"Captain! Captain! It's snowing." The little girl pressed her face and hands on to the window staring out with wonder. Thorne who was seated on the opposite wall watch as his daughter in her navy night sky blue dress climb over the chairs that lined the hall the tulle of her dress snagging. "Can we go out and play?" She asked turning to him her blue eyes large and her smile bright.

"You don't want to get your dress dirty. Cinder would have my neck."

"I won't pretty, pretty please?" She had climb down the chairs stumbling over the puff of her shirt. She was at his knees now her face still holding the charming bright smile. Freckles darted over her nose and cheeks and while normally her straight fizzled light blonde hair would be in chaos around her adding to her childish cuteness instead it was pulled back tight in ringlet curls atop her head.

Thorne didn't like it, Verda's childish cuteness is her, impossible to resist but did you ever really want to. But now with her hair done up her charm is devilish. He sometimes believes that she had been given the lunar gift although time and time again Cinder and Winter both have said it doesn't seem so. Simply her ability over people was her own. Perhaps he should feel pride in that, something they had in common but he didn't it terrified him. Because if Verda's like him does that mean she doesn't need him, that she simple puts up with him in the same way he put up with his parents. Will, one day she gets an offer, an offer to leave him behind because he was only holding her back.

"She's a four year old." Cress's words rang in his ear. Thorne chewed his cheek, she was right Verda was only four but that was no comfort. If she already had this ability at four could you see what she was capable of at 12 or 20? Verda was smart and she knew how to work people she had called him Captain not daddy the sure way to butter him up.

He looked down at her again she was still smiling and had put on her thick winter coat. Undoing his bowtie he went into the room he used to put his tuxes on. With his coat in hand and swapping out his dress shoes for the hard boots (tucking his dress pants in them, Cinder would have his neck if he got dirty too) Taking his daughter hand the walked out to the fidgeted Siberian air.

The opera house court yard was large kept tidy and forever in a state of winter. The building had survived hundreds of years and was once the property of the old world royal family of Russia. Thorne was sure it was one of the oldest structures in existence. It is the perfect place for the wedding.

Verda's high pitch laughter was out of place in the frozen scenery next to the stone statues of crying women and the soft pilling snow. With full speed she busted through a pile kicking up to the air. Thorne watched as she dragged her feet making lopsided smile faces and stars. He wonder how Cress was doing, they had arrived to the New Beijing two weeks ago finishing up the finally details and then they came up here a day ago with Iko, Scarlet and Wolf and to get everything ready with the few dozen staff the Opera house offered. He had barely seen her in the past two days only when he pick up Verda after she had gotten ready. Iko was keeping everyone on a time regiment that he hadn't seen since his military days.

"Daddy help me build a snowman!" She began rolling snow but was having difficulty getting it to stick together. Throne started pilling some on top compacting it together better. With his hand nearly ice he came up with an idea.

"Watch this." He rolled the ball to the edge of a long slop and with a gentle kick it slowly rolled down. They both watched as it increased in size before slowing to a stop. Verda irrupted into laughter and went chasing after it.

"Wow it got so big! You need to do another one but make it just a little smaller to be the middle!" She yelled up to him.

"Why am I the one doing all the work?!"

"Cuz you're the Captain and I'm just the second mate." Throne got more snow together ready to kick it of the edge again.

"Look it's Verda Throne!" The voice was loud and one he did not recognize. Just as he looked up a whole group of reporters and paparazzi came flooding in. They surrounded Verda cameras flashing everyone talking over each other.

"We're here in Novosibirsk in celebration of another Lunar Human wedding."

"They were hero's of the Lunar Wars but will they have a happily ever after."

"With several high profile Lunar Human weddings you got to wonder is it becoming the norm?"

"Verda Thorne the first child ever born between a Lunar and a Human. What's it like in her shoes."

"Get away from her!" Thorne yelled running down the hill. The reports seemed to just notice his presents and with it came a barrage of questions.

"Carswell Thorne do you have any comment on the accusation against the Lunar boy who abused his gift in the American Republic?"

"Many want to know it's been four years since the birth of your daughter why wait so long to get married? Is it true you were pressured by Lunar politicians?"

"Our sources say you asked Her Imperial Highness of the Eastern commonwealth, former Queen of Luna Cinder Linh to be your best man. How do you respond?"

