Hannah sat primly on a bench in the Droy home, where Macks and his parents had left her awhile ago.

The hour was late, but Macks had insisted on telling his family the news right away, which Hannah couldn't help being nervous about. She could only imagine what his parents must think, what a disappointment this must be to them. And yet, this time, she really didn't care. The fact that a man like Macks would want her as his wife, and would proudly tell his family so – was more than enough.

Just then, she heard the sound of the door opening, but only Suzanne came out. "Well, Hannah," she said, smiling as she stood before her. "I advise you to stay away from Macks and you end up agreeing to marry him."

Hannah flushed, even though she didn't care all that much for Suzanne's opinion. Suzanne sidled over, coming to join her on the bench. Hannah still had to admire her for her elegance, the graceful way she moved and even how she sat. "Were you expecting him to propose on this trip?"

"Not at all. I was honestly just as surprised as you are. Everything happened so quickly."

"But you have known each other for quite a while now."

"That's true."

"And Macks is a good man, really. Perhaps the best man I know. I would just recommend one thing."

"What's that?"

"Keep a close eye on him," she said, and Hannah cocked her head to that.

"Thank you. But I have to learn to trust him."

Off to the side, they heard voices, and stood up as Macks emerged with his parents. Mr. Droy seemed as passive as ever, while Mrs. Droy looked reluctant to speak. Hannah waited, bracing herself for what she might say.

"Hannah," she started.

Hannah lifted her brows, waiting.

"We welcome you to our family. And we wish you all the best." She held out her arms, and Hannah forced herself to step forward into the embrace. It was one of the most awkward moments she'd ever had, but she was relieved that they seemed to be trying to accept her.

Afterwards, Macks followed her to her room, sighing heavily once he'd shut the door.

"How was it?" Hannah asked. "I mean, how was it really?"

"It was alright. My mother just had plenty of questions."

"About me?"

He nodded. "I had the sense she wasn't all that happy, but I know her. She wouldn't want to make a fuss of it."

"She doesn't really like me then?"

"No, I wouldn't say that. More that I think everyone around me always had this idea of what sort of woman I should marry."

"And that's not me."

"No. But that doesn't matter because you are what I want." He paused, his eyes going to the floor. "You have been for awhile now."

Hannah said nothing, but found herself warming to the words. It was a strange feeling to allow herself to actually believe the things he said, to take them in and accept that they were real.

Macks held out a hand, pulling her to him. "I'll take care of you. And your brother. If there's anything you want for this wedding, just tell me."

"All I want really is to have a small wedding in Dalen. I mean, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. I think we should do it in Dalen as well."

"Really? Even though your family and Stefan are here?"

"They can easily travel down, whereas it wouldn't be so easy for your family."

She nodded, glad that he had seen that. "Thank you. And of course, everyone in Chell. Christopher, Judy, maybe even the girls at Jono's."

"Where would you like it to be held?"

"Well … I would like it if were at Magda's."

"I'm not sure if they allow weddings, but we can try and ask. Don't ask Sister Vicki though. Anyone but her."

"Right," she said, smiling.

"I suppose you're going to have Christopher whip up a dress for you?"

"At a good price."

"Can't argue with that." He paused, hearing footsteps in the hallway as the others began turning in. "Well, we'd better call it a night. I think we're going to have quite a few people here tomorrow, once they hear about it."

"Oh."

He paused, studying her. "You're not nervous, are you?"

"I am, but it's not just that. It's everything.."

"Don't worry. I'll be right by your side."

"Alright." She leaned up, cupping his face and kissing his cheek.

When she pulled back, she saw that he was smirking. "What?"

"That was the first time you kissed me. Out of your own will."

"Goodnight, Macks," she told him, and he did a nod, backing towards the door.

"Goodnight. Rest well, Hannah."

The next day, their last in Dyon, did turn out a bit chaotic, just as Macks had said. His sister and her family were the first to appear, just before lunchtime, and Hannah fell in love with their young son. Actually, Timothy looked strikingly like his uncle, with his brown eyes and fair curls.

"Yes, everyone says that," Ruth noted. "I only hope he doesn't move away to become a soldier like my brother did."

