Chapter Text
After Nadia's proposal, time flew. Organizing a wedding wasn't something you did in one day. Hours were spent thinking about clothes, the place and date and everything else. Genya, who was asked to be their master of ceremonies, was living her dream.
Next May, the day was finally there. Nadia Zhabin and Tamar Kir-Bataar were getting married.
Nadia was dressing up in her room, Tamar in Zoya's. She didn't know it was possible, but Nadia was even more nervous than during the proposal. She kept messing with the hem of her dress.
Genya entered the room to go over the last little things. It was almost time for the ceremony. Leoni Hilli, her friend and brother's girlfriend, put the last flower in her hair.
"I'm so nervous," Nadia said for the tenth time in five minutes.
"It's all gonna be okay!" Leoni was like cheer in a bottle, always happy and optimistic. "You're gonna be the prettiest bride!"
"You surely are," Genya confirmed. "In ten minutes, you have to be outside the chapel."
—
The chapel was loaded with people. Nikolai and Genya stood in front of them, announcing the brides.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Nikolai started. "We have gathered here today for the wedding of our dear friends Tamar Kir-Bataar and Nadia Zhabin."
"Now, Tamar will walk in," Genya continued. "Give her a loud round of applause!"
The door opened and Tamar walked in. She wore a beautiful black suit, which complimented her sparkling eyes. She grinned happily.
She walked down the aisle on her brother's arm. Everybody cheered. When she stood on the podium, facing the wall behind it, the other door opened.
"Here comes Nadia!" Nikolai announced.
Nadia looked stunning. She wore a big white dress with a long veil. Slowly, she walked down the aisle. She too got given away by her little brother, with the prettiest smile on her face.
Everyone applauded loudly. Her friends all looked so proud and happy.
She entered the podium. Tamar turned around and for the first time, they saw each other's clothes and looks.
"Saints, you look so beautiful!" Tamar looked at Nadia's dress, then in her eyes. Nadia seemed just as amazed.
"You too! That suit suits you so well, love."
“Aren’t they beautiful?” Nikolai asked the audience. “I think most of you guys know their love story, but Genya will tell it now, once again.”
“They met a few years ago, during the war.” she started. “When Tamar walked into the Little palace, Nadia immediately noticed her beauty and tripped over. The weeks after that, they were seen together many times. The cruel war luckily never affected their love in a negative way. It made them stronger. They have literally fought for each other, even if it could mean death. When the war ended, their bond became even stronger. We have all seen them kissing during dinners and holding hands in the hallways.” Genya glanced at Zoya. “Sometimes a little too much to our liking. Yet, we all wished for them to get their happy ending and I am more than delighted for their wedding today!”
The audience clapped, laughing at some of the memories Genya had told them about.
“Tamar, Nadia,” Nikolai addressed the couple, who now sat in front of them. “You are getting married today.”
Nadia nodded enthusiastically, Tamar grinned.
“Marrying someone isn’t something you do overnight. It contains responsibilities, such as taking care of each other, loving and trusting each other. However, I am sure you both will be excellent at this. You will take vows, which are holy, now.”
The brides went up to the podium to recite their vows. Nadia went first, tense and emotional again.
“Tamar,” She looked into Tamar's eyes and grabbed her hand. “I love you. And I am so incredibly happy we’re marrying today. I’ll always care for and about you, through thick and thin. I know I’m not perfect, and a bit of a nervous wreck sometimes, but I’ll always be there for you after nightmares, fights, laundry, long poetry recitals and everything else you don’t like.”
Tamar laughed, while a certain brother in the audience made a protesting sound.
Nadia continued. “My love, I promise you I will stick by your side. The country we’re living in is unsteady, but as long as I have you next to me, I’m not scared to fight. I promise to admire you forever, give you all the love you deserve and take you on nice dates. I promise to unclog the shower and I promise to not step on your feet when we dance. Or at least, I promise I will try. Tamar, saints, I love you unconditionally and I always will.”
