Author's Notes:
This chapter was one that I really wanted to get right. I mentally ran through it, and I think it's good. The next chapter will be the reception from various character view points, all in divided sections and labeled, so don't worry about being confused.
I would also like to extend a very special thank you to the following people:
ScbyDoo489—I think of you as one of the best Harry Potter writers I have ever met, and one of my best friends. I'm so happy you read my stuff.
ZombieToGo—As a fellow 'House' fan, I'm glad you think that my works are good enough to stick with. Your opinion matters a lot as a friend.
Ara, Goddess of the Broken—as another loyal reader, I give you my fond thanks for reading my stuff. It's people like you who keep me going on with this.
Last, but certainly not least…
Ms.Orange21—As my co-writer, and reader, I think of you as a very fine writer of 'House' fan fics. Your balance of drama and humor is the main reason I chose you to do a co-write. Many thanks to you.
Now presenting the House/Angela wedding……
Ch. 16
I Do
12 days later
When Angela awoke on her wedding day, she felt a thrill of exhilaration. At first, she was wondering why Greg wasn't laying beside her, but then she realized that he was probably respecting the rule of 'it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding'. Well, that was okay with her. The last thing Angela needed was anything going wrong. Sighing, she got up, grabbed her cane, and hop-limped into the bathroom to take a shower. The hot water felt good, and as Angela washed her hair, she couldn't stop smiling. This was her day. The day she'd remember forever.
Getting out of the shower, Angela grabbed her bathrobe and started drying her hair. After getting dressed, Angela put her prosthetic on and looked in the mirror. Her hair was wavy, and shining in the sunlight.
"You are going to be beautiful," said a female voice from the doorway. Angela turned to see Lily standing there. She held a large box and a bag. "Are you nervous?"
"No. You have the dress?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "No, this is the sheet I brought you to wear."
Angela motioned for Lily to set the box on the bed. Angela limped over and opened it. "Oh, my god." Angela set the cane aside and pulled out the dress.
"Angela, it's… breathtaking. You are going to be so gorgeous."
"Yeah." Setting the dress aside, Angela sat down. "I want to get married this morning."
"Great idea," Lily replied, sitting next to her best friend. "Except then your brother would burst into flames when he tried to escort you into the church."
"Oh, yeah. Good point. That's why he's not going to escort me into the church. Angel's going to be waiting just inside, out of sun's way."
"Good idea. So…" Lily stood up. "What do you want to do today?"
Angela stood before the beautiful church in the middle of Mattamatta. At 7 that evening, she would be getting married. She still couldn't believe that she was getting married. Walking down to a nearby bar, she saw Sirius and—wait, was that…? Angela quickened her pace as best she could and followed. Once inside, she saw Sirius Black and her neighbor from LA, Emma Jenson.
"Hello, you two. Am I… interrupting?"
Sirius did a double take when he saw Angela. "Angela. No, uh…" He got up and pulled out a chair. "Please, have a seat." Angela sat down and suppressed a smirk at how uncomfortable Sirius and Emma looked.
"Oh, come on, there's no need to worry." Angela sighed. "Look, Sirius… I'm not upset. I'm happy for you, actually."
"Really?" Sirius asked, looking relieved.
"Sure. Only thing is… you move in with her, and then you can keep an eye over me and House." Angela noticed a slight expression on Emma's face when she said the word 'watch'. "How about a beer?"
"Sure."
"Yeah, okay."
Angela ordered and passed the drinks around. When Emma took hers, Angela caught sight of a tattoo on her wrist. "So how long have you been my Watcher?" Angela asked, sipping her drink.
"3 years. I… what?" Emma looked at Angela. "H-How did you know that?"
"You twitched at the word 'watch' a moment ago. And I saw the tattoo on your wrist."
"Damnit."
"Ah, relax," Angela said. "I won't tell anyone." She winked at Emma. Sirius didn't know what to make of all that, so he just drank his beer in silence.
When 5 o'clock rolled around, Lily went to Angela's room. Angela was just sliding into her dress when Lily opened the door. "Hey, Lily. Can you zip me up?"
"Sure," Lily said, laying her bridesmaid dress aside. She got Angela zipped up and said, "Ready for your hair?"
Angela did a mock-pout. "I hate having people mess with my hair."
Lily pulled out her wand. "Just turn around." Angela did, Lily waved her wand and Angela's hair looked perfect. "There, all done."
"Great."
"Are you nervous at all?
Angela looked at herself in the mirror. The dress looked so natural on her. For the first time in about a month, she forgot that she had a prosthetic leg. And for the first time in decades, she didn't even think about being an Immortal. Today, she was a bride-to-be, nothing more. "I've never been more relaxed than I am right now," Angela said honestly.
Kyle Wyle's limo pulled up to the front of the estate at 6:15. Angela was waiting in the foyer when he came in. Wyle stood in the doorway and offered an arm to Angela. "You ready?"
"Yeah. I am. Let's go."
House was just finishing his tie when Wilson poked his head in the room. "Angela and her boss, Kyle Wyle, just pulled up. They're finishing getting Angela ready now."
"Great."
"And there's, uh, someone who wanted to see you."
