1: Beginnings.
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
They were supposed to go to the Veteran's Hall, willingly or not. Have drinks, listen to speeches—make small talk. Nate was to don his military uniform and medals, his clothes meticulously ironed and his black shoes shined by Cogsworth. Nora was to wear her bright red dress and the heels to match. They were a punctual pair; they would have made it to Concord on time. They would have entered the room together, striding in with an elegance not many could match. After the pleasantries, Nora would be at a table near to the stage, where Nate would be seated. Eventually, he would have stood up, the faded scars on his face almost invisible under the bright lights, and speak of the war. She would sit there, impossibly sober with a glass of wine in her hand, and take it all in. Afterwards, he would take his place next to her, and they would sit silently together. Others were slated to speak that night, but they wouldn't hear any of it. If he noticed, he would hold her hand to stop her from fiddling with the wedding ring on her finger.
("I, Nora, take you, Nate, to be my lawfully wedded husband...")
They would talk about Shaun.
Over dinner, they would be asked about how their son was doing, and Nate would beam proudly as Nora tells them how Shaun inexplicably got out of his crib without breaking his skull. Cogsworth would be blamed, and Nate would give Nora an exaggeratedly affronted look. All of them would laugh, and tell tales of their own children, some in college, some in pre-school, some still kicking in the womb. They would eat bland, but acceptable, food and drink the wine, whiskey, or rum that was available. Nate would regale and be regaled by tales about friends, lost or not. Nora would laugh at jokes made by the other wives, all of them fondly recalling the moment their husbands came back to them.
("...to have and to hold, from this day forward...")
Both would excuse themselves at 8:00, Nate with a sheepish gesture at his wife, who would take the hint and say something about the dangers of robots with babies before taking off.
Then, they would go home.
("...for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness, and in heath...")
They were supposed to go home.
The war was supposed to end; the world, transformed into a better place, where people didn't know starvation, or perished from lack of water. Nora would have flourishing career in law, while Nate would become a handyman, working in the Red Rocket near Sanctuary. They were supposed to see Shaun grow up into a fine young man, and possibly have grandchildren. He would bring his parents pride and joy, in all that he did. Once their son had a stable career and a place to live in, they would travel the world. They would visit all the places Nate was stationed in, and visit any old friends. They would come home to Cogsworth, who would greet them enthusiastically with coffee, and ask him to develop any pictures they managed to take. The walls of Shaun's old room would be filled with the memories.
("...till death do us part.")
They were supposed to grow old together.
("...I do.")
Nate should have laughed and despaired at his thinning hair, as Nora dramatically announced her untimely demise due to her more-prominent wrinkles. The passing of the years would not have dulled their minds, though they would often remark on the creaking of their limbs. Cogsworth, the ever-trusted butler, would have taken over all the duties in the house by this point. Shaun would come in every once in a while, and the house would ring with joy.
("...I now pronounce you, husband and wife!")
They were supposed to live together.
They were supposed to be together; forever teasing, laughing, and loving each other.
They were supposed to die together.
("I love you.")
It was not to be.
("I love you, too.")
In the end, it didn't really matter who lived, because they were two sides of the same coin.
One would die, the other would watch, and the boy would be taken.
No matter who lived in the end, the result would be the same: whoever left the Vault went to find their son.
In their lives, it would always be this way.
[finished on 3 June 2016, 11:12 PM]
Un-beta'ed, as of this moment, so any mistakes are mine. If anyone would be kind enough to do so, that would be fabulous. Any comments and suggestions on the writing are welcome, and if anyone would have any prompts, I'll be happy to consider them :D Thank you!