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“Mom, you look like a princess!” Jessie told Amanda as they arrived at the banquet hall. “All you need is a tiara!”
“Well, tiaras aren’t really my style,” Amanda said with a laugh. “Curling my hair was enough for today. But I appreciate your opinion.” She smoothed out her dress, which was white with a sheer beaded collar, and wrapped her black shawl on her shoulders before she reached for Sonny’s hand so they could walk inside together.
Today was their wedding reception, planned by Serafina, as she had told Sonny and Amanda that while she could live without a Catholic church wedding, she wanted to give them a classic Carisi party. So now, they were looking forward to dancing, eating and drinking, and celebrating with their family and colleagues, who may as well be like family at this point. While Amanda had considered wearing the same dress she wore for the surprise wedding ceremony, she ended up deciding that for the reception, she wanted to wear something with a little more sparkle. Meanwhile, both Jessie and Billie had decided on glamorous white dresses of their own with big skirts and pink flower trim. Jessie said that she wanted to throw flowers on the floor of the reception hall since she didn’t get to be a flower girl at the wedding, and naturally, Billie wanted to be just like her.
“Your mom is special every day of the week,” Sonny said. “And now we never have to be apart again.”
“That’s what I’m happiest about!” Jessie replied. “I always used to tell Mom that I wished you didn’t have to go home, and now I never have to say that again because you live with us. I like having a dad now!”
“Someday we’ll figure out the logistics of all of that.” Sonny whispered to Amanda. They had talked about the idea of him officially adopting the girls, but hadn’t yet researched the legalese around it. Sonny wasn’t much of an expert in family law, and she was struggling with how she’d handle it if she ever had to talk to Declan and Al about terminating their parental rights. Although they weren’t around, they had never gone through the process with the courts.
“We really should, but let’s not discuss it today,” she replied. “I just want to party.”
When they walked inside, Jessie and Billie took out their baskets of flowers and started sprinkling the dance floor with rose petals. Amanda and Sonny followed, and their guests burst into applause. He took the microphone from the DJ and turned to face everyone.
“Thank you all for coming,” he said. “You know, for as many times as I’ve given a closing argument or questioned witnesses on the stand, I’m actually feeling pretty darn nervous right now. So, please bear with me.
“You know, Amanda and I have talked a lot recently about the beginning of our relationship, and how if you had told us eight years ago that she’d have two kids and I’d be like a father to them, we would have both thought you all were insane. She can still remember a time when she didn’t want kids whatsoever. And when we first met, I did like and respect her, but as a friend and coworker. Not to mention, neither of us wanted to date someone we worked with. We both figured that eventually, we’d find love outside of SVU. It turns out, as some of you may understand, that the only person who can understand what you go through every day is someone who works alongside you in the squad room.” He stopped when he saw Olivia smile in agreement and look over at Elliot, who briefly held her hand.
“But over time, it felt like we cared about each other more and more,” he continued. “She and I could both tell stories about the conversations we shared when she was in the hospital in labor with Billie, or with complications when she was pregnant with Jessie. We can remember what was going on both in front of and behind the camera when I got pictures of her and Jessie on the carousel at Coney Island, or recall what it was like when Jessie first met her little sister. When it was time for me to leave SVU to join the ADA’s office, Amanda was the one who walked with me to turn in my badge and gun, and then we went to my surprise farewell party. She stayed there pretty much the whole time too. I’ve been with her, blushing, while she talks to others about how well I’ve treated her and how happy she is to be married to me, but I have to say, I’m just as happy to be with her. I’ve tried to support her at work and at home, but she returns the favor when I need it. Amanda doesn’t just take. She gives support to me and the girls just as much.
“This really has to be the best unexpected event I’ve ever had in my life. Not because Amanda and I didn’t talk about marriage, but because again, when we were two different people eight years ago, something like this was the furthest thing from our minds. And now it’s become a reality. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her. And thank you all for coming.”
Amanda smiled. That’s why she married Sonny. He had such a way with words to the point where his cards and letters to her on birthdays and holidays meant more than any gift of jewelry or even a nice dinner with just the two of them. (Although she certainly never complained about a night off from parenting either.) She thought of how she saved every single card or letter in a box in their closet.
“I really appreciate seeing all of you too,” she said to her friends, as she suddenly felt an urge to say a few words of her own. “Until I got comfortable in my relationship with Sonny, I wasn’t sure I’d ever find someone to be with and grow with. It’s true; I never thought I’d have one child, let alone two. I love Jessie and Billie, but I’m also grateful for how much I’ve changed since we got together. I’m more confident in myself now. And I know that sometimes it takes time to find the right person, but I’m glad I stuck it out and that Sonny and I have built a nice little life for ourselves and the girls. I echo what he said: thank you for being here to celebrate with us. Cheers.”
When they sat down at their family table (the concept was meant to be similar to a sweetheart table, except there were two extra chairs for Jessie and Billie), she leaned into Sonny and held his hand.
“You know, our wedding ceremony and this reception…it’s so us,” she told him. “Your mom did a great job.”
“Well, I knew you weren’t super into the big white dress and church ceremony wedding,” he replied. “We pulled off the surprise at the courthouse pretty well. I’ll never forget the looks on Fin and Liv’s faces when they realized what was going on. I think today is even better, though, because the girls are here too. That’s what this is really about. Letting them see how much we love each other and that they’re going to grow up in a supportive home with a lot of love to go around.”
“It’s just what I’ve always wanted. Now I’ve found it.”