Chapter 13: Of Preludes and Vows

As the sun peeked across the horizon, it was Laura who first woke, slightly disoriented, as her eyes fluttered opened and she stared at an arm rest and beyond it a stucco wall. It took a couple of seconds for her sleep dazed mind to process that she and Remington had fallen asleep on the lounge chair on the balcony outside of their room. At some point of the night he must have woken long enough to lower the back of the lounge down, as they lay flat now, instead of in the reclined position she last remembered. Despite the confines of their temporary bed, he'd managed to spoon into her, keeping her close with an arm draped across her waist.

She smiled, stretching like a cat as she came fully awake, then shimmied her body around until she faced him. Her hand reached up to draw her fingers through his hair enticing a smile from him in his sleep. Sinking her teeth into her lower lip, then smiling around it, her brows lifted as a little bit of the devil seeped into her. Dancing her fingers across his chest, she savored the feel of his hair sweeping over her fingers, before her mouth found his neck and settled in for a delightful little nibble and taste.

"Laura…" he muttered without opening his eyes, "That's not going to do either of any good at the moment and I'm already on edge being tucked up against that delightful little bum of yours most of the night." With a wicked little laugh, she stroked a single finger down his chest, determinedly continuing a downwards path. A hand swiftly grabbed hers before she could reach the destination she had in mind. "Laura…" he said warningly, "We'll not be having any of that when we still have at least half a day before we can… assuage those needs." Sleep dazed blue eyes blinked open to look into mischievous brown ones. She flicked her brows at him.

"Last chance, Mr. Steele. Are you sure you still want to go through with it?" she teased. He ran the back of his fingers down a cheek.

"Well, Mrs. Steele, given you've made an honest man of me, it seems the least I can do is make an honest woman of you now that I've… besmirched… your honor," he answered in return, turning on his back and pulling her partially atop him.

"Is that so?" she smiled down at him, drawing her fingers through his hair.

"Mmmmm, especially given I have no plans, whatsoever, of suddenly becoming noble in that regard," he wagged his brows.

"Thank God," she laughed. Leaning down, she held his eyes with her own as she brushed a kiss across his lips. "I think it's time we get this show on the road, don't you?" Rolling off of him, she gracefully took to her feet and headed into their bedroom. He grinned as he watched her slim form, clad only in his pajama shirt, with appreciation.

"Indeed it is, Miss Holt, indeed it is," he said to himself as he rose to follow her inside.

After dressing for the day, and sharing a quick breakfast together, Remington and Laura, per Elena's schedule, secured their wedding license. After they had the paper in hand, it seemed there was a conspiracy afoot, as one event after another prevented them from seeing each other, let alone spending time together, the remainder of the day. When Laura was whisked away to Zeth's home by the Androkus women to prepare for the wedding, it was clear that, in this particular case, all was as it seemed.

Two and a half hours later, nearly a hundred people filled the Androkus home, aunts, uncles, cousins and their children proving to provide a full audience to the upcoming nuptials. Remington shook his head, knowing full-well that Laura would be stunned to realize that a small, immediate family only affair here on Santorini was what would amount to a fairly good sized wedding in the States. The veranda had been completely transformed throughout the afternoon and was now a chapel perched high above the water. White chairs lined either side of the red carpeted aisle. Poles had been carefully installed on the veranda's walls, and white fabric now flowed down from them, billowing in the light breeze. Large pots filled with pink, red and white hyacinth and gladiolus ran along the bottom of the veranda walls. A wedding arch, woven with hyacinth, had been constructed by the west wall, so that the couple would be framed by the setting sun. Paderewski's Nocturne in B Flat, wafted on the breeze as Steele, walked to take his place on the right side of the makeshift altar.

He'd expected to be nervous. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised to find he was only filled with a peaceful anticipation. He gave his head a slight shake, and chuckled softly to himself. He, the dedicated bachelor, the man that stayed nowhere for more than a few weeks at a time, eager to bind himself for life to one woman: a woman that had captivated and challenged him from the first moment they had met. The battle for her heart had been won, yet knowing Laura Holt… no Laura Steele… as he did, he had no doubt their future would be filled with one challenge after the next. The thought made him… smile.

