Finally, it was the big day. Clay and Sonja's wedding. The weather cooperated and was absolutely perfect. Little by little the guests trickled in. Several of the police officers Clay worked with, the artists from Sonja's tattoo shop, and friends of both of them from outside of work, along with Amy, Bridgette, Damon, Denise, Michelle and their parents were all in attendance. The justice of the peace and caterers arrived at about the same time and everything was all set. It was slightly informal. No tuxedos or thousand dollar wedding dresses. Clay was wearing just a nice dress shirt, tie and dress pants, as were all the men. All the women were wearing nice dresses, and some of them had gotten their hair and nails done, but nothing that would outshine Sonja who was sitting up in her bedroom with Amy. Her wedding dress wasn't the traditional white. It was sky blue with white made to look like clouds floating through the sky. Her hair was up with several black and blue strands coming down to frame her face.
"I don't know why I'm so nervous." she said. "I've been waiting for this day ever since I met your brother."
"Hey, hey. Look at me. It's okay. He's down there, looking damn handsome, and he's waiting for you." Amy said. "Welcome to the family."
Sonja took a deep breath and smiled. "Thanks, I needed that. If it wouldn't ruin my lipstick, I'd kiss you."
They heard footsteps coming up the stairs and quickly collected themselves as Damon and Sonja's father Jake poked their heads in.
"Hey," Damon said, "Wow, Sonja, you look gorgeous. My father is a lucky man."
She smiled at him, "Thanks. But I think I'm the lucky one. Hey dad."
"Hey angel," Jake said, smiling at his daughter. "We're all set down there. You ready?"
She stood up, took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Yeah, I'm ready."
"Well then let me give you away again." he said, "But this is the last time!"
Sonja laughed. "Okay, dad. I promise I won't get married again."
Amy went to the door and hooked her arm in Damon's. "Come on you," she said, "Let's go take our seats."
The ceremony, which was held out on the patio on the side of the house, went off without a hitch. Clay and Sonja wrote their own vows, both of which boiled down to "I never thought I would find true love again until I met you". Even Ares was surprisingly restrained, lying quietly at Damon's feet, only barking excitedly when Clay and Sonja shared their first kiss as husband and wife. The reception was also held at the house and was less a formal dinner and more of a buffet style with everyone mingling around the patio, yard and den. Damon, of course, knew all of his father's friends, and likewise Denise knew all of her mother's friends, and would make the introductions when they crossed paths during the reception. The only "traditional" things they did were the tossing of the bouquet, toasts from the best man (Clay's partner), and the maid of honor (Michelle), and of course the cutting of the cake. Several hours later it was all over, all the guests except for Michelle had said their goodbyes and left for the night.
"So, how does it feel to be Mrs. Clayton James Mathers?" Amy asked.
Sonja looked at her wedding ring, at her new family and then to Clay with a huge smile on her face. "Pretty damn good."
"So you're leaving this weekend for your honeymoon?" Andre asked his son.
"Yeah," Clay said, "Two weeks in sunny Hawaii."
"We just gotta make sure we can leave these two alone while we're gone." Sonja said, pointing at Damon and Denise.
Damon and Denise looked at each other with mock shocked expressions on their faces.
"And just what are you implying, mother?" Denise asked.
"Yeah, we're perfect angels... I'm sorry, I can't say that with a straight face." Damon said, breaking into laughter along with everyone else.
"Don't worry little brother," Amy said, "I'll swing by every now and then and make sure they're behaving themselves."
"In the meantime," Clay said, "It's been a long, and very enjoyable day, but I'm tired and I could use a good night's sleep with my new wife."
"Okay, well then I guess I'll take that..." Amy said, pointing at Bridgette, "and head home. Michelle, you need a ride?"
"Actually her hotel is the opposite direction from where you live. Damon, would you mind?" Sonja said.
"Uh, sure, no problem." he said, turning his attention to Michelle, "Where you staying?"
"The Holiday Inn just off highway 16." she said.
"The one across from the strip mall? Yeah, okay, I know where that is." Damon said.
A few minutes later Damon was guiding his father's SUV down the road.