If y'd have me

[Lovely]

May 11, Year 2
afternoon


Patrick was saying.. ".. almost Summer... can just about go play in the river."

Alex just said, "Why wait til spring?"

Ciara slapped him.

"What? warmin' up's what's half the fun, right?" He winks and offers a hand.

Raises a brow and says. "You would not be trying to imply I would do such things with a man I'm not married to yet, would you?"

"Well now, how's a man gonna catch you to marry you, if you don't let him chase you a little first, hm? I'll give you a head start?"

Pushes him and turns to walk away.

Rolling his eyes, the sigh hissed out loudly as he gave his brother a look of dismay.

Patrick, in a rare moment of sympathy didn't show any whatsoever, actually taking Ciara's side of the argument. "If you don't ask her, Alexander, she has every right to keep walking and find herself a more suitable suitor on the boardwalk."

"Big help," he sneered quietly, brushing Pat off and stomping lightly after her. "Miss... Palmer. May I have a word, lass?"

She didn't turn, but kept walking as she addressed him. "One word.. is that all you want?" She brushed back stray curls that slipped free of the pins and framed her face.

"Two... two words.... possibly a third if you'll hear them, Ciara," he said, lacking the sharp wit or playing banter as he sped his pace to come beside her so she could see his expression was serious. "Patrick's right. He's absolutely right... and those... are not the words I meant. Are you listening? Hm?"

"What Alex.. what?" She turned to him, nearly tripping in her hurry, blinking and wringing her hands together in front of her. "I'm listening.. say what you'd like say." She finished with less snap, her eyes were shining as if she were holding back tears.

A look of doubt, panic... fear that rarely touched his expression sent a small cough to his hand as he gathered the words and reached to hold her in place long enough to hear them if she'd let him. His eyes searched, waiting for her attention and hopefully the courage to face that she could and had every right to refuse him.

Ciara almost pulled away from him as he reached to hold her in place, but remained where she was. She didn't melt into him like she had done times before when he reached for her. She waited silently for what he had to say.. if he was going to say anything at all.

[Lovely]

So many thoughts raced through his head, not the least of which tumbled Cody's face around in front of him in a taunting cloud and it seemed as though his throat had filled with handfuls of sand from the road. Why couldn't he just simply ask her for her hand like he wanted to and knew he should? When it came to the decision, cowardice took his heart and his nerve. How could he condemn her to a life with a drunkard and braggart like him? His hands dropped from her arms and slipped a step back, nearly stumbling before he turned, the sorrow stinging his eyes with tears he couldn't bear to have her see, breaking into a run once his feet were on the open dirt of the road.

Patrick was only a few steps behind his youngest brother, waiting to taunt and goad the boy about miseries of married life, but the boy surprised even him. "Don't... do anything rash. He means to take your hand, Miss Palmer. I'll gather him to his senses or knock them from him... t'would be a pleasure," he grinned, attempting what pale reassurance he could offer.

She watched him rush away and barely heard what Patrick said, staring down at the ground. She lifted her gaze to the brother who had once found such delight in blackmailing her. "I'm not worth it.. thank you." She murmured softly, turning to walk in the other direction, heading towards the house to pack the few things she had. She felt empty.. yet that emptiness ached terribly.

"It's nerves, Miss Palmer. He hammers iron but has little of his own. Surely you've seen that about him in the way he never gives a straight answer to anyone, least of all the woman he adores more than life. You are worth it...," he nodded, taking on a strangely sincere air she might not have been used to seeing. He looked down the road at the settling dust and shook his head, trying to stop her steps. "And he is my brother, little as I care to admit such a thing. A Carlisle's heart, once captured is quite ensnared which is as dangerous for the captive as for the captor. His entanglement is entirely you and he'd be the first to say so for a month of Sundays, Ciara. I'll see what I can do. Please."

She paused long enough to look at him and shake her head gently. "Don't make excuses for him. He's a grown man and I have turned away every boy who has looked my way since he let his interest in me be known... I can't go on like this.. I can't do this.. not anymore. I've waited.. been paitent.. forgiving.. I can't keep waiting and hoping and having my heart broken." She took in a deep breath and bit her lip to hold back the sobs that tried to come forth. With a soft but very sad smile to him, she turned away from Patrick to continue towards the house.

"Then that may be what it takes," he said plainly, giving a curt nod, encouraging.. agreeing. "That you've turned others away... means others are waiting to be turned away. So don't. Pity his loss, hm? As you are a grown woman and can make your decisions as well. Turn table, Miss Palmer. If he loses, it's his conscience, not yours."

"You seem to think that I want any of the others.. I don't.. It may be his loss in your eyes.. but my heart still feels just as broken."

[Lovely]

"Ciara, look at me. I more than understand. And despite the rumors you may hear, I do have ties of friendship here in this town. If the fisherman wants a special fish, he uses special bait, does he not? In Cody's absence, that particular fish has grown slack and careless. You have to tug the line and have the bait catch the light a little. What he said was partly true. Make him earn it ... or he'll never see your worth, Miss Palmer."

"Answer me something.. honestly. Did you ever need another man to show you Lily's worth?"

"Honest answer as true as my heart is dark, yes. Though I valued her then as I do the sun and the stars, it took another man and the threat of losing her to see how the heavens moved them for me only because of her. Yes, Miss Palmer. Just as the sparkle in Alexander's eye is lit by your glow in passing, the spark in his heart needs to understand what fire you may take away from him. This is not a ruse on my part. Not yet, but I am offering you one to gain what your heart truly wishes."

