Epinikion: Part 7

by Cascade and Alicia McKenzie

 

 

 

"Dana! Wake up!"

Dana moaned, rolled on her stomach and pulled the covers over her head. "Lemme alone."

Paige sighed and spoke again. "Dana, your wedding is in a few hours. You have to get up."

Dana stuck her head under the pillow. "Call me at the last minute," she mumbled. With the lack of space in the Guthrie household, she'd shared a room with her bridesmaids. It had been a fun, slumber party type arrangement, with a lot of giggling late-night conversations, but Dana suddenly wished she could lock them all out so they would leave her alone. She had stayed up talking far too late with Sam last night.

She reached out with her empathy to find her soon-to-be husband. He seemed a bit muzzy-headed, but he was up. "Farmboy up with the sun to milk the cows mentality." she muttered to herself. "People raised in the city shouldn't have to get up this early."

Three pairs of hands reached under the covers and dragged her out of bed in a tangle of blankets. She hit the floor with a thump.

"Ow!"

Kitty looked down at her and shook her head. "Just how late did you stay up last night?"

"Not THAT late," she said as she worked on extricating herself from the blankets.

"Well, at least your eyes aren't too bad." Paige offered her a hand up. "Now, you've gotta hurry and get dressed for breakfast."

"Why? I'm not that late, am I?"

"No, but we've got everything scheduled with the guys. It's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding and we've got it all planned so we can keep you away from each other until the ceremony."

"Umm--well, I was talking to Sam after midnight last night, so I did, technically, see him this morning.

"That counts as last night. The bad luck thing starts at dawn."

"It does?" Kitty, Dana, and Rahne all asked at once.

Paige gave them all a look that wouldn't have seemed out of place coming from Emma Frost. "I'm the Maid of Honor. My duty is to keep track of the traditions. If I say it starts at dawn, it starts at dawn."

Dana shrugged and grinned. She dressed in jeans and a blouse quickly and was hustled down to the breakfast table. The kitchen was suspiciously free of men. Domino was at the table finishing off a bagel. Gina sat next to her, starting a bowl of cereal, and smiled shyly at Dana as she came in. Jubilee was leaning against the kitchen wall working on a bowl of cereal as well. As Dana entered the room, she started humming 'Here Comes The Bride' faintly.

Domino chuckled. "It's your last few hours of freedom, Dana. You've got one chance to remain unattatched. Run! Run and never come back!"

Dana smiled at the both of them and shook her head. "Too late. Every mutant I know will be here by noon--they could track me down and drag me back here in no time."

Domino grinned. "Too bad."

Paige scowled at Domino. "With Sam and Dana's record we shouldn't even joke about that. In this group you never know when you'll get zapped into an alternate dimention, or sent to the future, or the past, or impersonated by a shape shifter--"

"Low blow, Paige," Domino said with a snort.

"Or half a dozen other bizarre things like that," Paige continued tranquilly.

"Y'know, with the low-key winter we had, we're just about due for--" Jubilee started.

"Don't you even finish that, Jubilee. Do not jinx this wedding." Paige warned.

"Take a chill pill, Paige," Jubilee said, slurping the last of her milk out of her cereal bowl noisily. "Think about it. All the weird things that have happened to the two of them, and they keep coming back to each other. They're, like, destined to be together, or something."

Dana smiled. "That would be nice. Destined to be together. Sounds romantic."

Domino snorted. "Ask Nate about destiny sometime. I'm sure he'll give you another opinion."

Dana grinned and poured herself a cup of coffee. Paige deftly pulled it out of her hand as she was adding the sugar. "It'll stain your teeth," she explained as she whisked it away and poured it down the sink.

"Paige, I need my coffee. I need the caffeine," Dana said trying to steal back the coffee cup. "It'll stain your teeth. You want the nicest smile possible in your wedding photos."

"But I need caffeine!!!"

