Hawke looked at the pale grey tie in the mirror and sighed. He undid it with a frustrated jerk and started again.

'Here let me do that.' Saint John crossed the room and expertly fixed his brother's tie.

'Thanks.' Hawke said.

Saint John nodded as he stepped back and critically looked over his work. 'You're good to go.' He turned Hawke back to the mirror.

Hawke sighed again but with relief. 'I should thank you for coming.'

Saint John shrugged. 'I didn't really do anything.'

'You were here for Caitlin.' Hawke said firmly. 'I know she appreciated the support.'

Saint John warmed with his brother's gratitude but he waved a hand as though to dismiss the words. 'It looks like you guys make a good team.'

'Yeah, we do.' Hawke admitted. 'Mike's a good guy.'

'Is that why you suggested he help Sarah with the builder?' Saint John asked dryly.

Hawke paused in the action of picking up his grey suit jacket. 'Larry called me. I couldn't make it. I couldn't reach you and Mike was around.' He shrugged into the jacket, tugged on his maroon waistcoat and straightened the cuffs. 'I didn't want her going with the builder alone and she wouldn't reschedule.' He frowned. 'What's the problem?'

'No problem.' Saint John said holding his hands up. 'But you know what Mike's like around women.'

Hawke's eyebrow quirked upwards. 'You don't trust him.'

'No, it's not that.' Saint John denied automatically. 'I just know how much of a flirt he is and I don't want Sarah getting the wrong idea. She's very vulnerable right now.'

'Even if Sarah does develop a little bit of a crush at least we know she's safe with Mike.'

Saint John's mouth gaped open. 'I can't believe you said that. Caitlin talked to you didn't she?' He commented accusingly.

'Yeah, she did.' Hawke admitted quietly. 'The evening Sarah arrived back from meeting the builder and all she could talk about was the house and Mike, and not necessarily in that order.' He added dryly.

'So she has developed a crush.' Saint John said triumphantly as though it proved his point.

'Cait seems to think so.' Hawke said. 'But like she said, even if Sarah has a crush, Mike's a safe option. Apart, from the obvious fact that he's not going to risk upsetting either of us, he'll make sure Sarah's OK whatever happens.' He pushed a hand through his brown hair sending the short strands askew and sat down heavily on the bed next to his brother. 'Look, I'm not denying if someone offered me a choice, no man would get within six feet of Sarah for the rest of her life.'

Saint John nodded; he echoed the sentiment.

'But Sarah doesn't deserve to be alone for the rest of her life,' Hawke continued, 'and sooner or later she's going to meet someone. We're going to have to deal with that.'

Saint John thought back to his conversation in the cockpit with Mike and considered Hawke's words. Mike was a flirt but he would keep Sarah safe, he considered ruefully, maybe he was being a little unfair on his best friend. He sighed and looked over at Hawke. 'Your wife is a wise woman.'

'Yeah.' Hawke agreed. 'If she wasn't, Sarah would be locked away in the cabin by now.'

Saint John laughed with appreciation.

'Besides,' Hawke gestured, 'I don't want us making the same mistake as our folks and end up scaring her away with some loser.'

'I guess not.' Saint John said quietly. He pressed his lip together thoughtfully. 'What did Larry say when he called?'

'He thinks he's close.' Hawke said.

'Which means?'

'He's close.' Hawke repeated. He patted Saint John's shoulder as his older brother glowered at him. 'He should have something for us in a week or so.'

'He's good.' Saint John commented.

'The best.' Hawke agreed simply, getting to his feet and crossing to the mirror to do a final check on his appearance.

'It's weird.' Saint John said. 'Thinking we're going to see our parents again after all this time.'

'Yeah.' Hawke nodded as he smoothed his lapel.

'Are you nervous?' Saint John asked.

'A little.' Hawke allowed. He stuffed his hands in his pants' pockets as he turned back to his brother.

'You know I don't recognise them when Sarah talks about them.' Saint John said leaning forward and clasping his hands. 'I catch myself thinking that's not my parents; my parents wouldn't do that.'

'I know.' Hawke said. 'I guess they changed.' He shrugged. 'Or maybe our memories are little out of whack because they weren't around.'

'Maybe.' Saint John mused. 'We are doing the right thing though, aren't we? Searching for them, I mean.'

Hawke rocked back on his heels. 'I think so.' He withdrew one hand and rubbed at his chin. 'Putting the Cordelli's out of business is definitely the right thing.'

'Yeah.' Saint John's face darkened. 'They'll pay.'

'You two done gossiping in here?' Caitlin wandered into the room.

Hawke looked at the simple silk gold and cream sun-dress that hugged Caitlin's body in all the right places and smiled in appreciation. 'You look stunning.'