"I don't have time for games.. nor do I have the heart to play them right now.. What I do have is some packing to do and to find someplace to stay before night comes.."

"Then play no games and have no false suitor to play them with to gain him, not that you've lost him. You haven't. He's just being... well, the way he's always been. Never serious when it mattered. You won't have to find any place else to stay. By night tonight, it will be well. Could I ask your trust in this, Ciara?"

Her expression did little to hide her surprise as he asked for her trust, she was awed beyond words for a moment. "You... you want me to trust you?" Her voice was soft and her warm brown eyes drifted over his face in search of some trick that was hidden. She looked away and chuckled softly. "I'm sorry.. It's not you.. strangely I do feel that you're being sincere.. I simply do not feel that I can believe in anything.. or anyone at the moment... I'm sorry." Her finger swiped her cheek as a tear rolled down and she took a deep breath. "I can not continue to impose on your family's hospitality.. I'll make my arrangements and do my packing.. but I will wait.. I'll give you till night fall for whatever it is you feel you should do."

"Not what I feel I should do... what Alexander will find he must do. Likewise, do as you must. I have to find the louse before he decides that drowning himself will cure the sins of this error. Excuse me."

She might have said something more, but held back and simply nodded, finding she could not believe in or hope for anything. Gathering her skirt up she moved off, resuming her path to the house.

[Lovely]

Nightfall


Patrick came home 'dragging' Alexander and his cold feet back in the door, both of them smelling a bit of whiskey, but that's beside the point... and Patrick apologizes to Lilian... "It was ne...hic... necessary... I'll explain later..."

Lily swatted his butt and whispered. "As long as you're not too far gone to help me settle the boys down.. they seem to be full of it."

He whispers. "..and I'd like you t'be full of me in a little bit... all this talk of love and happiness..." swaggers a little. ".. it's put me in a bit of a mood..." grins.

Lily giggles softly and lifts on tip toe to kiss him tenderly. "I'll consider your offer while we get the boys down."

"Right right... best leave him alone to sort out things with the missus that should have been his missus already, hm? Come along," Patrick tipped and teased, grabbing a hold of her side to squeeze though it appeared she kept him from falling over. "Full of it, you say? Best tell them a story I think... then I have one just for you, Lily."

Curls into his arms, not caring if she did have to hold him up, but enjoying his mood. "A story for me?" She kissed his cheek. "Well we should get those boys in bed straight away."

He led the way, leaving a perplexed and whiskey-soaked younger brother pleading silently for him not to leave the room.

For all the squabbles and all the pokes and prods, Alexander held a respect for his brother he rarely stated. It still remained unstated as he turned to set things right with Ciara if she would stay in the parlor with him. "T'is a fair evenin'," Alex managed to squeak out around the sour feeling, attempting a kind and not-so-terrified grin as what he'd left her with earlier.

Ciara quietly set her coat over her two cases which were packed with what little she'd had during her stay in the Carlisle's home. She turned to face Alex, not quite bringing her gaze to his face, her eyes held a bit of red and puff from crying but most of the evidence was gone. "If you feel it is.. then it is for you." She murmured softly, clasping her hands together in front of her skirt.

He shook his head, but only a little before closing his eyes, finding that a poor idea at the moment. "No, fair to say it truly isn't, Ciara. Not for you and that, I fear... no.. I know... is entirely my fault and I owe you the deepest of apologies from m'heart. Took Patrick to set my senses right... those of 'em I can still feel," he added, knotting his brow and realizing the numbness was doing little to steel his nerves. "Please, if you'd be kind to, sit with me? Near me... sit... as it's impolite to sit before a lady and I may have little choice in the matter, luv."

She almost chuckled and looked heavenward for a moment, then spoke softly. "You have torn my heart to pieces and now you worry that you might be impolite? Please.. Alexander if you need to sit, by all means sit before you fall.. I will not hold it against you." Her voice was not biting or sharp, her words delivered with a simple honesty and near kind tone.

"Please? If Pa were to come down now, you'd have the pleasure of watching him turn me rightside wrong for it, make no mistake. That's why I'm here, Ciara. To correct my mistakes and make things right... as they should be. Please?"

"No." She replied softly, staying where she was and looking at his shoulder, but still not 'strong' enough to look upon his face without tears. "Whatever you would like to say.. I can listen to just as well where I am. The affairs between you and your father are not my concern.. any longer." She added the last in a whisper, sounding pained by it's utterance.

[Lovely]

"Ah, but y'see, lass.... they are, at least I hope for them t'be. At least m'own as they should have been all along... as yours are t'me and I think I will be sitting as the room has decided to become very large and small at once. Excuse me, please." He reached for the chair nearest her and fell into it, half over the polished arm and closing his eyes again, hoping that the room would cease its spinning. He cocked one open to be sure he was sitting upright at least and sighed. "I've always wanted to do right and be right for you, Ciara. I fear I'm rightly wrong for just about anyone and would not blame you a moment for never believing a word from these lips again, but I'm hoping... as I know your heart has forgiven me already more than it should in the past, that some hope is there that y'd do it again now and hear me... telling you honest and true, I love you like no other and more than I have a right.'

She sighed softly and stepped away from the chair so she could turn to face him, her eyes filled with sadness. "I love you Alexander Carlisle and I will love you long after I take my last breath. I can tell you that anytime of the day.. without having to be drunk, or with the light dim. There is nothing to forgive.. it's who you are and I knew that.. or should have.. I was the fool for thinking and hoping that I would be more to you than a passing fancy or that I could make you see and want a life with me.. that you would make a life with me. I should be asking you're forgiveness for trying to change you."

