"Relena, would you sit still?" Noin asked for the thousandth time. She'd been trying to put Relena's hair up into a bun, but the young woman kept fidgeting.
"I'm sorry, I just can't stay calm."
"That's understandable, it is your wedding day," Noin laughed.
Relena tingled at her friend's comment – her wedding day. Her insides melted at thought that in just a short period of time she would be Mrs. Heero Yuy.
"There…all done." Noin clipped the last barrette into place and stepped back. She smiled in satisfaction. "Perfect." The dressing room door opened and in walked Hilde and Catherine.
"Hey girl, you ready or what?" Hilde chided.
"I've been ready for a long time," Relena sighed. Her friends chuckled at her exaggerated statement.
"Well then…let's fix your dress!" Relena stood up, and the three women helped her slip on her wedding dress. She'd chosen a traditional western style dress; it had several layers of ruffles covering her legs, accentuating the thin waist. The lace and silk ran up to just above her bust line where it changed into semitransparent material all the way up to and around her neck. The material went down past her shoulders, and her arms were covered by long, lace gloves.
Relena easily slipped into the beautiful dress, and Noin set about the task of attaching the series of pearls that held the back of her dress closed.
"Relena, are sure that you don't want to wear a slip underneath that dress? It looks like it itches all over," Hilde groaned. The young woman looked at her friend with an evil little smile.
"I don't plan on wearing this that long," she replied with a wink. Hilde, Catherine, and Noin gawked at her statement, and Relena giggled at their shocked expressions.
"Hey, don't look at me like that, Heero and I went through two weeks of abstinence prior to today all right?"
"And it's driving you nuts…isn't it?" Catherine asked trying to hide a grin.
"I think insane would be a better word," Hilde added.
"Don't start with me, girls, you'll only make it worse."
"Why Relena…what were you planning…to mount him in the middle of the reception?" Hilde laughed.
"The thought had crossed my mind."
"Relena!" Noin gasped. Just then, the door opened once again and in walked Sally and Dorothy.
"You look great, Relena!" Dorothy said an approving smile.
"Okay, let's get her veil on." Slowly and carefully, the five women lifted the delicate ring of lace onto Relena's head. Sally lowered the veil over her face, and Noin and Hilde settled the rest on her back. Catherine and Dorothy situated her train, and Relena took a deep breath. She was ready.
Knock…Knock…Knock…
"Relena, are you ready?" It was her brother.
"Come in, Milliardo." The elder Peacecraft opened the dressing room door and froze. He'd never seen her look so beautiful. He felt his heart contract slightly; his baby sister was all grown up.
"You look beautiful, little sister."
"Thank you, brother." Zechs had chosen a white tuxedo to compliment his sister's dress for when he walked her down the aisle.
"Well, let's get this show on the road."
Five young men stood to the right side of the altar. They looked like five soldiers standing at attention; they were as calm and cool as statues. That is…all except for Duo; he kept fussing with collar.
"Damn, this is too tight!"
"Duo, what are you complaining about now?" Quatre groaned. "I just fixed that thing for you five minutes ago."
Duo continued pulling on his collar until he found a more comfortable position. The other Gundam pilots just rolled their eyes – leave it to Duo to make a fool out of himself at a wedding.
Although Heero found his friend's troubles amusing, his mind was focused on one thing and one thing only – Relena. He was silently counting the minutes till she was his forever. Their hearts were already inseparable; this just made it public knowledge.
A few minutes later, Lucrezia Noin walked up to the front of small chapel. She smiled at the groom and took her place on the front row. She'd elected not to be one of the bridesmaids in favor of standing by Milliardo after giving Relena away.
"How is she, Noin?"
"She's fine, Heero, a little nervous but fine." Heero's lips quirked into a soft smile; he had to admit that he himself was a tad nervous as well. Suddenly, the organ began playing, and his mind switched in overdrive.
