CHAPTER 23
"Come on Beth, just let me at least see the dress." Rayna asked her sister as she finished pinning Beth's hair up, leaving only a few stray tendrils lying against her neck.
"Sorry, no one sees it till we get to the church." Beth replied, knowing her family would be shocked to say the least at her choice. Rayna was still complaining when her sister closed the door, leaning against it with a grin. There was only one person's approval she wanted and she knew he would give it.
Across the way at the other house, Amanda straightened Adam's windsor knot for the third time. She couldn't resist fawning over him with the way he looked in the black, duster length tuxedo coat and shimmering charcoal vest and tie.
"Amanda" Adam complained. "Would you stop hovering?"
"Can I help it if I find you irresistible?" Amanda replied with a laugh.
"Well just remember, you were the one who wasted precious time on MacLeod darling and now I am afraid you are too late.
Richie and Claudia were just coming downstairs when Duncan noticed a car pull up in the drive.
"Were you expecting Beth's father?" Duncan asked as he looked out the window.
Adam shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. He thought Peter Harris would be taking his daughter to the church. He couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding that the man would be here when it was time for everyone to be at the church.
"I'm glad I caught you." Peter Harris said as he greeted the group that had formed in the main room.
"Is there a problem?" Adam had to ask even though the man looked pleasant enough.
"Problem?" he replied. "No . no problem at all. But I wondered if you would mind riding over with me. Your friends can follow."
Adam started to reach for the bag he'd packed for the evening, but Richie beat him to it. "I'll take care of this. Don't worry."
With one last look toward his friends, Adam followed the older man out the door and to the car.
"Before you wonder, I am not trying to talk you out of anything." Peter Harris began as they started down the drive. "But I hope you won't mind letting an old man who spent the better part of his life happily married to one of the most wonderful women in the world, rattle off a few words of what I'd like to think is wisdom."
"I'm sure I don't mind at all." Adam replied. He was more than a bit curious to know what was on the man's mind.
"I love my children more than anything in this world, and Leandra has always been particularly close to me." He started. "She is good and kind, and has a wonderful spirit about her."
Adam agreed.
"But that doesn't mean that I am blind to her faults." Her father continued. "She's got a temper. Most of the time she will let you know if she doesn't like something, but it seems like when it matters the most she'll let things build and build. She will become particularly quiet and a little constrained. And then out of nowhere over the most insignificant thing she will explode."
Adam couldn't help grinning a little. He'd seen some of what her Peter Harris was telling him, and had suspected she held things in. But hadn't expected to hear this from her father.
"I'll try to remember that." Adam replied sincerely.
"I don't know you very well son, but I have a suspicion you have a bit of a temper yourself . and maybe are a little on the impatient side." Mr. Harris continued.
"I can't argue with you about that sir, but if you are concerned I'd ever take my anger out on your daughter or Cassie, I can assure you it won't happen. I love them and would rather cut off my arm than hurt either of them in any way."
"That isn't something I'm worried about Adam. I trust you with my daughter and granddaughter. If I didn't then I would be doing anything I could to stop this marriage." Mr. Harris assured him. "What I am trying to say is that it's important for both of you to talk things out. If you let a problem simmer or stew because it's easier or you think it will blow over, it will blow up instead."
Adam understood what the man was saying and didn't interrupt.
"When I married Leandra's Mother people gave us a lot of advice. One of the things we heard more than anything was that we shouldn't let the sun go down on our anger. And that may work for some people. But I have a temper and Lea's mother had red hair if that tells you anything." He said with a chuckle that Adam couldn't help but laugh along with.
"We tried to talk everything out before we went to bed, and more than once that meant we watched the sun come up without ever getting up from the kitchen table." He shared. "Finally we realized that both of us were too quick tempered and passionate and we needed to cool off or at least have some time to let ourselves consider the other's point of view before we could really discuss the problem."
The man looked over at Adam to see if he was following, and was pleased to see his future son-in-law appeared to be listening intently.
