"Thank you again, Jobal-"
"Oh, hush! Dear, it's nothing! Now, hurry up! You have a man to marry!"
Sabé turned to the back of the room to see all of her bridesmaids smiling at her. They were all clad in dresses of brown with an extra layer of white underneath that hung just low enough to show an inch or two beneath the brown skirt along with a waistband of white. Memily held up a hand and motioned for her to come back. "She's right. We're behind schedule and I think you've kept poor Ducchi waiting long enough."
"I agree," Sabé laughed and sat in front of Memily so she could curl her hair.
"I have been waiting for this," Memily continued. "For over 20 years. It's about time this day finally comes! The last thing I'd want to do is drag it out and make your handsome prince wait." Catching Sabé's eye in the mirror before them, the younger woman grinned. "Don't you agree?"
Sabé repeated, "I agree."
It was so odd because he was always a patient and composed man, but today Ducchi's usual calm had escaped him. He sighed as Han straightened out his tie and dusted off his suit. Suddenly, he was impatient. He could hardly wait a second longer for the music to start and the wedding party to start their parade down the short aisle. He couldn't wait to see Sabé and for the ceremony to start . . . and then she'd be his wife.
His wife. His wife. How beautiful that sounded, Ducchi couldn't help the smile that began to break across his face. In less than an hour, he'd be a married man. Forget that, he'd be the luckiest man with Sabé as his wife. It still sounded too wonderful to be true.
"You ready?"
Ducchi jerked out of his delirious thoughts and nodded to Han. "I think so."
Han chuckled. "Good because it'll be any minute now. She'll come out, walking down that aisle, and everything else around you just suddenly vanishes. And there's only her. Then, she becomes your world."
"Just like that?"
Han nodded. "You won't be able to look away because she's just so perfectly stunning. Few moments will ever be able to rival this one."
Ducchi started. "That's possible?"
Han glanced at Leia who sat with Sola and Dormé, holding the triplets. "I know it's hard to imagine, but she'll make your world so beautiful. Hang on to her and never let your eyes wander away."
Han was right, Ducchi realized as the burning sensation quickly left his eyes and tears flooded his vision. He quickly wiped them away to get a clear view of Sabé as she came up the aisle with Ruwee Naberrie, but at the sight of the wet path streaming from both her eyes, his tears returned.
Ducchi could swear he was watching an angel. She glided up the aisle in a gorgeous ivory and lace dress with her hair done in subtle curls. A birdcage veil hung over her eyes, but he could still see that her smile flooded her dark irises. Her face had never been so bright and Ducchi was just waiting for a magnificent pair of wings to spread from her back.
She stopped just before him and turned to hug Ruwee. He whispered something to her and she nodded, smiling. He left to sit with his wife and Sabé lastly handed her pink and blush bouquet of peonies to Memily and turned back to Ducchi. "I love you," he quickly blurted out. She dropped her head for a second before responding, "I've love you longer."
She took another step forward and Bail, who was the officiator, began. "We are all here today to join together in celebrating the legal union of this couple. For, today is merely a confirmation of a love and relationship everyone already knows is there. From this day forward, though, they shall walk their own path of life together.
"Before today, Sabé and Ducchi, you both could imagine creating a life together. You both imagined this day over and over. All those conversations that were held riding in a speeder or over a meal or during long walks – all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will" and "you will" and "we will" – those late night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe" – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. Now, today, the two of you can begin to make them come true. Today, your lives become one.
"The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, 'You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.' These vows are the next step into your brand new lives together as husband and wife. These vows are what will bond you and start you both on this new life. These vows are your sacred promises to each other and they are not to be taken lightly. Now, go ahead and take each other's hands."
Sabé slipped her delicate hands into Ducchi's and he held them tightly. But not too tight. From behind them both, Han and Memily stepped forward, each carrying a ring in the palm of their hand.
"Ducchi, you may now take the ring and prepare to give it to Sabé before you offer your vows as a sign of your dedication and fidelity to her."
Ducchi took the ring from Han's hand. It had a single square diamond framed with what were supposed to look like leaves. It was a flower. He turned back to Sabé and began to give his vows, her hand still caught in his. "I, Duchanan Evillarde, take you, Sabé Tinings, for my lawful wife, that I will love you and hold you forever. Whether we be in times of good or bad, whether we be rich or poor, sick or healthy, I shall uphold these vows. I will always support you. I will always love you. I will always watch over you. I will always do everything I can for you. From this day forward, you are my life, the other half to my soul, the other side of my heart. You are everything I love about my life and I will always hold you close. For you are mine to treasure forever." He slipped the ring onto her finger and Sabé practically squealed with delight.
