Wolf was irritated. Well, maybe irritated wasn't the most accurate word. He was actually a bundle of nerves wrapped in a jittery coating. Why would Wolf O'Donnell, ex-criminal and leader of one of the most feared gangs in the Lylat System be so nervous?

...because today was his wedding day.

He fiddled with his bow tie once more, trying to steady his hands enough to tie the darned thing. It was a futile effort as his hands were shaking like leaves. He huffed out an irritated sigh and threw the tie on the ground. He then plopped into the nearest chair and buried his face in his hands.

That was how his bast man, Panther Carroso, found him. The feline sauntered in in his deep violet tuxedo that served as a complement to Wolf's jet black one. Panther hadn't bothered with his tie because as usual, the top buttons were left unbuttoned and his cest fur standing proudly from underneath. Wolf began to wonder if it was his vanity or if he really didn't know how to tie a tie either.

"What's wrong, Boss? You look pretty upset for someone whose about to get married." he purred.

"I'm not upset!" he shouted, not really meaning to. "It's just, this is...this is big, y'know?"

"Oh, I know. Remember, you were best man at my wedding." Panther chuckled.

"Were you nervous?"

"Are you kidding? I went from worrying about whether or not she'd wise up and decide to cancel the whole thing to worrying about what the hell she saw in me in the first place. Truth be told, I did have a few glasses of 'liquid encouragement' beforehand. Just enough to calm my nerves."

"Yeah...I'd do that, but the way I'm feeling now, I feel like I'd never stop drinking." Wolf joked.

"But, I don't understand the reason for your nervousness. You two are different from Krystal and I. You two practically grew up together, fought with and beside each other, heck you've even adopted a kid together! If he were going to turn tail and run, he'd have done it by now."

Wolf had to admit, there was sound logic in that reasoning. He and Fox knew each other for so long, sure part of that time was spent hating each other, but once they made up, it was like getting back to basics. He then thought about Maddox, the little albino tiger cub Fox had found on his last mission. He wasn't too sure about it at first (read: dead-set against it) but he grew to love the little thing like he'd never imagined he would. They were only parents for almost a year now, but they had taken to it like a duck to water. Maddox wasn't a fussy child and only really cried when he needed something, he often slept through the night with no problems, which was both a shock and relief to the new parents. The process to offically adopt him was a long and arduous path, with their jobs and Maddox's origins, it didn't look good for a while. However, when you're two of the galaxy's greatest heroes and the whole galaxy essentially 'owes you one', you tend to get by with a lot. The day Maddox was declared theirs legally, there was a huge party hosted at Wolf and Fox's house.

Wolf suddenly felt silly, how could he doubt someone who had been through so much with him? They'd almost literally seen it all. This wouldn't be a problem! It's just a wedding, they were already inseparable, this'll just make it legal.

Wolf stood and hugged his best man. "Thanks, bro."

"Not a problem."

"Think you can help me with one more thing? Could you tie my tie for me?"

Panther just looked at the tie, then down at his own chest, then raised an eyebrow at Wolf.

"Really?" he chuckled.

"So you can't either, huh?"

"Of course not!" he laughed. "I didn't even wear one to MY wedding. Don't you think you should have learned sometime BEFORE the day of your wedding?"

"I kept putting it off." he laughed. "Meh, I'll just follow your lead and forget the damned thing."

"A wise decision."

With that, the two headed to the main area to get into their places.

Fox had already gotten into his white tuxedo and was busy helping a squirming Maddox into his tiny tux. He was suddenly joined by two lovely ladies and a handsome young man. Krystal was wearing a form-fitting cream Maid of Honor dress that hugged and highlighted every curve of her body. Lucy was wearing a pale pink Chinese styled dress that nearly touched the floor and was decorated with pink petals. Leonard had his contacts on and his hair slicked back and was wearing a ruby-red tux with golden accents that brought out the color of his fur. They all looked on in wonder as Fox playfully dressed his adopted son.

When Fox first brought Maddox to their attention and told of where he came from, the team were stunned. They never knew he'd even wanted kids in the first place, and they never thought he'd take in the genetic experiment of an evil scientist in order to get one. But Fox has always been full of surprises. They saw how taken with Maddox he was and how Wolf became the same way. They saw no real reason to object once they saw the boy, he was adorable. His fur was so fuzzy and pure white other than his stripes that greatly contrasted the rest of him. When his eyes finally opened, they found that his eyes were a deep shade of blue, so deep that they were sure they wouldn't change as he got older. They were wrong, however as now his eyes are a sometimes a sea green and other times they're almost silver. Lucy and Krystal have both commented on the fact that he'd be a little heartbreaker once he got older.

