The seats had been arranged in a "U" shape circling where the couple would stand so instead of Linka walking down an "aisle" between two rows of chairs with the traditional "bride side" and "groom side," she walked down the beach between rows of tiki torches and into the center of the semi-circle where Wheeler and his uncle stood waiting for her. Both of them were surprised by Wheeler's grandma playing the wedding march on one of Linka's keyboards.

The groomsmen were all similarly dressed in shorts and a white polo shirt with the Planeteer logo on the breast. Kwame had a spare for Mishka to borrow, and Joey wore one of Ma-Ti's.

Wheeler, in black cargo shorts and a white button-down, short sleeve, dress shirt (half untucked, of course) is watching Linka in awe as she approaches. He wasn't expecting to see her grandmother being the one to give her away, but it's fitting and touching.

"I know you will take good care of her," Gram says as she kisses his cheek. "Of both of them."

"I will. Thanks, Gram," he says, leaning down to return a kiss on her cheek.

She takes a seat next to Wheeler's grandmother and the two older ladies share a smile, just as they now share grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Wheeler's uncle starts the ceremony.

"Friends and family, we started this day celebrating the miracle of life. We'll finish the day celebrating the love that created that life by officially uniting Jason Joseph Wheeler and Angelina Nicolaevna Kovaleva in marriage…even though we all know they've belonged to each other and only each other for years."

"Wait, we're missing Cap," Wheeler says. "This will probably be the last time we use these."

Kwame starts the familiar routine.

"Let our powers combine. Earth."

Wheeler looks at Linka before looking at his ring one last time.

"Fire."

She takes the same time to take in the moment.

"Wind."

"Water."

"Heart."

The crowd watches in amazement as the silver superhero appears.

"By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!"

"Gooooooo Planet!"

He lands in front of them and delivers the much-anticipated cheesy remark.

"That's quite a mess you've gotten yourself into, Wheeler. I'm not sure even I am capable of getting you out of this one!"

"That's ok, Cap. This is definitely one I want to be stuck with."

"Linka…are you sure you're ready to clean up after this one? He's pretty messy."

"I think I can train him."

"Good luck, you two. Thanks for including me, and for all you've done for the planet. Now you can move onto the next stage of your lives: raising the next generation of Planeteers."

Captain Planet takes his place next to Gaia amongst the gathered crowd and Wheeler's uncle continues.

"I did some quick searches for wedding verses and this one struck me as fitting for the path you two have been on all these years. 'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'"

"I know this was last minute, but do you have your own vows, or do you just want me to go with the traditional ones?"

Wheeler shrugs and sheepishly admits,

"I've kinda had something in mind as to what I've wanted to say for a while now."

"Linka?"

"Da, I would like to say my own."

"Great. We'll begin with you then."

She looks up at Wheeler and smiles.

"I knew I was in trouble the first day we met. I had spent my youth keeping my distance from people. I did not want anyone to know my story. But then when I joined the Planeteers, I felt so at ease immediately, like these were people that I could trust and get close to. I still could not open up about my condition, but for the first time in my life, I felt like I had real friends…unfortunately for me and my resolve, it was also the first time in my life that I had allowed myself to feel something deeper than friendship for someone. You got under my skin in the worst and the best ways. I hated your attention and flirting, and I loved it at the same time. It made me feel normal. When I finally admitted to you that I could not have children, I thought to myself, 'this is it. He will finally give up on me and I will have lost his companionship. No more flirting. No more movie nights. He will move on now.' But you did not. You stood by me. You made efforts to find a cure, but you let me know that it did not matter to you. No matter how many times you told me, I could not believe it because it felt too good to be true. You had every right to get frustrated with me and give up. I am so grateful that you did not. It proved to me what I had hoped for all along…This crazy Yankee really did love me, even when I did not deserve him. I loved you much sooner than you think. This was not a recent development. It did not happen on our trip. It happened on day one and will continue until my last breath. Ya lyublyu tebya, moy Yankee. I love you, my Yankee."

"Jason, do you think you can be as eloquent? Also keep in mind, English is your first language, and like, her fifth, so no pressure."

"Yeah, no pressure. Thanks, Unc." He takes Linka's hands and takes a deep breath. "I knew you liked me more than you were letting on, which is why I never gave up. I wanted to do my own vows because the traditional ones say, 'love, honor, and obey' and while I have no problem obeying you, I'd never expect you to 'obey' me. It's what I admire the most about you. You will never back down from an argument. We've had some real good ones in the past. Most of the time, I was wrong and even after I knew it, I'd still keep going just because you're so cute when you're fired up. You are independent to a fault. You don't need me, which makes the fact that you chose me all the more special. I was always pretty independent too. I didn't want to rely too heavily on other people because I felt like I'd only be let down. The Planeteers changed that for me. Working as a team was new to me. Compromise was new to me. Not getting the last word in an argument was new to me…but you win. You always will. There is no one else in this world that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I also knew that from the start, which is why your admission didn't faze me. All I knew is that you were the one for me. Period. Kids weren't ever something I thought about as something I thought I needed, but love was always something I knew I needed. I wanted what I saw with my grandparents…what I still see in them. Two people who would do anything for each other. I'll do anything for you…for both of you." He reaches out and rests a hand on her stomach. "You're my world and I love you more than I ever thought I was capable of loving anything…sorry I don't know how to say that in any other languages."