The doors to the chapel opened, and the procession began. First was Dorothy who calmly walked down the aisle, her head held high. Next came Sally then Catherine as they matched up with Heero's best men. Hilde was the final one as she was the maid of honor. Duo watched her with loving eyes. Even at eight and half months pregnant, his wife slowly waddled down the aisle with a quiet smile on her face. She'd never looked more beautiful to him. Relena had chosen lavender as her color for the bridesmaids' dresses, and it looked lovely on all four women.
The organist changed his song to the wedding march, and the small gala of spectators rose to their feet – among them were Colonel Une, Mariemaya Barton, Rashid, and other members of the Magunot Corps.
Milliardo Peacecraft stepped forward with Relena on his arm. You could hear almost every male gasped as how beautiful she looked. Even Wu Fei couldn't control himself. Heero's eyes locked with hers and never left. He watched as his angel came closer and closer, and his heart beat faster and faster.
Relena gazed into Heero's eyes and felt like she was drowning in them. She couldn't believe how wonderful he looked. He'd chosen a traditional black tuxedo that looked like a second skin on him. It seemed like forever, but she finally reached him. The priest stepped forward and began.
"Who gives this woman to be wed today?"
"Sir, I have the honor of giving this woman away today." Zechs had a hard time calling his baby sister a woman, but he knew that she was nothing less. He looked at Heero standing before him. There was time when he would have gladly killed the young man, but he had learned to lay the past to rest. He had learned that Heero truly did love his sister, and that he was worthy of having her. Zechs lifted Relena's hand up and offered it to his former rival. Heero accepted her offered hand, and Zechs stepped back to join Lucrezia.
Relena stepped up next to Heero, and the two faced on another. You could feel the love radiating off the two of them.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness to marriage of these two wonderful people. If anyone knows why these two should not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Relena tried hard not to chuckle when she saw Heero's eyes flashed around the crowd. His eyes alone would have given an objecting person a heart attack.
"Very well…the rings please." Hilde handed Relena Heero's ring, and Duo handed Heero Relena's ring. "Good, I have been told that bride and groom wish to say their own vows." The man backed away and let the two young lovers have center stage. Heero was the first to speak. He was never good at making speeches, but he could tell Relena everything that she was to him.
"Relena…love isn't a good enough word to explain how I feel about you. From the first moment that I saw you, you stole my heart, and in return, you gave me back my soul. You gave me what I thought I had lost forever – hope. You gave me a reason to live, and I soon realized why. I was madly in love with you. No matter where I was or what I was doing, your face would always appear in my mind."
Heero lifted her left hand and did something that no one expected – not even Relena. He knelt down on one knee and gazed up at his soon to be wife.
"You are a princess Relena – the princess of my heart. I promise to love you, protect you, and care for you in this life and beyond. You are the keeper of my soul, and I will love you always. Accept this ring as a symbol of the bond that we alone share with one another – the bond of true love." Heero slid the small gold band onto Relena's delicate hand. She was shaking by the time that he was finished, and he laid a kiss on her hand before standing back up.
Relena was frozen; she didn't know what to say. Heero had completely memorized everyone in earshot. For a man who rarely spoke in public, he'd stunned every onlooker in the house. Her hands trembled, but she composed herself and picked up his left hand.
"Heero…I want to say what you mean to me, but I'm at a loss for words. You give me strength to get through each day and press on to hope for a lasting peace on our world. You give up everything just so that myself and everyone else can live in peace. You don't ask for anything in return, and that is what makes you who you are. I love you with everything that I am. My heart was yours from the beginning, and it always shall be. I give you all that I am and ever will be because I love you unconditionally. I promise to love you, cherish you, and support you in this life and the next. You are the prince of my heart, and the only man that I will ever love. Accept this ring as a symbol of my undying love and devotion to you and may we be together for all eternity." Relena slid the gold band on his finger and clasped his strong hand in her own.
Their friends were absolutely stunned by the depth of love expressed by the two. They truly were meant for each other. Everyone had to wipe their eyes before continuing.
"By giving and receiving a ring, I pronounce you husband and wife…you may kiss the bride." Heero lifted Relena's veil and clasped her hands in his. The two stared at one another, their eyes speaking volumes.
Heero encircled her in his arms, and Relena brought her arms up around his neck. She buried herself into his embrace and gazed up at her husband.
