Luke stared out onto the garden from behind the blinds of his study. This room was actually quite large but there were piles and piles of books scattered every where, the book cases that covered all four walls were completely full, and the room looked crowded. There was a set a double doors that led down to the back of the house where a small pool took up the south lawn, and a set of large windows behind an old mahogany desk that his father once sat at. That's were he stood, directly behind where his father should now be, staring out at the guests who filled the garden. 

The tents that had been put up the day before were open as it was still early enough in the day so that the sun kept it from being too cold. He knew that in a couple of hours the tents would be closed and there would be heaters spread about to keep the guests comfortable. He watched silently as men at the back gate greeted guests, ensuring everyone had an invitation in hand. At the end of the stone path that came from the gate, Nadia and her parents were welcoming people and helping them find a seat. 

His aunt had originally tried to organize the ceremony in the large church that was only a few streets down, but after talking to Echo they'd agreed that they would rather have a service outdoors without the formality or restriction of religion. Echo was not a catholic and therefore being married in a church would be difficult. 

He didn't mind very much. It seemed that there was always a new challenge or new compromise with her but it was part of the charm. He couldn't imagine that he would ever be bored. Everything about Echo so far had been better than he had imagined. She was constantly surprising him with her intelligence, she was perceptive enough to know what she should fight him on and what she should let go. She was patient, she was clever and now, he was beginning to find out, that she was always very passionate. 

He smiled as he thought about the first night she'd let him make love to her. He had expected her to be nervous, he wasn't surprised by her trembling, but he hadn't expected her to be so curious. It was like she was determined to inspect and explore every last part of him, every single time. She run her fingers over the scars on his back and shoulder, undisturbed and intrigued by them. She seemed to find beauty in all of it and she was more than willing to accept anything he wanted to give her. They really were a perfect match. 

But he was worried. He had pulled her into his world capriciously, demanding her time and attention because it suited him and his whims, ignoring her fear, her concerns, her trepidation. She had reason to be hesitant, she had reason to want to avoid him and push him away, and he hadn't heard her a single time that she tried to escape him. Now she was here and there was no way to let her go, even if he wanted too. There was too many people who knew she was his and the only safe place for her would be at his side. He would work the rest of his life to make sure she was always safe, always cared for. 

"Hey." The soft knock at the door was followed by a soft voice and a gleeful cry. "Oh wow... you look... just like dad!"

Luke smiled, turning to Adelia as she moved into the room. She was quite pretty in her blue bridesmaid dress. While Echo hadn't originally intended to have bridesmaids, in the end, her sisters had insisted which was surprising considering how much they'd hated having to do it for Karen. Adelia had been absolutely beaming when Romy had reached out to her personally to ask her to join them. It seemed that she'd really taken to Echo's sisters which was perfect. He'd always thought it was a shame that Adelia didn't have more women around. 

"I don't know about that." Luke said, moving towards her. "How's the tie?"

"Perfect." She said, inspecting the bow tie, "but you know that. I swear you were probably wearing ties as a baby."

He chuckled.

"I actually wouldn't be surprised if I was." He said, standing back. "Come on, take a turn."

Adelia smiled brightly and extending her hands to her sides like a T before spinning around grandly. 

"You don't have to say it, I look lovely... like spring itself." She said dramatically, "a warm light for this winter wedding."

"So modest." He teased and she clapped her hands. 

"You should see the other girls. Especially Romy... I almost don't think it's fair for anyone to be that beautiful." Adelia said with a shake of her head, "How does she manage to keep that tan in the winter?"

"and the bride?" he asked, making Adelia smile again. 

"She's ready." Adelia said simply, turning back to the door. "and I should get back to her. I'm actually supposed to be looking for Nadia. We'll be starting soon."

Luke tried not to laugh. Nadia had been really upset about that one. She did NOT want to be a bridesmaid, it made no sense to her, and she certainly didn't want to wear that blue dress. As far as Nadia was concerned, there was only two sensible colors to be worn- black and grey.  He turned back to the window and peeked through the blinds, spotting her  with a frown as she adjusted her glasses. 

"She's outside." He said. 

"Great. See you soon." Adelia said, pulling the study door open and stopping. "Oh, Marco."

"Hey kiddo." He said, moving aside so she could run out.  He turned, watching as Luke walked back to the mirror, taking a last look. "You ready?"

"Let's go." Luke said with a nod. 

----

What seemed like the hardest thing was also the easiest. When people say that the first step is the hardest, they're right. At least, this is what Echo realized. 

