The Normal Life
By Didi

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters that are recognizable and I certainly don't own the show. Don't sue me cause all you're going to get is lent, and not much of that either.

Summery: Life is hard enough as a teen without in the problems of being wolf. Sequel to "Eyes of Brown... or is it Green," kind of.

Timeline: Hum...this is a toughie. Okay, Eyes was written after the cancellation of Wolf Lake from CBS. I had assumed that it was never coming back again so I can do whatever I wanted with the story without interfering with the show's canon.

Note: For those of you that read my first Wolf Lake fan fic, this story will follow a similar but slightly altered format, you're get it when you read it. And for those of you that have not read my first, it's pretty easy to pick up once you start.

Acknowledgement: Hooray for the return of Wolf Lake!!! Thank you UPN for your wonderful taste in programming. And thanks to everyone that read my first Wolf Lake fan fiction. I hope you all like this one too.

Rating: R for restricted under 17.
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-Donner's POV-

Ruby's plan can very well backfire on us all. God, there were times in my life when all I want is to never have been born. And this could be considered one of those time. But looking at Ruby, dressed in white satin and lace, I can see that she probably wished this same at time. This was supposed to be the happiest day of any young woman's life. Yet there she was, sweating over every minute as the clock ticks away.

"Sheriff," she looked at me with those big gray eyes. "Thank you for agreeing to do this and for keeping my secret."

There was such a feeling of gratitude in her eyes that I had to smile. "Your father and I may not have always seen eye to eye on many subjects but I respected him and have always been fond of your." I tucked and veil back. "And it is my honor to give you away on your wedding day."

"My father ways liked you, you know," she smiled, obviously trying to think of anything else other than what could go wrong. "You were one of the few people he truly respected in this town."

"Well, that's good to hear," I replied before turning to the door. The footsteps were faint from down the hall but they were there nevertheless. The door opened a moment later and Vivian Cates' beautiful blonde head appeared. She was dressed in a jeweled black dress that made her seem younger than her years. "Good evening, V."

"Good evening, Matt," she smiled, her eyes like jewels flashing in the night. Outwardly, she was calm and cool as if this evening's event was nothing out of the ordinary. But I can see the anxiety in her eyes, the fear she has for her child. Ruby was going to be fine, especially once we've pulled off her wedding to Kanin but Luke... he was a whole other story.

"What's the word," Ruby asked, her eyes darting pass V's shoulder toward the open doorway.

"He's on his way. Luke just heard his car from a block away." She moved into the room and shut the door. "I wanted to give you something before we get started."

Ruby looked at her wearily. "What?"

The smile that graced her face was easy to read. V and Ruby had a long history of distrust between them, no one ever tried to deny that. She pulled the diamond and silver chain on her waist off and clasped it around Ruby's. "Your father gave that to me when we were married. It once belonged to your grandmother. You mother wore it for her wedding day, I wore it on mine, now I think your father would have liked for you to wear it on yours."

Ruby looked down on the diamond chain, studying it carefully. "It's beautiful," she looked up and stared at V for a moment as if nervous. "Thank you."

V nodded. "I'll go wait for Kanin outside." She turned to leave, but before she could, Ruby reached out and hugged her. For a moment, Vivian's face reflected her surprise at the show of affection. Then her arms came around her stepdaughter and held her for a moment. When they parted, neither one appeared to know what to say. So, with a quick nod, Vivian headed out the door.

Telling Ruby that I would return to escort her, I followed Vivian out. Catching up to her before she reached the front door of the church, I touched her arm. "That was very nice of you."

"She and I may have our difference..."

"But you respect her."

She gave a gentle laugh. "You know me too well." Tucking her arm into mine, we walked in silence for a while. "Where is Sophia?"

"I asked her to say with the priest," I replied, watching the sunset. "This will be a dangerous evening for you and Luke."

"We will manage."

"I would like to help."

She glanced at me. "Because Sophia will be in danger as well."

"No, I would help even if Sophia was not a factor." I turned to her so she could see the truth in my eyes. "As sheriff, there are certain influences I can impose. Luke is... a good kid where it counts."

"But you don't think he is right for your daughter." She looked more than just amused. "How typical."

"Only because I'm her father," I patted her hand. "No one will ever be good enough for my daughter, V. I can't help feeling that way."

She smiled and watched the street. "He cared a lot for her."

"I know," I sighed, any blind man can see that. Lucas Cates, for all his faults, truly does care for Sophia, I can't deny that. "I will protect my daughter any way I can."

For some reason, V smiled. "I would expect nothing less."

