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Leonard Reed rubbed his hands together, nervous. He was impeccable, very elegant and neat. Deanna watched him out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but smile at his expressions.
"Are you nervous?"
"No..."
"Liar."
"Well... maybe a little."
"You look very handsome."
"Really?"
Appealing to his ego never failed. He looked in the mirror one more time, making some final adjustments, straightening his jacket and the flower in his lapel. The wait felt long, but amidst the nerves, he also felt something strange: a sense of accomplishment.
His journey had been tortuous, beginning with an unhappy childhood, followed by the separation from a love, and continuing with 25 years of a disastrous marriage. And now he was minutes away from realizing a dream; it felt like when he saw her take the first steps at the Ambassador for her audition with Feni.
He was a different man, one reborn from the midst of pain. And the architect of that rebirth stood beautifully beside him, trying to calm him and give him encouragement. Today his family would grow, today he would marry Susan.
"You know, I'm very proud of you, Leonard. Look at all you've achieved."
"You were with me, otherwise I wouldn't have reached it."
"Now you'll be very happy..." Deanna's eyes were a little wet.
"Don't cry, baby."
"I won't... not yet."
They came for them; just as he had once walked her down the aisle, today she would walk him. And no one was missing. Marcus was waiting at the altar, he would be his best man. The groom made his entrance arm-in-arm with his daughter and although he had always been a haughty and arrogant man, his face looked different: this time he wanted to walk that path, this time he wanted the party afterward, this time he was in love.
"Who gives this man?" asked the minister.
"I... I give away my dad," Deanna replied.
Leonard began to cry like a baby. Daniel's prediction that day at the airport didn't come true: "She'll never call you Dad." She laughed and hugged him. Suddenly, all the Crusher men, except for Charles, of course, stood up. They formed a neat line next to Marcus, who was the only one accompanying Reed. Daniel, Harry, Ethan, and Jonathan formed the honor guard for the old pervert. A welcome to the family.
On the other side, Naomi was waiting for Susan along with several of the bride's bridesmaids. The music began to play, the orchestra was also present and in tune that day, and she appeared on her father's arm. Beautiful, very beautiful in her white dress and flower headpiece; with her bouquet of yellow roses and eyes full of tears. Leonard squeezed Deanna's hand tightly when he saw her walking.
In front of her, the girls ran around playing with flower petals along with Ryan, having a great time. Their grandmothers emerged from the side and placed them in their seats.
"Who gives this woman?" the question was asked again.
"I do," Charles replied, and you could hear the lump in his throat.
"Be happy, Susan," he said before kissing her cheek and stepping aside.
Leonard took her hand, the love they shared was palpable; everyone felt it. Among so many people in the world, so different and opposite, so busy with their lives, racing against time; they had crossed paths more than once, but they only found each other when fate decided they were ready.
When Reed was ready to allow himself to live again, when Susan was ready to let him into her heart. There, standing, looking at each other and holding hands, they began a new life together.
Leonard's vows were unconventional because that's how he was. He declared his love, his gratitude, wondering how such a lady had noticed him, and assured her a thousand times that he would move heaven and earth just for her. For Susan, it was to laugh, cry, and be surprised, all in those five minutes. But that's how it was with Leonard all the time. She declared her love and made her promises, and the minister decided they were now married.
He didn't leave her side the entire party, and he would never be able to leave her side again. Dancing with Deanna, he kissed her cheek.
"Am I 'Dad' now?" he asked.
"Yes, you're Dad."
"Thank you, baby..."
"Stop being so sentimental, you're scaring me!"
"I'm getting old, what do you expect?"
"I'll give you a few months of newlywed bliss and then you'll come work with me..."
"What are you talking about?"
"I want to go back..."
"Really?!"
"The girls are older now. Daniel will help me with the schedules, he won't work as much... I miss the lights."
"That's great, Deanna! I'll talk to Marcus! We'll make a special place for them... we'll put toys and lots of dolls and find a teacher and...!"
"Wait! Wait! Before you tear anything down, let me organize with my husband... We'll find a way and then you can play builder."
Yes, it was time. Because Deanna was a mother, a daughter, a wife, and a friend; but she was still Deanna.