Fox had finally finished and turned to see that he had an audience.

"Hey," he said, picking up the nearly one year old and holding him against his chest. "Today's the big day, I guess."

"It sure is," Krystal said. "Your family will finally and legally be whole."

"The McCloud-O'Donnells...jeez, you guys sure have a mouthful for a last name." Lucy chuckled. Everyone agreed.

Leonard just watched Fox intently, looking as if he wanted to ask something, but wasn't sure how to go about it. Fox caught his staring and took a guess at what it was.

"Would you like to hold him?" Fox gently asked.

"Uh..well, I.." Leonard stammered. He hadn't thought he'd been so obvious.

Ever since Fox and Wolf introduced Maddox to Leonard, he'd never held the child. He always made up some excuse or politely declined. The truth was, he was terrified of holding a baby. He didn't want to do it wrong and cause some sort of damage. Being an only child, he hadn't had much experience with babies. That didn't stop him from desperately wanting to hold the child though.

Before he could properly respond to the question, Fox was already placing Maddox in his arms. Now that Maddox was almost one, he could better support his head on his own, so you could hold him like you would a toddler and he'd be fine. Once Maddox was in Leonard's arms, he looked up into the leopard's eyes and laid down against his chest.

Fox watched as Leonard's face ran through the emotions of fear, panic, confusion and finally happiness.

"He likes you," Fox explained. "He won't be that still for everyone. Which is good considering your part in the wedding."

Leonard just nodded and continued to enjoy the moment. He was only 20, but he knew that he wanted kids when he got older. Definitely.

The moment was interrupted by a knock at the door. Peppy walked in in his dress uniform and announced that it was about time to begin. Peppy then took Maddox from Leonard and everyone walked out to get into their places.

The building where the wedding was being held was almost filled to the brim with familiar faces and well-wishers coming to see the 'Wedding of the Century', as it was being referred in all of the media. The couple had originally wanted to just go to a courthouse and just be done with it, but this would be their first family event with Maddox, so they decided to go big.

Wolf looked out into the crowd and saw Bill, Fox's best friend from the Academy. He also saw Falco with his girlfriend, Katt sitting near the front. Beltino, General Pepper, and various other people from the Cornerian Army were in attendance. Everyone who'd played a role in Fox's life was there. Wolf didn't really have anyone but Panther. Leon was still in jail and he wouldn't invite the ruffians he used to lead at Sargasso for anything. He briefly wished his father was here to see this, but he thought that Fox must be thinking the same thing about his parents.

Just before he had time to get nervous all over again, the music began and the ceremony was underway.

Lucy made her way down the aisle holding a bouquet of brilliantly colored flowers, followed by the Maid of Honor and the Best Man, or Krystal and Panther. Once they made it to their place, everyone turned to look at the entryway once more.

Leonard held Maddox in one arm and a black satin pillow in the other. He carefully paced himself so he smoothly made his way down the aisle. Everyone 'awwed' at the youngest member of Star Fox carrying the youngest member of the family. This was Lucy's idea. Fox and Wolf wanted to have Maddox involved, but knew he was too young to really do anything by himself, this solved that problem.

When the arrived at their place beside Wolf, he ruffled Maddox's hair and stood straight once more. The crowd turned as well as the music changed and the doors opened once more.

General Peppy Hare was marching down the aisle next to a very dapper Fox McCloud who in addition to his white tux was now wearing a long white cape that flowed behind him as they made their way to the end.

Wolf was stunned. He'd never seen Fox look so in command, so sure, so regal in his life. He couldn't take his eyes off of the fox that was steadily approaching. He was falling in love all over again. 'Only you could make me this sappy, pup.' he thought, smirking to himself.

Fox looked at his future husband and looked at him. He spared a glance to everyone that was around him, all of the friends and family that had come to witness this, to be a part of it. Fox's heart was full of gratitude. He looked at the wedding party and saw Leonard enjoying every second of holding Maddox, and the girls on the verge of tears. He finally made it to the end of the runway and stood before a giant screen.

Before the wedding, Peppy had announced that a very high-profile person would be performing the ceremony, but he wouldn't give away who it was, no matter how much Fox asked or Wolf threatened. To be face to face with a giant screen was a bit of a shock, but Fox trusted the old hare.

