Elea sat on the bed, looking at the beautiful silk wedding gown. They had picked it up a couple of days ago from the tailor. It was a nice piece of work. She smiled. "I'm going to be married soon." She thought happily, glancing towards the bathroom where her fiancee was getting ready for the day. Then, she started thinking about all the things that go into a wedding... and then there was Amy and Paul's wedding... having to make sure Aidan and Elea's wedding didn't overshadow it.... and then there was Kirra, Aidan and her unborn daughter.... and.... and.... Suddenly, things seemed a lot more complicated. If only they could just get married without all the hassle...

*hmmmm* Maybe they could. Everyone knew they were together. Half of them thought they were already married, especially with Kirra on the way. None of the real wedding preparations had been done. No invites had gone out. No date was set. why couldn't they just elope?

Aidan came out of the bathroom and smiled at his pretty finacee. She was frowning a little, looking at the wedding gown they had picked up a couple of days earlier. "Is something wrong, Darling?"

She looked at him and smiled. "Let's get married."

He laughed softly, "My love, we *are* getting married."

"No. I mean today. Now, even. Let's just elope."

Aidan paused, looking at Elea. He saw that she meant every word of it. He smiled, a little startled, his heart leaping a bit. "Elope?"

"Yes. Elope. Just go to city hall and get married. I don't want all the pomp and circumstance. I just want to be with you. Be married to you."

"Ok." Aidan, nodding in agreement, a bit stunned. He went to his closet and dug up his black tuxedo. Aidan loved Elea, and usually, what she wanted, he would get for her. Besides, he had also been dreading the "Wedding Day" and all that goes with it.

Elea, didn't hear him and continued on. "I mean with Amy and Paul's wedding at the same time. And then there's Kirra. I'll be big as a house...."

Aidan, tried again. "Yes Darling, we can elope." He gave the tuxedo a critical once over, brushing it down to remove any lint.

".... And I just don't know if I can handle Amy's wedding and our wedding..... and I just don't want to wait!" Elea looked at him expectedly.

Aidan walked to her and kissed her gently. "Yes, Elea. Let's elope. It's a marvelous idea."

"You really think so??" She threw her arms about him and kissed him happily. "Thank you, Aidan!"

He pulled her into a tight embrace. "Of course I do. I cannot wait until you are Mrs. Aidan Blackthorn." He patted her rump fondly. "Now, let's get you into that dress of yours."

Soon, the two of them stood side by side, admiring themselves in the large vanity mirror. Aidan cut a dashing figure in his black tuxedo and emerald green cumberbund. The colors of his House. He worn gold cufflinks with intricate Celtic knotwork engraved on them. His ascot pin matched the cufflinks. His gold blond hair shined and green eyes sparkled with joy. And Elea, the blushing bride, wore her long white wedding gown made of silk. It has a sweetheart neckline and a dropped waist. The silk is beaded with tiny crystals that sparkle when the light catches them just right. The full skirt had a small train. The sleeves puffed slightly at the shoulders and smoothing to her arm from elbow to wrist. She had her hair pulled up on the sides, falling in glossy dark waves to the middle of her back. Her veil was held together by a crown of tiny white roses that rests upon her brow with the veil fluttering down over her hair and framing her face. She was so happy, her eyes dancing. She had a bouquet of white roses that Aidan had `found' somewhere.

Aidan turned to Elea, staring at her for a long moment as she fussed a bit. Then he took her in his arms, "You are so beautiful, you take my breath away. I love you, Elea." Then he kissed her tenderly.

Elea murmured to his lips, "I love you. I always have." as she returned his kiss.

Aidan put his hand on his soon-to-be wife's expanding tummy and smiled tenderly. "Shall we, my love?"

She nodded. "Where you go, I follow."

Aidan lead Elea through the Upper Gallery, down the stairs, through the large house and down to the gate house where his prized silver jaguar was housed. He held the door open for his Lady and helped get her dress into the car with much laughter on both sides. Then he drove the purring automobile out of the gates of Blackthorn Manor. They traveled through town until they got to the downtown area and parked in the central parking garage.

"Well, it's a little bit of a hike from here to the court house. You game?"

Elea grinned. "Always. But...." She grinblushed, "I guess it won't be much of a surprise once we walk through the CTN in these clothes." The CTN (Central Transit Nexus) was the central hub for all of the parking garages as well as the central hub for the subway and bus systems. Everyone came through the CTN at one time or another.

"Let them stare. And who cares whether they know or not. Come Hell or High water, by the end of the day, you *will* be my wife."

Elea grinned and, again, laughing merrily, Aidan assisted her and the volumnous wedding gown out of the jaguar. Then the two of two headed up to the CTN, on their way to the court house.

Irishel and Geis were in the lobby of the CTN. They both stared at Aidan and Elea, who waved a greeting.

"Hello." Geis said, sounding surprised. He looked them up and down, whistling low.

"We're getting married." Elea, stating the obvious, smiled.

"Now?" Geis and Irishel both said at the same time.

Geis smiled. "This is a bit of a surprise."

Aidan and Elea both nodded. "We couldn't wait."

