Every summer when he was a kid his dad would take them camping. They would go all over the country but one of Pete's favorite places was close to home in Canton Ohio. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park campgrounds meant a lot to Pete, so it was something special to share the place with Clara for a few days. He had picked a place where they would have some privacy from the other campers, and after they'd pitched their tent and set up their supplies he showed Clara around the park. There was a lot to do aside from just straight up camping and he planned on experiencing it all with Clara, but not all on this trip. He had something else planned for this trip.

They hiked and fished, spent part of a day at the water park, had a cookout dinner with the costumed characters from animated Jellystone, and with each smile she'd give him, each sound of her laugh, Pete knew more and more that Clara was the one meant for him. On the third night of their trip Pete and Clara were laying outside the tent looking up at the stars. Clara was cuddled up against him as she pointed out the constellations he'd been teaching her. It was the perfect moment, lying there sharing something so meaningful to him, something that was apart of him and his dad. Pete squirmed a little so he could reach into the pocket of his cargo pants. He tried not to be obvious so it would be a surprise, and thankfully Clara didn't seem to notice. When she was finished telling him about the little dipper he made a humming noise, one that said he'd discovered something interesting, and then said, "I think there's one missing."

"A star?" Clara asked as she looked up at the night sky. "Which one?"

Pete opened the hinged velvet box one handed and then held it up and out so it was above them so they could see it against the starry night sky. "This one."

The round ribbon diamond Tiffany engagement ring sparkled just like a star as Clara gasped. "Pete?"

Pete shifted so he was on one knee beside the woman he loved. He gave her a moment to sit up and then said, "Marry me, Clara?"

She was surprised to say the least. They hadn't really ever talked about marriage but she knew that if Pete ever asked she'd say yes, which was weird because before Pete she'd never even considered getting married. She'd always been the sort who thought if it happened it happened if it didn't that was fine too. Sitting there looking at this silly, loving, deeply caring, protective man she loved with all her heart she knew without a doubt this was what she wanted. "Yes."

He slipped the ring on her finger with trembling hands and then pulled her close for a kiss.

When he got home and told the others they were beyond happy for him. Myka had warmed to Clara once she was sure the woman wouldn't hurt Pete, and she'd been the first one to hug her after their announcement. With both of their families on the east side of the country Pete and Clara decided to have the wedding in Cleveland. Before they'd moved to North Canton Pete's family had lived in the Westpark area of Cleveland, where both of his parents had grown up. Despite the fact that Clara's family technically belonged to the parish of St. Colman's, she wanted their wedding to be held at St. Patrick's, which was Pete's family parish. That meant a lot to Pete. His parents had been married there, he and Jeannie christened there, and his father's funeral had been there. They booked Windows on the River for the reception. The room they choose had floor to ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the city and a outdoor patio that offered not only views of the city but the river as well. Though he pretty much let Clara handle things Pete was more than willing to help out when it came to picking the menu and cake options, especially the cake options.

Of course before anything more could be done for the wedding Pete had something very important to take care of. Standing outside the Warehouse waiting on the artifact tracking football to land so he could throw it again Pete waited for Myka to pull in. He knew she was on her way back from snagging an artifact with the new agent Mrs. Fredric had brought in. Having one married couple with a family working for the Warehouse was one thing, but having another married agent in their ranks that insisted on continuing to be an agent while also starting his own family meant they would need another pair of hands. Matias Reyes was a young secret service agent who'd saved a senator from an artifact attack and had easily caught Mrs. F's eye. Now he was their new rookie, much to Steve's relief. Steve was so tired of being the new guy.

Pete smiled as he caught the football just as Myka's black suv pulled up. He gave her and Matt a wave and called out, "Got a minute, Mykes?"

"Sure." Myka replied as she let Matt take a large crate from the back of the svu. "Take that into Artie. I'll be in, in a sec to help with the paperwork." While Matt headed inside Myka walked towards Pete who was just launching the football for another pass around its orbit. "What's up?"

"Do you remember our first day here?" Pete asked.

