Chapter Text
"You want me to do what?" Stiles was dumbstruck.
"Marry me," Peter Hale repeated himself patiently. "Everything's set up. All that's missing is someone for me to marry."
"But..."
Hale sighed. "Marrying Lydia was nothing but a business arrangement," he explained. "There are... reasons I need a spouse and it makes no difference to me whether it's her or you."
Stiles frowned. This is not what he signed up for. "Reasons?"
"There are inheritances and family responsibilities I can take over, once I'm married," Hale admitted. "And I'm tired of being chased by anyone who thinks they can benefit from marrying me."
"And why do you think I'm an acceptable candidate?" Stiles asked, crossing his arms.
"I don't," Hale said flatly. He tilted his head as if he was listening to something. "But you're here right now, and the fact that you're not saying 'yes' immediately is actually in your favor. Most people would jump at a chance to have access to me, much less get married."
He looked Stiles up and down. Lydia had actually picked out the suit Stiles was wearing -- and charged it to Hale's account, over Stiles' protest -- and it was much nicer than anything he owned, so Stiles knew he was looking good today. "You're presentable and clean up well."
Stiles hummed to himself. He tried not to be insulted. "What do I have to do?"
"I need to be married for a full calendar year," Hale replied. "Although an extra week would be helpful, just so no one can argue with me about the time element. I'll support you fully as my spouse, money isn't an object. You have to work hard to spend too much money, but I'd like a head's up on anything more than half a million dollars. Sex isn't required, but it's not off the table. You do need to be faithful, and I will do the same."
"I..." Stiles didn't know what he wanted. "I need five minutes."
"I can do that," Hale agreed.
"You're secure here," Stiles said, looking around the Groom's Suite. "No one should disturb you and I can... I can use the Bride's Suite next door."
"Fine," Hale nodded.
"Be right back," Stiles said, backing out of the door.
He went next door to the Bride's Suite, knowing it would be empty. Once secure in the Bride's Suite, Stiles paced. Lydia Martin had been a 'friend of a friend' who had hired him to help arrange her wedding to billionaire Peter Hale. Stiles knew this would be the opportunity he needed to elevate his wedding planning business to the next level. And he could use the money Hale was offering -- pay off at least some of his college loans and maybe put something toward paying off his dad's house.
Lydia had actually been the perfect customer, which was a relief after some of the bridezillas he had worked with. She knew what she wanted, she made decisions without argument, and she had excellent taste. The small but elegant wedding was the talk of the town. Or, rather, it would have been.
Then, Lydia's ex-boyfriend Jackson Whittemore had swanned back into town and assumedly groveled enough to get Lydia to take him back. That morning. Lydia had left Stiles a brief voice message -- I'm calling off the wedding. Peter will make sure you're properly paid.
Stiles hoped Lydia at least talked directly to Hale, rather than simply leaving him a message.
Stiles sighed. He was running out of time and needed to make a decision.
Oh, fuck it.
Stiles went back to the Groom's Suite and let himself in. Hale was sitting back in a lounge chair. Stiles looked Hale over and, beyond the facade of powerful ease, there might have been a thread of worry.
Hale looked back at Stiles. "Well?"
"I'll do it," Stiles said. "I'd like a... pre-nup, I guess."
"We don't have time for lawyers," Hale protested.
"I don't need fancy," Stiles replied. He picked up the clip board he had been using to take notes and found a blank sheet of paper. He wrote up the basic outline of what Hale had offered before.
Stiles Stilinski will marry Peter Hale under the following conditions:
--the marriage is to last for one calendar year plus one week
--both parties are to live together, whenever reasonable
--Peter Hale will provide an allowance of $20,000 per month to Stiles Stilinski
--socially acceptable physical contact is allowed between both parties; intimate contact may be allowed upon discussion between both parties and full consent between both parties
--both parties are to be faithful to each other during the length of the marriage
Further terms may be negotiated as needed.
"Look okay?" Stiles handed Hale the clipboard.
"Not bad," Hale said, taking the pen from Stiles. "One change," he said as he made it. He handed the clip board back to Stiles.
