Epilogue

One year, nine months later

Six years, ten months after XANA's defeat

Late July

Yumi stood before a massive set of double doors fidgeting nervously. Everyone else was already inside and now her father and herself were the only ones left.

"Relax Yumi, you're going to be fine," her father said softly, well as softly as Takeo Ishiyama ever got, and he patted her hand. She looked at him and he gave her a reassuring smile. She nervously returned it before glancing down at the pure white kimono she was wearing, then let her gaze return to the intimidating doors in front of her. "Are you ready?" He asked. Yumi took one last deep breath then nodded.

The doors swung open simultaneously and Yumi watched as everyone in the entire room rose to their feet. She gulped when she felt every set of eyes following her when she took a step, then another, and another. The only thing keeping her moving forward under the weight of their combined gaze was the support of her father, and the two beautiful chocolate brown eyes at the end of the aisle. To Ulrich's right was his best man Odd, then Jeremy and Hiroki. To the left was Yumi's maid of honor, Sissi, then Aelita and Hiroki's girlfriend Milly. What somehow felt like both seconds and hours later she had arrived at the front of the room. Her father kissed her cheek then took his seat next to her mother, and Yumi turned toward her very soon-to-be husband. He was beaming at her and few tears managed to slip down Yumi's face as he took her hands in his. He had worked very hard and took a number of summer classes in order to graduate a semester early so they could marry sooner. Since graduating, he'd managed to get an entry level job at a local business firm. Yumi had graduated the year before and had been getting part-time work as a substitute teacher for the experience. She was still looking for a full-time position, but they were both convinced that it was only a matter of time before she found one. Together they didn't make a lot of money, but they ran the numbers and it was enough to put food on the table, pay the rent on the small apartment that they had just leased, and put a little bit away for safe keeping.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." the priest began.

Ulrich and Yumi spent a lot of time deciding how to mix their respective culture's traditions, but it no longer seemed to matter to either of them. Everything that wasn't the other's face or their held hands was a complete blur. That is, until the closing words...

"You may kiss the bride."

The newly married couple closed the short distance between them. Their lips met and neither one could have been happier!

Making their way through the reception was likewise a blur until shortly after dinner Ulrich's parents made their way to the newlywed couple.

"Congratulations you two," Ulrich's mother exclaimed with a smile and gave both of them a hug in turn. In the almost two years since Ulrich proposed to Yumi, his mother had warmed up to the idea of their marriage considerably. Ulrich's father stood back until his wife urged him to step up to his son and daughter-in-law. When he did, there wasn't a trace of the typical anger that was often displayed. Instead, what was written on his face was guilt and regret. Him and Ulrich hadn't spoken since their conversation about the engagement. He looked at Ulrich and opened his mouth a couple times while his son watched in confusion and amazement as no words came out. Upon failing to say anything to his son, he turned to Yumi with great sadness in his eyes. He opened his mouth again and this time was able to say something.

"Just... take better care of him then I did..." without another word he quickly walked away with his wife in tow.

They didn't have the chance to think about it for very long though because Sissi and Odd walked right up afterwards. They were both due to graduate in a couple months, and had their own wedding date set for the following spring. At the moment though, both of them were wearing very obvious teasing smirks which had Ulrich and Yumi a little nervous as they received their congratulatory hugs.

"You know," started Sissi as she pulled away after hugging Yumi. "You can't be my maid of honor anymore..." Yumi's mouth dropped open in shock, and a little bit of hurt. "No, you're just going to have to settle for being my matron of honor old lady!" Yumi closed her mouth and glared at Sissi, but was too happy with the day's events to truly be mad. Still, she lightly swatted the side of her best friend's head who laughed!

"I'll give you 'old lady' on the sparring mat when I get back, you hear!" She threatened playfully!

They left and Yumi's parent greeted them with tearful, but joyful hugs, followed by Jeremy and Aelita. Upon finding Aelita's grandparents the two geniuses had ramped up their workload again in order to graduate sooner and be able to get married while Beatrix and Neville would still be able to attend. The elderly couple was still in good health, but they all knew there were no guarantees. The Einstein's had already gotten their master's degrees in things that neither Yumi nor Ulrich could understand, and were halfway through their doctoral theses! Despite their frantic schedules, they still made sure to make time for their Saturday morning coffee shop dates. They had tentatively set a date for their wedding one year out. For today though they were all smiles and hugs, overjoyed for their good friends. Eventually, the newly married couple made their way through all the other friends and relatives from both sides of the family.

A few tiring, but happy hours later had them waving goodbye to everyone gathered as they drove away to the hotel Ulrich had booked. Because it was their wedding day, the hotel staff allowed him to check in early that morning so they didn't have to deal with the front desk when they arrived.

"I love you Yumi... my wife!" Ulrich exclaimed happily just before they entered the room. Yumi grinned widely.

"I love you too... husband." She replied as she reached up to caress the side of his face. Ulrich glanced toward the door.

"Are you ready?" Yumi nodded nervously, but excitedly. Ulrich unlocked and opened the door, then scooped her into his arms. She giggled excitedly as he carried her across the threshold.

A/N: This is by far the largest writing project I've ever written, and it's been an amazing journey! I would like to thank you for making it this far. This story arc is finished, but I'm not done with the overall continuity. I've still got a couple ideas for it and I sincerely hope you join me on the next one!

P.S. to those who think that Aelita should have been the maid of honor, I understand why you'd think that. However, she was too far away (and far too busy with school for that matter!) to attend maid of honor duties, and having read the rest of this story is is really hard to imagine Yumi picking Sissi? ;p I personally don't think it's any harder to imagine than the rest of the gang taking their relationship cues from a relationship that Odd is a part of! XD (yes, that small bit of irony was intentional!)

That being said, I couldn't come up with a better bridesmaid than Milly to walk down with Hiroki. I'm not changing it now, but if anyone's got any better suggestions I'd be curious to hear them!