Chapter 20

The Wedding

Months came and went in a flurry of chaos. Hermione had set to work planning, checking, planning and then checking some more. Their wedding had taken centre stage once the rings had been bought, and luckily the mayhem that came with the clans had gone quiet.

Storm had kept an ear to the ground at all times, her thoughts never straying far from the elders in her pack. She knew it was far from over, but as time went on she had become engulfed entirely by the prospect of marrying her doe eyed witch.

Practice for the world cup had also commenced and Storm thoroughly felt the pressure as she was split between everything going on.

She was grateful however, when her bleary eyes peaked open that morning. It was THE morning, and the early summer sun was already high in the sky. Blazing through her wide window in her old bedroom, thoroughly warming even the air around her.
There was a buzz that filtered through the floor from the ground beneath and she knew she was one of the last to rise.

Basking in the last few minutes of calm before she really threw herself into the day. She lay on her back and stretched out her tired muscles, her toes successfully reaching over the end of the bed as she shook the duvet off of herself. Excitement was already settling in the base of her stomach, reaching into her chest with its spindly fingers squeezing her heart.
One thought raced through her mind; over and over.
Storm was marrying Hermione today.

Storm finally rose from the comforting embrace that was her bed. Shaking off the last bits of slumber as she rubbed her eyes and ran a hand through her short shaggy hair. Stumbling over to the window to peer out and nose at the commotion from her parents garden.
A large white gazebo was being erected, and her father was obviously directing. His shoulders bobbed with animated enthusiasm as he spoke to those around him. Storm blinked, and looked a little closer. A wry smile pulling at her lips as she spotted his suit and royal blue tie. He was already ready to go.

Another glance round and Arty could be seen also all dressed and ready with little Joe bouncing happily on her hip. Storm was grateful for the evening off. The more Joe had grown, the more he had become a beautiful little nightmare.
She found though, as she watched on in wonder, she couldn't wait to get down to him.

With that thought she embarked on the short task of readying herself in the hopes of being able to join her son shortly.

-x-x-x-x-

An hour or so later she found herself stood waiting. She had opted for her own version of a suit. Dark trousers hugged her legs, a crisp white short sleeved shirt hung from her shoulders underneath a dark waistcoat that hugged her at the waist. A royal blue bowtie finished off the ensemble nicely.
Her heart was hammering in her chest as blood rushed heavily through her ears. She wasnt nervous at all, just more excited than she could ever imagine being.

Harry and her Father stood beside her at the head of the isle. Her son chattering to himself, nothing that made sense of course, but chatter none the less as his grandfather held him. Storms dark eyes torn between staring intensely at the space she knew Hermione would emerge from and watching the little boy.

Harry was grinning from ear to ear as he wiggled his encased finger in little Joe's grip, causing the little boy to squeal with delight.
Her father was chuckling to himself as he bounced and pulled faces at his grandson to keep his attention.

Before they knew it, music started to play and everyone turned to face the bridesmaids as they made their way down the isle first.
Ginny and Arty first, both beaming wide smiles as they took their turns. Brunette as she stepped forward into view.
Her dress was simple and white. It encaptured summer perfectly. It fell to just above her knee, a heart shaped neckline to show off a little heart shaped locket that hung around her neck. Storm had surprised her with it to mark Joe's six month birthday, a small photo of the three of them sealed inside.
Her hair was pulled back into a decadent bun, with only a few curls hanging lose to frame her face. A royal blue lightweight shawl draped over her shoulders to match the bouquet of flowers she held clasped within her shaking hands.

Their eyes met as everyone else blurred into the background and Storm felt her heart burst inside her chest. Hermione was smiling the brightest smile, her dark doe eyes twinkling through unshed tears as she made her way towards the younger girl.

Storm couldn't help the lopsided grin that twisted her lips upwards. She couldn't help reaching out as the older witch got closer to cup her cheeks and steal a tender kiss.