House looked curious when a young man and woman came in. "Hi, Dr. House. You probably don't remember me, do you?"
"No," House said, hesitantly.
"I'm Brandon Merrell. You saved my life about a year ago."
House suddenly remembered. The colchicine guy. "Right. How are you and, uh…"
"Mindy," the woman said, smiling. "Dr. Cuddy called us. Invited us down. We were just getting ready to go on our honeymoon, and we wanted to congratulate you."
"Thanks," House replied, giving a small smile. "Glad things are working out for you."
Brandon grinned. "Hey, enjoy married life, doctor. It's really something. See you later." With that, the two left the room. House just stood there. Wilson looked amused. "Wow. A former patient actually wanted to see you again. Wonders will never cease."
"Shut up, Wilson."
Wilson chuckled at him. "And the old Dr. House we knew and reviled rears his head once more."
"And for the last time," House said as he put his jacket on. He looked in the full-length mirror on the wall. Tux, tie, and brand new Nike sneakers.
Wilson looked at his best friend. "Ready, Greg?"
House grabbed his cane and nodded. Wilson and House went into the main part of the church and got into their places. James was standing near the altar, also in a tux. On the other side, two young women were standing, waiting and holding matching bouquets. One of the girls, a red-head, smiled and held out her hand. "You must be Dr. House. I'm Ginny Weasley. This," she said, pointing. "-is Hermione Granger."
House shook the girl's hand. "Nice to meet you, Miss Weasley. I…" He trailed off when Lily came in.
A short while later, the priest came out. "Dr. House, if you would get ready, we will begin in a few moments."
House nodded and looked at James and Wilson, both of whom were grinning.
A few moments later, the music started up.
"When it's love you give
(I'll be a man of good faith)
Then in love you live
(I'll make a stand, I won't break)
I'll be the rock you can build on
Be there when you're old
To have and to hold"
The music continued for a brief time, and then…
House's heart stopped for just a second when he saw Angela come down the aisle. She looked positively breathtaking, and her limp was barely noticeable as she came down on Angel's arm.
"Let's make it all for one and all for love
Let the one you hold be the one you want
The one you need
'Cause when it's all for one, it's one for all
When there's someone that should know
Then just let your feelings show
And make it all for one and all for love"
Angela went slowly up the trio of steps, using Angel for support. When she got to the top, she took House's hand and Angel went down to sit next to Buffy Summers as the priest began.
"Dearest friends, family, and well-wishers… joining us today, in sacred union, are Dr. Gregory Michael House and Angela Rosemund Celenia McKeaten. Too often in life we go without finding our true intended match. These two people have, and today we join them, heart, body, and soul, in matrimony. I now ask Dr. House and Miss McKeaten to exchange the vows they have written for each other."
House took a breath. "Angela, before I found you… I had so much anger and resentment for what had happened to me. I always let myself be closed and distant. You brought a light in my life that I never really knew before. It seems like every good thing in my life happened when I met you."
Angela licked her lips and started. "I have had more… misfortune than most people would be able to handle. And most of the time I just bury everything because I was afraid to deal with it. The past men in my life have always been focused on one part of me. You're not. You take everything about me and always make me feel beautiful, loved, and perfect. I love you, and I always will."
The priest looked at the two of them, then at Lily and Wilson. "Please produce the rings."
Wilson held out a thin, gold band to House who exchanged it for his cane. House looked into Angela's eyes as the priest said, "Please, repeat after me. 'I, Greg House, do solemnly promise'…"
"I, Greg House, do solemnly promise…"
"'To love, cherish, and respect you…'"
"To love, cherish and respect you…"
"'In sickness and health, better or worse, in life and death.'"
"In sickness and health, better or worse, in life and death."
"'With this ring, I pledge my love and life only to you.'"
"With this ring, I pledge my love and life only to you." House slipped the ring on Angela's finger, right in front of her engagement ring.
Angela took the matching gold band from Lily. The priest looked at Angela, who looked deep into House's blue eyes. "Please, repeat after me. 'I, Angela McKeaten, do solemnly promise'…"
"I, Angela McKeaten, do solemnly promise…"
"'To love, cherish, and respect you…'"
"To love, cherish and respect you…"
"'In sickness and health, better or worse, in life and death.'"
"In sickness and health, better or worse, in life and death."
"'With this ring, I pledge my love and life only to you.'"
"With this ring, I pledge my love and life only to you." Angela slid the ring on House's finger and gave him a warm smile.
The priest looked at the two, then at the crowd. "Greg and Angela have pledged their devotion with the exchange of vows and rings. If anyone wishes to step forth and declare that these two people should not be eternally bound, please speak now, or forever hold your peace." After a moment of silence, he went on. "I now declare that these two are husband and wife." A glance to House, then, "You may kiss the bride."
House pulled Angela into his arms, and kissed her as the assembled crowd cheered. When they broke apart, Wilson handed House his cane back. House and Angela turned to face the crowd. Angela saw her brother's face beaming at her. The priest smiled before saying. "I now present, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory House."
House took his wife's arm, and they slowly went down the steps. Then, they headed up the aisle and out to the waiting limo.