Chapter 23

Bellamy's heart was pounding frantically in his chest, waiting for Jane to come through the doors. Monty was waiting next to him, as the minister of the ceremony, standing tall, and Murphy stood on Bellamy's other side, being the only Best Man available. Harper and Emori were waiting, too, seated on chairs facing the boys.

Bellamy slipped his hand in his pocket and found – as always in the past day – the two wedding bands he had made, also of twisted and hammered wire. He made them roll in his palm, his gaze on the door.

Then, the door opened and Echo and Raven stepped inside, leading the way for Jane. When he saw her, the woman he loved and mother of his daughter, his breath caught in his throat and he thought he would explode. She was so beautiful in her white dress. Wait. Where on earth did she find that dress? He couldn't keep his eyes off her. How had he missed this woman who was right there next to him? How could a woman, thousands of miles away, take up all his attention when the beautiful Jane was right here? He promised himself he would never make that mistake again.

There was no music to walk through, so she simply walked down the room until she was at his side. Echo joined Harper and Emori on the chairs, while Raven stood at Jane's side. She was the appointed Maid of Honor. Jane hadn't really chosen her or said anything about it, but Bellamy kind of hinted it to Raven, and Echo understood. Jane and Raven had known each other for much longer.

Bellamy and Jane stood face-to-face, and Jane gave her metallic flower bouquet for Raven to hold while Bellamy held her hands. He met her gaze and he thought he would drown in her hazel eyes.

"All right," Monty said. "Let's start, shall we?"

Everyone giggled and nodded. This would be the most bizarre ceremony ever held on the Ark.

Monty took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and read his paper. "Thank you to the friends and family that are here today to celebrate the union of Mary-Jane Ferris and Bellamy Blake." The others giggled, seeing how Monty took this task very seriously, but as he went on, no one would doubt his seriousness by hearing him. "This occasion not only marks the beginning of their marriage," he continued, "but it is a commemoration of the love nurtured and shared between these two. Today, they embark on a new life together, built on the foundations of trust, compassion, and mutual respect."

Bellamy was only half listening to Monty. All he could think about was Jane in front of him and how he loved her so much.

"If there is anyone in attendance who has cause to believe that this couple should not be joined in marriage, you may speak now or forever shut up." Monty's gaze swept the little assembly of people gathered around Bellamy and Jane, and all chuckled. Of course, no one would stop this marriage. Duh.

"Before we go any further, let me just remind us all," he said looking at everyone, "what love is. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails." Monty cleared his throat. "I found that in the marriage constitution on a tablet, by the way. It's from the Bible, I think."

Harper had a tear streaming down her cheek, proud of her boyfriend. She quickly wiped it away. Echo seemed unmoved by everything. But in truth, she was in total bliss for Jane. Sure, Jane was taking away for herself one of the best men she had ever known, but, oh well. If Jane was happy, then she was, too.

"Okay," Monty continued, "before proceeding with the bonding ceremony, I'm going to let the couple share their vows. Bellamy, you said you wanted to go first."

Bellamy cast a glance at Monty and nodded, taking a deep breath. Once these words would be out, there was no turning back. A promise was a promise.

"Jane, I know I messed up in the past. But you were always my Number One, no matter what I said or did. I saw you grow up, become a woman, and carry our daughter. I saw you deliver her on Earth and become the woman you were meant to be. You amazed me in everything you did – and you still do, to be honest – and you were always there for me. I lost count of the times you patched me up during those months on the ground." He chuckled and Jane and the others laughed along. "I love you, Janey. And I promise to love and care for you. I promise I will try in every way to be worthy of your love. I will always be honest with you, kind, patient and forgiving – although I'm sure you're going to have to do more forgiving than me. But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal friend and husband to you. I love you."

Everyone was holding their breath. Bellamy's vow was wowing them all. Especially Jane.

"Jane?" Monty said, breaking the silence. "Do you want to deliver your vows?"

"Uh, yeah," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, not really sure what to say. "Obviously, Bell, you've had more time than me to think about this. I, uh, I'll try something out." She giggled nervously and Bellamy squeezed her hands in his in encouragement. It was a bit harsh from him to have her say vows she had not thought about beforehand. Why hadn't he asked Raven to remind her about wedding vows?

