Thomas looked hopeful, "Y-You believe it?", and Gordon nodded, "Everything lines up. I'll give a call when I get everything done, possibly in a few days, as we need to make sure that we got copies and such in files both on paper and in the computer system, and then that will be it, case closed and done.".
"I'd be honest in saying that I think that case was pretty much closed the night Chill died.", Martha admitted as Gordon nodded, "True, but could've been part of a grand conspiracy we stumbled upon at the time. Now obviously we've pretty much confirmed that it was nothing but a simple mugging.".
Thomas spoke, "T-Thank y-you for l-listening and c-closing this c-case, Co-Commissioner. C-Can we be e-excused? I ne-need to e-eat something and n-nap a little.".
Gordon replied, "Oh, you don't have to excuse, I will take my leave then...", and Martha smiled, taking his hand kindly, "Thank you, Commissioner. Give my luck to your daughter. She deserves a bright moment in her day.".
"Thank you, Mrs. Wayne. I'm very happy for you two...This world certainly needs more of that pure love no matter the situation, including a coma.", Gordon nodded with a smile.
"Thanks.", Martha smiled as Gordon took his leave before Thomas and Martha were alone in the living room. "Well, I think that went off fairly well. Good call with the stammering.".
"Have to admit... I may have thought too much into where to get held up with words.", Thomas said. Martha replied, "Many doctors may argue that being in a coma with a feeding tube for years would affect your voice, yet will heal in time, and besides, it clearly convinced Gordon.".
Thomas gave a chuckle, "When you point it out like that, and considering that I was a doctor, yeah, you're right. At least we gave validation for Kel...She would be overjoyed to hear that she got recognition.".
Martha smiled sadly as she kissed Thomas on the lips, "I know she is...", before a knock on the door with Alfred coming in, "Most of the staff is departing for the day, with some of them in the gardens, and Mr. Gordon departed safely in his car. Are we to celebrate with dinner for the successful acting?", with a wry smirk.
"Sounds like a nice reward, and at least it's still clear that Fate's spell has been working. If anyone outside our little circle might think something's off, it would've been Gordon since he was the first officer to arrive on the scene.", Thomas said.
"And obviously, word will spread through him about you; just a few weeks and 'we'll have you fairly back to normal'.", Martha finger-quoted since he obviously was in much better shape than he was leading on to the rest of the world.
Thomas nodded, "Indeed, still, despite being healthy on the inside and all, still need to be careful.", before getting out of the loveseat in the living room, and sitting into the wheelchair, and began to roll on with his increasingly stronger hands, with Martha and Alfred smiling as they followed him across the manor to the intimate dining room to celebrate with the rest of the family.
And indeed, with stubbornness and determination as Leslie knew Thomas well and the staff knowing him from years ago, with a few short weeks, Thomas was back 'on his feet' in time, very much back to normal with occasional moments of 'resting', and such, for Alfred and Caroline's wedding on Thanksgiving.
To the couple's joy, upon that Fate was right about the shack and their beloved tree in a clearing not too deep within the Wayne woods, with a stone path, and that piping and everything was done discreetly thanks to magic, probably, leading from the manor to lend water, heat, and such, the shack is actually a bit more improved with protection from the winter snows and such later on.
Of course, Thanksgiving gave almost all the staff the weekend off next to their schedule of three-day workdays and such, knowing that Alfred personally preferred a small, intimate wedding ceremony and all without a crowd of his staff comrades, even if he knew them well, and so, on the Wayne grounds, not far from the shack for Caroline's sake, now 8 months along, within the warm greenhouse, it was perfect for the ceremony to happen.
Alfred was twitching and looking over his suit for the millionth time as Thomas chuckled next to him, in his best casual outfit in his best man spot, "Relax, Alfred, you look great!", glancing at the priest who was the one who married the Wayne couple the first time years ago, smiling gently, still a bit giddy to do another one next month to officiate the Wayne couple's marriage once again on Christmas Eve.
Of course, Thomas was still pulling off the fate coma recovery for the ceremony, though making sure his speech was now mostly normal and able to use a cane mostly, with an occasional need for the wheelchair nearby. They weren't going to take anything to chance, not even with a man of God.
"I know, it's not that I'm worried about... it's the nerves of doing all this. I'm afraid I'll perhaps screw something up.", Alfred admitted. Thomas patted his shoulder gently, "H-Hey, this will g-go perfect for you guys.. It's just us, no o-other strangers, and you k-know our priest. H-He's the only o-one I can trust since h-he w-was there for m-me and Martha, and he will d-do well for this ceremony.".
Alfred exhaled, glancing at Thomas, looking at Martha, Poppy, and Bruce in their seats, with the dogs behaving with pants, as Waylon is currently bringing Caroline, intending to do his job in walking his mama down the aisle, and he nodded, "You're right, you're absolutely right, Thomas..".
