A/N: Again, as with the wedding chapter, you may want to go to my author's note at the end and pull up the songs used during the reception to play as you read. It will make for a richer reading experience.

Chapter 38: The Reception

After the photographer completed taking family pictures and special shots, the wedding party gathered to one side of the room for the DJ to introduce each of the attendants by couples, sharing personal anecdotes of each one revealed to him by Mitch and Amy. Then he introduced Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Cutty with a brief narrative of their relationship and poking a little fun at the unlikely nature of it. Everyone joined in the laughter with Mitch and Amy as the wedding party stood by their seats at the head table. The DJ had not disappointed! The minister led a prayer of thankfulness for the meal and asked another blessing on the newlyweds, then the head table occupants moved through the serving line first.

Once everyone was served, the DJ announced the toasts. Lou went first, "Amy and Mitch, as alluded to by our entertaining DJ, it's been an interesting and unusual journey to this point, but I truly am so happy for you both. Amy, I couldn't have a better sister, one who has been and always is there for me, our family, and so many that you've helped through the constant healing process you perform each day as you work your magic touch with the animals you work with. And Mitch, though it's been an unusual road to get here, I'm so happy to have you as my brother-in-law! You and Amy are perfect together, and I'm so grateful she now has you to walk beside her and share in raising Lyndy. We wish you all the best!"

Then Jack made his toast, "Mitch and Amy, as I told Mitch when he asked for my blessing, this is something I'd been hoping for both of you since the day I happened upon you two together when you thought you were in. cog. nito," he said with purposeful pauses, inflection and a wink and a grin. "I'm so happy to entrust you to each other's care, and as Lou said, to the raising of Lyndy…and any other little Cuttys that might come along," he said as a big smile broke across his face that brought some laughter from the crowd and a blush to both Mitch and Amy's faces. "I'm so proud of you both and pleased beyond words. I'll close with this quote: 'Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.'* It's obvious to all of us who know and love you that you have found that with each other. Let us all raise our glasses to the happy couple!"

After toasting, several taps on the glasses began to be heard calling for the couple of the hour to kiss, which Mitch and Amy were happy to oblige! Then everyone enjoyed their delicious meal with many of the couple's favorite songs playing in the background.

As the head table began to finish their meals, the DJ then announced the first dance for the honored couple. Mitch and Amy took the floor and danced to 'The Keeper of the Stars'(1) as they gazed adoringly into each other's eyes holding each other close, and every once in a while, Mitch would twirl his bride. As the song ended, Mitch gently dipped Amy, to her delight, and lovingly and tenderly kissed her to the clapping of the guests.

Next was the Father/Daughter dance as Tim came to the floor, and Mitch gave him Amy's hand. The song 'Fathers & Daughters'(2) started to play, and Tim and Amy shared a very sweet dance and hug at the end.

The DJ next announced the Mother/Son dance as Mitch and Ginny took the floor to 'Then & Now.'(3) Both had tears in their eyes as they danced, and Mitch gently kissed his mom at the end.

And of course, there had to be a Grandpa/Granddaughter dance. Jack took Amy to the floor as the sweet country folk song 'Grandpa's Little Girl'(4) that so fit Jack and Amy began to play. It brought lots of smiles and happy tears to them and to the guests.

The last, but certainly not least, planned dance before all the guests were invited to join in was a very special Daddy/Daughter dance for Mitch and Lyndy. The DJ introduced it as the song 'Father and Daughter'(5) and let the audience know that Mitch had pre-recorded the song and had changed a line of the lyrics in order to honor Ty. He noted that the guests would likely recognize which one. Mitch and Lyndy took the floor with Lyndy starting out dancing on Mitch's feet, and he sang to Lyndy along with the music. When she heard the part about the falling stars and the Golden Retriever, Lyndy's eyes lit up with a sparkle, and Mitch raised his eyebrows giving her a big smile and a wink knowing they were both recalling two very special memories at that moment. He spun her around a few times, then lifted her up to hold her in his arms. The audience recognized the change as Mitch sang 'There could never be two fathers who love their daughter more than we love you!' As the dance came to a close, in her Lyndy-way, she took Mitch's face in her little hands, looked him in the eyes and said, "I love you, Daddy!" and kissed him. Mitch's heart turned to mush, and tears trickled down his face as they hugged each other. There was not a dry eye in the house.

The DJ lightened things up as he announced for all to join in, and from that point on, the atmosphere was most joyful and festive with much dancing, including several two-steps and some line-dancing to such songs as 'I'm Gonna Love You Forever and Ever'(6) and 'Hey, Pretty Lady.'(7)

As soon as the planned dances were accomplished, Mitch sought out his uncle, aunt and Claire to introduce them to Amy and Lyndy. As he brought them together, he said, "Amy and Lyndy, I want you to meet my uncle and aunt, Mitchell and Helen Cutty, and their daughter-in-law, Claire. Family, as you know, this is Amy and Lyndy."

Amy's eyes lit up as she said, "Mitch, you are named after your uncle? You neglected to tell me that."

Mitch responded, "Yes, I proudly am," and Mitchell's chest popped out just a little at Mitch's proclamation.

Lyndy popped into the conversation and said, "So does that make you my uncle and aunt, too?"

