Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"You never know. Brogan might decide something important haa come up. You might not see it, but he's terribly nervous. Even though he knows you two are renewing your vows and you love him so, he's just as nervous as the first time he was married. He wants everything to be so perfect for you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He should know that things don't have to be perfect in this life." Julia said with a soft laugh. "Especially not in our lives. All I need is my family and love and that's all that matters to me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You can insist all you want that he doesn't have to work so hard to make you happy, but he'll just keep right at it. And you know you adore him for it. I know I do. I still wonder how he manages sometimes."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's never let me down." Julia said with a smile as she looked at herself in the polished mirror. "I look different from the scared girl that first came to Inverness."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You look like a steadfast mother and wife, and one of the finest Queens Inverness has ever had. You've seen and done a lot in twenty years, from rearing a bunch of lovely children to singlehandedly retaking Inverness when Brogan couldn't hold it on his own. Looking different is the very least of the changes you've gone through, my love," Kitty told her with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I learned from the very best." Julia said, turning to kiss Kitty in the cheek. "None of this would have happened without you, Kitty. Brogan would have never come to Chester if you hadn't have asked him to."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Back then, I knew Brogan would never forgive himself for letting a young woman be tossed away like that, though I never expected what you two built for yourselves." Kitty turned to fetch the long green cape and pinned it carefully in place with the beautiful silver cloak pins. Once everything was in place, Kitty brought Julia out to the main hall where her family- all but Brogan and his brothers and Cole who were his best men- was waiting to escort her by carriages to the lovely church just down the way. This wasn't a public wedding per se, but that didn't stop the people from noticing and pausing along the road to watch the procession.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia grinned brightly as she saw her children all dressed in their best clothing. Even Kate was dressed to the nines in a soft blue gown. She shined like the jewel of Inverness, even outshining her older sister Annie. Julia kissed Kate's cheek, looking fondly at each of the children. Ciaran was holding the twins, the little girls excited at all of the activity going on around them.

"Well, shall we get off to church?" Julia asked, taking Rho and Sam by the hand to let them escort her to the carriage.

 

[KieranSoares]

The boys, each in fine suits with lovely dark capes in matching colors, led their mother to the carriage and Ciaran in similar attire was close behind. The babies were dressed in lovely little dresses with adorable white shoes. Kell was along with them beside Kate, dressed in a deep dark blue to complement her.

Their arrival at the church was met by the nearby bell chiming noon. They were right on time and everyone found their seats while Julia got quite the surprise as her brother appeared with a calm smile. He'd said in answer to their invitation that Beth wasn't up to the journey, but it was clear now that he'd tricked her, likely with Brogan's help.

"You look beautiful, sister," Maxwell murmured and came to kiss her cheek. "I had to come see what Inverness is like for myself, and see you renew your vows first and foremost. And... if you would give me the honor, Lord Ambrose and Lady Katherine offered me the chance to walk you down the aisle."

The original plan had been for Kitty and Vincenzo both to walk Julia down the aisle, but in light of having patched things up with her brother, they wanted to offer Max the chance- as the last man in her immediate family- to walk with her for the first time. Lord William had walked with her the first time though that first wedding had been just a formality and not an enjoyable one. At the second wedding, Valentina had escorted her being her temporary guardian until she'd grown more comfortable in Inverness.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Maxwell." Julia said, surprised as her brother stepped up to her side, kissing her cheek after telling her that they wouldn't be able to make it.

Beth was heavily pregnant, but she wouldn't have missed this moment for the world. Sitting in her seat, she gave a smile to her husband and her sister in law as they reunited. She had insisted on them coming the moment that they had gotten word of the second wedding. Maxwell had made sure that she was well taken care of on the trip and she was very happy to be in Scotland again.

"I'm very happy to have you here." Julia said as she wrapped her brother in a tight hug. "It means a lot to me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, dear sister. Shall we?" Max offered his arm with a smile. "Your king awaits."

The inside of the church was decorated in white and green with fresh flowers everywhere and.all their family, friends and some allies in attendance. Even Marianne had come, Warwick at her side, sitting with Kayla and Aleister and Lynn. Ashien's girls were on their best behavior, their parents incredibly proud of their brood and the well-trained tigers they kept. Kayla and Christopher had come with their brother king, sister queen, Ulfric, and their little families whom Julia had become friends with over years of letter writing and the occasional visit. Even some of Julia's first comrades were there, like Casso and Dalton, and even King Gallus had managed to come despite how his court grew busier and busier. Perhaps the only friends that weren't there were the Monaghan family as Sarah had felt it was not her place.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia glanced around at all of her friends and family who had gathered. Marianne looked peaceful with Lynn in her arms, the little boy snuggling up to his grandmother. Warwick was like an old lion, past his prime but still full of quiet strength. Aleister and Kayla held hands discretely, both watching the ceremony with interest as Lynn was occupied.

Dylandra was watching over her brood with a slight smile on her face. Her daughters were dressed in their best, minding their manners perfectly as she sat next to Ashien. The two were still incredibly in love, made for one another and making a lovely life together. Burke sat next to his mother, handsome and still growing into his long limbs. Ashleigh, Amelia, and Grace were next to their father, watching everything with excitement.

Kayla was excited to be home in Inverness. The moments that she was able to return were few and far between. Kristoff was looking forward to spending time with his grandparents and little Helena was already sound asleep in her father's arms. She was a perfect little doll, never making more than a peep when she were upset or needed something.

Seeing everyone there and together brought tears to Julia's green gaze. She knew that people cared but coming for a second wedding when there was so much going on in their lives was beyond anything that she expected.

