The newlyweds happily joined into the celebrations, and as Kida is eating some of the offered feast while laughing at some entertainers, Milo couldn't take his eyes off his newfound wife, and Thaddeus teased him with a warm laugh, "You have the very same look that your father had when he was at the reception party, his eyes never leaving your mother.".
"I still can't believe it, Pops...I'm literally married to a soon-to-be queen!", Milo replied with an awed chuckle, "We are living our dream, and yet it's not a dream...".
"I know, I said the same thing this morning, or sort of. I, more or less, was talking about Abraham how it felt like I was about to wake up from the greatest dream and feel so heartbroken if it turned out that this was all my imagination.", Thaddeus said.
"Yeah... but then there was some of the wounds I took when we were fighting before... if that didn't wake me up, then this clearly is real.", Milo chuckled.
Thaddeus nodded, "That's very good logic, son. And it's far too early yet to know the gender, but what do you think?", with a smile, gesturing to Kida, and Milo exhaled, "We already had some ideas for the name, funnily enough, but we won't reveal them until after the birth, but well, Kida hopes that it'd be a boy, while I was thinking it'd be a girl.", with a smile.
"Oh, so much like me and your grandmother, son.", Thaddeus laughed, "Seems like generations never skip in behavior quirks and similar thoughts, in the Thatch family. And as for my kids, your sibling-cousins, possible for them to have that too...Rachel and Klaus are sure going to have a great childhood with your kid and Sia's boy.", with a smile.
Milo smiled, "I can see that so easily...", and Thaddeus nodded before Abraham joined them, "Oh, gosh, I think the twins are dancing so much...Those potty breaks will get even more insane, especially with my appetite...", grabbing some finger sandwiches, "Speaking of which, Kida is looking at you, my boy.".
He looked over to see Kida getting up with a hand, gesturing for him with a finger as the music became more romantic yet kind of upbeat, and Milo smiled, "Excuse me, Pops and Opa, but I'd better dance with my wife.".
"Try not to step on her toes.", Thaddeus teased as Milo rolled his eyes... though he was very much worried about that since dancing was an experience he really had almost no experience with, unless dancing around with his cat once or twice was considered.
Milo made it to Kida, whispering, "Hi...Doing good so far?", as he rested a hand on her baby bump, and Kida smiled, "I'm doing alright, through after this dance, I was hoping to have a really needed nap with my husband. Apparently, the baby is wearing me out by being excited even this early in carrying.".
"Well, I don't see why not, and besides, the coronation isn't until a couple of hours later, along with the send-off of your father's stone.", Milo smiled as he took a deep breath, taking her other hand in his, feeling another hand resting on his shoulder.
Kida smiled warmly, "Relax, Milo, it's just us...After all, you must have some faint memory of your parents dancing, hmm?", and Milo's heart skipped at his wife's encouragement and love in her eyes, and he smiled, starting to dance, whispering, "I love you, Kida.".
Blushing warmly, Kida whispered back to him, "I love you too, Milo...", and so, the newlyweds danced, starting off slightly awkwardly before becoming gracefully natural, with everyone quietly celebrating, awed of the radiance and love coming off the newlyweds, and with a last twirl, they kissed warmly and borderline passionately as the music changed again, and left the celebrations to the palace for a long deserved nap, telling some of the servants to wake them up about 30 minutes before the coronation.
"I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep...", Milo told Kida as they returned to their room for a little bit. "The excitement of things might just keep me awake...".
Kida smiled, "Don't worry, I'll help you sleep, and no, it's not what you think. That is going to wait until later tonight.", with a nod as she dragged Milo into bed, taking off her wedding robes, keeping her dress on, as he removed his wedding robes, keeping his Atlantean clothes on, and snuggled into Kida's side.
Milo looked at her in surprise before chuckling, "Fair enough. But how are you going to help me?", and Kida smiled before brushing a hand through his hair in a massaging, slow, rhythmic way, and he whispered, "That feels nice...", closing his eyes with a soft sigh.
"Sleep, my beloved...", Kida whispered, continuing the sweet affectionate gesture, and he murmured, "Yes, my beloved...", resting his head closer to her, and soon enough, Kida heard the soft familiar sounds of him sleeping, and she smiled, kissing him on the forehead ever so gently before falling asleep as well, feeling the flutters of their baby quieting down as they are also falling asleep too, joining their parents.
An hour and half have passed for them before they were gently woken up by one of the servants knocking on their doorway, and now feeling fresh and more energetic for the rest of the day, the couple kissed deeply before Kida was shooed away to get changed into palace royal robes, an almost copy of her mother's clothes, with Milo being helped to change into a slightly more formal version of his Atlantean clothes.
Milo, having been done first, headed down from the palace to the first landing of the great palace steps, the very same landing where Korbyn and Vinny were presented as princes, seeing that a very elder man in Council robes is standing by, with one of the guards protecting a crown, a crown in gold with the 'A' to symbolize Atlantis in front, and a set of colorful peacock feathers, with two blue feathers on either side with a purple feather in the middle.