"Now, Sabé," Bail turned to her. "You may now take the ring and prepare to give it to Ducchi before you offer your vows as a sign of your dedication and fidelity to him."
Memily came to her side for just a moment so Sabé could take the ring from her. It was an extra thick band with three layers of a vine-like design twisting across the band. She adjusted her hand so Ducchi's was in hers and she took her turn, then slid the ring onto his finger.
Bail smiled, giving their joined hands a brief squeeze. "With your vows exchanged and a ring of promise and fidelity upon each other's hands, I can name you both husband and wife, lawfully married. I now pronounce you Mister and Misses Duchanan Evillarde. Ducchi, you may kiss your bride."
"Congratulations, ," Leia winked. Sabé laughed and threw her arms around her niece.
"Thanks for all the help," she said. "And the support."
Leia shook her head, pushing back. "Stop it. You owe Memily one. Not me."
"That's true. I owe Memily a huge one. For the past whole 20 years! I guess I'm just thankful for you for helping me heal, too."
"Aww! Your welcome, Aunty." Leia hugged Sabé again, then took Han's hand and left her.
"That's all of them," Ducchi told her, suddenly sweeping her into his arms. She gasped, but relaxed in his hold and laughed. "I think it's near time someone turns on the music and we get to the dancing portion of the evening."
"That sounds wonderful right now, but I have something else in mind. Don't worry! Just for a couple minutes, why don't we sit down and talk?"
Ducchi arched a brow. "Talk?"
"Yes." Sabé pulled him to one of the tables set up and reassured him, "Yes. We need to talk so I can tell you how much I love you." Both sitting down, she pulled herself into his lap, grabbed his face, and kissed him. "Thank you for saving me," she whispered against his lips when she broke the long kiss for air. "Thank you for loving me."
"Oh, my darling, it's nothing."
She laughed again. Holding her waist, Ducchi smoothly stood up with her and pulled her to the designated dancing area. He moved one hand up her back and held the other out to take hers. She followed suit and rested her head on Ducchi's chest. "This feels so right, Ducchi. Everything about today feels so perfect and so right."
"Well, I would hope so." He pulled her closer and put his lips to her crown. "I've spent a great many years chasing after you."
"Oh, Ducchi! You have me! You have me forever and I will always be yours."
"That's another relief."
"Hush. Don't say anything more."
"Can I say one more thing?"
"Fine. One more thing. But you better make it good."
"Alright. Here it is: I love you, Sabé, and you are far more precious than anything I've ever thought I could possibly possess. I have loved you since your first night here and then I loved you even more for loving me. I used to be lonely, but then you came and joined me in my little, dark world and I could have kissed your feet for that."
Sabé giggled. "You made that very good. Now, I have something to say. I love you more than anything and everything I have ever loved. You found me and I was hurting and you did something so stupid-" At once, Ducchi joined her in laughing. "Only you could do that for me. You were there for me before you even knew my name. You supported me, chased away my ghosts. You assured me that nothing would ever hurt me again. And you're still here. Thank you, Ducchi. Thank you for loving me before you even knew me."
"You are welcome, darling."
For a long moment following, neither said anything. They just swayed together, their bodies resting heavily against each other. They supported each other, kept the other up. For a long moment, it was just them and the music, a soft, flowing melody playing, sending them into relaxing peace. A tranquil, pleasurable peace filled them both and, suddenly . . . they were whole.
"Sabé?"
"Yes?"
"Can we just stay like this forever?"
A smiled spread across her face and she nodded her head against his chest. "Yes, please."
"That means no honeymoon."
"This will be our honeymoon."
"That sounds perfect."
"Remember before Han and Leia were married and we were teaching Han to dance?"
"Yeah."
"Remember when we were dancing together to show him?"
"Yes."
"I hated myself for enjoying it so much."
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it, too. Wife."
"Wait! No one has called me with my new last name yet. I want to hear it from you."
"Yes, you did. Remember, Leia called you-"
"I mean with my first name and then your last name."
"Ah. I get it, now. I'd be lying if I told you I've never at least said it to myself before."
"Then, say it to me."
"I love you," Ducchi told her first, leaning back in to kiss her. "Sabé Evillarde."