Ch. 20 Complete

Gem bit her lip nervously as Ira was gently smoothing out her wedding dress, her hair was down allowing the freshly combed strands to cover her back. A white rose was nestled near her ear, a peace offering from Alan who had kindly offered to watch Ryder during the ceremony. The bride looked nervously in the mirror in Undertaker's room, she would married in just a few minutes. It seemed like just yesterday instead of six months ago when the couple had decided on a small wedding inside the shop. This idea didn't sit well with an over eccentric Grell who was expecting a big blowout of wedding and already had list planned on who would be attending.

But after some convincing, the red reaper agreed it was for the best to proceed with a small venue. After all the only ones who were going to be there was her, Undertaker, Ira, Grell, Ryder and the representatives from Dispatch which were William, Alan, Eric and Ronald. Plus if they settled on a big wedding the only place suitable was Ceil's mansion and after the kidnapping incident, it was confirmed the young lord hated the group especially since they wounded and killed two of his servants. Undertaker had told Gem that he as a mortician had been dealing business with the Phantomhives for centuries and naturally wasn't in the least affected if the boy never wanted to have anything to do with the reaper ever again." There you look perfect, Adrian's going to be lovelorn once he sees you!" The angel said smiling at her best friend before admiring the beautiful red ring on her finger." Isn't he already?" Gem giggled turning her gaze to Ira's finger. The woman jumped, tackling the angel in a hug.

" Oh, Ira I'm so happy for you! When did Grell finally propose?" Ira blushed recalling the memory." Three days after the incident, he would have done it sooner, but Grell didn't want our engagement to affect you and Undertaker's wedding plans." Gem hugged Ira tighter careful not to crush her wings." Oh, it wouldn't have. Besides any sooner and we could have had a double wedding." Ira giggled." I would have loved that, but Grell is a diva everything's all about him and the reaper can't be upstaged by anyone. If a double wedding would happened Grell would probably have locked Adrian in a coffin." The pair laughed before a silence overtook the room as Gem cleared her throat, a serious tone in her voice.

" You're over Undertaker, you truly don't mind." Ira leaned over placing a kiss on Gem's forehead." Not in the slightest. Now I hope you know what you're getting into. You're agreeing to be the wife of crazy mortician, but underneath the wife of a powerful legendary reaper." Thoughts of Undertaker pounded against Gem's cranium, all they had gone through was folded out in front of her along with her previous life with Andrew. In that one moment, the woman put the past behind her and looked forward feeling a renewed confidence within her.

"I understand, but I love Undertaker and I intend to spend the rest of my life with him." Gem stated as Ira handed the bride a bouquet of tulips." Now that's my best friend. Come on let's get you married." The pair approached the stairwell, Ira knocked on the railing three times before sounds of running footsteps were heard followed by some soft piano music. Ira went down first, as Gem waited a few minutes before following.

She took it slow, steady breaths as her feet separated permanently from the stairs to a nice white sheeted lane on the floor. Ahead was an arc decorated with flowers and Undertaker standing in his reaper attire, his cloak hanging beautifully off his shoulders. Gem gazing lovingly at her groom, Ira was right. She was marrying a legend and his appearance was a reminder. But, regardless Gem walked slowly down the lane until they were face to face. She blushed his eyes weren't hidden under the bangs, the woman could see an expression of love and devotion in his eyes.

Something that was so rare because he had chosen for so long to hide, but not now Undertaker reviled his true colors only for his bride. The pair looked ahead, shocked when Grell was in front under the arc. Ira was wide-eyed, while everyone was speechless. The only one unfazed was William." Believe it or not Grell is an ordained minister and has his license to officiate weddings. Personally, I wanted to get a minister, but Sutcliff refused to budge." Grell frowned glaring at his boss." Why get one of those killjoys when you can have me. After all I am doing this for my own wedding!" the reaper stated earning a silent "no" from his fiancée, her wings twitched in irritation.