The unflappable Irishel smiled a slight smile. "I see. Congratulations, you two."

Grinning and holding hands like teens, the two of them waved and continued on. A lot of people were staring at them. Most of the people smiled at the happy, silly couple. After they left the CTN, Elea suddenly stopped.

"Wait! We need witnesses."

"Oh, yes. You're right." Aidan nodded, thinking.

"What about Irishel and Geis? You think they'd like witness the marriage for us?"

"I don' t know why not. Let's ask." They headed back to the CTN. Geis and Irishel were still there.

"Quick wedding." Irishel remarked.

"Well, Elea realized that we need witnesses and we were wondering if you two wouldn't mind being them for us."

Both Geis and Irishel, smiled, pleased at the request.

"Sure. I'm game." Geis straightened his clothes, and smooth a hand over his dark hair.

"Of course. A pleasure." Irishel gave one of her rare but very pretty smiles.

The four of them headed off to the court house. They traveled down the majestic halls.

"What made you decide on today?" Irishel asked. Aidan pointed at Elea.

"I wonder who will do the service." Elea pondered aloud as they got to court room.

"I don't know....." Aidan got an evil, fun look in his eyes. "I think I know... our dear Mayor!"

"Jane? She doesn't know about the wedding."

"She will." Aidan pulled out his cellphone as Geis grinned, Irishel smirked and Elea giggled. "Jane?... It's Aidan. Yes.... Hello, how are you? .... uh-huh.... Yes.... *chuckle* Are you busy? No? ... Good. Well, there's something up in Courtroom 3. Yes. ... I think you should come here right away.... Yes, it's a legal matter involving myself and Elea... Yes, we are fine, right now.... Oh! .... Yes, bring them along too. It might concern them soon. Yes. .... Ok... And Jane? Thank you. Elea and I appreciate this. Yes... OK. Bye." Aidan laughed as he hung up the phone. "Amy and Paul were with her, discussing their wedding. They are all on their way... in a hurry."

Everyone smiled. "You know Jane is going to *kill* you when she does get here." Elea remarked, grinning.

"Yes, but it will be worth it." Aidan and Jane shared a friendly rivalry and enjoyed poking at each other.

Everyone laughed at that. A. Jane Greye, Mayor of the City came rushing through the back door of the courtroom with a worried looking Amy (Aidan's adopted daughter) and Paul (Amy's finacee) in tow. Jane's look of fierce determination abruptly changed to confusion as she saw the group gathered and how Aidan and Elea were dressed.

"This better be good." Jane half growled.

"Hiya Jane. Elea and I would like to get married and we'd like you to do the ceremony." Aidan grinned at the stunned Mayor.

"You what?? Now???" Was all Jane could manage for a moment. "Why didn't you warn me??"

"I just found out myself about an hour ago, Jane." Aidan smiled to her.

Amy and Paul look surprised and pleased. Amy hugged Elea tightly. "I guess I can call you Mom now."

"Yeah. I should get use to it." Elea patted her tummy. "And soon, you'll have a little sister, too."

Paul shook Aidan's hand and kissed Elea on the cheek. Jane was digging through her briefcase, looking for her Civil Ceremonies book. "You sure you want to do this?"

"Of course Jane, unless you don't want to? And I guess Aidan and I will just have to *sigh* go elsewhere." Elea grinned.

Jane mock glared at the bride. "Don't you dare. I found my book." Irishel smirked a little, staying out of the way, next to Geis. Amy and Paul moved to the side. "Ok, who are the official witnesses?" Irishel and Geis indicated themselves. Jane nodded. "Ok, ok... come on up you two, silly people."

Aidan and Elea moved in front of Jane, smiling. The ceremony itsself was short, sweet and to the point.... exactly as both Aidan and Elea wanted it to be. They exchanged vows and rings and then the first kiss as husband and wife. Amy sniffed a bit as Paul, grinning from ear to ear, held her. Even Irishel seemed to have a softer expression on her face.

Jane ushered the new husband and wife to the desk to sign on the dotted line and then called Irishel and Geis over to witness the same. Then, she stood up and announced, "Party at Flynn's!! I'll call ahead." Everyone nodded. "But, don't anyone dare order pizza!" There was a bit of laughter with only a couple of the people getting the inside `joke.'

Aidan looked at Elea. "Shall we, Mrs. Blackthorn?" He offered her his arm.

She grinned broadly and slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Where you go, Mr. Blackthorn, I follow."

"Oh come on guys. Don't get mushy on us! You're holding up the party." Jane grinned at the happy couple. She hugged Elea and then made shooing motions. "Let's go, let's go."

Everyone laughed and headed out the door. Aidan stopped to kiss his wife (!!) once more. "I love you, my wife."

"I love you, my husband." She returned his kiss and grinned. "Wow. Married."

Amy peaked her head back into the courtroom... "C'mon Dad... *Mom*... we're waiting! You can do that at home!"

"Ok. Ok. We're coming." Elea was blushing brightly. Hand in hand, Aidan and Elea caught up to the group and headed over to Flynn's to celebrate.