28th December 1972

The wedding was a quiet affair. Just a few close members of Ted's family, a few of his school friends and a few of Andromeda's work colleagues who pitied her enough to come along. Andromeda was being given away by her Uncle Alphard, without the family's knowledge. Alphard was the only member of the Black family who didn't set much store by blood purity, and he had written to Andromeda after he had heard what happened to say that he supported her decision. She was grateful that at least one member of her family was present at her wedding.

"Nervous?" he asked, as they waited outside the hall.

"Not really," she said truthfully. "Just... thinking."

It was true. What was there to be nervous about? This wasn't the wedding of her childhood dreams. She wasn't wearing a tight, frilly dress, presenting herself in front of all these ancient pure-blood families, who would turn their nose up at her if she made the slightest stumble. She wasn't trying to impress anyone. She was just there to be herself.

All the same, Alphard placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She smiled up at him. She was so happy that he sent the letter and that he was there. She didn't know who else would have given her away. It slightly filled the gaping hole left by her family. But she couldn't help herself from sighing and wishing that it didn't feel so wrong to be doing this without her parents and sisters.

"It's time," he said, checking his watch.

They opened up the double doors, and the beautifully decorated hall and the look of adoration on Ted's face were easily enough to dismiss any doubts that she had.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, once she had walked up the aisle and took her place beside him in front of the registrar.

Andromeda couldn't help but grin as the registrar began, "We are gathered here today..."

She disagreed. She didn't think she looked beautiful. It wasn't really very dignified to get married with a baby bump (yes, it was becoming more prominent by the day). She had definitely had some disapproving looks in Madam Malkin's when she asked to be fitted for a maternity wedding gown. She liked her dress though; it was long, lacy and loose-fitting so her bump wasn't too obvious. However, Andromeda had still had several moments of horror over the past few weeks thinking how awful her wedding photos would look. But then she remembered that she didn't belong to the Blacks any more - in fact today she would officially become Andromeda Tonks - and she didn't have to worry about what everybody else would think.

But there were other types of beauty, and even though she couldn't see herself, Andromeda knew that Ted was referring to the radiant look on her face. It felt so perfect, so much more than she had expected it to. She looked down towards the child that was growing inside her stomach. Yes, it was a child. She hadn't thought about it like that enough. This brought them together, united them. They could be like a proper family.

The ceremony passed in a whirl amongst Andromeda's thoughts - she just about managed to say all the right things in all the right places - and it seemed like no time at all before Andromeda had a ring on her finger and the registrar pronounced them husband and wife. They kissed passionately; they didn't care that there was anyone watching. Andromeda had wanted to kiss him ever since she had opened the door and seen his lovestruck expression. They could finally be a normal couple, they didn't have to hide any more.

Before the kiss broke, Andromeda felt something. A twinge in her stomach. She pulled away from Ted abruptly.

"Ted! Can you feel this?" she exclaimed, seizing his had and pressing it to her bump. "There! It kicked! The baby kicked!"

"Oh, yes! I feel it!" he cried joyfully. "I was thinking it should be about time it showed itself. And what better time? It must know that this is meant to be!"

And suddenly, Andromeda realised, looking down at her expanding stomach, the baby seemed less like a problem, and more like something amazing.

A/N: Well this chapter hated me! I've been trying to write a wedding scene for ages, I even created a challenge to see if it would help me with any inspiration, but it didn't really work, haha. But I got there in the end, thanks to kci47 and her invaluable help with this chapter! Let me know what you thought, I'm especially desperate for feedback on this chapter! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed previous chapters, I love you a lot.

Disclaimer: I am not, and never will be, J K Rowling, and therefore I am not lucky enough to take the credit for Harry Potter.