Chapter 8: The Wedding Ceremony and After-Party

It was December 1st at a wedding venue. The Blazer Family and the Young 6 were sitting on the left side of the venue while Liam's family was on the right side. Up on the stage where the bride and groom were to be married, Aaron and Liam were there in tuxedos, along with the other groomsmen. The bridesmaid, Smolder included, were standing across from the groomsmen.

"You have the ring, right?" Liam asked.

"Right here," Aaron said, pulling the ring box out of his pocket.

"Good," Liam said. Then the organ player started playing "Here Comes the Bride". As this was happening, there was a little girl tossing flower petals down the aisle. Marissa was in her wedding dress and holding a bouquet of flowers as she was walking down the aisle. As she reached the altar, she looked at Liam with a big smile behind her veil.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to join Marissa Blazer and Liam Daniels in the bonds of holy matrimony," the wedding officiant said. "With open arms, they invite each other to share the joys, as well as the challenges, that their marriage may bring them over this journey of life together. On this special day, two hearts unite with a symbol of love and commitment. With an openness to share life's joys and struggles alike, these lovers exchange vows that promise respect for each other's unique identities while holding one another in deep affection no matter what the future may bring." He then looked towards Liam. "Let's start with the groom."

Liam then took a deep breath and said his vows. "Marissa, we might have met when I pulled you over for driving without your driver's license, but I knew that you were the one for me. You might've been taking care of your nephew all by yourself, but when I came around, he had somewhat of a father figure. I'm gonna make it my duty to give you a happy life, and help out with whatever trouble comes in the future."

"Very good, Mr. Daniels," the wedding officiant said. "Now, for the bride to give her vows."

"Liam, you bring me so much happiness," Marissa said. "You helped me when I was overwhelmed with taking care of Aaron, you helped him and his friends with transport to and from school, and you even helped with our meals when I was working late. I am honored to be married to a brave soul who will always be there for me."

"Lovely, Ms. Blazer," the wedding officiant said. "Now, how about we get to the good stuff. The rings." Aaron and Smolder stepped forwards towards the altar and brought out the wedding rings. Liam took the ring out of the ring box that was in Aaron's hand while Marissa took the ring out of the ring box that Smolder was holding. "Liam Daniels, do you take Marissa Blazer, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"

"I do," Liam said.

"And do you, Marissa Blazer, take Liam Daniels, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?" the wedding officiant asked.

"I do," Marissa said.

"I now pronounce you... husband and wife," the wedding officiant said. He then looked at Liam. "You may kiss the bride." Liam then lifted Marissa's wedding vow, and they kissed. The wedding guests then cheered for the newly weds. "After this heartfelt ceremony, I am delighted to announce that this couple has been joined in marriage! They now stand stronger and more united than ever. Congratulations, Liam and Marissa Daniels."

Then the organ player played the wedding exit song, and Marissa and Liam went down the aisle. The groomsmen and bridesmaid followed the two, holding hands. Aaron and Smolder were smiling as they were following Marisa and Liam.

"That was interesting," Smolder said. "Are all weddings like that?"

"They're usually different every time," Aaron said. "In fact, this was the first wedding I've been to in person."

"Makes sense," Smolder said. "After all, your aunt was single for a long time. Hopefully, ours will be like this when the proper time comes."

"Marissa wants our marriage to happen after we graduate college," Aaron said. "And we don't go to college until after we graduate from High School."

"Meh, that'll give us plenty of time," Smolder said. They eventually made it outside. Then before Liam and Marissa gotten into the limo, Marissa was about to throw the bouquet. The bridesmaids were coming close to catch the bouquet, but Smolder wasn't among them. Marissa then threw the bouquet, but it went over the other bridesmaid, and it was heading towards Smolder. Smolder then saw it and caught it. "Oh, boy."

"Well, the other bridesmaids are gonna wait a long time," Aaron said. Smolder then blushed at that.

At the Erie Community Center, the wedding after-party was going off without a Hitch. Aaron and the Young 6 weren't in the room. A lot of the guests who were invited to the wedding gave off their speeches to congratulate them.

"Looks like everything is working out," Marissa said. Then Reggie came up to her.

"Hey, Aunt Marissa?" Reggie asked. "Where's Aaron?"

"He and his friends are playing basketball on the courts," Marissa said.

In the basketball court of the Community Center, Aaron and the Young 6 were playing basketball. Gallus was trying to take the ball from him at half court.

"C'mon, Aaron," Gallus said. "You think you can get past me? I'm the fastest out of all our friends."

"You might be fast, but are you smart?" Aaron asked. He then moved to the right, but Gallus tried blocking his path, but Aaron spun clockwise to go around Gallus's right side, surprising him. Then Aaron rushed towards the basket and did a layup, making the shot.

"Whoa!" Gallus said. "That was awesome!"

"Sometimes, the best way to get past your opponent in basketball is to watch your opponent's body language," Aaron said.

"Not bad, cousin," came Reggie's voice. They all looked over towards the door and saw Reggie coming in. "You've been working out."

"He's gotta stay in top shape for the season," Smolder said. "You know how that is."

"Yeah, I do," Reggie said. "I've tried out for the basketball team in my school. I made it, but I'm working my ass off trying to keep up with the other players."

"Well then, how about you join us for practice?" Aaron asked.

"Sure," Reggie said. "Let's do this." Then Reggie joined in. Aaron bounced the ball towards Reggie and he started dribbling the ball towards the basket, but Smolder tried blocking his path.

"C'mon, Reggie," Smolder said. "Is that all you got?"

"Not exactly," Reggie said, passing the ball to Aaron. Aaron headed for the basket as Reggie followed him. Aaron tossed the ball towards Reggie who was setting up for a layup. He took the shot and the ball went in.