"It's okay, Janey. Just say whatever you want," he said softly.

Jane took a shaky breath. Whatever she would say now would be witnessed by seven other people. She better not mess this up. "Bell, you were the one that actually saved my life. More than once, really. I stopped counting, to be honest," she said chuckling, and the others did, too, softly. "I became who I am now because of you. You have always been my guide and I always looked up to you." She smiled, searching his eyes which were brimmed with tears. "But this year on the ground wasn't easy. How many times did we imagine life on the ground from the Ark? Probably too many to count. But not one time did we come close to what we lived down there." She paused, thinking of what to say next. "I'm proud of the man you became, Bellamy. I promise, too, to love and care for you, and I will also try to be worthy of your love. I promise to be kind, and patient, and forgiving. I promise to be loyal and true to you. I love you."

Silence followed her words, and Bellamy had trouble breathing and seeing her through his blurry vison of tears. And his hands were busy holding hers, so he couldn't wipe them away. He squeezed his eyes shut and a tear streamed down on each cheek. Jane freed one of her hands and wiped his tears with her thumb. This man was so soft and pure. How could she not love him?

Monty was grinning like an idiot, looking at his two favorite people in the Universe – after Jasper and Harper, of course – and forgot that he was the one officiating. Silence continued for a few more seconds.

Then, Murphy nudged Monty on the arm. "Dude."

"Oh, yeah, sorry." Monty cleared his throat. "Jane and Bellamy, please join hands." He paused and looked at their hands. "Oh, you're already doing that. Okay. So, Mary-Jane Ferris, do you take Bellamy Blake as your cherished husband, in front of these witnesses, and promise to stay by his side through sickness and health, joy and sorrow, so long as you both shall live?"

"Yes," Jane said.

"You're supposed to say I do," Monty whispered.

"I do," she said with a crooked grin.

Monty nodded and turned to Bellamy. "Bellamy Blake, will you take Mary-Jane Ferris as your cherished wife, in front of these witnesses, and promise to stay by her side through sickness and health, joy and sorrow, so long as you both shall live?"

"Oh, yes, you can count on me."

Monty shot him a look that plainly said what did I just say to Jane, and Bellamy quickly added "I do.".

Monty nodded, content. "Good. Now, um, the exchange of the rings."

Bellamy reluctantly let go of Jane's hand and dug out from his pocket two twisted wire rings and gave the larger one to Jane.

"Jane, repeat after me," Monty said. "I, Mary-Jane Ferris, give you, Bellamy Blake this ring as symbol of my enduring love. Just as the circle of the ring completes itself, so you complete me."

Jane repeated the words and slipped the ring on Bellamy's left ring finger. Bellamy repeated the same words and slipped Jane's ring on her left ring finger.

Monty smiled, trying not to look too goofy and concluded the ceremony with these words. "Jane and Bellamy, by the power invested in me by the Universe and the Ark, I pronounce you husband and wife, sealed together today by my own law. Bellamy, you may kiss the bride."

Bellamy didn't have to be asked twice. He gently grabbed Jane's face in his hands and pressed his lips against her, tasting every inch of her mouth, tenderly at first, and then with more and more hunger and passion and love. He barely heard the others jump to their feet and cheer them. Before he could finish his kiss properly, the newlywed couple was embraced from all sides by their friends. They were stuck in the middle of a huge group hug and could barely breathe. Not that it bothered Bellamy. The closer her was to his wife, the better. He couldn't keep his eyes off her.

"Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. Blake!" Raven said. And thus started the greatest party in their second stay in space.

"Uh, guys," Monty said, waving the tablet he had used to read his text, "You still need to sign here. Otherwise you're not really married." He chuckled and gave them the tablet. "It's a fingerprint signature, actually." Bellamy and Jane both pressed their thumb on the screen, and since they were both registered on the Ark, their pictures and personal info appeared on the screen. Their status "single" changed into "Married".

Once everyone was well washed down with Monty's moonshine, Bellamy carried Jane bridal style to their room, making sure she would go through the threshold in his arms, and gently lay her on the bed. She had always been the one to start these intimate moments before. But this was their wedding night, and they were both eager for some alone time as husband and wife.

They both gave themselves wholly and passionately to one another, sealing their love in flesh.

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