Time flew quickly for the group and soon Graduation was upon them, though Scott and Darjeeling were focused on their wedding that Wednesday. They were certain that everything was perfect, but they couldn't help but feel nervous, Darjeeling was finishing her first trimester and Scott couldn't help but feel as though something was going to happen. Soon though, Scott, Josh, Darjeeling and Assam were in their gowns ready for the ceremony and they were waiting just outside the auditorium. As the figurative heads of their schools, Scott and Darjeeling would enter together and first, displaying the union between the schools, while also reminding people of the actual union between them. Soon, strains of Over the Hills and Far Away as arranged by John Tams could be heard and they began walking down the aisle. Scott looked over to Darjeeling, "A slight preview of Wednesday, love," he whispered.

Darjeeling smiled at him, "I'm surprised we're not quivering wreaks right now."

Scott chuckled and soon they stood in front of their seats. They were pleased that many of the people they fought side-by-side with for four months came to watch, even if it meant suffering through Alexandre's presence. The actual ceremony didn't take long, Lady Grey said a few words about how she was honoured to have taught them and the former Headmaster of Yorkshire said a few words about how proud he was of his former students. After that point, they were dismissed for the last time where most of them went to an after-party that the Student Council were putting on for them. Everyone was having a great time, even Josh and Assam, then people started clamouring for Scott and Darjeeling to speak and, after looking at each other and shrugging, they did so, "It's been a long road to get to this moment, and the past few months have given us some of our worst nightmares," Scott remarked, briefly looking at Josh and Assam before continuing, "But they have also given us our brightest hopes and our wildest dreams."

It surprised no one that he looked directly at Darjeeling when he said that last line and Darjeeling picked up the impromptu speech effortlessly, "When I was first told that we would have boys come and integrate into our school, I'll admit, I was worried as I was well aware of the consequences of what happened when boys and girls were in close proximity to each other."

At that, many laughed as they saw the irony in that statement and her current condition. But Darjeeling carried on, "But I could not have imagined finding my other half amongst them, and yet I, and many of you and your friends have."

Scott smiled and leaned into her before continuing, "Soon, we will go our separate ways and end the first of our books, it is up to each of us that the remaining chapters we have left to write are as memorable as the first."

Everyone cheered at that and then, surprisingly, Alexandre rose, "Lord Perkins, Lady Darjeeling, to say that I and my fellow pilots from Wellesley owe you both, and the rest of the team an apology would be an understatement," he began before looking down slightly, "We are raised, myself included, to think that we are better than our classmates due to our wealth, that we know it all. We do not. It was only after the tournament and some deep soul-searching that I understood, you went through hell not knowing where the man you called your brother was for a month, not even the officials knew where he was, but instead of obeying your commands, I, and the other pilots, resisted your command. We can only beg for forgiveness, even though, we do not expect you to."

Then Alexandre raised his glass, "To Lord and Lady Perkins! May your years be forever intertwined!"

Then someone called out: "And may your only problems be little ones!"

Laughing, as everyone saw the double meaning, they downed their drink, some were drinking some scotch that Scott wasn't sure he wanted to know how they got it, while others, like Darjeeling and himself, drank the punch which he could tell was still unspiked, hopefully, it would stay that way.

Thankfully it did and soon everyone parted. Scott and Darjeeling though had to run through the final preparations for their wedding. And so, June the Sixth came quickly for them.

Scott stood in his dressing room, which was their room at Arundel, with Josh, Foster and Stan. Though Josh would be the only one walking down the aisle after him, it still felt good having them together, "Well Milord," Foster said, "I'd say you've done well for yourself, this time last year, you were still dealing with Archibald and now, you're getting married and have a child on the way."

Scott smiled as he put his tie on, "I'd say that my fortunes have improved at least a thousandfold."

Stan snorted, "That's being a bit mild."

Everyone chuckled as Scott put on his jacket, "So?" he asked, "How do I look?"

Josh smiled the widest smile he had since the tournament, "Ready."

Scott took a deep breath, "Josh, would you go and see if the ladies are ready?" he asked.

