((This is part two of the uber collaboration between myself and Stas Ryan. Unfortunately, the same rules apply if it gets confusing.))

Shotgun Without Shells

Father Patrick McDougal pulled up to the mansion in his government issued black sedan. Beside him on the seat was his box that contained his accoutrements, including his stole, and a bottle of holy water. He wasn't used to doing weddings at the spur of the moment and wanted to talk to the bride and groom before the ceremony started. He simply hoped that he'd get the chance. From the way Colonel Ryan made it sound, the matter was urgent. So much so that the paperwork was still warm from the laser printer. It lay beside the box in a manila envelope. Once parked, he gathered his things and stepped out of the vehicle. Dressed in his official dress blues with the dog collar, he looked the part of the military chaplain. Up to the house he strode, confidently pressing the doorbell.

Richard glanced up as the doorbell rang from where he was pacing in front of the ornate fireplace. It had seemed like an age since everything had been decided - long enough, certainly, for the men to have changed into something approaching smart casual, and the women to have picked out their own clothes. Although, after his rather violent response to his daughter's news, he had no idea if she would allow him to give her away.

Alyson, on the other hand, was not nearly so calm. The moment the doorbell rang, she leapt up from her seat, grasping onto her husband's hand tightly enough to cut off the blood. "Oh! He's here! George, get the door!"

Lillian had found an equisite dress that hugged her form perfectly. Nothing dowdy for the mother of this groom. Her hair was swept back in a sophisticated up do. Her light pink dress was a silken sheath with a lavendar lace overlay. Stiletto heels to match, which she knew she'd have to remove once they were on the beach. Still with a look about her that she was quite off put by the entire affair, at least she knew she looked good. A glance towards the door and she put on her best smile. "Yes, George, do please be a good man and let the preacher in."

George had remained and would remain stoicly in his dress greens. The offer of a suit was politely declined. Hearing the doorbell, and then his wife's excited response, he chuckled softly. A shake of his head to Madame Drake, and he left his wife's side. His shoes echoed in the hall way as he made his way towards the door. Upon opening it, he extended his hand and a smile to the Father. "Paddy! Thanks so much for coming on such short notice."

Father McDougal waited patiently at the door, and when it was opened, he slipped off his cover and stepped inside. "Only for you, Georgie. Where is the lovely bride and your son' I'd like a word with them, alone?" He smiled warmly and took his friend's hand to shake in greeting. "You're looking good, Georgie. None of this has you worried in the slightest, I hope." Then he caught sight of Aly as they walked into the living room. "My goodness, you get prettier each time I see you." He greeted his friend's wife with hands upon her biceps and a kiss to each of her cheeks. "If I hadn't gone into the seminary, you'd be my girl, and he'd be wearing the dog collar."

"And we'd all be eating cake off a silver platter, I know," Alyson laughed, reaching up for her kiss. AJ had braved her mother's ire to sneak a dress from Lillian's expansive wardrobe for her future mother-in-law, leaving Alyson draped in a simple, deep blue silk dress that floated around her calves. She had her own shoes on for now, determined to go barefoot on the sand for the wedding itself. "Stas'll be along in a little bit. I think he's still coming to terms with everything that's happened."

It couldn't be more obvious that he was going to have to introduce himself and his wife, Richard thought, though he could hardly blame the Ryans for wanting to carry on as though they didn't exist. Neither had given a good accounting of themselves this afternoon. With one hand under Lillian's elbow, squeezing gently to remind her to behave herself, he advanced across the room towards the Father, his sand coloured suit a casual contrast to George's military greens. "Father McDougal" Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Richard Drake, and this is my wife, Lillian."

Lillian didn't even recognize the dress she'd only worn once, and to a cocktail party. In fact, she thought that Alyson looked quite lovely in the dress and meant to enquire as to where she got it, later. For now, she was being escorted across the room. The father was given a flat smile. "Nice to meet you, Father McDougal. Is it a flat fee, or do you take donations?" She laughed a twittery, nervous laugh and looked up at her husband.

