Chapter 31: A double wedding

Jane had a lay in the next morning. She was getting married today. The excitement she felt was dampened by the fact that she was still worried whether she was doing the right thing or not. She loved Dave with all of her heart and things were great between them, so why did she have to change things by getting married to him.

She looked over to the other bed in the room and found that Amelia was already gone, so she decided to get out of bed and head to the lounge area, once she arrived she found that Teyla was drinking tea.

"What time is it," she asked Teyla?

"It is 1100 hours and I have ordered some sandwiches to be delivered soon for lunch.

"Where is Amelia," Jane asked looking around the room.

"She has decided to go for a run, before we start the day."

She looked around the room and realised that none of the children were there, she knew that Torren was being dropped off at Dave's quarters, early in the day, so that he could spend the day with his dad and the rest of the boys, as he was going to be a page boy in the wedding. Marie was supposed to be looking after the twins, so she assumed that Teyla had dropped them off earlier.

"How are you feeling this morning Jane," Teyla asked bringing her a cup of coffee?

"I'm well thankyou Teyla, although I admit I'm feeling a bit nervous."

"There's nothing to worry about Jane, you two are made for one another."

"Thank you Teyla, but I think I have butterflies in my stomach?"

Teyla laughed, remembering that she'd used the exact same phrase on her wedding day.
"Now sit down and enjoy your tea and the food will be here in a moment."

Jane sat down and relaxed, it was nice to not have to do anything. Today was a day focused on her and Dave. She thought back to when she had met him on Atlantis. He'd walked into the day-care room dropping Torren off and it wasn't long before he'd charmed his way into her heart; she knew then that he was going to be a big part of her life. She never would have guessed that it would lead to spending the rest of her life with to him. She knew that Ronon and Amelia were getting married on the same day, but that didn't bother her, because they had both become good friends, with her and Dave.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Dave awoke slowly the next morning, his first thought was, where was Jane and then he remembered that he was getting married today.

He was startled out of his musings by John. "Coffee's ready." John yelled from the lounge room.

Dave sat up in bed and yelled back. "I'll be there in a minute."

He headed down the hallway to the lounge room to find that John was in his kitchen and Ronon was nowhere in sight.

"Morning John, what's the time?"

"It's 1100 hours."

"What time, are the other's coming?"

"Around 1300 hours." John told him; bringing him a cup of coffee.

"Thanks John, what's for lunch?"

"I'm having some turkey sandwiches and fruit sent over shortly."

"Sounds great, where's Ronon and isn't Torren supposed to be here by now?"

"Ronon has gone for a run and Carson will bring Torren by later." John explained sipping his coffee.

"How's your head John," Dave asked with concern?

"I'm fine." John stated giving him no more information.

"Okay then, what am I supposed to do now?"

"Your meant to do absolutely nothing today Dave. All you have to focus on today is getting married. I'm here to help you achieve that."

Dave chuckled. "Well in that case I think I'll have another nap."

Dave sat back and closed his eyes. He was marrying Jane today. Thinking back to when he had first walked into the childcare room, she had captured his heart the first time she smiled at him. He was so happy that he was going to spend the rest of his life with her and he couldn't wait for the ceremony to be over and for the rest of his life to begin.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Jane sat staring at her fruit, she'd managed to eat half a sandwich, but she knew that if she ate anything else she would be sick. I must be nervous, she thought to herself.

Amelia had joined them and was looking as relaxed as she had the night before and she had eaten and incredible amount of food.

"Are you okay Jane?" Teyla asked her, looking concerned.

"I think I'm just nervous."

"You haven't eaten much," Teyla commented and she remembered back to her own wedding day when she had been pregnant and not realised it. She wondered if Jane was having the same problem.

"I'll eat something a bit later." She looked at Teyla. "Do not worry, I am fine." Jane told her and gave her a small smile

Teyla was about to respond when the door chimed.

"Come in it is unlocked." Teyla said.

Jennifer and Jeannie walked through to doors carrying their dresses. Maddie miller walked behind Jeannie carrying her own little dress. Jane and Amelia had both decided at the last minute that Maddie would make a great flower girl

"Auntie Teyla." She squealed. "Auntie Amelia, Auntie Jane."

"It is good to see you again Maddie." Amelia greeted her, before picking her up.

"I am glad to see you Maddie." Teyla greeted her.

"It is good to see you again, Maddie." Jane said before bending down to give her a hug. Jane had met Maddie at Rodney and Jennifer's wedding.

