An hour later, we were getting ready to head to the reception. Our pictures were done, it was much easier since we had all but the ones of us together done before hand.

Paul and I both knew that Grayson and Claire wouldn't be able to stand wearing their dress clothes for all of the reception, so we bought them each a new outfit to wear during the reception. Claire, who had been our flower girl, was now wearing a white tee shirt that said "Petal Patrol" in sparkly gold lettering, a pair of sparkly gold shorts, and a flower crown. Grayson now sported a t-shirt that read "Ring Bearer 1: Guard rings 2: Steal Show 3: Dance With Ladies 4: Eat Cake" along with some khaki shorts and a "Ring Security" hat, that Paul insisted on having specially made for Grayson.

We decided to just do all the speeches and dances and what not first since the reception didn't start until 5:00 and Claire and Grayson would be wanting sleep before too long.

First up, was the throwing of the bouquet, and if all went well, Embry and Morgan would be engaged before tonight was through. I knew there weren't very many people behind me as it gently tossed the bouquet. I heard all the girls cheering, so I turned around and Morgan caught the bouquet. Embry looked at me to double check that this was still okay with me. I nodded and he walked up to her.

"Morgan, let's make this dumb superstition real and tie the knot next," Embry said after kneeling in front of her. He pulled out the ring box, and presented it to her. "Will you marry me?"

She started at him dumbfounded for a second before nodding in agreement. "Yes, yes, a hundred times yes."

We all went and got food after that. Paul insisted on getting my food so I wouldn't have a blood sugar crash. I told him I was fine, but he didn't believe me. Grayson and I sat at the head table as Paul came back with two plates, knowing Grayson would just eat off of our plates anyways. I got to eat a little bit as Paul fed Grayson the food off my plate.

Once everyone was seated, the speeches started. Dad was up first.

"I'd like to start by thanking you all for attending. I know it means a lot to Elizabeth and Paul. As for Paul, welcome to the family. I never got a son, but I have one now, and I couldn't be more proud of him.

"Anyways, this is supposed to focus on Elizabeth, because I've been told that Sam's speech about Paul is top-notch. When Elizabeth was younger she told me that one day she would grow up and play basketball and marry a prince so she could be a princess. She did just that. Paul may not be a literal prince, but he is her prince, and he will be a good husband to her. I know this because I'm a cop, and I know things, like how to use a gun," my dad paused briefly. "And how to hunt people to the ends of the Earth. Anyways, I'm supposed to end this with some like marital advice or something, but I have only been married a few months myself. Paul, treat like you're still trying to win her and you'll never lose her. Be best friends. Tell the truth. And most definitely over use I love you. Don't go to bed angry. Yeah, that's all I got."

I rolled my eyes, but clapped for him and looked at Paul who was staring at me. I blushed as he continued to feed Grayson. I mentally thanked God that Sue was going next, knowing her speech would be much better.

"Hello everyone, I'm Sue, Elizabeth's step-mother. I would like to personally thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to be here, supporting Paul and Elizabeth. I would also like to personally extend my thanks to everyone who helped pay for this special occasion, especially Charlie.

"Elizabeth, you look absolutely stunning, and I don't know if I've ever seen Paul actually wear a suit. Well, except for when they went to prom together. Congrats Lizzie, on getting Paul into a suit. You are the only girl that's ever been able to do that.

"I have known Elizabeth since she was a baby. When she was little, she was set in stone that she was going to be a princess and rule all of her kingdom. I've known Paul since he was a newborn also, and let me tell you, Elizabeth will be running her own small little kingdom. Whatever she wants, Paul will get her, of that I am sure.

"I had the honor of meeting most of Elizabeth's high school boyfriends, all like four of them before Paul. I'm not going to lie, I don't think anyone else liked any of them, but Lizzie was smitten. The first time her and Paul showed up at my house together, I couldn't have been happier. Elizabeth was, and still is, in love with him, and you can tell.

"Join with me now, let's have a toast, raise your glass and share in our joy. To Paul and Elizabeth, we love you and wish you the very best in life together. Care for, and cherish, each other, now and forever," Sue concluded. We all clapped and applauded. Next up on the list of speeches was Morgan. She looked nervous as Hell as she got up in front of everyone to read her speech.

"Hello everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Morgan, one of Lizzie best friends from her school days. Please allow me to join in the thanks for Charlie, Sue, Emily, Sam, and everyone else who provided for this wedding in some way or another. I know how much it means to Paul and Elizabeth, especially since they have a son.

"I first met Elizabeth on the first day of kindergarten at Forks Elementary school. We were coloring, and she noticed a shy little blond haired girl sitting in the back of the classroom all alone. She walked over, taking a seat at the table with me and immediately introduced herself. 'My name's Elizabeth Rain Swan, but no one calls me that. Everyone calls me Lizzie. What's your name?' were her exact words. I was terrified. I was in a new place without my mom or dad and here was this girl who I didn't know that wanted to talk to me. But in all honesty, I'm extremely happy she chose to sit down beside me that day in kindergarten. She quickly became my best friend and has been since that day.

"The first time I met Paul was awkward. My boyfriend had just ditched me the night of prom. Paul, Elizabeth and I were supposed to go out to dinner together. I showed up at the restaurant in tears, waiting for Lizzie to show up alone too and make everything better with some ice cream sundaes, a ditched school dance, and a Disney movie marathon. She didn't though. She showed up with Paul Lahote, the well known hothead from the reservation. I couldn't believe that he was the Paul she'd been talking about so much. He stood off to the side as Lizzie tried to console me, but failed. I ended up ditching them, knowing that they were too in love to have noticed me if I would have stayed.

