I felt like I was an anxious teenager again getting ready for her first date. Tugging at the sleeve of my white dress, I breathed in deeply.

Had I felt this nervous the first time?

Some of those memories were a faded blur. Thanks to the tricks the angels had played on my mind, there were still times fact and fiction blurred together in my memories. I knew I had married Gabriel. I must have felt something for him in order to marry him, and had been lucky enough to have my son. But the feelings and emotions from that time were a mere echo. I knew I had felt something but it was disconnected.

I shook my head before finally turning to the standing mirror which had been dragged in. Nicolette, Hades' beautiful bride, shifted out of the corner of my eye. Dressed in an emerald Bardot dress and flat golden sandals, she was effortlessly stunning. And there was something else.

As if on cue, her hand unconsciously cradled her stomach before she snatched it away. Panicked, her eyes lifted. She met my gaze in the mirror.

"Congratulations," I mouthed silently, before pretending to zip my lips closed.

Her shoulders slumped, relief causing her to slump against the wall.

An ache formed in my chest. I remembered those times. The excitement of early pregnancy when you exist in a bubble. Where it is just you and your little secret and everyone else is oblivious. It made me long for it again. But Lucius and I weren't there yet. But we had time. My second life had given me that; provided no other end of world situations arose.

"Knock knock." Called a familiar voice as the door swung inwards.

Two archangels filled the doorway. One was beaming, his smile so wide it stretched from ear to ear. The other had his emotions wrapped so firmly behind a mask.

"Zeke. Gabriel. What are you doing here?" I asked, stepping forward to wrap them both into a hug. I tried not to notice how stiff Gabriel was within my arms. "I thought you both were home."

"You don't honestly think we would miss this, do you?" Zeke cut in smoothly, his genial attitude a natural balm to his brother's closed off expression. "I wanted to be the one to give you away; even if it is to my brother. Would you let me do that for you?"

Reaching forwards, I tugged on a Zeke's sandy brown hair which had found time to grow past his shoulders. "I would love nothing more. Why don't you go and grab yourself a drink – one drink – and I'll catch up with you in a moment."

"I'd rather catch up with my nephew first. Where's Danny?" he asked, leaning to look around the side of the wardrobe.

"Outside. With his Pegasus." I commented lightly, ignoring the raised brows. Shooing him towards the doors, I lifted my gaze up to the stony face before me. "Hi."

Gabriel nodded his head. He too had taken a drastic change, his head was completely bald, a large scar was etched into his eyebrow, and his nose was lightly crooked. My hand stretched towards the scar but he flinched back from my touch.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it." I replied, hating the discomfort I still caused him.

Gabriel and I had been in a relationship; we had been married and in love. He was Danny's father. And while I loved him for giving me my son; my love for him now was only as a friend. I had had my memories modified by Zeke and it had changed everything. While I now knew of our past, the emotions from our time together were faded to a mere echo. Gabriel had not had the same treatment.

Those eyes met mine for a long second before he sighed, "I know. I'm sorry." Gabriel replied, his eyes sad as he looked down at me. "I really didn't mean anything by it. The injury is an adjustment."

"What happened?"

"Angel business."

I folded my arms across my chest and pinned him with a look. "Don't give me that."

"Savannah, I am an Archangel. I get into battles. I get injured. But it is my purpose and it will happen again and again." He replied simply in that no nonsense tone of his. He reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder. "And you don't have to worry about me. I know you won't believe me but I am happy for you both. My brother was lost for a long time but he's not anymore. You did that. You gave me a son, who I love more than I could imagine loving anything. And while I look upon our past with fondness, seeing you with Lucius has made me realise what we didn't have before – what we were missing. I'm determined to find it for myself."

I felt the knot in my stomach unfurl with relief. Reaching out, I tentatively placed my hand on top of his and gave it a squeeze.

"I'm confident you will find it. You deserve nothing less."

Gabriel gave a stiff nod of his head. "Now today is about you and about Lucius. Let's get you married."

