Astrocam: I apologize, this chapter is not as long as my normal chapters, but when I wrote that last sentence it felt like it ended at a good spot. So I just left it, there wasn't a need to add anything more.

Last chapter. I can't believe I completed a full length fanfiction, and I actually like it. I'm kinda proud of myself. And yet sad that the story is ending. Thank you to my supporters, readers, and reviewers :) I probably would have kept going even if I didn't have a fanbase, but you guys definitely helped boost my morale lol :) On with the chapter. Also, lemon warning.

And, and, it's my birthday on Friday :D So this is kinda like an early birthday present.

Chapter Twenty-One - Life Begins

"Hinata, it's time to get into your wedding dress!"

Hinata glanced at the clock for the hundredth time that day. It was twelve-thirty. Her wedding began at one PM. She hadn't seen Gaara since yesterday, and she missed him. She hoped his bachelor party went well, and that the boys had respected her wishes and not taken him to any strip clubs. He wasn't that kind of person anyway.

She, herself, had Sakura, Tenten and Hanabi over to her apartment and they did ridiculous things that Hinata couldn't (or didn't want to) remember, but she was sure there were photos. They didn't go out though.

She wasn't nervous – at least, until the moment Sakura helped her slip her wedding dress on and she saw herself in the mirror. That's when her palms grew sweaty and her mouth went dry.

"Aww, my big sister is getting married!" Hanabi clapped her hands in delight. She hadn't seen Hinata's dress yet.

Hinata felt her breath quicken. "I-I know," she squeaked, then cleared her throat.

Sakura zipped up the dress, then helped her with her hair and veil. She'd already had her make up done by a professional earlier.

Fifteen minutes left.

"The rings?" Sakura demanded.

"Here." Tenten pulled them out of her pocket and showed them to everyone.

"Good. Where's the father of the bride?" Sakura was being more bossy today than Hinata was, and it wasn't even her wedding.

Just as Sakura asked the question, Hiashi walked into the door, then stopped when he got his first look at Hinata in a wedding dress.

He didn't say a word.

Hinata stood up, making sure the dress wasn't wrinkled. Luckily it was the type of material that didn't seem to wrinkle. "Dad?" she murmured, crossing the room towards him and stopping a few feet from him.

Hiashi cleared his throat in an attempt to compose himself. "You look beautiful," he said at last.

Hinata blushed, then wrapped her arms around him. He slowly returned the embrace, although a bit awkwardly. "Are you ready?" he asked her.

She nodded, pulling away from him, feeling tears in her eyes. "I-I'm ready."

"Everyone! Get into place!" Sakura barked yet another order. She poked her head out into the hallway of the church to make sure that Gaara was already waiting up front and that his groomsmen were in place.

The guests were seated. It was time.

Hinata stood at the front of the line, her hand clutching her father's arm. Gaara wouldn't see her until the doors opened. Hanabi was behind her, her arm linked with Kankuro, Gaara's best man. Sakura was behind Hanabi, her arm linked with Sasuke, and Tenten was next to Naruto. Hinata glanced behind herself at Naruto, who winked at her for reassurance.

Her palms were sweating, but she had to fight the urge to wipe them on her dress.

Seconds later, the familiar chorus of "Here Comes the Bride" being played on the piano filled the air, and the church doors open. Hinata got her first glimpse of Gaara, and her heart began pounding.

He looked so amazingly hot, she had no words in her brain to describe him. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a white shirt and red tie that almost matched his crimson hair.

This was the man she was about to marry. How lucky was she?

His eyes met hers, and his face broke out into this adorable smirk/smile. Cameras began flashing as she walked slowly down the aisle towards him, focused only on his face. It was as if they were the only two people left in the world.

The walk lasted only about thirty seconds, but it was the longest thirty seconds of Hinata's life. She just wanted to get up there and be in his arms.

Finally, she was standing directly across from him at the altar. He took both of her hands in his, kissing one of her hands, earning an "awww" from the guests.

Hinata's veil was still covering her face, but she blushed, hoping everyone wouldn't see it.

The pastor began his speech. It lasted a few minutes before he said, "Rings, please?"

Since they didn't have an official ring bearer, Tenten stepped forward and handed the rings to the pastor. He gave Hinata's ring to Gaara.

"Do you, Sabaku no Gaara, take Hyuuga Hinata, to be your lawful wedded wife?"

"I do," Gaara's eyes twinkled as he slid the ring onto her finger.

"Do you, Hyuuga Hinata take Sabaku no Gaara as your lawful wedded husband?"

"I-I do," Hinata could barely speak as she place Gaara's ring on his finger. She was glad they hadn't written their own vows, she would be way too nervous to read them in front of everyone.

