The Wedding
The weather was perfect for a wedding. Warm and dry in the sunlight, comfortably cool in the shade. Adam wouldn't have it any other way. He and the Them setting up chairs in the garden with Anathema and Newt. Tracy and Shadwell were also in the garden, inspecting the bar.
The Bentley arrived with a happy rumble. The humans came out to greet this part of the wedding party, applauding as each emerged from the car. The apprentices spilled out, twirled once to show off their fashions, and went to work, putting wards around the perimeter of the garden. Warlock in black trousers and a white shirt; his vest matching Crowley's kilt, his tie matchng Aziraphale's suit. Crowley wore a charcoal shirt and black jacket above his kilt. The red tie matched his collar-length hair but had a line of blue painted in a flourish. The two of them walked towards the TAS (Tadfield Airbase Survivors).
"Nert!" Crowley called to the former witchfinder, now witchhusband.
Newton Pusifer turned towards the former demon, looking like a skittish colt in his black suit. He put up with the nickname, but recognized Crowley's tone as wanting him to do something uncomfortable. "Crowley…." He acknowledged cautiously.
"Dude, I need a favor." Crowley wrapped an arm across Newt's shoulders and walked him away from the group, then dropped his arm and his voice. His tone changed from teasing to sincere. "Seriously. I am in need of a 'best man' to stand with me in the ceremony and hold on to the rings. You're a man, and something tells me that you understand my position in this relationship more than anyone else here. Am I right?"
Newt looked relieved that he wasn't being asked for a body part. He eyed Crowley and was surprised by the sincerity in his expression. He decided to be totally honest. "I understand. That our partners are brilliant, but feel like they are identified by their roles in the universe and we're the only ones who see them for themselves? That they couldn't do what they do without our love and support? That we both feel like imposters who could never be worth the fascinating creature that can't live without us, but are so grateful that they do?" Newt nodded as he continued. "Yep, I figured it out; mostly by seeing how you've lived it for eons. I'll be your best man."
"Wow." Crowley took a moment to process. "I should have let you write my vows. And from now on, I won't hide my good scotch when you come over. Thank you, Newton. Speaking of scotch…." They walked to the bar.
"Anathema, how are you?" Warlock carefully hugged the obviously-pregnant witch in a burgundy caftan. "And how is she?"
"We're both fine. Although I feel like I'm under constant surveillance. Between Newt and the rest of the TAS, I haven't been left alone." Anathema looked over at her husband with fake impatience, and then ran a hand over her belly. "The Doctor and Adam both say she is progressing normally."
"Excellent!" Warlock declared, as the Them walked up.
"A new generation to play in Hogback Wood. I like it." Adam reached out to Warlock, "Hello, Dub." (The Them had nicknamed Warlock, "W", which eventually shortened to 'Dub').
Anathema greeted the quartet. "Adam, Wens, Bri, Pepper. You all look ready for term photos." The young men were in gray trousers and jackets, Pepper in an aubergine dress. Warlock greeted his friends. "Any alerts around here?"
"Just R.P. Tyler nosing around. He suspects the catering delivery to be a large amount of fireworks and drugs." Wensleydale laughed.
"I may have shot a bottle rocket or three this morning to lead him to that assumption." Brian admitted.
"I may have lit some incense near his hedge to do the same." Pepper added. "We paid the delivery driver to hang out near the park during the wedding to throw Tyler off."
"I think a burst water pipe might keep him busy this afternoon." Adam said, matter-of-factly.
"You are all Brilliant!" Warlock smiled and lightly punched Brian's arm. "You did save some bottle rockets for after? Plans have changed, we wait until after the present now."
"yub-yub, Dub." Brian replied as he heard an approaching car. "The limo's coming."
A white limo pulled up a few moments later, and the humans applauded again as the women emerged, but gasped when Aziraphale stood. The blue of his suit was slightly bluer than the sky above, the sun sparkled on his new watch fob, and his hair glowed like a halo in the sunlight.
