Disclaimers: see part 1
Rating: PG
A/N: It's the wedding we've all been waiting for! For those of you waiting to see how things turn out with Honoria, I'm afraid you'll have to wait at least three more chapters, so probably Sunday. And for those of you who wanted a bit of Mary wedding drama, here it is!
The morning of Charles' wedding he was awoken to the sounds of laughing in the kitchen. He put on his robe and went into the kitchen where he found his friend Hawkeye, singing that ridiculous opera which amused his small son to no end.
"Morning Daddy!" Charlie said as he jumped down off of his perch and ran to give his father a hug. Charlie was so loving, never afraid or unable to show his affection for anyone and it was one thing which Charles adored about his son.
"Just making some bacon and eggs here for the little guy. You want some?" Ben asked from the stove.
"Sure. Is there anything I can do to help?" Charles asked.
"No. Have a seat. We have this under control."
Charles poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down. Charlie sat down next to him with an odd look on his little face.
"Daddy, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, son," Charles replied. Even after all these months, he still got a thrill whenever he was called 'Daddy' and an even bigger thrill from calling Charlie his 'son'.
"When you and Margaret get married, will she be my new mommy?" he asked earnestly.
"She will be your step-mother, yes. But she won't replace your mother," he explained. Mary and Margaret had a similar conversation back in December. Margaret said that she and Charlotte were a team and that she would never try to replace her.
"Do you think it would be ok if I called her Mommy. Because Momma is an angel in heaven and Margaret takes care of me now," the little boy explained.
Charles didn't quite now what to say. He and Margaret never discussed what title she would be given after the wedding both assuming that they children would continue to use her given name.
"You could ask her when we get to your grandparents," Ben offered, seeing that Charles had no idea what to say.
The men-folk spent the rest of the morning installing a basket ball hoop on the garage door. It was a mild day for March and the pair worked outside in sweaters instead of heavy winter coats.
Ben made Charlie lunch while Charles showered and got ready. Ben showered while Charlie got dressed and gave him over to his father's care while he got dressed. Given that it was a civil ceremony, the bride had decided against the tuxedo in favour of basic charcoal suits. Charlie was wearing a suit as well and look almost exactly like Charles but he was sporting a bow tie which delighted the little boy to no end.
Once they were ready, they left for City Hall where they would all meet up for their 4pm appointment with the judge.
Meanwhile, Margaret's morning was not going as well. She awoke with a feeling of nausea the likes of which she had never experienced. She was able to pass it off as nerves but Honoria was suspicious. Margaret's parents were cordial towards each other even though they were divorced and her sister was so excited for her.
Margaret had decided against the big white dress again in favour of a simple pale blue suit which was paired with the pearls Charles had given her for Christmas. She looked lovely as both Charles Sr. and Alvin Houlihan pointed out.
She was feeling better by the time everyone left for city hall.
When she saw Charles, her breath caught in her throat; she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
When Charlie saw her, he escaped from Ben's care and ran over to her.
"I need to talk to you for a second, it's really important," explained the little boy.
They had about 15 minutes before their appointment so Margaret led the little boy over to the nearby bench. Emerson and Mary followed, both wondering what could be so important.
"Margaret, after you marry Daddy, would it be ok if I called you Mommy?" asked the little boy.
Emerson quickly looked at Mary whose eyes filled with tears. The young girl turned and ran towards the front door.
"I'll go deal with her," Emerson said as she jogged after her sister.
Charles didn't know what to do. He walked over towards Margaret to see what had taken place although he had his suspicions.
"Why Charlie?" she asked, clearly touched. Margaret loved Charles children but didn't want to rock the boat when it came to her role in the family.
"Because I love you and you take care of me like Mommies do. My real Momma is a angel in heaven now but you take care of me now and I want people to know that you're my Mommy."
"I would be honoured but lets make sure it's alright with the girls first shall we. I'll be back in a minute," she said to her fiancé before taking Charlie's hand and following the path the girls took a few minutes earlier.
She found Emerson and Mary sitting on the step which was thankfully free of snow and slush. Margaret, conscious of her dress went down a few more steps so she was eye to eye with the girls.
"Charlie, how could you say such a thing," she said as she glared at her brother.
"Mary, grow up. One, Charlie can call her whatever he wants. Two, we always called her Momma, and three, it's not replacing, it's adding," Emerson said, clearly frustrated with her sister.
"Mary, if it bothers you that much, we can figure something else out," Margaret said, trying to be the peace maker.
"I want to call Margaret Mommy," Charlie pouted.
"I would like to call you Mom, if that's ok with you," Emerson added. The pair had become very close over the past few months and she was proud to take Margaret as her adoptive mother.
"Mary, you don't have to do anything you're not ready for but you also don't have the right to stop the others either," Margaret explained, validating Mary's feelings but firm enough to show that she meant business.
"Alright," she said dejectedly. She knew she could win against Charlie bit not with Emerson and Margaret on his side.
The group went back into City Hall and Margaret Houlihan became Mrs. Charles Emerson Winchester II.