Chapter 11: Two weddings
John stood next to his gorgeous Fiancée, he was wearing a dark suit and they were standing in front of the meeting tent on New Athos, it was time for them to be bonded for life and he couldn't be happier. He had loved her since they first met many years ago on Athos. He had no idea whether he wanted an earth ceremony or not, but today he was happy enough to be married according to Athosian tradition.
He was standing in front of an arch half decorated with Athosian Lilies and half decorated with earth lilies. They were joined in the centre by a row of red roses, to signify two people coming together from two separate cultures.
In front of the arch, there was a low table with three candles, the two smaller ones were burning, but the larger one in the middle was not.
Halling stood in front of them, Ronan stood next to Teyla and Rodney stood next to John. There were rows of chairs set up behind them and most of them were filled with either people from Atlantis or the Athosians.
Ronon and Amelia had come to New Athos to celebrate their bonding ceremony with them and in two days they would head to New Sateda to celebrate Ronon and Amelia's wedding. He had been honoured when Ronon had asked him to help officiate the wedding along with Councillor Friall.
Both couples had put their plans on hold due to his allergic reaction to the white berries from CXZ-117. He only wished that Carson could have made it, but apparently, he was dealing with an outbreak of the Red spot and it was the worst that the Doctor had ever seen. But Carson could catch up on proceedings later since a couple of the marines had offered to take video and photos.
Halling stood up and started to speak, "it is my great pleasure today to perform the bonding ceremony for these two people in front of me. The bonding is not to be taken lightly or entered into if you're not one hundred percent committed to the other person."
He looked fondly at Teyla and John, before speaking the next words, "General John Sheppard has agreed to be bonded to Teyla Emmagan for the rest of his days and Teyla Emmagan has agreed to be bonded to General John Sheppard for the rest of her days. If anyone disagrees, speak now or be quiet until the end of your days."
Everyone looked around to see if anyone was about to get in the way of the couple's happiness.
When no one spoke, Halling continued, "I have known Teyla all of her life and she is a mighty warrior, a loving mother and most of all she is a caring friend. I have known General Sheppard for almost seven years now. From the moment I first met him, I knew that he was a man with a keen sense of loyalty, honour, and integrity. Having had a chance to get to know him, he has proved that time and time again not only with his words, but with his actions, so it is a great privilege for me as an elder of the Athosian people to give Teyla to be bonded to this man."
Lorne stood up and spoke on behalf of the Atlantis expedition, "I have had the privilege of knowing Teyla for the last six years and in that time, I have found her to be loyal and faithful, she has a deep sense of honour and integrity, and I am happy to call her friend. It is my deep honour and privilege for me as General Sheppard's second in command to give this man to be bonded to this woman."
John looked at her and a smile lit up his face.
Halling looked up at the happy couple and addressed the crowd, "We now ask a family member to permit for the couple to be bonded. Who gives this man to be bonded to this woman?"
Rodney stood up and addressed Halling," I as the brother give this man to be bonded with this woman." Rodney then took one end of a ribbon and wrapped it around John's wrist.
John smiled at his friend, Rodney and Ronon along with Carson were his brothers in more ways than his real brother Dave had been in a long time, so it was a privilege for him that Rodney would perform the role of his brother on his bonding day.
"Who gives this woman to be bonded to this man?"
Ronon stood up with a look of what could only be described as pride on his face. "I as the brother, give my sister to be bonded to this man." Ronon then took the other end of the ribbon and tied it around Teyla's wrist, so that John and Teyla were tied together.
Halling looked at the couple with a huge grin on his face, "now the couple will recite the bonding pledge to each other, Teyla do you want to go first."
Teyla nodded and began, "I Teyla Emmagan, promise that from this day forward I will be by your side, in good times and bad, in sickness and health till we are parted by death. I declare that my path is no longer my own and that I will share my path with you from now on. I declare my unending love for you John Sheppard, and it will never fail. My solemn vow to you is to be bonded for life."
He looked at her and took a deep breath before beginning, "I John Sheppard, promise that from this day forward I will be by your side, in good times and bad, in sickness and health till we are parted by death. I declare that my path is no longer my own and that I will share my path with you from now on. I declare my unending love for you Teyla Emmagan and it will never fail. My solemn vow to you is to be bonded for life."
