Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Wedding

***

* warning: implied nudity/sexual scene *

Eight months later...

"Are you nervous, Jordan?"

Jordan eyed Jess with a flat look. "Is that really a question you should be asking me on my wedding day?"

"Hey, who knows, you might be getting cold feet," Jess reasoned, a grin on her face that pulled at the  healing scars slashed across her face. It would take a little longer for them to heal, but they were healing, as was Jess herself. While still a quieter, more mellow version of who she had been, her spark, her boldness had been steadily returning, especially with the therapy sessions she'd been having for the past eight months. While she may never be the exactly same person she was before, Jordan was confident that with time Jess would recover, would be somewhat herself again.

Signs they all could recover from that night on the mountain.

Jordan rolled her eyes as she sipped champagne from her flute, shoving away the memories, the trauma, the very thought of Blackwood Mountain brought. "Trust me, Jess, I'm not getting cold feet. Not in a million years."

"But are you nervous, Jord? You can tell us, after all," Emily asked, a twinkle in her eyes as she and Jess grinned like cats—Jordan had forgotten how devious they could be together.

"I'm nervous," Jordan admitted. "But mostly excited and that I can't believe it's actually happening. These past eight months have been such a whirlwind with college, medical school and actually planning the wedding and now... it's actually here. Doesn't feel real, almost."

"Hey, that bachelorette part felt pretty real," Sam pointed out, a mischievous smirk on her face.

Jordan glared at Sam at the reminder of the wild night that had been her bachelorette party. "Okay one, we don't talk about the bachelorette party. And two, even with that... it still didn't feel real. But I'm more excited. I can't wait till I'm up there and we can exchanged vows and..."

Jordan smiled, the giddy rush filling her of today, battling with her nerves over it, that it had finally arrived.

Her wedding day.

Sam raised her glass. "Well, let's toast to this last moment where Jordan is still Jordan Rutcher, before she becomes Mrs. Jordan Delgado!"

Jordan, Emily and Jess raised their glasses to toast before Jess corrected, "Wait, wouldn't that be Dr. Jordan Delgado?"

"It fucking should be," Emily confirmed as she grinned at Jordan. "My girl isn't getting a medical degree just to be called Mrs. Delgado."

Jordan smiled. "Trust me, I'll make sure people call me Dr. when talking about me. Like Em said, I didn't work my ass off and be drained by med school earning that degree not to be called that."

The three other girls laughed as they clinked their champagne flutes together, drinking it down as Jordan stared out the window, seeing the sun rise over the grounds where hers and Mateo's wedding ceremony would be held, promising it to be a beautiful, magical day.

Jordan smiled—she already couldn't wait to walk down the aisle and be with Mateo in the outdoors—they'd both agreed early on they wanted an outdoor wedding and in a temperate season. Spring was too close but autumn... it was perfect for them. To see him at the altar, watching her walk down the aisle in her wedding dress, as they were both so happy to be married together, to exchange their vows and rings. To be together for the rest of their lives.

Especially after everything eight months ago.

But right now, Jordan enjoyed spending time with Emily, Sam and Jess, her maid of honour and bridesmaids. Her friends, who were closer than ever after everything along with everyone else. And while she loved her male friends, Jordan enjoyed being with her female friends, to spend her last few hours as an unmarried woman with them sipping champagne, eating chocolates and pastries, chatting and laughing.

Speaking of female friends...

"Sorry I'm late! I overslept!" Ashley exclaimed as she ran into Jordan's suite, cheeks flushed. As she saw Jordan was still not dressed, her hair and makeup not done, she relaxed. "Oh! I'm not late after all."

"No, you're right on time," Emily muttered in a tart tone, glaring into her champagne flute. Jordan nudged Emily and gave her a look that said, Be nice. Emily glared back but sighed, the glare's heat lessened slightly. For the sake of her best friend getting married today, she could play nice with Ashley for a while.

Jordan sighed, relaxing at that. While she'd mostly forgiven Ashley, Emily had, understandably, still not forgiven the redhead for what had nearly happened in the safe room eight months ago. Every chance she'd get, Emily would snipe at or make digs at Ashley and give her withering glares. Jordan didn't know how long until Emily would try to at least tolerate Ashley, but considering she was only just stopping being frigid to Mike, then Jordan knew it would be a long, long time.

Still, she was glad Emily was willing to play nice today for her sake. She just wanted to share in this moment with her friends—all her friends—and not have any drama started.

Jess poured Ashley a glass of champagne and Sam handed her one of the croissants and some strawberry jam.

"Oh, thank you so much, Sam!" Ashley exclaimed, munching on the croissant as she sighed before looking at Jordan. "So. How are you? Are you nervous?"

Jordan sighed, tipping her head back. "Why is this the question of the day?"

"I thought the big question of the day would end with 'I do'," Jess said slyly, a grin shadowing her scarred face. 

"It is, but to answer that question... I am a little, but I'm mostly excited," Jordan answered as she snagged a pastry and munched on it, eyes fluttering at the delicious taste of the flaky pastry in her mouth. "But, I have to ask. How are the guys doing?"

"You mean Mateo?" Sam asked. As Jordan shot her a glare, she laughed. "Oh come on. You weren't being subtle at all."

"I'm the bride. He's the groom. Isn't it natural to ask about my soon-to-be-husband?" Jordan asked, before she froze. "Wow. I'm going to be married soon. I just... wow. I'm going to be married to Mateo.  I get to call him my husband! He's going to be my husband! The love of my life is going to be my husband! Am I smiling? I feel like I'm smiling."

"You're practically beaming, Jordie," Jess told her, still smiling.

"You're fucking glowing, babes," Emily informed, but the snarky words dissolved under the slight, genuine smile ghosting her face.

"I just...  it just feels amazing, that we get to take this next step together. That we're going to be married. It just... feels right," Jordan said, that smile still across her face as she looked at her female friends, at the male friends who would be with Mateo right now. "And that we're all here together for it."

