Chapter 26, the wedding

Finally, after waiting 5 months after the murder it was Valentine’s Day…finally, Aphrodite told Christine some more details about it.

“Well, today’s the day you ready sweetie?” Aphrodite smiled at her as she was getting her hair ready.

“I’m nervous but I’m ready…so what are you going to tell me about my wedding?” Christine was so curious about it. Aphrodite, Anita, and Amelia kept almost everything a secret. There were a couple of things that they needed Alex and Christine's opinion on, but other than that it was all them.

“I’ll tell you about the location, but the rest is a surprise. The location is your beach you and Alex spend your time at. Now close your eyes so I can do your makeup, but before I do your makeup there's a surprise both Anita and I came up with. Come on in surprise guests!” Aphrodite had invited Christine's adoptive parents to the wedding, and both her adoptive dad and real dad were going to walk her down the aisle.

"Mom! Dad! How?!" Christine started crying tears of joy and was thankful that Aphrodite hadn't done her makeup yet.

"We wouldn't miss this for the world, sweetie! Besides we missed you while you were traveling the world. I also come bringing gifts for you. As your something old and borrowed I brought my wedding combs and garter from our wedding. Thought you would like it for yours." her mom started crying too seeing her little girl in a wedding dress...even dad started tearing up a little.

"Aww, mom they're beautiful! Of course, I'll wear them!" Christine started getting teary-eyed with joy seeing her adoptive parents again. They were a sight for sore eyes...

"You look beautiful hun." dad hugged her and wiped away her tears.

"Good thing my makeup hasn't been put on yet otherwise I'd need touch-ups." Everyone in the room started laughing and Aphrodite sat Christine down to start doing her makeup, even offered to do Amelia's makeup too.

Aphrodite did an amazing job with her. She had a sweetheart top with sequins and then a poofy bottom with rein stones on the front and back. Her hair was half up, half down with curls in combs in her hair to hold some of the curls up with white roses in her hair with a small veil. She put light powder, pinks on her lips and cheeks, and light green on her eyes. She had both her moms as matrons of honor and Anita, Rosa and Marie as her bridesmaids. Alex had his pack as his groomsmen and Riff as his best man. She wasn’t wearing shoes since they were on the beach…and the sunset was just gorgeous she wore her real dad’s ring on her right hand and her new in law’s earrings as her blue things. The dress is new, the combs and garter were her adoptive mom’s are old and borrowed. The wedding was so beautiful and everyone was crying tears of joy as her adoptive and new dad walked her down the aisle to Alex. At the reception, there were two roses at the pack's table where Fernando and Chino would have sat. Everything was perfect she was being welcomed to his family when Joaquin tried to crash the reception.

“What are you doing here? I’m sure Alex and Christine wouldn’t like you crashing their wedding.” Riff growled his question at Joaquin.

“Relax Riff I just wanted to congratulate them and give her this…we were hanging out one day and she liked this bracelet so I got it for her. Just tell them that and give her that present for me then I’ll go.” Riff took the gift but was still upset with him.

“Fine, I’ll give it to her no go-you’re still banished.” He left again sadly not being there for his friend on his wedding day…at the party, Alex and Christine were dancing their first dance to ‘Between Two Worlds’ from Pocahontas 2 sure it’s a Disney movie but it’s fitting for the two of them bringing two completely different worlds together.

“Hmm…can this night get any better?” Christine content and in wedded bliss couldn't imagine getting any better.

“No I’m with you and that’s all I need.” Alex smiled and kissed her lips.

“Aww, she leans on his shoulder, this is perfect…got you, my family, my new family, friends…what more do I need?” Christine content and in wedded bliss was so happy.

“Well at least we’ll be taken care of, he rubs her curls, let’s keep this moment oh Riff what’s up?” Alex was curious about why Riff was almost running towards them.

“Joaquin was here…he wanted me to congratulate you two and wanted to give this to Christine as a wedding present.” Riff pants as he tells the couple the news. She opens the box and starts to cry a bit. Alex wiped her tears away for her.

“Can’t believe he remembered…he didn’t stay?” Christine cried tears of joy and a little sad as she remembered her friend.