"Nothing to forgive except that y'think you're a pans-... a passing fancy," he grimaced, sitting up and curling his hands over his face. "And there's nothing I'd want more but to not be this any longer. I guess I should be asking y'lass, please to change everything I've been. A liar, a drunken sot and a fool for not having faith when y'had faith in me. S'why I've come back y'see... and why I hope y'won't be goin'... not if you're to be my wife... for worse as it's become and better as it will be from here out as I swear on m'mother's grave."

She had so many things on the tip of her tongue ready to come back at his words with denials and then he swore on his mother and she didn't know what to say. What could she say? She had lost her own mother and didn't take such an oath lightly.. but why did he have to be drunk to say this and would he just brush her off again when he sobered up.. keep her hanging on and waiting for him again..on a promise he couldn't keep? She started to cry, bringing her hands up to cover her face as she sank to her knees, sobbing softly.

"Glory be what have I said wrong now, lass? Whatever it is or isn't, tell me to take it back or make it clear," he said, watching her break down and feeling everything that was numb begin to ache for all he'd done to her. He crawled out of the chair to come to her side. "I meant it for truth, Ciara. In health as you are and in sickness that I have for drink and cards, poorer which I hope to never see even to our great-grand-childrens' dying day and richer which I can only have faith to be one day for you... listen to my heart if you'll not hear me, luv.. please stay and be my wife."

She cried a little harder for a few moments, taking deep trembling breaths to try to calm herself some. Her hand swiped her cheek and she lifted her face, her eyes bright as she caught him in her gaze. Her damp fingers delivered a stinging slap to his cheek. "You have to be drunk to tell me this.. to feel this way?"

His face was turned with the slap as she scolded him so. He nodded and slowly turned his gaze back to hers, admitting more how wrong he felt and how much he wanted to make it right, even if she didn't stay. "Yes, to tell y'as I can't find my tongue when it's sober, but not to feel this way as I feel it every moment I look upon y'Miss Palmer, even laying dead asleep and dreaming since first I ever saw you and every waking moment since. It's not the drink that says the words, Ciara. It's the drunkard with a heavy heart. He's always meant well but blast if he doesn't know how to say what he should nor when. He loves you truer than y'may ever know."

[Lovely]

She let the silent tears slip down her cheeks and stared at him, sniffling quietly and searching for her hankerchief with one hand. "Love is fine to admit and pledge with a tongue loosened by drink...but will you run from it tomorrow? Will you make good later on promises and pledges you make now? and how long will you keep me waiting or put it off?"

"Not running again. If y'd have me and help me to be an honest ... and sober... man, I'd make good on these promises tonight, but as y'think it's nothing but the drink, so be it. In the morning, I'll still be here with Gulliver waiting at the breakfast table if need be, if that 'later' is soon enough to show you I mean as true now as I will then. If y'd have me now, I'd call Pa out of a sound sleep and pull m'brothers in to keep me from falling faint or spilling out the door if you say 'yes' and stay."

She narrowed her eyes on him and gently squared her shoulders, as if defiant, challenging. Ciara tilted her head slightly and her eyebrow lifted as her expression shifted, daring him to make good on what he'd just professed. "Yes." She folded her arms and regarded him, waiting for his reaction.. as he did say he thought she would refuse him tonight. She'd soon find out how sincere he was and how much was the drink making him talk.

His head rose slowly as the grin spread, followed by a giddy chuckle. "Yes? I'm not dreamin'... y'said yes? Gully! Gulliver?! Grab y'good book lad and come talk to me!" He couldn't resist the temptation to steal a kiss. If she let him, she'd find that his breath was sweet and free from drink save for what sip he'd taken before Patrick had made him wear the rest.

He surprised her with the chuckle and the kiss, she didn't have a chance to stop him before his mouth took hers. When she pulled back her eyes narrowed on him again as she tasted her lips and the lack of heavy taint from alcohol which he reaked of. "You.." Her voice was soft in wonder and then her elbow was shoving him back as she tried to slap him again. "You let me.. made me think that you were drunk!?" Part of her was furious for him making her feel so awful, part of her relieved that he was sober when saying all this to her.

"I hope you'd be understandin' lass," he winked, offering her a hand up from the floor, though once she stood, he'd be on his knee at her feet. "A liar, a drunkard and a fool, but all for the right reasons if you'd still have me. Marry me, Ciara."

Ciara could have kicked him just then, he seemed so unaffected by her upset with being decieved. Instead her hand slapped his away, a bit stubborn and intending to stand up on her own. "Alexander Carlisle.. I should marry you just to torment you for being so rotten to me!" She told him with a slight 'hmph' and a flash of her temper through her dark eyes, that adored him even with her ire and clearly showed this as she gazed at him.

"Better listen to her, Alex. It might be the fairest fight you'll ever stand to have, make no mistake," Patrick called over the railing, finding her fire a sweet morsel for his amusement, though a sweeter fire was groggily coming awake near his hand. He'd as soon miss the wedding. He'd done his part.

[Lovely]

His hand was batted away and he looked at it then her as she rose, the smile paling for a brief moment in the fear that she might turn and leave. As she stared him down, his gaze leveled with hers and instead of dropping to his knee, his hand motioned to the others who gathered behind his brother. "As m'family stands witness, I have been rotten, but you said yes and 'rotten' is the sickness that y'd willing said y'd endure amongst my many other faults. You're not going to disappoint them, now, are you?"

