"Are you nervous?"

The four young women sat around in the stateroom, either on the bed or on the floor. The question had been directed at the oldest of these, who smiled, and nodded. "Very. But at the same time...not very.." She looked around at the baffled expressions of her three friends, and laughed. "Well, I'm nervous at the thought that so many people are going to see me getting married. But at the same time, I'm not nervous...because it's what I've wanted for a long time.." Her serene expression made her friends smile. Lacus leaned forward from her position on the bed. "What did Fllaga-san say when you told him you were coming here?"

Murrue rolled her eyes, leaning back against the wall. "He sulked for hours." That simple statement made the others laugh. "He wanted you to stay with him, huh?" asked Miriallia, and Murrue nodded. "He practically locked the door so I couldn't leave.." She closed her eyes with a smile, remembering her fiance's reaction. It hadn't been quite the way she'd described it to her friends, but she wanted to keep the real conversation just between the two of them...

She was packing a small overnight bag with all the things she would need for that night, as well as what she would need for the day after...for her wedding. Mwu had been in the bathroom, taking a shower, and when he came out, he regarded her with confusion. "What's that for?"

She smiled, shouldering the bag. "I'm going over to Eternal for the night. We planned it last week, Lacus-san and I." Mwu blinked, bewildered. "Why?" Murrue searched on her dressing table for the small amount of make-up and perfume she owned. "Haven't you heard that it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other the night before the wedding?" The blonde man frowned. "Sure I have, but that's only a superstition, isn't it?"

"Maybe it is," she replied. "But after all that's happened, I don't want to take any chances. It's only for one night.." Slipping the make-up into the small bag, she stood on her tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on her fiance's lips. "See you tomorrow.." She turned to walk away, but he pulled her back into his arms. "Wha...Mwu!" He held her tightly, nuzzling his face into her hair. "Stay here, okay? Please?" Murrue sighed, returning the embrace. "It's not like I'm going where you can't find me. And tomorrow..we won't have to be apart ever again..."

"It's not that.." he said softly. "It's just that...you'll be on the same ship as him. I trust you..but he loves you - he has for a long time. I..." She smiled, tucking her head into his shoulder. Yes, she knew how Andrew felt about her, and she cared for him too...but as a friend. Almost as a brother, but never anything more. Because Mwu had stolen her heart, and would always keep it. "You don't ever have to worry about that," she reassured him. "You're the one I love, and it'll stay that way forever. The two of you...I want you to be friends, okay? Can you do that for me?"

"I'll try," he replied quietly. "I think that jealousy will make it hard though. He's jealous of me for having your love, and I'm jealous of him for having those two years with you that I never could. But if that's what you want, I'll try, I promise.." She smiled, hugging him tightly. "Thank you..." Mwu smiled back, tiliting her chin to kiss her softly. "Go on now," he said when they broke apart. "The princess will be waiting for you. I'll see you tomorrow..."

She had known that Mwu and Andrew were wary around each other, sometimes barely even civil, and it hurt her. They were both such good people, and she cared for them both a great deal. And now she was going to be married to Mwu, she was afraid that Andrew would be hurt.

"Captain Ramius? Are you all right?" That question had come from little Meyrin, who was frowning up at her, a pillow clutched in her hands. Murrue smiled. "Thanks, Meyrin-chan, I'm fine. I just...have something I need to do." Slipping her jacket on over her pyjamas, she left the room, leaving the three girls watching in confusion.

She wandered the corridors of Eternal, not really knowing where she was going. The layout of the ZAFT ship was very different from that of Archangel, and more than once, she wondered why exactly she had bothered to do this. Turning a corner, she smiled as she came across the observation deck. The view was spectacular, the vista of space spread out before the window in a dazzling display. Floating up to the window, she placed a hand on the glass. I missed this...

"Captain Ramius?" The voice startled her, and she turned around, smiling as she saw who it was. "I was hoping I'd find you.." Tugging the jacket a little more around her shoulders, she returned her attention to the stars. "I have something I wanted to ask you." Andrew smiled, moving to lean against the window. "Which is?"

"I want...you and Mwu to be friends," she said softly. "Like you were before.." She leaned forward, pressing her head against the glass. "I'll never forget what you did for me...you were a good friend when I needed one most. I know that...you care about me - I've known for a long time.." She turned to her friend with a gentle smile. "I'm sorry...that I was never able to return your feelings.."

Andrew shook his head. "Don't apologise - there's no need. I was just lonely, I guess. I can never forget Aisha, just as you could never forget La Fllaga, and I hoped that perhaps one day we could cure those feelings in each other. That's the main reason I'm jealous of him, I think. Because he came back to you..and now I'll never get the chance to know what it could have been like.." Murrue placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry.." Her amber eyes were still fixed on the endless display of stars. "I know that you're worried that he won't take care of me, but it'll be okay. Being with him makes me happy...happier than I've ever been, and I love him very much. So please, try and be friends with him?"