The ever silent George remained just so as he watched his friend. His arm tightened around Aly's waist. "Why I married her. She's the brains of this operation." A quick kiss given to the side of his wife's head then.

Stopped in her tracks, for the second time that day. It was really getting old. But, for the sake of appearances, she smiled blandly and wandered over to the bar. Since everybody else was making the deicision and plans without her say so, she may as well have another drink. The vodka was produced and she poured it over some ice. "Yes, fetch Margarita, like the good dog you are." She mumbled it under her breath before taking another drink.

"Splendid. And yes, everything is in order." Paddy chuckled to Aly's quick wittism. "Of course, making sure there are no shot guns involved. Unless you count the marksmen that I brought with me for a 21 gun salute?" He was teasing, of course. He'd never agree to a funeral's ceremony at a wedding. He waited patiently with a soft chuckle under his breath. Of course, he glanced worried eyes to the mother of the bride.

Richard's eyes followed the preacher's gaze to Lillian, and he smart stepped over to her with a loud, "Ah, yes, how good of you, Lily, to fetch a drink for the good Father." He lowered his voice to her, the reprimand softened by the affectionate way his arm curled about her waist. "Please don't drink too much, my darling."

Margarita's appearance was spotted first by Alyson, who hurried over to her and practically pulled the girl inside, presenting her to the priest proudly. "This little treasure is Margarita, Paddy, she'll show you where the bride and groom are hiding," she informed him with a smile, sparing one glance for George as the Drakes conferred by the alcohol.

Richard's arm around her had her looking up like a frightened child. He was the only one that she'd ever let see this side of herself. "Richard, is this really happening?" She curled herself against his chest and sighed softly. "She was supposed to have a big wedding, flowers, big dress, big church. Family and friends, photo ops. Why is this happening?"

George smiled as the little Margarita made her way into the room. He had noticed the Drakes huddled over by the bar and he sighed softly. "Treat them well, no horror stories, Paddy." he joked with his friend.

As the young girl approached, Paddy offered his hand and shook hers. "Yes, well, let's be off, shall we" Lots to be done, not so much time." He smiled to the rest and was led away.

Stas felt much more comfortable now that he knew somebody he knew would be performing the ceremony. With AJ, he sat down on the steps and curled an arm around her. "Yea, what?s up, Father Paddy?" He smiled, turning to AJ and promptly kissed her on the cheek to reassure her.

When the young couple had been seated, Paddy pulled a chair up and had a seat, himself. "Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to make sure this is something that you two really want to do. Marriage is a holy sacrament that should not be treaded into lightly. It's until death do you part." He smiled kindly to them both, knowing before they even spoke, what the answer would be. He'd seen couples that were meant to be before, and this couple fit right into that category.

AJ listened, her hand resting on Stas' leg as they sat together. She liked this priest already, she knew; after all, he'd greeted Stas so warmly, there was no way he couldn't be an old friend at the very least. And she understood his concerns, he had a duty to ask these sorts of questions. "I know it's not exactly the way we could have planned it, but ..." Hazel eyes turned to seek out blue affectionately for a long moment before she turned back to Paddy. "I love Stas, Father, I've got every intention of it being until death do us part. And making sure that death part doesn't happen anytime soon, too."

Even as Paddy spoke, Stas' eyes never left Amelia. He gazed at the braid in her hair, the way her hair fell about her shoulders. The soft line of the curve of her cheek. Every single little detail he wanted burned into his memory. Squeezing her hand, he smiled for her. "And I love Amelia, with all of my heart. It will only be death that parts us. And I'm with her. Death isn't going to come anytime soon."

Paddy nodded to their responses with a warm smile. Rising, he stepped forward and placed a gentle hand onto each of their heads. "Let us pray." he waited until the heads were bowed and he closed his eyes. "Dear Lord, please bless these two children as they strive to walk in your pathway. Lead them and let them follow your lead as they begin a life together. In God's name, amen." his eyes opened and he removed his hands. "Now, the rings?" To this, he had a bit of a spark to his eyes. A surprise was in store.

