Months passed by in the blink of an eye, and suddenly they were in the middle of June.

Lan Zhan had found Wei Ying a literary agent and his book on parenting was already catching the attention of the media, and the response was looking good, better than he expected or believed possible.

The six members of this Lan family branch had moved into the ex-ranch home, and Lan Zhan had already hired several people to look after the grounds and the existing animals. It was a job by itself, and neither Lan Zhan nor Wei Ying could spare the time to devote adequate attention to their furry family.

But they had one more event to host.

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan were going to have a traditional Chinese ceremony in one week's time, and there were plenty of preparations to complete. This was going to be a bigger event than the Western ceremony, because all the people who knew the Lans expected to be invited, and it soon became the most exclusive social event on anyone's calendar.

They were bombarded by magazines and newspapers, TV channels who wanted an inside scoop on the wedding of the year. The attention focused upon them as a family and predominantly on Wei Ying and Lan Zhan was phenomenal, reaching new heights of a hysterical fever in the echelons of society, much to Wei Ying's chagrin.

"We should just run away..." Wei Ying complains as yet another helicopter flies past above their home, trying to get a glimpse inside their private area.

Lan Zhan merely smiles, indulgently kissing his cheek as he walks past cradling both girls in his arms. Security would deal with the pests.

"Hold on...!" Wei Ying's eyes snap to his golden ones. "Do you...Lan Zhan! Are you actually looking forward to the cir-I mean, the wedding?"

"Mn." Lan Zhan doesn't even stop to think about it, his honest answer spilling from his lips like honey.

"Oh." Wei Ying resolves then and there to stop complaining about it from now on. "Um, so I didn't mean to sound ungrateful, or anything," he quickly says, a blush forming on the curve of his round cheeks.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan puts their daughters in the seats with wheels, so they can sort of run around.

They've baby proofed everything on the ground floor just in case, but since the girls can't actually walk yet, Wei Ying thinks they might be safe for a couple of months yet. His daughters are eight months old and prone to laughing loudly, especially with unexpected noises in their vicinity.

The other night, A-Yuan had burped after finishing his ice cream, and both girls had stared at him for a few seconds before chortling loudly, so their brother had done it again and again, just wanting to hear them have a good time.

But when JingYi had in frustration ripped up his arithmetic working out paper, that's when they truly lost it, laughing so hard that they lost their breath and both girls had tears coming out from their eyes.

Wei Ying nowadays kept a sheet of paper within arm's reach just to ward off any unexpected tantrums, it was that good!

So they weren't too bothered about tomorrow's ceremony.

Uncle Qiren was outside with XiChen now, overseeing the decorations that were going up in the huge white marquee on the widest part of the field. The nice thing about the summer months was the warm weather which guaranteed great pictures. They were going to let off a significant amount of fireworks, at Lan Zhan's insistence that they be kept as far away from the bunnies and the chickens as possible, so as not to scare them unnecessarily.

There were no tall buildings around to block their view, and Lan Zhan was hoping his extra precautions of sound proofing both habitations would pay off.

Their family was so good at organising weddings by now, XiChen made them promise just to pick their themes and they wouldn't have to lift another finger, because he was becoming a pro at talking to all the representatives in charge of catering, entertainment etc. that he knew tomorrow's event was going to be great, would be executed without a single hitch, he promised.

He even printed out a strict schedule for tomorrow, mailing the copies out to all their guests. He made sure Lan Zhan kept one attached to their refrigerator with a magnet of ceramic toasted garlic, and every time it mysteriously disappeared, he would pull out another one to replace it.

But when XiChen came inside after the fiery sunset, a stubborn look on his face, Lan Zhan glanced at him and immediately began to growl.

Wei Ying was up in less than a second and standing right next to him anxiously, worrying about what it could be. His palm begins to draw soothing circles on Lan Zhan's back, hoping to calm him down, while looking between the Lan brothers.

"No." Lan Zhan bites out, his arm shooting out to hold Wei Ying closer to his side, as if XiChen was going to make him disappear suddenly.

