Ryan reclined in bed, relishing the feel of her lover in her arms. She had been awake for an hour, since the first rays of the sun had first peaked above the mountains and in through the open blinds, but Janna still slept soundly. She was lying on her stomach, across Ryan's torso, her head pillowed on her tall mate's chest.

Ryan ran her fingers gently through fine, blonde hair as she contemplated where her life had brought her. In just a few short months she had gone from being a lone wolf, firmly set in her solitary ways, to a happily involved partner in an incredibly loving, giving relationship, about to be married.

She marveled at her good fortune, thanking the Universe silently for bestowing its providence upon her. She smiled as she realized just how many times she had thanked the Universe for bringing Janna into her life. Are you getting tired of hearing it?

"Never." The answer rang loudly and clearly in her head, startling her. She blinked and shook her head, and a smile slowly played across her features. Incredible. This Universe that Janna has introduced me to is absolutely incredible. I so look forward to exploring it fully with her over the next forty or so years. The thought of the life ahead of her with her beloved brought a wide smile to her face and she hugged her mate tightly.

The object of her affection stirred and stretched, but instead of waking, settled more comfortably into her living pillow. Ryan grinned, perfectly content to remain in the same position for hours more if needed. She wrapped her arms around Janna and settled in for the duration.

Her mind drifted back to the previous night. She grimaced as she recalled her behavior earlier in the evening, embarrassed and disappointed in herself. But that pain quickly receded as she recalled how Janna's love and acceptance had transformed her. And then she thought about her mate's incredibly generous birthday gifts. She became choked up with emotion as she thought about what those gifts said about Janna's love for her.

She shuddered and sighed deeply as the emotion passed through her, closing her eyes and feeling as if she were floating. A surprising thought greeted her: I'm high! High on this woman and high on our love.

As she thought about their love, her mind drifted quite naturally to their lovemaking at the end of the evening. It had been intense, but exceptionally gentle. She had wanted to convey to Janna the depth of her remorse at how she had acted earlier. Janna had felt similarly, blaming herself for putting Ryan in the position that she had. They had shared tears and apologies, as well as promises to always be completely honest with each other.

Ryan's smile widened as she recalled her body's response to Janna's touch, and at Janna's response to hers. With the memories came a renewed response within her body. Her heartbeat sped up and her skin tingled where it was most sensitive to her mate's special touch. A gentle throbbing began between her legs and she swallowed, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

It was ineffective and she suddenly realized that some of what she was feeling was coming through her link with Janna. She must be having an erotic dream. Ryan smiled at the thought, knowing that she, more than likely, was playing a prominent role in the dream. Or, rather, my ancient counterpart is. A happy chuckle bubbled up from her heart center and she closed her eyes, trying to imagine what her mate was experiencing.

Janna sat on her bedroll in a tiny forest clearing, writing on a parchment scroll with a quill. As she stared at the ancient Greek symbols on the parchment, her focus drifted to the warrior sitting next to her, on her own bedroll. She noted offhandedly that her warrior was uncharacteristically dressed in Chinese-styled garments, and as she looked down at her own body, noted that she was as well.

The light from the campfire glinted off of the sword that her mate was cleaning. The bard felt joyfull at witnessing the nightly ritual again. It had been much too long since she had. Distance had separated them, until, with Ares' help, she had joined her partner in Chin. There, they had been physically separated again by the warrior's incarceration and emotionally so by her apparent betrayal of her warrior's trust. But their strong love had reunited them and her extraordinary warrior had overcome the odds, escaped her bondage and completed her mission, and now they were on their way home. Together again.

As she watched the warrior's skilled, determined movements, her eyes traveled to her lovely features, now furrowed in concentration. She was warmed by the sight of her lover and an insistent throbbing began in the center between her legs. She absentmindedly set the forgotten parchment on the bedroll and continued to watch her partner.

The warrior could feel, of course, the bard's intense gaze, as well as her love and desire through their link, and was warmed by the effect that she had on the small blonde. She sped her strokes just slightly, eager to be done with the usually calming task. She wanted to feel her mate in her arms, wanted to feel their bodies united as one. It had been much, much too long since she had. She felt her mate's desire and the beating of her heart increased, it's beat matching that of its twin in her soul mate's chest.

She set aside her sword, laying it next to the bedroll with its partner weapon and carefully packed away the polishing cloth. Then she slowly looked up to meet her mate's gaze, a rakish grin and raised eyebrows silently inviting the bard into her arms. The young blonde smiled and fairly leapt into her embrace. The dark warrior wrapped her strong arms around her mate's body and hugged her close, laying her cheek against the soft, blonde hair.

"Gods, I've missed you Gabrielle."

"I've missed you too, Xena." She pulled back slightly from the strong body and added, "It's been much too long."

