By the time the moon rose over Maple Grove, the garden at the big house was almost unrecognizable. Bride and groom had been whisked away to be dressed up and made pretty for their big moment; Gabi's twins, and Jon's children, had been settled together in Emily and Ben's room in the manor itself. Ro had been diapered and fed until she was so full all she could do was sleep; Daisy had insisted on staying up no matter how late, just to see the pretty wedding. And while they waited for Miranda and Gabi to return with the bride, busy hands had peppered the garden with fairy lights in jars, hanging from trees and shrubs, illuminating the moonlight with a scattering of magic. Even Humphrey admitted it looked pretty, which was epic praise from the Old Man.

Cian would have been happy with a simple exchange of vows in the company of those he loved and cared about, but it seemed his family had other plans in mind. The Grangers just couldn't resist the temptation to make this day a special one for the once wayward and lost Cian and his bride-to-be, and who was he to argue" It felt good to be surrounded by those who loved them, even if he did think they were making too much of a fuss.

Of course, part of the fun in preparing the bride was keeping the groom from seeing her in the dress. Leilani wasn't entirely sure quite why she had been swathed in a big black cloak and carried bodily from Miranda's house to the manor, but everyone had been having so much fun doing it that she had played along happily enough. She liked to make people happy, especially Cian. Now she and Gabi were lingering in the kitchen, waiting patiently for someone to tell them it was time to come out.

Miranda had been in the kitchen with them for a while, fussing and making sure they both looked just right, but she had disappeared some time ago to check on the men, insisting Dominic at least wear a jacket, if not a tie. Everything else was perfect and she was as excited as anyone. She reached up to make some minor adjustment to Rufus' shirt, though it was completely unnecessary. "Not angry with me, are you, Rufio?" she asked, knowing she'd been at least partially guilty for all this fuss.

Rufus chuckled gently, catching her hands as she fussed over him. "Why would I be angry, angel?" he asked her in return. "You've been itching for this wedding for months now. Yes, I could have done with being in bed an hour ago, but I can live with a few less hours of sleep to see you happy." He leaned down, kissing the tip of her nose fondly. "I don't need to be coddled, love. I just need to see you smile."

She scrunched her nose as he kissed her, a worried smile touching her lips. "Yes, but you won't be angry when I tell you I agreed to let Jon and Vicki keep Ro for the night, will you?" she asked him, almost hesitantly, her eyes pleading with him not to be angry. It was only one night, after all, and there was no chance of Lei's baby girl falling into dangerous hands so long as she was surrounded by Grangers.

He tensed a little at that, but after an afternoon in which he had not been allowed to even touch the baby girl, he was beginning to concede that maybe time off from being a parent was going to be necessary now and then. "I'm ....not comfortable with it," he told her honestly. "But I know it needs to happen, if only so that we can get some sleep." He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. "You should have spoken to me about it first, though."

She snorted at that remark, not letting him blame her for that. "You say that like I had a choice. Vicki practically stole her from me and refused to let me have her back until I promised I'd let her stay the night." She frowned up at him again, really not wanting to taint this night with an argument. "And if I'd asked, what would you have said" I know you worry about her, Rufus, but she'll be fine. She's with family." And if she wasn't, Miranda was sure Vicki would call and let them know.

He sighed, meeting her gaze with tired resignation. "I know I'm overly protective," he assured her. "I know I can be irrational and downright stupid. I'm afraid, Miri. I've never been responsible for someone so totally dependent on someone else for everything. Between being afraid of what?s out there and afraid that I'm going to hurt her trying to help her ....I'm very lost right now."

"Sweetheart, I know this is all new to you, but this isn't my first rodeo. I raised your daughter all by myself, and she turned out just fine. You just need to relax a little and trust me. Does Ro seem unhappy to you?" she asked, turning the situation back around on him a little.

"Well, mostly she just seems to gurgle and fart at me," Rufus pointed out, his wry smile promising her that he wasn't going to linger on his worries, not tonight. She deserved to have a happy evening with her nephew and his soon to be wife, and as much as Rufus worried, he wouldn't let himself get in the way of that.

"Those are signs of a happy baby, Rufus!" Miranda told him with a bit of a chuckle. "Really, must I remind you that you're retired" Your only responsibilities are pleasing me and helping raise Rowan. Helping, Rufio. You're not in this alone, and you never will be. It really is adorable how protective you are, but if you don't learn to relax, you are either going to lose your mind or suffocate her, whichever comes first." And she ought to know, since she'd been there once already.

"All right, all right." He smiled, squeezing her as he pressed a kiss to her hair. "I'm trying, love. But for now ....are you sure Dominic passes muster in shorts and a blazer?" Rufus certainly knew how to distract her, and frankly the sight of Dom wearing George's blazer over his t-shirt and shorts was too comical not to fit perfectly with a hasty Granger wedding.