"Once we started learning to read one another and know when we were coming close to an impasse, we would stop the discussion and take some time to cool down. And many times that meant we would go to bed together and have to agree the subject was off limits until the next day or whenever we'd decided to finish the discussion."
"And that worked for you?" Adam asked, seeing the wisdom in the man's words. He was the last person who wanted to be pushed into discussion before he was ready.
"It wasn't always easy, but it seemed like even when we knew something was between us, we found a way to connect and even pull closer emotionally to the other. Some of the sweetest times I recall are the times when I held her in my arms, knowing that despite our differences, she didn't want to be anywhere else."
Adam nodded. "I can see how that would make you closer."
The car was just pulling into the church parking lot, but neither man moved to get out immediately.
"I want my daughter to be safe and happy Adam." Mr. Harris said after a short silence.
"Then we both want the same thing." Adam replied. "She and Cassie are everything to me."
"Then I suppose we should get you inside so you can start living up to that promise."
Inside, most of the family and almost a church full of friends had already arrived. Joe, Duncan and the others were only a few minutes behind Adam.
The church was illuminated with soft candlelight, giving the room a magical glow. Claudia and Amanda removed their wraps before Duncan and Richie escorted them to their seats near the front. Amanda had chosen to wear a simple black dress with cap sleeves that fell to the floor sleekly. Claudia wore a deep green dress with a shawl collar and matching pearl and emerald necklace. Joe wasn't really the tuxedo type, so instead of the formal wear Duncan and Richie had donned, he wore a classic but simple black jacket.
Since he would be standing up with Adam, Duncan excused himself and slipped into the room beside the church altar. "Everything all right?" he asked, wondering what Beth's father had wanted with Adam.
"He only wanted to offer some fatherly advice." Adam replied, knowing what Duncan was asking.
Duncan smirked, knowing Adam wasn't really the kind that liked to be advised.
"It was fine . really. Much better than this waiting." Adam admitted, pacing the floor as he strained to hear if the music to cue their entrance had begun.
Outside, Beth waited in the car for her brothers to usher everyone into the sanctuary so she could make her entrance. She nibbled on her bottom lip and let her fingers play with the bouquet of roses and stephanotis.
"You aren't nervous are you?" Rayna asked.
"Nervous, not really." Beth lied. She was nervous. "I'm just ready to begin."
Chris grinned and gave Rayna a knowing look before they saw the signal that it was time. "Here we go." She told her sisters.
Beth wore the velvet cape that she'd worn for Claudia's concert over her dress, so neither of her sisters were prepared when in the entryway she removed it.
"Oh my God." Rayna gasped and Chris rolled her eyes with an "I can't believe you did that" grin.
Beth's dress was a deep scarlet, strapless dress with rhinestone beading on the very form-fitting bodice that flowed into a box pleated, flared skirt. The tea length dress was beautiful, but not what anyone would think of as a wedding dress, even if it were a second wedding. Around her neck she wore the heart pendant Adam had given her. She touched it nervously as she weighed her sisters' reactions.
"It's the color Adam says he likes best on me." Beth answered the questions she saw in her sisters' eyes. "And I thought we were going to get married at home and then go to the New Year's Eve party." She explained.
"Well it is beautiful on you." Chris admitted as she helped smooth the wisps of dark hair that had been wind-blown on the way in the door. "Adam won't be able to take his eyes off of you, and if anyone doesn't like it . well . they can lump it." She added her support for her sister's choice.
---------------- For fun, here is Methos' tux http://www.afterhours.com/mix_match_tool/ensemble.asp?tux=DA&vest=VA&color=B L and Beth's dress http://www.tjformal.com/Images/TIF-6136-02C.jpg ------------------
Her father slipped through the doors at the back of the church to take her arm, and if he was shocked, he hid it well. "You look beautiful Lea." He said, kissing her on the cheek and sliding her arm through his as Rayna placed the bouquet in her other hand.
Both sisters were going to stand up with her, but had decided not to walk the aisle. They simply went inside before the music announcing the bride's arrival and took their place just as Adam and Duncan followed the minister to the bottom of the altar stairs.