Though she was baptised, AJ had never really had much time for religion, and was slightly startled by the gentle hand on her head, taking her lead from Stas as she bowed her head. Her fingers laced into Stas' as Paddy spoke, making her own promises again without words. Then rings were mentioned, and she looked up, startled, glancing at her fiance in confusion. "Rings" We don't have any," she said worriedly. "Can we do this without rings?"

He was soothed by the warm palm on his head and he bowed his head solemnly. AJ's hand was gently squeezed and he received the blessing and made his own private promises. When Paddy stepped back, he whispered. "Amen." Then looked up at the family friend. "Actually, there is one ring." He pulled the faded velvet box from his hand and held it out. "Your father said it was your grandmother's." He smiled shyly to Amelia.

"No need, dear," Alyson's voice interrupted them. She grinned as the three turned to look at them. Being an impatient sort, she'd bullied the other three out to wait just inside the doors for Paddy to finish before announcing herself. "All set, then, Father?"

Richard lingered behind everyone, one arm still wrapped around his wife's waist as he looked down at his daughter. She seemed so touched, but he couldn't be certain why. And he knew he had no right to be angry with her. She was happy, that much was certain. "AJ ....may your mother and I speak with you for a moment?"

"Thank you, Father Paddy." he left Amelia's side when he heard his mother's voice. A hug given to the priest, then he turned to his mom, wiping his eyes. He felt a bit of trepidation as Richard asked to speak to AJ, but he gave her a reassuring smile and a nod. "We'll just find the place." A kiss to AJ's cheek and he pressed his forehead to hers. "I love you, so much."

Lillian still remained clutched to Richard's side. She ofered a small smile to the priest and nodded to Richard's request. "Yes, please, Ammy." There was something different about her eyes as she gazed upon her daughter, as if seeing her for the first time.

"Of course, take your time." Paddy smiled to the bride's parents and then turned to hug Stas. "Easy son." he whispered and pat his back. Keeping an arm around Stas, he waved George and Alyson over. "Let's go get ready for the bride's entrance." He gave a warm smile to the Drakes and ushered the three away.

George had followed his wife out, a smirk on his face as he saw the teary expressions of both Stas and AJ. He had a feeling that the rings would do that. A skeptical look was tossed Richard's way, but he merely put his arm around Aly and followed his friend towards the beach area.

"Oh, come on, you." Held firmly against her husband's side, Alyson waited only long enough for Stas to let go of AJ before wrapping her arm through his and tugging him along with her as she was ushered towards the beach. "Wipe your eyes, kid, it's your wedding day." She smiled up at him, hugging his arm tightly as they walked away from the Drakes.

"Love you, too," was AJ's murmured reply to Stas, before she lifted her face to kiss him gently. Then she was stepping away, drawing in a deep breath as she stood in front of her own parents, not entirely sure what to expect. "Well?"

Richard cleared his throat uncomfortably, waiting until the Ryans and their friend were out of earshot before speaking. "I made a mistake, Ammy," he admitted awkwardly. "Made a lot of mistakes, but I never meant to hurt you. If that boy makes you happy, then you be with him. And don't name any of your children after me."

Lillian watched the Ryans walk off and she turned her smile onto AJ. 'I know, we've both been terrible. But it would mean a lot to your father and I if you would forgive us, Ammy. We do love you." She smiled up at Richard, then back to AJ. "And name all of them after him." She gave Richard a loving, but teasing glance. "Richard is a fine name."

"That boy has a name, Dad. I'd appreciate it if you'd use it." AJ glanced between her parents, wondering what they were up to. Twenty years of being pretty much ignored did not make it easy for her to set aside her suspicions. "Mom, what happened to me disgracing the family' Or to this being something Devon might do' Which he wouldn't," she added heatedly. "You guys never gave him any credit for being who he is."

