"Are you ready?"

The blond appeared in the doorway, looking in at the sun soaked room beyond. The day outside the window was blessedly sunny and not too warm, perfect English weather. Faith turned and smiled at her counterpart, letting Willow finish fussing with things behind her on the table. Mindlessly she twisted the ring on her finger before moving to smooth her hand down the white dress she was wearing. It was a simple gown, at her insistence, and had gotten both women's approval when the trio had gone shopping.

"Am I, Will?" She looked back at the redhead, who gave her a once over.

"I think so." She straightened the red sash around her waist. "There. Perfect."

"Then I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"You look beautiful," the other slayer promised, "and the car is here."

All three of them left the room she'd been using to get ready in, moving down to the waiting limousine. Buffy helped her climb in first, keeping the dress hem off the ground to avoid it getting dirty. The matching dresses she and Willow were wearing weren't terrible or some hideous shade of pink and for that she was grateful. The flowers were waiting at the venue, as Faith had insisted they did not get married in a church. Instead they chose to get married at his family's country estate. It was plenty fancy and spacious for their needs and there was a certain correctness about it that he enjoyed.

"Shit, B." She settled into her seat and felt a cold stab as they started moving.

"What's wrong? You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No! Of course not. I just...I never thought I'd actually do it, you know? Get married. Why did I think I could do this?"

"You love him, right?"

"More than I thought was even possible."

"That's why. Nothing else matters."

They sank into silence as the car traveled, the witch handing out glasses of champagne. She used it to steady her nerves, feeling the bubbles in her belly instead of butterflies. Outside the city there was a small pavilion that had been set up, very few people in attendance. Neither had many people they care to invite outside of the ones that would be standing with them. It was Buffy who walked her up the aisle while Xander took Willow's arm. The blond handed off her charge to her future husband and he accepted with a kiss to her cheek.

"Thank you, my dear. I love you." He whispered, catching her eyes.

"Knock em dead," she returned, getting misty eyed.

With them both in place and the others beside them the officiant began his speech giving him time to take her in. She was so beautiful, like an angel, he was struck by it instantly. Up close, he couldn't help but notice how radiant she looked, especially when she smiled at him and squeezed his hands. She was crying and with surprise he felt tears slipping down his cheeks as well.

"You have written your own vows?" The man prompted, startling him out of his revelry.

"Ah, yes."

He patted his chest for his notes though he'd been practicing his little speech for weeks. Finding nothing he looked desperately back at Xander who shrugged in return, not having what he was looking for. He sighed and hoped his meticulous practice served him in good stead now. With a deep breath, he looked at his bride.

"Faith, I'm not a poet, so I can't give you flowery protestations of love or forever. I never expected to get married, but here I am and I could not be happier for it. I love you with so much of my heart there is no room for doubt. I will love you well and truly for the rest of my days, no matter what comes. You are my match, the other half of my heart, and I will spend every day knowing that it is my duty to show you that your love and faith in me is not misplaced. Nothing in our world is guaranteed but this - so long as I am alive you will be deeply and completely loved."

She let out a sob, gathering him up in a hug once the ring was on her finger. It was well done and everyone present was touched by his honest emotion. Her turn, she eventually let him go but did not step back, her hands at the back of his head as she gave her vows in exchange for his. Slipping the ring she'd picked out for him on his finger, she spoke honestly. It wasn't rehearsed, but that was to be expected and part of her charm.

"We'll never be bored," she promised, drawing a chuckle from those present, "and there might be days where I'll frustrate you so much you can't stand it. Love and me haven't ever been close in my life but with you I think I finally got it right. I wouldn't be standing here if I didn't think we could go the distance. I love you more than I thought it was actually possible to love another person. More than I thought I was capable of loving anyone else. I don't know what tomorrow is gonna bring but I do know that I'm gonna be right there with you, where I belong. Nowhere else I'd rather be, honestly. With you. You're my human and I'm happy for whatever brought us together. I promise I don't plan on going anywhere. You're stuck with me, pal."

He laughed, bending down to kiss her. "Gladly so," he reassured, "stuck with you for the rest of my days."

The officiant despaired of them for their lack of protocol. When they kissed again he gave up entirely knowing he had no control over the proceedings.

"What else is there to say beyond that?" He smiled and gestured to the couple. "I now pronounce you man and wife."

That elicited raucous cheering from those present as the couple kissed again. They cheered louder when he picked her up and swung her around, laughing with pure joy that she returned. He brought her down and kissed her a final time, deeply and lovingly, before remembering there were others present. Looking up sheepishly, he cleared his throat.

"Oh, ah, there's a party to attend in the house. Please, enjoy yourselves and share in the joy of this day with us. I am a lucky man!"

Someone thought to offer up champagne. He took a glass and lifted it in the air, taking up her hand. "To my lovely bride!"

That sent the cheers up anew and she beamed, seeing only him.

"My husband," she returned, quieter, just for him.

No words had ever sounded lovlier.

Oh my God. Here we are full circle. If you have stayed with me to the end, thank you. This story has meant so much to me and even through breaks and hiatuses it's remained a part of my life. I always meant to see it finished and now I have. I am so proud of this journey and the story I had to tell. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you if you have. Thank you for your support and kind comments. Thank you for motivating me to keep moving forward. Thank you for enjoying the story I wanted to tell. Just, thank you. You are awesome!