Disclaimer: A couple of OCs are mine but it's otherwise all JKR's world and people. Some M-rated elements are at the end.

A week after deciding to marry Emily, Severus Snape had cause to reflect that Margo Smith was perhaps the most formidable woman he had ever met. He and Emily had gone to her at the hospital that night and told her about the baby and that they planned to marry. She had not gotten angry or upset but had asked a few pertinent questions of her daughter. When Severus had said he wanted to marry Emily within the next day if possible, she told him in no uncertain terms that he would have to wait a full week. After that she began her plans by inviting his mother to tea.

As it happened, Margo McMillan Smith and Eileen Prince Snape had known each other at Hogwarts. They had been in the same year and had similar career paths, as Margo became a Healer and Eileen a midwife, so they took the same NEWT courses. They reunited as long lost sisters and spent several hours reminiscing about school days while planning the framework of their children's lives. All attempts to curtail them were met by the sternest of motherly stares.

As Severus had watched with a mixture of admiration and fear, Margo had strong-armed caterers, musicians and event workers into creating a paradise of sorts in the garden of her terraced house. Emily had meekly submitted to dress fittings and lunches and discussing things like color schemes. Finally, Margo had filled her garden with guests, by inviting all of his and Emily's class at Hogwarts and then all of her own Hogwart's class. There were also notable Healers and St. Mungo's staff present.

And so it was, he thought ruefully, that the entire Marauder group was at his wedding. The bright spot of that circumstance was that Lily looked lovely in green dress robes. He looked over the assembled crowd again and pondered the strength of will of the woman who was about to be his mother-in-law. Even he had undergone some amount of transformation in her schemes, wearing brand new dress robes, and submitting to this enormous party to celebrate a love he didn't feel. The consequences of submitting to her were not all bad, however. For the first time in his life he was wearing something that had been tailored just for him.

Margo Smith was definitely the most formidable woman he had ever known, with the possible exception of the woman that the guests were now standing to see. It was hard to compare the events of this last week to those of the night that Emily had threatened him with an Unforgivable Curse less than an hour before pulling him into her bedroom. He was grateful that in both cases the lady in question was acting in the best interests of those involved. Had those two been Death Eaters even the Dark Lord would surely have reason to fear.

A hush came over everyone as Emily came into view. Severus beheld the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, walking toward him. The dress was ivory satin. Her curves were pushed upward by the snug bodice and just visible above the scooped neckline that was edged in lace. Her skirt was full, giving an impression of her slimness, and the puffed sleeves gave an impression of innocence. She was not wearing a veil, but the hairdresser had woven miniature roses and baby's breath into her hair. Her face might not have the same lively beauty as another he could mention, but today she was radiant.

He glanced at the floral arrangement she held. He had watched that morning as his mother had put it together from flowers he had gathered. There were none to signify true love, but there were many to show his affection, hope, kindness and a promise to be faithful. Eileen had mixed and arranged the flowers with the delicate precision of a Potions Mistress and the resulting bouquet smelled heavenly and looked perfect in Emily's hands.

As Emily drew near to him, Severus chanced a last glance at Lily. For today, he decided, the bride was more beautiful. Lily might be pretty and happy upon the arm of her husband, but Emily had that glow about her. Severus somehow knew that she glowed for him and he smiled even as he looked intently upon her, wanting to capture every detail. He offered her his arm as she drew near, per the instructions given him yesterday evening, and was rewarded by a sweet smile that only he and perhaps the Officiator could see.

Severus and his bride answered the questions the Officiator asked and exchanged glances. For just a moment he saw the bold little girl who pushed her way into studying with him early in first year. He could recall many instances of their friendship since then, of her companionship and many little kindnesses toward him.

He remembered the times Emily consoled him when Lily wouldn't speak to him and the ways she had always encouraged him and made him feel important. He realized how much he would miss that if they had drifted apart, as they eventually would have done, and understood how marrying her was the most natural option under the circumstances. He managed a wider smile at that thought and if possible Emily glowed even brighter under that smile.

Suddenly it was over and the Officiator was introducing them as man and wife. With her hand still within his arm, Severus led Emily to the spot designated for greeting the guests. The next few minutes were a flurry of handshakes, hugs, and kisses. Finally all of the people went to sit down or take some refreshments and he and Emily were momentarily alone.

"Can we leave, yet?" he whispered into her ear. Part of him wanted to get away from this party but most of him wanted to be alone with his new wife.

