Chapter twenty: At Last

A tap at his door, causes Thomas to whip the door open. It's not Kate, it's a maid though, and he startles her. "Sorry Sir, but, Mr. Kovach asked me to tell you that your family is here."

He nods. "Right. Thank you." he reaches into his pocket and hands her a note. "Make sure that Kate gets this."

She nods as she curtsies. "Yes Sir."

Thomas doesn't even to shut the door to his room as he moves past the maid and hurries down the stairs, just as Mr. Kovach finishes with the introductions. Polly looks up at him, her dark eyes snappish. "There you are Tom! What the hell are you," he grins, unable to stop himself. Everyone stills as they see the look on his face. Not that he blames them, it's been a long time since he's been this happy. "you're smiling. Why?"

"It's natural Poll." He leans forward and plants a kiss on her cheek, causing her to frown more. "I'm getting married today." Everyone blinks and stares at him. he turns to Arthur, who is holding his best suit. "Right, thanks Arthur. You'll stand up as my best man."

"Hold on!" Polly snaps. "Yesterday, you were as f**king depressed as hell, damn near close to being suicidal. Then, you take off without a word and here you are, twenty-four hours later, to announce that you're getting married!?"

Thomas nods. "Yeah, that's right."

"Who the hell are you marrying!?" Polly demands as someone bangs on the front door. "You can't go marrying someone you just met yesterday! Have you lost your mind!?"

Thomas shakes his head. "No." Arthur opens the front door, letting in the minister. "Ah, Mr. Kovach here, will explain what's going on, because I," he takes his suit from Arthur. "am getting married today."

"Wait a minute," Arthur asks. "who are you-

"Willow," her father announces. "you and little Tommy are just in time to meet the Shelby family."

They all stiffen as they look at Tommy. Thomas can't help but beam in pride as they stare in shock at his son. "Tom," Polly asks him slightly stunned. "who the hell is this?"

He smiles. "This…is my son."

"What the f**k?" John asks loudly, nearly choking on his toothpick.

Her mother draws back slightly as Polly steps towards her, studying Tommy closely. "Holy s**t." Her words shock her mother. "He's got your eyes."

"I know." He smirks. "He has Kate's hair."

"Kate?" Arthur chokes. "Wait a minute, is that-

"Yes. It's my Kate." His family stares at him as if he'd finally just lost his last strings of sanity. "I should have known that a love like hers…could never just die."

Kate exhales hands over her stomach, which is full of happily dancing butterflies. "I'm getting married." She loves this dress on her. It had a low, square neckline, showing off the swell of her breast. An empire waist with a satin bodice and layered lace skits. Delicate lace sleeves that parted to expose her arms. Kate pulls on the white, elbow length gloves and exhales deeply. It's not a wedding dress, but it was her favorite evening dress. It's a little out of fashion, but it was still her favorite.

Rosemary darts into the room. "I found two gardenias for you!"

"Thank you rosemary!" Kate's hands are shaking so much that she can barely clip the one to her waistband. Her mother helps her secure the second gardenia to her head, before draping the floor-length veil over her head.

"Are you sure about this Kate?" her mother asks. "It's a very fast marriage."

Kate nods. "I'm sure about him, I've always been. And it's not too fast…we've waited too long."

Her mother exhales and nods. "Alright, but if you need our help, call us."

"I will, but I won't," she smiles as she closes her eyes. Her future is so close that she can almost reach out and touch it. "I'm going to be so happy with that man."

There's a bang on her door, she turns and smiles. "Kate?" It's Thomas. "My family and minister arrived."

Her heart rises in her chest. "That's perfect."

"Hey," his voice is soft. "you'll be my wife, within the hour."

She smiles broadly. "I can't wait, Mr. Shelby."

Thomas exhales as he looks around the room. it had taken so long, so very long for him and Kate get up to this point. He kept his gaze rooted on the door to the parlor, which had been mostly cleared the night before of excessive furniture. A makeshift aisle had been created out of strewn pink and red rose petals.

Anton, steps into the room and starts a record, 'Claire De Lune,' Kate's favorite piece of music. He inhales, staring at the parlor door, waiting for her to walk in the room. he hears the footsteps on the stairs and soon enough, Kate walks down the stairs towards him. he stops breathing as he takes in the sight of her, in her beautiful evening dress, that was gorgeous enough to pass for a wedding dress. It's not a thick veil, it's a thin one, so he can see her eyes the moment she enters the room.

Kate blushes, most likely from the look in his eyes, because she is the most beautiful woman in the world to him. he nearly forgets to breathe, until Arthur tells him to under his breath. Mr. Kovach, only becomes visible to his eye when he places Kate's hand in his. he holds onto her firmly, promising to always take care of her and keep her safe. He nearly lost her once and he would never lose her in that way. He realizes the veil and she smiles at him. he nearly kisses her then and there.

