"There are a lot of people outside. I forgot how big your family is. Scarlet, do you remember when you thought you would have a small wedding?" Alana asked, laughing at the past as Scarlet was sadly wrong then.

"Do not remind me about that. I failed to convince him. He was so stubborn about us inviting all of my relatives and friends. I’ve gotten to speak to relatives who didn’t show up to the reunion and the estate hasn’t been so busy in years. It is not so bad," Scarlet confessed.

A big wedding was worth it to see everyone.

"Your guards are standing ready. I am curious if Luke would be so crazy to show up as he said he would. You have a way of getting under his skin. This time for not sending him an invitation to your wedding," said Alana.

Alana didn’t understand why Luke was so angry that there wasn’t an invitation sent to him. He wouldn’t have shown up to let others see that he was back supporting Scarlet. "My father is returning to the palace with his new wife. Maybe he will talk some sense back into Luke. I cannot believe my father married for a third time before I married once."

"Hopefully, it will be his last. How do I look?" Scarlet said, turning away from the mirror to Alana.

Alana couldn’t think of anything else once she saw Scarlet. "Like a beautiful bride. Oh, it’s so perfect that you are getting married in winter. Your wedding portraits will look wonderful with all the snow around."

"The snow was out of our control. At first, I said we should wait for summer when we could enjoy being outside but that plan is out the window. We could not wait so long," Scarlet said, her hands finding their way to her flat belly. "Winter will do. It is pretty like you said."

"It is and you are very beautiful as you always are but today you stand out. When I was outside, everyone was enjoying the snow. They have the coats you ordered. As soon as you and Ian say I do, I will be right there to put on your coat. Are you ready?" Alana asked as it was normal for women to feel nervous.

"I am. I only need to wait for when it is time to go down. I’ve had a few weeks to plan it but I still cannot believe that I am getting married again. After today, I will be someone’s wife again," Scarlet said, looking down at the ring on her hand.

"And he will be your husband. You two have caused quite an uproar with Ian taking your last name. It is good that after this you will be going out of town again. The estate will be safe in my hands," Alana promised.

A knock on the door interrupted the conversation.

Scarlet walked to the door to see who had come to visit her. "I am sure it is safe in your hands. I only hope that you will not scare Florence again by having her walk in on you and Dawson alone."

"You know about that? It isn’t as it might have been told. He came to sit with me while I was reading. Studying what you gave me."

"Your babbling is making me think something more happened. You are grown, Alana. I won’t judge what you do with the man you are with. No one could tell me what to do with Ian. Father," Scarlet greeted Leonard when the door opened. "Is it time?"

"It is. He was trying to sneak here to see you. He’s acting like the two of you won’t be seeing each other soon and spending the rest of your lives together. At least he has the sense to be obsessed with you. He won’t find anyone else like you after all," Leonard said, offering his hand to Scarlet.

Scarlet accepted her father’s hand. "I heard you gave him a little threat again. Did you honestly tell him that if he makes me unhappy, you will bury him under where the horses shit?"

"I don’t remember it being in those words. We shouldn’t think about threats right now. We don’t need to worry about what I told him because he will treat my little girl right. When you come back, I hope you don’t mind if we steal him. Your grandfather and I are taking him somewhere. Victor as well," said Leonard.

"As long as it is not for a long time. You cannot take my husband away for too long. Thank you for including Victor. He needs plenty of time with men who make up for what Hank did not do as his father. Where is mother?" Scarlet questioned, searching for her.

"They are all taking their seats. I must go," Alana said, giving Scarlet a quick hug and then left to find her seat with Dawson.

"Your mother was entertaining the guest last time I saw her. It is starting to feel like this is her wedding," said Leonard.

"Just her wedding? I must warn you that mother has been so excited about this wedding that she is thinking of having a small gathering for you two to say vows or something. I don’t know what it is but just be prepared for it," Scarlet warned her father.

Leonard sighed. He needed all the excitement over weddings to go away. "The music has started. It is not too late for you to run away now."

"Father," Scarlet playfully tapped his hand. "I am not going to run away but it is good to know you would help me escape. You know, just because Ian is here does not mean your visits have to decrease. You are always welcome here when you want to spend time with me. Or Ian. I like it when the two of you are close."

"Very well. I will do my best to visit more. Now come, let us give a show with how good we look," Leonard joked, trying to calm any nerves Scarlet had.

Leonard led Scarlet to where he was to walk her out and stepped out when the doors opened.

On a cold winter day, the Collins estate was filled with guests from all around the kingdom. Collins, Castros, and Callahans from near and far came to witness the start of a new marriage.

Ian stood alone with the priest they called to the estate.

Ian’s hair was brushed back so it would be out of the way to not hide his handsome face. A request he fulfilled for his wife-to-be. He wore a white suit to match the white dress Scarlet had been hiding for two weeks now.

Ian stepped down to where Leonard was saying something to Scarlet. He chuckled as Leonard couldn’t help glaring at him. He had accepted that though Leonard was happy for them both, part of him was still angry that his daughter was no longer little and getting married.

Ian took Scarlet’s hand from Leonard and helped her to where the priest stood. "You are extra beautiful today. Is it because you are eager to be my wife?"

"I am always beautiful," Scarlet whispered.

The priest cleared his throat, his way of telling them not to be too loud as he spoke. He would let it happen as long as they were soft. The grooms were always so eager to compliment their wives.

"You are," Ian agreed. "We shall have an interesting story of how we got here to tell our child. Won’t we?"

"Wait! How did you..." Scarlet trailed off, not wanting to speak too much while the priest was talking.

Ian paid too much attention to Scarlet for him not to notice it. He smiled as he couldn’t stop thinking of how their firstborn was somewhat present during their wedding. "You’re stuck with me," he whispered.

"I can’t tell if that is a blessing or a curse right now," Scarlet muttered but she still held Ian’s hand, patiently waiting for the moment they would be announced as husband and wife.