"I think there's some Pepsi in the fridge," Jubilee said as she set her dishes in the sink, giving Paige and Dana a wide berth.

"Pepsi for breakfast?" Dana winced, but made a move towards the fridge anyway.

"No!" Paige jumped around in front of her. "Pepsi stains too!"

"Paige, you're not being nice," Gina said decisively, and then flushed as Paige gave her a sharp look. "Well, you're not," she said, biting her lip.

"Dana doesn't know what's best for her," Paige said resolutely. "Her emotions are all in a stir, so we've got to look out for her. So NO coffee," she concluded firmly.

Dana's face fell. "I'm gonna go find Sam and tell him you're all being mean to me. Or maybe Cable." Her expression brightened. "Cable would understand. I bet Cable got coffee this morning."

"Of course he did," Domino said serenely. "Otherwise we'd have a homicidal time-traveling Summers stomping around killing people for looking at him sideways."

Dana cringed at the thought, but kept pleading her case. "Look, if I promise to brush my teeth for a whole hour after I drink it, can I have one cup?" Dana gave them a pathetic look.

Kitty looked at Paige. "Oh, let the poor girl have her coffee." Her grin turned wicked. "It's not like she'll be able to get out of bed to get herself a cup for the next few days--"

Dana blushed. "I--he's--it's--it's not really going to be like that, is it?"

"Dana, if it wasn't I'd be very disappointed." Domino grinned. "Sam seems like the type to have a lot of stamina--" Paige turned crimson, and Domino gave her a wicked look. "Something to say, Guthrie?"

Dana was shocked momentarily, then let a small embarassed grin flicker across her face. "Really?" She blushed again as Domino turned her attention back to her and nodded. "Can I just have my coffee?"

Paige gave a martyred sigh, and handed Dana the pot reluctantly. "ONE cup."

***

"I hate these things," Cable grated, staring at his reflection in the mirror in disgust.

Standing beside him, Scott laughed. "Likewise. Want to guess how long it took me to do my tie at my wedding?"

"Maybe I'll timerip back and shoot whoever invented this ridiculous get-up."

"Not a bad idea, but I'd wait until after the ceremony, if I were you. I think Dana would be a little upset if you showed up to walk her down the aisle covered in blood," Scott said dryly.

Cable glowered at his father's reflection. "Hah."

"Where's your sense of humor gone, Nate?" Scott asked patiently, coming around and taking over the task of dealing with the recalcitrant bow-tie.

"Nowhere. I'm fine." He ground his teeth for a moment. "They're too young," he said decisively.

Scott's mouth quirked. "Oh? How old were you the first time you and Aliya--"

"Uh--younger," Cable admitted, flushing at the memory.

Scott looked interested. "Really? How much younger?"

"You don't want to know." Cable let Scott fuss with his tie for a few moments longer, and then sighed. "I know they've thought this through. I know they're both mature enough to make a decision like this--"

"And it's their decision to make," Scott pointed out, putting the finishing touches on the bow tie. "So stewing about it is pointless as well as needless--wouldn't you agree?"

"I feel like an overprotective father," Cable said ruefully. "Towards both of them."

"Well, the father bit's not out of place," Scott said thoughtfully, going over and taking his jacket over the back of the chair where he'd left it. "But they've both proven they're perfectly capable of looking after themselves--"

Cable raised an eyebrow, staring down at his father challengingly. "Does that stop you from worrying about me?" he asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

Scott grinned cheerfully. "Not for a second."

"Didn't think so." Cable retrieved his own jacket. "Well, I think I'd better go check on the groom--make sure he hasn't made a run for it." He smirked. "Although it might be fun to hunt him down and drag him back if he has--"

Scott looked uncertain. "You're joking--right?" Cable gave him a deadpan look, and Scott shook his head. "Oh, I can't wait to hear your little 'speech' at the reception."