"Macks is doing very well on the Dalen guard," Hannah told her. "He's a very good captain to the boys."

"Oh, it's honest enough work, but you know. As parents, we want the best for our children."

Hannah said nothing, thinking that if she ever had children, she would want them to do whatever made them happy. She had learnt that lesson with Rio, and besides, she knew how important Macks' work was to him.

A little while later, Stefan and Alyssa arrived, and Hannah was happy to see them. Suzanne joined them as well, with Alyssa spending a lot of time discussing the wedding, and then reminiscing over her own with Stefan years ago.

They weren't the only guests to visit the Droy home that day; word was spreading of Macks' engagement, and everyone from neighbors to family friends to relatives dropped in to meet Hannah and wish them well. It was no doubt the most attention she'd ever had in her life, and by the end of the day, she was tired from the blur of names and faces. She was grateful that Macks kept his word and hardly left her side, supporting her through all the introductions.

"Who knew you were so famous?" she said, once they managed to get each other alone that evening after dinner.

Macks laughed, holding her close. They'd had to step outside for privacy, since there were still a few guests in the house yet. "Everyone's been waiting for this, for me to settle down."

"I could never really imagine you settling down."

"To be honest, I was beginning to wonder if I ever would."

"But this is what you want?"

"Yes. Of course. A home and a family of my own ... it's what I've always wanted."

"It's what I've always wanted too," she murmured.

"Do you think … I could be a father? I mean, can you see it?"

"Of course."

"Really?"

"Look at Rio and the boys. They look up to you."

He smiled. "They do feel like my children sometimes. Big, noisy children."

"I wonder what Rio is going to say."

"Well, he can't really object, because if he does, I'll make him do chores."

Hannah burst out laughing, which caught the attention of Suzanne from inside, for she opened the door, peering out at them. "What are you two doing out here in the cold?"

"Come on," Macks sighed, pulling her inside. "Back to reality."

By the time all the guests had gone, Hannah was already sleepy, and Macks led her upstairs, hugging her as he said goodnight. "I'm unused to this," she told him.

"What?"

"This much affection."

"I don't think I could ever give you enough, really."

She smiled, finally separating herself to go into her room. She got changed and climbed into bed, feeling a little sad at the thought that this would be her last night here. Would she ever return to Dyon again? Considering that Macks' family was here, she had to assume she would. That was good – she did like Dyon, and Stefan and Alyssa were here after all.

The next day, she, Macks and Suzanne left together, with Suzanne planning to take her own carriage from Hunsdown to Madsey.

When they entered the Creston Inn, Macks greeted the innkeeper cheerily, and Hannah was sure he'd noticed their entwined hands.

"We've just become engaged," Macks told him, in an exaggerated whisper.

"Well, I might have guessed," he went, grinning over at Hannah. "I'd never seen him traveling with anyone before, you see."

"What?" Macks was puzzled.

"Nothing," Hannah interrupted, and she had to pull him away. Even now, she couldn't help being a little embarrassed at herself when she'd last been here, even though it seemed like ages ago.

They stayed the night, then parted ways from Suzanne in the morning. As they watched her leave, Hannah wondered if the older woman really had meant well, in her own way, and if she was disappointed that she could not marry Macks now.

On the ride back to Dalen, Macks held her close in his arms the whole way, and she even slept against his shoulder a few times. Sometimes, she still couldn't believe what he had become to her, that such a man would love a girl like her, no matter what others might say.

They reached Dalen in the evening, going right up to Magda's. Macks held her hand to walk with her inside, where they found none other than Sister Vicki with another nun at the desk.

"Sister Vicki," Macks greeted, putting on a broad, gloating smile. "Good evening to you."

"Captain, you know you – " she stopped herself, sensing that something was different.

"We have some news for you. For everyone, in fact." He wrapped his arm around Hannah's shoulders. "Guess who's getting married?"

"Captain. Do you even know what 'marriage' means?"

He laughed, too happy to be bothered. "Hopefully, we can have the wedding here so it will be easy for you to come and witness it for yourself." He took up Hannah's hand, kissing it before bidding her goodnight.

