Maria's POV

I opened my eyes as the first of the sun started to come though my windows. I stretched my arms without sitting up. My hand encountered something warm. I looked over.

"Robin," I smiled at my fiance sleeping in the chair next to my bed. He's asleep, I told myself.

I suddenly felt very mischievous a trait Robin brings out in me. I reached for his hat, but as I raised it above his eyes. I found them open at twinkling with success, I let out a yelp and jumped back, or as much as you can jump whilst lying in bed.

"I am surprised to see you up so early, my love" I commented as I lay back down.

"What were you going to do, Princess?" he asked and I knew he was referring to me trying to steal his hat. I just smiled at him before sitting up.

"Good morning," I said, he opened his arms and I went to sit on his lap.

"Good morning, Maria," he said, he then kissed me quick but passionate.

We sat in silence for a while before I thought it was probably time I got dressed. I looked around my room for the dress Loveday always leaves for me. I could not see it.

"Has Loveday been, Robin?" I asked him, he shook his head.

"Not that I know off," he said. "Why do you ask?"

"She usually leaves a dress," I explained, moving away from him. His arms locked tighter around me, I smiled at him. I thought how I was going to get free and I thought I'd tease him.

I lean't forward and ran my lips along his chin before kissing him on either side of the mouth. He let me go. I stood and to praise him for letting me go kissed him properly.

I know started looking for the dress, I suddenly heard the door open but when I turned to face it I saw nobody. I went to turn back to my room I caught sight of Loveday; she was leaning against my fireplace.

"I am sorry, Maria," she said, handing me a dress. "I am running behind schedule."

"Good morning to you too, Loveday," I said hinting.

"Oh yes, good morning, Maria," she turned to Robin. "You, out."

"Charming," he said but left with Loveday following.

I pulled off my night clothes as quick as possible and put on the beautiful dress, Loveday had given me.

It was the same patterned and coloured material as the dress I had first ridden in but this was in one of my moon princess cut dresses. It just dusted the floor and was intricately decorated. There was a thin belt around the waist.

I nearly skipped downstairs to the dinning room. Uncle, Loveday and Robin were already there, as was Melissa and Lucy but Mrs Heliotrope wasn't.

"Good morning, Uncle," I said kissing his cheek, as I went to take my seat between him and Robin. "Good morning Lucy, Melissa," they smiled at me Mrs Heliotrope joined us after not to long. "Good morning, Mrs Heliotrope," I greeted her.

"Good morning, Maria," she said, smiling at me. "Good morning everyone."

Digweed soon brought in breakfast and silence fell. After breakfast we 'younger lot' retreated to the parlor.

"… what are you doing tonight, Robin?" Lucy asked. Robin looked at her blankly. "Oh dear, Maria, did you forgot to tell his best man, Jasper, was it?"

"I told Loveday before she went to the De Noir castle," I said rising. "I will go check, I won't be long."

It turned out Loveday had told Jasper about the Batchular Party but I was not to tell Robin, just make sure he was outside at 7 o' clock.

Soon the guests were arriving, we had the Merryweather guests go into the Manor where they would find Uncle, Loveday, Melissa and Lucy to give them a map and tell them where their rooms are. The De Noir guests were sent back to their carriages to be taken to the De Noir castle where Coeur De Noir would direct them with Jasper, Pascal and Tamers help.

At three o'clock everyone of our guests came into the Merryweather grounds. Coeur De Noir came up to me and hugged me which was strange. Robin just grinned at me as I looked at him over his father's shoulder. Everyone ate, drank and laughed. The men even played some sport.

When 7:00 o'clock came I told Robin I was to hot and asked him to come with me into the garden. We were only out there for a few seconds when a group of boys came running out.

"I do not like the look of that," I said. "Have fun, Robin." I kissed him on the cheek before heading back to the castle. As I closed the door I saw Robin getting pulled into the Forest by Jasper. Shaking my head I went to the Parlor where my hen night was being held.

Loveday covered my eyes as I approached the door. I felt her open the door and led my inside. Everything was silent. Loveday lifted me up before removing her hands from my eyes.

The room had been transformed. The sofa's had been moved back to the edge of the room. It looked light a night club.

Then music started to play and everyone started dancing, Loveday pushed me gently off the stage and onto the crowd of girls who caught me before putting me down on the stage in the middle. I danced all night and was so hyper by the end of the night.

Robin, I knew, was not coming here tonight. He was staying at his home. Loveday got me up at dawn, we ate breakfast at normal speed as we were in no rush from being up so early before she dragged me to her room. Uncle was staying at the De Noir castle just for tonight. Mrs Heliotrope, Melissa and Lucy also came into help.

Loveday showed Mrs Heliotrope what she wanted done with my bridesmaids' hair before focusing on mine. Her hands started combing through my hair, hefting it, twisting it. When she finished that she started on my make up. Not much but a light dusting before making me stand so she could get me in my dress.