"You're supposed to wait until after we say our vows" Hermione admonished with a low chuckle, though there was no malice to her tone.
"You should know me by now 'Mione! No patience" Storm retorted with a laugh of her own.
An excited squeal from behind her tore her attention away for just long enough to see their son struggling to get to them. Arms outstretched and waving as his fists clenched and unclenched.

Storm without a second thought reached out for him. Taking him from his fathers arms before stepping closer to the brunette. Hermione leant forward to place a gentle kiss on the giggling boys forehead.

With that, Kingsley cleared his throat and started the short ceremony. His voice was smooth and clear as he talked them through their parts, their eyes locked together as they spoke their promises to each other. Their son sandwiched between the two as Hermione handed her bouquet over to Ginny in order to hold Storm's hand tightly. Her other drawing lazy patterns on their sons back as he listened to his mothers speak their truth.

Hermione's heart swelling as she watched the two people most important to her. Watched as Joe's tiny fingers played with Storm's bowtie as she bounced gently with him on her hip. Her strong embrace holding him in place. His outfit matched hers entirely and his eyes were full of wonder as he looked between the two of them.
Watched as Storm grinned at her, her dark eyes intense as she took in all that Hermione was. As she promised herself wholly to Hermione herself.

It passed in a blur, in a haze of happiness that was akin to nothing else she had ever known. If you asked her later on what exactly was said she would have no clue. But if you asked her about the look in Storm's eyes as they shone so brightly, or how Storm's hair for once did as it was supposed to; except that one piece right behind her ear that stuck straight out. She would know exactly, she would tell you every detail as if it were that same day.

Before she knew it, Storm was wrapping her up and kissing away the happy tears that had leaked down her cheeks. Brushing her full lips so gently over her own. There would never be another day, moment, second that would ever compare again.

Hermione could only splay her fingers out against Storm's stomach. She could only lean up and kiss her shifter whole heartedly because in that moment she knew that was it, and that was all it would ever be. Through it all, as long as she had this moment to store with the handful of others they had; she would know everything she needed to know.

As their moment ended, they turned to take in their family all looking on with wet cheeks and huge smiles. Clapping as they were announced for the first time, Mrs and Mrs Griffin. Storm's eyes never straying far from her bookworm. Convinced she might wake up at any moment.

Their walk out of the gazebo was short, and soon they emerged into the sunshine. "Thank you" Storm whispered, only loud enough for Hermione to hear. Leaning down to press another kiss to her cheek.

"What for?" Hermione quizzed, giving the younger girls hand a small squeeze.

"Everything" Was all the shifter could answer with. A laugh escaping her throat as she flicked her eyes down to meet the brunette's.

"My pleasure" Hermione spoke sincerely, her dark doe eyes glittering as she looked up at the younger girl.

"It sure will be!" Storm joked with another laugh, dodging the swift swat that came her way.

"Mind out of the gutter!" The older woman scolded, though a grin pulled at her features. Reaching over to straighten out little Joe's bowtie, pulling a delighted giggle out of him as she did.

"My mind is never out of the gutter!" Storm laughed a hearty laugh. They had come to a stop underneath the large tree in the garden. Watching as the gazebo was quickly turned into a dancefloor, and food was brought out to line the tables that sat at the far side.

"I can't wait to eat" Storm admitted thoughtfully, "Do you think they'll let us go first?" She asked, her brows furrowed as she glanced back down at Hermione.

The older witch just laughed, shaking her head as she did. There was no surprise there, with the serious stuff out of the way of course Storm would be thinking about her stomach.
"I'm sure they will" Hermione spoke, watching as people started filtering over to them to offer their Congratulations.

The rest of the day would carry on much like that. Everyone around them recharging their batteries and taking in the atmosphere. Things had been difficult, and the road to this point in the journey had been rocky. They had all felt it.
They all deserved a day of just... celebrating, and each and every person made the most of it.

A/n:
Hopefully honeymoon next...