And here it is.
When I first looked at the finished product, it did look short, but this is honestly what felt right. I'd rather see what you all think in the end anyway, as I can't trust myself too much when it comes to personal opinion on my writing. So! Here is a long-awaited update.
And no, this isn't the end. I have more in progress. Slice of Life is best life. And I'd like to thank all my friends for their excitement over this story. Thank you for your time,
Xengo.
Chapter IX: The Wedding
The day that he would marry Krystal was always a fantasy Fox dreamed about, during evenings when the two were cuddled up on a couch or during those days where they stayed in bed late into the morning and talked. For the longest time Fox was always skeptical of the concept of soul mates, but after the amazing series of events that brought this Magical Blue Space Vixen into his life, Fox was willing to believe that there might be something in the universe that brought them together.
Krystal was seated next to him on a lounge char, on their apartment balcony. The sun was setting. They were quiet, settled in each other's presence. Fox was content enough to recollect about the past few weeks.
Some Weeks Ago…
"I'll be the one doing most of the planing," said Fara.
Fox's fennec friend arrived in the afternoon for lunch at the apartment, bringing this bombshell of a surprise that put Fox's fears of finding a suitable wedding organizer to rest. Krystal's relief was evident as well. Fara was professional in most respects. While Fox had the idea of asking Fay to do the planing—no doubt her and her former cheerleading cohorts would love to put on an extravaganza for their favorite honorary mascot—Fay was too…well, Fay-ish to handle the ordeal in a non-bombastic way. Fara was subtle. So, she would be perfect, Fox believed.
And it was just like Fara to march in like this and say it.
"You have no choice in the matter, by the way," she said, smirking. "Fox, this was already decided for you the moment you told me about popping the question."
"You wouldn't happen to have a telepathic bond with her, Foxy?" said Krystal playfully.
"No, she just knows what I'm thinking. Childhood friends do that," said Fox.
"It's true," said Fara. "What were you two thinking, by the way, about plans for the wedding? That's one thing I can't pick up on."
"We'd like it on a beach," said Krystal. "A intimate ceremony. Closest friends and family only. Nothing too extravagant."
"It was Fox's idea to make it small, and you're idea for the beach, right?" Fara said to Krystal while winking.
"She's two-for-two," Fox stage-whispered.
"I love the idea," said Fara kindly, smiling at the two of them. She was proud of him, Fox knew. Very proud. "I'll make it happen. I know some people. By the way, what happened to your eyes?"
She was addressing their newly made heterochromia, and Fox and Krystal shared small looks and small smiles.
"That's a secret," said Fox.
"Couples do need secrets," said Fara, nodding in approval. "I expect more racy secrets to follow."
Fox blushed, and Krystal giggled; it was their most common routine.
"Fara will still find a way to over do it, you know," said Krystal. The wedding as evidently on her mind as well.
"She will, but it will be fine," said Fox. He nuzzled Krystal's cheek. "It will be amazing."
In the rush of the last few days, quiet moments like these were treasures. They presented time to think about the future. But one other memory from the past weaseled it's way to the forefront of Fox's mind…
Some days ago…
The graves of Vixy and James McCloud stood in a patch of land all their own in the Cornerian National Cemetery. This was done to show respect for one of the greatest pilots and the greatest hero Lylat ever knew, along with his dearly beloved wife. Fox had visited this spot so much, he could potentially walk here blindfolded and tell what kind of trees were planted nearby. Many times those visits were sad and depressing affairs—Fox was not frozen in grief, but he missed his parents.
This time, however, the visit was bittersweet, and Fox had a sad but hopeful smile on his muzzle.
Fox was wondering what his parents would think about him right now. A husband to be. Their son! A man who once hid behind his mothers skirts as a little boy, and a man who once couldn't navigate a conversation with a girl without some pointers from his father. Now he was going to marry a vixen who he never wanted to hide from and who's teasing still made him get all blushy, even if the stuttering was under control.