"Does anyone have any objections as to why these two shouldn't come together on this day?"

Silence.

"Then by the power vested in me, by God, and the great country of Konoha, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Gaara lifted her veil gently, then leaned in and kissed her passionately in front of everyone, wrapping his arms around her, dipping her like a princess.

More flashes went off and people cheered and clapped, but Hinata didn't care. All she could think about was the man who was kissing her. The man who was now her husband. She was now Sabaku no Hinata.

They pulled apart, much to Hinata's disappointment, then went over to sign the wedding papers to make Hinata's name change official. Her and Gaara were now one. She was thrilled, her wedding had gone perfectly and it was everything she'd ever dreamed about. And they still had the reception to look forward to tonight.

After all the hubbub died down and guests started leaving, Hinata and Gaara got in his car and headed to their apartment. Hinata couldn't stop staring at her wedding ring.

"You look beautiful," Gaara murmured suddenly, reaching over to take her hand. "I love being married to you."

Hinata blushed. "Y-you look hot," she grinned at him.

"You know...we have a few hours until the reception."

"And?" Hinata immediately knew what he was getting at, but she decided to play along.

"Well, the dress is beautiful and I'm glad you've spent my money wisely. Means I can trust you. However, you look much more beautiful without anything on at all."

Hinata's insides quivered. Oh my. Their first sexy time as husband and wife. "C-can you drive a little faster?" she whispered, wanting to get home as quick as possible.

"Sure thing, my hot wife." Gaara sped the car up to about fifteen over the speed limit, the fastest he dared to go. He didn't want to get caught on his wedding day. Even though he was still a cop (he hadn't quit the force yet) he could still get charged if he broke the rules and was caught.

It was still a weird feeling, to be called someone's wife at only nineteen years old. Hinata's twentieth birthday was coming up next month, but a lot of people these days didn't get married until their late twenties or early thirties. Perhaps she should have waited, but she felt so right with Gaara. They rarely ever fought, and he always made her happy. So what more could she ask for? That's what every woman wanted right? It was so easy to be with him.

The second they stepped inside their apartment, Gaara grabbed her around the waist and crashed his lips to hers. Hinata responded with just as much fervor. He shoved her roughly against the wall, pinning her there while he attacked her mercilessly, trailing his mouth down her neck towards the top of her dress, grinding himself against her.

"God!" she gasped when he pulled her dress and her bra down, taking her breast in his hand and squeezing it.

"Can I take this damned thing off now?" he growled, reaching behind her only to find that the back of the dress was tied up as if it was a corset. "What the fuck is this?"

Hinata squealed when he whirled her around so that her back was facing him, and untied all the strings until the dress easily slipped off of her, falling in a heap on the floor. She was in her bra and panties now.

It didn't take him long to toss his suit on the floor and he was in his boxers.

Oh my. She would never get used to the sight of how amazingly hot he was.

He shoved her to the wall again and she stepped out of the dress, kicking it aside so they wouldn't ruin it. When his skin touched hers, the current that ran between them was overwhelming.

Summoning a burst of strength, she placed her hands on his shoulders while they were kissing, and pushed him off of her. He broke the kiss, startled. But she wasn't finished with him yet.

She grabbed both of his arms, locking him into place, staring at him with lust-filled eyes.

He squirmed. "What are you doing?"

"Showing you that I can take care of myself," she breathed, her voice husky.

His jade eyes gleamed. "Prove it."

She grinned, then pushed him towards their bedroom with a force that surprised even herself. Once in the room, she closed the door behind her, then pounced, shoving him to the bed so that she was on top.

"That was hot," Gaara moaned, hooking his thumbs in her panties as she straddled him.

She squirmed out of her panties, then very quickly tossed her bra on the floor. However, instead of stripping him, she crawled off so that she was sitting beside him, and started rubbing him over his boxers. He clutched the bedsheets as she massaged him, making him so hard that she thought he was going to burst.

Finally, she reached her hand under his boxers and grabbed his erection. He made quick work of his boxers, and let her pump her hand up and down him.

"Don't make me cum like this!" he begged after a few minutes.

"I'm sorry," she grinned, not very sorry at all. Then she leaned down, taking him in her mouth, twirling her tongue around his tip. He gasped and squirmed. She loved making him feel good.

Then, she stopped sucking him and straddled him once more, still holding onto his erection, guiding him towards her entrance. She rubbed him on her sex, the muscles in her belly clenching. Positioning herself directly on top of him, she slowly sank down on him, feeling him fill her. She gasped, grabbing onto his shoulders as she sank all the way down.

