Chapter Text
“Okay, hold still,” Rafael told Marlene as he adjusted the pearl and rhinestone clip in her hair. “There! What do you think?”
She examined herself in the mirror, a slow smile taking over her face. “I look beautiful today, Papi! Look at me!” She stepped away from the mirror and spun in a circle, allowing her gown to flow. “It’s so pretty! I look so good!”
Rafael smiled at her excitement. She truly did look magazine-worthy, and that wasn’t something he usually thought about kids. The dress fit her well, and she was in a very low heel that his mother had bought her. Lucia had chosen wine and gold as her colors, so Marley’s shoes were sparkly gold, and she loved them. Lucia had also gifted her with a pair of real, small diamond earrings and a gold necklace with a tiny diamond heart as a thank you for being in the wedding. Rafael had pulled out the little gold bracelet Lucia had given him when Marlene was baptized; it had been in their family for generations. Now it was delicately clasped around his daughter’s wrist.
Lucia had wanted to spring for the weave Marlene had been asking for, but Rafael and Sonny put an end to that quickly, insisting she was still too young. Granted, her hair didn’t have the amount of volume without it that Marlene had wanted, but her dark, tight curls were beautiful anyway.
“Look at you, dolly!” Sonny entered their hotel room in his tuxedo, looking incredibly handsome himself, and she grinned at him.
“Papi helped me! And look, Daddy--” She held out her wrist. “Didja know Abby gave me this when I was just a baby? And it belonged to her mama before her, and papi’s great grandmother, all the way back for a long time!”
Sonny kissed her hand. “It’s beautiful. Are you and Papi ready to go down? It’s almost time.” Turning his attention to Rafael, he raised his eyebrows. “Hubba hubba. C’mere, I’ve got your boutonniere.” Rafael smirked and stepped forward so Sonny could attach the flower to his lapel.
Marley gave a toothy grin as she inspected her family. “We look pretty darn good, guys!” she announced. “Time to get these people married!” Rafael and Sonny looked at each other, then Rafael snorted.
“Time to get these people married,” he repeated, chuckling, as he opened the door. “Let’s go.”
***
From Sonny’s position at the front of the room, he could see everyone clearly.
The hotel the couple had chosen had done a beautiful job with minimal decorations. Sonny and Camila were the first in the room, and she was seated in the front row, ready to read the verses her father and Lucia had chosen. He had to admit she was stunning. Her dress was a slim, floor length evening gown with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline. A slit extended slightly above her knee, and he was fairly certain she was wearing gold stilettos that sparkled like his daughter’s did. Her hair was in a french knot, and her wine-colored lipstick matched her dress. The room was filling quickly now, and he could see his mom and dad sitting together with Bella and Tommy a few rows back on the left. Deb waved at him, then pulled out her phone and took a picture. Sonny tried not to blush and feel like he was in middle school again.
He recognized many people from Lucia’s charter school. He’d been going to events with Rafael there for years. Even though Lucia had retired six years ago, they still took Marlene to the yearly Fall Festival there and they were still treated like royalty, even when Lucia wasn’t with them. And of course, a few of his colleagues were present; Fin and Olivia had come together, and Amanda had brought Jesse. Billie wasn’t there, and Sonny assumed she was probably with her dad, since it was a Saturday.
Mateo and Enzo entered the room, down the center aisle. Enzo had willingly stepped into the role of best man when Mateo had banned his brother from the wedding. Both men were in black tuxedos with white shirts. Enzo, like Sonny and Rafael, wore a wine-colored tie that matched the color of Marlene’s dress. Mateo’s tie, however, was a gold and wine paisley that was lovely and elegant. The two men took their places at the front of the room, facing Sonny. He nodded and smiled at them.
A few minutes later, the pianist began to play, and Sonny watched sweet Isabel head down the aisle with her gold-colored flower petal basket. The petals were wine-colored, as was Isabel’s dress. The dress had a heart cutout in the back; it had straps instead of sleeves, and the skirt was tulle and full, ending just below her knees. She wore gold shoes, and Sonny recognized them as being similar to his daughter’s, but with a flat heel. Isabel carefully dropped flower petals as she made her way down the aisle. She was biting her lip and Sonny could tell the child was nervous. As she got closer, she glanced up and met his eyes, and he smiled warmly at her until she smiled back. In that moment, Sonny felt his heart ache for the little girl. He wondered how she was doing, if she was lonely or scared or sad, and he made a mental note to personally check in on her soon. She arrived at the front of the aisle and easily moved into her place.
