A/N: I've had this little story in my head for a little while now and it's finally finished. I hope you like it. Feel free to leave a review :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Lunar Chronicles characters.

A joyous occasion

"Can you believe it, Cass?" I asked. "Your big brother is getting married!"

"Kay mar!" the toddler squealed.

"Yeah, munchkin. Caiden is getting married!" I grinned at my youngest daughter. "And mommy's so excited! Yes, she is! Are you excited, too?"

"'sited!" she cried. I was standing in the kitchen trying to simultaneously balance the now squirming Cassidy on my hip and to stir the soup on the stove.

"That's great, sweets. And you are going to be the most beautiful flower girl anybody has ever seen," I told her happily, while putting a lid on the pot and setting down my spoon. "Yes, you will! Yes, you will!" I gave her a kiss on the nose and she started giggling. "And there we have it; mommy's officially lost her mind! Don't tell daddy, okay." Instead of answering, Cassidy gave me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. "Okay, I'll take it."

I was pulled out of my conversation with my youngest daughter by the sound of the front door opening. "Darlin', we're home!" I heard my husband calling.

"Hey, Mom!" That was my oldest daughter's voice. "Dad's officially lost his mind!"

"I have not! I resent that accusation!"

"Have, too!"

"Have not!"

"Have, too!"

"Guys!" I called and headed to hallway with Cassidy still on my hip. The toddler started struggling once she saw her father and I set her down.

"Daddy!" She jumped into his arms and he happily caught her.

"Hey there, munchkin." He kissed her forehead. I went to my oldest daughter and gave her a hug. My husband came over to kiss me as well.

"Okay," I started. "Why has your dad lost his mind this time, Cara?"

"Hey, why do you automatically assume that …" I raised my hand to silence him and nodded to my 16-year-old daughter.

"Just because Caiden is tying the knot, dad's convinced that I'll be getting married in the very near future as well!" Cara complained.

"You were looking at a wedding dress!" Her father accused.

"For Rory!" My daughter cried. "Remember Rory? Caiden's fiancé? You're soon-to-be daughter-in-law? I'm her bridesmaid! So, of course, if we walk by a bridal shop, I will look into the window. Besides, I'm sixteen. I'm nowhere near for marriage. Besides, I would need a boyfriend first."

"Come on! That dress was an A-Line, that's so not Rory's style! Rory's more of a Princess Silhouette type of girl. A-Line something you would wear!"

"Oh my God, Dad! How do you even know that?" Cara asked incredulously and I was too stunned by my husband's knowledge of dress styles to intervene.

"That's not the point," he said. "The point is that you are way to interested in weddings for my liking. I do not believe that it's just because your brother is getting married. So, who's the guy?"

"Carswell Thorne!" I intervened before Cara had a chance to reply anything. "No calm down for a moment and think about what you just said. Do you realize how ridiculous your accusations are."

"Completely ridiculous!" Cara agreed. "Especially …"

"I've got this, Car. Let me handle it." Cara nodded and motioned for me to continue while crossing her arms and looking at her father expectantly.

"Well, maybe I was exaggerating just a teeny tiny bit." Thorne admitted.

"You were freaking out over nothing," I argued.

"Cress …" Thorne pleaded and looked at me with his puppy-dog eyes.

"Don't you Cress me." Over the years I had learned to hold my own. "Now I know you meant well – Cara knows that too, don't you honey. But your reaction was still uncalled for."

"I guess you're right, darlin'." He turned to our daughter. "I'm really sorry, Cara. I overreacted. I guess I'm just a bit tense with the wedding and everybody coming soon to celebrate the engagement. It had nothing to do with you specifically. Will you forgive me?"

"Sure, Dad." Cara gave her father a hug. "But maybe try to keep your cool in the future. Just so mom doesn't have to reprimand you."

"Oh, don't worry about me, sweets." I told her. "I quite enjoy reprimanding your father." Thorne looked at me with a shocked expression. I winked at him while Cara just giggled.

"Okay, I'll leave you two to it," she said. "Come along, Cass. Let's go play in your room, shall we." Cassidy jumped out of her father's arms, grabbed her sister's outstretched hand and the two of them left the hallway.

"What happened to the shy awkward girl I rescued from a satellite? That girl was barely able to talk to me for two minutes without blushing." Thorne asked.

