June had those in Boston flying out to Los Angeles for Donovan and Erica's big day. After two and a half years of engagement, they were finally getting married at The Old Ranch Country Club; the same exact place they'd met six and a half years ago at a BioMedical conference. After an evening of just missing each other, they ran into each other outside while respectively trying to escape small-talk with a particularly arrogant professor at Harvard. Funnily enough, they invited him to their wedding just to say 'thank you' because if it hadn't been for him- they never would've ran into each other and fallen in-love.

Donovan and Erica's wedding was relatively small compared to Chris and Denise's, with just a hundred and twenty-one people. It was simple and romantic with a rustic, woodland vibe that matched the couple to a tee. All their guests agreed upon arriving at the venue that their wedding was a perfect depiction of who they were as individuals and as a couple. Their love for the outdoors displayed through the location they'd chosen, as well as the theme, decor, and color scheme. Where the ceremony was held, where they'd set up for reception- both areas: laced with garlands of ivy and white roses; candles sat in geometric terrariums littered along pathways and stairwells; strings of fairy lights dangled like a scooped net, creating a roof of twinkling dots in the dark night; and tables set up with empty photo albums, gold Sharpie markers, and numerous Polaroid cameras for guests to utilize and leave the bride and groom with a sweet message.

Everyone was appointed a spot at a dinner table where the center pieces were vases of wildflowers and tea light candles, their place cards held by miniature tree stumps. The wedding favors chosen pleased all the men, women, and children at their wedding; shots of Donovan and Erica's favorite whiskies for the men and women who drank, beautiful hand crafted soaps for the men and women that didn't, and tubes of M&Ms arranged to form a rainbow for the children. As entertainment, Donovan managed to hire his favorite band as well as the first concert he took Erica to- Simple Plan. They played a few of their hits, then moved onto the list of songs the bride and groom had requested upon hiring them. It was a wedding after all, they needed to keep things light and romantic, especially when it came to their first dance. For a punk rock band like Simple Plan, they were pretty good at slowing things down. Their rendition of Elvis Presley's 'Can't Help Falling In-love with You' brought tears to even the die-hard Elvis fans in the crowd.

Donovan and Erica's wedding feast was truly a feast with a catered buffet, serving dishes from countries the bride and groom had visited together and loved. And if that wasn't enough, they had arranged for bars of various types to be scattered throughout their reception venue, an unnecessary precaution taken to make sure all their guests were fed and quenched of thirst. The whiskey lovers made full use of the whiskey bar, whereas the young and the sweet-toothed took advantage of the never-ending pile of cookies and donuts at the dessert bar. Despite all the confectionary and pastries that were around, the wedding cake was irresistible. It was simple, like everything else at the wedding. A French vanilla cake nakedly iced, dressed with deep red roses and edelweiss- to match the bride's bouquet as well as the simple watercolor art they had on their 'Save the Date' cards and wedding invitations.

All in all, the wedding was truly beautiful. From the ceremony to the reception, it made for an incredibly memorable day. However, there was one particular event that stuck out for a lot of the guests. Sadly it was not the exchange of vows, rather the shooting of a bow and arrow. It occurred after the bride and groom kissed, and it took everything in Denise not to roll her eyes at her brother when he announced he and his wife were going to take turns shooting an arrow. He had a story, definitely made up, to claim that the event had some sort of significance. But everyone who knew him well knew he was just aching to shoot something on his wedding day. Luckily for him, the girl he married was used to his eccentricities and had taken a liking to archery as well. Together, they each shot a golden arrow at heart shaped target then said something along the lines of "you are the reason I have a heart of gold." Which was pretty sweet, if one looked past the real reason why Donovan had arranged something like that.

At the main table, the bride and groom were seated with their immediate family: parents, siblings, and adorable niece and nephew- one from each side. While the others at the table had joined the bride and groom on the dance floor, Denise remained, staring at her glass of champagne. It'd been fifty-seven days since she miscarried, while she was getting better, small moments like these reminded her that she could've still been pregnant. The fact that she was able to drink in celebration of her brother's wedding was not a fact that made her happy, it was one that reopened that gaping hole in her chest. Similarly, knowing Sebastian and Luca weren't at the wedding because Luca was too pregnant to fly reopened that gaping hole in her chest.

Denise's finger trailed the rim of her champagne flute, sighing. She pinched the stem between her thumb and index finger, lifting the glass to her lips. She sighed again as she took a slow sip, then turned her attention onto her husband. He seemed much happier than she did at her own brother's wedding. He was all smiles as he walked around with Jack and Barley, collecting unwanted wedding favors. The two kids piled their goodies in the baskets Donovan had provided them with, giggling each time they looked at all they'd collected. It reminded her of when she and Donovan were kids at weddings. They, too, would run around collecting unwanted wedding favors- sometimes even swiping the wanted ones when the adults weren't looking. She managed a small smile, which quickly faltered when she subconsciously rested her hand against her abdomen; her newly emptied womb.

