Everything was ready in the gate room, the gate was ready to be activated to Hokalla for the video feed and John was messing with his dress blues more than ever.
"Stop it!" Carson told him clearly. John pulled don his collar even more just like a kid when told to stop something. In the end Carson slapped his hand. Rodney stifled a grin.
"Where's everyone sitting?" John moved forward to look.
"Hey Teyla said to stay out of sight until Halling announced who she was marrying." Rodney pushed him back. They were slightly off to the side of the gate room. "I'll look." Rodney stepped towards the crowd. "There's a mix of Hokallan and Athosian children on the stairs. A few of both among about a third of the expedition seated down the front, everyone else is on the balcony. Everyone is here. Its packed solid."
"The walkway for Teyla is it still clear!" John started to panic.
"Aye lad, she can get through with room to spare!" John breathed a sigh of relief.
"Rodney," He clicked his earpiece."Yes Liz?"
"Teyla's ready."
"Good, I think he might faint if he waits any longer!" Carson sniggered at John's expression of horror. "See you in a few." He clicked his earpiece once more, "Control, dial the gate before he swoons." All they heard was laughter coming from up above them. John yanked McKay's earpiece away from him.
"Just dial the damn gate!" They waited patiently for the gate to dial as soon as it was Carson nodded to Halling who then walked to stand in front of the gate.
"Atlantians, Hokallans and Athosians; may I thank you for attending this wedding…" Athosians tradition dictated that a small speech before the ceremony should take place.
Up near the control room Teyla was trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach.
"Don't worry Teyla. You're just making your relationship public." Teyla nodded.
"I am worried of how my people will react. I know some have asked for my hand in the past." Liz nodded.
"Come on you know how I felt when I was marrying Rodney." Teyla nodded. "And look I survived." Teyla grinned.
"There are many opinions on that." She told her.
"I am proud to announce…"
"Here's our cue!" Teyla took a deep breath, preparing herself to step forward.
"…Will be marrying the man she fell in love with, despite the arguments that could arise. You are all here to witness the marriage between Teyla Emmagan and Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard." Carson nodded to John and taking a deep breath stepped forward to stand in front of the Stargate.
The hall became active and started to mutter between themselves; at this point Teyla decided to enter. The room suddenly was filled with silence as she stepped towards him. She smiled, Teyla made a slight motion with her head that reassured John that she would sort out any problems before they got out of hand.
Teyla looked more beautiful wearing a dress that Liz had helped her make once the material was sent through the gate from Hokalla. The Hokallans seemed quite pleased to supply the material she wanted. It was a rose colour with deeper red almost crimson flowers embroidered onto it; the dress fell down to the floor and had a short train behind it. It held on her shoulders much, which comforted her as she did panic that the dress could fall down. Her hair was styled the same as usual. She wore no veil but wore the necklace John had given her.
As she reached the gate she took John's hand. He squeezed it slightly smiling at her.
"You look beautiful!" He whispered in her ear, as he pulled away he kissed her temple. Teyla smiled back at him before turning to the crowd.
"I know most of you are upset that I have not chosen someone from Athos but I am a firm believer in true love. No matter who wished to marry me I said no, I have at last agreed to marry, and that someone I love. Mutual love is what is commonly taught on Athos, and I would like to think everyone, Athosian, Hokallan and Atlantian will respect that." With that finally said, she turned to John and nodded for the Athosian priest to begin.
TBC
A/N: One chapter to go! One chapter to go!