"Mm." The tall warrior gently caressed her bard's cheek and her mate leaned into the touch. As she stared deeply into her lover's eyes, the warrior slowly leaned forward and captured her lips. The kiss was very gentle at first, as the two women reacquainted themselves with each other, but quickly became passionate, and the warrior gently pushed the bard down onto her bedroll.

As she covered the smaller woman's body with her own, the warrior felt the full force of their love and they were both consumed by their passion. They made love there by the campfire, under the stars, all night long, and greeted the dawn tired, but sated.

Ryan's eyes drifted open and she realized that she had fallen asleep. She looked down to meet a steady green gaze.

"Morning."

"Morning, Ryan."

As she came to full wakefulness, Ryan realized also that she was still feeling the aftereffects of the highly erotic dream. She cleared her throat, but her voice was still raspy as she said, "I just had a hell of a romantic dream."

"Did you?" Janna nuzzled Ryan's chest. "Hmm, so did I."

"Mm…um, it didn't happen to be warrior dream did it?"

"Mm, hmm. Yep, it did, as a matter of fact."

"And it didn't happen to take place in China, did it?" Ryan's expressive eyebrows rose in expectation.

"Why, yes, I believe it did." Janna giggled as she added, "Who was on top in your dream?"

Ryan laughed. "I was...and then you were…and then I was…and then no one was, and then…"

"Yep, same dream!" Janna kissed the breastbone under her face. "We had been separated for a while. It was linked to that dream where the warrior left on a ship…when she thought it was for forever. But they were reunited again. I knew they would be."

"Oh, you did, did you?" Ryan punctuated her question with a tickle.

Janna laughed through the tickling and gasped, "I sure did." She rolled fully onto her mate's body, and looking her in the eye, declared, "We are forever, Ryan."

"Forever, Janna." She drove her declaration home with a sensuous kiss.

They were late joining their guests for breakfast.

Janna threw her head back and laughed as she smeared lotion on Ryan's back. Her friend Anna lay beside them, stretched out on her stomach on a beach towel with a huge yin and yang symbol on it.

"I'm completely serious," Anna continued. "Right there on the floor!"

"Oh, my God…" Ryan choked out, "I wish I could have seen that!"

Terry piped in from where she sat on the other side of her mate, "And that's not the funniest thing…the funniest thing is that she blamed it on the Reiki Guides!" She continued, laughing, "I can still hear her, 'It was the Reiki Guides, I swear!'"

Anna chortled. "You know, it probably was them! It's a weird sense of humor they have there on the other side."

The friends erupted into laughter again, and bent over, holding her sides, Ryan remarked, "I have got to go to one of those Reiki gatherings of yours…it sounds like a blast."

"It is, honey. Besides the camaraderie and hanging out with these two characters, the energy that fills the house is incredible…not to mention the awesome healing treatments." Janna looked fondly at her two closest friends. "It's always a great day."

Anna spoke up. "We're about due for another one, aren't we honey?" She looked over at her dark-haired mate, sitting next to her.

Terry nodded and suggested, "Why don't we have one in the next month or so, before we leave for Sedona?"

"Lets plan on it. Janna, I'll let you know." Anna, a warm, black-haired, brown-eyed Hispanic woman smiled at her friend and student.

"I can't wait, Anna." She finished lotioning Ryan and patted her shoulder. "You know, Ryan here is quite a healer. I'm pretty certain she's done it before."

Anna turned onto her side, resting her head in the palm of her hand and watched as Ryan and Janna switched places so that Ryan could lotion Janna's back. "Yes, she has, in many, many lives. Are you guys aware that you go way, way back together?"

Ryan grinned from behind her mate. "Oh, yeah!" She looked at Anna, adding, "We revisit one particular life almost nightly in dreams."

"How interesting…it must have been a very important life for you two." Terry laid a hand on her partner's hip. "We do that a lot too, only not just in dreams. We can pretty much regress on the spot. It's freaky sometimes, but at least we understand what it's about."

Anna laughed and looked over her shoulder at her wife. "Yeah, remember the time you were giving me Reiki for a sore throat and I spontaneously remembered a life where you tried to choke me to death?"

Terry laughed, "Oh, yeah. God…that was funny!"

"Funny? Shit, I'm glad you guys can find humor in something like that!" Ryan looked comically at her new friends.

"Why not? Life is just a big game…it's all about experience. We just keep coming back until we get it right." Anna grinned and continued, "You know, when we 'die', we wake up on the astral and it's just like waking from a long, involved dream. Sometimes it was a good dream and sometimes it was a nightmare…but it was experience nonetheless."

Ryan shook her head and laughed. "You know, I think I really like that viewpoint…I could get into that mindset."

"Hey, why not?" their easygoing friend asked, grinning.

Terry leaned over and kissed Anna's cheek, adding, "It works for us!"