The crowds are now pausing the celebrations to witness their princess becoming queen, standing on the whole floor below the steps, with Sia standing with Korbyn in her arms, with Vinny by her side, along with Abraham and Thaddeus, having taken rest as well like the couple.
"Think they're alright?", Vinny asked Sia as she chuckled, "If they're worried, they certainly are keeping it well hidden and buried deep at the moment. I would probably be on the verge of a panic if I was in Kida's position, right now.".
Vinny replied, "She was really pretty earlier, eh, Mom?", smiling as he was awed to see how a formal and royal wedding worked in Atlantean style, and he has to admit it was less complicated and less long than a few Italian weddings he saw around Italy town in New York City.
Sia smiled, "She was definitely very pretty, darling.", as Korbyn cooed in agreement, and Vinny replied, "I bet you are going to be smashingly pretty when Papa gets back and marries you.", and Korbyn gurgles excitedly, agreeing with his big brother.
"Oh, Vinny, that is really sweet...", Sia smiled, and Vinny smiles, before Abraham replies, "Oh, look, here she comes!", and they looked up to see four guards in a four-square surrounding Kida as they walked down the stairs, and once they reached the landing, they dispersed, revealing Kida.
Milo exhaled in awe and love and amazement, as Kida looks both gorgeous yet fierce, with now the third tattoo added to her face, a stylized 'V', on her forehead and between her eyebrows, symbolizing that she's soon to be no longer a princess, but queen, having royal blue, white, and hints of pink and brown in her royal robes and underclothes, with slits at her shoulders, sleeved and endowed to the hem of her knees.
The elder, the oldest of the Council and the people, since King Kashekim passed away, held up his hands, and the conversations quickly quieted down, and spoke in Atlantean.
Sia translated for Vinny and the two men next to her, "We stand today, before the Great Kings and Queens of Atlantis, to crown Princess Kidagaskash Nedakh-Thatch to be Queen, to begin her reign today, with her husband Milo James Nedakh-Thatch as her King as he is now married to her.".
The Elder then moved to the guard holding the crown, and took it from him, holding it reverently, and turned to Kida, continuing in Atlantean.
"Do you, Kidagaskash Nedakh-Thatch, take up the responsibility of looking over the people like they are all your family, to care of them with love, wisdom, guidance, no matter what?", the elder asked as Sia kept translating.
Kida nodded, responding in Atlantean, "I do.", and the Elder spoke, "Do you swear to protect our noble city of Atlantis from harm, to see the city through times of peace, and to honor your legacy as queen of this city, as long as you live?".
"I do.", Kida nodded, and the Elder then declared, "Then kneel before your people, to be crowned, Your Majesty.", and Kida took a deep breath, walked to a respectable space, not too far from the edge to be careful with her baby in mind, yet close enough to be seen by all the people as she took a knee, bowing her head slightly.
The Elder walked besides her, nodding at Milo who went to stand besides Kida, and the Elder then declared, "Then on this day, I declare this royal to be no longer Princess, but Queen, and she shall be,", placing the crown gently yet firmly into her head, fitting her, "from forever on, Queen Kidagaskash Nedakh-Thatch, the Valiant!".
Milo smiled and held the hand of his wife as she then stood up, and the Elder started, "Long Live Queen Kida, Long Live King Milo!", and the guards, the crowds echoed.
Milo took a deep breath upon hearing that last part; at least the immediate hard part was over, but he knew it would be a challenge to at least help the Atlantean people even reclaim a bit of their old glory. But as long as he had the Shepherd's Journal as a guide as well as his mind intact; it would make things just a bit smoother. Kida squeezed his hand as he leaned over.
"How does it feel now that it's official, your majesty?", Milo whispered. Kida whispered, "Exciting yet intimidating...", with a sigh.
Milo nodded softly, whispering warmly, "And you won't be alone. I will share all of it with you, if I can lessen the burden of responsibility from you a bit. After all, I am now recalling something Mr. Whitmore once told me when talking about President Roosevelt. Great Power comes with Great Responsibility.".
"That's an admirable piece of advice to have...I believe I will hold that to heart when I am doing royal duties, and thank you, Milo...And do not worry...I believe in you, and you know that our sister-in-law, her sons, and your fathers in Abraham and Thaddeus believe in you as well.", Kida smiled reassuringly as she looked at him.
"Yeah... still, hope you understand if I still have the nerves and all...", Milo admitted as Kida chuckled. "Truth be told, I'm in the same spot with you there... at least we're nervous together then?", she squeezed his hand again.
Milo smiled lovingly, "Together...", kissing her on the lips warmly, and the people cheered, returning to the festivities and celebrating the birth of the new reign of their new royals, and Milo then was greeted by a guard, whispering in Atlantean, and he nodded.
