It's been quite a journey readers, this story has been going since I first started on the site a year and a half ago. 88 chapters hundreds of reviews, followers and favorites and getting people to love Clew. Thank you to everyone who read and enjoyed this story and especially to those who absolutely fell in love with it and helped keep it going for so long. While this is the last chapter there will be a future fic sequel at some point in the future. Right now please enjoy the nuptials of Andrew Torres and Clare Diana Edwards!

Ch.88 It All Started with a Kiss

(DREW)

"Did you enjoy your bachelorette party last night?" I ask Clare hugging her waist from behind as she brushes her hair.

"Yep me and the girls had lots of fun, the male strippers were the best part," she grins.

"Just as long as none of them touched you," I smile at her in the mirror, "none of those lady strippers could hold a candle to you."

Clare smiles and turns around, leaning against the sink and linking her arms around my neck, "There's only one naked body I want to see and that's yours," she says and presses her lips to mine. "Well maybe Owen," she adds when she pulls her lips away.

I twist my mouth, tickle her ribs and nip at her neck making her squeal and giggle all at once. After letting her breathe for a couple of seconds I capture her lips again for a kiss.

"Hey lovebirds we need to be at lunch in an hour," Owen calls through our bedroom door while banging on it.

We both had our parties last night, not that we really needed them cause I've wanted to marry Clare since pretty much our first kiss but our friends insisted. However no one got home until about 4 last night. My mom realized this and scheduled a late lunch to welcome the out of town guests. That included both sets of Clare's grandparents, and her sister who really wasn't an out of town guest since she now lived here but she was very important to Clare. Both sets of my grandparents, Emma and Spinner even though they were here a lot they still counted as out of town guests. Paige's brother Dylan, Paige was of course coming with Owen since the wedding party was included in this. Alli was coming since she was maid of honor and Sav was coming because he counted as an out of town guest, as did Eli, Fiona and Declan.

"We're getting ready," I call back through the door.

Clare kisses me once more before she goes to change into a blue and yellow summer dress. I wear a polo and khaki shorts since we're supposed to look nice but not too dressy. One of Dad's clients, who is also a guest at the wedding, reserved us a dining room at the Bayview Country Club where he is the manager, for the lunch. With all the out of town guests and everyone there was going to be between thirty and forty people at the lunch. The four of us drive over together and I leave my car with the valet, Eli and Adam are already here, waiting for us at the entrance. They hug Clare, I hug my brother and we greet Eli, then we're taken back to where the lunch is and we spend a good half an hour greeting other guests. Clare and I haven't eaten anything yet and I can tell that she's starting to get a little weak, Owen's across the room with Paige and talking to Darcy but he sees it too.

"Hey the happy couple needs to eat," Owen says coming over and interrupting our conversation with my aunt and uncle.

"Yes of course," my aunt smiles and they step away.

"Thanks Owen," Clare grins.

"No problem," Owen smiles, "now let's get you something to eat."

"Yeah I'm sta…Emma and Spinner are here and they brought Ryen!" Clare squeals referring to Spinner and Emma's five week old son.

"You can see them after you eat, come on you need food," I tell her.

"I'll eat in a minute I want to see the baby," Clare argues.

"No you'll eat now, I'm not having you passing out at our wedding," I assert.

"But baby," she says.

"Hey male misfits," I call into the room making Adam and Eli look at me, I wave to them and they come over. "Adam please take my gorgeous bride to a table and make sure she stays there. Eli can you please direct Emma and Spinner over that way so that Clare can gush over the baby while Owen and I get us some food, Clare hasn't eaten yet."

"Yep I'll take care of her," Adam grins putting his arm around Clare's shoulders and pulling her towards the tables.

Eli smirks and walks toward Emma and Spinner who are being bombarded by other guest, including my mom, who wants to see Ryen. Assured that Clare will sit and take it easy for a bit I walk to the buffet with Owen, I make two plates, one for me and one for Clare while Owen makes one for him and one for Paige. When we're done Owen whistles to Paige and she walks over to sit with us. When we get to the table Clare is holding Ryen and smiling, Emma is sitting in a chair next to Adam since he's sitting right next to Clare and the empty seat next to her is reserved for me.

"Isn't he just beautiful Drew," Clare gushes showing me the sleeping newborn in her arms.

"Yes he is and you can hold him again later but you need to eat now," I tell her.

