Page 20 of Forever

Moxy

Despite the angst from Kenna, the day of the wedding came with excitement.

“I truly believe Kenna will come around. We just need to give her time.” I adjusted the dress, the lovely Zorloxian gown. Do’Thortn slipped the choker around my neck.

“Oh, Momma, you’re so pretty.” Kenna’s little voice wavered as she walked into our bedroom. Her little dress hung on her small frame because it wasn’t zipped.

“Thank you, baby girl. Come here, let me zip.” I hugged my daughter tightly. She clinged to me, not letting go. Pulling back, there’s tears in her sweet eyes.”

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“I don’t want you to go!” Her arms tighten around my neck.

Do’thortn and I planned to leave right after the ceremony for our official honeymoon back on Zorlox. We planned to preparea nice suite for Kenna for her time with us since she agreed to spend half her time with us.

“Oh sweetie. We won’t be gone for too long. I promise.” I kissed her precious face and wiped away the tears with my fingers.

“No! You won’t. It will be forever. Please don’t go, Momma!”

I looked up at Do’Thortn helplessly. He knelt by her side.

“Sweetie, we’ll be back. And then we’ll bring you with us. It will be such a fun adventure. You will love Zorlox. We’re going to prepare the rooms for you, your very own place.”

Her tearful eyes turned to Do’Thortn and looked at him as if he were the one tearing up her family.

“Please, honey. Today is a happy day. We will have the wedding and a reception. Then your dad will bring you to the airfield to see us off on our honeymoon. And we’ll be back in a couple of months to bring you with us. I promise. It will be okay.” My arms wrapped around her and hugged her.

We didn’t have time for more crying. I grabbed her hand and gently shook it as we walked out of the apartment. Jefferson would meet us after the reception to take us to the airfield, so we had our luggage sent ahead of time.

The handful of friends gathered and Do’Thortn escorted Kenna and I to the make-shift altar where the Commander of the Star Shuttle Fleet stood as the officiant.

“Who gives this lovely woman to wed the Zorloxian Prince?” Commander Fischer asked and he looked at Kenna, hoping to include her in the ceremony.

Kenna straightened her back. “I will never give my momma away.”

The small gathering laughed, though inside, a wave of sadness pierced my heart at her words.

“We understand Moxy Foster and Prince Do’Thortn of Zorlox have already wed on Zorlox. This ceremony serves to make it official here on Earth. Do you both promise to live together as a couple, encouraging each other to be your best self, and live according to the laws of Earth in maintaining a peaceful relationship?”

The new vows echoed in my mind as both Do’Thortn and I said yes.

“By Earth Authority and the judicial credentials afforded me by the Space Central Program, I pronounce you as wedded.”

We turned and smiled while the gathering applauded. Kenna just looked shocked that we actually got married. She needed to learn how to accept it. We met at the reception hall of the convention center where a few more attended the dinner, including Jefferson, Huang, and her daughter Pho.

To my delight, Jefferson was cordial and even friendly toward Do’Thortn and I. I eyed him with Huang and still wondered if they were a thing. She seemed nice enough. Actually, I’d be relieved if he’d move on and found another. Kenna deserved a stand in mother here on Earth in my absence.

Do’Thortn surprised me with a baby grand being wheeled in and the same musician that played when we had our first dance to perform for us. I melted into his arms while they played a soft love song.

“I love you so much, Do’Thortn. You’ve completed me.” I smiled into my husband’s face.

“I love you as well, my sweet mate, sweet Moxy. You are my dream, my soulmate, my everything. I will forever devote myself to you, that’s my promise. I will spend the rest of my time making you happy and loving you.” His eyes peered into mine.

I could easily lose myself in his arms. My body heated, wanting attention, but we had the reception to finish and then the send off. Most of this was for Kenna, to help her feel included in this.

“I can’t wait to bring Kenna back to Zorlox with us. I think once there, she’ll grow to love it and your people.”

“I hope so. She’s not too keen on me right now thinking I’m stealing her momma away.”

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