He could feel the tears brimming his eyes and she came into view. She was so beautiful; despite their earlier chat he could scarcely believe she was truly his. He was still in disbelief that all those stolen glances across the station were the start of the events that led to this moment.
Strangers, to friends, to lovers, the start of their story was very normal. However they had a very gut wrenching split stemming from misunderstanding and fear, and then, well, he scarcely liked to think about it but their very traumatic separation really punctuated the two parts of their relationship. The second part started after he returned and was so extraordinarily blissful that he always seemed to be bracing for the other shoe to drop. But it hadn't, and here they were.
Getting married changed very little for them, but he hoped this was the start of the third chapter, a much happier one that they could use to firmly shut the book of the past and shelve it as a memory.
In the present, her father gave her away with a gentle kiss on the cheek and embraced Schemer warmly before taking his seat. Schemer took her hand and silently vowed to himself to never let go. Despite being in a room full of people Schemer felt like they were the only two people in the room.
"You look beautiful," he whispered before Ginny began her sermon. She smiled and blushed, squeezing his hand a bit tighter.
After Ginny finished her brief sermon (they had asked her to keep it short) they recited their vows. They similarly kept them short and followed the normal verses; to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer (he did jokingly wince at the last part, and she raised her eyebrows at him).
One thing they omitted was till death do they part. They had already faced, and cheated, death once. For Schemer, technically twice. Death had come in the form of a bitter, hateful and power hungry man, and they had overcome him. They didn't want to speak of it, however, not on their wedding day, and as Schemer nervously slipped her wedding band onto her finger he thanked the universe for letting him get to this day.
"You may now kiss the bride," Ginny boomed and he didn't hesitate in slipping his hand behind her head and pulling her close, letting the cheers and hoots of the small crowd gathered before them fill the background with cheerful noise.
The time between saying "I do" and sitting down to dinner felt like a blur. Stacy was right, the day was flying by. As much as he thrived being the centre of attention he really did want just a quick moment to breathe. This was different from pulling off a scheme, by scale alone he had never put quite so much effort into any scheme or prank comparatively. Also a scheme was usually intended to grab attention when there was none before, but today attention was the default.
The only time he got away with receiving less attention was when he was separated from but still nearby Stacy, because as long as she was still in view all eyes were on her. It was understandable; he could scarcely bear to be away from her side as it was and when he wasn't his eyes were following her across the room.
At present they were seated for dinner and Schemer nervously awaited their joint speech. He had memorized his notes cover to cover but the cue cards in his pocket brought him comfort. Everyone else's speeches had seemed so much better than anything he had written.
"It's hard to imagine a station without both Schemer and Stacy within it," Billy had started, beginning his own joint speech with Schemee. They had been his groomsmen and shared the best man duties.
"It's also hard to imagine a station without my uncle crushing on Stacy from across the room, but I guess he eventually worked up the courage to make it happen," Schemee added, winning raucous laughter.
"They really are the heart and soul of the place, and they've been there since the reopening," Billy said, pointedly ignoring Schemee's comment.
"Through thick and thin," Schemee confirmed, nodding.
"And it's not lost on me that somehow someone who desperately tried to take over the station for years, actually managed to become the Vice President through his own merit. But I suppose stranger things have happened at Shining Time Station," Billy added, almost as an afterthought.
"Like trying to buy the station to build a parking lot," Schemee shrugged to more laughter.
"Or a rogue robot," Billy said thoughtfully.
"Or all the times Schemer tried to prank everyone else but ended up playing himself," Schemee said innocently.
"Okay, enough!" Schemer cried, rolling his eyes.
"Anyways, here's to two of the best friends anyone could ask for." Billy raised a toast.
"And here's to my uncle, who has also been my guardian through it all. You've always been the parent when you needed to be, but also my best friend and partner in crime. And to Stacy, you've always been the unofficial aunt of everyone at the station but I hope you don't mind me making it official now," Schemee smiled warmly at them both while they tried to hide their tears. "To the bride and groom!"
Yeesh that was going to be tough to follow. It wasn't long before dinner was being cleared up and they were called to the microphone. Schemer's heart was pounding but as he reached for Stacy's hand to walk up together he immediately felt calm. They could do this, together. It was just addressing their friends and family, there was nothing to be afraid of.
Perhaps their speech wasn't as funny or smooth as Billy and Schemee's was, but also perhaps it didn't have to be. It was from the heart and when they looked at each other during the brief pauses he could feel and hear the love from the small crowd they had invited to share in their day.
