Fifteenth February. Hawke's Cabin.

Hawke scowled at the reflection in the mirror and wondered at the mess he'd made of his tie. He pulled it apart and took a deep breath as he started over. He frowned; it wasn't going well.

'Here let me help you with that.'

The voice at the bedroom door made him spin around with his heart beating loudly in his chest. He swallowed his disappointment as his eyes alighted on Michael. The spy was dressed in a charcoal suit that matched the one Hawke was partially dressed in. It was weird seeing Michael in something other than the all-white suit he favoured.

The spy frowned. 'Are you OK? You look like you've just seen a ghost.'

'I'm fine.' Hawke said turning back to the mirror. He sighed and gestured at the half-completed tie. 'Apart from this.'

Michael walked over and pulled the pale grey silk until it was flat and straight. He fixed the tie quickly and gestured for Hawke to take a look.

The pilot glanced at the perfect knot and breathed out in relief. 'Thanks, Michael.'

The spy shrugged and glanced around the spare room. His lips twitched. 'You spent the night here?'

'We thought we'd stick with tradition; you know, spend the night apart; not see each other until the ceremony.' Hawke slipped into the dark charcoal jacket and checked the cuffs of his crisp white shirt.

'And you got relegated to the spare room?' Michael's voice rang with amusement.

Hawke brushed some lint off his lapel. 'Cait needs the main bedroom more than I do.'

'So you haven't seen each other this morning at all?' Michael was sceptical.

Hawke shook his head and smiled at Michael's disbelief. 'We had a close call around breakfast but Maggie's pretty good at orchestrating everyone so we haven't run into each other.' He glanced over at Michael. 'Where's Angelina?'

'Outside with Marella.' Michael said. 'She can't wait to be a flower girl. She's been practising throwing petals all morning.'

Hawke smiled at the indulgent tone in the other man's voice. Michael had turned into a doting father since they had returned from Russia with his daughter.

'How's your leg holding up?' Michael asked. Hawke had been discharged from the hospital the day before and whilst the pilot always healed fast, Michael knew the other man had to be in some pain.

'It's fine.' Hawke said dismissively. The knife wound was still sore but he had endured worse.

Michael arched an eyebrow as the other man clearly limped over to the bedside table to retrieve his watch. 'Ready?'

Hawke took a final glance at his reflection. 'Ready.' He agreed.

Michael held up a hand. 'Maybe I should check if the coast is clear first.'

Hawke rolled his eyes. 'Funny, Michael.'

They headed out through the corridor that led to the main living space of the cabin. Hawke's eyes widened with pleasure as he took in the transformation. There were petals strewn across the wooden floor; flowers spilled from vases on practically every surface and their heavy perfume scented the air. The furniture had been arranged to provide cosy corners and seating areas whilst the dining table was laden with food and drink for their guests. The wedding cake was set back on its own table complete with the tiny figures of a bride and groom perched on the top layer. Someone had music playing on the stereo and the gentle piano sonata set the mood perfectly.

Hawke felt Michael's hand on his shoulder and he moved forward slowly, taking his time on his injured leg.

Michael saw the way Hawke's jaw clenched and resisted the urge to offer his cane; Hawke probably needed it more than he did right that moment. He followed Hawke out onto to the porch. More flowers trailed over the railings and posts, down over the steps.

Hawke paused for a moment to get his balance and his breath caught in his throat. Sunlight lit the clearing with a golden glow; the lake was a startlingly clear reflection of the sunshine and bright blue sky. Pots of white and yellow flowers edged the pier and the clearing. A path of petals led them from the cabin to the wooden platform where Caitlin and he would exchange their vows. Caitlin's mother had taken charge of the last minute arrangements so Caitlin could stay with Hawke at the hospital. She had outdone herself, Hawke mused with a sense of awe.

They must have moved the choppers already, thought Hawke, which meant all their guests had arrived. It was a small group; Caitlin's immediate family and a few of their close friends. He caught sight of Half-pint, the boy he'd once believed to be his nephew, playing with Caitlin's nieces and nephews, and Angelina over by the woods. Tet, his dog, was guarding the pathway to the forest as though babysitting the children and ensuring they wouldn't stray. Hawke's eyes drifted forward to where Half-pint's mother was standing talking to Caitlin's sisters-in-law, past Marella and Jo Santini talking with the judge who would perform the ceremony and onto where Caitlin's grandfather and Doc stood talking with Caitlin's brothers, Brian and Callum. His blue eyes darkened with envy at the closeness of the two men. His eyes clouded; he missed Saint John. He shook off the touch of melancholy. It wasn't a day for regrets or sadness.

