A/N: 01.17.2019

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is with my most sincere apologies to you all that this took so long! But, well... I was a little sidetracked in December, aside from Christmas. I'll explain the end of the chapter.

Real quick mechanics: the wedding specifics for this particular type of ceremony I found using the Google search for "Donna King Justice of the Peace Short Marriage Ceremony". In case anyone was wondering. Okay! Enough from me!

Enjoy!

Chapter 15: Vows

Abbie stood in the courthouse bathroom, gazing at her Okodee Mmowere necklace. It felt like forever ago that Ichabod gave it to her. Just before they admitted how they felt about each other. Even that wasn't that long ago, but she remembered that moment like it was yesterday. She would never forget it.

It led to this moment, after all.

She had on a beautiful white dress and her bouquet was lying on the sink. It wasn't the picture perfect wedding that most women would dream of. Abbie never really had those dreams. But she did always want to spend the rest of her life with someone who understood her and cared about her and loved her for her. It still amazed her it took a man born in 1751 to be that man for her.

But she wasn't complaining.

It was funny. All this time spent in relationships to finally arrive at the one. And it wasn't Ichabod she was questioning.

Abbie was questioning herself.

It wasn't going to be easy because she knew herself. She knew that she could be a mess, hot-headed, ill-tempered, and all of turns of phrase that meant "angry." But Ichabod took it all in stride. It was one of the first ways that she could tell she was beginning to fall for him. His attitude toward her and never trying to change her were some of the reasons that she didn't stop herself from falling for him.

Still, for all the fear she had, she wasn't questioning if this was the right choice or not. No matter what the future held, this was right.

Jenny, who had been in the bathroom with Abbie the whole time, walked up to her sister and placed her hand on Abbie's shoulder. "You're ready."

Abbie smiled. "You weren't asking, were you?"

"No." Jenny gently took hold of both of Abbie's shoulders, causing the elder Mills sister to turn and face the younger. "Because this is Crane we're talking about. You've been in love with him for the longest, now, and he's been right in there with you. This isn't rushed, this isn't a case of you both don't know each other yet, or anything like that." She smiled. "This is the case that you love him, he loves you, and you both are approaching with your eyes wide open. You're ready."

Abbie hugged Jenny. "I got this right. Didn't I?"

"Damn right, you did."

Ichabod was about to finish putting on his suit jacket. He much preferred his more traditional attire but today was for Abbie, the love of his life. So, he could make the necessary adjustments, such as a black suit. He stopped after he put on his cuff links as the full weight of what he was about to do hit him.

He loved Abbie. With all of his heart and soul. But he was terrified if he could be the man she deserved and needed.

He started to put on his tie, but he couldn't seem to manage it, correctly. He exhaled and tried again, but his nervousness came back. Ichabod fumbled with his tie again; it looked correct, but he was convinced it wasn't perfect. He let out a sigh of frustration, undid the tie, and tried again.

Joe walked in, saw Ichabod, and rolled his eyes. He waved Edom to come into the bathroom, as well. Edom walked in and started chuckling with Joe joining in.

"The single, most vital day of my entire life and you both are having a laugh at my expense!" Ichabod chided. "One wonders why either of you are my best man!"

"Because we're laughing at you," Joe shrugged. "We're supposed to. It keeps you humble."

"Abbie does a fantastic job of that on her own."

"True but a little extra doesn't hurt."

Ichabod, quietly, groaned.

"What, precisely, is your conundrum, Ichabod?" Edom asked.

Ichabod took a second before responding, "My marriage record is… sullied," he began fumbling with his tie again. "At best."

"You can't count Katrina," Joe said. "She was nuts. Well… she turned nuts."

"Apt words," Edom said. "Joe's right. Katrina's fall from grace was not your doing. She had only herself to blame."

Ichabod stopped adjusting his tie. "Still. I played my part."

"So, you did. But Katrina made her own choices the rest of the way. We all can be shown the path to evil, even be led down it. If we take one step of our own down that path, we have no one to blame but ourselves."

"He's right, Crane," Joe said. "Just because she was angry, doesn't mean she had the right to try to kill you or Abbie for it."

"I know," Ichabod mused. "But… it's so many things about the future that unnerve me."

"Here," Edom walked over and started fixing Ichabod's tie. "What else unnerves you?"

"If I can make Abbie happy. Be the man she deserves. Always be the man she fell in love with."

"Don't think you have to worry about that," Joe said.

"Again, Joe is correct," Edom said. "Abbie loves you, unconditionally. You will always be that man."

