Taking a Chance

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"By the power vested in me and the great state of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the minister proclaimed with a flourish.

Rick pulled his new wife to him and kissed her passionately. It was finally a done deal. He and Michonne were married. This was the happiest day of his life. When they finally broke apart, Daryl slapped him on the back.

"Congratulations, man!" he told him with a big smile. Rick deserved someone as awesome as Michonne.

Daryl looked over at Michonne and Gabrielle hugging and saw tears in both their eyes. Why women cried at happy shit, he never understood. The beautiful bride still clutched her bouquet of ivory roses when he went over to give her a kiss and hug. "I am so happy for you both," he whispered to her.

"Thank you," she said wiping her eyes.

"Let's go! We have some celebrating to do!" Rick said to get them moving out to the waiting limousine.

"Champagne time!" Gabrielle exclaimed.

Rick pocketed the marriage certificate and they all headed back to the limo. It was a very happy and buoyant mood in the car as the groom popped the champagne they had cooling and poured everyone a glass. Daryl was not a fan of champagne, but he was going with it. They each did a quick toast.

"To the most incredible woman I have ever known. I still can't believe you actually married me!"

"To the hottest cop and most awesome guy...of course I married you. I'm not stupid!"

"To my best friend and her new husband, I love you both and wish you the best."

And finally, "You two are the best friends a guy could ask for. All my life I knew I could count on Rick and now Michonne too. You guys never hesitate to include his loser best friend in everything. Wish you the best and congratulations!"

Daryl words affected them all in a different way. Rick counted himself lucky to have a friend as loyal as Daryl was. Michonne saw a lonely guy that was given a rough hand his whole life and was happy her friendship meant that much to him. And all Gabrielle heard was him calling himself a loser and that made her sad.

The heaviness of the moment was quickly eased by the limousine pulling up in front of the restaurant they had reservations at. It was much fancier than anything Daryl had ever eaten at, but Gabrielle helped him understand the menu without making him feel stupid. He was definitely feeling more comfortable around her.

They all had a late, but enjoyable dinner with more champagne and wine during the meal. It was going on midnight when they finally returned to the Bellagio. Rick and Michonne excused themselves going up to their room. It was time for the newlyweds to be alone.

Gabrielle's phone had rung, so she was talking on it as she followed the happy couple up in the elevator. Daryl stood by himself in the spacious lobby. He was wide awake even though he had slept badly last night in the car. He was not ready to call it a night yet. He looked over at the bar where he had Rick had been earlier and decided to have another drink.

He walked in and saw the same bartender as before. He smiled at Daryl and placed a cocktail napkin down in front of him. "Your friend got married?"

"He sure as hell did. He's a lucky man. He married a great girl."

"What are you drinking?"

"Jack and coke," he told him.

"Make that two," the sexy voice next to him said. Daryl turned his head to see Gabrielle settling herself onto a bar stool.