Chapter 7: Perfect Day

Andros sighed as he did the clasps up to his jacket. He pulled his hair back in a half-ponytail and he took a deep breath. He looked up when there was a knock on the door. "Come in," he answered. He looked up to see Helrando standing there.

"Hello, Andros," he greeted.

"Ambassador Helrando…" he trailed off.

Helrando chuckled. "You're close to being my son-in-law, Andros, no need to do that," he commented. Andros nodded his head slowly. "You just take care of Alana. She's the closest thing I have to a daughter," he added.

"You have nothing to worry about sir," Andros answered.

"Good."

(Ceremony)

Andros stood at the altar and watched as Alana came down the aisle. Once they reached the altar, Helrando held onto Alana's hand. "Who gives this woman to this man?" The minister asked.

"I do, Ambassador Helrando of KO-35," he replied.

Helrando kissed Alana's cheek before handing her off to Andros. Andros took a deep breath as he held onto Alana's hands.

When it came time for the vows, Andros took a deep breath and he looked at Alana. "I, Andros, take you, Alana, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity," he vowed. Alana smiled and she gave his hands a squeeze.

"I, Alana, take you, Andros, to be my friend, my lover, the father of my children and my husband. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity," she vowed.

The minister nodded to the two of them. "The rings please," he called. Zhane walked over with the rings in his hand and he handed them to the minister. "Now, Andros, I want you to take this ring and as you place it on her finger, I want you to say 'With this ring, I thee wed,'" he instructed. Andros took one of the rings and he slipped it onto Alana's finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he vowed.

Alana smiled and she let out a deep breath. "And the same to you, Alana. Take the ring and as you place it onto his finger, I want you to say 'With this ring, I thee wed,'" he repeated. Alana let out a deep breath as she took the other ring and slipped it onto Andros's finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," she vowed.

"If anyone here who wishes these two should not be joined in holy matrimony speak now or forever hold your peace," The minister instructed.

Everyone was silent and the minister went on with the ceremony. "By the powers invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," he informed. Andros smiled as he placed his hand on Alana's waist and kissed her gently.

(The Reception)

Andros smiled as he and Alana shared their first dance as husband and wife. "So, how does it feel to be married?" Alana asked.

"Honestly?" He asked.

"That'd be nice."

Andros chuckled and he dipped her down. "Feels like a dream," he replied. He pulled her back up and he pressed his forehead against hers. "I love you," he murmured.

"I know, I love you too," she answered.

Andros then kissed her again.

(Honeymoon: Next Morning)

Andros was standing on the balcony watching the sunrise. Alana walked up behind him and she wrapped her arms around him. "Morning," she murmured. He placed his hands over hers with a smile.

"Morning," he answered.

He looked down at her and he kissed her. She placed her head on his shoulder and she closed her eyes. Andros wrapped his arm around her waist and he kissed the top of her head. He had never felt so happy like this in a long time. Andros knew he made the right choice, Alana was the right choice. Even though once in awhile he'd think about Ashley and Alana knew that when he would think about it, she should just leave him alone, because she knew that Ashley held a special place in Andros's heart. She knew she couldn't get as close to him as Ashley could, but she knew she was close enough and that's all that mattered to her, is that she was with Andros and Andros was with her.