The promised day

I honestly didn't see it coming.

It's been months we've been in a solid relationship since I've come back from my world despite Arfoire's attack. I've done a quick move to grab my remaining belongings before choosing to stay in Gamindustri, alongside the girl I've fell in love with, and who suffered from my long absence, but since I'm back, we didn't left each other. Some citizens clearly didn't enjoy to suddenly see a man alongside their next Goddess, but something started to happen and to change the things.

Portals began to emerge from other dimensions. The first ones were quick visits from Oracles from alternative Gamindustris to ensure they've reached their targets, but the visit right after surprised me, as it came from... Someone who I couldn't describe as nothing else but me. A married me, that is. And not only married to the girl I'm with for what is nearly a year, but with a child. A young boy, apparently approaching his tenth year, and who was the first one who talked to me.

"Huh, excuse me, but why do you look like my daddy so much ?"

I couldn't do anything else but laugh out, immediately stopped as I noticed his father doing exactly the same thing.

"I can say that's the magic of parallel dimensions, right ?"
"Uran, come here."
"Yes mom !"
"So... I guess you're the alternate me, right ?"
"I guess so. Nice to meet you, name's Alan. Alan Imouss."
"Same here. And name's Ian. Ian Imouss."
"If the last name's the same, I expect us to confuse ourselves. Especially as our wives are the same girl."
"I couldn't fall in love with someone else, but we're not husband and wive."
"So that's another difference."

Gear went out to see what was the commotion, but didn't expect the unexpectable.

"A second mommy !"

Uran went for the hug, to her surprise.

"Errr... I'm sorry, but I'm not your mommy."
"In another dimension, you are, Gear. Look who's coming for dinner."
"Another you... And me... With a child..."

She couldn't say anymore, as she passed out.

--------------------

"Mmm... Hmm..."
"Hello, sleeping princess."
"Hello, dear prince. Was I dreaming ?"
"More like you passed out of the surprise of seeing our visitors."
"Sorry... Are they still here ?"
"Yeah, don't worry. I let them take a room in order to occupy themselves until you'd be better."
"Then I can't let them wait for too long."

She rushed out to prepare herself, until I interrupted her.

"Don't worry too much, Gear. They're like you and me. They can understand how well you are now."
"...I guess so."

We then went to their room.

"So, you're better ?"
"Yeah, sorry for acting like that."
"Not a problem, Nepgear. We can understand that."
"Of course. Uran ?"
"Yes ?"
"Go apologize to her."
"Sorry for making you pass out !"
"It's nothing... Uran, is it ?"
"Yes !"
"It's a nice name. I would have chosen the same, honestly."
"Now, let's talk on more important matters."

Alan stood up.

"We've been informed of a dimensional crisis related to Arfoire."
"And what do you want to know about it ?"
"Everything. How it happened, how it went, everything."

Having nothing to hide, we both explained our experience. How I was trapped in my old world due to Arfoire's interference, how the conflict went nuts because several of them worked together, how I took an opportunity to come back to land in the middle of a big conflict, and how it resolved with several Planeptune goddesses from different dimensions working together.

"I see... So it is in our interests to stay in contact."
"Indeed. The more we are, the more we have chances should she try something again."
"My thoughts exactly. Also, there's something else I have in mind."
"Go ahead."
"Considering what you both went through, I'd say you are both ready for wedding, don't you think so ?"

I looked at Gear, who blushed intensively.

"I'd say it's not something I can talk openly, even to another myself."
"Don't worry, I expected so. And you may guess why did I do so."
"I guess I know it."
"Fine. So, our work here is done, we have to try and get in touch with other worlds."
"How will we be able to contact you in case of need ?"
"Our Histoires already are in contact. Just ask her, and we'll be here in three days top."
"As long as it isn't three months."

The three of them stood up, and Uran went to me, signing me to approach. Curious, I did so.

"You're a kind second daddy, so please make my second mommy happy, okay ?"
"I will, promise."
"Thanks !"