The roar of the motorcycle interrupted me before I could ask her what she meant. I watched as John Kanin pulled to a stop in front and sat there, staring at us on the stoops of the church.

Vivian moved forward quickly. "Don't dally. And for god sakes, move your bike somewhere less conspicuous before someone sees you."

If Kanin was surprised, he didn't show it. Instead, he did as told and moved his bake around back. Turning to V, "I'll got get Ruby. Move the others into place."

She nodded, her face tense with pressure. "We will pull this off without a hitch."

"I hope so," and left to continue my part in this most bizarre time.
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-Kanin's POV-

My tongue left like someone had poured sawdust onto it. If someone asked me if I was nervous, I probably would have only been able to gulp and nod. Am I excited? You better believe it. Am I anxious? That would be putting it mildly. Scared? Oh yeah!

Seeing Sheriff Donner and Vivian Cates at the church certainly didn't help my jumping stomach any. Ruby had said to come alone and tell no one. It wasn't easily; I wanted to shout my happiness from the rooftop of the highest building in town. But the fear I saw in my beloved's eyes gave me pause. She was scared to death of today. I'm sure it is not the idea of marriage to that frightened her it was something else. And from everything I've seen and heard in this town, I'm sure she has good reason to be.

Parking the bike behind a tree, I ran a quick hand through my hair. I wish I could have worn a tux, or at the very least a suit, for my own wedding. But to ride around in formal wear would have no doubt cause too much talk. The last thing we want is talk around the town. So, it would seem that I'm going to my wedding in a polo shit, leather jacket and jeans. I suppose it could be worse; how, I'm not sure.

Luke met me at the side door, his eyes darting back and forth, as if checking for a tail. He pulled me into the church with more strength than I suspected the boy of having. He glanced around once more before shutting the door firmly. Pulling me down the hallways, he began to rattle off things at me. "I've got a suit in the back waiting for you. It's not great, store bought cause it was quicker. I certainly hope you haven't gain or lost too much weight since the last time Ruby saw you since she gave me the measurements."

I felt like I was in the middle of a whirlwind for a moment. Everything was happening fast but I know it was right. Normally I'd be questioning everything and anything but my future with the woman I love is at sake, questions and answers can come later, after the honeymoon. "Fifteen pounds since Ruby disappeared but I'm sure most of my clothes still fit pretty well."

"Good," he pushed me into small room that appeared to be used as an office normally. He jerked my jacket off with a good tug. "We've got to hurry. The ceremony is going to have to be really short. We have less than an hour to do this, get you out of here, Ruby into a more suitable suit for the meeting and save everyone in town from having to choose between bad or worse."

"Wait a minute, I can do this on my own." Having a guy helping me undress and dress again was a rather unnerving experience. But Luke was so distracted he didn't seem to care about my discomfort.

"Hurry," he said flinging the pants at me without a second thought as he ripped the shoe box open. "I didn't have time to buy shoes, you'll have to wear one of my father's. Are you a size ten and a half?"

"Close enough," pulling the pants up. "Size ten."

"Good," Luke dropped the shoes on the ground. "You need socks?"

"No," slipping my feet into the leather shoes while tucking my shirt into the paints. "Ruby here yet?"

"An hour ago. It took some time for her to get dressed and put on make up. But she's ready now. She's been waiting for the last ten minutes."

"Why didn't you all just call me? I was going crazy counting the seconds at the station."

"Couldn't risk it," Luke gathered my discarded clothes and dropped them into a bag without thought. "You done yet?"

The jacket settled on my shoulders a little too narrow but I couldn't complain. "Ready."

"Let's go then."

I don't remember much of the ceremony. The wedding was definitely a small and private affair with only Sherman Blackstone, Matthew Donner and Sophia Donner there other than the remaining Cates family. Sheriff Donner gave the bride away. I don't really remember what happened after I caught sight of Ruby coming toward me from down the aisle.

She was an angel, my very own angel here on earth. Whatever god I pleased in this lifetime or last I don't know but I would gladly do it again if it meant I got to have this wonderful being in my life forever more. Her wedding dress as white, the veil made of the finest lace I've ever seen. But all that were just the external trapping. What made her so incredible beautiful was the hope and happiness I saw in her eyes as she came toward me.

The ceremony was unfamiliar to me, but at the end of it, I said I do, she said she did, and our hands were bind with a red silk ribbon symbolizing our eternal bond or something to that effect. Four signatures later, Ruby Wilder Cates was Ruby Wilder Cates Kanin, my wife.