"We'll bring him back to you but Em needs to eat too," Spinner comments.

"You guys sit we'll grab you some food," Peter says walking over with Darcy.

"And I'll take my Godson to show him off some more," Jay grins taking Ryen from Clare's arms and looking at him with almost as much pride as the parents.

Jay walks off and Clare starts eating, Eli and Adam go to get food for themselves and they join us after a minute along with Darcy and Peter who have plates for themselves as well as Spin and Emma. All together we spend about three hours at the lunch eating and talking to people, we spend at least five minutes each talking with all the out of town guests and more than that talking with Fiona, Declan and Sav. By the time we leave it's time to head to the beach so we can get ready for the ceremony.

"I'll see you at the altar Angel," I grin kissing her softly but passionately when we arrive at the beach.

She smiles and goes into her tent with my mom, her sister and Bianca all of which are going to help her get ready. Alli, Paige and Jenna also go into the tent, Alli and Paige are in the wedding party, Jenna isn't but she's helping them get ready. It shouldn't take very long for me, Owen and Adam to get ready we just have to put on our tux's. Eli and Dallas also come into my tent to change and hang out until the ceremony as does my dad. There are three screens set up in the tent so we can change with some privacy, considering Owen and I walk around the apartment in boxers most mornings it probably wouldn't bother us so much but it's still nice. Adam, Owen and I change first, then Eli, Dallas and Dad. We all fix our hair, give ourselves a final look over and then relax on the sofa and arm chairs that are also in the tent.

"So how much kinky stuff did you pack for your honeymoon?" Dallas laughs.

"Dude I don't want to know," Adam says while Dad just gives Dallas a look and Owen starts laughing.

"I'm proud of you son, you've come a long way in the last two years and I've watched you nurture Clare and take care of her. You've really become a man," Dad smiles hugging me.

We talk for another few minutes then Bianca says Clare is almost ready and the guests are all seated, so I go take my place at the altar, Dallas , Bianca, Eli and my dad take their seats while Owen and Adam get ready to walk Paige and Alli down the aisle. Randall was already waiting to escort Clare down the aisle. I walked past everyone smiling wide, we were all barefoot for the ceremony so we could walk through the sand, chairs were set up and the aisle was marked by purple and white ribbon strung along the chairs and seashells lined up in the sand. The altar was a small canopy decorated with flowers, ribbon and bows. We were even able to get the minister from Clare's childhood church to perform the ceremony. I take my place and look down to our dressing tents anxiously waiting for the ceremony to start and my angel to be standing next to me. Instead of hiring a band or something we had Maya playing cello and Zig, Sav and Peter playing guitar as our wedding music, there would be a band at the reception though. The music starts up, Adam walks down the aisle escorting Alli, when they're about half way down the aisle Owen escorts Paige down and then I see Clare as she takes her father's arm.

She looks jaw droppingly stunningly gorgeous! Her hair is partially pulled up but a few curls are down and framing her face. On the right side she has a barrette with a silver and white flower and glass stones, cause we're too poor to afford real diamonds. Her dress is strapless with a corset top which is really emphasizing her cleavage but I don't mind one bit. The skirt of her dress is made of silk, longer in back than in front but only goes to her mid-calf in back and stops just above her knees in the front. Her entire dress has silver embroidery of flowers and ivy leaves; the silver is shining in the evening sun. She has on both the locket I gave her for her birthday last year and the necklace I gave her for her birthday this year, she's also wearing the charm bracelet everyone else gave her for her birthday. She borrowed real diamond earrings from my mom and has a silver ankle bracelet on, as well as of course her engagement ring. In her hands she carries a bouquet of white lilies and red roses. They reach the altar, everyone else has already taken their places but I was too busy watching Clare to notice, Randall kisses her cheek and takes his seat next to Glen. I take Clare's hand, both of us grinning elatedly and we look at the minister.