"Amen to that," Sam said, though a flicker of pain touched her face, as it strained Jordan's smile. That they were all here, except for three people.

Beth. Hannah. Josh.

Seats had been reserved for them, of course, and for their parents if they wanted to come. Seats that would never be filled but reserved to honour their memory. To have them be there in spirit, if anything.

Jordan liked to think they, especially Beth and Hannah, would have been thrilled to see her and Mateo get married. She wanted to think happily of them today instead of when she last saw the twins—Hannah, in the lodge before it exploded, Beth in her casket, an empty one beside her, six months ago during their funeral—and when she last saw Josh—in the mines, naively thinking they'd all make it off the mountain, that they wouldn't lose Josh to the evil and madness of the mines—to not have the tragedy of what had happened to them, the guilt she still felt gnawing at her that no amount of therapy or comforting words from Mateo, Mike and Sam offered could take away, affect the happiness of this day. She wanted to think about how Hannah and Beth would have been laughing and chatting here with her, of Josh being stoked and asking if he could be in charge of lighting and any special effects for the wedding even if the answer to special effects would be a firm No. She wanted to think of them being happy, to not let what happened taint today.

She hoped they were, though. She hoped they were happy for her and Mateo.

Blinking away the tears threatening to brim in her eyes, she smiled at her female friends before looking at Ashley. "Again, Ash. How are the guys?"

"Oh, they're okay—I think they're still trying to continue the bachelor party for Mateo," Ashley revealed, grinning.

"Of course they would. Those freaking boys," Emily scoffed with an eye-roll.

Jordan nudged her best friend playfully before Jess asked, "So, Ash... did you and Chris..."

Ashley grinned coyly. "Maybe?"

Jess laughed, a laugh that wasn't quite like hers, but close enough, as Ashley retorted, "Don't play innocent here, Jessica. I'm sure you and Mike weren't just doing any snuggling last night."

"Wouldn't you like to know," Jess replied slyly before she turned to Emily. "What about you, Em?"

Emily tipped back her glass, drinking the last of her champagne before answering, "I think... I want to give Matt another shot."

"Wait, really?" Jordan asked, surprised, before she grinned. "That's awesome! I always thought you guys would be good together."

"Really? I thought you'd be bad for each other. Like he was just some rebound," Jess questioned, before wincing as they all realised what the rebound meant.

"Yeah, at first that was it. It was the whole reason and I... treated him terribly, I can admit that. But he was really sweet and kind and he didn't make fun of your anxiety, Jordan—he even tried to help you. Only Mike's ever been like that. For a meatbrain," Emily admitted, sighing. "But I think we should have ended things when we did and then... come back for the right reasons."

"Well, I hope it works out for you and Matt this time, Em," Ashley said, an olive branch.

"Thanks," Emily replied, the word terse but nothing like the acid in her words regarding the past eight months.

"Speaking of guys... what about you, Sam? Found anyone in the past eight months?" Jordan questioned.

"Not really. Just focusing on myself," Sam replied, smiling even as pain pulled at the corners of her eyes again. As well as she hid it, Jordan could tell—Sam was grieving Josh, that there had been hints of something between them, and now he was gone and she was hurting over what could never been. She reached and squeezed Sam's hand, the blonde looking at her and giving her a smile of thanks, squeezing Jordan's hand back.

 As Jordan and Sam let go, Jess looked out the window and commented, "Hey, Jordie, what time does your wedding start again?"

"At 12—just a few hours from now," Jordan answered as she looked at the door, where the hair stylists and makeup artists would come in to get her, Emily, Sam, Ashley and Jess ready for the wedding, where people would bring in Emily's maid of honour dress and the bridesmaid dresses for Sam, Jess and Ashley.

And her wedding dress.

A spark of excitement burned in Jordan at how close it was getting, that soon the other guests would arrive, that she'd see Mateo soon at the altar.

As if her thoughts had summoned him, a knock on the door came and her soon-to-be-husband's voice asked, "Jordan? May I come in, mi amor?"

"Absolutely not!" Emily yelled as she ran to the door, opening it a crack as she glared at Mateo. "Have you heard it's bad luck to see the bride before you're married, Romeo?"

"I thought it was bad luck to see the bride when she has her dress on?" Mateo retorted, and Jordan could see the wry grin on his face.

"It's still bad luck!"

"Oh come on, Em, can I see my wife for just a second?"

"Sorry, honey, but you're gonna have to see me at the altar!" Jordan called out to him, Ashley and Jess snickering as Sam rolled her eyes fondly.

"Oh well, in that case, guess I'll just have to wait. I love you, mi amor!" Mateo called back to her. "Can't wait to get married to you today!"

"Same here! I love you too, honey!" Jordan replied, a grin stretching across her face. "Say hi to the boys for me!"

"Yes, yes, say hi to them. Now leave! You'll see your Juliet later, Romeo. Now scram!" Emily ordered, as bossy as she usually was.

"Yes, ma'am," Mateo replied. "Love you, querida!"

"Love you too, honey!"

"Love you more!"

"Love you even more!"

"Love you—"

"Leave," Emily interrupted through gritted teeth.

Mateo chuckled. "Alright, I'm going. Love you, Jordan!"

Then Mateo was walking away as Emily closed the door, rolling her eyes at the impatience of Mateo as Jordan, Ashley, Jess and Sam laughed at it as the dark-haired girl walked back to them, huffing in annoyance.

"I swear to God, if he hadn't left one second longer, I would have shut the door on his face," Emily grumbled, chewing a croissant forcefully.

"Oh come on, Em. I'm sure Mateo seeing Jordan on their big day wouldn't be the end of the world," Jess said as she leaned against the chair, wincing slightly as the move pulled at the healing scars stretching across her torso, but she didn't show much pain other than that.

"It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. And we don't need any more bad luck," Emily retorted.

At that, the light in Jess' eyes dimmed, fingers reaching up to gingerly touch the scars striping her face. "Right. Yeah, you're right."

