Hi all!

I am so sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. There are a million excuses, mainly that I got real busy with the holidays and then I got sick. But I think I am back on track and I plan to get this story up more quickly from here on out.

Like I said before, this is all fluff and fun (what can I say, it's the time of year for that :) )

Enjoy!

Failte


Tristan tried not to smile as Cady fidgeted nervously beside him. She had dress conservatively in a shell pink pant suit. Her hair was pulled back in a French braid and she wore a strand of pearls with matching earrings. At the moment, her fingers were nervously twisting the pearls while she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

"You okay?" He whispered.

"What?" She jolted.

"I asked if you were okay, you seem…out of sorts."

"That's a silly thing to say, of course I'm fine."

"You're very fidgety."

"I am not."

He slid his arm around her shoulders only to have her jump out of his reach.

"You're going to wrinkle my jacket," she murmured.

He leaned over and whispered into her ear. "You better be over all this nervousness after the wedding because I am going to touch you, a lot, on our honeymoon."

A pleasant pink colored her cheeks and Tristan smiled as he stood upright again.

They were in Castle Control waiting for the ship that carried some members of Tristan's family as well as Owen from Terra. He was excited about them coming, but at the same time he couldn't wait for it all to be over. The pressure of the wedding and getting married was starting to wear on Cady and he worried about her. Judging from her pale appearance and circles under her eyes, he knew she wasn't sleeping well. She had become jumpy and nervous, worrying about every little thing. Whenever he offered to help, she would smile and tell him he was sweet, but it would be easier if she just did it herself. And to make matters worse, Nicky was giving her the cold shoulder because he was angry she was moving out of the castle.

He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, offering silent support.

The door slid open and Keith and Allura walked in.

"We heard their ship was in Arusian airspace," Keith said, walking over to the main console.

"Yes sir, they should be landing in about ten minutes," Tristan told him.

Allura put her arm around Cady's shoulders and gave them a quick squeeze. "This is so exciting!"

"Yeah, it is."

The queen smiled and whispered in her daughter's ear, "Just get through this week and it will all be over. You'll look back on all this nervousness and stress and laugh."

"I hope so," Cady mumbled out of the corner of her mouth.

"They're touching down," Keith announced, coming to stand beside the others.

Tristan smiled when he felt Cady's hand tighten around his own.

A few moments later, the door slid open.

"Be careful with that, if you drop it I will be so angry!"

"I won't drop it, Josie, everything is fine."

"It's fragile, Vince."

"I know that. If it has come this far without breaking, I promise not to break it now that we're here."

Vince and Josie Alexander swept through door. Tristan's father wore a long, black coat over an expensive dark suit and he carried a large, elaborately wrapped box. Just ahead of him was his wife wrapped in furs.

"Mom, Dad, how are you?" Tristan asked stepping forward to greet them.

"Tristan! Darling! It is so wonderful to see you again! You look so good." Josie gave her son a quick hug and an air kiss over both cheeks. "Where is my daughter-to-be?"

Vince shifted the box he carried under his left arm and shook his son's hand. "Good to see you, again, Tristan."

"You too, Dad. Where's Gran?"

"Owen is helping her out of the ship."

"Mom, Dad, you remember Cady's parents, Keith and Allura and, of course, Cady."

Josie hugged and air kissed each of them while Vince shook hands with Keith and hugged the two women.

"Tristan!"

The groom-to-be looked over his mother's head and saw his best friend enter the room, helping his grandmother. "Owen!"

"There's no need to shout, boys," Iona Alexander declared.

"Grandmother, it's so good to see you again," Tristan greeted her, kissing her cheek.

"And you, dear. Now where is this lovely bride of yours?" Iona slipped her hand from Owen's arm to Tristan's.

He couldn't help but notice that she seemed frail, a lot more so since the last time he had seen her a year before. "How are you?"

"It feels good to be on solid ground again. I would like to rest and then you can show me this planet you're now calling home."

"Oh, of course." Allura rushed over. "How rude of us. We'll take you right to your room. Would you like anything? Something to drink or eat?"

