Taking Two

[Liberty Kaelen]

December 2041</COLOR>

<COLOR color="#000">The air was cool on the morning of December 21st, 2041. Today would be the second anniversary of Liberty and Eryk's first meeting, however that would not be the most memorable thing to happen on this day. Libby's dress was simple this time round, no longer choosing the bright purple design of her previous marriage to Alex. As she sat and waited for the stylist to complete the finishing touches to her hair, Libby thought of her ex-husband. She'd not spoken to him about Eryk as of yet, and wasn't sure whether she should. Although the pair had ended on good terms, and their children were free to move between them, Libby wanted to focus on her life going forward. Living as a muggle had been a toll for both parents, and now they were free once again to pursue their own dreams.

As her hair was finished, she rose from her chair and stepped across the room to the window. Looking out she could see her children outside on the grass below. It was a pleasant day, and the ceremony was to be a private one, including only the most immediate family.

Libby made her way in silence to the base of the grand country house, and checking herself one last time in the mirror in the hallway. She knew she loved Eryk, but nerves were creeping in slowly. During her last marriage she had been pregnant with Keanu, but now he and his sisters were out their waiting for them to finalise their new family. "Let's go" she told herself, and lifting her dress, walked outside the country house and made her way into the garden.​

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[Belladonna Corvus]

Liberty's youngest daughter watched as the quiet family affair was taking place. As she sat outside in the decorated garden with Ferrah and Keanu, Belladonna sulked quietly to herself. She knew it was all about keeping her mum happy but she was annoyed that this day had finally found itself here. Belladonna loved her father, and hadn't enjoyed her parents divorce. Eryk seemed a nice enough man, but she would have preferred to live with Alex.

She waited for her mum to come out the house, so they could get this over and done with. Liberty had asked her not to mention anything to her dad, and Belladonna had a hard time trying to keep such a thing so secret. He would be furious when he found out.​

 

[Keanu Corvus]

Keanu had spent the majority of the morning entertaining his sisters. He didn't like the situation, but he was going to make the most of it. Leaving the girls to themselves, Keanu headed over to who would soon be his new step-father. Keanu had only met Eryk a handul of times, but as his mum had told him persistantly, Keanu should make more of an effort to get along with both him, and his new cousin Aodhan.

"Hi" said Keanu, approaching his step-father. "Are you excited?" He asked in a thick French accent. It was Keanu's first wedding, and he was certainly to keen to see what would happen. As her only son, Keanu had been entrusted with the role of ringbearer, and he lightly touched the heart of his jacket to ensure the little package was still safely tucked away. He had heard at her last wedding it had been less than smooth, and Keanu would do the best he could to ensure this one went as planned.​

 

[Eryk Kaelen]

With Aodhan besides him as his best man, Eryk made sure that there weren't any wrinkles left in his tie. The wedding was going to be private and Eryk had agreed to that, as he hadn't spoken to both his parents and brother after he and his nephew moved out of the United States to live in New Zealand. Since he didn't want to ruin the most important day in his life it was probably for the better that none of the Kaelen family would attend the wedding other than Aodhan. Eryk smiled brightly when Keanu approached him and nodded his head. ''Very much. You?'' He asked, though there was a hint of nervousness in his voice. Because it was Liberty's second marriage Eryk wanted to be certain that this one would be just as memorable as her first, perhaps even more. He never expected himself to be nervous as he was used to lecturing a class full of students, but this was a lot different, maybe because he wanted to be liked by his soon-to-be step-children. Eryk smoothend his wedding suit once more before Libby would walk into the garden.

 

[Aodhan Kaelen]

Aodhan was excited for his uncle to get married for the first time, even more excited to hang out with Keanu again because he thought that cousin was awesome. Aodhan made sure that his dirty face was cleaned before he would walk up to uncle Eryk. He smiled while walking towards him, waving at the twins while doing so because his uncle had told him to be kind to them today. He didn't like them very much, as he thought that they were boring, or at least Belladonna was, Ferrah was OK to be around with. Standing next to his uncle now, Aodhan greeted Keanu happily when he approached them.

