Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

August 27th

Zoey and Max lay on a blanket looking up at the stars, Zoey's telescope a few feet in front of them. Max rolled on to his side to look at her.

"So tomorrow." He stated.

"Tomorrow." She nodded, rolling on her side to face him. 

"You ready?" Max asked.

"I'm ready to marry you, I just don't know how I feel about being the center of attention and everyone staring at us." Zoey sighed.

"If you get nervous just look at me." He smiled.

"Oh, I'm sure I'll be doing that anyways." She leaned over and he met her halfway. Max moved his free hand to cup her face as he kissed her back. A few moments later Max's phone buzzed and he pulled away to look at it.

"Mo," He grinned.

"Ah. Wanting to know where you are?" Zoey inquired. 

"More like demanding." He corrected holding up the phone for her to read.

Mo 11:32PM

It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding! It's almost midnight, where are you?!! You better not be with Zoey.

"Maybe we shouldn't have run off like this?" Zoey laughed. Her phone dinged and she pulled it out to look at it.

Mo 11:33PM

Where are you?! If you are with Max right now I WILL find you.

Zoey passed her phone to Max who cringed.

"He's really into this whole superstition thing. " Max noted.  "Do you think it's bad luck if we stay here past midnight?"

"No, I think you make your own luck." Zoey shook her head.

"Really? That's very interesting coming from the person who was literally given a super power by the universe." He pointed out.

"Why? Do you believe in the whole bad luck thing?" She asked. "You also have the same superpower." Max shook his head.

"No, I don't. I do think there are things we can't explain, but, I doubt that is one of them. " He laid back on his back again looking up at the stars again. Zoey sat up and Max raised his eyebrows at her in question. 

"Max." She said looking down at him. 

"Yeah?" Max sat up on his forearms. 

"Do you think Mo will actually find us up here?" 

"I think by the time he does it'll be past midnight." He smiled wryly. 

"You're probably right." She shivered.

"Are you cold?" Max sat all the way up and immediately wrapped his arms around her. 

"A little." Zoey replied leaning into his chest. 

"Do you want to leave?" He asked. 

"No, I want to be here with you tonight. If we go back to our apartment before midnight Mo will inevitably drag you away so you can't see me." She looked up from his chest.

"Maybe we should've rethought his position in the wedding party. He seems to have taken it upon himself to be in charge of literally everything." 

"You want to fight over who gets him as their best man or maid of honor again?" Zoey grinned.

"I kind of feel like I was winning that battle." Max shrugged.

"You were not!"

Chapter Text

April (4 Months Earlier)

Zoey sat across from Max at the dining table sipping on coffee.  

"So it's official then! August 28th!" Zoey grinned.

"As long as you think we can actually pull this off in 4 months." Max agreed.

"Oh, we can! You're talking to the girl who went on a zip line at the Sky Talker party." She said proudly.

"I apologize for doubting your skills, obviously I'm in the presence of an adrenaline junky." He grinned sarcastically. Zoey snatched the other half of his bagel and cream cheese off his plate. 

"Now that we know the date, the real fight begins." She said biting into the bagel.

"What real fight?" Max narrowed his eyes at her.

"Which one of us get's Mo in their wedding party." Zoey stated.

"Oh, come on, you aren't going to let me have Mo as my best man?" He pouted.

"He was my friend first!" She pointed out.

"Okay, but we literally have a business together with our names combined!" Max shot back.

"Well, Mo looks fabulous in a dress so obviously he'd be my maid of honor." Zoey countered.

"He could wear whatever he wants as my best man." He cocked his head.

"I guess we'll just have to see what he says when I ask him to be my maid of honor later." She said snidely. Max shot up from his chair still wearing pajamas.

"Not before I ask!" He took off to their front door as Zoey chased after him in her own pajamas. 

"MAX RICHMAN! DON'T YOU DARE" She yelled as they ran across the hallway to Mo's door. Both of them stood nudging each other trying to get the other out of the way as they pounded on the red door. The door flung open and an annoyed looking Mo glared back at them.

"You two do realize it's 7:30 in the morning, right?!" 

"Right, sorry..." Zoey trailed off. Max glanced at her then jumped right in.

"It's just... I have a very important question to ask-" 

"His question is not as important as my question!" Zoey interrupted loudly.

"Yes it is! Mine is much more imp-"

"Will you both just get to the point already?" Mo huffed.

"WILL YOU BE MY-" they both shouted together and then finished with "Maid of Honor" and "Best Man" respectively. 

"HAH! I got mine out faster." Max said competitively.

"Maid of Honor is a longer phrase than Best Man!" Zoey clapped back.

"Good God, ARE YOU DONE?" Mo scolded. Both Max and Zoey shut their mouths like they were in trouble nodding their heads. "I have already determined who's wedding party I'm going to be a part of." 

"You have?" Zoey furrowed her brow.

"Yes, I'm not going to be in either." Mo stated.

"What?" Max said in shock.

"I'm going to be in both." Mo nodded.

"What?" Zoey glanced at Max who looked just as confused as she was.

"I'm going to officiate." Mo explained. 

"Wait... that's actually-" Max started.

"A really great idea." Zoey finished for him.

"Duh, I came up with it, of course it's a good idea. I also fully expect to plan both the bachelorette and bachelor parties as well as have a large say in the wedding planning." Mo crossed his arms in resolution. "Did you come up with a date yet" 

"August 28th." Max grinned looking down at Zoey who grabbed his hand in response.

"4 months? That leaves me no time at all! Get in here." Mo ushered both of them inside.

Chapter Text

August 27th 

"You know I probably would have let Mo be your Maid of Honor." Max said.

"Really?" Zoey asked. "I would have let you have him as your Best Man." 

"Really?" He chuckled.

"Eventually." She nodded.

"I guess it's good that Mo's officiating then. I'm still a little nervous about it though." 

"You're nervous about the wedding?" Zoey asked as they both laid down again, cuddled together for warmth. 

"I don't have cold feet, I want to marry you, but what if Mo does something really embarrassing during the ceremony?" He shrugged.

"The walkthrough went okay earlier. Whatever Mo says it can't possibly as embarrassing as what I said at our engagement party." She pointed out.

"I try not to think about that." Max grimaced. "John really enjoys bringing it up." 

"Still? I thought we proved him wrong." Zoey raised her eyebrows. 

"I think he thinks we lied about my bachelor party." He grinned.

Chapter Text

One Week Earlier

Mo walked into Zoey and Max's living room where Zoey and Amala were seated on the couch. Max, Simon, David, John, Leif, and Tobin all looked at Mo with anticipation. 

"Okay, our ride is here. Let's go boys!" Mo pointed at the door.

"Promise me there won't be strippers." Max raised his eyebrows at Mo in warning.

"What kind of a bachelor party is this?" Tobin huffed.

"The kind where I actually love my fiancé." Max shot back. 

"There won't be strippers." Mo confirmed.

"Good. I'm pretty sure Emily would murder me in my sleep." David chimed in.

"Pregnancy hormones? My sister actually threw a piece of bread at me the other day then picked it back up off the ground to eat it." John shook his head in remembrance. 

"I'm sure you deserved it." Max grinned looking at his brother. By this point Amala was staring down Leif, waiting for him to say something.

"I don't want strippers either!" Leif shouted awkwardly and Simon nodded in agreement. Max bent down and kissed Zoey on the lips.

"I'll text you with updates." He said.

"You don't have to, I trust you." Zoey smiled.

"That reminds me," Mo started. "Everyone give me your phones."

"I am not giving you my phone!" Max shook his head vigorously.

"I won't have you texting Zoey all night.  This is a bachelor party!" Mo held out his hand to Max and Max looked at Zoey panicked.

"I'd give it to him if I were you." Zoey nodded. Max sighed and handed over his phone reluctantly.

"And the rest of you!" Mo said pointedly to Simon who was in the middle of sending a text to Tatiana.

"But-" Simon started to argue.

"Look, I am happy that all of you have lady friends, but tonight is about Max's final days before his demise." Mo stated

"Hey!" Zoey shouted. Mo continued on, ignoring her. 

"It's supposed to be a fun night where we're not all buried in our phones talking to our signification others the whole time. So," Mo held out his hands. "The only exception to the rule is David since his wife is pregnant and I don't want to get on Emily's bad side." 