" Anyway darlings we are all gathered here today to bring this human woman and this grim reaper legend in Holy matrimony." Grell directed his attention to the groom who had a small slip of paper in his hand." Dearie, all I can say is that I never pictured love to be in my future with the life I lived. Abandoning my status to become a humble funereal director, I admit I have encountered a few lassies, but none will ever compare to you. My sweet innocent Geminate." He said hoping his words touched the heart of his bride.

Tears fell from Gem's crimson eyes, before she began her vows." After Andrew, I never thought I would come to love again. I thought that no one could ever compare to him. I loved Andrew and I believe he guided me to you, my legendary reaper. Adrian you saved my life, my child and helped me to find the strength I never knew I had. That is why I consider it a blessing to become your wife." Her words brought him joy and the reaper gave her a sweet smile.

" That is so touching!" Ronald said blowing his nose into his handkerchief. Eric grimaced in disgust and moved closer to Alan who was bouncing a giggling Ryder on his knee. " Sutcliff let's get on with the vows, I have a meeting in forty-five minutes." Everyone glared at William before the ceremony continued." Do you Grim Reaper Adrian Crevan take Gem Sutcliff as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." Undertaker said without regrets." And Gem my darling sister do you take Adrian Crevan as your lawfully wedded husband?" The woman smiled." I do." She said causing Undertaker to pull her close." Darling are you sure?" Grell asked." There is still a chance to reconsider, no offense, but dearest sister anything, but Undy!" Gem groaned and Undertaker was getting annoyed with the red reaper's objections, he should have known Grell would pull something like this he was hoping the protective phase was over, but as usual Undertaker was wrong.

Gem opened her mouth to try and make Grell understand, that she loved Undertaker, but paused when Ira stood in front of her." Gem please let me handle this, after all I am the future Mrs. Grell Sutcliff." Ira said giving the bride and groom, a smile. The angel then frowned grabbing Grell's ear." Grell Maryann Sutcliff! You better put away your personal opinions on their relationship or else not only am I postponing our wedding, but also making William give you double over time!" she yelled noticing Undertaker, Alan, Eric, Ronald and even Ryder snickering uncontrollably as Grell blushed in embarrassment.

William had a small smile on his face." I like this angel." The reaper said as Grell pulled himself together, Ira standing next to him to make sure the reaper finished the ceremony." You may exchange the rings." Undertaker took out a diamond ring with a dark silver band from his cloak and positioned it on Gem's finger. She did the same only getting her ring from Ira's fingertips." And without delay, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Undy, you may finally kiss your bride."

As if on cue, Undertaker grabbed Gem and kissed her fiercely as a crowd a cheers and applaud echoed in the shop. He pulled away and held her close by the waist while everyone walked towards them to congratulate the new couple. Between the exchange, Alan gave Ryder to his mother. Gem kissed and cooed her son before giving the toddler to Undertaker." Say hello to your new Daddy Ryder." She said sweetly as her new husband tickled and kissed the boy's cheeks. He sighed in contentment that he finally had a wife and child of his own, even if Ryder wasn't biologically his, the reaper was determined to raise him regardless.

"Come on everyone time for the reception!" Ira said while William opened a portal to Dispatch. They all agreed to have it in the reaper headquarters since the dining area was bigger and more guests were coming later on. Gem watched as each reaper grabbed a tray of food before disappearing inside the portal." Actually me and the Mrs. are going to stay here and start the honeymoon early." Undertaker muttered his seductive smile causing Gem to blush as she handed a sleepy Ryder to Ira." Tell them we apologize for not being there and to enjoy themselves." Ira nodded walking into the portal with Grell and the others.

Once the portal was gone, Undertaker skillfully carried Gem bridal style and ran upstairs their laughter echoing through the hallway.

Years Later….