"Mr. Thorne our readers are dying to know on this day of your wedding who are you wearing?"

He ignored them all pushing his way through till he got to the middle were Verda stood. Her face was red and eyes were large but she otherwise didn't seem fazed by the assault of questions. He felt a stab of guilt, she was use to it. Even before she was born the media was buzzing around wanting to know everything about her. They believed she was the first child born between a human and a Lunar but that wasn't true despite how often Thorne, Cress or anyone else pointed it out to them. He had once wished to be the center of attention like this but now all it did was piss him off.

"This is a private party none of you should be back here." He heard the scribble on net screens but no one left. More questions were asked and pictures being taken. One guy got right in Verda's face with a long lens. The flash blinded her causing her to fall over the ball of snow and more pictures were taken.

"Get those damn cameras out of her face!" He yelled pushing them back. Taking off his coat he wrapped it over her using the hood to cover her face. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he picked her up. He tried moving through them only to find the group had nearly doubled. Where are they all coming from?

"This court yard is private property and is only meant for the use of invited guest." The voice was loud and authorize . All looked up so see Cinder at the top of the slop. She stood tall her face surprisingly pleasant despite the tone of her voice.

They all ran to her.

"Your Imperial Highness your long absents was due to 'health issues' care to elaborate?"

"Is it true that President Krocker of Luna is attempting to run for a third term? Does this concern you?"

"You just celebrated your fifth year wedding anniversary with Emperor Kaito yet still no heir. Is their issues in the bedroom?"

"Can you comment on the rumored Cyborg Olympics?"

The group didn't get very far up before several personal guards and security members of the Opera house came running down. They started pushing the reports back while questions still filled the air left unanswered.

"This way," Thorne looked to see Cinders own personal guard Liam Kinney at his side. He led the way through the growing restless crowd. Once the three of them made it next to Cinder she turned and headed back inside. They were safe in the hall, he saw that even more people had crowed around outside. No longer just paparazzi there were supper fan of the 'the Lunar War hero's' shaking their banners and signs. There were also anti-Lunar groups yelling insults. Several more security members came rushing past as well as several androids. He was lucky to get away when he did.

"Staying out of trouble I see." Cinder spoke. She had taken off her coat and was now walking back into Thorne's changing room. She was wearing the bridesmaid dress navy blue with a sheer netting fabric that had glitter all over it to look like the night sky. All the dress were slightly different form each other Cinders was cinched just under her bust making her look both taller and a more feminine figure. Her hair had been pulled up into a partial bun while the remaining hair curled around her neck, her 'formal tiara' pushed back against her head. She had also chosen to wear a white cover over her metal hand. It was something she and Iko had created. They didn't hide the fact she was cyborg but was met more as an accessory. She had several different ones to match clothing or jewelry. The trend had actually caught on among the younger generation; he wouldn't be surprised if some of the wedding guest would be wearing some.

"Well forgive me for assuming the private courtyard would be empty. How did they even get in?"

"Their paparazzi nothings impossible for them, do you remember the honeymoon suite incident?"

"We all remember that." It was Kai who answered he was sitting on the sofa, wearing a tux matching Thorne's with a white flower sticking out the left pocket. The only difference between the two of them was that he looked much more comfortable. "Are you two all right?"

Thorne nodded then looked to Verda who was still in his arms completely hidden by his coat. Removing the hood she looked at him with a pout. "We didn't get to finish our snowman."

"I'm sorry matey well make one tomorrow with mom." He walked over to the wall heater the chill getting to him. Turing Verda around in his arms he held her up to it. She stuck her feet closer snow still cling to her shoes.

"Is everyone ready?" He asked putting Verda down. She removed both his and her coat but stayed by the wall heater.

"Iko just finished with me and Scarlet. But Isaac got into some chips so Scar trying to get cheeses stains out of a white shirt. Other than that and the circus outside everything is on schedule." Cinder spoke taking a seat next to Kai.

"Hopefully the security can get it all calmed down before the ceremony starts." Kai said reading over his words he would be saying.

