HEY! LONG TIME NO SEE! I'm so sorry this has taken so long, so, to make up for it, I wrote an extra long chapter. I think that this is going to be the last chapter, followed by a epilogue and an alternate ending (I hope). I spent a while on this chapter, so I hope it's good. Please inform me of mistakes so I can correct them immediately. I don't often catch my own errors xD. Anyway, enjoy reading this because I had fun writing it.

Artemis glanced out of his window nervously. Two hours. In two short hours, he would be married. It was almost too much to handle. But he was excited. Nothing like this had ever happened in the history of the earth, as far back as could have been recorded. This was something that had never happened and probably would never happen again. It was a momentous occasion; the joining of human and fairy.

Butler stood in the doorway, waiting for Artemis to compose himself. The manservant alone had been charged with preparing Artemis for the wedding, and it was difficult when his charge was being uncooperative.

"Artemis, are you quite finished? You do have to get ready before the wedding because you certainly can't get married dressed like that," Butler stated, motioning to Artemis's pajama pants with a hint of annoyance. "Not when Holly is all dressed up."

Artemis nodded brusquely and turned to face the hulking bodyguard. "Alright, I'm ready."

Butler nodded and held up the tuxedo he had in his hand. "Well, we can start with this."

Holly gasped as Caballine pulled the back of the dress together in order to do it up. She hadn't expected it to be so tight.

Caballine smiled sympathetically. "You may not be able to breath for a while..."

Holly rolled her eyes. "I can handle it."

"I'm sure you can." The centaur pulled once more, fastening the last hook, then stood back. "There. You look beautiful Holly."

Holly examined her reflection in the floor length mirror in the guest room. She supposed she looked okay; Artemis would probably think she looked beautiful. Typical. Artemis always thought she looked beautiful.

But Holly still had the feeling something was missing. She looked around the room, spotting a vase of flowers on a table. She walked over, picked one, broke off part of the long stem, and stuck the flower behind her ear. Holly glanced at herself in the mirror once more, then nodded. "Okay, I'm ready now."

Caballine smiled. "I'll inform Foaly and Qwan. They're waiting."

Holly nodded and, as Caballine left the room, walked over to the window and glanced out. She couldn't see the area where they would be wed from here, a deliberate action of her friends. They didn't want to 'spoil the surprise'. Holly rolled her eyes and sat on the giant bed. She ran her fingers over the deep blue silk sheets and sighed. Finally, it was going to happen.

Artemis paced his room with trepidation, unable to sit down. There was a mere ten minutes before the wedding began. He was excited, nervous, anxious and absolutely dying to see Holly.

Finn came bursting into the room at that moment, out of breath. "Daddy, the centaur says that it's time."

Artemis nodded, smiling at how grown up his son looked in a tuxedo. Finn ran over and grabbed Artemis's hand, beginning to pull. "Are you coming?"

"Yes, I am. I'm just nervous."

"What for? You already know Mommy, it's not like you're marrying a stranger."

"Touché," Artemis muttered and allowed himself to be dragged from the room by his son. Images swirled in his head as he walked. He saw himself waiting in a camouflaged tent, waiting for a heat signature to appear on a screen. He watched his twelve year old self bargain with Julius Root about the plight of Holly and some fairy gold. He winced as he lied to Holly, telling her she had given his mother Spelltropy.

He was still convinced that he didn't deserve her. He had only hurt her, yet she still wanted to be with him, when she could have been with Trouble instead, be with a member of her own race. Maybe he would never understand.

He sighed as Finn pulled him through the front doors towards the side lawn near the patio. Artemis blinked in surprise when he saw the yard.

A large white arch was centered in front of a few rows of white chairs. Vines and white lilies snaked around the arch and a white platform stood in the middle of the arch. Lilies, roses and carnations, all white, were also wrapped around the chairs. Snow couldn't have made the area look any whiter, or more beautiful.