"Not bad, Jay," his uncle says. "Let's get those rings on! Joey?"

Joey stands and reaches into his pocket. Then his other pocket. Since he's wearing cargo shorts, he checks every pocket. Linka starts to get worried.

"Dude, you had one job!" Wheeler says.

"Just kidding!" Joey says as he opens his hand. "Had them the whole time! Shoulda seen your faces!"

"Joseph William…not cool," Uncle Bill says. "But to be fair, that's EXACTLY something Jason would've done. He got that from you."

Wheeler takes the ring meant for Linka and takes her hand.

Uncle Bill resumes his duties,

"Rings are a symbol of your love. They are a circle with no beginning and no end, like the endless love that you have for each other. Jason, place the ring on Linka's finger and repeat after me. 'I give you this ring to represent my unending love for you today, tomorrow, and forever.'"

Wheeler does as instructed, and Linka repeats the process and wording as she places the ring on Wheeler's finger.

"I'm supposed to ask if anyone can show any just cause as to why these two cannot be lawfully joined together, but after hearing the vows from both of them, I don't know how anyone could."

When no one objects, the officiant continues.

"Then by the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now…oh ok…don't wait for me, then…kiss the bride."

Wheeler didn't wait for his uncle to finish before sealing their union with a kiss. The crowd applauds and cheers. He pulls away and whispers in her ear,

"Now I've got you!"

She rests her lips next to his ear and responds,

"Were you not listening? You have always had me."

He gives her the biggest smile and resumes their kiss.

"Now what?" Joey asks the groomsmen.

"Now, we party!" Mishka declares followed by a chorus of cheers from the bridesmaids.

The food is brought out and set up buffet style so that everyone can fill their plates and then sit at the tables that were set up outside.

Mishka stands up and makes an announcement.

"I would like to say a few words on behalf of my family…Wheeler, good luck. She is your problem now!" The crowd laughs at his joke, but he gets serious and continues. "But in all seriousness, we are happy to have you as part of our family. This has been a long time coming. Babushka and I knew you would be good for our little Linka. A perfect match for our perfectionist. She needs your easy-going ways to bring balance to her overly organized life. Na zdorov'ye."

He raises his glass, and the others follow suit. Kwame is the next to stand.

"The Planeteers would also like to say, 'it is about time!' and we could not be happier for you two. We love you like a brother and a sister…so it is kind of weird that our brother is marrying our sister…that did not come out right…Gi? Want to step in?"

"Obviously, Kwame has been trying to keep up with Mishka's champagne consumption. I warned him…What he's trying to say is, we love you both and are glad you are part of our happy little Planeteer family, and that you're bringing a new addition to the crew."

"As the bearer of the power of Heart, I have the pleasure of being able to say that I knew this would happen before anyone else did…well, I am sure Gaia knew that we would all be here someday, but the first day we all met, I felt the jolt that went through Wheeler the second he noticed Linka and I felt the same feeling from her when he spoke to her…no matter what she tells you about how she could not stand him! It was all a front. The spark between them was instant. And they helped pave the way for Katie and Jason to pick up where they left off."

"No weddings and baby yet though!" Katie clarifies. "I wanna do this job as long as I can because I love it. Linka and Gi were always role models of mine and I'm so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to work with and learn from both of them. I'm glad Linka will still be here creating a new role as a Planeteer and working mom!"

"I guess I'm the last of the Planeteer group to get to say anything…and I don't really have much to add except, Old Jason is just lucky that I wasn't a few years older when I first met Linka when we were saving my town from that smog monster. I'd have totally won her over before you. If I recall correctly…and I do…she was flirting with me A LOT."

This brings more laughter from the crowd and Wheeler puts the younger Planeteer in his place.

"I don't remember that part…but if she was, she was only doing it to make me jealous."

"First of all, I was not flirting with a child! And only you, Jason Wheeler, would be jealous of a 10-year-old."

"I wasn't!"

Everyone is enjoying the banter and laughing. Wheeler notices his mom saying something to his dad and his dad shaking his head. He wonders what they're up to. Finally, he sees his dad wave her off and look like he's giving in.

Joe Wheeler clears his throat and Wheeler holds his breath, worried about what will happen next.