As soon as they walked out, Adam sensed the presence of not only his friends, but of Garrett as well. His eyes scanned the rows until they settled on the young immortal.
Garrett returned the gaze almost defiantly, which made Adam wonder what was up. "He better not try and object." Adam whispered to Duncan as they took their place.
"If he does, keep your cool. He'll only succeed in making a fool of himself because we both know Beth isn't going to change her mind." Duncan replied.
Adam nodded in agreement and turned his focus to the doors at the back as the organist began to play Pachelbel's Canon in D Major.
Beth took a deep breath and turned to look at her father just before the doors opened. "Thank you for being happy for me Daddy." She whispered before her dark eyes locked with the steady gray green gaze at the front of the church. The sight of Adam in his dark jacket and vest against the crisp white shirt literally took her breath away, and the instant he caught site of her he ached to feel her in his arms.
Neither Adam nor Beth was aware of the murmur that rippled through the congregation or even that their friends and family had stood to watch her walk in. They were completely lost in their own world. Adam's eyes drank in the sight of her moving toward him in the dress he knew she'd chosen because it was the color he preferred. He met her shy smile with a sure and steady gaze.
Garrett couldn't hide his scowl of disapproval at the sight of her walking toward this man who he was certain would ruin her life. The only thing that kept him calm was the knowledge that the smile on Pierson's face would be gone in a mere matter of hours. Just as he thinks he has everything, he will face losing it all. His only regret was that he wouldn't be around to witness it.
Duncan didn't miss the play of emotions the young immortal was displaying so freely, and he more than wondered why a slight, knowing smile crept at the corners of Garrett's mouth. He wished he knew what the man was thinking. Unfortunately he wasn't able to continue studying the situation because Beth was at the front of the church.
Peter Harris took his daughter's hand from under his arm and held it until Adam took it with his own. Tucking her arm inside the crook of his, Adam then covered her hand with his own free one to hold her securely at his side as they walked up the few stairs.
The ceremony was simple. Neither Beth nor Adam felt the need for a lot of fan fair or flowery songs and words. They repeated the simple vows, letting their eyes and their smile communicate all the things in their heart that mere words could never express.
Of course they had to use their legal names, which sounded almost odd to Beth as she repeated her vows to him. Adam was reminded of what she had said so many months before about how Leandra didn't exist anymore, and although he disagreed . he also didn't think he would ever get used to calling her anything but the name she carried when they fell in love.
But again, that didn't matter. What did matter was the hand he held gently as he slipped the band on her finger, and the dark eyes he got lost in as she returned the gesture in kind.
The minister had only just finished proclaiming them husband and wife when the organist began playing "Ode to Joy". Adam's hands tenderly cupped Beth's face as she looked up at him through misted eyes. "I'll love you forever Beth." He whispered so quietly no one else could hear. "And you own my heart Methos." She replied just as softly before his lips slanted gently over hers in a long, but chaste kiss.
Their eyes met briefly before Beth felt Rayna slip her bouquet into her hand and Adam began to lead her down the stairs. The room burst into applause and laughter as they received one wish of congratulations after another, so much so that they never made it back down the aisle until the well-wishers had thinned to only their most immediate family and friends.
"Did Daddy's little princess sleep through the whole thing?" Adam said, taking a sleeping Cassie from Gwen's arms.
"She was a perfect angel." His new sister-in-law replied as she reached to give him a peck on the cheek before turning to hug Beth.
"Are you sure you don't mind watching her until after the party?" Beth asked.
"I'll keep her all night if you want." Gwen offered.
"I appreciate that, but Rayna is planning to stay at the Inn with us, and Cassie hasn't taken to a bottle just yet." Beth replied.
Adam was about to hand the baby back over to Gwen when he felt a very strong and old presence near the back door. Duncan, Amanda and Richie looked up at the same time to see Beth's sister Rayna rush excitedly down the aisle to throw her arms around the immortal at the door. Claudia slipped her arm through Richie's, a little nervous about the new arrival.