The angel's eyes found Crowley, who stood frozen, one hand on Newt's shoulder and his mouth hanging open as if he had forgotten how to breathe. Aziraphale looked shyly away for a moment, then returned his gaze to Crowley. He smiled and confidently walked over to the former demon. "My love, as always, you are a vison." He rested one hand on Crowley's arm.
"All eyes will be on you today, Angel. Especially mine." Crowley dropped his arm, to wrap it around Aziraphale's back, and gave him a small squeeze before letting him go to look him over again. "You surprise me, yet again."
"Dearest, you really must wear more tartan." Aziraphale teased. "The kilt is a good look on you."
"Then we'll have to get married again." Crowley swayed back and forth like a cobra, surveying the party. His kilt swayed as well. "Let's do a quick round of hellos and then do this, Angel."
Former Madam Tracy and retired Sgt. Shadwell were at the bar, getting a second drink before the wedding. "Congratulations, boys!" Tracy hugged Aziraphale, the long feather on top of her coral hat bobbing with her curls.
"Tracy, you look ready for Buckingham Palace." Aziraphale looked over her pale orange suit. "Or a creamsicle" Crowley said under his breath.
"Oh hush, not often I get to go to a fancy wedding anymore." Tracy raised her glass to Crowley.
"Mr. Crowley." Shadwell raised his shot glass and downed it, using it as an excuse to get a refill. Crowley nodded at the figure in brown tweed.
"Sgt. Shadwell. Glad to see you happily established. How are things in Blenheim?"
"Rather boring. No witches to be found. We're thinking of moving in this direction. Jezebel wants to be nearer the witch we do know."
Aziraphale bobbed his head happily. "Splendid! I understand the neighborhood watch up here is extremely vigilant. Maybe you could redirect your energy into that?"
The apprentices walked up to the bar and miracled their beverages. Eric reported "All precautions in place. No wedding crashers in sight."
Raph checked his phone. "Tadfield has been declared a 'no-fly zone' for the next 2 hours."
Muriel set down her glass of iced tea. "Whenever you're ready, sirs." She turned to the party and announced. "Finish up, it's time for the Wedding!"
Everyone started moving to their seats. The pair headed to the arbor, where Warlock and Adam were in deep conversation.
"What are you two up to?" Crowley asked.
"Nothing at all." Adam answered.
"You can't fool me, I know what a conspiracy looks like. You'd best not wreck this day for Angel."
"Never." Adam smiled at the couple, winked at Warlock, and moved to his seat. The angels looked at Warlock, waiting for answers.
"Are you ready?" Warlock deflected. He embraced the pair. "I love you both so much." His voice was muffled against the fabric of the wedding outfits.
"We love you too." Aziraphale patted Warlock's shoulder.
"Without a doubt, Hellspawn." Crowley hugged the boy a little tighter.
They broke up their huddle and moved to their positions in front of an arbor of greenery. At the sight of Crowley, the vines grew more verdant. Aziraphale started the music. The sound of a lute softly floated through the air. Crowley pulled out the gift card from Ric, and set it ablaze, guaranteeing no curses would fall on their wedding. They turned to each other one last time before everyone was looking, brown eyes to blue. Crowley leaned over and spoke softly into Aziraphale's ear. "I love you, Angel." Aziraphale visibly glowed and his eyes twinkled at Crowley. "I love you too, my dearest." And he came up on his toes slightly to give Crowley a small peck on the cheek.
Warlock stood in the front of the garden with Aziraphale and Crowley on either side. He held up his hands, and everyone could see the small tattoos he had - a black feather on his left thumb, a white feather on his right. The music died away. The trio faced the small group of friends in front of them.
Warlock began. "Welcome everyone, to the wedding of all time. If you are here, you are truly special, and loved by these two angels."
"When I was growing up, I knew them as Nanny Ashtoreth and Brother Francis, the gardener. Most of you know them as Mr. Fell and Crowley. They are Aziraphale and Crowley – both have known Heaven and Hell but chose Earth and Humanity instead.
"They raised me for 10 years. They thought I was someone else (Adam nodded slightly); someone that everyone had certain expectations of. But they raised me to defy those. They raised me to see the dark and the light, but to make my own decisions. To be Myself. And while doing that, both gave me love. Not that they planned to, but that is who they are. All the pressure of choosing between sides – they created a third side, full of love. And we have all benefitted from being on 'their side". They love Earth, they love humanity, they love each of us here, and we are here because they love each other. And now they get to pronounce it to the world, without fear.
