The clatter of cutlery had faded. Plates were cleared, drinks topped off. The sound of quiet conversation filled the room, soft and satisfied.
Everyone looked full and content. The food had been excellent, a mix of family favorites and wedding classics, each dish clearly chosen with care.
The MC returned to the center of the room, mic in hand and posture relaxed. He waited for the background music to fade before speaking, grinning at the room.
"Alright, folks. I think we can all agree, whoever planned the menu deserves a medal. That roast? Come on. But before anyone tries to sneak in a nap, it's time for something even better. It's time for the first dance."
Guests clapped lightly, attention shifting toward the open floor.
"Now," the MC continued, "as tradition often goes, we begin with a moment shared between the bride and her father."
All eyes moved to the main table.
Victor stood, adjusted his jacket, and turned to Svetlana. He didn't speak, just held out his hand with a small nod. She rose, took it, and together they walked toward the center of the room.
The lights dimmed slightly, and the music began, a slow, melodic instrumental that felt familiar without being distracting.
Victor placed one hand gently on his daughter's back, and she rested her hand on his shoulder.
They began to move in sync, slowly, as if they'd rehearsed it. Victor kept his eyes on her the whole time, a quiet pride in every step.
They danced for a minute or two before the MC's voice returned.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen... the newlyweds."
Victor kissed Svetlana's forehead, gave Damon a small nod, and returned to his seat.
Damon stood, letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He offered his hand, and Svetlana didn't hesitate.
She walked over and placed her hand in his, and together they stepped into the center of the dance floor.
The music shifted, still soft, but with a warmer rhythm now. Something clearly chosen by the couple.
Damon placed one hand carefully at her waist, the other holding her hand. She looked up at him with the smallest smile.
"You nervous?" she whispered.
He shook his head. "Only about stepping on your toes."
They moved slowly, not perfectly, but together. Damon kept his focus on her and only her. He didn't hear the crowd, didn't register the dozens of eyes watching them. It was just her.
Svetlana leaned in a bit, her voice barely above the music. "We're really married now."
Damon nodded. "Yeah. Still feels unreal."
They kept moving, slow and steady. Every few seconds, they'd share a short glance or a quiet chuckle, as if neither of them could quite believe this was happening. Not because it felt wrong, because it felt too right.
Guests watched quietly, some taking pictures, others simply soaking it in.
The music slowed even more. Damon didn't say anything at first, he just pulled Svetlana closer. One hand slid to the small of her back, the other still holding hers gently.
Her forehead rested near his collarbone. For a brief moment, everything around them disappeared.
Damon exhaled against her temple, his voice low and real. "I know we're standing in front of a hundred people right now… but it feels like it's just you and me."
Svetlana smiled softly against his chest. "That's how it's always felt with you."
He paused. "I meant everything I said earlier. You've changed everything for me, Lana. I didn't know how much more I could give… until you gave me something worth everything."
She tilted her head back just enough to meet his eyes. "I have a big surprise for you," she whispered.
Damon blinked. "Now?"
She shook her head. "Not now. Later. But it's big."
Damon gave her a half-smile, half-grimace. "You know I hate surprises."
"That's what makes it fun."
The music gently faded as the MC stepped forward again, giving the couple a respectful moment before raising the mic.
"Alright, that was beautiful. Let's give it up for the Crosses."
The guests clapped warmly. The couple slowly separated, exchanging one last glance before walking back to their table together, hands still linked.
The MC grinned. "Now that we've witnessed the romance, the vows, and the tears, yes, Damon, we saw you crying, it's time to open up the dance floor. But not before we start with some classic traditions."
He raised a hand. "First up, anyone here who's been married for more than twenty years, please stand."
A few older couples stood. Applause followed.
Then came the bouquet toss. The MC called all single ladies to the floor, hyping it up.
Svetlana removed the delicate bouquet from the table, gave Damon a mischievous smirk, and stepped onto the dance floor.
Ashley joined the crowd, grinning as she cracked her neck like she was about to enter a fight.
Svetlana turned her back, raised the bouquet, and tossed it into the air. Screams, laughter, and a scramble followed.
The bouquet soared through the air in a graceful arc, petals fluttering like confetti. A wave of hands shot up, some strategic, others chaotic.
Ashley didn't even flinch.
She stepped forward, reached out with perfect timing, and plucked the bouquet from the air like it had always been meant for her. A few gasps and laughter followed as the other women groaned or laughed it off.
Ashley held the bouquet up with a casual smirk, then slowly turned her head toward the front table.
She locked eyes with Joey.
Ashley raised an eyebrow, then gave him a knowing look before spinning on her heel and walking back toward the crowd like nothing happened.
Joey shifted slightly in his seat and took a sip of his drink.
Damon leaned toward him. "You alright there, champ?"
Joey gave him a blank stare. "Don't start."
The MC returned with a clap. "Alright, alright. That was graceful, almost too graceful. Now… gentlemen, it's your turn."
Some groans echoed across the room, mixed with a few cheers.
Damon stepped forward with a sigh and loosened his tie slightly.
Svetlana sat down in a nearby chair, crossing her legs with a playful smile.
"Be gentle," she teased.
"No promises," Damon muttered with a grin as he dropped to one knee.
The music picked up into a cheeky, playful tune. Guests whistled and laughed as Damon carefully slid his hands under the hem of her dress, slowly and dramatically pulling out the garter. He held it up like a trophy to the cheers of the crowd.
He stood, looked over his shoulder at the group of single men reluctantly gathering behind him.
Ty, Ash, Joey, and a few others lined up, arms crossed, already laughing.
"On three," Damon called. "One…"
He fake-threw it and half the guys flinched.
He spun it like a lasso.
The garter went flying.
There was no clean catch, just a scuffle. But somehow, through the minor chaos, the garter landed square in Joey's hands.
Ashley burst into laughter from across the room, holding her bouquet tightly. Joey just looked down at the garter, then up at the ceiling like the universe had set him up.
Damon was laughing too hard to even tease him.
Joey turned to him and pointed. "I know this was rigged."
Damon shrugged. "Fate."
The MC wiped away a fake tear. "Ladies and gentlemen, we might just have another wedding on the way."