You guys are so quick to judge... I thought of making you wait for this chapter, but what the hey. ;)
**Nothing from Charmed or Supernatural belongs to me.**
Chapter Twenty
*The Wedding*
Dean pressed his foot on the accelerator, listening to the Impala roar. He sighed, sitting back for a second before reaching over and taking the keys from the ignition. He climbed out of the car, shutting the door and looking up in time to see Sam slowing down from a run, stopping in front of him.
"Dean, what the hell, man?!"
Dean blinked at him, and Sam sighed.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Do you want to do this or not?"
A smile came across Dean's face, and he began to laugh. After a minute, he walked over, slapping Sam on the back and handing him the keys to the Impala.
"Come on, Sam. We've got a wedding to go to."
Sam just watched, open-mouthed, as Dean walked back towards the house, hands in his pockets, whistling that same damn godforsaken tune he'd been hearing all morning.
Peyton shook her head, pacing around the kitchen.
"What are we … What are we going to do? How could she do this to us?! How could she do this to Dean?"
"Better question, where could she possibly have disappeared to from the second story of the Manor, in that big-ass wedding gown?"
Peyton looked over to Phoenix, who she'd pulled out of her seat in the sunroom. Phoenix crossed her legs, stealing another piece of fruit from the tray beside her. Phoenix shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm just saying, is all. There's nowhere for her to leave but through here, and no one has seen the bride yet."
"So you think she's still upstairs?"
"She can't orb or teleport, Peyt. She's got to be."
Peyton nodded, before turning on her heel and walking towards the stairs. Leo was pacing the second floor landing, and Peyton just walked right by him. She walked into Melinda's bedroom, not even bothering to knock. She noticed the bouquet on the dresser, then closed her eyes. A second later, she was in the attic, seeing Melinda embracing Grams. She put her hands on her hips.
"What the hell is this?"
Melinda turned to Peyton with watery eyes.
"I'm so sorry. I know you must have been—"
"Frantic? Losing my damn mind? Yeah, I was."
Melinda sighed, reaching out to take Grams' hands. She smiled.
"I came up here to see if I could find a spell or something to get me out of here without anyone seeing me. And Grams popped in. She, uh … She cleared things up for me."
Grams smiled at Melinda, reaching over to run a hand down her arm. Peyton blew out a breath.
"I thought Grams was mad at you."
Melinda shrugged.
"Guess she can't stay mad at her favorite great-granddaughter."
Peyton rolled her eyes, but she smiled. She walked over, taking one of Melinda's hands.
"Are we doing this?"
Melinda smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, we're doing this. Let's go get married."
At 5:30, just a little bit behind schedule, soft music began to play. Everyone who had gotten up during the delay came back to take their seats. Phoenix, Paris, Anna, Jenny, and Matt came to sit on Melinda's side. Coop brought Phoebe in, and they sat by their daughters. Henry walked in with Paige, taking their seats by their children. Victor walked in, taking a seat in the front row, and Phoebe leaned forward to kiss her father's cheek. Wyatt escorted Piper in, walking up to the front row, taking a seat on the other side of his grandfather. Chris walked around, taking pictures.
Ellen and Jo sat behind Bobby, who Dean had insisted would sit on the front row of his side of the room. Chuck Shurley had driven in from Pennsylvania, and he sat close to the back, beside Castiel. Ellen gasped when John and Mary walked in, and John had smiled as he leaned down to kiss Ellen's cheek. He reached out and held Jo's hand, while Ellen blinked back tears. He and Mary took a seat on the front row, beside Bobby.
The music changed, and Train's Marry Me began to play as Prue walked out to stand beneath the arch. Although everyone that was invited knew and was as comfortable as they could be with supernatural elements, they decided that it would probably be best if Prue was corporeal for the ceremony. She smiled, looking to the back of the room.
In a little change of plans, Sam stepped out from the right side first. He stood there, waiting for just a second. Peyton stepped out from the left side, feeling her face grow warm at the collective gasp that shot through the room. Sam laid a hand over his heart, and when she looked up at him, Peyton could feel everything he was feeling. Sam stepped closer, holding a hand out, and Peyton took it. She closed the gap between them, laying her lips on Sam's.
The cousins all exchanged a glance, while Mary smiled over at John. Phoebe held tight to Coop's hand, until Phoenix and Paris collectively cleared their throats. Sam ended the kiss and pulled back, running his hand over Peyton's cheek. Her face burned warmer, and Sam smiled as he looped her arm through his. They started walking down the aisle and Sam bent to whisper to Peyton.
"You look beautiful, honey."
She slid her eyes over to him and smiled.
"You don't look so bad yourself, Sammy."
