Title: Either Was The Other's Mine

Author: Beth Pryor

Rating: K+

Summary/Universe: They finally stole away to that waterfall to do something they'd been meaning to do. Written in my post 4x09 AU of the "Anderson" Universe. Story alluded to in Happily Ever After…

Disclaimer: Do we still need these? Everyone knows what we're all about by now.

A/N: The setting is Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia. Gorgeous place, especially in the fall, but they couldn't wait that long. And bonus points if you know from whence comes the title.

Either Was The Other's Mine

They started down the wooden staircase, hand in hand. The view extending down the valley took her breath away. She stopped about halfway down. "I wish you could see this."

He'd gotten used to things the way they were, but he couldn't remember her ever lamenting his inability to share a scene with him. But today was special. He understood that. "It's okay."

"I know it is, but still. I should have been more thoughtful. This is clearly about me. We could have done this in the courthouse. I don't always think these things through after I get an idea in my head. I'm sorry."

He lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed her fingertips. "I can hear the rush of the water, taste the mist in the breeze, smell the honeysuckle, and feel the moss on the rocks and trees. All better than a courthouse, I promise. And you think about me all the time. I'm glad you picked somewhere that would be beautiful for you today."

"But just to be clear, I'd have done this anywhere."

"Noted." He pulled her closer to him, taking in all of her sensory input as well. They stood, not moving forward for longer than she had expected.

"The judge is waiting."

"He'll have to wait a little longer."

"She."

He smiled. "How very progressive of West Virginia."

She shrugged her shoulder against his. "It has its moments. Like this one."

He inhaled the scent of her hair mingling with the cool April morning. "You're wearing Leah's perfume."

"I like to think of it as my perfume now, and yes. I am. I thought you liked it."

"I do. It's just that scent and memory thing." He released her slightly, although their hands intertwined still. He liked that, having her close enough for him to touch and know that she was real and really his. It didn't happen often, so he'd learned to make these moments count.

"You wish they were here."

He heard the wistful undertone of her voice. Knowing his would come out the same way, he agreed. "I know why we decided to do it this way, but maybe. Yeah. And Danielle."

"We have our work family. There wasn't any way we could combine all those factors." She had mastered rationalization by now.

"I know."

"But if you don't want to do this here or now, we don't have to."

"No. That's not what I mean. I want to. I just wish things were different." Wistful again. He wasn't even really trying anymore. But when in the world could he, should he be more honest with her than today, now?

Her fingers touched his face, tracing the edges first, then moved to straighten a wisp of hair on his forehead. "Ah, so you do that sometimes."

"Sometimes. Not often, but sometimes." He took her fingers back in his, trying to regain some control of himself and the situation. "We'll go the rest of the way down in a minute, but just tell me a little about it first."

He didn't ask often, and sometimes she forgot to tell him. But they'd discussed it before. The visual parts didn't mean as much as they used to, still, he wanted her to share this with him. She took a deep breath.

"Everything is emerald – the trees, the rocks, the water even. And there are two different sets of falls, one larger with white water to our left. That's where the mist is from, but over to our right, there is a smaller ledge and the pool below is almost calm. The whole clearing sits sheltered from the peaks on either side, almost like a canyon with trees rising from both sides. The redbud is in bloom, and the dogwood, too. The mountainside is dotted in red and white and pink. Nature serves as our florist today."

"And you?" He whispered, not wanting to erase the image she'd just painted, but that's really what he'd wanted to know.

She moved his hands to the sides of her waist. The gauzy material of her dress skimmed the curves he knew so well, the lattice of lace creating a maze inviting him on an expedition to explore her body. "You can figure that out for yourself when we're done here and all legal and everything."

God, he loved her. "I kind of liked the fornication."

"I'd like to avoid hell. If it exists." She pressed her body against his. It existed. They'd both been there. And yet somehow made it here today. Together.

He lifted his hands to the back of her neck, starting just below where she'd pinned her hair in some sort of knot he could not wait to demolish. His touch trailed down over her scapulae, down her spine and over the curve of her taut bottom. "I have it on good authority that it does exist, and I'd chance it again for you. But why are we talking about hell right now?"

"Should we keep going?"

"God, yes. I'd like to make an honest woman out of you sometime today."

She looped her arm through his. "Okay. Just a couple more steps down to the overlook."

"You told her we're going old school, right? No 'I promise to make you milkshakes in bed every Sunday crap?'"

She giggled. "I asked for the most to-the-point package they've got. Although, I'm not going to agree to obey you. That's out."

"Do I have to obey you?"

"A girl can dream."

He lowered his voice, not being completely sure how close they were to their destination. "And no dearly beloved. Did you say that, too?"

Her mouth hissed a whisper close to his ear before they started moving again. "I feel like maybe you should have talked to the judge instead of me."

"Maybe I can before we start."

"Everyone is waiting."

"And by everyone you mean the judge and the four people who know us better than anyone in the world?" They took a couple of steps forward.

"I do."

He stopped abruptly. "Wait! It's not time for that yet."

She laughed again. "You're a mess."

"Yes, but I'm your mess."

"I really wouldn't have it any other way." She coaxed him forward just a little more.

They'd arrived. A new voice entered the conversation. "We've gathered today to join Anne Catherine Walker and August James Anderson in marriage, an institution ordained by the state and made honorable by the faithful keeping of good men and women throughout all ages. It is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. Annie?"

She stood facing him, their hands clasped together. Her words came softly at first, then growing in intensity to rival the powerful flow of the waterfall beside them. "I, Annie, take you Auggie, to be my lawfully wedded husband. Before these witnesses I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you, with all your faults and strengths as I offer myself to you with all my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help and turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life."

"Auggie?"

He inhaled then exhaled deeply. So predictably unpredictable, this woman who was about to be his wife. "That's not what we agreed to do, but I figured you'd pull something like this. So I'm prepared.

"From this day forward I promise you these things. I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it and step aside when you don't. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend and I will love and respect you always."

"No milkshakes?" She was holding back tears. Not very successfully.

He shrugged. Why not? "And milkshakes."

"The rings?"

There was a rustling behind him as Teo presumably handed over the matching titanium bands. They'd dually decided that platinum wouldn't be strong enough for this marriage and all it would entail. Her strong, slim fingers slipped the band onto his. "I give you this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity."

He held his hand, palm facing upward for hers, sliding it into place with a satisfying clink against the diamond solitaire. "I give you this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity."

"Having thus pledged yourselves each to the other, I do now, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the state of West Virginia, declare that you are husband and wife."

No one had to tell him to kiss the bride.

FIN

A/N 2: Vows are sadly not mine. I found them today on a website, which I obviously can't post here. PM for specifics.