 

[KieranSoares]

Up in front, Julia found that Ciaran had gotten up to courage to ask his handsome new beau Justin to come along, the twin boys were at their best though Sam seemed to be watching how the royal guardsmen acted just as much as the rest of the ceremony. The twin girls were happy in Justin and Ciaran's arms, and Kate and Kell were the perfect pair, relaxing as there need be no formality at a private family wedding.

Brogan awaited Julia in nearly the same dark tunic and trousers he'd worn the day of their wedding in Inverness, the same tartan and kilt. But so much had changed since then that he was too broad to fit the exact same outfit, and now his long hair was tied back and his face, no longer clean shaven like back then, was framed with a fine beard that he'd also trimmed neatly for the occasion. His crest lay gleaming against his chest and his ring still shone proudly on his hand as it had for twenty years. His dark eyes that had seen so much seemed so calm in the moment he saw Julia, despite how giddy and nervous he felt. Those feelings had been so foreign to him twenty years prior, and now they seemed so normal with a family always doing new things and a beautiful wife he still loved to chase around with.

Maxwell brought Julia to Brogan's side and placed her hand in his before going to Beth's side. The priest was an old friend of the Christian members of the family, having offered as much spiritual guidance as shamans and druids had to the Lunasian members.

"Hiya, love," Brogan whispered with an adoring smile as they turned to face the priest.

 

[heartofcourage]

The moment that Julia's had was placed in Brogan's, she knew that everything was right in her world. She smiled at him with a peaceful look, knowing that there was nowhere else that she would rather be right in that moment.

"Hi." Julia murmured back as her husband greeted her softly and they both turned to look at the old priest.

Her slender fingers squeezed her husband's large hand, letting him know that she loved him deeply and would continue to love him for the rest of his days. The fact that he was willing to give her another wedding, one of love and adoration instead of duty, meant the world to her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan hardly heard a word the priest said, too enthralled with Julia and the moment he'd been wanting to give her for years, but had never found the time. He kept reminding himself mentally that he needed to do something for their children as thanks for all of this.

 

[heartofcourage]

Despite the fact that they were surrounded by their friends, family, and children, Julia only had eyes for Brogan. Her husband was just as handsome as the day that she had first met him in Chester. He had given her four lovely girls and three strapping lads. Not a day went by that she didn't think about how fortunate she was for being loved by Brogan Ghis.

 

[KieranSoares]

Julia knew the look in Brogan's eyes all too well as his nervousness began to subside and he enjoyed the moment. He was content, and looking forward to a lovely evening of dancing and showing her off as he did at every gathering they were present for. He always loved to make her the centre of his attention, save for when their children needed him, and anytime they danced, he made her the star of the show not just to boast of the good and lovely wife he had, but to show her that he was not too proud to put her high above himself and tell everyone he loved her. That was what this day was all about, after all.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia gave her husband a smile before she slipped her hand out of his own and wrapped her arm around his waist. She soon had her cheek pressed against his shoulder, her green eyes closing as she soaked in the moment. There was nothing else in her world but her husband in that moment. He was her rock and had been for a long time.

The priest chuckled to himself as did some of the family that was watching, but Julia didn't care. She was right where she wanted and needed to be.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Brogan Ingvar Ghis, do you take this woman to be your wife once more, til death do you part?" The priest finally asked, and Julia could just about hear his heart speed up.

"I do, Father," his deep voice rumbled in return, looking down to Julia with all the warmth in love she'd known in all their twenty years.

"Julia of Chester, do you take this man to be your husband once more, til death do you part?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia heard her husband's rumbled response and smiled, opening her eyes to look up at Brogan as the priest asked her the same question.

"I do." She murmured, giving him a smile to show how content she was just then.

Their children all watched with smiles on their own faces, their green eyes just as bright as their mother's in that moment. Annie squeezed David's hand, leaning her head against his shoulder. Julia was just as much her mother as she was everyone else's mother. She had raised her without hesitation since she was 8 years old. Her father was so incredibly happy that it made her heart soar, but she was still reminded of her mother, and how they had all lost her far too soon. Thanks to Julia, Danny would have the chance to know Cassie as well as he would know Brogan and Julia.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then, by the power vested in me by Inverness and God, I pronounce you husband and wife once more. My lord, you may kiss your bride," the priest announced, closing his book. Brogan didn't hesitate to sweep Julia off her feet and kiss her for all he was worth, the entire church erupting in cheers and applause from their family. It was a great occasion for them all, to see their next patriarch and matriarch renew their vows and further solidify the foundation upon which their family was built.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia let out a laugh as Brogan swept her up into his arms and kissed her for all that she was worth. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him back, letting him know just how much she loved him...as if he ever needed a reminder of that fact.

"I love you." Julia whispered as the kiss ended and she pressed her forehead against her husband's own. "With all my heart."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My sweet lass," Brogan murmured with another kiss. "I love you, darlin'," as he set her on her feet once more, arm in arm, and finally faced their family with a grin. The carriage was waiting for them and they'd all gather for a feast.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia couldn't stop the grin that was on her face, her hand clenching Brogan's tightly in her own. As they walked past the friends and family that had come for the occasion, Julia felt tears in her eyes. She would have never guessed that she would have such a large and loving family when she first left Chester. And because of Brogan, she got her brother back. She paused and kissed Maxwell's cheek, touching her brother's arm with a fondness that she hadn't felt in ages.

 

[KieranSoares]

Maxwell returned the kiss to Julia's cheek and took her hand for a moment, his free arm still wrapped around Beth. Eventually the tide of their family drew them outside. There would be a feast at the keep, and then Brogan and Julia were free to enjoy plenty of time alone together. After how they'd missed their little girls the last time they'd left for a honeymoon, it'd been decided they would stay but their duties would be taken over for a while by their children.