Part of me keeps wondering how he can do this, and another part of me can't stop wondering why I'm at all surprised. It's just like John to throw me a surprise wedding. I think he is afraid that unless he springs it on me, I won't go through with it. Little does he know I'd do it in a heartbeat, whether he surprised me or not.

Luckily he gave me some warning, in the form of What do you think about getting married today? Great, because everyone else is getting ready now. Damn you, Crichton.

There's nothing to really prepare. It's not going to be this elaborate ceremony, as far as I know, though I wouldn't put it past him. Anything that really had to be done, John took care of it already. But I still feel like there are things I need to do, even if it's only getting myself ready. There's not much I can do about that, either. I don't know much about Sebacean marriage customs (John was better off getting that information from D'Argo than he was from me) and although I like the description of human weddings, we don't have the things we need for it.

Of course, Chiana was just full of ideas when I told her I was going to get ready, and she told me each and every one of them as she took over my quarters. We can't just let this go, just like that. We need to do something special. You know, certain cultures use hairstyles as symbols of luck and fertility, she says, scooping my hair into her hands.

We don't need any more fertility, I say, and glance down at Rose. The poor girl had tired herself out babbling to us and had now fallen asleep on the bed. Smiling, I continue, My hair is fine the way it is. She doesn't know that I already used an oil to scent it. I know John likes when I do that.

Chiana lets go of my hair, sighing in disappointment. Well, you wanted to do something, right? Why not try something that's not going to be boring?

My stomach has been flipping around for over an arn. I'm not going to be bored, I say.

Okay, fine. What about Crichton's old thing?

I stare at her. His what?

Something old, something something... There are a lot of somethings in there, Chiana says.

Now I know what she's talking about. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, I correct her. I had that little rhyme in my head for two days straight before, I know the phrase.

Yeah. The hairstyle's something old, Chiana says, and I glare at her for a moment. Do you have something new?

I have to think about that for a moment. We haven't been down to any commerce planets lately for anything more than food, so I don't think anything-

I look back at my sleeping daughter, who is turned over on her stomach, mouth open, her tiny arms spread out next to her. Rose counts, I say, not taking my eyes off of her. I truly believe that John and I are where we are now because of Rose. Yes, we would have made it here eventually, but we were moving so slowly and we kept creating problems for ourselves. Having Rose made us reevaluate everything we had in each other, and once she was born we didn't have anything to be afraid of anymore.

Chiana looks over at Rose and smiles, then looks back at me. Old, new, what's next?

"Something borrowed," I tell her.

Something borrowed... Chiana immediately leaves, returning a moment later with something. "I borrowed it from that shopkeeper on the last commerce planet," she says proudly.

"I don't know if it counts if it's something stolen," I say doubtfully.

"Fine, then you're borrowing it from me," she says. "What's the next thing?"

"Something blue."

Oh, that's easy. At the same time, Chiana and I both come up with "Zhaan."

Well, that's done. Chiana looks at me, looking as if she's just going to start bouncing around the room at any microt. Are you scared yet? she asks.

At one time I wouldn't have even dignified that with a response. But Chiana and I have come a long way in understanding each other, especially since she adores Rose and loves taking care of her. Strange as it seems sometimes, she's really been there for us, and I'm getting to the point where I can sincerely call her a friend. I still don't trust her completely, but that doesn't mean I'll never be able to.

A little, I admit. I'm not used to this idea.

You've got nothing to be scared of. Crichton loves you. That's all that matters.

I stare at her. I think somewhere deep, deep, deep inside of her is the heart of a romantic. I know.

Pilot's voice comes over the comm.

Here we go. Yes, Pilot, I say, feeling my throat constrict a little.

The ceremony is ready to begin, he says.

John has this saying about rattlers in the stomach. Whatever they are, I think I have them. And they're colonizing. I'll be right there, I inform him.

Chiana picks up Rose to wake her up. Time to get up, little one, she whispers. You get to see your mommy and daddy get married.

Rose, barely awake, answers by burying her head in Chiana's shoulder.

You ready? she asks me.

I take a deep breath and nod. I have been for a long time.