The Next Day
The Zeuxis - Brigadier Sun's Private Quarters
Aeryn woke up, wrapped in John's arms. `This is how I want to wake up every morning,' she thought to herself as she looked at John, still sleeping. Aeryn leaned over and kissed John lightly on the lips. She was surprised when John returned her chaste kiss with a far more passionate one.
"Good mornin' Sunshine," he said with a devilish grin on his face.
Aeryn, flustered, pulled away and said, "John, you're awake. We need to talk about something that happened yesterday."
John shook his head, reached for Aeryn and replied, "What's to talk about - we won the war."
Aeryn gently swatted John's arms away. That wasn't what she wanted to talk about. "No we haven't, not yet. The Scarrans haven't surrendered."
"That's just a formality. They have virtually no offensive capability--they couldn't beat a group of unarmed Boy Scouts with what they have left," John said. Once again he tried to embrace Aeryn.
"That's not what I meant," she said as she straddled John's legs with her own and pinned his arms to the bed. John grinned wickedly--he couldn't help but recall the first time he had met Officer Aeryn Sun, in a cell aboard Moya and she had done the same thing. "You were supposed to stay here," Aeryn continued, trying not to react to John's smile. "Stay on the Zeuxis and coordinate the dozen different battles with me. Instead, you hijack a Prowler and go right into battle."
Johns smile faded. "Aeryn," he said softly. "I had to look after my brother- in-law. He's a great pilot, but Robert's never been up against Scarrans before. If anything happened to him, I just wouldn't be able to face Jessica or my nieces again."
Aeryn released John and stood up. "Your sister is also a pilot, she knows the risks."
John raised himself up and sat at the edge of the small bed. "Yeah, but she's my baby sister and too damn young to be a widow," he answered, then ran a hand through his hair.
Aeryn stood with her hands on her hips, wearing only her engagement ring. "And what about me? Do you think I'm old enough to be a widow? Oh, wait, I can't be your widow because we aren't married." Aeryn hadn't meant to get sidetracked, but there, she said it. Aeryn found it harder to control her emotions lately, especially where John was concerned, but it was getting even harder in the past few days. The medtech said it was perfectly normal for a woman in her condition, however.
John shot out of bed and stood before Aeryn. "And we are getting married just as soon as Zhaan can perform the ceremony!" John had spent the last monen worrying about the safety of Katie, his father, his future wife, and just about everyone else; but he couldn't be everywhere at the same time to personally watch over everyone. "If you think you're backing out now, using yesterday as an excuse, you can just forget it. You're stuck with me, Ms. Sun." With each sentence, John moved closer to Aeryn, until finally they stood literally nose to nose.
John instantly regretted losing his temper, and silently tried to figure out what
`I'm-so-sorry-please-forgive-me-don't-leave-me' gift would work best with Aeryn: flowers, jewelry, or chocolate. John had decided on collectable firearms when Aeryn smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. John picked Aeryn up and carried her back to the bed. "There's no one else I want to be stuck to, John."
"With," John corrected between kisses, and set Aeryn down on the bed as he nuzzled her neck.
"John, there is something I have to tell you."
"Later," John said. He was kissing her delicate collarbone now.
"I just wanted to say that--" Aeryn stopped and inhaled sharply as John kissed her, on the scar where Larraq (or rather, the intellent virus inhabiting his body) stabbed her.
Concerned, John stopped instantly and said "I'm so sorry, Aeryn. I didn't mean to hurt you." When John raised his head to look at Aeryn, he was surprised to see that she was smiling. Aeryn was reclining, with her wrists crossed above her head, resting on the pillow.
"You didn't hurt me, John--far from it. You know that Sebaceans are sensitive there--it's because of the peraphoral nerve."
John smiled in relief. "Yeah, but you've never been that sensitive before," he said as he began to trace the scar with his right index finger.
Aeryn closed her eyes and clearly enjoyed the sensation. "Yes, well, Sebacean females become much more sensitive when we're this far along in pregnancy," she managed to say.
John went still, letting the news sink in.
Aeryn opened her eyes. "Please, don't stop what you're doing, John."
John placed his hands on the bed, on either side of Aeryn's head, his fingers getting tangled in her long, black hair. "We're going to have a baby?" he asked. John's voice was barely a whisper. Aeryn nodded, but she was confused by his tone. "And just when were you planning on telling me this?"
