A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Anton, Erskine, Ghastly, Gordon, Darquesse, Dexter, Tanith, Saracen or Skulduggery.
I looked into Anton's eyes and my heart sped up. I nodded, then found my voice. "Of course I'll marry you, Anton." I said and the gentle smile he rewarded me with told me how long he'd been waiting. We both rose and he took me in his arms, brushing his lips softly to mine and I reveled in the sensation. His long black hair brushed against my face as he dared to deepen the kiss, and I couldn't resist touching it and caressing his handsome face repeatedly.
When we at last parted he smiled benignly at me. "You had better ring your mother with the good news and I promised to make some calls of my own." He said, touching my face softly.
"We could be invaded by guests if we do." I said and he shrugged then released me. I wanted time alone with him in the worst way, but he was right. Mom had done all she could to help. And once I had her on the mobile and told her the news I had to hold it away when she shrieked happily.
I put the mobile back to my ear and could hear Abby celebrating in the background. "When is the wedding, dear?" Mom asked.
"Whoa, we just got engaged, give us time." I said and she laughed softly.
"Very well, your sister wants to speak with you." She said, amused, then Abby came on the line.
"Hey, Sis! Was it romantic?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes, very romantic. Anton's a very charming man." I agreed. "He got down on one knee and everything, I thought that only happened in movies to be honest." I said and she squealed happily. Then told me they'd all be there in about half an hour. I agreed then rang off, blushing when I saw Anton had reentered the room.
"We have guests coming." We said at the same time, then laughed. I knew Anton could be slightly shy and didn't like to be fussed over. But guests he could handle easily enough.
"If we have to delay our trip, it's all right, Valkyrie. I thought this might happen, but I wanted to have you alone, truly alone when I proposed." He said, taking me into his arms. I sighed happily and settled in.
"I know what you mean and I'm glad you did. So we know it's real and not just trying to please them. I love you, Anton, full stop. And I'm very happy you proposed. You accept me as I am, and you don't know how much that worried me. I may have to go skeleton at times, or Darquesse. You know that, right?" I asked worriedly and he nodded then kissed me affectionately.
"And there will be battles where I let my Gist side out. That doesn't frighten you, does it?" I shook my head no and he continued. "You see? We both know what it's like, having a dark half, and we can control ourselves. Speaking of lack of control, all our guests are returning for a while."
"I'd swear they waited around." I said and Anton agreed they probably had because it didn't take long for everyone to return.
They had all brought food and drink, so Anton and I had agreed we had to host them for the night, and free continental breakfast in the morning. As we circulated among our guests Erskine waved me over. "Please tell me I can marry you two." He said and I shrugged. Anton and I would have happily married on a beach or in a small church, we weren't picky.
Erskine looked at me keenly. "You're ready to be married now, aren't you?" He asked, smiling.
"I am, actually, he's the right one. But doesn't that seem a tad fast to you? We've hardly been a couple for more than a few weeks."
"It happens that way, my dear. Very romantic, gives me an idea for a story." Uncle Gordon said. He hugged me the best he could, delighted his Echo Stone had been brought so he could share in the festivities. "It must be wonderful traveling like this."
"You're always welcome at the Midnight Hotel." Anton said, joining us. "And I refuse payment."
"Really?" Uncle Gordon countered. "I suppose that is good because I'm tempted sale that monstrous hulk and throw my lot in with you. A practical investment, I think." He said and we all stared at him.
"That's very generous, but there would be no going back, Gordon." Anton said, but my uncle's mind was clearly made up. Anton drifted away to speak to other guests as did Erskine and I carried my uncle's Echo Stone into the kitchen.
"You're sure about this?" I asked and he nodded.
"I am. I won't bother the guests and surely the funds would help." He said and I nodded. My uncle had left me the mansion, but I hadn't the heart to sell it and kick his Echo out. I'd told him it was still his mansion and now if he wanted to sell it was his choice.
"Are you sure? I asked again and he nodded.
"I could use the company, Valkyrie, truth be told. True, most days I'll spend writing, but getting to go on the adventures I'd always dreamed of, even if it is only traveling with both of you would be wonderful, if you'll have me."
"You know we will." I assured him and wondered what other changes our guests would bring.
Anton had wanted to move me closer to him in a private room across from his, but we agreed I'd wait until our guests left again. When he at last was walking me back to the room I Shared with Abby I looked at him. "You really are OK with Uncle Gordon moving in?" I asked and he nodded.
