9th October 2109

            I wasn’t as nervous as I had expected to be. I was much more nervous. Dad said it was normal to be nervous, but I don’t think it was normal for the groom to throw up an hour before the ceremony. Well at least when I hadn’t had a big night the night before. I paced back and forth as Zack watched me with amusement, and Ishriel stood quietly, leaning against the wall. I decided since I was ready but I wasn’t needed for another half hour that I would try and distract myself with something else.

            “Dad, Zack, you mind giving me a minute with the best man?”

            “Sure.” Zack grinned, throwing an arm around my father’s shoulders. “We’ll go make sure everyone’s sitting where they’re supposed to.”

            Once they were gone Ishriel looked at me a little apprehensively. “Is something wrong, Rick?”

            “Not with me, except for the nerves that is.” I sat down, motioning for him to do the same. “You’re worried about him, huh?”

            “Yeah. I’m sorry, Rick, this is your big day.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I must be a pretty depressing sight.”

            “It’s ok to worry, you know. I understand, it was hard with Raven at first too. It was a long time before he’d let me do more than kiss him.”

            “That’s not the problem. We’ve done it since, and he’s fine.”

            That puzzled me. “So what’s wrong?”

            “I know you’ve been pretty involved with Raven these past months but surely you’ve noticed? Just about everything frustrates him. He tries so hard but most days it’s too much and he cries himself to sleep in my arms at night.” He sighed, resting his head in his hands wearily. He was too young to have such worries, it wasn’t fair. “I love him so much… but sometimes I wish he hadn’t become mortal. It would have been hard enough for him to go from being so powerful to helpless, but to have it start with the vampire incident. He wasn’t made to be mortal, and I’m afraid he’ll never get used to it.”

            “It’s only been a few months, Ish, give him a little more time. He does enjoy himself sometimes doesn’t he?”

            “Yes. Oh, I don’t know, Rick. Some days he’s fine, he can go for a whole day and then something as simple as not being able to straighten his hair with magic and he burst into tears.” He sighed before finally giving me a small smile. “He is getting better I guess. You’re right, he probably does just need time.” His smile then broadened. “He seems good today at least. I think he was happier to wear a dress than Trey was.”

            “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

^-^-^

            “This might not be a dress but I still look female.” I commented wryly, smoothing down the lacy fabric with gloved fingers. “I can’t believe I agreed to this.”

            “You don’t look female.” Sharael assured me, gliding to my side in his gorgeous pale blue dress. “I look female. You look… androgynous, and quite yummy.”

            “Yummy?” I smiled, glad my friend was genuinely happy today. “That wasn’t exactly the look I was going for.”

            “Really?” He seemed surprised. “You don’t want Rick to drool at the sight of you?”

            “Well… maybe a little.” I studied my reflection, and I had to admit I did look good. The pale gold accents added just the right amount of colour to the white and brought out my eyes, making them seem greener than they were. The pants made my legs look very nice but they were a little tight but I’d only have to wear them for a few hours, and I had always been partial to light flowy fabrics like my top was made of. Yes, I definitely looked good. I wondered how Richard looked, if only we could skip this whole thing and go straight on our honeymoon. Two whole weeks of nothing but passionate sex with my handsome husband. I so wanted him to fu-… Oww, not a good idea to get turned on when wearing something so tight. I shifted a little, but it didn’t really help. Great.

            “Raven?” Sharael was looking at me with concern and reached up with a slender hand to feel my forehead. “Are you ok? You look flushed.”

            “I’m fine.” I laughed, sounding nervous. “Just a bit anxious.”

            “Hmm.” Why did I have the feeling he didn’t believe me? “Well you look ready, little brother, do you feel ready?”

            “I believe so. I just hope Trey hasn’t ruined her dress by now. How could she go out the back to have a cigarette? She’s going to stink up the ceremony.”

            He laughed at me, patting my arm before handing me my bouquet. “You only quit a month ago and you already can’t stand the smell?”

            “Well I didn’t realise how bad it was until I stopped. Now I know why Ricky got so shitty at me when I didn’t quit when he did. I must have smelt foul to him.”

            “I’m sure you did, but you smell yummy now.” He said cheerily before carefully making sure every strand of my hair was falling correctly. I swear he was more excited about this wedding than I was. Not that that was bad really, he needed to lose himself in something like this for awhile. At least Ishriel was a magic user, and so, like me, had some understanding of what Sharael had actually lost. But enough brooding. This was my big day, or so everyone kept telling me, so I ought to be very happy.

            “Ok. Let’s go.”

^-^-^

            I smiled as Lily came walking solemnly down the isle, scattering petals with careful concentration. She was such a sweet child. I was glad her and Beth and Val had come, though I have to say I wasn’t disappointed that Raven’s mother didn’t bother to show. I know he was upset about it but I think he knew she wouldn’t come. She hadn’t been there for anything else in his life, so why would she bother now? I don’t usually hate, really hate anyone but I have to say I hate her.

            Bringing my attention back to the moment at hand I almost laughed as I saw the gloomy look on Trey’s face. She obviously didn’t like her dress, though I think it looked nice. Although she did pale a bit in comparison to the graceful creature walking next to her. Sharael’s exotic hair had been straightened and cascaded around his shoulders in a snowy fall any bottle-blond would envy. Glancing at Ishriel my heart warmed at the love in his eyes as he gazed at his lover. Sure they had their problems but I believed they were happy. After all every couple has their difficulties.