"No, thank you, dear, just a comfortable place to rest my tired bones."

"If you will all come with me, I'll show you where you're staying and you can get settled in," the Queen announced. "Your bags will be brought up shortly."

"How're you doing, man?" Owen whispered as Keith and Allura led Tristan's parents and grandmother out of the room.

"I'm doing great," Tristan whispered back. "But Cady…well…"

"I'm fine," the Princess snapped.

"Cady, Cady, Cady." Owen crossed over to her, taking her hands. "Why do you still insist on marrying this loser when you could have me?"

She seemed to smile against her will. "Because he asked first."

"Is that all? Well, geez, if I'd have known that was the only reason, I would have asked when I first saw you."

Cady grinned despite herself and threw her arms around him in a welcoming hug. "I'm so glad you could come, Owen."

"So am I." He offered her his arm. "I'm not as tired as the old folk are so why don't you give me a tour of this place."

"I would love to." She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.

"Why don't I tag along," Tristan said, nonchalantly, taking Cady's hand and tugging her away from his friend. "I would hate to show up at the alter only to have my woman run off with some Terran jerk."

"Hey!" Owen snapped. "You're a Terran jerk."

"Nope, I'm Arusian now."

"Oh, honey," Cady sighed. "You'll always be a Terran jerk to me."

Owen laughed out loud. "Cady, please tell me you have a sister."

"I have two, but they are way too young for you."

"Yeah, but she has a couple of brothers just the right age for you." Tristan teased.

"I think he's more Gideon's type than Declan's," Cady mused.

Tristan shook his head. "Nah, Gideon's too laid back for him. Dec would offer more of a challenge for him."

"Excuse me, but could you please not try to set me up with your brothers," Owen interrupted. "As flattered as I am that you think I would make a good companion for a Prince, I'm not really interested."

"And what do you have against my brothers?" Cady asked indignantly.

"Nothing, I'm sure they're very nice, handsome young men, but they aren't my type, what with them being men and all."

Tristan shook his head. "You always were too picky, Owen."

"It will probably be my downfall," he agreed. "But I just can't settle for less."

"Come on." Cady slipped her arm through his again. "We'll start with the castle and then we'll bundle up and show you the grounds."

"And then we'll introduce you to the twins and you can pick one then," Tristan added.


"Sunny?"

"Hm?"

"I was thinking about Tristan's bachelor party."

"What about it?"

"The twins want a stripper…"

"Cady would kill you and then I would kick your corpse."

Erik chuckled quietly. He was lounging back on his bed, watching an old movie on the televiewer while Sky was curled up beside him, her head on his shoulder and a new book in her hand. It was just a lazy, snowy afternoon that had led them both in search of warmth. Figment was running around his room, entertaining herself with the array of toys scattered across the floor.

He ran his hand down her hair. "Would you really kick my corpse?"

"If you brought a stripper into the castle and ogled her? Yes." Sky turned a page.

"What are you planning for Cady's bachelorette party?"

"It's not so much a bachelorette party as it is a tasteful bridal shower with tasteful food and stupid games."

"That sounds boring."

"It will be. But then Brina is getting the wine and I'm getting the chocolate and Lynnai is getting the porno and the four of us are going to celebrate her wedding and naked men in my room after the shower."

Erik stopped stroking her hair, not sure if she was being serious or not.

Sky set the book aside and rolled over onto her stomach so she could look down at him. "I was kidding. Lynnai doesn't have the nerve to rent or buy a porno. She's bringing the chocolate, I'm getting the movie."

"So, what you're saying is that the night before the wedding there will be a room of drunk beautiful women down the hall?"

"I doubt we'll get drunk, maybe tipsy. But have you seen Cady lately? She's so stressed out and worked up, she won't be sleeping and she won't want to be alone the night before."

Erik lifted his head and gave her a quick kiss. "Sunny?"

She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. "Hm?"

"I talked to Keith earlier. We're cleared for our trip to Pollux. I thought we could leave the weekend after the wedding."

"Sounds good to me."

"I was thinking we could stay a week."

