"I'm sorry I wasn't there for that... I'm sorry I wasn't there for a lot of things.", Greg apologized. "It's okay, Dad... I understand completely.", She smiled.
Greg smiled softly, "It's alright...Through Kyle kept talking about a wedding he couldn't miss.", and Emma sighed heavily with a wince, "I know you wanted me to fall in love with someone and get married first before having kids and all, but well, technically, the kids were conceived out of wedlock, but with love as I and John had conceded with the act when we were dosed with a love potion.".
"Emma, after everything, I don't really care if the children are out of wedlock and all. You're still caring for them, their father is still staying with them and as you said, clearly not really your fault with the love potion and all. Though I assume there's more of a story to that one as well?", Greg curiously asked, so open-mindedly.
Emma nodded, "There's quite a lot we still need to tell you... like the war that's ravaged these lands that we've gotten ourselves into.".
Greg nodded, "I can tell that it's quite serious, but you can tell me later when the kids are sleeping.", and Emma smiled gratefully as he knew that it wasn't for children's ears, and called out to John, "John, come here and meet my father.".
John looked at Emma with a loving smile, getting up from his log seat, and walked over to Emma and Greg. Emma smiled warmly, "Dad, this is John Silver, my love, my mate, the father of our children, and my fiancé. John, this is Greg Fischer, my father.".
"Pleased to meet you, John.", Greg smiled as the two shook hands. "Emma's told me quite a lot about you.", John said.
"Well, I wish the same could be said... but I actually know a bit about you, if you could believe that.", Greg replied.
John chuckled, "Oh, don't worry, I was surprised myself when I heard that there were stories about me on Earth as a pirate when Emma told me. I am a sailor, yes, but never a pirate here. I am more of a soldier, and now a dragon shapeshifter.".
Greg nodded, "Ah, so, that's one of the differences you were talking about, Emma. Now, John, if I may call you that, what are your intentions with my daughter?", looking at John sternly, and Emma realized that her daddy is now the intimidating father, asking John like he's Emma's boyfriend even though he's her mate, her fiancé, and more.
John rubbed the back of his neck. "To be her husband, her loving mate.. to care for her to the end of our days. Sorry if that's not fully the answer you probably want, I never actually imagined that I would have to answer this question.", he blushed.
Greg looked at him with a nod, "I don't blame you there. You truly, really love my daughter?", and John smiled, "With every beat of my heart, I love Emma, and I would give anything to be with her, literally.", gesturing to his cyborg arm.
Emma smiled widely as John reached for her hand gently, looking at her lovingly, and Greg smiled approvingly, "Welcome to the family. So, when's the wedding?", with a raised eyebrow.
John looked at Emma, "Ye think Kida would be happy that the wedding's back on for us?", and Emma nodded, "Especially when she sees that Kyle's alive and well, and a new guest to boot...Will you walk me down the aisle, Daddy?".
"I have always dreamed I would, Emma.", Greg teared up, answering that as Emma gave him another hug, "Come on, I've got to introduce you properly to your grandchildren!".
And so, the day became brighter and brighter from that depressing morning the family had in missing Kyle and thinking that he was dead, and Greg fell in love with his grandchildren once Kyle introduced him as Grandpapa to his siblings, and well, it was instant bonding all around.
When they returned to the palace, Jim was beyond relieved and happy to see Kyle again as he felt so guilty for taking his eyes off the kids, and blamed himself so much, but no one blamed him for what Clayton did to him since Cleo found out the trace of sleeping potion in him.
The original team was happy to meet Emma's dad once again as the families of the team sometimes had parties together, like Christmas or something on Earth between rotations and all. Kida was so elated that the wedding of Emma and John was back on, and not wanting to delay it any further, she asked the couple if they could have the double wedding sooner than in four days later.
Of course, they were more than happy to accept. Now that Kyle was alright, things were much more uplifting now that the situation turned out even better than it could be. Clayton was dead, which meant whatever dark forces in the Congo were more than likely leaderless, at least to their knowledge. It also meant that it could be cleared faster, and the rebellion would finally triumph there.
Indeed, Orcus saw Clayton's soul pulled into Tartarus which is the torture basement of the underworld a mere few moments after Emma killed him. Orcus was delighted that the Congo now belongs to him.
Chernabog was both disappointed yet amused by Clayton's failure of his mission and decided to assist Orcus take command of the shadows in the Congo, yet he knew about the rebellion, and thought long and hard about the battle reports of Scar's armies over in Narnia via Frollo, and asked Orcus to tell Frollo to find Dr. Facilier, thinking that it's time to use a dark magician and shadow man like him.
The Talons, however, were still unaware of these dark forces that were at the true command of the dark armies that had been ravaging the lands for several years. In their case, they were still focused on getting ready for the dual wedding and hopefully getting a bit more relaxing in before they would have to go out and finally bring an end to the wars, once and for all.
