Francis grinned, her expression one of pride, love, and happiness. He squeezed her hands gently, his gaze warm as he sighed, looking down for just a moment before his eyes returned to hers. His thumb rubbed the back of her hand as he opened his mouth to speak, looking thoughtful of his words. "Poppy," he began, his tone almost playful, "I know you don't much like compliments, but you're going to have to stick with me for this one. It is the honest truth when I say these things after all." He offered her a grin. "I never really quite saw myself as someone who would get married when I was younger. I was more interested in action and adventure and anything that showed promising excitement. I set my goals and worked towards them. They were like checkpoints, my goals. First, it was adventure. As I got older it was power. Being the best. I made some bad decisions, but none of them really affected my current goals. I asked a girl to marry me, despite knowing I wasn't ready and not knowing whether I truly loved her. That was a mistake that affected me." He sighed, frowning slightly. "But time went on, and I managed." "I met you, eventually. I remember it quite clearly. You didn't seem to like me. That was okay, though. I wasn't likeable at the time." He pursed his lips. "We went through a lot of things together, all while I realized how amazing you truly are. I was.. nervous. You made me nervous. Your intelligence, kindness, humor, attitude.. All of it. I fell in love with all of it. I didn't know what I was missing before. I was too afraid to do anything to help myself. You.. You inspired me, Poppy. I wanted to be better because of you. All I cared was if my story was told, or if I keep a flame, but I stopped caring so much about that. I cared about something much more important. I care about you. You're my goal." "The night I confessed my affection and adoration for you.. It was nerve wracking. It was the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. It opened a new and wonderful door. It let me learn so much more about who you are, and it made me fall in love all over again. It made me realize that you're everything to me. I would do anything for you. I would take the whole world and give it to you, if you asked." He paused. "I realized I didn't need to give you the world. I just needed us. And now there's an us. It's the best thing I've experienced." He hesitated, giving her a nervous smile. "You've given me everything I have ever wanted. You've stuck with me through everything, no matter how awful they may be. You're my life, Poppy. You're my goal. You'll always be my goal. I love you. I will always love you."
There were definite tears in her eyes now and she laughed breathily, looking down at the ground for a moment before she looked back up at him, her gaze adoring. "Poppy Abernathy," the officiant said, "do you take Francis Craw to be your lawfully wedded husband?" "Oh," she said quietly, "of course. Of course." "And do you, Francis Craw, take Poppy Abernathy to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
She chuckled against his mouth, her arms draping over his shoulders before she pulled away. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Craw!" The crowd cheered and she gave him a warm grin, her hand on the side of his face.
She nodded, taking his hand, a worried expression crossing her face as the officiant said something about reception after the wedding. "Of course. Of course. I'm so proud of you, Craw."
She sat next to him, squeezing his hand. "But you did it," she murmured quietly as the rest of the wedding began to move towards the reception. "You did it."
She held his face in her hands, her thumb brushing his cheekbone. "I love you too. We're married now. You and I."
"Not as crazy as you might imagine," she said with a small smile. "I think I've always been yours. This just reaffirmed it."