Cable felt an enigmatic smile grow on his features, and relished the faint look of puzzlement it provoked from Scott. "We'll see," he murmured. "I think it'll go over well--"

***

Sam stood out on the front lawn and surveyed the activity around him. Ororo was working some last minute magic with the flowers. Bobby was having the time of his life creating ice sculptures for the reception table. He was working on a rather nice swan. Lila Cheney and her band were setting up. Marc was on his cell-phone going over some last minute changes with the caterers.

Sam shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and didn't feel like much of a help. He'd tried, but everything had basically been taken out of his hands. He strolled over to look at the flowers.

"Hey, Sam!" Sam turned to look at who had called. Roberto DaCosta was jogging towards him. He waited for him to catch up.

"Hey, 'Berto."

Berto was grinning. "Man, can you believe it? It's nuts around here." He chuckled. "It blows my mind-- I mean, just thinking about the beginning of the New Mutants and then looking at us all now, who would have guessed we'd be where we are. Especially you. Skinny, highwater pants,bad hair--heck, you even started out as a villain!"

"Ah dunno-- Even before the New Mutants ah hoped to someday get married to some nice, down-to-earth girl in Kentucky-- and you always expected to get control of DaCosta International. Ah think we all got where we were supposed to, we just took a really round about way of getting there."

Roberto shrugged. "Nice, down-to-earth girl--right. A nice, down-to-earth girl whose brother has more money invested in Hawiian pineapple than you have ever seen in your life," he chuckled. "Welcome to the club, when's Robin Leach coming over?"

Sam shook his head. "Nothing's going to change. We talked about it last night. We're not going to go out and get a mansion and buy a Mercedes. We're going to live in the school like we did before. Any money she brings into the marrage is going to be emergency money or considered as 'hers'."

"Uh huh. Hope you like the taste of caviar." Berto grinned at him. Sam sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'm just kidding anyway. I'm just happy you found 'the One'. I'm happy, you're happy. Insanely jealous, but happy."

"Sam!"

He turned to see the rest of X-Force walking across the lawn towards him. It was Terry who'd called his name, lovely as ever in a green dress that matched her eyes.

"Hi, guys," he said, his voice a little unsteady as he saw Tabitha lingering near the back of the group, her eyes fixed on the ground. "When'd you get here?"

"Just now," Terry said, giving him a tight hug. "Sulven gave us a 'lift'--" The guys were all in suits, even Shatterstar; Tabitha was wearing a dark red dress, knee-length and quite remarkably restrained considering her usual fashion sense, while Dani was eye-catching as always in a fringed, dark-blue little number that left very little to the imagination.

"Right--a 'lift'. And that was supposed to be preferable to taking the PACRAT? I think I left my stomach in San Francisco," Rictor groaned.

"Ach, quit your complainin', Ric--"

"Indeed," Shatterstar said mildly. He looked almost--dapper, Sam thought in amusement. "It was a most efficient means of transport. Sulven is quite admirable in that respect."

Jimmy snorted. "You better not let Logan catch you 'admiring' his girlfriend, 'Star--"

Terry punched Jimmy in the arm, not lightly. "As if Sulven can nae very well take care of herself," she scoffed. "She'd probably have your head if ye suggested otherwise."

Sam grinned widely. "Ah see not much has changed--"

"Naw," 'Berto said cheerfully. "We're the same maladjusted bunch we've always been."

"More fun that way," Tabitha said softly, and gave Sam a tight smile. "You look nice, Guthrie."

"Thanks, Tab," he said hesitantly. She raised an eyebrow and then went and sat down, not even so much as glancing in his direct action. "Boy," he said a little nervously to the others. "She's sure bein'--um, docile, ain't she?"

"I reminded her that Cable was here," Terry said quietly. "And that he'd not look too kindly if she was--disruptive."

"Not to worry, Sam," Dani said briskly. "She starts anything, we'll sit on her."

