Mike was standing in front of the mirror in his room adjusting his tie. After all these years it still gave him a hard time. But it wasn't all his fault really, he had a lot on his mind that day. His emotions were at war with each other and he was split down the middle. He had had eight months to prepare for this day. Eight months seemed like a long time, but the time just seemed to fly by. Now the day was here, it was time to face the music.

Mike still couldn't believe it was happening. Part of him was still convinced it was a dream and he would wake up any second. His kids would still be kids and things would still be simple.

Mike imagined Noel coming down the stairs in her pajamas, her hair a mess. Being the early-birds they were, Jack and Riley would already be awake, their hair just as messy as their sister's. The three would spend the Saturday eating sugary cereal and watching cartoons, fighting over who would get the remote and who got the best seat on the couch.

He thought of the three of them at their birthday parties, how the boys always had to blow out the candles on the birthday cake regardless of whether or not it was their birthday. He thought of them playing outside together, laughing and teasing each other.

He thought even farther back, back when Noel was little and the boys hadn't been born yet. Back before Noel had her scars. He thought back on all those tea parties he'd been invited too, and all those nights when they would sing and dance together.

But it wasn't a dream, it was really happening. His kids weren't kids anymore, they were grown up now, no matter how badly he wanted to deny it. Those days were over, they weren't coming back.

Zoey came in wearing her strapless black dress. She went over to him and helped him fix his bowtie.

"How are you holding up?" she asked gently.

"I'm okay. I'm trying to keep my breathing under control," he said as he took a deep breath.

"I know it's hard, it's hard for me too. But this is the happiest day of Noel's life, and just because she won't be living under our roof anymore doesn't mean we won't get to see her often. She'll still be close, we can see her all the time."

"If she wants to see us that often. I don't want to intrude on her life," he said quietly.

"Mike, you won't be intruding. If you don't come over on your own, she'll drag you over." She smiled up at him, and he reluctantly returned it.

Zoey wrapped her arms around him for a moment to help ease his worries. Mike closed his eyes and willed himself to be happy, but he couldn't seem to manage it.

"I need to get back to Noel to help with her hair and dress. See you soon," said Zoey. She kissed his cheek and left the room, leaving Mike alone with his thoughts. And his alters' thoughts.

"Ayo, ditch the lame tie already. No lady is gonna come near you with that thing scaring them away," said Vito from inside his mind

"I zink it makes him look handsome," Svetlana chimed in. "Much sophisticated."

"Yeah, now I'm convinced," Vito retorted.

"Mind tellin' me again why you're lettin' this weddin' happen?" Manitoba asked.

"Yeah, he didn't ask for permission or nothing!" Chester complained. "Besides, they waited too long. Noel's in her twenties, she's a spinster. The marriage is going to fail and she'll end up being an old maid."

"That's what I'm sayin'," said Vito. "Twenty bucks says they split before the cake is cut."

"Zat is vat you said at Mike's wedding," said Svetlana. "Look how zat turned out. You lost zat bet."

"So I lost one bet, big deal. Their day's comin', and then I'll be a free man again," said Vito.

Manitoba continued and said, "Normally I'd be all for a lady gettin' with a strong man to protect her and what not, but Noel doesn't need a mate. If anything, the boy'll slow her down."

"It's not up to me or any of you," Mike replied out loud. "She knows what she's doing and it will make her happy, and that's all that matters. The least we can do is let her have this day and make it perfect for her."

The alters quieted a bit at that. None of them had outright stated that they would miss Noel and didn't want her to go, but it was obvious in the way they were acting that they would miss her.

Zoey would be driving Noel in a separate car, and Mike would be going on his own. He left the house and drove to the chapel where the wedding was to be held. He got out of the car, but realized that he wasn't ready to go inside yet. He couldn't face all those people and smile, not when his heart was aching. He needed just a little more time to regain his composure. He stood outside the chapel where he was near the door but no one would see him. Several guests passed by, including the young girls from the dance school Noel had opened up the year before. Dancing was her passion, and now she was passing that passion onto others.

Mike rubbed his forehead and took deep breaths. He had to do this, he would not ruin Noel's big day. But trying to calm himself down only stressed him out more, an impossible paradox that he was all too familiar with.