"We have gathered on this glorious evening to witness the union of Andrew Torres and Clare Diana Edwards. Whenever two hearts are joined together in the bonds of holy matrimony it is a joyous occasion but this evening we are witness to an especially wondrous union. Rare is it that I see two people who are so in love, so thoroughly committed to each other and meant to be together so much as Drew and Clare. All of you who know Drew and Clare know how devoted they are to each other, how deeply in love and how much they are truly meant to be together. Never has God brought together two people more suited for each other than these two. Marriage is a very special spiritual connection of two people brought together by one purpose, to share their love with God and the world. We are privileged to be witnesses this day to the joining of these two and to share their love. The union of Husband and Wife, mind, body and soul is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the coming together of two hearts, for the comfort and support through times of adversity and prosperity. Drew and Clare have written their own vows, may I have the rings please?" The minister says and Alli and Adam produce our wedding rings, the minister then hands my ring to Clare. "As you place this ring on Drew's finger and say your vows remember that a ring is a circle and symbolizes your eternal love."

Clare smiles at me and I hold out my hand so she can slip the ring on, she's still holding my other hand and she begins saying her vows.

"Andrew we didn't start out as friends or even acquaintances, I was your brother's best friend and you were more interested in my best girl friend," she says and a few people laugh. "For over a year we barely acknowledged each other and could hardly stand to be alone together. And then one serendipitous afternoon we came together. It was no accident that you were the one to find me that afternoon I'm sure that God sent you to me. From that first kiss we have never looked back and my life has forever been changed for the better because you are a part of it. You have been my protector, my rock, my shield, my knight and advocate. I fell in love with you before I even realized it, from the second our lips touched. When we finally told people we were together no one could believe it and some even tried to break us up but our love for each other survived it all and we came out stronger and more in love. With you at my side I know I can survive anything. You give me strength when I think I have none, make me brave when I'm frightened, make me smile when I'm sad. You stimulate me mind, body and soul, you challenge me, comfort me and support me. No one is perfect but the love we share is perfect. I promise to love honor and cherish you for the rest our lives and beyond. I also promise to challenge you, call you out when you're wrong and keep you on your toes. I didn't know what love was until I was in love with you Drew and I had your love in return. I love you Drew, more and more each day and I know our love will only grow. We are joined together today in marriage under law and the eyes of God but we have been joined since that very second our lips were joined together and I love you more," Clare finishes her vows, those people that know that's what we say chuckle and I'm just grinning ear to ear. I want so badly to kiss her right now but it's not time for that yet.

"Andrew please take Clare's ring, placing it on her finger as a symbol of eternal love as you say your vows," the minister says handing me the ring.

(CLARE)

Drew takes my ring from the minister and begins slipping it on my finger with a huge smile on his face as he begins his vows. "Clare you are my angel, you have been my life, my light in the dark, my love and my angel from above since our first kiss. You saved me more than you will ever know and while I sometimes wish we had come together years ago I'm sure we were brought together at the perfect moment. From the minute our lips sparked I was deeply in love with you, my heart knew it before I would admit it to you or to myself. You were what was missing from my life all along without me know it. You made me a better man, better son, better brother, better friend and better person. You make me want to do better, to change the world and make it better for you. Seeing you smile, feeling your touch, your lips upon my skin, every look from your gorgeous eyes, every expression on your beautiful face is what I live for. I want to protect you from every hurt, to shield you from every kind of pain and while I know I can't I will always be there to hold you and kiss you when there is pain. I want to give you the world, to give you every material thing your heart could ever desire but I can't, I can however love you for eternity, give you endless kisses and do anything to make you smile. Tonight we are married in front of friends and family but we have been joined in a union of love since our first kiss. When you're in pain I'm in pain, when you smile I smile, we have been joined in our hearts and our souls long before today. Every second of every day I love you more. Clare Diana Edwards I promise to be the best husband, man and one day father that I can be. I promise to always take wonderful care of you, I promise to spoil you and do ridiculous things just to make you smile. I promise to do my part around the house, I promise to make sure you stay healthy and never let you slip again," Drew says referring both to me ending up in the hospital when he had a concussion and to my cancer.

Owen and Adam both nod in agreement, from my peripheral vision I see Eli nod as well, Drew grins a little wider and continues.

"I cherish everything about you, your beauty, your kindness, your intelligence, your giving nature, your sweet disposition and of course your sexy body," he says making me and a few others laugh. "Angel you give me hope, you make my life better for being a part of it, you take wonderful care of me in every possible way, you nurse me when I'm sick, you encourage me to do better, you make me smile, cheer me up when I'm down and most importantly love me for who I am despite my many faults. I'm forever grateful to your parents for bringing you into the world, making the world a better place and me a very lucky man to be the one to fall in love with you and most importantly and by some miracle you fell in love with me. Clare my angel I love you more."

