Almost balmy, overcast in the morning. So Stephen and I are getting married. This is terrifying me a little bit because I never ever thought I would get married. I'm not the marrying type, really—I'm too bossy and too set in my ways most of the time. But for some reason those traits are fine with Stephen, so who am I to argue? He's absolutely serene about it all. The serene Sorcerer Supreme. Drives me crazy with the way he takes everything from dirty diapers to spit-up without a problem.

Damn it, I'm so in love with the man.

"And so you were born on Walpurgis, which is significant," Strange murmured to the baby against his shoulder. "You have ties to the magic of this planet."

Sydney looked through the doorway of her office to watch him slowly pace with Caleb. The baby—now six weeks old- was in a moon and stars onesie, tiny hands splayed against the dishtowel on his father's shoulder. "Has he burped yet?"

"Not yet," Strange replied, stroking his son's back. "Although-"

As if on cue, Caleb gave a kick and belched, a thin white stream trickling from his bottom lip. He wiggled, clearly pleased with himself, and Strange rumbled a chuckle as well. "Well done. I'm sure they heard you as far as Elliot Bay, my child."

Sydney rose and came over, using the end of the towel to wipe the baby's mouth. He lifted his head to look at her, eyes bright. "Messy boy," she teased lovingly. "Feel better?"

It was clear he did; Strange turned and shifted Caleb into his arms. The baby gave a contented sigh, looking back up at them.

"Naptime," Sydney announced. They walked the baby up to the bedroom and set him into his basinet before slipping out again quietly.

"So about tomorrow . . ." Sydney sighed, going down the staircase. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this."

"Second thoughts, or merely butterflies?" Strange asked earnestly, following her to the kitchen and turning on the baby monitor.

"The latter," she admitted. "I'm pretty set on marrying you, but I'm nervous about it."

"I believe that's a normal reaction for everyone at this point. I myself have a few qualms, mostly for the safety of you and Caleb."

"I know. You do have a number of enemies," she acknowledged. "Serious ones and while I can take care of myself . . ."

"True," Strange murmured. "But do not underestimate our son. He's already shown signs of mystical capacity even at this early stage. I've seen him watch ghosts."

"Ghosts?" Sydney glanced around. "We have ghosts?"

"Mostly psychic remnants of pets long past," Strange assured her, "small and non-threatening. My point however, is that our son even now is developing his own powers. Who better to raise him than the two of us? There will always be threats, my sweet—we can't escape that—but together we are more powerful than apart." He moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "And selfishly, I love you both to an astonishing degree."

Sydney leaned back against him, feeling ridiculously shy. "It's mutual," she murmured, loving the feel of his chest against her spine, warm and strong.

"Midsummer's day afternoon is decidedly auspicious," Strange told her, "in the Zen garden of the Arboretum makes for a peaceful setting, I think."

"Sounds perfect," Sydney hummed happily.

-oo00oo—

The wedding was intimate, with only a handful of friends attending, but Sydney was fine with that. Naturally her teammates were there, looking uncomfortable in their best clothes, standing together as if they expected some sort of attack. The friends Stephen invited were interesting as well: Wong of course, and Wilhelmina along with two young men and a little old gentleman who seemed to be giving the obstetrician flirtatious looks.

Sydney had chosen a simple dress of green silk with lace sleeves and had foregone the bouquet. She'd pinned her hair up and tucked a few sprigs of wisteria in it to dangle. Strange looked austerely handsome in a Nehru jacket of rich fawn with silver lining and matching trousers.

The Buddhist officiate was a charming little woman from the Sakya monastery who was standing serenely under the canopy of the willow tree, lighting the incense sticks. She was dressed in long wine-colored robes, her shaved head gleaming in the sunshine. Her name was Ani; Sydney had met with her during the initial planning visit and liked her very much.

"Let us draw near," she called out in a low voice like the chime of a bell in the warmth of the afternoon. "हामी यो दिन मनाउन."