Janna glanced over her shoulder at her mate. "Ryan, we should have Anna channel for you sometime. She brings the most amazing information through, and it's always been dead on accurate…for me anyway."

"Sounds cool, babe, we'll have to do that." Ryan finished applying Janna's lotion and wiped her hands before pulling her mate against her. The home's private beach afforded them the luxury of being able to display their affection openly. The forest ran down almost to the lakeside at each side of the property, and the occupants of the home behind them were well aware of their relationship, obviously.

"Anytime, guys." Anna lifted up and rested on her forearms as she looked out over the lake before her. "God, this place is so pristine. I love the energy here." She glanced over at her two friends, who were sitting spooned together. "You picked a wonderful place for your ceremony. The energies are clean and pure here."

"I know, aren't they?" Janna breathed deeply of the clean, pine-scented air and exhaled happily. "I come up here to recharge my batteries several times a year." She leaned back into her mate's strong body and Ryan kissed her hair.

"We come here at lot too…usually stay at Harrah's." Terry added as she grabbed her wife's hand. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then asked in her sweet, slightly accented Kentucky twang, "Janna, do you all plan to have a family? I hope you don't mind my asking."

Janna replied, "Ter, of course we don't mind your asking...don't be silly. Yes, we do plan to have kids." She looked back at Ryan, who smiled warmly at her. "We've both been feeling drawn to have two, so we think there are a couple of souls who've been waiting patiently for us to get together."

"Good, because I'm really picking up on that family feeling around you two."

Janna looked back at Ryan. "Terry's empathic, honey."

Ryan grinned, "I picked up on that, love!"

The four friends enjoyed the beauty of their surroundings and their shared love silently for several minutes, then were greeted with happy chatter coming down the beach from behind them.

"Hey! Who's ready for lunch?" John's cheery voice greeted them.

Janna's face lit up and she exclaimed, "Ooh, I sure am!" She turned in Ryan's embrace to see John and Dan, each carrying an ice chest, and Sara and Kris, who each held picnic baskets. Her niece and nephew trailed along, their small arms full of beach toys.

Janna's parents and Zac brought up the rear, arms laden with beach chairs.

Ryan watched as their loved ones set up a lovely picnic for everyone. "Hey everyone, thanks for this…it's great." Her voice was warm with affection.

Janna echoed her mate's sentiments and got up to help distribute the food. The large group of friends and family enjoyed themselves immensely on the beach for the rest of the afternoon, everyone basking in the abundant love, good cheer and sunshine.

Ryan sat in the waning light, reclining in a lounge chair on the deck, enjoying a moment of solitude as she worked on her vows. Actually, the vows were finished, what she was really doing was reading them…over and over.

She looked out over the beautiful lake as the words of love and devotion for her wife rang in her head, and was struck by the majesty of the surrounding mountains. The sinking sun was spreading a yellow-orange glow across the distant peaks, and she found the shifting colors fascinating. The lake itself, much of it no longer in direct sunlight, was also changing color. In just a few hours it had gone from a shimmering aquamarine to a deep blue, and soon would be black, until the moon rose and painted it with shimmering bands of light once more.

She felt her mate's presence before she heard the French door open. Without turning, she quietly said, "Hi, love. I thought you were helping with the dinner."

Warm hands caressed her shoulders as a soft kiss was placed in her hair and her mate replied, "I was trying to but they kicked me out…told me to keep you company."

"Well, come 'ere and sit then. Tell me what you think." She pulled Janna around the chair and into her lap. Her mate wrapped herself into her embrace and took the proffered index card.

Janna quietly read what Ryan had written and then closed her eyes and dropped her hands into her lap.

"What, Janna…don't you like it?"

Janna opened her eyes, releasing tears in the process, and breathed, "My God, Ryan…it's almost identical to what I wrote…nearly verbatim."

Ryan closed her eyes and swallowed, then pulled Janna's face against her shoulder and held her tightly as her own tears flowed. They sat quietly that way until the minister's arrival was announced some time later, letting their bond communicate emotions for which mere words were ineffective.

The day ended quietly, with a cool wind blowing off the lake as the sun set fully. Their friend, Luna, nearly full, rose soon thereafter, bathing her acquaintances in her loving glow.

Ryan laughed heartily as she flubbed her entrance yet again. She looked over at her best man and grinned, saying, "Maybe I am a little nervous, after all!" Her brother, who held her arm, patted her on the back consolingly and turned her around, ready to try again.

Janna, standing near the deck railing with Terry and the minister, smiled widely before laughing with her mate.

While meeting with the minister over dinner, they had decided to modify the traditional ceremony to allow for the entrance of both brides, because both women wanted to be "given away" by family members. That, however, was about the only concession made, as the rest of the ceremony would be far from traditional – as many commitment ceremonies are, by default.