"Whoo! Nice job, Reggie," Aaron said.

"Thanks," Reggie said. "Let's keep it going."

"Well, well, well..." came a new voice. The group looked towards the door and they saw some other kids coming in, wearing basketball gear. The kid in front was wearing a red T-shirt, black shorts with red lines on the sides, and black and red basketball shoes. The kid on the left was wearing a blue t-shirt with dark blue shorts and white basketball shoes. And the kid on the right was wearing a green t-shirt, black shorts and black and white basketball shoes. "Look who it is. The new kid."

"Linus Finch?!" Aaron asked.

"Who?" Smolder asked.

"He's the kid from seventh grade who convinced everyone in school before I moved to Orlando that I was a new student and I wasn't allowed to play," Aaron said.

"So, he's the liar," Ocellus said.

"Hey, it's not my fault you weren't that noticeable," Linus said. "And besides, there's no way you're good at basketball. So, get off my court."

"Sorry, but the center's all booked up for my Aunt's wedding party," Aaron said. "So, get outta here."

"You wanna say that again?" Linus asked. "Phil, Steven, go teach this new kid a lesson."

"With pleasure," said the boy with the green shirt. But Smolder got in front of Aaron and grabbed that boy's shirt and pulled him close to her face.

"Think twice before messing with my friends," Smolder said. "Got it, Phil?"

"That's Steven," Aaron said.

"Got it, Steven?" Smolder asked, still in the same tone.

"Yeah," Steven said, scared by Smolder's intimidation. "I got it."

"Hold it," Aaron said. "We can settle this rationally. 3-on-3."

"You're on," Linus said. "Let's do this."

"I'll toss the ball up," Sandbar said, taking the ball.

"Gale, Reggie, let's do this," Aaron said. Aaron and Linus got into the center. Reggie and Steven went closer towards the basket that Aaron's team was heading to as Gallus and Phil went towards the team that Linus's team was going to. "Game to 21 by points."

"Deal," Linus said. Sandbar held the ball up in front of them and they tapped the ball. Then Sandbar tossed the ball up and Aaron and Linus jumped up and went to push the ball towards one of their teammates. Aaron won the jump and he pushed the ball towards Gallus. He caught it and he started dribbling the ball towards their basket. Smolder was recording the game on her phone while Ocellus was keeping score with a pen and notepad.

Back at the party, they were wrapping things up. Marissa and Liam were getting ready to leave back to the hotel. Along with the rest of the family.

"Hey, we should go get the kids," Marissa said. "They're leaving for Orlando tomorrow."

"Don't worry, honey," Liam said, kissing Marissa on the lips. "Leave it for your new husband to get them." He then walked out of there and headed for the basketball court.

Back in the court, Aaron had passed the ball towards Reggie and he made the shot with a layup. Ocellus then added the two points to the score. They were now tied 19-19.

"Okay, the score is tied at 19," Ocellus said. "Next full basket wins."

Linus growled at that and said, "I will not lose to a loser!"

"Linus, calm down," Phil said. "It's okay if we lose."

"I won't lose!" Linus said. "Just hand me the ball!" Phil then tossed the ball towards Linus and he started charging towards the basket, but Gallus came swooping in and grabbed the ball as it was about to bounce and he threw it towards Aaron, who was rushing towards the basket. "NO!!"

"Go, Aaron!" Reggie said. Liam then came into the room seeing the scrimmage.

Aaron rushed towards the basket and he jumped up and slammed the ball into the basket, surprising everyone there. Aaron landed on the ground, surprised about what he just did.

"I dunked a basketball!" Aaron said.

"NO!" Linus said, slamming his hand on the floor in frustration. The Young 6 and Reggie ran towards Aaron in celebration.

"That was awesome!" Reggie said. "Not bad."

"Not bad indeed," came Liam's voice. The group looked towards Liam and saw him coming up towards them. He then looked towards Smolder. "You caught that on video?"

"I just emailed it to the school!" Smolder said. "No doubt it's going onto the school website."

"Well, we should get going," Liam said. "You're all heading home tomorrow."

"Right," Aaron said. "We gotta get going. See ya some other time, Linus." Aaron, the Young 6, Reggie and Liam left the basketball court.

Back at the hotel, the Young 6 were packing up for their flight back to Orlando while Reggie was packing up to head back to New York. Aaron was getting out of the bathroom, wearing his pajamas.

"Who's up next?" Aaron asked.

"My turn," Gallus said, heading to the bathroom. Aaron then went over to his bag and got out his outfit for the next day.

"That was an awesome dunk, Aaron," Sandbar said. "You're gonna make it big."

"I know, but I'm not the only one on the team," Aaron said. "Basketball isn't a one person game."

"Yeah, we did play a good game against the Harlem Globetrotters last year," Ocellus said.

"That's a good point, Ocellus," Smolder said. "So, where are we going to be spending Christmas this year?"

"New York," Aaron said. "The Blazer family always shifts towards where we spend Christmas. So, we're spending Christmas there." Aaron then looked towards the bathroom. "I'm guessing you're wanting to come with us for Christmas?"

"I'll have to ask the princess first," Gallus said on the other side of the bathroom door. "I'll let you know!"

"Alright," Aaron said. "Finish up and get ready for bed. We got a flight at nine in the morning."

"Got it," Gallus said. Then everyone else headed for their beds as Gallus continued his shower. Tomorrow, they head back to Orlando.

Author's Note

Well, the votes are tallied up. You all get to know where Marissa and Liam will go for their honeymoon while Aaron and the Young 6 headed back to Orlando. Hopefully, things will be alright by Christmastime. See ya!