"The secret library will be perfect for him. He won't mind guests coming in from time to time, and they won't mind meeting a popular author. He's getting settled as we speak, and the men are bringing his things over now, and anything of yours. Gordon went through with the sale, and agreed to vacate immediately."
I nodded, weary. "He must have had a buyer in mind. Well, goodnight, and thanks for taking our guests in again." I said, then kissed him goodnight.
Abby was already fast asleep and it didn't take too long before I was too. I was up early in the morning with Anton, making the continental breakfast. He'd been right, it was routine now and no trouble. Especially when I found out he had a perfectly good dishwasher, he'd just used doing them by hand as an excuse to stand close to me.
We joined our guests and Erskine and Ghastly exchanged glances with Anton. Anton nodded at the both, and Ghastly looked at me. "Wedding clothes are in the van, Erskine is here, and it looks like it will be a lovely afternoon." He said, smiling.
I blushed and looked down, then up at Anton. "Yes, it does. A lovely afternoon." I agreed.
My dress was beautiful. White with lace and small jewels scattered here and there, and it flowed out from my waist to a bell-shaped skirt that barely brushed the ground. As mom adjusted my veil I realized Anton had wanted to marry me for a long time. "He really is serious, isn't he?" I asked and she nodded. "You don't think we're moving too fast, do you?" I asked and she shook her head no.
"You both know you've found the one you want to be with, don't you?" She asked and I nodded. I couldn't imagine being with anyone but Anton.
"We do know. And he's too much of a gentleman to have- He planned this, didn't he?" I asked, charmed, and mom and Abby giggled.
"He asked us all not to tell you." Abby agreed, giggling some more. And I was touched we were loved this much. Everyone had beautiful clothes for the wedding, things Ghastly must have worked on for months. And poor Anton, not even knowing if he'd even find me. I thought as Tanith arrived and led me out to the common room.
My breath caught as dad took my elbow and escorted me to Anton's side. He had always been a handsome man, but seeing him in his tux made me weak in the knees. Jet black, it sheathed his muscular build in a way that accentuated his innate allure and from his smile I think he knew it. I was barely aware of a proud Dexter standing by his side as our best man. "Be brave." Dad whispered.
Somehow we exchanged vows and I didn't drop his ring, even though I was still in shock that a man this decent, handsome and loving was marrying me. Anton Shudder was out of my league and I wondered how I'd ever missed that before. As he lifted my veil to kiss me his gaze became tender. It was a chaste, sweet kiss, but the hands on my shoulders promised many more to come. Our guests cheered, and led us to the dining room where a wedding buffet had been put together.
Erskine insisted we be seated at the table and Saracen got us a bit of everything. Someone else whisked coffee over to us, and I knew I was still in shock as I held Anton's hand, but in a good way. "We are married, right?" I asked and he chuckled.
"That we are." He agreed. "I know it was sudden, but I've loved you for a very long time, Valkyrie Cain." He murmured and I found myself getting lost in his gentle gaze. I reluctantly drew my attention back to the present when my plate was put in front of me, and we enjoyed the meal with our guests.
The wedding had been our gift from our guests and I agreed it was a lovely gift. As we dined on treasured leftovers later that evening, having seen our guests off at long last, I was content. I'd changed into something more casual, as had Anton and he'd stowed our wedding clothes in his closet. Well, our closet.
As his bride I'd be moving in with him now, and the thought made butterflies dance in my stomach. We'd agreed we'd let nature take it's course, so there was no pressure when we at last retired to the small room. Anton unlocked the door, then picked me up and swept me over the threshold.
He drew me into a lingering kiss on the other side, one I was all too happy to return. We could do as we pleased with each other now, and Anton kissed with much more passion than before, though he was still as tender as ever. When we at last parted I knew we both looked happily dazed. "Coffee?" He offered and I nodded.
He saw to it, and I got out the fudge and other goodies I'd had him move over earlier, cutting selections of each treat for us, though goodness knows we had wedding cake left over as well. We sat at the small table and I admired our room. It was cozy and tidy, part bedroom and part living room with a small but functional kitchenette and attached bath. "You like it?" Anton asked nervously.
I took his hand in mine. "I love it, because I'm here with you, Anton. I thought I'd spend my entire life in those woods, hiding from people and being alone. But you rescued me, you showed me I could still be loved." I said, my eyes misting up slightly.
"And you rescued me, Valkyrie Cain." He said gently. "My whole life, having this Gist, this dark side, it set me apart from other people. But now I have someone and I'm never letting her go."
Awww! I can go on if you like, let me know.