Epilogue-chapter 21

Clarise was super nervous. It felt like a whole group of butterflies were flying around in her stomach. Her wedding day had finally come and like all brides she wasn't herself. She stood before the large mirror at a monastery in what was once Brimstone City.

It was a large building where a group of Martian Mice monks resided and was run by a Martian Mouse priest who performed Bonding ceremonies and weddings. It was the same building that the Martian Mice Freedom Fighters used for their underground base during the Plutarkian War. The monks performed their services and maintained their quiet reclusive lifestyle while the Martian soldiers carried on business underneath in their basement.

Now with the Fish Faces driven from Plutark, the mice could now use the whole building for weddings, christenings, and funerals.

Clarise stared back at herself. The beautiful white silk gown with lace enhanced her beauty. Her sister Coco was helping her adjust the long matching train and veil.

"Quick! How do I look?" She asked her sister for the sixth time.

"Relax. You look great. But is it true? They let you use that tele-whatever it's called?" Coco asked.

"Tele-transporter. And yes. I've used it to ship food and other items needed on Mars. The people here are able to grow food and farm animals just like the farmers here on Earth. It's pretty easy to use. Charley showed me how to use it. With it, Modo and I along with Throttle, Vinnie, and Charley have been able to help the Martian Mice population rebuild and restore Mars back the way it was before the Plutarkians came." Clarise replied, straightening out the lace on the head piece.

"You really love the big guy a lot, don't you?" Coco asked her.

"I really do. I never thought I could feel this way again about anyone." She replied, giving her sister a look that spoke plainly enough, "Modo's the sweetest guy I ever met. He's the most giving."

"I know. I can tell he's sweet on you, too. The way he looks at you."

"Oh, I think the world of him. I just know he'll make a great father."

"Well, it's a little early to be thinking about stuff like that on your wedding day."

Clarise hesitated.

"Actually, I do need to think about it...considering I'm going to be visited by Senor Stork in nine months." She replied, looking away.

Coco stared at her sister. Her eyes grew wide with surprise as she realized what her sister was trying to tell her.

"Are you saying...?"

"I'm pregnant. With Modo's child."

"That's great, but..."

"But what? I'm marrying the man I love and carrying his baby."

"I mean I'm happy for you. But what is it going to look like? Is it gonna be human or...?"

"It's a baby! I don't care how my baby looks whether it's human or a mouse as long as he or she is healthy." She scowled.

"Sorry, Reece. Look, as long as the big guy makes you happy, then I'm happy. Really. I kinda wish...I found somebody like that."

Clarise's frown turned into a sympathetic smile. She put her arm around her sister.

"You'll meet the right guy someday." She told her sister.

"Yeah, well. I ain't getting any younger. I don't got time to wait around for Mr. Right."

"So what are you gonna do? Take up with the first gorgeous guy that walks by and says hi?"

"Uh, yeah." Coco replied, "Who wouldn't?"

"I see you haven't changed a bit."Clarise chuckled.

"Sure haven't. Who knows? I might stop dating the zeros and find a hero on Mars."

...

And in another part of the monastery, Throttle and Vinnie were helping Modo get dressed.

"Well, today's the big day." Throttle said. The latter, clad in a dark blue suit and white shirt, was helping fix Modo's tie.

"Sure is." Modo replied, "Where'd I put my tie?"

"You're wearing it, bro." Vinnie said, pointing at him,"Throttle just fixed it."

Modo looked at himself and saw it.

"Oh. Thanks."

"Will you relax, big guy. Everything gonna be fine." Throttle told him.

"Just a little nervous."

"What's the big deal? You're marrying a great girl." Vinnie said, then opening the dressing chamber door a crack, people were seated in the congregation, "Wow! All of Mars is here for your big send-off."

"S-send-off?" Modo asked.

"Pay no attention to stem for brain. Everyone's here to wish you and Clarise good luck." Throttle said, "Just like me and Carbine."

Modo gave Throttle a grateful smile. The tan furred leader smiled back.

"Alright, let's do this." Modo said, a determined look on his face as he began storming out.

A look of alarm came over Throttle's face as he looked at him.

"Modo, wait! You forgot..." He cried out.

But the big guy was already gone.

Throttle was holding out a pair of dress pants.

"How long do you think it'll dawn on him that he isn't wearing any pants?" Vinnie asked.

Suddenly, a woman's scream was heard in the hallway. Then Modo's exclamation of "Oh, mama!" followed by a flurry of apologies.

"Not long." Both mice said together.

"C'mon, we better bail him out." Throttle said, as he and Vinnie went out to the hallway.

...

Coco Redmond, donning a blue suit dress, white lacy shirt, pearl brooch, and blue pumps stood near the priest. Clarise had chosen her to be her matron of honor. Throttle, Vinnie, and Modo stood next to Coco. Everyone watched as Charley and Carbine, arrayed in light blue bridesmaid dresses and carrying small bouquets of forget me nots, walked down the aisle. Carbine stood next to Throttle who grinned at her while she grinned back. Charley stood next to Vinnie. The latter whispered something in her ear which made her smile.

Soon, the wedding march began. The congregation now stood up. Clarise Redmond was walking down the aisle carrying a large bouquet of white carnations. She was a vision of sheer loveliness in her white lacy wedding dress, matching shoes, and lacy headpiece. Modo felt like the luckiest guy in the universe when he saw her. He held out his hand. She placed her hand into his.

She felt the butterflies settle down as the wedding began. More so as the priest pronounced them husband and wife. Modo brushed his lips against his new wife's lips.

"Good people of Mars, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Modo Maverick!" He cried out, as Modo and Clarise turned to face the crowd.

A thunderous applause rang out among the people. Throttle and Vinnie patted their bro on the back.

"You're next." Modo teased Vinnie.

The latter blushed as he glanced at Charley. The latter smiled at him.

"Aw, quit it." He told Modo. Throttle smirked as he lifted an eyebrow.

"Sweetheart..." Vinnie began as he gazed awkwardly at Charley, "Wanna make us official?"

"Sure. I'm game." She grinned.

The white mouse lifted the Earth female in the air. Her ears slightly split from the loud deafening whoops from this throat. She was finally going to be his. Both Clarise and Carbine became bridesmaids at their wedding.

Modo and Clarise gazed at the happy couple and each other with love. From that day forward, they were devoted to each other. Modo was right there in the delivery room for the birth of their son.

"He's perfect."Clarise said, gazing fondly at the tiny baby mouse wrapped in a blanket who yawned.

"He sure is." Modo said, grinning at his new son, " What are we gonna name him?"

Clarise remembered the vision that she had when Carbunkle turned her into a mouse. She always said if she ever had a son, his name would be Waylon. But since meeting Modo and knowing he had a nephew named Rimfire, she had another idea.

"Wayfire."

"I like it. How'd you come up with that?" He asked.

"Let's just say it came to me." She replied.