Sam ran a hand through his hair, mentally picturing the chaos that could result. "That'd be, um, great, ah guess," he said helplessly. Oh, Lord-- All of the bottled-up nervousness he'd been carrying around inside for the last few days suddenly boiled over, and he felt the dire need for a chair.

"Breathe, Sam," Roberto said.

"Ah can't believe ah'm getting married in--" Sam glanced at his watch. "My Gawd--"

"You're not getting cold feet, are you?" Jimmy rumbled amusedly.

"No! No, of course not--what gave you that idea?" Sam said wildly, feeling rather indignant at the suggestion. There was no question in his mind that he wanted to walk down that aisle with Dana. He just wasn't sure if his knees were going to hold him while he did it.

"Well, you are hyperventilating, Samuel," Shatterstar pointed out helpfully.

***

"Why don't I put the dress on first?"

"Because you can't sit down in the dress. It'll get creases."

"Oh." Dana nodded. "So what's first then?"

"Make-up. Sit." Paige indicated a chair in front of the vanity. Dana sat in it and started in on her make-up with a little bit of help from her bridesmaids, since this was more dramatic than her usual cosmetics. The girls worked on theirs at the same time. The hair was what took most of the time. The bridesmaids curled their hair and then bobby pinned the floral wreaths in place on their heads.It took a little bit of readjusting to get them exactly right.

Dana's was a little more elaborate. There were a couple of braids holding her hair back and gracefully looped on her head. Then came the veil, and then a crown of Ororo's white roses on top of that. An elaborate system of hairspray and bobby pins was utilized. Dana attached all the necessary jewelry, and then finally turned to take the dress off it's hook.

She held it at arm's length for a moment, examining it. It was really a beautiful dress. A classic wedding dress. There was a long full skirt with a train, and long sleeves with wedding points at the wrists. It had an off the shoulder neckline, and the bodice fit tightly before flaring out into the skirt. Sam had never seen it. She hoped he liked it. Paige had strictly enforced the superstitions involved in weddings to the point of not even letting Sam see the dress, let alone Dana in it.

Her thoughts drifted to Sam. She hadn't seen him all day. She missed him. She let her mind wander and brushed his mind gently. He was in the back yard. She glanced at the girls. They were checking their make-up in the mirror still and hadn't turned their attention back to her yet. She gently gathered the dress in her arms and moved to the window that looked out over the back yard. Her gaze drifted over the tents set up for the wedding, the rows of chairs, and the altar where she and Sam would take their vows. She looked down on the heads of her friends, her family, and her soon to be family.

Finally her eyes came to rest on a familiar blond head. A content smile lingered on her lips. He was in his tuxedo already,but only half-way. His tie was undone, and his vest and jacket were unbuttoned. He was lounging in a chair backwards, his blue cummerbund hanging over the back of the chair. He hadn't combed his hair back yet,either. Paige would have a cow if she found out. He was behind the almighty schedule.

He was facing the house, watching the people come and go from it. Something made him look up at the window. She didn't think he could actually see her, but she felt him push his love to her, and she echoed hers back to him out of habit in their oft-used empathic shorthand for 'I love you,' and 'I love you, too.' He glanced back at the house quickly as if he were being called, flashing a smile at her and blowing her a kiss before gathering his cummerbund and walking back into the house.

She smiled back and 'caught' the kiss in her hand in a lightly formed fist, and then brought her hand back to support the dress. She turned away from the window as he moved out of sight. Paige was looking at her a little disapprovingly, but sighed and told her to put on the dress. Dana walked over to the closet and got the bag from Victoria's Secret. She timidly pulled out a royal blue merrywidow.

"Dana, your garter is blue. So you don't need the blue for tradition," Kitty spoke up from behind her, "Go with the black one. I think it'll make more of an impression." Kitty grinned wickedly.

Dana blushed, and Rahne came to her rescue. "Why don't we leave Dana to change. She could probably use some time by herself for a bit. We can change in another room." Dana looked at Rahne gratefully. Rahne merely nodded and took her blue satin bridesmaid's dress from where it hung on the wall and waited for Paige and Kitty to do the same. They followed her out, a little reluctantly, and Dana turned back to the closet.