The mood darkened at the implication of Emily's words, of all the bad luck they had, before Jordan smiled and said, "Come on. It's my wedding, and a lovely day outside! It's going to be happy today, okay?"

"She's right. Today's gonna be a happy day," Ashley agreed, smiling as well.

"Exactly. I know it's gonna be sad, without them here. We're gonna wish they're here. That... last year and eight months ago didn't happen. I wish they were here as well, that the twins were with us right now. But they'd be happy for me and Mateo, I know it. And today will be a good day, a happy day. I know it," Jordan finished, smiling softly as her friends returned it. While it would be sad, to not have them there, to have those empty seats, Jordan would not let that darken the mood. 

Today was going to be a good day. Jordan just knew it would be.

They continued to chatter, talking about college and future plans and general girl talks as, at some point, Jess started playing Taylor Swift to "set the mood", until the door opened and a familiar bark filled the room.

Jordan beamed. "Wolfie!"

The wolf loped toward her, his paws resting on her knees as Jordan ruffled his fur, panting as his tail wagged.

"Hi boy!" she cooed, ruffling his ears. "Did you miss me? Who's a good boy? It's you, Wolfie! It's you!"

Wolfie barked, nudging his snout against her chest and nearly sending Jordan against the chair as she laughed, scratching his ear. "Easy, boy! Don't want bruised ribs today."

Wolfie snapped his jaws before he rested on the ground by her feet, Jordan bending down to pet him as Sam and Ashley petted Wolfie, the wolf's tail wagging at all the pets he was receiving.

"I see Mateo was willing to relinquish Wolfie to me," Jordan noted as she looked at the tanned, dark-haired woman who just entered.

"Oh trust me, he was receiving all the love before I told my brother his wife would like to give him some love," Gabriella Delgado informed her, walking froward as she stroked the wolf. "I still can't believe you're allowed to keep a freaking wolf. Not that I can blame you—he's such a sweetheart."

Jordan looked at her friends, before she shrugged. "Just one of that happy coincidences."

After everything that happened, Jordan and Mateo talked before deciding they would adopt Wolfie, as both had gotten quite attached to him, and Wolfie had gotten attached to them as well. But the struggle came when they got back home and the difficulty of a wolf as a pet before Jordan lied and said they found Wolfie after his previous owner and that he was now her new service animal for her anxiety. The authorities didn't believe it until Agent Caldwell helped by providing paperwork and that, yes, Wolfie had been training to be a guard animal and help humans until his last owner tragically passed away. The paperwork and Wolfie's more or less tame nature, his injured leg that would never properly heal and the fact it would harm Wolfie if they returned him to the wild since he was so used to humans and the state of his leg convinced them, leaving the couple alone. And while it wasn't easy having a wolf as a pet—Mateo and Jordan both decided after they got married, they'd try for a house with a wide area of space so Wolfie had more freedom to run, and they used government hush money to keep the wolf fed—it was a joy to have Wolfie, and that her lie became truth as Wolfie did help Jordan with anxiety, being intuitive to when she was getting anxious or a panic attack was getting close, and he also reminded her via whining and shoving her with his nose to eat and drink when she forgot during studying along with Mateo. Plus, he was great at warning them about intruders and scaring them off.

"Well, whatever led to you getting him, I'm glad you did. Though did you consider sending him to a reservation before adopting him?" Gabriella asked.

"We did, but well... we both love him and I don't think he would have been okay at a reservation, especially with his leg," Jordan explained as she petted him, Wolfie lifting his head to lick at her face as she laughed. "Easy, boy. I don't want wolf slobber on my face today."

"Or on your dress or any of our dresses," Emily added pointedly as she eyed the wolf warily. She didn't mind Wolfie, but she was more of a cat person.

"I'm sure we can keep Wolfie away from our dresses," Sam told Emily with a smirk as Emily rolled her eyes.

"Speaking of dresses, I saw your stylists and everyone arriving while I was bringing Wolfie here," Gabriella revealed.

"Okay," Jordan said before she looked at Wolfie. "Sorry, boy, but I have to get ready now. I'll see you later, okay?"

Wolfie whined, but stood up and padded back to Gabriella, limping slightly due to his right leg having, indeed, not healed right, who took the wolf out of the room and back to the boys—and just in time as the people who would get Jordan and her friends ready waltzed in, makeup kits and the bags holding their dresses in their hands.

The next couple of hours was a whirlwind of chatter, drinks and getting ready. The most attention was on Jordan, as she was the bride getting married today as she told her stylists what she wanted—her hair to be curled into waves and left to flow freely down her back, and a natural look to her face for her makeup since she didn't wear much makeup in her daily life. They listened, making her up as Jess, sitting near her, looked at what the makeup artists were doing critically and asked questions to the one doing her makeup about it, as that was what she wanted to do now. She'd always been interested in the beauty industry, at first wanting to be a model. But after her face and body had been horrifically scarred and despite what her friends told her that her scars didn't take away from her beauty, Jessica gave up that dream but became interested in another field she'd also always had an interest in—makeup. The last she heard about it, Jess had been trying to pursue doing a course in it, in becoming a makeup artist. Jordan hoped she'd succeed, that she'd be great at it.

"Would you like this, Ms.?"

Torn out of her thoughts, Jordan looked at the eyeshadow palette the artist was showing her, the colour she was pointing to. Jordan smiled and said, "Yes. Yes, I'd like that."

The artist nodded before she continued doing her work, the brush whispering across Jordan's skin. She let herself be absorbed in it until her hair and makeup was done, her friends grinning and complimenting her, already in their dresses, as Emily and Ashley snapped pictures and video recorded the whole process, until the big moment came—getting into her dress.

Heart pounding with nervous excitement, Jordan watched as it was unzipped and she changed in a seperate room, staring at herself in the mirror before she went back into the main room. When she did, her friends' jaws dropped.

"I guess I look good, huh?" Jordan asked, smiling shyly as the veil was settled on her, her necklaces of rings clinking softly against the fabric—the only jewellery she was wearing today.

