Disclaimer: None of the Benedicts/the Savant World belong to me – all rights to Joss Stirling.

So, here it is: Part 2 of the wedding of the century :) A birthday present to the super-cool and loyal reviewer LittleLily99 :) Happy Birthday!

Chapter Fourteen (Ch. 13 Part 2)

Four hours earlier

Also turns out that I fell asleep shortly after Xav and did actually drool though luckily not on him. After retrieving our luggage and exiting the airport, we make our way through Kahului in search of the hotel we booked short notice. Miraculously, Xav managed to get the honeymoon suite for four nights. It's only 1 pm thanks to the time difference New York – Hawaii so Xav and I pop out for a quick trip to the shops to secure lunch. The whole way, we seem to have a hard time getting the smile off our faces. We're getting married! We're getting married! We're getting married! The hotel was kind enough to organise a minister for us who would marry us this evening. We're getting married! I've never been so excited about anything in my entire life. Maybe when graduating from the hell-home dubbed 'School'.

Really? You're comparing you marrying me- your amazingly sexy and awesome soulfinder- to your high school graduation. Xav's voice is like music to my ears. I have no idea why I'm so hyped up about this but everything we do now feels really different. Good different.

I dunno, am I?

Yes, you are and I'm very insulted by it.

Awww, poor ickle Xav.

Xav mock-glares at me and tosses the sandwich across the bed to pull me onto his lap. Slowly, he kisses my neck and moves his head up so that his lips are only inches away from mine.

We're getting married this evening.

Even though my eyes are closed, I can feel Xav smile along our link and against my neck. Pleasant chills and sparks fly through every inch of my body as I smile back, my eyes also closed.

I need to buy a dress.

You'd look beautiful in a rotten potato sack.

Aw. In response I snuggle closer to him and press a light kiss to his jaw. Nice try but I will buy a dress!

How do brides-to-be even decide on their wedding dresses? They're all so beautiful and they all are so expensive. Obviously, I'm not going to buy a real wedding dress but a simple, white dress will do it, too. After having sent Xav to the market an hour ago, I finally decide on a hi-lo hemline white dress, hugging all my 'curves' as Xav calls them, and making me look quite pretty. Xav's face lights up when he sees me hurrying through the stalls.

"Sorry, it took so –"

I'm cut off by a delicious-tasting kiss as Xav holds me tighter to him and slowly eases his tongue in my mouth. Our exchange is getting quite heated and I can't help but let out a small moan when I feel Xav tighten his arms around me, but I pull away and slowly try to regain my breath.

"What was that for?" I ask breathlessly.

Xav just pulls me against him again and buries his face in my mass of hair.

I love you and we're getting married in two hours and 23 minutes.

Not that you're counting. I reply grinningly and slowly steer us back towards the exit.

He has a meeting with the minister and I have to get ready!

One hour earlier

I hate having frizzy hair. I hate having long hair. I hate having hair!

I'm wearing the dress with... appropriate stuff underneath, my make up is done but my hair just won't sit still. Hearing a gentle knock on the door, I turn my head to see the elderly lady from the reception standing in the doorway.

"I thought you might appreciate some help."

"Oh, thank you so much." I reply and put the strained comb back on the vanity.

"Are you nervous?" Ms Kuahlani asks as she parts my hair like an expert and gets working on the hairstyle.

"No, actually, just really excited" I say smiling and glance at my phone that has been beeping every minute with a text from Xav.

"Your man looks like a keeper" She grins and winks at me in the mirror. "How long have you two been together?"

"About two and a half years" I answer and watch in wonder as she ties a part my hair up and lets the rest of it fall over my shoulder.

"How did you two meet?"

"My sister and his brother are married" I explain but am totally distracted of what amazing things she's persuaded my hair to do.

"How wonderful! Now, stand up, dear! Let's take a look at you."

I stand up carefully and go stand in front of the full-length mirror. My breath hitches slightly as I realize. I look really … pretty. And without having to squint I can see what Lily and Signora Carriera meant back in Venice.

"You look absolutely beautiful! Your man will be knocked off his feet. Would you like me to take a photo?"

Speechless, I hand her my phone and smile as if in a daze as she takes the pictures.

"Now, Ailani just called to say that everything's settled, the ceremony will start in fifteen minutes and I as well as our boss will be your witnesses. Do you need anything else?"
"No, thank you so much for your help" I say and shake her hand. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

Just as she leaves, my phone buzzes again but it's not Xav.

Where the heck are you? Leah's written and added a long row of angry smileys.

Somewhere good :) I write back.

Are you high? She replies immediately and adds an emoji of a mushroom.

Metaphorically speaking… I respond and then turn off my phone. No more disturbances.

Alona has kindly agreed to play a tune on his guitar so I can hear the soft melody as I step off the wooden planks and barefoot onto the white sand. The sun is just about to set and is bathing the beach in a soft orange light. Xav has his tuxedo-clad back turned and is talking to the minister but as the latter nudges him and nods towards me, he turns and his face looks so full of pure love that I have to battle tears. I restrain myself from bolting down the aisle and straight into his arms and enjoy taking my time as he looks increasingly impatient. My heart's pounding like crazy and the wind has completely destroyed my hairstyle but I don't care. Because Xav is looking like I'm the only thing in the entire world that matters to him, and I know I'm looking at him the same way.

The words spoken by the minister go in one ear and out the other because the only words that count are Xav and my 'I do'. And our first kiss as husband and wife is like our first kiss all over again. Beautiful, passionate and reviving.

Now

Somewhere between Wolfman's For Lovers and You're All I Need To Get By, Xav and I stopped dancing, I realize. We're just swaying from one side to the other, leaning into each other, being completely silent, both of us being absolutely content with just listening to the other one breathe.

I love you, you know that?

I do indeed, my fair Cupcake. And I love you, too. You know that?

Hhmm I mumble and nuzzle his neck right below his ear. As expected his breath hitches slightly and his arms involuntarily tug me even closer to him. Slowly, I pull back and take his face between my hands, my two rings shining slightly in the dim evening sunlight. Giving him a long, deep kiss, I whisper into his mind.

Want to show me how much?

Oh, I definitely want to.

He lowers his face again towards mine so close, that I can feel his warm breath causing little sparks on my skin.

"After just one more kiss."

Does that last line seem familiar to you at all? :)

I had lots of fun writing this, and I hope you all like it…

The big P will appear in the next few chapters and let me tell you – Drama is up next!

References:

For Lovers – Wolfman feat. Pete Doherty

You're All I Need To Get By – Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell

Seeking Crystal, Chapter 21, page 258 :)

For people who want to know what Crystal's dress looked like, feel free to PM me for the link :) Please review!