Seven and Chakotay's wedding was set for the 7th of April 2378. As the months leading up to it became weeks and then days the preparations became more frenzied, a photographer was booked the menu was set and the band was set up in the ballroom of the hotel in Flagstaff where they had got engaged and where their reception was being held. By the time the 6th of April came around both of them were longing to begin their secluded honeymoon in the Alaskan wilderness.
As the sun set Seven was sitting at phone having just finished a phone call with the builder of their new home. She looked out at the rapidly descending darkness and glanced down at her ring. By this time tomorrow I'll be married. She was jerked from her thoughts by Chakotay kissing her on the cheek. "Hey, who was on the phone?" he asked cheerfully.
"Mr Morton, he said the house would be ready by the 23rd."
"Great! Come back from the honeymoon and move into the new house on the same day."
"Yes, we will be kept busy."
"Just how we like it." He gently kissed her again. "Right, I'll make my way over to Tom and B'Elanna's"
"Are you doing something for them?"
"I'm staying over at their place tonight…" he saw her brow furrow, "…remember?"
"Why?" Seven asked completely perplexed.
"It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."
"Luck, luck, luck! Why do humans have so many superstitions surrounding weddings?" Seven cried out in exasperation.
Chakotay squeezed her shoulder and rubbed her face affectionately. "Look, it's just traditional…so that I really want to see you by the time I'm standing at that altar. Tolerate it for one more day, please?"
She rested her forehead on his shoulder. "If I do, assure me that you won't ask me to conform to these pointless customs again."
"We're only getting married once!"
She smiled softly at the teasing glint in his eye. "Remember you're booked in to transport to the station at 1330 hours."
"I'll get there early, I promise." They had decided to have their ceremony performed on the small Starfleet station which orbited Earth, their vows would be said looking out at the stars and down on Earth.
"Good." She murmured giving him the prolonged parting kiss which would have to last them until the next day. He picked up his bag and turned to leave. "Don't let Tom Paris play anymore…pranks on you."
He laughed jovially. "Don't worry; I had enough of that at the bachelor party."
"I'm glad I managed to convince everyone that I didn't want one of those…" She was stopped midsentence by Chakotay pulling her into a tight embrace and kissing her.
He gave her an intense gaze as he pulled back, though only slightly. "You know that I love you don't you?" he murmured with a soft seriousness.
She looked into his dark eyes intently. "Yes. I also love you."
He grinned widely. "Good, because we're getting married tomorrow sweetheart."
"I know." Her fingers tightened round his shirt.
He leaned his face into her neck. "God…that really is a stupid tradition." He whispered huskily. "I could stay here…"
She pushed him away playfully. "Tolerate it for one more day." She mimicked with a smirk.
He laughed at that. "Okay, okay. I deserve that! I'll see you tomorrow."
The next day came quickly enough with Chakotay already standing at the top of the aisle next to the registrar and Tom, his best man, flanked by groomsmen Harry and Icheb, all like him in formal black tie, Irene had declared Starfleet uniform unflattering and Chakotay couldn't help but agree with her.
"Stop playing with your cufflinks, she'll come, she's not late yet!" hissed Tom into his ear.
"I know…I'm just nervous…" he replied in an agitated tone.
"Your concern is needless Chakotay." Icheb piped up, loudly enough for the whole guest list, crammed into the rows of white silk covered chairs, to hear him and start to giggle. Icheb looked mortified at this development but Chakotay just smiled at him, his nerves eased slightly.
Meanwhile Seven was in a side room getting her make up done for the third time that day. Surely she didn't have so many facial imperfections as to need so much put on her skin, but nerves had silenced her so she didn't make this logical point. The hairdresser approached her again holding the box containing her aquamarine and pearl necklace and bracelet set. "I'm going to put these on for you now and prefect your hair, okay?"
She started to speak but the make up artist interrupted her. "Don't speak; I'm putting on your lipstick." Seven then just nodded to the hairdresser who clipped on the bracelet before lifting her loose hair up and putting the necklace in place. The women then both left and Seven was left alone but only for a few seconds before Naomi, Irene and B'Elanna all entered.
"You look wonderful Annika." Irene said softly as Seven stood up.
"Have you got your something old, something new and something blue yet Seven?" asked Naomi.
"I do not know what you are referring to, Naomi Wildman."
"Just go along with it Seven." B'Elanna advised.
"Well her necklace is old…" said Irene thinking hard.
