Miriah was afraid to look in the mirror. She had her makeup already done and Caly was working on her hair, but she felt suddenly uncertain, doubts creeping into her thoughts. She'd asked Corso if he was sure about this ceremony, and he'd only laughed and hugged her close. Miriah took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and brought herself to face her reflection. Eyes wide, she took in the loose ponytail that Caly had started with and saw the thin, silver ribbon Caly had braided into her hair. Now, Caly was wrapping the braid in a coil that sat at her crown, and fastening it with pins that bore small, gold colored balls on the ends. "It's so beautiful, honey," Miriah said softly, and saw Caly's pleased smile.

"I wanted something regal, but simple. The dress is the star," Caly replied, finishing her task. Miriah looked almost as if she were wearing an elaborate crown, and the effect was stunning. "Now, let's go over to the temple. The dress and shoes are there." Caly gathered some supplies, just in case, and was almost out of the dressing area when she realized her mother hadn't moved. "Mom?"

Her daughter's voice broke through Miriah's thoughts, and she stood. "Sorry, I'm just so..." Caly came back and laced her arm through her mother's.

"It's all going to be just beautiful, Mom. Please, don't worry." Caly held out the warm fur coat for Miriah. Even though the days were getting warm, it was cold once the sun had set. The detail formed up once they were in the hallway, and they made their way to the elevator.

Aric and Corso were sitting in a small room in the cantina, off to the side, sharing a drink. "Is everything in place?" Corso asked.

"All good," Aric responded. "Are you sure you want to do this? The last time we surprised Miriah with a trip, she wasn't pleased." He sipped his drink and saw Corso's confidence momentarily slip before he recovered and grinned.

"I'm sure. She'll like this, and we have enough people to cover things." Corso knew that his wife was nervous about all of this, but was convinced that his part would be welcomed. "Do you think this is too much? I mean, we have been together a long time. Miriah seems to think that since she's using force now, that I don't want to be with her, and that's ridiculous."

Aric sipped again, just to give him a moment to think of the right words. "She's always in the public eye, so she's more worried that this will be seen as ostentatious, but I think it's going to lift morale. And, with Alec reporting it, it will be well received." He saw Corso relax and nodded.

"You're right," Corso said, and they motioned for another round. "At least, we'll get some of the cake." They had almost drooled when Miriah was baking it, it had smelled so good.

"Thank the stars, I even dreamed about it that night," Aric agreed.

Maura and Mags had gotten dressed together, laughing and talking. Mags admitted to Maura how she'd been feeling, and Maura had hugged her tightly. Now, they sat with their hair and faces done, sipping wine and relaxing. "Have you seen this second dress?" Mags asked.

"No, but Caly said it's perfect. All she would tell me is that it's got a coat with it," Maura said, swirling the red wine in her glass. "I'm sure it's gorgeous, Mom's dresses always are."

"I'm excited for tonight," Mags said. "It's been a long time coming. Corso looks great, he came by and got Aric earlier. Our bags are loaded in the ship, and everything is ready." Maura nodded;, the surprise trip would be a trick to pull off, but Miriah deserved a little break.

Mia had Merida dressed and the little girl was twirling around, singing softly. Mia had to smile, she'd been so much more relaxed now that everyone was up to speed on the messages she'd been receiving. The deep purple ribbon on the dress and in Merida's ebony hair looked so good that Mia had taken the leftover and made a little tie for Declan, and he was wearing it proudly. Devin was just stepping out of the shower, and, wearing only a towel, made Mia's heart beat a little faster. Devin raised his eyebrow at her, so much like his mother and Merida, that Mia giggled. "We don't have time for those ideas," Mia said sternly, putting on a serious face.

"Unfortunately, you are correct. But the night is young, my sweet," he replied, bending to kiss her, dripping water from his hair. Mia pulled away and dabbed her face, but her smile didn't fade.

"Get dressed, love. I'm not sure how long Merida will be able to contain herself," she told him, and saw his nod. She joined the children in the main room and listened as they chatted together about how beautiful their Mimi would be. She really would be, Mia knew, and she felt so lucky to have met Devin all those years ago. This is my family, she thought. No other.

Alec Ranin had found the transition to living on Odessen ridiculously easy. He'd bought a cottage on the outskirts of Haven, just the right size for him, and had slipped into life on Odessen like he'd always been here. He slept wonderfully, had learned to cook a few things using Caly's videos, and generally loved waking up every day. But today, today would be the start of something great, he could feel it. He had his cameraman on standby and when he'd cleaned up his lunch dishes, he mounted the second hand speeder he'd recently purchased and headed to the base. He couldn't help but hum happily to himself as he rode, his future brighter than ever in his mind.

Caly had the dress ready, and Miriah stepped into it, letting her daughter pull it up around her and fasten the back. It had a sweetheart neckline, and was strapless. Very small beads caught the light and twinkled in the bodice, and the skirt dropped in an A line to the floor. It was a pewter color, darker than the first one, but the tulle under the skirt was a light gray, which only added to the beauty of the cut. Miriah took a deep breath and ran her hands down the top to her waist. It fit perfectly, and Miriah felt beautiful. Suddenly, she remembered all the years she had been bullied and teased about how different she looked from most of the children on Tython, but as she gazed at herself, she knew they were all mistaken. She felt beautiful and graceful, and most of all, loved. "Mom, I can't even find words," Caly whispered. Miriah's smile told Caly that she was feeling the magic of the dress. Without another word, Caly held up the matching coat. It was cut away in the front, to showcase the dress, and the sleeves were a sheer gray. There was a small stand up collar, and the back was the focal point. It had an elaborate embroidery and bead design that ran from the collar to the edge of the coat, where small weights were sewn into the hem to guarantee that it would flow out behind Miriah like a train.