The rehearsal continued, but this time, Ryan and Zac entered first. The minister, wisely so, realized that it was probably the sight of her bride that was flustering Ryan, so she reversed the entrance order.

As Terry and John stood to either side of the minister, Sara cued the music once again as Ryan and Zac exited the house and slowly made their way to the end of the wide deck. The nearly full moon rising above the lake created an extraordinarily beautiful backdrop, and Ryan's attention was almost diverted yet again, but her brother tightened his grip on her arm and kept her on course.

Zac delivered his sister to her best friend's side, to the minister's left, and kissed her cheek before stepping back behind them. John took Ryan's arm and squeezed her hand, providing another departure from the norm. As one, they turned to watch Janna's entrance.

Despite the fact that it was only the rehearsal, Janna looked radiant standing at her father's side. She and her father sported nearly identical, wide smiles: his born of pride and love for his daughter, his daughter's born of love for her mate and joy at their union.

As they made their entrance onto the deck, Ryan began swallowing convulsively and her heart pounded furiously. She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath, but when she opened them, Janna was even closer to her and she nearly lost containment completely. What the fuck is wrong with me? This isn't event the real thing…how bad am I going to fuck up tomorrow? Suddenly, she felt both John's hand at her back and Janna's steadying influence through their bond, and recovered her composure somewhat.

As Janna and Marv approached, Ryan couldn't take her eyes off of her mate's smiling eyes, and that helped to steady her as well. Janna's steady gaze pinned her into the point in space in which she stood.

Janna smiled inwardly at Ryan's discombobulated state. I wonder why she's so nervous? I'm nervous too, but not to the point of nearly falling down. Janna winked at her mate and grinned widely, further settling her nerves, and gladly took the arm that Ryan offered after her father handed her off and kissed her.

Ryan grasped Janna's arm and pulled her close, kissing her cheek. "Ah, ah, ah!" scolded the minister cheerily. "Not yet!"

Ryan grinned lopsidedly and shrugged cutely. "Can you blame me, Kim? Honestly?"

"No, Ryan, can't say I do." The friendly, curly-headed minister grinned and shook her head in agreement. "Okay, you both made it to the front." She aimed a quick grin in Ryan's direction. "Now I say my part, which consists of the opening, then your poem, then the statement of intent, and then, each of you will say your vows." Looking first at Janna, then at Ryan, she continued, "Would you like to practice your vows, or save them for tomorrow?"

Ryan and Janna exchanged a glance and a silent communication, and Ryan replied, "No need, Reverend. You can go on." She looked back at Janna and squeezed her hand, feeling infinitely better now that she had Janna to hold onto.

"Okay, after your vows, you will exchange the rings, I'll read the short blessing, and then I will ask you to kiss," she smiled widely, "Then I announce you as a married couple." She continued to smile at the beaming couple in front of her and added, "Are you comfortable with the routine now, or should we run through it again?"

Janna looked at her mate and grinned, then directed her gaze to the minister. "I think if we can just get Ryan up here without falling down, we'll be fine." Ryan chuckled and looked at her sandals in embarrassment.

Looking up at Kim, she said, "Janna's right. I don't think we need run through it again."

"Alright. Well, I guess you're all set then." She smiled warmly at the happy couple, adding, "You'll do fine. It will be a lovely ceremony."

Janna stepped forward and grasped her hands, "Thank you, Kim."

"Your welcome. I'll see you in the morning, then."

Ryan turned to her brother and asked, "Hey, Zac…you caught the sunrise this morning…what time was it?"

Zac threw a wide, white grin at his sister and answered, "Grandfather Sun rose above the mountains in the east at exactly 7:09."

Ryan turned and looked pointedly at the minister. "I guess we'll shoot for 7:10 then, Kim."

"I'll be here with bells on."

"Thank you, Kim. Will you have some dessert now?" Janna motioned toward the house.

"Oh, I'll have a little something, thanks. I did tell my wife that I wouldn't be too late though."

As their guests and minister moved inside for more from the delicious catered buffet, Ryan pulled Janna into an embrace at the deck railing.

"Sweetheart, I don't know what's wrong with me…I'm sorry." She looked down at Janna apologetically.

Janna buried her face into her mate's shoulder. "It's okay, baby. You're just nervous. I almost lost it too, when I saw you standing up there."

"Yeah, I just hope I don't fuck it up tomorrow." She kissed Janna's head. "I'd never forgive myself if I ruined your wedding."

"Our wedding, Ryan, and you'll be fine. Don't worry about it, my love." She looked up at her mate and grinned, "Course, maybe I should get a hold of some valium, just in case."

"Oh, very funny!" She pulled her almost-wife tightly against herself and leaned down for a kiss. Their lips met softly and parted simultaneously, their tongues meeting and stroking sensuously."