"Ammy ....Amelia, please." Richard's arm tightened on Lillian's waist. "We are trying to apologise. And ....and tell Devon we're sorry, too. I'd like to tell him in person, but I don't think he'll be coming back, will he?" When AJ shook her head, he sighed, resting his cheek on his wife's hair. "It's to be expected. The ring was always going to be yours, anyway, sweetheart. I don't know why I never told you that."

"Darling.." she reached for her daughter, eyes filling with tears. "Let us make up for what we've not done. Let us be a part of your life, and our grandchild's life." She looked up at Richard, with a smile, then back to AJ.

She watched them for a long moment, inwardly cursing her hormones for the rising tears yet again. They seemed to mean it, everything they were saying, and she wanted to believe them. Her thoughts turned to Stas, and she smiled a little at the knowledge that even if her parents were lying, he would always be there for her. So why not take the risk" "Your grandchild" You're not angry with me?" she quavered, moving forward to hug her mother for the first time in her memory.

Richard felt a weight leave his shoulders as he watched his daughter forgive them, wrapping his arms around both women tightly. "Thank you, Ammy," he murmured against her hair, releasing them gently as AJ pulled back. "And ....would you mind awfully if your father gave you away today?"

Lillian's motherly instincts finally kicked in. After twenty or so years. Better late than never. She hugged her daughter and cried with her. "I love you, Ammy. My precious girl." She whispered and then they were being hugged by Richard. A pang across her heart that her son was not there. She knew that she had driven Devon away.

"I love you too, Mom," AJ whispered back to her, pulling away to dash the tears from her eyes for the second time that day. "Might not like you much, but I do love you. Both of you." Her eyes lifted to her father as he asked the question she would never have had the courage to ask him, and her face brightened in a gentle smile. "Well, you know, I was going to ask Devon, but he seems to be a bit absent ..." The teasing grin she usually wore made an appearance, and she reached up to kiss her father's cheek gently. "Thank you, Dad. I'd love for you to give me away."

"Ammy, of course we're ok with this. Because it's what you want. Today is your day, and Stas was right. We're not going to spoil it for you." She looked up at Richard, then back to Amelia. "As long as you're sure, then we are too."

"I am sure. I've never been more sure of anything in my life." AJ laughed a little, still surprised to hear herself say anything like that, let alone know so clearly that she meant every word. She surged forward to hug them both again, so pleased to be able to do that when for years it had only ever been something performed for the cameras.

He looked down at his wife and nodded, smiling at AJ. "Your mother's right. The only thing that matters today is you and Stas." And he laughed a little as she launched herself at them, hugging her back just as tightly. "Now come on, or your young man will start thinking we've kidnapped you or something dreadful like that."

The hugging fest continued until a thought occured to Lillian. "Oh! Wait!" She pulled herself free and ran quickly into the house. She was in there for a good half hour before she came back out, her hand behind her back. "What bride walks down the aisle without flowers?" She smiled and pulled the small bouquet of wildflowers wrapped with pink ribbon for a handle out from behind her back. She presented the bouquet to Amelia. The hot glue was still warm in her hand from where she'd made it herself. "Careful, the glue's still warm. But it'll hold."

"But ....Mom, what?" AJ turned astonished eyes onto her father as Lillian ran away from them. He shrugged, grinning. "She's a woman, sweetheart, you're all mysteries to me," he laughed, pulling her close to kiss her forehead gently. They chatted back and forth between one another for what felt like an age, before Lillian came running back out to them. AJ stared at her mother in amazement. "You made this" But Mom, you never get your hands dirty ....thank you!" Careful not to squeeze the flowers too tightly, she bestowed yet another hug on her mother, and kissed her.

