Note: I borrowed Radek's bootlegging from several other fanfics that I have read on this site.
Chapter 11 – Renewal
A week later, Mel and Radek had returned to Atlantis, and were starting to fall into a certain rhythm in their lives. Mel had packed up what little she had brought with her to the Pegasus Galaxy and moved into Radek's quarters. They both knew that the rumor mill was cranking out varied and mostly wrong stories about their coupling.
"I heard a good one today. Apparently, you are my childhood love who I was separated from when my parents defected from Czechoslovakia." Mel was laughing as she entered their quarters.
"So no one realizes that you were born in Minnesota and didn't set foot in Prague until you were twenty?" Radek walked over to give her a kiss and a hug.
"Why bother with the facts? Did you hear any good ones today?" Mel kissed him on the tip of his nose, and moved away to stow her laptop.
"Apparently one of the rumors circling is that my evil twin broke us up at the altar."
Mel still had her back to Radek. "That's a good one. How about we renew our vows?"
Radek had to do a double take. "So what happened to taking things slowly? Hm?"
Mel turned around slowly as she thought over her response. "I don't know about you, but I've done a lot of thinking over the last week, hell, since I found out that you were stationed here, and the one thing I really want is a real chance to make things work this time."
"So do I. But you had wanted to move slowly this time."
"And the first thing we did when we got back from the Genii homeworld is move in together. Is that moving slowly?"
Radek smiled. "No, that would be considered to be moving quite fast. But we've had three months since you came to Atlantis to think about this. And fifteen years before that. You are the only woman I have wanted to spend my life with and that will never change." He moved over to stand in front of Mel, and after taking her hand, got down on one knee. "Melody Ann Hayden, will you do me the honor again and become my wife?"
Mel looked down into his eyes and nearly started crying from the sheer joy of it all. "Yes, Radek Zelenka, I will marry you again." She pulled him to his feet and took his face in her hands before kissing him. "I love you," she said after their mouths had parted.
"And I love you with my whole heart." Radek's arms tightened around her as they enjoyed the moment.
The next morning….
Mel had her most recent report on the state of Atlantis' oceans in hand as she was making her way through the station towards the Gate Room. She hoped Elizabeth was in her office. Mel hated trying to track anyone down, especially the very busy leader of the Atlantis team.
Mel saw Elizabeth sitting at her desk and knocked lightly on the doorjamb. "Can I come in?"
"Melody, of course. Have a seat."
"I have some news."
Elizabeth cocked an eyebrow. "Oh really? Does this have anything to do with the rumors I've heard flying around the city?"
Mel laughed. "It has everything to do with that. Radek and I are going to renew our vows."
"I thought you were divorced." Elizabeth couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice.
"Well, it turns out that we both thought the other had filed, and since neither had, we are still actually married."
"That's more than slightly confusing," Elizabeth laughed lightly.
Mel laughed too. "You're telling me? I think we are both trying to put things together. But that's not why I wanted to see you."
"What is on your mind?" Elizabeth was getting curious.
"How would you like to officiate at our vow renewal ceremony?"
Elizabeth put her hand on her heart. "I would be honored to officiate. Just let me know when and where."
"I was thinking in a few days out on Ike's pier. I still need to visit the food service to hash catering details."
"I am sure that almost everyone here on Atlantis will want to attend."
Mel nodded. "I know Radek is friendly with almost everyone here because of his bootlegging, and I've gotten to know quite a few people in the short time I've been here. We would love to have everyone there."
Three days later….
Radek stood out on one of Atlantis' piers, the one where Ike was tethered. He was wearing the only suit he had brought to the Pegasus Galaxy, a charcoal grey suit that was so dark that it was almost black. Colonel Sheppard had insisted that he wear the pale blue shirt and darker blue tie. He told Radek that he would look snazzy.
The Colonel was standing in full dress uniform next to him and was acting as his best man. Funny, but Rodney should be standing next to me. But Mel wanted him to give her away.
Elizabeth standing slightly behind them in a beautiful long red dress that he had never seen before. Of course, we aren't usually so dressed up and formal here on Atlantis. But today is special.
Radek looked up to see Rodney and Melody walking down the pier towards him. They were flanked by the population of the entire city, and a few of the Athosians from the mainland. Rodney was in a suit like Radek, but Radek's eyes were solely on his bride. God, she is beautiful.
As Mel was walking towards the end of the pier, her smile got bigger. I love that man. I want to spend the rest of my life with him.
When Melody and Rodney reached the other three, Rodney placed Mel's hand in Radek's and then moved to stand on Mel's other side. It was then that Radek looked down and really saw Melody's dress for the first time. "Is this the…?" His eyes got wide as realization hit him.
Mel laughed. "The same dress as our first wedding? Yep."
They turned toward Elizabeth, recited the same vows, and exchanged the same rings as they had at their first wedding.
But this time life was going to be better.
The End
