Disclaimer: JER/NBC own characters

Julian cradled Eve's limp body. His poor darling...the shock had been too much for her.

"Eve, wake up, my love. I'm here now...everything is going to be all right." He held her close to him, rocking her gently. "I know you are still upset for the way I left. I promise to spend the rest of our lives making it up to you." Julian pressed a kiss on her brow.

Eve's eyelids began to flutter. "What..what happened?" she asked, trying to focus on the man who held her.

"You fainted, my love," Julian explained. "Are you all right?"

She suddenly remembered where she was, and who she was with. Julian!

"You...you were a giant. How can you be here--a normal man? And a lord, no less?" Eve shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

"I told you that the curse had been broken, Eve. You saved me." Julian gazed at her lovingly.

"And you were heartless, Julian. That last day we were together... the cruel things you said.." Eve struggled to free herself from Julian's embrace, but his strong arms refused to release her. "You brought me back to Harmony, when all I wanted was to be with you."

"Do you not see that I did it out of love for you? We could never be husband and wife in the proper sense, nor could you have any children by me. I could not deprive you of that, Eve."

"I wanted to be with you, Julian. Do you think I cared about those things? I would have been happy just being with you." She turned away from his probing eyes. "You made the choice for me."

Julian held her closer still. "My darling, I could not be that selfish. I held you against your will...in a golden cage. Then I warned you not to run from me. How could I be so thoughtless as to keep you from loving a man, in every way?"

"I wanted to be with you, Julian. Those other...things did not matter to me." She closed her eyes, fighting the tears that threatened.

"Look at me, Eve."

"No."

Julian gently turned her face to his, wincing at the pain etched on her beautiful features. Pain that he was responsible for.

"When I first took you captive, Eve... I saw a breathtakingly beautiful woman that I could keep forever with me to ease the torment of my abominable form. You fought against me, but I would have none of it. If I was to be damned to the body of a powerful giant, then I would use that power to keep you. I closed my ears to your tears and pleas to go home. Even though I knew it was wrong.

"That first time you tried to escape me...it was as if all the goodness went out of my world. It was almost like being cursed all over again. I could not let you leave..I could not conceive of being alone again."

"Yet you forced me to leave when I wanted to stay." Eve shook her head. "You told me that you wanted to be alone."

"How can I make you understand that I loved you so much that I had to let you go? I could not keep you from the things that all women want."

"Have you ever been a woman? Have you? How dare you try to think for me. I knew what I wanted, but you chose to take it away!"

"You told me that you wanted children one day, did you not?"

"I also said that if I could not have them with you, then that was all right! Don't try to use my words against me, Lord Crane."

"Eve...why are we arguing like this? I am holding you in my arms, something we both never thought would happen." Julian pressed a kiss just above her temple. "My darling, I do not want any discord between us."

She closed her eyes, Julian's kiss affecting her. "You hurt me, Julian."

"And you greeted my reveal with a hearty slap, my love. We shall call it a draw." Julian began to spread kisses across her forehead. "Say you'll forgive me, Eve...for capturing you...for my harsh words...for everything," he whispered in her ear.

His warm breath sent shivers down her spine. "Julian..." she moaned, breathless.

"Say you forgive me...say you'll stay with me for the rest of our lives." Julian blew softly in her ear. ""Say you'll spend forever with me." He pulled the ring from his pocket. "Dr. Eve Johnson, will you marry me?"

"Yes, Julian. I will marry you," Eve said, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness. Julian lifted her in the air, overwhelmed with anticipation of the wonderful life they would soon share.

"I never thought that I would be looking down on you," Eve laughed. She squealed as Julian hugged her tightly. "Julian, I can't breathe!"

"Oh, then let me put you down, my love. You not breathing is something I don't want." Julian smiled. "However, I have no problem with taking your breath away," he said, bringing her close to him and capturing her lips in a deep kiss.

"Tonight we'll be married?"

"If it is your wish," he said.

She nodded and smiled. "It is my fondest wish .I can't wait to be your wife. To be with you and love you in every way."

Julian's heart raced. He couldn't wait, either. "Let's find Father Lonigan and tell the assembled they are invited to a wedding." He twirled her around.

"The whole village will witness our wedding?" Eve gasped.

"I want the whole world to know how much I love you, Eve, and to share in the joy of us," Julian smiled.

Eve wiped her eyes, overcome. "I never thought that we could be together like this, Julian. This is a dream come true."

