Disclaimer: I don't own McLeod's Daughters, or any of their cast.

Summary: A botched wedding, a pregnancy, a happy couple, a little girl, a working farm (or two), someone leaves, people cry, hearts are broken.

A/N

This is set before Claire died!

In this story Claire WILL NOT die.

I actually found this on my computer and added a little stuff to it to make it better and well, here we are.

Enjoy. Read and Review.

xdopex

Fools Like Me

Chapter One

"I will be ready"

Tess stood in front of her full length mirror. She was dressed in a one shoulder ribbed wedding dress which was tight around her chest and waste and billowed out from the waist down. It was made of complete silk and emphasised all her curves.

The front of the dress was decorated, from the waist up, with silver beads threaded into a pattern which shone in the sun. She looked at the mirror and sighed.

"What am I doing?" She asked her reflection. She turned suddenly as she heard a voice from the doorway.

"Getting married would be my guess. Usually you don't wear dresses like that when you aren't," Jodi said smiling, "we are all waiting downstairs. The ceremony is ready to begin. Claire is waiting at the bottom of the stairs to give you away."

Tess began to laugh.

"Trust us hey? Only we would have my sister giving my away instead of a guy," she said and then lifted her skirt and walked towards the door. "Let's go do this Jods."

-break line-

Claire was standing at the bottom of the stairs in a dress she didn't feel comfortable in. It was a three quarter length cocktail style dress with spaghetti straps on her shoulders. It was a plain blue/green colour and complemented her very well.

"We're is she?" Claire asked Becky who was standing next to her. Becky and Jodi were the bridesmaids; Claire was the Maid of Honour and the person who was giving Tess away and Meg was acting as the mother of the bride. The person who was most likely to burst into tears during the ceremony.

"Claire, you know Tess. She is never on time. Especially for something like this, she won't be able to leave her room till she is perfect." Becky said reassuringly just as Jodi descended the stairs with Tess.

"Oh my, she is so beautiful." Meg said as she walked in with Stevie and Charlotte. After much gushing and awing, the girls remembered the ceremony was actually going to take place. Meg left first to take her seat and make sure the band were ready to start playing.

After several moments, they heard music. It was the signal.

Stevie left first, holding Charlottes hand to guide the flower girl down the isle. Then Jodi and Becky left. They took their time allowing the sisters to have a moment on their own.

"Tess, are you really ready for this?" Claire asked.

"I will be, when I get out their," Tess answered. Claire knew this was all she was going to get out of Tess and so left it as it was.

Taking Tess' arm in her own, she guided Tess down the aisle to the front. Tess was smiling as she approached her future husband.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" The celebrant asked.

"I do," Claire responded, taking Tess' arm off her own and placing it on her future brother in-laws.

"Then let us start the ceremony."

I know it's a little short. But they will hopefully get longer. I needed to finish the chappy there to make a little cliffy didn't I?

Please Read and Review. They are most welcome!