Once we arrived at the beach, we thanked the driver and Owen pulled me to the side.
"Owen, what are you-" I was cut off by his lips meeting mine and his large hands grabbing my waist and lifting me up and into him. I relaxed into his effortless hold, grabbing onto his open tux jacket as we made out quite heavily. Eventually, we heard the sounds of other people arriving and he put me down, a lazy smile on his face whilst we both caught our breath.
"What was that for?" I asked, hardly able to suppress my grin.
He shrugged with a smirk, "I just wanted to kiss my wife." he put emphasis on the wife.
"Come on, we have guests arriving." I laughed, linking my arm with his left hand, feeling the cold metal of his wedding ring on my finger. And absolutely loving it.
Everyone had taken their seats on the beautiful set up that had been done by the staff at Jurassic World and Barry had taken to the little DJ platform that had been done next to the seating and was on the microphone.
"Can everyone please welcome, the new Mr and Mrs Owen Grady!" he boomed down the mic. I felt a rush of pride as we walked in, Owen slinging his arm over my shoulder.
We took a seat in our assigned seats with Harper in her high chair next to us, Maria taking care of her. Before anything truly began we mingled with our guests.
"Oh my goodness, congratulations both of you." Maria said, her eyes looking red, she had evidently been crying.
"Thank you for helping us Mom." Owen said, hugging her.
"I didn't do anything, don't be silly. Such a beautiful ceremony, I love you both." she said, looking as though she was getting emotional again.
"We love you too, and thank you for taking care of Harper for us, it's a big help." I said. At that moment she was on my hip, playing with my veil, but it was time for her to have a feed soon.
"You know that's fine honey." she smiled, reaching out and taking her, "I'll let you go and talk now, I'll see you later."
We mingled through our guests briefly, both of us introducing each other to our high school and younger friends.
"I cannot believe all those years ago when you used to walk around wearing your Jurassic Park shirt, that you would be here on an island full of the very things!" my friend Zoe said, hugging me tightly.
"Well I've come very far." I laughed, "you'll have to come and meet Harper later."
"I definitely will."
Last up was Masrani, and I remembered seeing him on the third row next to Lowrey, Vivian and Hoskins wearing a smart lilac suit with a white shirt underneath.
"I heard there was a lilac and white theme going on." he joked as he walked up to us, gesturing to Claire who was nearby.
"Mr Masrani, thank you so much for coming." I gushed, walking over and hugging him.
"Seriously, without you, none of this could have been possible, and I couldn't have given Rosie the fantastic day she deserves." Owen continued, shaking his hand.
"Oh please, don't say anymore, you don't need to thank me. I just wanted to give you two the best shot at a brilliant start to your life together. You may not know this, but... I care for you a lot and have loved seeing you both so happy." he admitted, looking at the ground.
"It truly means so much to us." I said.
"Well, I hope you have both had a great day so far, and if you don't mind, I'm going to enjoy the free bar." he chuckled, "Rosie, you make a beautiful bride, and Owen is so lucky to have you." he said finally before rushing off. I giggled to myself as I knew he was embarrassed.
"So that's where our money is going then, huh?" a familiar voice said from behind me and I shivered.
"Hoskins, not today alright-" Owen began as we turned to face him.
"Relax bro, I'm just playing with you. It's been a great day, and although we are enemies, I just wanted to say I really am over the moon about you tying the knot." he said with a genuine smile on his face and I was a little taken aback.
"Seriously?!" I spluttered; Owen's mouth was hanging open in shock.
"Hey, I can be soft when I want to be..." he chuckled, "it's just not very often." he winked, before walking away leaving us both stunned.
We spoke to the last of the guests and the party got started then. We ate our late lunch, ready to have a small barbecue later on in the night and then it was time for the speeches.
I had asked Masrani to make the father of the bride speech months ago and he had agreed, and everyone applauded him as he stood up with a glass of champagne in his hand.