"Didi...it's tradition!" XiChen insists, and just like that, Wei Ying knows what this is about.

He crosses his arms over his chest, and a matching growl slips out from his lips as well.

"A-Xian! Come on! Please!" XiChen pleads, suddenly realising that the person he was counting on for support, to help him convince Lan Zhan, wasn't on his side at all.

"No way! You did that the last time, and look how great both of us were feeling, then?" Wei Ying sticks his chin out adamantly.

"Mn. We are not separating, Xiongzhang." Lan Zhan reiterates, standing taller somehow.

"But both of you! Look how romantic it is to suddenly see each other at the actual wedding?" XiChen tries one last time.

"No. We're already married, and we're sticking together," Wei Ying tells him confidently.

That night, when he had been forced to sleep away from Lan Zhan, he hadn't slept for ages until closer to the morning. Wei Ying doesn't want to risk feeling awful tomorrow, for their proper wedding.

Lan Zhan didn't need to sleep but then that was worse. Wei Ying shudders thinking of how hard it must have been to feel each second pass by, like fish trying to swim in muddy waters, and yet Lan Zhan hadn't uttered one word of complaint. So his arm also snakes around Lan Zhan's waist, holding him tighter.

Whatever XiChen sees on their faces is enough to dissuade himself of thinking his fanciful idea was going to work today.

"Fine...I'll let Uncle know." He stomps back outside to pass on the news.

Wei Ying waits to make sure they're really alone now, and no chance of being interrupted soon. Then he turns in Lan Zhan's arms, smiling up at him.

"Are you ready for tomorrow, my love?" He whispers, a burning silver joy shimmering in his beautiful eyes.

"Mn. I have never been surer." Lan Zhan replies firmly, the same intense feelings reflected in his fiery golden eyes.

Wei Ying's smile only grows bigger.

"Well then, Husband! Roll on tomorrow!"

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

Lan Zhan is sure he's correct now, because he's counted three times now.

Wei Ying has a hundred and twenty lashes on his right eyelid, and a hundred and eleven on his left. They don't look uneven, which is even more surprising to him. He'll never admit it to Wei Ying, but he gets a secret thrill every time Wei Ying flutters them at him.

He's fully aware that Wei Ying is doing it in a playful manipulative way, but it's a moot point because there's nothing he wouldn't give to the wonderful man, who is going to marry him today.

Again, for the second time in this life.

Could his life possibly get any better than it is?

He doesn't think so.

They are woken by two giggling angels who climb onto their bed and plaster both fathers with wet kisses, wriggling out the way of being tickled to the point of needing the bathroom in an emergency.

"Breakfast first!" A-Yuan announces as XiChen enters with a covered tray of food.

It's the strong scent of black coffee that awakens the sleeping beauty eventually, as the boys are led back to the kitchen where a communal meal is being enjoyed by the rest of their families.

Wei Ying is so beautiful, that for a second, Lan Zhan cannot look away.

His golden skin is flushed with sleep and his gorgeous silver eyes begin to sparkle the more Lan Zhan stares back at him. His huge palm cradles Wei Ying's warm rosy cheek, and he smiles when Wei Ying leans into his touch.

"Good morning, Husband." Lan Zhan whispers it, not wishing to disturb the peaceful joy thrumming through him.

Wei Ying surges up and captures his lips in a fierce kiss, one born of disbelief. And Lan Zhan, never one to fall behind, kisses him back with a fever, eager to show him how much Wei Ying is loved. His lips are so soft, so pliant under his, opening out of desperation and need as Lan Zhan invades his mouth. Teeth clack, breath is stolen and tongues twist in a heated caress as Wei Ying moulds himself to this strong body.

He ends up giggling himself, and Lan Zhan hugs him tightly, too much in love with that beautiful sound.

It's still his favourite.

"Mn?"

"Well, it's just that first night, when I saw your abs, I thought I could chop a tomato on them and have no trouble, they're that hard." He runs an experimental hand over Lan Zhan's body, grinning wickedly when it makes him shiver. But he quickly becomes serious. "Today is our wedding day..."