After a quick hug, he went back to his mother, as a portal opened right behind them. Without a word, they quickly went through, Alan saluting me before said portal closed itself, leaving me alone with Gear, who stayed silent during the whole encounter.

"...You're okay ?"
"I... I... "
"...You're shocked by his comment, right ?"
"...Yes..."
"I honestly didn't expected it to happen, but I have to admit the thought occured to me often, even before I left."
"But... But I am..."
"I guess the time has come."

I put a knee on the ground, right in front of her.

"Will you marry me, Nepgear ?"

She answered by jumping on my arms, tears beginning to flow. I embraced her without a word.

"...I'm so glad I met you..."
"It's the same here. And I'm glad you accepted me... However..."
"However ?"
"There's still a thing to do before that. And for that, I will need both of us to go back where I'm from."
"...I'm okay, as long as I'm with you."

--------------------

"You have at most 24 hours, will you be alright ?"
"It should be far from enough. Thanks, Histoire."
"You're welcome. After all, it is important enough for you to cross dimensions with Nepgear."
"It indeed is. And I'm afraid I can't bring anyone else with me."
"I can understand that. But be very careful, we do not know what Arfoire might try."
"Should she come back, I'll at least bring Gear back."
"I trust you."

Hands held, both Gear and I went through the portal, to reach an old appartment.

"...So, that's the place you used to live before, right ?"
"Yeah. I probably won't be able to use it for long, though, the rent's due over."
"I see... You have any ideas about where you'll plant another portal ?"
"I won't plant another one. As the rent, my time here's due over. I need to stay alongside my soon-to-be bride, right ?"
"Right."
"So, let's go, we still have some travel to do, and we obviously can't attract attention with your powers here."
"True. There's also the chance Arfoire might attack us."

We quickly went outside the building, before walking towards the train station. I still had some money from here, so the travel fees weren't an issue.

"The place looks fine."
"On the surface, it definitely is. But behind the walls, people are suffering miserable lives, and only clinging to false hopes and promises of a better future."
"That much ?"
"That much. Governments and companies only plan their best to keep their money as long as possible, and in doing so, they're thrashing over human rights at every chance they get. Which means people only get more and more miserable as times goes by."
"That... Sounds scary."
"It actually is, but people usually don't notice how deep they fell, thanks to said governments and companies throwing empty promises on the field, while distracting people with useless things that cut them from other people. It's only when they reach the end of the road and finish on the streets with no money to get back on their feet, or no relatives willing to help them that they realise the situation. But at that point, it's already too late."
"...I don't want you to live on this world anymore."
"Me neither. I found heaven in both Gamindustri and your arms. And I don't want to leave it at all."

I could feel her hand shaking, but didn't stop.

"...Thanks."
"You're welcome."
"I still wonder... How can people coming from this world can end up as kind as you ?"
"I... I don't know. Many people here are far more agressive than me, and some wouldn't hesitate to knife you for more money, as kindness means you'll have to open to others, and thus to make yourself more vulnerable..."

I took some time thinking about the next things I was gonna say, as I knew how important they were to me.

"...But I was taught by the person we're gonna visit that, even though you knew you're gonna suffer for people who actually won't care about it or won't merit it, keeping a hand held towards others is never a bad thing, and it's the only thing I kept from all those years."
"I see... But, at least for that person, won't you want to come back often here ?"
"You'll understand why I won't once we'll reach there."

A train, then a bus. It actually lasted a good hour and a half, but we were reaching our destination, in a place much more easygoing than the city we landed in.

"Woaaaaah, look at all this green ! It's a wonderful place, Ian !"
"I knew you'd like it. It's the place I lived my whole childhood, after all."
"And that fresh air feels so good !"
"The air here is much more clean, due to the lack of human presence. That being said, we will still have some walk to do."

And thus, the walk began. Not a very big one, as it only lasted half an hour, but the more I was walking, the more an empty pressure fell on me. A pressure made of pent regrets that only went bigger at every step I made, until we reached our destination.

"..."

