Chapter 8

Contrary to expectations, Linka was finished by the time Wheeler returned and was just transcribing the carefully crafted phrases to a notepad so that she could take them with her.

"They said they don't have anyone before us so we can go in at the time we booked or whenever we're ready," He dropped a kiss to her head.

"That is nice of them." She said, smiling up at him, "Do they have somewhere we can change?"

"Yeah, but we need to go choose rings first...oh and pick up your bouquet."

Surprised she asked, "You got me a bouquet?"

"They're online too, Babe." He said cheekily and offered her a hand to help her out of the geo-cruiser.

She took it but her expression was troubled, "Jason... How much is this costing? I am beginning to think the allowance your government pays you is far larger than mine..."

He laughed, "I'm pretty sure they were careful to pay us all the same, I just don't spend as much."

"I do not waste money!" She said indignantly.

Wheeler squeezed her hand, "I didn't say that. It's just that women have to buy more stuff, like clothes for conservation events and make-up and... stuff. The guys and I can pretty much get away with the same suits every time but you and Gi get attention. And then, I know you send money home, but I can't risk my dad having extra cash around."

"And I know you bought them a new washing machine and television." She squeezed his hand in return.

"Yeah, the odd thing now and then when something breaks. I've saved a lot though." He shrugged.

Linka turned her head to kiss his shoulder, "And you should be using your savings on you."

He grinned down at her, "Yeah, so tell me what part of this is not for me?"

She laughed, "if that is how you want it... but you should let me pay you something towards it at least."

"Unless you made part of your vows into some kinda pre-nup, it's not going to matter in couple of hours, what's mine is yours Babe."

While Linka was still reflecting on how open hearted he was, despite his upbringing... and how she didn't really deserve that kind of devotion, they reached the jewellers.

A pleasant looking woman rose to greet them as they entered, "Hi there, welcome to 'Something True'. What can I help you with today?"

"We need rings." Wheeler said with a hint of pride.

The woman gave him a knowing look, "Wedding or engagement?"

"Shit!" he groaned in an undertone, "I didn't think of an engagement ring, I should have got you one before we left Portland."

His fiancee laughed, "for a couple of hours?"

"That's not the point."

She shook her head. "It is a waste of money."

The American huffed, "You're not supposed to just wear it when you're engaged, and will you stop worrying about money? I told you, I've got it covered."

Linka looked unimpressed, "I thought we were sticking to the basics? To the parts that have meaning..."

"It does have meaning!" he insisted.

She crossed her arms. "Like a property tag?"

"You know damn well that's not how I think." He gestured around the shop, "And if that's how you feel, how come you're ok with getting rings at all?"

Linka sighed and shook her head, her tone slightly sarcastic, "Because we will both wear them? It is an equal exchange… why do I have to explain that?"

Before it could escalate, the experienced saleswomen interrupted, "I might have a suggestion, if you're open to a compromise?" As she spoke, she moved over to one of the glass cabinets, unlocked it and retrieved a tray of rings. "Weddings are often a spontaneous decision around here so sometimes it's nice to have a wedding ring with the feel of an engagement ring mixed in."

The two Planeteers looked at the tray of delicate wedding bands, all with diamonds incorporated into their designs.

"That'd work." Wheeler approved, making his girlfriend her turn her head to look at him.

Her irritation was gone but she still sounded sarcastic, "Are you sure? You would not like me to wear a big neon sign that proclaims my undying devotion?"

He managed to keep a straight face as he replied, "Honestly Beautiful, if that's what you wanna do I'd be fine with it."

Rolling her eyes and trying not to laugh, Linka turned her gaze back to the tray of rings, smiling as Wheeler moved closer to look over her shoulder and slipped his arms around her waist.

"Oh that one is perfect," She exclaimed almost immediately, selecting a ring made up of three intersecting narrow bands of different coloured gold. The silver band had tiny diamonds embedded around it. As she picked it up the rings separated into links that slid smoothly back together as she tried it on.

"That's pretty," Wheeler agreed, "As long as there's a plainer one for me, I'm not a bling kinda guy."

Linka agreed but took the ring off disappointed, she said, "it is too big."

The shopkeeper, who had been grinning indulgently at them, assured them she had other sizes. She measured their fingers and then returned the rings to the display cabinet before disappearing into the back and returning with a couple more for Linka to try, along with matching ones for Wheeler without the diamonds.

It didn't take them long to find the right ones, so that other than Linka insisting on buying Wheeler's ring, they were in complete accord when they left the shop.

"Babe, why don't you go and get changed and let me pick up your bouquet," The Fire Planeteer suggested, "I'm betting you'll need longer than I do to get ready."

She looked up at him with a saucy smile, "You do not have to stop me going in the shop Lyubov, I will let you pay for the flowers."

He grinned back, "I've already paid for them, I was just trying to save time."

"Are we going to be late?" She checked her watch.

