The reception was alright, really. Nothing Rose could really complain about. And then came the bouquet toss. She'd tried to sit it out, but ended up getting in with the crowd of women at her family's insistence.

She hadn't intended on catching the thing, really. It just happened. One minute it was in the air, next it was in her hand with the bridesmaids and maid of honor glaring at her. She looked from the bouquet to everyone else and blushed a little. God, this was embarassing.

Damien grinned and managed to hide it with his hand. Oh that was just far too amusing. He knew he really shouldn't be so amused at her expense but the look on her face was just priceless.

"I hate you all," Rose deadpanned to the rest of the Clan as the majority snickered at her. "I deny being related to all of you." She stepped back with the bouquet still in her hand (she hadn't been able to foist it off on anyone) to let the single men step up for the garter toss. She could only pray that one of her cousins didn't catch it.

Damien stayed seated, pulling her over to sit next to him again. "That wasn't so bad," he teased with a grin. "And you can save those, if you like. Or throw them at the bride later."

"You should go up for the garter," Rose replied firmly. "To spare me the humiliation of having one of my cousins catch it." She nudged him towards the gathering males. "Go on."

Damien rolled his eyes and went and joined the men, standing near the back and expecting it to go to someone in the front.

So imagine his surprise when it almost landed on his head before he caught it, blinking.

Rose bit her lip slightly, trying not to laugh at the look on his face. When the DJ asked who had the bouquet, she raised her hand and went to sit on the chair was set in the middle of the dance floor.

"You didn't even try to catch that," she teased Damien softly as she sat down.

"It's not my fault. It fell on me." Which was true, as far as he was concerned. Bah. Bloody things.

"Well, then I should still thank you for keeping it away from my cousins," Rose replied. She blushed brightly when the DJ encouraged Damien to slip the garter up Rose's leg.

Damien grinned briefly. "My pleasure." He wiggled the garter up her leg, and if he let his fingers linger just a little, well, who would notice besides Rose?

Rose blushed as she noticed what he was doing.

"Careful, you," she said as she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. She heard some cheers and whistles from her family, but ignored them. They all knew by now she was seeing Damien, anyways.

Damien just grinned, unrepentant, and kissed her for a few moments longer. "We should probably move so they can dance now."

Rose nodded and slipped the garter off again, giving it back to the bride, and then moved off the dance floor with Damien.

"That was vaguely mortifying," she commented as they sat down. She kissed him again. "But I'm glad it was you and not someone else."

Damien chuckled and sat down again, keeping her close. "So am I."

Rose stayed close to Damien for the rest of the reception, which didn't last much longer.

"Time to head back," she said as the Clan started to filter out.

Damien nodded. "Can we just call a cab or something? No offense, but I don't really feel like spending the trip back packed in a van with your family."

"Unfortunately, I don't think we can," Rose replied. "The cab wouldn't be able to get past the community gate, and I'm not walking the last two and a half miles in these shoes." Leaning up, she kissed him. "It won't be that bad. Besides, you get to go run tonight anyways."

Damien heaved a long-suffering sigh but nodded. "Alright, as long as I can take you with me tonight."

Rose blinked.

"What?" she asked. He'd never suggested anything like that before.

"For part of it, at least. I won't even leave you in the middle of nowhere." Damien grinned, though he was watching her carefully.

"But why do you want me to go with you?" Rose asked. "It's usually something you do alone." And usually with good reason, she thought. Besides, she was no good in the woods; she was much more of a city girl. But she didn't outright refuse.

Damien shrugged. "Sometimes it's nice to have company. Besides, I don't plan on doing any actual hunting this trip, just going around on four feet."

"You realize I'm probably the worst person to go traipsing about the woods at night, right?" Rose reminded him. It wasn't even the fact that he would be four-footed and furry that bothered her; on the contrary, she was fine with that by now. She just wasn't big on the outdoors. "I'll go if you want me to, but it won't be pretty."

"We'll see about that." Damien grinned. "Come on. Just once and then I won't ask again if you don't want me to."

"Alright," Rose said. She leaned closer to him. "I still say you won't want me to go with you again after tonight, anyways."