Chapter 1 - I do


Ariadne

"Oh my god." Ariadne breathed for what seemed to be the hundredth time. Sure, pre-wedding jitters were normal, but add morning sickness to that and Ariadne was ready to collapse. "Oh my god... what if I collapse?" She asked, her voice a higher octave than normal as she met Adda's eyes in the full length mirror. It was one of the biggest days in Ariadne's life, and all she could do was panic. In a matter of hours she would be Mrs. Ariadne Herveaux. "I think I need to sit down." Ari mumbled as she eased her way into one of the chairs. Luckily, he dress didn't give her much trouble, seeing as she had ordered it big to make room for the growing pup. They still had another two months before they could find out if it was a boy or girl, and Adda was being awfully secretive about the whole thing.

Addaleigh of course was Ari's maid of honor. They were going to have a small wedding in a clearing just inside the forest. It would mostly be pack members ... and Eric. How Adda had talked him into agreeing to come, Ariadne would never know. They didn't have family to invite, so there was very little in the way of tradition. At the thought of family, Ari's thoughts went back to Darren. Her long lost twin had appeared quite literally on her doorstep just over a month ago. At first, Ari had been shell-shocked, unable to believe that Darren too made it out alive. When the shock finally wore off, the screaming began. Darren blamed Ariadne for the slaughter of the White Backs, claiming that she ran like a coward. Apparently Darren had fought his way to the edge of the forest, but by the time he reached the others the damage was done. Darren was still in town, but he refused to make amends. It seemed as if he would always hate her, and that thought upset Ari further. She still loved her brother, and it made her want to cry every time he looked at her with hate filled eyes.

"We should of eloped." Ari groaned as she sipped on ginger ale. It would be a bigger night over all because it was the night her and Alcide were going to mark each other. She wanted it more than anything, but just like ever anticipated moment, it set the nerves in her stomach on end. She was excited to be Alcide's wife, she just wished the wedding would start already so that she didn't have time alone with her thoughts.


Eric

To say Eric was unwelcome would be an understatement. He could walk no further than three feet without getting a nasty look from one of the wolves. With fangs hidden behind his lips, Eric ignored them. He knew that if he ruined any part of the wolves' day, Adda would take him to meet the sun herself. Eric didn't mind the wedding itself, as he once feared he would. He had been worried that Addaleigh would get so excited about the idea of a wedding, that she would demand that they too get married. He should have known his tiny oracle better. As always, Adda had been very poised while handling her best friend's wedding, although Eric did catch the girls squealing at times.

The glares were worse as he drew closer to Alcide's room, where he would be getting ready. Eric almost wanted to turn around, hotwire Adda's Jaguar, and drive back home. Again, he knew his human would be less than pleased. As unsettling as being in a house of wolves was, Eric had bigger matters on his mind. In a few days time, they would be hosting a ball, one he was still strictly against. He was to introduce Adda as his human... he just hoped that's all they would see her as. If word of her power spread, there would be vampires lining up for a chance to fight for her. On top of keeping the queen ignorant, he had to keep Bill Compton quiet. Eric knew that Bill and Sookie had been invited to the wedding as well as the ball, so he was bound to run into them sooner or later.

Finally reaching Alcide's door, Eric knocked twice before entering. He was surprised to find Alcide alone, seeing as half of the pack was hovering around his door. They would be leaving from Alcide's house while the girls got ready at a pack member's house next door. "Tell me what do you think your last thought will be before you sign your freedom over?" Eric asked the wolf with a smirk. The two had become what some would consider friends, seeing as their mates were best friends. "One would assume it would be something along the lines of 'What have I done?'"


Addaleigh

Pursed lips and a stern eye was Addaleigh as she looked over her best friend's half up and half curled hairdo, making sure each little pearl was in place. She had become a wall of strict measurements and a time police today when handling the wedding set up. Now that she was faced with alone time with Adda, in her pristine white gown, a perfect contrast to her tan skin, she was trying to busy her hands so she didn't spend too long looking at her friend and letting her big silver eyes well up with tears.

"Here here, sit before you trip or spill that ginger ale down your dress." She said softly dropping the stern look for a moment as she aided her friend in sitting and smoothing out the hem. "You wouldn't believe how many times I had to use my sight just to keep this dress from being spilled on, stepped on, or smudged today. That's just the dress, don't let me get started on the food or the flower arrangements." She said with mock agitation before a bright smile settled on her features as she knelt down in front of Ari.