"I knew I'd find you eventually."

Mike looked up and saw Cameron standing before him in his tux. He was holding a glass of water.

"I brought you some water, I thought you could use it."

"Thanks Cam." Mike accepted the glass and downed it.

Cameron came to stand beside him and they were quiet for a moment. Cameron broke the silence and said, "What you're feeling is completely normal, you know. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I feel guilty, I'm ruining everything," Mike confessed as he looked down at his shoes. "In the year she was missing and we all thought she was dead, I thought she'd never get to grow up or get married or anything. All that's happened and I should be happy, but I don't want to let her go. It was years ago, but I still feel like I only just got her back. No doubt Jack and Riley will be soon to follow, and then the house will be empty. If only I could just go back in time, back to the start."

"I tried to make a time-machine once, back in my rebellious teen years," said Cameron. Mike smiled slightly at the idea of Cameron having a 'rebellious phase.' "The science is impossible, I regret to say. But the house won't be empty, it's still got you and Zoey. And you'll always have me around. I know it's hard now, but it'll get easier. Don't forget, you cried at her kindergarten graduation, too. You made it through that day, and you can make it through today, too."

"I know, I'm just having a hard time reminding myself of that right now. She was so cute in her graduation gown, wasn't she? And missing both front teeth, but she smiled as bright as ever," said Mike with a wistful smile.

"See? It's all going to be okay," said Cameron as he clapped him encouragingly on the back.

They waited another few minutes until it was nearly time for the wedding to begin and all the guests were inside. They went inside the main doors, but stopped outside the ones that led into the chapel sanctuary. Cameron had to leave Mike to find his seat, but he was grateful for the moral support. Mike waited outside the doors, nervous and depressed.

He felt a light tap on his shoulder. "Daddy?"

He turned around and saw Noel standing behind him. She was wearing Zoey's wedding dress, with a few alterations. Her hair was braided like a crown around her head, and the rest of her red ringlets cascaded down her back. She looked just as nervous as he felt.

"I don't know if I can do this," she said anxiously. All at once all her worries and fears blurted out like a flood. "We should have waited longer, I don't think I'm ready for marriage. What if I made the wrong choice and I end up with the wrong man? I mean I love Alejito, we've been friends just about forever, but what if he's not the one and I tricked myself into thinking he is? I don't know if I can handle having Heather as a mother-in-law, and am I selfish to keep my maiden name? I love Alejito and all, but I am not becoming Mrs. Noel Dead-Donkey. And what if I'm not a good enough wife? I'm not sure I'm ready to leave you and Mom, maybe we should postpone the wedding for another five or six years."

Noel stopped to breathe, and Mike smiled a little, glad to know he wasn't the only one who was a wreck. Noel was bordering on hysteria and nearly hyperventilating. Mike wordlessly guided her outside and they sat on the steps to get her some fresh air.

"We need to go, I can't keep the guests waiting," said Noel. She put her hand up to her mouth to bite her newly manicured nails, but had to force it away to keep from ruining them.

"They can wait, they're not the ones getting married," Mike assured her. "Let's take a minute so you're not about to pass out at the altar."

Noel nodded and Mike said, "Everyone freaks out on their wedding day, this is nothing new. Believe me, I panicked more than this when your mom and I got married. Marriage is a scary thing, not to be taken lightly, but it's also one of the most wonderful things in the world, and I think you're ready for it. Every marriage has its problems, some bigger than others, and there will come days when you question if you did the right thing. But if there's love on both sides and the will to make it work, then those problems don't seem as big in comparison.

"You and Alejito have loved each other for a long time. I think he's loved you since you were kids, even if he didn't notice then. He was devastated when you were gone for that year. Long story short, I think you made the right choice. That isn't to say I won't worry about you, but I know you'll be in good hands. I think Alejandro and Heather think the same of you, even if they would never admit it. And don't go thinking you won't be a good wife, Alejito can do no better.

"What I'm trying to say here is, if you did want to stay with me and your mom, we'd love to have you. But we want you to go out there and live your life, we want you to be the happiest girl on earth. I'm going to miss you so much, but I know I'm not really losing you, and you're not losing us. The family's just growing a little bigger and will be spreading out, that's all. I truly believe you're ready for this, Noel. Now go in there and have the best wedding ever."