Drew finishes and I'm grinning so wide my face hurts, I want to kiss him but it's not quite time for that. He's still holding both my hands and I don't want him to let go.

"Love eternal is blessed this evening, remember this night and your promises to each other. Lean on each other in hard times and times of strife; use your love to get you through it. Drew and Clare, here before your family and friends and in a union blessed by God I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. Drew you may now kiss your bride," the minister says. No sooner have the words left his lips than Drew pulls me to him putting one hand at the small of my back and our lips collide in an extremely blissful and passionate kiss. We don't actually pull apart, Adam, Owen and Alli pry us apart and we're laughing a little. "I present Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Torres," the minister says and everyone starts clapping.

We turn to everyone smiling and waving, and then Drew picks me up like he's carrying me over the threshold. He actually walks all the way down the aisle carrying me and to the large tent where the reception is being held. The tent has a large dance floor in the middle that extends outside the tent so we can dance under the stars and a few chairs out here so people can sit, but even in the summer there's wind so eating will be done in the tent. Drew sets me down when we reach the dance floor; our shoes have already been placed here. I sit down and begin to put on my silver open toed sparkly sandals, which have rhinestones and 3 inch heels, but Drew kneels before me picking up my heel and putting my shoes on for me and stealing a kiss after. The he sits down to put on his socks and dress shoes as our guests begin following the wedding party to the tent.

"Ladies and gentleman," says the lead singer of our wedding band, his voice booming through the microphone and the speakers, "Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Torres will now take the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife."

Drew takes my hand and we stand, we stay outside as the sun has just disappeared beyond the horizon and our first dance will be under the stars. The band begins playing "Something" by the Beatles and we start dancing. After the song we share a kiss before we're interrupted by my mother-in-law. Audra hugs us both and then Omar and Adam hug us before we're greeted and congratulated by everyone else at the wedding. Finally we go in and get food from the buffet, as we're the ones getting married we're the first to eat. A waiter comes and fills our glasses with champagne and I see that Alli has put my bouquet on the table for me. I start eating and really look around the tent at everyone who came to celebrate our love with us. There are so many people here and everyone is smiling and having a good time. The simple white tent has lanterns in the shape of lilies and there are flowers everywhere, the tables have white and silver tablecloths on them and we chose anemones, primroses, violets and chrysanthemums for our centerpieces. We have a whole table full of presents that will be taken back to our apartment and be waiting for us when we got home from our honeymoon. As I'm looking around the room at everyone eating I notice there is an empty seat at the table for the immediate family, although there does appear to be something on the table in front of the chair I just can't make out what it is from here. The seat isn't Adam's because most of the wedding party is eating with us and Adam is sitting on the other side of me. Alli opted to sit at the table with Dave, Jenna and our other friends so she could eat with her boyfriend. Paige is sitting next to Owen who is sitting on the other side of Drew and on the other side of Adam sits Eli. I look around the room but as far as I can tell everyone else is here, sitting and eating.

"Drew do you know who the empty chair belongs to at the family table?" I question, he looks up and grins.

"Oh yeah I almost forgot," he says wiping his mouth with his napkin, "that chair is for your mom."

"My mom?" I query with a wrinkled brow.

"Come," Drew says pushing back his chair and holding his hand out to me.

I push my chair back and take his hand standing up; we walk around our table and to the family table where Drew's parents, my dad, stepmom, Glen, Jake and Darcy are sitting. We walk around until we're facing the empty chair and I see that set on the table in front of the chair is an 8x10 portrait of my mom in a beautiful silver frame.

"Did you do that," I ask Drew squeezing him as saltwater wells in my eyes.

"With a little help," Drew replies, I link my arms around his neck and kiss him passionately.

"Alright so when do I get my first grandbaby?" Audra asks and we break apart laughing.

"We'll get working on it tonight," Drew teases and I smack his arm.

"Let's go finish dinner," I tell him pulling him back to our table.

After eating we mingle a bit and then I dance with my daddy, he tells me he's very proud of me and he couldn't be happier that I'm with Drew. Then I dance with Glen and Omar while Drew dances with his mom and Darcy.

"I'm the best man and the best friend I think it's my turn to dance with you," Adam says after I've danced with his dad. "So sister-in-law," Adam says after we start dancing, "how do you feel being a Torres?"

"Very extremely happy," I smile.