Josh nodded and was about to leave when Scott, Foster and Stan walked into the reception hall and stopped, "Bloody Hell," Scott whispered.

There, sitting off to the right side of the aisle was Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip. Taking the initiative, they were sitting on his side of the hall, after all, Scott walked up to them, "Your Majesties, it is an honour to see you," he remarked.

The Queen smiled, "Hello Lord Perkins, I'm looking forward to this."

Philip smirked, "Yes, she's been planning for months on being here to see off her favourite lord to married life."

Scott smiled, "A surprise for sure, but a most welcome one," he remarked before nodding to Josh. Then he set about talking with their various friends and family they had invited, there was a lot of them after all.

Josh hurried to where the girls were getting dressed, anxious to see how Darjeeling would react. Knocking on the door, Assam bayed him in and he greeted Pekoe and Rosehip before turning to Assam, "Where's Darjeeling?" he asked after pecking her lips.

"Over here Josh," she replied.

Josh spun to the other side of the room where he saw Darjeeling in the traditional white dress of a bride, "Let's hope Scott retains a few of his senses long enough to get through the vows," he murmured before blinking, "Oh, Darjeeling, you didn't happen to sent an invite to Her Majesty, did you?"

Darjeeling blinked, "Uh no, why?"

Josh chuckled, "Because, sitting on Scott's side of the hall is Her Majesty, the Queen and her husband, it appears they invited themselves."

Darjeeling's eyes widened, "How? Why?" she asked.

Josh shrugged, "One of two reasons I suspect: one, she's here to see off Scott, she always did hold a soft spot for him, or two, she here for the cake."

Darjeeling cocked an eyebrow and Josh shrugged, "It's as best an explanation I've got, besides, the Queen is known to enjoy a good cake."

Darjeeling sighed and Assam asked her if something was wrong, "Perhaps not, I can't help but feel uneasy, and it's not the normal nerves on one's wedding day or the baby, and I can't lay my finger on it."

Josh looked at Assam, unsure of what to make of that before turning back to Darjeeling, "I'm sure it will be fine, Terre is keeping an eye on things and I'm sure the Queen's guards are also keeping a very close eye on things."

Darjeeling nodded, then walked over to them, "Well, shall we?"

Taking Assam's arm, Josh led them to the main hall. Seeing Josh, Scott walked to the front of the hall from speaking with Jasmine and her parents. It was then that the song Flower of Scotland began playing and Josh and Assam walked down the aisle. Once they walked past Scott, the familiar strains of Edward Elgar's Nimrod played and everyone stood, as Darjeeling herself walked down the aisle.

As Scott looked at his very soon-to-be wife gliding, much like an angel would, over to him, he blinked rapidly. Josh noticed and leaned over to him, "Everything alright Milord?" he whispered.

Scott nodded, small tears running down his cheeks, "Yes Josh, I'm just a lucky bastard if only mum and dad were here to see this."

Josh smiled, "In a way, they are."

Josh didn't get a chance to say anymore as Darjeeling stepped beside Scott, who lifted her veil and took her hands as the local Vicar from St Nicholas smiled as he observed them, "Marriage is a sacred thing," he began, "To dedicate yourself to your spouse for the rest of your lives is no small matter, nor is it your dedication alone, for marriage is a team effort. However, the love between you will strengthen that bond which you will forge here."

Here he paused, "Those that have an issue with this union, speak now, or forever hold your peace," he said. No one said a word, or breathed for that matter, "It is now then, as there are no objections, that the Bride and Groom exchange personal vows to each other," he remarked before looking at Darjeeling.

Darjeeling smiled, "Scott when we first met, my heart was captured by you when you first spoke. Now, after a scant year, we stand here, proclaiming our love to those we hold dear that it be eternal. And it most certainly is, as I pledge myself, heart, body and soul to you forever and more."

After allowing for a small amount of applause, the Vicar looked at Scott, and he did not disappoint, "Darjeeling, my love, not even a year ago, we stood in the kitchen of your apartment on the HMSS Ark Royal, wherein, I proclaimed to you that, no matter how others would look upon us, you would always come first in my heart and my actions. And now, we stand here today, and I repeat that which I proclaimed in October, that I pledge myself in heart, body and soul to you forever and more."

