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P.S Thanks to all the readers. 10000 hits is quite a few. Keep 'em coming! xk
There was no music. There was no white dress. There weren't even two rings to exchange between them. But despite the obstacles, the moment the hatch opened and Laura Roslin stepped into the mess-hall-turned chapel, a hush fell over the room, and true and proper wedding ceremony began.
Adama didn't breathe as Laura stepped through the hatch. If she was surprised by the number of people there, or the appearance of the mess hall she didn't show it. She was truly his equal in her ability to control her emotions. However, as she walked toward him, and their eyes met, he found himself unequal to that task. His heart leapt as she smiled at him. Her face and eyes beaming with love, and hope, and a hint of self-consciousness. She was beautiful. He couldn't help but beam back at her, everything and everyone else forgotten.
She was stunned to see the familiar faces of the Galactica crew, smiling at her encouragingly as she walked down the make-shift aisle. She had pictured a martial ceremony, no frills, no guests, and certainly no hand-made decorations on the walls. She couldn't quite put into coherent words or thoughts the great emotions that welled inside her. She was thankful most of all.
She came to stand next to him, their eyes never leaving one another's. She felt as if she was floating in a dream. He took her hand softly, as they hung at their sides, and with a light squeeze he comforted her more than he could ever know. They tore their gazes apart and faced forward reluctantly, as Tory and Saul took their places next to them.
Helo smiled warmly at the pair of them, and began to speak. Neither really heard the words that he spoke in his deep baritone as he went on for several minutes; both were far too mesmerized by the sheer fact that they were standing there together, in front of people they knew and loved, being married. A week ago, much less a month ago, neither could have imagined that they would ever reach this point; and both were overjoyed that they'd been wrong.
The crowd of onlookers all smiled warmly, watching the pair in front of them take each other's hands and smile. For some, this wasn't all too surprising; it wasn't as if Adama and Roslin were very good at hiding their deep affection and mutual respect. For others, however, this was a shocking event, but an understandable one. The President was dying, and the Admiral cared enough about her to try and make the end of her life as happy as he could. The Admiral's respect and loyalty were not shocking, but instead only further proof that the man they loved and trusted to lead them, was indeed the man they knew and revered.
"William Adama, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to love, honor and cherish, by the witness of the Gods, as long as you both shall live?" Helo's words finally broke through, and Adama listened to his question carefully. He wasn't so sure about the 'Gods as his witness' part, but he was damn sure about the rest.
"I do," He said softly but clearly, feeling his heart skip a beat.
"And do you, Laura Roslin, take this man to be your wedded husband, to love, honor and cherish, by witness of the Gods, as long as you both shall live?"
She too took care in considering Helo's inquiry, her conscience screaming at her to be cautious. Could she promise to be Bill's wife, and still keep her oath to protect and defend the colonies with every breath? Neither was a vow she took lightly. Both were oaths she was willing to fight or die for. In her heart she knew that she could reconcile them, and do both justice. It wouldn't be easy. But then again, it wouldn't be for long.
"I do," She said, glancing from Helo to Bill. He caught her eye and smiled warmly. She was nervous and shaky but what his eyes said soothed her immensely.
"The Gods have chosen to bless these two humble lives with love, and to grant them the gifts and bounty of joining together in marriage. As witness to their union, all here bestow their prayer that joy and hope reside between them always." Helo said, looking out among the crowd.
"So say we all," The onlookers said in unison, their steady voices filling the room.
"By the authority vested in me, under the command of this worthy vessel, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Helo said smiling broadly. "You may kiss the bride."
Bill turned to Laura with a wide and jovial smile. She too bore an amused grin on her face. They laughed together in unison. Both finding hilarity in the fact that they were married, but also in that they were about to show affection toward each other in front of an audience.
Bill stepped forward and took her face between both of his hands. He smiled sweetly, letting his humor subside.
"I love you Laura," he said quietly, so only they could hear, before dipping his head and kissing her softly on the lips. Laura grabbed hold of the sides of his uniform and pulled him closer, kissing him back firmly.
Shouts and cheers arose among the crowd and applause roared through the room.
As they parted Laura held onto him a moment longer and whispered in his ear.
"And I love you Bill," she breathed quietly. He stood back for a moment, unable to hear the ruckus of the crowd. He heard it over and over again in his head. She loved him. Laura loved him. Right there and then, he could have died a happy man.
Instead he was mobbed by the hands of Lee and Saul, patting him on the back and pulling him away from Laura. His wife.
Laura too was quickly encircled by Tory, Dee, Callie and Kara who all smiled brightly at her and began to talk. She was floating in midair, but tried desperately to focus on their fast-paced chatter.
Soon they were standing several feet apart from one another, but they could have been galaxies apart, and it wouldn't have mattered. Both Laura and Bill felt as if the other was right beside them, they felt the presence of their love holding them more tightly than their hands or arms ever could have.
As they tried to be polite and accept congratulations, and answer the endless amounts of questions, both stole glances at each other. They thought that no one could see what passed between them through their eyes. But it was impossible to miss. Every person in the room could see, even from the smallest glimpse, that the looks that passed between them radiated enough love and warmth to heat the dark side of any moon. Despite any questions or doubts, slowly but surely every person in the mess hall found themselves completely sure that the Admiral and the President belonged together and were madly in love; and all were incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to be a part of it.