A/N: Some sweet moments from Ked's wedding not included in Looking In A Mirror :)

Ages:

Jim - 49
Delia - 49
Melinda - 45
Ned - 24
Katie - 20
Aaron - 16
Mackenzie - 11
Lana - 2

Songs Mentioned in this chapter:

Elvis Presley - Can't Help Falling In Love (Should I say more? lol)

I Loved Her First - Heartland (I teared up listening to this and it just screamed Jim and Katie)

Over The Rainbow & What A Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (This a favorite of mine and it worked well for Ned and Delia)

Enjoy! xx Mariah

The room buzzed with excited chatter and children ran between the tables in a good-natured game of tag. Then Katie and Ned entered and applause spread across the ballroom. There was the scraping of chairs as folks got up for a standing ovation and the happy couple made their way to the head table, smiling and holding hands.

They sat in behind a bouquet of lavender and grey flowers with beads drooping over the glass and Ned leaned in for a kiss from his new wife There were cheers and the Maid of Honor and Best Man whoop. After a few moments, Ned and Katie rose from their chairs and everyone else sat down.

The sound of their teaspoon rapping on the side of their champagne glasses signal everyone to silence, except the children who are shushed by their parents.

Katie grabbed the microphone from the DJ as he brought it to her. "We'd like to thank everyone for coming to either just the party or both. Thank you for sharing this day with us. It truly means a lot," she said and passed the mic to Ned.

"What she said," Ned laughed, smiling and waving at everyone. "I am not very good with words, not as good as Katie is, but thank you all for coming and sharing this day with us. The food should be served shortly, and I know I'm not the only one excited for that."

Everyone cheered and Katie and Ned both sat down as the music began to play. He passed her a glass of champagne, clinking it with her.

"Hey Mrs. Banks, care to have our first dance?" Ned whispered after they both took a sip.

"I'd love too, Mr. Banks," she said and kissed him deeply before letting him guide her to the dance floor.

Everyone watched as Katie and Ned danced together to Elvis Presley's song, Can't Help Falling In Love.

Katie placed her hand in her father's open one, the contact as light as a feather. He remembered the days where her hand, so tiny and fragile, always grasped tightly onto his. She was always by his side. His little shadow.

Katie wasn't so little anymore, and neither were her hands. Her hands were bigger, her fingers not so chubby, but long and lean and a sparkling ring sat on her fourth finger.

"Dad, you have that look," her voice warned. "You have the crying look."

He lifted his eyes to hers. So blue, so happy. And he was happy, too, but his girl wasn't his anymore, not that she ever had been his, but she was Ned's wife now and wouldn't need him anymore. "Hey, I'm fine." He smiled at winked at her. "I haven't cried too much Katiebug."

"Yeah, okay, Waterworks." She laughed as he spun her to the music.

"I'm sorry if giving my little girl over to another man is hard for me," he said, only slightly playful. "You make sure Ned treats you right. Those Banks' can be-"

"Hey! I'm a Banks now, so watch what you say," she said, raising an eyebrow as she smiled. "Daddy, you know he treats me right. Do you really think you would've let me marry him if he didn't?"

"Hell no," he said quickly, the corners of his mouth lifting up. "I love you so much, bug. and…I just…I don't want you to forget that I'm always here for you. I can still change the tires on your car… I can help fix your plumbing or help mow your lawn if Ned's busy."

"Daddy," she interrupts, shaking her head with a giggle. "I'm not going to forget about you just because I'm married. You're still one of the most important men in my life, and plus, Mom will probably need your help with her tires."

They both looked over at Melinda, who watched on with a smile, and they laughed together.

"You know how well she takes being helped out," he pointed out after they finished laughing.

The song that had been playing slowly died down, and he gripped his daughter's hand tighter. They would rarely have moments like this after he let go.

"I don't want to let go," he said, his eyes becoming blurry with tears, though he still smiled.

His daughter smiled a smile that was like her mother's in every way. "It's okay," she said softly, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. I love you, daddy."

"I love you too," he said as she wiped away his tears with a laugh.

The cameras flashed near then as he spun her one last time and then hugged her as the song ended. She met Ned with a kiss as he and Delia took their place on the dance floor. Katie had taken this time to get food.