Miriah sighed as she faced herself and smiled. Mom, she thought, never in all my life have I felt so beautiful in anything. Caly reapplied the lip color they'd chosen for the evening, a deep plum, and the only jewelry she wore were the moonstone earrings Corso had given her when Devin was a baby. With a nod to each other, they began to make their way to the small anteroom off the ceremony space, where they would meet up with Aric and then get started. Caly wore a deep purple gown, and had white rosebuds pinned to her shoulder and when they reached the anteroom, she handed Miriah a small bouquet of lavender and white rosebuds, interspersed with sprigs of dark purple heather, tied by a ribbon the same color. "Caly, these are just right," Miriah said softly, then she took Caly's hand. "I can't thank you enough for all of this, sweetheart. I'm just overcome," she said.

"No crying, Mom, you'll mess up your makeup." Caly's watery smile showed her own emotions, and Miriah was fanning her eyes when she heard a gasp at the door. Aric looked astonished as he walked forward to them.

"Mir, you look.. absolutely perfect. I can't even believe I'm getting to do this," he stammered, and held out his elbow to her. Miriah moved to his side and put her arm through his.

"Well, there's no place for a blaster," Miriah said, looking down at the dress as Aric chuckled.

"You won't need one. Corso has been waiting out front for almost an hour now, he's not going anywhere without you." Miriah smiled up at him and he bent to kiss her forehead. "He's a lucky man, and he knows it. Now, let's get out there and show them."

Merida looked wide eyed at her Mimi. Mimi, you are beautiful, she said through their force connection.

You are, too, Miriah said back, and told her granddaughter to start down the aisle. Caly had joined Torian and the rest of the family, and Merida started off, knowing exactly what she needed to do. Miriah got to the end of the central aisle and stopped. The whole room was lit only with candlelight, and she could see her family as they stood to watch her. Soft, lyrical music flowed around the room, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh roses, setting the mood. Caly had done the same combination of flowers for the front of the room as well as around the edges. Suddenly her eyes caught Corso's and she could see nothing else, his expression one of wonder and awe. The light made the small beads on the bodice twinkle, and Miriah could feel the sway of the dress as she stepped forward, the coat floating effortlessly behind her.

Alec had his one camera person at his side, and was watching the detail, in all their black armored finery, as they stood as still as a statue outside the temple. There had been a few people in the courtyard but that number had grown steadily. Now, he could barely move the area was so crowded. At first, he was annoyed, and wondered if the Commander would be displeased by the public show, but he saw so many with small baskets and bowls of rose petals, he figured it was well beyond what he could have foreseen. All we can do now is wait, he told himself.

Aric saw Corso's expression and it made him happy. It's been too long since they were just happy, no worries about anything else but just them, he thought. He had been working on Corso's part of the evening, and was looking more forward to that, if he was truthful. Still, he pondered, we have dinner that Caly mostly made and cake. Then they were at the spot where he was supposed to relinquish Miriah to Corso, and step aside, but he hated for the magic of the past few minutes to fade. At Corso's nudge, he turned to bow to Miriah and placed her hand in Corso's.

Solasta had spent a few hours polishing her ceremonial armor. It wasn't every day you got to preside over a ceremony with the Commander of the Eternal Alliance, even if said Commander was a close personal friend. She glanced over at her husband and daughter, who were spellbound by the sight of the Commander. Solasta looked at Corso and saw he was besotted all over again, and it made her heart happy to see him. I needed some happy, she thought, unwilling to share her burdens with either family or friends.

Corso couldn't get his eyes to focus, and then realized it was because of the tears of joy he held there. He had been so blessed to have had Miriah land in his life, and as she neared, on his best friend's arm, he felt his heart rate rise and his throat grow narrow. Aric now stood beside him and gently placed Miriah's small hand in his. At her touch, he felt complete. As I should, he told himself. She is the best part of life for me. I love my children and grandchildren, but without Miriah, everything pales. "You are a vision, Mir," he said softly to her, and she smiled at him.

Solasta did a small version of the normal ceremony, and Caly had come forward to hold Miriah's flowers as she joined both hand with Corso's, reciting their own promises to be with each other forever. Their family sighed watching them, in their own little bubble, starry-eyed with each other. Maura grabbed Mag's arm in hers and wiped her eyes, caught up in the romance.

At Solasta's pronouncement that they were indeed mated for life, Corso pulled his wife close for a kiss. The family clapped loudly, and when they parted, Miriah smiled at him with just a hint of passion in her eyes, and he knew it would be too long before he could act on it. Still, just being with her, her hand in his, was enough for now. They walked back down the center aisle and at Aric's signal, stopped. "They want make sure that Alec's cameras are ready," Miriah explained, and Corso nodded, turning to face her. Miriah reached up and gently put her hand on his cheek. He reached up to press it against his face before turning his head to kiss her palm. They were lost in each other until Aric came back to where they stood.

"Ready?" he asked softly, and Miriah nodded.

.