She reached into the bag and lifted out a black bustier. It was truly embarrassing, the amount of lingerie she'd accquired last night. She hoped Sam wasn't too disgusted by it all. He'd probably think she was trying out to be a member of the Hellfire club with THIS wardrobe. She unbuttoned her blouse, stepped out of her jeans, and slowly dressed for her wedding. By the time she was just about to go request help zippering up the back of the dress the girls slipped back in, accompanied by Mrs.Guthrie.

"Paige, could you help me with the zipper?" Dana asked, while Mrs.Guthrie did some last minute checking of the hems and seams. Paige nodded and moved behind Dana.

"Hmm--this is a little tight. Exhale." Dana did, and grunted as Paige yanked the zipper to the top of her dress.

"Oof. That's a little tighter than I remembered. This last-minute stress has not been good for my physique."

Mrs. Guthrie took a step back and examined the dress critically, and then sniffled and smiled. "Dana, ya look beautiful. Ah don't think there's a stitch more we can do."

"Thanks-- mom." Dana said, reaching out to hug Mrs. Guthrie.

Mrs. Guthrie smiled at her warmly and returned her hug. "It'll be good to have ya in the family, Dana." There was a knock at the door. Paige went to answer it.

"I don't suppose you'd mind terribly if we came in to see her before the ceremony?" Betsy asked, at the front of most of the women who'd attended the bachelorette party.

Jean shouldered beside Betsy. "We want to do some pre-ceremony oohing and aahing." She smiled.

Domino snorted behind them. "You want to see how the underwear fits. Who are you kidding?"

***

Cable fidgeted in his tuxedo, and tapped his foot impatiently. "I don't suppose you ladies are ready yet?" he called towards the door.

"As a matter of fact, we just finished, thank you." Domino said, sticking her head out the door. She emerged from behind the door and grinned at him. "My, don't you look cute?" She straightened his bow tie.

He grimaced. "Stop fussing."

"But Nate, you MUST look presentable," she said, and fluttered her eyelashes at him. He groaned, and her smile grew wider. "See you out there." She walked towards the front door. He turned to go in, but stopped to let Mrs. Guthrie out, then paused for Paige, then just leaned against the wall as at least half of the women ever to wear the 'X' followed them out.

He sighed and waited his turn. "Anyone else in there?" he asked when the line of women had ended.

"Just me." Dana called to him. He could feel her excitement threatening to overwhelm her before he even set foot in the room. He allowed himself a rare grin before he entered and saw her giving herself a last minute once-over in the mirror. She turned and smiled at him once she caught his reflection in the mirror.

"So, what do you think?" she asked, holding her arms wide and spinning once, slowly.

"Dana, you look beautiful," he said simply, gazing at her proudly.

She stood there, staring at him. "Well," she said hesitantly. "Here we are."

"Here we are," he agreed. She suddenly ran across the room in a swish of satin, and threw herself into his arms.

"I'm so nervous!" she said, the words coming out in a rush. He embraced her tentatively, knowing that there'd be a line-up of women waiting to kill him if he did any damage to their careful preparations. "What if I forget the words of the vows--"

"The priest is going to be repeating them, remember?" Cable said patiently. "As long as you have an attention span of ten seconds, you should be fine."

"Oh--" It was almost a wail. "I can't believe this is actually happening--I need a glass of water--"

Cable detached her, gently but firmly, and got the requested glass of water. He watched while Dana gulped it down as if she was dying of thirst. Glancing at the dressing table, he identified the particular colour of lipstick she was wearing, and telekinetically floated it over to her. She grabbed it, and dropped the glass. Fortunately, he was expecting that, and caught it before it could hit the floor.

"Dana--remember those relaxation exercises I taught you? Now might be a good time to use some of them."