Finally, after two days, the double wedding is ready, and set on a gorgeous, spring day with a sweet-smelling breeze coming off the lake, the sun warm, and the people anxiously getting ready to witness the matrimonial ceremonies.
Via fast bird message by Queen Kida that the double wedding is back on, and with Martags, the kingdoms near and far sent their most trusted people to be guests in place of the royals and nobles, and currently, Jason is meeting one of them by crashing into them literally.
Jason ran through the palace, upset that he slept a half hour in after the time he was supposed to get up, hoping that his suit is ready to go, and praying that Logan isn't having cold feet. He groaned, "Perfect timing to be late...I knew that bachelor party wasn't a good idea...Okay, there wasn't alcohol, but Logan was sure nervous!", muttering to himself, distracted by buttoning his shirt when he turned around a corner, and bam!
"Fairly surprised about that...", John admitted as he took a few deep breaths. Honestly, he felt fairly calm in a way. Near death, being a parent and all, this whole wedding honestly was much easier in his mind. "Still, I'm a bit concerned he's a little late... I hope he's just hold up with something.".
Logan nodded, "Yeah. Me too. We shouldn't have that bachelor party, granted that there was no alcohol since Greg was involved, but we totally went to bed late.".
John chuckled, "True. All the same, you know your brother. He won't let you down, Logan.", and Logan smiled, "I trust him. Like you said, something must be holding him up.", unknowingly that he's literally right.
Jason hit the floor hard after he made impact with whatever was in his way. At first, he thought he had struck a pillar or something similar but once he looked up... his jaw nearly hit the floor when he realized what, or rather who he hit. The long dress that he remembered seeing a few times; and minus the makeup, the face was fairly similar. He was staring slack jawed into the eyes of Mulan.
Mulan was also surprised and shocked, blinking as she saw that the man in front of her was quite handsome and exotic, having brown hair pinned back in a ponytail, bright blue eyes, and tanned as well...
She had someone else many years ago, a Li Shang, but they were only betrothed when the sickness of parasites came through Sarip while they were visiting through the town to Pride Valley, and the sickness killed off Shang, leaving Mulan as one of the survivors, much to her guilt and horror, but she moved on.
"Are you alright?", Mulan asked him as Jason still was stunned. Partially with who this was but also the fact that despite him running into her, she was still standing; she completely absorbed his impact like it was nothing in a way.
"Uh... yeah... I am...", Jason stammered a bit as he was trying to get up before she offered a hand for him.
Jason grabbed into her hand, and then for a moment, there was a subtle jolt of something as they looked at each other before Jason cleared his throat, blinking as he got up, letting go of her hand...Gods, her hand, so soft yet so calloused, Jason thought.
"I apologize for running into you, miss.", Jason rubbed the back of his neck with a blush, looking at Mulan sheepishly. "It's alright, I can tell you're in quite the hurry. Trying to make it to the altar in time?", Mulan chuckled.
"Yes and no... it's my brother who's the one getting married, but I'm the best man and all, so... yeah...", Jason nodded lightly with a chuckle.
Mulan blinked, "Oh, so you're one of the rumored United Talons! Oh, pardon me, I'm General Fa Mulan of the Narnian Army.", curtseying with a polite, warm smile.
"I know... I mean, I've heard of you.", Jason caught himself as he chuckled. "I'm Jason. Jason Valkara.", he introduced himself as he took a quick bow. "Sorry for the messy state I'm in... total rush and all.".
Mulan smiled warmly, "Then I won't keep you waiting, then. I love weddings, so you'll be sure to see me in the audience.".
Jason nodded with a smile, "Don't worry, I won't miss ya, you're beautiful.", before stuttering, "I mean, gah!", groaning mentally. 'Why did you say that?!', Jason thought to himself.
He just didn't have much more time to chat with her as much as he wanted to. Or maybe not with how much he felt like he was embarrassing himself and all. But he had to make it in time; last thing he wanted to do was screw up his brother's special day.
Mulan giggled to herself, "Thank you, Jason.", blushing lightly before gesturing with her head, "Go get going and get ready.", and Jason nodded, leaving past her, running to the fitting room.
Mulan smiled as she glanced at his backside, admiring for a moment, and muttered to herself, "Jason...the name suits him.". She hopes she will get the chance to talk with him again at the reception party. She goes another way, to the place where the double wedding will take place, outside the palace on the presentation balcony beyond the wide, long staircase.
After a few minutes, Jason finally arrived and took a deep breath as the other guys got to him. "You're late." Logan huffed. "Better I be late than you or John.", Jason gave a small chuckle as he fixed his tie.
John smirked, "He got a point there.", adjusting his suit waistcoat, amazed at how the womenfolk of Atlantis worked hard on his outfit. Dark gray with accents of gold, sharp-looking and comfortable.
