A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Tipstaff, Erskine, Anton, Dexter, Saracen or Ghastly.

I wasn't even sure how, but the rest of the days blurred by and I was being helped into my wedding dress by Tipstaff, who murmured appreciatively. "You look simply lovely, my dear. Again I'm sorry no one told you about this all being planned, but it was important to her to know that you love her as she is. " I nodded, lost in my dress and the card in my hands. The card, in pristine white with elegant black script was from Skulduggery.

"Dearest Valkyrie,

Never forget that when you're with me we always share the spotlight. Because to me you belong there. And although it isn't possible to make you any more beautiful than you already are, I wanted to share the roses that mean so much to you with you."

Love,

Skulduggery"

White roses had been added to my dress, just like the ones on hers and I cried happy tears as Tipstaff pinned my hair up. "She's sharing the spotlight with me." I said.

"She always does. Did you just notice, sweetie? She's always adored you, Valkyrie, in very different ways as you've grown into the lovely woman you are now, but her adoration for you is endless." He said as he finished my hair and helped me with my veil. I took one last glance in the mirror and knew from the artful placement of the roses, Skulduggery had had her hand in the design.

"Hey, you've got a beautiful bride waiting to admire you." He teased. I laughed and took his arm. Neither Skulduggery or I was 'playing the man' as some straight people saw it, we were both walked down the aisle and both given away. Or to Erskine's office at any rate.

I happened to be first and I knew it was because Skulduggery planned on one of her grand entrances. And as she entered on Erskine's arm, trembling like a newborn fawn the mere sight of her was entrance enough. I felt faint and felt Tipstaff rubbing my back and heard him speaking soothing words. I fought to keep from fainting, but she was so very beautiful and her dress so wonderful that it was hard.

Skulduggery had chosen to have the same design that graced my dress added to hers and the small pearls and work only added to her beauty. I knew in an instant she'd done it so she could have part of me with her to comfort her and I was touched. She'd chosen to be as she naturally was, and I swore her bones almost glowed as Erskine escorted her to my side and the dress made her look so beautiful, even hid behind her veil that I knew I was the lucky one. I sensed her smile. "You look lovely, Valkyrie." She whispered.

"You too, Skulduggery." I said, feeling my eyes mist up. Then Erskine was speaking and somehow I managed not to drop her ring and we were lifting our veils. I gasped because I was right, she was glowing in the way a bride can. But from a happiness I'd never seen in her before. She dipped her gaze shyly, then came forward to take me in her arms and kiss me chastely before our gathered friends.

Then we were both being congratulated and I suddenly felt shy at all the attention. I'd never expected to be a bride, ever. And certainly never to a woman as wonderful as Skulduggery. "Congratulations, Val." Ghastly said, stepping up to hug me warmly. "We've got a small lunch ready for the two of you. A gift from all of us in lieu of toasters and kettles."

"Sounds wonderful and none of you had to get us anything." I protested.

"Oh yes they did." Skulduggery said with a grin. "I seem to recall someone once telling me presents were proof people care." She teased and I blushed mightily. She laughed and took my arm as the men led us to a small room where food had been set out buffet style. They insisted on serving us so we sat at the table, holding hands. "This is cozy, just us and our brothers. I rather like it." She said happily.

"So do I, Skulduggery. They're the people who care the most about us." I said as Anton set a plate before me. He smiled gently and sat down beside me with his own. All of us at one table, it felt right.

Ghastly gave Skulduggery her dish and settled in beside her and we waited until everyone was settled. We all naturally looked to Skulduggery since she loved to give speeches. "Thank you, all of you." She said and that was that. The men then shifted their gaze to me.

"Thank you, you all know it won't be easy for us on a lot of levels so your acceptance and support mean everything." I said and they smiled.

"Good speech, Val." Dexter said as we ate. "I like short speeches. And none of that heartfelt stuff most women seem to think guests love." He made a face and several of the men laughed.

"Like what?" I asked, amused.

"Like 'Oh, I'll hold each and every one of you in my heart forever.'" Ghastly said in a high, mincing tone. "Ha! That's the bride that doesn't write thank you notes or even ring people up." He snorted amusement and I laughed.

"Or those God-awful gifts and place settings." Saracen said with a shiver. "You ever try to eat those almonds, Val? I broke four teeth!" I laughed.

"I seriously thought those were for pretties. They're edible?" I asked and all the men shook their heads. "Besides, this is elegant because men planned it, and sensible men at that." I said, tucking into my oven fried chicken.

Anton laughed. "You'll see even worse weddings then we've told you about as you get older, Valkyrie. The ceremonies drag on all day, people get a chance to try for Oscars faking emotions they don't feel in terrible speeches. People don't know most of the people they invite. I highly approve of the simple ceremony you two picked." I smiled at him then turned to smile at Skulduggery.

