Kiernan
The wedding party went outside for pictures, taking many down by the lake. Then Jenny carefully removed Carly's train. "I'll just pop this into the house."
"Thanks, Jenny," Carly said.
They returned to the hall. Tables were brought in after a DJ came in and set up his equipment. Each table had a crystal vase centerpiece with red roses.
Kiernan pulled out a chair for Carly once their table was set up. His beautiful bride sat down, and despite Jenny's fears, her mascara hadn't run. Carly was radiant and smiling, and Kiernan felt like the luckiest sonofabitch who ever lived.
A side table went up and a large tiered white cake set upon it. It had real roses interspersed on the tiers.
Alec and Sean had slipped out and returned shortly thereafter with a large something covered in red cloth. Sean winked at Kiernan, who grinned.
"What's that?" Carly asked, watching Alec and Sean set the something next to the cake.
Kiernan was about to answer when Matthew began clinking his champagne flute with his knife.
The werewolves present stared at the head table in confusion.
"Kiss, kiss, kiss!" Dawn added helpfully.
Carly pulled Kiernan's face to her for a long kiss.
The werewolves laughed, and got the gist of this convention. Kiernan and Carly had barely come up for air when werewolves began clinking their glasses as well.
"Do we ever get to breathe?" Kiernan chuckled and kissed Carly again.
"Probably during our first dance, but we'll see." A lovely, rosy color had suffused Carly's cheeks, and Kiernan rubbed his thumbs over them.
"You're sexy when you blush," he said.
"You're the sexy one." Carly dissolved into giggles when the clinking started again.
"I could just eat you up." Kiernan went in for another kiss.
Carly grinned at him when they were finished. "Are you my Big Bad Wolf?"
"You know it," Kiernan said.
Matthew came over then and helped Kiernan shrug out of his jacket. He draped it on the back of Kiernan's chair. "Congratulations." Matthew kissed Carly on the cheek and clapped Kiernan on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Matt." Carly turned and hugged him.
"Yes, thank you, Matt." Kiernan gave him a wide smile.
Kiernan clasped hands with Carly under the table, resting their joined hands on her thigh. He'd never been so happy and content in all his life.
"So, what's under the red cloth?" Carly asked again.
Kiernan kissed her temple, then treated her to a mischievous smirk. "It's a surprise."
"Should I start guessing?" Carly's green eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.
There was more clinking and Kiernan chuckled. "Are you going to have time?"
Carly laughed softly and looped her arms around Kiernan's neck. "Probably not."
* * *
Carly
The clinking didn't let up, even during dinner, but Carly didn't mind. It just meant she got to kiss her husband and mate more in front of God and everyone.
Kiernan's kisses did get more passionate as the night wore on, and Carly felt hot under her dress. They got up and cut the cake, and everyone laughed as they smushed small pieces into each other's mouths, getting frosting all over their faces.
"We really need to start incorporating some of this into our mating ceremonies," Alec said as the DJ called Kiernan and Carly up for their first dance.
"Oh!" Carly looked at Alec in surprise. "I didn't know you had mating ceremonies."
"We do, but it's more like a less formal reception," Alec replied. "Everyone still dresses up, and there's dinner and dancing, but I like this glass-tapping kiss thing and the cake exchange. It's fun."
"It is fun," Kiernan agreed. Then he swept Carly onto the dance floor.
The DJ cued Chantal Kreviazuk's "Feels Like Home."
Carly hummed along, pressing her cheek to Kiernan's chest as they swayed to the music.
'Something in your eyes makes me wanna lose myself, makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms...'
Kiernan stroked Carly's back and the nape of her neck, playing with little pieces of her hair. "I like this song."
"It's my favorite." Carly snuggled into him, basking in his love and warmth.
'Feels like home to me. Feels like home to me. Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong.'
Kiernan kissed Carly. "You're my home, too."
Carly could have melted right there. Tears sprang to her eyes. "I wonder how many times I'm going to cry today."
"As many times as you want, babe." Kiernan held her impossibly closer.
The song stopped and people clapped. Carly and Kiernan kissed again.
"Ready for your surprise?" Kiernan asked.
Carly nodded eagerly, just dying to know what it was.
Kiernan signaled the DJ.
"And now, the groom has a very special gift for the bride!" the DJ said over the loudspeaker.
Alec and Sean brought the covered something over to Carly and Kiernan.
Carly ran her hand over the soft, red fabric covering it. "May I?"
"I'd be deeply disappointed if you didn't," Kiernan said.
Carly pulled the covering away, then gasped, her hands flying over her mouth.
Sitting in the middle of the dance floor was an oak spinning wheel.
"Oh my God, Kiernan!" Carly hugged him, then went over to examine the intricate spinning wheel. She was completely overwhelmed. Carly didn't know what to say. "Did you... did you make this yourself?!"
"Sure did." Kiernan beamed with pride.
Carly touched the different parts and spindles, then ran back to Kiernan and gave him a kiss. "This is so incredible! I can't believe you did this." She choked back more tears, and kissed him again. "It's so beautiful I... thank you, Kiernan."
"I'd do anything for you, babe," Kiernan said.