Medals Must Be Earned

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Chapter 7: The Wheel of Fortune

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The ceremony went off without a hitch—without interruption from any unwanted guests. And afterward Felix followed the bride and groom as they walked over to Fix-It Felix, Jr., Felix graciously carrying Calhoun's overnight bag for her. The bride was still smiling and Ralph had come down with a severe case of the honeyglows.

On reaching the rickety tram into the game, Ralph lifted her into the first compartment and then stuffed himself into the one behind her. Felix sat at the back of the tram. "I guess this is the Tunnel of Love," she commented.

"...That leads to the bridal suite," replied Ralph. "I might have to kick some scrubs out of it first," he chuckled. "They don't know you're coming."

The tram began to move, and in the darkness, Felix could hear the newlyweds kissing, and again he told himself not to get jealous.

Predictably, the Nicelanders stared as Ralph approached the building, unaccustomed to seeing him wearing anything but his tatty overalls and his torn shirt. They had been expecting him to return from Hero's Duty a broken, remorseful man, but here he was dressed smartly in a military uniform with a beautiful woman in a wedding gown on his arm. Ralph went to the trouble of introducing "Mrs. Wreck-It" to everyone they encountered. "And look...Medal of Heroes!" he'd point out after each introduction. After which the Nicelanders would look to Felix with questioning written across their faces. And Felix would just nod a confirmation.

Word got up to the mayor before they even reached the front door of the building. And it was at the front door of the building that the visibly shaken Gene met them.

"Ah, Big Gene," said Ralph smugly. "I'd like you to meet someone very dear to me. Sgt. Tamora Jean Calhoun of Hero's Duty. But no need to salute. Here, you can just call her Mrs. Wreck-It."

Calhoun extended her hand and Gene took it, giving it a limp shake.

"Oh, and what's this around my neck?" Ralph teased. "I seem to have earned a medal...a big shiny medal." He drew out each word, forcing Gene to focus on the reality that the mayor had lost the challenge in a huge way.

"You did," Calhoun backed him up.

Gene's tiny hand clenched frustratedly around Calhoun's fingers.

"I went through a lot to get this too," he continued, picking it up and admiring it. "It sure is big and shiny."

Gene released Calhoun's hand. "All right Ralph. You win. Let it never be said that I'm not a man of my word," he groaned. "Let me go get a few of my things. I'll finish moving out tomorrow."

"Oh, no hurry to move out. I don't want to be bringing my bride home to an unfurnished apartment. Though you could at least put some clean sheets on the bed since we'll be sleeping in it tonight. Well at least we'll be using it tonight. Not sure how much sleep we'll actually get."

Calhoun stifled a laugh and Gene glared all the harder. "I'll go get a few things," he said through clenched teeth. With that he turned abruptly and went back inside.

"I'll give him a hand," said Felix following after the mayor. "I'll leave the sergeant's bag up there for her."

"No-no. That's Mrs. Wreck-It's bag," Ralph corrected.

"Yes, of course. Mrs. Wreck-It," he said trying to hide the dejection in his voice.

"So that's the Devil," said an amused Calhoun after Gene and Felix departed. "Did you have to rub everything in so much though?"

"Of course I did. I just want to spend a little time gloating today. Tomorrow I'll be back to my best behavior," he said, sitting down on the steps. Calhoun sat beside him, carefully arranging her dress so it fell nicely, and then she leaned over and kissed her husband. Marrying him had been completely crazy...and perhaps madness actually was contagious as she had said. But her heart now felt so light. Somehow the unspeakable guilt over Brad's death had shrunk away by completing the wedding ceremony with this man.

Some of the Nicelanders standing about, now approached the couple, led by Mary, who spoke up. "Ralph, I guess we should welcome you to Niceland now. And your bride, of course. I spent a lot of time talking with Felix, and we're ready to turn over a new leaf."

"Well thank you, Mary. I'm ready to let bygones be bygones."

"As am I, and I'm sure the rest of the Nicelanders feel the same way," she said looking back at them. There were nods of agreement from the group.

"I'm glad you're ready to turn over a new leaf, because I sure am as well." He wrapped his arm around Calhoun's waist and pulled her in for a little hug.

"I feel like we should have a party or something to celebrate this," continued Mary. "Did you have a wedding reception after the ceremony?"

"Nope We came right here because I wanted you all to meet her right away."

Mary clapped her hands together. "Well that settles it. We'll go up to the penthouse when Gene's done and celebrate."

Ralph shook his head. "Not tonight. It's been a rough couple of days here for me. Worked a full day. Went to Bad-Anon. Crashed the 30th Anniversary party. Went Turbo in Hero's Duty. Nearly got killed. Climbed the tower. Crashed a spaceship. Worked another full day. Got beaten half to death. Climbed the tower again. Got married." He sighed. "I just want to take it easy for the rest of the night...maybe get some sleep."

"Tomorrow then? And if it's tomorrow I'll have a chance to bake you a wedding cake."

Ralph's eyes suddenly lit up. "A cake? A wedding cake?"

"Of course!" Mary put her finger to the side of her lips as she began to plan her creation. "Three tiers, pure white butter frosting, icing roses, candy trimmery. Ooh! What flavor would you like?"

"What flavor is pink, because I'd kinda like a pink cake inside," said Ralph.

Calhoun glanced sideways at her groom. He was so full of unexpected little surprises.

"Well, strawberry, peppermint, or cherry usually."

"I like strawberry." And then he turned to Calhoun. "If that's okay with you."

"Sounds good to me."

"Strawberry it is then."

"And will there be a little bride and groom on top of the cake? I saw a picture of that once and it was really cute."

"Of course," answered Mary cheerfully.

Ralph beamed. He'd been excluded from the top of the Niceland-shaped cake, but now he was being put atop his very own cake, and not alone either, but with the woman who had joined him at this tumultuous and exhilarating time in his life.

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Medals Must Be Earned continues in:

Chapter 8 – The Lovers

Chapter 9 – The World

Chapter 10 – The Fool

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Wreck-It Ralph and all related concepts, characters, worlds, and events are property of Walt Disney Pictures. Original characters and story elements are property of E. Potter, writing under the pen name of Miratete.