He grinned, walking to the arch, holding onto her hands for just a second before they took their places. Peyton held her breath, letting it out in a sigh of relief when Dean stepped out from the right side. Mary closed her eyes when she noticed that his tie was missing, and his shirt was open at the throat. She shook her head, and John took her hand, lifting it to his lips and pressing a kiss to her fingers.
Dean smiled as Kate stepped out from the left side, walking over to him as he knelt beside her. She handed him her basket and he stood up, holding her basket and her hand in his. They began walking down the aisle, Kate reaching up and dropping her rose petals every few steps. Everyone smiled as Kate walked by, and when she and Dean got to the arch, she got a handful of petals, throwing them up, making him smile and the crowd laugh as petals rained around them. Dean handed Kate the basket, bending to press a kiss to her cheek, before she went to stand beside Peyton, Dean taking his place in front of Prue.
In the back of the sunroom, on the left side, Melinda had her eyes closed, taking deep breaths. Leo smiled, laying a hand on her back.
"You ready? It's our turn."
Melinda opened her eyes, seeing Leo's gentle smile. She smiled back at him, reaching over and picking up her bouquet. She laced her arm through his, and Leo patted her arm.
"Let's do this."
They heard the wedding march begin and stepped out. The crowd stood to their feet, letting out gasps as they saw Melinda. She felt the nerves come back, and she gripped Leo's arm. He brought her to the end of the aisle, and Melinda looked to the end, where Dean was looking up from the ground. When her eyes met his, Melinda let out a sigh. She saw Dean lift a hand, rubbing it over his chest. A smile crossed Melinda's face, and she watched a matching smile spread over Dean's face. The music went louder, and Leo looked over, smiling at his daughter. Melinda smiled at him, and they made their way down the aisle. Dean walked over, meeting them at the end, and Leo laid Melinda's hand in Dean's. He leaned over and kissed Melinda's cheek, then hugged Dean. The music ended, and Dean and Melinda turned to face Prue.
"Who gives this woman to this man?"
Leo smiled, speaking low, over the tears that were in his eyes.
"Her mother and I do."
Prue smiled at Leo, who turned and walked to Piper, who leaned over and kissed his cheek. The crowd sat down and Melinda turned, handing her bouquet to Peyton. She turned back, taking Dean's hands in hers and they both let out a sigh. They smiled at each other, as Prue began talking. Melinda didn't really listen; she just stared at Dean. He kept a smile on his face, looking at Melinda, shaking his head slowly. Dean sighed, and Melinda tuned in at just the right time.
"Dean, do you take Melinda to be your wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, in good times and in bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
Dean looked at Melinda, a smile spreading across his face.
"I do."
Melinda let out a quiet laugh, and Prue turned to her.
"And Melinda, do you take Dean to be your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, in good times and in bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
Melinda smiled.
"I do."
Prue smiled, turning first to Sam, then to Peyton.
"The rings?"
Sam reached in his pocket, pulling out the band, handing it to Prue. Prue smiled, laying it in Dean's hand.
"Dean, slide this ring onto Melinda's finger and repeat after me."
Dean held the ring on Melinda's finger, looking into her eyes, speaking softly after Prue.
"With this ring, I thee wed."
Melinda smiled as Dean lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the ring he'd just slid on her finger. Prue turned to Peyton, who handed her a ring. Prue handed it to Melinda, giving her the same instructions. Melinda slid the ring onto Dean's finger, speaking as softly as he did.
"With this ring, I thee wed."
Dean smiled, squeezing her hand as Prue turned to him again.
"Dean, you may recite your vows."
Dean let out a sigh, looking into Melinda's eyes.
"Melinda, I've never been good at saying what I feel. Words are not my strong suit. So I just want to tell you that I love you. You are so incredible, and I can't even begin to imagine how I got so lucky to find you. You are so sweet and loving, so smart and you're always on my side."
Dean stopped, taking in a breath as he smiled at her.
"I vow to spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you have made me. I vow to always protect you. I vow to hold you close. I vow to listen to you. Mel, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I vow to spend every moment from here on out trying to prove that to you."
Melinda blinked back tears, the same way Piper and Mary were doing. Prue turned to Melinda with a smile.
"Your turn."
Melinda smiled.
"Dean … I—"
She looked down, taking in a shaky breath. She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes.
"I waited for you for a long time. I've dreamt about the man I would marry since I was a little girl. You are everything I have ever wanted, and so much more. You are strong and kind and you make me feel safe and wanted, like I can take on the world."
He smiled at her, and Melinda squeezed his hands.
"I vow to always stand beside you, whatever may come our way. I vow to always love and support you, and to keep you in my heart. I love you so much, and I feel so proud to be your wife. Dean, I was born to love you, and I always will."
Piper smiled through her tears, leaning over to take Leo's hand. The last words Melinda had said had been the same thing that Piper had said to Leo on their wedding day. Leo smiled, lifting Piper's hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to it. Prue let out a breath, fighting back tears of her own.