"I've been trying to tell you since you woke up. I only found out yesterday myself." Aeryn sat up, supporting herself on her elbows. "You still want children, don't you?" she asked quickly.
"Hell, yeah!" John said, grinning. "I'm glad, but I thought we were going to wait until the war was over to start a family." John caressed Aeryn's stomach, wondering when she would begin to show. "When is the baby due?"
"In about six monens. Actually, the medtech isn't completely sure - she needs more information on human reproduction and gestation. And she wants to know if you're an exception."
John raised an eyebrow. "Exception to what?"
Aeryn grinned. "Well, the contraceptive implants are designed for Sebacean physiology. Not just for the female user, but for the male partner, as well." Aeryn giggled.
"What do you mean?" John wasn't sure where this was going, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. Aeryn never giggled--this wasn't a good sign.
"The medtech thinks my implant failed because you're human. You, if not all humans, have a much, much higher sperm count than Sebacean males. All the medtechs--well, the female ones, anyway--are quite curious, and would like for you to provide a sample. And they want to know if all human males are as virile as you," Aeryn managed to say before bursting into laughter.
John blushed and said, "Damn, Aeryn. You make it sound like they want to put me out to stud!"
"They'd have to get past me first!"
~ * ~
Two Weeks Later
Moya
The guests had gathered in Pilot's chamber. Lt. Marv and several members of the Zeuxis crew, as well as Captain Bialar Crais (Talyn was in synchronous orbit with Moya). Rygel was talking to Dregon Carzenova. "Good work on that Parliamentary compromise, Carzenova," Rygel said.
"Thank you, Dominar," he said. "Lord and Lady Crichton will advise Empress Katralla II, (thus satisfying 2,000 cycles of tradition of being ruled by a married couple), while Katie studies history and governance until she comes into her majority on her twenty-first birthversary. Then, Katie will become the Empress in action as well as name. I'm also trying to convince Parliament that Katie needn't be in stasis for 80 cycles in fact, her half- human physiology might not withstand it." Dregon paused, "I couldn't have done it without your help, your Eminence," he said-even though Rygel hadn't helped, but Dregon understood the Hynerian's need to be needed and valued.
"Well, of course. Anytime I can be of assistance to the Empire," Rygel said as he puffed up his chest.
D'Argo, DK and John stood in front of Pilot's Console, with John adjusting his tie for the hundredth time. "Pilot, have you located Aeryn yet?" he asked nervously.
Pilot tried to hide his annoyance. The human had asked this question three times in 200 microts. "General Crichton, Brigadier Sun isn't wearing her comm badge. However, the DRD's report that she is in the corridor just outside this chamber, with Chiana, your father and your sisters."
"OK, that's great Pilot, thanks!" The groom-to-be said, but he looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
DK couldn't remember seeing John this nervous. Ever. "It might help if you thought of something else," he suggested.
"Like what?" John asked.
"Well, did I tell you that I finally got Reni Toya authorized to see the Roswell crash remains?"
John turned his head and looked at DK. "Get out! So, was it a weather balloon, or a real space ship?" he asked.
DK grinned. "A real ship. A real Nebari ship."
John frowned instantly. "Was it sent to spread the Nebari plague?" he whispered.
"Oh, no!" DK reassured John. Reni was able to read the ships logs. Turns out, it was just a family who saw the writing on the wall, and tried to escape from the Establishment and raise their kids in a free society. Unfortunately, there were no survivors." DK gave John the rest of the details while they waited for Aeryn.
When they had finished talking, Pilot said,"General Crichton, I want to thank you for agreeing to have the ceremony here, so I could attend as well."
"Hey, Pilot, you know Aeryn wouldn't have it any other way," he answered. John fidgeted some more.
"What's wrong, John?" DK, one of his two best men asked (John couldn't choose between DK and D'Argo, so decided to have both of his closest friends in the ceremony.
"I just can't believe it's finally happening," John replied.
D'Argo, wearing his crimson robes (not even Zhaan could persuade him to wear a tux like the rest of the bridal party), uncrossed his arms and said "It's not too late to change your mind and just go with the Luxan bonding tattoos, you know."
John smiled. "Yeah, thanks big guy, but it took me this long to talk Aeryn into a semi- uman wedding ceremony; it's a little too late to change now."