"Noooo, it's just that we're so close." He shrugged, "Call me paranoid but the closer we get the more I keep thinking something is going to interrupt us and put it off."

Linka lifted her lips to his, relaxing into his embrace as he deepened the kiss. When they parted she made him a promise, "I understand Yankee moy', I will go and get ready. Just for once though, everything else can wait."

The Fire Planeteer paced outside the changing room, hoping Linka's bouquet wouldn't wilt before she was ready. As his route brought him back to the reception desk where they'd paused to fill out the papers, the young girl manning it gave him an amused glance and it prompted him to say, "There isn't a back door in there is there?"

"No," She laughed, "Why, is she a flight risk?"

The American stopped and shook his head, "No, Linka never runs away from anything… but how long does it take to put on a sun dress?"

"You want I should go check on her?" she asked, already locking her computer and beginning to stand.

"Thanks." he grinned.

Linka turned from the long mirror as the receptionist entered and smiled. "How do I look?"

It was a short, strapless white dress with a sweetheart neckline, a fitted top and a flared skirt that showed off her figure to advantage. She'd chosen to wear a white, embroidered see-through shirt over the top that was tied at the waist and pair of white slip on shoes that she'd bought to go with it. Her hair was loose, and she'd made good use of the curling tongs in the changing room.

"Like a bride," the girl said with a touch of awe, "Which is good because you've got an impatient groom out there."

The Russian laughed and gathering her things into the shopping bags - which her new acquaintance promised to take care of for her - she went to meet Wheeler.

"Wow." Her fiancé looked stunned at the sight of her and she chuckled again. "You look amazing."

"So do you." She let her eyes rove approvingly over the well-fitting black jeans and white shirt he'd bought for the occasion. "You even tucked your shirt in."

He laughed, calm now that she was with him again, and walked forward to hand her the bouquet.

"Spasiba… oh…" She lifted the flowers and tears gathered at the corner of her eyes, "It is just like my sketch, how did you…?"

"I just described what I remembered, it's not exactly like you wanted but…"

"It is perfect." She assured him.

The receptionist approached again. "Everyone is in place, if you're ready? Mr Wheeler can head on in."

"Can we not go in together?" Linka asked, "It is just us after all."

The girl shrugged, "Sure. I'll go ahead and let them know, come in when you're ready. "

"Are you ready?" Wheeler asked, something between hope and nervousness in his voice.

She nodded, "You?"

"Yeah," He nodded in return and held out his arm for her take, and together they walked through the doors into the chapel.

It was a small chapel, and the aisle wasn't very long, but it still gave Linka the time to take it all in.

The room was wood beamed and tastefully decorated with white flowers and ribbons. The officient was waiting at the alter, there was someone playing the wedding march on an old organ and an older woman was taking photos of the couple as they walked together down the aisle.

The receptionist was in the pews, and to Linka's surprise, so was the woman from the jewellery shop. It made the Wind Planeteer wonder if she'd recognised them and she felt a moment of alarm lest the photos end up in a newspaper.

But then they reached the end of their brief parade and she was once again looking into Wheeler's eyes, her hands clasped securely in his, and she decided nothing else mattered... At least for now.

"My friends," the officient began, "we are gathered here today to witness the solomn binding of two lives into a single journey. Jason and Alina have found that special connection that is like no other, and they will now fomalise that bond by exchanging vows. Jason?"

Wheeler took a deep breath as he steadied his nerves, but when he spoke it was as if there were no one else in the room but his bride. "You are the most beautiful person I've ever met, but when I say that, I don't just mean what's on the outside. You care so much, about everything. You're strong, brave and some kind of genius... Don't shake your head, its hot, own it!"

She laughed along with their audience and he continued, "I promise to always be there for you, to fight beside you, comfort you, protect you - when you let me - and to always give you a reason to smile like you're doing now. I promise to be honest and faithful, and to at least try to be the person you deserve, because I love you and I always will."

He squeezed her hands and she returned the gesture, and as he also gave her a slight nod, began her own vows. "I love you. I promise to make sure you always know that. I need you beside me even when you do not think I do, you and only you. I will fight for you, protect you, comfort you. I will keep us talking things through and always be honest. You are the kindest, bravest most caring person I have ever met and you deserve everything you could wish for. I promise to do everything I can to make you happy, always."

"You do," he whispered.

The officient was beaming at them, "and now the rings..."

Wheeler had selected the format of the ceremony online but they'd confirmed it over their initial paperwork so Linka wasn't surprised when he slipped the ring on her finger and pronounced, "Beloved Wife."

In turn, Linka put his chosen ring on his finger and said, "Beloved Husband."

"By the power invested in me by the United States of America, I declare that you are married, you may now kiss to seal the union."

Their eyes shinning with happiness, the two Planeteers pulled eachother close and brought their lips together once more blocking out the rest of the word until the applause of the onlookers finally brought them back to reality.

Laughing, they accepted the congratulations of their well wishers and after a few posed photo's left to sign the register along with the witnesses.

To be continued…