"Have you seen my overskirt, Jayje? I can't find it anywhere."
"It's right behind you, PG. Here, let me help." JJ wrapped the skirt around Penelope's waist, tying the string into a tight bow. "These dresses are gorgeous. I'm so glad I agreed to be in the wedding. I've never worn anything so sumptuous." She stroked the soft velvet of her dress as she smiled at Penelope.
"I'm glad you agreed as well. Will won't be able to take his eyes off you." She picked up her bodice and put it on. "Time to tie up the back as well. Oh, my gosh, this is really happening. You know it's almost been two years since I bumped into her on that fateful night? Look what's happened since then."
"You have a family. Which reminds me, I hope you expressed enough milk. There is no way you can breastfeed in this dress."
"Yes, Erin reminded me to do that this morning just before we left." Someone knocked at the door and JJ glided over, opening it slightly.
"Okay, we'll be right out." She turned back to Penelope. "Morgan said Erin's ready. Let's go get you two married." She held out her hand and Penelope took it, smiling at her friend. They got into the waiting tram and were driven down to the ceremony site. JJ held up her dress while Derek helped her out of the tram. Then he took her arm and led her over to the private alcove where she was to wait until she heard the cue of the musicians telling her Erin was in place.
"Are you ready to be Erin's wife, Baby Girl?"
"As I'll ever be. This just cements what we've felt all along. I belong to her, Derek, just like you belong to Reid." She smiled as his face turned red. "Don't think I haven't noticed the looks you shoot each other. Even Erin knows you two are perfect together. I speak from experience – don't get caught before you tell Shepperd."
"We can be discreet."
"Yeah, so were Erin and I. Look at where that got us."
"Two lovely babies, a happy future, and a wonderful group of friends who will do anything for you – including dressing up like pre-Revolutionary France courtiers."
"When you put it like that, it sounds amazing."
"As it should, Baby Girl. There's our cue." Morgan handed her the bouquet from his hand and she took a deep breath. "I still love you."
"And I still love you." She took his arm and he led her from behind the pillar to walk down the aisle. All their close friends and family had made it out to the ceremony, along with some people she didn't recognize, though they looked vaguely familiar. She looked at Morgan, who smiled enigmatically. "Are those?"
"Your oldest brother's children? Yes. They're the only ones we could get to agree to come. We'll introduce you at the reception," he whispered back. "It's our gift to you."
She beamed up at him, tears pooling in her eyes. "Thank you." He nodded and they stopped next to Erin, facing the Methodist minister who was also wearing period garments. Penelope found her focus shot throughout the entire ceremony, rotely repeating their vows as the minister said them to her, a dumb smile on her lips as she listened to Cassie read Romans 12. She was startled from her trance by the minister saying the closing words.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the McQueens." They had decided to use Erin's maiden name as their married one. "Ladies, you may seal your marriage with a kiss." They turned to each other and Erin took the initiative, wrapping her arms around Penelope and kissing her deeply to the cheers of their friends and colleagues. Penelope had just about melted into her wife when she broke the kiss and they grinned out at the crowd.
The string quartet began to play the recessional as she and Erin glided down the aisle. They waited at the back for the rest of their wedding party to join them in the receiving line. In the distance, the trams waited to take their guests to the hall where the reception would be held.
Erin and Penelope greeted their guests warmly as they exited the garden until everyone was gone. However, her niece and nephew didn't make an appearance. They went back in the secluded garden to take pictures and Penelope saw them up by Gideon, looking at the babies, while Paul and Karen hovered protectively nearby.
"Are you ready to take the pictures now?" Their photographer appeared at their side, smiling at them. "I got some real beautiful shot of the ceremony." They nodded and made their way back up to the front of their private alcove. "All right, let's get a few shots of just the two of you."
Erin and Penelope clasped hands and stood under the archway. The photographer posed them in numerous positions and then the bridal party joined them for number of other pictures. Finally, the photographer had the family join the pictures. Penelope and Erin took the babies from Gideon's arms and stood with Paul, Annie, and Karen. "Would you like to join us? You are family, after all," Erin said kindly, motioning to their niece and nephew. "I'm Erin McQueen. And you are?"