"Jordan, you look amazing. Mateo's going to be stunned when he sees you," Ashley complimented.

"Like he should be," Emily said, Jess nodding in agreement.

Jordan smiled, blushing slightly. "Thanks guys. I just... It's really happening."

Her friends smiled before Sam said, "We're gonna go now and get ready. See you in a few minutes."

"Yeah," Jordan replied, still smiling as her friends left and her dad came in a couple minutes later, eyes wet.

"Look at my little girl," he murmured, holding her hands.

"Dad, don't cry. You're gonna make me cry," Jordan said, smiling as tears pricked at her eyes.

"Sorry, I just... your mom would love seeing you on this day. To see you so happy," her dad said, the tears shining brighter.

Jordan's throat grew thick, thinking of her mom, of Mateo's dad. Of how happy they'd be for her and Mateo today.

"Come on, princess. It's time for your big day," her dad murmured, kissing her on the head before they walked out of the room, Jordan's heart thumping and a smile on her face.

Today was her wedding, and it was now the ceremony.

It was now the moment she and Mateo would be married.

***

The wedding ceremony venue was magical.

The green grounds sprawled, well-maintained but not strictly manicured. Trees bordered the grounds, their leaves a riot of fiery colour as they slowly drifted through the air like embers. In the middle was the seats, a white carpet running down the aisle across the grass, leading to the altar underneath an arch of flowers. There, Mateo waited for her in a dashing suit, Mike also wearing a suit as he stood next to Mateo as the best man, Emily on the other side as the maid of honour, looking stunning in a green dress, as the officiator was in the centre. Sam, Ashley and Jess had already gone down the aisle and were standing in front of chairs in the front row, wearing lilac dresses that weren't exactly the same but similar along with Chris and Matt as the groomsmen. Family and friends were sitting in chairs, Gabriella having hold of Wolfie, all eager to see the bride walk down the aisle.

And walk down she did.

As the first notes of Taylor Swift's Love Story played out from a hidden speaker near the altar, an orchestral cover of it, the guests stood up and turned as Mateo did as well as Jordan walked down the aisle, holding a bouquet of roses, lilacs and daffodils, her father walking her down the aisle.

When Mateo saw Jordan, his jaw dropped at how incredible she looked.

She was wearing a sleeveless dress with spaghetti straps, showing off the fine scars from the scratches she'd received eight months ago on her arms, and a sweetheart neckline. The top part was embroidered with flowers, trailing down into the skirt as it flowered around Jordan's legs, the veil drifting angelically in the slight autumn wind. Her hair was done in loose waves along her back, and her face glowed with a natural look, dusky gold eyeshadow making her blue eyes even more stunning than they already were, peach-pink lips curved up in a smile as she walked down the aisle to him.

She looked wonderful. She looked gorgeous. 

She looked beautiful. And Mateo smiled, counting himself lucky he was marrying this beautiful, incredible person today.

When Jordan walked up onto the altar, both she and Mateo couldn't stop smiling as they looked at each other, as her dad rejoined her side of the family and they all sat down, the ceremony now beginning.

"Hi," Mateo breathed.

"Hi," Jordan whispered. 

"You look... wow," Mateo whispered, stunned again by how Jordan looked.

"So do you," Jordan murmured, smiling at how handsome Mateo looked in that suit. How she was so lucky to be marrying this man.

"Dearly beloved," the officiator announced. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Jordan Rutcher and Mateo Delgado. Marriage is a commitment, an eternal trust between two partners, to be there for each other, to share and grow in love together, to commit the rest of your lives together. It is both beautiful and hard, but the best marriages in my opinion are the ones where you grow stronger from hardship. And this couple just shows just how strong, how beautiful, love can be."

Jordan and Mateo smiled, knowing exactly the kind of hardships they faced. the tragedies and horrors they'd survived through. They held each other's hands tighter before letting go as the officiator declared, "The couple have chosen to write their own vows to each other. They may say them to each other now."

The officiator looked at Mateo as he pulled out a piece of paper, unfolding it as he looked at the words written there before looking at Jordan, love and adoration all over his face.

"Jordan," Mateo started, "I love you. I know that sounds cliche, but I do. I love you. I think I started loving you all those years ago, during that fateful project and I got over my wrong view of you and saw you as a kind, selfless, compassionate, determined, incredibly strong person. Every second, every day, every week, every month that we spent working on it, that I got to know you more, I got to love you just a little bit more than I already did, until I fell in love with you so much, I didn't even know if it could be possible to love you more, and yet every day you just prove it is, that I fall in love with you more than I already have. I love you so much, Jordan, I love you in the sunshine and in the night, I love you when you smell spring flowers and dance with snowflakes in your air. I love you no matter how you look, even when you think you look like a mess. I love you on your good days and your bad, I love all your darkness, all your scars. I love every part of you, that there is not a world where I won't ever stop loving you. Because there isn't, because I will always love you. In every universe, every lifetime, I'd always find my way back to you, to make the same choices again so I can love you again. I will always choose you, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us. That I can love you even more than I already do."

Jordan's eyes were wet with the heartfelt words Mateo shared, the beautiful vows he'd written as she pulled out her own slip of paper, sniffling.

"Mateo," she started, laughing as she sniffled back her tears. "When I first met you, I did not like you. I can say that now."

Laughter sprung up, mostly between Jordan and Mateo as they remembered how they hadn't tolerated each other, had such misconceptions of each other until that fateful project, as the laughter died down and she continued, "But on that project, I saw you. I saw the real you. I saw the passion you had, the loyalty and love you have for your friends and family, the dedication you have for those you love, the causes you follow, and the drive you have to pursue a career that might make things better in the inside. I think when I saw you, the real you, and got to know that, I fell in love with you, and I just kept loving you until I didn't know a world where I hadn't loved you, that as we became more than friends, we said those words to each other, to this moment, it's all felt so natural, so right for it to be with you, the man I love so much. You always make me laugh when I feel like I can't, you are always there to pick me up and support me when I'm in the darkness and my mind and anxiety just fights against me, have been so supportive of my goal as a doctor, and always make sure I spend time for myself and take care of myself when I forget, to do small things that have me love you more. And we've had our ups and down, had our fights, but we've talked and come out stronger for it, have been there for each other when we've faced tragedy and... one of the most horrific nights of our lives. You're the most kind, passionate, loving, dedicated, wonderful person I've known and I will always love you, that if we have a thousand years together I will always love you, that in a thousand lifetimes, a thousand choices laid out before me, I would choose you in every time, that I would always make the choices that lead me back to you, that has me love you again. Because I always will. I will always love you, I will always choose you, and I'm so excited to see what awaits us after this. To a future where I can fall even more in love with you than I already do now."