"Ryder slow down dear there is no need to hurry." Gem said holding the eight year old with one hand and grabbing his coat with the other. With an impressive amount of strength similar to a reaper, Gem put on the coat on the boy along with some mittens and a stripped cap. Ryder narrowed his yellow-green eyes at his mother, his teeth baring growing sharper than Grell's." Mom, I can't go out like this!" he yelled attempting to take it off only to be stopped." It is winter and there is snow covering the ground." But I'm going to collect souls!" Ryder protested." Actually you're going to train, you won't be collecting souls until your thirteen." A voice said as Undertaker emerged from the backroom of the shop, in his arms was their four year old who was sucking her thumb. The grim reaper stared at his son before chuckling." Why my little boy you look like a marshmallow!"

Ryder growled." See mom even Dad agrees with me." Undertaker walked over to the boy patting his head, his laughter dying on his lips." Now I didn't say that your mother is right son. You are not fully grim reaper, therefore you and your sister are still prone to disease." Undertaker said reaching into his sleeve and pulling out a basin filled with bone-shaped cookies. He gave one to Ryder then fed himself. The child in Undertaker's hold began to reach toward Ryder who was munching down the treat, her hair covering her face as she squirmed.

"No Cindy this is mine and you can't have it or you meant choke. Mom's words not my own." He said swallowing the last of it. The child narrowed her crimson-yellow eyes at her brother before jumping on top of him and pressing kisses to his forehead, giggling as she did so. Cindy then began tickling her brother causing the boy to have the hiccups. The sight made Undertaker fall to the floor, in laughter as Gem gently took her daughter from Ryder who breathed a sigh of relief." Now Cindy stop torturing your brother." She said with a smile as Ryder emerged from the floor staring unimpressively at his father's childish display at his humiliation." Who needs Phantomhive when I can get a first rate laugh from my own family!" he said as Ryder started tackling him and laughing along as well.

Cindy grinned and clapped her hands as Gem was trying tame her long silver strands, she had inherited from her father. She settled with tying them back even though Gem knew Cindy hated when her mother did. Like Undertaker, Cindy wanted her hair wild and free. She sighed wondering how Undertaker dealt with having such long hair, Cindy's was practically down to her toes. Gem had attempted to cut it, but each time Undertaker would stop her stating that the Crevans don't cut their hair.

She shrugged her shoulders making Cindy a ponytail before watching the adorable display between father and son." Oh, my silly family." Gem uttered as a portal opened inside the shop. Grell and Ira walked in and were tackled immediately by Ryder." Uncle Grell finally you're here!" The red reaper lifted the boy into his arms." Of course why wouldn't I be?" he asked looking at Gem and Undertaker." Dearie's been waiting all day for ya to come." His father answered while Ira embraced Gem and kissed Cindy's cheek.

"Well darling I'm here, ready to go?" Ryder nodded as he was hoisted on Grell's shoulders." Be careful ok and no funny business. Gem said giving Ryder a kiss before allowing Grell to take her son. They watched outside as the red reaper jumped on the rooftops watching for ice and other obstacles." I better follow them, Grell can only be responsible for so long." Undertaker muttered allowing his scythe to appear. He kissed Gem and his daughter before following after Grell and Ryder leaving the women in front of his shop.

"You know sometimes I look back and wonder what it would be like if we had never met our husbands." Ira began." And all I can say is even after all the drama that unfolded and how unnatural Grell is. I am still glad I met him, what about you?"

Gem looked at Cindy, her eyes glowing brightly as the girl reached her arms above her head to catch the snowflakes that fell from the sky. Shocked when it melted in her small hands, a chuckle slipped through Gem's lips as Cindy smiled. Her life wasn't perfect, but it was satisfying." I have no regrets Ira." She stated looking toward the sky and seeing the same star the woman had seen at her memorial for Andrew. The star sparkled bringing light into the sky and a happy tear came down her face. " No regrets."

People this is the end. Thank you for all your reviews and comments, they greatly helped to support the story. Also, I am working on the sequel "A Life to Change" as some of you know it is out, but that is not the story. But a sneak peek which is up for a limited time only. It will be deleted when I finish the first chapter of the second story. Which may be a while so enjoy the sneak peek! :)