"Thanks," David nodded in appreciation. The rest all handed in their phones disgruntled. 

"Have fun boys!" Amala smiled cheerily. 

Chapter Text

(Max's bachelor party continued)

All of the men walked into the paintball arena determined. 

"I hope you all know that Tobin and I were actually on a paintball team for a while." Leif stated.

"Our team name was 'Balls of Duty'." Tobin chimed in.

"Dude." Max shook his head. "I seriously cannot wait to shoot you."

"If you can catch me, I had the highest ratings in our league." Tobin bragged.

"Mo, where are you going?" Max asked.

"Oh, I'm spectating. Do you see how fabulous this outfit is? There's no way I'm getting paint on it." Mo walked away towards the guest seating.

"Okay, so it's teams of three then." Max nodded.

"I call Max." John said.  Everyone looked at John, surprised. "What? I want to win and I know he's good at paintballing." 

"Thanks." Max lifted his chin cockily. 

"That's was a one-time only compliment. If we lose I will friendly fire." John rebutted.

"Hmm... you know I'm not sure that I want you on my team, Johnathan. It would be fun to put you in your place." Max considered. "Simon are you any good?"

"I have only played twice, but I wasn't too bad." Simon nodded.

"David?" Max tilted his head in David's direction.

"Never played." David shrugged.

"Who do you want to shoot the most?" Simon suggested.

"Good question. Honestly, Tobin, Johnathan, and David, come to mind." Max grinned.

"Stop calling me Jonathan or I'll start calling you Maxwell." John huffed.

"Why me?" David complained.

"You almost ruined my proposal. Also I feel like Zoey would want to shoot you so I have to do it for her." He explained. 

"Why don't you want to shoot Simon.  Shooting your fiancé's ex makes way more sense." Tobin pointed at Simon. 

"Wait... you dated Zoey?" John asked Simon. 

"Simon, John, John, Simon." Max pointed back and forth between them. "Yes, Simon dated Zoey, no, I don't have a problem with him." 

"We actually stayed friends the whole time." Simon nodded in agreement. "Zoey and I are better as friends. She was secretly and then not so secretly in love with Max the whole time we dated anyways." 

"Ouch." John said.

"Plus, Simon just moved in with his girlfriend." Leif added. 

"I did!" Simon grinned. 

"And he's got this weird saltine thing with his girlfriend." Max said. 

"I'm still not telling you." Simon shook his head. 

"Oh, come on! It's my bachelor party!" Max whined.

"You'd have to get me really drunk." Simon laughed. 

"Challenge accepted." Tobin raised his hand in the air towards Max. Max considered for a moment then tilted his head as if to say 'alright, what the hell' before returning his high five.

"So my teams still stand. Simon and Leif, you’re with me!" Max said.

Chapter Text

(Max's Bachelor Party Continued)

They walked into the packed bar laughing. 

"I will say Tobin, you almost had me with that trick shot at the end." Max said.

"It wasn't a trick shot, he just used me as a human shield." David argued.

"All's fair in love and war. Too bad I didn't realize Leif was behind me." Tobin sighed.

"I'm stealthy." Leif nodded. "You kind of have to be to bird watch."

"Simon hustled us. What happened to only playing twice?" John complained.

"I have only played twice! Well, I guess now three." Simon explained. 

"Alright, I got us a table over there." Mo pointed to a table on the left side of the bar. "I got potato skins, because potato skins." Everyone bobbed their heads in agreement with the sentiment and made their way over to their table. A waiter brought over flights of different whiskeys for them to taste. 

"Max... isn't that Lucy?" John pointed across the bar and Max followed his gaze, his eyes widening in shock. Everyone else bent their head to look. An attractive blonde woman across the bar was bent over the pool table aiming at a cue ball. 

"*Guitar Riff*, David, switch me spots so she can't see me!" Max hissed. 

"Why, who is that?" David looked over at the girl again. 

"His college girlfriend." John explained. 

"Everyone, stop looking over there." Max said annoyed. 

"And why are we trying to hide?" Leif pried.

"She dumped him... hard." John said.

"Thanks, John." Max exhaled through his nose.

"Then why are you hiding? Shouldn't you be boasting right now? You won!" Mo raised his eyebrows at Max.

"That's true.  We're at your bachelor party playa." Tobin agreed.

"You're right." Max sat up straighter in his chair. "I won! Hah!" 

"I mean... if you consider my sister winning." David teased.

"I say we do a really loud toast." Simon stood up from the table raising a glass of whiskey.

"I second that." Mo agreed.

"Oh, that's really not necessary, let's just-" Max started but Simon cut him off and the rest of the men raised their glasses.

"Max! We are so proud of you and Zoey and excited to be apart of your big day next week.  When anyone looks at you and Zoey, there is no doubt that they are witnessing true love. Happy bachelor party, man! TO MAX!" Simon raised his glass in the air. The rest of the table followed suit and yelled,

"TO MAX!" It was loud enough for Lucy to look up from her pool game, but not loud enough to hear what it was actually about. She did, however, see Max.

"Well... looks like she's coming over here." Leif pointed out. 

"Of course she is." Max sighed not looking in her direction.

"Max Richman?" Lucy said as she got close to the table. Max pretended to be surprised to see her.

"Lucy Fields?"

"Fielding." She corrected.

"Right, sorry." Max nodded.

"What are you doing in San Francisco?" She asked.

"I live here... for the last 7 years." Max replied and then remembering his manners added. "And you?"

"Oh, I'm just visiting a friend." Lucy said. "What's the occasion? Looks like you guys are having fun."

"Bachelor party." John said.

"Oh, John! Good to see you too. You're getting married?" She asked. 

"No, Max is." He grinned, clearly amused.  Her face turned to one of shock and she snapped her attention back to Max.

"You're getting married?!" Lucy blinked. "Well, I guess I have to buy you a drink then!"

"Oh, no thanks." Max shook his head.

"He'll take the drink." Mo cocked his head at Lucy who nodded. 

"Is it still a gin and tonic?" She asked.

"Actually... that was never my drink." Max cringed.

"Yes it was! You used to drink them all the time!" Lucy argued.

"That was your favorite drink and you just always duplicated your order when we went out anywhere." Max said awkwardly. 

"Oh... so then what do you drink?" She inquired.

"Whiskey sour." Mo responded for him. 

"What he said." He pointed at Mo. "But I have plenty of whiskey. We're doing like a whiskey tasting right now. My fiancé likes red wine, I'll go with that." Lucy nodded and walked off towards the bar to order. "Mo, give me my phone back."

"Absolutely not." Mo crossed his arms over his chest.

"I can't not tell Zoey that my Ex is buying me a drink. Doesn't that break some rule or something?" He held out his hand for his phone, but Mo refused. "David?

"I'm not giving you my phone." David shook his head. 

"Guys!" Max complained. 

"I already sent Zoey a text to come here. She should be here soon since we're like 3 minutes from your apartment." Mo said.

"What? Really?" Max said excitedly. 

"Mmmhmm. I told her to look cute too. " Mo grinned. 

"For Zoey that means a sweater over a collared shirt." Leif noted.

"Says the guy who strictly wears cardigans." Simon said pointedly. 

"I think she'll try a little harder considering I did give her the circumstances." Mo shrugged.

"For the record I'm fine with whatever she wants to wear." Max stated.

"Or whatever she doesn't want to wear, amiright?" Tobin said and received a glare from most of the table.

A few minutes later Lucy came back with Max's drink and set it down in front of him.

"Red wine." She nodded. "So when are you getting married?"

"Next week." Max smiled. "Thanks by the way." He gestured to the drink he hadn't taken a sip of yet.

"Oh, yeah, no problem. Sooo, who's the girl?" Lucy took a seat at the table. Mo and Simon gave each other a look of surprise at her forwardness.

"Zoey Clarke." Max grinned. "We met at SPRQ Point. I used to work there." 

"You worked at SPRQ Point? That's crazy. What do you do now?" She asked.

"I'm a restaurant owner." He stated.

"That's cool, my friend is taking me to this restaurant tomorrow that you would probably like. It's got an app and everything where you order food from other restaurants," she explained. Everyone at the table tried to hide their amusement. 