That first step down the aisle had been hard but once she took it she found that every step after that was easier and easier. She was lucky she had her father at her side to ground her and keep her from running all the way and throwing herself into Luke's arms. How could she resist? The moment she stopped worrying about that first step and looked up to see him was the moment she started to float. That man, the one with grinning at her from across the way, the one with the deep scar on his cheek that fascinated her, the one with the broad shoulders that seemed to envelope her with ease... that man was waiting for her. He was. He was standing at the alter, razor sharp focus and looking so dashing she felt like she'd be sliced in half with just a glance. He was sharp, he was overwhelming, he was everything- no one else mattered, nothing else mattered except that she make it to him. 

And when he took her arm and raised the long lace veil from her face, she knew that this was it. She'd be by his side for the rest of her life, no doubt. She'd never been as sure of anything as she was of that. 

Now, as he twirled her around for what felt like the hundredth time on the dance floor, she could only laugh because the joy she felt in her heart was bursting. She looked more beautiful than ever in her dress, with her cheeks pink as she blushed at whatever it was that Luke would occasionally whisper in her ear, a few loose strands of hair escaping the tight coiffure, and that eternal smiling beaming. 

Marco couldn't help but watch. He watched as she danced, watched as she laughed, watched as she smashed cake into Luke's face. The nerve, the absolute nerve! She was definitely the only person who had the nerve to treat Luke as her equal and love him enough to put him in his place. She did love him, that was obvious in the way her eyes glimmered as she watched him. Luke was a lucky man. 

"Marco, right?" 

Marco turned, noticing the big doe eyes that stared at him brightly with a toothy smile. 

"Maru." He replied with a nod, as the petite beauty pulled up a chair beside him and sat down. He watched, amused, as she adjusted her dress over her lap so that she could sit like a child, crossed legged on the chair. Where were her shoes?

"Right." She said, "I was wondering if you'd know which one I was. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. With so many sisters, people are bound to get my name wrong."

He chuckled. There was something refreshing about her childlike manner and the way she seemed so at ease.

"I have a good memory." He said, looking around the room. "I know everyone here."

She raised her brow as if doubting him. 

"Go ahead, pick someone." He said. 

"Alright..." She replied, nodding. "Her?" 

He turned to an older lady she pointed at, obviously from Echo's side of the family. 

"That's your great aunt Joyce. She's a painter?" He asked, unsure. Echo smiled. 

"Yeah she is... do you know who that is with her?" Maru replied. 

"That's her 'roommate'." He replied with a grin. 

"I don't know why she keeps calling her a roommate when we all know that they're partners." Maru said with a shrug. 

"Older people aren't as used to people being accepting of these types of things." Marco replied with a shrug. Maru turned to look at him. 

"So, how is it you know everyone?" She asked. 

"It's my job." He replied. "I'm head of security and Luke's best friend. Even if he doesn't like to admit it."

"Head of security... wow." Maru said, "I have a few friends whose families are paranoid like that. Mom and Dad never cared much for security."

"Luke is cautious." Marco said simply. Maru turned to where Echo was now helping Luke wipe cake from his hair and ears.

"I'm glad for it. He has my sister now and I know he'll take good care of her." Maru said, turning back to Marco and noticing he was watching Echo closely.  Maru was by nature a very friendly girl and liked to approach people who were alone to try to make friends at every turn. Tonight, however, she had noticed the way that Marco kept glancing back at Echo...

"He will." Marco said, "we'll make certain of it." 

"I think they're good for each other." Maru added, not taking her eyes off Marco. "I've never seen my sister as brave and at ease with anyone as she is with Luke. He's the only person she's ever been so candid and open with and I have a feeling that not a lot of people are like that with him."

"No, they're not." Marco said with a sigh.

"Except maybe you." Maru said and he turned to look at her. "You're his best friend. I'm sure he depends on you. You look dependable."

"Do I?" He asked, raising his brow. 

"Of course." Maru said nodding and now turning back to the couple. "I hope I can depend on you to help my sister adjust. I know a couple of hours doesn't seem too far, but she's left home."

"I won't let you down." Marco said. Maru was right, she'd been right in what she thought. It was obvious that somehow this man had fallen in love with a woman he couldn't have. What a shame, what a shame. 

"Great. Now..." She said, scanning the room and going back to their game. "What about... him?"

Marco smiled and turned to where she pointed to the back gate, where a tall man was just entering, looking a little lost and hesitant. He stood.

"I don't know." Marco said with a frown. "But now's a good time to find out."