Damon watched as his wife walked to him escorted by her father. She looked damn gorgeous. Her red dress suited her perfectly.. too perfectly he thought and too much bare skin showing as he saw the expressions of some of the younger men. Even some of the older ones openly showed their admiration of his wife. His wife!

He wanted to take off the jacket he was wearing and throw it over her bare shoulders but held back with hands clenched. He forced the smile to stay on his face and looked back to Anna.

Her eyes met his and he was lost. His anger subdued as he saw something within her eyes. He was rewarded with a breathtaking smile.

He couldn't help himself and stepped forward and took her hand from Michaels. He pulled her close and bent down whisper in her ear.

"You my wife are gorgeous. I can see that I'll be fighting the young guys away."

She giggled softly and he felt himself shudder "Behave Beany."

They turned and stepped up to where Simeon stood looking at him.

"Friends and family, thank you for coming here today. Damon and Anns appreciate you taking time from your busy lives to join them as they commit to the rest of their lives together." Simeon paused and smiled down at Anna and then ay Damon "I believe that our couple have chosen a less formal way of pledging their commitment to onr another. So, Damon, if you will..." he raised his hand to stop Damon from talking "My apologies, in this less formal ceremony I still have specific things I must do."

All who were there waited. Tension built. This was a strategically placed break that Damon knew about.

"If anyone knows why these two should not commit to one another then please speak up now."

They waited.

Nothing.

"Well if no one has any objections..." Simeon looked at Damon "again, if you will.."

Damon nodded and turned to Anna and held both her hands.

"My beautiful Annalisa. These past few days have been the most wonderful I've ever had. I want to tell you now in front of all our family and friends that when you said I do two days ago you made me the happiest man that I've ever been. Waking up to see you each morning...."

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

A man came crashing through the bushes to the left of them to immediately be surrounded by a dozen men that had followed him as he'd surfaced from the hidden door in the gazebo.

His eyes wild as they settled on Anna.

"Please baby. Tell me he's lying."

Anna shook her head.

"Pleeease. I beg you. Baby. Tell me he's lying!"

Again she shook her head.

"Tell me baby. Do it now. Tell me the truth!"

Damon felt her hands trembling and squeezed them to offer her unspoken comfort.

"No. He's not lying."

************