"This handkerchief is new!" exclaimed Naomi, pulling out a silk handkerchief that had come with her dress. She handed it to Seven. "In case you cry." She said earnestly, with an expression Seven couldn't refuse.
"Something blue…something blue…" muttered Irene in a dilemma.
"Oh here!" said B'Elanna, grabbing a piece of blue ribbon hanging from a bunch of flowers.
"And what am I supposed to do with this?" asked Seven sceptically.
"Round her ankle!" exclaimed Irene in triumph, tying the bit of ribbon just above her shoe before Seven could object.
Irene then smoothed the hem of the dress, checked that the line of buttons which hid the dress' elaborate corsetry were fastened, puffed out the lace bow at the back and straightened the lace straps. "There, perfect! I think you're ready to go now dear." B'Elanna ran out to tell the registrar and Irene handed Seven and Naomi their bouquets of flowers. "Now remember, both of you, walk slowly." With that she retreated back to her seat just as the bridal march filled the adjoining room.
Seven stood with Naomi to the side of the door. "I'll see you soon Seven." She whispered with a reassuring quality in her voice which went beyond her years. Seven swallowed as she saw Naomi disappear down the aisle.
Chakotay turned from contemplating the view out of the window as soon as the music began, his heart beginning to race as the lights dimmed until only the tall candles scattered around lit the room, showing the flower arrangements of white roses, forget-me-nots and white orchids pinned to the end of each row of chairs and the anticipation filled faces of his friends and colleagues.
He saw but barely concentrated on Naomi's descent down the aisle, looking resplendent in the blue dress she had chosen, each foot going carefully in front of the other, clutching a small bouquet of white roses, she sat down beside a smiling Admiral in the front row with an audible sigh of relief.
Chakotay finally snapped out of his stupor when everyone in the room rose to their feet and he saw Seven standing directly before him in the loveliest, most beautiful dress he had ever laid eyes on, holding a bouquet of white roses and orchids with a scattering of forget-me-nots through it which obscured her shaking hands. All that day up till that moment Seven had withdrawn into herself until her eyes focused on the beaming, immensely handsome man before her who was to be her husband, all her fears disappeared in that instant and everyone in the room saw her face light up with her rare but beautiful true smile.
Her walk down the aisle in reality only took a minute at the most but it felt like an eternity to both Chakotay and Seven. When she finally reached him she handed her flowers to a smiling Admiral and turned to face Chakotay who took her hands in his and caressed them softly with his fingers without taking his eyes off her face.
The registrar smiled at them, they really were a sweet couple. "Please be seated." Everyone sank into their seats as one and he continued, "We are here today to witness the marriage of Chakotay and Seven who are surrounded in their friends' love on this most important of days. Let's begin. The rings please." Harry stepped forward and gave the pair of simple gold bands to the registrar who in turn gave one to Chakotay and one to Seven. He turned to Chakotay and smiled encouragement. "Repeat after me. With this ring I Chakotay…"
Chakotay swallowed and positioned the ring so that it hovered at the tip of Seven's finger. "With this ring I Chakotay…"
"…do enter into the sacred union of marriage with you Seven…"
"…do enter into the sacred union of marriage with you Seven…" He felt a small smile pass across his lips as he said the words despite his nervousness.
"…and I promise to love and cherish you…"
"…and I promise to love and cherish you…"
"…honour and keep you…"
"…honour and keep you…"
"….in sickness and in health…"
"…in sickness and in health…"
"…in hardship and in happiness…"
"…in hardship and in happiness…"
"…for all the days of our lives until death parts us."
"…for all the days of our lives until death parts us." He allowed himself to really look at her as he slid the ring onto her finger.
The registrar then turned to Seven who started into her vows with a clear yet emotional voice before he could say anything.
"With this ring I Seven do enter into the sacred union of marriage with you Chakotay…" She had to swallow the emotions which suddenly sprang up within her. "…and I promise to love and cherish you, honour and keep you, in sickness and in heath, in hardship and in happiness for all the days of our lives…until death parts us." She then followed Chakotay's lead and slid the ring onto his finger.
The way she had gone about saying her vows was so affecting, so Seven, everyone found it touching, even the initially put out registrar was happy and just continued on. "You are now legally married within the laws of the United Federation of Planets." He smiled expectantly at Chakotay, "You may now kiss your bride."
The newlyweds didn't need to be told twice and kissed longer and more passionately than they had originally planned, sending the room into a chorus of wild cheering.
A/n: Please, please review and tell me what you think! Don't worry; the reception will be in the next chapter.