She and Mateo held hands, staring at each other with adoring smiles and loving eyes, as behind them tissues and sniffles rang out, not a dry eye left at the heartfelt, loving vows shared—even Emily and Mike were struggling to hold back their tears as they smiled at the happiness and love their best friends shared for each other.

The officiator smiled as he looked at Jordan and Mateo, at the beautiful, loving couple he was fortunate to marry today, as he gestured for the rings to be brought up. Looking at the couple, he said as they took the rings, "Mateo Delgado, do you take Jordan as your wife, to love her in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

"I do," Mateo said, smiling at Jordan as he slid the silver band on Jordan's ring finger.

"And do you, Jordan Rutcher, take Mateo as your husband, to love him in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

"I do," Jordan said, grinning as she slid the silver band onto Mateo's ring finger.

The officiator smiled. "Then I pronounce you as husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"

Cheering erupted as Jordan pulled Mateo into a kiss, her husband—her husband!—dipping her as he held her. They pulled back, smiling, before kissing again as they straightened and they pulled away, smiling as their family and friends and others they wanted there cheered, smiled and clapped for them.

They were married. They were married.

And Jordan felt the happiest she'd ever felt in her life.

***

Fairy lights twinkled over the reception venue as the day faded into dusk, golds, pinks, lilacs and oranges painted across the sky's canvas, a magical end to a magical day.

After the wedding photos had been taken, the guests and the bride and groom went to the reception to eat, dance and party, everyone finding their spots at the tables set out in the reception area inside a wooden hall, fairy lights strewn across the wooden beams and casting soft golden light upon the guests and the circular tables with white clothes, place cards and bouquets of flowers in vases around the room, near the rectangular table where the bride and groom, their parents, and the best man and maid of honour sat. Around the room were tables where flowers and wedding gifts were, as in the back a speaker would play music for the first dance and then the dances after. Chatter and laughter filled the room as Wolfie laid down next to Mike, Mateo's niece and nephews petting him and giggling while their parents watched with fond smiles before pulling the children away from the wolf to sit down as the host of the wedding, Jordan's father, stood up and announced, "And now, here comes the bride and groom!"

Cheers and clapping came as Jordan and Mateo walked into the hall, grinning as they moved to the table and sat down. When they did, Mateo pressed a kiss to Jordan's cheek, Jordan smiling as she held Mateo's hand. Noticing his owners and new pack had arrived, Wolfie got up and moved to sit behind Mateo and Jordan, Mike giving a mock-betrayed look to Mateo and Jordan as Mateo grinned and Jordan laughed, leaning back to stroke Wolfie's fur before her dad cleared his throat, holding up a set of cards up.

"Jordan, my little girl. You look so amazing and grown up and happy, and as a father, I can't be happier you've found a nice, wonderful man to spend your life with—even if he should remember our conversation when I first found out he was dating my only daughter," her father began, giving a glare at Mateo that had her husband shrink and give a sheepish smile as everyone chuckled.

Jordan rolled her eyes. "Dad."

"Hey, I'm just looking out for my princess," her father said, grinning as he continued, eyes glinting, "But I know that Mateo... he is the right man for my daughter. I've seen how much they love each other, and while I would have preferred they finish college first, I can't blame them for getting as quickly married as they did, that it would be right for them to take this next step now rather than later, especially after all that has happened to my daughter and son-in-law, and I for one will be the first to say I am happy for them, that they can spend the rest of their lives together. And I know, Jordan, your mom would be just as proud and happy of not only the woman you'd become, but also of the man you have found, that you love and are married to. That we both are."

Jordan smiled, eyes shining wetly as Mateo held her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Thanks, Dad."

Her dad smiled before he cleared his throat again. "That's all from me. And remember—treat my daughter right, Mateo, or we'll have words."

"Yes, sir," Mateo replied as everyone laughed and her father joined them, hugging Jordan and clapping Mateo on the shoulder—the one with the healing bite. Mateo winced, but hid it underneath a smile as her father sat down.

Jordan thought Mateo would go next, but Mike was the next one up, taking the microphone and holding his cards awkwardly in his left hand since he now only had three fingers on that hand. He let out a chuckle as he held the microphone to his face.

"Wow. Never thought I'd be standing here," Mike said, before adding, "Have to admit, you lovebirds are crazy getting married so soon. Putting the rest of us to shame here."

Emily scoffed. "As if you're ready to get married and do commitment, Michael!"

"Love ya too, Em," Mike responded, grinning as everyone chuckled at the banter. "But I have to say... if anyone would be the first to get married among our friend group, it'd be my best friend and that lovely girl sitting over there. I mean, I think I said it pretty much ever since you two got together and were so in love with each other, that you'd get married first out of all of us. You look beautiful, Jor-Jor, by the way."

"Thanks, Mike," Jordan said dryly despite the smile fighting to break free on her face.

"And you look pretty great yourself, man. You two make a really lovely couple, and I'm glad you guys... got the chance to make it to this day," Mike went on, and the eight others who knew what he meant looked down, avoiding looking at the three seats Jordan and Mateo had reserved just like they'd done during the ceremony, Jordan and Mateo holding each other's hands tightly. "But, I am happy you guys got the chance to get married. You guys deserve it, to have a happy life together, especially after all that shit eight months ago. And I wish you all the best, happiness for the rest of your lives together and all that. All I can do now... Mateo, willing to return the favour when it's my turn?"