A tear dropped down her cheek. Everybody applauded. Even Zoya shed a tear after hearing Nadia’s beautiful words. She never showed it, but deep down she really cared a lot about her friends. Those two girls deserved their happy ending more than anyone.
Now, it was Tamar’s turn. Unlike Nadia, she hadn’t written her own vows. She chose to use the traditional, religious Shu Hanese vows.
“In the name of the saints, I, Tamar Kir-Bataar, take you, Nadia Zhabin, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. That is my truthful promise. Ya otdayu tebe svoye sesh.”
I give you my heart.
Nadia started to full on bawl and the public too was emotional. Tamar’s vows were simple, but beautiful. Genya wiped away a tear before she took the microphone again.
“Tamar Kir-Bataar, do you take Nadia Zhabin as your lawful wife, to whom you will never break the promises you just vowed?”
“I do.” Tamar said the two words with full confidence, which made Nadia feel so loved.
“And you, Nadia Zhabin, will you take Tamar Kir-Bataar as your lawful wife, to whom you will never break the promises you just vowed?”
“I do.” She almost yelled the words. The confidence she meant to concretize, turned out to be more enthusiasm, but she didn’t mind. She did, after all. Oh saints, she did.
Misha walked to them, holding the little box with their wedding rings. Nadia adored the little boy, how brave he is, yet still a child. When they asked him to be their ring bearer, he immediately said yes. After Mal had explained what a ring bearer was. Nadia saw Misha’s foster parents sitting, Alina on the first row and Mal on the second. They both looked very proud of their boy.
He gave Tamar their rings, looking very proud in his new little suit. She thanked them, to which he smiled. Then, he realized he was in fact in the center of attention and quickly ran back to Mal.
Tamar opened the box and put Nadia’s one on her finger. She admired the ring once again. She knew how much time her love had spent on it, and it turned out looking so incredible.
Nadia then shoved Tamar’s ring on her finger. She looked delighted; The ring looked as good on her as she hoped.
Both the girls leaned forward and their lips touched. They kissed. Their first kiss as a married couple, as wifes, and it was absolutely amazing.
Everybody cheered and it took a moment before Nadia pulled back. She saw her wife's eyes sparkling like never before and fell even more in love with them.
—
Nikolai spoke some more words, then the ceremony ended. Genya escorted the guests to the ballroom where they would party, while Nikolai, Tamar and Nadia, Leoni, Adrik, Tolya and Alina stayed behind. The marriage certificate had to be signed.
First, Nikolai signed the important document. Then the newlyweds and then their witnesses. Both brides had chosen their brothers as their witnesses, and a close friend. For Nadia, this friend was Leoni, for Tamar, Alina.
Tamar’s religion always played a big part in her life. Originally, she wanted to get married by a priest, but nobody really trusted the Apparat. They did not even know where he was, actually. She was fine with being married by the king, but felt really happy that Alina had agreed to be her witness. Who else than the Sankta Alina she had always honored and praised, was there to bless their marriage?
Alina, on her side, was glad she could do something for Tamar. The girl had always fought and risked her life for her, and if she could make her happy by playing Sol Koroleva once again, she gladly would.
“So, how does it feel to be married?” Alina asked after signing the document.
“Amazing!” Tamar and Nadia answered at the exact same time and started laughing.
“In my whole life, I have never felt something compatible with the feeling of marrying the love of your life,” Nadia said. “I feel like I can do anything now, because I know Tamar, my Tammar, will be on my side. It’s like… I can’t explain it, you just have to feel it. But it is truly wonderful!”
“I totally agree.” The love of her life embraced her, both crying in each other's arms.
Tamar didn’t cry often, but overwhelmed by all the support she got from her friends, and, of course, the love her wife gave her every day, there was nothing else she could. Only softly crying in Nadia’s arms felt fitting.
Saints, how she loved those arms.
“I love you,” Nadia whispered. “I love you, Tamar Zhabin.”