“No, he left after he gave me the box to give to you.” Riff said sternly kinda glad that he left so he wouldn't cause any more trouble.

“Oh he could have stayed just for today…maybe he’s still here!” She runs off to a different part of the beach to find him and she did. “Joaquin you're still here I was hoping you were here…”

“I wouldn’t want to miss my best friend’s wedding so I watched from afar you look beautiful.” Joaquin smiled a little glad to see Christine.

“Thanks and thanks for the bracelet it’s beautiful.” Christine smiled too seeing her friend and not the killer...

“I know how much you wanted it…it’s the least I could do…” Joaquin was glad that he was treating him like a friend.

“I’ll try to talk to Riff about letting you back since this isn’t fair.” Christine tried to be the optimist of the pack. Maybe being the new #3 of the pack will have some say.

“Thank you so much I’m in your debt!” Joaquin was shocked that she would do that. He had missed his family...and his girl.

“It’s just my way to thank you back…now it’s my wedding and it’s ok with me if you come. Riff doesn’t rule today I do…so come on you should support your friends.” Christine leads the way back to the reception allowing him to come and be with his family and Rosa for a day.

“Thanks, Christine.” He hugs her and follows her back to the reception a lot of people were shocked to see him there, but it’s her wedding and she can do whatever she wants.

“Christine, what is he doing here?” Riff growled seeing Joaquin back made his hair stand up. Christine understood why he was angry and tried to handle it.

“Now Riff you maybe the Alpha, but today I am…it’s my wedding and I think he should be here for his family and Rosa.” Christine held her ground and smiled at Joaquin who was glad to have someone on his side. Instead of everyone treating him like he was a killer.

“Sigh, alright Christine just for today…Joaquin you better be thankful for Christine.” Riff sighed allowing him back just for the day. He almost growled at him trying to weasel his way back into the pack.

“I am Riff thanks so much, Christine.” Joaquin was grateful to have someone to see him as a friend... 

“Anything for a friend I still think what you did was wrong, but you’re still my friend.” Christine smiled at Joaquin. She was glad to stand up for him.

“Thanks, Christine I could always could on you, but where’s Rosa?” Joaquin looked around to find his girl. Hoping she didn't come with anyone else.

“She’s with Anita she’s trying to put on a happy face, but she misses you.” Christine had seen that look before...it was how she felt when Antonio broke off their engagement.

“She does!? Where’s Anita?!” Joaquin was surprised that she would miss him.

“You were her first serious relationship…Anita is by the cake admiring the decorations.” Christine smiled as she showed Joaquin where Anita and Rosa were. She was happy to reunite them, she knew that those two were happy together.

“Thanks now to make things right with my girl!” He ran off to find her…the rest of the reception was nice, but Alex and Christine were looking forward to the honeymoon.

“So where are we going for our honeymoon? You didn’t tell me…” Christine was so curious about where they were going.

“That’s because it’s a surprise I did that on purpose silly,” Alex smirked as he kept the honeymoon a surprise.

“Ooh I like it when you’re mysterious,” Christine smirked back at him. She was so happy with everything that has happened today.

“Then you’re going to be happy for the rest of the night…both my moms packed your suitcase so neither of us knows what she packed, but I did my own since I know where we're going.”

 “You’re not going to give me a hint are you?” Christine smirks as she asks. She knew she wasn't going to get anything from Alex

 “Nope, that’d ruin the fun later,” Alex smirks to teasing her.  Anita comes from behind and says hi and to congratulate them.

“I’m so happy to have a daughter in the family, but Alex it’s time to go you newlyweds…welcome to the family Christine.” Anita smiled as she welcomed Christine to the family even though she had been for a while.

“Thanks, Anita it feels good to be with him now.” Christine smiled too. She was glad that she got along so well with the new in-laws. Despite the circumstances they've gone through together Christine thought it brought everyone closer together.

“I bet it does but you two gotta go,” Anita smirked at Alex like they were hiding something from Christine.

“Yes we do come on Mrs. Rodríguez we must go.” Alex smiled as he said her new name. She shuttered a bit when she heard her new name it was definitely something to get used to.