Image by Couleur from Pixabay

“I am so glad you don’t have a tradition of wearing pastels to your weddings,” Kuen said as he watched Fiera twirl in her teal wedding dress.

“So do I,” she said, staggering a little. “Oef, I can’t do that right now. The twins do not like their ma whirlin’ in circles.”

Xenon and Calixtra had been beside themselves when Fiera contacted them and asked them to make her a wedding dress to accommodate her growing waistline. The sea blue silk was bunched under her breasts, held in place by a blue butterfly as a nod to her former identity. It fell loose from there in shimmering layers trimmed with silver.

It had taken three months to get everything ready, and the wedding was put on hold until after the harvest was in, but now the Rezouac family was gathering with friends and neighbors to celebrate the day. The weather was too cold for an outdoor wedding, but a temporary shelter had been put up on the main Rezouac farm for the purpose.

Phelix had grown some flowers in the greenhouse specific for the bride and now he brought in a garland for her. “Here you go,” he said, dropping them on her head and laughing as she swatted at him. “You look gorgeous, Fury.”

“I love this dress. Xenon and Cali outdid themselves,” Fiera said.

“They love you,” Kuen said. “They wanted to give you the best day possible.”

“It already is the best day possible,” Fiera said, putting one hand on her stomach and grinning up at her soon to be official husband and her twin.

“Keo’s beside himself with excitement that he gets t’give you away,” Phelix said. “I told him it’s only ‘cause I can’t carry the rings and pass you off t’Kuen.”

Fiera hugged Phelix. “Are you and Gaspare still plannin’ on doin’ this after spring plantin’?”

“If he’s still willin’,” Phelix said. “He’s never seen one of our weddin’s before so he’s havin’ fun bein’ up in it all. Ma’s been grateful for all his help.”

“Kuen, come here,” Fiera said, wincing as one of the girls kicked hard. Kuen came over. She grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach. He felt the solid thud of his daughter’s foot connecting with her womb. “See? She’s an active one. And here goes the other one. I swear these two are goin’ t’be a handful when they’re toddlin’.”

Kuen had a stunned look on his face. Phelix laughed. “I think he’s in love, Fury,” he said.

“I know he is. I mean, he’s at every appointment with me and he can already tell them apart even when I can’t,” Fiera said. “But they know when I sing, and it usually settles them down.” With that Fiera started singing the song she’d written for Kuen about the wing clipped phoenix. Sure enough the twins settled down.

Kuen kissed the top of her head. “I love you so much, my phoenix,” he said.

“I love you too, Kuen,” Fiera said, smiling up at him.

“If this gets any more syrupy I’m goin’ t’puke,” Alena said with a laugh. Then her face fell. “Fury, this got left for you. I have a feelin’ I know who it’s from. You don’t have t’take it if you don’t want. I can toss it in the incinerator and we can pretend I never found it.”

There was an ornately wrapped package in her hands. “Where did you find it?” Fiera asked quietly.

“Out by the front gate. I had Keo, Nev, and Marc all scan it. Nothin’ dangerous, they say,” Alena said.

“Fury?” Kuen asked.

“It’s from my da,” Fiera said. “Pass it over, ma. I’ll see what he left me.”

Alena passed it over reluctantly. Fiera opened the package. Inside was something Fiera had not expected. She sat down hard on her bed. “Fury, what is it?” Kuen asked, looking inside.

“It’s somethin’ my da promised me on my weddin’ day,” Fiera said. “I never thought he’d actually manage t’get it t’me.” She pulled out two delicate looking bracelets with two halves of a heart. “It’s not as breakable as it looks. It’s a Gaiteran eternity heart, somethin’ couples on Gaitera give t’each other on their weddin’ days. He told me about them when I was a little and I told him I wanted one for my weddin’. He told me back then he’d see what he could do.” She pulled out the card in the box. She read it, putting a hand over her mouth.

“What does it say, Fury?” Kuen asked.