Without a word, I kneeled in front of the grave.

"...Hello, mom."
"Mom ? You mean... It's your..."
"My mother, yes."

I closed my eyes as I tried to recollect myself.

"I was the middle child in a family of three. The two other were favored by our father, but towards me, he was always violent and insulting, until the day he ran off the house, leaving my mother alone with the three of us. My older brother was forced out of the house when it was discovered he was stealing money, and then... My mother became ill, and I was forced to abandon everything to take care of her, my younger sister, the house and all that came with it."

I tried to calm down, but tears kept flowing.

"And even then... Even with all the strength I used to save her... All I did was to prolong her suffering... Until the illness got the best of her... And until she decided it was better to accelerate it all, by a combinaison of alcohol and medecine..."
"Ian..."
"I couldn't do anything... I didn't saw anything... And even now, all I have are regrets... Regrets and her promise of always have a hand towards others."
"...I see."

Nepgear kneeled on my side.

"Madam, I am Nepgear, Candidate of Planeptune. You might never have heard of it, as it's another dimension, but that's where your son ended up by living his life the way you taught him. And without knowing of the hardships he had here, I linked myself to him, fell in love with him, and he accepted me whole, even through I had some conflicts where I lived."

She held my hand.

"I... He asked my hand, and I gladly accepted, as he is, without an ounce of hesitation, the only man I could give my life for. The husband I always wished for, and the father of my children. And I'm glad he brought me here, as I now understand him better than ever, and am more willing to accept him as he is, with the education you gave him, and with the strength he has thanks to you."

She bowed in front of the grave.

"So thank you for how you raised him. He made a woman out of the girl I was, and I hope I'll be able to carry him through the rest of our lives."
"..."

I smiled through my tears, moved by her talk.

"See, mom ? That's the girl I love, and that's the woman I'll marry. So... Is it alright if... Is it alright if... I stop regretting the past... And embrace our future ?"

I let myself be broken by tears, Nepgear holding me close and hugging me, as the pain of years of regret slowly went away. It may have last minutes, or hours, I don't know, but I still ended up calming myself and regaining my composure.

"...I've done what I needed. Time to go home."
"I'll call Histoire."

Three minutes later, the portal opened, and we all went through.

--------------------

"So, how did it went ?"
"Like I thought. Hard, but it needed to be done."
"So, what is the next thing you plan to do ?"
"Getting some rest. We'll see next day what will be done."

Without a word, I left Histoire's company to reach our room, Nepgear by my side.

"You feel better now ?"
"I do. And it's thanks to you."
"Really ?"
"Really. I probably wouldn't be able to endure it if not with you."
"...Now, what do you want to do ?"
"You mean about the wedding ? I only needed to..."
"Not about the wedding. I know you enough to know you were only going there to have your mother's blessing. What I'm asking is what you want to do about yourself now."
"...I don't know."
"You don't know ?"
"Yeah. I know I want to stay with you, and I know I want to marry you, but outside of that, I don't know what I could do, or what I want to do."
"That's logical if you're thinking about it."
"Huh ?"
"You just left all your past behind, after all. But you just can't stay unemployed, even here, right ?"
"Yeah. Any ideas about things I could do ?"
"I always need help with Onee-chan's paperwork, or at the factory. You can also join the Guild, if you're so inclined."
"If I'd heard about the Guild before coming here, I'd have enrolled immediately after coming here. But the experience with Arfoire told me I'm not really fit for fighting, so I'd focus more on a technical job, I guess."
"I could help with that, but I'm not ready with the fear of losing you every day."
"And I don't want to impose that on you. So, should I give a try at paperwork then ?"
"If you can, yeah, we'll see if you're fit for that. Take note that Onee-chan is really lazy, though, and that she always leaves out as much paperwork as possible."
"I can guess that."

She laughed.

"Now, we have other things to prepare, don't we ?"

As our lips were about to reach a path they both knew, another portal appeared in the room...

"Well, guess it'll be for later."

