Anna pressed her lips against the final letter. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

He loved her. He really, truly loved her.

She didn't know what to think anymore. Everything was changed. She had always adored Yoh, had hoped he cared for her too. But he loved her. Not flippant high-school "love," he loved her. He loved her. The demon girl. The abandoned orphan.

Finally, she was loved. She was cherished. She was protected.

Finally, someone wanted her.

"Anna?" She looked up, her face tear-stained. Hao looked a bit shocked. "Anna, what's wrong, child? Is something wrong?"

"No," she sniffled. "I'm just…just so happy."

Hao relaxed. "Good," he said. "You scared me for a moment. I thought you were having second thoughts."

Anna shook her head, her silky blonde curls brushing against her wet cheeks. "Not at all," she said fervently. "I love Yoh."

"And he loves you," Hao said. "But he might be a bit worried if he sees your makeup job. Mascara is simply everywhere!" He opened the makeup kit. "Let's see…" Hao tilted her chin and began to fix up her makeup.

"How do you know how to do this?" Anna asked. "I barely know how."

"Oh, I've known many girls in the time I've been alive," Hao grinned. "Look up, dear child. I can't put mascara on you when your eyes are closed."

From far away Anna could hear the music of the first song beginning. "It's starting," she whispered. She twirled her garnet engagement ring around her finger.

"It most certainly is," Hao said.

-----

Yoh shifted anxiously from one foot to the other. The chapel was rapidly filling up with people. He was starting to get a little nervous.

"Calm down, Yoh," Lyserg said. "You shouldn't be hyper at your own wedding."

"I'm not hyper, I'm just…" Yoh stammered. "I'm just…well, this is a pretty big deal…"

"Do you not want to marry Anna?" Lyserg asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Yoh's eyes nearly bugged out. "Are you mad?!" he shouted. "Of course I want to marry! I've been wanting to marry her since I was freaking ten years old!"

"No need to shout," Lyserg said. Yoh grinned sheepishly. Several people in the crowd were staring, and some of the older people looked a bit shocked.

Yoh tried to relax. The stone chapel was usually unused and freezing cold, but his mother had worked wonders with it. It was decorated perfectly for a Christmas wedding, with garlands of evergreen and holly hung along the walls. Pure white candles glowed everywhere, sending brilliant gold flickers of light around the room. The windows were garnished with soft lilies-of-the-valley bouquets. Through the panes he could see snowflakes falling. He glanced toward the aisle. It was carpeted and candlelit, waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle.

He couldn't wait either.

-----

"HoroHoro, hold still!" Pilika fussed. "Your hair is a mess." HoroHoro pulled a face but allowed his little sister to fix his hair.

"You look pretty, nee-chan," he smiled.

"And you look quite handsome," Pilika responded with a motherly pat on the cheek. "Now, you have to be on your best behavior, all right? Don't embarrass Yoh and Anna on their wedding day."

"I promise," he sighed. Pilika grinned at him and went to collect her bouquet.

"He's right, you know."

Pilika jumped in surprise. "Oh! Ren!" she exclaimed. "I didn't see you there."

"He is right, though," Ren repeated. His cheeks were a bit pink. "You do look very pretty."

It was Pilika's turn to blush. "Thank you," she murmured.

Ren leaned over and gave her a swift kiss on the cheek.

She blushed again.

But she couldn't say anything, because the music was coming to an end.

-----

The pianist finished the last few notes of the opening song. Jeanne took a deep breath as the introduction of "Panis Angelicus" began. She looked at Lyserg. He smiled at her. And then he winked. The wink was a bit unexpected, but she managed to coax out the first line, as long as she watched his face. "Panis Angelicus," she sang quietly.

Pilika tucked her arm into Ren's. He was muscular, she realized. Very strong. Strong enough to make even a sturdy girl like her feel frail. He was quiet and stoic as he escorted her down the aisle. But she could feel the warmth of his body against hers. Pilika beamed as she took her place.

"Fit panis hominum."

