The Reception

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Because so many of you wanted this and honestly I thought it was going to be boring since it was just a chapter full of them being cute but I ended up liking it more than I thought. Hope you do too.

Obviously you should read the Wedding chapter before reading this.

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Despite James' declaration, the celebration couldn't take place just yet. Instead of the reception tent, they remained in the church. FBI agents swarmed the place, handcuffing the gunmen and taking them away. Donovan sat beside Carter on a pew bench holding her hand as a medic stitched the gunshot wound on her arm.

"At least now, I'll have matching scars," Carter said, eying the faded knife wound she'd gotten years ago.

"You once told me scars are cool," Donovan said. "But I would prefer if you didn't get anymore."

Carter snorted then winced as the medic dug the needle into her skin.

"If you want that then we need to change occupations."

"If we don't change occupations after today I think it's safe to say we are both insane."

Carter shrugged one shoulder and Donovan laughed before kissing her.

There was something different about kissing now that they were married. It was an indescribable feeling. It was like he could feel the invisible link between his life and hers. He'd always felt tied to her, but this was different. It was a bond that went deeper.

"You're done," the medic said, standing.

Donovan thanked him as he left.

"Only you two!" a voice shouted out. "Only you two would have a firefight at your wedding."

Carter rolled her eyes as she leaned into Donovan and Mason made his way through all the shell casings and broken bits of plaster.

"Mason, still alive," Carter said. "Pity, I was hoping a stray bullet found you."

"Ha ha," Mason said. "If I died my wedding present would have been canceled."

"Mason, your wedding present should have been you not coming to our wedding."

"Donovan," Mason said. "What have you done? You married this woman, are you out of your mind?"

Donovan looked down at Carter. Her hair had come undone and fell around her face. Her dress was torn and disheveled. Her face was streaked with bits of dust. All in all, she looked like a complete mess.

And he was so in love with her he felt like his heart might explode from the feeling.

Mason gaged. "That look is giving acid reflex."

James appeared from the swarm of agents and tossed one arm over Mason's shoulders.

"Mason, jealousy is not a good color on you."

Mason shrugged off James's arm. "Are we going to have this reception? Because it's really the only reason I attended."

Brock and Clint joined the group. The three Keller brothers looked like Donovan did, rumpled and bursting with life.

"We just got the all-clear from the director," Brock said. "They will finish up here. They said that you can write up your reports later. And after what you just went through he thought you deserved to go to your reception. Come on, cars are waiting."

Donovan helped Carter up and slid his arm around her waist. She leaned into him and though she'd never admit it, he knew how much the fight and her wound had taken out of her. He kissed the side of her head.

"We could slip away," he whispered to her. "Go to the airport early and get to the honeymoon faster."

Carter raised her head. "Are you saying that for my benefit or yours?"

Donovan grinned. "Why not both?"

Smiling, Carter laid her head back on his shoulder. "We paid for the reception might as well enjoy some of it."

"As long as you're up for it," Donovan said, his focus now only on her energy.

"I am."

The group clambered into a town car.

"I think that is the best wedding I've ever been to," James said.

"Only because you got to shoot someone," Clint said.

"More like I got to help take down a cartel with a revenge plan. How can any of our weddings top that?"

"I hope they don't," Brock said. "I'm not drawn to women who carry around handguns. I don't think we'd make it to our reception."

Carter chuckled, her head still on Donovan's shoulder. "What is your type of woman?"

"Beautiful bombshells that are slightly intimidating."

Clint shook his head. "Not me, I'm a sucker for a smart curvy woman who likes to bake."

Lacing his hands behind his head, James grinned. "I'm going to marry a woman who can knock you out with a single look."

Carter peered up at Donovan. "What about you? Who are you attracted to?"

"Well it was a blonde," he said and Carter hit him in the arm. "But then I met this firecracker girl who flipped my world and I knew I could never be happy with anyone else."

The smile Carter wore told him she was delighted with his answer but wasn't trying to show exactly how much. The smile was so cute there was only one thing to do, kiss it. Which got a round of whistles from his brothers.

The reception hall was crammed with all the wedding guests talking over what had happened. When Donovan and Carter walked in, followed by Mason and the three Keller brothers, the crowd applauded. Steve, Maggie, and Donovan's parents all hurried up to them. Their concern absorbed them for twenty minutes before it was announced that they should get the reception going.

As they headed for the wedding party table, friends all surged towards them. Donovan kept his arm around Carter, still aware of how her wound was tiring her. But she wore a kind smile so he knew she still wanted to be there. It took another twenty minutes to get to the table as friends all approached and offered their relief and congratulations.

By the time they sat down, Donovan felt worn out.

"Thinking about slipping away?" Carter asked.

Donovan met her gaze. "Yes, but now everyone's watching I feel like it would be impossible."

"Once everyone starts dancing then."

"We're eating food before that and there's the cake cutting."

"Whose idea was it to have a big wedding in the first place," Carter said, feigning annoyance.