Across the outdoor reception, Chris briefly took his eyes off Jack and Barley to look for his wife. He hoped she was off socializing, but instead she was still sat at their assigned table. His heart ached watching her stare blankly into nothingness. It was obvious from her expression that under the table she had her hand against her stomach. It was a subconscious move, one she often did. Chris didn't admit it, but he, too, often found himself with his hand on her stomach when she was deep in her sleep. He'd talk to their baby as if he or she were still there, listening. It wasn't the smartest thing to attach himself to the child they'd lost, but it was his method of coping. For any couple to overcome a miscarriage was no easy feat, Chris and Denise were slowly getting over their tragedy, but that didn't mean they were able to forget what they'd lost.

"Jack, Barley." Chris held out his hands for them to take, and they did so without question. "Why don't we go look for your mom and dad, Barley? Then Jack, I can take you back to Mama. I'm sure the two of you want to show off everything you've found, right?" He suggested and the children nodded eagerly at the idea. He smiled and led them along, quickly finding Erica's older brother and sister-in-law to return their daughter to them before heading back to Denise with Jack. "Run, bud," he instructed, letting go of Jack's hand. "Go," he chuckled, watching his son sprint towards Denise.

"Mama!" Denise's head jerked up, corners of her mouth pulled into a smile as she scooped her son into her lap. "Look at all the things I found," he said as he settled his basket in his lap. "I got so much candy. Look, look," he held up the rainbow tubes of M&Ms and she nodded in acknowledgment. "Barley got lots of candy too."

"I hope you and Barley asked before you took all these wedding favors."

"Daddy wouldn't let us take them without asking, even though Uncle Donovan gave us permission to take whatever." He informed her, as a matter-of-fact, and she swore she could almost hear his eyes roll in the sentence. "He gave all the kids permission to take whatever." He said and what Donovan had said at the beginning of his reception came to mind: "I've told all the kids that they can grab whatever non-alcoholic wedding favor they see lying around, so if you want yours- store it somewhere safe."

"It's still nice to ask, Jack." Chris took the chair next to Denise, slinging his arm around the back of hers. He affectionally brushed her arm then pressed a quick kiss to the side of her head. A smile stretched across his face when she returned the favor with a kiss on the cheek. Denise set Jack back onto his feet and he started in the direction of tables he'd yet to clear of their favors. "If you're going to take anything, ask please!" Chris called and Jack nodded as he ran off into the crowd. "Just one day around your brother and our angel turns into a thieving mastermind," he joked.

"His mother used to swipe wedding favors too," she reminded him of her mischievous past and he tittered. "She also liked to con her fellow classmates, much like his father who lied about dollar trips to outer space." She added and he burst into laughter, throwing his head back as his hand rested on his left pec. "I'm afraid Jack Evans was born a thieving mastermind," she chuckled as she leaned her head against his.

"With a heart of gold, it seems."

They smiled as they watched their son run around, poking his head in-between people. Despite what his uncle had said, he listened to his parents, asking the other guests if he could have their wedding favors rather than just taking them. They were constantly perplexed by their son, how mature he could be despite his young age. He truly was a blessing, one they thanked the universe for every day, and even more so now that he was their only child again.

Their smiles faltered when Denise subconsciously placed a hand on her abdomen again, tears quickly filling her eyes. Chris pressed his lips against the side of her head, letting his lips linger to let her know she was not alone. And she knew, she'd known for a long time; ever since he walked into her life. Over the years, he'd made it pretty clear that as long as he was alive, she'd never be alone again. Chris withdrew and Denise rested her head against his shoulder. They watched in silence as the nuptial celebration continued to unfurl around them, enjoying the comforting touch of one another.

A minute passed before Denise reached for Chris' hand and laced their fingers together. He smiled and brought their entwined hands to his lips, kissing her skin. That seemed like a better use of her touch; to appreciate the man that was her beginning and her end. Yes, she hated the universe for taking away a part of her. But somehow, it seemed like a small price to pay for everything she did have, for him. Denise lifted her head and turned to admire the love of her life, everything else simply faded into the background. Her hand touched his face, beckoning for his attention. He smiled as he turned to meet her soft eyes. His arm slid off the back of her chair and wrapped around her waist as her thumb affectionally brushed his bearded cheek.

"I love you," she whispered, resting her forehead against his.

"And I love you," he replied in voice just as soft and feathery as hers.

"Can we start over?" She asked. "Just- let's start from the beginning, please."

"Of course," he nodded without need for further explanation. "To new beginnings."

"New beginnings." A smile fixed on her face as she met his lips for a tender kiss.