The following weeks seemed to melt away for Hawkeye. Happiness with Trinity filled his heart and made the days so light they flew.

Now, for the first time since their joining, they had been separated for a whole day.

He had never been in the corridor behind the chapel where he and Trinity worked every day, let alone in the lounge where he sat now.

He perched on an ancient carved wooden chair, so old it looked like it belonged in the cartoon movie about young King Arthur.

Lobo sat on an identical chair opposite him.

Conan paced and occasionally peered out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever was happening outside.

“What are you looking at, Conan?” Lobo asked.

“I’m trying to see our fiancées,” Conan replied with a grin.

“We’re not supposed to see them before the wedding,” Lobo scolded him.

“That’s an old wives’ tale,” Hawkeye said. “Or at least Trinity told me it was. But it does seem nice to have a surprise.”

There was a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in,” Hawkeye said.

The mayor entered, clapping him on the back as he passed.

“Are you boys ready?” he asked, a smile peeking out from under his white beard.

“Yes,” Hawkeye said, noticing again how much the man looked like Santa Claus.

“Excellent,” the mayor said. “Let’s go find these prospective husbands some wives.”

They all trailed out after him, through the door to the chapel.

The oak tables had been moved and were replaced with chairs in two sections with an aisle between them, leading to a raised dais at the front.

Candles in every windowsill were probably meant to be romantic. At first, Hawkeye was reminded unpleasantly of the glow of the fire that had filled this room just a month ago.

But then he remembered that the fire had brought them together.

And he knew that no room could be safer from fire than one that was occupied by himself and Trinity together.

He continued in, and was excited to see some of his brothers were in attendance. It was difficult to march solemnly forward to the beat of the music instead of greeting them, but he knew this was important to Trinity, so he did as he had practiced.

At last they reached the front of the chapel and turned.

There he saw Bond, Rocky and Magnum with their wives. He was thunderstruck to see that Posey was holding a baby.

And beside them were his brothers, Indiana, Kitt and Remington, and each of them had a woman beside him too.

Hawkeye’s eyes grew wet and he experienced a brief moment of relief from a guilt he hadn’t even known he’d felt. He wasn’t the only one who was happy today. None of his brothers were alone.

None of the ones that were there, anyway.

He scanned the room for signs of the others, but came up empty. He supposed they were still caught up in the search for their mates. He hoped they would be as lucky as he had been.

Indiana winked at him and the woman beside him shoved him lightly with her elbow.

Good.

Indiana was a mischief-maker - he needed to be kept on a short leash. Indiana had obviously chosen a proper mate.

Before Hawkeye could examine any of his other sisters-in-law the music changed and everyone turned.

Beside him, Lobo gasped.

Veronica entered first, radiant in a lavender gown with her long raven hair flowing over her shoulders. Zeus ambled along agreeably by her side, totally unfazed by the room full of people. The enormous Rottweiler wore a purple flower in his collar to match Veronica’s gown. Hawkeye felt it was just right that the dog they had rescued and rehabilitated together would be part of Lobo and Veronica’s ceremony.

Next, Brooke swept in. Never one to march to anyone else’s beat, she walked just a bit quicker than the music. Her blonde hair was twisted on top of her head and she wore a blue velvet gown that made her look like a character from a fairy tale movie.

Hawkeye didn’t get to see Brooke join Conan, because he caught sight of Trinity’s shadow in the hall and fixed his eyes on the doorway.

Trinity stepped as softly as a cloud into the chapel, her expression so gentle he felt something rip in his chest.

She came to him slowly and he watched her, wishing he could memorize this moment when the world was before them.

Her gown was the color of a foggy sky, with lace netting over it so delicate it looked like… snow.

He smiled in recognition of the significance of her dress, and she smiled back at him, not so solemn anymore.

She got closer and he realized her hair was adorned with dozens of tiny braids interspersed between her dark locks. Each braid ended with a crystal bead, shimmering like a melting flake.

In their hearts it would always be snowing.

The room blurred as tears prickled his eyes for the second time in ten minutes.

And then she was by his side.

The mayor began to speak, about love and commitment and Veronica and Lobo recited their vows.

Next, Brooke and Conan spoke the words that made them one.

Finally it was Hawkeye’s turn.

Trinity looked up at him, her eyes so filled with love it hurt.

“I do,” he heard himself repeat.

Then there was cheering as he kissed her, and the whole formal thing broke down as the brothers leapt up from their seats and everyone began to talk and embrace.

Someone turned on music and they danced and ate, and there was cake and wine and laughter.

But Hawkeye would never remember any of it but Trinity - the way she laughed, the play of the light on her hair as they danced, the feel of her fingers entwined with his as they finally headed home, hand in hand.