Chapter 214

It's been a long time running
It's been a long time coming
But it's well worth the wait

Kathleen, clad in a red velvet dress, wriggled in her father's arms as he stared down the aisle, waiting for his fiancée to arrive. Brenda, in a long satin purple gown, had just finished her slow stride to the foot of the altar and now the entire congregation was on its feet, holding its breath for the first appearance of the bride. As the opening notes of Pachelbel's Cannon in D swirled through the church, the doors opened and Patrick felt his lungs push out all the air from his body.

Robin, her arm hooked through Mac's, paused at the top of the aisle and beamed a most beatific smile at Patrick. Her gown, strapless white silk with an a-line skirt, had a bright red ribbon the colour of Kathleen's dress, wrapped around her waist. To Patrick she looked like a gift waiting to be unwrapped.

As she took her first few steps down the aisle she was overwhelmed by how full the church was. It was filled with friends, family and well wishers and her only thought as she made her way to the man she loved was that she wished each and every one of them a moment as filled with pure joy as the one she was experiencing.

The walk to him seemed almost interminable but she could not complain for the sight of their daughter being cradled in her father's arms was as heart filling as anything she had ever seen. Having finally reached the altar, they paused and Mac leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"I love you Robin and I wish that you are as happy every day in your life as you are today."

She smiled and squeezed his hand. "Thank you for supporting me," she told him quietly. "Today and every day. I would not be here without you."

Mac took his seat in the front pew as Robin stepped towards Patrick. Reaching out, she hugged her daughter and kissed her cheek, before rising on her tip toes and brushing her lips against his.

Turning around, Patrick passed Kathleen to Noah. Retaking his place at the altar, he held out his hand to Robin and smiled broadly as she slipped hers inside his.

The priest spoke eloquently about the value of love and how while many view a wedding as a destination to reach in the journey of a relationship, it is a beginning not an ending. Looking at Patrick he invited him to recite the vows he had written to Robin.

"Before I met you," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "my life was cut and dried – black and white. I lived inside the margins I had established and never ventured out of my comfort zone. You changed all of that for me. You burst into my life with colours blazing brightly around you. You pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me the value of colouring outside the lines. I learned, by being with you, that love sustains, love empowers and love completes unfinished circles. You have already stood by my side through difficult times and that I am standing here today is as much a testament to your love and devotion and faith as it is to medical science. I have never been as total – as completely loved by another person as I am by you and the gift of our daughter is as great a miracle as I will ever know. I pledge before our friends and family to love you for the rest of our lives."

Robin blinked away the tears that had formed, giving him a watery smile.

"Do you have the ring?" the priest asked.

Patrick turned to Eric, who reaching inside his jacket pocket, pulled out the delicate platinum band and handed it to his best friend. He clapped his shoulder in a sign of support.

As the priest recited the lines, Patrick slipped the ring on Robin's finger and repeated them.

"With this ring, I give you my promise that from this day forward you will not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home. May we walk together through all things. May you feel deeply loved, for indeed you are. With this ring I give you my heart for I have no greater gift to give. I promise I shall do my best. I shall always try. I feel so honoured to call you my wife. I feel so blessed to call you mine. May we feel this joy forever." *

She looked down at the sparkling band and looked back at him, beaming joyfully.

"Robin, would you like to say your vows?"

Inhaling sharply, she nodded. "Every moment I have experienced in my life, good or bad, has been preparing me for you. Everything has been about preparing my heart to love you and to be loved by you. You often call me brave or courageous but the truth of the matter is you are equally brave and courageous. You love with your whole heart and to be on the receiving end of that is truly something extraordinary. We have a daughter – a living, breathing testament to the power of love and watching you as her father is a joy unlike any I have ever known. I know….I know that I come with circumstances that could be considered less than ideal."

She smiled as Patrick's hand tightened around hers. It was not the most romantic of topics but she felt it needed to be said – she wanted to acknowledge it especially on this day because like it or not, her health would be a big factor in their lives forever.

"But you have loved me in spite of and sometimes because of those circumstances. Your love of me has allowed me to feel freer than I have ever felt. In your eyes I feel beautiful and special and adored and it takes a truly special man to give that. I thank God every day that I have found you."

Turning to Brenda, she held her hand out for the ring. Taking the thick platinum band, she slid it on his finger while repeating the priest's words.

"With this ring, I give you my promise that from this day forward you will not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home. May we walk together through all things. May you feel deeply loved, for indeed you are. With this ring I give you my heart for I have no greater gift to give. I promise I shall do my best. I shall always try. I feel so honoured to call you my husband. I feel so blessed to call you mine. May we feel this joy forever."

The priest looked at the happy couple and grinned. "By the power invested in me, it gives me enormous pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. You may now kiss your wife."