Myka laughed. "I remember ruining a good pair of shoes."

Pete laughed at the memory of Myka standing in a pile of cow manure. When his fit of giggles was over he looked at her. "We didn't like each other very much then."

"No, I suppose we didn't." Myka said with a soft smile.

"I'm really glad that didn't last." Pete said with a soft smile of his own. "Cause it would be weird to ask you to be my best man at my wedding if we still didn't like each other."

Myka's face lit up and she smiled. "Yeah, it would have been weird for me to say I'd be honored to stand up for you at your wedding, Pete, you know if we still didn't like each other."

"Thanks Mykes." Pete said and then pulled his best friend into his arms and hugged her tight. "Ya know," He said as he finally let her go. "Clara owes you big time. You helped make me a better man, Mykes. You helped me become the man she loves."

"You were always a good man, Pete." Myka replied. "You just needed to gown up a little and you did that."

"Yeah, but you helped me to do it." Pete said before kissing her forehead.

"Since you have Myka standing up for you I've asked Alex to stand by my side." Clara said while she and Pete cuddled on the swing in her backyard. Between their jobs and planning a wedding they'd both been busy beyond belief so they'd taken the night off from everything. They'd gone out to a movie and dinner at Applebee's and now they were just sitting in her yard enjoying the lake, the evening, and their favorite drinks.

"He's going to look great in those emerald green dresses you pick out." Pete said with a teasing chuckle.

"I know you're trying to be funny but he actually would." Clara said with a laugh.

Pete laughed a little harder but before he could respond Sasha barked to let them know someone was coming around the house. A moment later Jane's voice called out, "Hello?"

"Mom?" Pete called back. "Back here."

Jane smiled as she followed her son's voice. Her smiled brightened a little when she saw Pete and Clara sitting on the swing together. For a moment she saw a different handsome dark haired young man and his favorite redhead sitting on a front porch swing and her heart swelled and squeezed a bit in her chest. "I hope I'm not intruding."

"Of course you're not, Jane." Clara said brightly as she began to stand to greet her future mother-in-law but Jane waved her off, singling her to stay put.

"What's up?" Pete asked once Jane had taken a seat in one of the wicker chairs.

"Well, I wanted to stop by to give you both something." Jane said honestly. Since Jane still lived in Cleveland she'd been helping the kids arrange things so she knew what was settled and what still needed to be done. She liked Clara, she liked her a lot, and she was happy with Pete's choice. She knew her son was in good hands. "Now, I don't expect you to use them, so don't feel obligated too. If you want to get your own set that's fine." She pulled a jewelry box out of her purse and handed it to Pete. "But, I've been thinking a lot about it and I want you to have these."

Pete looked at his mother for a long moment before he could bring himself to open the box. Wedged into the velvet berth were two gold bands. Pete's heart stopped in his chest and he suddenly had no idea how to take in a breath.

"I had something added to the inscription." Jane said softly.

Since Pete couldn't seem to move Clara reached for the smaller of the bands. The inside of the ring had a claddagh design, a heart held by two hands and topped with a crown which stood for love, friendship, and loyalty, engraved on it as well as two sets of numbers. Bright green eyes looked up for a meaning.

Jane smiled softly. "4994 is my husband's badge number. He had it engraved without me knowing. He showed it to me during the ceremony just before putting it on my finger. I think he was trying to make me cry the big lout." She chuckled softly at the sweet memory of her late husband. "Since I didn't have a badge number when we got back from our honeymoon we had my birthday engraved in his." Pete finally found the power to move and breath. He pulled out the larger band and held it between his fingers while his mother continued speaking. It had the same claddagh design and a different set of numbers. "The other set of numbers in the smaller band is…"

"Pete's badge number." Clara said in a soft voice full of awe.

Jane nodded. "And your birthday in the bigger band."

Looking up Pete finally found his voice. It was thick with emotion and he had to clear it twice to get rid of the crackle in it. "These are your and Dad's wedding rings."