Caitlin smiled. 'Marella has great taste.' She patted his lapel as he tugged her closer. 'You've cleaned up very nicely yourself.'

'Maybe I should leave.' Saint John commented wryly as the couple kissed.

Caitlin smiled over at him. 'You're safe. We have to be at the ceremony in another ten minutes.'

'Ten minutes, huh?' Hawke said suggestively.

She slapped his arm playfully. 'You need to check on the groom.'

Hawke dipped his head for one last kiss before he left and made his way along to the spare room Michael was using as a dressing room. He rapped sharply on the door and entered when Michael called out.

'How are you doing?' Hawke asked.

'Good.' Michael adjusted his tie and turned to face Hawke. 'What do you think?'

'Looks good to me.' Hawke commented. 'No last minute nerves?'

Michael shook his head and pushed his glasses up his nose. 'None.' He smiled humourlessly. 'Almost losing her today brought home how much I want to do this.' He met Hawke's gaze. 'Have I thanked you for bringing her home?'

'Anytime.' Hawke said easily.

There was a shared moment of silence before Hawke jerked his head toward the door. 'We should take our places.'

'Right.' Michael reached for his cane and hesitated.

Hawke picked it up and handed it to him.

Michael smiled ruefully and saluted him with it as they headed out of the house and down to the beach. A section in front of the house had been set aside for the ceremony itself; chairs had been set up with an aisle intersecting them, all strewn with white rose petals and decked out in gold and burgundy bows. An arbour had been erected as a back-drop to the couple as they exchanged their vows. Its simple white structure had been enhanced with white and dark red roses. The dark shape of Airwolf sat alongside the arbour by the surf. Someone had placed a white bow across her nose.

'Rivers,' muttered Michael under his breath.

Hawke kept his own smile hidden. He nodded greetings to Saint John and Mike, Michael's parents and Marella's extended family sitting across the aisle.

'You do have the rings?' Michael asked in an urgent whisper.

'Yes, I have the rings.' Hawke patted his waistcoat pocket to assure himself.

The judge took his place as Marella's mother hurried into her seat and the small orchestra that was set up on the patio began to play.

Michael and Hawke stood and looked back down the aisle. Angelina was first. Michael beamed proudly at his daughter resplendent in a white and gold dress. With her blonde hair shining, she looked like an angel. She took her place across from her father who smiled at her. Hawke winked at Angelina before his attention was pulled back to the aisle and his wife. Their eyes met in remembered nostalgia of their own wedding day as she walked towards him and took her place opposite.

Michael straightened as the music changed subtly to announce the arrival of the bride. His good eye landed on his bride.

She was beautiful. It was his only thought. The strapless gold dress she wore shimmied in the last of the afternoon sunlight, its stiff bodice giving way to a full skirt. The bouquet of burgundy roses she carried and the matching silk shawl were a startling contrast but one that suited her dark exotic colouring. Her dark curly hair ran riotous over her shoulders, one side pinned back with a clasp decorated with more flowers. Michael was barely aware of holding his breath until he finally took her hand and realised he needed to breathe.

'Dearly beloved…' The judge smiled and began the ceremony…

'Marella,' Michael's thumb rubbed across her knuckles as they looked at each other with solemn joy, 'I promise from this day on that I will love you, cherish you and make it my mission in life to make you as happy as you make me.' His ring slid onto her finger.

Marella smiled through her tears. 'Michael, I promise from this day on that I will love you, cherish you and make it my mission in life to make you as happy as you make me.' She slipped the ring onto his finger, her own rubbing it gently, possessively.

'I proudly present to you all, Mr and Mrs Coldsmith-Briggs.'

Michael tugged her gently into his arms and kissed her as delighted applause rang out.

o-O-o

The reception was held further down the beach; a traditional Hawaii luau with the Chappelier's neighbours and friends invited for the party. Michael excused himself from the gathering and limped over to a side table for a rest.

'Nice party, Michael.'

'Dominic.' Michael hid his smile as he rubbed his moustache. 'I was wondering if you would show up.'

'I wouldn't miss your wedding.' Dom beamed happily at the groom.

'Hmnph.' Michael looked at the smartly dressed ghost of the former pilot. 'I guess I should thank you; you were the one who gave me the nudge to ask Marella after all.'

'My pleasure.' Dom gestured over to where Marella was dancing with her father. 'She's stunning.'

'Yes she is.' Michael said.

The pilot's eyes strayed further down the beach to Airwolf. 'So is she.'

'She misses you.' Michael commented.

'I miss her.' Dom admitted. His eyes saddened. 'I miss all of you.'

'We miss you too.' Michael confessed. 'But I'll deny it if you tell anyone else.'