Her eyes flashed a warning sharply at him as she glanced past his shoulder. "You set me up!" She stomped on his foot with the heel of her boot and glared daggers at him. "It would serve you right if I did." She stomped again, turning her face so he wouldn't see the smile that was trying to break free. She might marry him now but he'd be in for it later!

"Well as long as your mind's made up, I suppose there's no changing it," he sighed as if she were going against his intended purpose. "Gulliver?! Where's that book and your good word to God's ear, laddie?"

She folded her arms, looking back at him with her eyebrow arched as if to question what he was up to now. "Alexander.." She started softly. "This was terribly unfair of you.." Her mouth went dry and she looked away again, truly afraid he would simply give up or run away again, which in itself was what had her hesitating the most.

"Yes, it perhaps was, but if you'd be understanding me, best hear me out," he whispered more quietly so those in the rafters might not hear him as well. "If I'd been truly drunk as y'thought, and y'd said 'no', then drunk I'd be in two shakes and likely enough to pull me to my death. I can't explain in any way that you'll forgive me, but you didn't say 'no' and every word spoken's been truth. If our shepard would get his backside and his black book down here... "

She stared at him, the fear showing a bit in her eyes and the trembling fingers that lifted and cupped his cheek gently. "Alex.. I love you with all I am.." She whispered softly. ".. but all this.. more tricks and lies and you're in for it!" She gave him a small smile and tugged him closer. ".. and don't be surprised if I bring this up in ten years when you've done something to make me angry."

"I've got that long of a reprieve, y'think?" He grinned a bit shyly, expecting to feel the sting from her hand or her boot as he likely deserved. The shine in his eyes glimmered quietly as he glanced from her back to the stairway. "Well, now what are y'all waitin' for? We have a celebration to have here. And where the devil is Gully?"

"Alexander. Hush it down. You'll wake the cattle in the next county," Gulliver's voice finally came from behind the others. "Sometimes even God's work has to take a break for the water closet. I'm still hoping you'll opt for at least one virtue, since patience isn't one of them?"

Ciara curled to hug him for a moment before Gully came in, even when he did she stayed close. Her head resting down to Alex's shoulder for a moment longer, needing him close like that to assure them both that this was real and they would be going through with it.

[Lovely]

Past the others, Gully stepped down, still mostly in his nightshirt, but taking the time to button half his wardrobe in place to play his part. He cleared his throat to separate them for the time being. "Most unusual that you and your brother both seem fit to take a bride not given away by her father," he scolded gently.

"I wouldn't be starting that discussion at the moment, Gully," Alex struck back coldly. The light in his eyes pierced sharply. "If y'need that, then ask Pa. You know what happened and why I won't wait for that man."

He slipped from where he'd been watching quietly and gently touched Ciara's arm. "Hush up you two, no need to bring such a dark cloud on a happy blessing.. I'd be more than happy to give away the bride, but that would be her choice of course, Since she's been under the care of this family for some time now, myself, Rory, or Ev could give our blessing for this." He cast a stern look at the two boys before him and tugged Ciara to step away, his smile for her beaming warmly. "If you ask me, it's about time you showed that lad a thing or two hmm? Whip him into shape.."

"Pa," Alex whined quietly, turning a shade unlike he'd done since he was still tugging at his mother's skirts, and he looked to the floor, a quiet blessing murmured to the woman's ghost in apology for what he'd nearly said in front of him and Gully. His own throat rattled away that mischief and he nodded to his father and to Gulliver. "She'll not wait a moment if the moment calls for it, I'm sure of that. Ciara, I'd be honored if y'd ask him to do this."

She curled her hand around Pa's arm and returned his warm smile her eyes giving him thanks for his generosity and tact. "As I would be honored at him doing so." She replied softly to him and to Alex, giving them a nod that she'd like Pa to give her away.

His smile brightened and his hand covered hers on his arm, he seemed to puff up a little with pride at 'being chosen' for the honor. "Good.. good lass. Means I get to kiss the fair bride.. and before he does to boot." He gave Ciara a wink along with the broad smile. "Well then hurry up Gulliver ..There are kisses to get to."

She blushed and turned her head to giggle softly, giving his arm a gentle push. "Now I know where this one gets it from." She spoke affectionately to and about both Carlisles.

His grin tipped a little as he heard her. "Something about saving the best for last, I've heard. I stole all the charm from m'brothers. Go on. Time for me to do something right so these folks can sleep," he winked.

Gully finished straightening his collar though it looked odd against the nightshirt and his knobby ankles hovering over sockless shoes. He made no excuses for this or the seam of his hair that lay flat with two cowlicks arguing their place like black horns, making him quite the sight. A yawn rattled out as his book fell open in his hand to a page that was seeing a lot of use. "Dearly beloved.."

Her fingers tightened on Pa's arm in anticipation and excitement, not to mention some nerves, though she was more than ready to marry Alex. It still scared her a little to be actually doing it, but one look at him and feeling her heart flutter the way it did, she knew this was what she truly wanted.

He came to speak of the one who would be offering the girl to be married, unable to stifle the yawn again before glancing up at Pa. "Will you let her be wed to this man?"

[Lovely]

Alexander found himself rocking on a heel, trying to keep that and the other foot solidly beneath him as his knees turned to butter. The soak of the alcohol on his shirt was beginning to make even him dizzy though it had almost thoroughly dried now. He expected each of his brothers to make their comments, but found instead that they were hovering silently nearby in calm repose. Hopefully they were close enough to catch him if the moment called for that as well.