~ * ~
Moya
Corridor outside Pilot's Chamber
Jack Crichton, also wearing a tux, had escorted Aeryn Sun to the door of Pilot's chamber. "Sure you don't want me to walk you down the aisle?" he asked. Aeryn looked beautiful in his wife's wedding dress, passed down for three generations.
Aeryn smiled. "Thank you for offering, Jack, but I prefer to walk by myself. Pilot will be there, and he will" Aeryn paused - she didn't like the idea of being property "Pilot will give me away."
Jessica, usually unflappable, was pacing, mentally going over her checklist. "Oh, no! We forgot something!"
"Yeah, like ordering different dresses for each of us," Chiana muttered to herself. She was honored to be in the wedding party, but she didn't like the human tradition of all the bridesmaids wearing the same dress (even if she did look better in it than either of Crichton's sisters).
Leslie, exhausted after making last minute alterations to Aeryn's wedding dress (as a surgeon, she had the best sewing skills), sighed and said "We've got the bride, the groom, the priest, and the guests. The Scarrans surrendered two days ago, so that's not a worry anymore. We even have a cake-unless Rygel found it already. Whatever we forgot can stay forgotten." 'Like the make-up,' Leslie thought to herself. Aeryn had refused to put on cosmetics, although she had agreed to some lipstick. After the long struggle to persuade Aeryn to let Jessica French-braid her hair, Leslie gave up on the veil.
Jessica was insistent. "No! It's tradition. We need 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and sixpence for her shoe.'"
Chiana looked at Jessica. "Yeah, I don't get that-what's all that for, anyway?" she asked, but no one answered.
Jack walked to his daughter and took her hands in his. "Jessica, we've got it all covered. The dress is the old – your grandmother first wore that in the 1920's. The new is the wedding ring, the borrowed is the pearl necklace you lent Aeryn, and Leslie took care of the six pence. So you can stop worrying."
"Stop worrying? We don't have anything blue!" Jessica's eyes were wide.
"You have met Zhaan, haven't you?" Chiana asked.
~ * ~
Katie, as flower girl, led the procession. Mike and Howdy escorted their wives down the aisle, and Jack escorted Chiana. Aeryn, beautiful in the same gown that John's grandmother, mother and two sisters had worn, walked down the aisle to John.
"Join hands, and we can begin the ceremony," Zhann told the bride and groom. Nervous, John took Aeryn's hands in his own, then pulled her towards him and gave her a kiss. The guests laughed. "Hey, no jumping the gun, John," DK said.
Pa'u Zhotoh Zhaan began the ceremony. "Welcome. May the Goddess bless this place and time that sees two travelers find a common road. East, South, West, North, Above, Below, Past & Future - they form the sphere of the Universe. We are each one of us at the center of that sphere. When two people marry, they meet at that center, and both are changed. Today we gather to join two friends who have chosen to spend their lives together and show us here that love is still able to conquer all obstacles. Would Aeryn Sun and John Crichton please come forward?"
John and Aeryn step towards Zhaan. Zhaan continued, "Do you come freely, of your own love and will?"
Aeryn and John said at the same time, "We do."
Zhaan asked, "Are there any doubts in your minds?"
Again, Aeryn and John replied together: "We have no doubts."
"Can either of you or anyone here give just cause why this union should be put aside? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
John, in a stage whisper, said "You're not still mad about the Prowler, are ya Sunshine?"
Zhaan smiled. "Above you are the stars, below you the earth. Like the stars, let your love be free, and full of movement and change. Like the earth, let your love be solid, firm and nourishing. You may now speak your vows to each other."
John and Aeryn turned to each other and recited their vows together. "By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by love and life, in the name of all I believe, I take thee to my hand, my heart and my spirit, to desire thee and be desired by thee, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people and thy ways as I respect myself. This ring is a token of my promise to be your companion, friend and lover. I offer it to you as I offer you this vow: I will be honest and open with you always; I will strive for your well being and happiness. Whatever life presents to you, it presents to me also." The bride and groom presented each other with wedding rings (Aeryn bought the largest, most obvious ring she could find, just in case they spent any time on Earth).
Zhann poured wine into a chalice and said, "May the Goddess bless you and your life together. You are now husband and wife."