Dom chuckled, his laugh a little forced caught up in too much emotion. 'Who am I going to tell?' He looked over to where Saint John and Hawke were talking with Mike and Caitlin. 'You're always going to look after them aren't you Michael?'

'I promised I would.' Michael reminded him.

Dom nodded.

'Do you mind if I sit down with you?' The exotic accent had Michael's head jerking to meet the amused dark twinkling eyes of Marella's paternal grandmother, Sophie.

'Of course not.' Michael covered smoothly. 'Please.' He rose and offered her a chair before resuming his own. 'I'm just sitting here talking to myself.' He covered as a quick glance across the table confirmed Dom had disappeared.

'I'm surprised you're not asleep with the day you had.' Sophie said smiling. 'But I guess you're used to it.'

'Not so much anymore.' Michael admitted. 'I'm just glad we made it out OK.' His eye flickered to Hawke.

'He's a good friend to you.' Sophie commented.

'The best there is.' Michael said simply.

Her eyes went unfocused. 'He will need you soon.'

Michael lowered his glass of champagne. 'I'm sorry?'

'He will need you.' Sophie repeated her eyes darting to his. 'I have the Sight. Perhaps Marella didn't explain?'

'No.' Michael said warily. 'She didn't mention it.'

'It is only glimpses.' Sophie said. 'But I see that your friend will need you.'

'I'll be there.' Michael said unsure how to respond exactly.

Sophie nodded and looked down the beach to the helicopter. 'It is strange, is it not?'

'It's an unusual shape.' Michael allowed.

'No, I was referring to its spirit.' Sophie smiled. 'A warrior wolf able to fly. She must be a handful.'

Michael was stunned and speechless.

'Daddy!' Angelina ran up and tugged at his hand. 'Dance with me!'

Michael put his drink down and smiled apologetically as he let Angelina pull him away to the dance floor.

Dom chuckled as he watched Michael.

'You really shouldn't laugh at your friend.' Sophie chided.

Dom stopped abruptly and looked across the table. 'You can see me?'

'Of course.' Sophie said simply.

'How?' Dom demanded.

'Spirits are all around us if we wish to see them.' Sophie smiled at Dom's anxiety. 'You are safe. I will not reveal your presence.'

'Thank you.' Dom said quietly. 'I'm Dominic Santini.'

'Sophie Chappelier.' Sophie said. She nodded at the group Dom had been watching. 'You watch over your children still.'

'Well, they're not really mine.' Dom smiled sadly. 'But I made a promise to a friend a long time ago.'

'They are yours, Dominic.' Sophie reassured him.

'Maybe.' Dom allowed.

'You will physically leave them soon.' Sophie said watching the play of emotion across Dom's craggy face.

'Yes.' Dom sighed heavily. 'I was only given a year.'

'A year to repair what was once undone.' Sophie said catching another glimpse.

'Yes.' Dom nodded. 'They're close now though. They'll be reunited with their parents soon.'

'There will be pain,' Sophie noted, 'before it is over.'

'Not if I can help it.' Dom muttered.

'Not even you can stop Death.' Sophie cautioned.

Dom smiled grimly. 'I can try.' He looked back over to Saint John and Hawke, to their happy faces. 'I can try.'

Saint John shivered and glanced over his shoulder. He frowned at the table and the small wizened old lady who sat there seemingly talking to herself.

' Saint John, are you OK?' Caitlin asked concerned.

'Sure.' He forced a smile. 'But I think it's time we made a move.' He nudged Mike.

'Huh? Right.' Mike looked over at the dancing Hawaiian girls with regret. 'Time to make a move.'

Hawke gently removed the glass of fruit juice from his co-pilot's hand. 'Before you go, either of you want to explain why I found this in the cockpit?' He pulled a candy wrapper from his inner pocket.

Mike shot Saint John a panicked look.

'Give our best to Michael and Marella.' Saint John said rapidly. He grabbed Mike and the two men jogged away to the helicopter before Hawke could reply.

A moment later, Hawke slipped an arm around Caitlin's shoulder as Airwolf rose up into the night sky and disappeared.

'That was cruel.' Caitlin commented, a smile softening the words.

'Fun.' Hawke corrected. He looked over to where Michael and Marella were dancing with Angelina. He jerked his head in their direction. 'They look happy.'

'That's because they are.' Caitlin said her blue-green eyes smiled at him. 'So am I.'

Hawke kissed her.

'Really happy.' Caitlin confirmed as they broke for air. 'Really, really happy.'

A breeze wrapped around them for a second and Hawke shivered, his arms tightened on Caitlin reflexively. 'Me too.' He whispered against her lips. 'Me too.