"Can I bring Figment or should I ask my parents to keep her?"

"We can't just leave the baby, she needs to go to Pollux and get to know her other grandparents."

Sky lifted her head and smiled down at him. "You big softie."

"Yeah, what can I say, I'm just a big teddy bear."

"What are you really doing for Tristan's Bachelor party?"

"I can't tell you, it's a guy thing."

"What if I tortured you?"

"I'd enjoy it."

"You will be tasteful and mature about it, right?"

"Not if I can help it."

"All I'm saying is that Cady is a wreck right now and if you do anything to ruin her wedding, I will kill you."

"What could we possibly do to ruin the wedding?"

Sky poked him in the chest with her finger. "If the groom shows up hungover, or worse yet, drunk, you'll have to answer to me."

"Yes, Ma'am. So, what are we giving them for a present?"

"Excuse me?"

"Didn't you get them a wedding present from us?"

"I got them a present from me."

"Can I sign the card?"

"Sure. But you'll have to pay for half."

"Deal. What are we giving them?"

"A crystal vase."

"Sounds boring."

"It's very pretty and Cady picked it out specifically. The fun stuff she's getting after the shower."

Erik ran his fingers up and down her back. "Did you get any fun stuff?"

"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean."

He slipped his hand under her sweatshirt and tickled her back. "I'm sure you do."

"I should go get ready for dinner."

"What?"

"Tristan's family is here and we're joining them for dinner." She rolled over and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "I should go get ready."

"Or you could just stay here and make out with your boyfriend."

"I could, but I have to change."

"Does that mean I have to change too?"

Sky stood and turned to look at him, taking in the jeans and old Pollux Pandemonium sweatshirt he wore. "Yes."

He scowled. "I'm not the one trying to impress the family."

"No, but you are a groomsman, so you can dress nicely for Tristan's sake."

Grumbling good naturedly, Erik sat up and ran his hand through the thick, dark blonde hair he had allowed to grow a little too long. "The things we do for friendship."

"And love," she added, leaning over to kiss him. "If you're good, I'll meet you back here later and make out with you."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"All right, then I guess I can clean myself up."

"Thanks, hon, I appreciate that."

Erik grabbed her hand before she could get too far and pulled her back. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he took her hand and danced her around in a small circle. "I am going to show you such a good time when we get to Pollux."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yup. We're going to dine and dance, catch a game or two, check out the new museum, see a show."

"You don't have to do all that," she said, resting her check against his shoulder. "I just want to be with you."

"You will. We're going to spend so much time together, you'll be sick of me by the end of the week."

"Yeah, probably."

Chuckling, Erik released her. "I guess we should get ready for dinner."

Sky threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. "Love you, Erik."

"Love you too," he murmured, wrapping his arms tightly around her. "But do you love me enough to skip dinner?"

"Nope." She pulled herself from his arms. "Get dressed."

Sky could tell as soon as she entered the Observation Deck that everyone had been lectured to be on their best behavior. The younger children were standing around, fiddling with ties or skirts, rather than running around, chasing each other. Even the twins were dressed nicely and talking quietly with Owen.

"Schuyler." Josie Alexander greeted her with an air kiss over each cheek. "It's so wonderful to see you again. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Alexander, thank you. How are you?"

"Please, darling, call me Josie. I'm doing very well, thank you. You look lovely. Will we be seeing your handsome fiancé tonight?"

"Yes, Ma'am, he should be here any minute now."

"How is he doing?"

"He's great."

"Who's great?" Erik asked, appearing at her side.

"You are. You remember Tristan's mother, Josie."

"Of course, it's a pleasure to see you again, Ma'am."

Josie took his hands. "Erik, you look great. How are you?"

"I am great, Ma'am, I'm working and I have Sky. Things couldn't be better. How are you? How was your flight?"

"I'm just fine. The flight was long, but nice. I love my son with all my heart, but this is not a trip I'll be able to make often. I hope you all will come back and visit again soon."

"I'm sure we will, Ma'am."

"Oh, Cady, you look lovely!" Josie exclaimed, clasping her hands together.

