WHO:Emma Swan & Neal Cassidy WHEN: 25th of March WHERE: Tallahassee WHAT: The Reception of the Swan-Cassidy wedding. WARNINGS: Schmoop. Feels. Cuteness. STATUS: Complete
There were those days where you’d remember every detail, no matter what, there’d always be those things that came back; how the sun felt, the scent of the grass and trees, how the air brushed over things. Emma knew that some of those details would fade in time, she’d remember the feelings more, but right then she was committing absolutely every detail that she could to her memory.
Most weddings, Emma had heard, didn’t go off without a hitch. The day hadn’t been seamless, but nothing had fallen apart or into chaos and Emma counted that as a win. The service had been nice, casual but with the added tradition. The fact that everything could happen at the one place was a bit of a blessing, that there was no ferrying back and forth from a church to a hall or a ranch, everything was available without too much fuss, and that really helped with Niko and the length of the day.
Emma was sitting there, after the toasts, after the meal, after the celebrating and the cheering, after the vows, sitting at one of the tables set up, spinning her brand new wedding band around her finger, watching Henry as he walked little Niko around, stealing some extra bits of the wedding cake -going with naked cake was definitely the best idea. She knew they’d chose right, this was right for them. Even the cowboy boots she’d paired with her knee length cream and lace wedding dress.
And now, there she was, Mrs Cassidy. Two kids, two stories across two worlds, or whatever you’d call the dreams. Nearly two lifetimes and they’d gotten there, Tallahassee, married. The beginning of the happily ever after.
The sun was just in the progress of setting, the air was still warm but not too stifling, it was just a nice and comfortable night to sit out and watch their friends and family enjoying themselves.
Emma wasn’t alone for long, because Neal came along to join her a few moments later - no penguin tuxedo or designer suit for him, he was pretty casual all things considered. Pressed dress pants, broken-in (yet newly shined) boots, a crisp shirt rolled up to the elbows, vest thrown over that. No tie. Even the first couple of buttons on his shirt were undone, which was probably sacrilegious somewhere but it fit the whole outdoorsy theme of the wedding pretty well.
Henry at least liked not having to be dressed to the nines. Ties were uncomfortable, and he wanted no part of that. Neal couldn’t say he blamed the kid.
“Well, hey there, Mrs. Cassidy,” he - like the true dork he was - greeted his brand new wife, carrying a glass of wine for her (and one for him, something to wind down with). It was so nice outside, the rustic lamps offering a soft kind of light for when the sun fully set, and when the place said ‘farm to table’ they meant everything. Flax linens, reclaimed wood, mismatched containers filled with flowers and root vegetables. He’d never seen carrots as part of a centerpiece before, but it was kind of cool - and there were wild roses too, just like how Emma wanted.
That part was important - because it was their day, they’d waited a long time for this, and it was everything they would never get to have in another life. “Having a good time?” he asked. “It’s my duty to make sure of it. Your dad-not-dad was pretty insistent about that.”
That gave her one of those warm, fuzzy feelings -probably not the champagne and wine, but close to it. But hearing that Mrs Cassidy, it was impossible for her to not break into a dopey little grin from just hearing it. It might take awhile to get used to it, but only in the best possible way. “I’m having the best time.” Taking the wine, leaning into Neal, completely content and at ease, Emma could absolutely say this was perfect.
“We finally did it, got down the aisle, put a ring on it.” She was glad they hadn’t rushed more into it than this though, because this felt right, having all their friends there to enjoy the party too, sharing it with them. Her mom-not-mom and dad-not-dad there too, which felt almost like having her parents there just because of how involved in her life they were in the dreams and how important they became here.
Their self-made family were all here, all enjoying themselves, all sharing the very special finally day with her and Neal. “Was it everything you hoped for?”
Neal settled at the table with Emma, sipping his wine - a light kind of red, went well with the roasted pig that was part of the reception dinner - and listening to the music, while people milled and danced nearby. He slipped his arm around her, dropping a kiss into her hair and one kiss on her temple too. “More than I hoped for,” he grinned, eye-crinkling and crookedly, a Cassidy trademark. Now that Niko with his ever-lightening hair and eyes was beginning to resemble Emma more and more, Neal hoped that the smile at least was something he passed onto his younger son.