"I have not known Rosie that long, so for that reason I am honoured to be standing up here and making a speech on her father's behalf. I see her as a daughter figure myself, so that is why I accepted to make this speech. I'm going to keep it short as I am aware that a delicious barbecue is going to be started soon." he said, making everyone laugh, "Rosie and Owen are some of the most kindhearted, hardworking people I have ever met, and they are by far the most in love couple I have ever seen. They have a sweet daughter and have successfully built such a lovely life together, and it gives me such an immense feeling of pride to see them sitting there together, man and wife." he gestured towards us, "There's not a lot more that I want to say, other than Rosie, does Owen make raptor noises in bed?" he said and everyone exploded into laughter, even Harper who was sitting in her high chair next to us was giggling away.
After the excitement died down, it was time for the best man's speech, so Barry stood up.
"When I first met Owen I thought... damn I better start working out." he began, causing everyone to laugh again, "But in all seriousness, Owen has always been my best friend, ever since he arrived on his first day and I had to show him around. He's like a brother to me, and I hope he knows I would do anything for him. Therefore, it just makes me overjoyed that he has found such happiness with Rosie here, although I do pity her." he winked as everyone giggled, "When I first met Rosie, I thought, damn, who is this intelligent, hardworking beautiful young woman?! But, I also thought, you know, how long is it going to take Owen to ask her out? After weeks of bickering and Owen moaning about her to me, trying to suppress his feelings, it finally happened, and I just felt relief! Finally, he saw sense and I would get a break from playing agony aunt." everyone chuckled, "It was all ridiculous though, him trying to convince me, and more importantly himself that he wasn't into her, because from the moment he first laid eyes on her, I knew, I just knew, that he was falling head over heels for her, and you know what, I was right! Because now I am probably the happiest man alive, next to the groom of course, as I am now able to sit next to my two best friends who are so... damn.... in love, wearing matching wedding bands. Man, it sure does feel good." everyone erupted into applause at his speech and Owen stood up and gave him a bro-hug, both of them wiping away some tears. I smiled at Barry and squeezed his hand over the table as he sat back down and put his arm around Claire's shoulder.
Owen was the last to make a toast.
"On behalf of me and my new, beautiful wife, I would just like to say thank you so much for coming guys, it truly means so much that you are here to celebrate this momentous day with us. We love each and every one of you, and want you to have a good night, so make sure you all get on the dance floor later and have some drinks. Just a particular thank you to Mr Masrani and my best man Barry for their spectacular speeches this evening, it truly means the world." Owen said, choking up a little at the end.
"To Mr and Mrs Grady!" Barry stood up, drink in hand, and everyone followed, toasting to us.
The night began drawing in and as the beautiful twilight enveloped us on the beach, we sat around having a barbecue before the party really got started.
At around seven o'clock, it was time for our first dance, and we had both chosen the song 'a thousand years' by Cristina Perri after having watched Twilight a few weeks prior and both falling in love with it for our first dance. We took to the dance floor, me still going strong in my gorgeous heels, Owen's bow tie a little looser now.
"Everyone's watching us..." I whispered as we awkwardly shuffled around the dance floor, my hands on his shoulders, his arms on my waist, resting just closer to the front, obviously thinking of how my stomach is going to grow very soon.
"I know babe, but everyone will join in soon." he said and I smiled, looking away shyly.
"Don't get shy with me, we're married now." Owen chuckled.
"Yes we are Mr Grady." I smiled.
"Indeed Mrs Grady." he said, causing my heart to flutter. It never got old, hearing that.
"Today has been out of this world." I admitted once everyone had joined us on the dance floor, slow dancing. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Barry and Claire wrapped in each others arms and I smiled.
"You're out of this world." he said, and as I glanced up and looked into his eyes, I saw him staring right back at me, so intently. When I looked at him, it still felt like the first time I ever looked at him.
"We've come so far." I said.