Rory was next, and Sonny watched the confident nine-year old make his way to the front of the room as he carried the ring pillow. He smirked the whole way, and for some reason, Sonny could imagine his husband looking very similar at that age. Rory moved into place, and then Sonny couldn’t help but smile widely as his daughter began down the aisle.
In his mind, Marlene had always been beautiful. He couldn’t guess the number of minutes he’d spent over the years staring at her face, or watching her as she moved, admiring her. Today, though, he swore he’d never seen a more beautiful child. The wine-colored dress, the slight heel, the fancy hair--they all made for a beautiful picture. She was carrying a small bouquet of roses with gold beads in the center of each. As he watched her though, his mind suddenly jumped fifteen years ahead, to her wedding day. A day when she would be wearing a gorgeous wedding gown, and his job would be to accompany her down this very aisle. And his stomach flipped. Not yet, he reminded himself, and swallowed heavily, then smiled at her again as she took her place.
He cleared his throat. “Please rise for the entrance of the bride,” he announced into the microphone, and the guests stood. The music changed, and he suddenly saw his husband and his mother-in-law across the room.
He watched as they proceeded slowly. Rafael looked proud, and Sonny couldn’t help but think about how much Rafael’s relationship with his mother had changed over the years. Even five years ago, Sonny wasn’t sure that Rafael would have been willing to do this. Now, he moved forward with his chin up, a smile on his lips, and tears in his eyes.
Lucia was glowing. He’d never seen his mother in law look so happy, and Sonny’s heart was singing for her. Her cream colored lace gown was as gorgeous as he’d seen in the photo Rafael had shared with him, and she wore a delicate gold necklace with a charm that was her mother’s. Her bouquet had been crafted from her mother’s jewelry. If ever there was a woman who deserved to find her happiness, it was Lucia Barba. He glanced at Mateo, who was dabbing his eyes with a tissue, and Sonny realized he was seeing love in action. He remembered how he felt on his own wedding day, facing Rafael and vowing to love him forever. He’d never regretted that promise, and he was more in love with Rafael today than he had been thirteen years ago. Rafael’s eyes met his then, and they each smiled at one another. Rafael and Lucia stopped at the end of the aisle, and Mateo stepped closer and took one of Lucia’s hands in his.
“You may be seated,” Sonny told the guests, and they all took a seat. “Who presents this woman to be married?”
Rafael grinned, then said, “That would be me.” He leaned over, gently kissed her on the cheek, then took his place next to Camila. Marley winked at Rafael, and he winked back at her.
Mateo and Lucia moved to the middle of the front of the room, right in front of Sonny. Mateo took his bride's hands in his, and the two were staring into one another’s eyes lovingly.
Sonny cleared his throat once more, a broad smile appearing as he looked into the audience. “Dearly beloved…”
^^^
They were wrapped together, moving slowly. “Look at me, baby,” Sonny gasped, using one hand to push Rafael’s sweaty hair out of his face, “I need to see you.”
Rafael opened his eyes, admiring Sonny’s ice blue ones staring at him, and a high pitched whine escaped his chest. He reached up and pulled Sonny’s face down so he could kiss him soundly. “Sonny...Sonny…” he murmured, and his eyes fluttered shut again. “I love you, querido...ah, God. So good. So good for me, Sonny…”
Sonny thrust more deeply, reveling in the heat of Rafael’s body, the tightness around him. “Love you, baby,” he grunted. “Fuck, yes…” He felt Rafael’s hands stroking his body, up and down his back, then clutching his ass and pulling him deeper. Sonny leaned down again and kissed his husband deeply before reaching between them and taking Rafael’s erection in his fist.