The Zeuxis - Brigadier Sun's Private Quarters
Aeryn woke up, wrapped in John's arms. `This is how I want to wake up every morning,' she thought to herself as she looked at John, still sleeping. Aeryn leaned over and kissed John lightly on the lips. She was surprised when John returned her chaste kiss with a far more passionate one.
"Good mornin' Sunshine," he said with a devilish grin on his face.
Aeryn, flustered, pulled away and said, "John, you're awake. We need to talk about something that happened yesterday."
John shook his head, reached for Aeryn and replied, "What's to talk about - we won the war."
Aeryn gently swatted John's arms away. That wasn't what she wanted to talk about. "No we haven't, not yet. The Scarrans haven't surrendered."
"That's just a formality. They have virtually no offensive capability--they couldn't beat a group of unarmed Boy Scouts with what they have left," John said. Once again he tried to embrace Aeryn.
"That's not what I meant," she said as she straddled John's legs with her own and pinned his arms to the bed. John grinned wickedly--he couldn't help but recall the first time he had met Officer Aeryn Sun, in a cell aboard Moya and she had done the same thing. "You were supposed to stay here," Aeryn continued, trying not to react to John's smile. "Stay on the Zeuxis and coordinate the dozen different battles with me. Instead, you hijack a Prowler and go right into battle."
Johns smile faded. "Aeryn," he said softly. "I had to look after my brother- in-law. He's a great pilot, but Robert's never been up against Scarrans before. If anything happened to him, I just wouldn't be able to face Jessica or my nieces again."
Aeryn released John and stood up. "Your sister is also a pilot, she knows the risks."
John raised himself up and sat at the edge of the small bed. "Yeah, but she's my baby sister and too damn young to be a widow," he answered, then ran a hand through his hair.
Aeryn stood with her hands on her hips, wearing only her engagement ring. "And what about me? Do you think I'm old enough to be a widow? Oh, wait, I can't be your widow because we aren't married." Aeryn hadn't meant to get sidetracked, but there, she said it. Aeryn found it harder to control her emotions lately, especially where John was concerned, but it was getting even harder in the past few days. The medtech said it was perfectly normal for a woman in her condition, however.
John shot out of bed and stood before Aeryn. "And we are getting married just as soon as Zhaan can perform the ceremony!" John had spent the last monen worrying about the safety of Katie, his father, his future wife, and just about everyone else; but he couldn't be everywhere at the same time to personally watch over everyone. "If you think you're backing out now, using yesterday as an excuse, you can just forget it. You're stuck with me, Ms. Sun." With each sentence, John moved closer to Aeryn, until finally they stood literally nose to nose.
John instantly regretted losing his temper, and silently tried to figure out what
`I'm-so-sorry-please-forgive-me-don't-leave-me' gift would work best with Aeryn: flowers, jewelry, or chocolate. John had decided on collectable firearms when Aeryn smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. John picked Aeryn up and carried her back to the bed. "There's no one else I want to be stuck to, John."
"With," John corrected between kisses, and set Aeryn down on the bed as he nuzzled her neck.
"John, there is something I have to tell you."
"Later," John said. He was kissing her delicate collarbone now.
"I just wanted to say that--" Aeryn stopped and inhaled sharply as John kissed her, on the scar where Larraq (or rather, the intellent virus inhabiting his body) stabbed her.
Concerned, John stopped instantly and said "I'm so sorry, Aeryn. I didn't mean to hurt you." When John raised his head to look at Aeryn, he was surprised to see that she was smiling. Aeryn was reclining, with her wrists crossed above her head, resting on the pillow.
"You didn't hurt me, John--far from it. You know that Sebaceans are sensitive there--it's because of the peraphoral nerve."
John smiled in relief. "Yeah, but you've never been that sensitive before," he said as he began to trace the scar with his right index finger.
Aeryn closed her eyes and clearly enjoyed the sensation. "Yes, well, Sebacean females become much more sensitive when we're this far along in pregnancy," she managed to say.
John went still, letting the news sink in.
Aeryn opened her eyes. "Please, don't stop what you're doing, John."
John placed his hands on the bed, on either side of Aeryn's head, his fingers getting tangled in her long, black hair. "We're going to have a baby?" he asked. John's voice was barely a whisper. Aeryn nodded, but she was confused by his tone. "And just when were you planning on telling me this?"