The screen suddenly flickered to life and the symbol of the Cornerian Royal Family appeared upon the screen. It was then replaced by a very regal looking white tiger wearing the most ornate tuxedo Fox had ever seen. Everyone in the arena gasped in shock. The Emperor of Corneria was officiating the wedding.

"Good afternoon, citizens of Corneria. It was brought to my attention that a couple of men were planning on pledging their love to each other. I as well as all of the other planets of the Lylat system owe these two men a great debt, and it is an honor and a privilege to officiate this union." he spoke.

Fox and Wolf turned to Peppy who just winked and adjusted his bifocals.

"Now," the Emperor continued. "Who gives Fox McCloud away to be wed?"

"I do, your Majesty." Peppy said and bowed. He was then dismissed to his seat by his wife and the ceremony continued.

"Now gentlemen, let's continue..." he was interrupted by a shrill crying from the end. Maddox was upset about something and was no longer being still. Fox excused himself and went to get the child from a flustered Leonard. He returned to his place, bouncing the child in one arm to calm him down.

"And who is this?" the Emperor asked.

"This is our son, your Majesty. We adopted him almost a year ago, just after his birth."

"...I see." The Emperor faltered but continued the ceremony. "Now, gentlemen. Do you promise to love each other through times of joy and of sorrow? Will you accept each other for your strengths and weaknesses? Will you remain faithful to only each other until death separates you? If so, respond by saying 'I do.'"

"I do," Wolf stated looking Fox directly in the eyes.

"I do," Fox responded. He then turned to take the rose of his lapel out of Maddox's mouth.

"Is there anyone amongst you that sees a reason why these two should not be wed."

The crowd remained silent.

"Well then, by the power vested in me as ruler of Corneria, the fourth planet of the Lylat system, I now pronounce you to be husbands, you may now kiss."

And kiss they did.

The crowd erupted in applause for the newlyweds. They made their way back down the aisle and hopped into their car. Once Maddox was in his seat, they took off towards their home where the reception was to be held.

They arrived and told DEVIN to begin the preparations for the reception. He acquiesced but responded that they had a message from the Emperor of Corneria. He then played the message.

"Gentlemen, allow me to personally extend my congratulations to you both on your wedding day. However, that is not the purpose of this call. I have some suspicions about your son that I'd like to address with you. If you could meet me at Falconridge Palace tomorrow afternoon, I will fully brief you on the situation. I hope I'm not intruding on any honeymoon plans. Good evening." and with that, the message ended.

"Suspicions? What could he mean? We haven't tried to hide anything about where he came from so he knows about he was created, right?" Fox asked.

"I don't know, but we'll worry about that tomorrow. Let's just enjoy tonight. Y'know we never did plan a honeymoon."

"Oh I'm sure we can come up with something. Krystal's always begging to babysit anyway." he chuckled.

"Come on, let's get out of these monkey suits, the guests will be here soon."

"That's why we have to stay in them, Wolf."

"What?! Aw, I can't even be comfortable in my own house?"

"You can...just not until everyone leaves." he chuckled at his husband's pouting. 'Husband...wow. I've come a long way. Husband and dad at thirty. Never thought it'd end up this way, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

The next day, Fox woke up and started the day as normal.

"DEVIN, is Maddox still asleep?"

"Affirmative, sir. Shall I wake the young Master?"

"No, I'll begin to make breakfast while I have the time. Organize an outfit for him for today, casual. And can you make sure we have aspirin? I have a feeling my husband will need it once he wakes up."

"Right away, sir."

Fox then made his way to the kitchen and began making breakfast. His thoughts were consumed by whatever the Emperor wanted to speak with them about.

'He's a busy man. He wouldn't request a meeting on such short notice if it weren't important...'

His thoughts were interrupted by DEVIN alerting him that Maddox was now awake and so was his hungover husband.

"Great, now I've got TWO babies to take care of," he joked.

He then raced up the stairs and got them both ready for the day.

The arrived at Falconridge Palace and made it through security. They were told to sit in the parlor and wait for his Majesty to arrive. After a few moments, he arrived with his entourage in tow.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. Sorry to intrude on any plans you may have had, but this was of the utmost importance."

"You said it concerned Maddox, there's no where else we'd be." Fox stated, wishing he'd just get on with it.

"Of course. Now, if you don't mind, one of my nurses here need to take a DNA sample from young Maddox and analyze it. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes for the results. Is that alright?"

"What kind of DNA sample?" Wolf asked, getting a bit nervous.

"Nothing invasive. My associate here will just swab his mouth with a cotton swab. I can assure you it's very relevant to my hunch."