Ned and Delia danced slowly and he smiled at his mother. He'd gone for a song his mother liked for their mother-son dance; Somewhere Over The Rainbow and What A Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

"There was a time when I never thought you'd get married," Delia said softly. "Let alone to Katherine Clancy."

"Mom, trust me. I thought the same too," Ned laughed.

"But that girl looks at you like you're the only man in the word," Delia explained. "Please don't screw this up, son."

"I would never dream of hurting her," Ned said and rubbed her back. "She's it for me, mom. I will never love anyone as much as I love her."

"You have said that about a lot of people before," Delia sighed, trying to stay positive, Delia continued and he listened. "You know I just worry. I believe in you and love you, but I worry."

"But those other people weren't Katie, mom," he met his wife's gaze as she sat down with her food. He smiled wider seeing the excited look in her eyes at the cheese that melted over her broccoli. "Who else would make me smile when they are so excited to eat food?"

Delia agreed and they continued to dance, the song ended as he kissed his mother on the cheek as a few more photos were taken.

"Promise me you won't stop visiting me?" Delia asked as they left the dance floor, people moving in and grooving to the music.

"I promise," he replied and then walked over to his table. "I'm gonna go eat mom." Katie smiled up at him as he sat down. "You got me a plate?" He asked, smiling at her. "Thanks." She wrapped her arm around him, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

After they ate, they slowly made their way through the dance floor, through the crowds of people like waves on a vast ocean. They weren't quite awkward on the dance floor, but they weren't great either. The floor was full of their friends, moving their bodies to the music. Everyone's bodies touched, like a silent dance in a mosh pit.

They were all having the most fun they'd all had in a long while. It was a party not only for Katie and Ned but for both of their families.

To say Aaron was bored was just half of it. It's not that he didn't love his family, he did, he really did love them all in his own way. But he wanted to hang out with his friends and go to his baseball game.

He was supposed to pitch today, but he had to be in the wedding party because he was the only brother in the family. He even tried to talk his sister out of having him in the ceremony, but he couldn't budge Katie, their mother, or their father.

He unlocked his phone for the thousandth time and sighs. Facebook was blowing up with how good the game was going so far. Grandview was winning five to two. He looked out to the dance floor to see all of his sister's dancing to the newest hit song.

Katie waved him over and he shook his head. He wasn't much of a dancer, but maybe his legs could use a stretch.

Time flowed like cement. He checked his phone again and only a minute has passed since he last checked. Sitting there with nothing to stare at but the blank phone he decided maybe he could go get something to drink and then join his sisters on the dance floor before she got their parents involved, who were playing tonsil hockey a foot away from him.

Gross, he thought.

He made his way over to the bar and looked at the non-alcoholic selection. The woman behind the bar leaned forward and smiled at him.

"What can I get for ya, kid?" The bartender said with a smile.

"Whatever the best non-alcoholic drink you've ever made is," he said and leaned down.

"How old are you? You look a little bored," the bartender said, grabbing her mixing glass.

"Sixteen and let's just say I'd rather be at my baseball game pitching." He sighed, muttering under his breath. "Not that being at my big sister's wedding is a burden."

He watched as the woman grabbed a bottle of alcohol and put a little dash in. "I hear you," the bartender said and slid him the drink. "Here you go."

"Oh, but I said non-alcoholic." He said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I know. Just live a little. It's a party. It will make your night a little more fun." The bartender said and smiled at him.

He took a drink of it as he walked away.

Aaron was quite aware that he was underage for alcohol, but since it was a party he didn't think it mattered. He would be a senior next year, and it wasn't like he'd hadn't had a few beers before with his dad at the cabin that his mom didn't know about.

He swirled the drink in his glass, listening to the thinking of the ice cubes, breathing in a fragrance that only years in an oak barrel can achieve. Already the worries were beginning to fade, even before the second taste. Just watching its gentle vortex was hypnotizing enough.

There was no ghost to crossover, no baseball game to worry about, and no camera he needed to smile for. There was just him and his drink. He intended to savor it, not race to the bottom of the drink as he had after the last party he went to.

When the liquid settled he brought it to his weather-cracked lips and let the purple fluid sit in his mouth a while before swallowing. He closed his eyes, dwelling only on the flavor.