His sudden squeal of excitement hurts Lan Zhan's ears as Wei Ying launches himself into his arms again.

"First, Wei Ying must eat. No guests have arrived yet." Lan Zhan squeezes his body once before setting Wei Ying down against their headboard, and planting the tray-with-legs across his lap.

The coffee is downed easily and while Lan Zhan pours him another cup, Wei Ying opens his mouth expectantly.

XiChen has made chocolate chip pancakes, and it's relatively easy to fork bitefuls into Wei Ying's mouth.

If only he did not look so adorable while he waited, chewing slowly and watching Lan Zhan back in lazy glee, both of them ever so happy. Wei Ying demands a kiss for every mouthful, and Lan Zhan will not deny him anything today.

***********

Half an hour later, XiChen knocks on the door and waits to be told he can enter before coming inside.

He's facing two guilty looking younger brothers with swollen red lips and one of them is definitely blushing, but XiChen gets the feeling that it's only because the other one can't.

"Come on, Didi, we're getting ready in the other room, let Mo XuanYu help A-Xian get ready." XiChen has come in armed with a dose of stubborn too, unwilling to make ant concessions on this part.

His steely voice and determination are what finally makes Lan Zhan let go of his husband.

"Get ready quickly," he demands, and then Lan Zhan is striding out of their bedroom.

Seconds later, Mo XuanYu enters to find Wei Ying sighing dreamily at the empty doorway and not even blinking about it.

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

A few months ago, both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were taken to a bridal shop in the thick of Chinatown in the LoDo section of the city. Uncle Qiren was silent all the way, as Da Tuzi drove them in Uncle Qiren's black Rolls Royce, while Wei Ying and Lan Zhan sat in the back like naughty teenagers being reprimanded for something.

It was for a last fitting of their wedding robes, and everyone was excited to see the final clothes.

But there was one problem.

Lan Zhan was just taking his robes off after Uncle Qiren said they looked fine on him, when there was a wailing coming from the room a little further down.

They both hurried towards where Wei Ying was supposed to be trying on his robes too, but when they got there, Wei Ying was struggling not to cry and Da Tuzi was hovering.

Lan Zhan knew that stance, because it happened every single time the poor man became stressed about something that wasn't his fault. The beautiful silk robes were lying in an inelegant red heap on the floor, and the seamstress was trying her best to console Wei Ying.

"Lan Zhan?!! They DON'T FIT!" Wei Ying burst into tears.

"What is the meaning of this?" Uncle Qiren turned to the seamstress for an explanation.

"Er, well, given that the measurements were taken over the phone, it seems some adjustments need to be made," she whispers, wringing her hands frantically.

"Let me see!" Uncle Qiren grabs her sketchbook and her pencil and studies the drawing she was working on prior to Wei Ying's distress.

Lan Zhan hasn't held back, moving to pull Wei Ying into his chest.

"Lan Zhan...they don't fit, around here...my backside...it's too big!" His hands are fluttering around his hips, and Lan Zhan thinks this is quite funny. Not Wei Ying's feelings, or how upset he is, but robes aren't the most complicated of clothes, so it should be easily resolved.

"Never!" He promises Wei Ying, kissing his temple. His hands itch to map out the fleshy soft mounds himself, but he thinks it won't go down too well, in Wei Ying's current emotional state.

"How about this?" Uncle Qiren hands the sketchbook back, and the seamstress stares at her white paper and then at Wei Ying, sizing up his proportions.

"Mn...it's doable," she says, finally.

There's a wave of relief.

***********

Wei Ying practises walking back and forth, the red silk swishing between his legs in the most satisfactory way. He makes a mental note to give the seamstress a little extra spending money to show his appreciation to her.

Lan Zhan is going to have his mind blown, amongst other things.

Thanks to Uncle Qiren, whose design allowed for extra space where it was needed, he'd turned around to Lan Zhan and said, "what? I'm an architect. I solve problems."

