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"... And by the state of Florida, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Adam, you may kiss your bride."
The blond man glanced from the Justice of the Peace to gaze at Amy - his new wife... The redhead had tears streaming down her cheeks. She was emotional as it was, thanks to pregnancy hormones. But unlike the times when she grew so emotional lately, there was a soft smile on her face. Eagerly, she tilted her head up to him as Adam pressed forward to kiss her, his arms encircling her waist. He slipped his tongue past her lips briefly as she clung onto him, and his heart soared. They were married now... She was his *officially* and in her heart alike.
When they stopped kissing, he looked up and over at Jay and Trish in turn. His best friend's face wore a small smile. His girlfriend wore a similar gesture, the happiness toward them shining plainly through. The couple had served as their two witnesses, as well as Best Man and Maid of Honor. Mandy was between them, her little hand clutching at Trish's as she watched her parents.
The moment the happy couple parted, the tall blond man knelt down to the little girl's level. He eyed her silently for a beat, and she smiled at him. He felt himself suddenly growing choked up with emotion as he swept his daughter into his embrace, his strong arms hugging her securely against him. One of his hands smoothed down her long, soft, fine blonde hair.
"I love you, Blondie."
Amanda held tightly to her father, burrowing her face into his long blond hair.
"I love you, too, Daddy," she said softly.
When Adam let Mandy go, Amy stooped over to hug her.
"Congratulations, man," Jay said as his best friend straightened up.
"Thanks... You know I couldn't have done it without you guys," Adam said, eyeing Jay and then Trish in turn.
"Sure you could have."
Trish giggled as she watched the exchange between the two best friends. The guys exchanged a warm, masculine hug, and then she stepped over to the tall blond groom to give him a hearty kiss on the cheek and a hug.
"You two are going to be *so* happy!" she exclaimed. "Mandy too."
"Thank you," Adam said softly as he and Trish were still hugging. "Thank you for being there and for being such a good friend to Amy - and for being so good with Mandy."
The little blonde smiled up at him as they released one another. Her eyes were telling him there was no need for thanks. She turned toward the redhead afterward, and they too embraced.
"I love you, Trish," Amy said, tears threatening to overwhelm her yet again. "You've become like the sister I never had."
This time, it was the Canadian woman's turn to get choked up.
"Oh, Amy... I feel the same way!" She hugged the taller woman again, the two rocking back and forth slightly.
"Who's ready for a great big, juicy steak?" Adam suddenly asked. The question seemed a bit out of context, but the group had decided earlier that they would go out to dinner immediately following the ceremony.
"Ooh, I am!" Mandy cried, raising her little hand.
Everyone laughed heartily.
"And *you*," the tall blond man said as he reached down for the child's hand, "have eyes bigger than your stomach!"
The blonde girl laughed.
*
The dinner had been delicious, and everyone left feeling happy and satisfied. Mandy had even had an ice cream for dessert, something she didn't get to have too often. They'd made an entire evening of it.
"Well, I guess we'll call it a night," Jay said, his hand gripping Trish's much smaller one as they stood just outside the restaurant. "Congratulations again."
"Thank you," Amy said with a warm smile. "It's been a wonderful night."
The adults all exchanged hugs, and both Trish and Jay hugged and kissed Amanda.
"Next time, can we play MarioKart?" the girl asked Jay, her hazel eyes full of gleaming mischief.
"Sure thing, kiddo - and I'll even let you beat me again."
Adam laughed. His best friend was just like him - even down to sucking at videogames so as to get beaten by a six-year-old.
Not a single one of the group was aware of the person watching them from afar.