“‘Tell the Nakano boy that I approve. I’m sorry fer shootin’ him and causin’ you so much grief. One day I hope you’ll tell those girls of yers, and all yer littles, about their wild, kericopac playin’ grandpa and not about the monster he became. I love you, my phoenix girl,’” she read out loud.

Fiera buried her face in her hands, the two bracelets dangling from her fingers. Kuen put his arm around her shoulders. Alena sighed. “He’s still a monster, but I can’t help lovin’ him fer not forgettin’ that promise he made, Fury,” she said.

“Me either, Ma,” Fiera said, looking up at her mother. “Me either.”

The smaller one went around her wrist and the larger one went around Kuen’s. Phelix slipped out and got Keoni. Alena had him scan them again. “I don’t recognize the alloy, but they don’t have any circuitry or anythin’ like that, Ma,” Keoni said.

“May I see the scanner?” Kuen asked. Keoni passed it over. “It’s a Gaiteran alloy made of silver, gold, and kuyper steel. It can’t be found anywhere else because they’re the only ones who know how to make the stuff. No one else can do it and believe me, jewelers have had people trying for a very long time.”

“You think Angeliki bought them for him?” Alena asked.

“She wouldn’t be able to. She’s locked up tighter than we were in the DC,” Kuen said. “At least, that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

“She has servants, Kuen,” Fiera said. “She might have sent one out t’get them for her.”

“Da could’ve bought them years ago,” Keoni said.

“He wouldn’t have had a chain t’fit Kuen’s wrist though,” Fiera said. “No, da bought these special fer us. I don’t know how, and I don’t care. At least he kept one promise t’me.”

“Better clean your face up, my phoenix,” Kuen said. “You don’t want to show up to our wedding looking like you’ve been sobbing your eyes out.”

“She’s pregnant. They’ll prob’ly just say it’s hormones,” Alena said with a shaky laugh.

“I’m washin’ my face, Ma,” Fiera said. “Then I’ll fix my makeup.”

“I can’t believe yer actually wearin’ makeup. My Fury, lookin’ like a girl,” Alena said with a chuckle. “You sure did learn some new things while you were away.”

“Some of it wasn’t good. Some of it was,” Fiera said. “Kuen, would you mind leavin’ me and ma alone for a few?”

“I can do that. Come on, Keo. They probably need to have that mother-daughter talk I hear happens a lot at these things,” Kuen said. “Let’s go make sure Gaspare and Phelix haven’t made off with the cake.”

“They’d better not have. Thea outdid herself on the decorations for this one,” Keoni said, heading down with him.

“You picked a good one, Fury. I never thought I’d say that about a Core Worlder,” Alena said, watching them both go.

Fiera grabbed one of the special wipes she’d discovered that helped clean off makeup easily. She washed her face. “Ma, do you really mind I’m marryin’ a Core Worlder?” The heart clinked against the table as she picked up her makeup and got to work fixing her face.

“No, I don’t. I married one, didn’t I? I got my Roughlings and the rest out of it. Yer all a handful but none of you were so bad as to be irredeemable, Fury,” Alena said. “Even you grew and learned better.”

“Do you – do you think I can be as good a ma as you were t’us?” Fiera asked, putting down the makeup and turning to face her mother.

“Is that what this is about?” Alena asked softly. Fiera nodded. “Fury, my wild phoenix girl, yer goin’ t’be the best ma for yer littles just as I was the best ma for mine. You know why?”

“‘Cause you raised me?” Fiera asked.

Alena laughed. “Yer a good girl, but no. It’s ‘cause these are yer littles. They’re pieces of you and Kuen. They’re goin’ t’be mighty terrors, I’m sure, with the two of you for parents.” Fiera groaned. “But yer goin’ t’be prepared for that ‘cause you know what kind of little you were. Yer goin’ t’have t’be patient with yerself, and with Kuen. I don’t think he’s ever really known what it’s like t’be a good parent and he’s goin’ t’make mistakes, Fury. He’s goin’ t’be scared too. Work together, love each other, and you’ll figure it out.” Alena smiled sadly. “It’s the same advice my ma gave me when I married Eire.”