Artemis looked at Caballine. "Did you enjoy doing this?" he asked, waving a hand at the yard.

Caballine nodded. "Do you like it?"

"Of course. You did a wonderful job."

Caballine smiled. "Good."

As the two spoke, Artemis noticed his parents, along with a very confused looking Myles and Beckett, exit the house. Artemis supposed his mother had told the twins about the fairies, since Foaly didn't really have a way to disguise a couple of demons and centaurs effectively. Artemis's family were the only humans attending the wedding and were therefore the only ones who would know about the existence of fairies. Foaly had agreed to them knowing, grudgingly.

Artemis only wondered what would happen if the media showed up. No one but those attending had been informed about the wedding, but that wouldn't stop the news. Artemis's marriage would be a big thing once word got out, as no one had ever expected the genius to get married. The interview was the part that Artemis was looking the least forward to.

The rest of the guests, mainly fairy friends of Holly's, had come out of the house and taken their seats as Artemis had been thinking, and Qwan motioned him up to the platform as his mother began to play a song on a large white grand piano in a corner.

Artemis stepped up to the platform and watched as Holly's two bridesmaids, Caballine and another fairy he wasn't very familiar with, exited the house and walked down the aisle, escorted by Foaly and another elf successively. Foaly and the male elf stood beside the platform on Artemis's side as Caballine and the female elf took their places on the other side, where Holly would be standing.

Then the tone of the music changed and Artemis smiled as Holly stepped out of the doors. He couldn't help but just stare at her. She was so beautiful he could think of nothing else. She held herself high as she walked down the aisle, her eyes fixed on Artemis and a smiled playing about her lips. There would be nothing deterring her from getting to him.

She stepped onto the platform and he took her hands in his as Qwan stood before them, a big smile on his face. He said something, but Artemis didn't hear, his thoughts again revolving around his kidnapping of Holly. He was transfixed, unable to move when Holly met his mismatched eyes and mouthed, "I still love you," as if she had read his thoughts. He nodded slightly and turned to Qwan, catching the end of his sentence.

"I do," he said and he looked into Holly's eyes, knowing what he was to say from numerous rehearsals.

Qwan nodded and turned to Holly, speaking the same words to her as he had said to Artemis.

"I do," she responded after Qwan had finished.

Qwan nodded, then looked out over the group of people and fairies. "And now, if anyone had any objections, speak, or forever hold your peace."

Artemis glanced out nervously, hoping that none of the fairies he didn't know would oppose.

However, to his surprise, one elf rose. He heard Holly's small gasp from beside him and he blinked as well. They had been so sure that Trouble wasn't going to come.

Trouble nodded. "I have an objection." Qwan gave a small nod and Trouble continued.

"As you all very well know, this human," he said, pointing at Artemis, "kidnapped Holly, lied to and manipulated her. We've all heard about his schemes, who's to say this isn't one of them? Get married to a fairy, and then use that power to destroy our species. He says he's changed, but how can we really know for sure? Holly may just be caught in another one of his plots again." He turned and looked at Holly. "Besides, she should be marrying inside her own species, not contaminating the world with crossbreeds," he said, looking pointedly at Finn, who stuck his tongue out at Trouble.

Holly gasped. "How dare you call my son a crossbreed? And I actually considered marrying you," she spat. Artemis placed his hand on her arm warningly.

"It would have been better than marrying that Mud Slime," Trouble shot back. "You know what he did to you, why do you ignore it? You're only hurting yourself Holly."

Holly glared at Trouble. "Leave. I won't have you insulting Artemis or Finn. I invited you because I thought that we'd be able to get past this and at least be friends, like we've always been, but I guess not." She turned her back on Trouble and looked at Artemis. His expression was pained, he knew that Trouble was right. She shook her head. "Don't listen to him."

"But he's right," Artemis whispered, hanging his head.

"Artemis Fowl, you will not do this to me right now! Are you listening? I want to marry you, whether you did some bad things in the past or not. It isn't you anymore, and I know that, which is what's important."