"Any chance it's called Maximo's?" Mo asked sarcastically.

"Oh, yeah! That's it, you know of it?" Lucy questioned. 

"You could say that." Leif laughed.

"Mo and I co-own it." Max explained. 

"Hence the name 'Maximo's." David said unnecessarily.

"Oh... I guess that makes sense." She bit her lip uncomfortably.

"So what do you do?" John asked her.

"I'm a real estate agent." Lucy said unenthusiastically. "I am starting to get into-"

"Hold that thought!" Max interrupted shooting up from his chair when he saw Zoey and Amala enter the bar. 

"Uh...okay." Lucy looked around confused. Max pulled out his chair smiling and walked across the bar to Zoey.

"Ready?" Zoey asked under her breath.

"For what?" Max eyed her suspiciously. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down to her lips. 

"And I'm just gonna.... slip away." Amala said walking towards the guy's table as Zoey and Max continued their public spectacle. 

"I take it that's his fiancé?" Lucy inquired awkwardly. 

"And my sister... who I would rather not watch make out in a bar." David said looking away. Leif stood up from his chair to give Amala his seat.

"Oh, you don't have to do that." Amala said.

"I'll just grab another chair." Leif shrugged and pecked her on the lips. By the time Leif had grabbed a chair and sat down Max and Zoey were at the table holding hands. 

"Oh-uh, Zoey this is Lucy." Max pointed to Lucy who stood up from the table to shake Zoey's hand.

"Nice to meet you, you went to College with Max right?" Zoey squeezed Max's hand. "Wasn't she your girlfriend or something?" She asked Max conversationally. 

"Or something, yeah." He nodded.

"We dated for a year or so." Lucy stated.

"Cool... Max is this yours?" Zoey pointed to the glass of wine Max just picked up. 

"It was." He handed her the glass and she downed the rest of it. Max cleared his throat trying not to laugh.

"I hope you'll excuse us... I have something to show Max." Zoey pulled on Max's arm and he followed her. 

"Not that I mind, but where are we going?" Max asked when they got far enough away.

"My car." She grinned and stopped to kiss him again. "We'll be back, I promise." 

"Have you been drinking? You seem a little handsy. Again, I definitely don't mind but maybe we should grab an uber? I have definitely had too many to drive." Max suggested.

"Yes, I may have had a few glasses of wine and I may be feeling a little... devilish.  Amala drove, she hasn't drank at all and we are not driving. Dragging you away from your ex-girlfriend to seduce you seemed like fun." Zoey explained.

"Wait.. that's what's happening right now?" His eyes widened. "You literally drive a mini cooper, Zo.  Emphasis on the Mini!" 

"The seats lean back. It's either this or the bathroom and given your anxieties, I figured the car was the safest of the two. Either way we are celebrating your bachelor party." She continued pulling him out the door. 

"Car, definitely car." Max decided. 

"So we're doing this then?" Zoey raised on eyebrow at him salaciously.

"We are doing this." He said starting to walk faster and then mumbled under his breath, "best bachelor party ever." 

Chapter Text

August 27th

"Technically this is a public area." Zoey grinned.

"I am not breaking our pact right now!" Max said sternly and then looked down at her, sighing. "Even if I want to." 

"Right, our wedding is tomorrow. I wish I knew we were going to make that pact before the last time we did it was in my car." She sighed.

"Need me to dump cold water on you?" He laughed.

"I think I'll be okay." Zoey rolled her eyes. 

"Tomorrow." Max stated firmly and kissed her.

"Tomorrow." She agreed. Max's phone dinged and he exhaled loudly pulling it out of his pocket. "Mo again?" she asked.

"Simon." Max flipped the phone around to show her

Simon Haynes - 11:42PM

Where are you? Mo has literally sent out search parties to find you. 

"Geez, I didn't realize it was such a big deal.  Maybe we should go back?" Zoey sighed.

"I don't want to, do you?" He squeezed her tighter.

"No." She whispered. They sat in silence for a moment looking up at the stars before Max spoke again.

"Hey, Zo?"

"Mhhmm?" She mumbled.

"I'm going to fall asleep if you stop talking to me." He murmured. 

"Right." Zoey sat up and Max followed putting an arm around her so she wasn't cold. "What do you want to talk about?"

"When did you start to have feeling for me?" Max asked curiously. 

"Probably a long, long time ago. The first time I was strongly aware of it, though, was after Simon's engagement party." 

"Really? That was a terrible night." Max stated.

"It was, but you were there." Zoey shrugged. "You helped me get to the hospital and moved my dad's bed downstairs. And you never once questioned me about Simon's party."

"If I'm being honest, I didn't really want to know about Simon's party."

"You also sang a heart song to me, twice." Zoey smiled. 

"Which one was that again?" Max furrowed his brow trying to remember. 

"I'm Gonna Be." Zoey reminded him. "You sang it outside my window." 

"That's kinda creepy." He cringed. 

"It wasn't creepy. It was sweet!" Zoey protested. 

"I'll have to take your word for it " He laughed. 

"Anyways, that's when I knew I was in love with you, but I pretended I wasn't." She finished and looked down sheepishly. "Sorry." 

"I did my fair share of pretending I didn't like you too." Max pointed out. Zoey looked up at him and he bent down to kiss her again. 

"I KNEW IT!" Leif shouted from behind them. Max and Zoey both whipped around to see Leif and Amala standing there. 

"Damnit." Max mumbled under his breath.

"I take it Mo sent you to search for us?" Zoey asked. 

"He did." Leif nodded. "We aren't going to take you back with us though."

"You aren't?" Max looked confused. 

"No. Leif just wanted to prove that he could find you." Amala stated. 

"And now that I have, I get bragging rights!" Leif grinned happily. 

"Only problem is you can't tell anyone you did find them or Mo will be mad you didn't separate them." Amala pointed out. 

"Well, at least you know." Leif shrugged. 

"You really are just going to let us stay up here?" Zoey said in disbelief.

"Yeah, the whole bad luck thing is not scientific at all." Leif explained.

"As long as you don't tell Mo." Amala said. 

"Oh, we won't!" Max crossed his heart.

"Don't say I never gave you anything." Leif cocked his head at them and Amala grabbed his hand to turn to leave.

"See you tomorrow almost Mrs.!" Amala shouted over her shoulder.

"Thanks!" Zoey called out after them then turned to Max. "Mrs. Zoey Clarke-Richman. It has a nice ring to it doesn't it?"

Chapter Text

3 Months Earlier

Zoey sat in her office clicking her pen and looking down at her notebook when Leif knocked on the door.

"Oh, Leif. Come in." Zoey gestured across from her to the leather chairs.

"Sorry to interrupt, but the accounting department is giving Simon and I a hard time about some expenditures for Abigail's project and I need it approved so we can move forward with the next phase." Leif explained and set down the folder in front of him. 

"Sure, let me see." She picked up the folder and flipped through it. "Where are we at with a name for the project?"

"Abigail has a few ideas. The one I like best is the 'SPRQ Motion'." Leif stated.

"That's not bad. Let me know when she wants final approval on it.  I'm glad you guys decided on on gloves." Zoey nodded still looking down at the forms.

"Yeah, well some of the tech for the idea already exists, and while the others on the market aren't exactly fully functioning, we thought the gloves would get a more accurate reading. Plus it makes it so the speaker doesn't have to have someone point a camera at them."

"This looks good to me." She pointed at the papers and grabbed her pen to sign her name.

"Pretty soon you're going to have to change your signature." Leif noted.

"Oh... I guess I hadn't really thought much about that." Zoey glanced at her signature, thinking.

"You're not going to take Max's last name?" He asked.

"I don't know, yet." She picked up the picture of her dad on her desk and looked at it. Leif stood up from his desk and took the folder back from her. 

"Am I allowed to change my title?" He asked.

"To what?" Zoey looked up, confused.

"President or Chief of the fourth floor." Leif stated. 

"Get out of my office." Zoey pointed at the door.

"See you at movie night!" He said as he left the room. 

Chapter Text

(3 Months Earlier Continued)

Zoey walked into her apartment to the smell of something cooking. 

"Hope you don't mind, I making tajines!" Max yelled from the kitchen.

"Ah, yes I hate food!" Zoey said sarcastically making her way over to him.

