"Celebration of past and present"

"This is so unlike me..."

"What is that, my love?"

"Is like I have been a voluntary guest at my own wedding..."

"I still don't understand."

"I was supposed to be behind every single detail of my wedding, the planning and the organization... designing the schedule for when to do what, or at least have a thought on it... and I am now here, unsure of the next step, uncertain of how I got here..."

"Our love is not something planned, everything was unexpected, new and exciting... it seems to me, Elaine and Vanessa both have more experience at knowing your tastes and planning events... so you shouldn't be feeling bad about this, rather just enjoy it."

She smiled and leaned to kiss his arm, looking up at him. In response, he smiled tenderly and kissed her forehead.

They were sitting together at a round table with other people, right in the middle of the garden, and surrounded by other round tables with the guests. At the center of the table, a simple but elegant flower bouquet with white calla lilies and rare deep red orchids. In the middle of the flowers, a single crystal wing coming out and pointing up.

Elaine was talking to some of the guests, she seemed to know everyone who attended, and even though she offered Caliope some introductions to them, she kindly refused it, admitting to be too nervous to be able to remember their names or faces until the final celebration was done.

As Maxwell approached to the main table, Caliope stood up, walked to him and gave him a hug. People were smiling and a little surprised as she did this, but she didn't cared "Thank you... you did an amazing job making my heart swell with emotions..." It was true, even tho he looked younger than her, he acted almost like a father, caring for her and wanting her happiness just as much as Elaine and Pronab; she felt how honest his feelings and his emotions were. He smiled "I am very happy that everything was of your taste..."

"I can't even begin to describe... perhaps in another time you will let me know how you did it... and why?"

Maxwell chuckled "Oh, now that would be a story to tell..."

She felt Amra as his hand gently rested now on her hip, he pulled her close to him almost possessively; she knew he wasn't jealous of Maxwell, she smiled as she felt just how simple were his love demonstrations "We both thank you, for everything."

Elaine joined them and the guests around faced them and went silent. She took a glass of wine and lifted it up for a toast. Caliope stepped back with Amra and squeezed his hand. "I want to personally thank each and everyone one of you for making it in such short notice; I know neither the time nor the location was easy for some of you, but you made it nonetheless. This event is unique in its kind and time; we are celebrating a union so special and so important, it was meant to be shared. We all know how special it is to find our partners, our companions; we did not expect our very own Amrafel would find his in our earth, under these extreme circumstances. But he did, in the most unexpected way, and it has blessed us all greatly. In his own words, finding her gave him the reason to push him further, to guide him to accomplish his mission here beyond any other reason... I am perhaps, besides Amra himself, the most touched person by this union... I truly felt their unusual connection from the start, and witnessed every change in both of them since they've met... She arrived to our lives to stay, and she is becoming tonight, one of us... So let's toast for their union, their love and what it symbolizes to all of us."

The silence was deafening yet everyone lifted their glasses and smiled; it was a simple, educated gesture. "Now, let's enjoy this particular and interesting choice of food made specific for this occasion..."

Chef Remesch walked out of the house leading a court of waiters with the first of many plates for the evening. Caliope was a little nervous but smiling from ear to ear. The chef himself brought to them their plates. Amra perked a brow as he leaned and rested the very special dish. Immediately after seen it, a big childish smile illuminated his face "Caesar Salad..."

Caliope nodded and chuckled as he looked at her.

Chef Remesh smirked "A very interesting choice as entrance, I admit I would not have thought of it, ever... but I had the most fun picking the ingredients and preparing the special sauce for this one..."

"Thank you Chef... very much..."

He winked at her and turned around to return inside the house, as many started to eat it, Amra was looking at Caliope expectant. She smiled as she knew why; he was waiting for her to pour the sauce on top of the salad. She started to do this carefully on his plate, then on hers, and as soon as she tasted the delicious mix, she felt as her palad exploded with the different textures and the contrast of flavors. She was amazed how much more intense it felt, perhaps due to the hand of the person who prepared them.