He and Laura had decided that casual elegance was the call of the day. Remington brushed a stray hair off of the sleeve of his light beige, tailored suit coat, then adjusted the blue tie that was the shade of his eyes, contrasting vividly with the crisp white dress shirt and light beige slacks that he wore. He watched nervously for Laura to appear, although he appeared nonchalant to the guests who were there to witness their marriage.

As the last notes of the Nocturne disappeared into the wind, Remington expected to hear the strains of the wedding march begin. He forgot to breathe for a moment as the first strains of Chopin's Prelude in E Minor trickled across the air. He remembered all too well the night he had stood below the window of Laura's loft listening to her play the score on the piano he had given to her to try and replace the one that was lost when her house exploded. The fact that this was the music to which she chose to walk to him down the aisle meant more to him than she would ever know.

Remington's heart caught in his throat when he at last glimpsed Laura coming out the veranda's French doors on Marcos's arm. He knew the image of her would be etched into his heart forever. My God, she is stunning… and she's mine. He raised his head to the sky then closed his eyes. I don't know what I did to deserve her, but Thank You. Looking at her again, his eyes shone with pride and possessiveness.

Laura had chosen a wedding dress reminiscent of the old days of Hollywood glamour, knowing that her avid movie lover would approve. The white silk sheath clung to her slender waist and the gentle curve of her hips before flaring just slightly as it dropped to the floor. A generous slit that started mid-thigh and continued to the ankle, showcased her long graceful legs as she walked. The dress was held up with spaghetti straps encrusted with small stones that glittered like diamonds, and criss-crossed across her back – a back that was bare to her waist. She had pulled her hair to the side and clasped it in a stone encrusted barrette that matched the gown. In her hand she held three buds of gladiolus, tied together with a simple bow.

It was clear by the look on his face that she had chosen right. She didn't even realize her tongue had reached out and flicked her lips, as she took him in. He had outdone her again and she could not be more proud. After years of fighting to keep her heart from him, she had anticipated at a least a moment in which she would be tempted to turn on heel and flee. That she only wanted to reach his side, to immerse herself in his comforting presence told her that this was right.

When they reached the altar, Marcos turned Laura towards him and kissed her on both cheeks, then told her "It is my honor to give you to our Xenos, Laura". Her eyes tingled at his words, as he placed her hand in Remington's before walking over to sit with Elena.

"Friends and Family," Father Ioseph began…

The words slipped past Remington and Laura as they drank each other in.

"You're stunning," he said softly to her.

"Not nearly as stunning as you," she replied just as softly.

"…Laura and Remington have chosen to say their own vows," Father Ioseph, nodded towards her. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. When she opened her eyes again, she gripped his hand tight in hers, drawing strength from him. Neither of them were prone to public recitations of the feelings; in fact, they were still finding their way on may such statements privately. To have all eyes upon them? She tremored for a second, then drew herself up strong, tipping her chin up in determination. Her amber eyes found his blue ones and held.

"Remington, when you walked into my life five years ago, I'd created a safe, secure and predictable life for myself. I knew what time I would get up each day, what time I would go to bed, and could tell you almost to the minute what would go on in between. Life had taught me well that to be respected you had to be predictable; to be valued you had to be dependable; and to be loved you had to lock the parts of yourself away that were neither dependable nor predictable. I had my job, my lists and I believed that was enough.

"When you entered my life you turned my world upside down. You challenged me to take risks, personally and professionally. You challenged me to trust even when all the evidence said not to. You challenged me to understand that sometimes doing something that on the face seemed wrong, was at its core right. You taught me to see past a person's surface, to find the person within. You taught me to see the intent, not the deed. You taught me to believe there are still heroes in the world, because I see the hero in you every day."

He smiled with stunned pleasure at her last sentence, and lifted her hand to kiss it before she continued on.

"You are, without a doubt, the greatest gift I've ever received. You're my partner, my best friend, and most of all, agapi mou, zoi mou."

He squeezed her hand at her recitation of the words that were engraved in their wedding bands.

"This is my promise to you: If I become afraid, I will not run from you but to you. When you're afraid, I'll open my arms and be your place of solace. When you need me to trust, I'll trust in you. When you need me to have faith, I'll believe in you. I'll stop taking unnecessary risks and remember that you need me to be safe. When life gets busy, I'll make time for us so we can continue to grow together. And above all, I'll remember that when things seem impossible, that life has taught me when we are joined together in a common goal everything is possible."

