I Do Again (and Again)

(Yilta POV from I Do Again, see: . #pid47623)

Second husband. Second chance.

Of course he's not like Darywev was. So formal, so serious. Condescending. In denial. When our baby, Brinka, was born without calloo and didn't make it to see her first week, Darywev said I was to blame. But it was a birth defect. Those still happen, even now, even in the 32nd century.

These flowers are damned heavy. And if Branch changes again, I think people won't be needing the wet bar after the ceremony.

But I digress. Maybe it's wrong to think of such things on your wedding day. I don't know. Second wedding day for both of us. I can see Kevin's got an odd look in his eyes. He must be, even if only for a moment, thinking of Josie. Otra is a little misty, too. I can't recall if she ever met Josie. I don't know.

It's here in our happiest moments that we sometimes think of hard things. I think that's so we do the same in reverse, that we think of happiness when we're in our depths of despair.

So here I am, grinning like a Tellarite who's just heard the greatest insult of his life, walking down the aisle, thinking of Darywev, and Brinka, and even of Josie, who I never knew.

It's all because of Kevin. I never really healed until him. I'll never be perfect. But none of us ever will.

Oh, by the light of Lo! Branch, I do not want to take a survey right now. Not after Levi and Deirdre found the rings. Some wedding this is turning out to be.

I was right. Kevin was thinking about her. But that's all right. It's what he says and does and feels now that matters the most. And here's what he's saying, as he takes my hands in his and puts the ring on. Such a strange human custom:

"When, when you came into my life, Yilta, I, uh, I didn't want to hear it. I thought forever meant I would just go to my grave alone. But, see, you taught me something really important. You taught me that forever can be with more than one person. So I guess, this is Forever, 2.0."

And then Branch has to say something. Oh! Here it comes:

"One hundred percent of all voters declare you husband and wife, by the power vested by the United Federation of Planets. A kiss is customary."

A kiss is customary. A kiss is necessary. In front of everyone we've ever known.

This isn't Forever, 2.0. I got no such qualifiers. This is it.

Welcome to forever.