She hugged her daughter in return. "Well we're all making new starts today. Thought I'd try my hand at something I used to do long ago." She smiled warmly. "Ok, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." she pondered a moment. "Old is your grandmother's ring, new is..." she glanced around for a moment. "That dress is new?" She laughed then. "Something borrowed.." she reached up and pulled off her chandelier style earrings and handed them to AJ. "Now for something blue.." she pointed to the wildflower bouquet. Tucked deep within was a blue sapphire necklace that was a match to the grandmother's ring. "She wanted you to have it."

"Oh my god ....Mom, I can't wear this, you love this necklace," AJ objected weakly, staring in amazement even as she automatically put the earrings in. This was a whole new Lillian Drake, someone she'd never met before. Not that it wasn't wonderful, but it was kinda weird at the same time.

"She may love it, but it was left to you, Ammy," Richard backed up his wife's offering, removing it carefully from the bouquet to fasten the delicate piece around AJ's neck. "She always said if she couldn't be at your wedding, then you should wear something of hers. She was always fond of you, more so when she found out we'd named you after her." He smiled at Lillian, glancing towards the beach. "You know, we really should get a move on, or Stas might think we've done something permanent to the bride."

George turned when he heard the Drakes approach and he smiled broadly. They seemed to be all smiles and the happy family. And it seemed very genuine. Of that, he was very happy. His arm curled around Aly and he bent to kiss the top of her head. When Stas sank to his knees, he frowned slightly. "Get up." he reached down to grasp Stas under the arm and pull him to his feet. "Are you alright, son?"

"Places, places." Father Paddy raised his arms and stepped to the front of the little white strip of satin laid down as the makeshift aisle in the sand. A loving and fond gaze upon the entire gathering. His hands folded in front of him, he held the bottle of holy water between them. The stole had been blessed and placed around his neck. He was ready.

Lillian stepped around her husband and daughter, placing a kiss to her daughter's cheek. "I'll see you up there." She smiled warmly. And then Stas went to his knees. Lillian placed her hand over her throat and glanced to Richard and AJ. "Is he always so....emotional?"

Alyson heard that, laughing heartily at Lillian's comment. "Of course not, he's just being melodramatic." One of her bare feet nudged against Stas' backside as George pulled him to his feet. She reached out to wrap her arm through Lillian's, friendly as anything. It really was amazing what a genuine smile could do for a woman.

Richard, for his part, grinned at the sight of Stas on his knees, remembering all too well the sudden shock of seeing his own bride begin to walk down the aisle towards him. He could still remember the iron grip of his best man keeping him upright until he got hold of himself. He looked down at AJ, and smiled, knowing that for this moment in time, she only had eyes for her man.

With one hand tucked into her father's elbow, and the other holding her mother's bouquet, AJ couldn't help laughing a little at Stas' reaction to seeing her, let alone his own mother's less than sympathetic response. None of it seemed real; the chaplain, the smiles, the necklace around her neck, even the making up between herself and her parents. And yet it was, and she knew it was all real the moment her father put her hand into Stas', and she smiled up at the man she knew she was going to spend the rest of her life with.

As they gathered together, Father Patrick McDougal took over. "We are gathered here today to bear witness to the marriage of Stas Patrick Ryan and Amelia Jane Drake. I have spoken to them both and am assured of their undying and unending love for one another." He gave a smile to the pair. "Let us pray." he folded his hands in front of himself and bowed his head. "Heavenly Father, we stand here today, in front of you and these witnesses to assist Stas and Amelia into the world of heavenly bliss. Please bestow upon them your many blessings. In your heavenly name, Amen." He then looked expectantly to Richard. "And who gives away the bride?"

Stas barely could tear his gaze away from Amelia and only did so when nudged by his father. He took one look at Father Paddy and knew he had a question to answer. With a broad smile on his face, he turned his attention back to Amelia. "You betcha." He cleared his throat then. "I mean, I do."

AJ managed to spare one smiling glance for her father as he stepped away, grateful to him for mentioning Devon when he couldn't be here, before her eyes inevitably returned to Stas, leaving her utterly entranced once again. She was vaguely aware of Paddy speaking, only catching up when George nudged Stas. The resulting answer made her giggle, squeezing his fingers affectionately.

