Double Ceremony

Mina’s Tale II – Part 9

These days are the best time of my life. I am finishing my junior year of high school in two months but I will finish it as a married woman. Married, that word means so much to me these days as my wedding date comes closer. Serena and I are excited that we are getting married to the men of our dreams at the same time. My heart pounds in my breast when I think that I will be Mina Nuelin in just seven days. My whole life is going to change and I’m looking forward to it. I am sitting here daydreaming about Nova while I brush out my daughter’s hair. She wants me to practice French braiding so I can do her hair on my wedding day. She is one of the flower girls, with Terri, and she wants to look her best on that special day. She is such a precious child with all her habits and worries about my wedding and making sure that everything goes as expected. She surprises me sometimes, she seems so grownup for such a tiny girl but she’s all mine and I would have her no other way. I’ve been taking care of her since yesterday afternoon when Nova said that he needed to go on some business. “Mina, I have to do something and I have to do it alone. Can you watch Chibi until tomorrow?” I looked at his face, “Honey, she’s my daughter. I want to watch her all the time.” Nova kissed us before he teleported to the Moon. I didn’t ask what he had to do because if I was to know, he would have told me.

I felt the surge of power that surrounded Nova and saw him appear in the middle of the living room. Chibi broke away from me and ran to her father, “Daddy, did you get them?” I slowly walked to where they were standing. “Yes, princess. It took longer than I thought but I have them.” He held his hand out to Chibi and I saw two reddish gold rings in his hand; one ring was smaller than the other. He looked at me and held the largest ring towards me. I opened my hand and he gently placed it in the middle. I felt a longing for home as I held the ring and brought it to my face. Yes, I’m sure, it’s Venusian gold. A rare mineral on my home world and almost impossible to form into objects because of the hardness of the metal and the heat and pressure that it takes to meld it into a form. He smiled at me, “Look inside the ring.” I looked deeply at the ring and saw an inscription, ‘To Nova, with all my heart, Mina’. I looked up and he handed me the other ring. It said, ‘To Mina, with all my heart, Nova’. I looked up with the understanding that I held, in my hand, our wedding rings. Our token to each other of our vow to hold each other firmly in out hearts and Nova made them out of the strongest metal known to the Silver Kingdom.

“Nova how was you able to make these rings?” He took them from me and gave placed them in a same pouch. “Artemis, come here.” The white cat bounded across the floor. “You are to be our ring bearer my little friend. You are the link that ties us together as a family. You watched over the most precious things in the universe to me. My wife and daughter was you sole purpose and you protected them from harm.” Nova tied the pouch around Artemis neck. I could almost see the pride in his face, “Nova, thank you for the honor. I will bear the rings with the love that I carry in my heart.” Chibi and Artemis decided that it was time to make themselves scarce and quickly left the room. I cuddled up with Nova on the couch, “Nova, really, how did you make those rings?”

Nova held me close and then lifted me so I sat on his lap. Instinctively, I placed my head on his shoulder. “I only mined the ore from Venus. It was the gift of the Fortress that molded them into their shape and wrote the inscriptions.” “The Fortress?” Nova squeezed my waist a little harder, “The Fortress is a sentient being itself. The singularity at its core gives it an understanding beyond even my imagination. It wants us to be happy because one day the Sailor Warriors and we will return with our families and make it whole once more. It truly does thing for selfish reasons even silently looking out and protecting the Earth from harm. It’s more powerful since I returned but it will be a long time until it realizes it full strength. Until then, the Sailors have to protect the Earth. These rings are just a way of saying thank you.” I felt warm knowing that a great number of people and things supported our decision to marry, “Nova, can we have our honeymoon on the Moon? I’m sure that my parents will look after Chibi while we have a little vacation. In fact, maybe Serena and Darien could join us. It will be nice to be away from everyone for a couple of days.” Nova’s response was to kiss my forehead and nodded his head. I leaned against his shoulder and chest. Everything was right in my world now that my love was back in my arms.