"Well, I didn't know if you had plans for dinner or something before everyone came over!" 

"I was planning on begging you to make food or eating leftovers from the last time you made food." She stated.

"I feel used." Max said.

"You should, I'm only marrying you because you have a killer movie collection and you can cook." Zoey joked.

"Finally, the truth comes out!" He laughed and turned around to give her a quick peck on the lips. "And your day was?"

"Pretty good. They finally decided on the name for Abigail's project." 

"Wait, don't tell me. Let me guess. Walkie Talkie?" He grinned, proud of himself.

"Very funny." she rolled her eyes.  "SPRQ Signs." 

"Not bad. I still like my idea though." 

"I have one other thing to talk to you about." Zoey fiddled with her hands.

"Oh? Sounds.... serious?" He asked setting the knife back down.

"Yes and no." She gave him a weak smile.

"You're making me really nervous. Can you just tell me already?" Max looked at her anxiously.

"It's not really a big deal, or maybe it is, I don't know." She rambled.

"Zo." He raised his eyebrows, waiting. 

"Do you care if I hyphenate my last name?" Zoey asked.

"What? That's what you wanted to ask me? Why was there so much lead up to that?" He shook his head blinking.

"So, you don't care?" She pried.

"Of course I don't care. You can do whatever you want. I honestly thought you might just keep 'Clarke,' because of your dad." Max explained.

"Well, I kind of wanted both if that's fine with you." Zoey said.

"That's more than fine." He nodded.

"It's just... I do want the same last name as my dad still, but I also want your name." She smiled shyly. 

"Zoey Clarke-Richman, I like it." 

Chapter Text

August 27th

Zoey laid her head on Max's shoulder and they looked out over the trees.

"What time is it?" She asked. Max pulled out his phone to 12 text messages and 2 missed calls 

"It's 11:56." He stated locking his phone without reading the messages. Zoey pulled out her phone to look. 8 text messages. 3 missed calls. 

"4 minutes left before we eternally curse our marriage." Zoey laughed.

"I can't wait to see you tomorrow." He said softly and tucked a lock of her hair behind here ear. "I mean tomorrow, tomorrow, not like when people say see you next year on new years eve."

"Me too." She sighed then added, "I mean you, I'm excited to see you."

"I'll be the one in the tux." He quipped.

"I'll I'll be wearing this thing called I wedding dress? I guess it's kind of a big deal." She teased.

"I'm excited to see it. You know that you could've shown me already. You already said you don't believe in bad luck."

"This isn't about luck. Mo says it's about 'wow' factor." Zoey explained.

"Wow." Max said in his best Owen Wilson voice which made Zoey cackle loudly. 

Chapter Text

2 Months Earlier

Zoey stood on the platform wearing a wedding gown looking out to her onlookers Maggie, Mo, Emily, Amala, Tatiana, and Bri.

"So, what do you think?" She asked.

"It's... interesting honey." Maggie said.

"Magpie, just come out with it. That dress is hideous." Mo stated plainly. 

"Yeah, I kinda hate it." Zoey agreed. "I really don't like mermaid dresses either, I literally can't walk in a normal outfit, I'm not sure why we'd add even more challenge to that." 

"So, no to the dress then?" The clerk asked. 

"No." All of her onlookers said in unison. The clerk disappeared behind a rack of other wedding dresses disgruntled. 

"I'll help her. She seems to be struggling with your whole vibe considering," Mo pointed in disgust at the dress. "Whatever that is." He stood up and followed after the clerk.

"Honestly, Zoey, even that dress looks better on you than all of my clothes currently look on me." Bri sighed.

"You are pregnant, Bri!" Maggie said.

"And I hate to break it to you, but it only get's worse from here." Emily chimed in.

"Great." Bri huffed.

"Yo, Zo!" Mo called out from behind a rack of wedding dresses. Zoey hiked up the dress she was wearing and attempted to walk over to Mo. Tatiana shot up from her seat seeing Zoey's dilemma and caught her arm just as she was about to trip down the steps from the platform. 

"Thank you." Zoey breathed a sigh of relief.

"I don't think that dress likes you either." Amala laughed

"Someone get this thing off me!" 

Chapter Text

(2 Months Earlier Continued)

Zoey stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room. 

"What's going on in there. Did you die?" Mo yelled through the door. Zoey reached back and pressed down on the lever handle to open the door and turned around to face her friend, wiping a tear from her eye. 

"Sorry, I don't know why I'm crying." She sniffed loudly trying to regain control of herself. 

"I do." Mo said calmly. "This is it. This is the dress." 

"You think?" She peeked back at the mirror, examining it.

"You look stunning. Almost like if Aphrodite and Princess Diana had a very attractive baby." He said. Zoey let out a laugh that almost sounded like a sob. She nodded repeatedly and wiped at her eyes. "Are these happy or sad tears?" Mo asked

"Both. I just... really wish my dad was walking me down the aisle." Zoey shrugged. She offered Mo a sad smile then hiked up her dress to walk out of the dressing room. Mo put a hand on her arm turning Zoey to face him. He motioned with his hand for her to come in for a hug and she obliged starting a new onslaught of half laughing and sobbing. 

"There's one more thing." Mo murmured when Zoey had calmed down. He held up a veil that was decorated with classic lace. Zoey nodded and turned her back to Mo so he could stick the comb piece in her hair. 

"Okay. Let's do this." She inhaled deeply and walked around the dividing wall to the platform.

The second Maggie saw her daughter she put her hand over her heart like she was trying to keep it from falling out of her chest. A round of gasps from the others confirmed that Mo was right, this was the dress. When Zoey made it onto the platform she turned to face them all, smiling shyly. 

"So?" She asked. 

"You look beautiful." Maggie said tearing up. 

"Mom! Don't do that, you're going to make me cry!" Zoey replied already wiping at her eyes again. 

"It's perfect." Emily bobbed her head in approval. 

"This is definitely the dress." Tatiana agreed. 

"I concur." Amala chirped.

"I don't think you're ever going to find something that perfect for you again." Bri nodded and then, as a side note, added, "besides my brother of course."

Chapter Text

August 27th

"2 minutes till midnight!" Zoey said. 

"And then only 15 hours until you're stuck with me forever." Max kissed the top of her head. 

"15 hours." She sighed and turned her head up to lock eyes with him. "I love you."

"I love you too." He grabbed her hand with the engagement ring and squeezed it. "You ready to walk down the aisle?" 

"Yes, are you?" Zoey asked. 

"No." Max smiled and then seeing her look of confusion said "I don't really walk down the aisle, I just kinda stand there."

"Max! You know what I meant." She shoved him playfully.

"I'm ready, yes. I've been ready." He nodded. 

Chapter Text

4 Months Earlier

The Clarke's, with the addition of Cornelius and Max sat at the dining room table dishing out Maggie's chicken parmesan. 

"Okay, who wants to start the check-in?" Maggie asked.

"I'll go mom!" Zoey said cheerily. The table nodded for her to go ahead. "Wedding planning is going really great, especially because Mo is basically doing everything." Max nodded in agreement at her statement. "I think for the first time in a long time, all I feel is... happiness. And I don't feel guilty for being happy." 

"And you shouldn't feel guilty." Maggie said reaching over to squeeze Zoey's hand. "Max?"

"Oh, I've pretty much been on cloud nine since she said 'yes.'" Max glanced at Zoey grinning. "Speaking of the wedding, David do you want to be one of my groomsmen?" 

"Don't have enough friends?" David teased.

"You made the cut." Max shrugged. 

"Am I allowed to do that? I-I mean... Z I know dad's not here to walk you down the aisle. I was kind of hoping that I could instead?" David looked at his sister. 

"I would love that, D. Honestly, I assumed you would. I guess I should have asked you." Zoey looked down at her plate sheepishly. 

"No, no, you're right, I want to. It would be an honor." He smiled kindly at her. "Does this mean I can't be a groomsmen?"

"I think you can do both. You'll just walk me down, give me away, and then go stand up there with the groomsmen." She explained. 

"Okay, then." David turned to Max, "Yes, I'll be a groomsmen."

"I guess now is as good of time as any. Em, will you be my Maid of Honor?" Zoey asked hesitantly. 

"Me?" Emily looked surprised. "Of course I will! I kind of figured that Mo would be your Maid of Honor."