And so it happened with the other different plates Chef Remesch presented to them, each had its distinct mark of uniqueness in a way only him could bring. By the time they were presented by the desert, a plate with a variety of sweet delights conquered even the most strict paladars.

There was a soft breeze under the stars, and the moon was at the top of the sky. Caliope was laughing at a comment Chef Remesch made while he was sharing anecdotes, Amra looked to the dance floor where some couples were dancing, and he turned back at her, leaning slowly and brushing his lips on her neck. She shivered and looked up at him smiling 'Can I be honored with a dance, Miss Clark?'

She chuckled and put a hand on his, nodded and stood up. The music changed at their pace as he held her hands and started to dance slowly. Everyone was watching, and Caliope felt a little nervous 'You look beautiful tonight... I want to thank you my Asteria.'

She lifted her head puzzled and look confused, unaware of what he meant 'I am sorry... thank me? For what?'

'For marrying me...'

Caliope chuckled 'You don't have to thank me for doing something I wanted.'

'I just... fear you rushed everything just to push me forward in my mission.'

'Amra!... no!'

She stopped dancing and put both hands on his face, he closed his eyes and leaned softly on her, pressing his forehead on hers. She caressed his chin and cheek as she spoke to him only 'Everything is happening fast, but not unwanted... I have eternity to learn and know you more... and I am where I want to be...'

He smiled but kept his eyes closed, wrapped his arms around her and started to dance again 'I think I am going to enjoy being a husband... I always felt protective of you...'

'I am curious... you said you could see many possibilities when you focus and see someone's future... did you saw us together back then?'

'I remember... I saw so far... but I stopped myself from seen more... I didn't want to see too much...'

'How far you saw?'

'That day... in the library, when you... had that panic attack...'

'You saw that?'

'I saw many... possible outcomes...'

'Was there... other possible... outcomes?'

'A few... one more interesting than the other... but what happened, was what it was meant to be...'

'Interesting outcomes? now you need to tell me more...'

Amra chuckled, he looked around and noticed people watching them, some whispering things to the others; he focused and heard their words, they were wondering why they were so quiet. He smirked, he was so happy their private way of communicating allowed them privacy. He looked back at her and saw her biting her lower lip, expectant for his answer 'I might have kissed you in one of them...'

She giggled and blushed, leaning closer to him and dancing tighter, the music changed pace once more into a softer tune.

'I might have liked that outcome... why didn't you kiss me then?'

'I was scared...'

Caliope gasped in surprise 'Scared? of what?'

'Of what it was... I did not know what a kiss was, until later research that is... or what it might do to you... or how I could affect you... I was scared of how much more harm could I do to you besides the time slip... I only knew I craved you... that moment scared me, but also woke me up to how intense I felt around you...'

She blushed even more and rushed to kiss him deeply; her heart paced fast and he responded with the same passion. After a few moments when they broke the kiss, she pulled back slightly and wiped a tear from her eyes, smiling a little less she looked at him quizzically 'Yet after that we didn't see each other for weeks... Elaine was afraid too?'

'No, it was me... please understand... at a point, I thought I caused you that panic attack, and I needed that space to understand more what I was feeling, how, why... and it all ended that night when I felt your pain and tears, it burned deep inside... I broke my room's door and Elaine stopped me, I told her it was time, and she nodded and moved aside... I don't remember how but next second I was knocking at your door...'

'I felt your presence even before I opened the door, I think I already felt something was different with you before that, I just never imagined what it really was...'

Elaine tapped Amra's shoulder and with an almost shy smile she asked if they could dance. Pronab was next to her with his head a bit low. As Amra nodded and took Elaine's hands to continue the dance, Caliope smiled at Pronab and approached him.

"I don't know... if you would like to dance with me?"

"Of course I would... it is ok Pronab, really... let it go already, we have."

Pronab smiled, he gently rested a hand on her hip side, and held her opposite hand firmly. They started to dance smoothly. Near them, Elaine and Amra were exchanging some words, both content and entertained by their dance. Caliope felt there was something different with Pronab now, even though there was still a small shiver on her body when he touched her, she did not felt so attached to him anymore. It was mutual, as both felt comfortable with each other.

