[No cliffhanger] [There are a lot to cover in this arc. I don't want to skip it like the tour part. So, it'll take a few more chs to wrap it up. But no cliff.]
The guests started clapping from the front row and soon the whole lawn was filled with applause as Jack and Haley shared their first kiss as a married couple.
Haley was still smiling as Jack rested his forehead against hers. They weren't ready to move yet. Behind them, white doves flew over the lake, their wings shining in the sun. Two swans floated near each other, their necks forming a heart shape.
Cam made a choked sound from the second row.
Mitchell turned to him, looking worried. "Cam, honey, are you okay?"
Cam put his hand on his chest and looked at the birds. "The doves, Mitchell. The swans. It's like a beautiful symbol of two people together. I can't believe it turned out just like I imagined."
Mitchell glanced at the lake, then back at Cam. "You hired people to handle the birds. So, it was likely to happen."
Cam wiped his eyes with a tissue. "You always make romance sound like a boring project."
In the front row, Phil was clapping hard, tears running down his face. Claire had her arm around him, and she was also crying.
Phil watched Jack and Haley turn to face their guests, still holding hands. "Look at them, Claire. Our daughter just got married."
Claire leaned on him as Haley waved at them. "I know, honey. I was here for the whole wedding."
Phil sniffled and got another tissue from his jacket. "We raised a bride. A real bride. And soon she'll have her own little brides or grooms."
Claire turned to him. "Phil, honey... please don't plan the twins' weddings before they're even born."
Phil thought about it while wiping his face. "You're right. We should probably wait until they can walk."
...
Richard stood a few seats away, with his arm around Sarah. They were watching his son walk down the aisle with his new wife. Sarah had promised she wouldn't cry, but her makeup was a mess. Richard looked at her teary face and smiled. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Sarah nodded, dabbing under her eyes. "My son just got married, Richard. He's going to be a dad soon, and he looked so happy up there. Happier than I've ever seen him."
Richard hugged her closer and kissed her head. "He really did," he agreed.
Sarah leaned against him. They watched Jack lean over to whisper something to Haley, which made her laugh.
For a long time, Sarah had traveled a lot for work, going to airports, fashion shows, and business meetings. Moments like this had felt far away. Now, she wished she could go back in time and spend more simple afternoons with the little boy she used to come home to.
Richard seemed to know what she was thinking. He held her tighter.
"We're going to have grandchildren soon," he said softly. "We'll have plenty of normal afternoons ahead of us."
Sarah smiled, tears welling up again. "You bet we're going to make time for them," she said.
...
The newly married couple found that taking wedding photos took much longer than getting married itself. They spent forty minutes posing for picture after picture. It seemed like every group of relatives needed their own photo. Jack and Haley posed with the Dunphys, then the Prestons, then the Pritchetts, then Mitchell, Cam, and Lily. Finally, the whole extended family gathered for a photo. The arrangement was so complicated that the photographer looked like he was having second thoughts about his job.
"Everyone, get a little closer," the photographer said, holding up his camera.
Jay glanced at the crowd squeezing together. "What are we taking, a family picture or trying to fit everybody into an elevator?"
Gloria took his arm and pulled him forward. "Ay, Jay, stop complaining and smile. Your granddaughter just got married!"
"I am smiling," Jay said, but he looked like he was waiting for a doctor's appointment.
Manny straightened his jacket and moved a bit ahead. "Maybe we should stand in order of generations. Grandparents in front, parents behind, and siblings on the sides."
Alex looked at him. "You're suggesting a family photograph organized like a biological taxonomy chart."
Manny thought about it. "You know, that would actually be very organized."
Luke put his hands behind Alex's head, trying to give her fake antlers.
Alex grabbed his wrist without looking. "Luke, if those fingers show up in the picture, you'll lose them."
Jack chuckled as Haley leaned against him.
The photographer finally got everyone in place and took the photo.
A moment later...
Lily saw the lake again.
"Daddy, the swans are still there," she said, pulling on Cam's sleeve.
Cam looked at the water, feeling emotional. "Of course they are, sweetie. They're part of this special day."
Lily looked at him closely. "Can I pet them now that the wedding is over?"
Mitchell quickly said, "No, Lily. We told you swans aren't toys. They can be mean."
"But those ones look friendly," Lily argued, pointing at the white birds on the water.
Jack looked at the people watching the swans and smiled. "I think I can arrange that, if the people in charge say it's okay."
Lily's whole face brightened.
Mitchell looked at Jack. "You know she's going to think you're the best person ever. We'll have to spend the next six months telling her she can't sleep with a swan."
Jack smiled and shrugged. "I've only been an uncle for a few minutes. I need to build up my reputation."
Haley chuckled. "Actually, you've been married for about forty-five minutes, and you're already spoiling the kids."
Jack said, "Might as well get some practice before we have our own kids."
The people handling the swans were careful when the family walked toward the water. They explained that the swans were used to people but still needed room. They also said Lily could only gently touch a swan if it seemed okay with it.