Fox and Wolf looked at each other then hesitantly agreed. Maddox was swabbed and given a sucker before anyone really registered what happened. While his associate went to analyze the DNA, the Emperor began to explain.

"You see, I have suspicions that Maddox is biologically my son."

"What?!" Wolf exploded.

"Hear me out, Mr. McCloud-O'Donnell. The scientist you defeated, Kirthmore, he was a part of my personal medical staff for many years. When he'd diagnosed my wife as infertile, he used his expertise in genetics try to give us an heir. There were several attempts but they all ended in failure. With each failure, he slipped further and further into madness and my wife further and further into depression. My wife could no longer stand getting her hopes up only to have them dashed, so she ordered that his research be discontinued. He felt he was on the verge of greatness and refused to stop. He began to experiment on other things and created odd creatures. I had him released from his position and banished him from Lylat. I believe that he took our genetic material in the hopes that he could use that against us in his quest for revenge and power."

"It makes sense." Fox added. "He said he was going to raise him to be the perfect weapon. He gave him all sorts of abilities that he would use against you."

"But why make him a baby? Why not make him as an adult so that he can be better trained and used sooner."

"He figured I'd never attack someone that was genetically my son, the heir that I've wanted for so long." The Emperor added.

"So what will it mean if all of this is true?" Fox asked.

"As someone who has wanted to be a parent for a very long time, I wouldn't dream of taking him away from you two. I can tell how much you love him already and he loves you. I only ask that he spend some time here as well and get a taste of life as a royal. When he grows to be an adult, he wil make his decision, but I would love to have it there as an option."

"So what does that mean for us?" Wolf asked becoming angry.

"Wolf..." Fox tried to assuage his husband's growing anger.

"Please understand, I don't want to take anything or anyone away from your family. If anything, I'd like to open your hearts to the idea of becoming a part of the Royal Family of Corneria. Just think of it, you're already hailed as heroes of the galaxy and celebrities world wide. It really wouldn't be much different. You'd just be given titles on top of it."

"Titles?" Fox asked.

"Yes, I propose that we train you as well as Maddox in the customs and ways of the Royal Family. Should something happen to me before he reaches maturity, you two would take over as rulers until he does."

"Y-You want us to be the kings of CORNERIA?!" Wolf shouted.

"Calm down, Wolf. This is all speculation as of right now."

"Calm down?! CALM DOWN?! Fox, do you hear what he's asking? How can you be so calm? There's a chance we could be rulers of this planet! All of that pressure and responsibility just thrown upon us at the drop of a hat!"

"It's not something that I'm completely unfamiliar with." Fox said with a sad smile. "Granted, it wasn't on this scale, but let's just take it as it comes. We'll wait for the results and decide what happens next."

As if on cue, the young parrot nurse came in. All three men stood, while Maddox played with a toy his fathers brought for him. She gave a simple nod and with that, the Emperor dropped back into his seat.

"By the stars...I can't believe it." he whispered. "I have an heir. May I...May I hold him?"

Fox tearfully nodded. He wasn't entirely sure why he was so upset. There were so many reasons, really. He felt like he wasn't Maddox's father anymore, and he'd grown so attached to the boy in such a short time. He'd even had ideas of him leading Star Fox when he was older. He knew that life for Maddox would never be normal, not that he'd had a shot at that with them as fathers anyway, but being the prince of a planet, it's a bit different than your dads being war heroes. He watched as the Emperor picked up the little boy. They looked so much alike, he began to wonder why he even bothered with the DNA test. He was about to lose everything in one fell swoop.

Wolf placed his arms around his husband's shoulder. He was tearing up too, but he didn't want to break down in front of Fox. He needed to be as strong as he could, because he knew that Fox would do the same for him.

The Emperor stood and approached the watery eyed couple before him. "This little cub is very lucky," he said, beginning to choke up himself. "Not only will he have all of the opportunities and privileges in the world afforded to him, but he's got three fathers who love him and only want the best for him. I meant what I said, I'm not taking him from you, by any means. I just humbly ask that you let this old man have his one shot at being a parent."

Fox and Wolf looked at Maddox who was so blissfully unaware of the situation and back at his biological father. They looked at each other, they knew they could never part with Maddox willingly, but they couldn't deny this man the chance he'd gone through so much trouble to get to be a loving parent.

Wolf stuck out his hand and briskly shook the Emperor's in agreement. Fox followed suit and did the same. Things from here on out wouldn't be easy, but everyone was agreed. When it came to the little boy in question, it was worth it.