Lily twisted the sparkling wreath ring on her finger. The blush refused to leave her face as everyone around her chit chatted about the engagement. The buzz was infectious and she couldn't help but smile - everyone was delighted for her and Jet.

Sunita and GB were animatedly deciding who should be maid/male of honor, except Sunita could not keep composure as GB kept morphing between various over the top frilly dresses and vibrant suits. Chang had already started cooking up a celebratory meal, while Francoise was drying the same glass until the cloth became threadbare. Joe watched her anxiously, keeping a distance.

Albert, Jet, and Professor Gilmore were outside on the balcony. Lily looked up, wondering what they were talking about.

"Look, it doesn't matter to us if it is a legal ceremony or not. I want us to be together, and nothing more," Jet shrugged.

"Yes, it may be tricky with your documentation to actually legalize any kind of marriage, at least here in Japan. You are probably better off going to city hall back in America," Professor Gilmore mused.

"Is their any rush? Is Lily okay going ahead with all this without her memories?" Albert asked, turning towards Jet.

Sighing, Jet looked back through the balcony window at Lily, sat by herself at the table. Her gaze met his and she gave him a little smile. "I don't know. She is trying so hard to fit into what her life was before. This is why we didn't tell anyone. Even before her transformation, we kept it secret. Like you said Albert, there is no rus- oh for crying out loud!" Jet lost his train of thought as GB transformed into a bride in a dress with enough layers that it overflowed onto the table, covering Lily and pushing Sunita out of the room.

"You see, this is what we actually discussed - everyone else's reaction! Knock it off, GB!" Jet called out as GB turned and threw more confetti at the window and adjusted his lacy veil.

After eating and drinking and candidly discussing wedding ideas, Lily sank down onto her bed. 'I can't believe this is all happening. Is this the right thing to do? What other choices do I have? This is the closest I will ever get to some sort of normal life. I have a man who loves me and friends who are more like family...' Lily propped herself up on her elbows and pulled her journal and pen off the bedside table. She began to jot down notes from today. While absentmindedly doodling a sketch of GB in the bridal dress that looked like an ocean of swans, the door creaked open and Jet walked in.

"Hey, you doing okay?" He asked softly. "Mhmmm, just a little tired," Lily responded, stifling a yawn. Jet made his way over to sit down on the bed beside her. He looked over at her open journal and chuckled at the drawing of GB. "So, should I expect to see you in something like this?" he asked, pointing at the drawing. Lily giggled, "No way. I know for sure that is not my style. And if you tell me otherwise, I know you would be lying. Can I just wear jeans?"

Jet smiled, "You can wear whatever you want. Lily, you know there is no rush with this. We can wait weeks, months... even years. I don't mind, as long as I am with you." His fingers found her chin and he lowered himself down to kiss her lightly. She kissed him back eagerly, pulling him down onto the bed. His arms wound around waist. His love and affection was impossible to resist. Lily felt it in every fiber of his being and felt safe and secure in his presence. She tenderly broke their kissing. "I know. I want to marry you. What would I have become without you and the others? You are my family. You all are. They are so happy for us. Well, except for Francoise."

Jet chuckled softly, "Ah, she is just jealous. She will come around and will get excited too." He tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear. "The pressure is on Joe now though!" He whispered with a smirk. Lily giggled again, but another yawn escaped. Jet lightly kissed her forehead. "Get some sleep. It's been a long day." Lily nodded, her eyes already heavy. Jet twisted slightly to allow her to lay on his chest as he patted her hair, just like how they used to sleep. Within minutes, her breathing deepened as she fell asleep.

Lily turned and tensed as she dreamed - a mesh of dark hued scenes. Jet down on one knee, holding a black velvet ring box, at dawn under some tree branches. "pain in the butt, and love of my life..."

Dark waves crashed on the beach behind Jet, his face angry, "If you had LEFT-!" cut to Jet sitting on a sofa, covered in soot, his leg propped up and his skin torn at the knee, pink fluid seeping out.

In a dark hallway with a glass panel door, Jet looking down at her, as flecks of soot fluttered down.

Finally in a dark bedroom, pulled up onto Jet's chest, "My dad always made pancakes for us on a Saturday, even though sometimes we had nothing else during the day..." the beeping of the alarm clock rang through the last feeling of warmth as she groggily opened her eyes and slowly sat up, not turning towards the alarm.

"God damn piece of crap-" Jet grunted as he swiped at the clock, knocking it to the floor. He rolled over onto his pillow. "It's early, Lily, go back to sleep." She sighed deeply and whispered, "Jet, your dad always made pancakes on Saturdays?" Jet frowned, then his eyes opened wide, his shoulders tense, "Lily..?"

"Even though sometimes you would have nothing to eat for the rest of the day?"

Jet felt his hands shake as he slowly sat up. He turned to Lily, seeing her eyes full of tears. "It c-came to me in a dr-dream, Jet," she stuttered and inhaled sharply. A smile broke out across her face. "Can't believe you called me a pain in the butt when you proposed to me!" She started to giggle as a tear fell. Jet felt his own eyes sting. Lily tapped her forehead. "It must be all up here still... in some shape or form." Jet threw his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. "I love you, Firecracker," Lily whispered. Jet let out a little gasp as he tightened his embrace. "Love you, Firefly. Always."

A small knock at the door caused both Jet and Lily to jump. "Yes?" Jet called out. The door opened and the Lily had to narrow her eyes to make out the outline of Sunita holding 001, waving his pudgy hand. She was beaming, her eyes crinkling from her smile. "Any interesting dreams, Lily?" She asked, unable to hold back a chuckle. "Looks like baby Ivan can help us both."

— I live! First holiday in a very turbulent time, and had the energy to update this story! I NEED TO FINISH IT! xxxxxx