"I've been trying to tell you since you woke up. I only found out yesterday myself." Aeryn sat up, supporting herself on her elbows. "You still want children, don't you?" she asked quickly.
"Hell, yeah!" John said, grinning. "I'm glad, but I thought we were going to wait until the war was over to start a family." John caressed Aeryn's stomach, wondering when she would begin to show. "When is the baby due?"
"In about six monens. Actually, the medtech isn't completely sure - she needs more information on human reproduction and gestation. And she wants to know if you're an exception."
John raised an eyebrow. "Exception to what?"
Aeryn grinned. "Well, the contraceptive implants are designed for Sebacean physiology. Not just for the female user, but for the male partner, as well." Aeryn giggled.
"What do you mean?" John wasn't sure where this was going, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. Aeryn never giggled--this wasn't a good sign.
"The medtech thinks my implant failed because you're human. You, if not all humans, have a much, much higher sperm count than Sebacean males. All the medtechs--well, the female ones, anyway--are quite curious, and would like for you to provide a sample. And they want to know if all human males are as virile as you," Aeryn managed to say before bursting into laughter.
John blushed and said, "Damn, Aeryn. You make it sound like they want to put me out to stud!"
"They'd have to get past me first!"
~ * ~
Two Weeks Later
Moya
The guests had gathered in Pilot's chamber. Lt. Marv and several members of the Zeuxis crew, as well as Captain Bialar Crais (Talyn was in synchronous orbit with Moya). Rygel was talking to Dregon Carzenova. "Good work on that Parliamentary compromise, Carzenova," Rygel said.
"Thank you, Dominar," he said. "Lord and Lady Crichton will advise Empress Katralla II, (thus satisfying 2,000 cycles of tradition of being ruled by a married couple), while Katie studies history and governance until she comes into her majority on her twenty-first birthversary. Then, Katie will become the Empress in action as well as name. I'm also trying to convince Parliament that Katie needn't be in stasis for 80 cycles in fact, her half- human physiology might not withstand it." Dregon paused, "I couldn't have done it without your help, your Eminence," he said-even though Rygel hadn't helped, but Dregon understood the Hynerian's need to be needed and valued.
"Well, of course. Anytime I can be of assistance to the Empire," Rygel said as he puffed up his chest.
D'Argo, DK and John stood in front of Pilot's Console, with John adjusting his tie for the hundredth time. "Pilot, have you located Aeryn yet?" he asked nervously.
Pilot tried to hide his annoyance. The human had asked this question three times in 200 microts. "General Crichton, Brigadier Sun isn't wearing her comm badge. However, the DRD's report that she is in the corridor just outside this chamber, with Chiana, your father and your sisters."
"OK, that's great Pilot, thanks!" The groom-to-be said, but he looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
DK couldn't remember seeing John this nervous. Ever. "It might help if you thought of something else," he suggested.
"Like what?" John asked.
"Well, did I tell you that I finally got Reni Toya authorized to see the Roswell crash remains?"
John turned his head and looked at DK. "Get out! So, was it a weather balloon, or a real space ship?" he asked.
DK grinned. "A real ship. A real Nebari ship."
John frowned instantly. "Was it sent to spread the Nebari plague?" he whispered.
"Oh, no!" DK reassured John. Reni was able to read the ships logs. Turns out, it was just a family who saw the writing on the wall, and tried to escape from the Establishment and raise their kids in a free society. Unfortunately, there were no survivors." DK gave John the rest of the details while they waited for Aeryn.
When they had finished talking, Pilot said,"General Crichton, I want to thank you for agreeing to have the ceremony here, so I could attend as well."
"Hey, Pilot, you know Aeryn wouldn't have it any other way," he answered. John fidgeted some more.
"What's wrong, John?" DK, one of his two best men asked (John couldn't choose between DK and D'Argo, so decided to have both of his closest friends in the ceremony.
"I just can't believe it's finally happening," John replied.
D'Argo, wearing his crimson robes (not even Zhaan could persuade him to wear a tux like the rest of the bridal party), uncrossed his arms and said "It's not too late to change your mind and just go with the Luxan bonding tattoos, you know."
John smiled. "Yeah, thanks big guy, but it took me this long to talk Aeryn into a semi- uman wedding ceremony; it's a little too late to change now."