"Oh, Mo is actually going to be officiating because we couldn't decide if he was going to Max's best man or my Maid of Honor." Zoey said. "He's demanding to plan the Bachelorette party though, so you won't have to do that."

"Great! I hate throwing parties." Emily stated.

"Who's your best man, Max?" David asked. "It's not Simon, is it?" 

"No, I decided it will be my brother, because I enjoy pain apparently. Mo is still going to plan the bachelor party."

"I'm a little afraid of what your brother will say in his speech at the wedding." Zoey laughed nervously.

"Me too.. We will cross that bridge when we get there." Max sighed.

Chapter Text

August 28th, Midnight. 

Max looked at the watch on is wrist and bent to kiss Zoey. He meant for it to be a quick kiss, but she reached up and put her hand on the nape of his neck pulling him in and he didn't move to break free. Instead he put his own hand on the back of her head tangling his fingers in her hair, kissing her back. Zoey gripped his shirt with her other hand and kissed him a few seconds longer before pulling away. 

"Happy Wedding Day." Zoey said, a little breathlessly. Max blinked trying to regain his thoughts. 

"Happy Wedding Day, Zo. I assume we can probably head home now since the curse is now in full force. I'm pretty sure making out with the bride the day of the wedding might get us an extra special smite from the universe." Max teased. Zoey jumped up from her seat and walked to the ledge holding her arms out wide. 

"WE'RE GETTING MARRIED. WOOO!" Zoey yelled at the trees. Max got up from his seat chuckling and joined her. 

"WOOOOOOO!" He shouted over the edge.

Chapter Text

August 28th, 12:27AM

"Shhh." Zoey hissed as Max tried to unlock their front door. He grabbed the handle slowly turning it. The door groaned and Max winced at the noise. They made it halfway through the doorframe when a voice called out from behind them. 

"And just what do you two think you're doing?" Mo asked. They froze then turned around like they were children who just got caught by their parents doing something bad.

"We were just-" Max looked at Zoey, panicked.

"Going to sleep. Big day tomorrow!" Zoey finishes for him. 

"Don't you mean big day today?" Mo put his hands on his hips and his voice held a certain level of venom that made both Max and Zoey cringe. 

"Well... we figured we already broke the rules so we'd just..." Max trailed of pointing inside their apartment. 

"So you just thought you'd continue to break the rules?"

"It's really more of a tradition than a superstition, though. I don't think it's that big of a deal." Zoey argued. 

"Try telling that to my Uncle. He saw my auntie before the wedding and their wedding was an hot mess. They found out later that they were 3rd cousins or something. Ask me if they are still married." Mo challenged. 

"Are they still married?" Max's voice went higher at the end when receiving dirty looks from both Zoey and Mo. "What? He said to ask!" 

"I already have so much to do tomorrow, and now I'm going to have to run around saging the ceremony to make sure there is no bad juju. So you. In. Now." Mo jabbed his finger at Max and pointed inside his own apartment.  Max looked down at Zoey for help. 

"But-"

"But nothing. I made up the couch for you. Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Mo grabbed Max's shoulder and started pushing him towards the open red door. 

"Can I at least grab pajamas? My tooth brush? Floss?" Max looked back over his shoulder. 

"Boy hush, I already broke into your apartment earlier and grabbed those things while you two were out sneaking around like a teenager." Mo's voice was stern and unwavering.

"Fine." Max exhaled and stomped off to Mo's apartment.

Chapter Text

Mo walked into Zoey’s Bedroom and opened the curtain letting light into the bedroom, singing loudly. (Chapel of love by the Dixie Cups)

♫ Going to the chapel
And we're gonna get married
Going to the chapel
And we're gonna get married

Gee I really love you
And we're gonna get married
Going to the chapel of love ♫

Zoey sat up abruptly and launched herself out of bed excitedly. 

"Technically the ceremony is outside." She corrected. 

"I'm sorry, do you know of a song that says 'going to the outdoor wedding?" Mo rolled his eyes.

"Mo." Zoey whispered.

"Yes, Red Wedding?" He raised his eyebrows at her. 

"I'm getting married." Zoey laughed nervously.

"I'm aware. Now we have to get you to your nail appointment. Chop chop." He clapped his hands together twice.

"Okay, okay!" She ran to the bathroom and applied toothpaste heavily to her toothbrush.  After a few moments of brushing she tilted her head in thought. "Wait, don't a bunch of people die at the red wedding?" She asked through a mouth full of toothpaste. 

Chapter Text

Zoey sat in front of a mirror in a robe as Mo applied her makeup.  Emily, Amala, Tatiana, and Bri were already dressed in their peach, floor-length bridesmaid's dresses while Maggie and Adah passed out champagne to everyone. Zoey fiddled with her shield ring on her right hand.

"Are you sure you want to wear that?" Mo pointed to the shield ring. "It doesn't exactly match."

"I'm sure." Zoey nodded. 

"Girl, stop moving so much. I'm almost done." He chastised her and she stiffened, closing her eyes so Mo could finish applying a touch of eyeshadow. 

"Done! I have to say, I think this is some of my best work." Mo grinned down at her and the rest of the woman crowded around her to see. 

"You look beautiful honey! I have some of this for your hair, too." Maggie held up a bouquet of babies breath. 

"Great idea, Maggie!" Mo took a bunch from her and they both started pinning the flowers into her waterfall braid. Zoey stared at herself in the mirror blinking back tears.

"Mo, did you use waterproof makeup?" Tatiana asked seeing Zoey's demeanor.

"Of course I did, for hers and mine!" Mo finished sticking one last piece of the baby's breath in Zoey's hair then stood back to look at the whole thing. "Anyone know what time it is?" 

"It's 2:12!" Adah called out. 

"Okay... okay." Zoey said trying to regain control. 

"We need to get you in your dress, Zoey." Emily grabbed the dress from the closet and walked towards her. 

"Right, the dress." Zoey recited back. 

"Are you freaking out right now?" Bri cocked her head at her.

"A little." She sucked in a shaky breath then stood up from her seat determined.

Chapter Text

Max stood in front of a floor-length mirror wearing a black tux. He finished tying the knot to his black straight tie and adjusted it. 

"It's a little crooked." Alan noted. 

"Really?" Max ripped the tie off his neck, pulling it apart to restart. 

"Let me do it." Alan said when Max had placed the tie under his collar again. Max gave him a slight nod to go ahead and Alan finished tying it easily. 

"Thanks." 

"No problem." Alan clapped him on the back. 

"So, what do we think?" Max turned around to the groomsmen who were all wearing dark blue suits with peach straight ties. 

"Lookin' good, man." Simon bobbed his head in approval.

"Eh, I guess you're alright." John grinned. 

"Don't you need this?" Leif held up Max's watch with one finger. 

"Right! Yes, thanks." Max nervously grabbed the watch from Leif and slid it onto his wrist, clasping it. "David, you have the rings?" 

"Yep, I'm about to pass Miles and the rings off to my mom." David said holding up the ring box with one hand and holding Miles' hand with the other. He stooped to his son's level.  "You ready to go see grandma?" Miles shook his head, 'yes," and David picked him up standing up again. "Alright, I will see you all at the altar!" He said as he made his way to the door. 

"Mmhmm." Max waived as David left the room and then started to pace back and forth. 

"You good?" Leif asked.

"I'm fine." He said more to himself then to Leif.

"Cold feet?" John cocked his head at his brother.

"NO!" Max shouted and then closed his eyes taking a deep breath. "It's not that. I-I don't know why I'm so nervous."

"Well... you're getting married. I don't know if anyone told you, but that's kind of a big deal." Simon chimed in.

"You'll be alright." Alan told his son. Max cleared his throat.

"Right." He adjusted has stance to be more confident. "I can do this." 

Chapter Text

A knock sounded on the door. and everyone turned around to stare at it. Mo walked towards the door mumbling about how it better not be Max.  Instead he opened the door to David and Miles. 

"Oh, it's you." Mo stated and opened the door wider for him. David set Miles on the ground and Emily walked over to them, grabbing Miles' hand. David kissed his wife on the lips then pulled something out of his back pocket making his way over to Zoey. Zoey was standing next to her mom in her wedding dress and veil. "You look fantastic, Zo." 