God, it was good.

Then he'd saw his sister walking toward him. Damn Katie. She never left him alone.

"Come on, you're dancing at least with me." Katie laughed, sitting down next to him. "Ooh, what did you get? I made sure there were enough non-alcohol things for you guys to choose from."

"Oh I had the bartender choose for me," he said, hoping she'd blame it on the bartender if she tasted the alcohol. He had asked for a non-alcoholic drink. "It's pretty good."

"I bet it's that blueberry lemonade," Katie said and then took a small sip "Oh. That's got a kick that I don't remember it having before."

"It's probably from all the champagne and vodka I've seen you drinking," he laughed as she looked over at him.

"That tasted a lot like gin, Aaron." She rolled her eyes at him. "Did you ask her to put alcohol in it? I don't care, but just tell me if you did."

"I didn't. The bartender said to live a little," he laughed and she looked at the blonde pouring another drink. Of course, she did. "I don't think she meant bad by it."

"It's fine," she sighed, seeing Ned get two glasses of champagne from her. "She's just really flirty. I'm glad you're gonna have some fun but take it slow or you'll feel like crap in the morning. Then mom and dad will find out and then you're really screwed."

Ned came up as they chuckled, knowing how their mother could get when rules were broken. He gave her a chute of champagne that she drank quickly as he pulled her up.

"I'm gonna steal your sister," Ned said, kissing her lightly before downing his chute. "Come on."

"Where are you taking me?" She asked as he swung her over his shoulder as he ducked out of the room.

Gross. Just like mom and dad. He thought.

An hour or so later, a man emerged with the cake. He set it down on a small table that Katie had not noticed before and called her and Ned over. Almost all of their guests accept his invitation to her and gathered around the cake admiring the handiwork.

It was quite beautiful, featuring three tiers with grey ribbons wrapped, the colors fading from soft purple around the bottom tier to a bright white at the top. Around the base, the cake has been adorned with pale lilac blossoms that seem to shimmer in the light. Sitting atop the highest tier, were more lilacs, as radiant as the ones in her hair.

Of all the cakes she'd ever seen and she'd seen a lot of cakes throughout her life with all of the birthdays in her family, this was one is her favorite, she almost didn't want to eat it. Together, they sliced the cake and served all their friends. The night finished out well by midnight and they all say goodbye to their guests one by one as they made their exit.

Katie was exhausted and it had been a long day, but easily one of the best days of her life. "I love you," she smiled as she and Ned walked toward the town car they'd rented together.

"I love you too," Ned whispered and kissed her before helping her inside.

Soon they climbed into bed together and he wrapped his arms around her. She settled her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes for the first time all day. As she glanced up at him a moment later, she marvels at the pearl ring on her finger and how it shone in the moonlight coming through the open window.

"Was everything to your liking today?" He asked, bubbing back

"I couldn't imagine a better day, Ned. Thank you," she whispered. "Everything was perfect."

She leaned in to kiss him and she lingered longer than usual. She hadn't felt this kind of happiness in a long time, if ever before, and she had Ned to thank for that. Every now and again, her mind had wandered back to Toby, the boyfriend before, imagining what he was doing and who he was kissing, but she realized now that it had been a very long time since she'd even thought of him. And tonight she knew that she'd never had to wonder about that man again.

Why would she when she had exactly what she needed, right here? And now he'd be with her for the rest of their lives.

"Katie?" He asked.

"Yes, Ned?" She said, looking over as he looked at her.

"Now that we're officially married, maybe we can start talking about that family we've always wanted..." He whispered hesitantly.

She sat in silence for a moment and for the first time in her life out of all the times they'd talk about a family, she was actually contemplating it. She had never wanted to think about having children this early on. She always said they would wait a year or two before thinking about it.

"Sure, Ned, we can start talking about it." She answered, smiling at him. What was the harm of talking about a family? She wanted one with him and knew they would have one eventually. "Just can we wait until after I graduate from college until we try?"

He pulled her in close as the words escaped her lips and kissed her with a passion that she had always loved feeling from him. She let herself melt into his arms. He brought her to the moon and then some, and that was the icing on her perfect day.