Stiles stared. The $20,000 figure had been changed to $250,000.
"I don't need that," Stiles protested.
"Further reason why I'm asking you to marry me," Hale said. "You're undervaluing yourself."
"Just looking to take care of my bills," Stiles protested.
"I'll pay the bills and give you a credit card for most expenses," Hale replied. "That money is for you to do with as you wish."
Stiles hesitated. It would be enough money to pay off his student loans, his dad's house, and give him a nest egg to do what he wanted at the end of the year.
"What kind of a name is 'Stiles'?" Hale asked, looking up from the page in front of him.
"My real name is a nightmare," Stiles admitted. "When I was born, my mom insisted I have her father's very Polish name and my dad went along with it. I'll sign this using it, but Stiles is who I am."
"That's reasonable," Hale agreed. "Anything else?"
"Not that I can think of," Stiles replied. He signed the bottom of the page and handed the clipboard to Hale, who also signed the document with a brief glance at Stiles' legal name.
"Is the marriage license going to be valid?" Hale asked.
"Let me make a call," Stiles said. "I can get that fixed." He looked at his watch. "Going to take about half an hour, though."
Hale waved a hand. "I have nowhere else to be right now," he said. "Do what you have to."
Stiles dialed the city records office.
"Erica? I need a hu-u-u-u-g-e favor," he begged.
"Stiles! Now what?" she laughed.
"Ummm... remember I pulled a wedding license for Lydia Martin and Peter Hale?" Stiles asked.
"Yes! Isn't that today?" Erica asked.
"It was supposed to be, but, well, Lydia's gone and now I'm going to marry Hale," Stiles said.
Silence.
"Excuse me?" Erica finally asked.
"Long story, I promise to tell you later, but I need a license that has my name and Hale's name on it couriered over to me as soon as possible," Stiles said. "We can find someone here to notarize it for us."
"Oh, this I have to see," Erica said. "I'll come myself and notarize it for you."
"That works!" Stiles agreed. "You can be my best person while you're at it!"
"You need another person as a witness," Erica pointed out with a small pout. "I can't notarize it and be a witness."
"There are people here who will jump at being a witness," Stiles replied. "Just get here as soon as you can?"
"Will do!" Erica promised.
Stiles hung up and turned to Hale. "Taken care of. My friend Erica will be here with a new license as soon as she can," he explained. "What do we tell everyone else?" He waved a hand toward where the guests were waiting.
"Tell them there are technical difficulties and open the bar," Hale said. "That will appease anyone. Only my nephew is family, the rest are there to ensure I have enough witnesses to the marriage."
"We need two witnesses for the license," Stiles said. "Who were you going to have for that?"
"I don't know who Lydia had selected, but I know my nephew Derek is here," Hale shrugged. "See if he has a date."
"That will work," Stiles nodded. "Okay, I'll be right back."
Hale nodded.
Stiles hurried to find the catering staff first. "Listen, we've hit a snag and have to push the ceremony back almost an hour," he begged. "Any chance we can open the bar now?"
"Now and after the ceremony?" the woman asked. "It'll cost extra."
"Not a problem," Stiles nodded. "You know Hale is good for it, just add it to the bill."
"I'll get the bartenders going," she said. "You want any food served?"
"Probably should have something," Stiles realized. "Whatever is ready now is fine. Not the cake, but how about the cookies?"
"Sure," she agreed.
"Oh! The cake!" Stiles realized. "Take off the topper, we'll do without it. Smooth whatever around so it looks good."
The male and female couple on top of the cake would now be inappropriate.
"Whatever," the woman nodded.
"And put out the coffee service, if it's ready," Stiles said. Some folk might want that instead.
"You got it," she agreed.
Stiles tried to think. There wasn't going to be a meal after the ceremony, only some finger food and a cake, so there weren't a lot of choices. That would have to do for now. "Thanks!"
Stiles went to the meeting room where the ceremony and the reception immediately afterward was going to be held and took a deep breath before he opened the door to step in.
