Watching the leaves of the trees sway in the night air it occurred to Maggie Zacher-Hagen that Georgia had to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Maggie had lived all over, never settling long enough to call anywhere home for long. This, she thought, this could be home. She sat on the porch of Leonard's Grandmother's house, iced tea in hand and her bare feet resting on the white picket railing. Her white linen shirt lifted slightly in the breeze and she savoured the feeling of the natural air against her skin. Tipping her head back and closing her eyes she embraced the sweetness of the moment. In her wildest dreams she never imagined she would be spending her time between missions here, at a family home with her fiancé. Leonard's Grandmother, Eleanor had welcomed her with open arms. A truly gentle and kind woman she had embraced Maggie on the doorstep and held her hand. It was the most loving gesture Maggie had experienced from another woman and it filled her heart with fondness immediately.
"There you are." Leonard came out onto the porch and took the seat next to her.
"Here I am." Maggie gave him a half-hearted smile, too relaxed to move any more than she had to.
"Here." Leonard gestured to Maggie's feet, she swivelled slightly and rested them in his lap. He began to massage the arches and pull on her toes. Maggie just smiled a contented smile and closed her eyes again. "Good?"
"Umhum…" Is all she could muster. Leonard laughed slightly, the creases in his face had almost disappeared. Out of his uniform he radiated calmness, Maggie saw the effect almost instantaneously when they had arrived the day before yesterday. His accent had become thicker and the way he walked had relaxed. It was nice to see this side of him. He laughed more also, especially with his Grandmother.
"Joanna is visiting tomorrow, Gran wants to put on a bit of a party, do you mind?" Leonard was conscious not to overwhelm Maggie too fast.
"Of course not, it sounds lovely." She gave him a reassuring smile, aware of his nervousness.
"Jim'll be here as well, couldn't keep away!" Maggie laughed, knowing how Leonard actually appreciated his friend making the effort to come to his family home. They settled into a comfortable silence. "Maggie."
"Leonard." Maggie impersonated his serious tone.
"Let's get married." Maggie opened her eyes, sitting up she tucked her feet under her legs.
"I thought we were getting married?"
"We are! No, I mean, let's not wait. Unless you want to?" Maggie looked at him, he was uncharacteristically nervous.
"Why would I want to wait? I've told you already, I don't want a big ceremony. I just want to be married to you."
"I was thinking, since we're only here a short time and Joanna is visiting tomorrow…"
"I think that's a fantastic idea!" she interrupted.
"I hadn't finished Sweetheart."
"You didn't have to, let's do it. All the people we'd want to be there will be, its perfect." She stood and went to sit on his lap, kissing him on the forehead she nuzzled into his neck.
"What about your folks?"
"Don't worry about them, they'll find it thoroughly avant-garde and that will appeal to their artistic sensibilities." She chuckled into his neck.
"I'm going to ask Jim to officiate." Maggie just nodded, enjoying their intimate moment.
"Do you think Joanna would want to be my flower girl?" Leonard grinned with pride.
"Seen as though she's already asked me I think the answer will be yes."
"Well, that's settled then, we'll just tell everybody when they arrive." Maggie clapped her hands together.
"I love you, you know?"
"I do know, let's go to bed. You need your beauty sleep." Maggie squeezed the end of his nose playfully and then placed a kiss on it.
A knock on the door awoke Maggie from a very wonderful dream. Stretching out she realised Leonard wasn't there, looking around she noticed his clothes were gone.
"Come in." She shouted. Eleanor opened the door and came into the room greeting her with a smile and big cup of coffee. "Thank you Mrs McCoy." Maggie took the coffee from her.
"Oh please, it's Eleanor. Leonard told me the news, he's gone into town to run a few errands for me." Maggie nodded and took a sip, it was liquid gold.
"I hope you don't mind, it's not an imposition is it?" Eleanor shook her head letting Maggie know not to be ridiculous.
"Do you have anything to wear Dear?"
"Oh, I hadn't even thought about that. I do have a nice pale blue summer dress, that should do." Eleanor got up from the end of the bed and asked Maggie to follow her. Leaving the bedroom and walking down the landing they went into a spare room. Eleanor went to a large old wardrobe and pulled out a garment bag.
"Now Dear, you have to be honest, your under no obligation…This was my wedding dress…perhaps a little old fashioned these days but it's yours if you want it. Pamela didn't care for it, she is quite the modern lady." Eleanor unzipped the bag and pulled out the dress. Laying it on the bed Maggie walked over and felt the material between her fingers. It was beautiful, the palest shade of pink. It was a simple sheath design, the bodice covered in the most intricate lace Maggie had ever seen. The straps were thin and covered in lace also. Holding it up against herself Maggie beamed at Eleanor.
"It's beautiful! Eleanor are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure, I couldn't think of anyone who would look more beautiful than you in it." Maggie gave Eleanor a great big hug, both of them smiling they went downstairs and ate breakfast.
