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+----- Thread: To Have & To Hold:: The Blackwood's (/showthread.php?tid=966)
To Have & To Hold:: The Blackwood's - Gideon Blackwood - 03-31-2026
This was not his first rodeo, but comparing his first wedding to this was like apples to a palm tree. Thinking back on his first wedding, Gideon sighed. Things were so different then. Gideon in his Army Uniform, Elizabeth in a simple butter yellow dress. Their parents attended, a judge officiated, simple gold bands were exchanged. There were no heartfelt vows or lavish receptions. The marriage had been arranged, he was going off to war, times were so different.
Standing in his old bedroom at his parents estate, it hit him how vastly different this wedding would be. And for that matter, the marriage. He was wholeheartedly in love with Roisin. She was the first thing he thought of in the morning, the last thing he thought of before falling into a deep sleep, where he would then dream about her. He didn’t want it any other way.
If his love for Rose wasn’t enough, he was also getting a daughter. Fiona held his heart in her hands. The first time she called him Daddy, tears sprang to his eyes and tracked down his face. Biologically she was not his, but he claimed her in every way that truly mattered. And after today, they would all three have the Blackwood name.
He moved slowly around the room, fingers brushing over familiar surfaces, remembering a time when life was easier. The carved bedpost, the green tufted chair by the fireplace. There was a time when this room had held a different version of him.
Gideon adjusted the cuff of his shirt, the crisp white fabric sitting neatly beneath his suit jacket. The mirror across the room caught his reflection, and for a moment, he simply stood there, studying the man looking back at him. Not the soldier. Not the boy. Someone that looked happy and content with the way his life was headed.
A solid knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Not waiting for permission to enter, the door opened revealing his wedding party. The men that walked in, laughing and being their naturally loud selves, knew him better than anyone. His Father and brothers lived to give him a hard time. As family does. "Pop, thanks for all your help in this." While Gideon and Rose finished out the year, his parents and sister did the bulk of the heavy lifting. He could never repay them.
Thankfully they loved Rose, so there were no awkward warnings. “Son, no thank you's necessary. You look great, obviously, your my son." They chuckled. "The guests are making their way to the ceremony site, we should head down in about twenty minutes. But first, I think a toast is in order.”
Wesley passed out the highball glasses as Hayes poured the hundred year old scotch. A good two finger pour for each.
His father lifted his glass, waiting until the room quieted, though it never truly did with this group.
“I won’t make this long,” he began, glancing briefly between his sons. “No one here would tolerate that. Gideon, I’ve seen you stand in many roles. A soldier. A Husband. A leader. A man carrying more than most should.” His gaze held Gideon’s now. “But this… is the first time I’ve seen you exactly where you’re meant to be. You’ve chosen well. And more importantly, you’ve chosen right. To Roisin, who has done what none of us managed, made him happy, but even more amazingly, made him smile.” A small smirk tugged at his mouth. A small ripple of amusement moved through the room. “And to Fiona, who, whether she knows it yet or not, has already made him, and the rest of us, better.” He raised his glass. “To family. The one we’re born into… and the one we’re fortunate enough to choose. To the Blackwood's.”
Raising his glass, Gideon took the scotch down in one drink. The heat warming him from within. A smile played on his lips, as his father brought him in for a tight hug. “Ok you band of heathens, let's get your brother married!”
RE: To Have & To Hold:: The Blackwood's - Roisin Blackwood - 04-01-2026
The day had finally arrived. Everything was ready. She was beyond ready to marry Gideon and join his family officially. She was excited for Fiona to finally have the family she deserved. Her heart though – only slightly – was a bit sad.
Of all the people on earth, Rose wanted nothing more than her mother to be there with her for this big occasion. But the woman had died ages ago, so unfortunately she had to go through this alone. Much like she had to do everything else alone.
For some reason, her mum’s side of the family had all but died off, and it left her and Fiona. It was unfortunate; she’d have loved the opportunity to meet more cousins but that would never happen.
Her dad’s side of the family were pure muggles, and she was sure they viewed life the same way that he did.
Thankfully, Fiona would not have to go through that. Rose had no idea who had fathered her daughter, but the girl was finally gaining the father-figure she so desperately needed in her life. And Rose had been given a sister through Lavinia and proper parents, through Gideon’s parents.
She loved them dearly.
They weren’t her mom though.
Rose looked at herself in the mirror, her head tilted slightly, when a knock came from the door.
“Come in,” she said and turned to see her soon-to-be mother-in-law come in. Tears were in her eyes and Rose smiled at her. The woman embraced her. She knew how hard today was going to be for Rose without her mom there, and without much in the way of support on her side.
“You look beautiful,” she whispered, and Rose closed her eyes. She held the hug for a while longer than she expected, feeling herself tear up at the words. While Emery Blackwood was not a substitute for her mom, the woman was maternal as hell and the hug gave her what she needed.
“Thank you,” she said softly as she pulled back. Rose sniffled and wiped the two stray tears that had managed to roll down her cheeks when another knock came at the door, but this time, there was no wait.