~ * ~
Moya
Corridor outside Pilot's Chamber
Jack Crichton, also wearing a tux, had escorted Aeryn Sun to the door of Pilot's chamber. "Sure you don't want me to walk you down the aisle?" he asked. Aeryn looked beautiful in his wife's wedding dress, passed down for three generations.
Aeryn smiled. "Thank you for offering, Jack, but I prefer to walk by myself. Pilot will be there, and he will" Aeryn paused - she didn't like the idea of being property "Pilot will give me away."
Jessica, usually unflappable, was pacing, mentally going over her checklist. "Oh, no! We forgot something!"
"Yeah, like ordering different dresses for each of us," Chiana muttered to herself. She was honored to be in the wedding party, but she didn't like the human tradition of all the bridesmaids wearing the same dress (even if she did look better in it than either of Crichton's sisters).
Leslie, exhausted after making last minute alterations to Aeryn's wedding dress (as a surgeon, she had the best sewing skills), sighed and said "We've got the bride, the groom, the priest, and the guests. The Scarrans surrendered two days ago, so that's not a worry anymore. We even have a cake-unless Rygel found it already. Whatever we forgot can stay forgotten." 'Like the make-up,' Leslie thought to herself. Aeryn had refused to put on cosmetics, although she had agreed to some lipstick. After the long struggle to persuade Aeryn to let Jessica French-braid her hair, Leslie gave up on the veil.
Jessica was insistent. "No! It's tradition. We need 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and sixpence for her shoe.'"
Chiana looked at Jessica. "Yeah, I don't get that-what's all that for, anyway?" she asked, but no one answered.
Jack walked to his daughter and took her hands in his. "Jessica, we've got it all covered. The dress is the old – your grandmother first wore that in the 1920's. The new is the wedding ring, the borrowed is the pearl necklace you lent Aeryn, and Leslie took care of the six pence. So you can stop worrying."
"Stop worrying? We don't have anything blue!" Jessica's eyes were wide.
"You have met Zhaan, haven't you?" Chiana asked.
~ * ~
Katie, as flower girl, led the procession. Mike and Howdy escorted their wives down the aisle, and Jack escorted Chiana. Aeryn, beautiful in the same gown that John's grandmother, mother and two sisters had worn, walked down the aisle to John.
"Join hands, and we can begin the ceremony," Zhann told the bride and groom. Nervous, John took Aeryn's hands in his own, then pulled her towards him and gave her a kiss. The guests laughed. "Hey, no jumping the gun, John," DK said.
Pa'u Zhotoh Zhaan began the ceremony. "Welcome. May the Goddess bless this place and time that sees two travelers find a common road. East, South, West, North, Above, Below, Past & Future - they form the sphere of the Universe. We are each one of us at the center of that sphere. When two people marry, they meet at that center, and both are changed. Today we gather to join two friends who have chosen to spend their lives together and show us here that love is still able to conquer all obstacles. Would Aeryn Sun and John Crichton please come forward?"
John and Aeryn step towards Zhaan. Zhaan continued, "Do you come freely, of your own love and will?"
Aeryn and John said at the same time, "We do."
Zhaan asked, "Are there any doubts in your minds?"
Again, Aeryn and John replied together: "We have no doubts."
"Can either of you or anyone here give just cause why this union should be put aside? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
John, in a stage whisper, said "You're not still mad about the Prowler, are ya Sunshine?"
Zhaan smiled. "Above you are the stars, below you the earth. Like the stars, let your love be free, and full of movement and change. Like the earth, let your love be solid, firm and nourishing. You may now speak your vows to each other."
John and Aeryn turned to each other and recited their vows together. "By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by love and life, in the name of all I believe, I take thee to my hand, my heart and my spirit, to desire thee and be desired by thee, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people and thy ways as I respect myself. This ring is a token of my promise to be your companion, friend and lover. I offer it to you as I offer you this vow: I will be honest and open with you always; I will strive for your well being and happiness. Whatever life presents to you, it presents to me also." The bride and groom presented each other with wedding rings (Aeryn bought the largest, most obvious ring she could find, just in case they spent any time on Earth).
Zhann poured wine into a chalice and said, "May the Goddess bless you and your life together. You are now husband and wife."