Artemis shook his head, Trouble's rant having broken him once again. "But that part of me will always be there." He could hear some whispering in the crowds, the fairies that were agreeing with Trouble, and each nod hurt him even more. He didn't think that he would be able to survive without Holly, but maybe it would be for the best. If she could have a normal life, then he could end his knowing that she was happy.

Holly watched his eyes, almost reading his thoughts through his expressions. Her eyes widened as his face moved from one degree of sadness to the next and just kept falling. She gripped his shoulders and shook her head. "Artemis. I know what you're thinking and you can stop right now, because no matter what, I will not be happy unless I'm with you. I've told you that so many times, why can't you just believe me?"

"Because sometimes I see it in your eyes," Artemis whispered, surprising her. She had thought she had it hidden so well.

"Every once and a while I see it," Artemis continued quietly, so only Holly could hear him, "the desire in you to marry Trouble and stay with your own species."

Holly shook her head and gestured to her body, then his. "It's a bit late now Artemis. You have a fairy's lifespan and I have the height of a human. And even if every once and a while I do want to marry Trouble, the desire to be with you overrides it in a second. I love you Artemis, more than anything, except Finn, and I want to be with you." Holly looked at Qwan. "Can we finish this? Artemis and I are done."

Qwan glanced out at the group for approval. The majority of heads nodded, so Qwan continued, with an apologetic look at Trouble.

"Although there may be reason to call off this wedding, the majority has agreed to continue and therefore I shall." He turned back to Holly and Artemis as Finn walked forward, bearing the rings. Holly and Artemis each took one, sliding it onto each other's fingers at Qwan's nod. The demon smiled once they were finished. "I now pronounce you man and elf," he said, his grin broadening. "Artemis, you can kiss her."

Artemis took a step and leaned forward, kissing Holly briefly on the lips. They could finish later. He took her into his arms as applause broke out, and rested his forehead against hers. "Thanks. I think you saved me from drowning in myself once again."

"Artemis, I wouldn't let Trouble get to you." She noticed Trouble slinking out of the yard from the corner of her eye just then, but didn't mention it to Artemis. He had enough to get through. "I love you."

Artemis nodded once. "I love you too."

Artemis sat in one of the white chairs, arms crossed, watching Holly as she conversed with Caballine. The elf and centaur were certainly good friends and Artemis was glad his now wife had someone else to talk to. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, wondering if he needed someone like that too. He could talk to Foaly now and then, but the centaur usually made a joke of even the most serious things. Artemis closed his eyes.

However, seconds later, he was assaulted by his brothers' loud voices as they approached him.

"Hey Artemis!" Beckett called.

Artemis ran his tongue over his front teeth, then opened his eyes. "Hello Beckett, Myles. Unless there's something in particular that you would like to speak with me about, I would like you to leave."

Beckett smirked and slouched in a chair beside Artemis. "Don't be so uptight brother. You just got married."

Myles sat on the other side of Artemis, in a more dignified manner than his twin. "No kidding. You have to be a bit looser for tonight, if you know what I mean."

Artemis glared at him. "What do you two want? Because you certainly don't want to talk about my love life."

"Good point," muttered Beckett, screwing up his face.

"We don't really want anything," Myles said, grinning at Beckett's disgusted face. "Mother and Father told us to congratulate you, although I still think it's a lost cause. I think that you shouldn't have had the kid in the first place. You totally screwed up."

"Thank you for pointing that out." Artemis stood, sidestepping Beckett in an attempt to remove himself from the twin's presence.

Beckett got to his feet and raised his arms in a sort of shrug. "Whatever you say brother. I second Myles' statement. Even though you're married now, you royally screwed up before. And kidnapping her? Even I wouldn't have done something that stupid. I'm surprised that she even wanted to marry you anymore."

Artemis clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. He whirled around on his heel and grasped Beckett by the collar of his tuxedo. "If you ever say anything like that again, I will personally make sure that you wake up the next morning in Africa."