Evander and Fiona ran into the room and straight up to her. “Oh don’t you two look so good!” she said and hugged each of them. Lavinia and Catrin came to a stop, both grinning.
“Rose, you look absolutely beautiful,” Catrin gasped and she smiled, looking back down at her children.
“I am sure both of the kids look better than Gideon and I,” she commented, the two grinning up at her.
“You’re finally joining the family!” Lavinia laughed and hugged Rose tightly. When she let go, she knelt down to the kids and smiled at each of them.
Rose straightened her son’s bowtie and tucked some hair behind Fiona’s ear before standing. She then looked around at all of them – noisy and warm and entirely too much – and felt the last tight thing in her chest finally let go. Her mum wasn't here. But this was.
Another knock came at the door and Vinnie grinned. “It’s time,” she said.
RE: To Have & To Hold:: The Blackwood's - Gideon Blackwood - 04-04-2026
He must have blinked, because suddenly he was standing at the altar.
A beautiful arrangement of flowers, fabric, and carved wood framed the space. Candlelight flickered softly beneath the canopy of trees, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. It was… perfect.
The chairs were filled with friends, family, students, and colleagues. Gideon let his gaze sweep over them, recognizing more faces than not. He’d call that a win.
As the music began, a soft classical number, he stepped into place at the center, turning toward the aisle. His parents came first. Then the bridesmaids, followed by the maid of honor. Gideon smiled as Lavinia reached her place.
At his side stood his groomsmen, his brothers, all but Archer, who had wisely avoided the spotlight and taken refuge in the front row. Their mother sat beside him, already in tears. Gideon couldn’t help but smile at that.
The music shifted. Fiona and Evander appeared.
The little boy being reigned in by his older sister. They were adorable, as expected. The guests laughed softly, charmed, as she made her way down the aisle like she owned it. Gideon’s smile widened, impressively, given it hadn’t left his face since this began.
The children took their places. Fiona near Lavinia, Evander quickly reclaimed by his father and stepmother. The rings remained safely tucked away in Wesley’s pocket.
Another change in the music. Gideon’s gaze lifted and there she was.
Roisin.
A vision in ivory lace. His breath caught. His chest tightened, heart suddenly far too loud for his liking. She was… there weren’t words that would do her justice. Her walk down the aisle felt both fleeting and endless.
Without thinking, his feet carried him forward, meeting her at the end. He took her hand, his expression softening into something quieter, deeper, something meant only for her.
Guiding her gently up the step, he led her to the center. As the guests settled into their seats, he smiled and gave her fingers a small squeeze. “You look gorgeous, my love,”he murmured, low enough that it was meant only for her.
Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles… “None of that until the end.”
The old wizard’s sharp voice cut in, accompanied by a disapproving look. Gideon didn’t even try to hide the faint smirk that followed.
((OOC: Powerplay approved by the humans of Rose and Evander))
RE: To Have & To Hold:: The Blackwood's - Roisin Blackwood - 04-04-2026
Rose wished that her cousin Finn was there, but the man who had become her guardian after she was kicked out of her father’s house had passed away a few years ago. She really had no one. No one to walk her down the aisle, no one to ‘give her away’.
Then again. Rose was never traditional.
She had two children with men she hadn’t married, the first she couldn’t even remember his name or what he looked like. Yeah, her track record was not great. Gideon was the first thing she’d done truly right, and in the right order.
As much baby fever as she’d been experiencing, they’d been careful.
Lavinia held her bouquet as Fiona held one hand, and Evander the other, as they made their way to the ceremony. She was so excited that both of her children were there, and was so excited to officially begin the next phase of her life.
The music began and she kissed each child on the cheek before letting go so they could make their way down the aisle. She stood off to the side, behind her bridesmaids, where she could see her kids but no one could see her.
When the bridal party began their processional, her stomach did a flip. And her heart beat loudly as she watched them take their places. The music shifted again.
Their blue eyes locked and any nervousness she felt vanished. She smiled, not taking her eyes off Gideon’s as she made her way down the aisle towards him. She saw Emery dab her eyes with a cloth, and then accepted Gideon’s hand in hers. She looked up at him, melting in his presence.
The term had been a long one, as they dealt with the fallout from the mess Thayer had caused. Everything had been leading up to this moment. She let him guide her up the step and turned to face him when they were in place.
“You look gorgeous, my love.”
He pressed his lips to the top of the hand he was holding and she smirked at the officiant’s prompt scolding.
Honestly, though she knew she should pay attention to the words being said, Rose was lost in Gideon’s eyes. She was finally home. She was happy. She had everything in the world that she wanted. She was safe and supported, and most importantly her daughter was loved too. That was all she had ever wanted.
She glanced over at Evander, who was being held by his father, and smiled, then looked back at Gideon. “I love you,” she whispered while the officiant continued, nearing the point of vows.
Before they knew it, the officiant had told them it was time for their vows. Rose looked up at Gideon, a slight smile on her lips as he went first.
"I vow to be your constant in light and in shadow, in seasons of plenty and of want. I vow to choose you, not only on the days it is easy, but on the days it asks something of me. You and Fiona are my family, and I do not take that lightly. I will spend the rest of my life proving it."
