I hope you will forgive me for the epic amount of soppy love that this chapter contains, I promise the angst is about to return in boatloads! Xx

July 24th 2010 Harry's Apartment, London

With encouragement from everyone Nikki had surrendered and spent a few days on the sofa, Harry insisting he carry her up the stairs to bed in the evenings. They hadn't discussed what was going to happen formally but in small stress free conversations Harry had explained what would be expected of him. Nikki had time to rationalize her thoughts with Harry at work. In such a specialized mission Harry would be working in a protected site. Asking Nikki's permission to begin the small amount of training he would need prior to deployment. On her third night of bed rest Nikki had offered to let him go. If he deployed in the next two weeks then he would make it back by the due date. Harry had re-proposed to Nikki, emphasizing the need for honesty.

'Tea?' Harry offered the steaming mug to a semi comatose Nikki, the warning of not taking care of herself had led Harry to cook proper meals every night.

'You'll have parcel's to pick up at work tomorrow' Nikki mused, catching him up on the day's big event, Internet shopping. 'I am far to humungous now, I have cankles,' Pulling up the blanket to show tiny, but marginally swollen ankles, 'my boobs are sore and huge and I feel like a beached whale.'

'But you are still absolutely stunning.' Soothing her protestations with an ankle rub he broached the awkward subject he'd been discussing at training. 'So I need to complete a will and appoint next of kin.' Nikki almost chocked on her tea, inhaling deeply to keep the baby calm.

'Ok' Nikki could feel her eyes welling up.

'It's all protocol Nikki, I just need to ask your permission, I'm leaving everything to you and the baby and you are my next of kin, if that's okay?'

'Why don't we marry this weekend?' Nikki couldn't tell if her pregnancy hormones were causing the impulsivity. 'I know I wasn't keen before and we decided to put it on hold but can we get the paper signed. If,' she had to stop and recompose herself 'if something happens I'd rather be Mrs Cunningham than Ms. Alexander. Bump is going to be a Cunningham and well, that's a little unfair if I don't get to be one either.'

'Are you sure?' Harry was beaming, Nikki nodded and promptly burst into tears. 'I didn't realise I had that effect on women.'

July 27th Babington House

'So this isn't a farewell party,' Harry began, keeping an unseen hand grasped in Nikki's, 'we gathered you guys here to witness our, well..' the stuttering was very uncharacteristic.

'Marriage, tomorrow morning Harry and I are marrying.' The guests at dinner suddenly erupted in excited conversation. It had already been decided that Leo would be best man and Aubrey would be maid of honour. 'This is merely a formality. I do plan on getting my man down a proper aisle on a golden beach at some point' Nikki furthered 'but we've chosen to things ass backwards.' The undercurrent of her voice conveyed the main reason for a rushed nuptial.

'Excuse me please,' Aubrey rose from the table, almost catching her green frock in haste. 'Bridesmaid's duties to perform and all that.'

July 28th Little Chapel, Babington House

Harry couldn't think of the last time he'd seen anything so beautiful, a fitting cream dress made her look stunning. He could tell she felt mildly awkward as she appeared down the aisle, shuffling under a bouquet of cream lilies, he could imagine her on their honeymoon with one wrapped around a golden lock of hair, giggling wildly. Catching Leo's eye he noticed the unmistakable wink and relaxed look of relief.

They sung two hymns, his favourite and hers, which she sung quietly in Swahili hushed against the offered voices. Leo read from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, before the vows were exchanged.

'Neither of us expected this, fate pushed us together and turmoil brought us close, but Nikki it is the small things I love most about you, your intellect dazzles me, your smile shines over the darkest cloud and your hope astounds me' Harry's voice carried a sincerity and profound undercurrent of love. 'Will you join me at the table, join me in growing old, stand by me in dark times and light and let me be the steadfast rock in your world.' The words had not been prepared, catching Nikki off guard as a tear slipped out.

'I promised myself not to cry.' Nervous laughter filled the room 'It would give me great pleasure to join you Harry, for I believe our two bashed souls complement in a way I've never felt,' Nikki giggled slightly, gazing at Harry 'you've gained my heart without knowing, offering me the world and more when I've needed it most. You've protected and nurtured me in a way I could never have imagined, cherished me and been the missing piece in the puzzle of life. It fills with me with great honour to join you at the table, watching the tapestry of life form around us. I promise to stand by in sickness, health and every second in-between.'

The rapturous applause fell away as Harry leant to Nikki's lips, the graze sparked as he reached a steadying hand on her chin, the passion building fission from his heart as the world concaved around them, reforming with the strong tendrils of love in every fiber of their being. Nikki let out a small laugh as Harry finished the kiss with a slow nose rub, hiding the crowd with a hand on the delicate structure of her cheek.

'Man and wife eh?'

A small echo filled the chapel as the door creaked open pronouncing Dr and Mrs Cunningham into the gentle July heat. Stood between tree and bush a tall woman was hovering, trying to glimpse the wedding party emerging. It wasn't her place to intrude but having received a phone call yesterday she was capable of more than ignorance. The blonde woman was still as effortlessly beautiful as the last time they'd met. When she'd been pregnant twenty years ago grace had been too much to ask, but watching her oldest friend emerge from the small chapel with a bump nestled like it belonged she caught herself smiling. Nikki deserved the happiness.

They'd filed into the foyer in a noisy cluster of happiness, Nikki and Harry weren't particularly aware of their company, too engrossed in the magic of new rings and eternal promises of happiness. Harry had a silent hand on their unborn child, the cuff of his suit grazing Nikki's dress. Turning to kiss her husband once again Nikki excused them from the group. Walking down the corridor to their suite Harry happily offered to assist Nikki out of her dress, the restrictive material beginning to cause irritation. Kissing her shoulder, as the ribbon tie was undone Harry cradled the delicate material carefully directing it to the ground. 'I know you don't think it but you are stunning Mrs Cunningham.' Nikki grimaced, catching her appearance in the mirror.

'Maybe ask me that in six months time' the whimper was cut off by a knock at the door. 'If it's housekeeping tell them to go away?'

'I'm not housekeeping Nikki.' The soft Irish lilt was unmistakable, Freya.