Matrimony pt. 1

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

"Speech over phone or terminal"

Feldt

Christina had just left her changing room, getting a call from someone, but promised she would be back when it was over. Feldt swallowed nervously, her stomach full of butterflies. She looked in the mirror, blushing at the recently finished makeup and hair. Her hair hung asymmetrically, a large strand hanging from the right side of her bangs and a series of braids keeping her hair off her neck on the left side of her head. Her dress was on the simpler side, with more modesty and a bit of lace on the chest that teased her cleavage and fitting just right to show her curves. Christina had said that she should show more cleavage when they tried it on, and unfortunately Sumeragi had agreed with her, forcing Feldt to get them to stop. 'Why do I get stuck with two people close to me that like teasing me.' She wasn't opposed to a more revealing dress, but stuff like that was for private, not for everyone to see. 'Will Setsuna like the dress? Will he think I'm beautiful?'

Feldt groaned, realizing what she was thinking, and spoke to herself, "I criticized Christina for this and now I'm doing the same thing." She loved Setsuna and knew this was just another big step in their life, but at this moment, it was less a step and more a large chasm, and seeing the clock count down was only adding to the knot in her stomach.

"Well that's perfectly normal from what I've seen." Sumeragi's teasing voice filled the room, causing Feldt to turn around to see her mother in a shorter deep purple dress, showing off her bust. Feldt hadn't even heard her walk in. Feldt went pale. 'I must have been so caught up in my head.'

Feldt stood up, running towards Sumeragi as she smiled, who happily reciprocated the hug. Feldt blushed happily as she spoke, "Mom, I'm surprised you are here. I thought you said you wanted you wanted to see me in everything as I walked down the aisle."

Sumeragi chuckled, winking, "I cheated a little."

Feldt smelt something strange as she hugged the older woman. It took a second to realize that it smelled like alcohol. Feldt pulled out of the hug and looked at Sumeragi with shock, seeing her slightly flushed, "Have you been drinking already? The wedding hasn't even started!"

Sumeragi shrugged, smiling, "Just a little pregaming is all. I'm not that drunk…yet."

The brown-haired woman smirked at the end of her sentence, causing Feldt to sigh and shake her head. 'The fact I'm not surprised should bother me, but I really am not.' She had hoped Sumeragi would hold back on her drinking a little, but it was a seemingly not what happened. Feldt then gave her a stern look, "Just stay in control please. I don't want you to cause an incident."

Sumeragi waved her off, "Don't worry, it's just a little buzz. I was saving the best for last during the reception." Feldt then saw a warm look come into Sumeragi's eye as she looked at the pink haired girl, "You sound just like your mother. She would always chide me like that." She then walked up to Feldt, brushing her bangs away from her eyes, "And you look just beautiful as she did on her wedding day. Your parents would have loved to see their daughter to grow up into the woman you have become."

Feldt blushed, looking away from her mother, "I…I would have loved to see them too, but they would be happy you helped make me the woman I am today."

Sumeragi blushed, "Feldt, today is about you, not me. You can complement me on any other day. Don't most brides call this the most important day of their lives?"

Feldt looked back up at Sumeragi, "Well that's not me I suppose. But to be honest, I'm a little nervous. I am agreeing to spend the rest of my life with Setsuna and the weight of that is catching up to me."

Sumeragi smiled, "Well you can always get a divorce after it doesn't work out." Feldt glared at her, and Sumeragi sighed, "Geez, I'm kidding." Her voice softened, "Your mother was the same on her wedding day. It's a big step, but you are more than prepared. Besides would you rather he be dating or marrying someone else?"

Feldt immediately became agitated, "No! I love him and will never let him go!" She squeaked, realizing she may have gone a bit overboard and her being nervous was a bit silly. Calming down, she spoke, "Sorry about that. I just realized how silly I was, being nervous."

Sumeragi shook her head, "It's understandable. But you are going to turn everyone's heads." Sumeragi chuckled, "I know you said you said Christina was the most beautiful woman in the world at her wedding, but I don't think Setsuna is going to agree with that."

Feldt looked at herself in the full body mirror, patting down her dress while smiling happily and blushing, "Well he better. He's going to be stuck with me."

Sumeragi patted her on her shoulder, "That's my girl. Just make sure to remind him every once in a while why you are his wife. Drive him wild."

Feldt smiled coyly, "I will certainly try my best."