His father specifically would tell him how proud he was, that he finally had someone to lean on and depend on like he had in Vixy. His mother would be happy to hear that someone could be there to take care of him. It was probably a combination of the tears welling in his eyes and the light from the setting sun striking the drops just right while in this state of mind, but Fox swore he saw the ghostly images of his mother and father standing behind their grave stones, hand in hand, smiling at him.
The old worry threaten to rear it's ugly head still. Fox's worry that he hadn't really made them proud. That he didn't really know what they could say to him if they had the chance to say it. But that old worry was struck down easier than ever. The image of the both of his folks giving him a good-natured bop on the head and telling him not to worry came to mind.
"All right, all right," said Fox. He wouldn't worry. He walked away from the cemetery feeling happy and hopeful, with his future colored blue.
"What were you thinking about?" said Krystal. She didn't pry without permission, but she could sense the kind of spin on the hamster wheel, so to speak. "Something sad?"
"Bittersweet. My parents would be happy," said Fox.
"I know they would be. I met them," said Krystal.
"Yours would be happy too. By the way, your mother is…something else."
Krystal broke into a melodic laugh. "Aww, I'm glad you think so. She visits me in my dreams sometimes. Gives me pointers, about all the things I'm going to do with you."
"Really?"
"Maaaybe," said Krystal, cheeky grin in full force
Quiet settled in again. Fox's thoughts returned to another earlier time, one with more thinking. This time of a more serious sort.
Three days ago….
Anxiety was like a Falco hangover. Expected to come at some point for Fox to deal with, and completely unwanted. But this strain of anxiety was proving to be stubborn. Krystal knew about it, do doubt. And as always, Krystal gave him the chance to deal with it himself before she would stage an intervention. After three long days of thinking that this spell would just past in time, Fox threw up his hands one late afternoon.
"I'm going for a long walk," he said, grabbing a coat. "I need to calm myself down."
"Good. Get out of the apartment," said Krystal, sighing in relief. "You need it."
"Thank you for being patient."
"Of course, Foxie," she said, smiling at him for a moment. "But please, let that walk be long. I have some thinking I need to do by my lonesome as well. We both need time for ourselves."
"Anxiety?"
"I would label it as restlessness, but essentially it is the same thing. Like I said, take your time, Fox."
So Fox set out, taking a trail behind the apartment that led to a secluded park that was perfect for getting away from it all. It was here that Fox wracked his brain for whatever it was that was giving him this much trouble. He could identify the marriage as the root of it, which made sense, this was going to be a major transition for both of their lives and it was healthy to feel the magnitude of that change. He was going from a fighter pilot to a dutiful husband-
He stopped. There it was.
Fox heard stories of bad marriages. From domestic problems on the news to overhearing sad stories in the crowd. Breakups. Divorces. Failure. The idea of letting down Krystal so badly as to fail as a husband chilled him to the core.
Marriage was a promise as much as it was a commitment. A promise to support and be there for Krystal in all moments, to provide whatever they both might need. This was bigger than being a wingman or a friend. Did he have what it took to succeed? What if he failed? What if he caused a screaming match, brought too much routine, failed to satisfy her, failed to-
But they'd come a long way together. He knew that Krystal loved him very much, and that they made each other happy. She'd stuck with him through thick and thin, through an argument over safety and other disagreements, and goodness knows how many stressful missions. All because she loved him and he loved her. There was uncertainty on the horizon. But there was also promise. They would take it one day at a time, and work it all out.
After absorbing the rest of the beautiful evening for a little while longer, Fox turned for home. On the way back he noticed a man selling flowers out of a little cart, and Fox bought a little bouquet. Just a little something.
Krystal welcomed him home with a smile.
"I feel better, and I hope you do to," she said. "Oh? What's this?" She looked at the flowers.
"Just a little something," said Fox, smiling back.
Krystal just took them and sighed happily. "Fox, you have nothing to worry about."