A wide grin appeared on Patrick's face as he stepped to her. With infinite tenderness he cupped her face in his hands and softly closed his mouth over hers. Their breath mingled as they each luxuriated in the lazy passion of the kiss. Slowly, reluctantly, they pulled apart but left their mouths hovering.

Gently clearing his throat, the priest smiled at the guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family – I present to you Robin Scorpio-Drake and Patrick Drake."

As the guests burst into applause, Noah placed Kathleen in Robin's arms and the young family practically skipped down the aisle.

****

The ballroom of the Metrocourt hotel was awash in white lights and organza giving the room a most romantic flair. There were full Christmas trees in each corner of the room, each with a star shining brightly. There were ten round tables with white linens to the floor and the chairs were covered in white silk covers with red bows hanging elegantly from the back. An eleventh round table was in the centre awaiting the bride and groom and their friends to take their seats.

Robin clutched Patrick's hand as they walked through the entrance. "It's so magical" she whispered wondrously.

He nodded, dropping a kiss on Kathleen's head. "Just like this whole day."

"Do you like it?" Brenda asked nervously.

Robin had entrusted her with setting up the reception and Brenda had accepted the responsibility as if she had been asked to build the Taj Mahal. No detail was left to chance and she had spent hours making the sure the ballroom was as romantic a scene as possible.

Enveloping her friend in a warm embrace, Robin kissed her cheek. "I love it. Thank you for making it so special for us. For making everything so special."

Robin slid happily into her chair and took her dozing daughter in her arms as Patrick sat down. They linked fingers again and gazed lovingly at each other. Noah, reaching for his water glass, simply shook his head.

"You'd think they just got married or something" he teased.

Patrick, nuzzling his wife's neck, looked up with an unapologetic grin. "How gross are we?"

"Pretty gross" Noah replied. "But you're allowed."

"Good," Robin chimed in. "Because I like being schmoopsy with my boy- ... with my husband."

Kristina, sitting between Eric and Alexis looked up at her mother and with great seriousness asked, "Is schmoopsy the same as being kissy?"

The table erupted in laughter as Alexis assured her daughter that yes, schmoopsy and kissy were similar states of being.

As the first course was served, everyone chatted easily. Kathleen was passed from one set of waiting arms to another and Mac claimed her for himself when it was time to feed her. Leaning in to Patrick, Robin rested her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. He kissed her temple.

"Okay?" he asked quietly.

She nodded. "Look Patrick," she motioned to the table and the room. "Everyone we love is in one room and everyone is happy."

"You happy?"

"I'm better than happy," she told him. "I am, perhaps for the first time ever, at peace."

Threading his fingers through her hair, he drew her towards him and kissed her softly. "God I love you."

As the second course was served, Brenda arranged for a microphone to be brought to the foot of the dancefloor and invited any guests who wished to share a story or good tidings to step up. Much to everyone's surprise there was a steady stream of people with funny stories and good wishes to share. With the plates being cleared away, Brenda, as Mistress of Ceremonies, invited Patrick and Robin to take the floor for their first dance as husband and wife.

The opening strains of 'There is No Greater Love' by Dinah Washington floated through the room and Patrick, taking Robin's hand in his own, led her to the dance floor. He slid his arm around her waist as they moved effortlessly in time, their bodies swaying in unison.

Staring dreamily at her husband, Robin smiled. "You are by far the hottest man I know."

Patrick waggled his eyebrows in response. "Have I mentioned I can't wait to get you out of that dress?"

"I think you said it once or twice in the limo ride over. I'm just grateful that Kathleen has now power of speech yet" she joked.

"I'm just glad that my Dad is taking her for the night because the things I have in mind for you are not baby friendly."

Robin rolled her eyes as she felt her cheeks burn. "Can you believe we're married?"

Patrick shook his head. "No but yes. Does that make any sense? I think I have felt married to you for a while now - so this is more like confirmation for everyone else. I do love calling you my wife though."

"Husband has a nice ring to it too."

As the song came to an end, Patrick twirled her about the floor before swooping her up in a languid kiss.

"Get a room!" Mac called out.

Barely breaking the kiss, Patrick called back, "We intend to."

******
Eric held Alexis in his arms, stealing kisses as they danced. Her hands slid over his shoulders as she looked lovingingly into her husband's eyes. "You should wear a tux more often," she told him appreciatively, "it suits you."

He shook his head. "No, what suits me is having you in my arms. You make me look good - like a respectable grown up and everything."

Cocking her head to the side, she smiled shyly at him. "Did I ever tell you that I love your tattoos?"