Pa grinned and rubbed his chin, eyeing Alex for a moment as if considering whether the idea was wise or not. "You better take good care of her young man, you're not to big to take over my knee." He warned with a light smile, though the gleam of his eye showed he would really do so if he felt it was needed. Taking Ciara by the hand he leaned to kiss her cheek and whisper. "Take good care of my boy, I do believe he loves you as much as I loved his mother." Alex likely heard as he was close enough to them, but Pa really didn't care if all of them heard it.

She nodded to his words, turning her face to kiss his cheek and giving him a gentle hug. "I promise.." She whispered back, her eyes shining softly as she pulled away and Pa carefully placed her hand into Alex's.

Alex clasped gently yet desperately, hoping to remain standing, hoping that he'd keep her from disappearing if the dream ended and he woke in his bed alone with the drink souring his thoughts and innards. The feel of her fingers in his worked a magic he couldn't describe that helped him stand taller than he perhaps had in his twenty years. He turned to give his father a silent 'thank you' and returned his attention to Gully to continue.

Her fingers held his just as desperately, for fear of this being a dream as well -only hers would end with her waking alone and him never having been real. She gave him a shy smile that was sweet and reassuring in the warmth it radiated, which lit up her eyes as well. She turned her attention to Gully, waiting for him to go on -she was ready for the next part.

"Do you, Alexander..," he murmured, finding sleep wanting to take him under again soon despite the occasion. The yawn rattled over his brother's given name. "...Carlisle, take this woman to be you wife." It was becoming clear that cloth or no cloth, his brothers weren't bent on hearing the whole of the ceremony and the result before his eyes remained the same. Short, sweet and to the point, the time was now for Alex to set his folly into stone and his brother watched dutifully, curiously, waiting for the smallest and perhaps most condemning words he never thought he'd hear this brother utter.

He noted the stunned silence of his other brothers, having to turn to ensure they were not sleeping where they stood. Expressions were not cold and piercing as much as curious, as Gully's was, though Rory and Doyle both appeared to have a certain gleam of menace and mayhem rimming their smiles. He turned back to face Ciara, a gleam in his own smile to match. "I do."

Ciara's fingers tightened in his as his acceptance rang softly in her ears, her smile brightened as she looked to his eyes. Halfway there, she thought with a tremor of anticipation -now came time for Gully to repeat her half for her. She licked her lips lightly and dragged her gaze from Alex a moment to glance at Gully and then her eyes fixed on her love once again.

[Lovely]

"And you Ciara Palmer, give your hand to this man to be wed?" He glanced up at Pa as he closed his bible and folded his hands over it.

Rory coughed gently, but waved off any wrongdoing or interruption. He was convinced he was having a nightmare at any rate, unbelieving until it was done and half-waiting for Ciara to turn-table and play a trick on his littlest brother.

The murmur was rumbling between each of them quietly. "Well I'll be damned. He actually said it," Doyle said a hair too loud, earning a sharp elbow in his side before Ev folded his arms to continue watching.

Aeilandra had pulled herself from their bed for the event and now pulled Rory's arm around her so she could lean against him. The thin blanket wrapped around her for the chill and her soft smile brightening her face, she was looking better than she had been but was still weakened very quickly.

Doyle earned a look from Angel with his comment as well though she leaned away from him and against the wall, seeming to shrink a little. She regarded Ciara and Alex with a gentle rapt attention and a soft smile of her own.

Elizabeth curled into Ev's arm, giving him a smile after he elbowed Doyle and resting her head against his shoulder. She sighed quietly, tired and starting to puff out a bit more with the little one she and Ev were expecting. She found the impromptu ceremony to be sweet, but was more delighted to have Ev home for the night, with her.

Ciara nodded her head gently, her eyes trying to meet Alex's as she spoke her words softly but clearly for all to hear. "I do." Her smile was sweet and adoring as she looked to Alex, it was as if no one else existed for her, for a moment.

Weaving down the hall through the thicket of siblings, Patrick rattled a string that made a faint metallic sound that Lily would recognize. The remaining piece was still raw and ragged, though nonetheless real and true. The rings were not yet fashioned out of their proper metal since there was little time to prepare them. Instead, small iron chinks that normally held together a bridle had been gathered in Patrick's haste to retrieve his brother. "It will be my honor to bring you the real ones, Ciara, but tonight, these seal your vows," he said quietly between them, giving the string to Alex to untie and present to her properly.

Alex held up his hand for the string, loosening the loops of metal as Gully continued.

Gully raised a brow at the unusual offering, not only of the improvisation, but the gesture itself from Patrick. His glance moved quickly back to the newlyweds and his words which nearly needed to be retrieved from the book again in the moment of amazement. "By the placement of these... rings... and by all powers vested to me, you are bound in marriage. Best kiss your bride now."

Ciara's eyes left Alex for the moment to gaze in wonder at Patrick, her smile curving for him as she whispered a barley heard thank you, more mouthed than spoken. Her eyes would convey the thanks for her as she turned to let Alex slide one onto her finger and she reached to do the same for him. Smiling and tilting to accept the kiss that would follow, her heart skipping a beat as she heard Gully finish. Bound in marriage -she was his wife!

"Welcome home, luv," he whispered over her lips, taking the kiss that would seal his fate to become an honest man.