"Auntie Teyla, when can I put my pretty dress on?"

"Very soon, Maddie." Teyla told her.

The next two hours were spent putting on their dresses doing hair, nails and makeup.

Maddie was having a wonderful time. Jeannie painted her nails and put a little bit of makeup on her face as well. Jeannie let he wear her hair down and Jennifer curled it for her.

Twenty minutes before 1500 hours Amelia and Jane walked out of their rooms. The others just gasped. They looked absolutely beautiful.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Dave had eaten a turkey sandwich and some fruit, before settling down for a nap. He was awakened by a little voice shouting in his ear.

"Uncle Dave, why are you sleeping?"

Dave groaned and opened his eyes.

"Is it time to get up already?" Dave asked looking around the room to see that John was standing beside Torren.

"Sure is brother," John replied

"Is Ronon here?" Dave asked looking around the room, almost as if he was expecting to see him there.

"Yes he's already dressed and in the lounge room, as are Rodney and Carson.

He looked at his brother and he suspected that his head and eye were causing him problems again. "How are you feeling John?" Dave asked with concern.

"I'm fine." John said using his favourite line.

"John thanks for being my brother again over the last couple of years."

"It's been good to have my brother back again and now I have a sister as well. I'm really happy that you've found someone to share your journey with Dave."

"Gee John you're getting all sentimental again, what would Dad think if he could see you now?"

They looked at each other and laughed, before Dave pulled John in for a hug. They stayed like that for a few minutes before John pulled away.

"I guess I should get ready then." Dave smirked.

Twenty five minutes later Dave walked into the lounge area. He was wearing his most expensive charcoal suit, because he knew that Jane liked it. The rest of the guys were all dressed in black suits, with sapphire waist coats and black bow ties.

Ronon's suit was the same as the groomsmen except, he didn't have a waist coat.

Dave looked around at his friends and family and thought what a lucky man he was. They left his quarters heading for the gate room ten minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start. Carson and Torren headed off to join the girls, as Carson was giving Jane away. Amelia's father had been given special permission to come to Atlantis and give her away and Torren was going to walk down the aisle next to Maddie.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ronon was amazed by what he saw upon entering the Gateroom. The gate had been taken off line for the duration of the ceremony. In front of the Gate there was a wire arch, it was covered by Satedan lilies on one side and lilies from earth on the other side, in the centre there was a row of red roses to signify the love of two people from separate worlds.

Anyone who knew Ronon wouldn't pick him for a romantic, but this was a dream for him. He had always wanted to get married and he had almost married Melena and then the Wraith had come and his life had been destroyed. He'd then spent the next seven years on the run, before John had offered him a home on Atlantis, which had led to him meeting Amelia.

On the gate room floor there were chairs set up with an aisle down the middle. Silk bows were connected to two rows of ribbons strung down the aisle.

Ronon looked back at the gate and realised that Woolsey was standing in front of the gate waiting for him. Dave was already standing there with John beside him.

"How are you feeling Ronon?" Woolsey asked him, once he'd climbed the platform.

"I'm good." Ronon replied.

Woolsey turned to look at Dave, "how are you feeling Dave?"

"A little nervous, I'm afraid I'm going to mess this up and I don't mean the wedding ceremony."

"You'll do fine Dave. Anyone can see that Jane loves you for who you are, so my advice to you is to just keep being you."

"Thanks Richard." Dave replied still looking a little nervous.

John came up and stood next to Ronon and smiled. Ronon felt happy that John was standing with him on his wedding day. Six years ago he was still running from the wraith and he was still grieving the loss of Melena and Sateda, but the day that he had kidnapped John and Teyla his life had changed forever.

Today he was getting married to a girl every bit as wonderful and beautiful as Melena. He was also amazed, at the men that were standing beside him. John was his best man, Rodney was standing next to John, Rodney was standing next to him and once Carson had given Jane away he would join them and stand next to Rodney.

He looked at Dave standing next to him and thought about the first time he had met him. He never thought that he would think of the uptight business man as a friend, but he was sharing his wedding day with him and he couldn't be happier. If Dave was John's brother then he was his brother as well.

He turned to look at the gate room waiting for the love of his life to walk down the aisle.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Carson entered Teyla's apartment and was amazed at the sight of Amelia dressed, so beautifully, in her wedding gown. He was used to seeing her in sparing clothes or her work uniform. Her gown was made of cream satin and was long and straight and hugged her figure, it had a long slit up the side and thin shoulder straps. On her feet she wore white strappy sandals with a low heel, her hair was down and curled.