"I know, I often reminisce about what an ass I was." he commented.
"You weren't an ass." I laughed.
"I was, and you know it." he retorted, "I'm just glad I came to my senses and kissed you."
"Even if it took a bottle of tequila." I giggled.
"Tequila is always going to be in my heart, just because of that." he smirked.
"Hmm, well that has nothing to do with the fact that you love it." I teased.
"I love you." he corrected me, causing me to bury my face in his neck.
"Hey, listen." he whispered in my ear, "in a while, when everyone is pretty drunk and dancing, I want you to come somewhere with me." I nodded in response, my head resting on his shoulder.
"Okay ladies, gather round, it's time to throw the bouquet!" my Mom shouted as all the excited girls stood behind me, waiting to catch my small white bouquet of roses.
"On the count of three!" I called over my shoulder, before counting to three and tossing it high above my head. There were numerous squeals and I turned around and saw nobody other than Claire triumphantly holding the bouquet high above her head, clutching her swollen stomach breathlessly.
"Well done Claire." I laughed, coming over and hugging her.
"Maybe Barry will get the hint now." she smirked, and after that he walked over and whisked her off, kissing her lovingly. I smiled in fondness at them, but was interrupted as someone was tugging on my hand. I turned around and saw my husband in all his glory, looking hurried.
"Come on!" he hissed, pulling me along. I looked over my shoulder, noticing that everybody was singing and dancing and enjoying themselves, so I rushed forward to catch up with Owen.
I wasn't entirely sure where he was taking me, but once we reached the familiar sandy path, saw the towering gates and heard the screeches of the girls, I knew we were at the raptor paddock. Owen revealed his swipe card from his pocket and opened the main gate and led me in, switching on the small lights as he did so, and pressing the button to let the raptors out of their sleeping quarters.
"Owen! You won't have time to-"
"Barry is going to take care of it later." he stopped my panicking and grasped my hand to lead me up to the cat walk. It had been a while since I had visited the paddock as I was still on maternity leave, so I followed him eagerly, grasping at my dress, nostalgia filling my senses. I knew the place was super clean due to health and safety so I wasn't too bothered about going up in my dress. We reached the top and Owen pulled me over to the edge of the railing and we looked down into the paddock, seeing Blue, Charlie, Delta and Echo looking up at us. I knew Owen was smiling to himself as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me close.
"We couldn't get married without seeing the girls." he said fondly.
"No, we definitely couldn't." I agreed, an equally big smile on my face as I cuddled up to him.
"You know, that's where we very first met." he gestured to a few paces to his right.
"Oh my god, it was." I gasped, pulling away and going and standing approximately where it was, looking down at the ground. Owen followed me, signalling to the raptors they could be free to roam, and wrapped his arms around me. I looked up at his smiling face.
"I'll always remember tonight." I said vaguely.
"I hope you'll remember the whole day." he chuckled.
"You know what I mean! I'll always remember this moment, standing here with you on our wedding night; coming a full circle." I explained, "do you understand me?"
"I understand fully baby girl." he said darkly, leaning down and kissing at my neck and my exposed shoulder.
"Mmm..." I moaned softly, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Mrs... Grady..." he grunted as he bit down on my skin gently, sucking just enough to draw blood. I whimpered and grabbed his face with my hands and connecting my lips to his. He gently pressed me against the railings that faced the outside of the paddock and I grabbed greedy handfuls of his shirt.
"Owen...I need you..." I gasped as he kissed my ear, nibbling slightly. Owen paused, as if thinking what to do for a moment before sighing and pulling away, his forehead pressed to mine as I pouted.
"I know baby, I know, but just a little longer, alright? And then we will be completely alone." he soothed, rubbing my arms comfortingly. I sighed and nodded, pulling him back to the same spot from a few moments ago before desire had taken over us. We wrapped ourselves around each other and kissed lovingly.
Yeah, we had definitely come full circle.