Beckett shrugged, pulling Artemis's fingers from his blazer collar. "It's true though, and you know it," he said, backing away from Artemis. "I saw your eyes when that other fairy accused you of kidnapping Holly. You looked like you'd just been stabbed. You'd better be good to her or she might change her mind, and I'm sure you couldn't handle that." He whirled around and ran, Myles following close behind, from an enraged Artemis.

Artemis curled his hands into fists, his breathing heavy. Why did everyone have to be right about the only thing that Artemis thought and worried about constantly?

He glanced over at Holly, making sure she was fully occupied, before stalking into the house and down into the cellar. He searched the dark room for a bottle of scotch, shaking hands knocking against bottles and racks. Finally his fingers closed around the familiar shape of the scotch bottle. He pulled it from the rack and stumbled up the cellar stairs, then the main staircase and into his study. When he got into the room, he locked the door and sat at his desk, uncorking the scotch. He knew Holly would be upset with him when she found him, but he could think of nothing else than that horrible night when he had ordered Butler to tranquilize his wife. He shook his head and drank deeply from the scotch bottle, the strong alcohol almost immediately muddling his thoughts. He couldn't handle the guilt that came with the thoughts of his first meeting with Holly. He had treated her as an animal and it plagued him, day and night. He still dreamt of it, the nightmare causing him to often fall from his bed, giving Myles and Beckett even more reason to laugh when they discovered him in the morning tangled in a sheet and lying on the floor. He took another drink of scotch, feeling his problems wash away with the alcohol.

"Well, it's getting dark. I think Foaly and I should get going," Caballine stated, giving Holly a hug. Holly nodded.

"I should probably get back to Artemis too. He must be wondering what we could possibly talk about for so long."

Caballine nodded and trotted off to find Foaly. Holly waved, then glanced around, her eyes scanning the yard for Artemis. He had been sitting in one of the white chairs earlier, but wasn't there anymore. She sighed. He'd most likely gotten bored and retired to his study. Holly dutifully said her goodbyes to the rest of the guests before running as fast as she could in high heels and a wedding dress up to the guest room. She shrugged out of her dress and shoes, slipping on one of the numerous pairs of jeans that Artemis had bought for her. She picked a plain tee shirt from one of the shopping bags sitting on the floor, as she hadn't bothered to put the clothes away, and pulled it over her head before walking to Artemis's study.

She knocked twice, then tried the doorknob. To her surprise, it was locked. She knocked again but received no answer. She blinked before pulling a pin from her still extravagantly done up hair. She stuck it in the lock and twisted it about until it came open. She pushed the door open silently and stepped in, wondering why in the world Artemis had locked it. That was when she noticed the bottle of scotch in his hand. She shook her head and took in the scene in front of her.

Artemis sat with his back facing her, staring blankly at the wall in front of him. His arm rested on the desk, hand gripping the scotch. When he heard Holly enter the room, he swivelled the chair to face her. His appearance brought tears to her eyes.

His hair and tuxedo were dishevelled, his cheeks tearstained and his eyes rimmed with red. Holly sighed and walked briskly over to him, laying a hand gently on his arm while her other hand removed the scotch bottle from his grasp. He complied without resistance. She placed it just out of reach before looking into his eyes. "Oh Artemis..."

Those simple words brought fresh tears to his eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered hoarsely.

Holly shook her head and went over to another chair, pulling it across from where Artemis sat. She took a seat and held his hands in hers. "What happened?"

"Myles and Beckett...I thought...he said...you would leave..." Artemis mumbled incoherently, the alcohol and the emotions affecting his speech and thought patterns. He looked down at his lap, unable to meet her gaze.

"I'm not going anywhere Arty," Holly said gently, full realization of the situation hitting her. Of course Trouble had revealed Artemis's blunder of kidnapping her when he had objected to their wedding. Myles and Beckett hadn't known of it until then. Holly knew that they often insulted and hurt Artemis. They must have kindled his hate of himself again by bringing up the kidnapping.