"May I have your attention?" he called. He waited for the conversations to die. "We've had a slight change of plans and some technical difficulties. The ceremony will go on, but will be pushed back about an hour, maybe less. We'll be opening the bar in a minute and providing some coffee and food while you wait. We're sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience."
A murmur of voices. Stiles could hear the questioning that started, wondering what was going on. Fortunately, the bartenders appeared at that point and the majority of the crowd moved toward the bar.
As he was about to slip out, two of the guests approached him, followed by the officiant Stiles had hired.
"What's going on?" A dark haired, frowning man demanded.
"And you are?" Stiles asked politely.
"Derek Hale," he replied. "Peter's my uncle."
"Oh, right, he mentioned you," Stiles replied. He nodded to the striking black woman who stood next to him. "Are you with Mr. Derek Hale?"
"Braeden Marshall," she held out a hand as she introduced herself. "Don't mind grumpy here, it's his default setting."
"I think Mr. Hale would be willing to talk to you all privately," Stiles decided. "If you'd come with me?"
Stiles led them to the Groom's Suite. "Please give me a moment to make sure Mr. Hale doesn't mind being interrupted."
Hale was still sitting in the lounge chair. "That's my nephew," he said before Stiles could explain. "Let him in."
"He has his date with him," Stiles said. "And we need to update the officiant."
"Yes. That's not a problem," Hale nodded.
Stiles opened the door. "Please, come in," Stiles said. They moved into the room and Stiles was about to leave and shut the door when Hale held up a hand.
"No, you need to stay for this," Hale said.
"What's going on?" Derek Hale asked.
"Well, it seems that my lovely bride-to-be Lydia has had a change of heart and has left me at the altar," Peter Hale explained. "Since I need to be married soon, Stiles has agreed to marry me."
Derek Hale turned to stare.
Stiles waved.
Derek Hale turned back to his uncle. "Are you sure about him?"
"Hey! Right here!" Stiles protested.
Peter Hale gave a fleeting grin. "You know perfectly well that my marriage to Lydia was a business arrangement," Peter said firmly. "There's nothing to say that my spouse has to be female. Stiles is here, he's willing, and, most interestingly, I had to talk him into it."
Derek turned to stare at Stiles. The officiant rolled his eyes.
"What?" Stiles demanded, holding up his hands. "Sue me, I'm a romantic."
Derek stared some more and then looked at Peter. "He's not lying."
Peter shrugged. "That's why he's perfect!"
"Still here!" Stiles chimed in.
"Yes, sweetheart, I know," Peter assured him.
Stiles' phone buzzed in his pocket. He got it out and looked at the screen. "Sorry, Erica is here with the new marriage license. That was fast. Let me go get her." He looked around. "Are you both willing to be witnesses?"
Derek Hale nodded briefly.
Braeden said with a grin, "I'd be honored!"
"You'll both need to stay after the ceremony to sign the form then," Stiles pointed out. "Be right back."
Stiles didn't wait for an answer and went to the security checkpoint to get Erica. He found her with her boyfriend Boyd, waiting patiently at the door.
"They're with me," Stiles told the security guard. "Thank you!"
"Stiles!" Erica whispered as they hurried down the hall. "What the fuck?"
"You can't tell anyone," Stiles ushered the two into the Bride's Suite and closed the door. He looked at Boyd. "Either one of you."
"Cross my heart and hope to die." Erica made an exaggerated cross over her heart.
Boyd just nodded.
"The original marriage with Lydia Martin was a business arrangement," Stiles said.
Erica's eyes narrowed. "And...:
"Lydia's gone and I'm going to marry Peter Hale for a year," Stiles said baldly.
"What the fuck?" Erica demanded.
"Look," Stiles begged. "It's only for a year, he's going to support me during it and pay me an obscene amount of money and... and... and he's promised to be faithful during the time we're married." He paused for a moment. "Oh, and we don't have to have sex unless I want."
"Stiles!" Erica protested.
"Erica!" Stiles echoed.
Erica threw up her hands and asked, "So, what are you going to do?"
"Marry him," Stiles said firmly.
Boyd put a hand on Erica's shoulder to stop her from asking anything else.
"Do you want to marry him?" Boyd asked.
