Jim sighed. He was sitting in bed, shooting a tired look up at his fiancé, who was in his lap. The list he'd been scribbling on was dangling above their heads, in Leonard's hand. "Bones, come on, babe."

"Nope, not till you agree to the conditions."

"Really? Since when are there conditions?"

"Since you proposed. I know I'm putting my foot in my mouth, but marriage is an equal thing - something I intend to get right this time 'round. I'm perfectly capable of financial contribution."

Jim sighed again, and wrapped his arms around Leonard's waist. "I know, but you did so much for the hearing, and paying to get my things moved over, and..." He looked down, and took Leonard's left hand into his right. He smiled at the glittering ring placed there, then continued. "You've already done so much. You paid for the moving van, and you spoiled the hell out of me for my birthday." It had been last week, a complete surprise party that had Jim in tears.

Leonard tipped Jim's chin up so their eyes met. "Because I wanted to - it was your birthday, Jim. Now, back to this planning business..." He looked at the paper, filled with Jim's messy scrawl. He remembered doing the same thing nearly ten years ago, so nervous he could hardly stand it. Now he was ready for a fresh start. He slipped over to Jim's side, and wrapped one arm around his waist. "This needs a little work, and we're gonna do it together. We are also going to contribute equally, and that's final. You are not spending all of that money for one day, Jim."

Jim folded his arms, but he was conceding. "I wasn't planning on it. I just...want it to be perfect."

Leonard kissed the top of his head. "It will be. It's a little hectic and we'll probably get snappy at each other, but that just comes with the territory. Now," he smirked, and eased Jim onto his back, "let's take a well-earned break."

Leonard had been right - on everything. Jim realized how overwhelmingly expensive even the simplest wedding would cost, and easily threw in the towel on leading the finances. Leonard earned good money, and with them going dutch on everything, it worked out. Unfortunately, their snappiness did come out once in a while. It was the end of summer, it was hot, and Leonard was also trying to get Joanna registered for the new school year. The two often spent nights quietly arguing over papers and bills, decorations, and even what flavored cake.

"Who the hell wants banana-flavored cake?" Leonard winced.

Jim flopped his head down. The fan was blowing onto both of them, but it just wasn't enough. Leonard's air conditioning had broken - of course - so they'd bought a fan for them and for Joanna. "I don't know," he groaned. "It was just a suggestion - I wondered if we just wanted something a little different."

"No. Vanilla is fine."

"...How about chocolate?"

"How about halvsies?"

"Fine!"

"Fine."

"Okay, now do we want a canopy or not?"

Leonard blinked. "What the hell for?"

"Ohhh my goddd. In case it rains! In case it's really hot and everyone melts! This is August, Leonard, anything can and will happen."

"...Canopy pending. Next item. Do we want balloons?"

Jim gave a delirious laugh. "For what?"

Leonard gave a defensive shrug. "I dunno, to...put on the mailbox or somethin'!"

"To let people know 'the party is here'? The only house in, what, five miles?"

"I just thought you might want somethin' sentimental, Jim, jeez! Do you want the fuckin' balloons or not?"

"No."

"Do you wanna have angry sex?"

"Yes, I do."

Seven tedious, arduous, and everything else-ous days later, Leonard stood alone in his bedroom. He was fixing his bowtie when he heard a knock on the door. In walked Christine. She gave a wry smile, and walked over. "Leonard McCoy, didn't my husband just fix that?"

Leonard sighed and stood before her, raising his chin to make room for her hands. "Well, he left and I got nervous. Did he make you walk up those awful stairs in your condition?"

Christine laughed, and patted her stomach. She wasn't even starting to show - she was just over two months along - but Leonard constantly fussed over her. "You're sweet. He's talking with Jim, keeping the poor kid's nerves in check. It's about to start; Just pretend you're getting ready for surgery - you're never nervous then."

Leonard snorted and raised a brow at her. "I'm just glad the day's finally here."

Christine patted his chest, then reached up to kiss his cheek. "Darling man, you never cease to make me smile. Come on out already, before the music starts." She offered her arm, and he took it gratefully. "You look good, Lenny. Glad you went with white, too."

Leonard nodded. "Jim's idea. Who was I to argue?" He winked. His assistant rolled her eyes, knowing perfectly just how much arguing had gone on the last six weeks. They walked outside and Leonard took his place next to the Justice of the Peace. Jim always thought it sounded so formal, so they privately called the man "JP."

Christine left him only after she was sure he wouldn't collapse; Geoffrey moved over to his left, and clapped his shoulder. "Let's make it final this time, huh?"

Leonard shot him a glance. "Oh, thanks. You're a real comfort."

The music started, a simple piano medley that made Leonard only cringe a little. The ceremony he'd had with Jocelyn hadn't been this big - and this was still a small group - and she'd already been three months pregnant with Jo. The little girl in question was like a little doll, happily fulfilling her role as flower girl. She smiled prettily up at her father, and he gave her a tiny wave. She sat down next to Chris, who patted her back as she sat.

