I would like to formally apologize for just how whacked-out my upload schedule has been. Due to a certain virus, schools and jobs in my area shut down, leaving me kind of… bored. Not only that, but I've been having some pretty severe anxiety over the Coronavirus and getting all my credits filled. Just thought you guys should know.

Epilogue: I Now Pronounce…

Steve was nervous.

Not your normal kind of nervous either. Not the kind that you can distract yourself or run away from. This kind of nervousness was the kind that mingled with excitement, wrapping him in a tornado of delight and anxiety.

Because, you see, today was Steve's wedding day.

Tapping his feet on the carpeted floor of the village church, Steve anxiously waited for Alex's arrival. The guests also sat in anticipation, watching the door with interest. Steve fiddled with the collar of his shirt for the nineteenth time and caught Dr. Green's husband Tristan glaring at him out of the corner of his eye.

Steve glanced nervously up at the stained glass window, when the villager at the jukebox pushed in Alex's favorite song, Blocks by C418.

Steve inhaled sharply as the doors swung in, and Alex stepped into the chapel, Hazel and Anne holding up the short train of her dress. All in all, the dress is beautiful.

It started at her shoulders, a simple v-neck collar accented by tiny embroidered flowers. The sleeves were elbow-length, stretching down to Alex's forearms and falling away in a gentle curve. The bodice cuts off directly beneath Alex's breast, where a small, white sash transformed the dress into a wide, flowing skirt that smoothed to the floor.

On her head rested a crowning wreath made from three different types of flowers. Lily of the valley, tulips and oxeye daisies displaying a symbol of purity that contrasted amazingly against Alex's fire-orange hair that was braided into a long fishtail down her back. She smiled shyly at Steve, displaying her own anxieties over their wedding.

Steve relaxed. Turns out, he wasn't the only anxious one. The song began to finish, leaving the room in a warm, waiting silence.

Alex held out her hand, and Steve took it gently, noticing his hands were shaking. "You look lovely." He whispered.

"Thank you," Alex whispered back, her green eyes glittering with tears of happiness. After all the adventures, the heartbreak, the amnesia and kidnappings, they were finally getting married.

The priest, Kaleb, cleared his throat and opened a Villager Bible, flipping through it, before facing the crowd with a warm smile. It was customary in Minecraft for a priest to give a speech at a wedding. "Friends, family, and villagers, it is an honor to be here with you today, to celebrate the wedding of Steven Blocker and Alexandria Archer.

"Ever since the two of them met, they were friends, and I wish them well to keep that friendship in their marriage, to build on it, to grow together rather than apart.

"I wish them prosperity and health, good lives and many great adventures to come."

Steve glanced around the chapel, looking over the villagers, the family that had raised him- they were all there. In the back of the chapel, a man in a bowler hat sat on a bench against the wall. He smiled, winked at Steve, and then, in a flash of sunlight, vanished.

"Steven," Kaleb's voice cut through his thoughts, and Steve stood at attention. "Would you like to say anything?"

Steve nodded, then turned to the filled chapel. "To everyone here, I'd like to thank you for making me who I am today. There was a possibility that I could've been angry and stingy like my brother, but instead, I stand here with you today, happy and loved, about to marry a woman that I care for, so to you, I say thank you."

The villagers smiled, some gave short claps, but most stayed silent (this was a church, after all). Kaleb turned to Alex. "Alexandria, would you like to say anything?'

"I would, actually," Alex answered, looking out over the villagers. "When I first came here, I was close to death. I didn't know who I was or where I came from, but Steve took me in. He used the hospitality you gave him and played it forward. I lived to be here today because of him- because of many of you as well, and I hope that one day we can pay that love back."

"Thank you, Alexandria," Kaleb smiled. "Then, we should begin the vows. Steven,"

Steve straightened up, looking up at Kaleb anxiously.

"Do you, Steven Blocker, vow under the name of Notch to take Alexandria Archer, in sickness and in health, in life and whatever comes after, in the Overworld, Nether, and End, as your wife?"

Steve took a deep breath. "I do."

