Oh yeah, I do not own W.I.T.C.H. or any of the characters, the plot is totally a work of my twisted little mind...

Chapter 27: Totally Worth It

Nigel's POV

I heard several gasps when I stated my personal worth. It's not something I go around broadcasting, so I knew it would catch everyone by surprise. Yep, I'm a secret Richie Rich. I've been working and waiting for the day to rub Mrs. Cook's face in my success and prove to her I am worthy of Taranee. To prove that I'm the only one worthy of her.

"Mmmhmm," Judge Rizoli nodded and asked in a serious tone, "You sound serious now, but what about in six months or a year? Are you ready to face the trials of life? What if she decides being married to you isn't what she wants? What then? Do you take your support and move on to greener pastures? What happens to her then?"

"Whether you grant me permission to marry her today or not, I plan to sign it all over to her. No matter what happens between us, she'll be taken care of. I'm not afraid. If Taranee just asks me to, I'll start from scratch and do it all again." I handed her the completed account transfer form I had prepared in advance placing Taranee's name on the holding accounts as owner.

Judge Rizoli scanned the form then looked out at Taranee and asked, "You really chose a good one didn't you? Are you sure you share his depth of feeling and commitment?"

I watched as Taranee began to emphatically nod her head yes. It felt like a weight was lifted from my chest. Coming here today I hadn't known if it was too soon to ask her to marry me. But seeing how things had come together for Caleb and Irma had made me hopeful.

"No! No! You will not marry that...that...hoodlum! Do you hear me!" Theresa Cook stood up shouting, her face twisted and her eyes full of hate.

Bang! Bang! The sound of the gavel rang through the court room.

"Order! Order in the court!" Judge Rizoli's voice rose above Mrs. Cook's continual raving even as her husband pulled at her and pleaded with her to be quiet.

"Bailiff, restrain that woman!"

The stocky man that had stood like a statue beside her bench went into motion at the judge's command. The bailiff pulled Mrs. Cook, raving wide-eyed, from the court room. Mr. Cook watched in absolute shock as his crazed wife was forcibly removed.

And my first thought as the big doors closed shutting her out and cutting off her screams?

Totally. Worth. It.

Taranee's POV

My breath caught in my chest, and tears flowed down my cheeks at Judge Rizoli's words.

"You may now kiss your bride!"

A cheer went up from the courtroom as our friends celebrated our final win of the day - Nigel pulling me into our first kiss as man and wife.

I had been so tense as the judge grilled Nigel and sounded so close to denying his request. In my wildest dream I never imagined that Judge Rizoli would not only grant me emancipation, but ordered our immediate marriage in her court before her final ruling. But the truly shocking part was when she ordered my mother be brought back into the court and ordered my parents to remain for the ceremony AND participate in pictures. The judge felt strongly that the story we shared with our family in the future should include pictures of the whole family – just in case we never reconciled with my parents, our kids would have a record to look back and see their grandparents in attendance.

We were given a 30 minute break while the marriage license and emancipation paperwork were prepared. While we were in the alcove, Peter moved to my side, and asked, "May I?" as he held out his arm.

I had looked at him quizzically, and he offered, "Someone has to give away the bride." In the rush of activity, I hadn't thought about any wedding traditions. I felt a smile break out on my face as I realized once again that even though my parents were lost to me, I was still richly surrounded by family and love. I felt a smile take over my face and thought I was ready to walk back into the courtroom with my brother by my side.

"We have gifts too," Elyon said excitedly.

"First, something old," Will and Matt stepped up and presented me with a key. I looked at them confused.

"It's a key to a two-bedroom apartment above my grandfather's pet shop. It's across from the one Will and I are taking."

I felt my jaw drop open at this news. I looked from Matt to the key then to Will, totally astonished.

Will waved her hand as if to dismiss my shock and told me, "Like I said, its an old four-unit brownstone but the apartments are in great shape and close to school...it's a good place to call home."

Grasping the key tightly in my palm, I grabbed Will and Matt into a hug barely, able to believe what my friends were giving me. This morning I had no idea where I would be at the end of the hearing...but now I have a home. There were no words to express my feelings so I just clung to them until I was able to murmur a heartfelt, "Thank you."