"What's up now?" said Krystal, bringing Fox out of his thoughts.
Fox told her about what he'd been pondering.
"I had similar thoughts myself. About being a good wife, I mean," she said.
"I'd be the one who messes up first," said Fox.
"Stop that," said Krystal, giving him a serious look. "My doubts were serious. How I was too young for you, how it all seemed too good to be true…Fox, you can't sell yourself short like that. Don't do that."
"I'll try," said Fox, nuzzling her cheek. "I think we'll be fine. Just take it one day at a time.
"Let's do that."
"Besides," said Fox, smiling in a foxy sort of way, "if we do split, I'll cite irreconcilable differences. Too much hotness on one side, I couldn't handle it."
Krystal lightly bapped one of his ears.
And after this, more days followed, until...
One day before the wedding…
Krystal, as per Cerinian tradition, had gone out alone—to stay with Fara, really—to meditate before the wedding. Fox, meanwhile, was pins and needle. The locations was set. The invites were sent. Fox had his tux and Krystal more than likely had her dress—her and Fay were out for three hours shopping for one—and all that was left now was the waiting game. Fox hated that, but time didn't speed up for anyone.
His WristComm beeped, sitting on the coffee table. Fox put his book down and raised an eyebrow. Who could that be? Hopefully nothing was wrong with his friends or with Krystal. He picked it up, answered the call, and just about jumped and hit his head on the ceiling when the holographic face of Wolf O'Donnel appeared. He looked grumpy as always.
"Wolf?" he said.
"McCloud," he said gruffly. "You can thank Leon for helping me find a way to contact you. And you can think me for having him swear never to find a way to contact you like this ever again."
Fox just stared, bewildered.
"I want to talk," Wolf said.
"Pardon me if this is incredibly surreal, Wolf, but what in the world do you want to talk about?"
"It's really over, is it? No more piloting?"
Fox frowned. "Yes. No more combat. I've got other things in my life now."
"That vixen is a weakness, you know."
Fox's eyes narrowed, and the somewhat tired voice of 'late-evening Fox McCloud at rest" was replaced with the voice of "Fox McCloud, Leader of Star Fox."
"If you're thinking of doing anything to her," said Fox. "No space station and no amount of criminals will save you from me. Do you understand that?"
Wolf actually looked somewhat cowed. "I'm a better man than that, McCloud. I have no intention of coming after her. I'm just being petty."
"Petty?"
"Because now I'll never get a real chance of beating you."
"Is that the reason?"
"Let me tell you something, McCloud. With you gone, there's no one even close to my skill level. No challenge. With no challenge, it's not fun anymore. And that…"
Fox wasn't a telepath, but he had an idea where Wolf's train of thought was headed.
"It scares you," said Fox.
"Damn you," Wolf growled.
"And what do you expect me to do about that?"
Wolf said nothing. Instead, he did the most un-Wolf-like thing Fox ever saw the pirate do. He just sighed, putting a hand to his face and looking defeated.
"I don't know," said Wolf.
Suddenly Fox pitted Wolf. It was like looking at a version of himself with looser morals, more edge, and a heart that just refused to have anything else beside piloting allowed in.
"Wolf," said Fox.
Wolf looked at him in acknowledgement.
"Thanks for helping us out against the Aperoids. And…take care of yourself."
Wolf just looked at him for a moment more, and cut off the call.
The Big Day
It was like any other day when Fox woke up, until he realized that it was THE day.
He practically launched himself out of bed, showered, brushed his teeth three times, and carefully dressed himself. The tux Falco picked out was remarkably subtle but debonair, and Fox had to admit he looked nice. He smiled at himself in the mirror once everything about the day dawned on him. It was happening. It was finally happening.
He breakfasted lightly, because there were enough butterflies in his stomach to make eating a lot feel risky. Within a minute or two of him finishing eating, the door bell rang, and Slippy and Falco were on his doorstep.
"You look good. Of course, it's all because of me," said Falco.
