Warning: mild het

Organ music played as Marion, breathtakingly beautiful in a lacy white gown with matching head dress, walked down the aisle toward her beloved. Illya, dashingly handsome in his black tuxedo and tie, watched adoringly from where he stood. He and Marion had waited for this day for so long, and now that it was finally here, their joy knew no bounds.

The music stopped, and the ceremony began. As Marion listened to the minister's words, her heart was filled with joy. Her son had been returned to her safe and sound, and from this day forward, she and Illya would be one.

"Illya Nickovetch Kuryakin, do you take Marion Jill Raven to be your lawfully wedded wife?" asked the minister.

"I do," said Illya.

"Marion Jill Raven, do you take Illya Nickovetch Kuryakin to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," said Marion.

"Then, by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Illya lifted Marion's veil and kissed her lips. A reception with a four-tiered cake and punch followed.

"Awfully glad it's you and not me," Napoleon said to his friend.

"So am I," Illya replied with a smile. He couldn't imagine his former partner ever being able to settle down with just one woman.

"So it's off to the Virgin Islands for a couple of weeks and then a lifetime of wedded bliss here in New York City." Marion had spent a few months on the Virgin Islands as part of the Witness Protection Program the previous year and wanted to share some of her favorite spots with Illya.

"I hope so." Illya gave a sharp chuckle. "Although I cannot imagine going any length of time at all without having to look over my shoulder."

"Well, at least you don't have to worry about Kurt Holden anymore." As Illya had predicted, the THRUSH operative had indeed received a lengthy prison sentence. In exchange for testifying against her husband, Elsa Holden had received a suspended sentence and had also been allowed to retain custody of her son. She'd begun divorce proceedings against Kurt and had begged Illya and Marion to forgive her for her part in Elijah's kidnapping. As a mother herself, Marion had readily forgiven the distraught woman, but predictably, it had been much more difficult to win Illya's sympathy.

Willie Sanderson and the hospital lab worker had also received prison terms for their parts in the ruse.

The newlyweds boarded the airplane to the Virgin Islands after kissing their son good-bye and leaving him in Bonita's care. Understandably, Marion had been reluctant to leave her son for that length of time so soon after his return, and it had taken quite a bit of persuasion from Illya to convince her that Elijah really would be all right.

Later that night, the petite blonde waited in bed for her new husband to come to her. Illya emerged from the bathroom naked except for the towel around his waist.

"Mm," Marion moaned appreciatively. She tugged at the towel, which immediately dropped to the floor.

"We have not had nearly enough time to be alone together recently," Illya stated as he joined her in bed. "I intend to begin making up for that right away."

They began to kiss passionately, Marion's fingers running through Illya's blond locks as his hands moved underneath her thin nightgown to tease her nipples until they ached.

Soon her nightgown and panties had both been dispensed with, and as he slid into her warm, moist cavern, he knew that he'd never felt happier or more secure.