Sumeragi just gave her a michevious smile, "I'll send you a few articles that may help. Keeps marriage life fresh." Her smile became more motherly as she rested a hand on Feldt's cheek, "You'll be a wonderful wife and Setsuna will be a wonderful husband. And despite my misgivings, I can't wait to be a grandma." She let out a sigh, "I'm going to feel old when that happens."

Feldt struggled to resist crying, pulling Sumeragi into a tight hug, "Please don't get me crying. I don't want to go up to the alter all puffy eyed."

Sumeragi just patted her on the back, chuckling, "Alright, alright. Save your tears for your vows." Feldt just pulled her in tighter, happy Sumeragi was there with her. She had given the ring to Setsuna and she would even walk her up the aisle. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the maternal embrace. 'Just relax and you'll be Setsuna's, and he'll be yours.'

Setsuna

Setsuna tapped against the desk in the changing room he was in, nervously tapping. All the other guests were getting to their seats. It was still strange to be on the other side of a wedding. When he was a guest, no one really had to pay attention to him, but now it was his wedding and the spotlight was on him. Normally he avoided it when possible, but there was no avoiding this one. 'I'm doing this for Feldt. This is our day and she wanted this.' He had been fine with just going to the court for a marriage license and skipping the ceremony, but Feldt wanted a small ceremony for friends and family. He wanted to give her a memory to look back on.

They had found a small estate on the outskirts of the city willing to be a venue and now the couple dozen or so guests were waiting for him and Feldt. He heard a knock on the door and replied, "Come in."

Looking in the mirror, he saw the blonde hair and trademark grin of his father, "I hope you aren't getting cold feet, young man. That wouldn't be right of you."

Setsuna shook his head, letting out a breath, "No, nothing like that. Just nervous is all. The weight of the day just is hitting me harder than I expected."

Graham just replied boisterously, "This is an important day for any man! You are accepting a responsibility that many would run from! You shouldn't feel nervous, you should feel proud! It was like the first day I actually piloted a mobile suit!"

Setsuna groaned at the mention of that. It was a story that came up regularly, especially when he wanted to talk about responsibility. It was about the weight of piloting a massive war machine and how you had to be cautious and yadda yadda yadda. Setsuna gave Graham a serious look, "Listen, dad, that won't help here. I'm just realizing how momentous this step is, along with the future that comes with it. And if I would be a good father."

Graham's spoke softly, putting a hand on Setsuna's shoulder, "I know I can go overboard sometimes, but I meant what I said. You are more brave then many men I know. You are taking the responsibility for Feldt and your future family." Graham then looked down, shaking his head before he raised it back up to look at the raven-haired man, "And raising a kid is something you have to figure out yourself. I wasn't prepared either, yet I raised you to be a responsible adult. Every kid will be different, and you and Feldt will have to figure it out. But you will have me, Sumeragi and your friends to help you out. And remember, you two will be in this together, like a wingman, but more intimate."

Setsuna chuckled, feeling some of the weight coming off his shoulders. 'It always comes back to piloting. But thanks. Yet somehow it worked this time.' He looked Graham in the eyes, "It's always strange to see you be the serious one, but you do give good advice sometimes. I should really remember that Feldt wouldn't want me to be nervous. She must be way more confident about this than me."

Graham shrugged his shoulder, "Probably. Also, some of the men in my training unit said if you ever broke up with her, they would happily take her. They called her a babe."

Setsuna groaned again, "Did you really show your men pictures of me and Feldt?" Once again, his father's pride could be annoying.

Graham puffed out his chest, "Of course! Why wouldn't I be proud of my son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law?"

Setsuna grumbled under his breath, "I should have told Uncle Billy to keep an eye on you." Setsuna voice picked back up, "By the way, is Uncle Billy here?"

Graham nodded, "He is with the rest of the guests but said he would talk to you during the reception. Also, he said he wanted a picture with the three of us after the ceremony before saying he saw a woman he swore he recognized."

Setsuna scratched his head. 'Who could he recognize?' He could ask him later. He saw a message on his phone, saying the ceremony was beginning and he needed to get to his spot. He smiled at Graham, "Well, it looks like I have to get to my spot. Please behave."

Graham saluted, "I will save that for after the ceremony, don't worry." Setsuna rolled his eyes playfully, knowing this would be an interesting reception. And he hoped he would be able to speak when he saw Feldt.

Author Note

We are near the end! Only two or more chapters left till the end. I hope you enjoyed it and I'll see you guys next week!