The wedding eventually turned out to be a grand affair.

Jennie hadn't really planned it that way. In fact, she hadn't much considered what her wedding would be like at all except for a definite preference in gowns. She had been leaning towards a two-week vacation in Vegas where they could tie the knot. Axl had been into that plan.

Until they had both been convinced otherwise.

"Jennie, you can't do that! All the Hunters want to see your wedding!" Dagger said, aghast. "Really, we all do! It's going to be the event of the year!" Jennie had been a bit taken aback to hear that, but weddings in the Hunters were rare. And after her true nature had come out… she and her brother had finally decided it was time to release it… she was a minor celebrity with the general press.

"You really think so?" Jennie said doubtfully. The Hunters weren't the general public, and while she was popular among her unit, well…

"Of course," Dagger clapped her hands in glee. "The planning committee wants to get right on it." Jennie choked at the thought. The "planning committee" usually looked after keg parties.

"Do they have any idea how to plan a wedding? Gads, I don't want a beer keg at the reception!" That would be beyond tacky. Dagger smiled cheerfully.

"Don't worry, I can keep you updated on everything if you have it here! Please, Jennie?" Jennie's resistance collapsed at the puppy-dog look Dagger gave her.

Jennie discovered that the planning committee consisted of many girls, often with mutually contradictory ideas of how a wedding should go. Fortunately, they also had a leader with good sense, a human girl named Lindsey. She arranged compromises and, when necessary, applied whips to the troops.

Jennie could just go with the flow, occasionally making decisions on minor things like what kind of flowers she preferred. Axl sometimes added an opinion, which was how they ended up with tiger lilies in the bouquets. The effect was rather charming, white lilies and tiger lily bouquets…

Their only attendants were Dagger and Sebastian. Dagger was wearing a metallic silver gown, with metallic orange trim that she had picked out herself. Jennie considered it a fashion atrocity and thought it clashed terribly with Daggers pink hair, but she was quite sure Dagger was serious about wearing it to every party she could. She would never change her friends' taste, so Jennie just smiled. Sebastian was wearing a fine suit, the same as Axls', and Jennie couldn't help but giggle when she saw him in it. She could only imagine the tailors trying to find one large enough.

When the day finally came, Jennie gave all the arrangements a quick going over. There was no need for invitations… the whole Hunter HQ had been invited, basically, so the reception was being held in the auditorium. The ceremony was more private and was basically just her unit. The only invitation she'd had to issue had been to her cousin, who was flying in.

The auditorium had been decorated with tiger lilies and white lilies, and giant wedding bells. Jennie smiled as she saw that, than giggled as she saw the wedding cake. Most people would call it tacky, but who in Hunter HQ could resist a giant replica of the Maverick Hunter logo? The food was buffet, hosted by a very good catering company, and Jennie sniffed appreciatively. The garlic ribs smelled particularly good. The DJ was already set up and testing his sound equipment. All in all, it had the makings of a very fine party.

Someone tugged on her veil, and Jennie turned to see what was the matter. Dagger beamed at her, pulling her back towards the ceremony. "It's almost time, Jennie. Come on!"

"Right," Jennie agreed, and followed, pausing only long enough to give her gown a quick check. She was wearing a deceptively simple gown. Off the shoulder and made of silk, it was the kind of style that highlighted any body flaws. However, since her Reploid body was flawless, it was beautiful on her. A modest headpiece of gold and pearls had been bobby pinned to her hair, with a waist length veil flowing back from it. She was wearing matching gold and pearl earrings and necklace. Jennie's hair had been braided into her usual style, but was mostly hidden by the veil.

Jennie took a deep breath as the music started, and walked down the isle, her brother escorting her and Dagger following. It was all more nerve wracking than she had expected, after the countless dances she had performed in public. Jennie had thought she'd lost any vestige of stage fright long ago.

Then again, there were lots of dances. She was only going to have one wedding.

Jennie almost giggled as she looked at Axl. He looked wonderful in a suit, but he'd kept on his helmet. That was actually rather interesting, in a kinky way, and Jennie had to repress some fascinating thoughts. She smiled happily at him as she reached the alter, and he smiled back.

They had personalized their vows. Traditional wedding vows didn't quite work for Hunters, and even less so for Reploids. Duhallan made a quick speech, which washed over Jennie. Then Axl took her hands, and said the vows he had written.

I will give you beads of honor and respect,

And string them on cords of love.

That will be my gift to you as long as we both live.

If sickness comes upon you, I will end it with honor,

Despite the temptation to join you.

I will trust you with my gun,

And if you should go on before me,

I will write your name upon sheets of sky,

So that no one can ever forget,

The love that we shared.

Jennie sniffed quietly as he slipped a gold ring on her finger. It was a plain band, the most Axl had been able to afford, but it was more precious to her than the largest stone would have been. She took a deep breath, and spoke her own vows in a clear, ringing voice.

I will hold you in my heart forever,

And cherish you until the end of days.

I will treat you kindly and with respect,

Forsaking any others.

If sickness comes upon you, I will send you into the light,

With all my love and despite my pain.

I will trust you with my knife,

And if you should go on before me,

I will build a samadh to your honor,

So all the world will know,

The glory that was you!

Jennie slid the matching gold band onto his finger. The kiss that followed was gentle and lingering. They finally parted, blushing as a few members of the audience whistled and the others clapped.

It was a beautiful beginning.

Samadh means memorial. In this particular case, "samadh to your honor" is a quote from Kipling and refers to a memorial built of the skulls of fallen enemies, to mark the resting place of a friend.

Oaths to kill each other if they contract the Maverick Virus.