"I hope so," Ichabod said.

"Is anything else worrying you?"

"My record as a father is far from spotless, as well," Ichabod mused. "I hope to not, once again, fail in that regard."

Joe and Edom stopped, immediately. They looked at each other, wide-eyed, before looking back at the groom.

"That…" Edom said, "would imply that you and Abbie have discussed children at some point."

"It would," Ichabod said. "And… we have."

"For real?" Joe asked.

Ichabod nodded.

"Whoa," Joe whispered.

"Oh, my." Edom cleared his throat, "Erhm! Well! That is a bridge that will be crossed when we come to it. Or you come to it. And by 'you,' I mean you and Abbie and…" He stopped. "Now, my ability to correct your tie is lost." He stopped and took a deep breath. "Time will reveal all that needs to be revealed, Lord Crane. When the time comes, all will reveal itself."

"You're talking in circles," Ichabod said.

"I am, indeed," Edom admitted.

Joe took a deep breath and decided to try help as best he could. "Look, I'm not… the most philosophical or well-spoken of three of us but… I know you're a good guy, Crane."

Ichabod smiled at that.

"Abbie's been alone for a long time. Failed relationship after another and not because she's a bad person but because the guys she was with were… oh, I'll just say it, they weren't good enough for her." Joe shrugged. "You are, man."

Ichabod felt a bit of pride well up inside of him.

"She knows how to pick a good one. Even if she didn't, me and Jenny would've worn her down until she realized that you are a good one. The best one. For her. You guys… you just work. It makes sense, and everyone can see it. And if you and her have kids, and I hope you do, you'll be amazing parents. Everything with Jeremy and Katrina… that wasn't your fault. And, plus, when you and Abbie have a kid, you won't be alone. You've got all of us. And we aren't going anywhere."

Ichabod and Edom smiled at Joe.

Edom straightened up a bit, "With apologies, Ichabod, I believe you made a mistake." He motioned toward Joe. "There's your best man."

Joe smiled. "I'm good if it's both of us. Takes some of pressure off of me."

"Both of you have more than earned the honor," Ichabod said. "It's a pleasure to know that there are some friendships I have not ruined."

"Oh, pish-tosh!" Edom fixed the tie, correctly. "Ah! Muy perfecto!"

Joe looked at Edom, perplexed. "Where'd that come from?"

Edom shrugged. "I tend to be a bit silly when I'm happy. It's a very joyful day, after all."

Ichabod smiled, warmly. "Yes. Yes, it is."

The Sleepy Hollow Municipal courtroom contained several family and friends of the Witnesses, including Frank Irving and his family. Edgar and Jessica were getting acquainted with Sophie and Ray while Osiris sat on one of the benches, taking in the atmosphere.

Happiness. Joy. Relief.

That's what Osiris was noticing was all over the room. He'd spent a long time observing mortals in stressful situations. Times of peace were something special to behold.

The door to the courtroom opened and Ichabod, Edom, and Joe walked in, all dressed in black, three-piece suits.

Ray stared at them and whistled. "Check this out! GQ in the buildin'!"

"Lookin' good, gents," Sophie said.

The rest of the wedding attendees voiced their approval as well with Claudia having a blush on her face as she stared at Edom. Edom caught her stare and had to stop his own blush, but he couldn't stop his smile.

The judge presiding over the ceremony, Judge Colin Donaldson, stood in front of the judge's bench. Judge Donaldson was a longtime friend of Abbie's, ever since her sheriff days. "Are we ready to begin?"

Ray got up and peeked outside of the door. He smiled and looked at the judge. "Oh, yeah. We're ready."

"May we all stand?" Judge Donaldson asked.

They all did so.

Sophie pressed a PLAY on a music player, letting the "Wedding March" fill the air in the room. Ray opened the door and Jenny walked in first, wearing a dark blue bridesmaid dress. After she walked to the front, Abbie walked in, on the arm of Ezra. Abbie's wedding dress was very simple; a long white dress that extended down to the floor, lace trim that went over the shoulders and had no a veil.

Ichabod was stunned, immediately, whispering, "God Almighty."

"Goodness," Edom said, impressed.

"She cleans up nice, right?" Jenny asked with a smile.

"Nice being a severe understatement, Jenny," Ichabod said, breathlessly.

Abbie got to the front and saw the look in Ichabod's eyes. It wasn't lust. It was love. Nothing but love. She, honestly, never thought she would see anything like that. Not for her. It made her feel like the most important woman in the world.

