Funny How Things Work Out - Audrey DeBarbarak & Joe Devereaux

Audrey sat in the little dressing room at the back of the church, soaking up a brief solitary moment. She'd been flanked by sims the entire morning, and there was little she could use more than a moment of peace.

A gentle knock at the door roused her from her thoughtful reverie. Her bridesmaids entered, both resplendent and beaming. Sunday Thomason was the woman who Audrey thought of as the ringleader of their little group after her quick thinking over The Loose Button Incident that morning. Her calm, sweet demeanor was a welcome relief. "It's beautiful out there, Audie. You're beautiful. It'll be great, really it will."

Audie's maid of honor, Avery Monroe, stepped up to hug her. "Thanks so much, Ave," Audie said quietly, hugging her friend tightly. "You're the best."

It was a packed house - Audrey's family and Joe's filled the pews. Candles and flowers everywhere - Audrey couldn't have hoped for a prettier setting. Or a more handsome groom. Joe stood at the front of the church, watching her make the traditional march down the aisle. Tradition may not have involved the growing bump the bride sported, but they had gone through great pains to make sure everything else was. Joe's mother, Missus Devereaux, should've been happy about that, Audie thought as she passed the old woman sitting beside Joe's sister in the pew. She finally made it up to him, giving him a look that plainly said, "Phew!". He gave her a wink, and the ceremony began.

Audrey's mom looked on with tears in her eyes, clutching Frank's hand tightly. "My baby," she murmured as her little girl exchanged vows with Joe. Audrey's Aunt Kelsey dabbed at her eyes, and grinned from the bride's side of the church.

When the time came, Audrey took a deep breath, and stated as calmly as she could, "I, Audrey Hera DeBarbarak, take you, Joseph Brossard Devereaux, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward, until death do us part."

"I, Joseph Brossard Devereaux, take you, Audrey Hera DeBarbarak, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward, until death do us part." Audie felt a tingle run up her spine as he smiled down at her, sliding the ring onto her finger.

Even Joe's mother and sister cracked smiles at some time during the ceremony, despite their misgivings about the union.

Audie stood with Avery and Sunday, and Joe stood with Nikolaj and Norm, in front of their family and friends.

When the time came, Joe leaned down, and told Audrey quietly, "See? Nothin' to it." She laughed, for the first time in what seemed like an age, and he kissed her, their first kiss as man and wife.

Audrey had to sigh with relief when they made it to the reception. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Her mom sat at a table, catching up with her oldest and dearest friend, Audrey's Aunt Kelsey, who had come in from Port Manteau especially for the event. Even Missus (or, as she was now, Momma) Devereaux seemed to be having a, well, tolerable time.

Toasts were made and dinner was devoured.

Couples took to the dance floor. BriAnna, as mother of the bride, was still walking on clouds as Frank led her out to the dance floor.

Audrey's brother Gabriel and Avery's sister Amelie enjoyed, ahem, catching up...

As did Avery with Leander Snow.

Couples paired off - Sunday and Logan White tore up the dance floor; Joe's sister Lucia found herself in the arms of her brother's old Army buddy Nikolaj; and Audrey danced with her brand new husband.

[Oh goodness, this update took me long enough to post! Better late than never, I suppose, and better with poor quality pictures than none... right? Blogger seems to hate my pictures, but I didn't have the strength to upload them to Photobucket and import them like I normally do. Ah, well! Audie's living in wedding bliss - or is she? - and Joe's still working through his feelings for her, and for his ex. Stay tuned!]