No, Rose wasn’t tearing up. Not at all.
It was her turn. She breathed. Sniffled, then breathed again.
"I vow to love you without condition and without reservation. I vow to be your partner in all things… your steady ground when the world is uncertain, and your chaos when it is too quiet. I promise to never stop surprising you."
Then she paused for a moment before grinning up at him. "I also vow to eventually return your office to its original state. You have my word."
((OOC: Powerplay approved by Gid’s human))
RE: To Have & To Hold:: The Blackwood's - Gideon Blackwood - 04-05-2026
"I also vow to eventually return your office to its original state. You have my word."
Squeezing her hands, Gideon chuckled thinking about the pink now coloring his office.
So. Much. Pink.
A smirk and the rise of his eyebrow told Rose he knew that was a bald faced lie. The pink was there to stay. The officiant, a structured man, kept things moving onto the rings. It was fine by him, he couldn’t wait for it to be official.
“These rings mark not only the union of two lives, but the beginning of a shared future, built together, and held together, in all that follows. May we have the rings please?”
Wesley stepped forward, producing two rings. If Rose looked closely at Gideon’s ring, she would notice it wasn’t the ring they picked out together. This one, instead of pure black, had a single stripe of rose gold. Engraved on the inside, “Now & Always.” He smiled and winked when she noticed the new details.
For Rose, a rose gold and diamond band that fit perfectly with her pink diamond engagement ring. Inside, Gideon had engraved “Always & Forever.”
Placing the ring on Rose’s finger, he spoke the words that would bind them together.
“With this ring, I give you my word, steady, certain, and yours without end.”
With the ring in place, he shook her hand playfully. “That’s permanent, Love.” He said with a chuckle.
With excitement radiating off her, Rose slipped the ring onto Gideon’s finger. There were tears in her eyes as she recited her words.
“With this ring, I give you my heart, freely, fully, and always yours.”
Gideon took his thumb, wiping the tears off her face carefully, a sweet smile set in place only for her.
“Before this union is sealed, there is one more promise yet to be spoken.”
Gideon felt in his pocket for the item he would need. Thankfully, it was still there waiting for this moment.
Stepping to the side, Gideon crooked his finger, motioning Fiona to the center of the altar. “Fiona… come here, Little Love.”
Lowering to a knee, bringing himself to her level, he smiled and took her hand in his.
“My sweet girl, you’ve called me Daddy for a while now.” He said, pausing a beat to take a breath. “Today, I would like to make that official.”
Taking out the Blackwood locket, he put it over her head, letting it rest just over her heart. It was a design she had seen hundreds of times, and now it belonged to her as well.
“Fiona, you already have my heart. Today, you have my name as well.” He said in a soft tone, giving her a kiss on the cheek and a squeeze to her hand.
Rising to his feet, he didn’t let go of Fiona’s tiny hand. She reached for her mothers, tying the three together.
“Then let it be witnessed,
that today, not only are two joined in marriage…
but a family is made whole.”
The officiant smiled at the family, joined together forever.
“Let it be witnessed and remembered, that from this day forward, you walk not alone, but together.”
The officiant taking a breath, for dramatic effect. A moment that felt like a week to Gideon.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Gideon smiled wide, as the words left the officiant’s mouth. Looking down at Fiona, Gideon whispered loudly, so that many could hear, causing laughter amongst the crowd. “Fiona, smoochie kisses coming, close your eyes.”
Taking Rose’s face in his hands he smiled, taking in every detail of her face. With a soft whisper he said with a grin, “wife,” before sealing his lips to hers.
The crowd cheered, and a very grossed out daughter could be heard groaning, “EW, SMOOCHIE KISSES!”
Gideon laughed lightly, going in for another searing kiss.
((OOC: Power Plays approved by Rose's human))
RE: To Have & To Hold:: The Blackwood's - Roisin Blackwood - 04-07-2026
A blur.
Rose looked at Fiona, the ring already on her finger and on Gideon’s too. And now he was promising her daughter – their daughter to be there for her. She knew that he’d planned something, but hadn’t shared the details. She saw the tears in the little girl’s eyes as she looked at the locket, beaming proudly at her place in this new family.
She held tightly to her husband’s hand and her daughter’s hand, grinning at them as the officiant finalized the wedding and announced them husband and wife. And then his whisper to the girl who secretly loved smoochie kisses, but had to pretend to hate them, that one was coming.
She grinned into the kiss as Gideon pressed his lips to hers as their guests stood and clapped. Rose pulled him close to her, so thankful that this part was over. She’d been worried about falling on herself as she made her way down the aisle… or totally misspeaking, or something equally as embarrassing.
She’d done it. Gracefully, she might add.
Rose melted into his kiss, her eyes closed, Fiona pulling on their hands to try to get them to stop. She finally laughed and broke free then squeezed her daughter. “We did it, Fe, we did it!” she exclaimed and the girl squealed, then turned and skipped and danced ahead of them as they made their way back down the aisle. Rose grinned at Evander as she walked by and then grinned up at Gideon as they walked.
She was finally happy.