"We'll see in a few years or a decade. Maybe two," Mateo called back and everyone chuckled.

"Congrats, Jordan and Mateo. And I hope you two have a fun night after, if you know what I mean," Mike finished, a knowing grin on his face as Jordan exclaimed, "Mike!"

Mike just grinned as he set the microphone on a table and rejoined the table, clapping Mateo on his non-scarred shoulder before he hugged Jordan, Jordan hugging him back as she smiled. "That was a great speech. How many hours did you spend rehearsing it?"

"Too many to count," Mike muttered as he pulled away and sat back down as Mateo got up and picked up the microphone, sliding some cards out as he looked at them.

"Okay," he said before he looked at Jordan. "What can I say that I haven't already said? Even now, being actually married to you... it's like a dream. A wonderful dream that's come true, and I'm certain it would always feel like a dream from now on, that I've married the most incredible woman to ever exist, who I love so much and who keeps surprising me every day with her kindness and her strength, who lets me see and help her when she's vulnerable, when she's at her lowest. That I'm glad that we got this chance after what happened, after what we'd been through on Blackwood Mountain, what ee had to survive... made us stronger for it, had our love grow stronger. Even though those we wish could be here... can't and never will be here."

Mateo swallowed as he looked down, Jordan also looking down as the memories washed over her, their horror dulled by today. The tragedy of the three who would never make it off the mountain softened by the joy of today.

Mateo regained his composure, before he looked at Jordan and finished, "But mostly, I am happy that I got to marry you. You're the most amazing, strong, kind-hearted, compassionate, driven person and I am so lucky to love you, to have you as my wife. Te amo, amor. Te amaré por toda mi vida y después de ella, que te amaré después de que muramos y en cualquier otra vida que tengamos la suerte de tener, para encontrarnos. Siempre te encontraré y te amaré, siempre te elegiré, mi amor."

Smiles and "Aww"s rang out as Mateo put down the microphone and his speech before he walked up to the table as Jordan stood up, smiling as she leaned down and Mateo stood in front of her, head tilted back as they kissed, setting off cheers and claps and grins before they pulled apart and Jordan whispered, "I love you too, honey. So much."

Mateo smiled, kissing Jordan again before they pulled apart and he sat next to her, fingers intertwined as dinner began—starter, main and dessert, with options available for guests with other dietary needs. Jordan and Mateo had talked if they wanted to serve meat at all given what they faced eight months ago, but they decided that they would have meat as an option and if they got sick looking at it, thinking of the mountain, then they could choose the vegetarian option. Chatter and laughter rang out as dinner commenced, as their friends and family came to talk to them, Mateo and Jordan laughing and talking, but mostly they just looked at each other adoringly, smiling at each other and holding hands, acting almost like they were teenagers again, newly in love, and yet not as well, that it felt like a combination of things—the joy and ephemeral feeling of new love, and the contentment and worn softness of many decades spent together, loving each other. It all felt like that.

As dinner came to a close, dessert was served up in the form of their wedding cake—two layers, one tres de leches, the second red velvet, both Mateo's and hers favourite cakes combined into one—with pale lilac fondant covering it, pearls bejewelling the fondant as roses and daffodils adorned the rims and top of the cake, the flowers being the cake topper instead of her and Mateo. All the guests got up, following Mateo and Jordan as they walked up to their wedding cake, knife in hand. The married couple grinned at each other before, with one hand holding the knife each, they cut the cake together and served the first two slices to each other, before Mateo and Jordan cut the cake for the rest of the guests. Some wanted both layers, others wanted just red velvet or tres de leches, but whatever slice they got, they were happy with what they got—though Mateo did narrowly avoid having his face shoved into the cake by Mike, Chris and Matt, Jordan, Sam and Ashley putting a stop to that. Memorable, yes, but would have left the cake unusable for the rest of their guests.

When the cake was eaten, Jordan's dad walked out back onto the dance floor and announced, "And now, I think it's time the happy couple has their first dance!"

Whoops and cheers rang out as Jordan and Mateo smiled and got up, holding each other's hands as he lead her onto the dance floor, her dress flowing behind her as Mateo swept her into his arms, in the same position they were in eight months ago as they waltzed on the mountain, before he proposed to her. Jordan smiled at him as he lead her into a waltz as the speakers started playing their song—Ours.

Jordan rested her head on Mateo's shoulder as they waltzed around the dance floor, her skirts flaring around her legs, a smile on her face as she felt Mateo's hand on the small of her back, how secure and happy she felt. That she was dancing with Mateo, the love of her life, her husband, to their song. They danced around the floor, until Mateo scooped her up and spun her around like he'd done during their proposal dance. Jordan laughed, her skirts and hair flying around her, arms around Mateo as she and Mateo smiled at each other, the lights spinning like stars around them, before he set her down and waltzed again with her, twirling her around and out before pulling her in and picking her back up, spinning her again, Jordan's laughter ringing out as she stared at Mateo with nothing but love in her eyes, Mateo looking at her adoringly, like he was enchanted by her, before he set her down again and then twirled her out and spun her back to him, her back against his chest, swaying together as they smiled before he pulled her out and kissed her just as their song finished.

When they pulled back, Jordan and Mateo were smiling.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too," she whispered, before they left the dance floor as their first dance opened the floodgates for the guests to dance.

The floor crowded with people as the music shifted to dance music, everyone dancing and partying. Jordan and her dad shared a dance, as Mateo shared dances with his mom, his sisters and his niece and nephews, and of course with all their friends. At one point, the floor cleared as Jordan held her bouquet and Emily, Jess, Sam, Ashley and a couple of her female friends from med school grouped behind her. With a grin and her back to them, Jordan threw the bouquet behind her before she turned around and saw with a gasp of delight Ashley had the bouquet, a look of shock on her face that she actually caught it as she and Chris shared a look before both looked away immediately after, blushing furiously.