"Here before witnesses, Dean and Melinda have sworn their vows to each other. With this cord, I bind them to these vows."
Prue held out her hands, and a rope looped over Melinda's wrist, then Dean's, locking them together. They smiled at each other and spoke in one voice.
"Heart to thee,
Body to thee,
Always and forever,
So mote it be."
Prue smiled.
"So mote it be."
Peyton and Sam shared a smile, speaking together.
"So mote it be."
The crowd repeated the words, and Melinda and Dean smiled at each other. The smile on Prue's face grew as she spoke to the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Winchester. Dean, you may kiss your bride."
He smiled, reaching over and taking Melinda's face in his hands. He pressed his lips to hers, and she reached out, taking hold of his arms. He moved his hands to hold her, moving her and dipping her down as cheers and whistles rang out from the crowd. He pulled back to see Melinda smiling at him and she laughed, reaching up to run her fingers through his hair.
"We did it, Dean."
"We did it."
He leaned in to kiss her once more, as the cheers rang out again. He helped her stand up straight, as Sam stepped down, slapping a hand on Dean's back. Peyton smiled, taking hold of her dress to step down when she froze.
"Peyton?"
Melinda looked over to see Kate, a big smile on her face, her little hand reaching in her basket. She was frozen, too. Melinda glanced to Dean, caught in Sam's embrace, neither of them moving. The crowd had gotten to their feet, smiles on their faces, their hands frozen in mid-clap. And, Melinda realized, she was frozen as well.
"Congratulations, Melinda."
She looked down the aisle, seeing a man at the end, smiling at her.
"Who are you?"
He smiled, slipping his hands in his pockets as he slowly walked towards her.
"It was a beautiful ceremony."
"Did you do this? Why are they frozen? What do you want?"
The man continued his slow walk down the aisle.
"I just wanted to offer you my congratulations. I wish you and Dean all the best."
He made it to the end of the aisle, standing in front of her. His hair was blonde, his face had just a hint of a beard, the same color as his hair. His eyes were soft, gentle almost, a dark blue. He smiled, and a chill crawled up Melinda's spine. She spoke softly.
"Who are you?"
His smile grew, and he leaned in close to her.
"You'll find out soon enough."
She closed her eyes as he kissed her cheek, and when she opened them again, Peyton was standing in front of her.
"Hey, Mel. You okay?"
Melinda looked past her, down the aisle, but she didn't see the man. Dean moved over to Melinda, taking her hands.
"Hey. What happened?"
She shook her head, and the music started up. Dean looped her arm through his and they walked down the aisle, to the cheers of their family and friends, as rose petals rained down on them, courtesy of their niece.
In the side room, Dean stood in front of Melinda.
"Hey, what happened? What's got you so nervous?"
She let out a breath, taking hold of his hands.
"I don't know who he was."
"Who?"
She shook her head.
"You were frozen. Everyone was frozen, even I was. And this man was there, walking down the aisle, telling me how beautiful the ceremony was and congratulating us. He wouldn't tell me who he was, but there was something about him … Dean, I can't describe it. He said we'd find out his identity soon enough. He kissed my cheek and… Dean, he was so cold. His lips were like ice on my skin."
Dean turned away from her, but she kept hold of his hands.
"He's gone. I … I didn't see him when we left."
Dean sighed, leaning in to kiss her forehead.
"Maybe … Maybe we'll just let it go, pick it up again later."
Melinda nodded.
"Let's just enjoy the rest of our wedding."
Dean nodded, and Melinda smiled.
"Hey."
He looked over to her, and she pulled on his hands. He smiled, moving closer to her. She held a hand on his face, sliding down his neck.
"We just got married."
"You're my wife now."
"And you're my husband."
They both laughed, as Dean moved in, covering her lips with his. He pulled back, moving his hands up to her face.
"Have I told you how pretty you are today?"
Melinda smiled, feeling her cheeks grow warm.
"I don't think so."
Dean smiled.
"Then I should be shot, because my God, Mel… You're gorgeous. My wife is hot."
Melinda laughed as she pulled him to her again, hugging him.
"My husband's pretty hot, too."
Dean smiled, leaning his head back to kiss her again. This time, she pulled back.
"Hey, what happened to your tie? Not that I don't enjoy this look. I actually think I prefer it."
Dean smiled.
"It's a long story. We can talk about it later. Right now, can I just kiss my wife for a while?"
Melinda smiled, shrugging her shoulders.
"I mean, if you really want to—"
Her sentence was cut off when Dean pressed his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around him, both of them smiling as their family walked in, yelling and whistling.
They did it! Despite all the nerves and you guys pushing them out the door, Dean and Melinda got married. But who was that man? What could he possibly want? Don't worry. The story's not over yet. ;)