"I don't believe it." Duncan said as a smile spread across his face. He strode quickly past Adam and the others to greet his old friend. The others were surprised, but a little relieved as well.
"You know Rick?" Rayna was shocked as the two men embraced, slapping one another on the back.
"Duncan and I go way back. You could say we were old school mates." Rick replied honestly.
"What brings you here . Rick?" Duncan asked, emphasizing the man's new name. The last time he'd seen him the name had been Friedrich.
"I should be asking you the same thing. I'm a pilot with a private company based out of Nashville, and I'm here because my best girl wished it." He replied, giving Rayna another squeeze.
Beth didn't miss the way Adam and the others had looked at the man her sister was obviously dating. She silently let her eyes ask the question and Adam nodded discreetly. "Let's go meet MacLeod's friend." He said, letting Gwen take the baby before he put his arm around Beth's waist and led her to the back of the church where the others had gathered.
Rayna made the introductions. "Rick Shafer, this is my sister Leandra and her new husband of about five minutes, Adam Pierson. Leandra, Adam, this is my pilot, Rick."
Adam extended his hand politely and met the man's firm grip with one of his own. It was only after the man had given Beth a slight congratulatory hug that he noticed Garrett standing nearby. It was obvious from the way the two men acknowledged one another that they were acquainted.
Duncan saw it too and nodded to Adam that he would get to the bottom of things.
"We should really be going." Peter Harris told them all after he too had greeted his youngest daughter's friend.
Beth and Adam were both a bit surprised when a black limousine pulled up in front of the church and her brothers announced it was for them. Beth gave her bouquet a quick toss over her head as they started down the stairs, and Claudia squealed as it landed in her hands.
"Oh man." Richie groaned playfully at the look on her face. "I hope you aren't in any rush."
Claudia laughed with him and said all she was in a rush to do was get him on the dance floor at the party.
Alone in the limousine, Adam pushed the button that closed the privacy screen between the back of the car and the driver.
But when he turned back to Beth he could see the concern on her face and knew it was because of the man Rayna was seeing.
"I know you are worried" he said as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. "But let's not think about that tonight ok?"
"She doesn't have any idea what she is getting into." Beth replied. "And did you see how he and Garrett seemed to know one another?"
"Yes, I saw that. But I also saw the way MacLeod greeted him. They are old friends, and Duncan will find out if there is any reason for concern. His presence may actually be a good thing if it helps keep Garrett under control." Adam told her honestly. "And may I remind you that although your sister is dating him, she is obviously not head over heels for him or she wouldn't have been so interested in the single men you were parading in front of her. I suspect she's dating him for the jaguar." He tried to make Beth laugh and almost succeeded.
"I hope you are right." She replied hopefully.
Adam tilted her chin up to look at him. "I don't usually like relying on others, but for tonight . let's let Duncan handle his friend and Garrett. Even if it means skipping this bloody party and going straight to the Inn, I won't let any of it touch us tonight."
Beth wanted nothing more than to slip away quietly to their own private place, but she knew their family and friends were waiting to celebrate not only their nuptials, but the New Year as well. "I think they will all understand if we don't stay too long." she replied as she leaned closer, melting against him as he pulled her completely into his arms.
"Did I tell you yet how beautiful you looked when I saw you step into the church?" Adam whispered against her skin as he trailed kisses down the column of her neck.
Beth giggled slightly as his tongue tickled the hollow of her throat. "You didn't have to say anything Adam. I've never felt more beautiful than when I looked into your eyes tonight." She replied honestly, as the memory of the heated gaze he'd given her sent a shiver down her spine.
Adam looked up briefly into her eyes as his hand traced her cheek and jaw, and they followed his movement as his fingertips lightly caressed her neck and then softly brushed the fullness of her breasts above the top of her bodice. "Just how long do we need to stay?" he whispered raggedly as he drug his eyes back to hers, not missing how her own pulse and breathing had accelerated as he touched her.
She didn't have a chance to reply because realizing they would soon be arriving at the party, Adam decided not to waste precious seconds on words. He kissed her deeply, crushing her with his arms as she too responded to his urgency.
