Day 3: I Love It When A Wedding (and a plan) Comes Together

[notjustaface]

There was no doubt about it, Mel/Mia was definitely in on the gig, between the gun and fake documents stored in her cabin and a key to what could only be a storage locker they had more than enough evidence to take her down hard.

Problem was, she didn't strike either of them as the leader of the operation - she was sweet, pretty, just the sort of con Face was the master of. Which usually meant there was a boss pulling the strings. With less than twenty-four hours before dock, it was hard to focus on getting ready for the wedding when he was going over every face on the boat they'd met in the last two days. Between the two of them, they'd practically been social butterflies - making best friends of most of the boat.

They're taking in some last minute time by the pool pretending to go over their vows only a couple hours before the altar, going over the plan if they can only nab half the pair.

"We'll flush her out," Face shakes his head, pushing up off his towel and stretching enough to make his small speedo even more scandalous. "Have Hannibal and BA grab Mia and then make a run for the hold - assuming the guns are in the hold."

Which is a big assumption.

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

"We make our own luck."

He gives his hand a reassuring squeeze as they head upstairs.

[notjustaface]

The scene is a little intense, but they elected to take the spot with the best view of the other passengers as they looked out over the ocean - making them last in line to give their vows and say their "I do". They'd run through it just once the day before, but it seemed pretty standard - only the captain was lucky enough to say his part just once.

Of course, that also meant listening to several sappy and somewhat long-winded personally written vows that mean a whole lot more to the people saying them than anyone listening.

When the captain addresses them, he clears his throat and takes both of his partner's hands, squeezing tight - you first, babe.

[notthatcrazy]

He holds on to his hands tightly, taking a deep breath.

"There's a lot of things I want to say right now..."

Real names would really help here.

"...I might need a minute."

[notjustaface]

"It's okay, babe. Take your time." He smiles watching his eyes. "I love you."

Matching the tight squeeze, he shifts his feet to a more dominant stance - nobody had better make a big deal of him needing a moment.

[notthatcrazy]

"I love you."

Just remember to breathe...

"I love you for standing by me through everything we've been through together, and for accepting me for who I am. And I'm gonna stand by you for as long as we have together."

[notjustaface]

He lowers his eyes, swallowing a lump that has somehow built in his throat as he listens to Murdock's voice waver and his accent thicken - the words working their way into his brain and warming him.

"I..." his voice cracks and he clears his throat loudly, forcing himself to look back up when he finds his words again. "I love you," he exhales loudly; "for putting up with me and forgiving my mistakes."

He lets out a slightly awkward laugh, squeezing his hands again; "And I swear to you that I will do anything to protect you."

Even from myself.

Forcing back the lump again, softening his normally sure voice, he manages; "For as long as I have the honor of standing by your side."

[notthatcrazy]

And there's that overwhelmed by feelings moment. They look into each other's eyes for a long moment until their officiant clears his throat.

"Gentlemen, the rings?"

[notjustaface]

"Oh, right..." Face grins a little too wide, cheeks flushed as he lets go of Murdock's hand to dig the heart shaped box out of his pocket. Inside are two narrow gold bands that match the plain silver.

His hand shakes, just slightly, as he removes the slightly larger one fitted to Murdock's size and holds it out to slide onto his waiting hand, nestling it against it's mate. "Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you..." he pauses, forcing his voice to continue; "...and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my husband."

It's not real. He reminds himself, feeling even as he says the words he just might be wrong.

[notthatcrazy]

His voice wavers only slightly as he repeats the vows, sliding the gold band onto his partner's finger. He rests his hand on top of his, thinking of the scars he knows are still there, though they've faded.

Look at us, baby. Look how far we've come.

[notjustaface]

Swallowing back his emotions is hard, but he can't let Murdock see more than the slight wet shine in his eyes. He doesn't need to see it. He can hear it, hell... he can probably feel it.

"You may now share love's first kiss as devoted partners."

Leaning in is second nature, wrapping his arm around his partner's waist as the other buries itself in his hair - not wanting for one second to let go.

[notthatcrazy]

As nice as that thought as that is, it's not quite true... they've been devoted partners for a while, missteps and all.

"Love you so much," he whispers before losing himself in his arms.

[notjustaface]

The words make it easy to pull him even tighter, letting himself get lost in the cheering and occasional loud sob behind them until he can't breathe and gasps against his ear; "Always have."

Even back when he didn't know it, he knew it.

[notthatcrazy]

"And always will."

He presses another warm kiss to his lips before pulling back slightly.

"We did it."

And just for that moment, even with the noise of all the other couples around them, he feels like they're the only two people in the world.

[notjustaface]

For all he cares, they are. He presses his forehead to Murdock's, eye to eye when he whispers; "I love you so damn much."

Pulling away in that moment is one of the hardest things he's ever had to do, but the passengers are being herded toward the ballroom for their reception.

[notthatcrazy]

He's still entirely conscious of how hard it was for him to say those words for such a long time. It's been a long strange road, but he treasures the words - and the feelings behind them - all the more for that.

He keeps a tight hold on his hand as they enter the brightly decorated reception hall.

[notjustaface]

They're still not easy for him, but it's a little better each time. A little less forced, and a little more important.

Holding his hand tight, Face watches the champagne pop open just in time to catch Hannibal rolling out the largest and most elaborate of the cakes made for the occasion.

"Hey, check it out..."

[notthatcrazy]

"Would ya look at that."

He grins, wrapping an arm casually around Face's waist.

"Never figured the Colonel was the culinarily-inclined type."

[notjustaface]

"Are you kidding? He was baking the quiches earlier - I've got to try one of those..." And he doesn't even really like quiche.

Guiding to where the couples are gathering for a champagne toast, they move in careful concert - looking out over the crowd for sight of their suspect.

"Keep your eyes open."

[notthatcrazy]

"Remind me to compliment the chef later."

Right. Work.

[notjustaface]

"I'm sure he'll appreciate that." Face grins, taking a pair of champagne flutes. "You see BA yet? He's been doing a damn good job of keeping himself scarce."

[notthatcrazy]

"I've seen the uniforms the porters wear, I'm not surprised."

He's probably lurking somewhere. He might complain, but he's always got their backs.

He links arms with him as he takes his glass, moving into place for the toast.

[notjustaface]

"To happiness, good fortune," he grins, pressing his lips to Murdock's temple; "and love."

A simple, meaningful toast.

[notthatcrazy]

"I'll drink to that."

He clinks glasses with him and takes a long drink, resting his head on Face's shoulder.

"See anything worth keeping an eye on?"

[notjustaface]

Turning until they're chest to chest, one arm wrapped around his partner as he scans the crowd again.

"Nothing." He sips his champagne; "Mia's the key... I know it."

He offers a false smile to the couple that had clued them in, the gesture warming as he sees them just as close as he and Murdock are. But no sight of the girl.

[notthatcrazy]

The other couples are starting to spread out and mingle, and pretty soon there's music playing.

"Time to hit the dance floor, babe."

If nothing else, they'll have a good vantage point there.