The rhythm of the words and the easy inclination of Ani's gestures made the ceremony easy to follow. It helped too, that she and Strange had rehearsed it so Sydney understood the gifts of flowers and fruit; the reason behind handing the beautiful katag to Ani with a bow, and her gift in return of another to her and Strange. Ani wrapped them in the long silk scarf, draping it over their shoulders where the blue tinted silk gleamed. She reminded them of the work a marriage takes; of the shared blessings and burdens that would bring them closer through the years. Ani also commended them on their fortuitous birthdays and how truly destined they were for this journey together.

Strange took her hand. Rings were not normally a part of the ceremony, but Sydney laced her fingers with his, and Strange concentrated, a brilliant glow flaring around their hands. After a moment wide bands of silver and sapphire gleamed from around both of their ring fingers; bone-deep multi-dimensional tattoos with a pattern of stars and clouds in it.

At the end of Ani's final blessing Sydney shot her a glance and the Buddhist nun smirked. "Oh it's all right," she told them. "May this kiss be the first of thousands to be shared in your life together."

That was permission enough; Sydney slipped into Strange's arms and kissed him soundly, aware of the joyous energy that flowed brightly around and through them. Light personified, she realized.

Their friends clapped and came forward for hugs, everyone caught up in the delight of the moment. Sydney found herself enfolded by her team and swept into a squeeze by Wilhelmina. She took Caleb from his carrier and he waved his fists excitedly.

"He looks like you, sort of," Jack said, studying the baby. "I mean if you were a baby and a guy."

"Close enough," Sydney laughed.

Everyone settled around the tables near the pond to enjoy the catered picnic of delicacies while Sydney and Strange stood off a ways with Ani, who took Caleb in her arms.

"A blessing," she murmured quietly. "This little one has true destiny before him, and already carries much courageous love. May I, Yon dag?"

Strange inclined his head, and the little Buddhist nun pulled out a small katag of sky blue, draping it over Caleb. "दुनिया बीच शान्ति, सानो एक हिंड्न। बल र आनन्द पूरा।" She intoned, touching his forehead, nose and chin through the veil. Caleb wrigged a bit and cooed.

At that moment a cloud of pearl butterflies appeared out of nowhere, fluttering like white rose petals around the nun and the baby. Although startled, Ani smiled and held Caleb up. The butterflies lingered for a moment and dispersed as Sydney took the baby and cradled him closely. Strange carefully folded the katag, thanked Ani in Nepalese and invited her to join in the picnic before turning to Sydney and Caleb.

"That was mysteriously beautiful," Sydney admitted. "Good thing Desmond didn't see them or the chase would have been on."

"Possibly," Strange agreed, "Although I believe they were spiritual manifestations rather than actual insects. Good wishes from unseen dimensions."

She gave him a skeptical look and then glanced down at the baby in her arms. "No playdates in other realms, okay? Not yet, little man."

Caleb yawned.

-oo00oo—

They left the baby with Wilhelmina for the night, along with several refrigerated bottles of breast milk and a hand-written regimen to follow that the doctor rolled her eyes over.

"I've taken care of dozens of infants," she reminded them. "I think I can handle yours just as well if not better. Go, have a lovely honeymoon night while Caleb and I watch some good British mysteries."

It was difficult for her to leave, but Strange assured her they'd be close enough to pop back if needed. She hadn't realized how literally he meant that until he wrapped his arms around her and they faded away out of the kitchen to re-appear in a large circular room of stone complete with carpets, fireplace and a large four poster bed.

Sydney glanced down; she was still in her wedding dress. "Wow, not naked!"

"Yet," Strange murmured with a predatory hint in his voice. He loosened his grip and watched her look around. "We are at the top of a lost tower built by Normans in the 11th century and transported here to one of my favorite retreats."

"Where is it?"

He nuzzled her neck. "An alternate Earth where there are no humans. Verdant and secluded."

"Very nice, you wizard you," Sydney teased.

"Wizard," he shook his head. "Wizards pursue knowledge. Sorcerers pursue other matters." To prove his point Strange tugged the zipper of her dress down her spine. Sydney shivered delightedly.