“Don’t go blamin’ yerself fer da’s mistakes, Ma. He could’ve done things differently, but he didn’t,” Fiera said.

“I should’ve seen somethin’ was wrong after losin’ the wee ones. That’s what broke him, Fury. That’s when he got really bad. I mean, he wasn’t great t’start with, but losin’ Morrigan and Morgana – that’s when it went all went wrong. If I’d made him get some help, maybe none of this would’ve happened,” Alena said.

“Yeah, but I’d never have met Kuen. Nafi and Lao wouldn’t be comin’,” Fiera said. “Flicks would never have met Gaspare. At least, not in a way that made him this happy. A lot of bad things came out of what da did, but look at the happiness it’s brought too, Ma.”

“Just like my phoenix girl,” Alena said, hugging Fiera tight. “Findin’ a way t’rise above the bad.”

“That’s why my animal’s always been the phoenix. I rise from the ashes and make my life somethin’ beautiful,” Fiera said. She smiled shyly at her mother. “I learned that one from you, Ma.”

Alena kissed her forehead. “Yer braver than me, Fury. And yer goin’ t’be the best ma ever fer these littles.” She stepped back. “Now, finish puttin’ yer face on so we can get this party started.”

“Poor Kuen. He’s never seen one of these done up proper,” Fiera said with a laugh. She went back to work on her makeup.

“We can’t go all night since there’s that frakkin’ curfew, but it’ll still be a fun time,” Alena said.

“I don’t think I could make it all night anyway, Ma,” Fiera said. “These girls are wearin’ me out already.”

“That’s the nature of twins. Get used t’not getting’ much sleep,” Alena said.

“Ma, yer not helpin’,” Fiera groaned before putting on the lipstick. “There. I think I look presentable now.”

“You look amazin’, Fury. Now, let’s get on down before that crew of ours eats yer weddin’ cake before it’s time,” Alena said.

“Yes, Ma,” Fiera said. The two walked down together.

Kuen was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. “Keoni is protecting the cake with his life. Thea would skin him alive, or so he says, if even one decoration was disturbed,” he said.

“Did you at least get t’see what it looks like?” Fiera asked. “Thea didn’t tell me what she did, and ma won’t tell me either.”

“No. Keoni refused to let me in after Thea reminded him it’s a surprise for both of us,” Kuen said.

Fiera just shook her head. “This family. We’re all crazy,” she said.

“Yer the craziest one in it,” Herry said as he ran past, laughing.

“You just wait. After I’ve popped, I’m goin’ t’put you t’work in my fields. We’ll see how fast you run after you’ve had t’break rocks fer a day or two,” Fiera called, laughing even more. “Ah, Ma. I have t’go back upstairs. Fast.”

Kuen scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom. Fiera took care of her needs. “The twins need t’quit usin’ my bladder as a trampoline,” she muttered.

“It won’t happen until they’re born, Fury,” Thea said with a sympathetic smile as she came out of her room. “You look gorgeous.”

“So everyone keeps tellin’ me,” Fiera said with a smile. “Thanks, Thea. I’m beginnin’ t’feel like I’ve got a pair of acrobats tucked under the dress though, the way the twins are actin’ today.”

“They’re reactin’ t’their ma’s stress levels. Once you relax a bit they’ll settle down,” Thea said. “At least, that’s what the medic always told me. I never believed it either.”

Fiera laughed and the three walked downstairs again. They made their way to the temporary shelter and soon everyone was in their proper places. Kuen and Gaspare stood up front, resplendent in new clothes made especially for the occasion by Xenon and Calixtra as well. Phelix was back behind things, also dressed in an outfit made by Fiera’s former stylists. They truly went all out for her on this occasion.

Thea slipped into her place with the family and Keoni arrived with Fiera on his arm. Everyone fell silent, some staring in open mouthed shock at the normally tomboyish farm girl transformed into a creature of extreme elegance. Keoni guided her down the aisle and placed her on Kuen’s arm.

The Justice of the Peace cleared his throat and began the marriage ceremony. He stumbled over Kuen’s strange last name but managed to get everything out properly. Then he looked back at Phelix. “The rings, please,” he said.