"Oh my god, I'm getting married." I gasped, placing a hand against a hand against my stomach to still the butterflies. "Even though we're already technically married."

Shaking his head, Gabriel placed a stilling hand on my shoulder. "You're allowed to be nervous. Now, let's go and find my son. We have a wedding to get to."

**

The door to the front of the castle swung open as I approached. While the throne room had been used for Hades' wedding, after the events that had occurred there, we had agreed that it wasn't right to hold our wedding there. Our new beginning needed to be separate from the taint of recent events.

And so, with Zeke on my arm, and my feet clad in completely impractical white sparkly stilettos, I made my way down into the centre of town.

Demons of every shape, size, and colour lines the streets. Each was dressed up in their finery and despite the evidence of the battle still scarring the buildings around us, most were smiling and clapping, buoyed by the infectious atmosphere. I felt a smile creep on to my lips. There was still a long way to go, but demon-kind were resilient and would find their way through.

My dress was simple and conservative up front, long sleeves covering my arms and the high neckline grazing my clavicle so there wasn't even the slightest hint of cleavage. It was made from white lace with the faintest sparkle; something my mum wound have loved had she been here. And yet, the back dipped low exposing the battle marked expanse of my back.

The short white lace train to my dress was held carefully in Danny's hands as he strode proudly behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I met his wide grin with my own.

This was it. This was what all of the battles and hardships were for. My heart felt full. I had everything I needed. Danny. Lucius. Cass, Zeke, and Gabriel. Sonakshi. And all of the other wonderful demons and angels I had met along the way.

The street opened up into the square. Coloured streamers and lights had been strung between the buildings. More demons were gathered here, waving brightly coloured flowers and ribbons. It felt more like a party than a wedding but it felt right. It was how we had wanted it. Not a sombre occasion but a time for celebration.

And there he was.

In the centre, stood before a newly crafted fountain, was Lucius. Despite being out of his bed for a few months, Lucius had kept the facial hair that had grown in. It had been trimmed and groomed and yet it only enhanced his appearance. His piercing blue eyes twinkled as they met mine. A wide, white toothed smile upon his lips as his eyes trailed up and down my form so slowly I felt his gaze like a physical touch.

Hades clapped a hand upon his suited shoulder, bending down to murmur something in his ear. Lucius rolled his eyes. Yet there was no missing the goofy expression which crossed his face.

Zeke carefully unhooked my hand from the crook of his arm and placed my hand into Lucius's waiting hold. His familiar touch soothed away the last of my nerves and I allowed the tension to drain out of me.

"Take care of my sister or I'll beat you up." Zeke promised, clapping Lucius a little bit too hard on his shoulder. "I like her more than you."

Instead of taking offence, Lucius smiled back. "I like her more than me too."

Cass chose that moment to clear his throat. "If we're done discussing that everyone likes Savannah better? I'd like to marry you both now."

I laughed and allowed myself to glance over at those gathered. Everyone was here and together. All of the fallen angels had returned to watch their brother tie the knot. They stood closest to us, in smart formal suits to please my modern heritage. Even Lucius's elusive sister, Star, had returned to watch the occasion. She bounced eagerly on her feet, her fingers scattering flower petals through the air around her, much to Gabriel's bemusement. It was good to see that Star's energy could push back the storm clouds that so often hung over her older brother's head.

A hush steadily fell over the gathered crowds. Or maybe it was just the sound falling away as I stared up into Lucius's cool blue eyes. This was where we were meant to be. He and I were meant to be partners; in both our duties to humans, demons, and angels alike but also partners in everything else. I could feel it deep in my very soul.

Lucius's fingers closed around mine. "I, Lucius, take you, Savannah, to be my wife as witnessed by our friends and family. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, I promise to love, cherish, and support you through your endeavours, for eternity if fate allows it."

I grinned up at him. Lucius had said it was only right that we use the more traditional vows but make them our own. It felt right. It was a tribute to my human heritage but also acknowledged the path we were on together.

My throat felt thick with emotion as it came time to speak. "I, Savannah, take you, Lucius, to be my husband. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, I promise to love, cherish, and be by your side through the battles that may come our way for eternity if the fates and your father allow it."