Lily listened very closely, more than Mitchell had ever seen her listen when she found out there was a pet store near their house.
One of the swans came to the edge of the water with its handler. Lily carefully got down on her knees. She held out her hand like they told her and gently touched the swan's back for just a moment before pulling her hand away.
She looked at her fingers, amazed.
"I really touched a swan," she whispered. Then she looked at Cam. "Daddy, I really did it."
Cam put his hands on his chest. "You sure did, my princess. You were very gentle."
Mitchell smiled as Lily ran back to them. "See, honey? You followed the rules, were kind to the animal, and everyone had a good time."
Lily nodded proudly. Then she thought about it. "Can we take one home for Larry?"
Mitchell stopped smiling.
Cam glanced toward the lake as though briefly entertaining the possibility.
Mitchell caught the look immediately. "Cameron, whatever you're thinking, stop thinking it."
A moment later, the second swan stretched its neck and let out an unexpectedly harsh hiss toward Cam, who had wandered too close while attempting to photograph the birds from a more theatrical angle.
Cam stumbled backward. "Good heavens! I was merely admiring your composition!"
Jay watched Cam stumble backward from the hissing swan while Stella stood contentedly beside his chair, a little white bow attached to her collar. He scratched her behind the ears and shook his head. "And Gloria thought bringing you was gonna cause problems."
...
As everyone moved into the reception hall, the elegant wedding venue turned into a starry ballroom.
Big windows looked out onto the lake, and a terrace led to the gardens. Outdoor heaters were set up for guests who wanted to enjoy the cool December night. The dining tables were decorated in white and gold, with pretty lights hanging above. A shiny dance floor was in the middle of the room.
Near the back wall stood a beautiful wedding cake.
Sarah had also put a staff member nearby with clear orders: no one was allowed near the cake with candles, sparklers, weird decorations, or even suggestions.
Jack and Haley walked into the reception together to loud cheers.
Phil jumped onto his chair, but Claire pulled him down before he could make a big show of it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Preston!" the announcer shouted as the happy couple walked onto the dance floor.
Haley smiled up at Jack. "Mrs. Preston. That's going to take some getting used to."
Jack put his arm around her waist. "You can practice saying it anytime you like."
Haley looked at the cheering guests. "You know, the last time my relationship status changed, everyone on Facebook knew within twelve minutes."
Jack laughed as he led her to their table. "And now you have a whole wedding reception announcing it for you."
"Exactly, which is much faster."
After everyone sat down, the staff started serving drinks and snacks. Jack finally had a moment to say hello to some of the friends who had traveled to celebrate with them.
Woody Harrelson came over first, holding a champagne glass and looking surprised.
"Look at you, kid. Just yesterday you were running around Georgia scared of zombies, and now you're married."
Jack shook his hand and then hugged him. "Thanks for coming, Woody. It means a lot."
Woody stepped back and smiled at Haley. "Congrats, sweetheart. You found a pretty good guy."
Haley held Jack's hand. "He's okay, though I've had to teach him some basic things around the house."
Matthew Perry joined them, holding a drink. "I thought he knew how to write books, make movies, and handle dangerous stunts."
Haley nodded. "Yeah, but yesterday I saw him trying to put a metal bowl in the microwave."
Jack looked hurt. "I noticed it before I turned it on."
Matthew thought about it and raised his glass. "A good start to married life, everyone."
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were looking at the party decorations. As directors, they always checked out the production value of places they went.
Phil said, "That big flower arrangement behind the couple is really impressive."
Christopher agreed, "It's a beautiful place, has a lot of feeling, good people around, and even the birds seem to know their cues."
Jack pointed to Cam, who was telling a waiter exactly how to place the dessert forks. "You can thank Cam for the birds," he said.
Phil watched Cam for a bit, then whispered to Christopher, "He's either a genius or impossible to work with."
Christopher smiled. "He can be both."
Over in another part of the room, Emma was talking with Dakota, Willa, Elle, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Shailene Woodley by the drinks.
Dakota was watching the dance floor, Elle liked the flowers, and Michelle had already asked if Haley had designed any of the party herself.
"She helped pick the colors and really worked closely with the florist," Emma explained, smiling at the couple.
Willa noticed Haley's hand. Her new wedding ring sparkled next to her engagement ring.
"I can't believe she's okay wearing that thing," Willa said.
Elle leaned in to get a closer look. "It's beautiful, but I'd be constantly checking if it was still on my finger."
Dakota chuckled. "Haley did that for days after we helped her find out how much it was worth."
Shailene looked at Jack, who was laughing at something Matthew said. "He looks so happy," she commented.
Emma followed her gaze and smiled a little. "Yes, he really does."
For a second, Emma thought about feelings she had tried to ignore. Then she saw Jack turn to Haley, reaching for her hand even though someone else was talking to him.
Emma smiled wider.
No matter what happened in her own life, she was truly happy her friend had found something that made him look so joyful.
--
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