Then Martha's phone pinged, and she glanced at it, and smiled, nodding at Poppy who turned on the cd radio box, and then a beautiful wedding hymn was heard, echoing through the greenhouse, with the autumn trees in the background behind the greenhouse, with a couple of windows open to have an autumn breeze through.
Alfred looked straight at the post curtains that is in a bit from the front door of the greenhouse, hearing steps, with the family turning around to look, holding up cameras with the flash off, and then the curtains parted away, and his breath caught as his eyes widened in love and awe.
With Waylon in his dashing tuxedo, holding into his mama's arm like a gentleman, Caroline seemed to glide with the baby bump, in such a beautiful glow as Alfred admitted that Martha and Poppy did an amazing job, for Caroline's in a long gown of ivory white, scalloped crossed-over neckline, with elbow sleeves of floral lace, with her dark brown hair in straight, curly locks, and her light caramel skin tone in a healthy warmth, with her medium brown eyes sparkling in love and happiness, looking at Alfred as well.
Alfred took a deep breath as he tried to keep his emotions together when he saw her. She looked so stunning in her dress; it was almost a surprise he had never dreamt of her like this before. He had some fantasies, sure, but they were nothing compared to the real deal before him.
Waylon looked proud and happy, walking Caroline down the aisle, gliding almost all the way with no issue. Alfred realized that Jane is behaving for her parents even though he knows that she will kick once in a while.
Waylon nodded and smiled warmly at Alfred, realizing that he will actually truly become Waylon's father forever and ever as he gave Caroline's hand, announcing, "I give this woman, my mother, to Alfred Pennyworth, with my blessing in joy and thankful for having a family.", with a glance at the priest, kissing his mother on the cheek.
Caroline smiled happily at her son, and then took Alfred's hands, smiling radiantly, a bit nervous, but mostly overjoyed to finally know what's like to be married, to her soon-to-be husband, whispering, "You look very handsome, my beau...", and Alfred caressed her hands with love, whispering, "You look very stunning, my dear...Jane behaving?", with a smile.
Caroline nodded with a slight blush, and the priest then cleared his throat after Waylon took his seat next to Bruce, with Poppy shutting off the music now. "Today, on a day where we all thank for all we have, from friends, family, a home, and more, and before me, is celebrating their official day as husband and wife with my help, is Alfred Pennyworth and Caroline Jones, intending to become Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth, becoming a family with their son and unborn daughter.".
"If anyone wants to protest this man and woman's wish of unity, speak now or hold your tongue.", the priest continued, and for a few moments, nobody spoke, or even any birds outside and such, and the priest then nodded, "I now ask the couple to make their vows. The groom, if you please.".
"Caroline...", Alfred began. "For a long time, I thought that my life would just remain in the service of Thomas and Martha; whom I once called my Master and Mistress though have now become family to them. But I never thought that I would truly get the chance to be able to start a family or at least form one of my own until we entered each other's lives. Perhaps it was by sheer coincidence or fate itself, but I only needed to talk with you for a day before I realized that you were the one for me.".
Caroline's eyes began to show with happy tears as Alfred continued with the last of his vow, "You are an amazing, wonderful person with a sense of humor, sass, and bluntness, determined to take no nonsense, and open-minded to so much of the world. I love you for your will to take care of our family, your heart to defend others less lucky, and your belief in me, Caroline Jones, and I will always love you with my heart and soul, from this world to the next.".
Happy tears fell as Caroline gave a little joyful sob, smiling as Alfred gently let go of one hand, lovingly wiping her tears with a warm smile, and she felt Jane kick happily for a moment which Alfred's smile twitched, growing bigger.
Caroline took a deep breath as the priest then cleared his throat, "Now, for the bride, if you please.", and she spoke, "Alfred...I honestly thought I was to be a single woman with my eldest child for a long time, raising him and teaching him rights and wrongs, with a donor man who just wanted to be paid for the months I carried him and all...I thought the platonic and motherly love with my son would be enough, but I was wrong when you came into my life...You gave me romantic love, and I wanted more, to feel happier, and that was when I realized you were the one for me and always is...".
Alfred's heart swelled as he choked back tears as Caroline continued to finish her vow, "You are a remarkable, determined person with a sense of dedication and care, determined to show your love through food to family and friends, and protective of them from anyone who does them wrong. I love you for your heart in taking care of our son, our daughter, and myself, and I love you for being there always, leaning an ear to listen, or saving me from something burning on the stove, or just holding me when we need a moment. I will always and forever love you with my heart and soul, Alfred Pennyworth, from this world to the next.".
