Note: I saw a clip of the wedding of Rick and Lisa (I think from Sentinel) on YouTube and decided to work it into this story (towards the end of this chapter). Again, whatever was in the clip isn't mine … those not, are. ;-)

The impending arrival of the SDF-3 was a welcome break for Rick and Lisa from the wedding plans. She found organizing for it was easier than the latter.
"Lisa," Rick greeted her when they met up in the hallway.
"Hi Rick," she greeted back. "I have a site inspection; do you want to come with me?"
Rick followed her and they both surveyed the location where the SDF-3 will land and be loaded from.
"If only a wedding can be this easy," Lisa teased.
"Yeah," he agreed. "By the way, have you decided what kind of cake we're getting?"
"Have you been thinking about that all this time?" she wondered, amazed he was still thinking of that.
"Well, after you made me taste all those different kinds last night, I couldn't get them out of my mind."
Lisa smiled as she remembered how she first accidentally smudged his face with some icing trying to feed him a sizable piece of cake. Not long, all sorts of icing managed to land on other parts of his face that made him look like a clown.
"We can do it all over again tonight," he suggested with a wink.

Lisa was spared the bridal shower because Miriya hadn't really known how and Max wasn't able to convince her to throw one. She really hadn't wanted one and knew Miriya would respect her wishes.
Rick, however, wasn't as lucky. Max threw him an elaborate bachelor party that consisted of all the male personnel on the base.
"Hey boss," Max said, handing him a drink. "Why the long face? Don't tell me you're having cold feet!"
"No," Rick assured him. "I just hope this doesn't get me in trouble with our commanding officer!" He was shocked that Max could have gotten such a lively party together.
"Oh come on, I'm sure Admiral Hayes wouldn't mind."
"Is Miriya going to understand this?" he countered.
"Well, she still doesn't quite understand it but I explained that this was the only way to get you finally married to Admiral Hayes."
"And she bought that?"
"Given that it has taken you this long to finally get married, Miriya would let me do anything."
Rick took one more look at the drink Max had given him and wondered if he would turn into one of those half-crazed men on the stage dancing and singing with the hostesses. He decided he was going to play it safe and get a non-alcoholic drink instead.

Rick stuck his head through Lisa's bedroom door to see if she was asleep. He carefully approached her and tried not to wake her. He knew that he agreed not to see her on the eve of their wedding but couldn't help but sneak a peek.
"Rick?" she called out when he turned to leave.
"I know I'm not supposed to be here," he stammered. "But I just had to see you before I go to sleep."
"How was the party?" she asked, rising from bed.
"It was ok," he admitted. "But I think the guys had more fun than I did. That is fine because tomorrow, I'll be the happiest guy on base."
"Oh Rick," she gushed. Against her better judgment, she let him stay the night with her. She figured that since her wedding dress was safely stored at the Grants', he wouldn't accidentally see it before their wedding. She wasn't that superstitious but decided not to risk it.

Finally the wedding day arrived and the whole REF base was decked to the fore for the anticipated event. All the guests were ushered into the SDF-3 where the wedding ceremony and banquet will be held.
"Wow, look at that Max," Rick marveled at the number of arriving guests. He really didn't care for them and only wanted to see the woman he intended to live with for the rest of his life.
"Well, just don't forget," Max reminded him. "I get to kiss the bride this time." He gave Rick a quick pat on the back.
"I'm not that worried," he answered confidently. "Just remember that she's ultimately your commanding officer and she could send you to the brig." He enjoyed seeing Max's reaction.
The room filled up quickly and everyone waited for the arrival of the bride. Rick shifted next to Max waiting anxiously. He woke up that morning with her gone but knowing that he'd see her in a few hours and that they'd start their lives bonded forever made him jump out of bed with a cheer that wouldn't have been there on any other morning without her by his side.
"Relax Rick," Max tried to calm him down.
Rick scanned the room for familiar faces. He saw Miriya and the Grants, Admiral Reinhart and his son, and then he saw Minmei. He smiled slightly to acknowledge her.
Minmei looked at him dressed all in white and how handsome he looked. She made a sad comment to her friend Janice who reminded her that they needed to look sharp for their song for the couple. Soon they both heard the first few bars of the wedding march that announced the arrival of the bride. The room was suddenly quiet after everyone stood up.