Warlock smiled "If you asked either of them about the other, their answers would be almost identical: 'He's the bravest, cleverest, best person I know', "He believes in me", "He saved me", "He makes me better".
"Bread and Butter
Rock and Roll
Nuts and Bolts
Thunder and Lightning
Aziraphale and Crowley
"Natural pairings that are obvious and special. A pair beyond compare. When we see one, we look for the other, right?
"Keep them apart? Heaven and Hell have tried over and over. They've tried to do it, themselves. But they cannot be parted.
"When parted by force, they've each literally charged Heaven and Hell to save the other. Faced down unthinkable obstacles and threat of complete erasure from existence. Knowing that life without the other was unthinkable, but afraid to say it. Denying what they felt to keep each other safe. The Big Secret.
"But what we know – all of us here, is something even bigger. Neither could exist without the other. Brother Fell is Nanny's sunlight, and Nanny is Brother Fell's oxygen. These are elements essential to life on Earth. As they are to the world and each other. They should be on the periodic table. They are what keeps the Earth spinning."
Warlock put a hand on each angels' shoulder. "Now, if you will face each other and take hands." The angels obliged.
"Brother Fell; Nanny. Do you promise to continue to be there for each other like you always have?"
"We do."
"You have vows you have written to each other?"
"We do."
"And rings as a sign of your partnership?"
"We do."
"Then get on with it." Warlock took a step back as everyone laughed softly.
(Index cards float in the air next to Crowley)
Crowley began.
"When we met in the garden, everything was still new, except us. But in spite of 'the plan', where we knew everything was preordained, You surprised me, Angel. In a world that wasn't supposed to have any surprises.
"And you still surprise me, and amuse me, and make me smile. You find all the surprises in the world and share them with me. When our sides were all black or white, you had to represent the world – you provided all the colors. You are clever and strong and brave and humble. They made you doubt yourself, but you never failed to defend Earth; She made you to do just that. And you saved me, over and over. From Hell, from extinction, from my own despair, from boredom. You fill that emptiness created by the Fall. You have become my soul.
"Today, our 'group of the two of us' becomes exclusively "Us". Here with our friends – you don't get friends in Hell; another surprise- thanks to you, Angel. And now I get to spend eternity with you, your books, your infernal magic tricks, and your never-ending tartan; dining and discussing the world. Happier than I've ever been. Because I love you and you love me."
The index cards sparked out of sight, replaced by a scroll that opens, where Aziraphale can see it.)
Aziraphale looked at the group and then back to Crowley.
"Crowley. I am a creature who likes comfort and security, obviously. I was made to keep the Garden safe and I would have happily nested and remained in the Garden, doing my duty. Happy – ish, but feeling incomplete. But you showed up and you questioned, you always have -
"Your questions made me think; you poke and prod and make the world bigger and better. Without you we wouldn't have the world. Just a garden.
"You are strong and loyal and clever and good. Your goodness survived the fall; hidden in a very hard and prickly shell. It survived millenia of being ignored and punished and hurt. You didn't even know your love was there, but it came out when you cared for someone. I've seen your love: for animals, for your stars, for Warlock and all children, for humanity at their most foolish. I've felt your love since the garden, so ever-present that I first thought it was from Earth itself. Your love gives me confidence and courage; it completes me. We saved the world, because I love you and you love me."
(the scroll fades away with a twinkle.)
Warlock nodded to Newt, who stood and handed each of the angels the rings in his pocket.
"Aziraphale, do you take Crowley as yours forever?"
"I do!" the angel said in his high, delighted voice. He placed the ring on Crowley's finger and literally glowed with happiness.
"Anthony J. Crowley, do you take Aziraphale as yours forever?"
Crowley's normally stoney face softened into a gentle smile that only Warlock and Aziraphale had ever seen before. "and beyond." He said quietly, placing the ring on his Angel's finger and never taking his eyes off that glowing face.