I'd agreed no bouquets were fine. The only two women in attendance were getting married, and the Dead Men had no interest in finding anyone that we knew of. We did have a small cake in store for our friends, decorated with white roses and a pattern that resembled our beadwork as well. "You look amazing, I had no idea you changed the dresses. Thank you, Skulduggery. You have no idea what a wonderful gift that is for me." I said and she grinned, pleased I'd noticed.

"I know you think they make me beautiful so I wanted to share them with you. I love you, Valkyrie."

"Pleasant."

"Sorry?"

"Valkyrie Pleasant, I insist, Skulduggery. I only picked Cain because you told me I have a tendency to raise it."

"That you do. And I approved, Valkyrie. It's a lovely name. But Pleasant suits you. Then Pleasant it is." She said and nodded sensibly. We watched as the cake was brought in and cut the first piece together. We served one another with reverence, then saw to our guests. Tipstaff managed to disappear with one layer for our anniversary, then returned to Erskine's side.

They were dating now, and openly. Being such powerful men saved them a lot of backlash, I guessed. That and for all his gentleness Tipstaff was, I'd found out as he escorted me to a tea house one day to celebrate my engagement, a highly experienced fighter and an Elemental with almost no equal. "Tipstaff, didn't you say your mother handed down the chicken recipe?" I asked and we relaxed with coffee and cake he nodded proudly.

And every man there, it turned out, had cooked the dish he knew and loved best, making for a much better and more heartfelt meal than anyone else could have given us.

Skulduggery it turned out, had of course lied to me. Instead of having to stay on call we were going on a honeymoon. I, of course, fell for it because she could always fool be into believing in the stupidest things. Like colonies of octopus people and werefish. Now changed into a dazzling white suit she guided me to the Bentley, crooning over the traveling clothes Ghastly had made me. "You look so beautiful, Valkyrie. But then you're my wife, so of course you're beautiful."

"And you look like every Hollywood film starlet I can think of." I said and she giggled and blushed. She was wearing the façade, but only so we could travel in comfort and without stares, but I'd left it up to her. "Thank you, by the way. For marrying me as you are. I knew that took a lot of courage, but you're more beautiful to me than any façade." I said as we settled in.

"The things you say." She said, trying for lightness. "Seatbelt." She said, then had to pause to dab at her eyes. "You know, that was a prefect wedding, it truly was." She smiled bravely at me and I leaned over to kiss her gently.

"I love you too, Skulduggery Pleasant, and I'm never letting you go." I said softly as I took her hand in mine and the smile she rewarded me with made my heart sing.

We traveled lazily and I knew exactly where we were going and was thrilled when we arrived. "You approve?" Skulduggery asked, suddenly shy as we tucked into excellent pies along with our coffee in the café our friends ran.

"I do. This is your secret place, Skulduggery. You sharing it with me shows me how much you love and trust me." I said and she grinned happily. Dylan and Brian had joined us and they both murmured approvingly.

"We can't think of a nicer gift than to have you ladies come here several more times on the house. Dylan said approvingly.

"Yes, please do." Brian agreed. "It's always nice to see another couple settle in." Skulduggery smiled. She'd meant it about moving into the cabin, but strangely we hadn't stopped there yet. We lingered a while then she drove us to the cabin. Before I could protest she lifted me up and carried me in, grinning hugely.

I giggled and snuggled into her warmth. "Valkyrie, my dear, I have a present for you. Go look in the wardrobe." I did, finding only some of her clothes hanging there and at her encouraging nod I started to search the wood of the back of the wardrobe, hearing a faint click. A door opened and I would have fallen back in surprise if she hadn't been behind me. "Go on then," she said encouragingly, "in you go." I stepped into the newly revealed room, gasping in awe.

"This is the real cabin. Twelve rooms, it stretches underground, plenty of room for a family." Skulduggery said and at her gesture flames leapt up in the fireplace with a merry roar. "Electric of course." She said nodding towards it. "Flat screen TV, cable, all the delights of home and this is just our living room."

I looked at her speechless and she led me through a spacious modern kitchen, a bedroom, an office we could work on cases from if we so chose, a bedroom for any children, a library and more. I looked at her in awe. "You're an amazing woman, Skulduggery Pleasant. Tell me you have money left, the greenhouse alone..." She waved a hand cheerily.

"I'm quite wealthy, Valkyrie. For centuries I never spent money on much of anything. And I wanted a home away from it all. As you deduced from the offices I expect we'll always be needed. But I'll be very happy to while away the centuries here with you. And in a century or so look into adoption. By the way I have something to show you."

She led me back to the living room and twisted her hands in the air, lifting the illusion that had hidden a freshly cut tree bedecked in white lights and glittering white and silver ornaments. "Merry Christmas, Valkyrie Pleasant." She whispered softly and I knew it would be.

I wanted to see the wedding, so there.