"I can't," Dana said, waving her hands around in distress. She was emanating anxiety on such a wide band that he had to bolster his own shields. "I can't even remember where I'm supposed to walk when I get down there!"

"Down the aisle, Dana," he said patiently, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. "It's really very simple." Once she was finished re-applying her lipstick, he reached out and took her arm. "Sam'll be waiting," he reminded her.

"Oh--oh--"

#Dana, if you don't calm down I'm going to have to go into your mind and do it for you,# he said reasonably.

She managed to pull herself together--almost. "I'm okay," she said. Her voice was a little higher than usual, but he decided not to push her on it.

They made their way to the front of the house and out. Paige looked them over, gave Cable an approving nod, and then the three bridesmaid started ahead.

"I'm going to faint," Dana whispered when their turn came.

Cable's eyes narrowed. She did look rather pale.

#You do, and I'll teleport you into the pond. Dress and all.#

She gave him a single, incredulous look, and then started to giggle.

#Dana, stop it.#

"C-Can't--"

#Dana! I'll do it anyways!#

She took a deep, ragged breath. "I'm fine," she said a little wildly.

#You're sure.#

"Uh-huh." She shot him a pleading look. "You're not going to let me fall on my face or anything, right?"

He followed her example, and took a deep breath. "Of course not," he said, managing a poor imitation of a reassuring smile. "Now, let's go, shall we? Before Sam thinks you changed your mind--"

Another brief spasm of giggles escaped her at the joke, and he sighed, closing his eyes for a moment and beseeching a little help from whatever divinity might happen to be listening.

***

"Paige looks lovely, don't you think?" Jean whispered, nudging Scott as the bridesmaids came down the aisle. "And look at Rahne!"

Scott gave his wife a tolerant look. "You're just loving this, aren't you?"

#Of course,# her voice said in his mind. Her green eyes were twinkling. #The last time, it was ME on the hot seat--I didn't get to enjoy myself at all.#

Oh?

#Well, not until AFTER the wedding--Scott, you're blushing.#

***

"This is very quaint. Charming, in a bizarre way."

"'Ven, would you keep it down?" Logan whispered.

"Logan, put a muzzle on your girlfriend, all right?"

Logan couldn't help a snort. "You want to try, Drake, go right ahead. Nice knowing you."

#Men,# Betsy said disgustedly.

#I was just making an aesthetic comment.# Sulven sounded offended, and Logan reached out and took her hand, squeezing it. She sniffed and pulled her hand away, obviously not in the mood to be forgiving.

Logan half-turned and glared at Drake, who squirmed. "Later for you, boy," he growled.

#Logan,# Betsy sent calmly from where she was sitting beside Warren, #you can bluster as much as you want once the ceremony is OVER.# He grumbled but turned back around obediently, smiling a little as Kitty walked past, making a face at him for all the noise they were making.

#She looks lovely,# Sulven said softly in his mind. She and Kitty and Jubilee had all grown very fond of each other, which had made Logan VERY happy.

Yeah, she does, doesn't she? he sent back proudly.

***

"Tabitha, stop scowling--" Theresa whispered harshly.

"I'm not--don't you even think of elbowing me, Irish!"

Sitting in the row in front of them, Emma Frost turned around and gave the two young women a thoroughly unsettling smile. #Ladies? This is not the time or place to be having an argument. Cease before I feel obligated to telepathically shut down your speech centers.#

Theresa shut her mouth with a snap. Her father, sitting beside Emma, craned his neck around and softened the rebuke with a wink.

"Yes, Ms. Frost," Tabitha muttered.

Emma smiled serenely and returned her attention to the wedding party.

***

Pete stared at Kitty as she came down the aisle. Bloody hell, she looks gorgeous, he thought, shaking his head in something very close to awe. She grinned at him as she came closer, and then donned a decorous mask again as she went past.