"Forever and always, my princess."
"Forever and always, my prince." Their lips met in a heated exchange. Their friends applauded the newlyweds, but the couple was oblivious to everything but each other. Their kiss lasted for no less than five minutes, and Duo was worried that they'd need oxygen equipment for the two of them. Heero dropped a series of small kisses on his bride's lips then released her slightly.
"I love you, Mrs. Yuy."
"I love you too." Heero took her hand, and she smiled at him. The two made a mad dash down the aisle as rice flew over their heads.
After endless pictures were taken of them, the newlyweds finally made their way into the reception hall. Heero led Relena to her seat and held out her chair for her to sit down. He took his seat beside her, and the two of them held each other's hands.
More than once during dinner, you could hear glasses clinking, asking the happy couple to kiss. Neither Heero nor Relena minded about the joke; it just gave them an excuse to make out. Several times the two had to be pulled apart by their friends; they would ignore the grins coming from their onlookers and continue on as usual.
Heero stood beside his wife as their wedding cake was rolled out in front of them. It had three layers to it, but what caught everyone's attention were the figurines at the top. At the pinnacle of the cake was a small replica of Wing Zero and right beside it was an exact duplicate but all pink. Heero's eyes flashed through the crowd looking for one specific face. He found Duo with a huge grin on his face and looking quite smug.
"Maxwell, remind me to kill you later!" the groom hissed. Relena nudged her husband slightly.
"Don't gripe, honey, I think their kinda cute." Heero rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Together, the newlyweds cut the cake and fed each other the first piece. After feeding her, Heero gently kissed her lips and licked off any residue. Relena giggled in delight and tried hard not to laugh.
After dessert, Heero stood up and asked his new bride if she would like to dance. Relena, remembering what he'd done at Duo and Hilde's wedding, gladly accepted, wondering what he had up his sleeve this time.
The lights dimmed in the reception hall, and Heero led Relena to the center of the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her, and Relena snuggled into his embrace.
"Are you going to sing to me again, Heero?"
"Not quite. I wanted to change things a little bit so I came up with a different idea."
"Which is?"
"Wait and see." Heero waited until he heard the music start before moving. He'd picked this song himself for a very good reason; it told Relena exactly what he wanted her to know.
Deep in my soul
A love so strong
It takes control
Now we both know
The secret's bared
The feelings shown
Dreaming far apart
I make a wish
On a shooting star
Relena listened to the words and felt her heart ready to burst. The words seemed to spell out the exact moment she and Heero had fallen in love. He'd fallen to earth just like a shooting star, and she'd made a wish that he could be hers.
There will come a day
Somewhere faraway
In your arms I'll stay
My only love
Even though you're gone
Love will still live on
The feeling is so strong
My only love
My only love
Relena couldn't help herself, and she started to cry. Heero wiped her tears away and smiled at her; she understood why he'd picked this song. Even though, they'd been apart for so long, their love had never dwindled for each other. Relena brought her arms up around his neck and cupped his head in her small hands. Then, to Heero's surprise, she began singing along.
Relena:
There will come a day
Somewhere faraway
In your arms I'll stay
My only love
You've reached the deepest part
Of the secret in my heart
I've known if from the start
My only love
The audience was mesmerized as they couple danced around the floor; they appeared to be floating as Heero twirled his wife around in his arms. Heero listened to Relena sing to him and decided to join her.
Relena and Heero:
There will come a day
Somewhere faraway
In your arms I'll stay
My only love
You've reached the deepest part
Of the secret in my heart
I've known if from the start
My only love
My only love
As the music came to its conclusion, there was not a dry eye in the house. Even Milliardo Peacecraft had to wipe his eyes. If there was any doubt left that his sister and Heero belonged together, it was erased. They truly were meant for each other.
Heero brought Relena close and kissed her as passionately as ever. She clung to him like a lifeline and let herself go limp in his strong arms.
"I love you, Heero Yuy." He dropped a kiss on her forehead.
"And I love you, Relena Yuy." The two hugged one another for several minutes not ever wanting to be apart again.