They were still holding hands and gazing at each other. Together, they quoted from "To A Star":
"Oh! were this fluttering spirit free,
How quick 't would spread its wings to thee….."
Brilliant white wings and glossy black wings sprang out, making the humans in the party gasp.
"How swiftly will I soar to thee,
When this imprisoned soul is free!"
Warlock announced: "By the power of all powers that be, and , I declare your partnership eternal!"
The two angels dropped hands and with a few wing strokes, were far above the garden. Up, up, and up they flew, then started to dive and chase each other in the space over Tadfield. Miracles from the apprentices and a ground level gust of wind from Adam kept all eyes off the skies except for the wedding party.
"Whoaow!" was the sound heard from the grounded group in the garden, plus some scattered applause and laughter. Aziraphale –"Wheeee" and Crowley-"Whahooo" dove for the garden, then popped out their wings to cushion their landing. Cheers and applause broke out as they retracted their wings into another plane.
"Drink up, folks!" Crowley shouted, leading Aziraphale to the head table. "Here you go, Hubs!", he pulled out a chair for the angel to sit.
"Hubs? My dear husband, you are quite giddy, aren't you?" Aziraphale giggled as he took his seat, watching Crowley in this super-animated state.
"Delirious, My Dear HhhUhsband!" Crowley flopped in the seat next to Aziraphale's, leaning over to plant a kiss. "Flying is exhilarating and marrying you is intoxicating – I am dizzy with it all. I guess I should sit; Oh! I'm already sitting!" He looked at Aziraphale with broad smile and a laugh.
"Nanny, what's going on?" Warlock had come over to congratulate the pair.
"Hellssspawn, my little one." Crowley stood and hugged Warlock, and simultaneously became Nanny Ashtoreth.
"Brother Fell?!" Warlock looked over Nanny's shoulder at Aziraphale.
"I fear my spouse has overdosed on joy, literally Overjoyed. Fear is the wrong word. I'm ecstatic that Crowley is feeling so much happiness!" Aziraphale remained in his seat, beaming at the sight of Nanny holding her boy.
"You came back to us! It made us so happy! We're a family! We are so proud of the man you're becoming. I love you Hellspawn." Nanny only slightly released Warlock, keeping her head on his shoulder. The rest of the wedding party stayed at a respectful distance, where they couldn't quite hear anything, but weren't taking their eyes off the scene.
"I love you too, Nanny. And Brother Fell." Warlock led Nanny gently to her seat. He looked over at Aziraphale, "Wow, she's really drunk, isn't she? I hope for your sake that there's not an equally miserable hangover." He turned back to Nanny and kissed her on the cheek. He tried to get her to focus, face to face. He spoke slowly and patiently. "But right now, you need to focus on your wedding. Your Angel is waiting."
Nanny looked over at Aziraphale and smiled. She patted Warlock's cheek and hung her head, turning back into Crowley. "You're right, my boy. Thank you, dear." He reached out and took Aziraphale's hand. "And we're done waiting. Right, Angel?"
"You are So Right!" Aziraphale squeezed Crowley's hand.
"Should I sober up, Angel?"
"You are free to do whatever you want, Dearest."
"Huuhhhhhhmmmmm." Crowley sighed loudly. "I will for now, but I can't promise I won't do it again later." He replanted each foot on the ground and pouted briefly, took a breath, and seemed to return to his more stoic persona. He blinked at Aziraphale. "I'm ok now."
"Good. You can be grounded while we finish our celebration here. I'm fine with you getting giddy again when we fly off for Switzerland." Aziraphale pulled their clasped hands to him and kissed Crowley's ring.
"Aww…. You know where we're going? It was supposed to be a surprise!" Crowley looked even more somber.
"Jesus let it slip at the last meeting. He was trying to be nice, telling me that they'd leave us alone- we're to visit them when we're ready for company. I didn't mean to spoil your surprise, my Love."
"Guess it wasn't much of one, it's our second-favorite place to go." Crowley slumped deeper into his chair, defying all rules of anatomy and gravity.
"My Dear, the constancy of your love is better than any surprise to me." Aziraphale waved the wedding party over. "Now, let's celebrate with our friends. It was your idea, after all."