"Unglaublich!" Wagner whispered gleefully in his ear. "Tell me, my friend, when are YOU going to make an honest woman of our Katzchen?"

"Wagner?"

"Ja?"

"Sod off."

***

"Leech has to go to the bathroom."

#Bloody 'ell, kid, not now--#

"Leech has to go NOW, Jono!"

"Aw, jeez, they're coming down the aisle! You take him, Gina!"

#Not a chance, Lee.#

"C'mon, Dreamy--"

#No!#

"Leech thinks Artie has to go, too."

***

Sam stood a little nervously in the front of all his family and friends. He really had never liked being at the center of attention. He darted a look at Marcus who smiled reassuringly. He looked across the aisle to Paige, who gave him the same smile. Rahne and Roberto took their places on either side of the aisle, and then the familiar opening chords of the wedding march began.

Sam's head shot up and he looked toward the house. Cable was there, walking towards him, and on his arm was--

He faintly heard Marc chuckle beside him. "Sam, breathe." he whispered. Sam did so, and found oxygen did help his brain cope with the vision that was floating down the aisle toward him. Dana was beautiful and ethereal, seeming to glide next to Cable. Her posture and carriage was perfect.

She locked eyes with him and smiled faintly, and then she was next to him. Cable put her hand in his, and quietly said "Take care of her," and then went to sit in his seat. Dana squeezed his hand reassuringly.

He looked at her once more trying to set her appearance in his memory, and then took a deep breath and turned to the priest. A strange feeling washed over him as the priest spoke. Yes, he knew the words by heart. 'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here--' But somehow, standing here next to Dana, it was like he'd never heard them before. Itwas like they'd been drafted for their particular wedding. It was no longer just a rehearsal, where they were going through the motions, it was now all very important and Sam strove to experience the moment.

"Do you, Samuel Zachary Guthrie, take Dana Elizabeth Hawkes to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for rich or for poor, until death parts you?" The priest was looking right at him and smiling warmly. Sam returned his smile and looked at Dana, her eyes locked with his and her hand squeezed his hand encouragingly. He paused for a moment trying to think of anything more emphatic than 'I do.' He drew a blank, but that was normal when he was lost in her eyes the way he was now.

"Ah do."

She didn't look away from him while the priest repeated the vow toher. He watched her beautiful, perfect, kissable lips form the words "I do." It seemed as though she had whispered it to him as a private oath,and yet somehow her warm, rich voice carried to the last row of chairs. He thought he heard his mother sniffling in the front row.

"Do you have the rings?" the priest asked.

Marcus stirred beside him and held out his hand. Two rings rested in his palm. Dana and Sam each reached out to take one of the simple gold bands. Dana lifted his left hand and gently slipped the ring on his finger. He thought he might have felt her hands tremble, but then it was his turn,and he knew his hands did. He slipped her ring slowly on to her finger as he recited "With this ring, I thee wed." He looked at it as it glinted cheerily in the sun. It looks better there than I ever thought it would.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." He looked back up at Dana's face. She was beaming at him. He was pretty sure he knew what she was feeling. It's done. Despite everything that's happened, we're married. It was like everyone in the yard let out a collective sigh of relief. No aliens had landed. No evil mutants had attacked. No one had suddenly turned into a villain or lost their memory. Thank God.

He let go of the hand he had been holding throughout the ceremony and slowly lifted the veil and folded it back over the roses on top of her head. He smiled. Lord, she's beautiful. His hand moved to cup her jaw. She seemed content to let the moment hold until he felt the audience growing restless. He moved in slowly, first brushing his lips against hers, and then pressing them to hers insistently. The kiss progressed amid the polite applause and by the time they finally parted he'd dipped her and the polite applause had turned to raucous cheers and wolf whistles from some of the younger members of the audience. Sam reddened a little as he righted them both, but she smiled at him dazzlingly, and he slipped his arm around her waist to lead her back down the aisle.

to be continued...


Part 8

Back to Archive