Mrs Heliotrope was finishing the girls, adding their make up while Loveday dressed herself and did her hair and make up. Mrs Heliotrope soon left after to get ready.

I could hear voices starting to float up, was it that time already? I thought that Robin was downstairs and that cheered me up although I couldn't see him until I walked down the aisle. I wondered what was going on down there.

Uncle came up soon, and he stood in the doorway, he looked shocked.

"Benjamin, would you grab the flowers, please?" Loveday asked him.

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

He was only gone a few seconds before he was back trying to carry four bouquets of flowers. Loveday rushed to help him.

"Okay, lets go," she took my hand and led me to the door but then spun around again to face Uncle. "Don't you have anything to say to your niece?"

Uncle still seemed in shock and just shook his head; Loveday rolled her eyes at him. "Come on."

She pulled me down the stairs and everyone followed. When we reached the top of the stairs.

" Benjamin, make sure everyone is seated," Uncle ran down the stairs and out the door. He was back quickly. We continued down the stairs and outside till were just out of view of the clearing where Loveday and I had decided to throw the wedding. I heard the music start to play, that was our cue.

"Melissa, go," Loveday said, Melissa hurried round the corner before starting her walk down the aisle. Loveday counted to 10 before pushing Lucy forward. "Count to twenty, Benjamin, and then walk Maria down the aisle."

Uncle nodded and Loveday started to walk. Uncle soon reached twenty and we started to walk. I watched everyone stand and heard murmurs and rustling of our friends and family as I came into view.

I was soon looking for Robin but I before I did so my eyes sweeped the faces of my friends and family. My eyes soon found Robins and as they did so the march felt much too slow, luckily the aisle was short.

I soon reached him, I kissed my uncles cheek, he placed me hand in Robins, and I was home.

We turned toward old Parson from the Merryweather Village Church. Our vows were simple, traditional. My voice rang clear and full of happiness as I spoke the binding words. "I do,"

When it was Robin's turn his was the same but with a hint of victory. "I do," he vowed.

Old Parson declared us husband and wife. Robins hand moved to my waist and he kissed me, I kissed him back, my arms winding around his neck. We soon broke apart, they crowd erupted into applause and we turned our bodies to face them.

We walked down the aisle back to the manor, with the crowd following us. The wedding followed into the reception party perfectly – proof of Loveday's flawless time keeping.

Things slowed down, and our friends lined up in front of us. There was time to talk now, to laugh. First in line were my Uncle and Loveday. They hugged us quickly without a word knowing that we would be coming back to them. Couer De Noir did the same.

Lucy and Melissa were next to claim us, Throwing their arms around me at the same time before taking it in turns to hug Robin before say congratulations and moving on.

Then Jasper, Pascal and Tamer, who really weren't the hugging sort.

"Congrats guys," Jasper said, the other two nodded before moving on. Robin rolled his eyes at me.

Soon the line ended and the music started. Robin pulled me out on to the floor for our first dance; I went willingly. He did all the work I just twirled

"Enjoying the party, Lady De Noir?" he whispered in my ear.

I laughed. "That will take a while to get used to."

He leaned down to kiss me as we danced. It seemed so un-Robin, I wasn't used to the perfect gentleman, he was only a gentleman when it suited him it appears that now it suits him to be.

The music soon changed and we were joined by our guests, I never left Robin's arms for the half hour break before all the traditional dances but eventually Loveday announced that everyone need to clear the dance floor and I went to dance with Uncle.

Uncle was actually a really good dancer, our dance was faster than mine and Robin's first dance so Uncle was twirling me around the floor while I laughed. I was so dizzy by the end of it and had to sit down for a while before the room stood spinning.

During the break I was made to dance with Robin's cousin. He wasn't great and Robin soon whirled me away from him.

"Do you not like your cousin?" I asked

"He's a jerk," Robin replied.

And that was the end of the conversation; we just danced until it was my time to dance with my new father-in- law. It wasn't as easy to dance with him as it was with Robin or Uncle.

"So, daughter-in-law, Lady De Noir," he teased. "What hold do you have on my son?"

I laughed. We didn't talk much for the rest of the song and I was soon back in Robins arms.

"Have you had a chance to look at yourself?" he asked.

"No, why?" it was strange for me not to look in a mirror but we were running late.

"Because you heartbreakingly beautiful, Maria" he said, not a hint of humour in his voice. He was completely serious.

"You are very biased, you know," I said not believing.

"Biased am I?" he asked, he looked around as though looking for a mirror when he found nothing he said. "Oh well, you'll have to wait for the pictures -"

He was about to say something else when Loveday called "Dinner! Wedding party, please line up here."

We all lined up with me and Robin standing next to each other, Jasper, Pascal and then Tamer on Robins other side and Loveday, Lucy then Melissa on my other side. Coeur De Noir, Uncle and Mrs Heliotrope were at the end. We shook hands with everyone and as soon as everyone was seated we sat down at the head table. Again me and Robin were in the Middle, Loveday and Uncle to my right, with Melissa and Lucy next to them. Couer De Noir was next to Robin with Jasper, Pascal, Tamer, Mrs Heliotrope and Digweed after.