"They will I wouldn't let them ruin another big day for you two." Cinder spoke a bit of spite in her voice. Thorne knew she was referring to when the media had announced his and Cress pregnancy before they had even told their friends. Cress had been brought to tears she was so upset and Thorne's attentions with the nineteen year old lunar shell were brought into question. The media had known that they were a couple but they seemed shocked that such a thing could happen.

"We should throw snowballs at them filled with rocks. Because of them my stocking are all wet," They all turned back to Verda. She had lifted her dress up over her shoulders and had stuck her butt out towards the heater. Throne pulled out his net screen and snapped a picture; it was too adorable not to show Cress.

"That would not be the most productive way of handing a situation." Kai smiled at her. "But I think some hot chocolate will help get rid of the chill." Her eyes lit up. She pulled her dress down and Kai took her hand, headed for the kitchen.

Thorne kick off his boots and took the seat next to Cinder. She was fidgeting with the tiara; there was a rule that women of the Imperial family must wear crowns for any event that takes place after seven o'clock. Of course she couldn't wear her Empress crown that was reserved for Commonwealth occasions only but Throne was happy to know that the one she chose to wear today was one he had pick out for her.

"Are you nervous?" She asked giving up on adjusting her hair.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"Well I'm nervous I'm going to mess up but I'm not nervous I'm getting married."

"I see. Well if it helps I was terrified I was going to mess something up. And I did, but it was still the best day of my life." Thorne laughed, she smiled a genuine smile she hadn't been doing that recently.

"How are you feeling?" She knew what he met by the question her smile dropped and her eyes went distance.

"This is your day we shouldn't bring up my issues."

"Cinder?..." He had taken her hand his the squeaking sound of his metal fingers against her metal palm. "It's me." It scared him how closed off she had become in the last few months, she still put on a pleasant smile for the public but she barely spoke to anyone himself, Iko even Kai. When he had heard she was hospitalized he had flew from the India territory to New Beijing, Cress opting to stay behind with Verda. That's when he was told of the miscarriage and that Cinder was put into a coma like state. Because she couldn't cry her headaches were getting worst and worst the doctors had to do something to ease the tensions.

"I'm doing better than I was yesterday and I did better yesterday then I did the day before." She spoke softly. "It's silly really I had only known I'd been pregnant for four days. My system drive told me, I was in the middle of lunch with Kai and 'pregnancy detected' came across my vision. I told him immediately and we were so happy. We had been trying since we got married and finally it was here. Then in the middle of the night 'Pregnancy loss' I didn't even feel anything. Kai's optimistic says it'll happen one day." He squeezed her hand.

"It will."

The door opened with laughter and excitement filling the quite room. "Look who I ran into in the kitchen." Kai said. Filling in behind him was Varda, Isaac, Jacin and Wolf. Like himself and Kai both Jacin and Wolf was wearing tuxedos. Wolf looked out of place in the fine clothing with his large nose and jaw and beefy arms. Jacin was handsome with his hair gelled back and an uncommon smile on his face. Both Verda and Isaac had sippy cups filled with hot chocolate and both were adorable in the flower girl and ring bearer outfits despite the fact Thorne could see the wet marks on Isaac's button down shirt.

"Don't you all clean up nicely," said Cinder picking up Isaac and setting him on her lap. Isaac was a big boy for his age a few months younger than Verda he was a foot taller than her and wide in the shoulders and gut. He had busy eyebrows that framed brown eyes and with curly brown hair Scarlet had to cut every week or two. Then there was the taboo topic of his severe under bit. He had it when he was born but no one brought it up, they all knew it was a soft spot for Wolf. Thorne wasn't too concerned though once Isaac hit puberty he'd grow into his body. He'd probably become handsome. Cress offend teased him saying that he would one day become his son –in –law.

"I don't know what you're talking about sweetheart I always look this devastatingly handsome. And I know you will cry every night because you lost your chance to be with all of this." Thorne gestured to himself.

"Funny I'm sure Cress cries every night because she's stuck with all of that." Jacin remarked. Everyone laughed and Thorne gave him a glare. There came a knock at the door and Kinney walked in.

"Madam Secretary Iko wanted to let you know that the ceremony is about to start and you all must get to your places." Thorne looked at his watch he hadn't realized how late was.

"Thank you Kinney," Said Cinder. He put his hand over his heart, bowed and left. "Before we go I feel obligated to return a favor." She went to her bag and dug out five shot glasses and a bottle of whiskey.