[Lovely]

The tiny anxious giggle hardly made it past her lips before being swallowed gently into the kiss. The kiss she gave him was not chaste, but still 'proper' in front of his family, sweet and tender and full of longing that had built up in all the time they had spent waiting. "I love you Alex." She whispered in a pause, her lips brushing his still, before kissing him softly again.

His smile was bright as was the slight blush that reappeared with his father standing behind her watching them. He nodded, "Just remember who I get m'charm from. I think he's waited his turn," he winked.

"He had his kiss before I was a married woman.. now the rest belong to you." She couldn't help the smile that shone softly at him, reaching to wrap into a hug at least since he seemed a bit pink in the cheeks. She could hardly contain her joy and her own cheeks showed a bit of pink for how happy she felt in this moment.

"Alexander, let the others wish you well and wish us a good night. You have your lifetime now." Gully yawned into his hand now, trying to shake away the sleep that was tugging on him.

He chuckled a little and agreed. "That we do," he said, watching Ciara's eyes and the glow on her cheeks. "Though I think I'll rather wish them a good morning.. sometime next week." He glanced back up the stairs to their room.

Rory had seen enough and was pleasantly disturbed by the experience to feel that he wasn't really dreaming. He turned to kiss Aeillandra's cheek and was about to slip away with her.

"Just a minute now. I didn't do no plannin' or sneakin' or nothin', but this just ain't right. I want to say something. Angel... has every right to be part of this family too and I think... I think I want to do something about that."

Aeilandra was snuggling into Rory's arms, happy to go back to bed and fall asleep curled with him, when Doyle spoke up. She leaned against Rory and partially pushed him back to the wall, thinking the events of the evening might not yet be over.

Doyle hadn't made but a step forward before his knees buckled beneath him. He wasn't even aware until feeling himself pulled up by his shirt collar a second before hitting his head on the landing.

Patrick smiled at him wickedly, as if comtemplating spilling him over the railing, but the words were kind. "Going somewhere? I believe you were speaking to Miss Angel. Best get back to it."

He swung his arm to pull his brother off and not rip his shirt. He didn't have too many left that didn't have holes from burns or worse.

Angel heard him make his little declaration and started to step forward from the wall where she'd been leaning to watch quietly. Her eyes drifted to him and she whispered his name in question. "Doyle?" Her voice was ever so soft and she watched him drop, her heart sinking slightly as she stepped back. She wanted to melt into the wall, her cheeks felt warm and she was utterly confused.

[Lovely]

As Pat's hand reached for him again, Doyle's fist was raised up. "Don't you come talkin' me out of it, neither. You hear me? None of you. I know how you whisper, don't think I don't." He spun slowly, warning each of his brothers, even his in-law sisters not to stop him or touch him. "It ain't right none to talk about a lady like that. Never was," he rattled on, though his brothers were nearly as dumbfounded as Angel. "Well, I'm puttin' a stop to it all, so's you can all just hush up or be nice to her and me, cuz I'm making it proper now. Angel... next part's up to you. You gotta say yes or I'm just gonna throw myself over this rail and save Patrick the trouble."

She blinked several times, staring at him silently, confused still -he hadn't actually asked her.. but was that what he was saying? He wanted to marry her? She was very intimidated by all the people watching them and she took a deep breath, lifting her eyes up to him. "Please don't throw yourself over the rail.." She bit her lip looking up at him and wishing he'd come down closer at least.

He looked at the rail and the long fall down to the parlor below, blanching slightly and swallowing air. "Al-... alright, I won't. But, don't you say no, unless that's really what you want and I won't say another word about it, now," he said, coming closer and kneeling down before his knees fell out from under him again. "Just want you to understand... they got no right to say nothing about you anymore. None of 'em, here or in the town. I see the way that new doctor looks at you and I see those fellas down at Tessa's wanting to know where you've run off to like you're a prize in a fair. Well, you're a prize, alright, but none to do with that. Just shut me up and tell me you will, alright? While Gully's here, the family's here, will you become part of it with me?"

Angel bit her lip harder as the smile started to show, her eyes lighting up to a brilliant warmth that shone softly on his face as he knelt in front of her. "I will.. because I love you, not so people won't talk about me."

"Galdangit," he started, ready to rise up an simply walk away until he realised what she really said. "Y-... you will... you do? Angel?"

Rory had had enough and his stomach was turning sour. He leaned to whisper to Aeil about slipping away if he didn't get this over with in ten minutes or less.

Everitt called down to the parlor, loud enough really to wake all the children including those in town. "A double wedding. You heard the man. Gully, open that book up before he changes his mind."

"Yes." She whispered again, reaching down as he'd started to rise, to help pull him the rest of the way up and into a much needed hug. Angel smiled, the love she felt for him beaming gently in her eyes.

Aeil simply chuckled into Rory's chest and whispered for him to hush up, wrapping her arms more tightly around him.

Rory curled around Aeillandra, hushing up as told, though getting more ideas about slipping away after. Since he'd be woken up for this mess, he planned on making the best of it.

Doyle stood into the hug and wasn't sure letting go was a good idea. He could feel the eyes on him from all around the room, least of all Pa's and remembering something about what he'd said about girls that wouldn't break. He turned slowly out of the hug to escort her down the stairs to meet up with the man. "If you'd be willing and Pa's right with it, would you let him... give you to me? Take all the time you need, now."

