A/N: I'm in school now, and have a lot less time to update and write. I'm going to keep this story up the best I can though. The next chapter is already written, and a couple more are vaguely planned. Thank you everyone for reading up to this point, and I'll update as best I can. Story-wise, we are getting closer and closer to some big events, because a lot of time has passed since Carlton and Elizabeth first started dating. You can do the math for that. :P
Chapter Fourteen: Bouquet
It's easiest if they make it a weekend affair, considering the fact that the wedding is scheduled for early Sunday morning, and they have to travel a good distance to Arizona beforehand. Carlton's not thrilled by the idea, but the drive turns out to be better than expected. Calming and comfortable, with Elizabeth in the passenger's seat.
He meets her whole family over the Saturday rehearsal dinner. He had been nervous, but he shouldn't have worried. All the women hug him like he's already part of the family, and Elizabeth's father and brothers shake his hand. Somewhat to his surprise, they all seem to actually like him. He is still grateful, however, when there is much planning and finalizing left to do. He gets shunted happily into the background; he watches everything unfold as a casual observer. Matters of flowers and the cake, picking up dresses and suits, confirmations of all sorts...he watches it all.
That first day is a long one, and when it's over, Carlton and Elizabeth retreat to their hotel as night hits.
After they both shower, they collapse onto fluffy pillows and sheets.
"My family likes you," Elizabeth says casually.
Carlton grunts out a tired reply. "Even Alex?" he says, referring to her older brother. While Alex seemed to like him well enough, Carlton did notice that he'd offered the most resistance to him – even if it was subtle and slight.
"Ah, well, Alex has always been overprotective of me. And he's gotten a bit worse ever since Richard..." she trails off for a moment, then manages a recovery. "Well, he never liked him anyway. I can already tell that he likes you way better than he liked Richard, though, even in the beginning."
"Really?"
"Mhm," she replies into her pillow. She's already falling asleep, and he is too, as a matter of fact.
He reaches over and turns off the last remaining lamp. He wraps an arm over Elizabeth and yawns. Trip was worth it, he thinks, just before falling asleep.
The morning is a rush of activity. The women get their hair done and Mr. Henson checks in with the caterer and the photographer. Carlton tries to find something to do, but mostly he just waits around while everyone bustles and bothers. And then there is dressing up and a mad search for keys and driving to the church, and before he knows it, he's sitting by some of Elizabeth's family members and watching as the wedding procession begins. Elizabeth's in the wedding party – Maid of Honor - so he waits patiently.
And then she's there, holding onto the arm of Ethan's brother as they walk down the aisle together. And she's glowing.
Radiant, he thinks, and her dress...
Lavender and perfect.
Carlton might be a little jealous of Ethan's brother if Elizabeth didn't catch his eye in the crowd and smile that smile of hers.
He smiles back, and it's stupid and cliché, but he thinks that maybe his heart really did just skip a little bit.
He watches as she takes her place at the front of the church, watches her move a strand of hair self-consciously away from her eyes. And then her sister comes down the aisle, and Elizabeth beams as if she's never been happier. And Carlton knows he should probably be watching the bride, but he can't seem to keep his eyes away from Elizabeth for any extended length of time.
The ceremony is beautiful and traditional and exactly what it should be.
The "I dos" are sweet, the kiss perfection. And Mrs. Henson is crying into a handkerchief and even Mr. Henson seems to be tearing up.
Carlton wants to laugh, but he doesn't. He just smirks, shakes his head, and thinks, nothing quite like a wedding...
The ceremony ends without incident, and then everyone heads over to the reception hall. There is much flurry of activity when the party arrives: a large catered lunch with lines and cake and cameras flashing all at once. Elizabeth pulls him into a few pictures and he allows it only because she looks so thrilled to just be here...and he could never say no when she's smiling at him like that.
There's music, too.
"May I have this dance?" Elizabeth asks, holding out her hand to pull him onto the dance floor.
And it almost feels like a dream, because since when did he get this lucky, to be asked to dance by a beautiful woman that wants him back?
He takes her hand and they make their way onto the dance floor. Her arms go around his neck, and Carlton pulls her close to him. He can't help but think that this level of happiness should not exist in the world.
"You look beautiful, Liz."
"Thank you, Carlton. For...everything," she says, resting her head against his chest. He isn't exactly sure what she's thanking him for, because what has he given her that she hasn't given back tenfold? But he allows it without question and keeps dancing contently with her in his arms.
The song ends after a couple minutes, and then a much faster one begins.
She raises her eyebrows at him with the hopeful question.
He shakes his head resolutely. "Absolutely not."
"Fair enough."
They sit out a few dances. They eat lunch and cake and drink some wine. There are toasts and laughter, and they take it all in. Together.
The party winds down after a couple of hours. The newlyweds are almost ready to leave, but there's still two things left to do - the garter and bouquet tosses.
The crowd gathers to watch as Ethan removes the garter from Sara amidst laughter and appreciative hoots. Carlton gets shoved into the line of unmarried men just as Ethan turns away and flings the garment over his shoulder.
Carlton watches it come in his direction, but not close enough for a direct hit. It lands, instead, in the hands of Elizabeth's younger brother. Nick looks down at the item in surprise, then shakes his head incredulously. He catches Carlton's eye and gestures to the garter. "Um, no. This isn't gonna happen anytime soon."
Nick tries to hand it to Carlton, but the detective just smirks and pushes it back to him. "Nice try."
The bouquet toss comes last, and somehow, Carlton knows what will happen before it does.
Sara turns and tosses the bouquet over her shoulder, into the waiting crowd of unmarried women. It lands perfectly in Elizabeth's arms.
There is clapping and laughter and Nick pounds Carlton's back in an enthusiastic, friendly gesture. "Well, that worked out nicely." he smirks.
Elizabeth catches Carlton's eye, bouquet still in hand. She smiles and shrugs, as if to say, well, how about that?
Carlton smiles, shrugs back, and thinks the same thing. Well, how about that?
A/N: Reviews are love. ;)