A mischievous nature though, that had also been passed on. The baby was definitely crawling by now, definitely getting into everything and definitely scowling when he was presented with something like broccoli puree, yet happy when he got sweet potatoes. It was interesting seeing preferences develop, and seeing Niko diligently banging blocks together or stacking cups as his motor skills improved.
He was still chunky too. Neal was glad for it - he wasn’t ready for the baby fat to disappear yet. Maybe when Niko started walking, and grew taller, he’d elongate and become more like a bean pole the way his brother was.
“I’m glad it was more about, you know, just the wedding and being here and celebrating with us,” he said. Neal didn’t care much about registries or gifts - there were some things, sure, mostly a collection to afford some fancy date nights for he and Emma, or stuff the kids could use. But they didn’t need to ask for toasters or flower vases. “Gotta say, I’m way looking forward to the honeymoon though.” A vacation was always warranted, after the trials and tribulations of the OC.
The future was definitely looking better and better all the time. With their family set, their home, the fact that now Emma could freely call Neal her husband -not partner, not boyfriend, not fiance, but husband. She wouldn’t say that it made all the previous struggles worthwhile, because there were things that were never worth it, like dying in any version of the world, but it did give a certain level of perspective. Doing this away from the OC seemed like the best way to ensure that no random nonsense would mess up their big day to say ‘I do’.
“No monkeys coming from the sky, or rampaging monsters you mean? Or no ‘gimme stuff, I want the stuff’?” Materialism wasn’t really their thing, Emma appreciated that about Neal. He liked nice things, she liked nice things. But they didn’t need nice things. They had their house, their boys, all that mattered really. So the opportunity to do things together, having family time or date nights, those were better than a new crockpot or steamer. Because Emma still didn’t know what a crockpot was.
“Hmm, you and me, in Miami, party capital of Florida.” She just smirked as she found her comfy little spot in the curve of Neal’s arm, the perfect resting place where she could just nestle in, “No surly teenager or attention grabbing baby for a while?” Adult time, in Florida. Emma packed a lot of bathing suits, she’d say that much.
Bienvenidos a Miami, yeah? Neal was pretty excited too. He’d never been, even throughout all of the cross-country adventuring and criminal cahoots with his stepfather, and since they were already in Florida he and Emma may as well check out something a little more adult-oriented than Disneyworld. Besides, they had their fill of that kind of thing in California, it was all good.
“Hell yes,” he chuckled, his other arm slinging down over the front of Emma, and he held her to him with her back against his chest. It was definitely a good, cozy nestling spot. “Plenty of sunblock’s been packed so we don’t get fried, and I think we can just plan on eating a lot of Cuban-inspired food and lazing around.”
And the more pleasurable ‘just wed’ activities, like consummating the marriage. That was its own brand of fun.
They’d leave for the airport in the morning - tonight, they’d stay in the honeymoon suite on the property for that list bit of good times all things rustic, before departing for bright lights and sandy beaches. “The kids should be good with Regina and Killian, right?”
Emma had hit Miami years ago, when she was a grief ridden teenage, angry at the world, but it hadn’t really been for exciting or fun things. This was going to be way different. And if they felt like it, they could do the nightclubs, a little adult site-seeing, some shopping and there would definitely be lots of food, tasting and experimenting was required.
“Go back home like sun roasted gators.” There would be enough sunbathing without the worry of snow suddenly hitting like in California -although it was strangely specific to Orange County, but Emma was mostly planning on enjoying her new husband and no children to interrupt.
“They’ll be fine,” As much as someone might worry about leaving their kids with the Evil Queen and Captain Hook, it wasn’t exactly a worry for them. Being that Regina was a second mom to Henry and Killian was Niko’s Godfather. “I’m sure it’ll be a bit of a tilt and whirl for them, to tots and a teenager, but they’ll manage.” If anything, Emma was a little worried about Henry convincing them that he should totally move up from training swords to real ones. “Although we might return to a swashbuckling son.”