"Yes! Party time!" Crowley cued music, planning for dance and party music throughout the last four centuries. The cake was light and scrumptious; the petite fours melted in one's mouth. Everyone's glass stayed filled, and each person's plate filled, course by course, with their personal favorites, cooked to perfection. Dog quietly patrolled the zone, making sure all dropped food was consumed. Warlock and the Them passed items around, since their culinary backgrounds had varied. The tables were arranged close together, so everyone could join in the conversation, which was how they enjoyed all their gatherings. A dance floor materialized when dancing was suggested, and everyone danced at some point through the evening. Maggie and Nina showed off what they'd learned at ballroom class and the apprentices did some line dancing with the Them. The TAS enjoyed getting to know the apprentices and Nina and Maggie, and by the end of the evening, it was as if they had been part of the TAS all along.
As the night sky appeared, lanterns illuminated each table and the dance floor, leaving the stars for clear viewing above. Adam had kept the night sky clear as his wedding gift. The Them (which included Warlock now) walked up to them with a gift box.
"This is from the five of us." Pepper set the box on their table.
"Open it." Brian added.
The couple opened the box, finding it empty. "If this is a joke, I don't get it." Aziraphale said.
"It's over here." Wensleydale was standing to their left, behind a large digital telescope. "Dub told us how important the stars are to you."
"It has a camera too, so you can take photos of your favorites." Brian pointed at the camera. "We've already aimed it."
Adam and Warlock stood on either side of the husbands and walked them to the telescope. Aziraphale looked first. "Oh!" he exclaimed, and stepped aside for Crowley.
Crowley looked in the display and laughed. "Hee-hee! Alpha Centauri – perfect. It should be our first photo. Alpha Centauri on our wedding day. Show us how, Brian." Brian showed him how to set up the shot and what to click on to capture the image.
"I always thought it was one star when you told me about it, but it's three. Two stars that shine so bright together, they look to be one, and a smaller, third star. It reminds me of our family." Warlock looked at the screen and pointed out the stars.
"You are so right, Warlock." Aziraphale looked at their boy with love and pride.
"There's a telescope at the bookshop and one at the flat. I thought you'd want to take this one with you to the chalet." Adam set the basket next to the box. "But show us some more of Your stars before you go, if you don't mind Crowley."
So the chairs were moved closer to the telescope and everyone sat with drinks in hand and took turns looking at some of the star systems Crowley created. As the evening wound down, Brian and Warlock set off some fireworks for everyone's entertainment. Aziraphale and Crowley had returned to their seats at their table and held hands, watching the colors streaking across the sky and reflected in their friends' faces.
"Are you happy, Angel?" Crowley asked, swinging their clasped hands between their seats.
"I am, my Love. I never thought we'd have a day like today." Aziraphale looked away from the fireworks to smile at his husband. "But it's your happiness I've wished for. Are you really happy, Crowley?"
The former demon looked at their hands, then over to his Angel with that soft smile. "Aziraphale. You have always made me happy. And I have always loved you. But this….this is….grrrrr….." Crowley growled through the lump in his throat until it got out of the way. He blinked away some tears, like 'that day' in the book shop. "Angel, I think I actually feel the LOVE today."
"Oh, Happy Day!" Aziraphale brought both his hands (and one of Crowley's) up to his face. "You're surrounded by it, my Dear. All of these people love and care for us. Even Shadwell, in his own way. I think I'd be willing to move to Tadfield if it meant more days like this."
"Something to discuss on our honeymoon." Crowley stood and stretched. The fireworks had finished, and everyone was collecting their things. "Are you ready to fly? Hellspawn will take the Bentley back to the flat. If we leave now, we can do a circuit over Paris on the way to Lake Geneva."
"Ready when you are, My Love." Aziraphale stood and stretched.
The wedding party and the newlyweds said their farewells, and then the party brought out more fairy lights, and the wings came out again. The moonlight shone so bright on Crowley's black wings, that they were almost as bright as Aziraphale's white wings. One fabulous kiss, and then the pair flew off and towards the rest of their lives as "Us".