Donovan kissed her nose. "I think it was your husband's. But don't hold it against him."

Pretending to be exasperated, Carter shook her head. Around them, everyone started clinking their glasses with utensils and Carter stared, confused.

"What in the world do they want?" she asked.

Before Donovan could say he didn't know, someone shouted out for them to kiss. Carter raised her eyebrows.

"How demanding."

There was only one voice that countered the shout. Mason's.

"Don't! I'm don't want to throw up."

Everyone booed him and Carter laughed. Since the clinking didn't end, Donovan cupped Carter's cheek and kissed her. The action elicited a cheer, but Donovan didn't hear it. The din of everyone faded as all he could hear was his heart beating in his chest and feel Carter's lips pressed against his.

His wife.

A title so simple, so commonly used. Yet it meant the world to him.

When they broke apart, Carter gazed at him and he knew, he knew that she felt the same way. The line they crossed held a meaning beyond what they could have thought. But again it was something that couldn't be put into words.

After the food arrived and was half-eaten, Clint rose and clinked his glass. The conversations all around faded away.

"Since James got to give the toast at the engagement party, I get the honors of making a toast now," he said.

Donovan found Carter's hand and threaded his fingers through it. When she squeezed back, he lifted their linked hands and kissed that back of hers. Soft awes rippled through the crowd.

"I know," Clint said. "That Donovan is going to be a great husband. I know because he's an amazing brother. He's loyal, loving, dedicated, and understanding. Growing up I would see these traits in him."

Donovan wanted to duck his head, but Clint held his gaze, the sincerity in his eyes telling him that these words weren't meant to flatter but encourage.

"Everyone knows that relationships, in general, are hard, they take work. Donovan has been working since he was sixteen, taking on responsibilities that no sixteen-year-old normally has. So I know without a doubt that he is going to put the same work into his marriage. I'm proud of you, Donny, and the man you are. To you both."

When Clint raised his glass so did everyone else, cheering. When the din quieted, Maggie rose. She smiled at Carter with such a warm, motherly smile.

"I've known Carter since she was fourteen," Maggie said. "I got the honor of being someone she came to trust in a time when trust was difficult for her."

Carter swallowed and Donovan kissed the side of her head, wanting to tell her he'd never abandon her, not like her mother.

"I knew Donovan was different right away," Maggie continued. "All through high school whenever Carter talked about a boy was to berate them for being stupid or immature. When she talked about Donovan for the first time she sounded like she'd found a mystery she was determined to solve."

Donovan leaned into Carter. "Is that so?"

She rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder.

"Though I knew she didn't see how she talked about him differently, I knew she'd found someone special. And like with me, I watched as Carter slowly learned to trust Donovan. I loved him since I met him, knowing that anyone who could earn Carter's trust was worth it."

The guests all applauded at this while Carter looked up at Donovan.

"Thank you for not letting me push you away," she said.

"Thank you for seeing more than my moody persona."

Carter laughed. When Steve rose, Donovan found himself uncertain. What would this man who loved his daughter so much have to say about their marriage?

"Carter had this joke," he started. "She told me she was running away with her Marine boyfriend. And as we all know Navy SEALS are superior to Marines, naturally this bothered me."

The crowd laughed as all three Keller brothers booed the statement. Donovan's father merely smiled at Steve. The two men both knew that there could never be a comparison. They both excelled at what they knew and that was what mattered.

"When I finally met Donovan and Carter told me he was a Marine I almost shot him on sight."

More laughter.

"But I wasn't afraid that my daughter would be with a man whose training was lacking. No, I was afraid her joke would come true and I would lose her to this boy."

Donovan glanced at Carter and saw how her eyes misted. Steve smiled but Donovan saw how their emotions mirrored each other.

"I put him through countless tests, each one designed not to just see if he was capable, but to see if he was worthy of my daughter. I wanted to know if a little hard work, some effort would scare him off."

The room was utterly silent, absorbing the depth of Steve's words.

"And not once did he ever show that my tests were annoying or tiring. Over and over again he proved the lengths he was willing to go to be with Carter. It was for that reason, not the fact that he could handle himself, but that he showed me how deeply he cared for Carter that I learned to respect him."

Steve raised his glass. "There is no one I could be more proud of to call son-in-law than Donovan."

As everyone clapped, Donovan was surprised to find that his throat was tight and tears were building in his eyes. He knew Steve approved of them but this was something he never imagined being possible. Carter smiled at Donovan, tears spilling down her cheeks. He kissed them away.

As Steve crossed the room and held out his hand, Carter quickly rose. Donovan watched the two of them as they slowly turned on the dance floor. He wasn't just watching two people he loved but right then he was watching a future he wanted. The love Steve had for Carter was one he only hoped he came close to showing to his son or daughter.

When the song ended, Donovan traded places with them, leading his mother to the dance floor. Though she wasn't smiling, the glow of her face spoke volumes of how happy she was for him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

Donovan laughed, always the therapist. But he didn't answer her question.

"Do you think we are insane?" he asked.

