Wedding Bells
Chapter 20

The ceremony was beautiful. The day was beautiful. The couple was beautiful. Everything was just perfect. The servants that helped with everything were invited to the reception. Although only a few knew who the married couple was, everybody congratulated them anyway. There was dancing and even a little bit of singing from everybody.

"I'm glad to be out of that kimono," Kayura said as she walked up next to Mia. She was dressed in a Western wedding dress now and she seemed a little happier. Her hair cascaded down her back with just a touch of curls to them.

"I think Cale agrees with you on that," Mia said as she spotted Cale emerging dressed in his Western clothes. He was transfixed again.

"You think I should just stay up here and wait for somebody to wheel him over here?"

"I don't think he has much of a choice." They watched her husband gawk at her. "You better go over there and try to help him breath. I think he's turning blue."

"I better go and do that then." Kayura quickly descended the stairs and crossed the dance floor. She passed a hand in front of his eyes and he finally snapped out of it.

"That was good advice," a voice said behind Mia. "Any longer and he would have fainted." A pair of strong arms circled her waist and was suddenly wrapped in warmth.

"It's so cute how they do that." She leaned up against the body behind her and found it firm. "They really deserve each other after all they've been through."

"You talking about us, too?" Anubis' head came into view over her shoulder. "We've been through a lot."

"Yes we have. And I'm not trading it for anything." She placed her hands over his and was just content to watch the two newlyweds dance. "You think we could be that happy?"

"Aren't we now?" He moved slightly to look at her.

"Of course we are but...?"

She turned her head to watch the two dance. They were so happy to be together, to be married. Married. Mia hadn't even thought about it until Cale said something about getting her pregnant first before getting married. It had never entered her mind at all. She had been too worried over the baby and learning more about her powers to think of anything else. The ceremony a few hours ago just brought everything home. When was he going to ask?

He saw the questions pass behind her eyes. She was worried that he couldn't commit to her, couldn't ask her the one question that she wanted to hear. In his mind, there was no doubt that he wanted to ask her that question, no doubt at all. So, why hasn't he asked it yet? He looked down at her and could feel the little life within her. A promise he once told her resounded in his head, I'll always come back to you. No matter what. A good promise but not one she would appreciate right now. He smiled and knew what to do.

"Mia? Can we step outside?" He didn't really wait for an answer and just gently pulled her back.

"Where are we going?"

"I have to show you something."

They went outside and headed for the bridge. Mia tried to look at his face but the shadows of the night covered it. They stopped at the top of the bridge, right at the spot where he fell. He gripped the railings of the bridge and looked down at the calm waters. Mia had hated the bridge and its waters. Now, it was the site of a wedding. She didn't know how to feel about it.

"Mia?" His voice penetrated the haze. She looked up at him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking about this bridge."

"Yes, this bridge symbolizes a lot of things. A struggle, a beginning..."

"An end." Mia looked down at the water.

"Yes, an end. A defining moment."

"Why are we here Anubis?" A chill had run down her spine when he said that and she shuddered. She felt his coat go around her shoulders as well as his arms.

"Because I needed to show you something." She didn't pay attention to him while he looked for something in his pocket. "I know that this is the place where both your heart and mine stopped. It has been three months since that happened. I thought this would be the perfect place to start out hearts again."

"What are you talking about?" She wasn't really listening to what he said and didn't see what he pulled out of his pocket. She just wanted to leave the place.

"Will you wear this for me?" He held up a ring in front of her eyes. It took her a second to focus on the object and when she did, she was a little confused.

"What did you say?" He released her and slipped the ring around her finger.

"I'm asking you in so many words. Will you marry me?"

A silence fell over them and they didn't move. Mia stared at the ring on her finger, afraid to move. She didn't want to disturb this peace least it could be a dream. Had she heard him right? The ring felt real enough. All her fears finally disappeared when she accepted the truth of the matter.

"Mia?" Anubis was getting worried. She hadn't moved from staring at the ring for a few seconds now. He didn't know if that was a good sign or not. It was a lot easier back then since he was betrothed already. "Mia?"

Suddenly, she turned to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Anubis stumbled back at the move but steadied and kissed her back. Okay, maybe it was a good sign. They finally pulled away and she looked up at him.

"I'll take that as a yes," Anubis said, breathless. She smiled.

***

"Have you guys seen Mia?" Ryo asked.

"Last time I looked, she and Anubis were getting a little close," Kento answered.

"Kento," Reva warned, elbowing him.

"As long as there's somebody with her."

"Why'd you do that for?" Kento asked as Ryo walked off.

"Just...forget it." She walked off away from him and Cye.

"What did I say now?" Kento turned to Cye.

"I think she's just making sure that nobody jumps to conclusions," answered Cye. "Don't worry, she'll come back."

"They're catching on," Reva told Royda.

"They should already have been noticing it," Royda told her.

"Yeah well, I think those two are having a lot more fun that we are," Kala said as she got up form her seat.

"Which two?" Reva asked.

"Mia and Anubis. Cale and Kayura. Rowen and Kishin. I'm surprised that you and Cye haven't disappeared already."