At the first pump, Rafael cried out, clutching Sonny’s ass tightly. “God...yes! Please, Sonny...please don’t stop, don’t stop…” A few seconds later, Sonny felt his husband's semen coating his stomach and hand.
“That’s it, guapo...so sexy...oh yeah.” As Rafael’s body started to relax from his orgasm, Sonny began to suck on his neck, thrusting quickly until he felt his belly tighten and his orgasm rip through him. “God, love you,” he gasped as he tossed his head back. When he began to return to his body, he realized Rafael was lovingly stroking his back. He allowed himself to collapse onto Rafael, and a minute later he leaned forward and kissed a nipple.
“You’re amazing,” Rafael chuckled softly as Sonny slowly teased his nipple. “I am so absolutely glad that I married you, Soleado.”
“Mmm.” Sonny kissed him deeply. “The best sex is weddng sex, I‘ve decided. Your wedding or somebody else’s, doesn’t matter.” He kissed Rafael’s nipple one more time. “Be still, I‘m gonna pull out.”
A moment later Sonny was lying next to him, and Rafael sighed at the feeling of emptiness left behind. “That’s the worst part,” he murmured. “Feeling empty, after.”
“Mmm.” Sonny kissed him, then traced his rim with one finger. “Loose?” He slowly slipped a finger inside, sliding it in and out. “Love you...love your body,” he murmured, suckng lightly on Rafael’s neck. “So did you end up having a good day as the son of the bride?”
Rafael chuckled. “It seemed to go well, don’t you think? Ah...don’t stop.” He traced random shapes on Sonny’s chest. “The happy couple seemed...happy.”
Now Sonny laughed. “You’re so verbose after sex.”
“Shut up,” Rafael teased back, laughing himself.
“Hopefully they’re having as much fun as we just did,” Sonny remarked.
“Ew...Sonny! That’s my mother!” Rafael’s face twisted into a scoff. “I don’t want to think about my mother having wedding sex...or any sex! Gross.”
“Well...it was a beautiful wedding. And the reception was fantastic too--your mom chose a great place. I could’ve eaten that seafood all night! Especially that stuffed salmon.” Sonny happily reminisced over his main course, as well as the cocktail hour treats of steamed shrimp and raw oysters. “I was surprised to see sushi during the cocktail hour though--I thought your mom didn’t like that stuff?”
“I think Camila pressured her dad about it, so he just did it to make her happy. My prime rib was excellent too, by the way. I can’t believe we had sex after eating that much...I’m lucky I could move!” Rafael stretched out. “And that cake...that cake was beautiful. I think it was prettier than ours.”
“Maybe,” Sonny considered. “Your dance with your mother was so lovely at first...and then when you two broke out into the salsa, I thought you were gonna take the house down! I didn’t realize you still could dance like that! You’ve never taught me how to dance like that.”
Rafael bit his lip, trying to keep from telling his husband that with Sonny all arms and legs, he was a little afraid of trying to teach him the salsa. “Well, we practiced quite a bit lately,” Rafael admitted. “It wasn’t as easy as it was when I was a kid in my abuelita’s kitchen!”
“Well, the difficulties didn’t show.” They held each other close, stroking one another’s skin softly and enjoying the touches. Rafael closed his eyes and relaxed into the feelings of being wanted and loved.
“You think Marley’s having fun with Jess tonight?” Sonny asked, just as Rafael was about to round the corner into sleep.
“Sure she is. You tell Rollins about that kid Reid?”
“Mmhmm. She’d heard of him but thanked me for the info.”
“Talk about cute dances...you with Marley, and then Jesse, got all the oohs and aahs tonight.” Rafael yawned, then rolled over into his spooning position.
Sonny wrapped his arms around his husband, relaxing into him. “I was just happy to see Enzo dance with Isabel. Hopefully he’ll make more time for her.”
“Hopefully.” Enzo and Isabel were family now, along with Camila, Rory, and Mateo. And Rafael had already made up his mind to be the best brother he could be, moving forward. The best uncle, too, along with Sonny, he thought sleepily. God knows they had a lot to improve upon after Lucas…
His mind drifted back to doing the salsa with his mom, and he smiled. All in all, it had been a great day.