Nuptials

Chapter 11

As the next song began, Richard made his way over to Amelia's side, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with a smile, and he could see the tears welling up in her eyes as she realized what he was asking of her. Amelia had always been a bit of a firecracker, strong and independent, but she had a softness about her that only those closest to her could see.

"May I have this dance, Amelia?" Richard asked, holding out his hand. Amelia hadn't planned to have a father daughter dance, considering her circumstances, but she was glad that Richard had stepped up to take on the role so that she would not miss out on any aspect of a full wedding ceremony.

Amelia nodded, taking his hand, and Richard led her to the dance floor as the band played 'My Girl' by The Temptations. As they swayed to the music, Richard whispered words of love and pride into her ear, and Amelia couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.

The music swirled around them, and Richard couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness that Amelia's real father wasn't here to share this moment with her. He had passed away many years ago, but Richard knew that he would have been so proud to see his daughter marry the love of her life.

"I miss him," Amelia whispered, her head resting on Richard's shoulder. He could see the glisten of her eyes and assumed she was shedding a few tears for her father's absence.

"I know," Richard replied sympathetically, gently rubbing her back. "But he would be so happy for you."

Amelia pulled back and looked up at him. "Thank you, Richard. For everything."

Richard smiled warmly at her. "You don't have to thank me, Amelia. I consider you and Meredith to be my daughters, and I would do anything for you both."

Tears welled up in Amelia's eyes again, and she hugged Richard tightly. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life."

Richard returned the hug, patting her back gently. "I'm the lucky one, Amelia. You are an amazing woman and I am so proud of you."

As the song came to an end, Owen came over and pulled Amelia into his arms, joining their father daughter dance. Richard stepped back, watching the two of them with a smile on his face. Although he wasn't Amelia's biological father, he knew that he had a special place in her heart, and that was all that mattered to him. He may not have been there from the beginning, but he would always be there for Amelia, every step of the way. And for Maggie and Meredith, too.

Owen then took his turn dancing with his mother, who had flown in to attend the wedding. They laughed and twirled around the dance floor, enjoying the moment and creating memories that would last a lifetime. As they danced, Evelyn couldn't help but notice the way her son looked at Amelia with such adoration and love in his eyes. Owen was always a passionate and emotional child, and she knew that he would continue to be that way in his adult life. He had always been a hopeless romantic, and that's why she wasn't surprised when he fell head over heels for Amelia, a flighty, passionate, volatile young lady. But what had happened earlier today at their ceremony had her worried.

"Owen," Evelyn called her son, immediately getting his attention, "Why did Amelia take so long to get to the altar?" She could see the discomfort her question had caused, and she almost regretted asking anything at all. Owen recounted the events of the wedding day, how Amelia had disappeared and almost didn't show up at the ceremony due to a meltdown she'd had moments prior.

"Did she tell you why?" Evelyn asked, and Owen sighed.

"I think she got cold feet," he explained, "Her brother was out of the country and he was supposed to walk her down the aisle, her sisters are like piranhas to her and her mother was worried that we were rushing and doing this too soon."