Ichabod could see and feel the love coming from Abbie. He still had his fear for how he would be for her, but he knew he would do his best to be worthy of it every single day.

Sophie stopped the music, allowing the judge to begin.

"You may all be seated," Donaldson said. He opened his book, "Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of God and of these witnesses to celebrate the joining of this man and this woman in the unity of marriage. There are no obligations on Earth sweeter or tender than those you are about to assume. There are no vows more solemn than those you are about to make. There is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form. True marriage is the holiest of all earthly relationships. The state of matrimony is based this deep, invisible union of two souls who seek to find completion in one another. Do you understand this?"

Abbie and Ichabod both replied, "Yes."

"Who gives this woman in marriage?"

Ezra smiled, "I do."

"Thank you."

Ezra gave Abbie a kiss on the cheek and sat down, sitting next to Sophie and Ray.

Judge Donaldson closed his book, "I am to understand that the Abigail and Ichabod have prepared their own vows. You both may proceed as you see fit."

Joe looked at Ichabod then looked at the bride, "You better go first, Abbie. He can't talk yet."

Abbie smiled. "Crane. I… honestly had no idea what to expect when I first met you. I didn't know I'd trust you. I didn't know we'd become friends. I didn't know that you'd make such a difference in my life. I didn't know that I would love you as much as I do. A love that… it feels like it grows by the day."

Ichabod felt his eyes welling up. He was doing his best to keep his composure, but it wasn't easy.

"I, uh…" She took a second to get herself together. "…I wasn't really looking for anything like this. I had a plan. I had a completely, thought-out plan for my life. Then you came along, and that plan got thrown out the window. And… it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Because you're the best thing that happened to me."

Ichabod had to fight every single urge to kiss her right then and there. The rest of the wedding party were just captivated by the emotional weight of Abbie's words.

"We've been through so much and I know there's more waiting for us. But the vow I give you… is me. Everything I am. I'll love you through the worst and best. I promise."

Jenny couldn't help it at this point: tears were just streaming down her face. Joe had to wipe his eyes, as well.

"If our dear Ichabod can top that, he's a better wordsmith than I," Edgar said to Jessica.

Ichabod did his best to gather himself together. "Abbie," he began. He took a second, gathering his thoughts. "I… you leave me speechless."

Abbie smiled, a few tears escaping.

"And I've seen everything," Frank whispered.

"Every day," Ichabod continued, "it's as though… you wake up and you're stronger than you were the day before. You are amazing. You're so powerful. All you've endured and you've met every challenge… and you've never faltered. You've given me strength. You've guided me in more ways than you think. You were my hope when all of mine had fallen away."

"I am now, officially, jealous," Edgar whispered.

Edom shot Edgar a hard glare. Edgar smiled but fell silent.

"I know I will never be as strong as you," Ichabod said. "I don't believe that there is anyone that is. But… I vow that I give you is that I will do everything I can to be the man you deserve. I will do everything I can to be the man you need. And I promise to love you every single day, through the good and the bad. I vow to love you to end of my days and beyond."

Between Abbie and Ichabod's vows, there was not a dry eye in the courtroom, with even the judge needing to take a second to gather himself.

"Yes," Donaldson said, before clearing his throat. "Well, then! Uh… right!" He looked back at his book. "The vows exchanged by the couple, in front of witnesses, signify they take one another as husband and wife. In as much as you, Ichabod, and you, Abigail, have consented together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith each to the other in the presence of God and this company, now by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"

Ichabod and Abbie wasted no time in rushing at each other and pressing their lips to one another, with cheers and applause being made by all in attendance.

A/N: Good grief, I hope you guys enjoyed that! I sure did. This was hard to write for all of the right reasons. Honestly, I kept tearing up. This was so much fun to do.

Anyway, the main reason my December was so busy was I GOT ENGAGED! YES! My girlfriend, now wifey-to-be, said YES! So, I'll be a little busy going forward but I will not abandon any story or my ideas for this series.

With that in mind, let's quickly discuss the next story in this series. I already have a title. The next story, "Sleepy Hollow – Hunter Night", will be akin to Justice League: Dark with one adventure taking place over one night. Then again, Dark took place over a few nights but I think you all get the idea. It'll be either one long chapter or a "mini-series", if you will. Think a one-shot, but more of a five-shot.

Anyway, there will be one more chapter for the reception then the Epilogue. We are almost at the end, folks. I hope you're enjoying the ride.

See you soon, Sleepyheads and Dreamers!