The Vicar smiled as there was not a dry eye in the hall. It was then his turn to speak, "Do you, Lord Scott George Perkins GC, take this woman as the love of your life? To protect her, forever and now? To give her your unconditional love? So long as you both may live?"

Scott nodded, "I do."

And then the Vicar turned to Darjeeling, "And do you, Lady Darjeeling of St Gloriana, take this man as the love of your life? To protect him, forever and now? To give him your unconditional love? So long as you both may live?"

Darjeeling nodded, "I do."

"Then I present, for the first time, "Lord Scott and Lady Darjeeling Perkins!" the Vicar called before nudging Scott, "You may kiss the bride."

This led to a very passionate kiss and Josh chuckling, "As if he needed the encouragement," he whispered.

After a minute, Scott and Darjeeling finally separated enough so that they could continue the ceremony. They then led the party to the banquet hall where a brilliant feast was prepared for them. There they sat and ate, listening as both the Dawsons and Lady Grey swapped stories of them until, before Darjeeling could be embarrassed by yet another baby story, Josh and Assam stood and walked to the front of the hall, next to Scott and Darjeeling, "It is tradition for the Best Man and the Matron of Honour to make a speech, and since Scott and Darjeeling threw out most of the other traditions, we knew this would be the one to stay," Josh began before look at them, "When I first met him, Scott was already an accomplished student, but I was amazed at how quickly he picked up command of the Yorkshire Tankery Club as the European Tankery Circuit had been disbanded for a few years at this point. Once I asked him how he did all the things he could do with a tank and he told me 'I eat, sleep, and work in this hull, there's nothing it could hide from me.' the sad part was that it was true, many times, I'd find out that Scott had been locked out of the barracks and so spent the night in the Centurion III," he remarked.

Many people frowned at the treatment of Scott, but Josh continued, "It was of great relief then, that we were shipped out to the HMSS Ark Royal and St Gloriana, where, beyond everyone's expectations, and much to our relief, Scott met Darjeeling and it was love at first sight," here Josh raised his glass, "To the new couple! May all of your problems be little ones!"

After a call of "Hear, Hear!" Assam stepped forward, "After Scott had been shown around his office, Rosehip, Pekoe and I entered Darjeeling's office where I correctly called that he was clearly was hers when she made a stray comment about him singing to her."

Scott chuckled, "Seems we were matched and mated at once love," he whispered.

Darjeeling nodded as Assam continued, "It was amusing when, later that day, when we tried to set up Stanley, Pekoe, Scott and Darjeeling on a double date, Scott saw through our plan and sped up things by requesting that we ask Darjeeling if she would shadow Pekoe because 'we would do it anyway' and after that date, they've been inseparable," she said before raising her glass, "To Scott and Darjeeling, may you life be as long as your love is pure!"

Everyone cheered to that and soon, they had cut the cake and fed each other. Soon, the opening bars to Wham!'s Wake me up, before you go go were playing and Scott led Darjeeling unto the floor. They seemed to float across the floor and soon, had finished.

Scott and Darjeeling danced for most of the rest of the ceremony. It was amusing to watch many of their guests as they watched Scott dance with first Lady Grey, then Mrs Dawson, then Assam, then to cap that off, he managed to snag a dance with the Queen, the jaws really hit the floor on that one.

Darjeeling was not to be left out, dancing with Mr Dawson, Joshua, the former Headmaster Jones from Yorkshire, and Prince Philip.

By the end of the day, everyone was smiling and watching as Scott and Darjeeling rode off in a horse-drawn carriage to the local train station, though they wanted to go off on their honeymoon, they had been asked to stand with Miho and Günther at their wedding and they would honour that agreement…

Sorry about the skipped week, things got busy over here with some Christmas parties, New Years and my grandfather going through surgery so I completely forgot about posting this chapter, if I was even at home at the time.

Until next week: Panzer Vor!