But as the night wore on, most people stopped dancing and just sat down and chatted, while those still eager—or very drunk—kept on dancing, with those who were parents with kids having retired early in the night, as did Wolfie as Gabriella took him away back to the happy couple's room. Jordan and Mateo had sat down at a table, chatting with their friends, where Jordan had noticed Emily and Matt being close, smiles on their faces as they exchanged looks at each other, even as their smiles became sombre as Chris said, "Hannah would have loved this. Beth would, too. Josh would just be happy for you guys and try and get wasted and shove Mateo's head in the cake."

"They really would have liked this, to have seen you guys get married," Matt agreed as Jordan and Mateo nodded.

"Yeah. I hope they would have," Mateo murmured, holding Jordan as he looked at his wife. She'd been getting better, with her guilt, but sometimes it would strike her and he would just hold her and comfort her as she sobbed and broke down in grief and guilt over the Washington siblings, as he held his own guilt for not saving Josh even if it saved his life and lead to this moment with Jordan.

"They're probably excited for you guys wherever they are now, as we are right now," Ashley said, trying to optimistic. None of them made mention Josh wasn't dead—just stuck in a fate worse than death.

"Yeah," Jordan murmured, leaning against her husband before she stood up. "I'm gonna get some fresh air."

"You okay, querida?" Mateo asked.

"I'm fine, honey. Just a little hot in here," Jordan assured, pressing a kiss to Mateo's hand before she walked away and out of the hall, leaning against the frame as she sipped from her glass of water, watching the stars sprayed across the night sky next to the full moon blazing brightly among the stars, champagne and happiness buzzing pleasantly in her veins.

"I was hoping to run into you tonight."

Jordan turned, and she smiled at seeing the familiar face. "Hey, Helen. Didn't think you'd come."

"Of course I'd come," Agent Helen Caldwell replied, holding a flute of champagne, wearing a one-shouldered purple dress. "It's nice to see you happy, given everything that happened to you and your friends months ago."

Jordan winced. Due to Josh's disappearance and the stranger's—Jack's—body being recovered, suspicion and accusation had been cast on her and her friends, that they were accused of killing Jack and Josh, of even being responsible for Beth and Hannah's deaths. While it was true the prank had been what had driven Hannah and Beth to their fates, and they technically killed Hannah in the lodge, nothing else was true. But it hadn't stopped the accusations, the rumours, from spreading, especially when they couldn't tell the truth due to the NDAs they had been made to sign, and media outlets—including a new podcast called Bizarre Yet Bonafide—hounding them about what really happened, if they were murderers walking free instead of survivors who had endured the most horrifying night of their lives.

It got so bad that Jordan had called Agent Caldwell, and she and her team had helped them, by saying that an animal had been responsible for it all. It wasn't even close to the truth, but the public had eaten it up and it ensured that Jordan, Mateo and their friends could lead normal lives. But that, plus her help with Wolfie and giving them some money to help pay for their wedding, had the agent become a sort of friend and Jordan had sent her an invitation, though she hadn't expected her to show up.

So it was a pleasant surprise she was.

"Yeah, it was. It was the most magical day of my life," Jordan said, smiling. "Thanks, though, for helping us out."

"You were innocent and survived a horrific, traumatising night and lost three of your closest friends to that hell. It wasn't right they did that," Agent Caldwell replied, before she frowned. "I did hear that podcast episode—Bizarre Yet Bonafide, was it? An... interesting episode."

"It's not going to come crashing down on us, right?" Jordan asked, anxiety rising up. "It was horrible, them hounding us but we thought... if we told someone and people heard about it, they might believe us or at least never go to that hell."

"No, you were right to do that, even if they did call you insane and murderers," Agent Caldwell said, frowning as she sipped her champagne. "My boss was furious, of course—the supernatural is meant to be hidden, after all—but I convinced him to not come down on you, that you were just warning people about the danger."

"That was the whole intent," Jordan said, before relaxing. They'd all been terrified the government would come for them after they told the podcast what had really happened on the mountain, so to hear that nothing would come down on them was relieving.

Agent Caldwell looked at her, before she smiled. "I'll let you enjoy your wedding night. Congratulations."

Then she was walking away, like she'd never been there at all.

Jordan looked outside, enjoying the cool autumn air, before she headed back inside, intending to find her husband, only to bump into someone.

"Oh I'm so sor—" Jordan went to apologising before she froze. "Mrs. Washington. I... hi."

"Oh, Jordan. Hello there," Mrs. Washington replied. Her face looked older, carved with grief and sorrow, but the small smile on her face was genuine. "Congratulations, dear. Your wedding's beautiful."

"Thank you," Jordan said. "I... didn't think you'd come. Is...?"

A flicker of pain came across Mrs. Washington's face before she shook her head. "No. No, he didn't come. Though do you think my husband and yours would be able to be in the same room without a screaming match happening?'

"Given Mateo... no, no, they wouldn't," Jordan admitted as she and Mrs. Washington chuckled. But the laughter faded as Jordan looked at the woman who'd lost her three children, first her daughters a year ago, and now Josh. Guilt twisted within her, oily and vicious.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. 'I'm sorry we couldn't save Beth and Hannah before it was too late. That we... couldn't save Josh. I'm sorry."

"Oh, Jordan, don't blame yourself. You can't blame yourself over nature," Mrs. Washington assured, smiling softly. "I don't blame you. It was the mountain, after all, so don't blame yourself, okay?"

Jordan smiled bitterly at Mrs. Washington guessing close to the truth about the mountain being responsible for Beth, Hannah and Josh's fates. More than you know.

"I'll try," Jordan said.

Mrs. Washington smiled, patting her arm. "Enjoy your wedding, Jordan. Especially since you've married such a wonderful man like your Mateo."

Jordan smiled back. "Thank you."

Mrs. Washington gave her another smile before she walked back in to join the crowd, Jordan watching her go. While she was glad Mrs. Washington didn't blame her or any of her friends, the guilt still twisted inside her, but she could try stop blaming herself. 