Laura took a deep breath, and squeezed the hand that was holding hers as she had finished. She was inordinately pleased that she had made it through her vows without crying.

Father Ioseph turned to Remington. "Remington…"

He, much like Laura just had, took a deep breath and let it out. Then clearing his throat, he began.

"Laura, five years ago I walked into an office and was instantly captivated by a young woman, with beautiful brown eyes."

He smiled at her, then leaned down and kissed her on both eyes before continuing.

"Of course, you know the story as I have told you it before. As a matter of fact, I think you may have even been there."

He raised a brow at her. Laura laughed, as he had intended.

"Across these years, Laura, your eyes have been my compass in the brightest of days and the darkest of nights. I have experienced highs I have never known when you looked at me with faith and trust shining in your eyes. I have experienced lows that have taken me to my knees when I have seen doubt and disappointment cloud them. I have strove, across the years, often failing, to see the former reflected in those eyes and to change whatever was needed to avoid seeing the latter.

"You inspire me to be a better person Laura, to be the man you need by your side. Even when I have tested your trust, you have stood by me. When it seemed all the cards were stacked against me, you have stood by me when anyone else would have walked away. For a man that looks to acts as the true measure of a man, you have shown time and again I can trust you, with all that I have and all that I am. You are my beacon, my light… my home.

Laura lost the battle, smiling as a tear fell from her eye.

"This is my promise to you Laura: If you run when you're afraid, I'll find you and comfort you. I'll never consume you, but instead will encourage you to be the remarkable woman you already are. I'll come to you when I need help, and trust that you will stand by my side. I'll remember to dance with you under the stars when life gets in our way. When you cry I'll kiss away your tears and when we kiss I'll take your breath away. I'll remember that when we are together standing hand-in-hand, we can take on the world."

Remington reached out and took Laura's face in his shaking hands, then lowered his head and kissed her tears away before pressing his lips next to her ear.

"Is tumo chuisle mo chroí, mon anam cara, mo shíorghrá," he whispered, before brushing his lips across her cheek and taking a step back. She raised her brows to him, relatively certain that he'd spoken to her in Gaelic and that the words were of import, but his twinkling eyes told her she'd have to discover herself what that was. She shook her head at him, her eyes lighting up at his challenge, before they turned their heads to give Ioseph their full attention.

"Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church," Ioseph instructed. When Remington looked down at their already joined hands and lifted a brow towards the priest, light laughter from the guests floated on the air. At Ioseph's disapproving look, Remington grew serious and lifted his eyes to Laura's. At the slight terror reflected in his eyes, her lips twitched, but with great strength of will, she managed to keep a straight face.

"I, Remington Chalmers Steele, take you, Laura Elizabeth Holt, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." He breathed out slowly between slightly parted lips when he finished his vows. His eyes glimmered when the laughter left Laura's eyes and instead asked silently – 'Are we really doing this.' A quirk of the corner of his lips assured her they were. With a slight shake of her head, she took a deep breath before speaking.

"I, Laura Elizabeth Holt, take you, Remington Chalmers Steele, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." Her skin had flushed during her recitation of the words and she bit down softly on her lower lip upon their completion. The couple turned to Ioseph again.

"You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide." Remington's hand tightened even further over Laura's.

"Amen," came the response from the guests behind them.

"Lord, bless and consecrate Remington and Laura in their love for each other," Ioseph continued, now holding up his palm with Laura and Remington's wedding bands held in the palm. Remington looked from the rings to Laura in surprise as he would have sworn that morning it would take an act of God to separate her from her cherished wedding band. Seeing his surprise, she gave him a look that said – 'What choice did I have? The man's a priest for God's sake.' His eyes reflected his amusement, the same as her eyes did hers. "May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. Through Christ our Lord." Ioseph nodded to Remington, who plucked Laura's ring from his palm.

"Laura, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity," he offered, as unsteady fingers slid the ring back onto her waiting finger. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Her lips quivered for a second, before she took Remington's ring from Ioseph's hand. She picked up Remington's hand and waited until his eyes met hers.

"Remington, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity," she repeated as she slid the ring onto his finger. She paused, then lifted his hand to press her lips against his palm. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." She let out a soft, stuttering breath when she'd completed the vow, drawing a smile from him.

"It is my pleasure, Xenos," Ioseph said, shedding the formality of the moment, "To pronounce you and your Laura husband and wife." He nodded to Remington with a smile. "You may kiss the bride."

