Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or its characters.

Chapter Summary: The gang is at the reception, which means lots of dancing, and a surprise for the happy couple.

Chapter Length: 1540

Author's Note: The final part of the wedding. Enjoy X

Open Mic Nights

Chapter 15 – The Wedding part 3: The Reception

The reception took place in the hotel's ballroom, which was considerably larger than the room the ceremony had been in—a necessity, since the bride and groom had invited more people to the reception than they had the ceremony.

The ballroom was decorated in a similar fashion to the other rooms that had been used for the wedding. The only difference between this room and the one they had been in for the ceremony was the large dance floor in the centre of the room and the tables that surrounded it. Each circular table was covered in a white tablecloth and had eight place seatings. In the middle of every table sat a centre piece made up of white, pink, blue, and purple orchids. At the front of the room was a long table that sat the wedding party, accompanied by Lester, his wife, and Connor's parents.

Currently the guests sat in silence as they watched Abby and Connor share their first dance as a married couple. As they glided across the dance floor Abby's dress and the jewels on her headband shimmered in the light, making it impossible to look anywhere but at the pair.

Watching his friends move gracefully across the space, Becker realised that Jess was right to insist that they take dance lessons, as he was sure neither Abby nor Connor—or anyone else on the team for that matter—would have been able to move so swiftly otherwise.

But then again when has anything Jess suggested ever not been the right thing to do.

Becker shifted his attention to the woman next to him, not bothering to hide the smile that formed the moment he looked at her. Jess was watching their friends happily, her head resting on his shoulder—where it had been most of the day. They had been seeking out physical contact with each other more today than they ever had. Even in the past month they had been dating they hadn't sought each other out as much as they had today.

Not that I'm complaining.

The call came for other couples to join the bride and groom on the dance floor and Becker saw Jess begin to shift in her seat. There was no doubt in his mind that she wanted to go join the other dancing couples and had only refrained from doing so because she wasn't sure he would want to.

Not going to pass up the chance to hold her close in his arms, Becker rose from his seat, pulling Jess up behind him.

"Where are we going?" Jess asked as she let him lead her away from their table.

"On to the dance floor, so I can dance with my girlfriend."

"Really?"

"We may as well put those dance lessons to good use. Besides, I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to hold you close."

Jess blushed at the second part of Becker's statement.

Placing one hand on the small of Jess' back while using the other to hold her hand slightly aloft—like they had been shown during their lesson—Becker begun to move them in time to the music. As they relaxed Jess brought her head to lie against Becker's shoulder once again, prompting Becker to look down at her lovingly.

It was as he was gazing at her that Becker realised how much her liked the closeness having her head resting on him provided. Whenever Jess had had to move away from him, he had missed the constant weight and contact.

That had never happened to him before. He had never missed someone he was right next too just because they were no longer touching. But he was coming to understand that when it came to Jess, nothing he had ever experienced before applied.

That's because you've never been in love before.

Though it surprised him to see how quickly his feelings had escalated, he knew it was true. He had never been in love before, but he was now. He loved Jess more than he had ever—or possibly will ever—loved someone. With this thought clear in his mind Becker made a decision.

Part of Becker knew he must look like a lovesick teenager as he continued to gaze down at Jess, but at the moment he couldn't bring himself to care.

The pair spent the evening dancing happily, content to just hold each other close. Neither of them was aware of the knowing looks their friends and teammate kept giving them.

With the cake cut and the bouquet thrown, Abby and Connor were getting ready to leave the reception and head up to their room. As they were saying their final goodbyes the happy couple were approached by Lester and his wife, Helen.

Connor saw Abby's face light up as the older couple approached them. The Lesters had filled in for her parents today, and Connor knew it meant a lot to his wife.

My wife; I can't believe she's actually my wife now.

"This is just something the two of us thought you could use." Helen said, handing them an envelope.

Connor took the envelope Mrs Lester offered, opening it carefully, so not to damage whatever was inside. When he saw the contents Connor looked up at his boss in shock.

Wondering what had surprised her husband so much Abby took the envelope out of his hands and looked inside. Once she did she understood why Connor had been so shocked. Inside the envelope was the deed and keys to a small town house not far from the flat the couple currently shared with Jess.

"Wh-what's this?" Connor asked when he regained the ability to use his voice.

"Well I did sell your last house, we figured this was the least we could do." Lester told them, trying to hide what he actually felt for the young couple in front of him. "Besides, if today is any indication Jess' flat is going to get a new resident."

"Thank you so much. This is…incredibly generous of you." Abby said, touched by the gesture.

"Your very welcome dears, just enjoy your new lives together." Mrs Lester said as her and her husband said their goodbyes.

They rode the elevator in silence, both of them trying to take in everything that had happened that day. They had gotten married and their boss had given them a house as a wedding present. It was certainly a lot to take in.

Connor looked down at Abby as she leaned into his side, and smiled. He couldn't believe that just a few hours ago he had thought she would leave him standing at the altar. After the adoring look she had given him during the ceremony, he now knew without a shadow of a doubt that Abby loved him as much as he did her, and that nothing would tear them apart. Anomalies and dinosaurs notwithstanding.

It was as Connor was playing over the events of the day that something Lester had said stood out in his mind.

"Wait, what did Lester mean when he was talking about Jess and said 'if today is any indication'?"

"Just that Becker and Jess' relationship seems to be moving forward and quickly at that. Didn't you notice how they were acting today?"

"No. Why? What did they do?"

"Nothing really, they just weren't trying to hide what they feel for each other."

"Really? Are you sure we're talking about the same couple?"

"Yes! Did you not notice how close they were as they walked down the aisle, despite being told off at the rehearsal? Then there's the fact that Jess had her head on his shoulder almost constantly, and his arms were around her just as often." Abby spun around to face him as her voice became more animated.

"Really? They were doing that? Jess and Captain denies his feelings?"

"Yes! Oh Con, you should have seen them when we were waiting for the procession to begin. They were curled up together on one of the armchairs, Jess' legs draped over Becker's lap; and the looks he was giving her. I've never seen so much happiness on his face. Even Lester noticed what was going on."

"Yes, well I'd gathered that."

"After they'd started walking, Lester whispered that he wouldn't be surprised if we were all involved in another wedding soon enough."

"Wow. Do you think that'll actually happen?"

"I hope so." She said, leaning back into him. "They're so happy together; I want them to stay that way."

"So do I."

Connor was happy for his friends, they were clearly in love and it was easy to see the positive effect they had on each other. He was glad they had finally came together, as he knew it was something they both wanted dearly.

But he was worried. Connor knew Becker better than anyone; he knew how much pain he had gone through when he lost so many members of his team. He knew how that had damaged the once joyful young man, and while he knew Becker would be the last person on earth to hurt Jess—unintentionally or otherwise—he couldn't help but worry that that was going to happen. He was scared this would end badly.