"Is that the whiskey I got you for your wedding day?"

"One in the same," she started pouring drinks. "You felt the best way for me to get over my jitters was to have me take several shots despite my better judgment. At least you made sure I made it down the aisle. So a toast! Your ideas are never really good but they somehow always work out." All five of them clink their glasses, Verda held up her sippy cup and Isaac keep on drinking his. Thorne, Jacin and Kai downed theirs easily; Cinder and Wolf both made disgusted face.

"Whoot! Time to get married!" Thorne yelled adrenaline rising in his body. He was about half way out the door before Wolf stopped him.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Thorne looked at him, he patted his pocket and felt the rings he looked down at Verda she had everything, he looked back at Wolf. Who pointed down at his shoeless feet.

The ceremony was taking place in the main theater. Thorne could see the all guests seated in row after row. The black velvet curtains of the stage were closed leaving space for the alter at the end of the aisle on top of the stage. White flowers decorated each row of seats and large pots framed the small staircase that led to the stage. The ceilings lights had been dimed to resemble twinkling starts and the curtains had a starry night sky projected onto it. It had taken over a year to plan, to find a place and to bring it all together. The entire process felt like an eternity, he just wanted to get married but now seeing it all together seeing Cress vision was worth every florists and baker meeting, every silly little fight, every dollar they saved up. The first sixteen years of Cress's life wasn't good and Thorne made himself a promise that everything after would make up for it.

"There you all are. Honestly if I find out you all were outside playing football or something I'm going to fry a wire." It was Iko her long blue hair no longer in braid but curled down her back with decorative bret pulling it away from her face. She too was wearing the navy blue dress hers was more form fitting and had a slit going up her right leg. Scarlet and Winter were with her too as well as Atlantica and Jacob . Winter still stunningly beautiful her dress was shoulder less and fit to her torso but flowed away like water under her waist. Atlantica her two year old daughter held onto the dress with her tiny fist and hid behind her mother's legs when his gaze lasted to long. Scarlet's red hair was pulled up into a bun, Iko had put little shimmer gems throughout. Her dress was quarter sleeved and sheer, the waist was pulled in giving her very pleasing hourglass figure. Thorne gave out a whistle. Heads from the theater turned but could see very little.

"How did I ever get so lucky to have such beautiful women grace my life?" Scarlet huffed, Winter giggled and Cinder rolled her eyes.

"On any other day a compliment for The Captain Carswell Thorne would send my wires a frazil but not today sir." Iko came up and started adjusting his bowtie. "Do we all remember our queue? Kai do you have what you're going to say? Where are the rings?"

"Iko calm down. Our friends are getting married, we're not breaking into a high security palace…again."

"Where's Cress?" Thorne asked.

"She's waiting in the pallor." Scarlet gestured to the door trying to calm Jacob down. Thorne made a move towards it but Winter grabbed his hand.

"No Flower Protector. It is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding." Thorne gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry I won't go in I'll just talk to her through the door."

Iko handed out the white fur warps to the girls, they all draped them over their shoulders. Wolf took Jacob so Scarlet could get hers' on and when Verda got hers she tried tying it over her head before Iko fixed it in place. He knocked, "Cress?"

"Ah Captain you can't come in here Winter said its bad luck for you to see me."

He laughed, "I know. Just checking to see how you're holding up?"

"I've been sick to my stomach all day because I'm so nervous. I've already cried four times."

"Four times! I know you're happy to be marring me but save some for the ceremony."

"Not all of them were happy tears."

"Well that's a sting to my pride."

"Ah that's not what I met. When Iko and Winter helped me into my dress it…"

"Yes?

"Well it's snugger than when I tried it on last month. It was so embarrassing; Iko practically had to sew me into it. It's because I've been eating so much. Raman noodles, French fries and potato chips why didn't you stop me."

"Well I'll be sure to slap the food out of your hand the next time." He laughed.

"…It's not funny."

"Oh come now Cress all those foods you listed are high in salt so it's probably just water weight. Besides I know you look beautiful and gorgeous and sexy."

"You can't even see me."

"I don't need to. I know you do. And in five minutes we'll be getting married and the whole world is going to think how a guy like me was able to get a girl as beautiful, smart, kind and patient as you. They'll all be choking on their tears in jealousy."