She smiled. "No, we're supposed to start the dancing and in a while there's the cake to cut."

He realized he had never danced with Emily. The one time they had stood together at the Yule Ball, she had spotted his chance to dance with Lily for him and he had gone to do so. After the musicians began playing he took Emily into his arms and they danced for the first time ever.

"Why have we never done this before?" he asked.

"I don't know. It does seem to be successful, though."

He tightened his hold on her and continued to gaze into her face. All too soon the song was over and some of the guests clamored to dance with the bride and groom. Severus's joy in dancing with Lily was only marred by seeing Emily in the arms of Black. On the other hand, she hadn't just married Black. Let him look and wish, Severus decided, Emily's honeymoon will be with me.

The party continued on in full swing. Enough of their classmates had accepted the invitation that there were no awkward moments with those Severus and Emily didn't particularly like. For once the Marauders were perfectly well behaved. They seemed generally more solemn than during school days. Perhaps their work with the Order of the Phoenix gave an outlet to the high spirits that previously had so often resulted in some injury to Severus. Few members of Severus's own house came, although some did as this was a true event under the rules that pure-blood families followed.

Seeing that her daughter's energy was flagging and ever mindful of her grandchild somewhere under all of the yards of satin and tulle, Margo Smith decided to speed up the schedule a bit. She summoned Severus and Emily to the wedding cake. Severus's hand was firm over Emily's trembling one as they cut it and fed each other a taste.

They had been able to ignore the feelings that touching each other had given them all day, even managing to kiss somewhat chastely when called upon to do so. Now the sensation of lips and tongues on fingers threatened to be their undoing. Their glances became heated, and Severus found that his hand was now attached to Emily's waist as if by a Sticking Charm. As soon as they finished and the servers took over to serve the cake to the guests, Margo kissed them both goodbye.

"Go say goodbye to Eileen and then go on," she told them. "Emily looks too beautiful today to have it marred by looking tired."

Severus agreed. Finally the formidable one was moving events in a direction he desired. He led Emily to his mother and they said their farewells. Eileen kissed them and waved them off with a smile. She was chatting with people she hadn't seen in twenty years and was having the time of her life.

They had arranged to spend their honeymoon in a small hotel on the outskirts of a resort town. They arrived in the room and stared at each other somewhat awkwardly. They leaned and in and kissed each other, but it fell a bit flat.

"Do you suppose it would be easier if we had drunken Marauders in the next room?" asked Emily.

They shared the laugh and it seemed a bit more normal. He kissed her again and the current traveled through them as before. He leaned back and ran his hands over her shoulders and arms. She shivered at his touch.

"You are so beautiful in your wedding dress," Severus said.

"Thank you," she said shyly.

"I couldn't believe you were there to marry me, you looked so wonderful."

"I wanted to look good for you, and you look very handsome, yourself."

They sat on the bed. He kissed her some more and leaned her back into the pillows.

"Ouch!" said Emily, sitting back up. "This dress fit perfectly at the beginning of the week but it's too tight, now. Could you help me out of it? Our mothers fastened me into it and then giggled together over their accomplishment. I think there was spell work involved."

"Of course."

"Have you noticed how close they have gotten? I never realized they'd known each other in school. It's like they're long lost sisters."

Severus brushed his fingertips along the low neckline of her dress, and his lips followed. Emily arched her back and then sighed as he looked up. "We're not cousins," he said, looking into her eyes intently.

"No, we're not," she said as if mesmerized.

He turned her and unfastened the hooks. When he got to the last one, he pushed the dress off of her shoulders and turned her back to face him. He saw places where the dress had been so tight that it had bitten into her skin. He bent down to kiss those spots. "This must have hurt."

Emily shivered at his touch. "It was my wedding dress, and I wanted you to have a beautiful bride."

"You are a beautiful bride." He undressed Emily completely and looked at her for the first time in a month. He noted a softening here and greater fullness there and realized with emotion that his child had caused the changes. "A very beautiful bride."

She had not been motionless under his gaze. She had undone his dress robe, one handed, and was now tugging at his shirt collar. He stood and finished undressing himself, setting their clothing aside. He turned back toward the bed and her arms were held out to him. They were kissing before he sat down and well occupied in caressing each other by the time their heads hit the pillows. They found each other's touch to be as tantalizing as ever when they came together with youthful abandon.

A/N: thank you to beta reader Mark Darcy and reviewers debjunk, allycat1186, and excessivelyperky!