"Well I know you like my four-leaf clover. If memory serves you traced it with your finger....and your tongue....the first night we were together"

The apples of her cheeks flushed at the memory. "True," she agreed. "But I think....I think it was the tattoo of the phoenix that even allowed me to entertain the possibility of falling in love with you."

Scrunching up his face, he gave her a curious look. "How so?"

"Do you remember the night at Robin and Patrick's?"

"When Kristina doused me in grape juice?"

She nodded. "I followed you into the kitchen but you had already stripped off your shift. And standing behind you the phoenix just seemed to be so imposing and strong and I remember thinking that there was something so incredibly special about a man with a tattoo like that. Turns out I was right."

It was Eric's turn to blush. "It's funny," he told her quietly as they moved in time with the music. "I got the tattoo on the first anniversary of my all clear. I thought of it, at the time, as proof that I had conquered death and was living again. In the end it would seem the tattoo was more of a preview of things to come. I may have conquered death but I really didn't start living again until I met you. Falling in love with you has truly let me rise from the ashes of a life that had crumbled at my feet."

Her eyes welled with tears as she dragged the blunt edge of her nail along his bottom lip. "I love you" she whispered.

Dipping his head, he kissed her slowly. "I love you more" he replied.

The sound of squealing children caught their attention and pulling apart they saw Josh and Kristina running towards them. "Mommy!! Mommy!! Robin said we could help cut the cake!"

Alexis scooped her daughter up in her arms. "Are you sure sweetheart?"

The little girl nodded. "She said she needed helpers and that Josh and I would be perfect."

"Can we Dad?" Josh asked, "Can we?"

Eric's blue eyes widened in surprise as he picked him up. "You...you just called me Dad"

He nodded. "Because you are." Resting his head on his shoulder, he smiled shyly. "And Alexis is my Mom. This is my family."

Speechless at the young boy's proclamation Eric could do nothing but hug him. A whirlwind of emotions swirled around him and he looked over at his wife.

"We sure are your family," Alexis confirmed. "Everyone has a place and we have all found ours."

"May I have everyone's attention please?" Mac said, speaking into the microphone. "It is tradition to toast the bride but given that our happy couple is a little on the untraditional side I thought it would be appropriate if we toasted both of them. Theirs has not been an easy journey to get to this point and there were days that I know both of them considered walking away but the hallmark of Patrick and Robin is that neither of them are quitters. They are committed, passionate people both professionally and personally. They have shown themselves, each other and all of us, time and again, that when their backs are against the wall they are there for those who love them. So theirs may not have been a traditional romance but it is one built on a most solid foundation. The respect and adoration they have for each other and for wee Kathleen is a shining example to all of us that sometimes love can conquer everything.

I have known and loved Robin since she was a little girl and I have not always approved of her choice in men but I must say that Patrick is a good man, an honourable man and he has made my niece happier than she has ever been in her life. What more could a parent ask for? Today is an ending and a beginning. Their wedding marks the end of a journey to find love and the beginning of the adventure of a life together.

As I'm no poet, I will let Khalil Gibran's words speak for me. 'You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.'

On behalf of those who love you very much, we congratulate you on this momentous day and wish much love and joy in the years to come. To the newlyweds!"

******
As Patrick slid the key into the door of the honeymoon suite, Robin slid her arms around her waist. "Do you think we were rude to leave so early?"

Looking over his shoulder, he gave her a look of mock incredulity. "I think we should be rewarded for showing such restraint. It's our wedding day and now our wedding night and it's time for us to celebrate."

The door had barely closed behind them before his mouth was fastened to hers. His tongue coaxed her lips apart and slid inside the velvety softness of her mouth. Their hands were suddenly everywhere as though they had been denied each other for months rather than hours. It was only the need for oxygen that finally pulled them apart and they stood, close together, chests heaving.

Feeling suddenly restricted, Patrick slipped out of his jacket and tossed it on the chair before pulling off his tie. As Robin moved to undo her red ribbon around her waist, he put his hand on her arm and shook his head.

"I want to undress you," he told her throatily. "I want to undress my wife."

Her hands fell to her side and she turned her back to him. Slowly, he pulled on the ends of the ribbon, undoing the bow and letting the material sail to the ground. Greeted by what seemed to be an unending line of buttons, he set about undoing them, one by one. He placed a soft, sweet kiss over each new small reveal of skin sending shivers through her body. Her head lolled to the side as his fingers brushed against her skin, pushing her dress away from her body, bit by bit. Having finally reached the last button, the dress fell to the floor and holding out his hand, he helped her step out of the dress.

She stood in front of him in a white lace teddy with silk stockings held up by garters and the most beautiful silver stilettos. He shook his head again as she started to take her shoes off and a feline smile formed on her mouth. Moving closer to him she closed her nimble fingers over the buttons of his shirt and made quick work of them. Pushing his shirt open she pressed a kiss in the centre of his chest, her tongue swirling seductively against his warm skin.