A cheer went up once John had finished the pledge. Teyla smiled at him, he knew that he was nervous about remembering the pledge because he didn't want to stuff things up on their bonding day since this was important to him as it was to Teyla.
"The couple will now light the unity candle to signify that two paths have become one."
He stepped forward and picked up the candle in front of her, Teyla did the same with the candle on the other side of the large candle.
They then both lit the unity candle in the middle of the low table. A cheer from the crowd erupted, as the flame on the unity candle took hold.
Halling stood up with his hands outstretched before him, "This couple has agreed to be bonded for life, nothing except death can tear them apart."
They may now express their love for one another.
John closed his eyes and leaned forward to kiss Teyla chastely on the lips. He was so lost in the feeling of his lips on hers, that he never even heard the crowd erupt into laughter and applause
John pulled his lips away from Teyla when he realised that Rodney and Ronon were slapping him on the back.
"Congratulations," Rodney squeaked in a high-pitched tone, shaking his hand and hugging Teyla.
"Well done, Sheppard," Ronon mumbled, slapping him on the back and hugging Teyla.
John whispered in Teyla's ear, "When can we take this ribbon off our wrists."
"Anytime now honey, the ceremony is over," Teyla smiled, as her eyes twinkled.
John was overjoyed, as much as he loved Teyla there was no way that he wanted to be tied up to her all day and night.
Halling took that moment to clear his throat. "Now that this couple has been bonded for life, we have one more thing to take care of. Torren John, will you come and stand by me?"
John watched with pride, as his three-year-old son toddled over to Halling's side.
"Colonel John Sheppard has been by Teyla's side helping raise Torren since he was born. When the child's natural father passed away a year ago, Colonel Sheppard took on that role. Without question, he has loved and cared for this child, as any father should love and care for any child of his own, so it is with great pleasure, as a leader of the Athosian people I hand over this Athosian child to his care. This child is no longer named Torren John Emmagan, but from now on and forever he will be known as Torren John Sheppard."
John felt a lump in his throat as Halling picked Torren up and placed him in his arms, this was a dream come true to him and he was a family man. He looked at his beautiful wife standing next to him in her peach-coloured knee-length dress and the young boy in his arms.
He had no idea he had even wanted to be a husband and a father. His marriage to Nancy had been a complete failure and they had entertained the idea of having kids at one stage, but they just never got around to it; that was probably a good idea given how their relationship ended. Now he was being given a second chance and it was now official, he was completely and fully bonded to Teyla for life. Not only that, but he was also officially recognised as Torren's father on New Athos. Pretty soon it would be official on earth as well, as general O'Neill had promised to get the adoption papers put through as quickly as possible. He was so emotionally overwhelmed that he didn't even notice a tear run down his cheek.
He looked up at Teyla and saw her eyes brimming with tears, he took her hand and asked her, "Are you, okay sweetie?" He couldn't even imagine what she was feeling right now, but the look in her eye gave him a small clue.
She looked at him and smiled, "I have never been so happy honey. This is the best day of my life."
He leant down to kiss her on the lips, "I definitely know how you feel sweetie and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
"They kissing again," Torren commented to Ronon, as he took him from John.
"I know, they must be really in love with each other," Ronon teased with a twinkle in his eye.
"We are and I couldn't be happier," John told him grabbing Teyla's hand.
"Well, I couldn't be happier for you both, Sheppard. I'll take Torren with me for the evening because; apparently, they are serving dinner soon, so you'll be required in the meeting tent shortly."
He nodded and headed off to the meeting tent hand in hand with his beautiful wife. He was really looking forward to tonight because after dinner it was expected that they would consummate the bonding in the unity tent. He certainly didn't have a problem with that, and he knew that Teyla wouldn't have either.
Once they were inside the meeting tent dinner was served, the evening was extremely low key and they didn't have to do much, unlike his wedding reception with Nancy, where he felt like they were on public display.
John had no idea what was going on with everyone else because all he could do for most of the night was stare at the beautiful woman sitting beside him. Every so often Teyla would look at him and smile, this made his heart beat faster.
On one such occasion, he noticed that she was staring back at him, "are you, okay Honey?"