"Come on Beth, just let me at least see the dress." Rayna asked her sister as she finished pinning Beth's hair up, leaving only a few stray tendrils lying against her neck.
"Sorry, no one sees it till we get to the church." Beth replied, knowing her family would be shocked to say the least at her choice. Rayna was still complaining when her sister closed the door, leaning against it with a grin. There was only one person's approval she wanted and she knew he would give it.
Across the way at the other house, Amanda straightened Adam's windsor knot for the third time. She couldn't resist fawning over him with the way he looked in the black, duster length tuxedo coat and shimmering charcoal vest and tie.
"Amanda" Adam complained. "Would you stop hovering?"
"Can I help it if I find you irresistible?" Amanda replied with a laugh.
"Well just remember, you were the one who wasted precious time on MacLeod darling and now I am afraid you are too late.
Richie and Claudia were just coming downstairs when Duncan noticed a car pull up in the drive.
"Were you expecting Beth's father?" Duncan asked as he looked out the window.
Adam shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. He thought Peter Harris would be taking his daughter to the church. He couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding that the man would be here when it was time for everyone to be at the church.
"I'm glad I caught you." Peter Harris said as he greeted the group that had formed in the main room.
"Is there a problem?" Adam had to ask even though the man looked pleasant enough.
"Problem?" he replied. "No . no problem at all. But I wondered if you would mind riding over with me. Your friends can follow."
Adam started to reach for the bag he'd packed for the evening, but Richie beat him to it. "I'll take care of this. Don't worry."
With one last look toward his friends, Adam followed the older man out the door and to the car.
"Before you wonder, I am not trying to talk you out of anything." Peter Harris began as they started down the drive. "But I hope you won't mind letting an old man who spent the better part of his life happily married to one of the most wonderful women in the world, rattle off a few words of what I'd like to think is wisdom."
"I'm sure I don't mind at all." Adam replied. He was more than a bit curious to know what was on the man's mind.
"I love my children more than anything in this world, and Leandra has always been particularly close to me." He started. "She is good and kind, and has a wonderful spirit about her."
Adam agreed.
"But that doesn't mean that I am blind to her faults." Her father continued. "She's got a temper. Most of the time she will let you know if she doesn't like something, but it seems like when it matters the most she'll let things build and build. She will become particularly quiet and a little constrained. And then out of nowhere over the most insignificant thing she will explode."
Adam couldn't help grinning a little. He'd seen some of what her Peter Harris was telling him, and had suspected she held things in. But hadn't expected to hear this from her father.
"I'll try to remember that." Adam replied sincerely.
"I don't know you very well son, but I have a suspicion you have a bit of a temper yourself . and maybe are a little on the impatient side." Mr. Harris continued.
"I can't argue with you about that sir, but if you are concerned I'd ever take my anger out on your daughter or Cassie, I can assure you it won't happen. I love them and would rather cut off my arm than hurt either of them in any way."
"That isn't something I'm worried about Adam. I trust you with my daughter and granddaughter. If I didn't then I would be doing anything I could to stop this marriage." Mr. Harris assured him. "What I am trying to say is that it's important for both of you to talk things out. If you let a problem simmer or stew because it's easier or you think it will blow over, it will blow up instead."
Adam understood what the man was saying and didn't interrupt.
"When I married Leandra's Mother people gave us a lot of advice. One of the things we heard more than anything was that we shouldn't let the sun go down on our anger. And that may work for some people. But I have a temper and Lea's mother had red hair if that tells you anything." He said with a chuckle that Adam couldn't help but laugh along with.
"We tried to talk everything out before we went to bed, and more than once that meant we watched the sun come up without ever getting up from the kitchen table." He shared. "Finally we realized that both of us were too quick tempered and passionate and we needed to cool off or at least have some time to let ourselves consider the other's point of view before we could really discuss the problem."
The man looked over at Adam to see if he was following, and was pleased to see his future son-in-law appeared to be listening intently.