"Very good." he smiled then turned to Amelia. "Do you, Amelia, take Stas as your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

Stas turned his smile back onto Amelia, and grasped her hands firmly. He held his breath, waiting for her to respond. In the corner of his blue eyes a tear welled up, but he fought to keep it from falling.

As Paddy asked the question, AJ turned her smile to him, hazel eyes sparkling happily. Her gaze turned back to Stas, and she spoke with complete confidence, no trace of hesitation. "I do."

A smile then, for them both. Bringing the rings out of his pocket, he held them in his upturned palm. "The wedding ring has been a time honored tradition for a reason. The unending circle is a perfect symbol of unending love." Turning to Stas, he held out Amelia's ring to him. "Place the ring upon her finger, and repeat after me."I, Stas, give this ring to you, Amelia, as a sign of my undying love and faithfulness to you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit."

With trembling hands, he took the ring and placed it upon Amelia's finger. "I, Stas, give this ring to you, Amelia, as a sign of my undying love and faithfulness to you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit." then he slipped it the rest of the way down her finger.

Her hands were shaking, she realised, as Stas slipped the ring onto her finger. Every word he said felt louder, more profound than she'd ever heard them said before, gazing into his eyes in complete love and trust.

Paddy smiled proudly at the man who he watched grow up as a boy. Turning to Amelia, he held out Stas' ring for her. "Repeat after me." he smiled warmly."I, Amelia, give this ring to you, Stas, as a sign of my undying love and faithfulness to you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit."

She took hold of the smooth silver band with those trembling fingers, gently slipping the ring partway onto Stas' finger as she looked up into his eyes. "I, Amelia, give this ring to you, Stas, as a sign of my undying love and faithfulness to you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit." And she, too, slipped the band the rest of the way, curling her fingers through his with a soft smile.

Richard beamed proudly at them both, as he had done from the moment he'd let AJ go. His arms wrapped tightly around Lillian, he smiled down at his wife and leaned down to kiss her fondly, immeasurably proud of their little girl, depsite the upsets of the day.

Father Paddy watched the two embrace and then seal the marriage with a kiss before turning his attention to the parents. "May I present, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan and Amelia Stas!" he threw up his arms and smiled brightly.

George pulled a hanky out of his pocket and gently dabbed his wife's face before handing it over. He placed a soft kiss to her head, then turned when he heard Paddy the Perfect make a perfect blunder. "Uh, you mean Mr. and Mrs. Stas and Amelia Ryan?" He was loving this! Hugging Alyson tightly, he laughed and laughed.

When the kiss was finally broken, he gave Father Paddy a curious look, then shook his head at his father. What was so funny' His hand tightly in Amelia's, he started to lead her down the white satin strip. "Let's get out of here, these people are cracked." he whispered to her with a soft laugh.

"You daft old sod!" Alyson was busy laughing and thumping Paddy's shoulder. "I wish we'd recorded that, no one on the base'll believe Perfect Paddy got it wrong!"

Stas may have missed the blunder, but AJ hadn't, giggling as he glanced about. "Right you are, Mr Stas," she grinned up at him as he started to lead her away, stopping and tugging on his hand to pull him into another loving kiss.

Truly, he hadn't even realized he had slipped like that. He blamed it on Georgie having two first names, as always. Laughing hearitly with them, he stepped towards the new in laws. "They're a beautiful couple, you all should be very proud of yourselves." he nodded to them all.

Oh, the slip would never be lived down, and the way that George looked at his old friend told him so. For now, though, he simply kept his arms around Aly's shoulders. "Thanks, McDougal." He chuckled softly. "And thanks again for coming at such short notice. You did a bang up job."

Lillian hid her face, not wanting the world to see the tears she had sprouted at her daughter's wedding. Onto Richard's shoulder, she pressed her face. "Richard, our baby.." she cried softly. The blunder had gone unnoticed, as did the correction. Sniffing, she plastered a smile on her face and rubbed the tears from under her eyes.

