Chapter 27

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, it was a perfect day for the wedding. Rachel and Emma were already in the kitchen finishing preparations for the wedding that was to be taking place that afternoon. As silly as it sounded Buck had been forced to sleep in the tack room last night and was under strict orders to not see Lou before the wedding. Lou and Buck both thought Emma and Teresa were being silly but they humored them. Lou woke up cranky, it was the first night that she had been apart from Buck since they had made their feelings known for each other. She had missed being held in his arms all night. She had missed him getting out of bed to get Rider when he woke up in the middle of the night for a feeding. But after this afternoon, she would never have to be apart from him again, he would be recognized as hers. She could not wait.

Lou got out of bed, and slipped on a pair of pants and shirt, before going into the nursery to check on Rider, who was just beginning to stir for his morning feeding. Lou picked him up and changed his nappy before she opened up her shirt and started nursing the baby. Lou sat in the rocking chair by the window and looked out on the ranch. She could see Buck and Jeremiah in the field setting up an arbor for the ceremony. Teaspoon standing back and directing them. Lou smiled watching the scene before her. She didn't know whose idea the arbor had been or how they had managed to put it together in such a short time. Once Rider was finished nursing Lou went into the kitchen to see if she could help.

"Mornin' Emma, Rachel… y'all need any help?" Lou asked upon entering.

"Morning Loulabelle, you just sit down there and eat you some breakfast. Me and Rachel got this under control." Emma told her as she sat a plate of eggs, bacon, and a biscuit in front of her.

"You nervous Lou?" Rachel asked from her spot at the counter where she was making a bunch of finger sandwiches.

"No. Why would I be? And Rachel do you think you're making a little too many? There ain't gonna be that many people here." Lou asked indicating the large steadily growing pile of sandwiches.

"It's better to have too much, then not enough. And I just remember how nervous you had been when you married Kid." Rachel told her.

"That's because I knew deep down that I was making a mistake… I just didn't see it at the time." Lou explained, it that was the truth. Looking back at that day now, she knew her subconscious had been screaming at her to not go through with it. But she figured if she hadn't, she wouldn't have little Rider now. And that was something she just couldn't imagine.

Emma smiled sadly at Lou, she hated that she had to have gone through so much, but it had all worked out in the end. "You and Buck are so good for each other. And I couldn't be happier than I am right now, knowing that my girl and boy are going to have a beautiful life together."

Lou smiled at the woman who had become a mother to a ragtag bunch of misfits and orphans, a woman who never judged her for her decision to pretend she was a boy. A woman who never saw Buck's skin color. A woman who took extra time with Ike to make him feel special and loved. A woman who had made them all a family. "I'm so glad you're here Emma, I couldn't imagine this day without you here." Lou told her, reaching out and hugging the woman.

Rachel sniffled over by the counter causing both women to look at her, tears were in her eyes. "Rachel you alright?" Lou asked.

"I'm fine Lou … I know what you and Emma have is real, special… I just..." Rachel stated, her voice catching with emotion.

"Oh Rachel!" Lou cried, hurrying over to the other woman and hugging her tightly, "You know I love you too. You're the big sister I never had.

Rachel squeezed Lou back and was about to let go only to have Emma's arms wrap around them both. The three women stood there hugging and crying.

"Do I even want to know?" Sam asked coming into the kitchen at that moment.

The women broke apart laughing, wiping their faces with their hands. Sam just stood there looking at the women with a completely confused look on his face. "Alright then … Lou, I got the license ready to go, all filled out just gotta sign it after the ceremony."

"Thanks Sam … you do have Buck's full legal name on there right? Don't want a repeat of last time." Lou said laughing.

Sam chuckled, "Let's see…. Yup Running Buck Cross….good to go." Sam said holding the license out for Lou to see the names.

"Perfect." Lou replied.

"Louise!" Teresa hollered running into the kitchen.

"Where's the fire Resa?" Lou asked.

"You gotta come quick!" Teresa cried.

"What? What's wrong?" Lou asked starting to panic, had something bad happened to Buck?