"Thanks." She smiled.

"So, I got you something." David held up a simple, sapphire, pendant necklace by the chain. "I know dad can't be here, but I figured maybe he can be here in spirit? It's his birthstone." He shrugged. "It guess it could also be your something blue." 

"I love it." Zoey lifted her hair and her veil off her shoulders. "Will you put it on me?" David nodded and made is way behind her putting the necklace around her neck. Zoey reached up and grabbed the jewel with one of her hands holding it between her thumb and forefinger. 

"Okay, t-minus 15 minute people!" Mo yelled. "I'm going to go check on Max. Zoey where are your shoes?"  Zoey pointed across the room to a pair of white vans.  Mo gave her a dirty look. "Are you seriously wearing those to your wedding?" 

"Yes! Max suggested it." Zoey grinned.

"You two are going to be the death of me." Mo huffed as he left the room. 

Chapter Text

Mo walked through the doorway and immediately scanned the room for Max. Simon pointed to the open bathroom door and Mo walked over to peak his head around the corner.

"And just what are you doing?" Mo asked staring at Max who had one hand on each side of the running sink.

"Trying not to throw up." He stated. "And you?"

"I came to check on you." Mo raised his eyebrows.

"I'm fine, really." Max looked up anxiously. "Unless Zoey bailed at the last second? She didn't, right?" 

"No, she's not bailing." Mo confirmed. "She seems less nervous than you are."

"Oh." Max turned off the faucet then pulled down on the hem of his Jacket, standing up straighter. "Okay, then." 

"We gotta get you outside. There's only 7 minutes left." Leif said poking his in.

"You ready?" Mo held out his elbow to Max and he took it nodding.

"Ready." 

Chapter Text

Zoey stood at the back of the line with David, nervously shifting her stance every now and then. Amirah stood in her flower girl dress proudly, playing with the flower pedals in her basket in front of Zoey. Maggie was holding Mile's hand in front of Amirah while John and Emily stood at the front of the line waiting for the music to start.  Simon and Tatiana were close behind them, holding hands and waiting patiently. Amala leaned against Leif, who had his arm over her shoulders. Soft piano music started to play and Emily and John made their way out the French doors. 

"Okay, okay." Zoey took a deep breath and step forward as the line shifted. 

"Are you ready or do you need a minute?" David asked.  Zoey looked down at her shield ring and smiled.

"I'm good." 

Chapter Text

Max stood anxiously watching as Emily and John walked toward the front. John socked him in the shoulder when he got to the front and Emily gave him a slight nod. He barely noticed as the others walked down the aisle, still searching behind them, impatiently waiting for Zoey.  When Maggie and Miles made it down the aisle Maggie took the ring box from Miles and handed the rings to Emily and John before turning to Max. 

"We are so happy you're a part of our family." Maggie leaned in to hug him giving him a kiss on the cheek. 

"I actually have something I need you to do for me." Max turned around to Mo who stuck a picture frame in his outstretched hand. "Can you set this next to you on the seat by the aisle?" He asked Maggie, holding up photograph of Mitch.

"I'd love to." She choked and wiped at a tear forming in her eye before taking the picture frame and heading to her seat. Amirah was halfway down the aisle doing a little dance as she tossed flowers onto the floor doing a spin. 

"Amirah certainly knows how to get a crowd's attention, I'm not sure how we're going to follow that performance." Max said in a hushed voice looking back at Mo.

"She's learning from me." Mo said proudly. "I have a feeling Zoey is going to be more of the show stopper, though."

Max narrowed his eyes at the door as the piano music changed to a different song.  The French doors opened completely and Zoey stepped down onto the ledge holding David arm. Max stopped breathing for a moment as he watched her walking towards him. 

Chapter Text

Zoey locked eyes with Max the second she stepped onto the ledge leading to the grass and gave him a nervous smile.

♫ The piano music sputtered and slowly turned into I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers in Zoey's head.♫

Max sang directly to her as she made her way closer to him.

Chapter Text

Max jerked his head in the direction of the man, confused. Then the realization dawned on him.

"Mo, what happened to security? I thought we were media free?" He hissed.

"I suggest you don't pay them, because it seems that they failed at their job." Mo grimaced. Max jumped down off the platform he was standing on and headed toward the man. Simon and John immediately followed after him.

"Buddy, I'm going to need the chip from your camera and I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Max said sternly.

"I'm not giving you my pictures." The man glared at him stubbornly. 

"Let me rephrase that. You are trespassing. You WILL give me the chip and you WILL leave." Max raised his voice. 

"I'll leave with my pictures. You can't take my personal property.  I got what I came herE for anyways. Everyone wanted to see the sexy red-head of SPRQ point on her wedding day." The man sneered and then a wide smile spread across his face. "Hey, you'd probably know, does the carpet match the dra-" Max swung his arm back and punched him square in the nose before he could finish the sentence. The paparazzo staggered back clutching at his face that was now gushing blood. Max shook out his hand, half-surprised at himself and Zoey gasped, watching from the end of the aisle. Simon rushed forward and popped the chip out of the camera while the man was otherwise occupied with his broken nose. John took his place next to his brother in case the man decided to swing back, although he seemed in no condition to do so.

"I'll sue!" The man finally spat back at Max.

"It's not his fault that you accidently faceplanted." Mo grinned connivingly.

"That's definitely what I saw happen!" Cornelius chimed in from his seat next to Maggie. 

"Plus, were you ever really here at all?" Simon held up card he had taken from the camera and bent it with his fingers for show.

"I'm sorry, I think I cut you off. We're you going to ask me a question?" Max asked innocently.  The paparazzo backed away slowly into two security guards who had finally caught on to the commotion. They each grabbed one of the man's arms and hauled him away. Max whirled around to see Zoey and and approached her and her brother warily. 

"I can't believe you just did that!" Zoey blinked.

"Yeah, that's definitely a first for me," Max looked down sheepishly. "Sorry, Zo." 

"I'm just sorry that people seem to care enough about me to want to stake out our wedding!" She shrugged.

"You look..." He looked her up and down, his breath catching, "really beautiful." 

"Alright! Should we continue?" Mo yelled from behind him. 

"Right, wedding!" Zoey shouted. "Let's do this thang!" Max stuck his hand out to David who shook it. Max winced at the pressure of David's thumb on his knuckles that would most certainly be bruised the next day.

"Sorry." David apologized recognizing the look of pain on Max's face. He bounced up to the platform taking his place next to Leif on the groom's side. Max stepped onto the platform himself and held his hand out to Zoey. She took it and joined him under the arbor covered in flowers passing her bouquet to Emily.

"Ready?" Max breathed under his breath. She reached forward and hugged him, collapsing against his chest. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her tightly for a moment before letting her go and holding both of her hands. 

"Yes." She stated.

Chapter Text

Mo stood behind Max and Zoey proudly going through the motions of their wedding cheerily. 

"Max do you take-"

"Yes. I do." Max interrupted.

"Boy, are you going to let me finish?" Mo scolded

"If you really want to." He replied, not breaking his eye contact with Zoey. Mo sucked in a breath loudly and spewed the his next words as fast as he could get it out. 

"Do you, Max take Zoey to be your wife, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor her, to love her faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the reason why you came together with her this day?" 

"I do." Max grinned and squeezed Zoey’s hands  

"And do you, Zoey take-"

"I do! I do!" Zoey interrupted making Max chuckle. 

"Well, okay then! The rings." Mo said. Max turned back to his brother grabbing Zoey's wedding band while Zoey grabbed his from Emily. 

"Zoey," Max smiled. "From the moment I met you you changed my life. You are kind, thoughtful, caring, strong-willed, stubborn," the crowd laughed. "And incredibly, incredibly beautiful inside and out. Any amount of time I get with you will be extraordinary, but I'm going to count on forever. I love you." Max finished and slid the band over her ring finger. Zoey sniffed loudly and started her own speech.

"Max, you challenge me, you always make me laugh, and you care about every person you come in contact with."

"Except that guy he punched earlier." Tobin shouted from his seat making both Max and Zoey laugh.

"Exept that guy." She agreed. "You made me believe in something again when everything was really dark. And here we are, finally. I get to marry my best friend, my person, my soul mate. You're it, Max. I'm going to love you for however long the universe let's me and then some and I'll be grateful for every second." She finished and slid Max’s wedding band onto his finger. 