"Does this mean you're interested in consummating this marriage?" she purred, reaching to undo his jacket.

"Interested is perhaps understating the case," Strange assured her. "Determined might be a better choice."

"Ah," she tried not to laugh as she managed to help him out of the jacket and began working on his slacks zipper.

"I love you," Strange lifted her chin with his index finger, making her look into his gaze. "I have missed worshiping your body with mine."

Sydney blinked, feeling a little breathless. "Me too," she told him, moving to kiss the corner of his goatee. "With you I am safe and loved and very happy, beloved mine."

She saw that her words moved him; he cupped her face and looked at her with a gaze she knew he would never share with anyone else.

Although they were both eager, they took their time in undressing, kissing and caressing as they did so. Sydney luxuriated in the warm of his skin, the clean masculine scent of Strange mingled with incense and cologne. By the light of the fireplace she reacquainted herself with his rangy frame, trailing kisses over it. He returned the favor, being careful of her sensitive breasts.

"Still fond of them," he told her, "even if they've gone from decorative to functional."

Sydney preened a bit. "Never thought I'd find a use for them myself, but I'm glad I did."

He chuckled but it turned into a groan as she slipped her fingers around his erection, caressing the warm and turgid length of it. "Speaking decorative to functional . . . ."

"You have no idea how glad I am not to be the only impatient one," Strange muttered even as he bent to scoop her up; she protested but gave in when he made it clear he was going to do it anyway. Three long strides and they were at the four poster. Strange laid her on the bed carefully and Sydney scooted over so he had room to stretch out himself.

They rolled together and kissed, entwining limbs eagerly. Sydney raked her fingers along his temples, delighted to rumple the silver streaks there. Strange let her, his own hands sliding possessively along her back. She straddled him, kissing his chest from nipple to nipple, delighted at his quickened breathing and glazed look. "We'll go gently," Sydney assured him, "But I want you, please."

Strange nodded, shifting to help support her as Sydney reached down to guide his shaft into her. She impaled herself slowly, giving a delighted moan in chorus with his. He slid his hands to her hips, looking up at her with bright grey eyes. "Wife," Strange murmured, and rocked his hips up.

Sydney leaned forward, bracing her hands against his shoulders, her long hair slithering over her own as she moved her hips against his. "Husbaaaaand," she called out happily.

They found their rhythm, moving slowly at first to draw it out, but finally quickening as the pleasure built with each stroke. Sydney knew she wouldn't last very long, not with Strange's talented fingers and loving intensity. She felt her entire body begin to tense after a while, her breasts aching with pleasure as the slow sweet flare of orgasm rose through her making her call out his name as she shuddered hard.

And even here, the thunder boomed outside the hewn windows.

Her cry seemed to be enough to bring him to climax as well. Strange's hands tightened on her hipbones and his chest heaved as he growled. He rocked up into her, driving deep and Sydney felt the heat of his semen inside her, a primitive and sweet sensation she savored.

She slumped forward, aware that her breasts were leaking and not caring a damn, not with Strange looking up at her in utter adoration, breathless and damp. "Oh gods and deities I adore you," he confessed hoarsely. "That was . . . ."

"Gooooood," Sydney agreed, and wiped a hand across her chest. "Sorry about the, ah, spray."

"A blessing," he told her, fishing for a corner of the sheet to help her dab it up. "Bounty from a goddess."

She chuckled and shifted off of him, wincing a little as she came to curl up at his side to rest. "There's a bath or a shower here too, right?"

"Anything you wish," Strange assured her, pulling her close. "We have hours before we must return, and much to celebrate in that time. I have a wife and a son. I have a family," he marveled.

"Me too," Sydney murmured, kissing his shoulder. "One good deed ended up giving me so damned much—isn't the world amazing?"

"Yes," Strange told her, settling her against his side. "And so are you and Caleb. Rest . . . we have a future to face together, beloved."

"I like that," Sydney yawned, and snuggled closer. "Very much, Stephen."

End