'There you two are.'

Hawke turned to smile at Dom as he walked out to join him and Michael on the porch steps. The older man grinned back at him.

'You ready, kid?' Dom asked.

Hawke nodded. 'I'm ready.'

'Aren't you supposed to be nervous?' Michael asked.

'Why would I be nervous?' Hawke asked as he took the glass of champagne Dom offered him.

'Because it would prove you were human,' answered Michael, 'contrary to all our beliefs.'

Hawke smiled in answer and took a sip of champagne. He had to admit, he mused, that he was surprised at his own lack of nerves. He'd woken up without any doubts or uncertainties; just a quiet certainty that his marrying Caitlin was right. The surety of what he was doing had stayed with him throughout the morning. Hawke tugged on the pale grey tie.

Michael hid a smile and cleared his throat. 'I have a wedding present for you.'

Hawke raised an eyebrow. 'Oh?'

'I've arranged to have the marriage record sealed.' Michael explained. 'If someone runs a routine background check or even investigates the official records, there will be no way they will find out about your marriage and be able to target Caitlin.'

'Thanks, Michael.' Hawke said sincerely.

'It doesn't keep her completely safe.' Michael said apologetically. 'If someone's serious enough to come after you…your marriage will be easily uncovered.'

Hawke shrugged. 'It doesn't hurt either. It's a nice thought.' He patted Michael's shoulder.

Dom smiled at the spy. It was a thoughtful gift to give Hawke; he'd lost so many people in his life to do something that helped keep Caitlin safe…

'You know if someone had told me when we made our deal that two years later you would still have Airwolf and I would be stood at your wedding, I would have accused them of being crazy.' Michael said.

'Me too.' Dom said with a laugh.

'You two agreeing with each other?' Hawke smiled. 'We have come a long way.'

The three men smiled at one another.

Dom sighed happily. 'I have to admit,' he said, 'two years ago I never thought I'd see the day you'd walk down the aisle.'

Hawke sipped his champagne. 'I hadn't met Caitlin.'

'Ah it was a good day when you met that girl.' Dom said.

'I'll drink to that.' Michael raised his champagne glass. 'To the bride.'

The sound of their clinking glasses mingled with the music drifting from the cabin.

Hawke heard a throat being cleared behind them and he turned to smile at Maggie. He gestured at the scene in front of them. 'Thanks, Maggie. It looks great.'

Caitlin's mother smiled and smoothed the dove grey silk dress she wore. 'You haven't seen Caitlin yet.' She waved them forward. 'You should take your places.'

Hawke nodded and handed the champagne glass to Dom who quickly took it back inside before coming back out to help Hawke down the steps whilst Michael corralled his daughter ready for her part in the wedding.

The judge stood with his back to the lake at the edge of the deck. His twinkling brown eyes welcomed Hawke as he took his place in front of the silver haired man. Dom grinned beside him as his best man and Michael stood as his second. The other guests gathered around in an informal circle leaving a wide gap for the bride and her father to walk through.

The music changed and they all turned to look at the porch steps. Angelina was the first to walk down them. Hawke's eyes flickered with indulgent amusement to Michael's proud expression as the little girl made her way towards them, grabbing and distributing yellow and cream petals that matched her dress from a small white wicker basket.

Fiona was the next, quickly followed by Erin and Hawke held his breath as he waited for Caitlin. She moved into view on the porch, an arm tucked into her father's. The halter neck dress left her shoulders and back bare and fell in a slim column of pale cream silk to her feet. The material was shot through with a thin gold thread that shimmered in the sunlight. A cream wool shawl, draped over her arms, provided her with some protection against the slight breeze that teased at her dress and she held a bouquet of gold and cream roses in her hand. Her hair was up in some complicated do that Hawke figured would take him a minute to destroy later but she'd left tendrils curling around her face and neck which the sunlight turned to copper. She looked beautiful. His stunned blue eyes finally connected with hers and they smiled at each other.