...And erupting from it, a little girl, who could easily pass as a ten years old Nepgear.

"Mommy !"
"Again ?"

Following her went another Nepgear, as well as a man you didn't recognized. A man with a mechanical arm.

"Guess we've arrived at a bad moment. Sorry, man."
"Oh, sorry."
"Neph, come here, sweetie."
"But there's another Mommy !"
"Sounds familiar."
"Ah, so you already had other dimensional travelers ?"
"Yeah. And you are ?"
"Name's Roy. You already know Nepgear, and here's our daughter, Nephillim."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ian."
"Same here."

Nephilim points at me.

"Daddy ? Why does he looks like the man who made your new arm ?"
"Because he's the same person in a different dimension."
"But then, why does the same man of our dimension didn't marry Mommy before my real dad ?"
"Because every dimension runs differently. There may be one where Mommy finally manages to build that giant robot out of the Planeptune Basilicom, don't you think ?"
"Guess the love of mechas runs into the blood."

I laughed right after that comment. However, "my" Gear took the opportunity.

"What about you all staying for the meal ? The previous travellers didn't stay for long, but I at least hope I'll be able to let you enjoy your travel."
"We're already enjoying it, but if you're asking for us to stay a little, I won't mind. What about you, girls ?"
"No problem for me. I'm curious of discussing some things with my other self."
"Will there be cookies ?"
"I can make some. Wait a moment."
"Yay !"

Quickly, the table was dressed, and the five of us sat at it, a jar of cookies and some drinks in front of us.

"So, mister Roy, what are you doing of your life ?"
"I would have said that my job is taking care of my beloved wife and child. However, since we're married, things are about to change, even though I'll probably stay at house for some months."
"A reason in particular ?"
"Between the reeducation of that arm, Neph who needs someone at her side and the incoming second baby, I don't have lots of time for myself. But it's not a problem since I'm in such a lovely company."
"Daddy, you're making mommy blush !"
"Yeah, I know. Sorry, dear."

I felt myself blushing while seeing them kiss. Truly a loving family. Hopefully, a sip of coffee helped me make that pass away.

"Looks like you're living the dream of many people."
"Not yours, at least."
"We're not yet married."
"Yet your bonds are as strong as ours. I don't know if you'll get the idea, but it strikes the eyes that you two are linked together. Not sure if it's because you're gonna marry or because of mutual confiance, though."
"Oh, by the way, we need to alert you."
"About what ?"
"Miss Nepgear, have you been in conflict with Arfoire recently ?"
"Errr... Not in the latest years, she has been rather calm."
"I see. Be on your guards, then."
"She did strike your dimension ?"
"Not only that, but she managed to open portals of her own, bringing allies from other ones. The whole multiverse is in danger because of her now."
"I see, thanks for alerting us. Guess we'll need to see auntie right once we'll be back."
"Yay !"
"Ah, but no more films with her. We've already talked about it."
"But I like watching films with auntie Neptune ! She always let me watch the ones you don't want me to !"
"And that is exactly the reason why you're not watching films with her."
"It scares me to guess which kind of films Neptune would let her watch."
"Speaking of her, where is she ?"
"Histoire managed to hold her tight on paperwork."
"Oh, I see. Poor girl."
"She brought it on herself. I've never seen Gear have any problems with that."
"True."

We spent more than two hours discussing random matters, until Roy's clock began to ring.

"Ah, it is time for us to come home."
"Already ?"
"Three hours."
"Okay. Be careful on the way home, and don't forget about the Arfoire problem."
"We'll be on our guard."
"Bye bye, Mommy ! Bye bye, mister !"
"Call me Ian, Nephillim. And be sure to take care of your mom and dad."
"I will, promise !"

The portal opened, and the other version of Nepgear grabbed both her husband and daughter's hands before the three of them passed it, with it closing on their backs.

"We're having many visitors from other dimensions, isn't it ?"
"What about calling some of them to our wedding ?"
"That is actually a good idea. Can we work on something to send invitations through other places ?"
"We'll need to locate some of them. Guess I'll call for Histoire's help."
"I'll come with you."