            Finally the moment I’d been waiting for came. My eyes widened almost to the point of popping out my head as I took in the vision that was my almost-husband. He was totally and utterly gorgeous, like a creature from the heavens, come to bless us with his presence. I don’t believe he had ever looked so elegant as he did then. The silky fabric falling in layers to hide, but somehow accentuate every delicious curve and line of his lithe body. I had the sudden urge to run forward and ravage him right there, guests be damned. To me the ceremony couldn’t end fast enough.

^-^-^

            Finally getting to collapse in a chair I gratefully accepted the glass of wine Ish handed me. Sharael had grabbed Richard for a dance and I have to say I was grateful, my new husband was smothering me. I couldn’t believe the same shy man I had fallen in love with was the one who after the ‘I do’s’ kissed me in such a way that I felt embarrassed. I blamed it on the outfit and resolved to take it off as soon as possible.

            “How are you doing?” Looking up I saw Beth smiling at me with concern in her eyes. I shrugged, sipping at the wine. “I suppose you’re looking forward to tonight?”

            I sighed. “Actually I’m not sure I am. I feel tired.”

            “You say that now, dear, but I guarantee you once you two are alone you won’t be wanting to sleep.”

            “I hope so. I don’t want to disappoint him, he’s just been so possessive today… I guess I’m a little scared he’ll… well, be a little rough, you know?”

            “You might be surprised.” She looked off to the dance floor and I followed her gaze. My husband was twirling Sharael with the uttermost care. His touches light and an expression of concentration on his face as he made sure not to step on delicate feet. He was so sweet… How could that fact have slipped my mind? He was the most gentle and kind person I’d ever known. Bethany was right, I was being silly to worry. Grinning I put the glass down before heading off to reclaim my husband. Now I was looking forward to us being alone, I’m sure it wouldn’t be long before we could slip away.

                                                                        //////

            I closed the book. There were a couple of entries left from that day to read but I didn’t feel I needed to read anymore. I wasn’t angry any longer and our fight seemed so silly to me now, like our fights always did when I considered the love we had for each other, and all we’d been through together. I had thought that our wedding day had been the happiest day of my life, but it hadn’t been. There had been so many days since that I’d found so much joy in life, and there would be many more.

            Pushing myself up off the couch I winced a little as my back protested. It wasn’t that I was that ancient, I guess I looked middle-aged, but a life of slaying had made me ache a little more than if my life had been easier. But even so I wouldn’t have changed a thing about my life for that. One thing I would like to change was the way I had yelled at my cherished kitten. What did it matter that he’d traded in my old car for a fancy new one? The whole time I’d been yelling at him I knew in the back of my mind that he’d only done it because he worried about me. He didn’t think my old car had been safe and only wanted me to have the best. And like an idiot I’d insisted on taking it the wrong way.

            “Richard?” Raven had come halfway down the stairs as I stood staring off into space and thinking. He now hesitated, unsure if I’d yell at him again. His beautiful voice was so soft and timid that if I hadn’t already realised how wrong I’d been to get angry like that then that would have done it. “Will you come to bed?” He didn’t move from the stair he was on and I realised I hadn’t answered him, that I’d just been staring at him and he probably thought I was still angry.

            “Come here.” I told him gently, holding out a hand to grasp his as he came closer. I felt his slight trembling through the touch and wondered if he was cold again. Pulling him closer I frowned as I noticed the redness around his eyes. “Oh, kitten, I made you cry.” He nodded and sniffled quietly before moving to press himself against me, shivering in my arms. He was cold.

            “I’m sorry, Ricky… I didn’t think it’d upset you so much, or I wouldn’t have done it. I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry.”

            “Shh. I was the one who wasn’t thinking.” Grabbing a blanket from a nearby chair I quickly wrapped it around his slender body, holding him tightly and rubbing his back to try and warm him. We really needed to move to somewhere warmer but he was so stubborn about staying close to Lily and her kids. It was true she often needed help since her husband died but I was sure she’d agree to move with us, they practically lived with us now anyway. I’d talk to her about it tomorrow. “Come on then, let’s go to bed.”

            “You’re not mad at me anymore?”

            “No, love, I was being an idiot and a jerk. I know you were only worried about me, and it is a very nice car.”

            “You like it?” He looked at me with large hopeful eyes and I couldn’t help but smile adoringly. No matter how old he got he still managed to be so cute sometimes. How I wanted to lift him in my arms and leap up the stairs before ravaging him, but he’d never allow it after my last check-up. I hated being old. So instead I settled for wrapping an arm around his waist and leading him back to our room, closing the door and locking it in case one of the children decided to enter the room unannounced. I still blushed when I remembered the stunned expression on Willow’s (Lily’s eldest) face when she came home late after a night of partying and wanted to borrow some money to take her friends to an early breakfast.

            I turned the heater up a bit higher before turning to discover my lover already sprawled on the bed. Gazing at him I knew why half of Will’s friends had a crush on him. He was still so beautiful, despite the few grey streaks in his glossy black hair and the few little wrinkles on his pale skin. He’d aged beautifully, with such elegance, I think even when he was really old he’d still be beautiful. I climbed onto the bed next to him, covering his body to warm it even as I removed clothing.

            “I love you so much, kitten, let’s never fight again.”

            He laughed, wrapping long arms around me. “But then we couldn’t have make-up sex.”

            “Then we’d better fight more often.”

THE END