Faust couldn't help but allow a rare smile grace his face. Finally, the children were getting married. After so many years. Then they would have babies, and grow up together, and grow old together.

He turned his smile to the pretty blonde woman snuggled against him. Faust smoothed Eliza's long hair. "Ich liebe dich," he whispered in her ear. Eliza smiled at him. Her eyes sparkled as she whispered the same words back to him.

"Dat panis coelicus."

HoroHoro felt Tamao waver against him. "What's wrong?" he whispered in her ear.

"I'm nervous," she whimpered.

He laced her fingers through hers. "It's all right," he reassured her. "This is for Yoh and Anna. You can do it for them, can't you?"

She nodded wordlessly, then turned to him and smiled. HoroHoro smiled back at her, and squeezed her small dainty hand as he escorted her down the aisle.

"Figuris terminium."

Mikihisa grinned at his son. He was obviously more than ready for the ceremony; he was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet like a toddler waiting to be picked up. His youngest son had always been such a lively, laughing child. Now he was an eager young groom, waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle. Mikihisa caught his wife's eye. Keiko's deep brown eyes were sparkling with unshed tears, but she smiled at him, and he instantly knew what she was thinking about. She was remembering their wedding day, so long ago. It had even taken place in the same chapel. Mikihisa smiled back at Keiko over their son's head. He still loved her very much.

"O res mirabelis!."

Anna looked in the mirror. She looked…pretty. Anna smiled. It is a strange thing to look in the mirror and discover you look pretty. She wasn't beautiful, but she was pretty. And every girl wants to look pretty on her wedding day.

"It's time, Anna-chan," Hao said. "Come on." He held out her bouquet. "It's time for you to make a certain buffle-headed brother of mine a very happy boy."

"Manducat Dominium."

The doors to the chapel opened. Every head turned. And Yoh caught his breath.

The most beautiful little bride he had ever seen was standing in the doorway. She was petite and delicate in appearance, like a fragile china doll. Her blonde hair had been coaxed into silky curls that were tied back with soft crimson ribbons. A soft, elegant veil was held to her curls by a deep ruby-red comb. Her white gown showed off her pale shoulders, and the bodice skimmed against her tiny waist. In her small hands she held a bouquet of deep red velvet roses with glossy green leaves. But it was her sweet face that caught everyone's attention. Her dark eyes shown brilliantly beneath their thick silky lashes. A soft blush was on her cheeks, and her cupid-bow lips were pink and smiling.

Everyone thought her a beauty, but no one thought her quite as beautiful as the young man waiting to marry her.

"Pauper, pauper, servus et humilis."

Anna kept her eyes on Yoh. He was beaming at her, his dark eyes glowing. She had never seen him look so handsome, or so happy. Suddenly, as she studied him, she noticed something gold glinting at his neck. Anna gripped Hao's arm. "He's wearing the locket," she whispered. "He's wearing the locket my mother gave me."

Hao squeezed her hand. "Of course he is, darling," he whispered back. "He loves you very much."

Yoh smiled at Anna as she approached. "You look beautiful," he said softly. Anna smiled shyly at him. Tamao took the bouquet from her. Hao raised Anna's tiny hand to his lips in a gentle brotherly kiss, then placed her hand in Yoh's. Anna smiled up at Yoh, her eyes glowing.

"Pauper, pauper, servus et humilis."

The ceremony was about to begin.

-

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Author's Note: Yay!! Almost there!! Just a little bit more to go!!

Hao's a sweetie in this chapter.

And wow did I go overboard in description!! Woohoo!!

Anyway…

I have a sadly neglected little tale that needs reviews. It's called Half Pint, and I'm quite fond of it. But no one reads it. Someone please review it...please...

AND HERE IS AN EXTRA SPECIAL MEMO:

Everyone should go to my website!! I'm holding fanfiction and fanart competitions!! Go NOW!! The link is in my author profile. Go there now!!

And remember to review!! I am a CERTIFIED REVIEW JUNKIE.

Thank you very much.