"Once we started learning to read one another and know when we were coming close to an impasse, we would stop the discussion and take some time to cool down. And many times that meant we would go to bed together and have to agree the subject was off limits until the next day or whenever we'd decided to finish the discussion."
"And that worked for you?" Adam asked, seeing the wisdom in the man's words. He was the last person who wanted to be pushed into discussion before he was ready.
"It wasn't always easy, but it seemed like even when we knew something was between us, we found a way to connect and even pull closer emotionally to the other. Some of the sweetest times I recall are the times when I held her in my arms, knowing that despite our differences, she didn't want to be anywhere else."
Adam nodded. "I can see how that would make you closer."
The car was just pulling into the church parking lot, but neither man moved to get out immediately.
"I want my daughter to be safe and happy Adam." Mr. Harris said after a short silence.
"Then we both want the same thing." Adam replied. "She and Cassie are everything to me."
"Then I suppose we should get you inside so you can start living up to that promise."
Inside, most of the family and almost a church full of friends had already arrived. Joe, Duncan and the others were only a few minutes behind Adam.
The church was illuminated with soft candlelight, giving the room a magical glow. Claudia and Amanda removed their wraps before Duncan and Richie escorted them to their seats near the front. Amanda had chosen to wear a simple black dress with cap sleeves that fell to the floor sleekly. Claudia wore a deep green dress with a shawl collar and matching pearl and emerald necklace. Joe wasn't really the tuxedo type, so instead of the formal wear Duncan and Richie had donned, he wore a classic but simple black jacket.
Since he would be standing up with Adam, Duncan excused himself and slipped into the room beside the church altar. "Everything all right?" he asked, wondering what Beth's father had wanted with Adam.
"He only wanted to offer some fatherly advice." Adam replied, knowing what Duncan was asking.
Duncan smirked, knowing Adam wasn't really the kind that liked to be advised.
"It was fine . really. Much better than this waiting." Adam admitted, pacing the floor as he strained to hear if the music to cue their entrance had begun.
Outside, Beth waited in the car for her brothers to usher everyone into the sanctuary so she could make her entrance. She nibbled on her bottom lip and let her fingers play with the bouquet of roses and stephanotis.
"You aren't nervous are you?" Rayna asked.
"Nervous, not really." Beth lied. She was nervous. "I'm just ready to begin."
Chris grinned and gave Rayna a knowing look before they saw the signal that it was time. "Here we go." She told her sisters.
Beth wore the velvet cape that she'd worn for Claudia's concert over her dress, so neither of her sisters were prepared when in the entryway she removed it.
"Oh my God." Rayna gasped and Chris rolled her eyes with an "I can't believe you did that" grin.
Beth's dress was a deep scarlet, strapless dress with rhinestone beading on the very form-fitting bodice that flowed into a box pleated, flared skirt. The tea length dress was beautiful, but not what anyone would think of as a wedding dress, even if it were a second wedding. Around her neck she wore the heart pendant Adam had given her. She touched it nervously as she weighed her sisters' reactions.
"It's the color Adam says he likes best on me." Beth answered the questions she saw in her sisters' eyes. "And I thought we were going to get married at home and then go to the New Year's Eve party." She explained.
"Well it is beautiful on you." Chris admitted as she helped smooth the wisps of dark hair that had been wind-blown on the way in the door. "Adam won't be able to take his eyes off of you, and if anyone doesn't like it . well . they can lump it." She added her support for her sister's choice.
---------------- For fun, here is Methos' tux http://www.afterhours.com/mix_match_tool/ensemble.asp?tux=DA&vest=VA&color=B L and Beth's dress http://www.tjformal.com/Images/TIF-6136-02C.jpg ------------------
Her father slipped through the doors at the back of the church to take her arm, and if he was shocked, he hid it well. "You look beautiful Lea." He said, kissing her on the cheek and sliding her arm through his as Rayna placed the bouquet in her other hand.
Both sisters were going to stand up with her, but had decided not to walk the aisle. They simply went inside before the music announcing the bride's arrival and took their place just as Adam and Duncan followed the minister to the bottom of the altar stairs.