"You look so beautiful Ariadne, so beautiful." As much as she tried against it, her eyes became glossy with tears, "I know that I never met your mother, but I'm sure she is very proud of you right now. I know I am."

She rested a light hand to her cheek and sniffed back the tears, but a blink and tears rolled down both sides of her cheeks. "Even without looking with my sight, I always knew you were meant for so many great things, that you would find the love and family you deserved so much. I love you Ariadne, you're my sister and my best friend, and I am so lucky to have you in my life, and so happy to be giving you away to such a wonderful man."

She sniffed with a laugh grabbing out Eric's handkerchief from her décolletage and dabbed at her eyes thankful for the invention of water proof mascara.


Alcide

Alcide chuckled as Eric entered and asked about his imminent marriage and vows. Had someone asked him a few months ago if he would getting married and that Eric Northman would be attending as the date of his fiancé's best friend, he would told the person to lay off the moon shine and move along, but that was exactly what was happening. He didn't know he could be this happy, but sure enough he was. He fixed his tie in the mirror before he turned around to face Eric.

"Yes I'm pretty sure that my nuts getting chopped off and kept in a purse is in the fine print of our vows." He jested back.

"Honestly though, I'm nervous, not to marry Ari or anything, but its just the process of getting up in front of people and all that." He rolled his shoulders, shaking out the nerves as he got ready to leave.

"I guess I should go to the alter." He said nodding to Eric though he didn't need confirmation. "Dad's got the rings, I've got my vows," he ran over the list in his mind of things he was responsible for. Before he left the room he stepped back from the door looking to Eric, "I'm doing the right thing right, getting married..." He wasn't seriously having second doubts, but it was the mandatory question every man asked before they took the plunge.


Eric

"I fear Addaleigh's wrath if I say anything but yes." Eric said in a smooth voice as he fell into step next to Alcide. The house was empty now, but Eric could hear the pack not far off in the woods. "I hear it's normal to be nervous in situations such as these, but I suppose that just makes it much more worthwhile." He finished with a tilt of his head before walking towards the clearing. It was large enough to hold all of the guests and then some. Eric sat in his designated seat next to an empty one that Adda would later occupy. On his other side he wasn't surprised to see Bill Compton and Sookie Stackhouse - or rather, Compton. The two had eloped just the previous week.

"Doesn't she mind havin' a weddin' at night like this?" Sookie asked with a frown.

"Did you?" Eric countered with a cool gaze. The night was nice enough, and it wasn't pitch black yet. Adda had done a good job with the lighting, making it bright but not bright enough to upset the vampire's present. Pam and Godric had been invited too, but Pam felt like she would be out of place and Godric was getting ready to move on. He was growing restless with his age, and felt the need to travel again.

As Alcide took his place at the alter, Eric nodded once more and waited for the music to begin.


Ariadne

Ariadne had a slight moment of panic when Adda told her about all the things she had to look out for. Luckily, Adda had her eye on the wedding, which put Ari at ease. "I love you Adda." Ari choked through tears as she sat her ginger ale down and hugged her friend. "You're the reason this is happening. If I had never met you, I would still be a lone wolf, traveling all alone." Ari quickly brushed under her eyes, cursing her hormones for making her so much more emotional. Just as they pulled out of the hug, Maureen - an older pack mate who's house they were using, poked her head in with a smile.

"Ladies, it's time." She said said, her soft expression filled with warmth. Ariadne nodded a few times, taking slow calming breaths.

"Here goes nothing." She breathed as she stood and smoothed out her dress, on of her hands wrapped around Adda's. "Something borrowed." She began her checklist. She wore a bracelet she had borrowed from Adda just that morning. "Something new." She winked at Adda who had helped her pick out the new lacy lingerie she was wearing under the dress. "Something blue." She rose her free hand to her ears, happy to feel the sapphires there. "... But I don't have something old." She frowned. She knew it was a stupid tradition, and she hoped to find something before the ceremony, but she had been occupied.

"Unless you count me." A deep voice drew her attention to the door. Darren was leaning on the door frame, brown hair tousled and the first few buttons on his shirt open.

"I thought you hated me." Ari frowned, trying to hide how happy she was that he was actually there.