[Lovely]

She looked at Pa who nodded but appeared to hesitate as she looked back to Doyle. She was torn.. Tessa had really been like a parent to her and.. but she wanted to do this now. Doyle had asked and she'd said yes, she wanted to be his wife.. tonight. With a soft smile Angel leaned up to whisper in Doyle's ear. "Tessa might give you a good licking for being so sudden, but I don't want to put it off, I think you have gone and put butterflies in my tummy."

"Tonight for real and Sunday for show, if Gully's willing. Should have yourself a pretty white dress and all and Tessa's girls there to gussy you all up even more," he nodded. "But tonight... Pa... would you?"

Pa nodded again, smiling proudly as he took a step to let Angel come beside him. "and get to kiss another pretty girl.. do you have to ask?" He gave a wink and looked over to Gully with a grin. "Any one else have a pretty girl they need me to be kissing?"

Patrick chuckled and called over the railing. "Charlie's the only one left not swept up yet. Best put her under lock and key. Ah... but then there's Sam. Samuel, do you have a fair maiden hidding in your lab coat to share in the festivities?"

Sam couldn't hide the blushing smile as he shook his head and looked up to Pat. "Not under my coat.. but I do have a nice scapel, you might like to see what I can do to your smart lip with it."

"Flattery, brother. Not tonight, I have plans, but thank you," he chittered back with a smile, slipping back into the shadow to be nearer to Lily and to their own room.

Doyle even chuckled. "He's right about Charlie, Pa. Only free woman left in the house," he winked to Angel and let loose of her for Pa to escort.

"This is true about Charlie.. but I still have a couple stubborn boys who need a kick in the rear before I'm too old to see them happily wrapped up." Pa reached to guide Angel up beside him and let Doyle get into place on the other side.

Gully shifted uncomfortably, trying to remain upright in the shoes that were beginning to chafe his sock-less ankles. Pa's commentary did him little better for discomfort, drawing a look of nearly poisonous ire to bring up such things right now. He could have done well to borrow Sam's scalpel to ward off any more hints and taunts. "Shall we so these boys can get their rest and not fall in their irons tomorrow?"

Doyle's attention diverted to his brother with apology for keeping him and the other waiting. "B-... before I fall over again, yes. I don't have your ring, Angel, but by Sunday... you'll have the prettiest hand at the hotel desk, I promise."

Angel smiled at Doyle and shook her head. "It's alright.. " She told him softly, the rings weren't as important right this moment as the vows they would take. She blushed a little, feeling so happy but a bit shy with everyone watching them.

Lily had slipped into their room after hearing about the rings, the ones she and Patrick had used until he'd given her the one he made, were still hanging on a string on the wall, she grabbed them and came back out. Pushing the small circles of gold into Patrick's hand she nudged him to offer them to his brother until he could do the same honor for his bride to be.

[Lovely]

Pa semed not to care about the look he got from Gully, meeting him back with a steady gaze, he was damn near going to ask the poor girl to come stay with him. Wasn't right for her to be locked away like she was all alone up at the church, the town folk were cruel at times and it did no good for her to be even more alone.. he sighed. He'd go have a talk with her tonight, the boys would want to be off to their rooms with their brides and Andrea would likely still be up.

Gully stood down. He always stood down with Pa eventually. He sighed and turned to his book to open to the well-worn page again. "Dearly beloved, since we are still gathered..."

Doyle's hands turned iced a moment and his own heart skipped. "Got some of them butterflies, too," he muttered quietly, feeling something slip into his hands. He hadn't even seen Patrick move but saw him now as he stepped away with a nod to what he'd brought and placed in his brother's fingers. A string holding not crude chinks from a bridle, but the rough castings of Patrick's finely detailed work on a string. Doyle's hand clasped tighter around them for the moment at his side, not yet showing them.

Angel and Pa waited quietly, both stealing glances at Doyle now and then as they listened to Gully read from the book again. Pa waited for it to be the moment again to give the fair lass to her intended, his smile was soft, still proud. Thus far he had thought all his sons had chosen wisely and found themselves fine, strong, beautiful women.

Patrick stayed near to catch his brother if he tilted again, a smile reminiscent of and mirroring their father's crossing his face. He meanwhile wondered if he'd need to remind his brother to speak up as well as kiss the bride once it came time.

The string in his hand gave him something other than the drone of Gulliver's voice to keep him steady. Doyle wasn't a drinking man much of the time, but he knew the effect and swore he'd had his own fill with the way the room spun. Surely it was the lingering tint of Alexander's shirt that made him swoon.

Angel was nervous and held onto Pa's arm tightly, her cheeks were warm and she kept having to remind herself to breathe and her fingers didn't seem to want to let go of Pa as he shifted to give her over to Doyle. With a soft smile she kissed his cheek and clasped tightly to Doyle's fingers as Pa placed her hand in his.

"Smartest and best thing he's ever done is find you." Pa whispered, kissing her cheek and stepping back.

Doyle heard and flushed deeper red than a desert sunset. "Pa...," he whined in a whisper, hoping the man wouldn't make him even more nervous. He couldn't slide under the table this time.

"... does anyone here object to the binding of these two souls..."

"Anyone does, I'll shoot 'em myself!" Everitt hooted from the stair, giddy as a songbird and ready to celebrate his two brothers' fortunes.

[Lovely]

The redhead at Ev's side smiled and wrapped her arms lovingly around him. "How about you just hush yourself and let them get married." Elizabeth leaned her head to his shoulder and tilted her head to offer him something better to occupy his lips -a sweet kiss from hers.

"Yes ma'am," Ev smirked, taking his orders eagerly. It was a good thing he'd left Gertrude at the side anyhow, giving him both hands free to curl into Miss Liza flowing locks.