Again Jane nodded. "We had a good marriage, a happy one. There were good times and bad times, highs and lows, and we weathered it all together because we loved each other. He was my one and I was his girl. This is my way of saying I want that for you two." She smiled at her son as she reached out to take his hand. "Those rings have good vibes, Peter. Really good vibes."

Pete nodded. He could feel it too.

"We'd be honored to wear them, Jane." Clara said with tears in her voice. "Thank you."

The church was done up in pale greens, pale blues, and white. Clara's bridal bouquet was made up of blue irises, green cymbidium orchids, and white roses and the church décor reflected that. Soft classical music played while the guests arrived and took their seats. Clara was in the bridal suite with her mother, two bridesmaid cousins and her best friend Alex while Pete was waiting with Myka in the vestibule to make his entrance. He was a bundle of nerves and kept fidgeting with his tie, which Myka would have to fix. After the fourth or fifth time she smacked his hand and told him no with the same look she gave Charlie when her toddler tried excreting her will by repeatedly touching something she shouldn't.

Pete huffed. "I didn't abuse you at your wedding."

Myka chuckled. "Yeah well my wife is scarier than your soon to be wife."

"So very true." Pete said as he laughed. Laughing helped to relax him and he was able to take a deep breath. When his music cue began to play he and Myka along with his brother-in-law who would act as sign language interpreter for Jeannie, and Steve took their places at the alter. The start of the bridal precession saw Claudia as baby wrangler as Clara's cousin's daughter and Charlie toddled down the aisle to an instrumental Can't Help Falling in Love. The girls wore matching fluffy white dresses with emerald green sashes and fairy headbands of braided clover, heather, and baby's breath. While Grace did her part as flower girl Charlie carried the rings on a lace pillow, and with Claudia's help they stuck side by side as they walked down the aisle. Until of course Charlie saw her Uncle Pete standing at the alter, that's when she gave off the ear splitting squeal of joy that only small children can do and took off at a toddler's run straight for him. Wedding or no she hadn't seen him for days and would not be content until she got a hug from him. Pete laughed as he picked her up and kissed her cheek. Helena smiled brightly as she got up from where she sat with Artie, Jane, and Jeannie in the pew to retrieve her daughter.

The music shifted again as Clara's two bridesmaids began their walk down the aisle followed by Alex. Like Myka the bridesmaids were in emerald green satin v-neck sleeveless dresses, though Myka's differed in detail to set her apart as Pete's best person. Alex, Steve and Pete's brother-in-law wore emerald green vests and ties, Alex's tie being stripped, while Pete wore a white vest and tie. His splash of green came from the flower on his lapel.

Once everyone was in place the music shifted one last time. Pete's focus zeroed in on the beautiful redhead who began walking towards him in what felt like slow motion. Clara walked down the aisle on her father's arm. She wore a strapless white tulle dress with beaded accepts at the top, around her waist, and down the skirt. Her hair was down and had a slight wave to it. She wore pear drop earrings her mother had just given her and a bracelet that had been worn by every bride since her great great-grandmother. When she locked eyes with Pete she smiled at him and he lit up like a beacon. For those precious moments no one but the two of them existed.

Taking a step forward when Clara and her dad finally reached the front Pete let Clara's father take her hand from his arm and place it in Pete's. Pete wrapped his fingers around her hand and smiled.

"You'd better take good care of my girl." Clara's father said softly.

Pete looked at him and said, "I will. I promise."

Clara's father nodded and then took a step back and then walked over to join Clara's mother on the first pew of the bride's side. Pete and Clara smiled at each other again and then stepped closer to the priest. The old man smiled at the couple and then looked out at their gathered family and friends. He welcomed them and then once again focused on the couple. "My dear friends, you have come together in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions."

"Peter and Clara, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? He asked.

They both nodded and said, "We have."

"Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?" He asked next.

Again they nodded. "We will."

"Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?" He asked.

"We will." They agreed.

The priest smiled pleasantly, happily. He had been the same priest who'd serviced Pete's father's funeral and even though he hadn't done it himself he'd been in attendance at Pete and Jeannie's christenings. "Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church."

