My nerves were shot as I took my place at the makeshift altar. We had opted for a low-key wedding at a small venue. We could've invited hundreds but we settled on about 75 close friends and family.

I was so nervous about seeing Pippa in her dress. She took my breath away on a regular day. How was I going to handle seeing her in her dress, walking down the aisle with her father?

The music began and I straightened myself up. Daveed stood beside me, our justice of the peace. Chris was my best man, along with Anthony.

Our sweet Alex was the flower girl and Jack the ring bearer. There were many awwwws as they made their way down the aisle. I smiled in encouragement. They'd practiced this but we were worried that Jack especially might get shy with everyone looking at them. Alex reveled in the attention. She loved her dress and had little flowers in her hair. Renee and Jasmine came through, looking amazing. Joey was last to come, looking gorgeous and so grown up. The music changed and my mouth got dry.

She was a vision. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she walked slowly down the aisle with her father. Everyone in the building had their eyes fixed on my beautiful bride.

Pippa wouldn't take her eyes off me. While everyone was looking at her, she was looking at me. How did I get so lucky? She arrived and her father gave her a hug. We held hands and looked into each other's eyes as Daveed began.

The ceremony itself was a blur. I'm not sure what was said, but I was elated when he pronounced us husband and wife and I got to kiss my bride. The room erupted in cheers as the magic started again.

At the reception, Joey was all smiles. She'd since decided to move back to New York with us. A break had been good and made her realize how important she was to the family. Alex and Jack were thrilled to have their big sister back. Joey had been accepted to NYU and Columbia and was leaning towards staying in town to attend one of them.

Later in the evening, I noticed Elliott sitting with his now official step sister. Sometimes people furrowed their eyebrows that they were together, but just because their parents were together didn't make it wrong. It made sense they'd gotten so close.

Elliott laid his hand on her leg and was staying close. They danced together and I saw him steal a kiss. Not that I wanted my daughter to be almost grown and with a serious boyfriend, but I couldn't pick anyone better than Elliott. They seemed to have weathered their storm and were getting close again.

The guests began to leave and by 11 the party was dying down. Alex and Jack had been going at it hard, dancing and playing all night long. We knew they were going to crash at some point. Sure enough, they were getting whiny and irritable, though they insisted they weren't tired. We found them asleep under the wedding party table. I gently pulled them out and picked up Alex. She stirred slightly as Joey approached, holding hands with Elliott.

"Dad? Is it okay if we head downtown for a bit?"

"Sure," I told her. "Be back by 2?"

"Okay," she agreed. It was way past her usual curfew but it was a special occasion and she was with Elliott. I trusted him fully.

I held out my hand to shake Elliott's hand. He hesitated a moment, but then took it, looking me in the eye. I was his stepfather, but he was also my daughter's partner. I wanted him to know I was entrusting her safety to him and that I knew he'd handle it. They were both life long New Yorkers and knew the city well.

They congratulated me and darted away for a night on the town. Pippa approached, still glowing, and picked up our son. Our two children, who had brought us together. I chuckled as I thought about how Pippa used to despise me. This unimaginable turn of events had forced us together and turned us into a family.

Our blended family of two teenagers and two little kids was perfect. I felt a wave of happiness wash over me, realizing I really couldn't ask for more.

At home, we both tucked the kids into bed. I managed to get a sleeping Jack out of his little tux and into pj's. Hopefully they'd sleep in the next day and my new wife and I could have a lazy morning in bed.

Well after midnight, we climbed into bed, glad to be out of our formal clothing. Pippa was gorgeous, no matter what she wore. I opened my arms as she climbed in and she rested her head on my shoulder.

"I love you so much," I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, stroking her dark hair.

"Love you too," she said. "Husband."

I smirked. That sounded nice. We soon began to kiss deeply and lost ourselves in each other.

"You know, with Joey going to college next year we'll have an extra bedroom..." I pointed out. She studied me furiously, wrapping her legs around my hips.

"What are you suggesting, Lin?"

"We have your kid, my kid, and our adoptive kids," I pointed out. "Seems like to seal the deal maybe we should have one or our own."

She smiled widely and pulled my face to hers. Her fervent kisses gave me her answer.

THE END