"Watch it..." Reva warned. "I don't like what you are or are not implying. Contrary to what you guys think, me and Cye are real careful."

"Does that mean you do or don't do it?"

"Kala!" Reva tried to lunge for the other girl and got stopped when Royda came between them. "She deserves this," Reva told their leader as she struggled to get away from her.

"Will you control yourself?" Royda hissed to her ear. She shook her slightly. "You are at a public place. Pummeling her would not be the answer."

"Why not? You did the same thing to Hardrock."

Royda narrowed her eyes at her and made Reva cower from her sight. She let her go and crossed her arms.

"Okay, okay, that was the wrong thing to say, I know." Reva backed away from her. "But remember what you said. We're in a public place. Pummeling me is not the answer."

"I know what I said."

"Then can you stop looking at me like that?"

Before anybody else could say anything, Kayura came up to the front and announced the last dance of the night. Cye rescued Reva from any wrath. Rowen and Kishin emerged and took the dance floor, too. Cale and Kayura took to the floor momentarily. Mia and Anubis slipped back in unnoticed.

"So, where have you two been?" Cale asked as they danced near the two that just came in.

"I'm sorry to say this but I'm curious as well," Kayura added.

"Well..." Anubis trailed. Mia tentatively held up her hand and showed them the ring that circled her finger.

"Oh my...!" Kayura quickly let go of Cale and hugged Mia.

"That's a good reason to miss the party. Congratulations." Cale held out his hand.

"Thank you. I thought so, too." Anubis clasped his hand and shook it.

"Don't look now but I think they're in their little worlds." They both looked at the two women and heard them planning the wedding.

"So, how much time do we have here?" Kayura asked oblivious that everybody could hear her.

"Just around two weeks. Any longer and I might grow bigger. I still want to fit the dress years from now."

"Why would you be bigger?" Kento asked. "You look pretty good right now."

Both women stopped talking and finally noticed that the music had stopped and everybody was looking their way. Everybody had heard what they were talking about and wanted to know the answer to the question. Oh well, all secrets have to come out sometime.

"Umm...well....I'm getting married!!" Everybody cheered and most of them forgot what the question was.

The night was getting late or early. One by one the guests left, congratulating the married couple and the soon-to-be married. Everybody was happy and quite refreshed. However, some people were still curious about that answer to the question. Like the Ronins.

"Okay Mia, you've stalled long enough," Sage said. "Why would you be getting bigger?"

"Umm..." She looked at Anubis who nodded his head. "Well, what other reason is there for me to grow bigger? Come on guys. Morning sickness, fatigue, craving weirder foods even Kento can't eat. What else can I say?"

"You don't mean you're..." Ryo trailed. Mia nodded. "And the father is...?" He pointed at Anubis. Mia nodded again. "How did this...?"

"Ryo, dude, breath," Kento told him. "We know it's big news but don't have a heart attack over there."

"How far along are you Mia?" Cye asked.

"I'm almost three months, but I want the wedding soon."

And soon it did come. Two weeks later, Mia and Anubis' wedding was underway. The mansion was full of people that knew Mia from work and family. It was a Western wedding ceremony, not as elaborate as the traditional Japanese one that they were part of two weeks earlier. The Warlords, Kayura and both groups of Warriors sat on the groom's side to even the guests out. There was also a traditional priest, nothing like the one two weeks ago. The ceremony was outside, just to the mansion's side and made a beautiful backdrop for the couple.

The two were rarely seen without the other at the reception. Each would steal a glance of the other any chance they got. The conversation around them was rarely heard since they seemed to be living in their own world. Most everybody just gave them space, obvious that they were so much in love that they can't see anybody else. They didn't even notice people leaving.

"They're going to have a great life," Kayura said as she and Cale looked down at the two still dancing on the deck below.

"With all they've been through, they deserve it," Cale added. He wrapped his arms around his wife. "Like we do."

"Is it just me or are we the two luckiest women in the world?"

"That, you two are." He kissed her cheek.

"Everybody's gone Anubis," Mia told him. "Should we go inside?"

"I don't know. You look so much more beautiful out here."

"I wish this day would never end." She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Me too." He kissed the top of her head. "But tomorrow's a new day. The start of a life together. Forever."

"Hmm...forever. Sounds good to me." He moved his hands and took her head between them.

"Have I told you I love you?"

"Not in so many words." She smiled.

"Well, I love you. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't. I love you, too." She tilted her head up to him as he leaned down. Their lips tentatively met and the kiss deepened. The light went off on the deck but fireflies illuminated them.

>Well, that was long, wasn't it?!? I didn't know that it was going to take that long. Anyway, with that finally over, I can rest a little bit. But not for too long. I already have the next story almost finished. The next two stories are short stories. I don't think you have to read it to understand the next story arc but it would be appreciated. Right now, I want to give credit to Ravena Cass. If I misspelled you name, I'm sorry. She was the one that suggested the little dialogue between Mia and Anubis all the way back in chapter 11, and the dialogue between Anubis and Royda in the end of chapter 12. Thank you so much for them. I think they went pretty well with the whole story. Again, thank you. And thank you to all those people that have endured through all these chapters. I'm glad that somebody is actually sticking with this. ^^<