With Lillian wrapped up in his arms, Richard hadn't missed the blunder, chuckling to himself as he comforted his wife affectionately. "She's in good hands, Lily," he reminded her gently. "And it's not like she's going far."

Lillian sighed softly and rested her head on her husband's shoulder for just a moment longer. Then her shoulders squared and she stepped back. "Ok, get the photographers set up. I'll go gather the wayward children." She smiled and tip toed to press a kiss to Richard's lips. "Thank you." She gave him a knowing look then went to gather AJ and Stas. "Hey, get back here!"

"Paddy never misses the chance to get his picture in the paper," Alyson answered before Paddy could, grinning mischievously at the priest as she hugged into George's side. She turned her eyes onto Stas as AJ dragged him back to them. "You, mister ....who's going to eat you, may I ask?"

Reaching into the box, Paddy picked up the stole and placed it back around his shoulders. About to respond to Richard, Alyson beat him to the punch. He grinned and pointed at her. "She's right. Besides, is it not a tradition to have your picture taken by the person who married you? The phots aren't just for the paper, are they?"

"Very astute, my dear." George grinned to Aly, then back to Paddy. Releasing his wife, he walked over to Richard and extended his hand. "Welcome to the family, Rich." He smiled warmly.

Lillian waited until the pair passed her before following behind. "Yes, Ammy, we have to do this. Besides, the Priest is right. What will we hang on our walls or show off to our friends if we don't take wedding pictures?" She laughed then. "Or show your children?"

Stas kept his arms around his wife as long as possible, nuzzling her in return with his own nose. "I don't know about that.." he laughed and then was being pulled back along towards the rest of them. His mother had him stopping short and he put his hand to his face. "Long story, bad dream, Mom."

"I've not heard of that particular tradition, Father, but if you wish to take your own pictures, I'm sure no one will mind," Richard nodded to Paddy, clasping George's hand with a grin. "Your son ever hurts her, I'll break him," he said pleasantly. They both knew he wouldn't do it. Then he turned, nodding to the photographers. "Alright, we're on. Public faces, people!"

"Public -?" Alyson nudged Lillian curiously. "What does he mean, public faces? I don't have another face." She grinned teasingly as they formed up in a group though, reaching past Stas to rearrange the bouquet in front of AJ's little bump with a wink. "I don't think you'll be wanting people guessing too soon, sunshine."

"You'll have to tell me about this dream sometime," AJ teased her husband, throwing Alyson a grateful smile before she leaned back to kiss her mother's cheek. "Thanks, Mom," she whispered, before leaning into Stas' side to kiss his cheek before looking into the cameras.

As he took his place beside his wife, Stas smiled for the cameras. The photographer had them changing places, poses, alone, with the family, with her parents, with his, with Paddy. Through it all, Stas kept smiling. The day was a giant blur to him, and in the end, he had a wife and child on the way. He couldn't have been any happier. The Drakes seemed to be settling into their roles as doting parents and loving in laws. His own parents were as they always were, happy and supportive. It was a perfect day. And as the sun finally set behind them, off of the California coast and into the Pacific, Stas held onto Amelia tightly. Everybody else had retired to the house for drinks. He gazed into her eyes and swayed softly to the music that poured from the house. "I love you, Amelia Ryan. I can't stop saying it."

AJ's arms slid up and about Stas' neck, pulling him down into yet another soft kiss. "I'll never get tired of hearing it," she promised tenderly, smiling warm and soft up at him. "Love you back." Hazel eyes sparkled with mischief suddenly as she remembered something he'd let slip only recently. "Je t'aime, Monsieur Ryan," she whispered to him with a wicked little smirk.

His arms tightened around her and he slowly brought her to the sand. As the sun set like molasses in the sky, they lay there, entangled in each other's arms. Dreams of the future, memories of their past, all spoken of and laughed about. The sky finally turned dark and stars sparkled the inky sky, fading the lovers into the black.