Xander paced. He couldn't help it. He was filled with nervous energy. Why was he filled with nervous energy you might ask? He was getting married today. Legally, officially married. Okay, so technically he was already married and had been since the summer he turned 15. Married to the love of his life, the gorgeous, snarky, perfection that was Cordelia Chase and yes, said marriage had been consummated. Many, many, many times. Xander paused a moment to reflect on some of those times, before going back to his nervous pacing. But that had been marriage as far as their people, the Chumash, were concerned. This was marriage as far the U.S. government was concerned. The same government that had idiots in it that thought experimenting on living creatures, demon or no demon, and implanting control chips in their brains to make them military assets was a good idea.
Said experiments that had nearly including Tor Hauer and Heidi Barrie, two members of his Pack, his family.
Oh and taxes. Mustn't forget about the fact that being legal now meant paying taxes, as well. To the same people that had thought the Initiative was a good idea.
Xander fought vampires and demons on a near nightly basis. Them he understood. His own government? Not so much. They were almost as scary as clowns, as far as the soon to be legally, officially married young man was concerned.
Tor Hauer kept checking and rechecking his tie. Was it on straight? Maybe not, maybe he should retie it. Yeah, that's a good idea, retie it for the twenty second time. At least it kept his hands and his mind kinda of occupied. He was trying not to worry, but hey, he really couldn't help it. He was getting married today. To the honey blond sweetness and don't mess with me attitude, that was Heidi Barrie soon to be Heidi Hauer. He was sure she would show up for the ceremony. Of course he was sure. She had spent weeks planning it with Cordelia and Rhonda. Not to mention Willow, Jenny and Grandma's help. She had a dress he hadn't gotten to see yet for gods' sake and he had heard rumors of repeated visits to Victoria Secret for 'something special' for the wedding night. She would show up. She had to. Was his tie on straight? He should retie it to be sure.
Kyle Defours wondered if he was going to though up. His stomach felt queazy. Maybe he shouldn't have eaten that week old piece of pizza he found in the fridge last night. It had smelled a little off, but tasted fine, but you never know. Maybe there was something wrong with it. But he'd eaten pizza that was older than a week before, not when Rhonda could catch him of course, but still. Nothing had happened then. But he was definitely queazy now. Maybe he should make some toast, wasn't that supposed to be good for queazy stomachs? Then he decided that was probably a bad idea, it might mess up his tux and that would upset Rhonda. He didn't want to upset Rhonda. It was her wedding day after all. That's when he remembered, it was his wedding day too. Oh boy, maybe that's why he felt queazy. No, he decided, he was going to blame the pizza.
Finally, the door to the dressing room opened and Jesse McNally stepped in. "It's time, guys. The minister is ready, the guests are settled and Grandma's says all signs say it's time. And if you run scared, she will personally hunt you down and torture you. So you ready?"
All three immediately felt better. Oh the relief, what a relief it was. Or something. The male members of the Pack followed Jesse out of the dressing room and took their places at the front of the Hall. From where they were standing, they could see Mrs. Summers, Buffy Summers mother, she may not know about the night life or the real reason her daughter had died that night, but she did know Buffy had made some genuine friends. Friends that had stayed in contact with her after Buffy's death and looked after her. She had told them she was touched to have been invited to the unusual triple wedding ceremony.
They could also see Xander's Uncle Rory. A former Marine and demon hunter, who had helped train them. Who had saved their bacon from the Initiatives' stupidity.
A number of classmates and members of the Tribe were also there. Sarah Andrews, Jesse's girlfriend was there as well. Shawn Michaels, the Chief of the Chumash and Grandma's long time friend, unfortunately, was not. He had died peacefully in his sleep two months ago.
Willow started down the aisle. She was dressed in a calf length, dark blue gown, that showed off her red hair perfectly. She winked at her girlfriend, Tara McClay as she passed her seat on her way down the aisle, to take her place as bridesmaid. She was followed by the Maid of Honor, Faith Lehane, who was looking beautiful, but slightly uncomfortable in a long burgundy dress that complemented her dark hair and eyes. More then one eye, male as well as female, eyed her appreciatively as she made her way down the aisle.
And then there they were. The three brides.
Rhonda Kelley carefully made her way down the aisle, praying nothing would go wrong or that she would trip or something. She could see Kyle, trying not to squirm in his tux. He looked so solid and cute.
Heidi Barrie started down the aisle next. She was not a tall girl, but her slimness made her appear taller. The long column of her dress made her look taller still. She kept her eyes on Tor as she moved gracefully towards him. He looked like a prince from a fairy tail. She felt like a princess herself. One of the Disney kind, not the original stories. Those were messed up.
Then Cordelia Chase, she of the gorgeous, snarky perfection. She who prided herself on being grounded and sane, filled with self confidence and common sense, had never felt like this before. Like she was going to float away. Like a balloon, maybe. She was certain she had never been happier. Xander stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for her. Broad shouldered, strong, dependable, great with his hands.
Then the minister was saying the words that would legally bind them to each other. Each murmured their I dos back to him. Then the minister was pronouncing them each husband and wife. Then he introduced them to the waiting audience.
Alexander and Cordelia Harris-Chase.
Torrence and Heidi Hauer
Kyle and Rhonda Defours.
They were now legally married as far the U. S. Government was concerned.
Now it was time for a party and then the honeymoons, separate, of course, they didn't do everything together, just most things.