"If anyone was choking you'd help them."

"See kind. Cress I love you."

"I love you too."

"See you in five minutes."

"I'll be the one in white."

He pulled away from the door joining the group. Everyone was arranged in how they would walk down the aisle. Kinney had taken Atlantica and Jacob inside and the music had just started. With a dazzling smile to his friends he went to take his place at the altar.

The music had been chosen by Cress. It was old opera music played softly at a slower speed. He felt like he was being sung a lullaby, slowly caring him away to his dreams. That's what she was going for this was her dream and his. Maybe not at first but it had become his dream. His life with hers first they traveled the world, still do, and then she had given him the world. His heart hiccuped and there was a lump in his throat. The day Cress made him a father. Yes they were very young when it happened and yes it wasn't planed but that was the day he understood how Cress could be a romantic. How she was able to see the good in him and say he was a hero. He fell love at first sight when he held their baby girl every decent thing about him was in her and everything about Cress was in her. His eyes started to tear up.

Get it together Thorne the wedding party hasn't made it down the aisle yet. He thought.

Cinder and Kai was at the altar now. Kai taking his place as efficient and Cinder to his side as Best Man. Winter and Jacin came next, Winter smiling as brilliantly as the day she and him got married and Jacin looking almost as happy. Then came Scarlet and Wolf, those close to the aisle shudder as they past surprised by the large looming wolf man. Yet as they walked they didn't notice. Wolf features were relaxed and seemed more puppy like as he held his wife's hand with her head leaning onto his arm. Thorne saw Iko pat Verda and Isaac's back prompting them to start down the aisle. Verda reached into her basket and spread the flowers peddles like she had done the past few months practicing with Cress. Isaac seemed stunned by this action. He stopped and started picking up all the peddles. Everyone gave a laugh including the wedding party who could see it. Thorne looked to Cinder she was smiling but her eyes had a sad longing. Scarlet and Wolf who were coming to the stairs that led to the stage turned to see was the fuss was about.

"Isaac! It's okay for the flowers to be on the floor." He didn't hear her. By this point Verda had stopped and was trying to recover the area that Isaac had cleaned up. Thorne wasn't sure what she was saying to him but she was wagging her finger at him, he hoped she wasn't using any of the poor vocabulary that she had gotten from him.

Wolf came up the stairs and took his place while Scarlet walked back up the aisle. She took Isaac's hand and helped Verda spread out the flower and the three of them came down the aisle. Once everyone was in place the music changed.

All too soon and not fast enough she was at the door her arm linked with Iko the two of them began their decent. Everyone stood, people awed and other sniffed. Thorne released a quite wet gasp. His heart was in his throat and his stomach was doing somersaults.

Oh stars is she beautiful.

The two of them hadn't even made it to the first row of seats before Cress started crying. Iko gave her a tissue and she tried to hone it in. But Thorne couldn't the tears slip down his face one at a time. This was it he was about to become Cress's husband. He couldn't think of a more flattering title.

She was almost in front of him now. Her hair had been styled in what Iko called roaring twenties flapper. It framed her all too perfect face, now 24 she had lost the roundness she had when they met. No veil, none of the girls had worn a veil so he could see her sparking blue eyes. Her dress was sleeveless with a heart shape neck line and over her shoulders was the same white fur wrap the bridesmaids were wearing fastened with a ribbon. The bodice of the dress had flower patterns while the skirt pillowed out softly. It just barely touches the floor and he could see the white boots peeking through as she came up the stairs.

She was next to him now Iko had place her hand in his. He tried giving her his best swooning smile through the tear stained face. "No crying its dehydrating." She said. He laughed and wiped the last remaining tear from her face.

"You all may be seated." Kai spoke.

***So I'm slowly going to re-edit all of these chapters cuz I did not do a good job the first time. I don't know how long its going to take me to finish all the current chapters but I'm hoping that I can edit these published chapters while uploading the new one. So to anyone who will be starting this series as of 9-30-18 I'm working on improving the story. As to anyone who has already read through the chapters, I'm sorry that my writing and editing skills were so poor, and if you have time go check out the re-edited chapters. I plan to put the re-edit date at the top chapters notes so you will know if i've gotten to that chapter yet.***