He nuzzled her neck. "I have dreamt before of us being man and wife, Eve. It was perfect."

"You have?" Eve found it hard to concentrate with Julian's warm lips upon her neck.

"We were married--" Julian encircled her waist with his hands, still kissing her neck--" and dancing. So very much in love."

"I dreamed about us too, Julian. Only, dancing was a bit more challenging for us--I held onto your finger," Eve chuckled.

"It will not be difficult tonight, my love. Let us go back...we have unfinished business, you and I." Julian kissed her soundly on the lips, and led her down the path towards the estate.

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The page returned to the grand staircase. Beside him stood two trumpeters, and they blew to capture the throng's attention.

"I hereby announce the entrance of Lord Crane...and his intended." Stunned to silence for a moment, the villagers began to chatter excitedly about the surprise news. Who could it be, everyone wondered. And why so sudden?

Grace turned to Samuel. "How strange is this? Lord Crane invites everyone to a masque, gives away gold, whisks Eve away--this is a most unusual evening! And come to think of it, where is Eve?"

"I haven't seen her, " Samuel said. "She has been gone for quite a while."

"And alone with Lord Crane. I know he is our host, but we do not know him, and neither does Eve. I'm worried Samuel."

"I'll look for her Grace--" Samuel spotted Lord Crane, and next to him, a female figure. He was no longer dressed as a pirate, but in a laced vest and ruffled shirt, complete with breeches. His bride-to-be stood next to him, clad in a deep purple low-cut gown, a wreath of flowers adorning her head.

"Oh my Lord!" Grace gasped. "Eve!" Lord Crane was marrying Eve! "Samuel, what is going on? Eve is marrying Lord Crane? She barely knows him!"

"I have no idea, Grace. We need to talk with her and find out why she is doing such a thing," Samuel declared, grabbing Grace's hand and striding purposely toward Lord Crane and Eve.

"Excuse me, Lord Crane, may I have a word with Eve."

Julian smiled down at Grace. "Of course."

Eve touched his arm. "I'll be right back."

Samuel followed but Grace stopped him. "I think it would be better if I spoke with Eve alone."

"Alright."

Grace took Eve's hand and led her off to a quiet corner in the vast room. "Eve, what is this?" Grace asked, her face stricken with confusion. "You were speaking of a great love you had and lost, and now you're marrying some Lord you met just minutes ago. You can't marry him, Eve. He is a stranger."

"Grace, there is nothing strange about Lord Crane."

"I know I love him."

"How?"

"How do you know you love Samuel. There are some things a woman just knows." Eve took her friend's hand. "Tell me you'll stand up with me when I become Lady Crane."

"Eve..." Grace groaned. "I don't know about this."

"Grace."

"You're heartbroken. Then, along comes this wealthy man, and you're marrying him. Eve, this won't make you forget about the man you love."

"You're right, it won't, because I'm marrying the man I love. Lord Crane."

"I don't understand this."

Eve squeezed her hand. "I do, and I'm certain. I want to spend my life here with the man I love. So, will you stand up with me."

"If you're sure."

Eve nodded. "I'm very sure." She brought Grace into a hug. "Thank you so much. This night will be the happiest of my life."

Sam stared hard at Lord Crane. "Eve is a very good friend of ours, Lord Crane. I will not stand by and see her be hurt."

"Nor would I expect you to."

"Forgive my boldness, but how can you marry a lady who you met only this night?"

"I am Lord Crane, I can do whatever I wish." Julian cleared his throat, not happy with his tone as royal superior. That was the old Julian. "Samuel, I happen to love Eve very much, and I would never hurt her. She loves me as well. Many might think we are rushing this, but we happen to disagree. We are together and we will stay together and happy for many years to come."

"Eve is a wonderful woman, Lord Crane. She deserves only the best life has to offer."

"As I will give her. That and all of my love. She will never want for anything." Julian was firm.

"She recently suffered a broken heart...I urge you to be tender of her feelings."

"I do believe I've mended all the cracks in Eve's broken heart. Her heart is now whole, and lucky man I am, she's given it to me."

Samuel smiled. "Then I can ask no more of you."

"May I ask something of you?"

Samuel shrugged. "I guess."

"I will be needing a best man. No, we are not close friends, but you and your wife love Eve as much as I do, and any friends of hers are friends of mine. And I think this will make her happy, and I would really be indebted to you for this kindness."

"I would be honored to, Lord Crane," Samuel agreed. "When do you plan to marry?"