--------------------

"So, that makes 48 dimensions in total ?"
"Yes. We'll reach them one after the other, and all you'll have to do is to send the invitations."

One week has passed. Thanks to Histoire keeping a link with every dimension coming to help us against Arfoire, as well as some others she stumbled upon by pure chance, and thanks to the visit of people from other dimensions, we reached a big web of places where we'll send the invitations.

Oh, and the invitations themselves ? Paper planes with a chibi Nepgear glued inside them, and with the invitation itself fixed to the whole thing. That'll let them understand who is supposed to receive it. I picked the lot of paper planes, the chair, and sat myself in front of the place where the portals were created, while Histoire monitored the opening and closing of portals to ensure they stayed open only for the necessary time. Quickly, the first portal opened, and the first plane flew through it.

"One."
"You're gonna count them all ?"
"Yeah."

During the paper plane throwing, I kept thinking about myself.

"Two."

I'm no exceptional man. I stumbled upon here by pure chance, and it's the same chance that put me in the path of Gear. We met, we talked, and she acknowledged me more and more, making me become her Onii-chan, then her lover, and now her husband. And probably the father of her children after that.

"Three."

I honestly don't know if I'm worth such a role, but every time my eyes cross hers, I'm reminded of all the love she has for me. And while I can't trust myself, I can't distrust those eyes. These eyes telling me the chance I have. These eyes telling me how much love she feels. These eyes telling me she'll always be there for me.

"Four."

I'm glad I met her. I'm glad she met me. I'm glad we're together now. But there's still something I need to do for her.

"...Histoire ?"
"Yes, Ian ?"
"How do you think I can help around here ?"
"You do not know what you're able to do ?"
"I never was the type to worry about myself. Others were in need, I was there and I could help them, and that's what was important to me. Five."
"I see. You're the kind of person who leaves your self-importance behind the needs of others."
"True."
"Any other things you would have enjoyed here ?"
"From what I've talked about with Gear, I'd have enjoyed working on quests for the Guild, but I can't let her worry every day about the eventuality of my return."
"I can understand that. And then, you don't know what to do, right ?"
"Exactly. Six."
"I'll see what I can do. But at least for the work you'll choose, be sure to not neglect either yourself or Nepgear."
"I don't want to neglect her, and she surely doesn't want me to neglect myself, so I can't afford to do so."
"It's a good thing. I will also ask you to keep a good eye on Nepgear's needs, please. She let herself go during your absence, and while she's going better now that you're here, another absence might prove fatal to her."
"I'm not running away anymore. Seven."
"Fine. Let's continue, then."

One after the other, the paper planes kept flying. I didn't know if everyone was gonna receive them, but I wish for it to happen. I want that day to be the best of her life. No. The best of OUR lives.

We're together as one now. I need to remember it.

"...And that's the last one."
"Good job. Now, do you have a little time, Ian ?"
"Sure, you need my help ?"
"I want you to give a try at paperwork. Neptune has given up part of her work, and some of it need to be done for tomorrow."
"I hope I won't be too much of a burden."
"Trust more in yourself. You're intelligent enough to do it, or else I wouldn't trust you to give a try."
"I'll be in your charge then."

--------------------

"So, how is it going, Ian ?"
"I guess it is working. But seriously, how can either Neptune, Histoire or you take care of all this paperwork without even decent classification of said paperwork ?"
"Huh ?"
"See. This pile is about citizens' requests. This one is about construction in general. This other one is about work management inside Planeptune's official buildings. This one is for work management inside the non-official buildings. And there are also these ones affecting various kinds of specializations, plus one for emergencies."
"And why did you made all of that ?"
"Let me see... Ah, that request. A baker asks for papers relative to the construction of his bakery, to see if he needs to repair things now or if he can wait for next year. Where are the papers he need ?"
"Errr... He needs the papers from which year ?"
"Don't search, I already found it. With Histoire's help, it took me four hours."
"Goodness..."
"Now, with such a classification, and a storing taking both that classification and a sub-classification by year, and by month of the year, taking care of the paperwork can be much more faster."
"...That's amazing."
"It doesn't look so to me. I'm more amazed by the fact you were able to maintain Planeptune in such a good state all these years with such a method of taking care of paperwork."
"Could you... Take care of such classifications by yourself ?"
"I guess I could, but it would probably take me some time. You want to help me ?"
"Gladly !"

