Chapter 25
Content rated K+. No sexual content, no drama; just happy celebration.
Three months later
Leopard's Den was a hive of activity on the morning of Rosie & Ed's wedding.
Rosie was in her room with her bridesmaids, Liv & Charlotte, and Caroline was fussing around them fixing their hair. Rosie had elected to wear ivory satin and looked absolutely beautiful. Liv & Charlotte were attired in cream and Charlotte was really excited. She had been Alice's bridesmaid when she had married Danny of course but she did not often get the chance to wear pretty dresses since trousers were far more amenable to life at Leopard's Den.
"You look wonderful," Liv gasped.
"Well, if you & Fatani ever tie the knot then you can wear a dress like this," Rosie said.
"Well you've got brains, brawn and beauty all in one gorgeous package," Caroline said., "I must admit it took us a while to get used to Ed but he really fits in here now."
"I'm glad he picked Dup to be his best man," Rosie said, "It shows that the past is forgotten and we can all move on together." "I just wish Sarah and my mum were here." She thought.
"Where's he taking you on honeymoon?" Liv asked.
"He thinks I don't know but we're going to Mumbai," Rosie's eyes sparkled, "I've always wanted to see India,"
"I just hope Anders behaves himself and doesn't get too drunk before he makes his speech," Caroline said. Dup had stayed over at Mara with Ed the previous night
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Liv said.
Outside Nomsa, Alice and Fatani were very busy laying the tables for the wedding breakfast and Fatani was busy checking the beer supply.
It was a glorious sunny day and the cloudless skies were bluer than Ed's eyes.
Rosie went outside. Danny was standing there and he gasped as he saw his daughter.
"Will I do, Dad?" she asked.
"Very nicely Rosie,"
"Ed is a very lucky man," Fatani said.
OO
"How do I look?" Ed asked Dup. He was wearing khakis at Rosie's request.
"Why do you want me to wear Khaki?" Ed had asked her.
"It's what you were wearing when I first realised I fancied the pants off you," Rosie replied.
He had kissed her, "Well that's as good a reason as any,"
Dup whistled. "Rosie's a very lucky girl," he said. He slapped Ed on the shoulder.
Ed smiled.
"Look Dup, I'm really glad we've been able to bury our initial differences and move on,"
"So am I," Dup said, "We all need to get on because that's what makes things work; at Leopard's Den or anywhere,"
"I'll drink to that with you later," Ed said.
"Now that's the kind of fighting talk I like to hear," Dup laughed.
OO
Dup & Ed walked outside to the car and drove to Leopard's Den.
OO
Ed stood at the makeshift altar and shielded his eyes from the sun as Rosie walked along the red carpet, her arm through Danny's and Liv and Charlotte following.
"Who brings this woman to be married to this man?"
"I do," Danny said, feeling sure his heart was about to burst with pride.
Ed & Rosie made their vows; never taking their eyes off of each other.
Ed slipped the ring onto her finger and she slipped one onto his in turn. Both bands were engraved with the others' name and the date of their marriage.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride,"
Ed pulled Rosie to him and they shared a tender lingering kiss.
They all ate the traditional African dishes painstakingly prepared by Caroline and Nomsa. Then Dup stood to make his Best Man's speech.
"I wasn't altogether happy when Ed came on the scene," he said, "But he also provided us with a chance to get Leopard's Den back and to be honest the initial disagreements were petty and pointless. Ed might not yet have managed to drink me under the table but he's a damned good vet and we're lucky to have him here. Leopard's Den was nothing when the Trevanions first came here but we have worked together to build it. It's more than a home now; we're a family and it's a way of life. Ed has further enhanced the family. Rosie is very dear to us all and she has worked so hard to be a vet like her dad and she never once took her eye off the goal.
Ed has had his demons to fight; like all of us but I think he's left them all behind now and I'm more than confident than he and Rosie can have a long and happy future together. So let's all charge our glasses and make a toast, to the bride and groom,"
"That was a great speech, Anders," Caroline whispered as he sat down.
OO
The party went on until late although Rosie had left for their honeymoon.
In the hotel room that night they indulged in reckless passion; which left them both breathing ragged.
"God, I love you Mrs Lynch," Ed murmured as he poured them more champagne
"I love you too, Ed Lynch," she whispered as she nestled close to him and dribbled a little champagne onto his chest which she licked carefully.
They lay together, looking at the stars and held each other tightly; knowing that finally nothing and no one could part them and nothing would stand in their way. This time Ed knew that she really would keep herself only to him and only death could part them.
A/N: Thanks for reading to the end and for all your reviews. I still think Ed would have been much better for Rosie than Dylan who appeared from nowhere in the finale. At least Ed was brave and intelligent as well as being rather nice to look at.