#bnywedding

By the evening after the sun had set, everyone had long given congratulations to the bride and groom and partied on into the night, fairy lights and lanterns and torches the few things lighting up the place into a warm comforting glow. Things now at a slower pace but just as joyful. Ashton hoped he'd be able to blend into the background, watching from afar and content to witness the happiness from here - parties always were a little too overwhelming for Ashton, no matter how many Ruth try to get him to go to.

Giving Maisie a little more time to go pass bedtime as a treat for today to go play with June and the kids, he quietly kept an eye on them picking at dandelions simply growing in the grass of the park, while he sat there with a glass of a mocktail. He did his best to keep his troubles with alcohol at bay especially in public, he was trying really hard at sobriety again, at least when people are around. "Need a minute to breathe?" He noticed someone join him in the quiet, darker corner of the party, greeting them with a soft genuine smile, "still not really a party person," a light sigh as he shrugged off the blue blazer to toss over his shoulder and loosened his tie, "and the stars are prettier away from the lights."

Aggie and Eric were the stars of today as they should, people looking to chat with them and give their blessings and congratulations. So Ashton waited until all of that died down and the celebrations were close to the end, and when Aggie had a chance to breathe in between to joy and laughter. Only then did he go up to the bride to greet her properly once again since seeing her at the ceremony, "All tuckered out yet?" He grinned to her, before he sat down with her with a glass of water, assuming she'd need to hydrate. Once both his hands were free he settled down into a genuine soft smile, signing a simple sentence,

congratulations, I'm really happy for you.

And he really meant it, happiness was hard to come by some days, other days, he can force it out, but today perhaps happiness is the next most infectious thing other than the annoying virus. "How'd I do up there?" He rubbed the back of his neck with a hand, having been nervous about officiating, he was certain Aggie was making the worst decision of her life with choosing him on that task and being adamant about it. He didn't really know her reason either, but he couldn't say no. And to surprise her, he spoke and signed at the same time during the ceremony, just for them. "Actually nevermind, if I signed completely off, don't tell me," he sunk into his chair with a chuckle.

"No you're not gonna make me dance any more than that, I've already done it earlier already," Ashton talked as he slid away from the dancing crowd, probably hitting his limit of what he's promised, knowing JP would've followed him out. He already bit the bullet indulging Aggie, and Ruth, and Maisie to dance with each of them for at least a song, but it was hard to say no to Charlie and JP either once the train started. But after one last song with his chosen brother, Ashton finally shook his head and bowed out to take a seat. "I'm not dancing ever again," he sighed, finding the embarrassment creeping up for it, no rhythm, no beat, no moves, Ashton did his best to mimic his friends instead.

He grabbed his cup of water and offered JP his drink that they left by the table earlier, "I don't know how people don't get tired." It was more mentally tired than physically, part of his brain stressing out over it not knowing what to do with himself. But Aggie was smiling, Ruth, Maisie, Charlie, JP, everyone he danced with was smiling. His mother - smiling, alive. And that was the most important thing. "I don't know how you guys do it," Ashton grumbled into his cup of water as he drank.

Ash sighed, jokingly grumbling to the only person he knew that wouldn't take it personally as if a damper to the mood, "I told you it's fine, it's just a tie." He just didn't mind the details of his own person, when the wedding was meant to be about the two most important people anyways. He hasn't seen Ruth all day as she was helping Aggie get prepared, thinking he would've gotten off scot free with what he was wearing, it was already a lot for him to accept wearing some other uncomfortable suit compared to the one he's always wore, but the bride begged him with those big doe eyes. Who was he to deny what she wanted on her big day?

"With the dogs? I don't think I can handle the other two of them," Ash was hesitant and cautious as Zach approached him while he sat on the grass with Dawn, Doom close by excited by an old friend back with him. Dawn however had been more interested in staying by Ashton's side, as if leaving would mean she'd never see him again for another two more years, head laid on his lap to lounge, with Doom the more excited of the two.

1st May 2026. Aggie and Eric's Day.