Felix was, he decided, ready. He wasn't nervous, had never been nervous, about being legally bound to Magdalane. The Jedi Order, well, that was another thing, but worth all the hours of interrogation and explanations. He even liked Magdalane's family. So why was it, when he tried to swallow, he felt like he would choke instead? I know, he thought, I'll talk to my future brothers in law. He fished his personal holo out of the gear bag on the floor, and called Aric, knowing he was on the planet.
"Hey Felix, how's it going this morning?" Aric asked him. "Ready for this to be over?"
"Uh, yeah, I am, but do you think you could get Corso and come to the temple for a few minutes?"
"Sure thing, buddy. There in a few." Aric grinned when he cut off the call, he could see Felix was a little green. He put the call in to Corso, and agreed to meet at the temple in ten minutes.
Felix greeted them, and poured them all a drink. "Hey, thanks, but it might be a little early for me, " Corso said, putting the glass down on the table. "So what's up? Not having cold feet, are you? I'd hate to have to go back and get Torchy…."
"No, no, nothing like that. I…I just felt like, I don't know, like I needed to see family. I know we're not supposed to see blood relatives, but you guys, you're family without breaking the tradition," he told them.
Aric clapped a hand on his shoulder, "I understand, and I know this whole past year has been nothing but planning for this day. It's a lot of pressure, man. But I know you love her, I've seen it more than once, so no matter what, you'll be okay. "
Corso grinned at Felix, and pointed to his feet. "I'm no fashion director, but you might want to at least wear matching socks." That made them all laugh, and Felix visibly relaxed.
"I dreamed I tripped walking up the path," Felix told them, "then, when I tried to get up, I stepped on her veil." That brought on a new round of laughter. "I've been up for hours, making sure I can still walk," he said, trying to catch his breath. Laughter must really have medicinal properties, he thought, because I can swallow again.
When they'd recovered, Felix shook both their hands. "I can't even tell you how much it means that you guys would come here like this." Aric just grinned at him. Corso told him, "Hey, we're family, that's what we do."
When they left, Felix sat in a comfy chair by the window, and relieved, fell into a sound sleep, knowing that someone would come for him when he needed to start down.
Magdalane wasn't nervous at all, she felt rested for the first time in a year. She'd slept until Risha came to help her get ready, and now everything was done except the ceremony. She could hear the music outside, but it would be at least an hour before people started showing up. She could see the tall vases of peach colored roses, with all the greenery, lining the path to the temple entrance. Since the ceremony would be outside, she was thankful for the beautiful day. She was content to just sit peacefully. They would be going to Alderaan for their honeymoon, two weeks to enjoy themselves. She thought about her sisters then, and their marriages. Aric and Maura preparing for their babies, Miriah and Corso so in love that the world could fall away and they'd never notice. How, she thought, did I go all my life and never realize how fundamental it is to have a partner, someone to count on, confide in, hold or be held by? Maybe that's why Mom was so distant after Dad died, it just hurt too much to get that close to anyone again.
She stood and walked to her ceremonial wedding gown, hung in an airtight bag on the closet door. The gold-trimmed white gown was beautiful, and the veil, while it wouldn't cover her face, hung down to the ground behind her. She got dressed slowly, smiling to herself as she put her usual lacy underthings on, remembering the first time Felix had seen what she wore under the plain brown Jedi robe. It took a little time, she knew, to get the gown just right, and she was determined it would be just right. She move to the mirror and was just straightening her veil, when Grandmaster Satele Shan came to the door. Satele put her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes, and said, "Oh Magdalane, you're a bride! I remember the first time I saw you, as a four year old trainee, and here you are, so beautiful!" The women hugged each other, and as they stepped back, Satele handed Magdalane her bouquet of peach roses.
"It's time."