She could try.

"There you are, querida."

Jordan turned to Mateo, materialising out of the crowd as he smiled at her, before he frowned. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just... I saw Josh, Hannah and Beth's mom. She came," Jordan revealed.

"Oh. You sure you're okay?" Mateo asked, giving her a concerned look.

"I'm okay. It was weird, seeing her, but I think... I needed that, to see her," Jordan answered honestly, shoulders slumping.

Mateo nodded. "I understand."

Jordan bit her lip, before she smiled. "Mateo."

"What?"

"Care for another dance?"

Mateo's grin was all the answer Jordan needed as he swept her into another dance. Jordan's head leaned against Mateo as they slow-danced, hearing Mateo's heartbeat as she smiled.

That it felt as magical as it had been before.

***

Eventually, everyone had to retire from the celebrations and go to sleep—including the bride and groom.

Mateo carried Jordan over the threshold into their room, both Jordan and Mateo laughing as Wolfie's head lifted up, ears perked before he lowered his head and dozed as Mateo spun Jordan around, Jordan still laughing.

"Mateo, put me down! I'm gonna get dizzy!" Jordan scolded around a laugh, thumping his chest playfully.

"As my wife wishes," Mateo said, setting Jordan on the bed as he leaned over her, kissing her neck loudly as Jordan giggled, face screwed up in a smile, before Mateo pulled away as Jordan joined him, staring at each other as they smiled before Mateo's hands moved to his suit jacket, ready to take it off as Jordan reached for his tie.

It didn't take long for him to take off his suit jacket as Jordan untied his tie, helping him get rid of his shirt as Jordan took off her flats and Mateo kicked off his shoes, Jordan unbuttoning the first half of her dress before she turned and Mateo unbuttoned the last half, helping her out of her dress as they stood in front of each other, Jordan in her underwear and bra and Matt with only his suit pants on, the both of them having laughed and smiled during it. Now, they stood there, smiling at each other, ready for what happened next.

Mateo moved closer to Jordan, hand cupping her face as Jordan's arms wound around his neck, Mateo lowering her down on the bed as they kissed, Jordan's fingers tangling in his hair as Mateo kissed her neck, her collarbones, her daffodil tattoo, as she traced the shapes of his tattoos and the scar of his bite with her fingers, as his hand ghosted across the scar on her leg, the fine scars across her arms, exploring and touching and loving every part of each other, before they went onto the next step.

But as Jordan's fingers began to work on unbuttoning Mateo's pants and his fingers made to unclasp her bra, Wolfie's head lifted up, before he tensed and got to his feet, growling and barking, fur on edge, hackles raised.

That had Jordan and Mateo stop in their tracks, as Mateo asked, "What the hell is Wolfie growling at?"

"I don't know," Jordan replied as the married couple sat up and Mateo moved to Wolfie.

"Hey, boy. It's okay, there's nothing out there. No monsters," Mateo assured as he rested his hand on Wolfie's head, but the wolf was still tense as he growled, teeth bared and ears pinned back. Jordan frowned at the reaction before she saw something.

A white, lean shape in the darkness, lit up by the full moon as it stared at them with red eyes before it tipped its head back and howled before running away, disappearing into the darkness.

"What the fuck?" Jordan breathed, getting off the bed as she stared at whatever she'd seen. "Did you see that?"

"Yeah, I did. What was that?" Mateo questioned as he looked at Jordan.

"I don't know. Whatever it was, it spooked Wolfie," Jordan said as she bent down and hugged Wolfie, murmuring, "It's okay, boy. It's gone now. It's okay."

Slowly, Wolfie relaxed, as Jordan let him go and he sat back down, asleep again as Jordan and Mateo looked at each other.

"Jordan, do you think that was...?" Mateo asked, but Jordan shook her head.

"No, it didn't look like one. It looked almost... furry. And it had red eyes. And why would one be off the mountain anyway? Whatever it was... it wasn't one of them. And I'm just glad it's gone now," Jordan said.

"Yeah, you're right," Mateo agreed. As he looked at her, he asked, "Now, where were we?"

In response, Jordan kissed Mateo as they shuffled back to the bed, Jordan landing on the bed as they kissed, slower, deeper, more passionate, as their hands roved over each other, until they crossed the line and then curled up with each other, sleeping as their wedding day ended.

It had been magical. It had been wonderful.

It had been perfect.

***

AKSKSJS MORDAN WEDDING MORDAN WEDDING MORDAN WEDDING!!!

I loved writing this so much from the girls spending time together, to the wedding ceremony and their vows, to the first dance and to the final end!! And I'm so glad you guys are like me and wanted to see them married as well!! 🥰 (even if this was another long chapter after an already long chapter XD)

But yeah, the girls had some time together (the boys did too)! And yeah, there is sadness since Beth, Hannah and Josh would never be there to celebrate Mateo and Jordan's wedding, but they were there in spirit 🥺 

And yes, Mateo and Jordan adopted Wolfie!! They got away with it by lying he's a service animal for Jordan and with the government's help and his injury and the Stranger taming him meaning he wouldn't survive in the wild, but yeah he's part of their family now 🥰

AND THE WEDDING!! I loved writing that so much!! (also, Jordan's dress is the dress in the picture at the top of the chapter! Same with the song!) And their vows to each other 🥺 But they're now married!!! They're officially married!!! 🥰 

And the reception!! That was a blast to write along with the speeches and Jordan and Mateo having their first dance!! And yeah, Agent Caldwell is gonna become a Delgado family friend—and yes, that IS a The Quarry reference with the podcast, since Until Dawn's events would have DEFINITLEY appeared on that

And Mrs. Washington... that hurt to write and Jordan's guilt (and Mateo's as well) 😭

But Jordan and Mateo had their own private moment... before it was temporarily interrupted by Wolfie sensing something outside >:)

But yeah, they're married and this fic is almost finished!! Only the epilogue left—and a couple more twists >:)

Please read, comment and vote!

GhostWriterGirl out!