As he went to close out their speech he paused and looked around. This moment would never happen again, it truly was special. Everything that had led them to this point had happened in exactly the right order and right time, with no shortage of luck. But they were here, and everyone else was here to see it.
She looked at him a little quizzically as he turned back to her and he smiled.
"I'm ready to spend forever with you."
Not too long afterwards they were whisked into their first dance as a married couple. He held her close as she rested her head on his chest.
"I see you've been taking lessons," she murmured, smirking.
"What makes you say that?" he asked, feigning insult as he spun her smoothly around.
"Ha! Well, for one, you have yet to step on my feet."
"I wouldn't speak too soon. But yes, if you must force it out of me I have been taking lessons. Ginny practically forced me to," he confessed, briefly making eye contact with Ginny across the hall as she looked on with pride.
"Well, it was worth it. You're doing great," she said as she lifted her head and met his lips with hers, smiling as she did so.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
She made a soft 'tsk' sound. "I'm fine, and you know that I'm not some fragile, breakable doll. I am made of tougher stuff and this doesn't change that," she chided him good-naturedly.
"I know, I know," he soothed, kissing the top of her head, "But it is new and I just want to be sure."
"I know you worry, but trust me everything will be fine and you don't have to treat me differently," she promised.
"I suppose we'll have to tell everyone at some point, huh?"
"Yes, but we'll give it some time. It's still too early. Apart from telling Schemee we'll keep it under wraps for now."
He grinned. "Just our little secret for now," he agreed and pulled her closer.
The dancing, partying and merry-making rang through the night. The day seemed long awaited not just to Stacy and Schemer but also to their friends and family. Stacy was dancing with some of her friends so he figured it was a good time to walk around and mingle. It seemed to Schemer he had spoken to just about everyone by that point, though there was one person he had hardly been able to see. As he made his way outside to get some air he found the person he was looking for hanging around the outdoor set-up with his friends.
Schemee caught his uncle's eye and waved. Becky, Kara and Dan greeted him in turn and excused themselves, leaving the two of them alone.
"Well? How would you say the day's been so far?" Schemee asked.
"Well other than someone making me emotional during their speech I'd say great," Schemer smirked.
"Yes, well, we were surprised you made it that far. We had bets going, you see. We didn't think you'd make it through the ceremony without sobbing," Schemee bantered. Rolling his eyes, Schemer lazily went to give him a swipe which he side-stepped easily.
"Kidding! And no, you did well. How does it feel now, being married?"
Schemer thought about this. "Not much different I suppose. But I keep feeling like I'm in a dream that I'm seconds from waking up from, or that it was all just dumb luck," he confessed.
Schemee looked at him quizzically and Schemer quickly back tracked. "I'm very happy! Of course, no question."
Schemee seemed to consider this. "I guess it sounds like you're afraid of it not being real, but I assure you we're all here and this is actually happening," he said gently.
Schemer smiled. "I know, and it will feel more real in time. I guess I still can't believe she picked me."
They fell into a companionable silence. "For what it's worth I'm very happy it did work out," Schemee said quietly.
Now Schemer was taken aback. "Oh Schemee, of course your opinion is important to me. And it means a lot to me to hear you say that."
"Yeah, well it's true. I mean, to be fair I'm heading off to college in a few months so I'm also grateful you won't be alone and have the chance to start your family together with Stacy."
Schemer shook his head with a disapproving cluck of his tongue. "We are a family. Always have been, always will be. Nothing is going to change that. Even when…" he trailed off, catching himself. It was fine to tell Schemee, he knew that. He wanted to tell Schemee and likely would soon. But he didn't want to throw him for a loop, today already felt too jam packed with excitement.
But, as always, Schemee was too astute for his own good. And when he caught the scent of something he was like a bloodhound, he zeroed in on the details people tried to avoid.
"What?" he asked, looking at Schemer intently.
"Nothing, why? What's wrong?" Schemer asked, starting to internally panic.
"Even when what? What were you going to say?" A grin spread slowly across his face.
"Schemee stop it, I don't know what you're talking about," Schemer said stubbornly.
"No YOU stop it, you're the worst liar. How long have you known? Oh gosh, it was the shrimp thing that gave it away, wasn't it?"