"Uh, your Ma wanted me to say a few words since Linka's family was kind enough to say such nice things about having you as part of their family, and we just want Linka to know that we are happy to have her as part of ours. We never had a daughter, so now we do and couldn't have picked a nicer girl. She has always been kind and polite and makes our boy happy, which is all we can ask for. I uh, I know things weren't always great between us, Jay, and I worried that my bad example of a husband and father would have an effect on you, but I'm glad to see that you're the opposite of me. You had your grandparents and uncle and aunt to show you what a happy couple should be like. I won't assume to take credit for anything, but I hope you at least learned from my mistakes. I can't change the past, but I'm looking forward to the future and watching you be the best father and husband."

"Thanks Pop."

"I am sure you will be a wonderful grandfather. We hope you come to visit often, that goes for all of you…and we will certainly have more time to travel to see you all."

"We will hold you to that!" Uncle Bill says.

"You two need to have your first dance. Joey can pull up whatever song you'd like on his MP3 player," Aunt Sharon says.

"I have a better idea," Betty adds. "Linka has the perfect song for her and Jason to dance to, don't you?"

Linka smiles and blushes, not wanting to have the whole family hear her sing, but Wheeler's grandma is right. It would be perfect.

"Gi, can you go to my room and get my laptop from my desk? And the speakers?"

"Sure, be right back!"

A few moments later, the speakers and laptop are connected, and the music begins to play.

He takes her in his arms but isn't able to hold her as closely as he'd like because of the baby bump. Not to be deterred, he takes her hand and spins her, looking like a choreographed dance, and stops her when her back is to him. He's now able to enfold her in his arms, with his chest pressed to her back, and his hands resting over their child. She places her hands on top of his.

"Now I can hold you both while we dance," he whispers in her ear.

She leans her head back and closes her eyes.

"This is perfect."

"So now that this is our official wedding song, are you ever gonna translate it for me?"

"I already did…mostly. I told you it would not translate well from a song to spoken word since it does not flow to the music when it is spoken in English. I used the sentiments from this song as a good bit of my vows. 'I knew I was in trouble the first day we met. I had spent my youth keeping my distance from people. It was the first time in my life that I had allowed myself to feel something deeper than friendship for someone. You got under my skin in the worst and the best ways. I loved you much sooner than you think. It happened on day one and will continue on until my last breath. I love you, my Yankee.'"

"When did you write this?"

"I started it within the first year of joining the Planeteers. I added to it along the way. It has probably been finished for about five years now."

"All this time…you really were dead set on never letting yourself be happy?"

"Not if it meant getting my heart broken if you had a different reaction to my infertility," she says sadly. "I am sorry I wasted so much time."

"We'll make up for it."

They continue to sway to the music in silence until he repeats the words,

"'Ya lyublyu tebya,' I'll never get tired of hearing those words…even if I can't understand it," he lowers his lips to her shoulder.

"I will try to come up with an arrangement in English for you."

"I'll listen to it every day."

"You will get sick of it eventually."

"Never," he promises. "I think we should come up with some lullabies for the baby. Record some old classics with us singing to them and come up with our own unique ones because our kid has a unique story."

"I think that would be wonderful. Something to lull them to sleep and soothe them."

"Hmm mmm," he agrees, nuzzling her neck. "I can't believe that less than 12 hours ago, I wasn't sure where my place was in your life. I felt like we'd had this barrier between us, and you didn't want me around."

"And I felt like you were pulling away. That you had changed your mind and were not attracted to me in this enormous state!"

"Not true at all. You're more beautiful than you've ever been. All I wanted to do was take you in my arms and hold you and rub your belly and talk to the baby…but I thought that would freak you out…that I would be overstepping."

"I want you to do those things. I want you to have the full experience of being a father. This will probably not happen again."

"Never say never," he says resting the side of his head against hers as they continue to sway to the music until the song ends.

The guests fondly watch the happy couple share their first dance.

"That is Linka singing," Betty informs the other members of Wheeler's family. They all express amazement and are impressed by her talent.

"Oh my, she has a beautiful voice. I wish I knew what she was saying. I'm sure it is lovely," Kathy says.

"You can really tell it is a love song based on the tone. I told her that when she first played it for us months ago. She would not share what she was saying though," Betty says.

"I can tell by the way her Grandma is smiling that it's something special," Joe says.

"It is beautiful," Nadia confirms. "I did not know she had felt this strongly for so long. It is very similar to what she told him in her vows."

Mishka chimes in, shaking his head.

"She had this bottled up for so long."

"Before she opened up to me, music was her therapeutic release," Yana says. "At least now they no longer have to keep their feelings to themselves."

The onlookers all nod in agreement, happy that the two people that they care so much about have finally found happiness.

To Be Continued...