After Adam I dance with Owen, Eli and then Jake, then the band plays upbeat music for a while and I take the opportunity to mingle and hold Ryen again. I can't wait until Drew and I make beautiful babies of our own. I'm still holding Ryen and talking with Jay and Spinner when it's announced it's time for us to cut the cake. Drew and I go to the table and our cake is brought out. We hold the knife together and cut off a piece, then cut two smaller pieces to feed each other. Drew devours the cake from my hand and I giggle, then instead of feeding me a piece he takes the frosting and smears it on my lips so he can lick it off. The waiters cut two pieces for us to actually eat and we sit down to eat, we're just finishing our cake when Adam stands up clinking his glass and everyone looks at him.

"As the groom's younger brother and the bride's best friend I think it's only right for me to give the first speech. I love Drew and Clare and they are both extremely important to me, as most of you know they hid they fact that they were together for a couple of weeks. When they finally did go public I was more than shocked, my brother and my best friend is one of the last pairings I ever would have imagined but they were so wonderfully and often sickeningly happy you had to be happy for them. Clare has done miracles for my brother and Drew brought my best friend out of her shell. Drew and Clare I couldn't be happier that you two came together and I knew you would get married from the first time I saw you together. Here is to a life time of love, happy memories and good fortune, I love you both," Adam raises his glass and takes a sip, people clap, say cheers and sip from their glasses.

"We love you too Adam," I smile kissing his cheek after taking a sip from my glass.

"Alright, well as the co best man, BBF and one of Drew and Clare's closest friends I get to make the next speech. I haven't always been friends with Drew or Clare but we are closer than friends now, I consider them family. I was there when Drew hit his head and went into a coma for a couple days. Then of course Clare being the stubborn strong willed girl that she is took on too much and worried herself sick landing her in the very next hospital bed. It wasn't long after that we moved in together and I met my beautiful girlfriend Paige. I was there when Clare started getting sick and we found out she had cancer but they came through all of that and I am honored to be their friend and have them in my life and of course be the BBF. Here's to a love that will last forever," Owen says raising his glass and sipping, more cheers and claps and sipping of champagne follows.

"Dude you're the BBF of course you're family," Drew grins hugging Owen.

Audra, Omar, my dad and even Eli give speeches then Drew and I share one last dance under the stars before it's time for me to throw the bouquet. When all the single girls have grouped together I turn around, toss the bouquet and Paige catches it. I look at Owen to see him smiling and Dallas, Adam and Eli slapping him on the back. Now I sit in a chair so Drew can take my garter off with his teeth, which he does very slowly. He throws it behind him in the air and it's caught by Dallas! I look at Bianca to see she's shaking her head but she's smiling too. We hug as many people as we can goodbye and then take off our shoes, along with Owen and Paige who are driving us, so we can run through the sand to our car. They drive us to the airport while Drew and I change into our travel clothes in the backseat, they pull up to the drop off area, help us with our luggage and we hug them goodbye.

"See you in ten days, have a great time in Italy," Paige says.

"And lots of sex," Owen adds.

"Yeah like that's ever been a problem for us," I reply and we laugh.

One more hug and Drew and I run into the airport, we get through ticketing and when they find out we're on our honeymoon they bump us up to first class. We get through security and then wait at our gate for an hour before boarding; we have a red eye to Rome and ten full days in Italy which is a place I've always wanted to go. The plane takes off and we start flying through the stars I link my arms with Drew's arm watching the stars as we fly past.

"I love you Drew."

"Yes but I love you more Angel," he replies with a grin.

"I love you more than there are stars in the sky," I counter with a soft smile.

"I love you more than there are grains of sand on every beach in the world," he responds.

"I love you more than th…" I start but he silences me with a tender and endlessly loving kiss.

"I love you more and always will Angel," he whispers against my lips.

I smile and attach my lips to his again, so elatedly happy that I can hardly contain it and eager to start my life as Mrs. Clare Torres.

Well that's it everyone, dry those tears don't forge there will be a future fic sequel at some point. Thanks for sharing this story with me it has been such a privilege to write it. Next Thursday will be chapter 2 of It's Euphoria, It's Anger. The longer story replacing this one will premiere next Sunday March 2nd. The story is called Ghosts of Who We Were and due to the content of the story it needs a weekend day, please see the updated schedule on my profile page. I hope you all will read it and I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter of Friends with Benefits because I know I enjoyed writing it.