Pete held Clara's hand and looked into her eyes. His own were glassy with tears and his smile bright as he said, "I, Peter, take you Clara to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

Clara could feel the tremble in Pete's hand and that helped calm her own nervous tremors as she said, "I, Clara, take you Peter to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

Having witnessed their declarations the priest said, "You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide."

To which the gathered guests replied, "Amen."

Taking the rings the priest held them as he spoke, "Lord, bless and consecrate Peter and Clara in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. Through Christ our Lord."

Again the gathered guests replied, "Amen."

Pete took the offered ring, the band that had spent so many years on his mother' hand, and slipped it onto Clara's. "Clara, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

For a moment Clara took her eyes off Pete to look at Jane who beamed a smile at her. Clara returned the smile while using the lace handkerchief Alex slipped her to dab at her eyes. Then she turned back to Pete, accepted the larger wedding band, and slipped it onto Pete's hand. "Peter, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

In that moment Pete would swear for the rest of his life that he felt a large strong hand on his shoulder and that he smelled a mix of old spice, lava soap, and wood smoke. The priest said more stuff but Pete was lost in the feeling of Clara's hand on his cheek while her thumb brushed at a tear. He did however hear the part following the final blessing when the priest said he could kiss his bride. They closed the distance between them and Pete smiled before kissing Clara in a way that was probably a little too personal for their current setting.

"Ladies and gentlemen," The priest said with amusement in his voice. "I give you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Clara Lattimer."

The crowd cheered as Pete and Clara made their way up the aisle hand in hand. The newlyweds had a few moments alone while everyone gathered outside to see them to the car that would take them to the reception. Pete held his new wife close and couldn't stop smiling. "I love you Mrs. Lattimer."

"I love you Mr. Lattimer." Clara replied before kissing him.

Fire departments were a lot like the Warehouse in that they became families, and once you were a part of that family you were always part of that family. As Pete and Clara stepped out of the church his father's FD's pipe and drum band began playing while their guests showered them with birdseed. They paused for a moment to listen and Clara raised her hand to place on Pete's chest where she knew he would have his father's badge in the inside pocket of his jacket. Then they made their way to the classic white Cadillac they were taking to the reception.

Clara had more than willingly marathoned through every streamable season of My Fair Wedding much to Claudia's delight. Between the two they'd worked out a really nice plan for the reception. They had the City Room at Windows and it was all decked out in a mix of warm and bright blues and greens and twinkling lights. It was inviting and warm, as well as fun and whimsical. Outside the huge windows the sun was setting and soon the city would light up. While their guests waited on them to arrive they were given hors d'oeuvers and an open bar. Pete had personally picked out the mini crab cakes and the petite potato pancakes with chive sour cream, while Clara had added bruschette di roma and water chestnuts wrapped in bacon. After the wedding party and couple were introduced everyone sat down to a dinner of either grilled chicken vinaigrette topped with tomato relish, roasted prime rib, or baked halibut. They had a dessert table as well as a cake. The cake looked as if it were covered in lace in the same shade of blue as Clara's irises, with their initials in script writing on the center tier, and a beautiful porcelain statute of a featureless couple embracing.

They danced to Boyce Avenue's Heaven and Natalie Cole's This Will Be. When Clara threw her bouquet Claudia, who hadn't been trying to catch it, caught it and squeaked. "Will you stop doing that!" She'd caught Helena's at her and Myka's wedding as well. Pete flung the garter at Steve on purpose, which made the man blush and glare. They partied well into the night and then Pete and Clara got back into their car and drove over to the Ritz Carlton where they spent their wedding night in one of the better suites. The next day they made their way to the airport where they headed off to their honeymoon in New Zealand.

Falling asleep with Clara in his arms Pete couldn't even remember feeling lost and alone. He'd been so worried about finding his one but he shouldn't have been. She'd been out there he'd just had to wait for her, and oh how she'd been worth the wait.