The Big Day(part 1)

Nanoha came bouncing into Fate's office grinning from ear to ear. "Fate we're getting married tomorrow!"

"Yay," said Fate sarcastically.

"Why aren't you excited?"

"I am. It's just that we've been here for 3 hours and we've already been through this like 9 times."

"BUT WE'RE GETTING MARRIED TOMORROW!" Nanoha squealed jumping up and down.

"I know baby. Did you take care of everything?"

"I finished everything on my end. I actually just got off the phone with the caterer and the lady from the chapel. The plan is to have the ceremony at 3:00pm then a small reception afterwards for friends and family."

"Did you choose your bridesmaids and maid of honor?" Fate asked.

"Yeah. Believe me Hayate was thrilled. I think she's even more excited than I am."

"If that's even possible."

Nanoha sat down on the end of Fate's desk. "Have you taken care of all of your stuff?"

"I met with the cake guy yesterday and I picked Signum for my…maid of honor. Is that cool?"

"Eh, I can live with that. As long as she doesn't overdress."

"Awesome."

"What about your dress?"

Fate smiled. "Picked it up yesterday and had it all prepared. It's at home hanging on the closet door."

"Well you are just covering all of your bases with this aren't you? I'm impressed Fate."

"Well thank you baby. I aim to please."

Nanoha hopped off of the desk and into Fate's lap. She didn't say anything. All she did was gently brush her fingers through Fate's hair.

"Um…Nanoha you know we got in trouble for doing this kind of thing before don't you?"

"I know I just…I'm just really happy that this is happening. I mean really Fate. Tomorrow is going to be the biggest day of our lives."

"At least until Vivio's wedding," said Fate with a laugh.

Nanoha laughed too.

"Well shouldn't you be getting back? We'll be able to cuddle and talk more at home."

"Yeah you're right. The cadets are waiting for me anyway." Nanoha got off of Fate and walked to the door stopping just before leaving and turning back around. "I love you so much Fate."

Fate smiled at her. "I love you too Nanoha, more than you know."

She smiled back sweetly before disappearing into the hallway. Fate continued to work after she left but only doing the bare minimum. Unfortunately her mind was elsewhere making concentration quite difficult. As she mindlessly thumbed through the papers on her desk a tap on her office door got her attention. She looked up to see Hayate beaming at her.

"Yes Hayate?" she said looking back down at her desk.

Hayate quickly entered and shut the door behind her. "So? You all hyped for tomorrow?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Because people are usually happy about getting married. I mean Nanoha won't stop telling everyone even though pretty much the whole building knows by now."

With a heavy sigh Fate dropped her pen and leaned back in her chair.

"Uh oh," said Hayate frowning and sitting down in the chair across from Fate. "Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about this?"

"What? Of course not! I want to marry Nanoha more than anything in the world," Fate blurted out almost immediately.

"Then what's your deal? Why are you so weird lately?"

Fate sighed. "Look I love Nanoha. That redheaded little ball of fire is my whole world but I…I'm in mourning still."

"Mourning? Who died?!"

"No one. Hayate, tomorrow my life as a single woman is over. For good. I'm tying the knot with Nanoha tomorrow."

"So that's what this is about?" Hayate said. "Pre wedding jitters?"

Fate nodded embarrassingly.

"Oh my lord. Listen to me Fate, this happens to everyone who gets married. Everyone second guesses the decision and gets scared. You're not special."

Fate gave her a sarcastic look.

"Ok fine YOU are."

"Ok all kidding aside I'm just worried. I mean what if I'm a bad wife? Or what if I mess up with Vivio?"

"Let me ask you something Fate. Have you ever made any mistakes thus far?"

"Sure I have."

"And what's gonna change between you two after tomorrow?"

Fate thought about it for a few seconds. "Not much I guess. Nanoha will just be my wife instead of my girlfriend."

"So exactly what is the big deal again? Nothing about how you treat each other will change. I've seen you and Nanoha together. You guys are like the perfect couple. And you're great with Vivio too. You're her hero. If you just keep doing what you've always been doing then there's nothing to worry about."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

"I am right. Now do me a favor and stop worrying so much. Tomorrow is gonna be great you'll see." Hayate stood up smoothing her skirt down. "Now I've gotta get ready for tomorrow myself. I'll call you later ok?" With a smile she left leaving Fate alone with her thoughts.

It was several hours later that the two of them got home. Nanoha beat Fate by about an hour since she had to pick Vivio up from school. By the time Fate got home Nanoha was already starting dinner and Vivio was parked in front of the TV playing Wii. Neither of them heard Fate come in initially since Vivio was absorbed into her game and Nanoha was obviously rocking out to something on her ipod while in the kitchen. Fate walked straight in to the bedroom and put her stuff down. After that she changed clothes and came back into the kitchen. This time Nanoha caught sight of her and took her earphones out.

"Oh Fate I didn't even hear you come in!"

"I know you didn't babe. So tell me, what's for dinner? It smells really good."

"Pasta; well alfredo to be exact. There's also a chocolate cake for dessert."

"Awesome. So how was your day?" Fate asked.

"It was fine. I've been congratulated about 20 times today alone. I also got a peek at a few of our wedding gifts."

"Oh really? Anything nice?"

"I didn't see anything exactly but there are some BIG boxes."

"Big is good."

Nanoha gave her a hug. "It is."

"Well you finish up here while I go whoop Vivio on the Wii." Fate stole a quick kiss and headed off to the living room.

"Give her one for me!" Nanoha called after her.