“I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already,” Neal shook his head, laughing a little. With those archery lessons given to him for Christmas, Henry was well on his way to becoming an official swashbuckler in addition to a miniature Hawkeye (one of his heroes, clearly). “As long as he doesn’t lob off any body parts, should be fine there too. Alright, now let’s see - “
He moved to get up from the table and offer Emma his hand. There was more moving and grooving to be done - or swaying in place, all dreamy and content, since they were both a little buzzed and also stuffed with the reception dinner and lots of cake. “Feel like dancing? A turn or two around the floor? You’re the prettiest one here, I’ve gotta show you off.”
They could get some practice in, before hitting up the millions of hotspots in Miami. Celebrities hung out in places like Club LIV and Prime 112 restaurant, basically all along Ocean Drive. It was some awesome stuff.
One thing was for certain, their son was not going to be defenceless in any way, shape or form. Emma was sure that it was natural for a mother to worry about the interest, but at the same time she understood Orange County, and it was far better for Henry to know all this than for him to have to rely on any of his parents to be there if he were ever in trouble. Although Emma didn’t doubt that the three of them would be there in a heartbeat if it were the case.
Hopefully they wouldn’t come back from honeymoon to anyone having an impromptu amputation.
At the very gentlemanly invitation to dance, Emma laughed a little putting her glass aside. She was just that side of buzzed that she didn’t even really feel any embarrassment about dancing at her wedding. She figured that everyone would be having a nice time, it wouldn’t really matter too much if she stomped a little on her new husband’s toes on the dance floor -the fact that her dress stopped just at her knees and her cute little cowboy boots weren’t entirely forgiving wouldn’t help either.
“You’re so smooth, and you say the nicest things.” It still made her smile at him, adoringly, even if he had to say those things now that he’d married her. “Don’t scream too loud when I kill your toes,” Hopefully, she softened that unfortunate truth with the sweet kiss on his lightly whiskered cheek, taking his hand and slotting in close. If she did injure anything, well, she’d make them feel better later.
“You’re not that drunk, are you?” Neal teased, taking Emma for a spin or two around the floor. Something leisurely, no bumping and grinding, but just a chance to sway and let the music wash over them. He returned the cheek kiss - placing one there, on her temple, and then her lips for good measure. “I mean, that’s cool if you are - we can sleep early. I’m sure we were just going to retire to our suite for the evening and play cards anyway.”
He was kidding. And yes, he was so smooth too, wasn’t he? Especially with how he twirled Emma gently, under his arm, her in her cowboy boots. They suited her, they really did. So did the dress.
She wasn’t that drunk, no, and she made a small tease back by grabbing Neal’s butt for a little squeeze before he slipped in that smooth and oh so charming twirl. She had to be honest, for all that she didn’t tend to dress up all fancy or how she edged away from too feminine looking dresses or things, she felt very good with the cascading ringlet hair and the little dress with enough give to flare a little with the twirling.
Not quite like Princess Emma, but definitely enough for wedding day Emma.
“Yes, Neal, on our first child free night, after swearing our love for each other in front of all our friends and family, having a lovely meal and lots to drink and finally getting to our own Tallahassee, we’re going to play cards and go to bed like retirees.” She just met his look with a roll of her eyes.
“I’ve been honing my riding skills,” she made a point of waiting until she was pulled in close, hands clasped together, her other one at the small of his back just to get another sweeping paw at that rear end of his, “I think you should get a practical demonstration.” She managed her best sultry tone, mouth in close to his ear for that secret shared for just them, smirk on her peach painted lips.
Hey, Emma could stake claim on his ass anytime she wanted - as far as Neal was concerned, it was basically hers regardless. The beauty of marriage, and lifelong commitments. “Your riding skills,” he rumbled, all gravelly and dark. “I bet you’re damn near expert now. It’s all in the thighs, right?”
He managed a grab of his own, moving from where he’d been ever-the-gentleman and keeping himself restricted to waist and hip territory to instead fill his hands with booty. Now it was less dancing and more pawing at each other, pressed so close that you couldn’t even slip a piece of paper in between them but he liked it that way. He’d just try to remember to keep it PG-rated if Charming or Henry happened to walk by or something. But the conversation didn’t have to be.