I suddenly broke from Nova’s embrace, “What about Serena? I have a set of special rings for the most special day in my life but what about her?” I heard Nova give a small laugh and pull another pouch out of his pocket. “I always think of my niece.” He handed me the pouch and I open it and poured the two rings in my hand. They were different from mine, silver in color and warm. “They are made of a silver ore that was vital to the Silver Kingdom. In fact, Moon silver is the substance that the Silver Kingdom is named after. It has unique properties that allow it to hold ‘magic’ and the ability to transmit that ‘magic’. Her original wand and pendant are made of the metal so it has a special attraction to her.” I know that Serena will be happy with the rings. My love thinks about everyone. Sometimes I wish he would think more about himself but I know that’s impossible. Well, everyone has his or her faults and I can live this one. I fell asleep in his arms that night dreaming of our honeymoon and watching the Earth hang in the sky.

Everything seemed to be falling in place for our friends and the three of us. We were very lucky to have another apartment vacated on our floor. Needless to say, Darien signed the lease on the same day it went on the market. Serena was going to live just down the hall from me. I couldn’t be happier than having all of my friends around me and I think if I told Nova about my desire that he would buy the building and throw everyone out so I keep quiet because I do like my neighbors. I started to move my clothes into Nova’s closet, no, I should say our closet but it doesn’t make me happy when I think about sharing a closet with him. Nova has more and prettier clothes than me and since he’s smaller most of them don’t fit me. I am talking about girl clothes because his male clothes are perfect. He has lost many a shirt for a day when I decided to rummage around to see what went with my outfit.

He developed a partiality to dresses and shorts but will wear slacks when the mood suits him. He developed this ‘fetish’, but I really can’t call it that because he does have a female soul inside him since he’s still possess the Dark Queen’s persona, after watching Ranma and reading Futaba-kun Change. He thinks that since he can change into female form that he needed to duplicate the exploits of these characters in his daily life. I have finally convinced him to remain male at school to avoid scaring other people so he transform only in our apartment. I really have to work on him after we’re married to set some things straight but it does settle him down sometimes when he changes into a female. The problem is that he’s so cute when he’s a girl. I have come to love him in both forms; maybe that’s what love is, loving that person no matter what others may say. Just follow what your heart tells you were the best advice that I ever received.

I’m glad that we are off from school the next two weeks. I don’t know if I would able to concentrate on anything except thinking about Nova and our life together. Just five months ago, I didn’t even know that he existed and now in a few days, I was going to be his wife now and forever. Time and Nova really has changed my life and me and it changed for the better. I think that I have become a more stable and responsible person. I have a family and with that came the responsibilities of being a mother. This point was driven home when Nova couldn’t make a parent – teacher conference so I went in his stead.

Chibi’s teacher understood that I would be her mother soon and accepted the arrangement and talked to me about my precious girl. It seemed that Chibi took offense to a seventh grader bullying the younger children and, well, literally tied him to a flagpole with his clothes. It took all my will to stop my laughter from coming out but it was the teacher that started laughing and I soon joined in. She wasn’t mad at Chibi but because it happened on the school ground had to talk to one of her parents. “I wouldn’t have believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. She jumped on the bully after he pushed down the girl and had his shirt and pants off within five seconds. I’ve never seen anyone move as fast as her. The strangest thing was that she didn’t leave as much as a bruise on the boy.” That’s my girl or more accurately, her father’s girl. Nova had taught her all the techniques that he knew and she was a worthy opponent for anyone. “Well, her father is an expert and she has been learning to fight since she was a very little girl.” The teacher pushed a piece of paper to me, “She learned very well. Please take this application home. I think that Mina would be perfect for the school’s junior karate club. Talk it over with her father.” Nova quickly agreed and we sent the paper back with Chibi the next morning. Both her parents had signed the application.

It was the day of my wedding and everything had to go perfect. Serena and the rest of the Sailors joined me at Raye’s for a final party for Serena and me as single girls. Just us girls together for one last time before the big day that would change our lives forever. It sad and wonderful at the same time, I realize that my relationship with the Sailors will be changed forever but I must follow my heart and cleave myself to Nova. He is my love, my life and my every breath. I can’t imagine living a day without him by my side. I awoke early this morning to prepare myself for the wedding. I wanted everything about me to be perfect for Nova. I wanted to be the most beautiful bride that anyone had ever seen especially since I was the Sailor of Love. That title is hard to uphold at times but my heart is now filled with love for my family and their love flood my being every times that I see them.