You could see how happy she was. But was she happy because she worked with me ? Because we found a more efficient way to take care of Planeptune's paperwork ? Or because I found something I could do ? I didn't know, and I honestly didn't care, as her smile was wonderful enough to motivate me to take care about all the work that was going.

"Ian ?"
"Yes ?"
"You were standing here, just smiling at me with a vague look on your face."
"Oh, nevermind, I was just enjoying your smile."
"Oh..."

She blushed. Hard.

"...I enjoy your smiles too, you know."
"I know. And I'm not used to smile, so be sure to enjoy any of them, okay ?"
"I will."

I kissed her on the forehead, and she answered by kissing me on the lips.

"Love you."
"Me too."

Another kiss, much more long.

--------------------

The following days went very quickly. On one side, the answers to our invitation went at a constant flow, with many of the invitations accepted, the only refusal coming from a Nepgear torn apart by the loss of her loved one during the act. On the other side,...

"Make way, make way, make waaaaaay !"

I nearly avoided the fall of both my sister-in-law, and of most of the paperwork she held in, by catching both of them, under the amused eye of If. I'd have sworn Neptune needed some.. Ahem, "motivation" from Histoire to come in, but, to my surprise, she accepted without hesitation, bringing her friend into that. And shouldn't I have known her inner depths, I'd be surprised by the amount of work she put into this work.

"This pile goes here, right ?"
"Exactly. Then, the pile for religious matters of this year."
"Okay !"

Neptune went off as fast as she went in. I took a breath, tired.

"Here, have some coffee."
"Thanks. I don't have any endurance like both of you."
"Even without that, that's an interesting work you put here."
"Stop praising me about that, it's not that wonderful from where I am."
"Really ?"
"Yeah. Most of the information is actually digitalized, so you can access any information available in one or two clicks."
"We have that, but such information is classified under strict access of the Oracles, the Goddess and Candidates, and a select number of people, as the Guildmaster."
"I see."
"By the way, speaking about the Guildmaster, did you hear what Histoire proposed him ?"
"I don't. And honestly, I don't even know your Guildmaster."
"You will soon, then, as Histoire proposed him to train you into becoming his successor."
"Wait. What ?"
"You heard me well."
"I told Histoire I didn't want to worry Nepgear by working with the Guild, and then that ?"
"I'll stop you before you'll get angry. The work of a Guildmaster is mostly paperwork. Registering new guilds, taking and planning missions, taking the various guilds' requests and working with them. The only moment the Guildmaster is expected to take weapons is for the daily training, and we can clearly see our current Guildmaster is far from reaching the top guilds' level."
"I see. It's way better than I initially thought."
"Glad it pleases you. I'm gonna have to call you "Guildmaster" or "boss", then."
"Avoid that, please."

Two piles of paperwork suddenly entered, rushing onto me. I still don't get which miracle allowed me to catch them without having one paper falling, but the thing is Neptune apparently caught her sister to work on the mess.

"Nice work, Ian !"
"Sorry, I was about to make it fall."
"No problem. Thanks for helping, both of you."
"If, can you come with me ? Histoire needs you."
"Coming, Gear !"

Both left, leaving me alone with Neptune. Guess I was wrong at the recruiting.

"So, what's next ?"
"A little pause. I'm rather tired."
"No problem, take a breath."

She sat near me.