Amy replied, "That makes them your great uncle and aunt, since they are Mitch's uncle and aunt, and Mitchell is also Papa Doc's brother."

Lyndy still felt a little confused by the explanation, but that didn't matter, she had another uncle and aunt! She stepped back a step and tapped her chin in thought, sizing them up, then said, "So that's easy, can I call you Auntie Helen?" she asked looking toward her.

Helen responded, "I'd love that, Sweetheart!" and Lyndy wrapped her legs in a hug.

Then Lyndy looked up at Mitchell and said, "But you are a little harder since you and Daddy have the same name…how about if I call you…Uncle MaC – that's Mitchell Cutty for short, and that way we won't get you and Daddy mixed up." That brought laughter from everyone.

And just like that, Lyndy now had Mitchell wrapped around her little finger. She was really good at that! He replied, "Lyndy, I think those are the absolute perfect names for us - Uncle MaC and Auntie Helen. So does that mean I get a hug, too?"

"Of course!" and as he squatted down to her level, she went into his arms much to his delight. The newly formed Cutty family then moved to a table to grab just a few moments to chat further since their time would be short together at this meeting. Amy was impressed with Claire's simple and genuine beauty, which seemed to be reflected from the inside, too. She knew they would become friends and was glad to know the family still included her. Obviously, she'd had a struggle moving on after losing Zach. Perhaps Amy could be of some comfort and help with that in the future.

After a little over an hour or so, when many had been able to dance off their meal, and Mitch and Amy had been able to converse with most all the guests, it was time to cut the cake. Mitch and Amy were basically kind about feeding each other, though neither could resist secretly grabbing a small amount of icing from two cupcakes and dabbing it on each other's noses, bringing laughter from both them and the guests, and each taking a napkin and gently helping the other wipe it off. Then they shared champagne, and everyone thought the cupcakes were a fun touch as they were so easy to serve.

Mitch and Amy shared one more dance, and then the ladies were gathered together to catch the bouquet. Much to Amy's delight, and a little apprehension from Lou, Georgie caught it! Then Amy sat down for Mitch to remove the garter to throw. As he did, he raised and wiggled his eyebrows accompanied by a mischievous grin causing Amy to giggle and everyone to laugh. Mitch turned and shot the garter into the air as the guys scrambled for it. And the lucky guy that came up with it was…none other than…Quinn! At that result, Lou felt a little faint. But Georgie and Quinn both had big smiles on their faces.

Mitch and Amy sought out Lyndy to give sweet goodbye hugs and kisses telling her how much they were looking forward to picking her up when they got back and all being together as a family. She assured them she'd be okay with GG, Lisa and Auntie Lou.

The Ranch provided bird seed for the guests to throw as Mitch and Amy escaped through the crowd as quickly as possible to take their place in the carriage that awaited them. Mitch stepped up into the carriage, and with a grand bow, spurring a hearty laugh from Amy and laughter from the crowd, he offered Amy his hand as he helped her up the steps. This was a side of Mitch not everyone had seen. Once in the carriage as it pulled away, the couple turned to wave goodbye to the crowd and then embraced in a long-awaited, most passionate kiss! As soon as the carriage took them to where Mitch's truck was parked, he helped Amy down, and they hurried to finally be alone and on their way to their new life.

A/N: * Quote that Jack used is by Franz Schubert.

(1) First Dance – "The Keeper of the Stars" written by Dickey Lee, Danny Mayo and Karen Staley and recorded by Tracy Byrd. It was released in February 1995 on his "No Ordinary Man" album.

(2) Father/Daughter dance (Tim & Amy) – "Fathers and Daughters" was co-written by Michael Bolton with Emanuel Kiriakou and Evan Bogart as the theme song for the movie "Fathers and Daughters" starring Russell Crowe. It was released in 2015.

Another nice version - Boyce Avenue piano acoustic cover.

(3) Mother/Son dance – "Then and Now" is a Reid Michaels song on Apple iTunes, 2016.

(4) Grandpa/Granddaughter dance – "Grandpa's Little Girl" was composed and sung by Charlie Roth and released in 2010.

(5) Father and Daughter dance (Mitch & Lyndy) – "Father and Daughter" was written by Paul Simon, is on his 'Surprise' album released in 2006.

(6) "I'm Gonna Love You Forever and Ever" – Written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz and recorded by American country music artist Randy Travis in January 1987. It was released in March 1987 as the first single from the album Always & Forever.

(7) "John Michael Montgomery Sold (Hey, Pretty Lady)" – The John Michael Montgomery song was released in May 1995 as the second single from his self-titled album. The song hit number-one on the country charts in the United States and Canada in July 1995.

I want to let my readers know that it may be longer between posting coming chapters. With the posting of the next chapter, I'll be caught up to what I already have drafted, though I still have a number of ideas to flesh out for the coming future life of the Cuttys and the HL clan. The next chapter is mostly written, but I still have quite a bit of research I need to do for it and the Honeymoon chapter before publishing, so it may be a while, as my business has also picked up lately. Thank you for your patience as I continue to write Mitch & Amy's story. I appreciate your reading and your feedback so very much! Without you to share it with, it would not be nearly as much fun to write! Thank you!