"If you see my brother … "

"I will be sure to tell him."

"And – "

"And ask him to see you."

"That's right."

He smiled at all of them before making his way out, leaving Hannah with a pair of stunned nuns. She knew, just like in Dyon, that the news was going to spread quickly.

"Hannah," Sister Vicki started, moving towards her as she headed for the stairs. "How did this happen?"

"What do you mean? You make it sound like something terrible."

"No, that's not what I meant to imply. But you remember everything I told you? About the Captain?"

"I do. But all that happened a long time ago."

"How can you be sure he's not said the same things, or done the same things, with other women as he has to you? How do you know he will never stray?"

"I must give him a chance."

"There are other good men out there."

"Macks is a good man. I must judge for myself."

Sister Vicki didn't answer this time, and Hannah went upstairs on her own, glad to be away from her nagging. Even though she was tired, once she was back in her old room, she started a letter to send to her mother in Chell. She hoped Kaye and the Averys would come too, and urged her mother to invite them for her. She and Macks had talked about a date on the journey back, and had decided on a wedding in late spring, before the weather became too warm. It should be enough time for her to prepare as well. While she didn't know all that much about weddings, she was sure Christopher and Judy would be more than willing to help.

The next day, she went to work as usual, and gathered everyone to tell them the news. All the women, even though not particularly close to her, hollered and started hugging her – they all knew very well who Macks was, and openly declared their envy.

"I told you he would propose," Judy said, smacking her husband's arm. "Trust a woman's intuition."

"Well, Hannah," he piped up, shaking her hand. "I hope you'll still stay with us, even though I know that sounds selfish."

"Don't worry, I intend to stay for a good while more. You know I like it here."

"Excellent. For that, we will make you the finest dress possible – no charge at all."

"Macks will be glad to hear that."

"Well, we want you to look your best. Also because it will make us look good too."

"I'll be sure to tell everyone it's by your hand."

"That's my girl."

Hardly any work was done that day, what with few customers and everyone's incessant questions about how Macks had proposed, and how Hannah wanted the wedding to be, and who else would be coming.

After work, she went over to Jono's, which was busy with an evening crowd, but she managed to give the news to Sora and Deedee. Deedee hugged her happily, and Sora shook her hand, promising to be there.

When she finally made it back to Magda's, there were three people waiting for her inside – Macks, Rio and Shelby, seated together on a bench and listening to some story Macks was telling.

"I see I have a welcome party," she remarked, as Macks came up and openly kissed her on the cheek.

"Your brother," he started, cocking a thumb at Rio. " ... thought I was bluffing when I told him."

"Ha ha. So hard to believe, was it?"

"Well, a little," Rio said sheepishly. "I mean, I did suspect something a few times, but I didn't think …"

"Hannah, you'll be the envy of a thousand women," Shelby told her. "Congratulations."

"Stop it. You've made his head swell," she said, and Macks nudged her.

"I was hoping we could take a walk on the beach," he suggested.

"It's a bit cold."

"I know, but you have me." He nodded at the other two. "You're welcome to join us."

Rio blinked rapidly, but didn't say no.

"Alright," Hannah decided. "For a while."

Macks took her hand, leading her out the door. When they glanced back, Rio and Shelby had gotten up to follow.

"I've already sent a letter to my mother," Hannah told Macks as they crossed the grass. "I wonder if she'll come running down to Dalen to ask me all about it."

"I hope she'll approve."

"Oh, she'll approve. She likes you."

"Really?"

"Of course. She probably owes you her life."

Macks glanced over, tightening his grip on her as they hopped down onto the sand. "I don't know if I'd go that far."

"Well, all the same, she's grateful to you. And so are we."

"I'd do whatever I can to make you happy."

She slid her gaze towards him. "I know, Macks. You helped me so many times."

"I wanted to."

"Even so, I thought you were only doing it to … well."

"Impress you? Win you over?"

"Something like that."

"When I met you, I realized you saw nothing worthy about me. I knew I had to look at myself and really think about what I wanted to be."

"And what was that?"