I am wearing a simple white gown with blue and gold bows. I wanted to keep everything simple and understated because I wanted this day to be special for Serena. I have the memories of two wedding ceremonies with Nova so I have already experienced that special day twice but it’s Serena first time and I pray the only time. I asked Nova to see what the future held for us but he said that his powers are being dampened since the avatars were near to their time of coming. He is worried about everything these days but he still devotes himself fully to our wedding. I wish that I had his ability to block out everything except what he thinks is important.

The ceremony started at ten a.m. with the flower girls and ring bearers leading the procession. Chibi is so beautiful with her light purple dress and French braids. Terri is dress in the same color as my little girl. What a pretty sight they made as the scattered the rose petals down the aisle. Next came all the bride maids, my ‘sisters’, walking to join the wedding party in the front of the shrine. Well, all of the except Erica, Nova insisted and I fully agreed that she should act as Nova’s ‘best man’ that Nova insisted the term should be ‘best person’ and since Erica was closer to him that any male friends except his generals when we were on the moon. I can barely see her with Nova, Darien, and Andrew but she blended in with the others. Erica and Nova’s relationship is different and special. They are great friends and I know in my heart that Erica would give her life to save him. It’s comforting to know that my husband has such good friends but I think that we would all lay down our lives to protect him.

The wedding march started and my father escorted me trailing behind Serena and Mr. Tsukino down the rose petal covered aisle. I can see Nova clearly and just the sight of him makes my heart stop. Darien and Nova are wearing the uniforms of the High Guards with Darien wearing the cloak of the commanding general and my Nova wearing the mantle of the Protector of the Realm. How appropriate it is for the grooms to wear those outfits. Those uniforms had a special meaning to the High Guards when it came to weddings. It meant that they were willing to place their positions second to their wife. A High Guard only wore their uniforms at their wedding ceremony if they were willing to give up their commission if their bride desires that outcome. It is a symbol that their last act as a member of the august body was to pledge their commitment to the marriage even if this was last time they wore the uniform as a single person. Brides have been known to wear their dress uniforms as their wedding gowns and would gladly remove them and quit the High Guard if their husband desire. This simple gesture spoke more love from the two of them that anyone would imagine. I could if I wish tell Nova to give up his mantle as Defender of the Realm if I wanted because I was the most important person in his life even more important than his pledge and oath to Queen Serenity. I would never ask him to quit his task but his mere gesture lightened my heart like nothing that I imagined.

My senses flew from my body as my father placed my hand in Nova’s and kissed me gently on the cheeks. I’m sorry but I couldn’t tell you anything that happened during the ceremony, I was looking at the love that welled up from Nova’s green eyes. I felt him squeeze my hand and it brought me back to reality. I looked at him and he glanced to Raye’s grandpa. “Mina, your vows?” I had to think for a moment but I remembered that we had written our own vows. I look at Nova, “I, Mina Aino, pledge my love and myself to you from this day forward. My life was empty until I met you and you have filled my life with your love. I will be the love of your life, your soul mate, and the mother of your child and the other children that will come from our marriage. I promise to give you all the love that my heart can give and cling to your side no matter what opposes us in the future. I will now and forever be your love and your wife.” I stared at my darling’s face as I heard Serena’s vows to Darien. “Nova, your vows.” Nova looked deeply into my eyes, his face will always be etched in my mind, “I, Nova hi Nuelin, pledge myself to you as your husband. I could search the entire universe and not find another woman such as you. I would have waited a thousand years for you to come to me and not regret one day because I know that you will be with me in the end. I promise that I will love you until the end of time and beyond. I will protect you from all harm and comfort you in times of sorrow. I pledge my soul and life to you as my bond of love.” I almost cried, he did have to come a thousand years for me but he will never have to again; I will always be by his side, no matter what happens.

After Darien finished his vows to Serena, no, please don’t ask me what he said because only one thing occupied my thoughts and he stood before me. Nova turned me to the front towards Raye’s grandfather, “Do you, Mina, take Nova as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” I thought for a second, “Yes and even beyond death.” Grandpa repeated the vows for Serena and Darien and turned to Nova, “Do you, Nova, take Mina as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” Nova squeezed my hand, “Yes and even beyond death.” Our oaths matched, we will love each other even beyond death. I was happy. We exchanged rings and I brought Nova’s hand to my lips and kissed the ring on his finger. “With the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” I felt Nova’s arms embrace me and I almost fainted but was jolted back to my senses as his lips pressed against mine in our first kiss as husband and wife.