The man sighed, but smiled, nodding. "I will."

"And one more thing.." she said softly. "When I get married tomorrow...can you give me away?" She was blushing as she asked, gaze focused on her bare feet. "Mwu's already asked Kira-kun to be the best man...but I'd like it very much if you could do this for me.." Her friend smiled. "I'd love to." Murrue turned to him, standing on tiptoes to plant a friendly kiss on his cheek. "Thank you so much.." she said, before floating off back to Lacus' room. Andrew watched her go, a wistful smile on his face...mind filled with thoughts of what could have been.

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"Ow! Careful with that!"

"Well, it's not my fault the damn dress doesn't fit you!" Miriallia snapped, adding more pins to the waist of the blue dress. Cagalli turned around as much as she was able to, glaring at the other girl. "Since when do I ever wear a dress? I still don't know why I even had to!"

"Be reasonable, Cagalli-san," Lacus said softly from her position at the dressing table. Already clad in a soft lilac gown, she was carefully braiding the bride's hair, adding tiny pink flowers as she went. Murrue was sitting patiently on the chair, lips quirked in a smile at the argument filling the air in the stateroom. "You can't wear a trouser suit at a wedding. And that dress suits you.." the pink-haired girl continued. Cagalli scowled, biting back a curse as a pin stabbed her again.

Murrue gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Her dark hair was piled on her head in an elaborate array of braids, flowers added here and there. Her make-up was already applied...everything was ready. She smiled at her reflection, marigold eyes sparkling with happiness.

"Are you looking forward to it?" Lacus asked, putting the finishing touches to the hairstyle. "You look very excited.." The older woman nodded, smiling. "I never thought I'd ever be able to have anything like this...and now.." Her voice broke off as the baby practically turned a somersault within her, and laughed. "I guess she's excited too.." Getting to her feet, she donned the strappy pink shoes that were part of the outfit. "Do I look okay?" Lacus nodded. "You look great." The young girl turned to the other three. Meyrin was already ready, pale yellow dress clinging to her slender figure, and Miriallia had managed to add a few stitches to Cagalli's over-loose dress. "It's almost time...are you all ready?" The three girls nodded, although Cagalli was clearly annoyed by her outfit. Murrue smiled, twisting her fingers together nervously. It's time...

He stood in the small room, fidgeting like mad. He was dressed in his uniform, collar zipped up properly, as well as sleeves rolled down. He didn't have a cap, but he had never liked wearing those things anyway. Glancing behind him at the doors, he checked his watch for the tenth time that minute. Where is she? Did she change her mind?

"Relax, Mwu-san.." Kira said quietly. "She'll be here, you know she will.." The blonde man nodded, but he couldn't shake his worry. That after all they had been through - that she would change her mind. I wouldn't blame her if she did...He ran a hand over his forehead to brush away the nervous sweat, his hand shaking slightly. God, I'm a wreck... He was about to ask Kira if he'd heard from Eternal...but then the door opened. He swung around instantly, the breath leaving his body at the sight of his fiancee. She looked...incredible. A soft pink dress fell to her knees, and her hair was braided carefully. She was carrying a small bouquet of roses, their colour matching the rosy bloom in her cheeks. Beside her...was Bartfeld. Mwu almost scowled, but then remembered her request that he and the other man be friends. And he...could refuse her nothing.

Bartfeld walked Murrue up to the waiting blonde man, then let her go, moving to sit with the others. His eyes met Mwu's for a brief moment, and he nodded slightly. Mwu smiled, turning around and taking his bride's hand. Before them was the captain of another Orb ship, who smiled at the two of them. "Are you ready?" he asked.

Mwu and Murrue gazed at each other for a few moments, then both nodded.

After the ceremony, the two of them stood together on the observation deck, both staring out of the window. There was nothing to see, just the dock of Copernicus, but that really didn't matter. Mwu wrapped his arms around his new wife's waist, placing his hand on the growing bulge there. All of a sudden, he felt much more protective of and responsible for Murrue and his unborn daughter. His family. For the first time in his life..almost as long as he could remember...he had a family. Smiling, he nuzzled his face into her braided hair, breathing in the scent of roses and the tiny flowers that decorated her hair. She smiled back, moving her hand to cover his own. "Thank you.." she said softly.

"For what?" he asked, brushing his lips against her cheek. "For the wedding?" Murrue shook her head. "Not just for that - for everything. For coming back, for her, for just...being you." She blushed slightly. "I love you.." Mwu grinned. "I love you too..."

"Murrue La Fllaga.." she mused softly. "It does sound good...although it'll take a bit of getting used to.." She turned around in his embrace, pulling his head down so their noses touched. "But then again..I have the rest of my life to get used to it, don't I?"

For an answer, the blonde man kissed her passionately. That's right. Because I'll never let you go again...

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( :rubs eyes: That took me hours! And now I have headache...But I hope it's what everyone wanted...

Please read and review! )