Now that made her laugh. "I would like to see you convince Dominic that what he's wearing is not suitable for a wedding. I had a hard enough time convincing him to wear George's jacket!" she exclaimed with a chuckle, and it would be fun looking back on the photographs and teasing him about them someday. "You are by far the handsomest man here," she assured him with a pat to his cheek.

"I am by far the sleepiest man here," he corrected her with a chuckle. "How is the groom doing" He scrubbed up rather well for such short notice. Or was this all part of that secret project you've had going on for the last year or so?"

"You only have to stay awake a little longer before I tuck you in," she promised him, though she was planning on doing a little more than just letting him sleep tonight. If he was tired now, she'd make sure he was plenty exhausted before the evening was over. She gasped in shock at his implied accusation. "Rufus Bennett! Bite your tongue. There is no secret project. I had nothing to do with this until Cian got down on one knee. This was all Vicki's doing! You really should have a little more trust in me."

"Mmhmm." He turned her around, facing her toward the French doors into the kitchen with his arms around her waist. "And that's why she's wearing a wedding dress that fits like a glove, is it' All Vicki's doing?" Chuckling, Rufus kissed her cheek fondly. "You need to work on your subterfuge, angel."

"So, I may have had a teensy hand in it, but it was bound to happen sooner or later," she said, smiling at the vision of loveliness that was Leilani in her designer Miranda Granger wedding gown. She leaned into his embrace with a smile on her face, in no hurry to break it. "Can you blame me, Rufus" I'm a hopeless romantic."

"Of course I can't blame you," he chuckled. "Which is why I won't mention to Gabrielle, or to Elle, that you have sketchbooks dedicated to them and what they might like to wear to their weddings in the future." He grinned at his wife fondly. "Come on, love, let's get these two married before Leilani starts asking questions about consummation."

Gabi came into sight first, an old hand at this maid of honor schtick, having been pronounced suitable by Miranda for choosing to change into one of her few cocktail dresses for the occasion. She had Leilani by the hand, leading the little bride out into the moonlight with a warm smile.

The Syreni was resplendent in white, a gown made with her measurements in secret by Miranda over the past year that flowed from a fitted bustline to sway about her legs as she walked. Her blond hair had been left free, and she wore no jewelery - not even the necklace Cian had given her when they had first known one another. She was just as she was, shy and smiling as Gabi put her hand into that of the man she loved.

To say she took Cian's breath away was a bit of an understatement, though there was a sharp intake of breath when he saw her, resplendent in a gown that had been made just for her. She was beyond beautiful, but it wasn't just the pretty face or the gown; it was a beauty that went far deeper, a beauty that radiated from the very depths of her soul. Cian reached for her hand, his fingers twining with hers, a radiant smile on his face full of love and adoration for the gentle creature who had won his heart.

Somewhere nearby, Miranda was grinning like an idiot and nudging her husband awake as she took her seat. She grinned over at him and drew an invisible notch in the air - she had scored yet another win without anyone being the wiser.

Yawning, Rufus grinned, wrapping his arm around his wife's shoulders to watch the little ceremony about to be performed. With a kiss to Cian's cheek, Gabi released their hands and found her place to sit beside George, not needing to stand up to be a part of her brother's wedding. There was a faint pang that Frank was not there to see it, but she knew he was at peace, with their mother. She leaned into George's side, one hand in her father's palm, as Dom cleared his throat theatrically to get the attention of the bride and groom. He knew his wedding ceremony off by heart by now.

"A wedding is a wonderful occasion filled with hopes, dreams and excitement. We are here today to celebrate the love that Cian and Leilani have for each other, and to recognize and witness their decision to journey forward in their lives, together."

Cian smiled warmly at his sister, but tonight, he had eyes only for Leilani. Though the words of the ceremony wouldn't change the way they felt about each other, it felt right to be doing this, here and now, surrounded by those who loved them. His thoughts, too, turned briefly to that of his brother, but he knew Frank was in a better place now, happy and at peace with their mother.

Jon grinned over at Vicki, sliding his fingers between hers, silently echoing everything Dom said, as if he knew the words by heart - which, in fact, he did. He remembered the day he and Vicki had exchanged vows, just like it was yesterday, and knew Cian and Leilani were in good hands with Dom.

"May your love create a safe haven for you both on the journey that lies ahead of you. Lead with your hearts and take the time to do the simple things that will nurture your love. Deeply listen to each other. Be playful in finding new ways to give your love anew to each other every day. May your love be so abundant that you have plenty to share with the rest of us as well. It is your love that has brought us together here today. May it grow deeper and sweeter with each passing year."

