trmo77: So sorry about the delay, a very busy day. As you see, she does.

Availre: Don't worry, it was a suggestion, not a threat.

skittlesgirl99: 1-Adam 12, author under threat. Over.

katdancer: Thanks for the review!

Chapter twenty-one

Lucy's POV

Six days later,

My hands trembled as I took the bouquet and turned to mother who looks simply beautiful in her wedding dress. She smiled, "you look beautiful dear."

I kissed her cheek, "thank you mother." The wedding was simply, only family out in the pavillion and the food was arranged. Musicians were hired and Gustave insisted on a piano being moved outside. Everything was perfect, simple and elegant. "Has father seen you yet?"

"No. I'm trying to avoid him."

I laughed, "mother."

"Because I know your father, if he sees me…he and I will have disappeared for an hour and I'll come back in a mess."

I laughed, "father loves you so much and I'm glad to have found that kind of love with Joe." Someone knocked on the door. "Who is it?"

"Your father. Are you decent?"

"Give me a minute." Mother said ducking behind the changing screen.

"Yes father." I adjusted my veil as he came in the room. He paused and just stared at me. "Do…I look all right?"

Father stepped forward, removing his mask. "My little princess isn't so little anymore. You've grown into a beautiful young woman." father kissed me and held me close. "I can't tell you how much I've dreaded this day."

I squeezed him tightly. "And I won't tell you how much I've waited for this day."

"Are you sure princess? Really sure?"

I nodded, "yes father, I love Joe more than anyone in the world."

Father nodded and pulled back. He kissed my forehead. "Are you ready?" I nodded. "Good. Where's your mother?"

"Hiding." I laughed. "She thinks you'll ravish her the moment you see her."

"Now, why would I do," I watched as father's face stilled and a beautiful light filled his face. I turned and saw that mother had come out from behind the screen. He moved towards her slowly. "that's not a bad idea."

Tears filled my eyes as he pulled her close, holding her to him. Mother whispered something to him and he pulled back and nodded. He held his arm out to me, "come on princess. Your…knight in shinning armor awaits."

Erik's POV

I held Idonea's hand as the minister spoke the final words. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

My breath faltered for a moment as Joe lifted back the veil, his face, lit by the love for my daughter, appeared to look almost ten years younger. Lucy, her eyes shimmered and my heart skipped a beat as my daughter became another man's responsibility. I felt sad and happy as I watched as Joe pulled her forward and kissed her. Lucy wrapped her arms around his neck.

Idonea sighed, "now, Gustave is the only one that remains."

I nodded, "true. At least Alexander had the decency to show up. I'm going to talk to that boy."

She shook her head, "everything's fine Erik. They're all right now."

"What do you mean?"

"Just look at them." I did as she asked and saw just in time Eva wrap her arms around his waist, stretch up and kiss him on the mouth. "See, they're happy. Everything is all right now. He's your son after all."

I rolled my eyes and turned to study her in her wedding dress. "You look beautiful lover."

"And you look handsome Don Juan."

Lucy squealed and I looked to see Joe spinning her around in the air. I sighed, "a very old Don Juan."

She kissed my cheek, "mature." She corrected. "Come, let's see how Alexander and Eva are."

I shook my head but followed her anyway. Alexander and Eva walked up to me; Eva had that look Idonea had after we'd spent several hours in each other's arms.

Alexander hugged mother, "we barely made it in time." Eva shifted uncomfortably; feeling a little out of place since she really didn't know anyone except Alexander.. As if sensing her discomfort, Alexander wrapped an arm around her waist. "everything's alright now with us."

Eva nodded, "everything's perfect."

He took her hand, "now, shall we give them that present?"

She nodded, "yes!"

He took her hand and moved towards the piano, pulling out some sheet music. I took Idonea's hand. "what's he up to?"

"he's your son."

"ladies and gentlemen," Alexander said handing the music to Gustave. "first and foremost, I can forgive my sister for her almost-too-late invitation." Lucy scowled at him. "now, Eva and I worked on a song for Lucy and Joe that we think best describes the relationship between them. The song is published and I signed all royalties over to them as a wedding gift." My brow rose. "the song is selling quite nicely, I might add and when you hear it, you'll know why."

Gustave began to play the piano, Alexander lifted Eva up and began to sing. I've seen you with the rip your dress. Seen you kinda bleary eyed too. Seen you in the moments when you looked a mess, but I'm still crazy for you. Eva leaned forward and smiled at Alexander charmingly. Alexander had no clue his sister was shooting daggers into his back. I've seen you in the gray of the dawn. Seen you bundled up with the flu. Seen you with your hair down and no makeup on but I'm still crazy for you. He hopped up beside Eva and quickly kissed her forehead. I mean that even though I've seen you at your worst. I'm glad that I'm the one who saw you first. I've seen you get embarrassed and red. Seen you try to cook a beef stew. Seen you loose your temper and oh what you said, but I'm still crazy for you!

Eva poked him gently and he made a face at her. And on the other hand I've seen you when you needed a shave. Seen you with a hole in your shoe. Seen you do a waltz that rated no rave, but I'm still crazy for you. I've seen you with the silliest grin, especially when you've had a few.

"never touch the stuff!" he declared causing everyone to chuckle.

Seen you look like something the cat had dragged in yet I'm still crazy for you. I mean that even though I've seen you at your worst. I'm glad that you're the one who saw me first.

I've seen you look a little depressed. And I have watched you when you got a shampoo. Alexander pulled her into his lap. Seen you in the morning

She put a finger on his lip and shook her head. And that's the real test but I'm still

They sang together and their voices rang perfectly Crazy for you!

Everyone applauded and Joe pulled Lucy up. "on behalf of my…happily seething wife, I thank you for that lovely gift and I do think…that song did describe what that courtship was like. Seeing each other at the worst and still loving each other." Lucy stepped closer as Joe continued. "and, I love her very much. And if I didn't Erik would thrash me to a centimeter of a my life."

Everyone laughed as I scowled. Idonea kissed my cheek. "where's your sense of humor?"

"it's a day of mourning."

"you still have me and Gustave." She reminded me turning to Gustave. "where's Bethany?"

he frowned and glanced at his watch, "I don't know. She should have been here a long time ago."

"I'm here." We turned to see Bethany walk in looking very tired. She smiled. "I'm sorry. Problems of all sorts."

Gustave walked up to her and the two conversed in low voices. Gustave looked alarmed for a moment, then Bethany calmed him down. The merriment continued, but I could tell from Gustave's face, something was wrong.

Hmmm, what could have happened? Any thoughts? Don't forget to review!