"What was that, my beloved?", Kida asked, and Milo smiled, "Just giving him permission to inform the flyers to bring your father's stone, it's almost perfect, almost finished...I just need to add a few details to it, and then the send-off to join the Heart of Atlantis.".
Kida gave a small smile, "That's good news...I know he will be with Mother and the others, to watch over us, to see his grandchildren from the Heart and the heavens, but I...I feel sad that he never got the chance to hold Korbyn or hold our baby in the future...", stroking her baby bump softly.
"Any change, by the way?", Milo asked. "I know it's still early but, I guess I was kinda hoping that maybe a first sign during the coronation would be fitting.".
"No...", Kida admitted. "As much as I want that too, it wasn't the case... it's still a long while before the kicking...".
Milo nodded softly, "It's okay. As long as you and the baby are healthy, I'm happy.", and Kida smiled warmly, "Indeed. Come, let's celebrate with the people. If I am right about my father's stone being heavy even for the flyers, it would be still a while for them to bring it here.".
"Oh, that's for sure.", Milo replied before squeezing her hand once again, and they headed down the stairs to join the celebrations and festivities once more, mingling with the people, receiving congratulations with nods of respect here and there, nibbling on kebab sticks and drinking some grape juice for at least 20 minutes before a horn bellowed out, and the crowds looked over to see the flyers carrying the stone effigy of King Kashekim, with the crowds splitting up to create a pathway without people under it in case if it falls accidently.
Kida exhaled, tears prickling at her eyes, "It truly looks like him...", and Milo smiles sadly, "He may have made a few mistakes for trying to protect Atlantis, but the people loved him, Kida...", as the stone effigy slowly rested down, standing strong and tall and big, with the flyers loosening up the ropes and such, freeing it to be its natural state.
The crowds bowed their heads as Kida and Milo and Sia, giving Korbyn after a loving kiss on his forehead, to Vinny, telling him to watch over his little brother, joining her sister and brother-in-law, went to the stone effigy as one of the guards handed Milo a chisel and a hammer.
Milo, after sharing a soft, reassuring smile to Kida and Sia, went to work on the last few details needed, reverently and carefully chiseling away as the sisters watched, with Sia whispering, "He's going to be remembered, sister...".
"I know... it's... it's just still so hard to think that he isn't here anymore...", Kida sighed. "Yeah... I thought we still would have some more time with him... it's funny when you think about it... with all the centuries but it still doesn't feel long enough...", Sia replied softly.
Kida replied, "At least we know that he loved us deeply, and he loved this city...", and Sia smiled sadly as she hugged Kida around the shoulders gently.
After several minutes, Milo stepped back, smiling approvingly with a nod, looking back at Kida and Sia who was smiling sadly with tears prickling at their eyes, and Milo smiled sadly, kissing Kida on the cheek gently, giving her a bit of support as Sia kissed her crystal to Kida's crystal, and Kida smiled at her sister before taking a deep breath and stepped forward, taking off her crystal necklace, gazing upon her father's stone, and raised her crystal, holding it in her hands and kissing it, blowing life into the crystal as it glowed brightly.
She smiled warmly as she then moved her glowing crystal to touch the base of the stone, and it gave the lines, the etchings a blue glow as it went all the way to the top, with the eyes bright, as a soft rumbling soon was heard, and Kida stepped back, putting her crystal back on, as the stone's rumbling became louder.
The crowds watched with respect, awe, and silent reverence as King Kashekim's stone effigy began to float upwards, leaving the floor, the large shadow leaving every moment. Kida smiled, feeling like her father's going home at last as Milo watched in awe and amazement.
As the last of the shadows from the stone left, Kida grabbed Milo's arm, and dragged him, smiling, "Come, Milo!", and Milo dropped the chisel and hammer, sprinting after Kida, while Sia returned to her sons, as Vinny gave Korbyn back into Sia's arms.
"Where are they going?", Vinny asked curiously, and Sia smiled, "To a spot where they will watch Father's stone join the Heart of Atlantis.", and indeed, a few minutes later, Kida and Milo was carefully yet eagerly climbed the stone statue, to Kida's sacred place, up and up to the top of the head, as the rumbling, slowly climbing stone effigy is seen by the couple.
Kida stood carefully as she held Milo's hand, happy tears in her eyes, "It's a beautiful sight, is it not?", seeing that the Heart of Atlantis is opening a space for her father's stone. "Yeah... but, you understand if it does worry me a bit at times too...", Milo admitted as Kida nodded.
"I understand... it must have been painful for you to watch me be part of it for a little bit there...", Kida said as he squeezed her hand, "I was worried that I might have lost you...".
Kida rested her head on his shoulder, "Yet I'm here. You saved me, you saved Atlantis, and you had help as backup...Caring for a people that wasn't even yours, that is worthy of you being a king, and with I by your side, I'll always be your queen, and you will always be my king...Yet I strangely prefer you as a scholar...", with a chuckle.