Ryan slowly broke the kiss and mumbled, "Mmm…I wish everyone would go to bed. I want you in the hot tub, baby."

"There'll be plenty of time for that in the next few days, love, when we're on our honeymoon." Janna leaned up and captured Ryan's lips again, not releasing them until they were both breathless. "And remember…I promised you a special encounter on the beach."

At the reminder, Ryan's eyes nearly glazed over and she pulled Janna into another embrace, muttering against her hair, "I remember, baby. I absolutely cannot wait."

"Monday…on the night of the full moon, okay?" Janna pulled away slightly and looked up at her mate. "Can you wait another day?"

"I can, love."

Zac, John and Dan stood watching the lovers from the window as they ate their cake. "Whew, is it hot in here or is it me?" Zac and John laughed at Dan's question and nodded their agreement.

"They sure are crazy about each other, aren't they?" Zac commented.

"They are that. I gotta tell you guys, Ryan is a different person since meeting Janna. It's like she's finally found peace or something." He shook his head. "It's amazing."

"I never thought I'd see this happen, that's for sure," added Zac.

Dan commented, "Janna too. She was always pretty wary about getting involved. I guess when you find the right person, there's just no question."

"Well, I can attest to that," supplied John honestly.

"Me too, actually," added Dan, and Zac nodded thoughtfully as well.

From another nearby window, Janna's parents also stood arm-in-arm watching their daughter and her mate. "They look so happy, Marv."

"Yes, they do, honey. For a long time I figured we'd never get to celebrate this day with our Janna, but she surprised us."

"When has she not surprised us, Marv?" His wife remarked with a smile.

Luna continued her observation of her friends, noting the aura of happiness that surrounded them. She sat in her celestial throne and watched as they shared their love with family and friends, and mostly, with each other, and she smiled.

On the morning of her wedding, in a manner highly out of character, Janna awoke first. The gray light of the predawn barely illuminated the room enough to see her partner's face, at peace in sleep. That's something that I don't see often, but that I will never tire of seeing. My God, she's gorgeous. She is every possible adjective denoting physical beauty and she's completely unaware of the fact. Janna sighed as the love she felt for her mate threatened to overwhelm her. It filled her heart center to overflowing and brought tears to her eyes.

She snuggled more firmly into her partner's arms, delighting in the feel of Ryan's warm, strong body. The movement awakened her partner, who tightened her hold on her small mate as she stirred. A few moments later, her eyes opened groggily and eventually focused on the alert green ones that were gazing at her.

"Hi, baby," she mumbled. "You awake already?"

"Hi, love. I just woke up. We can't dawdle this morning…we have someplace to be."

"Mm…where's that?"

Janna gave her a few seconds to figure it out for herself and then giggled as she saw the lights go on behind the pretty eyes.

"Oh, shit!" Startled blue eyes that shone gray in the morning light widened. "It's our wedding day, Janna!" She started to sit up, bringing her lover with her, but met with resistance.

"Hold on there, tiger. We don't have to get up immediately, and I want to start this day off right. It is the most important day of my life, you know."

Janna's matter-of-fact tone surprised Ryan and she promptly lay back down, smiling. "Okay, what's the plan then, boss?"

"You're gonna let me be boss this morning?"

"Sure."

"Mmm, I think I like that idea!" Janna moved her body fully on top of Ryan's, then rose to her hands and knees above her. Slowly, she lowered her mouth to her mate's and ever so gently touched their lips together. Then she stroked Ryan's lower lip with her tongue and pulled back to look at her lover.

Ryan moaned and mumbled, "God, baby, you're turning me on. I hope you intend to have your way with me."

"Hmm, well, I don't know…we're not married yet…"

Ryan turned her head to look at the bedside alarm clock, then growled, "We will be in an hour and a half." She wrapped her arms around her lover and tried to pull her back down on top of her.

"Hey, I thought I was in charge this morning!"

"You are, baby, just please don't tease me." Ryan's plea sounded more like a whine but Janna took pity on her.

"I'm not teasing, love. I fully intend to make love to you. Can you be patient?"

"I don't think so."

Janna laughed and laid her head on Ryan's chest, giving up. Ryan wrapped strong arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"I love you so much, Janna."

Janna mumbled against the bare skin of Ryan's chest, "I love you too, my destiny."

"You feel so good, baby."

Ryan's low voice rumbled sexily through Janna's body, causing goose bumps to form from head to toe and she shivered. She slowly slid up Ryan's body, creating a pleasant friction in several of their erogenous zones, and it was Ryan's turn to shiver. Janna's lips met Ryan's again, this time solidly and forcefully, with her tongue demanding entrance to Ryan's mouth.