As she listened, Leilani squeezed Cian's hands gently. She still didn't quite understand what was happening here - quite why they needed to exchanged promises with one another in front of his family - but it meant the world to him. From the day she had pulled him out of the water, Cian had been everything to her, and she could not foresee a day when he would not be everything to her in the future. She was his, it was as simple as that.

Dom flickered a glance toward Elle briefly, his grin flashing into sight, before he composed himself to continue. "Do you, Cian, take Leilani to be your partner for life" Do you promise to walk by her side forever, and to love, help, and encourage her in all she does" Do you promise to take time to talk with her, to listen to her, and to care for her" Will you share her laughter and her tears, as her partner, lover, and best friend" Do you take her as your lawfully wedded wife for now and forever more?"

Elle caught Dom's glance for a brief moment and smiled softly back at him, knowing he was sharing a silent wish to one day walk this path with her, but tonight was not about them.

Cian listened to every word Dom was saying, taking each phrase to heart, each blessing for lasting love and happiness. There was no doubt in his mind nor his heart that he belonged to Leilani and she to him, that they would love each other in return for the rest of their days, and Cian realized this formality was more for his family than for them. It was a public declaration of their love for each other and a solemn vow made before witnesses to forever share their lives, their thoughts, and their hearts. When Dom came to the part where Cian had to make his promises, he looked into Leilani's eyes, her hands in his, answering without reservation or doubt or hesitation and with a heart full of love. "Forever more, yes. I do."

"Like that was ever going to be a surprise answer," Dom muttered, though not exactly quietly enough not to be overheard by everyone around them. He cleared his throat again, chuckling, and turned to Leilani. "And do you, Leilani, take Cian to be your partner for life" Do you promise to walk by his side forever, and to love, help, and encourage him in all he does" Do you promise to take time to talk with him, to listen to him, and to care for him' Will you share his laughter and his tears, as his partner, lover and best friend" Do you take him as your lawfully wedded husband for now and forever more?"

Just as there had been no hesitation in Cian when he answered, there was none in the little Syreni who had already bound herself, heart and soul, to him forevermore. "I do," she answered simply, her smile growing as she leaned toward Cian.

Dom hurried to interject before she could forestall him and get to the kiss early. "If either of you have something you wish to say, now would be a good time."

Cian's smile softened and deepened as Leilani, too, agreed to the vows that would bind them together, heart and soul, til the end of their days. He gave her hands a gentle squeeze, leaning into touch his lips to hers and make it official, when Dominic spoke again. Cian looked to his cousin, a puzzled expression on his face. "Something to say?" he echoed, gulping a breath. No one had warned him he'd have to say anything more than, "I do."

Dom's smile gentled, knowing the signs that came with someone who had no idea what was happening. "Some people like to make their own vows to each other," he explained quietly. "It isn't wholly necessary, Ci, breathe."

As the two men spoke, Leilani glanced between them, her mouth working as she tried to find a place to interject. "Um ....I-I know something to say," she offered shyly, uncertain if either one would allow it.

Cian did just that, drawing a deep breath to calm his already shaken nerves, when Leilani interjected and he turned to her with a startled look on his face. "You do?" he asked, not displeased with her admission, but only surprised by it and a little worried he'd never be able to find the right words to tell her how he felt about her, especially now that he was feeling so nervous.

The little mermaid nodded, green eyes wide and hopeful that she had made a relevant comment. "It's from a poem I read," she explained, shy of being at the center of so much attention, but sure that the words in her mind were appropriate. She paused for a moment, as though to give the words weight, and looked up into Cian's eyes. "The choice is made, and now I swim in a far different sea; the shores of which are bright green hills raised up for you and me."

What could Cian possibly say to that' There were no words he could think of that were worthy of her, that were adequate to describe all he was feeling for her. Jon would have known what to say - he would have quoted Shakespeare or Wilde or some other equally prominent writer. Even Dom would have known what to say. Though Cian was no poet, nor was he very well read, he thought perhaps the words of a song would serve him better than anything else he could think of. He, too, had to pause for a moment, to try and find the right song, the right words. Even then, he only gave her a small part of it, privately promising himself he'd give her the rest later. "My boat sails stormy seas, battles oceans filled with tears, at last my port's in view, now that I've discovered you." He spoke quietly, almost too quietly for anyone else to hear but her, in a voice that was filled with emotion and eyes that were swimming with tears.

As his voice trailed away, Leilani surged to him, her hands still caught in his, rising up onto her toes to brush the tip of her nose to his tenderly. There was something sweetly innocent about that gesture of affection, an innocence she had held all her life and seemed never likely to fade so long as she was loved.