"Gabby Garcia." The girl stepped forward and shook Erin's hand, smiling slightly. "This is my brother, Dann." The young man stepped forward, hugging Penelope and then Erin.
"Aunt Penelope, why did you stop sending cards to us?" he asked as the pictures were taken.
"It hurt too much to get them returned."
"Well, I'm in college now. You can send them to me there." Penelope squeezed his shoulder tightly as the photographer finished up.
"All right, we have a party to get to. Gabby, Dann, you'll be sitting with Gideon and Cassie, near the head table. They'll have the twins, if you want to hold them during the reception." Morgan smiled at them and led the group over to the last trolley. He helped Erin and then Penelope into the vehicle and then the rest of the group. Once under way, the ride only took a few minutes and Gideon, Aaron and Jack, and Cassie went in with the family.
The remaining six people lined up and waited for their names to be announced. Finally, Erin and Penelope were introduced and they entered the hall to thunderous applause. Penelope blushed and turned into Erin, ducking her head slightly. They walked up to their table, but before they could sit, Morgan picked up the bell by his plate and started ringing it, a wide grin on his face. She turned to Erin and kissed her, short and sweet. That didn't appease Morgan and he rang the bell once more. Erin took a deep breath and pulled Penelope close, deeply kissing her. Finally, they came up for air and sat down by their places.
As they ate, the string quartet played softly. The meal was veal picatta, a nod to their first romantic meal. They finished quickly and went around to their guests, smiling and making small talk. Finally, a good majority of their guests were finished eating as well, and they went over to the cake. JJ handed the knife to Erin and they cut into the confection, pulling out the piece and setting it onto a plate. Penelope took a fork and broke off a bite, bringing it to her wife's lips. Erin opened her mouth and accepted the bite. She handed the fork to Erin and let the bite she offered her in. A bit of frosting hot on her nose and Erin wiped it away.
Smiling saucily at her wife, she opened her mouth and Erin slipped the finger inside, letting Penelope clean it. This elicited a whoop from Morgan and they both blushed and then returned to their seats. JJ cut the rest of the cake and the staff passed them out. "And now, it's time for the first dance," the dj said. As they stood, the dj began to play 'Peel Me a Grape'. They swayed in time to the music, coming closer and closer together.
"I never want this moment to end," Penelope whispered in Erin's ear.
"I do. I want to get to our honeymoon where there will be no prying eyes looking at your hands on my ass."
Penelope giggled and slid her hands back up to Erin's waist. "Is this better, my love?"
"Yes and no. How much longer until we go to our hotel room?"
"At least a few more songs. And I really should talk to my niece and nephew." She kissed Erin's cheek softly and then snuggled close once more. "Have I told you I love you today?"
"In a millions little ways, yes. I love you, too." Erin sighed, resting her head on Penelope's shoulder. The song finally concluded and they made their way over to the family table. Gideon was feeding Elinor while Gabby was trying to figure out how to feed Alan. "Here, let me show you," Erin said gently, taking both child and bottle Gabby's hands while she sat. Gabby scooted the chair closer to her new aunt and watched what she did.
"So, what are you studying in college?" Penelope asked Dann.
"I'm going into biochemistry," he replied. "I want to be a scientist when all is said and done. Gabby's studying English Lit."
"What college are you going to?"
"I'm at Georgetown. Gabby decided to go to Bryn Mawr."
"Good schools. Why didn't you look me up sooner?"
"We didn't think you wanted to be a part of our lives, Aunt Penelope. Plus, Dad didn't think you'd be a good influence on us, what with the trial and all." Gabby looked down at Alan, smiling sadly at him. "I should have just listened to my heart. We put our addresses in the card we got you. We should probably head out now. I have a long drive ahead of me." She stood up and went over to Penelope, hugging her tightly. Dann followed suit and they left the hall.
"It'll take time." Penelope looked at Gideon, who was smiling at her. "After I initiated contact with Steven once more, it took him a long time to warm up to me. Just keep trying with them." He handed Elinor to Penelope and then patted her shoulder. "You've made a good life for yourself, my dear. Love is a wonderful thing to hold onto in our lives."
"Thank you, Gideon. For everything." Penelope turned to him, hugging him tightly.
