Ratchet took deep breaths as he waited at the front of the bridge pretending it was an altar. For years he imagined getting married and for years he believed it would never happen. Now that it's here, he didn't know how to feel about it. His nerve wires were driving him insane. He just couldn't calm down. He was excited and nervous at the same time. Either way, he didn't know how to feel.
I wonder if this is how human males feel before marriage? Ratchet wondered.
Even though his most of his feelings were uncertain, he knew one thing was for sure. He knew was that he loved Tailen. He also know that he loved Kclayna like Jean Val Jean loved Cosette. Now he was to start a family. He never even considered being a dad. He even told himself he wasn't going to be Kclayna's dad. Perhaps that's his purpose, to father a father less femme.
Ratchet took a quick glance at her down the aisle. She was smiling from receptor to receptor. He could see how happy she was. It was her dream to have a creator and now she has one. Now looking at her, he still couldn't believe it. Yet he felt pleasantly happy. Who would've guessed that Ratchet would have gained a daughter and a wife in his life cycle? Not Ratchet.
He proposed three weeks ago. During that time Smokescreen joined the team and warmed up to nearly everyone. He's even proven to be useful with helping Bianna. He got whatever she needed. Sometimes he would hold her like an infant so to keep her warm. He took care of her like a little sister.
They chose to have the wedding as soon as possible. The team decided that it was best to do it inside the base so that no Decpeticon or human could see. So that no one would interrupt.
Fowler stood behind him with a small smile on his face.
"Tell me again how this 'marriage ceremony' works." Ratchet asked, watching the tunnel. Teama led Bianna, Senti, Rollie and Arcee down the aisle and stood on the other end. Bumblebee led WheelJack, Bulkhead, and Smokescreen down the aisle and stood on the other side.
On Cybertron, a wedding was called a 'Bonding Ceremony'. The mech would wait below an altar while the bride prepares. The witnesses would be at least four to five chosen by the mech and the same number chosen for the bride. Then together they will choose five other witnesses. The bride walks down the aisle with someone she chooses to give her away and someone she is very close too. In this case, Ratchet's best friend and her daughter. It may not be any different from a earth marriage ceremony, but it is very close.
"Well I had some experience. I think as long as you do it in front of some high official like me it's legal."Fowler stated, remembering the one year when he was a Minister.
"How do we do this ceremony?" Ratchet repeated.
"Simple."June said walking up behind Fowler."You stand here."She patted his foot."Your groomsm-mechs stand on your side. The brides-femme's wait on the other side. Optimus is first because he's your best friend right?"
"Yes."Of course Ratchet would ask Optimus to be by his side. After all they've been through together, after everything they suffered. It would be ungrateful to not ask his best friend to be by his side in such an important event.
"Kclayna will stand behind Tailen then. Then finally, the beautiful bride comes up the aisle with her dad ready to give her away." June closed her eyes and wobbled back and forth dreamily. Ratchet rolled his optics with a grin. It was like June to fantasize of a wedding.
"Just listen and do what I say in other words." Fowler assured him as June ballet across the base. She stopped the moment the organ tensed and stood taller. Optimus offered his arm to Tailen. She wrapped her arm around his and took her daughters servo. She looked up and smiled at Ratchet. He smiled back at Tailen. He heard Miko giggling and whispering how surprising it was that Ratchet was getting married. Jake and Raf were smiling happily. They saw Bianna and Bumblebee get married and then Optimus and Teama. Now it was Ratchet and Tailen's turn.
Kclayna let go of her mom's servo and stood in front of Teama. Optimus handed her servo over to Ratchet who took it gingerly. As if she would disappear the moment he took it. They both turned and faced Fowler who stood on top of a very large platform. Ratchet could feel his nerve wires shaking slightly. He couldn't tell if it was his or Tailen's. He ignored it as Fowler began to preach.
Ratchet couldn't understand a word Fowler was saying. It started with explaining how Fowler was once a Minister for about a year before joining the army. Then moved on to what marriage was in human terms, how strong the bond of marriage was. It was not easy to understand. He tried his best, but one thing was more than clear to him. The vows.
"Go ahead."Fowler said."Say your vows. Vows are kind of like promises you make to one another."
That was easy. Ratchet knew what he wanted to say. He's always wanted to say them, he just got cold landing pads.
"I vow,"Ratchet started, looking at his glowing bride."From this day forth, I will protect you and our daughter." He cast a glance at Kclayna who was near crying. He couldn't help but smile."I vow to not only protect you but to continue to love you as more every day. Even for that time we were parted I still loved you. There is no other femme like you and there never will be..I vow once this war is at an end, we will be together forever. A family, starting our new life's together Til the day my spark extinguishes I will love you for the rest of my life. I will hold you safely in my spark. I can't live without you because my spark will die. You know I am telling the truth. I will spend the rest of my life loving you." Tailen and Kclayna silently gasped. Those last sentences were part of the lullaby Tailen sang when she admitted her love for Ratchet. Both were surprised that he remembered it.
Family. The word seem to echo in Bianna's processor. The only family she could recall was her carrier. Her creator was never around. She never had any siblings or friends until she was at least a teenager-bot. So is having only a carrier a family? Bianna didn't know. But she was determined to have her own family, either with or without Bumblebee. Which burned her spark.
"Now Tailen."Fowler, with tears in his eyes, gestured to Tailen who was about to cry herself. June's heart filled with warmth, she imagined getting married ever since she was young. But her other priorities would take over and she would never have time to even date.
"I vow,"She began, holding back the sobs and lubricants."From this day forth, you and my daughter will be my world. I will protect you both with my very life. Since we laid optics on one another I knew you were the one. I knew you were the one I was destined to be with for the rest of my days. When you smiled at me I saw you differently. I saw you as my one true love. Out of all the bad things that has happened to me, the only good thing is you and Kclayna. Both of you are my blessings from Primus. And when we win this war, we will be together. A family, together forever."
Optimus grinned. For as long as they have known each other, Optimus has never seen Ratchet as happy as he is now. Ratchet looked so much younger now that he was a mate and a sparkling. He looked so much happier than ever before. To Optimus, seeing his team finding happiness, was his own happiness. Each member was like family to him and he loved them like family. But with being the leader, he had much responsibility.
For instance, Bumblebee has abandoned his mate during her pregnancy. Nearly every day Optimus watches the her suffer without him and it broke his spark. He didn't have romantic feelings for her, but it was hard to not see her as a younger sister. She was too kind and too adorable to not like. Like all human brothers who are protective of their sisters, Optimus is the same way. Letting her suffer was something Optimus refused to tolerate. He had to talk to him, he had to help Bumblebee understand that Bianna wants him in her life. But until then, she had to suffer alone.
"I do." Ratchet said. Optimus blinked a few times, bringing himself back to the present.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Fowler closed the book and June walked up.
"Now you kiss."June declared with a big smile on her face.
Turning towards each other, Ratchet wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her. All around were claps and cheers and one crying and saying 'thank you' over and over. Finally, what seemed like a life time, everyone was happy. Each had their own dream, each had their own loves and each was happy with their lifes.
Even without their home planet, even though they might not be winning the war, they still found happiness. For just that one day, every one was happy.