A Fight to Remember

Fairytales and Magic Pt. 2

A/N: You should go and get a big box of tissues, (happy tears) and then pull up a second tab in your browser and get Christina Perri's song 'A Thousand Years' ready, as well as 'Glitter in the Air by Pink

Derek.

Nervous jitters traveled through me in a way that I hadn't felt since...

So... is this a good place to hang out?

I walked down the path to the trailer, Bailey crunching just behind me. A hundred feet in front of the trailer, I stopped. My suit fit perfectly snug but I felt like bursting with love. Happiness. Gratefulness.

I took a minute to adjust my tie and forced myself not to mess up my hair.

Meredith and I were renewing our vows today. We were affirming our commitment to each other after ten years of loss, of forgetting and struggle. We were affirming our love in front of everyone who mattered. Zola was getting married today too. Someone saw her, her gentleness, her love and compassion, but also her fire and zest for life. Somene saw her and wasn't afraid. Someone other than her family loved her just as much.

"How do I look?" I asked Bailey. Our suits were the same, dark grey with azure blue vests and striped ties with matching colors. I studied him as he did me. He looked every bit like his mother, except his barely tamed blonde curls.

"Looking good dad." He dusted off my shoulder, and for the first time in ten years... I felt a real connection. We'd finally gotten past all the crap.

"Good," I nodded, "You too," I clasped his shoulder. Together we walked to the trailer where the girls were waiting inside. I rapped on the door. "Your chariot awaits," I called.

Shuffling and giggles could be heard from inside from the trailer, then the door opened, out popped Ellis first. Her dress matched the azure colour of my vest, and it sparkled with glittery blue and purple lace. The top was strapless, and it hugged her curves before flowing softly around her legs. Her dark brown hair was loose, save two thick locks tied behind her and braided, and around her head was a little crown of gold and blue flowers. "Dad!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into my arms.

"Whoa," I stumbled back, my arms tight around her warm body. "Hey. You look... I shook my head, she wasn't my little tomboy anymore. She was all woman. "Amazing. So-" I couldn't speak, just kissed her on the forehead. Ellis released her grip and stood by me, waiting for Zola and Meredith.

A second later Zola appeared. Awe struck me, seeing her in her flowing lace wedding gown. The embroidery was simple, embellished with flashes of azure. The backless dress covered her chest up to her neck in an 'A' shape. At her waist, it expanded into a beautiful fluffy train. Zola's hair was pulled back and braided in a cornet around her head. Exotic purple, blue and gold ethiopian flowers were threaded through her hair, much like her sister's. I stepped forward with the simple lily bouquet and took Zola's hand. I kissed her knuckles. "You're beautiful. I'm so proud of you."

"I love you Daddy," she said. Like she used to when she was five.

I felt like bursting into tears. God, I had been gone too long. "I love you too," I said, handing her the bouquet and offering my arm. Behind her, Ellis scooped up her trailing dress. Only one more person for our little wedding party.

Meredith stepped out of the trailer. Immediately I was entranced by her form-fitting azure dress, much like Ellis', only with a slight frilly train at the bottom. Strapless, it showed off Meredith's elegant shoulders. Like Zola, her hair was also braided the same way around her head and adorned with flowers. I was stunned once again by her effervescent beauty. "Mere-" her name drifted off my lips.