"Yes?" Stiles replied.
"Then do it," Boyd said.
"Thanks," Stiles said. "Hey! Be a witness on the license for me?"
Boyd shrugged and nodded.
"Okay, then!" Stiles clapped his hands together. "Erica? Got the new license?"
"Yes," Erica nodded, holding up her handbag. "Right here."
"Let's get this started," Stiles said. "Everyone's next door. Come on."
Stiles led them to the room next door.
"Erica Reyes, Vernon Boyd, please meet Braeden Marshall, Derek Hale and, of course, Peter Hale," Stiles performed the introductions. "This is our officiant, Alan Deaton."
Peter Hale stood and came over to them. He took Erica's hand.
"Ms. Reyes," Peter purred. "Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to help us out. I do hope it was not too much of an inconvenience." He brought her hand up and dropped a small kiss on the back of it.
Erica blushed. "Always glad to help Stiles."
"What do you need us to do?" Peter asked.
"The two of you will sign the certificate now, and I'll notarize your signatures," Erica said. "Then after the ceremony, the witnesses will sign and I'll notarize those signatures."
"Can you still be my best person?" Stiles asked.
"Sure, since that's mostly ceremonial," she nodded.
Stiles turned to Braeden. "Sorry, but I didn't know Boyd was coming. Would you mind awfully if he was my witness instead?"
Braeden waved him away. "Not a problem!"
Erica turned to Derek. "And you'll be Mr. Hale's witness?"
"Too many Mr. Hale's," Derek said gruffly. "Call me Derek."
"Thank you!" Erica smiled. "Derek, will you be Peter Hale's witness?"
Derek nodded.
Peter clapped his hands. "Okay, I think we're all set!"
"Wait! What do we tell your guests?" Stiles asked.
Peter gave a bitter laugh. "Nothing," he declared. "The only people who need to know anything are in this room. It's our business and none of theirs. If they ask questions, you don't have to tell them anything."
"Tell them it was all Peter's idea," Derek offered with a sly grin. "No one will ask any more than that."
"O-o-o-kay..." Stiles drawled.
"It will be fine," Peter assured him.
"Let me go and close down the bar, and alert the caterers and the guests we're about ready," Stiles said. "That should take like ten minutes. Then we can get started."
"Do you need any help?" Erica offered.
"Don't think so," Stiles decided. "I'll let you know."
Stiles started with the guests, knowing that getting everyone away from the bar would be the hard part. He then went back to the catering lead and let her know they would be starting as soon as everyone was seated.
Back in the Groom's Suite, Stiles thought for a moment. "Okay. Mr. Deaton, you can go to the front of the room. Derek can escort Erica up the aisle and Peter and I can escort each other?"
"That sounds reasonable," Peter agreed. "Did you have music selected?"
"A selection from Handel's Water Music," Stiles replied. "It should work well enough."
"That sounds like a lovely piece. Better than I expected, actually," Peter replied.
Stiles grinned to himself. He had talked Lydia into that music.
Peter looked around at the others in the room. "Are we all set?"
They nodded.
Deaton moved to the front and waited for them. Stiles started the music from his phone and nodded to Erica and Derek to start up the aisle. Since it was a small room, he and Peter waited for them to position themselves at the front.
"Last chance to back out," Peter said softly.
"Nope," Stiles replied. "I'll keep my word."
"Good!" Peter grinned. He held out his arm and Stiles put his hand inside Peter's elbow.
They walked up the aisle together, to muted whispers from the guests. Stiles worked hard to concentrate on the man next to him and ignore anything being said.
Since Stiles had worked with Lydia on the ceremony, he already knew what was coming. He focused on Peter while he gave his vows, and listened as Peter gave his.
He was startled, somehow, when Deaton said, "I know pronounce you married. You may kiss your husband."
Peter leaned in for a kiss. It was soft, warm and everything Stiles would ever had hoped for. Peter put his arms around Stiles and deepened the kiss. It was magic!
When Peter raised his head, Stiles saw a look of happy surprise in Peter's eyes.
What have I done? Stiles thought in a panic.