His mother cocked her head. "For getting married?" She didn't let him respond before going on. "Or because you have a job that meant you got in a firefight during your wedding?"

That was the power of his mother, he could make a statement out of nowhere and she'd know the origin of it.

"This will be the second time Carter has been shot. She's also been stabbed. She has more scars than some Marines." He furrowed his brow. "I want to protect her more than ever but..."

"But you both love your jobs and know without a doubt that this is what you're meant to do and feel fulfilled knowing you're helping others?"

"Yeah, that," Donovan said.

He looked over at Carter. She laughed at something her brothers were saying. Her whole face lit up with happiness and it filled him up. He shook his head.

"Loving her as much as I do makes me want to find a cabin somewhere and hideaway with her so she can never be hurt again. But the way she came alive in that fight and handled herself even wounded..."

He shook his head. He'd married the most amazing woman. Looking at her sitting there, smiling, her facing glowing, no one could ever imagine how fierce she was. It made him fall in love with her all over again.

"You are always going to want to protect her," his mother said. "It's called being a husband. But you've both chosen this job, you're a team. That means if it becomes too hard Carter will tell you like you would tell her. Though I wish all my boys had chosen less dangerous jobs, I know who you are and know it couldn't be any other way. You all have hearts to serve and protect."

Donovan grinned. "You're saying that this is all dad's fault we're like this then?"

"Do you know how hard I tried to steer you all into being therapists where you'd spend your days in a comfy office and not being shot at?"

The song ended and Donovan wrapped his mother in a hug. She was right, just like the Keller brothers, Carter had a heart to help. He would just make sure he was by her side each time so he could have her back like she had his.

As Donovan walked back to the table, a server rolled out the cake. It was three tiers and intricately decorated with icing flowers. Since it had been impossible for either Carter or him to care about choosing, his mother and Maggie had decided for them.

Donovan reached out his hand to Carter and she rose to join him.

"You should be warned," she said. "I'm going to smash cake in your face."

"I feel like that's a poor attack plan, you're telling me what you're going to do."

She shrugged. "Honesty is the best policy."

Donovan opened his mouth and at that moment, Carter took a handful of cake and hit him in the face with it. Laughter erupted and Mason shouted for Carter to hit Donovan again. Before she could, Donovan seized Carter's waist. She struggled against his hold but he held tight and rubbed his face against hers, smearing the cake between them.

Carter laughed as Donovan released her. Instead of wiping it off, Carter hooked her arms around his neck and started kissing away pieces of cake. They were both a mess and breathless from laughing when Brock brought them napkins.

"Well played," Carter said, grinning at Donovan, spots of icing still on her cheeks.

"Thanks for the warning."

He reached out and cleaned off the last bits of cake from her cheeks. In return, she ran her fingers through his hair, clearing away the crumbs from it. Behind them, servers expertly cut and handed out slices of cake. Though it was a good cake, Donovan didn't think anyone would enjoy it as much as he had.

They weren't allowed to retreat as someone demanded their first dance. The call was repeated and Carter shook her head.

"Whose wedding reception is this, ours or theirs?"

"We complete this and we get to slip away," Donovan said.

"Quick! Someone start our song!"

Donovan kissed Carter, simply because he wanted to and because he liked her eagerness. Someone rolled the cake away while someone else started the music. The song that filled the room was one Donovan knew Carter hadn't heard since her high school prom. It was the same song Donovan had asked her to dance with him. Donovan pulled her into his arms, her body fitting perfectly with his.

"Is this officially our song?" Carter asked.

"I've never thought we were the type of people to have a song. This comes close if we were those people though."

"Why do people have songs?"

"I think it makes them remember specific times."

"And remembering our prom is what you want?"

Donovan smiled. "Yes. Because I realized how much I wanted a future with you right then."

"And now you have that future. Are you happy?"

Happy. Something so many people chased after. It was impossible to obtain. It was easy. It was a feeling that held so many names and meant a million different things to a million different people. But to Donovan, as he danced with the woman he loved it meant only one thing.

"I get to call you my wife, Carter," he said because it was the only answer needed.

Smiling, she pulled him closer and he pressed his face against her hair. Right then, holding her in his arms, he couldn't imagine ever being happier.

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*throws confetti into the air* Hurrah! They are married!

Not like we haven't known this for literally forever but whatever.

If you have thoughts about the cuteness of the chapter leave them here, if you don't possess thoughts then you have my sympathies. πŸ’¬πŸ’­πŸ—―

Honestly I wrote this in two phases. The first phase was just the events of that chapter which alone were really dull.

Then the second phase (after I had given up hope on the chapter and put it to the side) was adding in conversations with Mason and the Keller brothers as well as speeches and dances. Once that happened I liked the chapter a whole lot more!

Hope you did too!

Oh! The video below is one of the new reels I've been making for my Instagram (Joymoment) and I thought it might make you smile. Well I hope it does! Don't tell me if it doesn't. πŸ™ˆ

Vote, comment, follow!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]


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