"You look just like your mother on our wedding day," Bill Adama said entering the bridal suite.

Emma beamed as she admired herself in the mirror and swiftly turned to face her father.

"That's the look I was going for," she replied her grin turning to a frown. "Don't look so sad Dad."

"I'm not sad. I'm very happy for you," Bill assured taking his daughter's hand. "I'm just not ready to let you go."

"I'm not going anywhere," Emma said with a light laugh. "Alex and I live 15 minutes away. He's an officer and I work at the IOIA with Mom. You should probably be more concerned that I have serious attachment issues."

"I can live with that," Bill chuckled brushing away a tear.

27 year old Emerson Adama was getting married. She was unquestionably her mother's daughter. She shared Laura's auburn hair, green eyes and infectious laugh. She was dedicated and driven. She followed her mother's footsteps at St. Petersburg University and at the Imperial Office of Internal Affairs. She even found herself marrying an Imperial Air Force Officer.

"What's that?" Emma asked her father at the sound of an unexpected jingle.

"You've got to get moving Em. Your car will be here soon," Laura said standing in the doorway. "And the photographer wanted to take a couple more photos with you downstairs."

"What is that?" Emma asked curiously inspecting the item in her mother's hand.

"This?" Laura asked shaking the object again. "It's a rattle."

"Seven grandkids aren't enough? You want Alexei and I to get on it right away?" Emma asked puzzled.

"No. This is your rattle. From when you were a baby - before you were a baby," Laura corrected. "I found when I was going through your things the other day."

"Let me see," Bill said reaching out for the momento. "I haven't see this in years."

"I know. I can't believe how quickly time passes," Laura agreed.

"I want to look at it," Emma said eagerly. "When did you get it for me Dad?"

"About seven years before you were born."

"But it has my name on it."

"I had that added when you were in the hospital. I got it for Mom when she was pregnant the first time. We wanted a girl so I bought her the rattle and had it engraved with Baby Girl Adama."

"I told him to get rid of it years later after many failed attempts but he kept it," Laura recalled with a reflective smile. "He gave it to me when we finally had you home."

"Sine Qua Non," Emma read, the familiar phrase bringing a smile to her face. "Without which there is nothing."

"Yes. You're a very special girl Emerson," Laura said embracing her daughter. "I love you so very much."

"I love you Mom. And you too Dad," Emma said waving Bill over to join the embrace.

"Alright," Laura said pulling away after a while. "You need to get moving. So do I. I'll meet you two at the church."


"Something old," Zak began as he, Lee and Kara surrounded the bride as she waited in the church corridor.

"Check," Lee said noting Laura's wedding dress.

"What are you guys doing?" Emma asked grinning at the unexpected performance.

"Don't move," Kara order grabbing the bride's wrist and placing a washcloth across the area.

"Whoa!" Emma exclaimed startled. "That's cold. What are you-"

"I said don't move."

"Something new," Zak continued seriously.

"Check again," Lee said pointing to the shimmering tierra gracing Emma's head.

"Something borrowed."

"Kara's Starbuck earring," Emma answered grabbing on to her ear.

"Another check."

"Something blue," Zak finished the Adama twinkle in his eyes.

"Check," Kara said removing the washcloth to reveal a blue tattoo that spelled Angelia.

Holding up their wrists Lee, Zak and Kara showed off their matching callsign ink, Emma started to giggle uncontrollably.

"Mom is going to have a heart attack when she sees this," Emma said regaining her breath.

"It's going to be awesome," Kara replied with a grin.


"What are you doing out here?" Bill asked walking up behind Laura and rubbing his hands against her arms. "It's pretty chilly."

"I'm fine," Laura assured with a huff. "I just can't believe the kids put that tattoo on Emma."

"Have you met our children?" Bill asked with a smirk.

"They use to be sweet," Laura protested.

"Are you sure you're thinking about our kids?" Bill teased.

"What happened to the cute little kids who collected seashells and practiced swimming at the beach?"

"I'm pretty sure they were fighting that day although I'll admit I was pretty distracted," Bill confessed wrapping his arms around Laura and resting his chin on her shoulder. "All I can remember from that particular day is you and those distractingly short shorts and that teasingly tied red shirt."

Laura blushed at her husband's compliment. "I had to forced myself to pay attention to the kids that day. Otherwise, I was liable to jump you in front of everyone. It was hot enough already and then you looked too good. Way too good," Laura recalled with a sensuous moan, before turning her head to give Bill a kiss.

"You know," Bill whispered nibbling her ear. "People are pretty busy dancing. Em's busy greeting people. We're in a hotel and … not so busy."

"I think we're suppose to greet people too," Laura replied softly enjoying the feel of Bill's hands. "But..."

"That's all I needed to hear," Bill said hurriedly taking her hand and leading her towards the elevator.


"Ellen will be so proud of us," Laura said letting Bill zip up her dress before turning to button his jacket. "I hope Emma hasn't been looking for us. We weren't suppose to be here this long."

"I was inspired," Bill replied with a carefree shrug.

"You look good," Laura determined adjusting a loose metal on his jacket. "Do I look ok?"

"You look amazing. You know it's not polite to outshine the bride."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, General," Laura warned resting her hands on his chest. "Our daughter just got married and we have parent of the bride duties."

"You don't look like you can have a daughter who just got married."

Laura burst out into her signature laugh at her husband's shameless behavior.

"That's what I wanted to see," Bill observed with a grin. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me Laura Adama. Before I met you I was lost and alone. I couldn't feel anything and that scared me. Then there you were. Brilliant, beautiful and charming. You brought a light into my life that I never thought I'd experience after..." Bill trailed unwilling to bring up his ex's name. "You came into my thoughts. You filled them. It felt good - it hasn't stopped."

"William Adama, you are ruining my make-up," Laura said brushing away tears. "I still have those dreams. After all these years. I don't really remember what happens but I remember the feeling. The colonies are destroyed and the few thousand humans that exists are running for their lives but I feel peaceful, happy and loved. An all consuming love that I've never questioned - not once, not for a second."

"That's all I ever wanted," Bill replied taking her hand and pressing his lips on her fingers. "I love you."

"I love you," Laura said her voice breaking at the words. "We have to go. I'm sure our children noticed we've been gone by now. But we can continue this conversation," she said drawing out the word suggestively. "in a few hours...for a few days."

"You're really looking to challenge an old man's stamina?" Bill chuckled.

"You can keep up General. I have faith."