Alien in the Family

up. “We’re ready.”
    Our parents looked at each other. “We’re supposed to do the big exchange,” Alfred said.
    Martini shrugged. “I know. Already took her.”
    “Works for me,” Mom said. “Let’s sit, for God’s sake.” I started laughing again.
    “Alfred, Lucinda? After you,” Dad said, doing the ushering into seats move. “Trust me, in the end, it doesn’t matter what kind of ceremony you have, just that you have one.” Martini’s parents shrugged, and all four of them took their seats.
    Martini moved us up in front of White. “I hear we’re on a schedule.”
    White made a display of checking his watch. “I believe we have time to actually perform the ceremony.”
    “Great. Let’s roll.”
    I caught Reader’s eye. “He sounds so street when he says that.”
    He cracked up. “Yeah, girlfriend, we’re all keepin’ it gangsta.”
    White cleared his throat. “Children, if I may?”
    “Sure, sure, sorry.” Martini sounded relaxed and happy. I stopped worrying about anything other than what I was supposed to do. He leaned down. “Richard tells you what to do. It’s simple.”
    “I’m the girl for the job then.”
    White rolled his eyes and moved into the ceremony. He had a lavaliere mike on, so he was easily heard through the huge room. The beginning was fairly standard and about the only thing similar to Earth ceremonies—gathered here to join, discussions of why we were worthy to marry, deep love for each other, commitment and fidelity, any objections. I was a little tense during that part, but no one said Martini was crazy to marry me, so all was well.
    As we moved into the official vows, things changed a bit. Christopher and Jareen each held one end of a long, shiny rope made out of some kind of metal. I’d never seen one like it before, but it was familiar, so I assumed it was the same metal as the Unity Necklace. As the vows began, they wrapped it around us. Each vow agreed to meant the rope was pulled a little tighter, until we were very close to each other.
    “Jeffrey, do you take Katherine as your wife, to hold her to you until death, only, parts you?”
    Martini looked right into my eyes. “I do.”
    My throat was tight again.
    “Katherine, do you take Jeffrey as your husband, to hold him to you until death, only, parts you?”
    I swallowed. I didn’t want my voice in dog-only register. “I do.” Martini gave me a long, slow smile.
    Raymond came over and handed us our rings. Martini took my hand, slid my engagement ring off, hooked it into the entwined wedding band, and slid it back onto my finger.
    “It’s beautiful, Jeff,” I whispered.
    I took his hand, he pulled it away. I looked up at him, wondering if he was upset with me. “Wrong hand,” he whispered, with a small grin. He offered his left hand, and I slid his ring on. He stared at it. “You picked this for me?” I nodded, as worry raised another fin. “It’s perfect.” He looked at me again, and his expression said the ring was telling him exactly what I wanted it to—how much I loved him.
    “These rings are symbols of your love and your union—unbroken, never ending, precious, never tarnishing, enduring and beautiful. And with the rings willingly given and happily received, as Sovereign Pontifex, I pronounce you married. What has been joined will never be broken, in this world or the next.”
    I heard a lot of quiet sobbing. But I was looking only at Martini. Who it dawned on me I should start thinking of as Jeff. Since my last name was now Martini, too.
    He grinned. “I don’t care how you think of me, as long as it’s as the man you love.”
    “Always, Jeff.”
    White cleared his throat. “Jeffrey, you may kiss your bride. Remember there are children present.” This got a good chuckle.
    Martini removed the veil and wrapped it around my shoulders. Then he took my face in his hands. “You’re mine, you know.” His eyes held mine and I knew the truth—I’d been his since the moment he’d told me his name.
    “Yes, Jeff. Only and always yours.”
    He bent and kissed me deeply. I’d been wrong before. This was the best kiss ever.

CHAPTER 73

    THE KISS WAS WONDERFUL, but not too long. By our standards, anyway.
    Christopher and Jareen untied the rope, and White came to us. He hugged Martini, who I was going to start thinking of as Jeff any minute now, then hugged me. “My dear Miss Katt,” he whispered, “let me be the first to call you by your married name, and know I do it