Chapter 66

"We are gathered together here, in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, and is therefore not to be entered in by anyone unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God."

Lovingly, Tara looked over to where Myles held the sleeping baby Sarah in his arms. Though he was at first very uncomfortable around the little girl, he'd grown more relaxed as the days passed and now looked so natural holding her. One day, that might be our little girl he's holding, she thought longingly.

"Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any many can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or else forever hold his peace."

"But before you speak up, just remember, over half of the wedding party carry guns," Danni warned with a sly smirk.

Laughing along with the rest of the guests, Tara turned slightly to look out at all the people who'd come. Only a few hours after Aubrey and Kenny's 'wedding', the group had loaded up into cars and traveled to the local church for the real purpose of this weekend. Now in matching green dresses, she stood next to Danni as Michael and Annie exchanged vows.

They so deserve each other, Tara thought as she scanned the couple's happy faces. After all they'd been through, they need to be happy, she smiled to herself as movement on Michael's left side distracted her.

Charles stood next to Michael as his best man with Myles next to him. Catching his eye, she grinned as he rocked the sleeping child back and forth in his arms. She blushed slightly as he smiled back, almost as if he could read her thoughts and turned back to the ceremony underway.

"Who gives this woman to be with this man?" the pastor asked.

"We do," Hank and Mrs. Kersting replied together from where they stood on the front row before sitting down. After Craig's death, the two of them had stepped in as her 'adopted' family and Annie had wanted to make them a part of her special day.

"Annie, do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in holy marriage?" the pastor turned to her. "Do you pledge to love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

"You bet I do," Annie replied vigorously, her smile as bright as the sunshine outside. Dressed in an elegant satin A-line gown with beaded embroidery, she looked like an angel.

"Michael, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in holy marriage?" the pastor continued smiling at the couple. "Do you pledge to love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Michael responded, his hands gripping Annie's hands tightly as he looked in her eyes. While he complained earlier about having to get into the 'monkey suit' he now wore, he didn't seem to mind now as he stood next to her ready to declare his love to the world.

"The couple has asked to say their own vows," the pastor announced, stepping back as Annie turned to give Danni her bouquet.

"Uh, I'm winging this, so here goes…I've waited to be standing up here next to you for what seems like forever. I've dreamed about this day and I know you have too. Now, it's finally here and we're really going to do this," Annie smiled, almost giddy with excitement, up at the tall dark haired agent. "I look into your eyes, and everything that has come before disappears and all that's left is the one truth that is most important – our love for each other. Our love is so real and so strong, I know it can get us through anything and that's all that really matters. So standing here now, looking at you, I want to say thank you. Thank you for reminding me of what is most important. Thank you for making me believe in our love. I love you," she breathed.

"I love you," Michael whispered back, rubbing his thumbs across the back of her hands.

"Michael…" the pastor prompted as they stood their gazing into each other's eyes.

"No, wait, I'm not finished yet," Annie interrupted as she snapped out of her trance.

"Oh, I beg your pardon, go ahead," the pastor grinned as he stepped back again.

"I just wanted to say that when we look at each other, it seems like we've known each other forever and ever," Annie continued brightly. "But today, we start down a whole new road. Our future is limitless together, just like the universe. I can't wait to see where that road takes us…together…forever."

"Wow, not bad for winging it," Michael smiled amazed. "What she said," he turned towards the congregation.

"NO!" Annie shouted shocked, slapping his chest with her palm as everyone laughed.

"Ouch," Michael rubbed the spot where she hit. "Annie, love, you really think I don't have something to say?"

"You'd better," she warned. "You'd better."

"Annie, you taught me that life should be nothing less than a grand adventure. I thought I had that with my job," he smirked wirily as he thought of all the close calls he'd had over the years. "But you taught me there is so much more. There will always be mountains to climb, rivers to cross, mysteries to solve, and new worlds to explore when I'm with you," Michael told her. "I can't tell you how glad I am of that, because you also taught me that opening my heart and listening to my soul is the key to being alive, and life with you is the grandest adventure of them all," he paused a moment to brush her bangs from her face. "For the first time, I can actually look forward to growing old, because I know in my heart that you will even make that fun. I love you, Annie. I love you and I'm going to spend the rest of my days making you happier than you ever dreamed possible. Starting with tonight. Are you ready for that?" he asked beaming.

"I am SO ready," Annie agreed breathlessly.

Tara couldn't help but smile at the sentiment as she hoped someday she'd be making similar vows to the tall blonde standing at the other end of the wedding party. Myles was so gentle with her when she needed him, and so nurturing to the Aubrey and her sister, who were acting as flower girls for the ceremony. She knew someday he'd make a great father despite what his childhood was like, and she looked forward to that day.

"These precious rings that are about to be exchanged are perfect circles, without beginning or end, and with no point of weakness," the pastor continued, after retrieving the rings from Danni and Charles. "These circles are symbols of the eternal quality of love and of its unending strength," he addressed the congregation before stepping towards the couple.

"Annie, place this ring on Michael's hand and repeat after me," the pastor instructed as he handed Annie one gold circle.

"In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, and in the sight of God the Father and all these here, I, Annie, take you, Michael, as my beloved husband," Annie repeated after the pastor, slipping the ring on her groom's finger.

"Michael," the pastor said, handing him the ring.

"In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, and in the sight of God the Father and all these here, I, Michael, take you, Annie, as my beloved husband," Michael stated solemnly as if his life depended on every word.

"Not yet," the pastor whispered loudly as it looked like the two were leaning forward to kiss.

"Hurry up," Michael suggested, causing another ripple of laughter to flow through the small chapel.

"Ok…those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Michael and Annie have consented together in holy wedlock, and have testified it before God and this company, by the power given to me by God, and the state of Maryland, and in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I do pronounce them man and wife."

"Now?" Michael asked the pastor impatiently.

"Now," the pastor confirmed smiling.

"It's about time," Annie announced relieved, placing her hands on Michael's shoulders as they leaned towards each other. As her lips touched his, his arms snaked around her waist pulling her into his embrace.

Tara unsuccessfully stifled her laughter when their kiss continued until the pastor indiscreetly cleared his throat to get their attention. She glanced at Myles and saw he was having the same problem.

"Can you give us a minute, Pastor Paul?" Michael mumbled before dipping his head to steal another kiss from his new bride. "We'll continue this later," he promised Annie with a smile as he reluctantly set her away from him.

"It's about time," the pastor smiled, copying Annie's earlier words as a faint blush crept up over the couple's cheeks while they held hands waiting for him to finish. "It is my privilege and pleasure to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lane," he announced as they turned towards the congregation, greeted by thunderous applause.

"Go in peace, as two, yet one. May your unity last through all trials and triumphs that lie ahead," the pastor raised his hands over their heads. "Go then, in peace and love, and live more and more in the presence of that love, which in its beauty extends beyond the past and future," he finished as the music started.

Hand in hand, Michael and Annie made their way back down the aisle, their eyes on each other, oblivious to everything around them. Linking her arm in Charles' and holding Aubrey's hand, Danni followed her best friend out of the church.

The future holds so many possibilities, Tara thought as she met Myles in front of the pastor and turned walk down the aisle with him. And it all started because of a little mountain madness, she smiled contently as the strands of music faded behind them.

FADE OUT