"So, how's the big event planning ?"
"Well. We have nearly every invitation accepted. I'm a little stressed about it, though."
"Of course you are, you're gonna marry a princess after all."
"Even should she be piss poor, I'd marry her."
"I know. I wouldn't have trusted you that much if I didn't know that."
"Thanks."
"You do not need to thank me. You have seen through me, after all."
"Seen through you ?"
"I've heard your little talk about my inner self, right before you went through the portal and left Gear for months."
"Ah, that talk."
"People usually only see the prankster I let them see, so it makes the odd one seeing through more interesting."
"Don't worry, I didn't burn through your facade to others."
"I know, or else I'd have Lil'His on the back every day."
"You already have her on your back every day."
"True. Your changes to the organization will help me working faster, though, so I'll be able to play more."
"Be sure to have fun."
"I will, thanks to you. But be sure to take care of Gear for me, okay ?"
"No problem."
"There may be. She lacks any semblance of self-confidence, even though she seems to understand she can trust on you."
"I can understand that, being the same in some aspects. But I fully opened myself to her, and she did the same, so I guess it can work."
"Don't give up on her, then, or I'll be sure to make you pay for it."
"No worries. I love her too much to give up on her."
"Then everything's fine and I can go back to my games."

The door opened to Gear and If, both coming back.

"Ian, can we talk a little ?"
"Sure, what is it, Gear ?"
"I've heard from both If and Histoire that you have found a job."
"What did they told you ?"
"That you'd be working under the Guildmaster's orders, to take his place. They also told me your incoming role on it, and all that entails."
"If already told me all of that. What are your thoughts on it ?"
"...At first, I didn't want you to go, as you know what I'm thinking about it. But after hearing the role you'll have on it, I'm thinking you can fit such work."
"I see. I won't accept it if you don't want me to go through that, though."
"I have faith in you. Just be careful during your trainings, okay ?"
"Come and keep an eye on me if you're worried, I don't mind you seeing me sweat and all that."
"Will do."
"Wow, look at these going all lovey-dovey on us, Iffy !"
"They're sure being cute."

Gear got clearly red on these comments, and I'm pretty sure I have ended on the same state. However, I had some excuse to get out of it.

"Well, I've recovered a bit, so what about going back to work, girls ?"
"Okay, Mr. Red !"

--------------------

And some days later, the big event happened. The very moment after I woke up, I was grabbed, washed, clothed and brought out to the little church by Planeptune people. I don't remember the face of any of them, though.

Roy was the one to welcome me, before making me follow him to a little room near the main one.

"So, everything is ready ?"
"Yeah. The room is ready, the expected people are here, and the preparations are complete."

I took a quick glance at the room. Lots of different people, to say the least. Nephillim is talking with Uran, while his family is watching them with smiles. Two guys are arguing with different Noires, one trying to calm her down while the other is busy taking notes on the whole event at the same time. Another guy is trying to push people to wear glasses with mustaches he's giving away, and is actually giving a try on an assorted couple made of one dimension's If and a guy I vaguely remembered to see days ago. A Blanc is visible on the back of the room, talking with an apparently pained Gear while watching left and right with an angry glance. A guy with red and black clothes is watching a Vert and a Gear trying to get the same guy's favors, while I'd swear having seen the Nepgear plush on his head moving and talking to him. Probably the lack of sleep these last days.

"I don't even know half these people, yet I feel so familiar with all of them."
"Well, they must have been familiar with you, for them to come."
"I'd say so. Oh, and thanks for the help, Roy."
"You're welcome. I'm glad to have that place."
"And I'm glad you're helping me, I'm rather stressed."
"Logical. You're in front of a major change in your life."
"...How are the girls doing ?"
"Gear and your Neptune are helping your bride preparing herself. Don't worry."
"I will try."

An alarm rang.

"Well, ready or not, it is time."
"Time to tip the scales, or something like that ?"
"Time to make a man out of you, I'd rather say."

I took a big breath, before opening the door, with every pair of eyes turning on us. All my thoughts were focused on one thing.

"Do not laugh at the plush, do not laugh at the plush, do not laugh at the plush..."