Everyone quickly greeted us as married couples. I hugged and kissed everyone while Nova was doing the same with the other wedding guest that came to wish us well in our marriage. We soon changed into our traveling clothes. I have seen Nova without clothes before but this was the first time as his wife. I can peek all I want to now and never have to be embarrassed or have to explain to others. I kissed Serena and Darien goodbye as they left for their trip to Kyoto. Darien wanted a more traditional honeymoon for himself and his new bride but I wanted one out of this world. I wanted the moon. A limo drove us to the airport where we boarded a helicopter piloted by Susan. We said that we wanted some time all to ourselves but we just needed to get away from prying eyes so Nova can transport us to the moon. I hugged my parents and they hugged their new son. They would take care of Chibi while we were gone for the two days. I wish she could come with us but my mother told me in no uncertain terms that a child on a honeymoon is not the best way to start a marriage. I hugged and kissed Chibi at the helipad and I felt Nova hugging us both, “Princess, now you mind your grandparents while we’re gone. We see you in two days.” Chibi kissed us and wiped the tears from her eyes, “I promise Daddy but Mommy, please come and get me the moment you get back. I love you, Mommy.” I kissed her and grabbed Nova’s hand, “Love, let’s get going or I am grabbed that little girl and bring her with us.” Nova took my arm and led me to the helicopter. He helped me into the back seat and took his place besides me. I waved at the group as we lifted off the ground.

We journeyed a short distance to the headquarters of Silver Kingdom Inc. and quickly went to Susan’s office on the top floor. She hugged us both and quietly left the office. Nova raised his hand, “Are you ready?” I nodded my head and our surroundings changed as we appeared in the Grand Hall of the Fortress. I hugged my prince with all my might, took his hand, and quickly ran to our bedroom. It wasn’t going to take five years to consummate our marriage this time. After three hours, we gathered the energy to go outside to see the Earth in its lofty perch in the sky. Nova slipped his arm around my shoulder and I slipped mine around his waist. We stood watching the Earth until we decided that we had better ways of spending our honeymoon instead of watch the sky.

The next two days I was in bliss. I had Nova all to myself and he gave me his complete attention. We arrived back at the headquarters the day before school was to start again. Erica drove us home where we picked up Chibi and went to our apartment. I had my family together and no one was going to break us apart.

Not much happened the next fourteen months. We started our senior year as expected in the spring and summer then fall came and went. Nova continued our training and bought more of the apartment building that we lived in. Now all the Sailors lived in the same building even Raye who would still go after school to help at the shrine. Graduation Day came and we all walked the aisle for our ceremony. Serena and I kept our promise of not starting a family until after we graduated and now all bets are off and we will start trying to have a baby tonight after the party.

The three older Sailors, the two younger, and Darien prepared a graduation party for the five of us. They refused us whenever we tried to do anything. They said that it’s our day to be waited on and we should enjoy it. I didn’t mind but Nova’s thoughts were somewhere else. “Darling, what’s wrong, you seem to be elsewhere.” Nova grabbed my hand and I stepped in front of him. “It’s just a feeling of dread, Sweetheart.” I leaned back against Nova’s chest. Suddenly, I saw a flash of light from over the building. Nova held me close, “Nova, what was that?” He held me close and grabbed Chibi as she ran and jumped into my arms. “Daddy, what happened?” Nova turned us around and slowly walked us into the living room where Amy had turned on the television and after a few minutes, “We interrupt this broadcast. The flash that was just seen over Tokyo is reported to be nuclear strikes in China and Russia. It is being reported but unconfirmed that both sides accidentally fired a nuclear missile and major damage has been reported in the cities of Fushun and Vladivostok. Stay tune to this station for any breaking news.” I looked around the room and saw the horror on every face. Chibi clung to me and I reached down and picked her up. Michelle came running, “Nova, what happened? What caused those missiles to fire?” I felt Nova trembling against my back. All he said before we turned our attention back to the news broadcast was, “There shall be wars and rumors of wars. I see a rider on a white horse and to him was given a crown and a bow to conquer mankind. The first avatar has come and his name is Battle.”

The first avatar has appeared but what will he be like. How do defeat the entity that represents the Arts of War? Stay tune for the next installment, “Rumors of War”.