As soon as they walked out, Adam sensed the presence of not only his friends, but of Garrett as well. His eyes scanned the rows until they settled on the young immortal.
Garrett returned the gaze almost defiantly, which made Adam wonder what was up. "He better not try and object." Adam whispered to Duncan as they took their place.
"If he does, keep your cool. He'll only succeed in making a fool of himself because we both know Beth isn't going to change her mind." Duncan replied.
Adam nodded in agreement and turned his focus to the doors at the back as the organist began to play Pachelbel's Canon in D Major.
Beth took a deep breath and turned to look at her father just before the doors opened. "Thank you for being happy for me Daddy." She whispered before her dark eyes locked with the steady gray green gaze at the front of the church. The sight of Adam in his dark jacket and vest against the crisp white shirt literally took her breath away, and the instant he caught site of her he ached to feel her in his arms.
Neither Adam nor Beth was aware of the murmur that rippled through the congregation or even that their friends and family had stood to watch her walk in. They were completely lost in their own world. Adam's eyes drank in the sight of her moving toward him in the dress he knew she'd chosen because it was the color he preferred. He met her shy smile with a sure and steady gaze.
Garrett couldn't hide his scowl of disapproval at the sight of her walking toward this man who he was certain would ruin her life. The only thing that kept him calm was the knowledge that the smile on Pierson's face would be gone in a mere matter of hours. Just as he thinks he has everything, he will face losing it all. His only regret was that he wouldn't be around to witness it.
Duncan didn't miss the play of emotions the young immortal was displaying so freely, and he more than wondered why a slight, knowing smile crept at the corners of Garrett's mouth. He wished he knew what the man was thinking. Unfortunately he wasn't able to continue studying the situation because Beth was at the front of the church.
Peter Harris took his daughter's hand from under his arm and held it until Adam took it with his own. Tucking her arm inside the crook of his, Adam then covered her hand with his own free one to hold her securely at his side as they walked up the few stairs.
The ceremony was simple. Neither Beth nor Adam felt the need for a lot of fan fair or flowery songs and words. They repeated the simple vows, letting their eyes and their smile communicate all the things in their heart that mere words could never express.
Of course they had to use their legal names, which sounded almost odd to Beth as she repeated her vows to him. Adam was reminded of what she had said so many months before about how Leandra didn't exist anymore, and although he disagreed . he also didn't think he would ever get used to calling her anything but the name she carried when they fell in love.
But again, that didn't matter. What did matter was the hand he held gently as he slipped the band on her finger, and the dark eyes he got lost in as she returned the gesture in kind.
The minister had only just finished proclaiming them husband and wife when the organist began playing "Ode to Joy". Adam's hands tenderly cupped Beth's face as she looked up at him through misted eyes. "I'll love you forever Beth." He whispered so quietly no one else could hear. "And you own my heart Methos." She replied just as softly before his lips slanted gently over hers in a long, but chaste kiss.
Their eyes met briefly before Beth felt Rayna slip her bouquet into her hand and Adam began to lead her down the stairs. The room burst into applause and laughter as they received one wish of congratulations after another, so much so that they never made it back down the aisle until the well-wishers had thinned to only their most immediate family and friends.
"Did Daddy's little princess sleep through the whole thing?" Adam said, taking a sleeping Cassie from Gwen's arms.
"She was a perfect angel." His new sister-in-law replied as she reached to give him a peck on the cheek before turning to hug Beth.
"Are you sure you don't mind watching her until after the party?" Beth asked.
"I'll keep her all night if you want." Gwen offered.
"I appreciate that, but Rayna is planning to stay at the Inn with us, and Cassie hasn't taken to a bottle just yet." Beth replied.
Adam was about to hand the baby back over to Gwen when he felt a very strong and old presence near the back door. Duncan, Amanda and Richie looked up at the same time to see Beth's sister Rayna rush excitedly down the aisle to throw her arms around the immortal at the door. Claudia slipped her arm through Richie's, a little nervous about the new arrival.