Teyla, Jeannie and Jennifer looked stunning in their bride's maid's dresses, which were made of Sapphire blue satin. They were long and straight and had a slit up the side. They had thin straps on the shoulders and were low cut in the bodice. The girl's hair was piled on top of their heads in a bun with wispy curls hanging down the side.

"You look amazing." Carson said to Amelia, before turning to the others, "You all look amazing as well.

Amelia blushed. "Thank you."

The others all said their thankyou's as well, before Carson turned to Amelia again. "Where's the other bride?" Carson asked.

"She should be out in a minute." Teyla told him.

Carson decided not to wait, so he headed into the spare room where Jane had been staying.

"You look amazing Jane." Carson told her.

"Thank you Carson."

Carson sat next to her and took her hand before he spoke, "I know that I'm not your father and I wish he could be here for you today, but believe me when I say how happy I am for you today. You have very quickly become part of the Atlantis family and I think of you as a sister, therefore I am honoured to give you away today.

"I think of you as a brother Carson and I thank you for walking me down the aisle today."

"Shall we get going then?" Carson asked standing up.

Jane just nodded at him and followed him out of the room to where the other ladies were waiting.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A quiet hush came over the gate room when the wedding march began to play; Jane had decided for traditional earth music, as she wanted this to be as close to a traditional earth wedding as possible, seeing as she was getting married in another galaxy.

Dave and Ronon looked down towards the steps leading to the control room with anticipation.

"Maddie entered first holding Torren's hand. They both looked amazing, Torren had on a little suit identical to the ones that the groomsmen were wearing. Maddie's dress was white satin flared at the bottom with a sash tied into a bow at the back of the waist, the sleeves were capped and she had white stockings on with white buckled shoes.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs Maddie let go of Torren's hand and started throwing rose petals on the floor, out of a basket that she carried on her arm.

The maid of honour came next; Jennifer looked amazing in her sapphire blue Rodney thought.

Next came Jeannie and finally came Teyla.

Once everyone was down the aisle and Maddie had gone to Caleb and Torren was with Sam; who were sitting in the front row everyone stood up.

Amelia came next with her father holding her arm and Dave heard Ronon mumble something beside him, he couldn't quite make out what it was, but is sounded like he was commenting on how beautiful she was.

Dave sucked in a breath and would have fallen over if John hadn't grabbed him and steadied him in time. What he saw was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Jane was dressed in a cream dress, it was made of the most beautiful satin, it was tight fitting to the waist, it was slightly flared at the bottom and its length fell to the floor. It had a sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves. There was beading around the bodice down to the waist. Her hair was piled on the top of her head with wispy curls down the side.

Dave watched in awe as Carson walked her down the aisle. When they arrived next to Dave, Carson placed Jane's hand in his with a smile.

"You look beautiful." Dave whispered.

Woolsey looked at him and then at Ronon and began.

"We are gathered here today in this place, to join these men and these women in holy matrimony. Marriage is a commitment that should not be entered into lightly, so if anyone has just cause to believe that these men and these women should not be joined, speak now or forever hold you peace."

Everyone looked around the room, when no one answered within a minute

Woolsey continued.

Woolsey was going to perform both ceremonies at the same time and both couples had agreed that they were happy with that idea.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Carson stood up and answered. "I am honoured, to do so."

Amelia's father stood up and answered, "I give this woman."

Woolsey continued, "Teyla will now read a passage from the bible, that Amelia and Jane have chosen."

Teyla stood up next to Woolsey and began to read.

"Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects always trusts, always preserves.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child. I though like a child, I reason like a child when I grew, I put away my childish ways behind me. Now we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain; Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This reading is from 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 4 to 13."

Teyla sat down and Woolsey continued. "I have had the privilege of knowing Dave for over a year now and I know that this passaged typifies his love for Jane. He is loyal and patient and kind.

It has also been my privilege to get to know Jane over the last year and this passage also, typifies her love for Dave. She is patient, kind, gentle, and extremely slow to anger."

He turned to Amelia and Ronon before continuing. "It also typifies Amelia and Ronon and their love for one another. I have known Ronon for the last two years and in that time he has been fiercely loyal and protective of Amelia, even though she can quite easily look after herself.

Amelia is loving patient, kind and fiercely loyal and protective of Ronon as well, I can think of no one better than Amelia for Ronon to spend his life with.

I have watched Ronon and Amelia's and Dave and Jane's love for each other grow over the time I have known them and it is my honour that they have asked me to perform their ceremonies today."

