To Have And To Hold

23 - Revering Reception

When they pulled up at the venue Joey took Lauren's hand to help her out of the car, and they walked inside together to the applause of their friends and family.

"I hate this," Lauren whispered to Joey, and he stifled a laugh, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her nearer to him.

"Look on the bright side, you never have to do it again," he said, and she smiled at him.

They took their seats at the table, Joey pulling Lauren's chair out for her, before her dad stood up to begin the speeches.

"Welcome everyone, thank you all for being here. I think you'll all agree with me that it's been a pleasure to come together today to celebrate Lauren and Joey's love. Joey won our hearts from the first time we met him, so we're very glad to officially welcome him into our family today. We're all wishing you every happiness for the future." 

Joey wrapped his arm around Lauren's shoulders as their guests all raised their glasses to the two of them. Joey's mom spoke next.

"I'm so proud of you, Joey. We've always tried to teach you good values, and you've always taken them to heart, but I've seen them shine through even more strongly since you've been with Lauren. We've gotten to see you be an incredible boyfriend and I know you're going to be an equally great husband, as long as you never forget how lucky you are to have Lauren," she said assertively. 

Joey smiled, looking at Lauren. "I won't," he said, his eyes locked with hers.

He looked away only as Julia stood up to make her speech.  "Being Lauren's roommate for many years, I can't tell you the amount of time I spent having to listen to her talk about Joey," she said, and Lauren gave her friend an indignant look as Joey laughed at her. "But even though it made me want to scream at you sometimes, I knew you two had something special. Joey, thank you for making her so happy. She's become an even stronger, more independent woman with you by her side. You guys are the best and we're so happy for you," she said, finishing through her tears as Joey clasped hands with Lauren.

Brian's was the last speech. "So uh, I guess I'm left to make the funny speech huh?" he began, and Joey and Lauren both rolled their eyes as everyone laughed. "I was so thrilled when Joey and Lauren got together because it meant I saw Lauren all the time. She was at our apartment so often she may as well have lived there, and if she wasn't there in person she was there on FaceTime." Joey glanced at Lauren, who shook her head minutely. He grinned, looking back to Brian. "So Lauren, I'm glad you're living here now if only so I don't have to listen to Joey mention your name 24/7. Now it's just every time I see him." Lauren bumped Joey's shoulder, and he gave Brian an apologetic look. "But in all seriousness, the amount of love you guys have for each other is so clear and very special, and you both deserve every happiness. I'd like it if everyone would join me in a toast to the bride and groom."

There was clinking of glasses around the room, and people began to shift in their seats, sensing an end to the speeches.

Joey had originally planned not to make a speech, figuring he'd have talked long enough during his vows. But he had a lot to say about Lauren, so he was hoping no one would mind if he had a change of heart.

"Is it okay if I make a speech?" he said, turning to Lauren.

She seemed surprised, but shrugged. "It's our wedding JoJo, fucking go for it."

He smiled at her, relieved she hadn't tried to stop him, and stood up.

"Please forgive me for wanting to say a few more things about Lauren," he begged, and was glad to hear laughter. "But she means the world to me and I want to make sure she knows it. Through countless highs and lows I've got to watch Lo lead with integrity, empathy, and humbleness. She constantly inspires me to work harder, for me and for us, because she shows such determination in everything she does in life." He reached down for Lauren's hand, speaking to her. "You've taught me so much kindness and generosity and resilience. Every day with you is one I'm grateful for, and I can't wait for the rest of our lives together. I could never give you everything you deserve but I swear I will never stop trying."

Joey could feel himself getting choked up, so he wrapped up. "Thank you for marrying me. And thank you all for being here to celebrate with us."

He sat down and Lauren leaned across to kiss him briefly. Then she sighed and stood up, Joey looking on with pride.

"So, I'm gonna keep this short because no one wants to listen to me speak," Lauren said, her hand holding onto Joey's shoulder as she laughed nervously. "I want to thank everyone for coming, and helping make this day so special for us. Um, thank you Julia for telling me to move across the country even though it meant leaving you because now I know I would have been crazy not to. Thank you Bob and Denise for always making me feel welcome, and for raising such a great human being. Thank you Mom and Dad for encouraging me to stay in state for college, because otherwise I might never have met the love of my life." 

Joey placed his hand over hers, and she looked down at him. "And thank you for being the the most wonderful person I've ever been lucky enough to meet."

She just stared at him as he wiped away a tear that had managed to escape, seeming to have lost her train of thought. Joey took hold of both her hands, squeezing them tightly in his. She smiled at him, and he led her out onto the dance floor for their first dance.

Joey wrapped his arms around her waist, and she looped hers around his neck as he swayed her gently to the music. They looked into each other's eyes, Joey overcome with happiness.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" he said.

"Only about ten times already," she said, rolling her eyes even as she grinned at him.

"Just checking." He kissed her forehead.

"You look very handsome too JoJo."

The music faded into the next song and people began to filter onto the dance floor.

"Can we go home now?" Lauren asked.

"We have been here," Joey checked his watch, "2 hours. We can't leave yet," he chuckled.

She groaned and let her head fall to his chest. He dropped a kiss to the top of it. "Give it an hour."

"I just can't wait to get out of this dress," she murmured almost inaudibly.

"Don't you start," Joey warned, and she looked up at him with a cheeky grin.

"What, you don't wanna hear about how I'm gonna ask you to help me out of it?"

Joey ignored the part of his brain telling him to take her home that second, instead shaking his head at her with a laugh and holding her tighter to him.

Lauren sighed happily. "I'm glad we did this."

"Yeah?" Joey said, leaning her back in his arms to look at her with mild surprise.

"Yeah," she ascertained softly, stretching up on her tiptoes to kiss him, leaning her body against his. Joey's eyes drifted closed, appreciating the incredible woman in his arms. His wife.

A/N I'm sorry this was a super wordy chapter but it's content?? This is especially for pazazzalil because she requested their reception so it wouldn't exist otherwise