"You made a good choice of tuxedo," said Fox, smiling at him.
"Wow, you must be really out of it to be agreeing with Falco, Fox," said Slippy.
"I'm just on cloud nine, guys," said Fox. "Now hurry up, let's get to the beach."
Falco was driving, and for once he drove responsibly. The Cornerian countryside, beautiful as always, flowed past the car windows but Fox took no notice. He was wondering what Krystal would look like in her dress. With time, the three of them could see the site as they started driving down a beachside cliff, and there were tents set up already. Fox could already pick out the alter, and the rows of chairs before it.
Peppy greeted them once they parked the car. He took only one look and laughed, pulling Fox into a bear hug.
"You're father looked like that at his wedding," said Peppy. "Completely in a spell. I did too, as a matter of fact. James was merciless in his teasing, so I'll be the better man and not give you a hard time."
"Will Falco look that way at his, though?" said Slippy, ribbing the bird. Falco huffed and went off to find Katt.
"Now, Krystal threatened fire and brimstone if I told you about the dress, so my lips are sealed," said Peppy as he walked with Fox into the party. Slippy ran off to find his wife. "All things considered, I think she would skin me alive."
"Aww, come on, who's side are you on?" said Fox, chuckling.
"I'd like to not lose my hide, Fox," said Peppy, chuckling as well. "Now, it won't be long now. Mingle with the crowd until it's time."
Everyone was here. Fox could spot Slippy chatting with Katt and Falco. There was Miyu talking it up with Fay, and some of Fay's friends from High School, with Bill standing with the group and observing quietly—Bill did always have a thing for the sporty Spaniel. General Pepper was here, and he talked with Peppy about the various going-ons in the military. Fara's family had arrived too, talking with Beltino. Fara was notably absent. Most likely, she was helping Krystal with the final preparations.
So, Fox settled into the group with Falco and Slippy, and didn't say much until Fara ran out to announce that the time had come, and that everyone needed to take their places.
Fox stood on the alter, the justice of the peace behind him. His best men—Falco and Slippy—were standing on one side, and the bridesmaids—Fara and Fay and Katt—on the other. Miyu declined when asked to join the girls, citing difficulties with being in front of a crowd. For music, Fara arranged only a pianist, which was enough. When Krystal and Peppy revealed themselves from the tent at the end of the aisle, the beautiful tones of the music mixed with the perfection that was Krystal's beauty in such a way that Fox's stomach butterflies disappeared immediately.
It was a simple dress. White, with a bow at the shoulder, sparkling in the sun and dazzling next to her blue fur. Fox watched her approach, feeling calmer and calmer as she came closer. It was funny. Fox thought he'd be struck dumb just as he used to in those early days when Krystal smiled at him, once she came into his life from a beautiful planet with dinosaurs. That he'd be struck red with blush like that time, on that same planet, when he dropped accidentally that he wanted to marry Krystal; that he wanted to wake up every day with the knowledge they were together. Now, as it happened, Fox was not inarticulate or radiant with red. He blushed, but he felt utterly at ease, like when he affirmed he wanted to marry her on the ship months ago. Krystal was so beautiful, so herself in this singular moment, that Fox knew in his heart they would be okay.
She smiled at him the whole time she walked to the aisle. And Fox saw her smile widen and her eyes gleam when he calmed down, and once they were on the alter together, Fox felt his eyes mist just so.
Fox… Krystal said to him telepathically, taking one of his hands.
I'm so happy, he said back. I'm just…so happy
I am too. Goddesses, I am too.
The justice said the vows as they kept looking into each other's eyes, and then that time came.
"I do," he said.
"I do," she said.
There were more passionate kisses before the one that happened on the alter that day. They had been together for some time, after all. But in this one, Fox felt the world swirl into a beautiful mix of bright colors, as he held his vixen in his arms. The crowd cheered, and both foxes parted lips to look and lean on one another as the beautiful moment played out, and the future opened up to them both.