The ceremony, is an emerald blur for him because he's lost in her eyes. He still can't believe that she's practically come back from the dead to marry him. Kate holds onto him, her eyes dancing and a smile on her face. When they get to the vows, Tommy starts to cry and she glances at him. Thomas releases her hand long enough to walk over and take his son from her mother. Her mother stares up at him in surprise as he walks back towards Kate, with his son on his arm. Tommy goes silent, now looking curiously back to her to him. Kate inhales as he reaches for her hand again, pulling her and their son into a close circle for the remainder of the vows.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." the minister says with a smile. "You may kiss the bride."

"Finally," Arthur declares loudly. "only took two f**king years!"

She laughs lightly as Thomas hands his son to John. Tommy lets out a loud burp when John takes him, causing everyone to laugh. Thomas nods at Arthur, who steps forward. Kate holds out her left hand, watching as Arthur pulls out a knife. Thomas nods his head as Arthur cuts Thomas's right palm. Her family murmurs in concern when Arthur takes a hold of her hand. Kate doesn't even flinch when Arthur cuts her palm and joins it to Thomas's. she'd never thought much about a blood ceremony, but she liked the idea. Two now became one and their blood was now mingled together.

Tommy lets out an impatient scream, causing everyone to chuckle. "Easy now, boy." He says in a soothing voice, as if he's talking to a horse, but it works on his squalling child. "Just need to kiss your mother." Little Tommy sits up in John's arms; watching with wide blue eyes as Thomas cups her face in his hands. "My beautiful wife."

"Thomas." Kate whispers as she closes her eyes as he kisses her. he holds onto her tight, finally, she's his wife.

When his lips touch hers, Kate's heart swells in her chest. she trembles as shivers run down her spine. She whimpers as she leans slightly into the kiss, running her hands up to his shoulders as his hands drop to her waist. she holds onto him as locks his arms around her waist, lifting her up from the ground. Tommy lets out a sound of his own as everyone cheers and offers their congratulations to them. She cannot hear anything as she holds onto her husband.

She holds onto him, her knees nearly buckling as he finally breaks the kiss. He pulls her into a tight hug as tears dribble down her cheeks. She holds onto him for a few minutes, so reluctant to let him go. "Oh God, I don't want to let you go."

He exhales and kisses her neck. "Me neither." She groans and turns her face slightly towards him. He gives her several quick pecks on her mouth. "God, I love you so much."

"I love you too." Tommy lets out another squeal and she breaks the embrace to allow him to take their son in his arms. John is only too happy to hand Tommy over to him before retreating back to his seat. Thomas wraps his arm around her waist, as little Tommy tugs at the corner of his mouth. He laughs faintly at Tommy's antics as she studies him.

God, she loves him so much it almost should not be allowed. He looks towards her, sensing her eyes on him. "What?"

She whispers. "Take us home, please."

He nods. "Right away." He locks an arm around her waist, and leads her down the aisle. "Let's go."

"Go?" Her mother, as always, has the sharpest ears out of anyone else in the house. "Go where?"

"I'm taking her home."

"What?" her mother practically starts to panic. "You can't do that! We need to celebrate."

"I don't care about that." Kate shakes her head. "I want to go home with him. I don't even know what our home looks. I've waited, almost three years for this."

Rosemary starts to cry. "I don't want her to leave!"

"Gilbert," her mother begs. "says something."

"Look," Thomas offers. "why don't we all get in the car and drive down to Birmingham?" her mother looks appalled. "This way, you all can see Kate and we can continue the party down there. I know, you're all reluctant to let her go, but, when my wife asks me to take her home, I'm not going to deny her."

"Mr. Shelby is quite right." her father states. "But Kate, you'll need to pack your-

"I already had Elton put them in the back of Thomas's car, first thing this morning." His brow rises and she shrugs. "Not that I'm anxious to get away from all of you-

"Really?" rosemary sniffles. "Because, you-

"Stop it Rosemary and stop being selfish." Anton says firmly. "Can't you at least be happy that she's no longer crying around the house watering everything in sight?"

"Eh, easy on her." Arthur says. "It's her sister and she's going to miss her."

rosemary nods. "Don't worry," Thomas states. "I'm sure your parents will let you come down and stay with us for a few days." Rosemary smiles, causing Kate to smirk. When Thomas turned on the charm, there was not a female in the world who could resist him.

MeriemDjez: You'd be correct, trust me, he will have his moment.

TheHoodedAssassin: I know! That was hysterical and totally Rosemary! Yes, we got to see Polly a little bit in here.

Idcam: Just as it should be. Those two are always in such a rush to head on off, but at least they got a near perfect wedding.