He rubbed her back gently as she started to cry. "Hey now, none of that. Today is supposed to be one of the happiest of your life. Are you ready to head to the hotel?"
"I think so. It's time to be alone again, you know?" He nodded and took her hand, helping her to stand. Emily caught their eyes and stood up from the head table, joining them. "Are you sure you're good with taking the twins tonight?"
"Aaron's good with kids. We'll be fine, and if there're any questions, I'll call Karen. No one is going to disturb you on this night." Emily took Elinor and held her close as she brought her over to Aaron. Paul came up and took Alan, kissing his mother on the cheek. He then kissed Penelope's cheek lightly.
"Have fun up in Tustin. I won't be able to get up to see you, but if you need anything, there's only three hours separating us, Mom." She looked at him, puzzled by his calling her that. "The twins will get older before we know it, and well, they should call you Mom, not Penelope. If they hear me calling you Mom, then there won't be any confusion. I hope that's okay."
"It's fine. Oh, Paul." She hugged him tightly, overcome by emotion.
"Ah, don't get mushy now. Go with Gideon and Emily."
She nodded and he walked over to where Aaron sat, sitting at his table. "All right, I think I'm ready." Penelope took Erin's arm and they followed Gideon and Emily out of the hall. Gideon's SUV was fully decked out in wedding regalia and they all groaned at the sight. "Morgan and Reid have to be behind this."
"And they'll be the ones to clean it up," Gideon replied shortly as he opened the door for Penelope, helping her up into the vehicle. He followed suit with Erin while Emily got in the front seat. He got under way, driving quickly into the city proper. "We reserved the honeymoon suite at the Churchill Hotel for you. I'll be by to take you to the airport at seven. When you land in Grand Rapids, there will be a rental car waiting for you, we arranged that as well."
"Are you picking up the twins, or are they meeting us at the airport?" Erin asked.
"I'll have the twins with me when I pick you up." At the hotel, Gideon helped them out of the vehicle while Emily went to check them in. He handed Penelope the small overnight bag and then kissed her cheek gently. "Have a good night."
"I'm sure it will be," she purred in response, wrapping an arm around Erin's waist as they entered the hotel. Emily handed them the room key and Penelope saw they were on the top floor. "Pretty swanky."
"Nothing but the best for our girls, Penelope. You should know that by now." Emily hugged them and went outside while they found the elevator bank. They rode up alone and Penelope snuggled close to Erin, burying her face in her wife's shoulder.
While Erin opened their door, Penelope nipped at her neck, licking at the pulse point. "Honey, we have all night to do that. Please, let me get the door open." Her words broke off in a low moan as Penelope sucked hard on her neck. "Frak, that's amazing." Penelope chuckled and turned the doorknob, pushing the door open with her hand.
Erin flipped the lights on and set the bag on the floor. Penelope closed the door and threw the deadbolt. "Now can we have some fun?"
"Undressing you is going to be the most fun, my peacock." Penelope purred as she felt Erin's hands come to rest on her waist. "Let's get closer to the bed," she whispered, guiding Penelope over. Erin slipped her shoes off and then began to loosen the bodice Penelope wore. As it came away from her chest, Penelope held it in place. She shivered as Erin ran her fingers up and down her spine.
"Erin," she whimpered as her wife slipped her hands under the bodice to cup her breasts, thumbing the nipples gently. "You'll drive me mad if you keep that up."
"I know." Erin leaned forward and kissed Penelope's neck as she untied the overskirt, letting it fall to the floor. Next came the underskirt and the pannier and Penelope was left in her shift.
"Turn around; it's my turn to undress you." Erin did as told and Penelope made quick work of the outfit, not having as much patience as Erin to go slowly. Once she was also only in her shift, Penelope slowly removed the dove colored fascinator from Erin's hair and then began to pull out the bobby pins holding her hair up in its elaborate up do "Your hair has gotten so long," Penelope sighed as she ran her fingers through the waist length tresses.
"You wanted it long, and I am more than happy to oblige you. Besides, I love it this length, it's so easy to tease you with now." Erin pulled Penelope off balance, bringing them both crashing onto the bed. Penelope giggled as Erin pulled off their shifts and she lost herself in the feel of Erin's skin on hers. This magic, this bliss, would be hers forever.