A small moan escaped from the back of her throat as his fingers curled in her hair, drawing her face up to him. Robin wound her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss as Patrick gently lifted her legs around his hips. He carried her, never breaking their kiss, into the bedroom. Their soft, loving kisses were turning more urgent and their mouths ravaged each other. Need and passion pushed to the forefront and they tumbled together onto the bed. Her hands moved in a flurry, disengaging him from his shirt and tossing it off the bed. His pants were next and before Patrick even realized they were off, Robin had added them to the growing pile of clothes. Finally pulling apart, they both were breathing raggedly, hungrily gasping for air.

Robin kneeled up and Patrick mirrored her position. Moving her hair to the side he assualted her neck with tiny, deliberate kisses. He kissed all the way down her neck, pushing the thin straps of her teddy from her shoulders and leaving a wet kiss where they once sat against her skin. He left a lingering kiss in the valley between her breasts, rubbing his cheeks against her soft breasts. Curling his fingers around the hem of her teddy, he peeled it away from her body and stared at her with total love in his eyes.

"You are so beautiful Robin," he whispered - a hand reaching to her breast and softly kneading it. "So beautiful."

She bit her lip to keep from crying out as he dragged a thumb across her hardening nipple. He laid her out on the bed and continued to kiss his way down her body. He kissed, tasted and swirled his tongue over every part of her body except the areas where she was begging him to touch. The sensation of being so close yet so far was pushing her to the edge. He kissed the length of her leg and the sensation of the warm breath from his mouth against the silk stocking was strangely erotic. Finished with one leg, he gave similiar attentions to the other and Robin's entire body was humming - every cell was on fire.

Slowly rocking her hips back and forth, desperate for his attention, she closed her eyes as she felt his hand curl around her hot centre. First one finger, then a second slid inside her panties. Her eyes flew open as he maddenly teased her without ever giving her the contact she was craving.

"Paaatrick" she moaned softly.

He loved to watch her teeter on the edge, seeing her fight for control and then fight to give it up. It was the most amazing feeling for him to know he could give this to her, that he alone could make her feel like this. Her nails dragged along his skin, almost in frustration. He ignored his own throbbing arousal as he settled between her legs and opened his mouth over the crotch of her panties. Her hips bucked up from the bed until finally he peeled her panties away. Her mouth was fused to his shoulder and then his neck. She needed to kiss him, to touch him as he touched her. As she was finally laid bare before him, she tugged him back towards her and their mouths fastened together and they rolled along the bed, a tangle of limbs, as they kissed in an absolute frenzy.

Unable to wait any longer, Robin slid his boxers from his hips and pushed him against the pillows as she dragged her tonge down the length of his torso. His eyes clamped shut at the feel of her tongue against his skin. Feeling her hand wrap around his erection nearly undid him on the spot. When she took him in her mouth, sucking lightly, he began to mentally recite the periodic table of elements so as not get too lost in the amazing sensations she was producing in him. Feeling him harden further in her mouth, she let go of him and looked up at him from underneath her lashes.

"I think you might be ready," she purred.

Patrick pressed a condom to her hand, looking at her urgently. "With you? I'm always ready. Please Robin, I want to be inside you."

She tore open the small packet and sheathed him. No sooner had she finished then his arms were around her, sweeping her underneath him. She slung her legs, silver stilettos and all, over his shoulder and grinned as he shook his head. Lined up at her entrance he dipped inside before pulling back. He teased her like this, going a little further each time, until she was nearly delerious with need. Finally sliding all the way, he laid buried inside her without moving.

"My wife" he whispered.

"My husband," she replied.

He moved slowly at first, trying to last, but as she raised her head and dragged her tongue along his flat nipple, he was overtaken with need and thrust hard inside her. They moved together, their bodies calling and responding to each other as they built towards their climax. A sheen a sweat formed on their bodies as they tossed and turned, using every inch of the king size bed. His name tore from her lips as she tumbled over the edge. Feeling her let go, Patrick followed her over and came hard against her.

Spent, he collapsed against her. Robin ran her hands along his back as she panted breathlessly. He rolled off of her but tugged her with him and wrapped her in his arms. She laid her head against his chest, listening as his heart beat returned to normal, knowing that her heart mirrored his - in every way.

"It took us a long time to get here," she said quietly, "with all kinds of detours along the way but this - being with you - is every dream realized."

Patrick looked down at their entwined hands, their platinum bands shining together and smiled. "I would do it all again, every last bit of it, if it meant we would wind up here. I know what you meant earlier - I am beyond happy. I am married to you and I am at peace."

*****

*vows for the exchange of rings are by Marianne Williamson, Illuminata