AN: this is a drabble I wrote a few years back and discovered recently. Warning: high sugar content ahead.
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Wedding Day
It was a beautiful wedding, there was no denying that. Rick had made sure Lisa had the best of everything… well, the best of what they could source after the planet had been so ravaged after the war.
It was almost surprising how quickly they had rebuilt. He would have preferred to marry Lisa sooner, but she was determined to play her part in the rebuilding.
Now, almost two years later, they were finally celebrating their marriage on a balmy summer's night under stars that shone brightly overhead.
He loved the way her dress glowed in silver shades under the moonlight and he loved watching her as she was twirled around the dance floor by his squad mates. She was so stunning beautiful it made his heart ache in his chest. He wasn't afraid to admit to himself that he would be content to watch her for hours. But when she was lured into yet another dance by his brother Roy, Rick decided it was time to step in and steal her back.
He tapped Roy on the shoulder, shooting Roy a glance that had him chuckling and throwing up his hands in defeat. He looked resplendent in his black tux and perfectly styled hair and his blue eyes were warm with the faint buzz of alcohol that belied a few too many champagne toasts.
"Don't say a word," he laughed at the hard line of Rick's mouth. "I was just about to find Claudia anyway."
Roy pecked Lisa on the cheek then melted into the crowd as Rick took Lisa's slim hand in his own. At her touch, the swell of emotion in his heart bloomed to encase his entire body. He wasn't sure if he would ever get used to feeling this way and almost hoped he wouldn't. "Hello, beautiful. May I have this dance?"
Lisa smiled, her green eyes dancing with mirth as she eyed him mischievously. "I'm not sure," she teased. "What will my husband say?"
"Oh, I'm sure he won't mind."
"You don't know my new husband," she said in mock seriousness. She tapped her chin with an manicured fingernail. "He can be quite the grump sometimes."
Rick laughed. Normally he would have protested that observation, but he was fast realising that nothing could spoil his mood tonight. It just wasn't possible when he had so much to celebrate. He reached for his bride, tugging her into his arms and relishing the way she felt in his embrace. The sound of her light laughter made him grip her tight. Lisa snuggled in against him, her head resting on his shoulder as they swayed gently to the beat of the music.
"Happy?" he murmured against her hair, fragrant with her familiar floral scent.
"The happiest," she assured him. "And it's not just us. Look."
He cast his eye around their reception, noticing for the first time the other couples paired together. Lisa directed his attention to the nearest couple he found himself smiling. Max and Miriya intertwined as always, the Zentraedi ace gazing up into her husband's eyes with pure adoration. Behind them, Roy had found Claudia and she was tucked in securely at his side, their hands clasped tightly together as Roy whispered against her ear. The smile on Claudia's face was beautiful. Gloval was at a nearby table, puffing on his pipe contentedly and a scotch in his hand. Even the terrible trio were paired off, Sammy perched on Ben's knee while Vanessa and Kim were dancing to the music or lingering in romantic shadows.
And every one of them was smiling with eyes shining with joy. It was nice to see, Rick thinks. Weddings seemed to bring out the joy in people.
He turned his attention back to the woman in his arms, smiling down at her. "You wanted this as much for them as much as for us, didn't you?"
Her expression was sheepish and she ducked her head. "Maybe a little. But I still wanted our day."
Rick raised her face again with a finger under her chin. The sparkling earrings she wore caught the light and sparkled, almost matching the twinkle in her eye.
"And has it been a good day?" he asked softly, his heart beating a little stronger in his chest as he found himself falling into her deep emerald gaze once again.
"The very best," she told him sincerely.
He smiled again and brushed his lips over his new wife's forehead, counting his blessings. The war was over, peace was more than just a pipe dream, and he had a lifetime of love with Lisa to look forward to. The music changed, shifting into long familiar strains that had Minmei's voice crooning out of the speakers.
A peculiar sense of de ja vu snaked over him. He had the oddest sensation that he had stood here once before, with Lisa in his arms, on their wedding day with their friends all around them. Some other world, some other life. And not just once before, but over a hundred life times past and would continue to do so over many more to come.
He dismissed the odd thought as quickly as it had come and focused instead on moment he was in.
"I love you, Mrs Hunter," he whispered against her ear. She sighed happily and her arms tightened around him.
"I love you too, Mr Hunter."
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