A/N: I don't own Ghastly, Valkyrie, Skulduggery, Erskine, Saracen or Anton.
Valkyrie couldn't believe it. She was getting married at last. All the Dead Men were there, everything had been planned and mercifully it was in the end, something very simple. They were to be married in the shop by Erskine himself and the Dead Men would stand as both witnesses and the entire wedding party, but she didn't mind.
She loved her brothers and when the initial excitement had worn off they had decided simple was best, and she was relieved. Now as Skulduggery helped her with her dress he crooned approvingly. "You're as beautiful as your mother was the day we got married." He clapped a gloved hand over his mouth, startled at his mistake, but she hugged him tightly.
"Thanks, dad." She said gently and he held her at arms length to smile proudly at her. "I mean it. You're my dad, full stop. You're not anything less because you chose me and now I know you feel the same way." He nodded, proud tears glimmering in his eyes. "What exactly do they have planned?" She asked and he shrugged.
"No idea. I know that group of sneaks has something planned, but have I mentioned lately that they adore you, Valkyrie? So just go along with it. At least Anton is here to keep things dignified." He said and they both smiled. Anton had given any Dead Man not showing what he felt was proper decorum death glares all morning.
"I'm glad, you know Erskine. He'd do something to be funny and with the rest of them things would get out of hand. They get wild when they're together." She said fondly. Really the men boasted more about things they had never done than anything, like most men to impress one another and her. The part that made her smile was that she'd been around enough men to nod and praise them no matter how idiotic the feat was, or to keep silent. She realized she thought a lot more like a Dead Man than she'd ever realized.
Skulduggery smiled. "They're men, that's how they bond. Women get wild as well but you've missed out on that. You've only got to bond with men. And we behave when you're around, sort of." They both laughed. They heard faint music and he offered her his arm. "Shall we?" He asked and she nodded, taking his arm and placing a kiss on his skeletal cheek.
"You look very handsome today. I mean that." She said softly and he smiled warmly at her.
"Well, of course I do. I'm me, and I never look anything less than handsome, and dashing and heroic. Did I tell you about the time I saved orphans from a fire?" He asked cheerfully as he escorted her out into the shop and she just smiled at him. Then he was handing her off to Ghastly, who looked so handsome in his tuxedo that Valkyrie was sure this was all a mistake. She never got this lucky.
"You look beautiful, Valkyrie." Erskine said gently, interrupting her dark thoughts and chasing her fears away with his reassuring smile. She smiled in return and he had her join hands with Ghastly. They exchanged vows and rings, Ghastly's eyes never leaving hers. At last he could lift her veil and kiss her, and he did so with the greatest reverence and gentleness.
Ghastly wrapped his arms around her gently as he kissed her and she held him as well, but she pulled back in surprise when she felt a tugging on her gown and looked down to see Garfield and Odie both waiting for their share of attention. Valkyrie laughed and they both picked up one of their furry children, then turned and greeted their guests, Valkyrie watching Ghastly with awe.
She'd never known a man as gentle as him. Even though Odie was doing her best to chew all his buttons off he very tenderly lifted her up and tucked her inside his tuxedo jacket in a special pocket she realized he'd designed for the pets. That explained the mysterious pocket on her waist. With Garfield tucked away safely she could accept the congratulating hugs of her brothers. "I'm very proud of you both, Valkyrie." Anton said gently as he folded her into his warm embrace.
"Thanks, Anton, I mean that. Though if Skulduggery hadn't been here-"
"Mmm, the only reason the groom survived his jitters is he knew your brothers would kill him for breaking your heart." Erskine said cheerfully as he walked up to them. "I never understood why we put people through all this myself."
"Because some people have common decency." Anton said firmly and Valkyrie smiled.
"Not any of us, I hope." Saracen said, as he stole Valkyrie away from the others. "You look beautiful, Valkyrie. And I'm only going to say this once, but I gave the same loving speech to Ghastly. Don't ever do anything I would do. Be loyal, you've got a good thing going here, OK?" He smiled at her, tears in his eyes and she nodded and accepted his hug.
"Neither one of us, not ever, Saracen. We've already had this talk, and we're too deeply attached to do something stupid. We know we'll face temptation, all couples do, but I love him and I know he loves me."
Saracen smiled and Valkyrie turned as she felt Ghastly loop his arm around her shoulders. He nuzzled her affectionately, seemingly relieved at what he'd overheard. "Our brothers want us to change to everyday clothes, they're taking us out to eat and the kids are included, so I'll get the leashes. You already have a change of clothes waiting for you, of course." Ghastly was smiling at her, like she was the eighth wonder of the world and Valkyrie nestled into him briefly, minding the kids.
"Of course. Because I was smart enough to marry a tailor who mastered the new fabric. I knew it as soon as I saw the dress. Thank you, Ghastly." He smiled and kissed her chastely, then Skulduggery was escorting her to the back room to change.
"That man is crazy for you, Valkyrie. I'm glad I taught you well enough that you thanked him. You don't take him for granted and I hope you don't plan on starting." There was a catch in his voice and Valkyrie hugged him tight.
"Never, dad. If you hadn't patched things up between us more than once- I know we're both stubborn, but I do love him. He just gets bullish at times, but then so do I." She said, grinning as she changed. Garfield happily mewed his agreement and they both laughed.
Their brothers had arranged for them to all eat at the hidden café and Valkyrie was enchanted by the transformation. The tables were all decked out in white tablecloths with fresh flowers on every table. Subtle, but elegant. The regular menu had been tranformed into a buffet and items added, making for a lovely, relaxing meal.
Ghastly sat beside her, looking serene, and the kitten and puppy were content to wear their safety harnesses and leashes which kept them out of harm's way, but still let them roam a sunny patch and play with the guests who stopped to greet them. Ghastly smiled. "Don't ever think I don't know how lucky I am, Valkyrie." He hesitated, clearly wanting to say more and Valkyrie knew him well enough to guess.
"Bespoke, not Cain, if you please. " She said, smiling and he grinned at her. He was shy, humble, and she liked that just fine. "And are you OK with two furry children and Skulduggery being with us?"
"I am, and you?" He sounded sweetly hopefully so Valkyrie leaned towards him and kissed his chastely.
"You know I am. I thought I'd lost having a family forever, but I have the four of you now and I'm content. Not that I'd pass up the chance to see you have to get out of bed at two AM and feed a baby." She grinned at the sudden light in his eyes. Despite all their talks about children, Ghastly never assumed anything with her.
A lesser man would have used his large size and sheer physical power to become a tyrant, but Ghastly was far too gentle a man to do that. If anything he withdrew into himself to avoid frightening those around him and she treasured that in her gentle husband. "You haven't asked about a honeymoon." He said, touching her arm gently to draw her out of her thoughts.
"Being with you is honeymoon enough. Don't you dare roll your eyes, Ghastly Bespoke. I'm your wife now, don't think I won't belay you with a rolling pin." She teased and he laughed.
"You would too. God, you take after my mother, and I mean that as a compliment. I was a handful but she taught me how to stand up for myself, and how to listen. She wouldn't accept anything but my best from me and I doubt you'll go any easier on me."
"I won't. I love you Ghastly, you know I do. But your a full grown man, babying you wouldn't do you any good. But since you mentioned it, is there a honeymoon?" He grinned at her delightedly.
"Indeed there is. We leave in a few hours, but I'm not telling you anything more except that I want to treat my amazing wife to a well-deserved vacation." Then he was kissing her again and Valkyrie wouldn't have cared if the vacation was a two week stay at the Irish Sanctuary.
There you have it. And no, not eve I'm mean enough to make them stay at the Sanctuary.