Teresa rushed over to Lou and grabbed her arm pulling her along with her out the kitchen door, leaving the other three adults standing there looking at each other in concern. Teresa pulled Lou around the side of the house to the coral where lightning was standing in the middle. Lou looked but didn't see anything amiss, "Teresa what in the world is going on?"

Teresa grinned before she rushed away leaving Lou standing there staring after her. Lou scratched her head before turning to look at her horse, calling him over to her. Lightning came closer to her, allowing her to scratch his head. While she stroked the horses head an arm snaked around her waist, kissing her behind her ear. Lou smiled as she leaned back against Buck's chest. "I thought we weren't supposed to see each other."

"I bribed Teresa with the promise of an extra slice of cake." Buck said in her ear.

Lou smirked, "If I had known it was that easy, I'd have bribed her last night. I missed you."

Buck turned Lou in his arms so he could see her face, "I missed you too." he smiled his little signature lopsided smile before he leaned forward and captured her lips with his.

"Just a few more hours and everybody will know you're mine." Lou said after the kiss ended.

"It can't get here fast enough." Buck told her, reaching up and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I better go before Emma comes looking for me." Lou said sadly several minutes later.

"It's only for a little bit longer, then we don't ever have to be apart again." Buck promised with a quick kiss.

Lou slowly walked away from him, their hands holding on to each other for as long as possible, till it was just the tips of their fingers touching and then nothing at all. She returned to the house.

"You know it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." Emma said snickering when Lou walked back into the kitchen.

"Does it count since we're already married?" Lou asked.

"Well I reckon it will be ok in this situation." Emma chuckled.

Lou left the kitchen, taking Rider with her as she went back to her room. She laid the baby down in the middle of the bed and crawled in next to him. Rider waved his chubby little fist in the air, babbling happily up at his mama. Lou still couldn't believe how perfect he was. Lou just laid there for a long time just watching the baby, until he fell asleep. Lou crawled out of the bed and decided it was time to start getting ready. The wedding would be taking place in just over an hour.

Lou slipped out of the pants and shirt she had put on that morning and slipped the buckskin dress Red Bear had brought to her on over her head. It went on much easier this time, and she had to tighten the laces at the side. Without the baby belly the dress hit much lower on her legs, almost to her ankles instead of her calves. She still didn't have shoes that would go with it, so she decided to go barefoot again. Lou sat in front of her vanity, and splashed some rose water on her neck before brushing out her hair. A knock sounded at her door. "Come in." Lou called.

Teresa poked her head in the room and smiled before she slipped inside shutting the door behind her. "You look so pretty Louise!"

"Thank you Resa." Lou replied smiling at her sister. "You want to help me with my hair?"

Teresa grinned before she walked over to her sister and began braiding her hair into a long braid draped over her shoulder. Teresa worked some flowers into the braid and a single eagle feather at the very end. "Buck asked me too." Teresa said at Lou's questioning look.

A short time later, another knock sounded on the door. Teresa went over and opened up to Jeremiah, "It's time."

Lou stood, her brother coming to her side to escort her to Buck's side. Teresa went and picked up the baby and together they left the bedroom and the house. Teresa hurried on ahead to stand where a small crowd was gathered. Lou was surprised by the amount of people. She had only expected Tompkins and maybe Matt to come besides the family. But the whole town council was there as well as a few other people from town that Lou didn't know all that well. Buck stood under the arbor with Sam. Lou smiled when their eyes met, Buck's face lighting up when he saw her. Jeremiah slowly escorted her to Buck, placing her hand in Buck's when they finally reached him.

"Y'all know why we're all here today, and I have to say I've never seen a more perfect couple except for me and Emma." Sam said with a wink over at his wife.

"Oh Sam." Emma said blushing, as people chuckled.

"Buck and Lou have decided to say their own vows so Buck go ahead." Sam told the crowd then nodded at Buck.

Buck swallowed hard, taking both Lou's hands in his. "Louise … you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. You have accepted all of me, not just my white half. You have been there for me through some of the toughest times of my life, always supporting me. And I promise to always be there for you, to always support you, and to love you always. I love you."