She placed a hand on either side of his face and lifted it so his eyes met hers. "Arty, I'm not leaving. I never will, no matter what you think. I promise. You would have to do something truly despicable to make me leave, and I know you never would. You are a completely different man now." She may as well have had the speech memorized, she'd said it to him so many times.

He nodded, a lone tear running down his face and dripping onto his pants. He blinked once. "You look beautiful."

Holly laughed once. "Thank you. But I looked better before."

Artemis shook his head. "I don't think so. It was a beautiful dress, but you'll always look best to me dressed in a green jumpsuit."

Holly smiled. "I don't think it will fit me anymore."

"Then I'll just have to make do with jeans and a tee shirt." He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling his eyelids begging him for some rest. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. I'm just glad that you're okay." Holly took his hands in hers again.

"I think I wreaked our wedding night," he mumbled. "I shouldn't have drunk the scotch."

"I don't blame you Artemis. That was a horrible thing for Trouble and your brothers to do on your wedding day. If anything, I'm sorry that they said things that all of them shouldn't have."

Artemis sighed. "I'm tired."

"I'm sure you are," Holly said, glancing once at the scotch bottle. Artemis wasn't too drunk, but he was drunk. "You just have to promise me one thing."

"What's that?" Artemis asked, pulling at the collar of his shirt, dying to remove his bowtie.

Holly undid the tie carefully, letting it drape around his neck. "You have to promise me that next time anyone says something that tempts you to drink, you'll come to me first."

Artemis nodded. "Alright. That sounds simple enough."

Holly, despite the situation, couldn't help a small giggle. The alcohol was definitely getting to his head. If he was sober, he would have been appalled by his ridiculous responses to what she said.

"Good," Holly said, helping him from the chair to his feet. She led him to his room, sitting him down on the bed. She knew that any normal woman would be mad at her husband if he was drunk and upset on their wedding night. But Holly couldn't be angry with Artemis at the moment. She knew how much it hurt him to be reminded of that fateful evening, much less to be blamed for it publically at his wedding. She had enough time ahead of her to be annoyed with him.

She helped him undress and put on his pajamas, brush his teeth and get back to bed in one piece. Then she changed into a pair of pajama pants, pulled all the pins from her hair and slipped into bed beside him.

He rolled onto his side so he faced her. "I've been looking forward to this for so long, being married to you," he said quietly. Holly could see the effort he put into speaking coherently.

Holly nodded. "Me too. I love you so much Artemis. Every night I was away I thought of you."

"I did the same thing. I always dreamt of you." His eyes dropped towards the bed the slightest bit.

"Is it about the kidnapping?" Holly inquired softly.

"You know me too well," Artemis muttered.

"Better than anyone, I think," Holly replied. "I really wish you wouldn't dream of that anymore though. It's in the past. You really need to let go of that night. It's done and gone and it's because of your ridiculous ambition that we're here together right now." She laid a hand on his bare chest, feeling his heart beat.

He closed his eyes briefly, taking a few deep breaths. "Alright," he said when he finally spoke. "I promise not to think obsessively of it, speak of it, or dream of it again."

Holly smiled broadly. "Thank you."

"And if I don't remember that promise in the morning, please remind me," Artemis mumbled.

Holly nodded, then realized he couldn't see her with his eyes closed. "I will. Now I think you should get some sleep."

Artemis sighed, opening his eyes, and held his arms out to her. "I want to make sure you don't disappear while I sleep."

She laughed and moved into his embrace. She curled up against his chest and let out a contented sigh. "Goodnight Artemis. I love you."

He breathed in the scent of her, kissed her hair and whispered, "I love you too. You are the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on."

"Thank you," she whispered back. She closed her eyes and felt Artemis's breathing deepen as he fell into a deep sleep. She was quick to follow.