"I don't believe it." Duncan said as a smile spread across his face. He strode quickly past Adam and the others to greet his old friend. The others were surprised, but a little relieved as well.
"You know Rick?" Rayna was shocked as the two men embraced, slapping one another on the back.
"Duncan and I go way back. You could say we were old school mates." Rick replied honestly.
"What brings you here . Rick?" Duncan asked, emphasizing the man's new name. The last time he'd seen him the name had been Friedrich.
"I should be asking you the same thing. I'm a pilot with a private company based out of Nashville, and I'm here because my best girl wished it." He replied, giving Rayna another squeeze.
Beth didn't miss the way Adam and the others had looked at the man her sister was obviously dating. She silently let her eyes ask the question and Adam nodded discreetly. "Let's go meet MacLeod's friend." He said, letting Gwen take the baby before he put his arm around Beth's waist and led her to the back of the church where the others had gathered.
Rayna made the introductions. "Rick Shafer, this is my sister Leandra and her new husband of about five minutes, Adam Pierson. Leandra, Adam, this is my pilot, Rick."
Adam extended his hand politely and met the man's firm grip with one of his own. It was only after the man had given Beth a slight congratulatory hug that he noticed Garrett standing nearby. It was obvious from the way the two men acknowledged one another that they were acquainted.
Duncan saw it too and nodded to Adam that he would get to the bottom of things.
"We should really be going." Peter Harris told them all after he too had greeted his youngest daughter's friend.
Beth and Adam were both a bit surprised when a black limousine pulled up in front of the church and her brothers announced it was for them. Beth gave her bouquet a quick toss over her head as they started down the stairs, and Claudia squealed as it landed in her hands.
"Oh man." Richie groaned playfully at the look on her face. "I hope you aren't in any rush."
Claudia laughed with him and said all she was in a rush to do was get him on the dance floor at the party.
Alone in the limousine, Adam pushed the button that closed the privacy screen between the back of the car and the driver.
But when he turned back to Beth he could see the concern on her face and knew it was because of the man Rayna was seeing.
"I know you are worried" he said as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. "But let's not think about that tonight ok?"
"She doesn't have any idea what she is getting into." Beth replied. "And did you see how he and Garrett seemed to know one another?"
"Yes, I saw that. But I also saw the way MacLeod greeted him. They are old friends, and Duncan will find out if there is any reason for concern. His presence may actually be a good thing if it helps keep Garrett under control." Adam told her honestly. "And may I remind you that although your sister is dating him, she is obviously not head over heels for him or she wouldn't have been so interested in the single men you were parading in front of her. I suspect she's dating him for the jaguar." He tried to make Beth laugh and almost succeeded.
"I hope you are right." She replied hopefully.
Adam tilted her chin up to look at him. "I don't usually like relying on others, but for tonight . let's let Duncan handle his friend and Garrett. Even if it means skipping this bloody party and going straight to the Inn, I won't let any of it touch us tonight."
Beth wanted nothing more than to slip away quietly to their own private place, but she knew their family and friends were waiting to celebrate not only their nuptials, but the New Year as well. "I think they will all understand if we don't stay too long." she replied as she leaned closer, melting against him as he pulled her completely into his arms.
"Did I tell you yet how beautiful you looked when I saw you step into the church?" Adam whispered against her skin as he trailed kisses down the column of her neck.
Beth giggled slightly as his tongue tickled the hollow of her throat. "You didn't have to say anything Adam. I've never felt more beautiful than when I looked into your eyes tonight." She replied honestly, as the memory of the heated gaze he'd given her sent a shiver down her spine.
Adam looked up briefly into her eyes as his hand traced her cheek and jaw, and they followed his movement as his fingertips lightly caressed her neck and then softly brushed the fullness of her breasts above the top of her bodice. "Just how long do we need to stay?" he whispered raggedly as he drug his eyes back to hers, not missing how her own pulse and breathing had accelerated as he touched her.
She didn't have a chance to reply because realizing they would soon be arriving at the party, Adam decided not to waste precious seconds on words. He kissed her deeply, crushing her with his arms as she too responded to his urgency.