"Someone you could respect. And trust. And love." He shook his head to himself. "It wasn't easy, but I wouldn't want it to be. I knew you must take marriage very seriously. And I do too, even though no one believes it. I just didn't think I could ever have something like what Stefan and Alyssa do."

They walked a little more, coming to the rocks that marked the end of the beach. They looked out at the water, and Macks chuckled at her. "May I buy you some new shoes now?"

"Yes. Yes, you may."

Shelby and Rio walked up, and he did a nod at his captain. "I wanted to say something. About the two of you."

"What's that?"

"If you ever hurt or disappoint my sister … she will make your life a misery."

Hannah instantly scowled, while Macks and Shelby started laughing.

"I actually believe you," Macks put forward.

"It's no point if I threaten you. Better I use her to do it. And anyway, I know she can take care of herself. She wouldn't stand for any nonsense."

"It's true," Hannah said. "I won't."

"Good. I need that." He held her close, rubbing her arm to keep her warm. "Shall we head back in? The wind's starting to pick up."

They all nodded, and this time Shelby and Rio led the way, continuing whatever hushed conversation they'd been having. Hannah wondered if there might be feelings between them after all, but she supposed only time would tell whether anything would happen there.

A few months later, on a cool spring afternoon, Magda's Tower welcomed a bevy of people from Dalen, Chell and Dyon eager to see Hannah and Macks' wedding.

The nuns had helped to convert the dining hall for that purpose, being the only space large enough. They had screened off the kitchen area and decorated the walls and tables so that it actually looked quite decent for once.

A priest from a fellow church served as minister, and as he spoke, Hannah could hear tears from plenty of women behind her, Alyssa one of them. When the words fell that they were finally, truly married, the hall broke out in unbelievable noise, but she was distracted by Macks' firm kiss.

Afterwards, she took a moment to delve into the crowd, pleased at the many familiar faces she saw. Her mother came to hug her, Rio standing at her back in his favorite red coat. "I suppose you'll stay here then? In Dalen?" her mother asked her.

"Yes, Ma."

"Have you decided on a place?"

"We actually heard one of the houses in Coerside might be opening up for sale. I hope it does, but anyway, in the meantime, I'm going to be staying at the guards' station for a while. Macks tells me the quarters are quite comfortable."

"You'll be near Rio then."

Rio let out a sigh, one that flopped up the fringe of his hair.

"Don't worry," Hannah assured him. "I won't do anything to embarrass you."

"It'll be good for you to be close to each other," their Ma advised.

Hannah paused for a minute, feeling a sense of guilt at the thought of Rio still living at the guards' station and her mother alone in Chell once she had a home of her own. "Look, once we've found a place, either of you can come to us if you need to. I mean … we're family, after all."

"We appreciate that, Hannah," her mother said. "I'll keep that in mind."

She raised her eye, spotting the Averys approaching.

"Congratulations, Hannah," Tom Avery spoke up. "We're very happy for you."

"And you look so beautiful," his wife told her smilingly. "That dress is stunning."

She smiled at that, running her hands down the fabric. It was a simple piece, long in sleeves, the scooped collar lined with small, glittery beads. She had chosen the design, inspired by the old wedding dress of Macks' sister, the one she'd found in his attic. She knew Ruth was in the room and wondered if she'd noticed the similarity. Hopefully not.

Kurt stepped forward, nodding warmly. "We wish you all the best, Hannah. Come and visit us sometime, both of you."

"Indeed," his father added. "Bring Rio too. We'll all have a nice dinner, the Averys and the Ivers."

"Well, she's not an Iver anymore," her mother sighed. "She's a Droy now."

"Hannah Droy," her brother tested it, making a bit of a face. "It's strange."

"Oh, it is not," their mother retorted.

"I don't see why I can't be both," Hannah told them, getting a few nods.

"Indeed," Kurt agreed. He started to say something else, but Macks appeared at her elbow, doing a bow in greeting.

"Everyone enjoying themselves?"

"Very much," they murmured.

"I hope you don't mind if I steal Hannah for a bit," he said, pulling her away before they could even say anything.

Hannah went along, following him through the crowd. "I could use a moment alone," she admitted in his ear, and he smiled