"How would you know? You were blind for the first weeks we knew each other." I shot back.

"That's exactly what I mean? When did you learn to give such good comebacks?"

"Well, honey. I've learned from the best." I approached my husband with a smirk on my face. "We've been together for over twenty years now. I'd say it was about time that I picked some things up." And with that I kissed him firmly on the lips.

"Okay," he said after we pulled apart. "I have to say, I like it." I laughed out loud. "So, what else do we have to prepare before the crew arrives?"

"I think we're pretty much done with all the preparations," I answered in thought and we move to the living room. "Caiden and Cara already took care of the guest bedrooms this morning. Cass and I spent the day cleaning and cooking. You and Cara did the last-minute shopping. I think we're ready. But just remind me again: why are they staying with us when Cinder and Kai have an entire castle including staff available and we live only 30 minutes away from them?"

"Because our home's homier. And it's big enough to fit all of our friend regardless," Thorne pointed out. "Have you finished assigning the room's yet?"

"Yeah." I pulled out my notepad and started reading. "Scarlet and Wolf one of the guest rooms, as do Winter and Jacin. Cinder, Kai and the kids are going home tonight because they have an official appointment early tomorrow morning, just like Iko and Liam. So, Caiden said he had no problem sharing his room with Connor and Cara offered to have Michelle stay in her room. Then I have Annabelle sharing one of the guest rooms with Noelle. And Winter said that Emma and Aspen have no problem sharing a room, so the twins will take another guest room."

"Sounds great," Thorne said impressed. "And it's not like Cinder, Kai and their kids have a long way home."

"Right. Now I have only one question left: why do we have such a huge house that can easily fit all of our friends?" I asked.

"Because it was the only place in New Beijing that had enough space for the Rampion." Thorne looked at me incredulously.

"Sorry, hun. How could I have forgotten that?" I smiled while rolling my eyes. "Now, would you like to tell me why our twenty-year old son marrying has you so freaked out?"

"I don't know, Cress." Thorne let himself fall down on the couch and I sat down next to him. "I just don't want Caiden and Rory to rush into marriage. They're still so young."

"Carswell, Caiden is twenty and Rory is eighteen," I reminded him.

"My point exactly! I was twenty-two when we got married!"

"And I was eighteen," I pointed out. "And one year later, Caiden was born. You should be glad he hasn't made you a grandpa yet."

"Don't even joke about that." Thorne buried his face in his hands.

"They've been friends their entire lives and they've been a couple since Rory was fourteen. They know each other much better than we did."

"We went through a war together! Heck, we saved Earth and Luna! You can't compare that!" Thorne argued.

"Oh yeah. You stabbed me and I shot off three of your fingers. They should really follow our example," I joked.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"I know, hun." I put my arm around him. "They love each other. They are both smart, mature people. And Rory is a great girl. Caiden is a very lucky man."

"Just like his father." Thorne smiled at me.

"Exactly. Just like his father." I kissed his cheek. "And Rory is your best friend's daughter. Just think about the possibilities," I coaxed him.

"Her being Cinder's daughter does have certain benefits," Thorne grinned. "And you know how much I like teasing her."

"Mom! Dad! I'm home." Caiden's voice came from the front door.

"Hey, buddy!" Thorne called. "We're in the living room."

"Okay. Now just to make sure. Have you two had your daily freak-out about my wedding already? Is it safe for me to come in?" Our son asked jokingly.

"I'm done for the day." Thorne shouted. "I've had mine fifteen minutes ago – ask your sister for details. But I don't know about your mom here."

"Oh my God! My baby boy is getting married! Can you believe it, honey! Oh, how time just flies by!" I cried theatrically. "Okay, coast is clear now, sweetheart."

"Thank Goodness!" Caiden walked into the room. To this day, I can hardly believe how much he looks like his father. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and high-fived his father. "Do you need my help with anything, Mom?"

"No, sweetie. Everything is ready for the guests to arrive," I told him.

"Great. Thank you both for letting everyone stay here." Caiden smiled at us. "Then please excuse me, I'm gonna hit the showers before they arrive."

"Good idea, son." Thorne said. "You need it." Caiden rolled his eyes and disappeared towards the bathroom.

"We should go clean up a bit as well before they come," I told my husband and held my hand out for him.