Julian grinned. "Tonight, Samuel. In fact, as soon as your wife returns Eve to my side, I'm certain Father Lonigan will begin the ceremony."

Incredulous, Samuel stuttered, "But-but, there was no engagement, Lord Crane!"

"As a matter of fact, there was. Granted, it was from the time it took to walk from my garden to here, but that is as long as I am willing to wait."

"I've never known Eve to be this...impetuous."

"We have been waiting for one another all of our lives, Samuel. This is no rash decision on eithier part."

Samuel could see that Lord Crane was sincere. He held out his hand in a gesture of friendship and acceptance. "You are lucky to be marrying our dear Eve. One day you will have to tell me of your first meeting."

A wry smile touched Julian's lips.

"One day."

Eve and Grace returned, and Grace saw the love in Julian's eyes when he looked at his bride-to-be. Whatever doubts she had about the wedding disappeared--Lord Crane truly loved her friend.

"I missed you, my darling," Julian smiled, lifting Eve's hand for a kiss.

"I was only gone a moment," Eve laughed. "How can you have missed me?"

"Every moment from you feels like a lifetime. It's like I've waited for you forever, Eve. I never want to be apart from you.I miss you so much, I would lock you in a cage and throw away the key just to keep you with me... That is if I were an ogre or something. However, as Lord, I would never keep you from your friends or anything that would make you happy."

"I appreciate that," Eve replied with a smile. "And you make me happy."

"Only someone under an enchantment would not want you to have everything you desire," he told her meaningfully.

"Well, perhaps we should leave you to prepare for the ceremony." Samuel said with a grin, his arm around Grace. "I'm sure you are both nervous, being married in front of the entire village."

"The only emotion I feel right now is an impatience to make Eve my bride. " Seeing look that passed between the two, Samuel and Grace left to summon Father Lonigan.

"This is a dream come true," Julian whispered, his arms around Eve. "I will spend every day of my life loving you and making you as happy as a woman can be."

"You're already doing that, Julian." She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek and extended him her hand. "Let us be wed."

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Father Lonigan smiled at the sight of Lord Crane and the beautiful Doctor Johnson. He could see the love between the couple, and was pleased that the man who he knew as selfish and arrogant had change, and for the better.
" We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Doctor Eve Johnson and Lord Julian Crane.. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.

"Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Lord Crane and Dr. Johnson have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing.

"Eve, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?

"Yes, it is true," she said joyfully.

"With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?"

Samuel and Grace stepped forward. "She comes with my wife and I, we consider ourselves to be Eve's family, and she is accompanied by our blessings. "

Father Lonigan continued, "Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...

"Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.

"Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.

"Lord Crane, I have not the right to bind thee to Eve, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand. "

"It is my wish. " Julian agreed, casting a loving look at Eve.

"Eve, if it be your wish for Groom to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger. I have not the right to bind thee to Lord Crane, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand. "

" It is my wish." Tears of happiness appeared in her eyes.

"Lord Crane, if it be your wish for Bride to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger. Repeat after me:

"I, Lord Julian Linus Crane, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Doctor Eve Katherine Johnson, to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. "

Julian's eyes were only for Eve, as he pledged his love and life to her. He placed the ring on her finger, and Eve looked up at Father Lonigan, the tears now flowing down her cheeks.

"Eve, repeat after me: I Doctor Eve Katherine Johnson, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Lord Julian Linus Crane, to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. "

Eve said her vows to Julian, the love she had for him obvious to everyone present.

Father Lonigan handed the chalice to Julian. " May you drink your fill from the cup of love. " Julian held the chalice to Eve's lips while she sipped, then Eve held it to his lips. Smiling, Julian handed the chalice back to Father Lonigan.

"By the power vested in me by God and the State, I now pronounce you husband and wife--Lord and Lady Crane. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. " Father Lonigan bestowed a gentle smile upon the newly married couple.

Julian stepped up to Eve, his strong, warm hands closed around her face. Tears glistened in his dark eyes. "I love you so, my beautiful wife."

"And I you."

Standling on the tips of her toes, Eve reached up to receive his kiss. All those around them disappeared, as the only thing that mattered in this moment was Julian, and the love she felt for him.

The growing sound of applause returned Eve to reality. Very soon she and Julian would be alone, to love each other as they wanted to for so long.

Julian closed his eyes, remembering the despair he felt when Tabitha Lenox cursed him to a giant's body. He was bitter no longer, however, for what was a nightmare had brought him the greatest blessing of his life...his beloved wife.