned to face her and Walt. A ripple of fear ran through Vic at the unreadable expression in her father's eyes and she reached for Walt's hand. He took hold of her hand and squeezed gently. He scooted his chair closer to wrap his other arm around her shoulder, for a little added reassurance.
Victor looked at her for a brief moment and actually winked at her; he winked, she saw it but didn't believe it. Then she heard him address Walt, "Sheriff Longmire, as a lawman you have my admiration; as a man, Mr. Longmire you have my respect; and with my daughter Walt, you have my trust." Vic thought she was dreaming, her father looked at her and continued, "Victoria, I have never been prouder of you or happier for you. Your mother and I wish the two of you all the best life has to offer."
A tear slipped from Vic's eye and Walt immediately dabbed at it with his handkerchief; he had reached for it earlier and set it on the table, when he noticed tears shimmering in her eyes, figuring he would need it soon enough. She smiled her thanks and took the handkerchief from him to dab at her other eye before those tears escaped too.
She heard her father ask Cady, "Do you have a song fit for a father to dance with his daughter?"
Cady smiled and nodded at him while Henry found the selection. Walt led Vic off the make shift platform again; this time to dance with her father. When they reached the floor he reached out and shook Victor's hand again, and again Victor put his free hand over those they shook, Walt held Victor's gaze, but felt Vic's eyes on him too.
Victor looked over to Cady and back to Walt, "Will you be sharing this dance?"
Walt looked to Vic and she nodded. So he smiled at Victor, "We'd be honored." He held his hand out to Cady who quickly joined them as the foursome made their way to the floor.
Henry took the mic and explained that the fathers of the evening were going to share a special dance with the daughters of the evening and then there would be one more dance after that just for the couple of the hour at the request of Cady. After that everyone would be invited to dance the night away. All the guests kept their seats and watched the two couples on the dance floor as Daddies and Daughters by Kevin Fowler played.
Daddies and Daughters reached its end and Cady said quickly, "Dad I picked the next song for you and Vic." She kissed his cheek and led him over to Vic.
As she looped her arm through Victor's and led him from the dance floor she gave Henry a nod and he started the next song, but he did so with more than a hint if trepidation. Cady had picked it out and he had tried to subtly to dissuade her; but she was adamant that it was the perfect song for her dad and Vic. He was unsure whether she knew that Walt had always associated it to Martha; like it was their song, either way he was decidedly uncomfortable with the situation.
The strains of BJ Thomas' Hooked on a Feeling started and Henry braced himself. He wanted to go hide in his office but he stood and watched, waiting for Walt to glare at him or send him a 'rescue me' look. But as he watched he saw Walt hesitate for just one step and then he leaned in and whispered to Vic. She eased her head back to look at him, reached up and deftly wiped a tear; making the action simply look like she was stroking her husband's cheek. Vic held her hand over his cheek as she kissed him gently and then hugged him to her. Walt led her around the floor as they whispered back and forth. On one turn that placed them nearest to Henry, he gave Walt an apologetic shrug and was pleased when his friend gave him a warm smile and slight shake of his head. Henry waited until the song was nearly over and then invited others to join in the dancing.
He approached the couple before any of the others reached them. Henry touched Walt's shoulder and asked, "May I have the honor of dancing with..." Walt turned to him like he was going to dance with Henry. He quickly finished, "the bride," and whisked Vic away before Walt did something else reminiscent of 'the old Walt.' Henry wasn't sure everyone else would understand that long dormant side of Walt; his humor could definitely be an acquired taste at times. But he was deeply pleased that his friend was truly happy again.
Vic asked Henry if he knew about the last song, he nodded and held her gaze encouraging her to continue.
"Walt told me Cady picked it out before it started. But when he flinched at its start I told him I wanted to sit down. He said no but he needed to tell me something important."
She glanced at Henry, he smiled his tight lipped smile; the one Vic had come to think of as his 'all knowing smile'. All he said was, "Yes."
Her eyes sought Walt; he was dancing with Ruby and was smiling sweetly at the older woman as she spoke to him.
Turning her attention back to Henry, Vic decided to tell him what Walt told her; he probably knew anyway and she was sure Walt wouldn't mind, "Henry that was his and Martha's song."
"Yes." The single word confirmed she was right; Henry already knew.
"Walt said that he hadn't listened to since she got sick."
"That is what I understood."
"Do you think Cady knows it was their song?"
"I do not know. But I suspect she does."
"Walt said he wasn't sure but thought she probably knew and picked it as a sort of blessing from her and her mom."
"That is what I had begun to think as well."
Vic hesitated as the next thing she wanted to say was not something Henry could already know. She didn't want to say something that Walt might be uncomfortable with his friend knowing or at least knowing before he could tell him himself.
Henry sensed her reluctance and whispered, "Walter is a man who does nothing half way. So I am confident when I say to you that he loves you completely. It is true that he will also always love Martha but he has transitioned her to his first love and holds her love and memory close but as a part of his past." He shifted so he could see her eyes, "You Vic are his present and his future."
Vic gave him a brilliant smile before hugging Henry tightly, she whispered in his ear, her words coming through her smile, "That's what Walt said."
Henry hugged her just as tightly in return, "That is because it is his truth."
She couldn't help but smile to herself. Leave it to Henry; he didn't say 'because it was the truth' but that it was 'his truth', which made it all the more special and important because it was unique to Walt.
Songs listed for reference sake only
She's Got a Way by Billy Joel
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason
Anyway
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know what it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin'
Anywhere
She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'
She's got a light around her
And everywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her
Everywhere
She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
Anyway
Kevin Fowler's Daddies and Daughters
From the moment that a baby girl
Is born into this world
A man starts to change, do crazy things
Like paintin' the bedroom pink
To hold somethin' so small and frail
Absolutely scares the hell
Out of any guy no matter how brave
He thinks he might be
When she looks up at him like he's Superman
She's got him in the palm of her hand
Daddies and daughters
Have somethin' no one else does
Unique and special kind of love
Is hard to explain how men
Tough as leather
Can turn to velvet when she smiles
Worlds apart as they may seem
There's nothin' like the love between
Daddies and and daughters
Before she even gets to second grade
He's already startin' to think
About all the boys, what's on their minds
'Cause he was one once too
She's sixteen and headed to the dance
He says, "You ain't goin' dressed like that"
She slams her door, starts to cry
Thinks he ain't got a clue
She'll finally understand it one day
She'll even see the love in his mistakes
Daddies and daughters
Have somethin' no one else does
Unique and special kind of love
Is hard to explain how men
Tough as leather
Can turn to velvet when she smiles
Worlds apart as they may seem
There's nothin' like the love between
Daddies and and daughters
No one she ever meets will ever be
Good enough for her for him
Daddies and daughters
Have somethin' no one else does
Worlds apart as they may seem
There's nothin' like the love between
Daddies and daughters
BJ Thomas' Hooked on a Feeling
I can't stop this feeling
Deep inside of me
Girl, you just don't realize
What you do to me
When you hold me
In your arms so tight
You let me know
Everything's all right
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
Lips as sweet as candy
Its taste is on my mind
Girl, you got me thirsty
For another cup o' wine
Got a bug from you girl
But I don't need no cure
I'll just stay a victim
If I can for sure
All the good love
When we're all alone
Keep it up girl
Yeah, you turn me on
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
All the good love
When we're all alone
Keep it up girl
Yeah, you turn me on
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
I'm hooked on a feeling
And I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
I said I'm hooked on a feeling
And I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
I'm hooked on a feeling