Rocked Forever by Clara Bayard

haven't spent much time together, but you're part of the family now. Besides, Joe sent me a copy of your documentary. I'm impressed, and we'd be lucky to have your talented look at this night."
    "Thank you." I glanced over at Matthew and swallowed past the lump in my throat. "I'd be happy to write a story and post some photos, but I think the video should be a private thing." My boss would certainly disagree, but she didn't need to know I'd been offered a choice in the matter.
    "Okay, great. Um, I don't know what to do next."
    Becca laughed. "Allow me." She parceled out instructions, and sent Liss up the stairs to make her entrance.
    She arranged us in a semi-circle by the windows, with the last-minute officiant facing the crowd. I was a little disappointed he wasn't an Elvis impersonator, but it wasn't my Vegas wedding, so I let it go.
    Matthew kept his arm over my shoulder as someone turned on music and Liss walked slowly down the stairs. She'd only been gone for a minute but she was a different person now. Glowing and vibrating with excitement. Not nervous, just happy. At the bottom of the staircase Joe met her. They held hands and walked up to the front of the room.
    As the strange, but beautiful ceremony went on, I looked around. It was a strange group of people, to be sure, and not the most conventional guest list. But given how hard everyone here worked together, it made sense. Dream Defiled had brought all of us together, personally and professionally. Without the band, Joe and Liss never would have met. It was bizarre and silly, and the exactly perfect way for them to become husband and wife.
    When the officiant told Joe he could kiss the bride, they both froze, staring into each other's eyes for a long moment. Only Dex's loud, "Hurry or I'll do it for ya," spurred them into action. The kiss was long and sweet and I felt a tear fall from my eye. When they finally parted and turned to the crowd, a loud cheer went up.
    "All right," Joe said, gripping his new wife's hand tightly. "Let's get fucked up."
    The ensuing celebration was a blur of drinking and dancing and hugging and laughing. It went on for hours, and by the time we all made our way back to the band's suite, the sun was coming up. Joe and Liss went out to the balcony to toast each other, and I collapsed onto a couch with Matthew. I rested my head on his chest and sighed contentedly.
    "Good night, huh?"
    I nodded. "Who would've thought it could get even better."
    "Great wedding."
    "It's the first one I've ever been to, actually."
    He looked at me, shocked. "Really?"
    "Yeah." I shrugged. "Foster kid, remember? Not a lot of happy couples in my life." I kissed him. "Until recently, that is." I looked over to the corner of the room where Dex and Becca were slow-dancing. Well, really just swaying along to the soft music playing.
    I looked out the window. "How can a new day just start like nothing's changed? Everything is so different than yesterday morning."
    "In a good way?"
    "In the best way."
    Matthew kissed me again. We sat there in silence as the morning brightened completely. We must have nodded off at some point, because I was jolted awake by Joe's voice booming through the room.
    "Family meeting!" he shouted. "Everybody up."
    I wiped at my eyes and looked around. Dex and Becca were on the couch across from us, and Liss was perched on the edge of an ottoman.
    "Come on, shitheads," Joe said to Rick and Julia who were stumbling into the room looking disheveled.
    "Where've you lot been?" Dex asked.
    Joe grinned. "I found them fucking in the hot tub overlooking the Strip. Do you two ever do it in a bed? Never mind, don't answer that. I don't want to know."
    We all laughed.
    Joe rubbed his head and crossed his arms. "Before we all go to bed, there's another thing I want to say."
    "We're not going on your honeymoon with you," Becca deadpanned.
    "No shit you're not." He grinned. "I just want to be serious for a minute. Wait, first, everyone needs champagne."
    Rick