Remington wagged his brows, then turned to Laura. Tipping her chin with a single finger, he stepped into her and brushed his lips softly over hers before settling fully upon them. Sparks trailed in the wake of contact, and his hands reached up to caress her cheeks while drawing her closer. They lost themselves in the kiss.

"Uh hem." Father Ioseph cleared his throat. At the sound, they broke off the kiss, Laura blushing furiously at the laughter from the audience while Remington shuffled around a bit on his feet then said "Yes, well then, uh, shall we Laura?" he asked, holding the crook of his elbow out to her. She smiled at him, then lay her hand on her arm, walking with him back down the aisle.

They were mobbed by members of the Androkus family as soon as they left the altar, pulled apart as they were hugged, kissed, slapped on the back and congratulated. Champagne and Ouzo flowed freely, music danced across the air and people laughed as they celebrated. They scanned the room for each other, wanting to be next to each other's side, eyes catching only to be torn away as someone new grabbed them in a hug.

They both let out a sigh of relief as a glass was tapped and it was announced it was time for their first dance as man and wife. They drifted towards one another, gratefully folding themselves into the other's arms on the dance floor. He brushed his lips against the top of her head as she sighed a contented little sigh.

"Have I told you tonight, Mrs. Steele, how lovely you are?" he asked, leaning down to press his lips near her ear.

Laura leaned back and smiled at him. "Yes," she answered simply before snuggling back into his embrace.

"Are you happy, Laura?" he asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear the words.

Laura leaned away and looked up at him again. Running her hand over his shoulder she hummed, before answering, "Very much so." His eyes grew a shade darker at her words. Tipping up her chin again, he leaned down and gently touch his lips against hers. A single hand slip up his chest and over his shoulder to finger the hair at his collar. She gasped softly and arched subtly into his touch, when the back of his fingers glided over the bare skin of her back, from neck to waist.

"I love it when you touch me like that," Laura whispered.

"And I cannot tell you how much I enjoy watching you respond to my every touch. To see you freely do so after all these years, is like touching a little bit of heaven," he waxed poetic, though meaning each word.

A jolt of electricity shot through her body for the second time that evening, setting every nerve ending on fire. Her pulse quickened, and the need to have him touch her, taste her, love her was overwhelming. She allowed a bit of the impulsivity that had chased away Wilson but was once a large part of her free, and shared the words with him, knowing it would drive his own desire through the ceiling. "I need you," she whispered so no one but Steele could hear. "I need to feel you touching me, tasting me. I need your hands on me. I need to feel you buried inside of me so deep that it feels like you're touching my heart."

Steele's blood roared through his body, his pulse quickening, his body hardening at her words. "I have a plan," he whispered.

"That's what you said last night," she laughed softly, before he crushed his mouth to hers then eased back ending the kiss with a brush of his lips, as their dance ended. "The question is, Mr. Steele, how long until you execute it?" She felt the tremor that passed through his body in response to the brush of her lips against his neck. She looked up into eyes burning white hot with desire, then laughed quietly as he almost desperately scanned the room for Marcos.

"Bloody well right now," he vowed. "Give me a moment with Marcos, love," he told her. Quickly brushing his lips across her cheek, he crossed the veranda to the older man.

"Marcos…" Remington began.

The older man let out a belly busting laugh, seeing the look on Remington's face. "Xenos, the sailboat is already waiting for you as we spoke of. Go…go love your Laura."

Remington reached out and hugged Marcos, slapping him on the back. "Thank you. Thank you for welcoming Laura with open arms. Thank you for giving me a place I can always think of as home. Thank you for all you've ever done for me, in case I've not said it before."

Marcos slapped Remington on the back several times, before grabbing his cheeks in his hands. "You have always been a son to me, Xenos, and now you have given me a new daughter as well." He kissed Remington on both his cheeks then released him with another gut splitting laugh. "Go now, and celebrate life with Laura. We will see you tomorrow. I will make your excuses for you."

Remington grinned then turned on his heel, taking a straight line to Laura – no angles this time. Without preamble, he took her hand from Mikos, and pulled her away with him, telling the other man, "Sorry, mate, but she's mine." Mikos laughed, as the two walked quickly away.

Holding tight to each other's hand, the young couple slipped into the inky darkness like two thieves in the night, making their escape.