Captivated

First Dance

So, I would enjoy these happy chapters while you can... that's all I'm gonna say, hehe. (just for you sofaroffbway ) anywayyy, I hope you all like this one, I'm rather fond of it myself. Comment/vote, ty xx
-ab

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December 14, 2024

Harper

The wedding is an absolutely beautiful ceremony, and after it concludes, Taylor and Joe are sat down at their own little table adjacent to mine, which holds the wedding party and their dates.

"That was amazing," I whisper to Patrick. "They both look so happy."

"They do," he replies, glancing their way and throwing them a smile. "I'm hungry now, though. When's the food being served?"

"Oh my god," I roll my eyes, giggling as I rest my head on Patrick's shoulder. "I'm sure it'll be served soon... just be patient."

"What do you think they're serving? Did Taylor let that spill at the party last night?"

"I don't know," I say. "She didn't even mention it in the slightest."

"Dang it."

"Sorry, love."

Soon enough, the food gets served, and Patrick is thrilled with the chicken dish that is placed in front of him. He gobbles it right up. After everyone who eats at normal speed is done with the meal, the wedding cake is cut. We all watch as Taylor and Joe feed each other bites, then everyone digs into their own pieces. After that is done, we all know that it is time for dancing.

"Can we bring Taylor and Joe up here for the first dance?" the DJ requests. Everyone claps as they walk up to the dance floor. The sweet first notes of Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' play as Taylor and Joe embrace each other and begin to sway to the beat of the music. They hold each other tightly, their bodies touching as Taylor rests her head on Joe's shoulder.

For everybody watching, the first dance is a magical moment, but it eventually ends, as all good things must. Once the song is over, it's time for Taylor's dance with her dad. He steps onto the floor and pulls his little girl into his arms as Paul Simon's 'Father And Daughter' plays over the speaker system. By the time that they're done with that dance, there isn't a single person in the room who isn't crying.

Then, the time comes for Joe's dance with his mom. They dance to Josh Groban's 'You Raise Me Up.'

After those customary dances are done, everyone is invited to the dance floor for a slow dance. "This is a song selected by Joe for his wife," the DJ explains. "He wanted to make sure that it was a special one."

At that, I hear the ever-familiar piano introduction begin to play, and then: "There's glitter on the floor after the party, girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby."

Patrick holds me tightly as we dance to 'New Year's Day.' I can tell that Taylor is incredibly touched by the song selection, as she laughs and smiles about it while dancing with Joe. She makes eye contact with me at one point, and I give her a big smile, mouthing a quick 'congratulations.' Taylor nods in thanks.

After about an hour of dancing, the party eventually has to wrap up. Most of the guests except Taylor and Joe's families leave, and since Patrick is my ride, I have to stick around as well. We all offer to do the essential clean up of presents and everything, then say our goodbyes to the happy couple as we send them off to a hotel, where they're spending a romantic night before catching a flight tomorrow morning, off on their honeymoon.

Once everyone grabs as many presents as they can handle, we take them out to Andrea's car. She has promised to hold the presents for Taylor and Joe until they return from their honeymoon in Bora Bora, a destination recommended to them by Abigail, who took her honeymoon there.

After everything is packed up, Patrick and I volunteer to run back into the Underglobe and scan the room again to make sure that we didn't miss anything. We say goodbye to everyone else, who is set to head home, then run back inside.

"It was a pretty amazing night, wasn't it?" Patrick whispers to me. "So romantic, and Taylor and Joe loved every minute of it, I can tell."

"It was literally the most romantic thing I've ever seen," I tell him. "I hope that someday, I can have a wedding so romantic."

"And I hope that I'm playing a special role in that wedding," he tells me, slipping his fingers into mine.

"Oh, Mr. Alwyn, are you... flirting with me?" I seduce. "Because if you are, that was smooth. I rather liked it."

"Why, in that case, I believe that I am flirting," he replies, giving me a little wink, to which I feel my heart palpitate.

"You're just so gorgeous," I whisper, slightly to him, but mostly to myself. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Harper Kennedy. Don't you ever forget that."

He kisses me quickly before we move along to do what we were actually supposed to do- check the venue to make sure that it is ready for the cleaning staff to come in and prepare the room for another event, probably something tomorrow even.

Once we have checked, and deemed the room fit for cleaning, Patrick and I take one last look around, taking in the scene, from the gorgeous decorations to the dim lighting and projected shapes onto the ground, then exit the building, briskly walking straight to his car.

As it is late, there is barely any traffic as we head onto the streets of London, but it is still very late... I suppose I should even say early, as the clock reads 1:30 in the morning. As I let out a little yawn, Patrick begins to speak.

"Hon, how about you just stay over at my place? I live closer to here than you do. I've got a pair of old sweatpants we can cinch in the waist on... they'll fit you just fine. I mean... I don't want to pressure you into anything, so if you want me to drop you at my place, I can, but-"

"Patrick, it's fine. Whatever works for me, I'm just exhausted. Get me a bed, I don't care where it is," I giggle. My eyes feel heavy as I struggle to keep them open. Patrick laughs with me and nods.

"My flat it is, then."