"As you wish, darlin'." He took my hand and together we headed towards our bedroom.

"I'll get it!" I called to no one in particular after hearing the doorbell ringing. The others were still upstairs in their respective rooms getting ready.

I opened the door and was greeted with a bear hug. "It's so good to see you again, Cress. I missed you."

"I missed you too, Wolf," I answered gasping for air.

"Ze'ev! Don't crush her. I missed her too," Scarlet scolded her husband. He let me go grinning sheepishly, but I didn't really have time to catch my breath because the now six-month-pregnant Scarlet was already there hugging me even tighter – yes, I didn't think that was possible as well. "Cress, it's been too long. I can't believe Caiden and Rory are getting married."

"It really has been way too long, and I know." We let go of each other and I turned my eyes towards their children. "And look at you three, you all got so big."

"Auntie Cress." Michelle and Annabelle tackled me in a hug. Their older brother, Connor Logan, waited in the back until his younger sisters let me go again. "It's great to see you, Aunt Cress."

"My, my Connor. You have become quite the handsome young man, if I may point that out." I grinned and gave him a hug as well. The 17-year-old boy blushed a little bit and muttered a quick "Thanks". He always reminded me of his father - tough on the outside, but shy and caring on the inside.

"Okay, now that we're done with all the greetings. Where is the kitchen." Scarlet clapped her hands together.

"Right where you left it the last time, Scar. And I prepared everything you asked me to. Really, I could've done more, I don't want you to spend your whole time here cooking." I was already feeling bad that I'd let her talk me into letting her do all the cooking.

"Are you kidding. I love cooking, the more the merrier. Now let me through please." She grinned at me and I stepped aside. I took the rest of the Kesley-clan into the living room and started pouring drinks when Thorne, Caiden, Cara and Cassidy came down. The greetings began once again. I noticed my oldest daughter spending an awfully long time catching up with Conner and couldn't help but grin at that.

"Now where is my favorite red-head?" Thorne asked.

"Mommy's in the kitchen," Michelle explained.

"Mommy's making dinner," Annabelle added.

"Perfect," Thorne grinned mischievously and headed for the kitchen. I moved in the same direction, ready to clean up any mess he created while our children entertained the guests.

"Oh, Scarlet!" Thorne shouted. "Did you miss me?" His cry startled Scarlet so much that she almost dropped the pots she was currently holding. Her pregnant belly didn't make things easier and she was losing her balance. Thorne rushed over grabbing onto the first thing he caught – a pot – thereby knocking into Scarlet, which only caused the other pot to shake even more.

"Remove your hand or I will rip you arm off and beat you to death with it." Scarlet glared at Thorne.

"Aw, you did miss me. Did you hear that, Cress?" Thorne grinned and together the two of them managed to put all pots in their original places.

"Of course, I missed you, you klutz." Scarlet gave Thorne a hug. "And now get out of my kitchen."

"Actually, it's my …"

"Out, Thorne!"

"All right, but just so I know: on a scale from one to ten, how bad do you want to kill me right now?"

"I'm hovering somewhere in the high thirties," Scarlet deadpanned.

"Oh, I think that was the doorbell, I'll be heading out now." And with that rushed towards the hallway. Scarlet and I grinned at each other and I headed back into the living room where nobody had even noticed the commotion in the kitchen. I nodded towards my kids motioning for them to say a quick hello to their Aunt Scarlet in the other room and complied.

"Well, what do you know. Look whom I found at the door." Thorne came and brought seven people with him. Lunar Ambassador Winter Hayle-Blackburn along with her husband Dr. Jacin Clay and their three kids – the twins Emma Leigh and Aspen, as well as little Noelle. The other two people in this group were Cinder's best friend Iko and former Lunar Royal Guard Liam Kinney. The greetings and gratulations once again commenced.

Finally, the doorbell rang once again, announcing the last guests for this evening. "I'll get it," Caiden yelled over the noise of almost twenty people chattering away. For a moment there was complete silence before everyone – especially the guys – began teasing Caiden about being so eager to see his fiancé. Caiden just shook his head and walked towards the front door accompanied by shouting and wolf-whistles – no pun intended.