He thrust deep inside of her, the sensation hit her like a brick wall. While she was riding him, she closed her eyes, giving into the passion. They weren't using a condom, but even so she could get the morning after pill again. She wasn't worried about possibly getting pregnant at all. Plus they were married, even though they didn't want kids right away, it wouldn't be as big of a deal if all else failed.

It didn't take long for him to spill his seeds inside of her, and she moaned, feeling herself give way as well. She collapsed on top of him, panting, as he pulled out of her. He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to him and kissing her on the lips.

"I love you," he murmured after he broke apart from her, stroking her hair. "Your make up is smudged."

She squealed, shoving him playfully. "I wonder why!" she giggled. "I'll have to have a shower before the reception anyway."

"Care to have someone join you?" Gaara's eyes twinkled playfully.

"We only have a couple of hours now!" Hinata sat up, climbing off the bed.

Gaara followed her. "So? The two of us in the same shower will save time."

"True. Well, I suppose if you insist." Hinata yawned, pretended to be bored and sauntered towards the bathroom.

Gaara followed after her and very quickly closed the door behind them.

The reception was a hit. It was everything Hinata had planned for. Naruto and Sakura made a speech, as did Kankuro and Temari together (Gaara's siblings). Hinata also made a toast to Ino, in memory. Hinata and Gaara danced to the song "All or Nothing" by Theory of a Deadman for their first dance as bride and groom. After the father-daughter dance, she had a special best friend's dance for herself and Naruto while Gaara watched from the side. She figured that Naruto was such a huge part of her life, that he deserved something.

"You look beautiful," Naruto murmured while they danced. One of his hands was tight around her waist, while the other gripped her hand. "I'm kind of jealous."

Hinata cringed. She hoped he wouldn't make it awkward again. They had hung out several times since their incident back in March, and he hadn't done anything. "T-thanks," she blushed. She knew that Naruto wished that he was in Gaara's shoes right now.

"It's so weird. I mean, you're a wife now. Sakura's a wife now. I'm still single. Ino's gone. I still don't know where my life is going. You and Sakura seem to have everything all figured out. I'm kind of the loser that sits in the back." He gave a sheepish smile. "I guess maybe I will go to college next September."

"You're thinking about it?" Hinata was surprised. He hadn't told her this yet.

"I've been looking online at courses and stuff. I think I might be interested in some kind of trade or something. I'm not exactly sure yet. But I know there are a lot of good paying jobs that I can get around here with a trade." He shrugged. "It's a thought. I don't want to be at minimum wage the rest of my life. Plus, who knows, maybe I could meet someone. It's hard to meet anyone at work. It's been a year since Ino has died. I still miss her like crazy, but I also miss having a relationship. And it's hard for me to meet anyone new at work. Plus I won't go to college for another year."

Hinata was proud of him. "She would want you to be happy."

He grinned. "I think she'd want me all to herself, even in the afterlife."

Hinata had to smile at that. "I mean, if she's never going to be around, you have to move on sometime. It's ok to fall in love again after someone has gone." She couldn't imagine the pain she would go through if something was to happen to Gaara. But she knew that, probably a few years later she would be able to cope with life again and think about perhaps starting new. She knew that, even though she hated the idea, she would want Gaara to do the same if something happened to her.

"I know. I'm not looking for anyone right now, but if someone happens to come along then I won't stop myself from being with them."

"That's good." Hinata was happy that Naruto had grown up so much. Although she still missed the old Naruto, back before they had kissed the first time, at least now he was obviously maturing and changing for the better.

Their dance was over, and she gave him a hug before releasing him. The music started up again, this time at a fast tempo, and other people stepped onto the dance floor as well.

This was probably the most fun part about a wedding, Hinata mused as Gaara joined her on the dance floor. The ceremony was beautiful and emotional, but it was pretty much just all talking, standing and sitting. Now, though, she could interact with her friends and have the time of her life.

Gaara grabbed her around the waist, grinding his hips into hers in time with the beat. Hinata giggled, but let loose and moved along with the music. Naruto was dancing with Sakura, as Sasuke was being a deadbeat and refused. He only danced to slow songs, according to Sakura.

Hinata's feet were sore by the time the reception was over. She'd even taken her shoes off halfway through, but found that it was too late and she already had blisters. But it was worth it.

While driving away with Gaara from the reception hall, Hinata reflected on the most amazing day of her life. She couldn't wait to get the pictures back from their photographer and share them with everyone, including the people who couldn't make it.

Now, she was officially a wife, and her life with Gaara could begin.

Astrocam: And that's a wrap. I'm sure I'll grace your presence with another story sometime soon. I'm debating on a sequel, if I can think of an idea. So, goodbye from me for now, and happy birthday to me on Friday :D