So now, Wei Ying's lovely silk robes had long gorgeous slits along both sides and the back, with a dragon on one panel and a phoenix on the other. Meticulous gold thread embroidery with the tiniest stitches made his wedding robes look like silk brocade, with small gems sewn into each of the beautiful feathers.

Wei Ying loves it.

His sleeves were billowing and wide, and he wondered if he were to flap his arms really hard, would he be able to take off? Or would he need to run a bit first, like a plane?

It was the epitome of luxury and Wei Ying felt like a Prince.

His hair was done, his makeup was perfect, and he was ready.

Too soon, it was time to go downstairs and into the marquee.

Baoshan Sanren and Mo XuanYu took an arm each and walked him slowly down each step, as Wei Ying's nerves made a comeback in the form of geese instead of butterflies in his stomach.

It didn't matter that in his mind, he was already married to the best person he knew, and he knew Lan Zhan felt the same, but marching outside in front of all those people and going to stand next to his husband took a lot of guts.

Ironically, it's exactly that, which gives Wei Ying the courage to step forward and walk past the hundreds of guests that were standing up to receive him. This time, there were no flower boys; A-Yuan and JingYi were patiently watching and waiting for Wei Ying to get to the front where Lan Zhan was waiting for him. They were holding MingJue's hands, one child on either side of him, and when Wei Ying got close enough, A-Yuan giggled and JingYi gave him a thumbs up with his free hand.

Juhua and Meihua are being entertained by calm-looking Uncle Qiren and they coo and chortle when they see Wei Ying, making grabby hands at him.

This last step feels like the missing piece as something settles in Wei Ying's heart, and he finally allows himself to enjoy this.

Lan Zhan, tall and straight, is watching his progress, his golden eyes blazing with an eager fire. He's so beautiful, almost glowing when the sunshine fills the room.

He can smell the nervous spike in Wei Ying's blood, he can see the tightness of his gorgeous eyes, and Lan Zhan wills him to keep looking straight ahead, only at himself and not at any one of the many guests staring back at him.

And then they're together!

From the moment Wei Ying puts his smaller, warm hand into Lan Zhan's larger, colder palm, the anxiety settles in his heart and dissipates, vanishing to reveal his own acute happiness.

Everything is as it should be, wherever it's supposed to be, and they are going to marry.

However legal their first marriage was, it doesn't feel as real as this, bowing to the custom name plaques, the stone tablets that bear their parents' names. To acknowledge heaven and earth, to call forth the Universe to bless this union, and to remember their ancestors, their parents, and then finally, they bow to each other.

Cheers ring out as Uncle Qiren comes to cut a piece of their hair, tying it together with a red string and putting it into an auspicious silk bag to be stored away safely.

Then Wei Ying pulls out his wedding present for this amazing man.

He had two custom designed lockets made for them, with pictures of their whole family inside. The outer shell is a heart made from antique silver, delicate looking but extremely strong and durable. Lan Zhan's whole face goes soft when he sees it, and after Wei Ying slips it around his neck. He does the same for Wei Ying as well.

Then it's on to the tea pouring ceremony, gruffly received by Uncle Qiren.

Now they are officially married in every way that counts.

Later, Lan Zhan will show Wei Ying how much he loves him, and Wei Ying will encourage him to bite him, shooting his pleasures into the stratosphere.

Later, they will make new vows, just between the two of them.

These promises will stay with them forever, taming the wild creatures of their hearts.

THE END

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

A/N

Dear Wonderful Readers,

It's done!! Omg...I have finally finished this somehow epic story that ran away with me, in about ten months in total.

It's closer to 450K in word count, and I'm going to miss writing this story very much.

Thank you all so much for all your support and encouragement, your votes and your comments, they really mean so much to me. I am blessed to have such lovely people wanting to read my stuff.

I'll be updating the Fluffy WangXian Oneshot book and writing for Solstice Souls book 3, the ongoing collaboration with the terrific writer and my Bestie, @edzooc8r so please look forward to those.

Charlie.