While the two played Nanoha finished cooking. Just as she was finishing up the phone rang. "Hello? Hey Hayate what's up? Yeah she's right here. No she seems fine to me. Did something happen?" Nanoha leaned out to glance at Fate and Vivio playing in the living room. "Oh…oh I see. Thanks for telling me I'll talk to her a little later. Alright bye."

"Who was that?" Fate asked as almost on queue, she and Vivio came into the kitchen and seated themselves at the table.

"Oh it was just Hayate. You didn't hear me say her name?"

"Nope."

"Well she was just asking how my day was."

Fate shrugged and reached for the steaming pan of pasta in the center of the table. Nanoha shot her a worried look which went unnoticed as Vivio and Fate dug in.

"Mama can I walk down the aisle with you tomorrow?" Vivio asked shoving a bite into her mouth.

She looked at Fate who didn't even look up from her plate. "Sure honey. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Vivio smiled brightly as she continued to eat. The rest of the meal was peaceful and quiet. Fate was entirely silent and so was Nanoha save for the few times she answered Vivio's questions about the wedding and marriage. After dinner they watched TV for a bit then Nanoha sent Vivio off to bed. She made sure she was actually asleep before coming back into the kitchen where Fate sat at the table. Turning off the TV, Nanoha just stared at her for a few seconds.

"Something wrong?" Fate asked.

"Yeah there is. You."

Fate looked confused.

"What's going on with you? You've been acting odd for the past few days. At first I dismissed it as you just being nervous about the wedding day but Hayate is worried about you too."

"Tattletale…" groaned Fate.

Nanoha sighed and sat down across from her at the table and gently reaching out and taking Fate's hand. "Look, if something is wrong just tell me. I don't know why you're always content to suffer alone. Just let me help Fate."

"Nanoha it's just…I…"

"What? What is it?"

"I'm uh…Nanoha I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Scared of letting you down. Scared messing up and…losing you guys."

Nanoha was quiet at first. She removed her grip on Fate's hand and sat back in her chair. Finally she sighed again while shaking her head and tossing her ponytail from side to side.

"You're mad aren't you?"

"No I'm not. I am just getting tired of this routine." She clasped her hands together and rested her chin on them. "Out of all the time that we've been together, how many times have you messed up?"

"Well I can't remember exactly but I'd say it's been over a dozen."

"And how many times have I left you?"

"None."

"There, glad we could clear that up." Clearing her throat, Nanoha spoke again in a much softer voice. "I love you Fate. I am head over heels in love with you. I love everything you are. You are loyal, caring, patient, and understanding. What more could I ask for in someone?"

Fate was quiet but her face was beat red.

"I know you mess up. So do I. You don't think I'm scared? Fate if anyone should be afraid of being left it should be me! I mean people love you! I've seen it. Everyone adores you. You're beautiful Fate. Absolutely beautiful! I look at you and I see perfection in human form."

"Nanoha…"

Nanoha abruptly stood and took a few steps away before turning right back around. "I know I've been getting on your nerves lately by being so cheery about the wedding. I understand that but that's how I deal with it. I hide it behind smiles and laughter so I don't end up crying every 15 minutes! You think you're scared?! I live with this constant fear that…that I'm not enough for you. That you get bored with me."

Fate stood up and walked over to Nanoha. She was hugging herself and starting to tear up slightly. "Nanoha how could you think that?"

The redhead sniffed and rubbed her eyes. "Remember that time you told me story about your first time with a woman?"

"Yeah what about it?"

I wasn't really jealous of it. I was worried."

Fate gently wiped a tear away that was streaming down her lover's face. "Why?"

"Because I'm not adventurous and wild like that. I know I'm not that exciting and uninhibited. I try my best but that's not how I am. And when you talk about stuff like that I just…I feel inadequate."

Pulling her into a hug, Fate laughed a little. "Nanoha you're so silly."

"I know," whispered Nanoha.

Fate pulled back to look her in the face. "I don't want someone wild and crazy Nanoha. You think I'm looking for some young, spontaneous little firecracker? No. I have what I want right here. I have you and Vivio. I was just worried I'd let you guys down. Hayate called it the jitters."

"That's what it sounds like."

"But whatever you call it, Nanoha I'm sorry I made you feel that way. Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Nanoha blushed. "I was afraid you'd think I was being dumb."

Fate placed her hands on the side of Nanoha's face forcing her to look her right in the eyes. "I will never think that about you."

Smiling, she clasped Fate's hand in hers. "Thank you. I know how it sounds but for me tomorrow is like…the biggest day of my life. I'm going to marry you Fate. I'm still scared to death, but at the same time I've never been happier."

"So I really make you happy?"

Nanoha gave her a playful tap on the head. "So much so it should be illegal."

Almost on reflex, Fate pulled Nanoha into another hug this time softly crying as she did so.

"It's ok Fate. I love you and tomorrow will be amazing. You'll see." The two stood there for a while just enjoying the comfort of the other's embrace. When they finally pulled apart, Nanoha gently reached up running her fingers through Fate's hair. "How did I get so lucky?"

"You didn't," said Fate. "It was always you Nanoha. There's no one else that comes close. You walk out of a room for 30 minutes and I start counting the minutes until you come back in and smile at me again."

Nanoha giggled. "Well you always were a tad bit clingy."

"Clingy huh? I'll show you clingy!" Quickly scooping her up, Fate carried Nanoha to the bedroom and dropping her on the bed. She climbed in next to her and the two lay there staring at one another.

"Feel better now?" asked Nanoha smiling.

"Yeah…I do. Thanks Nanoha."

"Anytime," she said leaning and giving Fate another tender kiss.

Sorry it's been so long since my last chapter but a LOT of thought went into this one since I wanted to come back with something good. I'm planning on making this a 3 part one so look forward to the next one soon!

As always, enjoy and please comment!