Their eyes held as Patrick escorted her to Hawke's side, letting her go with a paternal kiss. Hawke took her hand and interlinked their fingers as the judge began the wedding ceremony.

'We are gathered here today to witness the union between this man and this woman…'

'…do you Stringfellow Hawke take Caitlin O'Shaunessy to be your wife? To have and to hold, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, from this day forward for as long as you both shall live?'

'I do.' Hawke said solemnly.

'…And do you Caitlin O'Shaunessy take Stringfellow Hawke to be your husband? To have and to hold, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, from this day forward for as long as you both shall live?'

'I do.' Caitlin's joy rang out clearly.

'The rings?' The judge prompted.

The couple turned to Dom who smiled at them before catching on that it was time for him to handover the jewellery. There was a quiet chuckle around the gathering as he patted his pockets and lost the smile before finding the rings in the third pocket he tried. He handed them to the judge.

Hawke's voice was steady as he completed his vows and slipped the plain gold band onto her finger; it glinted as she slipped the matching wedding ring on Hawke's finger; his eyes held hers as she completed her vows.

'…I now pronounce you man and wife.'

Hawke reached over to kiss Caitlin softly on the lips. There was an eagle cry overhead and a throat cleared behind them. Hawke felt Caitlin's curve under his own. They broke apart and thanked the judge before they were swept into ebullient hugs of congratulations.

The day seemed to pass quickly; there was food and laughter, cake and dancing…Hawke and Caitlin took a moment to sit and watch the others from the porch steps wrapped in each other's arms.

Caitlin sighed and settled back against Hawke's chest. She raised her hand and stared in disbelief at the wedding ring which glinted as the sunlight caught the gold. She thought about pinching herself. She had never thought she'd be sitting with him as his wife. She smiled and repressed the urge to giggle.

'What's so funny?' He asked catching the laughter in her eyes.

'Oh nothing.' She said and his arms tightened around her. She felt his lips against her bare shoulder and shivered.

'Have I told you how beautiful you look, Mrs Hawke?'

Caitlin smiled. 'Mrs Hawke.' She repeated. 'I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of hearing that.'

Hawke kissed her. 'Me either,' he admitted. 'I love you, Mrs Hawke.'

'I love you too.'

They were smiling as Patrick suddenly left the makeshift dance floor they'd laid out in the clearing and bounded up the steps past them to disappear inside. The music stopped and Patrick reappeared with a tray of drinks. The champagne was handed out as Patrick called for order. Hawke smiled at Caitlin's confusion remembering how Patrick and Dom had conspired to do a speech at the abandoned camping trip.

Patrick cleared his throat. 'Now I know the happy couple didn't plan speeches into the day but as the father of the bride, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity and with a little help from the best man…' he smiled at Dom. Hawke shot his friend a knowing look and Dom smiled smugly back at the younger pilot.

'…we've come up with something but I promise I'll make it quick.' Patrick smiled at the couple; at Caitlin's delight and Hawke's amused resignation.

'So,' Patrick continued, 'the first thing is to welcome Hawke to our family,' his smile broadened at his new son-in-law's surprise, 'and to thank him for making sure Maggie can stop worrying about whether Caitlin would ever get married.'

There was a smattering of chuckles and Maggie wagged a finger at him promising retribution later.

'We have to admit Caitlin's choice of groom did provoke some discussion in the family but,' Patrick held Hawke's gaze, 'it's difficult to argue with the choice she's made; an honest, good man who any family would be proud to have as an addition.' His lips twitched at the colour in Hawke's cheeks and his gaze slid to his daughter. 'I'm reliably informed by Dominic that Hawke's own parents would have been proud of the choice he's made in his bride and as her father, I can hardly argue.' Caitlin smiled up at him. 'They make a good match and I think there is no doubt in those of us who have had the privilege in sharing in your wedding day that you share a special bond, a love that blesses you both.' Patrick tried to clear the lump his throat. 'So, everyone raise their glasses please and join me in a toast; to Hawke and Caitlin, the bride and groom.'

The shout rang out across the lake as Hawke kissed his wife: 'To the bride and groom.'