Ugh, that cat was out of the bag. "Listen, shut up, for starters," he said, exasperated as Schemee smirked at him, "Yes, we just found out. And yes, she wasn't sick from the restaurant. I was going to tell you after all this but now that you know you have to keep it a secret."
"You know I will, but this is great! I actually get to have cousins to influence." He looked giddy at the prospect and Schemer was struck with the sudden fear of now potentially having to get through more years that would be a repeat of Schemee's antics from his younger days. He was a spirited child, and if the genes came down through the Schemer side they were all in trouble.
"Don't look like that, this is a cause for celebration!" Schemee exclaimed, clapping his uncle on the shoulder. Schemer realized that a look of terror must've been spreading across his face.
Still Schemee was unshaken in his excitement, and as he walked back into the venue with a spring in his step Schemer knew that they were all in trouble.
But he couldn't have been happier for it.
It was much later in the night when he was finally able to steal a quiet moment with his now wife. He pulled her into the room she got ready in, the solarium where he had snuck in to talk to her before the ceremony. He spun her around before pulling her in close, giggling like a couple of children sneaking out of class.
Their foreheads touched and he lovingly looked down at her. Her eyes sparkled with mirth and she kissed him gently.
"It's been a long day," he said as they broke apart, "And somehow it's also been the fastest day of my life."
She pulled him down onto a couch and snuggled under his arm. "I'll probably sleep for a week after this!" she exclaimed.
"But the honeymoon!" he cried playfully, before smacking himself on the forehead in a disparaging tone.
"Honeymoon?" she asked, turning to face him, "I thought we couldn't take the time off."
"Ugh, well I guess the secret is out. Yes, don't worry, I arranged it all. The station is covered, and we have a plane to catch tomorrow evening. But it was supposed to be a surprise wedding gift…"
She grinned. "Well, where are we going?"
He smirked. "I guess I can keep that part a surprise for now."
"Fair enough," she said excitedly. She looked around the room as if searching for something. "Oh hang on, I had something for you as well. It won't be as big as a honeymoon but I think you'll like it."
She got up and retrieved a neatly wrapped package and handed it to him. He carefully unwrapped it and a small smile crossed his face as he saw what it was. It was a scrap-book titled 'Family Memories' and as he flipped through it he had to swallow a lump that had formed in his throat. She had started the first pages with pictures of them, of Schemee, of moments at the station with Billy and the kids. But the remaining pages were blank, except some held placeholders for a yet unborn child.
When Schemer had come home from work on the Wednesday before the wedding he had found Stacy sitting in their bedroom looking contemplative. She wordlessly held out her hand, revealing an object, and waited for his response. When he saw what it was, and the double pink lines to confirm it, he pulled her tightly into an embrace. One which she excitedly returned. They had just had time to get to the doctors and confirm before the wedding. She was only seven, maybe eight, weeks along.
Now, he pulled her in for a hug and discretely wiped his now wet eyes. "Thank you," he whispered.
"We'll fill it in as we go, there's a lot of memories to make yet," she said as they pulled apart, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear. "By the way, did you hear about the bet?"
"Oh my gosh! What's wrong with all of you?!" he asked incredulously as she broke down into peels of laughter.
She didn't get a chance to respond when there was a panicked sounding knock at the door. Schemer had barely had a chance to say "come in" when Schemee burst through the door.
"You've got to come quickly!" he practically shouted. They both stood up, looking alarmed.
"What's wrong?" Schemer asked.
"No time to explain!" Schemee responded before running quickly away.
Schemer shook his head and followed Stacy, who was a few steps ahead of him, after Schemee. As they made their way back outside they were greeted by what ended up being a spectacular fireworks show.
"Surprise! Happy wedding day!" Schemee shouted jubilantly as the light show danced in the sky behind him.
Schemer rolled his eyes, but grinned. "Thanks for the brief moment of panic."
"Any time, any time," Schemee assured.
They stood in companionable silence, watching the show, and Stacy eventually turned back to Schemer. "Do you mind if I borrow our nephew for a second?" she asked. His heart almost exploded with joy.
"Not at all," he said, and she walked forward to gently grip Schemee's arm, leading him away in some quiet conversation. Schemer half-watched the fireworks, and half-watched the two most important people in his life sharing their own special moment. They had formed their own bond and it truly was one of the things that made him happiest in the world.
After a short moment they looked back at him expectantly and he made his way forward to rejoin them. Reunited as both a new, and growing, family.