Kaleb nodded, turning to Alex. "Do you, Alexandria Archer, vow under the name of Notch, to take Steven Blocker, in sickness and in health, in life and whatever comes after, in the Overworld, Nether, and End, to be obedient and childbearing, as your husband?"

"I-" Alex froze, thinking the vow over. Steve stared at Kaleb, horrified. Alex? Sweet, strong, badass Alex, obedient? Childbearing? Weren't those things (especially the second one) supposed to be discussed between an already-married couple? Besides, there was no way Steve would want Alex to be obedient to him- she would HATE that!

"I have an objection," Steve interjected, and Alex gave him a nervous but relieved look.

"Yes?" Kaleb asked, looking confused.

"Why does it say that?" Steve asked, raising his eyebrows. "I don't want Alex to be obedient and childbearing. Can you cut it out?"

"Hmmm…." Kaleb looked through the bible. He sighed. "We do need to update this. I can cut it out."

Alex smiled at Steve gratefully, and Kaleb started again.

"Do you, Alexandria Archer, vow under the name of Notch, to take Steven Blocker, in sickness and in health, in life and whatever comes after, in the Overworld, Nether, and End, as your husband?"

Alex beamed wider. "I do."

Kaleb smiled, closing the bible. "Then it is so. Phineas, the rings, please?"

Phineas nodded, scrambling off his seat and approaching both of them, the simple gold wedding bands resting quietly on a cushion. Steve took one and slid it onto Alex's finger. She took the other and slid it onto his.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Kaleb answered, then turned to Steve. "You may kiss the bride."

Before Steve could even make a move, Alex leaned over to him and pressed her lips against his. Behind him, Steve could hear Kaleb gasp and the chapel gasp, as well as Phineas loudly exclaiming, "EEEEEWWWWW!"

They pulled apart, only to be nearly assaulted by congradulations. People threw flowers and wheat, and Alex smiled at Steve as he led them out of the Church. Outside, warm, golden sunlight greeted them as, laughing, they stepped away from the darkness and into the light.

After a grand reception and a short horseback ride, Alex and Steve arrived at their honeymoon home, a small cottage built on the edge of a lake about twelve miles south of the village. The bright moon played along the water, casting silvery rays upon coral and fish and lighting the white sand. Alex walked hand-in-hand with Steve, her wedding dress blowing in the breeze.

Out of the blue, Steve stooped down and scooped Alex up, holding her gently and walking towards the cabin. Alex squirmed. "What are you doing?!"

"A romantic carry on the beach?" Steve offered hopefully.

Alex sighed, but leaned over to kiss Steve's nose. "Alright, fine. But only if I can carry you next."

Steve burst out laughing so hard he had to set Alex down for fear of dropping her. Alex leaned against him, her shoulders also shaking with laughter. Taking Steve's hand, she walked to their honeymoon house, a small blue cottage with a white roof.

Entering, Alex flicked a switch on the wall, lighting the room as Steve made his way to the massive double bed in the sleeping alcove. Alex kicked off her uncomfortable flats and came to sit beside him, shaking the wreath of flowers off her head and getting petals everywhere.

Steve smiled, scooting over and kissing Alex on the lips, the slow, lingering kind of kiss that lasted long after they parted. Alex looked away suddenly, and Steve watched her, anxious.

"What's wrong?" He laid a hand on hers.

Alex laughed softly. "Nothing. It's just… this wedding, it's something I thought would never happen, and now, being here with you… it feels too good to be true."

Steve smiled slightly, reaching up to brush away some of Alex's hair. "Do you think our adventures are over yet?"

"No," Alex smiled. "But I believe this plot twist made them a whole lot better."

Steve smiled wider. "Me too, Alex. Me too."

Aaaaand, CUT!

It's a wrap, folks, but wait! Don't go yet! Stick around for a sneak peek on the 30th!

Review Replies:

ScarOfHerobrine: Behold, the proper wedding scene!

Some Random Kid: You are very much welcome! Are you planning to stick around for the next installment of the series?

JimmyPengin421: You'll have to see, but it will have to do with a few new characters in the next story, the Post-Epilogue should explain.