Ryan's lips parted instantly to admit one of her favorite playthings and she savored Janna's taste. Their tongues slid together sensuously as Ryan rolled them onto their sides and reached a long arm down to connect with Janna sexually. Janna did likewise and they completed the energetic circuit, as they did every morning.

Today, however, neither woman was content to simply share energy passively. Their mutual anticipation of their impending nuptials ignited their passion and skillful fingers began to caress inner folds lovingly in unison.

Ryan was the first to moan her pleasure, eliciting an echo from Janna and hands and fingers stroked deeper and faster. They both fell toward blissful orgasms, spurred on simply by passionate kisses, loving strokes and a deep, abiding, all-consuming love.

Their auras merged once more as their chakras pulsated in synchrony, adding a highly spiritual component to their act of love and intensifying the physical sensations. As they plunged into ecstasy together, they called out each other's names in unison and rode out the waves of pleasure together for long minutes.

As Grandfather Sun began his ascent, the dawn light began to merge from toneless gray into shades of pink, highlighting the entwined lovers on the bed who were sharing sweet proclamations of love. As the sun's companion, Grandmother Moon, dipped below the western horizon, she sent one last beam of loving energy to her devoted friends, which carried with it a loving wish for a blissful marriage and many more lifetimes of love together. Her wish for them would come true.

"Ryan, sweetheart, stop!" Janna giggled as her frisky mate helped her to towel off. "We're going to be late."

"Oh, we're not gonna be late…let me have my fun, baby."

"You already had your fun this morning, Ryan Zamora, now hands off or we really will be late."

"Okay…shit." Her pout was interrupted by a knock at their door. She stuck her head out of the bathroom and yelled, "Yeah?"

"Ry, it's John…I need the rings, bud."

"Be right there, John." Ryan walked to the bedroom door, clad only in a towel wrapped around her waist. As she passed the pine dresser she snagged the double ring box. Before opening the door she paused and opened the box, gazing longingly at the beautiful set of rings within. She sighed and smiled before pulling the door open.

"Shit Ryan! Put a fucking shirt on, will ya!" John winced as if he'd been subjected to torture.

"Oh, Christ, John, you've seen 'em before. Here." She thrust the box at him and smirked before shutting the door again.

As John, red-faced and flustered, met Zac in the hallway, Zac said, "Hey, something wrong?"

"Ah, nothing…only that your fucking sister forgets she's a beautiful woman and not a guy."

Zac's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he asked, "What did she do?"

"She handed me the friggin' rings without bothering to put a shirt on…or a bra."

Zac laughed. "That sounds like my sister!" Then he raised his eyebrows and added, "Look at the plus side…it made your day, didn't it?"

John frowned. "Shit, no! She's like my sister…is that something you want to see?"

"Uh, no…I guess not. Sorry bro!" He clapped his new friend on the back and escorted him to the living room, where everyone was busily preparing for the ceremony. Marv stood talking with Kim, the minister, who looked elegant in long, white robes. Kris was sitting with her two children, trying to keep them corralled until it was time for them to lead the procession.

Out on the deck, Beth and Sara finished placing the flowers as Anna photographed the preparations.

"Ryan, did you talk to John dressed like that?" Janna stood looking at her incredulously.

"Yeah, so what? He's seen me naked before." Ryan whipped the towel off and walked to the bed, where her clothes were neatly laid out.

Janna raised her eyebrows in surprise as she replied, "I don't think I want to hear about that right now…but I will later. Come on, now…get dressed."

Ryan grinned. "Yes, dear!"

Janna's retort was interrupted by a knock at the door. She opened the door a crack to see Terry holding her flower garland. "Come on in, Ter. Pay the naked woman over there no mind...she doesn't have the modesty God gave a gnat."

Terry laughed and tried not to look too closely at the stunning woman dressing by the bed. "Here, hon, I've got your garland…are you ready for it?"

"Yes, thanks." Janna sat at the nightstand and let her friend affix the flowered wreath to her hair. "Oh, Janna, it's beautiful…you're beautiful." Terry's eyes misted as she gazed at her friend. "I'll see you outside in a few minutes, Janna."

"Thanks, Terry."

Terry gave her close friend a hug and a peck on the cheek and left.

"Shit...Janna, honey, will you help me please?" Ryan shook her head in disgust as her usually nimble fingers refused to cooperate.

Janna stepped into her sandals and approached her mate, reaching up to clasp the choker necklace that was giving Ryan so much trouble. "Honey, why don't you leave the top button open? I think it looks nice undone...you can see the choker better and it's kind of sexy." She grinned at her mate.

"You think?" Ryan questioned. "I don't want to look sloppy." She rested her hands on Janna's slim hips and grinned warmly at her love. "You look so pretty, Janna. That dress is you."

"Thanks, sweetheart. I'm not a big fan of dresses normally, but I think this works nicely. It goes perfectly with your outfit. Which, of course, you look incredible in." She leaned forward and gave her very soon-to-be-wife a sweet kiss.