Woolsey turned to Dave and Jane, "Dave and Jane have written their own vows for this occasion. Jane would you like to go first?" Woolsey asked her.

Jane stood before Dave and held his hand. "Dave I have loved you ever since I met you and to finally be here with you, is a dream come true for me. You are the love of my life and I promise that I will be beside you through the good times and the bad, in sickness and health and I pray that our lives are long, as I intend to stay by your side for ever."

Dave held Jane's hand and looked into her eyes. "Jane I have loved you since we first met, I didn't act on that love at first, because in the past I have been lousy at expressing my emotions. With your help I'm getting better and I want to continue telling and showing you how much I love you in the future. Jane I can't live or breathe without you and I promise that I will be beside you through the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health. I pray that even death will not part us, as I intend to be by you side forever." There were tears in both their eyes, by the time he had finished.

Once Dave and Jane had finished Woolsey turned to Amelia and Ronon, "Amelia and Ronon have also written their own vows for this occasion. Ronon would you like to go first?"

Ronon stood up and took Amelia's hand, "After Melena died, I never thought that I could love anyone ever again and then I met you and I knew that I was wrong for thinking that. You very quickly found your way into my heart and although I tried to cling to the thought of never loving anyone again, you made it simple for me to love you. Amelia I promise to stay by you side for ever and to love you in sickness and in health for better or worse until we are parted by death."

Amelia looked into Ronon's eyes as she spoke her vows, "Ronon when I came to Atlantis I had no intention of ever settling down. I craved a life of adventure and I thought that having a relationship with someone would stifle my love for adventure, but then you came along and showed me that I could have both and I love you for that. Ronon I promise to stay by you side for ever and to love you in sickness and in health for better or worse until we are parted by death."

Woolsey stood up. "These couples' have vowed to live together, as husband and wife. They will seal that proclamation with the giving and receiving of rings."

"Dave, will you go first?"

John gave Dave the ring for Jane and he took Jane's hand.

"Jane, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity to you. All that I have and all that I am is yours." Dave slid the ring onto Jane's finger with a huge smile.

John gave Jane the ring and Jane looked Dave in the eyes and spoke.

"Dave, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity to you. All that I have and all that I am is yours." Jane slid the ring onto Dave's finger and a smile lit up her face.

Now it was Ronon and Amelia's turn.

John gave Ronon the ring for Amelia and Ronon took her hand.

"Amelia, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity to you. All that I have and all that I am is yours." Ronon slid the ring onto Amelia's finger with a huge smile.

John gave Amelia the ring for Ronon and she looked Ronon in the eyes and spoke.

"Ronon, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity to you. All that I have and all that I am is yours." Amelia slid the ring onto Ronon's finger and a smile lit up her face.

Once the giving and receiving of rings was finished, Woolsey turned to look at the audience

"We will be heading off to the side to sign marriage certificates, while we do so, a string quartet made up of people from Atlantis will play for you." Woolsey explained.

The wedding party made their way over to the side, while the string quartet began to play.

Dave was the first to sign the papers, followed by Jane. Once Dave and Jane had signed, John signed, followed by Teyla, and then Woolsey.

Then Ronon signed a separate lot of papers, followed by Amelia. Once Ronon and Amelia had signed, John signed, followed by Teyla, and then Woolsey.

For the first time since the ceremony began, Dave noticed that John wasn't looking to good, so he whispered in John's ear before heading back to the platform. "Are you sure you're okay John?"

"I'll sit down once the ceremony is over and take some pain meds." John whispered.

Dave nodded and walked across to the platform holding Jane's hand, Ronon and Amelia followed and the rest of the wedding party came last.

Woolsey looked at the two couples in front of him, turning to Dave and Jane he said. "By the power vested in me, by the Stargate command. I now pronounce you husband and wife." He looked at Dave and raised his eyebrow. "You many now kiss your bride."

Dave leant down and pulled Jane in for a kiss. She responded passionately. At that moment they were the only two people in existence.

He then looked at Ronon and Amelia and said. "By the power vested in me, by Stargate command. I now pronounce you husband and wife." He looked at Ronon and Smiled. "You many now kiss your bride."

Ronon leant in and kissed Amelia passionately.

The crowed erupted in applause and the two couples pulled apart. "Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce to you Mr David and Mrs Jane Sheppard and Mr Ronon and Mrs Amelia Dex"

TBC…

I've had to split the double wedding and wedding receptions into two chapters. It would have been too long otherwise.