Caiden came back in with the biggest smile on his face and accompanied by four people. Emperor Kaito of the Eastern Commonwealth along with his wife Linh Cinder – formerly Queen Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn of Luna – and their two children Crown Princess Aurora and Prince Henry of the Eastern Commonwealth.

"Okay," Thorne started and everybody quieted. "I hereby call everyone to order so we can finally begin the last round of greetings and congratulations. Cress and I are so happy that all of you could join us her for this joyous occasion. The room assignments are on this sheet of paper thought out and beautifully written down by my lovely wife, so you can go up any time you want and put your bags away. Now, on to very important things: first one to the engaged couple gets the first hugs!" Everybody started rushing towards Caiden and Rory. "Hold it one moment – we are missing one very important person!" Thorne went to the kitchen door. "Scarlet, get your butt in here – everybody's here!" Scarlet rushed into the room. "Okay, up and at 'em!"

Half an hour later we were still catching up and the children started playing with the toys they brought. We took turns helping Scarlet in the kitchen, so she wouldn't feel left out. I had already spent a big amount of time with my future daughter-in-law, talking wedding plans. Spending so much time with all of the people we loved most in the world after a long time apart made all of us a little giddy and the wine Thorne brought up from the cellar really didn't help things. At least that's what I blame some of the following events on.

"Oh my God! Cinder, Kai, our kids are getting married!" I grinned. "We're going to be related!" I guessed that Cinder had a bit of wine as well because on any other day she would not be somebody who started gushing over our children's impending marriage.

"Oh Iko, you have to help us plan the wedding!" Cinder called and I excitedly clapped my hands together.

"I'd love to, Cinder. Oh, we're going to have so much fun. I can't believe your kids are getting married." Iko, as an android, was immune to the effects of alcohol. She was just naturally a very bubbly person.

"Well, we all knew this would happen. Those Linh girls just can't get enough of us Thorne men. The only difference between Rory and you Cinder is that she can admit her feelings for Caiden while you still keep them secret." What followed Thorne's claim was him yelling in pain as Cinder punched him. Hard. With her cyborg hand. I would love to say that this was the first time, but this exact scene has occurred at least ten times since our kids had announced their engagement. Iko and I just shook our heads.

"If you do that again, I'll throw you out that freaking window you … what are you doing?" Cinder asked while Thorne walked towards the window.

"Checking how high the drop is, see if it's worth it."

"And?" Cinder asked.

"On a scale from one to ten, how bad do you think it would be, if I …"

"At least a twenty," Scarlet interrupted joining our little group.

"You don't even know what we're talking about?" Thorne complained.

"Just guessing," Scarlet grinned at the rest of us.

"But …" Thorne started again.

"Carswell," I scolded. "I think you should let it go."

"Fine," Thorne relented and threw his arms around me.

"You should be glad, you married her when you hand the chance," Cinder told him. "She keeps you out of quite a lot of trouble."

"Oh, believe me, I know," Thorne laughed. "I don't know what I'd do without her." The three women "Awed" as Thorne kissed my cheek and, even after twenty years of marriage, my husband managed to make me blush.

"Attention, everyone!" Scarlet called and everyone quieted down. "I just wanted to let you know that the food is ready. Now I just need a few little helpers to bring it all out into the dining room."

Bringing all the food out took quite some time. Scarlet had made even more food than I expected, and we had to make some adjustments to the table in order to fit all of it. Finally, all food was out of the kitchen and everybody was seated. Thorne quickly stood up again and cleared his throat to get everybody's attention.

"I don't want to keep you from this delicious looking food for too long, but I'd like to say a few words," Thorne started. "Now, I'm not a big fan of long speeches, so I'll keep this rather short. Like I already said before, Cress and I are very happy that all of you could join us today. It's not everyday that we get to celebrate not just one, but two of our kids tying the knot Caiden, Rory, I think I speak for everyone when I tell you guys that we are very happy for the two of you and we wish you all the best. A special thanks goes to our dear Scarlet, who has once again prepared a spectacular dinner." Cue, applause for Scarlet. "Okay, and since all of you are already glaring at me to wrap this speech up, so they can start eating, I have just one more thing to say: …" Thorne raised his glass and we imitated his gesture "… to the happy couple, a wonderful evening, and hopefully more!" We all clinked our glasses together. "And now to top off this joyous occasion: Dig in!"