"Thanks, baby. Yeah, these outfits look great together...you did a great job, love." Ryan took a deep breath and blew it out. "Well, baby, are you ready?" She grabbed her mate's hand and brought it to her lips, where she gently kissed Janna's fingers as she gazed deeply into her emerald eyes. Janna became similarly lost in Ryan's sapphire depths.

"I am, love. Lets get married." She swallowed hard as the words left her mouth, and a tear escaped, trailing down her cheek.

Ryan's breath caught at Janna's words and at the sight of her lovely wife and a tear escaped from her eye as well. She pulled her soul mate in for a loving hug and took another deep breath.

"Lets go, Janna. They're waiting for us."

Ryan took Janna's arm and they walked together toward the family room, where their guests and the minister were gathered. They were both experiencing an indescribable joy at their impending joining. For them, it was as valid as any marriage ceremony. The fact that it would not be legally recognized by the State made no difference to them or to their loved ones. As far as all gathered were concerned, Ryan and Janna were to become wives to each other in a very few minutes.

As they entered the room arm-in-arm, all activity and conversation stopped. Almost as one, twelve heads turned to gaze upon the beautiful, glowing couple. Janna wore a simple, but understatedly elegant white cotton sundress, with a wreath of miniature white and pink roses, baby's breath and fern in her hair. A lovely triangular nugget of turquoise on a silver chain graced her neck. At her side, her tall mate stood proud in a white cotton peasant shirt with a banded collar and loose-fitting white cotton drawstring pants. A delicate pink rosebud was pinned above her left breast, and she wore a wide Native American bone choker which had inset turquoise beads. They wore matching tan Birkenstock sandals on their feet and radiant smiles on their faces.

Beth and Marv rushed to them and hugged and kissed them each on the cheek, and then the minister asked everyone to take their places. Terry, John, Sara, Dan and Beth exited to the deck behind the Minister and sat in the neatly arranged chairs while Kris positioned her children side-by-side at the French doorway. Anna stood back taking photographs, while Marv and Janna, and Zac and Ryan stood side-by-side behind the children.

Outside, as morning began to break and the sky lightened, a yellow-orange glow rose from behind the glorious peaks east of the lake. The surface of the water shimmered like fiery, golden diamonds.

As the Reverend, Terry and John took their places at the garland-shrouded deck railing overlooking the beach and the lake, Sara pushed a button on the stereo system, starting the music. A beautiful, solo acoustic guitar began, playing a lovely classical arrangement of the traditional and aptly named, "Here Come the Brides".

Ryan's tears started then, as she heard her mate's beautiful rendition of the song. Zac wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulders and pulled her close for a moment before dropping his arm and linking it through hers.

Beside them, Janna felt her mate's love, pride and joy through their link, and her tears began to fall as well. She looked to her father at her side and he squeezed her arm in encouragement.

Kris nudged Britanny and Robbie gently out through the doors to the deck and they walked slowly, arms linked. In her left hand, Brit carried a bouquet that matched Janna's wreath and in his right, little Robbie held the ring box tightly in his chubby palm. They made their way slowly to the front of the deck, both wearing white outfits that complemented those of the brides, and the white roses decorating the deck. When they reached the bridesmaid and best man, they each handed off their treasures and then moved to stand beside them.

As she saw the procession begin, Ryan's stomach tightened and her heart began to pound. She took a deep, calming breath, like Janna had shown her earlier, and used her aikido knowledge to feel the energy at the center of her being and to ground herself within it. Zac took a step, pulling her slightly, and exited the house, following Ryan's future niece and nephew.

As they proceeded slowly toward the end of the deck, Ryan felt as if she were floating. She would have sworn that her feet were not touching the ground. The brilliance of the sunrise before her took her breath away and she had to remind herself to continue to breathe. They reached the front, where John stood to the Minister's left, and Zac kissed his sister, and then handed her over to her best friend. John took her arm and grinned at the wide-eyed stare on his tough partner's face. He leaned toward her and quietly reminded her to breathe as he turned them to face the French doors of the house.

As she turned and saw Janna standing at her father's side, Ryan's tears began to flow unabashedly. She felt suddenly that everything that she had ever done in her life had simply been a preamble to this moment. She watched as her future walked slowly toward her. Their eyes were locked together: they saw only each other. Janna would remark later that she had noticed neither the lake nor the sunrise. Ryan filled her vision just as she did her heart.

Her father walked her to the front, to the accompaniment of her own music, and, after kissing her, handed her to her matron of honor. Terry grasped her hand and kissed her cheek before stepping back and placing a hand on the small blonde flower girl's shoulder.

