Paul Dixon-Rovia had been married to Daryl for...well, they didn’t really keep track anymore. They never had a wedding and hadn’t felt the need to. Daryl was still very shy and their relationship had moved so fast in the beginning. It was hard to imagine, back in the day, that they’d be married this long.
It was rushed, their relationship, and Paul knew that...he assumed Daryl did too.
Most couples didn’t get married within the first few months of their relationship beginning, but they did.
They exchanged rings on a run and just called themselves married. They’d been in the midst of the war, always wondering if they would see tomorrow or if Negan would arrive and take Daryl away from him. They didn’t have time to take things slow.
But things were peaceful now, for the most part.
And, as usually, it all started with a question from their son.
“How come you don’t got any picture of you and dad’s wedding?” Richie asked, holding up the comic book he’d been reading. Paul squinted at the cover of the comic book and read in big letters GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS #4 and it had a picture of Scarlet Witch and the Vision on the cover.
“Richie, Vision is essentially a toaster,” Paul deadpanned, “I can find you a better wedding comic. X-Men #130 is better,” he said before going back to his notes.
Richie climbed up in the kitchen chair across from him and grabbed his hand, “You got a ring and so does daddy,” he said, messing with the shiny blue and silver ring on his left hand as he wrote with his right, “How come there’s no pictures?”
“Because your dads think they don’t need a wedding,” Violette said, coming in with her arms full of fabric, “I disagree completely, Richie, don’t you?”
Paul narrowed his eyes as her as she went back to her room and sighed, “Richie, when your dad and I got married, it was a very...busy time. We didn’t have a wedding.”
“Why didn’t you have one after?” Richie tiled his head.
“We’re always busy,” Paul laughed.
Richie looked down at the papers, “Well, you’re workin’ on the expansion and Aunt Maggie says that’s not happen’ ‘til after winter. Why not right now?”
Paul laughed weakly, “Richie-”
“What’s goin’ on?” Daryl asked, walking in, Meredith trailing behind him and Dog trailing behind her. He leaned on the counter, grabbing a jar of peanut butter and a spoon.
“You guys should have a wedding,” Richie said bluntly.
Daryl choked on his peanut butter and Meredith handed him a water bottle.
“Uncle Aaron could be your best man!” Richie added, “We could pick flowers too!”
“We’ll talk about this later,” Paul laughed, “You two have homework, get on it. Dinner will be done soon.”
The two groaned and Meredith mumbled a “look what you did” to her brother as they raced to their room.
Paul laughed quietly, “Richie gets those social skills from you, y’know,” he pointed out, taking the spoon from his husband and leaning beside him, taking his own bite of peanut butter, “You shouldn’t do this, it spoils your dinner,” he shrugged.
Daryl sighed, looking out the window, “You ever regret it?”
“Hmm?” Paul asked, still eating the peanut butter.
“Not havin’ a wedding?” Daryl asked, “Gettin’ it in writin’ and everything. ‘Specially with the new ID system Maggie’s workin’ on...might be good to have somethin’ performed by someone official.”
Paul raised an eyebrow, “Why, Mr. Dixon-Rovia, are you proposing to me?”
Daryl rolled his eyes, “Pretty sure I already did that,” he sighed, “But, uh...guess I’m proposin’ we have a wedding.”
Paul sighed, looking down at the ring on his finger, “Maybe…” he trailed off, “But let’s not tell everyone just yet. Hilltop has a habit of going absolutely insane over things like this. Let’s tell them slowly.”
“MY DADS ARE HAVING A WEDDING!” Richie yelled outside.
Paul groaned, rubbing his face with his hands.
“Really? About time!” Aaron laughed.
“WHAT?!” Tara and Maggie screeched together.
“Oh my god,” Alex groaned.
“Congratulations,” Harlan added, shoving the nurse slightly.
“We’ll provide the alcohol for it!” Louie cheered, high-fiving Larry.
“Oh, I have tons of instruments. I could help with the music,” Luke added.
“Oh, the garden would be perfect to have it in,” Bertie added.
“Can I do your hair?” Enid asked Paul.
“Okay, everyone just...slow down,” Paul said quickly, putting his hands up, “We haven’t even planned this-”
“You don’t need to,” Maggie stood up, “I’ve had it planned for years. All the plans are in a file in my office. We’ll send scouts for the communities and have it this weekend.”
“What?” Paul demanded.
“You have no idea how long I waited for you to let someone in,” Maggie told him quietly, “Seeing you happy? It made me happy,” she smiled at him.
Paul smiled, pulling her into a hug, “You’re insane.”
“Thank you,” Maggie said simply before pulling away, “Okay, people, we’ve been expecting this for eleven years, let’s move it!” she yelled before stalking away.
Richie and Paul stared after her, both with matching raised eyebrows. Paul looked over at Daryl and laughed weakly, grabbing his husband’s hand.