 

[Ferrah Corvus]

Ferrah left her grumpy sister to it, and followed Keanu over to the new family. "Hey!" She said to Aodhan, jabbing him in the middle with her elbow in excitment. She turned to her cousin face on, and checked him out up and down. "Almost.." she added, reaching out to slightly tweak his tie. After a moment, she smiled. "There." She looked up to her new step-father. The Ravenclaw was also excited at the prospect of a wedding, especially between her mother and someone so kind as Eryk. He had gracefully accepted three additional children in his life, no questions asked.

Ferrah heard the back door open behind them, and turned to see her godmother standing in the frame. "We should sit down soon, I think mum will be coming out" She pulled her brother down into the front seats, and awaited for the ceremony to begin. ​

 

[Aodhan Kaelen]

Aodhan smiled when Ferrah approached them too. ''Hey you!'' the ten year old said happily. Out of his new twin cousins Ferrah was by far the nicest. She had been very welcoming towards him and uncle Eryk from the start, and that was something he appreciated very much. Grunting sofly when her elbow made contact with him because it hurt sometimes, he looked confunsingly at her. ''There's nothing wrong with my tie!'' He he told her proudly since he managed to put in on himself. Aodhan looked up at his uncle too when she did. ''You gonna fix his tie too?'' he asked with a playful smirk on his face.

When Ferrah walked away from him and uncle Eryk Aodhan looked up at the man again. ''You don't have to be nervous, uncle.'' the boy whispered and smiled at him.

 

[Rue Undersee]

Rue and Liberty had been out of contact for some time when the latter had announced her wedding, but their friendship had clearly not been damaged by the years apart. After catching up over lunch it had then been proposed that Rue be Liberty's maid of honour, and the offer had been accepted immediately. Since then Rue had done nothing but dress shop, and, whilst she had had a wonderful time, she couldn't claim to be sad to see the back of it all once it was over.

"You look beautiful," Rue said, blushing at the sound of her own voice. "Oh! Don't forget zese." She retrieved Libby's bouquet and handed it to her, offering a few last words of encouragement before they headed downstairs and out onto the grounds. "Are you ready?" she asked, as the guests came into view. It was now or never!

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby smiled back her little french friend, and gratefully took the bouquet of flowers. Liberty thanked Rue, and began to follow her outside and into the garden. From here she could clearly see the small family waiting for her up ahead. As she followed her Maid of Honour down the isle, Libby looked at the floor. She had never expected to be here for a second time in her life, and the emotions of gratitude she had for Eryk were overwhelming.

As it was a private wedding, a minister had been hired to wed them. Libby looked up once more, and caught sight of her finance as he waited for her to join him. "Hey" She smiled widely, wanting more than anything for this part to be completed so she could call him her husband. As Libby took her place beside Mr Kaelen, she glanced over her shoulder at her children. She was proud to see them looking so smart and well behaved, and she'd hoped they'd made their new cousin and step-father feel most welcome in her absence.

The ceremony took no longer than twelve minutes. The rings were exchanged, and for once Libby's day was panning out as expected. With the declaration of Husband and Wife, Libby beamed at the man standing before her. She knew she wouldn't be able to keep her secret of magical abilities from Eryk forever, but for now she didn't want pressure him with the notion. She was happy to marry a muggle, afterall she'd been living as one herself for so long it almost felt more natural.

The newly wed couple were asked to sign the marriage declaration form, before Libby walked over to her children. "I'm so happy you were all here!" She exclaimed, wrapped her arms around all three at once in one large squishy hug.​

 

[Eryk Kaelen]

Eryk was ready. He smiled at his nephew one more time while Liberty walked towards him. ''Hi.'' He said sofly, his dark brown eyes sparkling with delight as he looked at his fiancée from head to toe. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her white dress. He quickly fixed his hair one last time as his soon-to-be wife stood next to him. He had to admit for the first time in forever he felt really, really nervous to be in front of few people that were invited to their wedding. There weren't many guests but whoever was there, he was glad that they were here.

Everyone seemed to be happy for Eryk and Liberty, and there was nothing more in his life that he could ask for than just being where he was now, the day they got married. It was a day the man would remember for the rest of his life that he was sure of. As Libby walked over to her children Eryk turned to Aodhan and put his arms around the boy when the ten year old hugged him. He was happy that he finally married the love of his life.