We had barely sat down and had one drink when Uncle stood up tapping his fork against his glass.

"I hope everyone has a glass full, as I would like to say a few words about my niece and her new husband, Robin.

"I was a grumpy man in a house far too big for me but with too many memories both good and bad to leave it when Maria, our moon princess, arrived in Moonacre. I think you'll agree, dear, that I wasn't very easy to live with," I smiled at him and nodded slightly. "She, being the little minx she is, intervened my life and now I wouldn't have it any other way. She helped me find my true love again and I am so happy that she has found hers. To Maria and Robin!"

"To Maria and Robin," the crowd chanted.

A few minutes later Lucy and Melissa stood up. I knew what they were going to do before the even open their mouths. They were going to tell embarrassing stories form London.

"Luc! Mel! Don't you dare," I said, they just grinned at me.

"Everyone!" Melissa said, taping her fork to her glass. "We have something to say." I put my head in my hands and Robin rubbed my back.

"Ria probably thinks we are going to tell stories from London," Lucy said.

"You aren't?" I asked.

"Oh no, Ria, we are," Melissa said. Ria was my nickname back in London but I much preferred Princess.

"Ria," Lucy said, "that's our name for her, we hardly every call her Maria. I hear she's got a new nickname now, Princess. Which she is going to have to explain at one point."

"She is going to kill us for doing this," Melissa said laughing. "But she will get over it quickly; she has such a good heart. And that, Ria, is the last thing in our speech that your going to like," she told me, I dropped my head back in my hands. I heard a few chuckles.

"Ria, was what you called a typical city girl," Lucy said. "She would wear fancy dresses and loved going to parties. To calm her nerves, Ria, would do Classical French Needlepoint."

"How much she has changed," Melissa interrupted.

"I am going to tell you are story of Ria and which shows how I could never have imagined how her life has turned out but also how I could.

"When we were 10 our teacher took us to a garden center, it was the type with plants and animals. Ria took one look at a tree that was swaying in the breeze and said that it was going to crush her –"

"Lucy, I'm begging to be quiet," I said looking up from my hands, Robin mouth was twitching, as though he wanted to smile but instead he wrapped his arm around me.

"Fine," Lucy said. I stared at her in surprise.

"Ria never liked trees, she scared of them. We then went out into a small wood, she saw a rabbit," Melissa continued. Dammit, I thought. "Ria always had a soft spot for rabbits and other animals as long as they weren't too big. And there was a man cutting the tree down, somehow Ria knew that it was going to fall on the rabbit and she picked the rabbit up just in time nearly getting crushed herself.

"Which is why we can not believe that she has spent the last few years in Moonacre, roaming the forest with Robin. She doesn't seem scared of trees now, or large animals, something I never thought."

"Are you done?" I asked desperately.

"Yes, I am done," Melissa said smiling at me. "To Ria and Robin."

Again the crowd repeated it. The food was now brought it by the De Noir servants The De Noir chef and Marmaduke were working together to make our wedding meal and the two styles worked well together.

Loveday stood up as they were cleaning up the first course. Robin glared at her. Once she got everyone attention she began to speak.

"I have a lot to thank these two for, I am not sure if you do. I will take the time to thank them now. Robin, Maria, I think the whole valley would join me in thanking you for saving our homes and families. Benjamin I am sure would like to thank you, Maria, for interfering and making us meet again. Robin, I am sure Maria like myself and Benjamin would like to thank you for not killing her when you meet in the forest on the day of the 5000 moon and for guiding her through the forest and to safety. I could go on and on with things that you two need thanking for.

"Maria, you are technically my niece and my sister-in-law but I think of you as a daughter as I am sure Benjamin does," I turned to look at Uncle who nodded. "You changed our lives so dramatically when you came to Moonacre. You got us back together, you broke the curse by sacrificing yourself, you helped build my relationship with my brother back up. And I can not thank you enough for how you have changed my life." She lean't down hugged me and kissed my forehead.

There were no more toasts made during the second and third course. But before everyone left Robin stood up and everyone fell silent.

"Right, well I'm not great with words like … like anyone who has spoken so far. So, um … I guess I should thank you all for coming and … supporting … Nah I give up," he sat back down to a few chuckles.

"Giving up so easy, Robin," I teased.

"Yes," he said, kissing me. "Right, my Princess, back to the dance floor?"

"Happily."

I let him pull me on the the floor once again and he wrap his arms around my waist. I didn't leave Robin's arms for the rest of the evening. It felt like absolutely everything was as it should be.

The Merryweather guests soon started to stumble their way to carriages while the De Noir guests continued to get drunk and dance. Eventually Loveday suggested it was time for us to go home because, sadly, Loveday said I have to come home at the end of the reception. I said goodbye to Coeur De Noir and the De Noir guests before kissing Robin goodbye.