"So, I have just one story to share about this couple. The day that Lizzie rescued Grayson from the cold of December. The guys had all been out working all day, and we met them on the back porch of Emily's house. Paul immediately got this look in his eye like Lizzie was his everything, and that there was nothing more he wanted than to see her holding a child. That was the day I knew that he loved her as much, if not more than, she loved him.

"In conclusion, my grandmother once told me, 'Relationships are work, honey, and they aren't always 50/50. Some days when I get up I only feel like giving 10%, then your granddaddy has to give 90% that day. But, there is always 100% of the love." Everyone cheered, causing Morgan to blush deeply. Last, but certainly not least, the speech I was dreading the most was up. Sam and his best man speech

"So ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. My name is ‘Sam what-would-you-like-to-drink’. I hope many of you will come and say hello at the bar later - but I do insist you use my full name. And it is my pleasure to be Best Man for Paul today. Next, on behalf of the Bridesmaids– you all look wonderful and have done an excellent job today. Thank you.
And thanks and well done to Charlie today for giving away the bride

"So Paul and Elizabeth you’ve finally got married, thank God, for better or for worse, which is quite appropriate as Paul couldn’t have done any better and Lizzie couldn’t have done any worse.

"You will probably not be aware that Paul and Lizzie had great trouble over the seating plan. Fortunately, Paul gave the room layout some serious thought and took the weight of the decision away from Lizzie as any supportive partner should do. What Elizabeth doesn’t know is that Paul decided the seating should be according to the cost of your present, so the more expensive you’re present, the closer the person would be seated to the front. So I hope you at the back heard Paul when he thanked you for the tea spoons!

"During my research on the internet into best mans role I also looked into weddings in general, I looked at the three key elements of the wedding service itself: -
The Aisle - it’s the longest walk you’ll ever take
The Alter - the place where two become one
The Hymn - the celebration of marriage
I think Elizabeth must have done the same research as I did, because as she was walking past me, I’m sure I heard her whispering to herself, Aisle…altar…hymn, aisle altar hymn, I’ll alter him etc…

"As you have found out by now, a best man’s speech involves a collection of amusing stories. Although there are a couple of things that are really not supposed to be mentioned at weddings, but I shall mention them anyway: -First of all, Paul’s drink problem – well the main problem is that he can’t handle his drink. Mind you his new wife will be able to give him some good training. And secondly, Paul’s ex-girlfriends – I was warned about the potentially delicate duty of keeping Paul’s Ex’s at bay today. But fortunately Foot and Mouth got rid of most of them four years ago so no worries there. I never thought that Paul would ever marry but at 22 here he is, I remember a few years ago he said "that he would never marry", but if he did, “he would like to marry a woman with small feet". "Why small feet?" I asked. “So she can get closer to the sink" he answered.

"I have managed to obtain some of Paul’s old school reports and some comments from his work colleagues, they all tell a story: Paul was an ideal pupil who excelled at most subjects’. Sorry that should be, Paul was an idle pupil who was expelled from most subjects.’ Geography- Paul is the only one in the class who thinks Ellesmere Port is a fine table wine. Biology- Whilst Paul is often very enthusiastic, he took it a little too far by revising for his blood test. Religious Education- Paul’s understanding of Christianity is very limited, so much so that he still believes the book of Genesis was written by Phil Collins. On leaving school Paul’s teenage years can be defined as several years of drinking, throwing up, and sleeping in the toilet cuddling up to the bowl…something he still hasn’t grown out of yet.

"Now Paul is a hard working young man and his boss made these comments: ‘Working with Paul is like working with God. He’s rarely seen, he’s holier than thou and if he does any work it’s a bloody miracle.’

"Now, coming towards the end of my speech, it is customary for me to offer the happy couple some words of wisdom. So… To Lizzie… Remember that men are like a fine wine… They start out like grapes…And it is your job to stomp on them in the dark until they turn into something you would like to have dinner with. To Paul…By coincidence, women too are like a fine wine…They start out fresh, fruity and intoxicating to the mind... And then they turn full bodied with age, and eventually give you a splitting headache!

"Before I finish, I would like to give Paul some advice on what people thought were the ingredients to a long and happy marriage so here are a few." He turned to face Paul instead of the audience.

"Firstly, set the ground rules and establish whose boss…and then do everything Elizabeth says! Secondly, never be afraid that Lizzie will leave you – she’s spent time training you, she’s not going to throw that away lightly! Thirdly, never forget to say those 3 little words every day for the rest of your life - “YOU’RE RIGHT DEAR!” Whenever you’re wrong, be a man and admit it. Whenever you’re right, just SAY nothing! As they say a man who gives in when he is wrong is a wise man. A man who gives in when he is right is married

"On a serious note for a moment… We all hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon in North Wales, at least that’s where I think Paul said they were going, he just said he was going to Bangor for a week. Paul, we’ve had some excellent times together over the years, and I know we will continue to do so in the future. You have been a fantastic friend to me…much better than the other guys…and it really is a great honour to be your Best Man today. I wish you and Lizzie every happiness for the future…

"And on that note, ladies and gentlemen, could I ask you to stand with me, and raise your glasses in a toast to Paul and Lizzie, the new Mr. & Mrs. Lahote. We wish you well for the future. To Paul and Lizzie. And now it's good night and God bless from me."

I don't think I was ever happier to hear Sam stop talking, and a lot of the time I actually sat and listened to him, he was talking about the packs imminent fight.