A/N: Ok I'll admit I've never actually been in a wedding and I can't remember the last wedding and/or reception I went to so I'm just kind of making this up as I go, so there's a good chance some of it might be wrong, but since this is fiction I'm allowed to use my creative license.
"So do you feel nervous?" Andrea asked from where she stood next to Elizabeth helping to put the finishing touches of her make-up on.
"No. Should I be?" Elizabeth stood staring at her self in the full length mirror. The dress she wore was a simple satin off-the-shoulder white dress that clung lovingly to her sleek figure.
"I suppose not. I mean it's only your wedding day, one of the biggest days of your life. What's there to be nervous about?"
"Yes I'm aware of that. I also know that John is head over heels crazy for me as I am for him. So there's nothing to worry about because neither of us plan on going anywhere but up to the alter." Of course the fact that the two were already married might have had something to do with Elizabeth's not being nervous.
There was a knock on the large double doors that echoed through out the large room and the door creaked open with out waiting for an answer. Marcis peeked around the corner of the wood and smiled at his two beautiful daughters.
"Ladies you look wonderful." Marcis spoke, walking into the room and pushing the heavy door closed behind him.
"Well I'm going to go see how the other ladies are doing." Andrea excused herself, giving her dad a light kiss on the cheek before walking out of the room.
"Elizabeth you are breath takingly beautiful." Marcis looked his daughter up and down as Elizabeth smiled warmly at him. "John is a very lucky man."
"I'm a very lucky girl. How is John doing?"
"A nervous wreck, which I find highly amusing I might add."
"Really, what does John have to be nervous about? We're already married this is just for the benefit of our friends and family." Elizabeth was a bit surprised to find out that John was nervous. Was he afraid she'd leave him at the alter?
"I believe your friend Rodney can pretty much be blamed either directly or indirectly for John's nervousness." Marcis gave a slight chuckle.
"What'd Rodney do now?" Elizabeth was almost afraid to ask.
"First he told John that as he was arriving at the church he was positive that he saw you getting into a car and driving off. John was already on his way out the door coming after you before Rodney shouted that he was joking and Aiden and Carson were able to drag him back into his dressing room."
"He didn't?" Elizabeth attempted to smother her laughter.
"Oh yes, and after that Rodney convincingly reported that he had discovered a nonexistent plot to kidnap you and delay your arrival at the wedding. Which of course is why I'm here now, John sent me to make sure that no would be kidnappers get their hands on you."
"Poor John, he must be about ready to come barging in here himself."
"More like poor Rodney. I fear you may be in need of a new head scientist at work before the day is over. John was threatening—rather seriously, I might add—to kill Rodney if he came within arm's reach of him again when I left." Elizabeth couldn't help it any longer and let out her laughter.
"What if she doesn't show up?" John's voice was shaking with nerves. Carson just rolled his eyes placing a hand on John's shoulder and ushering him forward.
"What do you mean, what if she doesn't show up? Bloody hell man the two of you have already done the whole 'I do' thing once, so I highly doubt Elizabeth will bail on you know." Carson assured John with a grin. "Now I suggest you get a move on it or she's going to start thinking that you're the one who's not going to show up."
The two men walked quickly down a narrow hall way. The sound of organs echoing in the large hall welcomed them. John squinted as he entered the main hall, which was brilliantly light up with a large crystal chandler and sunlight shining in through the stain glassed windows. The minister was standing patiently behind the alter waiting to get started. He smiled warmly at John as the man was ushered to stand in front of him.
John glanced behind him at Carson who gave him another reassuring grin. Running a finger around the inside of his collar, John's eyes grazed over the familiar faces sitting behind him, staring up at him. Near the front of the crowd he could see Elizabeth's mother, along with Kendra and Mark Jenson. Scattered through out the rest of the hall were quite a few Atlantis expedition members along with a few Athosians that had expressed an interest in seeing a traditional earth wedding.
As the background music changed indicating the start of the ceremony John watched as first Karen came walking down the aisle carefully spreading flower pedals on the ground in front of her, followed by TK and Ryan each carrying a small pillow with a ring on it. Next he watched Andrea escorted by Brian, Alexis escorted by Ryan, Teyla escorted by Jared, and Rachel escorted by Mike walk down the aisle.
As the music changed again and everyone stood John's breath caught in his throat and his heart stopped at the sight of Elizabeth as she appeared in the door way with her father at her arm. This was really happening, sure John knew that they were already married, but that had been in another galaxy and a simple Athosian ceremony. This time it was different some how not that John could state why for the life of him.
Suddenly, John felt a poke in his ribs and Carson was whispering in his ear, "Breath, lad."
John realized that he had indeed been holding his breath, but was too afraid that if he dared to exhale he would wake up from what had to be a dream.
Standing with her father at her side Elizabeth was mesmerized by how handsome John looked standing at the alter in his tux, with his normally wild hair jelled and combed down.
"Ready?" Marcis asked softly.
"Are you?" Elizabeth gave her father a playful smile.
"To be honest no, not really." Marcis replied in an oddly hoarse voice. "You're my little girl and I'm not ready for you to be all grown up yet. God it seems like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms rocking you to sleep and now here you are about to get married." He looked at Elizabeth and she saw his eyes were moist as he added, "But I know you're in good hands. From the moment I met John I knew he was the man for you and I know the two of you will have years of happiness together."