Will pulled back wiping her eyes as Matt guided her back a few steps to let the next person come forward.

"Oh! Oh! Me next," Elyon moved up as quick as a sprite, with a sparkle in her eyes, she said, "My gift is your something new."

With a wave of her hand, my clothes were transformed into a beautiful white wedding dress. Soft silk draped gently across my shoulders and chest, flowing over my shoulders. I turned my head to see the material gathered at my back then pooled out behind me to form a modest train. Looking down, I saw that my humble penny loafers were changed into soft, comfy pumps in a satiny white material.

"Elyon!," I gasped realizing how much magic she was using in public.

"Don't worry about it," she said with a sly grin, "Cornelia's mom told the judge that there were several things we had prepared for you in case the decision went our way. As far as she knows we brought all of this with a plan of going with you to a justice of the peace on the fourth floor after the hearing."

I leaned down to capture her in a bear hug with all my strength. Elyon whispered excitedly in my ear, "The dress has pockets. Oh, and wait until you see your underwear!"

I gave a soft squeak as I released Elyon and was turned by Anna to face Irma.

"Something borrowed," Irma said thickly as she removed her birth mother's gold stud earrings. As she made to hand them to me I shook my head, too shocked to even consider borrowing Irma's most treasured items.

"Taranee, please don't refuse them. I feel like my mom would agree...In my own way I want to share with you a piece of my mom...to share the love and protection I've always known. Especially with things the way they are..."

Irma moved forward and removed my birthstone earrings and inserted hers. I felt a lump grow in my throat as she hugged me when she finished and said, "I'll hold on to these for you until we get home."

Hay and Cornelia stepped forward. Hay held a small bouquet that I could tell was from the gift shop. She pulled the small slightly wilted bunch white roses surrounded by baby's breath to her nose and inhaled deeply and asked, "Don't you just love roses?"

She handed he flowers to Cornelia, who moved a hand over the bouquet in a quick swipe, I watched as vibrant blue color surged up from the base of the pale flowers and overtook the original white color. A deep, true blue emerged, the color of a perfect sky after a spring rain. As the color worked its way to the tips of the petals, I saw the flowers become more invigorated and the baby's breath garnish begin to stand up proudly.

Cornelia handed me the bouquet, as she and Hay said together, "Something blue."

"Five minutes," Mr. Lair announced peeking out of the courtroom door. He took one look at me and let out a whistle of appreciation. He stepped fully into the alcove and closed the door gently behind him. He walked over and placed his hands gently on my shoulders and told me with tears in his eyes, "Taranee you are a beautiful bride. I know I'm not your dad, but I couldn't be more proud if you were my daughter. I just want to take this moment to do what your dad should be here doing: "I wish you a happy life. I am now and will always be proud of you. You are forever a part of my heart and my family's heart."

Then he kissed my forehead and said, "I wish you all the joy and love in the world, baby girl."

Mr. Lair gave Peter a questioning glance. From my side, my brother gave him a thumbs up and said, "I've got this."

Mr. Lair nodded then re-entered the courtroom.

Peter looped his arm in mine and asked me, "Are you ready?"

That's how I found myself standing in front of the judge's bench. Somehow, I heard every word she said and managed to repeat my vows while remaining in a deep state of shock.

Then the kiss ended and I tried to pull air into my starved lungs. I heard Judge Rizoli's robes swish as she reclaimed her seat behind the bench. Through my tear clouded eyes, I felt hands guide me into various positions, but nothing really sunk into my brain except for my wonder at the feel of Nigel's hand holding mine. The feel of my husband standing solid and loving beside me.

I slowly came back to reality, as my friends moved around my dazed form taking picture after picture with multiple cell phones. Judge Rizoli allowed the merry making to carry on until everyone was satisfied that all of the needed pictures had been captured. Then she called the room back to order, causing my friends to scurry back to seats behind the rail.

Looking very pleased with herself, the judge continued like we had not just stopped in the middle of a hearing to perform an impromptu wedding.

"Now to the matter of my final ruling..."

Cheers!

11/12/2015 10:55 PM