“I’m not sure I can wait much longer. What’s the countdown ‘til we can throw rose petals and disappear?” Rose petals, they were more eco-friendly than rice.
Keeping it relatively family friendly was the balance to find there, even while she really did want to paw, because he looked damn fine in his suit, all casual smart and with the soft honey light from the lanterns hanging around the area now that the sun was just a little dot in the distance about to duck out for the day.
“Definitely all in the thighs,” and Emma was decidedly good on the mechanical bull again, because hey, a girl needed to defend her championship. “And you know the saying, save a horse…” She was practically purring into his ear, but since there was not a slither of space between them it hardly mattered, and Emma was totally fine with the arrangement.
“I’m thinking we give it twenty more minutes, do that happy smiling couple goodbye routine, kiss our kids goodnight and go have our adult fun.” Wedding night fun, it was very important. She had ridiculously expensive, lacy and seductive underwear on, and there were a few very adult toys in her luggage that Regina convinced her was a must for honeymooning couples.
“Twenty more minutes,” Neal groaned, as if Emma had said six hours instead. “I guess I can make it. I’ll try.” He repositioned his hands, linking his fingers on the small of her back as they just casually swayed to the music. Everything felt so sanguine and dreamy, it was a double-edged sword because he didn’t want to move and yet he also wanted to get to the fun. To the toys.
Naturally Regina would suggest that sort of thing. But hey, why not? Neal would try anything once. Most anything - there were some limits, but those wouldn’t be an issue. Thank the gods.
He nuzzled Emma with his nose, happy as a big ol’ cat would be, “Love you, by the way. Which is why we’re here.”
Emma had to laugh, because God she could just see Henry in that groan and put upon look, every time she asked him to please put his game down and take out the trash for the fifth time. He was just his father’s son. Carding her fingers through his hair, Emma settled them at the back of his neck, thumb stroking back and forth over his hair line.
“I’m sure you’ll manage, I’ll keep you distracted.” By swaying back and forth and just enjoying the moment. “I love you too, goofball.” She didn’t think it was possible to love that much, really. Years ago she thought that was it, love just hurt, no point in giving into it. And then everything changed and she wouldn’t give it up for the world. “And you make me the happiest I’ve ever been,” she just stroked at his cheek, her grin sappy and loving.
He was glad to hear it, and on Neal’s end, he couldn’t say the words enough - how much he loved her, that is, because all he could remember was being too chicken-shit the first time. That other life, when it took him literally on the brink of death - gunshot and bleeding, about to fall through a portal - before he told her how he really felt. And then, after that, it was too late. Even when they reunited, it was too late.
The fact that Emma had once questioned whether or not he truly loved her, because of everything he put her through (when it fact he’d let go because he did love her, more than anything) still made him get all twisted up. She would never question it here, he’d make sure of that.
“So do you, you know. Make me happy. I mean, feels like we’ve got it all and we’re taking this next step,” he sighed contentedly. “Makes me feel better about what could possibly come our way.”
And it would. It always did. From demons popping up out of the abyss to surprise brothers - but all that, they’d handle. Maybe not always gracefully, but it’d get done.
If there was one thing that Emma did know, it was that love made them stronger, stronger together, stronger against people, stronger over all. She’d learned that both in the dreams and through their trials here, when stopping Rumple, the times that love had boosted her power. It was telling enough.
Right here, she had no reason to doubt Neal at all.
“We’ll be fine,” and maybe that was jinxing things, but Emma firmly believed it, and she supposed that part of Henry’s destiny might’ve finally started to rub off on her, “We’ve got everything we need to beat anything.” They’d stopped Rumple, Regina had seen to it that the Dark One was gone for good, they could deal with it all.
“We will be,” Neal agreed, and he believed it too. Emma was still dreaming even though Neal had obviously stopped besides the occasional repeat - so who knew what would come next, in that little town in Maine, but they really could handle it. He wasn’t insanely jealous over Killian, for having the life that Neal felt like he deserved instead - with Emma, with Henry - because he was living it now, and Killian had his own life too. They were all intertwined, but in a much better way this time.
So yeah, they’d be fine. More than fine. And that? Was pretty damn good.