"Thank you for approving and being here today." Elizabeth's eyes were misty as she leaned up and kissed her father's cheek.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world." With that the music changed and Elizabeth laid her trembling hand upon her father's arm and stared down the long aisle.
John could feel tiny beads of perspiration forming on his brow as he watched Elizabeth walk towards him. Elizabeth stopped in front of the alter and smiled at her father who placed a kiss on her cheek before walking back to his seat next to Hillary. The crowd watched in anticipation as John stepped forward to take Elizabeth's hand. Elizabeth met John's eyes as she slipped her hands into his. He beamed a smile at her and gave her hands a light squeeze.
"It's nice to know that your hair can be tamed." Elizabeth whispered jokingly, her eyes shinning with joy.
"Yes and it only took two bottles of gel and three cans of hair spray." John joked back just as softly.
Together the two stepped up to the alter, side by side and looked at the minister. The old man smiled and opened a small leather book.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here to day to witness the joining in marriage of Elizabeth Weir and John Sheppard" The minister paused briefly to look down at the book as he leafed through the pages before looking up and speaking again. As the service continued neither John nor Elizabeth could take their eyes off the other. Both stood staring lovingly at each other with expressions of happiness and joy on their faces.
When the minister brought got to the obeying part of the vows Elizabeth's expression changed slightly and she lifted one eye brow in a look of such humorous skepticism that John had to choke back a stunned laugh. Yeah he was still working on the obeying part. While not everyone in attendance knew the irony of that statement those who'd been in Atlantis since day one couldn't help the grins and smirks that formed on their faces.
"By the power given to me by the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife..." The minister smiled as he watched the two people standing in front of him looking so deliriously happy. "You may now kiss the bride."
John and Elizabeth turned to each other and paused, both wanting to burn the moment into their memories.
"Just bloody kiss the lass already!" Carson cleared his throat giving John a slight nudge in the back.
"I love you..." John whispered as he leaned toward Elizabeth and brushed his lips gently against hers. Elizabeth smiled, and melted against him for just a moment.
"And I love you." Elizabeth whispered back as they broke apart.
When they arrived at the reception, the photographer tried to nab them right away for some formal pictures, but John insisted that they have some time to mingle and grab some food first. He knew that Elizabeth had to be starving by now. Now that her morning sickness was starting to ease up it seemed like she was always hungry.
It wasn't long before the reception got into full swing. After grabbing a quick bite John and Elizabeth were dragged off for pictures. After that they opened presents, and did the first dance together. Before they knew it, it was time for dinner and the speeches to be made. Several people from the expedition toasted their leaders, telling non-classified stories about the two. Marcis gave the typical fatherly 'you hurt my daughter, I hurt you' speech, although it was all for show he knew John would never do anything to harm Elizabeth. Finally it was Rodney's turn.
Standing up Rodney cleared his throat fully aware that a lot of people were holding their breath in anticipation of what he was about to say.
"Alright as most of you know I'm not the sentimental speech giving type and I have never claimed to be, I'm quite the opposite actually. The only reason I'm doing this is because I drew the short straw, it's funny you know I all ways seem to draw the short straw even as a kid…" Rodney trailed off seeing the warning glare John was throwing his way. "But that's neither here nor there. Anyway I've known John and Elizabeth for a few years now and I'll be honest in the beginning I never would have expected these two to end up together. In fact my money was on them killing each other before that first year was over." This of course got a few laughs from the expedition members in the room. "But they proved me and several other people, all of us who lost a lot of money that first year, wrong." This got another laugh. "But in all seriousness I can't think of any two people who deserve each other more than these two right here. May they have years of happiness together and keep proving the rest of us wrong."
Sitting back down Rodney let out a soft sigh, god he hated giving speeches, but it was done, it was over and he could now get back to his meal. John had to admit he was surprised by Rodney's speech, who'd of thought Rodney was actually capable of being sentimental?
Once all the speeches were given and dinner eaten the only thing that remained to do was cut the cake. Standing up John lovingly took Elizabeth's hand and led her over to the table where the wedding cake had been displayed for all to see. It was a beautiful 3-tiered creation of white icing and all sorts of tiny roses and other decorations.
Picking up the knife John handed it to Elizabeth, placing his hand lightly over hers as she cut the first slice of the cake. Then they cut that first slice in half, and Elizabeth reached for one, and John reached for the other. John's eyes filled with mischief and laughter as he and Elizabeth each raised the piece of cake they each held to the others' mouth.
"Don't even think about it." Elizabeth warned, seeing the look in John's eyes.
"Don't think about what?" John gave Elizabeth an innocent look that was nowhere near genuine.
"Don't play innocent with me, you know exactly what."
"You mean this?" A moment later John's piece of cake was smeared across Elizabeth's face.
Elizabeth retaliated with stunning accuracy, and John soon found his nose filled with icing and the side of his cheek smeared white as well. The crowd roared its approval, and John pulled Elizabeth into his arms giving her a loving tender kiss.
They stayed that way for a little longer than was normal, but no one said anything. After a moment John handed the knife over to Aiden after all it wasn't his job to cut the cake for everyone, just for Elizabeth. That was the good thing about being the groom and bride. Now that the vows were spoken and the rings were on, they didn't have any responsibilities at the wedding or the reception. Basically, their part was done.