"I do." He said stiffly, his eyes guarded. "But mom would have wanted me to be here." He finished with a sigh as he turned on his heels and walked away from them.

As mean as his words had been, Ari knew Darren wouldn't be there unless he wanted to be. Maybe there was hope for them yet... just later on. "Let's go get married." Ari said with a small smile to her best friend.


All

Alcide heard the music begin and his heart began to race, his palms felt sweaty, and he was sure he was going to pass out, but he kept breathing like Adda had drilled into his head all morning, just breath. He looked down the aisle and saw Addaleigh in her lilac dress, beaming and doing the motion for him to smile before she started walking down the aisle in time to the music. She caught Eric's eye as she got half way and smiled warmly at him, silently sharing a wordless moment as their eyes met before she got to the alter giving Alcide an encouraging wink. She stood on the bride's side.

The wedding march began and all of the audience stood and looked for the bride as she stepped into view under the arch. Alcide was sure his heart skipped a beat the moment he saw his wife to be. She was flawless and effervescent. As soon as she began walking to him, it was just she and him, the world fell away. When she reached him he mouthed "Hey," to her silently with a smile.

The eldest member of their pack, a kind man named Jeb, would serve as their officiate. Adda took her bouquet so she and he could hold hands and the man spoke of love and patients, on the importance of give and take, on how their pack was created on the bonds of love from eternal mating. Alcide held her hands, hearing the words as their wisdom weighed perfectly on his heart.

Once she had supplied Ari the ring and kissed her cheek she took her seat in the front row next to Eric, taking his hand, as she watched
the couple begin their vows, her eyes wet with tears.

"Ariadne, you are my best friend and the love of my life, your my woman and soon to be the mother of my child. I tried to find the perfect words to say to you to tell you just how much you mean to me but I don't think they have been made yet, there can't be a word outside of love, bigger than love, that can describe all the happiness you fill my days with. I promise I will take care of you and provide for you in a way that a man should, I will be there for you to listen and to make your life everything you want it to be. I love you Ariadne, and I promise to only love you more with each passing day." He finished as he slid the wedding ring onto her left ring finger, it fitting perfectly next to the engagement ring.

Up until Ariadne stepped under the arch, her stomach had been in knots. When she looked up however, and met Alcide's warm, loving gaze her stomach finally loosened. She controlled her steps as she walked towards him at an even pace, forcing her feet to move slowly. When she reached him she returned his quiet 'hey' with a breathy laugh. She listened to Jeb's words, but her focus was on Alcide's eyes. She had never felt so safe with only a gaze before.

As Alcide spoke, tears gathered in the corner of her eyes, blurring her vision of his perfect face. Before she knew it, it was her turn. "Alicde, I thought that when we were standing here, that the words would just come to me. I was wrong." She paused for a moment as the crowed gave a light chuckle. With a smile, she continued. "I don't think I'll ever find the words to tell you how I feel, but I'll do my best to show you. I know I can be hard to deal with at times, and I have enough pride for the whole pack, but I promise to let you win sometimes." She laughed and fought the urge to kiss him right there. "I have never loved another the way I love you, and if I live to see a thousand lifetimes, I know no other will even come close. I love you so much Alcide, and I want to spend the rest of my life by your side." As she slipped his ring on, tears were rolling down her cheeks, and she was just glad that all her makeup was waterproof.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Ariadne felt her breath leave her as she was pulled into a kiss that changed everything; a kiss that made life so much better.

Meanwhile Eric stood with Adda, hand outstretched, holding a new handkerchief. "And here I thought you were made of stone." He joked with a smirk as he moved a strand of hair behind her ear before kissing her forehead.

"Eric Northman, is that how you talk to your girlfriend?" Sookie asked, looking personally offended.

"Adda is my human." He corrected quickly. The two had avoided labels purposely, and he didn't like that Sookie St- Compton was throwing them around. "And she is none of your concern." He said coolly, his eyes hard and blank.

"You should watch how you talk to my wife." Bill hissed in a low voice, eyes dangerous.

"As much as I would love to emasculate you in front of a large pack of wolves, Addaleigh would kill me if I got blood all over the wedding." Eric gave Bill one last hard look before steering Adda towards the forest. The reception would be at Alcide and Ariadne's place just through the trees, so it wasn't as if they had far to walk. "You should be proud of me." Eric smirked once they were away from the other couple. "Not once today have I ripped anyone's throat out."