"I'm just wondering when we are going to tell our friends about the baby?"
"Perhaps we can wait until after Ronon and Amelia's wedding."
"I can live with that, but do we have to be here now? Everyone else seems to be having a good time and they're hardly noticing that we're here."
"You read my mind honey. We should leave."
"Do we have to say goodbye, or can we just leave sweetie?"
"No, we are able to leave whenever we want. It is expected that we consummate our bonding before midnight."
He looked at her seductively, "well who am I to argue with the traditions of your people."
Grabbing her hand, they quietly escaped and headed to the unity tent that had been set up for them. He hoped that no one had seen them leave, because the last thing they needed that night was any unwanted visitors.
oOo
The day was sunny and warm when John set foot on New Sateda with Teyla by his side. Today was the day of Ronon and Amelia's wedding and he couldn't be happier for his friends. Lorne, Rodney, Jennifer, some of the marines and air-force personnel were going to come in time for the ceremony.
It had been two days since his and Teyla's bonding ceremony and the morning after the ceremony they had told their friends about the baby. Ronon and Amelia had been happy for them, and John suspected that they would probably be wanting to start a family themselves soon. Lorne had been pleased as well. Jennifer already knew, but when Rodney heard he couldn't quite read what the scientist was thinking. Teyla had told him that Jennifer wanted three or four children and at that moment he wondered whether McKay was up for it. After congratulating them Rodney had just walked off, claiming that he had some important work to do. Jennifer had smiled at them, before following him and at that moment he felt a little sorry for the doc.
Teyla slipping her hand into his brought him back to the present and he took a deep breath before walking down the narrow path in front of him. When he had been here last it had been snowing, he'd been caught in a mudslide and been severely injured. It was now the middle of summer and the day was warm with a gentle breeze in the air. Perfect weather to watch two of his best friends tie the knot. Although he would be doing more than just watching because Ronon and Amelia had asked him to help officiate.
They approached the settlement five minutes later and he was amazed at how the large clearing in front of the newly constructed town hall had been decorated for the wedding. In front of the town hall was a platform with an arch. Decorating the arch were white Roses from Earth and a deep red flower that looked like a poppy. When he had asked Ronon about the flower, Ronon had stated that the Juris flower represented a warrior and their desire to protect their people – quite fitting for Ronon and Amelia.
A long deep red carpet created an aisle leading up to the arch and there were chairs on either side. Some of the chairs were already full, with many Satedans already there, Teyla smiled at him and sat in the front row. The rest of the Atlantis personnel would be coming soon.
The wedding was going to be a mix of Satedan and Earth traditions. Part of the Satedan tradition says that the bride and groom stand alone on their wedding day, so there were no groomsmen or bride's maids. Ronon had insisted on the giving and receiving of rings as per earth tradition because it was important to Amelia. The Satedans did something similar, but rather than rings they swapped swords.
When John arrived Ronon was already standing by the arch talking to Lancelin – another one of the councillors, "General Sheppard," Lancelin said before Shaking his hand.
Ronon was dressed in a dark black suit with a white shirt and deep red tie. His dreadlocks were tied up with a deep red sash.
"Hey Sheppard," Ronon greeted before picking him up in a traditional bear hug.
"How are you feeling Chewie?"
"I'm fine, I've never felt better."
John looked at his friend and he certainly looked relaxed, it was clear that living on New Sateda among his own people was the right thing for him, and he suspected that Amelia was right at home among the Satedans as well. He knew that Amelia had no family on Earth, so perhaps she had found a family among Ronon's people.
A quiet hush came over the gathering when the wedding march began to play; Ronon and Amelia had decided on the traditional earth music, as Amelia had wanted a lot of earth elements in her wedding.
John stood behind Ronon, as his friend watched in anticipation waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle.
He saw Ronon suck in a breath when Amelia began the walk down the aisle. She was dressed in a cream dress, it was made of the most beautiful satin, it was tight fitting to the waist, it was slightly flared at the bottom and its length fell to the floor. It had a sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves. There was beading around the bodice down to the waist. Her hair was piled on the top of her head with wispy curls down the side.
John watched as Friall walked her down the aisle. When they arrived at the arch Friall, placed Amelia's hand in Ronon's.