Alfred was practically wanting to just quickly skip ahead with the rest of the ceremony and get to kissing the bride, but he knew it was only a few more moments, but he really could barely wait that long. If Caroline knew that, she'd probably laugh; hell, she might have thought the same. The priest would say a few more lines, and of course, the ring exchange before finally, the moment would come.
"In the power vested to me, I now pronounce you man and wife... you may kiss the bride.", the priest said with a warm smile. With the wedding rings passed on from Thomas, perfectly fit on their fingers, Alfred gently yet happily leaned in, holding his brand-new wife's cheek and baby bump, and kissed Caroline deeply on the lips as Caroline wrapped her arms around her husband, happily returning the kiss with joy as their family cheered for them.
Lasting for a minute, they broke up for air, smiling as the priest announced, "I give you Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth!", with a content smile.
The family cheered louder as Alfred and Caroline laughed, feeling Jane's excited kicks, and Caroline whispered, "Hello, husband.", with a radiant smile.
"Hello, wife... daughter... I hope she certainly enjoyed the event.", Alfred whispered back. "Oh, I think she was smart enough to know not to do much kicking while we were doing this. She knew she wouldn't have to wait too long.", Caroline chuckled.
Alfred smiled warmly, "That's fair. Let's celebrate Thanksgiving with our family, eh?", and Caroline nodded, smiling as they went to hug and laugh with the others while Thomas thanked the priest for a job well done.
With all the marriage documents signed and all, the priest was guided by Bruce to the driveway while the family headed to the now Pennyworth house that is more than a shack itself.
"At least the place is a bit bigger than it looks...", Waylon said. "It would be fairly cramped getting us all in there for the meal.".
"If it was, obviously, we'd just use one of the main halls in the manor... just wheel out a smaller table obviously.", Martha chuckled.
"Still don't know why we really keep that very long thin table in the main banquet hall.", Poppy admitted. "I mean, I get it, probably fits the look of the place as well as a sort of power dynamic you've had with a few meals.".
Thomas replied, "Tradition occasionally, Poppy. After all, with charity balls and occasional parties, it makes sense to host a lot of people apart from using the ballroom. But good thing that we have an intimate, smaller table for us near the kitchen, and of course, same for here too.", with a chuckle.
Alfred chuckled, "Let's start our Thanksgiving meal with some excellent cooking and all. You may put the tv on for the football games, Waylon, but don't do it too loud as I and Caroline need to communicate in the kitchen, is that clear?".
Waylon nodded, "Yes, sir.", and so, the party became filled with chatting, laughter, the sound of the football game on, with Bruce returning to join in, with the newlyweds cooking and enjoying the occasional kiss on the pass-by, with the occasional break to rest and watch the game with a snack here and there for the next few hours, knowing that Thanksgiving dinner will be the star of the day, being thankful to eat, but apparently, sometimes there's something else to be thankful for.
Caroline, even if it has been a long time to remember exactly what's like to be in labor, had attributed her pain twinges and such to the activity of walking back and forth, focused on cooking and baking, as it kept her occupied, figuring that Jane was moving around to find a spot to sleep as sometimes, she gets sleepy by the sway of the pacing, falling asleep to the sounds of cooking.
Alfred was checking on the turkey and chicken combo in the stove, humming thoughtfully as he pulled out the thermometers, and decided to give them a bit more time when he heard a cry of pain from Caroline, closing the stove with a thud as he turned around to sprint over to Caroline in the other side of the kitchen, "Caroline!", seeing her clenching a hand into the counter, having been looking over a sheet of warm cookies, with her other hand on her baby bump, having changed into casual clothes from her wedding dress hours earlier before starting into the kitchen, with a wet spot down her groin and maternity trousers.
"I think Jane's suddenly gotten a bit impatient...", Caroline merely said before Alfred made sure to have both hands on her, trying to keep her from falling, "Now? So soon... I would've thought it was going to be after the new year at least...".
Caroline gave a small smile, "You forgot that I'm very eight months along. And besides, having her come on Thanksgiving is a gift, and she'd want to join the family on her own terms...", with a moan from a new contraction, as the rest of the family came over.
Thomas widened his eyes, and then went into doctor mode, "Quick, Alfred, bring her to the bedroom!", walking determinedly as he looked at Caroline, "I know I'm not a midwife, but can I be permitted to see how far you are?".
"You're still a doctor, aren't you?", Caroline asked as Thomas nodded. "Well, not truly practicing but I still remember almost everything I learned for it. If worse comes to worst, I can perform a C-section if need be.", he explained.
Alfred held into Caroline, "I know, Thomas. Come on, my dear love, let's get you to the bedroom.", as Caroline winced and moaned in pain on the way to the master bedroom.
"At least at the moment, nothing should truly happen which gives me time to get what I need.", Thomas said as he helped. "Waylon, Poppy, I'll need the two of you to grab much of the things we'll need.".