Sky and Erik both turned to see Cady entering the room on Tristan's arm. Her hair was pulled back with jeweled combs, falling just past her shoulders in golden curls. Dressed in a blue silk suit with a knee length skirt, she looked mature and beautiful. Tristan looked a bit more casual in dark blue slacks and an Irish knit sweater.

"You both look so wonderful," she gushed, hugging her son and future daughter-in-law.

"Thank you, Josie," Cady said.

"She's a nervous wreck," Sky whispered to Erik.

"How can you tell?"

"She's hardly talking and she keeps twisting her ring."

"I've never known Cady to be nervous before."

"You've never known her to be getting married before."

"Good point."

"Excuse me." A young maid stood in the doorway. "Dinner is being served in the dining room."

The leaves had been put into the dining room table, extending it to its full length. Keith and Allura sat at either end of the lavishly set table. In between sat Declan, Gideon, Cady, Tristan, Owen, Erik, Sky, Vince, Josie, and Iona. The younger children sat at a smaller table set up in the corner of the room where Tess pouted, angry at still having to sit at the 'kiddie' table.

"Oh, this is just lovely," Josie gushed taking in the gold edged china and sparkling crystal.

"Before we eat, I'd like everyone to raise their glasses in a toast," Keith announced, raising his own glass.

The twins groaned in unison.

Ignoring them, Keith toasted. "This is a very exciting time for us, we are about to enlarge our family as we welcome Tristan and his family into our own. With all that has happened over the past year, I would like to give thanks for the fact that we are all here, healthy and happy, to celebrate this wedding together. We am very proud of all Cady has become and done and I know I speak for Allura as well when I say we're thrilled that she has found such a good man as she has in Tristan. Here's too many happy, healthy years together!"

Around the table everyone tipped their glasses and tapped them against their neighbor's in agreement.

Gideon checked his watch. "Wow, Dad, thirty-four seconds, I think that's your shortest toast yet."

"No," Declan corrected him. "Christmas, three years ago, was the shortest."

"He had laryngitis," Cady pointed out. "He couldn't speak."

"Exactly."

"Let's have a big family, she says," Keith mumbled sarcastically under his breath. "It'll be great, a lot of children, we'll be blessed."

Allura patted his hand and smiled. "We have been blessed, with four wonderful children and the twins."

"It must have been…exciting to have such a large family," Josie said as the first course was served.

"Yeah, exciting," Cady muttered.

Allura smiled and shook her head. "Well, it's certainly never boring around here."

"So how are the plans for the wedding coming? Is everything ready?" Tristan's mother asked.

"Just about." Allura looked at her daughter. "You have one more meeting with the florist tomorrow, right?"

"Uh, yes, they have put together three centerpieces based on the flowers I…we have chosen, and I have to pick the one I…we like," Cady said.

"Oh, can I come along?" Josie asked. "I would love to have a look at the flowers."

"Oh, uh, yeah, that'd be fine." The Princess stammered.

Tristan reached under the table and laid his hand on her knee, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

"It'll be fun," Allura spoke up. "We'll make a day of it."

"And what is this I've heard about a house?" Vince asked.

"Keith and Allura have generously given us a plot of land not far from here for us to build a house," Tristan explained. "We'll take you there and show you."

"That would be nice. Have you given any thought as to what it will look like?" Josie inquired.

"We just found out about it a couple of days ago, Mom, and we've been busy with the wedding. We'll start planning when we get back from the honeymoon." He explained.

Declan snorted. "Then I guess you haven't seen Cady's collection of house plan magazines."

"It never hurts to look and start planning," Tristan said, coming to his fiancée's defense.

"Declan, Gideon, what did we discuss earlier?" Keith asked.

"Don't pick on Cady until after the wedding, she has enough to deal with as it is," Declan grumbled.

"Hey, I didn't say anything, I'm the good twin, remember?" Gideon asked, defensively.

"The good twin/evil twin thing is all a myth," Cady said. "Especially when both twins are just plain evil."

"Really, a big family would be great," Keith muttered, picking up his glass of wine.