At that point, she and Ryan turned to face each other briefly and joined hands, before turning to face Kim. Ryan eyed the minister briefly, and grinned as she brought Janna's hand to her lips, kissing it gently. The Minister gave her a sparkling smile and nodded before beginning her speech.

"Loved ones. Ryan and Janna have asked you to be with them here today as they join in marriage. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.

Ryan and Janna have asked me to share with you a traditional Apache wedding poem:

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no loneliness for you, for now there is no more loneliness.

Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into your days together.

And may your days be good, and long upon the earth."

She looked at Ryan. "Ryan, do take Janna as your partner for life? In the presence of this warm circle of friends and family, do you pledge to love, comfort and protect her? Will you respect her ideas, values and convictions and support her in times of wealth and in times of need? Will you foster her individuality while committing to grow, love and advance together in faith, honesty and determination?"

Ryan looked at Janna as she answered, tears streaking her cheeks, "I will." Janna smiled warmly, tears glistening on her own cheeks as well, and Ryan closed her eyes and remembered to take a breath.

The reverend addressed Janna and continued, "Janna, do take Ryan as your partner for life? In the presence of this warm circle of friends and family, do you pledge to love, comfort and protect her? Will you respect her ideas, values and convictions and support her in times of wealth and in times of need? Will you foster her individuality while committing to grow, love and advance together in faith, honesty and determination?"

Janna's voice cracked as she answered, "I will."

Addressing the assembled guests again, Kim continued. "Ryan and Janna have prepared their own vows. Ryan, will you face Janna and recite your vows to her please?"

Ryan turned and faced her mate, grasping her hands. She steadied herself with a calming breath and began, "Janna, your presence in my life has given it meaning. Your love has transformed me. I no longer live only for myself, but worship you above all else. I believe with all of my heart that we were destined to be together. I promise to cherish you always as I do today. Thank you for agreeing to become my wife. I love you." She lifted Janna's hands to her lips and kissed them tenderly.

Kim smiled and looked at Janna. "Now your vows to Ryan, Janna."

Janna looked at Ryan with a depth of love and devotion that Ryan would not have thought possible and her heart swelled.

"Ryan, you came into my life and gave it meaning. Your love transformed me. I no longer live only for myself, but worship you above all else. I believe with all that I am that we were destined to be together, and that we have been together for all time. I promise to cherish you always as much as I do today. Thank you for agreeing to become my wife. I love you with all that I am."

She kissed Ryan's hands, as Ryan had kissed hers. At this point, not even the male guests had dry eyes, and even the children sat enraptured. Such was the beauty of the moment.

The Reverend smiled warmly at the two women before her who could not tear their eyes from each other, and then at their guests. Addressing John, she said, "May I have the rings, please?"

John opened the box, removed the rings and handed them to Kim, who held them in her palm and recited, "The circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and perfection and of peace. This ring is a symbol of unity, in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle."

She handed the smaller ring to Ryan and said, "Ryan, please place this ring on Janna's finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity."

Ryan gently placed the ring on her beloved's finger and stated, "I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity." She looked up into love-filled green eyes and smiled.

"Now Janna, please place this ring on Ryan's finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity."

"I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity." As she slid the ring onto Ryan's finger, she closed her eyes and looked as if she might faint, but took a deep breath, opening her eyes to see misty blue orbs radiating love back to her.

"Ryan and Janna, may the love you have found grow in meaning and strength until its beauty is shown in a common devotion to all that is compassionate and life-giving. May the flow of your love help brighten the face of the earth. May the source of all love touch and bless us and grace our lives with color and courage.

In closing I would like to read a poem called 'Two Trees' by Janet Miles.

A portion of your soul has been entwined with mine.

A gentle kind of togetherness, while separate we stand.

As two trees deeply rooted in separate plots of ground, While their topmost branches come together,

Forming a miracle of lace against the heavens."

Ryan looked down at their still joined hands and back up into Janna's eyes before leaning down and capturing her lips tenderly. They both prolonged the kiss just a bit, relishing the loving contact and letting it ground them.

When they finally parted, their guests applauded and Kim beamed as she declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Ryan and Janna Norden-Zamora."

Ryan pulled Janna happily into her arms and kissed her again before they turned and faced their loved ones.

Sara was so overcome with emotion that she nearly missed her cue, but remembered just in time to press the play button. The stereo then emitted Melissa Etheridge's, "Come to My Window" as Ryan and Janna were congratulated by the Minister and then walked between the rows of chairs back toward the house and were mobbed by their family.

Grandfather Sun bore witness to the beautiful ceremony and smiled upon them, much as his Lunar counterpart was in the habit of doing. At the moment that Kim had declared them married, he had made his glorious appearance, bursting from behind the jagged Sierra peaks, as if to make his own proclamation. His brilliant orange countenance made a fiery show of the beginning of the new day, and of Janna and Ryan's life together.