"Does Leonard know?" Maggie asked between mouthfuls of toast.
"No, and what a beautiful surprise it will be."
Leonard came back from town laden with groceries, Maggie and Eleanor set to work baking pies and making food for the party. Eleanor sent Leonard out to the shed to fetch the garden furniture, Maggie came out onto the porch just as Leonard was precariously balancing on one leg putting up bunting.
"Be careful Doctor, we don't want any broken legs today." Leonard secured the ribbon and jumped down, laughing he tried to wipe away the flour that was on Maggie's face and in her hair.
"What have you been up to?" He asked.
"Learning your Grandmother's recipes of course." On hearing a noise both looked up to see a vehicle coming down the track.
"This must be Joanna." Leonard muttered. Maggie became nervous all of a sudden, wiping her hands on her apron she tried unsuccessfully to pat down the mop of hair that was piled on top of her head. "You look beautiful." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. The car pulled up and out ran Joanna straight into her Father's arms, Maggie stood back slightly, allowing them their moment. Looking up she saw a woman standing by the vehicle. She was tall with auburn hair and held herself with esteem. Taking a deep breath Maggie began to walk over and stretched out her hand.
"You must Pamela, it's nice to meet you, I'm Maggie." Pamela was taken aback for a second, but then shook Maggie's hand and returned the greeting.
"Hello Pamela." Leonard walked over to the two women, holding his Daughter's hand.
"Hello Leonard."
"This is Maggie…" Leonard began.
"We've just met." Pamela interrupted.
"Ah yes, I see. Well, Joanna, this is Maggie." Joanna gave her Father a funny look.
"We've already met Dad!" Joanna looked at Maggie and then ran into her arms and gave her a great big hug, Maggie returned it in equal measure.
"It's so nice to finally meet you in person Joanna, you're more beautiful in real life than I realised! You take after your Mother." The compliment wasn't lost on either Pamela or Leonard. Pamela looked behind them and noticed the extra seating and bunting.
"Are you having a party?" She asked.
"Ah, yes, of sorts. Just a small gathering." Leonard looked at Maggie who gave him a subtle nod. "Maggie and I have decided to get married today, before we have to get back to Headquarters." Leonard was nervous.
"Pamela, you and Clay are of course invited. If you wish?" Maggie smiled at the other woman. Pamela seemed flustered, thankfully for all their sakes Joanna interrupted.
"I'm glad I'm wearing my prettiest dress." She gave a twirl in front of them.
"I'm glad too Joanna, because I was going to ask you if you wanted to be my flower girl." Maggie knelt down next to Joanna.
"Oh my gosh! Can I? Oh yes please Maggie, thank you!" Joanna gave her a big hug again, saying goodbye to her Mother Joanna ran into the house. The three of them stood there in silence for a moment.
"Well, I better be off." Pamela placed her sunglasses back on and walked around the vehicle.
"You know you're more than welcome Pamela to come, if you want." Leonard gave her a tight smile.
"I'll have to check with Clay." Pamela seemed to wince at her own response, softening slightly, she paused. "I'm very happy for you Leonard, for you both." Maggie and Leonard stood there for a moment after she was gone, taking his hand Maggie rested her head against Leonard's arm.
"Come on, let's go see what Joanna is up to."
Maggie and Joanna were sat on the porch weaving wild flowers together they had collected from the fields nearby. It had been a pastime of Maggie's Mother's and she had inherited the amusement.
"We can make a head wreath for you Joanna and a slightly larger one for me, what do you think?" Maggie asked weaving the pale blue, pink and purple flowers together. Joanna nodded and smiled.
"I think you're going to look beautiful." Joanna laughed excitedly.
"Not as much as you Joanna, wait until your holding a posie as well!" Joanna grinned. Maggie looked up to see a motorbike coming down the road.
"Leonard, guess whose here!" Maggie shouted into the house. Leonard came out just as Kirk stopped and took his helmet off.
"Bones!" He greeted. Kirk sidled up the steps and gave Leonard a big bear hug. "It's good to see you man!" Looking over at Maggie he pulled her up into an embrace also. "It's not too late you know Maggie, are you sure about this fella? He can be pretty cranky." Maggie laughed.
"Only when you're around James." She replied.
"And who might this be?" Kirk turned his attention to Joanna, who immediately began to blush. "You know who I am Jim, I've spoken to you before!" Joanna giggled.
"No no, you're mistaken. I spoke to a little girl, this in front of me is a beautiful young lady!" Kirk lay on the charm, having the reaction from Joanna he intended.
"That's quite enough of that, get inside Jim and wash the road off you. My Grandmother will set you to work peeling potatoes before you know it!"
Who doesn't love a wedding! Thank you for the Favourites & Follows! LLAP :-) XOXO