Everyone stood, and Leonard's heart stopped. Jim was heading down the back porch, dressed in a crisp white suit that matched his husband-to-be. He was arm-in-arm with Winona, who was dressed in a beautiful peach-colored dress. Her hair was up, and she looked stunning, happy beyond belief. Jim was at Leonard's side before the doctor could count to ten.

Jim extended his hands, and the two of them faced each other. The Justice greeted everyone, thanking those who supported the happy couple on this day. Then Leonard was invited to say his vows.

Leonard took a deep breath. "I...don't have a lot to say, except...that I love you, Jim. There was something incredible that drew me to you, and I'm sure I fell for you after the first night we met. I'll do my best to support you, and care for you, sickness and health..." Then he smiled. "Which'll be easy, 'cause I'm a doctor."

That got a good laugh from everyone, and Jim grinned against the tears in his eyes. "My turn, then, here goes. I...have never felt as loved by anyone as I have by you. You made me feel like...I was worth something, and that I could be happy. With everything that happened, you were my constant support, and I love you for it."

The Justice smiled. "Leonard, do you take James to be your husband?"

"I do."

"And James, do you do the same, for Leonard?"

"I do."

"We'll now present the rings, each of you place the other on your partner's finger."

Leonard turned, and Geoffrey placed the two bands into a shaky palm. He closed it and winked, patting Leonard's shoulder. The doctor turned and handed one to Jim, his memory still vibrant on the night Jim had proposed. He smiled tearfully, remembering that he'd started crying like a baby before Jim could even finish the question. He had his engagement ring on already, and he glanced over at Joanna.

Jim had sweetly "proposed" to her, too. He bought her a little heart necklace, asking if he could be her father. Joanna had cried, too and jumped into his arms. She wore it around her neck proudly as she watched the exchange. Leonard let his gold band be slipped on, then he did the same to Jim. When he raised his eyes, the both of them began to weep.

There was no need to invite anyone a voice of protest against the marriage, because no one would. So, the priest clapped each of their shoulders briefly before saying, "I now announce you, lawfully-wedded husbands. You may kiss."

It was a wet, emotional kiss that nearly brought both of them to their knees. Leonard cupped Jim's face and he sobbed, "I love you, Jim," against their lips.

"Love you, too," Jim whispered. Everyone was applauding, so they broke away, and gave their best smiles.

There was a nice lunch afterwards in the living room. Then the dancing, of course, first with Leonard and Joanna. He had her favorite song playing, and she nestled against his chest as he twirled her.

"Daddy," she cried. "I'm really, really happy."

He patted her curled hair. "I'm happy, too, baby doll. You sure look beautiful, Joanna."

Jim got to have the next dance with her, and then he and Leonard took their turn. Leonard and Jim both had the chance with Winona, whose eyes shined with happy tears. She looked up at Leonard, and mumbled a shaky, "Thank you, Leonard."

"Ma'am?" He offered politely.

She laughed and shook her head. "It's Mom, okay? I'm not a ma'am. I just...want you to know how happy you made him. He told me, the day before he proposed, that...he'd never been so sure of anything in his life."

Leonard nodded. "I could see that."

"Without you, he would have never had that confidence. You have been everything to him, and I'm proud of you both."

"Thank you," he added solemnly, then smiled. "Mom."

The party went late, so Joanna was falling asleep in Jim's arms. He decided to take her upstairs, and let her get into her pajamas. Then he tucked her in and kissed her forehead. She smiled tiredly up at him as he whispered, "I love you, princess."

"I love you, Daddy."

He exhaled happily. He was just her step-father, but he was going to make sure she had a much better experience than he'd ever dreamed of having. "I'll always be here to protect you, Joanna. You're my entire world, kiddo."

She nodded sleepily, and turned onto her side. "Love you..." She whispered. She fell asleep quickly, so Jim tip-toed from the room and headed back downstairs. He and Leonard said their thank you's and goodbyes, the last being Winona and Chris. They'd finally sorted things out and were living together, and Jim's heart could barely take how happy his mother looked. He hugged her tightly and whispered, "Are we going to get the invitation soon?"

She shrugged and laughed. "One step at a time, you know?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

Once alone again, the two got out of their suits and hung everything up nicely, then hopped into bed. Jim was looking through the wedding photos taken, his smile renewed at each viewing. He kept getting distracted by the kisses and bites being planted onto his neck. Leonard's hands were beginning to paw over him, and he finally turned.

Their lips bumped together, and Jim did his best to set the camera on the side table. "Sorry, you're right," he murmured, "we'll look later." His attention was now completely on his husband. The thought slowed him, and he smiled as his shirt was pulled off of him. "...We're married now."

Leonard hummed in agreement, letting his hand slide into the back of Jim's sleep shorts. Then he eased Jim onto his back and pulled them off, leaving the blonde man naked underneath him. "You're in for a long night, Jim Kirk-McCoy."

Jim shivered at his new name. "And many, many more."

Leonard just chuckled and kissed him sweetly.