"Thank you, for everything... you had been a friend, a guardian, and many more things during this journey of mine... "

"Don't thank me, much of that was just my duty..."

"Duty or not, you excelled at it... thank you..."

"...are you happy?"

Caliope looked at him with surprise "Of course I am... why you ask?"

"I just had to ask, to be sure... and well... Vanessa made me too..."

Caliope chuckled "That girl... she just doesn't know when to stop..."

"Don't blame her, she loves you and cares for you... I think she only wants the best for you, we all do..."

"Please you two... focus on what makes you both happy... I have found my soul mate already..."

He pulled back slightly and felt a little uncomfortable as she smiled at him with her last words. "Don't act surprised... to me, it has been very evident how you two have become closer in such a short time... and I couldn't be more thrilled! Pronab, no pressure at all... if it is not meant to be, I will understand... but if it is, oh how happy I would be! She is really the best friend I could ever have wished for, a sister, and I would never let her be with anyone easily without some serious questioning... if that is you, I just know she will be safe. You are amazing."

"I... ehm.. not sure about that really... I haven't thought about it..."

"Do you want an advice?"

"I guess so?"

"Don't think... it has made this so much easier for me... just feel it... and accept it... don't fight it... just go with your emotions..."

Pronab chuckled "You are asking too much... but I will try... I promise..."

"Dont promise me that, just promise it to yourself..."

"I will... thank you..."

"May I have my wife back, please? I miss her already..."

Pronab turned around and nodded, shaking Amra's hand and smiling as he gave Caliope a wink and headed to the tables. Amra leaned to her and gave her a soft kiss, taking her hands and squeezing them gently. "Are you ready for the last part of the event?"

"The last part?"

"It is time my love... we are heading to a special room inside the residence."

He pointed at Maxwell and Pronab walking inside the building, while Elaine started to approach the other Generals to invite them in. She gasped and felt her knees weak.

"It is really the time then... is now or never, I am nervous but ready... if I wait too long I won't be able to grab the courage for this..."

"You will do well, my love... I know this."

There was something in his words that made her more convinced of going, he was certain of the outcome and he probably had used his powers to see many possibilities, finally seen them all safe. She nodded and walked next to him in the same direction Maxwell and Pronab disappeared moments ago.

They walked through some rooms until finally arrived to some stairs leading to the upper floor. After walking a long corridor, Pronab was waiting for them in front of a door that seemed older and darker than the others. He smiled at them both and she returned the smile a little nervous.

Amra opened the door for her and she walked inside. The room was dark, some candles at the corners illuminated almost nothing but their small surroundings. In the center of the rather wide room, Maxwell was removing his jacket and letting it fall on the floor behind him.

"Welcome, please step closer, the others will arrive soon..."

She started to breath faster, and felt Amra hold her, putting his arms around her and kissing her cheek.

"Relax... everything will be well my love... close your eyes..."

"You really want me to close them?"

"It will help you relax and prepare... trust me..."

She nodded and closed her eyes, but the silence and not seen anyone or anything made her feel uncomfortable. That is, until she felt Amra's lips on her earlobe, and a shiver ran through her spine. He was distracting her, taking her mind and body some place else.

"Amra... what are you..."

"Shh... just relax..."

His lips pressed on her earlobe and it felt like a switch turning on her body, she felt her cheeks red, her skin filled with goosebumps. It worked, she had her legs and arms both weak and lose. She was melting in his arms.

"You are doing wonderful... now... please count to 10..."

"Out loud?"

"Yes... count to 10... slowly... and open your eyes..."

"1... 2... 3... 4..."

"Hmmm... slowly... relax..."

She sighed and continued "5........... 6......... 7......... 8......... 9................... 10."

She opened her eyes and saw Amra standing in front of her, holding her hands. At some point while she was counting, he turned around from behind her to face her. She couldn't see anyone around them but she noticed their presence, as she saw shadows and figures moving around. The candles were moved, now on the floor surrounding them only.

She heard Elaine whisper "It is time..."