Part of the Satedan tradition was for a man of importance in society to give the bride away. Quite often it was the bride's father or grandfather.
"You look beautiful." John heard Ronon whisper.
He looked at his friends with a smile and began.
"We are gathered here today in this place, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is a commitment that should not be entered into lightly, so if anyone has just cause to believe that this man and this woman should not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."
When nothing was said, John continued.
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
Friall stood up and answered. "On behalf of the Satedan people, I am honoured, to do so."
He looked out into the sea of faces watching him and took a deep breath. "I have had the privilege of knowing Ronon for over six years now and he is fiercely loyal and does not hesitate to put others in front of himself. Time and again Ronon has saved the life of myself and my team as well as all of Atlantis. I am privileged to call him my friend and brother.
It has also been my privilege to get to know Amelia over the last five years and like Ronon, she is fiercely loyal, and she is willing to put others before herself. She is patient, kind, gentle, and extremely slow to anger and I can think of no one better for Ronon to share his life with.
Over the last few years, it has been my privilege, to watch their love for one another and I consider it a privilege to be officiating this ceremony today. Ronon and Amelia have written their own vows for this occasion. Amelia, would you like to go first?"
Amelia stood before Ronon and held his hand. "Ronon the first time I saw you, I was intrigued by you, and I had the desire to get to know you better, when you spoke to me after Michael had infiltrated Atlantis I knew I was right to want to know you better. You are the love of my life and I promise that I will be beside you through the good times and the bad, in sickness and health. I pray that our lives are long, as I intend to stay by your side forever."
Ronon continued to hold Amelia's hand and looked into her eyes, "the first time I saw you standing in the control room I was interested in you and I wanted to get to know you. I didn't act on that for a long time, because when Sateda was destroyed and I lost Melena, I didn't think that I could ever love another. When Michael infiltrated the city and I got to see your kickboxing moves, I knew that I wanted to get to know you better – I wanted to take a chance on loving someone again. Amelia, I can't live or breathe without you and I promise that I will be beside you through the good times and bad in sickness and health. I pray that even death will not part us, as I intend to be by your side forever." There were tears in both their eyes, by the time he had finished.
In fact, by the time John started to speak again, there were a few stray tears in his eyes – although he'd probably tell anyone who commented that there was dust in his eyes, "this couple have vowed to live together, as husband and wife. They will seal that proclamation with the giving and receiving of rings. Ronon, will you go first?"
Ronon nodded and took the ring off John.
"Amelia, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity. All that I have and all that I am is yours." Ronon slid the ring onto Amelia's finger with a huge smile.
Amelia took the ring off John and held Ronon's hand again.
"Ronon, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity to you. All that I have and all that I am is yours." Amelia slid the ring onto Ronon's finger, and a smile lit up her face.
There were no marriage certificates to be signed on Sateda, so he turned to the audience and smiled. "By the power vested in me, by the air force, Stargate command and on behalf of councillor Friall. I now pronounce you husband and wife." He looked at Ronon and raised his eyebrow. "You may now kiss your bride."
Ronon leaned down and pulled Amelia in for a kiss. The crowd erupted in applause, and they pulled apart. "Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce to you, Mr Ronon and Mrs Amelia Dex.
John couldn't believe it, when he'd met Ronon seven years ago he never expected his friend to find love and a home among his own people. It still made him feel a little sad when he thought about the fact that he didn't see the big man every day.
Now there was only one person left on his team to get married and he wondered whether Rodney and Jennifer would be tying the knot anytime soon, Given Rodney's reaction to his baby news, he seriously doubted it.
He looked up to find that the crowd had dissipated and it was only him and Teyla still in the courtyard.
Ronon and Amelia had gone off to take some wedding photos and the rest of the crowd had gone home.
Satedan tradition stated that the bride and groom would spend the rest of the day and evening alone, before having a feast with those closest to them the next day. That meant that he and Teyla could go home for the rest of the afternoon. He knew that he had a lot of paperwork to do, so he might as well get back to Atlantis and get on with it.
"Are you ready to go home Teyla?"
"Yes and then I must get back to work."
"Me too, he commented."
Taking Teyla's hand they began the short walk back to the stargate, enjoying the sunshine together.
TBC…