Lucius's lips twitched up into a grin at my choice of words. His father had been the one who had set us on this path after all. It had rubbed against the grain, being told I was fated for someone. Yet now that we were here, I couldn't be happier. Things weren't picture perfect. Reality was never going to be a fairy tale but I wouldn't have it any other way.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. A cool band of metal was placed onto my finger and then Castiel was saying the words I had been waiting to hear.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Lucius's lips were on mine a moment later. And though we had already been bound for a few weeks, I felt the magic of the underworld swelling around us once more. The cool metal around my finger heated as cheers erupted around us. Inside, love and comfort flooded through me. There was no doubt or regret.

Pulling away just a touch, I rested my forehead against Lucius's. His familiar scent, the mixture of his cologne and the underlying notes that were just him, surrounded me. He smiled, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he did so.

Danny chose that moment to tug on my sleeve. "Mum, can we have cake now?"

Chuckling, I glanced down at my son. His face, which now so closely resembled his father, was still full of childish innocence. Something I would fight to protect for a long time.

Reaching out, I stroked a hand over his cheek. "Of course. You have to get me a piece too, okay?"

Nodding enthusiastically, he dashed away in search of his prize. Sonakshi, the demon warrior dressed in her favoured leathers, followed closely at his heels. I was grateful for her presence. I knew that under her watch Danny would be safe.

Lucius pulled away a touch, his arm remaining firmly around my waist. I leaned into his warmth and let out a sigh of contentment.

Flower petals and confetti rained down around us and the noise, which had been muted throughout the ceremony, had returned full force. A band had begun to play and pockets of demons began to dance.

I basked in the joyful energy around us. This was what we had fought for. This was what all of the battles and bloodshed had been for. Hope and happiness.

My eyes swept over the crowds before dancing back. It couldn't be.

Yet it was.

There, in the very back of the crowds, leaning nonchalantly against one of the buildings was a face I had seen before. A face I had seen when I had died. He tipped his Stetson in greeting, the laughter lines on his face becoming more pronounced as he smiled.

"Lucius," I whispered dazedly, unable to look away in case he disappeared. Reach down I laced my fingers through his. "He's here."

"Who's here?" He asked, his eyes glancing from my face and following my line of sight of to the man in the back. He sucked in a sharp breath as their eyes connected. "Father." He choked out, his fingers tightening painfully around mine.

They held each other's eyes for a long silent minute, a conversation happening within exchange. And then, finally, God's lips curled up into a loving smile my own father had once given me. Lucius' hand relaxed around mine, tension rolling out of him. Lucius whispered something under his breath, too quietly even for me to hear.

But, as if it had been shouted over the space between them, God placed a hand over his heart.

I blinked. And then space where he had been was suddenly empty. I lifted my eyes at the man beside me, startled to see a tear sliding down his cheek. Reaching up, I carefully wiped it away with my thumb.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." He replied, clearing his throat as he did so. "I'm more than okay."

I longed to ask what had happened between them. But, I knew he would tell me when he was ready. Instead, I leaned up onto my tiptoes and pressed a chaste kiss, filled with so much promise, on to his warm lips.

"I'm glad, husband."

Lucius grinned, his white teeth glinting in the process. "Me too, wife." He pressed another kiss to my lips, lingering for a few seconds before he reluctantly pulled away. "Now, what was this I heard about cake?"

Before I could utter a response, he released his hold on my hand before bending and scooping me up into his arm. Resting against his chest, his strong arms holding me close, any protest fell to the wayside as he dashed through the crowds towards to our waiting family. Laughter spilled from my lips.

I felt at peace. The single mother had become the queen of the underworld – a statement which would have had been concerned for my own sanity just a few short years ago. But it was as it should be.

And though I had no idea what the future held for us; no idea what destiny Danny may have or what wars we may face in the future. What I did know was that we would face them together. And we would be ready.

Until then, with Lucius and Danny at my side, I would enjoy the peace I had found.