There were audible gasps as the rings were brought out. Kuen raised an eyebrow at Fiera when he saw his ring. She smiled impishly at him. She’d tell him later that it was her father’s first wedding ring. He’d outgrown it years earlier and had exchanged it for a simpler band so as not to burden the family. But for now, the rubies sandwiched between two layers of black gold complimented her opal heart very well.

Kuen lifted Fiera’s ring from the small box it was held in. Phelix and Gaspare had spent three days constructing the displays for the rings and deserved some credit for making the rings shine so beautifully. No words were said as the rings were slipped onto each other’s fingers.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Just kiss her already so we can get onto the party,” the Justice of the Peace said with a wicked grin.

Fiera stifled her laugh long enough for Kuen to kiss her. Everyone cheered. “All right, Uncle Lanre,” Fiera said, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at the Justice of the Peace. “Yer an ass.”

“I love you too, niece,” Lanre Rezouac said, hugging her. “Besides, you think I was goin’ t’let anyone marry off yer loud mouth? Yer aunt would’ve had my hide.”

“Kuen, you never met my ma’s twin brother. This is him, my uncle Lanre. The woman glarin’ at him from behind the flowers is my aunt Siphonie. Thanks for makin’ him do this Auntie Sif,” Fiera said.

Siphonie came out and hugged her. “Oh, he’d have done it without me pushin’ him. He just likes it when I persuade him,” she said.

“I’m sure he does. Better be fixed now, Auntie Sif. You have enough littles,” Fiera said with a wicked smile.

“That’s been done for a while. Most of the ones runnin’ around are our grandkids. And you can tell Alena if our lot can’t discipline their own brood, it serves them right gettin’ them taken away,” Siphonie said. “Now shoo. Go enjoy yer party.”

Fiera slipped her arm into Kuen’s and walked down the rug covered path to where the food was laid out so the chairs could be moved to the sides of the structure. “Fury, where’d you get this ring?” Kuen asked.

“Do you really want to know?” Fiera asked.

“Yes,” Kuen said.

Fiera sighed. “It was the ring my ma gave my da when they first got married. He outgrew it years ago. It’s been gatherin’ dust fer a while and ma suggested I get it sized for you. She had all the stones she’d saved from when da sized it down the first time and it was easy enough t’size it up for you. Though it took Gaspare almost sittin’ on you fer me t’get yer frakkin’ ring size.”

“Your father’s hand shrank?” Kuen asked.

“No. Ma bought it two sizes too big when she got it ‘cause it was on sale at a price she could afford. If she’d sized it properly in the beginning it would have cost more.” Fiera shrugged. “They waited until they had the farm set up and then ma got it sized down. Then da’s hands grew from workin’ the fields so he and ma just got him a plain gold band. They were goin’ t’replace it with somethin’ fancier when he stopped workin’ the fields.”

“Your mother isn’t upset we’re using it?” Kuen asked.

“She all but threw it at me, Kuen. I think it makes her happy knowin’ it’s bein’ used again, and for someone she cares about,” Fiera said.

“Then I’m fine with wearing it,” Kuen said.

They sat down on some chairs that Alena pointed them towards and ate the food they were brought. A short while later Thea and Keoni brought the cake out. Fiera gasped as she saw it and her eyes filled with tears.

The cake itself was big enough to feed the crowd, but that wasn’t what made her cry. It was the decorations Thea had done. The cake was decorated with a pair of phoenixes twined together rising from the flames.

Kuen wrapped his arm around Fiera’s shoulders. “Perhaps I should get a phoenix tattoo to match yours,” he murmured. “I rather like the custom out here of getting one to signify big events.”

“I think I’d like that. You should ask Marc t’draw it fer you. He’s a really good artist and I think he’d enjoy that,” Fiera said.

“Then I’ll do that. Tomorrow. After we all wake up,” Kuen said, kissing her.

Fiera grinned. “Good idea.” She smiled her thanks at Thea who brought them each a slice of cake. Fiera reveled in the moment. It might not last, but at least for one night she was content and at peace.