"Woo Baby, let's do this!" Mo shouted. "By the power vested in me by the state of California and the internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Mo raised his arms like he was declaring it to the air. Max cupped Zoey's face with one hand and placed is other hand all the small of her back pulling her into him. Zoey grabbed his face with both hands as they kissed and the crowd cheered. When they broke apart Max held out his hand to Mo, not breaking eye contact with Zoey. Mo handed him a cloth bag with a wine glass inside. 

"I've always wanted to do this." Max said setting the bag on the ground. He grabbed Zoey's hand squeezing it before lifting his foot to stomp on the bag. The wine glass shatter under his foot. "That was satisfying. Your turn." Zoey nodded and lifted her own shoe to smash it under her foot.

When Zoey finished, Max held her hand up in the air and the crowd cheered again. Then he stooped to sweep her off her feet. Zoey leaned in to kiss him again with her arms wrapped around his neck as he started down the aisle. 

Chapter Text

Max set Zoey down inside the foyer grinning. 

"Max. We're married " Zoey whispered grinning back. 

"We are." He bent down to kiss her again and she pulled on his tie to deepen the kiss.

"Whoa, hope we're not interrupting." John said coming into the room beside Emily. 

"You are." Max huffed, breaking free from Zoey. Mo walked into the room, his heels clacking on the ground. 

"The photographer wants to do family photos and bridal party photos first then we'll do just you two."

Chapter Text

The reception hall was booming with chatter waiting for Zoey and Max. The music playing lightly in the background stopped. Mo stood by the main entrance and flipped on the microphone he was holding.

"Hello everyone! It is my great pleasure and privilege to introduce, for the first time ever, Mr. Richman and Mrs. Clarke-Richman!" Mo gestured to the door and everyone cheered as Max and Zoey walked into the room holding hands and smiling from ear to ear.  They made it over to their seats at the head table and Max pulled out Zoey's chair for her before sitting down in his own. "And now that the Bride and Groom are here, let's eat!" Mo turned off the mic as a flurry of waiters made their way into the room, setting down plates of salad on tables. 

A little while later John stood up from his chair and hit his spoon against his champagne flute. Mo passed him the microphone.

"Oh, no." Max whispered in Zoey's ear.

"Here we go." She said under her breath in agreement. John cleared his throat loudly and gave Max and Zoey a wicked grin before starting his speech.

"Hello, everyone.  It is my pleasure, and Max and Zoey's absolute terror that I get to give the best man speech on this fine evening." John looked down at his brother who was slowly shaking his head at him. "Just know anything I say can be blamed on Max for giving me the platform to speak." The crowd laughed in response and Zoey squeezed Max's hand under the table. "So with that, here we go! As his older brother, and the best of the three siblings," he glanced down at Bri who rolled her eyes. "I have known Max since my parents came home with what they called 'a bundle of joy' and I called a nuisance.  As we grew up it became more and more obvious just how different Max was from the rest of us. One time I actually walked in on Max taking apart my Nintendo just because he wanted to see how it worked. He obviously didn't figure out how it worked, because when he put it back together again the thing over-heated and almost started a fire in my room." John paused, waiting for the crowd to finish laughing. "On top of the massive amounts of lego replicas he forced me to help him build-"

"Oh, come on! You liked it." Max interrupted. John shook his head and continued.

"He also always had a thing for red-heads." The crowd laughed again. Max put his hands over his face and Zoey giggled next to him.

"The first girl Max ever had a crush on was Natasha Silas in the 1st grade, a red-head of course. And I'm sure the girl never had a clue he liked her just like our sweet little Zoey." John glanced down at Zoey who smiled back, amused. "I also remember the first time Max came home after getting the job at SPRQ Point.  We all wanted to hear about the job, but Max was more focused on telling us all about Zoey.  I'm serious. He would NOT stop talking about her.  I knew immediately he had it bad, even if he insisted repetitively that they were just friends. This is the point of my speech where I'd like to point out that I'm always right. 7 years later, because my brother moves at the pace of a snail, here we are at their wedding. In all seriousness though, Zoey, I have never met a single person who makes my brother as happy as you make him. And from the smile on your face I can tell he does the same for you.  I know you'll have a long, wonderful marriage. Congratulations and enjoy the honeymoon." He winked at them making Zoey blush. "To Max and Zoey!" He raised his glass into the air and everyone chanted back before taking a sip of their champagne. Max clinked his glass against Zoey's and they both took a sip.

"That was honestly was not as bad as I thought it would be." Max whispered to Zoey.  

"Natasha, huh?" Zoey raised her eyebrows.

"Mhmmm, and she definitely did know I liked her, she gave me a stuffed dog for valentines day." He grinned. "Also, I would've gotten the Nintendo back together just fine, but he threatened to tell mom and dad so it was a rush job. It's not as bad as your microwave problem." 

"Okay the last 3 times I did it, the microwave worked fine." She said in defense. 

Chapter Text

After Emily and Mo gave a speech, David rose and clinked his glass at the end of the table. Zoey, looked up surprised, not expecting David to speak. Emily passed down the microphone to him and he cleared his throat.

"Hi... everyone. Some of you may know Zoey and I's Dad couldn't be with us today.  As much as it was an honor to walk my sister down the aisle, I know he would have loved to have been here to see both her and Max happy.  He always did like Max and my dad was always of a bit of a matchmaker so I guess you could say he called it before anyone else did. Before my dad passed he made testimonial videos for each of us, but because of his condition at the time, they're pretty hard to watch.  Zo, I'm not sure if you ever did get to watch the whole thing, but if you didn't I thought that maybe this format might be a little easier to hear."  Zoey nodded for him to continue and David pulled out a handwritten note from his back pocket. "My dearest Zoey, I made a video for you, your brother, and your mother. Dr. Hamara says that my voice might be gone soon. Until then, some words of wisdom for my daughter. Don't be afraid to take risks. We can't live life afraid of what comes next. We have to learn to live on in the face of anything the universe might throw at us, because that's what living is all about. Even in the hardest times there is joy, because each day we get to live is a gift. Every second I got to spend with you was a gift." Tears started to roll down Zoey's face and Max put his arm around her for comfort. "Do you need me to stop?" David asked. Max leaned in to hear Zoey's quiet response and then said it louder so David could hear.

"She's alright. They're happy tears, continue." He said.

"Okay." David found his place on the note again. "Some of the biggest chances we take in life sometimes end up being the best decisions we ever made.  And you, my daughter, are capable of anything you put your mind to, I've seen it first hand. Just remember that when I have passed on that I'll never truly be gone. The ones we love are never completely gone. I'll be with you every day, celebrating your successes and failures along the way. I'll be there for every promotion at work, your wedding day, the birth of your children, and more. I love you, Zo, always." Zoey sniffed loudly against Max's chest and then sat up, straightening her spine. 

"David, can I keep the note?" She asked as she stood up from her chair and stepped behind it. Max followed her grabbing her hand.  

"Of course you can." David walked around the backside of the table to meet her in a bear hug. "Happy wedding day, Z." 

"Thanks, D." Zoey squeezed him before letting go and taking the note from his hand.

"Max, I know I don't even have to tell you to take care of my sister, because I know you will." David smiled. Max nodded and then hugged him as Zoey still held onto his hand. 

Chapter Text

Max and Zoey stood by the dancefloor talking to Maggie when Mo approached them.

"You two ready for your first dance?" He asked. "I have fully prepared myself for the lack of rhythm that may plague us shortly."

"We're ready." Zoey said and then turned to Max.  "I actually have had a little practice with my dad so I don't expect to step on your toes." 

"Let's do this." Max agreed. Mo made his way to the dj, bending over to whisper in his ear before taking the microphone next to him on the stand.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please focus your attention to the dancefloor," Mo announced. "For the first time as a married couple let's give a round of applause for Max and Zoey!"

Max stepped forward onto the dancefloor and held out his hand to Zoey to join him. As they came together A Moment Like this by Kelly Clarkson started to play in the background. They moved back and forth slowly with the music until the chorus hit and Max spun Zoey under his arm. When the came back together Max lip synced the words "I can't believe it's happening to me." and Zoey nodded and they both sang the next lines together softly. 

"Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this."

When the song ended Max dipped Zoey back and she laughed.  When she stood back up again Max leaned in and kissed her sweetly. As the pulled a part, Zoey whispered in Max's ear.

"Can you do a favor for me?" 

Chapter Text

Max leaned over and spoke in the DJ's ear and before taking the microphone from Mo.  

"Hello, everyone.  Mitch, Zoey's dad, passed a while ago, but we know he is with us in spirit. So please give it up for the father daughter dance!"  He gestured over to Zoey who held up her arms like she was holding on to an invisible person as True Colors by Cyndi Lauper started to play.

Zoey closed her eyes and Mitch was there.

"You look beautiful, honey." He said as he slow danced with her. 

"I'm so happy you're here." She whispered.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world... or the universe." He smiled. "So, Max, huh?" 

"Something tells me you knew a long time ago." Zoey replied.

"I suspected," Mitch nodded. "I am just happy that you you weren't afraid to find love. I'm proud of you Zo." 

"Thanks dad." 

"I think there is someone else who would like to dance with you." He looked of to the side and Zoey followed his gaze, not seeing anyone. "Open your eyes." Mitch whispered.

Zoey opened her eyes to find David standing next to her.

"Can I cut in?" He asked. Zoey nodded and David took over the empty space between her arms. 

Chapter Text

Zoey stood at the DJ's table holding a microphone. 

"And now, for the the Mother son dance, please welcome the lovely Adah Richman and her son to the floor!" She exclaimed.

Max walked over to his mother and held out his hand to her. She took it gently and moved out onto the dancefloor with him. I Hope You Dance by Lee Anne Womack started to play in the background.

"Mom... did you choose this song?" Max asked, surprised.

"I did! I thought it was fitting." Adah smiled.

"It's definitely fitting." He agreed and briefly glanced at Zoey who shrugged as if to say 'it wasn't me.'

"So, you found a good one." Adah said stepping back and forth, following his lead. 

"I did." He nodded and spun her under his arm. 

"We all love Zoey and we're so glad she finally figured out what a catch you are." She said, only half-joking.

"Thanks." Max chuckled. 

"We're proud of you Maxwell, your dad and I both are." Adah glanced over at Alan on the side of the dance floor and he waived at them, grinning.

"And maybe some day he'll be able to tell me that himself." Max said, with no hint of anger in his voice. Adah nodded.

"Any chance I'm going to get any more grandkids soon? How cool would if be if your kids got to grow up with Bri's?" She raised her eyebrows.

"We're still at the wedding mom." He shook his head. "Haven't even gone on the honeymoon yet." 

"Honeymoons have a way of bringing unplanned children into the world, that's how you were born." Adah noted. 

"Great, mom. I'll keep that in mind." 

Chapter Text

Zoey stood on a balcony while bunch of ladies stood below her ready to pounce on the bouquet the second it came out of her hand. Zoey looked back briefly, half-aiming at Mo, tossing it behind her. She turned around to watch as the bouquet landed directly in Tatiana's arms. Tatiana looked shocked as she stared that bouquet in her hands. Across the room Max slapped Simon's back with his hand. 

"Seems like you're next, man." Max laughed. 

Chapter Text

Zoey sat in a chair looking at Max. 

"This is the weirdest, and most uncomfortable wedding tradition ever." She hissed.

"We don't have to do it." Max said. "I don't particularly like it either. It's oddly sexual to be doing in front of everyone."

"Mo told me that he would riot if he didn't get a chance to catch the garter." Zoey sighed.

"I'll be... quick?" He shrugged apologetically. 

"You're going to do it with your teeth right?" Tobin chimed in from the crowd.

"Absolutely not." Max stooped to reach under Zoey's dress to grab the garter from her leg. "Got it." He mumbled pulling it down quickly.  Max stood up with the garter in hand as all of the single men crowded behind him.  Instead of tossing it over his shoulder, though, he pulled it back like a rubber band and shot it out into the crowd. The garter immediately hit Perry in the face then fell into his hands.  Mo, who was standing beside him, laughed out loud.

"I mean, did that hurt?" Mo asked innocently. 

"SORRY!" Max cringed.

Chapter Text

Cameras flashed as Zoey and Max both held onto the cake knife. Together they sliced through their wedding cake and the crowd clapped.  Max finished putting a slice on a plate and held it up between them with a mischievous look.

"Max Richman, if this cake ends up anywhere other than in my mouth you will be in a world of hurt." Zoey stated bluntly.

"Geez! I wasn't going to do it, I was just thinking about it!" Max said.

"I know you were thinking about it, because your heart seems to think that there isn't any rest for the wicked." She cocked her head at him. 

"Good song choice." He grinned.

"Is it? I think you'll get plenty of rest if you decide to smash that cake in my face." Zoey raised her eyebrows.

"Okay, okay! Really, I promise I won't." Max shook his head adamantly.

"Alright, then." She nodded and reached forward grabbing a piece of cake between her fingers. He set the plate down and grabbed a piece of his own. At the same time they reached for the other person's mouth. Max made it into Zoey's mouth without any deviation, as promised. Zoey faltered a little, but only because she was bad at aiming. 

"You got a little," She pointed to the corner of Max's mouth where there was leftover frosting due to her poor aim. 

"Mhmm, and you were worried about me missing." He laughed. She grabbed his tie and pulled down on it so he was at her eye level and she kissed the side of his mouth. "You can miss any time you want." He amended. 

"Shall we pass out our gift?" Zoey asked and he nodded sliding something off the cake table. They made their way over to the head table and stopped in front of Simon. Zoey squeezed Max's free hand. "So we know when you were engaged before you wanted cheese quake to be one of the dessert options at your wedding so we thought..."  Max pulled the cheese quake from behind his back and set it down in front of Simon. A big smile spread across Simon's face. 

"I do love me some natural disaster desserts." He popped open the lid laughing. 

Chapter Text

Leif drove Max's car up to the end of the line of people all holding fancy folded paper airplanes and hopped out of the car leaving it running.  Zoey and Max stood inside peaking out the doors.

"For the last time, I will tell you when." Mo chided. 

"Sorry... we just kind of want to get out of here." Zoey glanced up at Max who stole a long lingering look back at her.

"We all know what you mean by that, Zetus Lapetus. If you can reign it in for two seconds we'll be-"

"We're all set." Leif said walking into the room. 

"Great!" Max said extatically. Leif furrowed his brow giving Max a funny look. 

"They made some weird sex pact where they had to wait a week before their wedding so now they really wanna get laid." Mo explained to Leif. 

"Mo!" Zoey's mouth fell open.

"Am I wrong?" He asked.

"No, so let's get this thing moving, shall we?" Max grabbed Zoey's hand and pulled her through the door. They walked down to the two parallel lines of people who started to cheer and throw paper airplanes at them as they passed through to get to Max's car.  When they got there Max ran around to open the door for Zoey and she stepped inside, careful to bundle up her dress enough so it wouldn't get caught in the door when he shut it. Max raced even faster to the driver side. As he put the car in drive he rolled down his window to stick his hand out, waiving goodbye. Zoey looked back to see that the rear window said "Just Married" in large print.

"Did you make all of those paper airplanes yourself?" Max asked as they drove away.

"It's called a thunderbolt. Another trick I learned from origami camp." Zoey said proudly.

"Honestly, they're pretty cool, you should teach me how to make one." 

"We've got all the time in the world now that I'm your wife." She smiled at him.

"My wife." He nodded, glancing back at her. 

"My husband." Zoey stated and reached out to grab his hand. 

Chapter Text

Zoey unlocked the door to their apartment and they both moved inside, the air heavy with anticipation.  Max turned to look at her with desire in his eyes.

"So... do you want to take off my dress or the lingerie Mo made me get?" Zoey raised her eyebrows. 

"Wedding dress," Max decided. "Save the lingerie for the honeymoon." He bent down to kiss her, grabbing the back of her head in his hand. He let go momentarily and breathed in her ear, "I also can't really wait for you to put that on right now." 

"Me neither." She said pulling his tie towards her. Zoey backed up slowly towards the bedroom door as they kissed frantically the whole way there. When they made it into their bedroom Max slammed the door shut as they fell onto the bed. 

- The End -