Lisa walked alongside Breetai who looked wonderful in his modified uniform. She appreciated his gesture to micronized and attend her wedding. She smiled at everyone she passed but her sweetest smile was reserved for the man waiting for her at the altar. She barely heard the chaplain ask the customary question and only knew that Breetai was placing her hand on Rick's.
"Hi," Rick whispered and leaned in wanting to give her a kiss. He caught himself when the chaplain cleared his throat.
Lisa looked into Rick's eyes and felt tears forming in hers. He, in turn, was starting to gather tears in his.
"Rick Hunter, do you take Lisa Hayes to be your wife?" the chaplain asked, drawing the couple's attention.
"Of course," Rick said. "I do." He managed to correct himself when he saw Lisa nod towards the chaplain.
"And do you Lisa Hayes take Rick Hunter to be your husband?" the chaplain asked, ignoring the previous misstep.
"I do … of course."
Rick and Lisa looked deeply into one another's eyes and knew that they had finally sealed their union. All the past arguments and pain were washed away as they exchanged rings.
"Now you may kiss the bride," the chaplain prompted Rick.
Rick didn't need to be told twice and kissed his wife in front of everyone in the room and those watching the televised event.

Lisa was a little nervous that she cut the piece of cake a little too big for Rick's mouth but he managed to put it all in his mouth. For his turn, he tried to pull the fork back so she would lean in so he could plant a quick kiss on her cheek. But she caught his hand and took a bite without leaning in. The linked arm champagne drink was a bit easier for them and soon it was time for their first dance as a married couple.
Accompanied by the beautiful song that Minmei had offered to sing at their wedding, Rick and Lisa danced together and longed for the moment when they can be together alone.
Admiral Reinhart then stepped in to ask for a dance with Lisa. Rick allowed him the privilege and walked over to Exedore and Breetai.
"That was a wonderful ceremony," Exedore noted. "Is it always like this?"
"It's about the same," Rick replied. "But this will be the best for me."
"It is good to see her happy," Breetai commented. "You make her very happy. She deserves it."
"How long does it take before you will have children?" Exedore asked with obvious curiosity.
Rick almost choked again but managed to suppress it. He was about to explain it when Admiral Reinhart approached to return his wife to him.
"May I?" Breetai asked. He then took Lisa's hand when Rick nodded his agreement.
"Having kids is a natural event," Rick managed to say after Breetai took Lisa away. "We can't really tell when it happens. It just does." He hoped that was the last he had to say about it and was relieved when Exedore posed no further questions.

Rick had taken Lisa out of the banquet hall as soon as she threw out the bouquet. They rushed towards their quarters on the SDF-3 where they planned to have a short honeymoon.
"Wait," Rick said when they were about to enter. He lifted his wife off her feet and carried her over the threshold as tradition dictated.
"I thought you didn't believe in all that?" Lisa asked.
"Well, what's the harm?" he joked.
Rick and Lisa quickly started their honeymoon and enjoyed their first hours of being married in their quarters. It was a magical moment that brought them closer than they have ever been. All the times that they have spent together since seemed to pale in comparison to this night.
"Hello Mrs. Hunter," Rick greeted her when she opened her eyes.
"Hello Mr. Hunter," Lisa greeted back in a seductive tone.
"Exedore asked me when to expect a little Hunter," he teased. "Maybe we should start working on that next?"
"Are you sure you're ready for that?" she teased back, knowing he was. They had all night to spend together before duty calls and they need to set off for Tirol aboard the SDF-3.