The classic music began as I reach the altar, while another door opened behind me to reveal the most beautiful girl in my eyes. While I usually marvel at her beauty, it is nothing like that very moment. Her dress is rather simple if we're comparing it to other wedding dresses, and even the frills added to it are rather plain, but Nepgear never needed extra clothing to make herself stand out in my eyes. The little bit of makeup, which only consisted of a pale shade of pink over the lips and the eyes, was enough to make her feel more sophisticated while staying true to her simple roots. Guess I can thank whoever's responsible for that. Both Neptune and the other Gear at her sides were transformed, while wearing simpler dresses, but I couldn't let my eyes off the girl I was about to marry, and who was slowly walking to me.

"Hi."
"Hi."
"So... What do you think of it ?"
"You're beautiful. All of you."
"Thanks. This suit looks fine on you too."
"As long as you like it, it's fine by me."

The priest went to the other side of the altar, and began the famous speech.

"Today, my sons and daughters, we are here to unite this man and this woman. Their life is gonna be long and full of happiness and hardships. However, should someone stand against this union, let him speak now or let him keep silent forever."
"I do !"

The entrance dramatically opened on a small man.

"No one is allowed to marry his waifu before I do marry Blanc !"

One flash on the right side caught my eye, before White Heart did a mighty leap through the church, until she reached him. The only thing I saw after that was a powerful hammer hitting that man on the face, sending him fly to the horizon, before Blanc took back her classic form.

"Nevermind. Continue."

As she took back her place under the looks of half the people here, the priest spoke his last words again. No one dared to interrupt the thing, this time.

"Fine. Now, sir Ian, do you accept to take this woman as your wife, to cherish and to protect her under the best and worst times of your lives, until death takes its toll ?"
"I do."
"And you, lady Nepgear, do you accept to take this man as your husband, to cherish and to protect him under the best and worst times of your lives, until death takes its toll ?"
"I do."
"Fine. The rings, please."

Both Nephillim and Uran came to us, little open boxes in each's hands. As the man is expected to act first in this case, I took a little silver ring with a round stone from Uran's box before turning to Nepgear and taking her hand.

"With this ring, I am engaging myself to you, through space, time and dimensions, and through happiness and pain."

The ring went through her finger without problem. Right after, she turned herself to Nephillim, and took the exact same ring from her box, before turning back to me, taking my hand.

"With this ring, I am engaging myself to you, through space, time and dimensions, and through happiness and pain."

I saw a little tear dropping through her eye, but her look was quick to reassure me, as the children went back to their places.

"Now that the rings have been traded, I can declare this man and this woman husband and wife. May their life be long and full of joy, and may them be under the protection of the goddesses of ancient times. Sir Ian, you can now kiss your wife."

I obliged. However, as I did, something caught my eye. A ghastly figure waving her hand at me. I closed my eye, letting a tear drop at that moment and having a single thought at the moment.

"Thanks for being here, mom. And thanks for accepting her."

The whole room exploded in applause, while I was kissing my wife in front of their eyes. I turned back to them.

"And thanks everyone for coming !"
"...And ?"
"I'll tell you later, love."
"Fine."

Right after the applause, some people went to us.

"Congratulations !"
"Now, we finally have a decent wedding !"
"Speaking of which, wasn't that Blancanon who was kicked out ?"
"Probably. I don't care anyway."
"Everyone ! The wedding meal is ready !"

To say the least, many people rushed to it, leaving me alone with Gear.

"...What about telling it to me now ?"
"My mother was here. And she saw it all."
"...Guess my wish was listened."
"Your wish ?"
"I only wished for two things. For the wedding to happen nicely, and for her to be here, in one way or another."
"Guess both of them went as expected."
"Not really. The wedding isn't over yet, is it ?"
"True. There's still the meal, the dance and the..."

I couldn't say more, as she put a finger on my lips.

"Let's keep that in your mind, okay ?"
"Okay. So, time to throw the flowers, now. Ready ?"
"As long as you're on my side, I'm ready for everything."

And we went through the room, hand in hand.