Title: Once in A Lifetime (Companion to emmademarais' fic The Announcement of A Lifetime)
Pairing/Characters: Don/Robin, Charlie/Ian, Larry, Colby/Amita
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Seasons 1-6
Summary: Don invites family and friends over for a big announcement
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
Notes/Warnings: Happy birthday ladygray99! *hugs*






Ian stood near the edge of the cliff, enjoying the feel of the salt sea wind on his face. In front of him were the makings of a beautiful California sunset; behind him was a gorgeous beach house the FBI had 'liberated' from its less-than-upstanding owner.

Ian didn't know what strings Don had pulled to get the house for the whole weekend. Actually, on second thought, he didn't want to know. He glanced at his watch; time for the festivities- or at least, his part in the festivities- to begin. He made his way to the house, pausing for a minute by one of the mirrors in the hallway to check that he still looked presentable. Not too bad, he decided, although that was mostly due to the suit Charlie had insisted on having tailored for him the previous year- "If you're going to have to protect me from CalSci's special breed of cougar the least I can do is make sure you're comfortable..." He fixed his tie and checked the cufflinks Charlie had given him last Christmas.

It always surprised Ian how well they had managed to blend their lives despite being from such disparate backgrounds- Charlie the genius academic, growing up in sheltered suburbia, and Ian the loner Army brat more used to dealing with four-legged animals than two. But, he mused, that was part of what made them work- Charlie was unlike anything Ian had ever met, and every day spent with his professor was a day of new discovery.

Ian walked into the main hall, smiling as he caught sight of Don and Robin, taking a moment to themselves before the crowd arrived. Who would have thought... Don Eppes, ladies' man and commitment-phobe extraordinaire, actually finding a girl and settling down? But Robin was good for him, Ian mused; she was one of the few people who didn't let Don's charm blind her to his bullshit. Kind of like how Charlie was with him, come to think of it.
The guests began to trickle in, and Ian joined Don and Robin in circulating, keeping an eye out for a familiar mop of curls.

++

"This place is amazing! Look at that view!" Amita said to Colby as they stood by one of the massive windows.

"It is gorgeous," Colby replied, but his eyes were on her.

Ian chuckled and left them to it, making his way through the crowd, catching up with old friends and greeting new ones, amazed at how many people were here, and how many of them Ian knew as well. Somewhere along the way, he'd managed to completely forget about the 'loner' part of a sniper's reputation... Looking at Charlie, though, bright and happy and extremely tempting in that suit, Ian found he didn't mind too much.

He moved swiftly through the room until he reached Charlie's side, sending his lover a quick glance full of promises of later. For the moment, he slipped his hand into Charlie's, the simple touch connecting them body and soul.

Hands still intertwined, they made their way to where Don and Robin were standing by the French windows.

Don was the first to notice their approach, and he winked as they arrived, a conspiratorial grin on his face. "Nice of you to join us, Chuck," he teased, ignoring Charlie's indignant squawk at the nickname. "Time to get this show on the road."

++

Ian Edgerton was the bastard son of Clint Eastwood and Yoda. He tracked people off of nothing, took impossible shots. He was implacable, inexorable, untouchable.

He was also nervous as hell.

Ian really wasn't good with words- as was aptly demonstrated by nearly every one of his English assignments from third grade on up- which had made writing his own vows a pain in the ass. He'd written and rewritten and revised them so many times Don had finally tossed a copy of The Idiot's Guide to Wedding Vows at him in exasperation.

Well, nothing for it now. Ian cleared his throat.

"Charlie. I remember you the first time we met, all messy curls and injured anger at the cocky intruder. I remember wondering what the hell Eppes was smoking, to place so much faith in your voodoo." That got a chuckle out of some people in the audience, and Ian ploughed on.

"But that just goes to show that you should never place much stock in first impressions. The more I found out about you, the more you intrigued me, until one day I woke up and found myself in love." Ian took a deep breath. "Don can probably tell you about the likelihood of finding a stable relationship in our line of work is, and the odds are much worse for snipers. I'd resigned myself to never finding someone who was willing to accept me and what I do, and then you walked into my life, bright and beautiful and completely captivating. You amaze me, Charlie. Not just for your brain- although that's pretty damn incredible- but for your spirit. For the joy you take in everything, for your incredible capacity for love and understanding. For the generous use you make of your gifts, not only to your students and colleagues but to the FBI and LAPD and damn near everyone who asks. For your love and support of me, even if I don't always deserve it."

"Charlie, it is an honour and a privilege to be your colleague, your friend, your lover, and after today, your husband." Ian said, his throat tightening on every word. "I promise that I will always love, honour, cherish and protect you. No matter what, now and forever."

He pulled the plain gold band he and Charlie had chosen out of his pocket, kissing Charlie's knuckles gently before slipping it on this finger. "Dilectus meus mihi, et ego ili," he said, an ancient promise renewed. "My beloved is mine, and I am his."

Somewhere behind them a flash went off, but Ian only had eyes for Charlie, his beloved's hands clenched tight in his before Charlie brought them to his lips.

Ian exhaled, relief and gratitude and love washing over him. It was over. He'd done his part.

Now it was Charlie's turn.


++

"Go on! Kiss!"

Ian needed no further encouragement, pulling Charlie into a fierce, deep embrace as their friends and family erupted into cheers and applause in the background.

When he pulled away, Charlie's cheeks were flushed and his eyes were bright, and Ian had to remind himself that there was still a reception to get through.

Maybe.

Larry nudged him and Charlie, drawing their attention to the crowd. "Go," he whispered for their ears only. "Your future awaits you, my dear friends."

Charlie and Ian walked down the aisle hand in hand, bombarded with cheers and showered with confetti, Don and Robin leading the assault.

They'd just cleared the last of the confetti when Charlie ground to a dead halt. "Oh, god!" he exclaimed in dismay. "I'm going to have to face my father now and explain why we didn't let him in on this!"

Ian suppressed a chuckle. Hell hath no fury like Alan Eppes denied a chance to discuss flower arrangements and china patterns. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Charlie's temple. "Don't worry. I've got your back."



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