Aftermath

40

"Are you ready?" her eyes were covered by Meg's hands, blocking her view of the mirror. Cal had a smile that couldn't be wiped from her mouth. When her hands fell away she gasped. Her makeup had been done so beautifully. Her eyes looked big, bright, and green, they sparkled. Her hair, which was always wavy, looked so effortlessly placed.

"I don't think I have ever looked so beautiful." Calpurnia stood and pulled Megan into a hug. "Thank you so much, Megan! I love it!"

"Of course! You look stunning!" Megan squeezed her tight, then pulled away. "Are you ready?" She took a deep breath in and released it slowly before nodding.

"So ready!"

When Cal was left alone, waiting for her signal, the nerves set in. The wedding ceremony was small, with just closest friends and family. But she couldn't help feeling nervous about all the eyes on her as she walked to Matthew.

"There she is!" Cal startled at the sound of John's voice.

"Oh, John! You're not supposed to see me yet!" She said giving up on trying to block his view.

"How am I supposed to walk you down the aisle, if I can't see you?" Cal looked up to meet his eyes and he had a mischievous smile. He held a note out to her. "This is for you."

Callie,

Take a deep breath, you got this. I asked my dad to walk you. I know how much it would mean to him, to be allowed to escort his daughter down the aisle. I know how much he means to you. See you soon, my love.

-Matthew

"So," John said offering his arm to her, "shall we?" Calpurnia only managed a nod before hooking her arm in his and following his lead.

...

Calpurnia's hands shook in Matthew's as they kissed, and then just as quickly as it began, he lead them up the steps and into Abbey and John's, it was over.

"We did it." She whispered leaning into him and pressing a kiss to his throat. He wrapped his arms around her back and held her there gently.

"We did it." he agreed, swaying slightly.

"I married Calpurnia McConnell... My childhood crush"

"Calpurnia Moreno, now."

"Calpurnia Moreno is the most beautiful name I've ever heard."

"Says you, Mr. Moreno."

"Mrs. Moreno," he countered. She pulled back so she could look him over. They'd planned a dinner together with friends and families at John and Abbey's and then Cal and Matthew would be off for their honeymoon. They weren't going far, however, opting to go stay in a houseboat on a marina only an hour away from his parent's home, her parents now too.

"We should hurry up and change and go back out to see everyone, make sure you're parents don't need help with anything," she whispered.

"It's our wedding day Callie, we get to do anything we want." Still, he threw an arm over her shoulder smashing her against his side, and lead them up the steps to the room with all their stuff in it.

Calpurnia changed from her long dress into a more appropriate white collared dress and had Matthew help pull the pins holding her veil from her hair. Matthew switched into a pair of jeans and a button-down, before pulling her into him and kissing her softly.

"Keeping my hands off you today, Callie Moreno is going to be quite the test of self-control." Her lips pulled back in a smile abruptly.

"Say it again."

"Callie Moreno." He kissed her cheek right next to her ear and she squeezed his arm. "My wife, Callie Moreno."

The party lasted until the sun went down. Their friends laughed and celebrated with them so happily, it was nice to feel so loved by all of them. By the time the sun had started setting, everyone urged Cal and Matthew off. They left behind their friends to help his parents clean up. The two said their goodbyes and loaded in the car in record time.

By the time they'd carried their luggage down the pier to their boat, it was late and they were both dead on their feet. Calpurnia fell into bed, and when Matthew exited the bathroom he fell in beside her. His fingers tickled the skin of her thigh next to him.

"I can't believe after all these years, you married me," he whispered, his eyes were on the ceiling but his fingers still ran over the outside of her thigh. "I've been in love with you since the first time I saw you." Cal stretched her arm until she could reach the back of his head and softly ran her fingers through the curls on the nape of his neck.

His hand traveled up until it was just under the fabric of her dress that had ridden up when she plopped herself on the bed. She gripped his hair a little harder, warning him. If this continued much longer neither of them would stop, and they were both exhausted. He rolled over and slowly slid his hand up until it was cupping her breast beneath her dress.

"Mrs. Moreno, I will be having my way with you on our wedding night." He kissed her collarbone then her throat. "That is unless you have any serious objections?" he said against her skin. Matthew's thumb flicked over her nipple and she shuddered. "Are there any objections Callie?"