"No objections, Gully. Just get it done ... before I ...," Doyle was doing his best to keep himself together. The butterflies were building and his throat was becoming dry.

Angel glanced to Doyle wondering whether he meant before he changed his mind or perhaps he felt faint again. It worried her some that he was so nervous.. was he that unsure or scared about her? Her small smile tried to reassure and she looked to find some in his eyes, to tell her he was sure he wanted her.

He glanced down to her eyes, his face still red from Pa and Everitt, but beneath he was simply pale, worry and nerves, though eager to go on with it. He smiled softly in his usual gentle manner that made all the girls around the smithy swoon, but this smile was only for her.

Her fingers tightened in his as their eyes met, he was all that mattered now, not the teasing from his family or the way people talked and thought of her. She loved Doyle with all of her heart and taking this step, though happening suddenly was what she wanted very much.

"Then do you, Doyle, take Angel as your wife to...," the drone faded and all he could see was her, watching her and not seeming to notice anyone else in the room now.

"Doyle... Doyle your seat's burning, lad," Alex piped up as they were waiting for him to answer the most important question of the ceremony he'd seemed not to hear.

"It is?" He turned with a start to see his brothers staring and holding back amusement except for Patrick who hovered quite closely with an urn he threatened to pour on his brother if he didn't speak up. He glanced to each in turn and back to Angel. "I... I do," he smiled again as he had been.

Her lips felt dry as she waited and listened to Gully repeat her part, her heart racing from the moment the I do left Doyle's mouth. Her smile continued to beam adoringly at him as they stood together, she glanced to Gully as he got to the part where she was to answer. Her head nodded and her sweet voice spoke quietly, clearly. "I do."

"You do..." he repeated, in awe that it was real as Patrick threatened the slosh of soured leaves again. He swallowed dryly again and smiled. "You did... "

"Kiss her Doyle... she's your wife now. And if there are no further objections, I'd like to go to sleep now that I don't need to fear lightning striking me in my sleep in the next room," Gully sighed, glancing around for any other pauses or surprises.

Angel let a soft giggle out and nodded, yes she had, she did.. she would always. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her smile brightened, her eyes sparkling with a giddy joy as she waited for him to lean down and kiss her, sealing the deal.

A raucous cheer rose from the landing to match the one in the parlor below from the brothers. Gully sighed and stepped slowly through the mix to return to his room to hide his own head under his pillow. He hoped he still some cotton for his ears.

[Lovely]

Rory was a step ahead, ending his holler of approval and turning with a whisper of different delights for Aeilandra if she was interested in following him back to their room quietly while the others continued the festivities.

Alexander, not missing a step, reached to kiss Ciara's cheek, "Time for us to go, luv. I'm feeling very... honest right now," he winked and readied to head off upstairs with her.

Patrick put the urn down and slipped his hands over his trousers. He pulled the string from Doyle's tightly clasped hand and cleared his throat. "I'm not the slightest bit a minister, but I believe I can help you with this part."

Gulliver hadn't noticed the rings and hadn't asked since Doyle had said he didn't have them, but in fact he now did. He blushed deeply again and tugged the string from his brother. "Give me that. And.. thank you."

Lily leaned on the railing, watching with a slight smile and waiting for Patrick to rejoin her, the gleam of her eye whispering that she would reward his kindness from this evening.

Angel had barely noticed the rings or lack of them, being so wrapped up in Doyle's smile and his warm eyes. When Pat and Doyle 'fussed' a bit, she turned and offered him a blushing smile. Her gaze lifted to her new husband's face with a gentle questioning, he'd said they had no rings. "Doyle.." She spoke his name softly to pull his attention the bands they were to place on each other.

Patrick chuckled softly and stepped back away from the pair, waving off for the night. "Congratulations," he muttered sincerely, sighing out the rest of his nice tone to favor a more wicked one when seeing Lily waiting at the stair. He slipped up quickly to meet her and send her into giggles as he ushered her back to their room.

Doyle held the string up to look at the work before untying them, letting the dark and rough metal catch light and shadow. He turned to watch his brother leave, curious about the boy sometimes who for all his wickedness had an all-encompassing passion no matter what he touched. He shook his head and lowered the string to remove the delicate coils from it and took Angel's hand, not sure how rough or gentle he needed to be. Her hands were so tiny and he didn't want to hurt her.

Lily met Patrick as he came up the stairs, sliding into his embrace and curling into nibbles and kisses as he walked her back to their room.

Angel giggled softly, excited and beaming happily at Doyle as he took her small hand into his larger one. Her fingers curled and stroked over his work worn skin and then settled, lifting slightly to make it easier for him to slide the ring on her finger.

The ring for her was nearly perfect and slid easily with her help. His fingers stayed there a long moment. He had been near her so close and yet hadn't ever really looked at her hand in his.

Her hand rested delicately in his and her fingers curled to grasp gently, the other hand reaching to take his so she could slide his ring on for him. It wasn't an elaborate band of gold yet there was something so special about slipping it in place on his hand.

It felt strange to have metal on his hand that he wasn't striking on an anvil. It was how she placed it, delicately... he'd never done a delicate thing in his life beyond his first kiss. Doyle marveled at the band and its match on her finger, turning to thank Patrick, forgetting that he'd slipped away. He blushed again. He was so addled and giddy himself, all he could do was whoop and sweep her into his arms. The sound was followed by the heavy thud of Gully's door swinging closed.