Logan looked at his brother as he adjusted his cape, glad that he decided for a mix of Arabian and Earth style in his wedding outfit which is white-teal with accents of purple, and asked, "What was so interesting that kept you?".
Jason gulped and blushed, "You ain't gonna believe me...", and Logan raised an eyebrow, "Try me.".
Jason smiled sheepishly, "I met someone...Her name was Mulan.", and John grinned, "She couldn't be the same General Fa Mulan, could she?", and Jason nodded with a tiny smile...
"Wow... nice find.", Logan chuckled. "Bet she had Shang nearby or something.".
Jason shook his head. "Not that I could tell. I think she's got no one.", he admitted. "She's got her troops. I think she's more caring about her forces than herself at times, if I've heard the stories correctly.", John said.
Logan winced lightly, "Not that I blame her for caring for her troops, but that sounds lonely.", and John nodded, "She got friends in high places, but I heard stories while I was working in King Mickey's kitchens. Apparently, Li Shang was taken by the illness of parasites in Sarip years before Frollo came in. Emma told me that it sounded similar to malaria, an illness on Earth.".
"Oh...", Jason sounded downhearted hearing that. It honestly sounded very sad for her; and in a way, him as well. "You trying to think of something, Jason?", Logan asked.
Jason sighed heavily, "I know she must have moved on, but that must have been horrifying to see someone she loved die from a deadly illness like that.", and John replied, "I heard that they were only betrothed at the time. King Mickey himself was upset to see a friend like Mulan witnessing it all, and told me that Li Shang died somewhat quickly, but Mulan was quite guilty for they had been together for only 6 months. They had lived in opposite sides of Narnia; Mulan lived in the farmlands somewhere off the ocean coast, while Shang lived in a port town south of Narnia, east of here, I believe.".
Now Jason felt even more bummed out, hearing that. Logan patted him on the back, "Hey, perk up, today's going to be a good day, and it wouldn't look good for my best man to look like he was in the dumps, besides, you can chat with her after the ceremony if you want.".
Jason nodded, "Yeah, yeah, you're right. I can talk to her afterwards!", with a grateful smile, and continued getting dressed up, glad that his suit is far less formal than his brother, not wanting to show him up, but still spiffy in a way that it's good for a double wedding.
A few minutes later, a knock on the door came, revealing Jim, all outfitted, "Hey, guys, you're needed at the altar.", and John raised an eyebrow, "Let me guess, you were distracted by Eilonwy.".
Jim blushed wildly, "Uncle Silver!", proving that he indeed was distracted by his girlfriend. Logan and Jason snickered, amused by the scene, before Logan spoke, "Well, you heard him, let's go to the altar and line up. Good thing that Milo and Kida are officiating the ceremonies.".
"Yeah... just need to take a deep breath and get our minds in order. Wouldn't want to embarrass our girls on their big day.", John chuckled. "Well, get going, you two... you're needing to be there first.", Jason started to push them.
Logan chuckled, "Alright, bro. We're going!", walking out with John, and smiled, "We're actually doing this, man.".
John smirked, "Been a long time coming for our girls since they found us and vice versa.", and Logan nodded, "True. So, where are you heading for your honeymoon?".
John smiled warmly, "Emma's taking us by portal to the place in Fantasia where you first woke up here after traveling from Earth. Apparently, it's the perfect place, the dream place to make love and all since it covers all her wishes.".
Logan grinned, "Sounds good. I'm taking Jasmine by dragonback to Thebes. It's all fixed up thanks to everybody in Atlantis, a proper village, but it's still vacant. There's a spot there for Jasmine's dream place to make love...", before rubbing the back of his neck anxiously, "I hope I can make it perfect...".
"Should be... at least being here should be perfect enough for them." John chuckled as he and Logan quickly got into position; everything was calming down as folks were taking the position as things were about to start.
A couple of minutes later, the best men and bridesmaids; Jason and Jim, along with Zuri and Eilonwy came up the aisle, wearing gold and blue dresses respectively with bouquets of roses and jasmine flowers.
John smiled, seeing the rest of the team holding his and Emma's children securely, but they were all excited to see their papa looking so proud and happy, and smiled as he nodded at Kida standing on her spot on the wide pedestal, next to Milo. Kida is officiating John and Emma's ceremony while Milo is officiating Logan and Jasmine's ceremony, in high royal robes, but not outshining the couples as the colors are muted on their robes.
As everybody is all settled in, Kida nodded to the orchestra at the side of the audience, and music began playing, and all faces look back to the curtains on the steps. The plan of the walk down the aisle is Greg with Emma while Jasmine is being walked with Genie/Mariner Williams in place of her father since he is unfortunately unable to do so, due to his death, naturally.