Noel smiled and embraced him. They hugged each other tightly and Noel said, "Thanks for the talk. Let's get in there before the guests start to riot."

They stood up and turned back to the doors. Mike offered Noel his arm, and the two walked through the doors and down the aisle. The guests stood and watched their slow procession. Mike was still sad, but he felt a smile break out on his face. He felt so proud to get to walk his beautiful, loving daughter down the aisle. The dress didn't hide the scars Mal had given her, but Noel walked with dignity and grace.

When they reached the altar, Mike gave Noel to Alejito, who stood grinning from ear to ear. He took Alejito by the arm and thought back to his own wedding and what Zoey's father had said to him. He decided to go with a lighter approach and whispered in his ear, "You're marrying the most wonderful girl you will ever meet. Don't ever forget to show her you love her."

"I won't," he whispered back. Alejito offered him his hand, and Mike shook it.

Noel kissed Mike's cheek and whispered to him, "I love you, Daddy."

Mike choked up and couldn't speak. He let her go and went to his seat beside Zoey to watch the filled his eyes, and one spilled over. Zoey wiped it away with her thumb and wrapped her arms around him.

As the ceremony went on, Mike blocked out the conversation going on in his head.

"Noel is so pretty, weddings are so beautiful," said Svetlana romantically.

"Who cares about weddings and marriage? It's all the same in the dark," said Vito. Svetlana smacked him.

"I can't believe they went with a traditional wedding," said Manitoba disappointedly. "Why repeat the same thing everyone else does? They should have done a wedding all their own, made it unique."

"Traditional? You call this disgrace traditional?" Chester cried, outraged. "Did you hear that music? Back in my day we didn't even have music at weddings, they were serious occasions. And that dress barely covers any of Noel's skin! You can clearly see her ankles and elbows for cryin' out loud!"

The ceremony went perfectly, as Mike had known it would. Noel and Alejito gave their vows, and the priest said, "You may now kiss the bride."

The crowd applauded as Noel and Alejito kissed. They broke apart with the bride and groom beaming at each other. But just as they were about to walk back down the aisle, Jack and Riley ran up to the alter. Noel screamed when they lifted her up and laughed as they ran with her out of the chapel. Alejito shook his head with a smile and followed them, and the guests followed suit.

Afterwards, they all gathered downstairs for the reception. Music was played and Mike and Zoey danced together. Mike put one hand on her hip and other around her back, and she locked her arms around his neck. They swayed in time with the gentle music playing.

"It was a beautiful wedding, wasn't it?" Zoey commented. "And Noel was radiant at the altar."

"I wonder who she got her looks from," said Mike with a grin.

Zoey returned his grin and kissed him. "You, obviously. And maybe a little dash of me. This makes me think of our wedding, was it really that long ago?"

"It doesn't feel like it to me," Mike said. "I love you just as much as I did then, and that's not about to change anytime soon."

Zoey leaned in close and asked, "Michael Skinner, would you do me the honor of marrying me?"

"You'll have to get my dad's permission first," he replied.

"Let's elope," said Zoey as she brought her lips up to his. She pulled back and whispered, "I'm one of the few girls to get to marry her Prince Charming and keep him for so long, and we've got so many days ahead of us."

The two kissed once more, and the room seemed to melt away in the heat of the moment. They were brought back when they felt a light tap on their shoulders. They broke off the kiss and blushed as they saw the bride and groom standing before them.

"May I have this dance?" Noel asked as she offered Mike her hand.

Mike accepted. Zoey took Alejito by the hand and said, "Let's see your moves."

Mike and Noel began to dance. It was a slower song, and so they held each other close as they swayed back and forth.

As they danced, Mike was finally able to come to terms with Noel leaving. He would miss her, but she would never stop being his little girl, his Christmas baby. He had to take his own words to heart; they were still a family, it would just be spread out and bigger than before. He thought back on those days when he believed he'd never have a family, and the days when he thought he had lost his loved ones forever. He had been given more than he had ever expected to have or believed he deserved, he could make it through this.

With tears in his eyes, he whispered in Noel's ear, "I love you too, my winter princess."