Lou had to wipe away a tear before clearing her throat of the lump that had settled, "Buck, I never imagined love could be like this. You love me for who I am, you've never tried to change me. You have always been there for me. You brought my siblings home to me. You decided to be a daddy to Rider, when you didn't have to. If I could change just one thing, it would be taking so long to realize my love for you. I love you Buck now and always."

"You have rings?" Sam asked.

Lou looked down at her hand, where her ring was already sitting and then over at Buck as he produced two silver bands, smiling. Lou looked at him in surprise as she took the larger band from his palm. Lou held out her hand to Buck as he slipped it on her finger, "With this ring I thee wed."

Buck held his hand out to Lou so she could slip his ring on, "With this ring I thee wed."

"Well that about does it, you're married. You can kiss your bride Buck." Sam stated.

Lou grinned as Buck leaned in and kissed her, not breaking apart until people started chuckling. "Let me be the first to present Mr. and Mrs. Buck Cross." Sam said as they turned to the crowd who were clapping.

"We've got refreshments and cake back at the house, everybody is welcome to come, there's plenty!" Rachel called to the crowd.

The crowd made their way to the house, Lou and Buck leading the way. Tompkins pulled them aside once they made it to the house. "Well I have to say this was the most relaxed wedding I've ever been too. I happy for you two."

"Thanks Tompkins, it means a lot to us that you came." Buck said, shaking the man's hand.

Lou stood on her tiptoes and kissed the old man on the cheek, "Thank you."

Tompkins smiled blushing slightly at the unexpected affection from Lou. "I know I ain't always been the nicest person, especially to you Buck, but I hope you consider me a friend."

"Definitely." they both said.

Tompkins smiled before he left the couple alone. "I didn't think you were getting me a band." Lou said quietly to Buck after Tompkins left.

"I wasn't going to, at least not yet, but Tompkins brought it out here this morning." Buck told her.

Lou smiled looking over to where Tompkins was talking with Teaspoon, Matt, and Sam. "I never would have thought when we first met him that he'd become such a good friend to us."

"Me either, especially after the rough start I had with him… and you hit him with a frying pan." Buck said laughing at the memory.

"He deserved it that day. But I think he's made up for it." Lou snickered.

"Yes he has." Buck agreed.

The happy couple spent the next several hours visiting with the people that had come out to help them celebrate. Most of which apologized for something they had said or done to them at some point. After the food and cake had been ate and the last guest left, the family gathered together in the family room, just enjoying each others company.

"Loulabelle, Buck … I've got to tell ya something." Emma said a short time later.

"What is it Emma?" Lou asked, from her spot in Buck's arms, cradling Rider to her chest.

"Well I was gonna wait and tell ya, didn't want to take away from your special day … but I can't wait anymore. I'm gonna have a baby." Emma told them.

"Hot Damn!" Teaspoon called.

"A baby! That's wonderful Emma!" Lou exclaimed.

"Congratulations Emma, I know you'll be a wonderful mother." Rachel told her.

"I'm not gonna have to change more diapers am I?" Teresa asked, causing the adults to laugh.

"That wonderful news Emma. I think it makes this day even better." Buck told her.

"We need more cake to celebrate." Jeremiah stated.

"You've had enough cake." Lou scolded with a grin at the boy.

The family celebrated for several hours, not only Buck and Lou but Emma's news as well. When Buck was finally able to get Lou alone in their room, they were both too exhausted to even enjoy the wedding night. Buck helped Lou out of her dress and into a nightgown before stripping down to just his long john bottoms. They crawled into bed, Lou's back pressed against Buck's chest, his arms around her. Buck kissed Lou behind the ear. "Good night Mrs. Cross … I love you."

Lou rolled so she was facing him, "I like the sound of that. And I love you Mr. Cross."

Buck kissed her softly before tucking her under his chin, cuddled against his chest. It wasn't long before the two were sound asleep.

A/N: Thanks Shauna for the beta. Sorry for the delay in posting, I've been sick with the flu for almost a week it seems. it severely kicked my tail, but I'm on the mend now. And EarthDragon, perhaps kindness was the wrong word. I half way suspect that Devlin is the cause of all Kathleen's issues.